Most Mideast autocrats welcome President-elect Trump
Throughout the Middle East, with the exception of Iran and its proxies, there was a collective sigh of relief at the reelection of Donald Trump as president of the United States. Given the choice
The International Community and the Creation of a Feasible Settlement in Lebanon
Mitvim – The Israeli Institute for Regional Foreign Policies – held a roundtable on international involvement in achieving a sustainable solution for Lebanon, especially in light of the recent
How Israel’s War Risks Destroying Ties with Jordan and Regional Allies
Relations between countries naturally ebb and flow. While high tides are often seen as a positive sign, low tides can strain these connections. As we mark the 30th anniversary of the peace
Qatar Can Be Part of the Solution, and Not Just Part of the Problem
In her article “Qatar is preparing a ‘ring of fire’ around Israel to supplant Iran’s,” (Haaretz, October 15), Dr. Ronit Marzan takes a one-dimensional approach
Israel’s Restored Deterrence Comes at the Cost of Diplomatic and Moral Challenges
A year has elapsed since Hamas’s brutal attack on Israel, which ignited a war not only against the terrorist organization but also against the entire so-called Axis of Resistance led by the
At His End, Nasrallah Was a Victim of His Own Rhetoric
Israel’s apprehension of Hezbollah has arisen not only from the arsenal of rockets and missiles it has stockpiled but also from its hostile rhetoric and the image of Nasrallah as someone who
The International Community’s Role in Moving From the Gaza War to Peace Between Israelis and Palestinians and Regional Stability
The United States, Europe and pragmatic Arab states are offering Israelis and Palestinians a way out of the abyss they fell into on 7 October 2023: a political process that includes the
Islam’s Influence in Jordan Presenting Significant Challenges for the King
Recent attention has turned to Jordan, following the murders of three Israelis at the Allenby Bridge Crossing. These killings have reignited fears in Israel about a potential deterioration in
Exaggerations, Obstacles and Opportunities: The Saudi Arabian Position in the Gaza War
The paper aims to shed light on the obstacles and opportunities of Saudi involvement in a future Palestinian-Israeli peace process. It first explains the enigmatic nature of Saudi communication
Deradicalization and Israeli-Palestinian Reconciliation: Lessons and Recommendations Based on Past Conflicts
The events of October 7 and the ensuing war prompt the question of the “day after” in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Both sides of Israel’s political spectrum recognize that achieving
Humanitarian Strategy in the Israel-Hamas War
The document discusses the significance of developing a strategic policy for the humanitarian response in Gaza, emphasizing its importance as a vital Israeli interest. Humanitarian strategy is
Regional Conference on the Infrastructural-Environmental Rehabilitation of the Gaza Area
The prolonged Israel-Hamas war has resulted in grave human and physical damage to the Gaza Strip. The Mitvim Institute has been engaged since the start of the war in strategic thinking to promote
The Majdal Shams Massacre – A Chance for a Diplomatic End to the War in the North on Favorable Terms for Israel
The terrible attack in Majdal Shams is a chronicle of a disaster foretold for nearly nine months. It is the result of a lack of Israeli strategy on one hand, and Hezbollah’s assessment that
International Involvement and Prevention of Escalation in the Ongoing Israel-Hezbollah Crisis
On July 8th, 2024, The Mitvim Institute held a roundtable discussion via Zoom focusing on international involvement and its role in preventing escalation in the ongoing crisis between Israel and
Secret Meetings Prove Israel, Saudi Arabia Still Want Normalization Amid War
Normalization with Saudi Arabia has become a central issue during the Israel-Hamas war. Despite the great advantages the normalization holds for Israel, the current government is unable – and
Israeli-Palestinian Peace May Look Entirely Different From How We Imagine It
Peace between peoples doesn’t have to be a love story – it can also be based on an alliance of interests. There are places where that is already working, thanks to the process of
How has Hamas kept its strength for so long without giving in to mediation pressure?
