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Shalom Lipner @shalomlipner.bsky.social · 1d

“Regionally, Israel is under less threat than it was two years ago,” said Lipner. “But internationally, it’s between a rock and a hard place, and the long-term trends are not working in its favor.”
- from my conversation with @wsj.com's @yarotrof.bsky.social.
www.wsj.com/world/middle...

After Two Years of War, Israel Is Stronger—and More Isolated—Than Ever

The war in Gaza has spurred a global backlash that threatens Israel’s long-term prospects.

www.wsj.com

Shalom Lipner @shalomlipner.bsky.social · 8d

Spoke yesterday with Deutsche Welle about POTUS' plan for Gaza. (You can watch at 7:30) www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrwW...

Will Hamas accept Gaza peace plan? Germany, Palestinians, Israelis react | DW News

YouTube video by DW News

www.youtube.com

Shalom Lipner @shalomlipner.bsky.social · 8d

“Netanyahu couldn’t allow himself to resist the ambitions of Trump, Israel’s prime benefactor,” said Mr Lipner, now a non-resident senior fellow for the Middle East Programmes at the @atlanticcouncil.bsky.social.
www.straitstimes.com/world/united...

Trump’s Gaza peace plan tackles ‘Israel fatigue’ in America, crimps China in Middle East

The proportion of Americans who believe that support for Israel serves the US national interest has fallen sharply. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

www.straitstimes.com

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Shalom Lipner @shalomlipner.bsky.social · 9d

Trump & Netanyahu heralded a Gaza deal last night, but... “there will be many spoilers working hard to make sure that doesn’t happen.”
Good speaking with @wsj.com for this piece.
www.wsj.com/world/middle...

Trump Gives Hamas Ultimatum to Release Hostages or Face Destruction by Israel

In effect, the president threatened the prospect of more war in order to end nearly two years of fighting, in a risky diplomatic move delivered alongside Israel’s prime minister at the White House.

www.wsj.com

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Shalom Lipner @shalomlipner.bsky.social · 11d

"Netanyahu has put all his chips on Trump... and while he may believe he’s won the jackpot, he doesn’t have an open tab in the Oval Office... Matters could come to a head if he balks at Trump’s program for Gaza."
My latest for @atlanticcouncil.bsky.social. www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/menaso...

For an increasingly isolated Netanyahu, it's money time with Trump

Amid growing international criticism, the Israeli Prime Minister is playing his ace—or rather, his Trump—card in Washington.

www.atlanticcouncil.org

Shalom Lipner @shalomlipner.bsky.social · 21d

Great speaking with @wsj.com's Alex Ward for this piece.
www.wsj.com/world/middle...

Shalom Lipner @shalomlipner.bsky.social · Aug 21

"Immediate Israeli goals are to guarantee security along the border with Syria, prevent any entrenchment of hostile interlopers and ensure protection of Syria's Druze... Normalization would be a longer-term, aspirational objective."
Good speaking with Deutsche Welle.
www.dw.com/en/are-syria...

Are Syria and Israel about to normalize ties? – DW – 08/21/2025

For the first time in decades, Syria and Israel have discussed the Golan Heights, Israeli troops in Syria and humanitarian aid for Syria's Druze community. Is this the beginning of establishing diplom...

www.dw.com

Shalom Lipner @shalomlipner.bsky.social · Jul 25

“Clearly everyone is running out of patience. But I don't think it necessarily means that, were Hamas to come back with something people felt was more viable, that they wouldn't re-engage to get across the finish line.”
Nice to speak again with @ebazail.bsky.social.
www.politico.com/newsletters/...

Turning the screws on Hamas

Were Hamas to change its demands, former U.S. and Israeli officials believe that talks will likely resume.

www.politico.com

Shalom Lipner @shalomlipner.bsky.social · Jul 17

"The recent events in Syria have underscored the fact that any excitement about that country’s imminent participation in the Abraham Accords was woefully premature."
Shared some thoughts for this @atlanticcouncil.bsky.social Q&A on the situation in Syria. www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-at...

