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May 22, 2008 | The Renaissance of Nuclear Deterrence

Thomas Speckmann: By highlighting the following dilemma “the Iranian bomb or the bombing of Iran”, Sarkozy signalled the return to a strategy of nuclear deterrence. Since the West’s most dreaded scenario is the nuclearization of the Middle East, calls to prevent Iran from acquiring the atomic bomb are becoming ever more frequent.

April 10, 2008 | Annapolis: Little Time Left for an Agreement

Colette Avital: The negotiations between Israel and Abu Mazen’s Palestinian Authority need to move forward quickly and improve conditions on the ground. Failure to reach a solution within the year could trigger renewed violence and make future negotiations along similar lines impossible.

February 25, 2008 | EU Expansion to Israel and Palestine

Leon Hadar: The EU should put its money where its mouth is and work towards inviting both Israel and Palestine to join the EU. With the election of a new US president, Europe could gain more control in the Middle East, but only if it simultaneously accepts more responsibility.

February 22, 2008 | Transatlantic Security Agenda 2008

Benjamin Lucas Schoo: Vote now on what prominent security related issue the governments on both sides of the Atlantic should focus their attention on! We have identified 4 major tasks for 2008 and ask you to select which of these should be at the top of the transatlantic agenda. You can vote now on the right side.

November 28, 2007 | America Holds the Key to Mideast Peace

Anatol Lieven: I put the Israeli-Palestinian conflict into perspective and I argue that the greatest hope lies in American patriotism and the extent to which the US establishment takes the threat of Islamist terrorism seriously.

October 31, 2007 | Going to Annapolis: The Challenge

Colette Avital: For the Annapolis peace conference to be successful, the outcome must focus on the substance of a permanent peace. A mechanism of negotiations should be set in motion for the issues of borders, refugees, Jerusalem, and security, among others, and the peace process should be accompanied by tangible measures on the ground.

October 10, 2007 | Israel's Security in a Changing Strategic Environment

Ambassador Yaakov Levy: A major change in the nature of warfare has taken place. Israel faces a “new reality” which presents a fundamental challenge to existing norms of international law.

September 19, 2007 | How To Deal With Iran

Hans-Ulrich Klose: We need a new philosophy of deterrence against Iran. A tough containment policy, including Russia, and strong defense of Israel could bring about a changed security architecture in the Middle East that might finally include Tehran.

June 15, 2007 | Middle East Must Make Its Own Peace

Rudolf Adam: I warn that US influence on Israel is not enough to make peace. Forty years after the Six-Day War, domestic Israeli politics are the key to normalizing relations between settlers and Palestinians. The United States and EU should recognize that their powers here are limited.

August 18, 2008 | Burnish Legacies with Intensive Peace Effort

There is a wide gap between declarations that a two-state solution is vital for Israel’s security, and actually doing something about it. ++ Both Olmert and Bush have a few months left in offices: they will not go down in history as great leaders, but can still burnish their legacies by truly engaging in the peace effort. ++ They should freeze the expansion of Jewish settlements, cease

August 8, 2008 | Palestinian Civil Society is the Key to Peace

Regarding the issue of Palestine, Israel, the US, and the free world overemphasized the aim to have a strong partner in the peace process, and in doing so even supported corrupt and violent leaders. ++ But the path towards peace must pursue a radically different approach and must be linked to strengthening Palestinian civil society and the rule of law in the Palestinian territories. ++ The

August 6, 2008 | New Sect Widens Palestinian Dispute

As the chasm between Hamas and Fatah appears to widen, another organisation called Hizb ut-Tahrir emerges. ++ It has the aim to reestablish an Islamic Caliphate to govern the whole Muslim world under Islamic law, but opposes the use of violence and tries to gain supporters through education instead. ++ Even if Hizb ut-Tahrir does not stand in elections yet and is opposed by Fatah in the West

August 1, 2008 | Olmert's Resignation Will Disrupt Peace Talks

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert unexpectedly announced he will resign from his post in September. ++ The decision was a result of corruption accusations which made it increasingly difficult for him to fulfil his duties and prompted calls for his resignation. ++ The US State Department declares his departure will not affect American efforts to schedule some kind of peace agreement with PA by