It is possible to suggest several explanations for the inability of the mediators to persuade Sinwar or to force his hand until now. How is it that Hamas, not a particularly large or strong
Bilateral normalization agreement with Saudi Arabia can offer something bigger
The Saudi proposal opens up the path to recognition of Israel by other states in the Middle East and in the Muslim world. An important factor in every negotiation between states is the incentives
The Road not Taken with Saudi Arabia Is Bigger Than Normalization
The intense diplomatic activity on the Washington-Riyadh axis, as well as statements by top officials on both sides, indicate that an Israeli-Saudi normalization agreement is still relevant
Israel’s lack of vision is a blessing for Iran
“The only thing we have in common with the Israeli government is that we also don’t believe in the two-state solution.” The speaker was not an Israeli far-right activist but Iranian Foreign
Recommendations for Essential Infrastructure and Healthcare in the Gaza Strip
The paper examines elements of essential infrastructure in the Gaza Strip – energy, water, sanitation, and the health system – in the face of the ongoing war. Our aim is to inform
Lebanon’s Vulnerability: A Chance for Israel Amid Anti-War Sentiment
Over the past six months, the Israel-Lebanon border has been a battleground between Israel and Hezbollah. Recently, there has been an escalation from both sides, albeit within perceived
The Israeli Initiative – International Zoom Briefing
The Mitvim Institute and the Berl Katznelson Center, with the support of the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, invite our international community to a special briefing on the Israeli Initiative. While
Israel’s peace with the United Arab Emirates is a model for a new Middle East
Early in the pandemic, a friend of mine introduced me to another friend of his, an Emirati living in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Knowing that my academic research is focused on the
Normalization with Saudi Arabia looks unlikely, but we should try anyway
Based on past experience with normalization agreements, three components are presently missing on both the Israeli and Palestinian sides: legitimate leadership, political determination, and
Why it’s essential to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza
Israel’s success in stabilizing the humanitarian situation in Gaza correlates with minimizing harm to non-combatants. This provides greater flexibility for Israeli troops to defeat Hamas.
What Israel can learn from the US-led coalition’s attacks on the Houthis
The sea may develop into an arena requiring greater Israeli effort, but could also create additional opportunities for international cooperation, and not only in the Red Sea.
Egypt needs to consider its economy in Gaza war outlook
The Gaza war’s impact on Egypt’s economy is not hidden.
Morocco and resolving the Gaza crisis
Three years after the resumption of official ties, and in the shadow of the Gaza war, the crisis provides a new opportunity for regional and bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
Are Israel and Qatar allies or enemies?
Qatar would exert a lot of influence to maintain its role in Gaza in the “day after,” yet Israel should seek to diminish this role as far as possible.
Israel’s policy on Qatar after the October 7 attack
Israel lacks a clear, consistent and established strategy for its relations with Qatar, despite profound Qatari influence in the region. Since the 1990s, Israeli decision-makers have faced the
Mitvim – SWP Expert Dialouge 2023
The annual dialogue of the Mitvim Institute and the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP) dealt this year with global geopolitical changes and their impact on the Middle
The East Mediterranean great gas game isn’t over
In order to increase its energy security, Israel must therefore continue to seek ways of diversifying its export options and regional partners.
Advancing Israel-Turkey relations, new regional cooperation
Turkey and Israel should aim – as part of their strategic dialogue – to identify concrete contributions that Turkey can make to improve the situation.
Israel-Egypt security cooperation rattled but steady after border attack
While Israel mourns its three soldiers killed by an Egyptian policeman, both countries need for the security cooperation between them to continue.
The slowing down of Israel-Arab relations under the Netanyahu government
During the Netanyahu government’s first five months, Israel-Arab ties have slowed down and tensions with the Palestinians have increased.
What lessons can Israel learn from Turkey’s elections?
Concern in Israel’s pro-democracy camp that democratic erosion processes in Turkey are similarly emerging in Israel under Netanyahu’s enduring rule.
As Middle East alliances are reshaping, Israel is lagging behind
Saudi Arabia, Iran, UAE, Syria, Russia, and China are creating a new strategic reality while Israel is too focused on short-sighted tactical operations and fraying ties with Washington
What are Middle East reactions to the judicial reform?
