The Washington Institute for Near East Policy
@washinstitute.bsky.social
Advancing a balanced and realistic understanding of American interests in the Middle East. (Reposts & Follows do not constitute endorsement.)
To stop Sudan's collapse, the Trump administration should focus on pressuring external spoilers who've fueled the fighting. Read analysis & policy recommendations from Ben Fishman & Areig Elhag in The National Interest. www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analy...
How to Stop Sudan’s Collapse
With President Trump recently pledging to help Saudi Arabia and other regional partners broker a ceasefire, his administration should focus on pressuring the external spoilers who have fueled the figh...
www.washingtoninstitute.org
November 24, 2025 at 11:37 PM
To stop Sudan's collapse, the Trump administration should focus on pressuring external spoilers who've fueled the fighting. Read analysis & policy recommendations from Ben Fishman & Areig Elhag in The National Interest. www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analy...
The Washington Institute for Near East Policy is pleased to announce that retired U.S. Army general and former head of U.S. Central Command Michael “Erik” Kurilla has joined the organization as its Jill and Jay Bernstein Distinguished Fellow.
Read more: www.washingtoninstitute.org/about/press-...
Read more: www.washingtoninstitute.org/about/press-...
November 21, 2025 at 3:49 PM
The Washington Institute for Near East Policy is pleased to announce that retired U.S. Army general and former head of U.S. Central Command Michael “Erik” Kurilla has joined the organization as its Jill and Jay Bernstein Distinguished Fellow.
Read more: www.washingtoninstitute.org/about/press-...
Read more: www.washingtoninstitute.org/about/press-...
Earlier this month, @azelin.bsky.social testified before the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom on religious freedom in Syria post-Assad.
Religious Freedom in Syria’s Post-Assad Transition
An in-depth look at the legal regime that Syria's transitional authorities have put in place to deal with religious minorities, focusing on how its policies have played out in a climate of ongoing vio...
www.washingtoninstitute.org
November 20, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Earlier this month, @azelin.bsky.social testified before the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom on religious freedom in Syria post-Assad.
"The longer that the international community waits, the more entrenched Hamas becomes," Ghaith al-Omari told @reuters.com. www.reuters.com/world/middle...
www.reuters.com
November 20, 2025 at 9:29 PM
"The longer that the international community waits, the more entrenched Hamas becomes," Ghaith al-Omari told @reuters.com. www.reuters.com/world/middle...
The U.S. should use its deepening relations—and leverage— with Saudi Arabia to roll back China's influence in the kingdom, writes @grantrumley.bsky.social.
Unpacking the China File in U.S.-Saudi Relations
As the Saudi crown prince visits Washington, the United States should use the occasion—as well as American leverage—to roll back China’s influence in the country.
www.washingtoninstitute.org
November 20, 2025 at 6:51 PM
The U.S. should use its deepening relations—and leverage— with Saudi Arabia to roll back China's influence in the kingdom, writes @grantrumley.bsky.social.
Dana Stroul spoke with @bloomberg.com about Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman's White House visit, the F-35 fighter jets the U.S. plans to sell Saudi Arabia, the chip export license negotiation, and more.
Key Takeaways From Trump, Saudi Arabia's MBS Meeting
Dana Stroul, Research Director at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, discusses key takeaways from Saudi Arabia’s Prime Minister Mohammed Bin Salman’s White House visit. She states we shoul...
www.bloomberg.com
November 20, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Dana Stroul spoke with @bloomberg.com about Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman's White House visit, the F-35 fighter jets the U.S. plans to sell Saudi Arabia, the chip export license negotiation, and more.
The Doha crisis can serve as the foundation for a new security architecture in the Middle East, write Amb. James Jeffrey and @lizydent.bsky.social in @foreignaffairs.com.