July 28, 2008 | Israel is Likely to Follow US Lead on Iran

Israel faces a dilemma: If European diplomacy fails to halt Iran’s uranium enrichment program and Americans prove reluctant to launch another war in the Middle East under Bush, should Israel strike alone? ++ An attack could dangerously unite Iranians behind their president and influence the presidential race in the US. ++ But Israeli leaders believe in an emergency - estimates suggest Iran could

July 25, 2008 | A One-State Solution for Israel and Palestine

Some scholars recently advocated a single-state solution, based on the idea of justice, during a public debate. ++ The delivery of justice would require conditions in which Palestinians could lead normal lives in their homeland. ++ But the realization of such an idea would mean the end of the Zionist project. ++ Moreover, it would require of Israeli society to face its heterogeneous character

July 21, 2008 | Al-Qaeda in Israel

For the first time, Israelis have been arrested because it is believed that they were members of al Qaeda. ++ Scientists now discuss whether al Qaeda has become a loosely organized network or whether it still has a strong leadership. ++ The crucial role of bin Laden is out of question. ++ Nonetheless, the network has branches throughout the Middle East which are in contact with the center, but

July 15, 2008 | US Should Help Israel if it Strikes Iran

The situation in the Middle East is past the point when sanctions and diplomatic talks can still make a difference. ++ The Islamic Republic is not going to yield, it is simply playing for time while trying to produce deliverable nuclear weapons. ++ Instead of insisting on the measures which apparently do not work, the US should consider helping Israel if it decides to strike Iran or at least not

July 11, 2008 | Demonizing Iran Does Not Serve the West

The West is more concerned about who proliferates than whether someone degradates the Non-Proliferation Treaty. ++ A manageable relationship with Iran requires understanding its world view and equally and respectfully acknowledging its interests. ++ Security rewards should replace sanctions: Israel could for instance be warned “that any unilateral attack on Iran would force the US to reconsider

July 10, 2008 | Iran's Hard-and-Soft Foreign Policy

Iranian diplomacy reflects pride, self-confidence, and a decreasing fear of the US and Israel. ++ Whereas Tehran’s hard-liners are using the argument of Western weakness to justify their rejection of compromise, pragmatic voices believe it is time for Iran to negotiate and “consolidate its gains.” ++ At present, Iran’s course is unclear: “even as they talk about diplomacy, the Iranians continue

July 8, 2008 | Global Nonpolarity: A New World Order

Globalization means that international affairs no longer occur in a bipolar, unipolar, or even multipolar world, but rather “under conditions of nonpolarity.” ++ In this nonpolar world, coordination between actors is increasingly difficult, and agreements are rarely reached. ++ The problem of Iran, currently Israel’s top concern, will unlikely motivate the international community to act in

July 1, 2008 | Israel Progresses Despite, Not Because of US Absence

By launching diplomatic initiatives with Hamas, Syria, and Lebanon, Ehud Olmert has demonstrated his readiness to take risks and his unwillingness to be constrained by “Washington’s indeological blinders.” ++ Yet because of the weakness and the mutual distrust of leaders in the Middle East, US support and involvement would be a real asset. ++ Israel has shown it can pursue negotiations “despite

July 1, 2008 | Israel Threatens to Attack Iran

Israeli government claims the extent of the Iranian threat is being underplayed and that no diplomatic pressure can prevent Iranians getting nuclear weapons. ++ Shaul Mofaz, member of Israel’s security cabinet, announced last week that “attacking Iran, in order to stop its nuclear plans, will be unavoidable.” ++ Despite Israel’s skepticism, the only solution is diplomacy and sanctions. ++ Present

June 26, 2008 | A Palestinian State From the Bottom up

Representatives at the Berlin Middle East Conference reaffirmed their commitment to the US-initiated peace process in Annapolis. ++ Yet the approach has been changed. ++ The creation of an efficient security mechanism aims at setting the preconditions for the Annapolis “two-state solution.” ++ A major investment in the Palestinian police and judicial structures would enable the creation of a

June 26, 2008 | West Must Prevent Israel Attacking Iran

Despite positive developments between Israel and many of its adjacent neighbors, the increasing frequency with which Israel speaks of attacking Iran must not be ignored by the West. ++ Israel either truly plans to attack and “is preparing the ground, militarily and politically,” or it is trying to “spur the rest of the world into action.” ++ The West must act now, before Israel does anything that

