Middle East Program | Council on Foreign Relations

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In Memoriam: Martin S. Indyk

with Martin S. Indyk via CFR July 25, 2024

The End of Ambition

A clear-headed vision for the United States' role in the Middle East that highlights the changing nature of U.S. national interests and the challenges of grand strategizing at a time of profound change in the international order.

Book by Steven A. Cook June 3, 2024 Middle East Program

Israel

One Year After the October 7 Attacks: The Impact on Four Fronts

The turbulent year since Hamas’s brutal attack on Israel draws to a close, marked by a sharp escalation in conflict between Israel and Iran and its proxies. Four CFR experts assess the changes since the attacks.

Article by Elliott Abrams, Linda Robinson, Ray Takeyh and Steven A. Cook October 2, 2024 Europe Program

Iran

Why Israel Is Worried About Iran’s Nuclear Ambitions

with Ray Takeyh and Reuel Marc Gerecht via New York Times October 3, 2024

Israel

Virtual Media Briefing: Israel, Gaza, and the Middle East a Year After the Hamas Attack

CFR experts discuss developments in the Middle East a year after the October 7 attacks in Israel. LABOTT: Thank you very much. And thank you to everyone for joining this media briefing. I’m Elise …

Virtual Event with Elliott Abrams, Steven A. Cook, Farah Pandith, Ray Takeyh and Elise Labott October 2, 2024 Middle East Program

Iran

Israel and the Middle East at a Crossroads: How Tehran’s Terror Campaign Threatens the U.S. and our Allies

Mr. Chairman and Members of the Subcommittee: Thank you for your invitation to testify today on “Israel and the Middle East at a Crossroads: How Tehran’s Terror Campaign Threatens the U.S. and…

Testimony by Elliott Abrams September 19, 2024 Middle East Program

Middle East Program

Erdogan’s Crisis of Legitimacy and its Consequences

with Henri J. Barkey via The National Interest April 29, 2024

Iran

Iran Attack Means an Even Tougher Balancing Act for the U.S. in the Middle East

The unprecedented Iranian attack on Israel presents U.S. officials with mounting challenges in trying to contain the conflict and maintain a deterrence against Iran and its allies.

In Brief by Steven A. Cook April 14, 2024 Middle East Program

Middle East and North Africa

A Wider Middle East War, With Steven Cook

Steven Cook, the Eni Enrico Mattei Senior Fellow for Middle East and Africa Studies at CFR, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the potential for a wider war in the Middle East as Iran vows to retaliate against Israel for the killing of a top Hamas official in Tehran.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Steven A. Cook September 3, 2024 The President’s Inbox

Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

The Strange Resurrection of the Two-State Solution: How an Unimaginable War Could Bring About the Only Imaginable Peace

with Martin S. Indyk via Foreign Affairs February 20, 2024

Program Experts

Elliott Abrams

Senior Fellow for Middle Eastern Studies

Henri J. Barkey

Adjunct Senior Fellow for Middle East Studies

Robert D. Blackwill

Henry A. Kissinger Senior Fellow for U.S. Foreign Policy

Steven A. Cook

Eni Enrico Mattei Senior Fellow for Middle East and Africa Studies and Director of the International Affairs Fellowship for Tenured International Relations Scholars

Ed Husain

Senior Fellow

Farah Pandith

Adjunct Senior Fellow

Linda Robinson

Senior Fellow for Women and Foreign Policy

Ray Takeyh

Hasib J. Sabbagh Senior Fellow for Middle East Studies

Middle East Program

Lawfare Daily: The End of U.S. Ambition in the Middle East with Steven Cook

with Steven A. Cook via Lawfare July 31, 2024
Middle East Program

Israel Is Stuck in the Year 2000

with Steven A. Cook via Foreign Policy July 19, 2024
Israel

Netanyahu’s High-Stakes Visit to Washington

The Israeli prime minister’s meetings and address to the U.S. Congress will aim to rally support for Israel as it seeks to end its campaign to destroy Hamas and beat back a growing threat from Hezbollah in the north.

Expert Brief by Steven A. Cook July 18, 2024 Middle East Program
Iran

Meet Iran’s New Boss, Same as the Old Boss

with Ray Takeyh and Reuel Gerecht via Wall Street Journal July 11, 2024
Diplomacy and International Institutions

The International Criminal Court and the Justice vs. Democracy Problem

The International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague is in the news in 2024 because its prosecutor has asked the court to issue warrants for the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and…

Article by Elliott Abrams July 9, 2024 Diamonstein-Spielvogel Project on the Future of Democracy
Iran

What Could Change Under Iran’s New ‘Reformist’ President?

President-Elect Masoud Pezeshkian campaigned as a moderate regarding issues such as the hijab law and nuclear negotiations, but the regime is unlikely to allow any sweeping changes.

Expert Brief by Ray Takeyh July 8, 2024 Middle East Program
Iran

Does Iran’s Presidential Election Matter?

The contest to replace Ebrahim Raisi, killed in a helicopter crash last month, is dominated by conservatives who have provided few signals of any major course change in the country’s regional and security policies.

Expert Brief by Ray Takeyh June 25, 2024 Middle East Program
Israel

How Much of a Threat Does Hamas Still Pose to Israel?

Israel has made eliminating the threat from the Gaza-based militant group a central war aim, but it’s not entirely clear at what point that condition will be met.

Expert Brief by Bruce Hoffman June 14, 2024 National Security and Defense Program
Middle East Program

Why Iran is stronger, Israel more vulnerable, and the US needs to engage more in the Mideast

with Steven A. Cook via Al-Monitor: On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman June 13, 2024

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