A New Path to Middle East Security
How the Gulf can become the fulcrum of a new Middle East order.
www.foreignaffairs.com
November 20, 2025 at 4:55 PM
The Doha crisis can serve as the foundation for a new security architecture in the Middle East, write Amb. James Jeffrey and @lizydent.bsky.social in @foreignaffairs.com.
Syrian national unity is critical for the region’s future, writes Amb. James Jeffrey in Al Majalla.
Forging Syrian National Unity Is Key to Regional Peace
Damascus has already taken steps toward this end, but intensive international economic assistance and political mediation will still be vital—the latter drawing on relevant elements from Iraq’s govern...
www.washingtoninstitute.org
November 19, 2025 at 10:49 PM
Syrian national unity is critical for the region’s future, writes Amb. James Jeffrey in Al Majalla.
"Efforts to resolve the Red Sea shipping threat—and meet the wider U.S. commitment to Middle East security—cannot succeed until Washington and its partners invest in fully mapping and understanding how Houthi procurement networks operate," writes Noam Raydan.
Houthi Maritime Threats and the Gaza Truce: Why Disrupting Supply Chains Is Indispensable
Despite the recent (and likely temporary) pause in ship attacks, various factors point to an enduring threat that will not dissipate until wider action is taken against the group’s far-reaching procur...
www.washingtoninstitute.org
November 19, 2025 at 9:44 PM
"Efforts to resolve the Red Sea shipping threat—and meet the wider U.S. commitment to Middle East security—cannot succeed until Washington and its partners invest in fully mapping and understanding how Houthi procurement networks operate," writes Noam Raydan.
China understands that Saudi Arabia is an influential Arab power and has invested significantly in this relationship, writes Henry Tugendhat.
Perspectives on Muhammad bin Salman’s Visit to Washington
Washington Institute experts discuss each government’s likely agenda for the landmark visit, from dealmaking in the energy and AI sectors to deepening the bilateral defense relationship and taking the...
www.washingtoninstitute.org
November 19, 2025 at 6:51 PM
China understands that Saudi Arabia is an influential Arab power and has invested significantly in this relationship, writes Henry Tugendhat.
Positive discussions have emerged about the possibility of peace on Israel’s northern front with Lebanon. The main obstacle preventing the leap from rhetoric to peacemaking is Hezbollah and its allies, write Hanin Ghaddar, Robert Satloff, and Ehud Yaari.
A Roadmap for Israel-Lebanon Peace
Pursuing even incremental steps will be difficult in a country long dominated by Iran’s chief regional proxy, but the two countries’ leaders have cracked the door open for future diplomacy.
www.washingtoninstitute.org
November 19, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Positive discussions have emerged about the possibility of peace on Israel’s northern front with Lebanon. The main obstacle preventing the leap from rhetoric to peacemaking is Hezbollah and its allies, write Hanin Ghaddar, Robert Satloff, and Ehud Yaari.
"The Trump administration has a unique opportunity not only to reshape its relationship with Saudi Arabia, but to exemplify a sophisticated bilateral relationship in the current era," writes @grantrumley.bsky.social.
Unpacking the China File in U.S.-Saudi Relations
As the Saudi crown prince visits Washington, the United States should use the occasion—as well as American leverage—to roll back China’s influence in the country.
www.washingtoninstitute.org
November 19, 2025 at 5:33 PM
"The Trump administration has a unique opportunity not only to reshape its relationship with Saudi Arabia, but to exemplify a sophisticated bilateral relationship in the current era," writes @grantrumley.bsky.social.
Hezbollah has its own global procurement and financial networks. The U.S. and the international community must thwart the group from operating freely abroad, write Michael Jacobson and @mattlevitt.bsky.social in @foreignpolicy.com.
Hezbollah Is Down But Not Out
Undermining the group in Lebanon requires targeting its networks abroad.
www.washingtoninstitute.org
November 18, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Hezbollah has its own global procurement and financial networks. The U.S. and the international community must thwart the group from operating freely abroad, write Michael Jacobson and @mattlevitt.bsky.social in @foreignpolicy.com.
