US Middle East Policy

The Bahrain conundrum: Will the Trump administration succeed in its first phase of Arab-Israeli peacemaking?
David M. Weinberg of JISS: The Trump administration is reversing a long-deleterious global dynamic regarding Israel and the Palestinians, thus transforming the Mideast diplomatic playing field.

Instability in Jerusalem bodes poorly for Trump's peace plan.
Dr. Emmanuel Navon: Israel's transitional government is unlikely to make any significant decisions on the peace process without a clear mandate from the public.

Did Trump's Jerusalem Embassy Move Help Peace Prospects?
Trump moved the embassy under the pretense that the Palestinians had to recognize 'a reality' — one which dictates that the city belongs to Israel. Did this move help advance the peace process in the long run? Mitvim Institute Director of Development Gayle Meyers and Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security founder Eran Lerman debate.

Experts Divided Over US Decision on Golan Heights.
Dr. Jonathan Spyer: Israel's de facto control of the Golan is not in doubt, and there is no likelihood in the foreseeable future of any serious attempt by any force to change this situation.

US recognition of Israel’s sovereignty in Golan ‘sends a direct message to the Arab world’.
David M. Weinberg of JISS: Trump is saying: The longer you wait to make peace with Israel, the less you’re going to get.

General Amidror: US withdrawal from Syria is a red flagץ
Former NSA warns that US pullout from Syria endangers Kurds, empowers Turkey, and sends troubling message to American allies.

Like Obama, Trump is eroding American credibility.
Dr. Emmanuel Navon: The US pullout from Syria is both a strategic and a moral mistake.

Rare event showcases potential of Israeli-Palestinian business cooperation.
David Weinberg of JISS: The Trump administration is making a contribution to realistic peace discourse.

Liberman at JISS: US Sanctions Will Reduce Iran’s Terror Financing Former NSC Chief Yaakov Amidror says Russia will be embarrassed when IDF overcomes S-300 in Syria.

Trump’s wavering on one-state or two-states leaves many in a state of confusion.
Middle East analysts say there is growing skepticism around the world of the Palestinians’ ability even to create and sustain an independent state. Prof. Efraim Inbar: Sometimes ambiguity serves us better than a clear solution.”