On June 18, Iran and the U.S. signed an agreement, titled the “Islamabad Memorandum,” which committed both countries to an immediate and permanent end to hostilities, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and 60 days of negotiations to reach a final agreement. Within 48 hours, Iran had closed the strait again. The reason was … Read more
Americans’ support for Israel is declining at an unprecedented pace in the wake of U.S.-backed atrocities in Gaza, its invasion of Lebanon, and the U.S.-Israel war with Iran. So it’s hardly surprising that Washington is moving to end U.S. military aid to the country. What might surprise Americans, however, is that this plan is backed … Read more
Buried deep inside a 192-page intelligence authorization bill is Section 622, titled “United States-Israel Intelligence Sharing Enhancement.” It would require the president, acting through the director of national intelligence and as necessary the secretary of defense, to “expand and enhance intelligence sharing with the Government of Israel” on a list of subjects that encompasses almost … Read more
It remains unclear whether Iran’s effort to establish a new equation in the region has truly succeeded — an equation in which, for the first time, Iran would directly strike Israel if Israel attacks Lebanon. What is clear is that recent events suggest the strategic landscape may be shifting. Israel chose to defy President Trump … Read more
Amid a rapid escalation between Israel and Iran, Yemen’s Houthis have rejoined the Iran war, launching a volley of missiles at Israel and pledging to implement a “complete and total ban” of Israeli shipping in the Red Sea. It’s safe to say that the tenuous ceasefire in the Middle East is now unraveling. President Donald … Read more
After more than three years of waging war against its neighbors, Israel appears to be more negatively regarded not only in the United States, where Israel’s image has been sinking since shortly after the outbreak of its war in Gaza in October 2023, but in the rest of the world as well. According to a … Read more
The emerging deal between the United States and Iran represents an existential danger to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s political future. With his coalition fracturing and elections approaching, Netanyahu can’t survive a peace that leaves Hezbollah intact and Iran’s nuclear program deferred. The only path that may keep his future viable now runs through Lebanon. … Read more
In February, we led a week-long congressional delegation to visit Israel and the West Bank, the latest of several trips we have taken in recent years to better understand the region and the needs of the people who live there. What we saw on the ground is clear: annexation of the West Bank is happening … Read more