The Middle East

This paper reviews the responses of Middle Eastern countries to the spread of the coronavirus and highlights diplomatic and defense implications stemming from the situation. The assessment of JISS fellows is that the coronavirus crisis will not fundamentally change power dynamics in the region or alter the prevailing ambitions and policies of key countries.

Coronavirus won’t turn the Middle East all warm and fuzzy.
Inbar and Lerman of JISS: Regardless of whether or not there is a pandemic, Israel still has extremely significant defense and strategic challenges.

For analytical as well as practical and even political reasons, the time has come to re-define Israel’s place in the world in terms of belonging to the “eastern Mediterranean” region, not the “Middle East.”

A Strategic Vision for the Eastern Mediterranean.
Col. (res.) Dr. Eran Lerman comments on the new dynamics of the region.