Five questions (and expert answers) about Israel’s strikes against Syria

Our Middle East experts explain the roots of the crisis and what it means for Syria, Israel, the Druze, and the broader region.

www.atlanticcouncil.org

Shalom Lipner @shalomlipner.bsky.social · Jul 12

"Lipner said that while Netanyahu’s personal popularity had risen after the war vs Iran, polling showed the multiparty coalition he now heads would likely end up in opposition after elex."
Great speaking w/@theglobeandmail.com's @markmackinnon.bsky.social.
www.theglobeandmail.com/world/articl...

For Israel, winning peace will be far more complicated than triumphing in war

A breakdown of what might come next in the Middle East

www.theglobeandmail.com

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Shalom Lipner @shalomlipner.bsky.social · Jul 8

Great to be on @cnbc.com's Access Middle East this morning.
www.cnbc.com/video/2025/0...

Netanyahu's pursuit of war with Hamas has 'substantive' and 'self-serving' objectives: Analyst

Shalom Lipner, non-resident Senior Fellow, Middle East Programs at the Atlantic Council and a former advisor at Israel's Prime Minister's Office says while Israel's Gaza war has both "substantive" and...

www.cnbc.com

Shalom Lipner @shalomlipner.bsky.social · Jul 7

Iran, Israel & the US "are pivoting to a series of accomplishments that offer ladders from which to climb off their warhorses. Those parallel narratives facilitate moving their respective publics toward deescalation."
My latest via @atlanticcouncil.bsky.social
www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/menaso...

Shalom Lipner @shalomlipner.bsky.social · Jun 18

"Netanyahu’s son called him “Churchill of our time”... but change could end many different ways, for the region & for Israeli politics. Churchill won the war only to be rejected by voters. The same could happen to Netanyahu."
My latest for @foreignpolicy.com.
foreignpolicy.com/2025/06/18/n...

Netanyahu’s Future in the Balance

Can victory over Iran secure the Israeli leader’s legacy?

foreignpolicy.com

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Shalom Lipner @shalomlipner.bsky.social · Jun 14

Good speaking with @kathimerini.gr.
www.kathimerini.gr/opinion/inte...

Σαλόμ Λίπνερ στην «Κ»: Το Ιράν έχασε τους πυρηνικούς επιστήμονες

«Θα δούμε ανταλλαγή στρατιωτικών χτυπημάτων για μέρες ή και εβδομάδες»

www.kathimerini.gr

Shalom Lipner @shalomlipner.bsky.social · Jun 13

"Israel’s intent is not only to eliminate Iran’s nuclear program, but also to undermine its potential to inflict retaliatory harm on Israel and defend against subsequent waves of Israel’s offensive..."
Some initial thoughts for @atlanticcouncil.bsky.social.
www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-at...

Experts react: Israel just attacked Iran's military and nuclear sites. What’s next?

Our experts shed light on Israel’s major attack against Iran targeting its nuclear facilities and its implications for the region.

www.atlanticcouncil.org

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Shalom Lipner @shalomlipner.bsky.social · May 30

"The pressing need to make strategic decisions is exposing fissures that now threaten the stability of Netanyahu’s governing coalition."
- from my comments for @atlanticcouncil.bsky.social. www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-at...

Five questions (and expert answers) on the state of the Netanyahu government

The Israeli prime minister is facing increasing pressure from within his country and in his government coalition as well as from abroad.

www.atlanticcouncil.org

Shalom Lipner @shalomlipner.bsky.social · May 18

"Impressions matter, Lipner told The Straits Times. “Even if the President’s primary focus is on doing business in the Gulf, not making a stop in Jerusalem is being perceived as a message in itself,” said Lipner, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council."
www.straitstimes.com/world/united...

Trump's Middle East visit raises Israel's anxieties

It sent a clear message: Trust between America and its wealthy Gulf partners is deepening. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

www.straitstimes.com

Shalom Lipner @shalomlipner.bsky.social · May 14

"“Everyone is on edge. There’s a lot of pushback in both Washington & Jerusalem insisting that it’s actually ‘business as usual.’ But... ‘Thou doth protest too much,’” says Lipner, referring to comments by various US & Israeli officials." @dinakraft.bsky.social www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle...