"The United States has invested vast resources into stabilizing the Middle East, and it finally is confronted with a regional alignment that makes lasting security achievable," write Amb. James Jeffrey and @lizydent.bsky.social in @foreignaffairs.com.
A New Path to Middle East Security
How the Gulf can become the fulcrum of a new Middle East order.
www.foreignaffairs.com
November 18, 2025 at 10:27 PM
"The United States has invested vast resources into stabilizing the Middle East, and it finally is confronted with a regional alignment that makes lasting security achievable," write Amb. James Jeffrey and @lizydent.bsky.social in @foreignaffairs.com.
"Despite recent momentum, designating the entire Muslim Brotherhood movement as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) has proven challenging," write @mattlevitt.bsky.social and Michael Jacobson.
A More Effective Approach to Countering the Muslim Brotherhood
Instead of pinning a terrorist designation on the entire group, the Trump administration should focus more narrowly on the national security threats presented by individual Brotherhood branches and or...
www.washingtoninstitute.org
November 18, 2025 at 9:02 PM
"Despite recent momentum, designating the entire Muslim Brotherhood movement as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) has proven challenging," write @mattlevitt.bsky.social and Michael Jacobson.
As the Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman visits Washington this week, the U.S. should use this unique opportunity not only to reshape its relationship with Saudi Arabia, but to roll back China's influence in the kingdom, writes @grantrumley.bsky.social.
Unpacking the China File in U.S.-Saudi Relations
As the Saudi crown prince visits Washington, the United States should use the occasion—as well as American leverage—to roll back China’s influence in the country.
www.washingtoninstitute.org
November 18, 2025 at 8:39 PM
As the Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman visits Washington this week, the U.S. should use this unique opportunity not only to reshape its relationship with Saudi Arabia, but to roll back China's influence in the kingdom, writes @grantrumley.bsky.social.
President Trump is meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman. The prince’s trip is being billed as an “official working visit." In particular, both leaders are focused on the nexus of finance, AI, and energy, writes Amb. Dennis Ross.
Perspectives on Muhammad bin Salman’s Visit to Washington
Washington Institute experts discuss each government’s likely agenda for the landmark visit, from dealmaking in the energy and AI sectors to deepening the bilateral defense relationship and taking the...
www.washingtoninstitute.org
November 18, 2025 at 5:35 PM
President Trump is meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman. The prince’s trip is being billed as an “official working visit." In particular, both leaders are focused on the nexus of finance, AI, and energy, writes Amb. Dennis Ross.
A recent study by Assaf Orion and Jacob Sanchez published by @INSS examines the security-technological cooperation between China and Iran and the two countries’ defense innovation ecosystems.
Seven Sons and Mullahs: Chinese-Iranian Defense-Linked Academic Collaboration
Recent academic output from both countries reveals joint research efforts in numerous military-related fields and some convergence between their defense innovation ecosystems, posing potential risks t...
www.washingtoninstitute.org
November 17, 2025 at 10:47 PM
A recent study by Assaf Orion and Jacob Sanchez published by @INSS examines the security-technological cooperation between China and Iran and the two countries’ defense innovation ecosystems.
"The Gaza war may have cooled Riyadh on the urgency of a normalization deal with Israel, but it did not stop the warming of bilateral U.S.-Saudi ties," writes Institute director of research Dana Stroul in Newsweek.
From Pariah to Partner, MBS Returns to Washington
For the United States and Saudi Arabia to both win in today’s competitive global ecosystem, they need each other, and the Trump administration is poised to cap years of bipartisan effort by taking the...
www.washingtoninstitute.org
November 17, 2025 at 9:50 PM
"The Gaza war may have cooled Riyadh on the urgency of a normalization deal with Israel, but it did not stop the warming of bilateral U.S.-Saudi ties," writes Institute director of research Dana Stroul in Newsweek.
