US Middle East Policy

Can Biden move Qatar away from Iran and the Muslim Brotherhood?
Prof. Efraim Inbar: Qatar spends enormous amounts of money in systematic support for the nefarious activities of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt and its branches all over the world.

How fear of a US retreat from the Mideast is driving Netanyahu toward annexation
Dr. Eran Lerman of JISS: “American hegemony is crumbling before our eyes.”

Bibi's Ally Says Kushner Stabbed Netanyahu in the Back With Peace Plan.
Prof. Efraim Inbar: The plan addresses the most Israeli concerns and appeals to the mainstream in Israeli politics.

Trump administration’s Mideast proposal receives subtle support from Muslim nations.
Dr. Joshua Krasna: Bahrain’s support for the plan is a “trial balloon” for the Saudis.

For first time in history, US plan for Mideast peace puts Israeli concerns at forefront.
Prof. Efraim Inbar: I don’t see peace coming out of the plan, but in the long scheme of things, it is more realistic.

“There’s no panic or despair. But a deep sense of betrayal”
Turkey’s Syria offensive could displace over a million Kurds, top analyst Jonathan Spyer warns. Believes Kurds will reject Israeli offer of humanitarian aid.

After Trump abandons Kurds, Israel knows it can’t rely on anyone.
Col. (res.) Dr. Eran Lerman: Trump’s step is a “moral outrage.”

The Trump Plan Partially Revealed.
An interview with Prof. Efraim Inbar.

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.”

With ‘peace’ in doubt, Israelis search for alternatives to two-state solution
David M. Weinberg of JISS: Trump's team should be given credit for taking a fresh look at what is safe, wise, fair and realistic in today’s Israeli-Palestinian reality.

The Trump Peace Plan is Coming
Prof. Efraim Inbar: They’re quite serious about getting a peace plan through. But I don’t believe the Palestinians will accept it.

Prof. Efraim Inbar on Iran, Trump and Turkey
Australian Jewish News, 8.6.2018

America set to inaugurate embassy in Jerusalem.
Prof. Efraim Inbar: The move introduces a dose of realism into the international discourse on Jerusalem.

‘America Is Back’: U.S., Israeli Right Plan Next Move
Fresh off Iran deal and Jerusalem embassy wins, CPAC holds an illuminating call. Lerman and Weinberg from JISS say that the US and Israel are on the same page, with a sober understanding of the challenges ahead.

SAUDIS PUBLICLY OPPOSE U.S. EXITING SYRIA WHILE ISRAEL OBJECTS QUIETLY
Col. Lerman: US withdrawal from Syria would have very negative consequences for Israel and the region

Predictions scarce regarding Trump’s Mideast ‘deal of the century’
David Weinberg: The best thing Trump and Netanyahu can do is to transform regional peace diplomacy is put ‘final status’ issues on the table, first.
World Israel News, 05.03.2018

Former Israeli and U.S. top diplomats express admiration, caution on embassy move. Prof. Efraim Inbar: The move is historic justice.

Palestinians ramp up feud with the US. Comment by Prof. Efraim Inbar: The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is not the main concern in the region. JNS 24.1.2018

UNGA cannot enjoy the best of two worlds with complete impunity. Interview with Dr. Emmanuel Navon on the Jerusalem vote. i24news, 21.12.2017

'Thunderous silence in the Arab world'. Interview with Prof. Efraim Inbar. INN, 20.12.2017

Should the US withdraw from the Middle East Quartet? Comment by David M. Weinberg.

Israel eagerly awaits Pence visit, Palestinians prepare boycott. Comment by David M. Weinberg

Trump está entre o pragmatismo e a imprudência em Jerusalém. Comment by Prof. Efraim Inbar.

US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital would correct a historical anomaly. Comment by Col. (res.) Dr. Eran Lerman

Recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital is the right thing to do. Comment by Prof. Efraim Inbar and Dr. Emmanuel Navon

Threats of violence over Jerusalem amount to a “toy gun”. Comment by Col. (res.) Eran Lerman

Frustration and fury among Arabs at Trump's Jerusalem declaration. Comment by Prof. Efraim Inbar

Trump Calls Jerusalem Plan Step Toward Peace, but It Puts Mideast on Edge. Comment by Prof. Efraim Inbar