‘Israel is devouring itself from within” was the headline of an article by Saudi pundit and businessman Hussein Shobokshi in the influential Arab newspaper Asharq al-Awsat. Shobokshi argues that
Israeli-Palestinian relations are deeply affected
The project of the present Israeli governing coalition to overhaul the organization and powers of the High Court will have deep implications on Israeli-Arab relations if it succeeds. Given the
Is a formal Israeli-Saudi agreement achievable?
In recent days we have come across reports in the media, about talks promoting a possible Israeli-Saudi agreement, which took place between Israel and Saudi Arabia, even before the establishment
Is the Israeli-Lebanese maritime boundary agreement replicable?
For the past decade, policymakers have argued that the Eastern Mediterranean’s offshore natural gas deposits could help support Europe’s efforts to wean itself off Russian hydrocarbons. But
The Israeli – Lebanese Agreement: The Day After
The agreement between Israel and Lebanon on the maritime border constitutes a significant development for each of the two countries, as well as for the regional and international arena. After
The Israel-Lebanon maritime deal is an example of successful US-led mediation. Can it be copy-pasted to other Middle Eastern arenas?
After a decade of tough negotiations, frustrations, and impasses, American mediators succeeded in a difficult task. On October 26, they convinced Israel and Lebanon the importance and need for a
Israel-Lebanon negotiations: cautious optimism but no bells of peace
Negotiations on marking the Israel-Lebanon maritime border began on October 14 under unique circumstances, against the backdrop of the unprecedented economic and political crises in Lebanon.
Does Israel’s Prime Minister Have the Right to Strike a Deal With Lebanon?
The nearly concluded yet still on-off negotiations between Lapid’s caretaker government and Lebanon regarding their maritime border raises a crucial question: Do Israel’s provisional governments
Is it time for a new approach to deal with the Iranian threat? – opinion
Tough times are ahead for decision-makers in Jerusalem. As the clock ticks in Washington, Brussels and Tehran, counting down to Iranian nuclear breakout capability and international pressure
Russia is forming an alliance of pariah states in the Middle East. It might put Israel in an awkward situation in Syria
Every visit by a foreign leader to Iran draws considerable attention, not to mention criticism, in Israel. A visit, however, by Russian President Vladimir Putin, the leader of a global power
Why Is the Israeli Left Still Turning a Cold Shoulder to Gulf States?
This past April 28, Holocaust Remembrance Day, Dan Feferman stood at the entrance to Auschwitz. With him were the members of the multinational delegation he had brought to the annual March of the
Jordan key to deepening Abraham Accords, calming West Bank
Israelis and Jordanians no longer hide their willingness to cooperate, but King Abdullah’s complex internal situation and mounting tensions at Al-Aqsa Mosque may impede rapprochement. Relations
To the Middle East and beyond! Israel’s new connectivity
After decades of limited contact, Israel is connecting with its region at the strategic level. It seems safe to assume that more is yet to come. Largely rejected by its neighbors for decades,
Negev Summit: Middle East becoming warmer, friendlier
The public elements of the Negev Summit were full of positive atmosphere, expressions of personal warmth, and mutual compliments. It did not seem as one of those summits in which concerned
Egypt, Jordan’s close ties with Israeli officials are now out in the open
As the Russian war in Ukraine settles into a deadly routine, events in the Middle East are anything but routine. On March 18, Syrian President Bashar Assad visited the United Arab Emirates (UAE),
After 20 years, time for a new Arab peace initiative
Twenty years ago, in the midst of the al-Aqsa Intifada, Arab leaders convened in Beirut for their annual summit and adopted the Arab Peace Initiative (API). The move followed the failure to reach
Saudi Arabia’s Engagement in the Israeli-Palestinian Peace Process
During the last few decades Saudi Arabia had exercised a role of a regional coordinator between various Middle Eastern states and between them and the USA. Twice in the past it had put on the
How Iraq became the top link in China’s belt and road strategy
Last year, Iraq became a top recipient of Chinese investment and a key link in Beijing’s Belt and Road initiative. Almost 20 years after the war in Iraq began, billions of Chinese yuan are being
Hassan Nasrallah, Master of Lebanon