As Trump visits Mideast, Netanyahu’s government is wary of surprises

When Donald Trump was reelected, Benjamin Netanyahu’s social media posts overflowed with cheer. But comments from Israeli coalition members and supporters indicate a sense they’re being abandoned.

www.csmonitor.com

Shalom Lipner @shalomlipner.bsky.social · May 14

“This current trip is about doing serious business, about solidifying [Trump’s] relationship with the countries that he’s visiting. Israel is not, apparently, part of that conversation right now,” said Shalom Lipner.
Good speaking with @jewishinsider.com.
jewishinsider.com/2025/05/trum...

Trump’s Gulf tour underscores Israel’s diplomatic disadvantage

The message in Trump’s keynote speech and the optics of a Mideast visit that doesn’t include Israel were met with concern by pro-Israel Republicans and hawkish foreign policy experts

jewishinsider.com

Shalom Lipner @shalomlipner.bsky.social · May 13

"Trump and Netanyahu are exasperated w/each other—each feeling their concerns & objectives are under-appreciated by the other," Lipner told @newsweek.com. "Both of them have legitimate arguments to make but they seem to be talking past each other."
www.newsweek.com/what-cracks-...

Shalom Lipner @shalomlipner.bsky.social · May 12

Great to speak again with @gerryshih.bsky.social for this piece.
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...

Shalom Lipner @shalomlipner.bsky.social · May 12

Thanks to BBC Persian for hosting me.
x.com/bbcpersian/s...

BBC NEWS فارسی on X: "ترامپ در آستانه سفر به خاورمیانه؛ عربستان، قطر و امارات، اما نه اسرائیل آیا مشکلی در روابط ترامپ و نتانیاهو پیش آمده؟ شالوم لیپنر، پژوهشگر ارشد دپارتمان خاورمیانه شورای آتلانتیک. آقای لیپنر، به مدت ۲۵ سال، در دفتر نخست‌وزیری هفت دولت اسرائیل، مشغول به خدمت بود https://t.co/bVUz8Dd6OE" / X

ترامپ در آستانه سفر به خاورمیانه؛ عربستان، قطر و امارات، اما نه اسرائیل آیا مشکلی در روابط ترامپ و نتانیاهو پیش آمده؟ شالوم لیپنر، پژوهشگر ارشد دپارتمان خاورمیانه شورای آتلانتیک. آقای لیپنر، به مدت ۲۵ سال، در دفتر نخست‌وزیری هفت دولت اسرائیل، مشغول به خدمت بود https://t.co/bVUz8Dd6OE

x.com

Shalom Lipner @shalomlipner.bsky.social · May 9

"After being blindsided by POTUS' abandonment of the campaign vs the Houthis & his administration’s dialogue with Hamas, PM Netanyahu will be losing sleep over the possibility of a similar, rude awakening on the Iran front."
My latest via @foreignpolicy.com.
foreignpolicy.com/2025/05/09/n...

Why Netanyahu Might Be on a Collision Course With Trump

The prime minister is learning there’s no carveout for Israel in “America First.”

foreignpolicy.com

Shalom Lipner @shalomlipner.bsky.social · Mar 22

“What’s taking shape is a more ominous clash btw the govt & the court, w/mixed signals about whether the PM will-or won't-comply w/its ruling,” said Lipner. “After [much] stage-setting, a constitutional crisis could be fast upon Israel.” @gerryshih.bsky.social
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...

Netanyahu ousts intelligence chief as Israeli troops continue Gaza operations

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar amid mass protests against the move and Israel’s resumption of hostilities in Gaza.

www.washingtonpost.com

Shalom Lipner @shalomlipner.bsky.social · Mar 20

"Bar’s removal after a showdown w/Netanyahu risks destabilizing Shin Bet & undermining soc cohesion in israel just as IDF resumes its offensive. A dangerous ripple effect could ensue amidst growing regional tension."
My latest for @atlanticcouncil.bsky.social. www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/menaso...

Netanyahu’s Shin Bet shakeup moves Israel closer to chaos

With Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu determined to quash dissent within the nation's civil service, Ronen Bar’s days seem numbered.

www.atlanticcouncil.org