Marc Polymeropoulos on South China Morning Post about possible Israeli intentions behind Hezbollah pager attacks

MENASource Jun 17, 2025

Why Hezbollah is unlikely to engage in the Israel-Iran war—for now

By David Daoud

As wave after wave of Israeli jets continue to strike Iran, Tehran’s proxy on Israel’s northern border remains quiet.
Iran Israel
Marc Polymeropoulos on South China Morning Post about possible Israeli intentions behind Hezbollah pager attacks

MENASource Jun 4, 2025

What Lebanon’s municipal election results mean for Hezbollah

By David Daoud

Municipal election results did not demonstrate the militant group’s dominance over Lebanon’s Shiites, but Hezbollah nevertheless retains popularity.
Elections Lebanon
Marc Polymeropoulos on South China Morning Post about possible Israeli intentions behind Hezbollah pager attacks

MENASource May 22, 2025

Lebanon’s 1982 war reverberates in Israel’s Syria campaign

By Sinan Hatahet

Israel’s ongoing intervention in Syria appears different from its 1982 invasion of Lebanon—but beneath the surface, parallels are striking.
Israel Lebanon

Content

In the News

Oct 11, 2024

Marc Polymeropoulos on South China Morning Post about possible Israeli intentions behind Hezbollah pager attacks

On September 20, Marc Polymeropoulos, nonresident senior fellow at Forward Defense, spoke with the South China Morning Post about possible Israeli intentions behind the pager attacks against Hezbollah. In his remarks, Polymeropoulos explored the possibility that the Hezbollah pager attacks may be part of a wider Israeli strategy of “escalate to deescalate.”

Intelligence Israel

In the News

Oct 11, 2024

Marc Polymeropoulos joins MSNBC to weigh in on Israeli military strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon

On September 19, Marc Polymeropoulos, nonresident senior fellow at Forward Defense, joined NBC News’ Raf Sanchez and retired Gen. Barry McCaffrey to discuss Israel’s military strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon after the waves of walkie-talkies and pagers explosions.

Intelligence Israel

IranSource

Oct 11, 2024

The Nasrallah killing is upending Iran’s security strategy. Here’s what to expect next.

By Danny Citrinowicz  

Tehran needs to decide whether it is ready to change its policy since October 7, 2023.

Conflict Iran

MENASource

Oct 9, 2024

The countdown to Nasrallah’s assassination began with Majdal Shams

By David Daoud

Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah signed his death warrant on July 27.

Conflict Israel

In the News

Oct 8, 2024

Elliot Ackerman in the Atlantic on the death of Nasrallah

On September 28, Elliot Ackerman, non-resident senior fellow at Forward Defense, published a piece in the Atlantic on the current conflict between Israel and Iran and the broader conflict between the US and its adversaries.

Conflict Iran

In the News

Oct 7, 2024

Marc Polymeropoulos joins MSNBC to comment on Israel’s alleged elimination of senior Hezbollah leadership

On September 20, Marc Polymeropoulos, nonresident senior fellow at Forward Defense, joined MSNBC Peter Alexander and Colin Clarke of The Soufan Group to assess Israel’s officials claim “entire senior Hezbollah ‘command'” has been eliminated.

Intelligence Israel

MENASource

Oct 4, 2024

One year after Hamas’s October 7 terrorist attacks, here’s how the region has changed

By Atlantic Council experts

One year on, the Gaza War remains unresolved and the potential for war across the region is becoming more likely. Atlantic Council experts take on questions about the war's impact—and its future.

Conflict Crisis Management

MENASource

Oct 4, 2024

Israel has lost its patience

By Nicholas Blanford

Since September 16, Israel has removed the gloves to stage a massive aerial bombing campaign targeting Hezbollah's top political and military leadership and weapons sites to force the Iran-backed group to yield and redeploy its forces away from Lebanon’s southern border.

Conflict Israel

New Atlanticist

Oct 3, 2024

How American diplomacy can stabilize Lebanon—and the Middle East

By Daniel E. Mouton

As Israeli military operations focus on clearing Hezbollah fighters and weapons in southern Lebanon and Iran weighs additional attacks, US diplomacy must work to define the end point for the current escalation.

Conflict Iran

Fast Thinking

Oct 2, 2024

What is Iran thinking now?

By Atlantic Council

Tehran launched nearly two hundred missiles at Israel on Tuesday. Atlantic Council experts consider the ways that the barrage—which was largely ineffectual—offers a window into Iranian thinking.

Conflict Iran
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Experts

Fellow

Nicholas Blanford

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Conflict

Staff

Jonathan Panikoff

Director, Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Economy & Business Financial Regulation

Staff

Joze Pelayo

Associate Director, Strategic Initiatives and Policy, Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Arabic Intelligence

Fellow

Jean-Loup Samaan

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Arabic Defense Policy

Staff

William F. Wechsler

Senior Director, Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

National Security Middle East