June 23, 2008 | India Foresees Collective Security in the Middle East

Coercive diplomacy is America’s only remaining option as its influence declines in the Middle East. ++ Especially in the case of an Obama presidency, this “changed constellation” in the region calls for India to readjust its strategy. ++ India needs to balance Israel and Syria, and constructively engage Iran. ++ Like China, India should acknowledge the region’s importance for its own energy

June 19, 2008 | The Paradox of Middle East Moderates

The guiding idea that empowering moderates in the Middle East will squelch the appeal of radicals is faulty reasoning. ++ First of all, defining a “moderate” is impossible. ++ A social “moderate” in Egypt, for example, calls for less religion in society, but condones suicide bombings as a legitimate means of diplomacy. ++ Secondly, the record has shown that moderates do

June 16, 2008 | Israeli-Syrian Peace Could Stabilize Middle East

Today, a Syrian-Israeli peace, which would enable Syria to recover the Golan Heights and protect the country’s interests in Lebanon, is complicated by Syria’s alliance with Iran. ++ Yet if Syria achieves peace with Israel, its good relations to Iran could turn out to be a good thing. ++ “Syria’s stance might limit, rather than extend, the reach of Iran’s strategy of regional destabilization.” ++

June 11, 2008 | Upholding Sanctions Against Military Action

Attacking Iran would be disastrous, many civilians would die, the nuclear program would subsist, and Israel’s involvement would create a serious backlash in the region. ++ Iran’s threats toward Israel give reason for concern but sanctions and diplomatic incentives - both endorsed by Obama and McCain - should be favored over military action. ++ If the UN does not authorize applying punitive

June 6, 2008 | US Must Engage Syria Diplomatically

US cooperation with Syria - “not based on shared values, but shared interests” - should replace the policy of non-engagement to support Israel, isolate Iran, and ameliorate the situation in Iraq. ++ Waiving economic sanctions against Syria could provide huge leverage when addressing issues such as Lebanon’s right to sovereignty, Israeli-Syrian peace negotiations, and

June 3, 2008 | US Marginalized by its Own Policy in the Middle East

The recent easing of tensions in the Middle East, which is occurring without US mediation, reveals America’s loss of credibility and leverage. ++ Indeed, negotiations are taking place with groups and authorities the US boycotts - Syria, Hamas, and Hezbollah. ++ Yet these are the only stakeholders that can offer Lebanon and Israel the compromises they really want. ++ The US has marginalized

May 29, 2008 | Palestinian Concerns Over Syrian-Israeli Negotiations

Although the recent negotiations between Israel and Syria give an encouraging push to the peace process in the Middle East, some Palestinian faction leaders and analysts expressed concerns about this issue. ++ They believe that focusing on an Israel-Syria peace track would have a negative impact on both direct talks with the Palestinian National Authority and indirect talks with the Islamic Hamas

May 27, 2008 | Iranian Threat: 5 Minutes to Midnight

Failed US foreign policy pushed Iran into a hegemonic role it never could have attained under its own power and in such a short time. ++ Iran’s nuclear program threatens to tilt the regional strategic balance enduringly. ++ It is very likely that the US and Israel will solve this problem before Bush steps down. ++ “Iran’s nuclear program will be handled militarily, not

May 27, 2008 | US Losing Ground in Middle East Power Game

The Qatari-brokered power sharing agreement between Lebanon’s feuding political factions puts into perspective the new Middle East power equation, in which the US is no longer a dominant factor and the rules are now being written by regional players. ++ The accord will succeed, precisely because it is grounded in realism and ignores idealistic and unreasonable American demands. ++ Even Israel,

May 21, 2008 | America's Paralysis in the Face of "Hezbullahization"

At the Knesset plenum, Bush’s declarations regarding America’s political and military commitment to Israel’s defense were most promising. ++ Yet the Hezbollah’s recent take over of Lebanon was met with absolute silence on behalf of the US and its Allies. ++ “America is tired, emasculated, and torn on the inside. It can only provide its protectorates in the Middle East with words.” ++ Since the US

May 15, 2008 | Bush's Failed Policy in the Middle East

During his last Middle East Tour, President Bush will have to accept the failure of his policies in the region. ++ Since Bush undertook to revive peace negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians at Annapolis in late 2007, no progress has been made. ++ The American hope for a Palestinian-Israeli agreement before the end of the year seems illusory. ++ The positions of Israeli negotiators