In 2022, Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah will celebrate 30 years as the undisputed leader of Hezbollah in Lebanon—upholding a pattern of Arab leaders who mature, age, and often die while in power. It was
Israeli Arab Citizens Donate Millions for Refugees in Northern Syria
“Your donations have reached #Northern_Syria. One of the largest convoys of a charitable relief campaign has been launched to reach the needy and refugees and to protect them from the winter
ISIS cells are reappearing in Syria and Iraq
More than 100 Islamic State fighters armed with heavy machine guns and vehicles rigged with explosives attacked the gates of Gweiran Prison in the northeastern Syrian city of Hasakeh. The goal of
Iran drives antisemitism in the Muslim world- analysis
When Iranian General Alireza Tangsiri, the commander of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy, said that Saudi Arabia’s royal family actually descends from Jews who used to fight with the
Lebanon may be getting tired of Hezbollah- analysis
First, it was Gebran Bassil, leader of the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) and the son-in-law of Lebanon’s President Michel Aoun, who attacked the Shia Islamist political party Hezbollah and said
Between Israel and Iran- Putin’s Chess Game
Can President Putin be a “great friend of the Jewish people”, as Naftali Bennett called him, and at the same time sell sophisticated weapons to Iran, a sworn enemy of Israel? Bennett’s goal is to
Will the Sudan coup affect future ties with Israel?
The October 25 military coup in Sudan was led, surprisingly, by incumbent President Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, head of the civilian-military Sovereign Council formed to oversee the transition
Irbil Conference: Road to normalization with Iraq long and complex
A Sept. 24 conference in the Kurdish capital of Erbil, attended by some 250-300 Iraqis, issued an unprecedented call for establishing full diplomatic relations between Iraq and Israel. News of
Hostility, incitement and the decision to improve ties with Israel
Shortly before Yom Kippur, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett held his first official visit to an Arab state, meeting in Sharm El-Sheikh with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah a-Sisi. The invitation
The Lost Battle of Ahmad Jibril
On July 7, 2021, a few hundred Palestinians gathered to attend a funeral at Yarmouk refugee camp cemetery, on the outskirts of Damascus. They came to say their farewells to Ahmad Jibril, the
Israel’s Ministry for Regional Cooperation:
A Snapshot After the New Government’s First 100 Days
Summary of remarks by Minister for Regional Cooperation Essawi Frej in a conversation with Mitvim Institute President Dr. Nimrod Goren at a Meretz Party event on 22 September 2021 Israel’s
After the honeymoon, comes the hard work:
A year on, the ink has yet to dry on the Abraham Accords
The Netanyahu government took pride in achieving “peace for peace”, but the Gulf principalities are once again moving closer to Iran. Bahrain appears the only Gulf State still adhering to the
What it might take for Saudis to join normalization process
In the year since Israel’s signing of normalization agreements with the UAE and Bahrain, and subsequently with Morocco, Israelis have debated repeatedly whether Saudi Arabia would be next in
Iran’s attacks on Israeli shipping in Gulf serves as lesson
The recent attacks on Israeli-owned and operated shipping in the Arab Gulf served as a valuable lesson for Israel. It proved the limitations of using military power in its campaign against Iran,
Why were Israel and the US not invited to the
Baghdad conference?
he Baghdad conference held on Saturday, August 28, was unusual in terms of both venue and participants. The venue was Baghdad, the host was Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, and
Integration into the Middle East? Let’s see you pull it off, Lapid
On his historic June 30 visit to the Emirates for the official opening of the Israeli Embassy in Abu Dhabi and consulate in Dubai, Foreign Minister Yair Lapid urged other Muslim and Arab states
With Netanyahu gone, the Abraham Accords
will not only survive, they might even flourish
Some international concern has been voiced about the future prospects of the Abraham Accords under Israel’s new government. This stems from the perception that the normalization agreements Israel
Israel cannot afford to ignore Jordan any longer
Earlier this month, Jordan officially decided to pull out of the high-profile “Two Seas Project” – a joint endeavor with Israel and the Palestinian Authority to construct a canal that
Is Egypt back in the Arab driver’s seat?