New from Amb. James Jeffrey and David Schenker: "Despite his impressive electoral performance, Sudani will likely have great difficulty building a sufficient coalition to secure a second term."
Iraq’s Election: Outcomes and Next Steps
Sudani did very well at the ballot box, but the peculiarities of Iraq’s long government formation process and the final distribution of parliamentary seats may leave the main Iran-backed coalition in ...
www.washingtoninstitute.org
November 17, 2025 at 8:21 PM
New from Amb. James Jeffrey and David Schenker: "Despite his impressive electoral performance, Sudani will likely have great difficulty building a sufficient coalition to secure a second term."
President Trump will host Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman on November 18. Amb. Dennis Ross, @lizydent.bsky.social, April Longley Alley, Simon Henderson, Henry Tugendhat, and Noam Raydan discuss each government’s likely agenda for the landmark visit.
Perspectives on Muhammad bin Salman’s Visit to Washington
Washington Institute experts discuss each government’s likely agenda for the landmark visit, from dealmaking in the energy and AI sectors to deepening the bilateral defense relationship and taking the...
www.washingtoninstitute.org
November 17, 2025 at 5:18 PM
President Trump will host Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman on November 18. Amb. Dennis Ross, @lizydent.bsky.social, April Longley Alley, Simon Henderson, Henry Tugendhat, and Noam Raydan discuss each government’s likely agenda for the landmark visit.
The Washington Institute has been tracking maritime attacks/incidents in the Middle East since 2019, including today's seizure of oil tanker Talara (IMO 9569994) by Iran. Link to the interactive map in the next post. 1/2
www.youtube.com/shorts/2EXHM...
www.youtube.com/shorts/2EXHM...
Why the Strait of Hormuz Matters
YouTube video by WashingtonInstitute
www.youtube.com
November 14, 2025 at 11:06 PM
The Washington Institute has been tracking maritime attacks/incidents in the Middle East since 2019, including today's seizure of oil tanker Talara (IMO 9569994) by Iran. Link to the interactive map in the next post. 1/2
www.youtube.com/shorts/2EXHM...
www.youtube.com/shorts/2EXHM...
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman visits the White House next week. Six Washington Institute experts examine the agenda, from energy & AI dealmaking to defense ties & Gaza action. www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analy...
Perspectives on Muhammad bin Salman’s Visit to Washington
Washington Institute experts discuss each government’s likely agenda for the landmark visit, from dealmaking in the energy and AI sectors to deepening the bilateral defense relationship and taking the...
www.washingtoninstitute.org
November 14, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman visits the White House next week. Six Washington Institute experts examine the agenda, from energy & AI dealmaking to defense ties & Gaza action. www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analy...
Recent academic output from China & Iran reveals joint research in numerous military-related fields & convergence between their defense innovation ecosystems, posing potential risks to the US and partners. New from Assaf Orion & Jacob Sanchez www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analy...
Seven Sons and Mullahs: Chinese-Iranian Defense-Linked Academic Collaboration
Recent academic output from both countries reveals joint research efforts in numerous military-related fields and some convergence between their defense innovation ecosystems, posing potential risks t...
www.washingtoninstitute.org
November 14, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Recent academic output from China & Iran reveals joint research in numerous military-related fields & convergence between their defense innovation ecosystems, posing potential risks to the US and partners. New from Assaf Orion & Jacob Sanchez www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analy...
Despite the recent pause in ship attacks, various factors point to an enduring threat that will not dissipate until wider action is taken against the Houthi supply chains and procurement networks, writes Noam Raydan.
🔗Read more: www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analy...
🔗Read more: www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analy...
November 13, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Despite the recent pause in ship attacks, various factors point to an enduring threat that will not dissipate until wider action is taken against the Houthi supply chains and procurement networks, writes Noam Raydan.
🔗Read more: www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analy...
🔗Read more: www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analy...