May 15, 2008 | Obama's Middle East Will be Business as Usual

Obama advocates leading open and direct negotiations with everyone, from Iran to Cuba. ++ His opposition to the Iraq war, his rational stance on Iran, and his “understanding of US imperialism” suggest he will reshape American foreign policy. ++ Yet Obama’s readiness to compromise does not apply to the Middle East. ++ Since Obama’s presidency would provide for high expectations, the predictable

May 8, 2008 | Israel at 60, and Beyond

In a sort of ‘State of the Union’ address, the Jerusalem Post marks the 60th anniversary with the struggles, triumphs, and miracles that have brought about the first geographically defined Jewish civilization since millennia. ++ Accompanying these successes are, however, huge challenges for the next 60 years. ++ Israel struggles with its own definition of Jewishness, religious

May 8, 2008 | Carter Accuses Israel of Human Rights Violations

After a research visit to Israel, former US President Jimmy Carter implores the international community to condemn Israel for what he considers “terrorism” against Palestinians. ++ Recent strikes against civilians, massive plans for Israeli housing projects in Palestine, and increasing roadblocks on the West Bank suggest that Israel is not holding up its end of the peace process

May 7, 2008 | Bleak Prospects for Peace in the Middle East

Decades of conflict have created economic, demographic, and political conditions that are compromising achieving peace in the Middle East. ++ Disincentives for the creation of two states are proving stronger than the rationale for peace. ++ Palestinians’ animosity toward Israel, their scarring experience of war and violence, the influence of Islamic groups, and the ever blurrier ethnic and

May 6, 2008 | The Threat of the New Middle East

The old Middle East and the secular nationalism that went along with it is being replaced by a new, modern Middle East in which political Islam and anti-Western nationalism play a decisive role. ++ There is now a serious threat of “a confrontation between Iran and Saudi Arabia for sub-regional supremacy, and between Iran and the US for regional hegemony.” ++ The entire state system in the

April 30, 2008 | Negotiation Over Isolation

Policy in Washington favors punishing and boycotting governments and political factions who do not adhere to US mandates. ++ This approach gives leaders little incentive to moderate their policies. ++ “In the Middle East, as in Nepal, the path to peace lies in negotiation, not in isolation.” ++ Recently, after discussions with Jimmy Carter, Hamas leaders made progress towards enhancing the

April 30, 2008 | Israel: Peace at Home Vital for Regional Stability

Israel’s amazing development over the last 60 years into a regional leader necessitates ending the conflict at home. ++ A strategic alliance with moderate Sunni Arabs in the Middle East is contingent upon Israel’s ability to live peacefully alongside a Palestinian state. ++ At the same time, Palestine must accept and respect its Israeli neighbors. ++ Only in this manner will the

April 22, 2008 | Improving America's Image in the Arab World

Recent Arab public opinion polls confirm a “gap between the aims of American policies and Arab public perceptions of the US.” ++ They also highlight that the US could improve its image by brokering peace between Palestine and Israel and by withdrawing from Iraq and the Arabian Peninsula. ++ While US policies are clearly opposed, middle ground could be found regarding democratic values and

March 31, 2008 | Getting the US out of Iraq is the Smart Thing to Do

US disengagement in Iraq will increase long term stability in the region. ++ Al-Qaeda is not behind most of the insurgency. ++ Disengagement should include serious dialogues with Iraqi leaders and those of neighboring areas, including Iran. ++ Overall goal of US strategy should be to stabilize the Middle East by ending the war in Iraq, negotiating with Iran, and leading Israel and Palestine to

March 27, 2008 | Russia is an Offender in the Nuclear Arms Race

Israel’s legitimate nuclear program is not a valuable excuse for Russia to jeopardize international security by supplying a reactor to Iran and by agreeing on nuclear cooperation with
Egypt. ++ The international community should strive to prevent unstable democracies from acquiring nuclear weapons, acknowledge that Iran is not just a threat to Israel but to the world, and hold Russia

March 18, 2008 | Germany's Position on Iran is Crucial

During Merkel’s visit, Israel needs to clarify that Germany must support tougher sanctions, break diplomatic ties, and end governmental trade subsidies with Iran. ++ Brown and Sarkozy are already supportive of more restrictive sanctions, but if Germany remains indecisive, effective action against Iran will be impossible. ++ Israel only further endangers itself claiming that Germany is doing

March 13, 2008 | Israel: Make Peace with Syria, Palestine Will Follow

Eventually the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will be settled by the formation of two states. ++ Bringing Hamas into negotiations is one option to speed up process. ++ Making peace first with Syria would end confrontation with Hizbullah and Hamas, and create settlement with Palestinians. ++ The biggest obstacle towards a peaceful resolution is the Bush administration, which refuses to allow talks

March 11, 2008 | Creating the Conditions for Negotiations and Peace

Given the current logic of violent retaliation which dominates actions of the weak and divided political systems in Palestine and Israel, there is no foreseeable end to the conflict. ++ Yet if an end to the strangulation of Gaza, a cease-fire with Hamas, and security cooperation with Egypt and Abbas are achieved and followed by democratic elections, most Israelis will show moral commitment to

March 5, 2008 | The Palestinian Authority Deserves Israeli Cooperation

West Bank NGOs that channeled funds to Hamas have been brought under supervision, Hamas groups have been disarmed, and the Palestinian Authority has neutralized hundreds of radicals. ++ In return, Israel needs to remove settlements, checkpoints, and roadblocks in the West Bank. ++ This would help solve Israel’s security problems and allow for the improvement of the lives of Palestinians.

February 25, 2008 | Europe and Annapolis: A Focused Agenda

Failure to make the most of the Annapolis process would be fatal for both Israel and the international community. ++ The US needs to be “the major responsible supervisor of the negotiation process.” ++ The EU must move beyond its traditional role of paymaster and focus on state building and economic reconstruction in Palestine. ++ The EU must simultaneously demand concrete results from other

January 18, 2008 | Bush's Middle East Tour

In his visit to the Middle East, President George W. Bush, in an unusual note of diplomatic urgency, has insisted that Israel and the Palestinians conclude a peace accord before he leaves office in early 2009. Speaking with both Israeli and Palestinian leaders six weeks after hosting a conference in Annapolis, Bush tried to force the change that has yet failed to materialise on the ground.
In

November 29, 2007 | Restrain, Modesty, and Multilateralism: A New American Grand Strategy

The last 16 years provide valuable hindsight into the grand strategic approach of the United States and highlight the need to reshape American foreign policy around the principle of restraint, argues Barry R. Posen, director of the security studies program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Writing for the American Interest, he points out that US policy makers have struggled to

October 29, 2007 | Route to Success in Annapolis

Henry A. Kissinger dampens hopes on the outcome of the meeting on the Palestinian peace process in Annapolis. Even if parties manage to agree on the Taba Plan of 2000—essentially Israeli withdrawal to the 1967 borders—the implementation remains uncertain. Israeli and Palestinian interlocutors have shaky domestic positions. Additionally, it needs to be clarified what the willingness by several

September 21, 2007 | Israel's Air Force Raid on Syria. Its Silence. And What It All Means.

Wall Street Journal columnist Bret Stephens breaks down the intrigue surrounding Israel’s military operations over Syria on September 6. “In a country of open secrets,” Israel’s customary fleet of spokesmen and pundits has remained conspicuously silent, says Stephens. But why? None of the explanations circulating in the news media—the theory that North Korea was using Syria as a safe

June 19, 2007 | Yossi Mekelberg on Open Deterrence Against Iran Israel's New Old Option

Yossi Mekelberg, Associate Fellow at Chatham House, analyzes Israeli policy options towards Iran and potential consequences.

Though Israel would prefer that issues with Tehran be resolved diplomatically through the international community, it perceives Iran’s nuclear ambitions as an existential threat and cannot rule out the military option.

However, Menkelberg argues that military

June 11, 2007 | Sarkozy and the Arab world: French policy at the crossroads?

New French president Nicolas Sarkozy could initiate a historic shift in French Middle East policy, says Pascal Boniface, director of the IRIS Institute for International and Strategic Relations.

For forty years, French policy has been viewed as pro-Arab, an approach which has been attributed to French commercial interests and a large Muslim population. According to Boniface, however,

April 12, 2007 | Yaakov Amidror Warns Israel's Defeat in Lebanon Will Come Back to Haunt Them

Since Israel failed to declare victory in the 2006 war in Lebanon, the Shi’a axis (Iran-Syria-Hezbollah) has only grown stronger and will continue to do so once the US withdraws its troops from Iraq, or Iran builds a nuclear warhead. So writes Yaakov Amidror of the Israeli Army in his account of the outcome of the war. Despite religious conflict with Sunni countries in the region, the revitalized