Egypt disappeared from the Middle East after the 2011 Arab Spring. Well, the term “disappeared” is perhaps too strong, but it certainly adopted a lower profile. Anyone accustomed to Egypt’s
The Climate Crisis as a Foreign Policy Issue:
Israeli Diplomacy and Regional Cooperation
Understanding the critical importance of climate change on both local communities and international relations, especially in the Middle East, Mitivm and EcoPeace hosted a joint conference on June
The Israel-UAE Agreement and its Regional Implications
On August 17, 2020, Mitvim hosted a briefing on the newly announced and historic Israel-UAE normalization agreement, and the new opportunities and implications it has for the country and the
Israel’s Fatal Weakness Against Iran’s Axis of Resistance
The “War between the Wars” doctrine has become the key concept of Israel‘s national strategy over the past decade. This open-ended military campaign has provided a convenient
The First Months of Israel-UAE Peace:
Israel’s Perspective on the Abraham Accords
Introduction In the few months that have passed since the signing of the historical Abraham Accords, Israel and the UAE have opened embassies and exchanged ambassadors, launched direct flights
A look at UAE policy on the Israeli-Palestinian issue
Since its founding, the United Arab Emirates has displayed solidarity with the Palestinians’ national aspirations, adhered to its support for the establishment of a Palestinian state, and called
Lebanon ups ante on maritime border with Israel
Lebanon’s surprising decision earlier this month to expand its territorial claim by 1,430 square kilometers (552 sq. miles) further complicates the already complex maritime border negotiations
Jordan’s 100th birthday: Centenary of the
‘most unstable’ state
“Jordan is an artificial state with no future,” then-prime minister David Ben-Gurion declared shortly before the 1956 Suez Canal War. His assessment was echoed by Western intelligence agencies.
Lessons from Israel and Egypt’s lukewarm peace
On March 9, Israeli Intelligence Minister Eli Cohen met with his Egyptian counterpart Nasser Fahmi in the resort town of Sharm El-Sheikh, located at the southernmost tip of the Sinai Peninsula.
What has changed this Mimuna?
The resumption of diplomatic relations with Morocco may restore a “crown to its former glory” (Atara Leyoshna). On the eve of Passover this year, I am most looking forward to the Mimuna holiday —
It is time to make peace with Egypt
The news of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s planned visit to Egypt came shortly after popular Egyptian singer Mohamad Ramadan became the most hated person in his country; Ramadan was pictured
The Culture of Sciences: Bridging the Gaps
Between the Emirati and Israeli Research Systems
Research collaborations between Israel and the UAE is a touchstone to scale the nature of the relations between them. Academic, scientific, and technological cooperation was explicitly mentioned
Trump officially made Israel part of the Middle East
In one of its final decisions, the Trump administration moved Israel from the purview of the Pentagon’s European Command (EUCOM) to the Area of Responsibility (AOR) of the US Central Command
Israel, Iran: Now is the time to test if détente can be reached
The last few months have witnessed a dramatic shift in the geopolitical balance of the Middle East. Normalization between Israel and multiple Arab states has altered the heart of the historic
Israel’s Relations with Arab Countries:
The Unfulfilled Potential
An Electronic Book edited by Dr. Roee Kibrik, Dr. Nimrod Goren, Merav Kahana-Dagan. Israel’s Relations with Arab Countries: The Unfulfilled Potential examines relations between Israel and seven
Semi-annual trends in Israel’s regional foreign policies with Arab states
Every six months, the Mitvim Institute maps key trends in Israel’s regional foreign policies based on the institute’s monthly reports that monitor ongoing developments. In July-December 2020, we
Israel and Morocco: Major Potential for Warm Peace
The establishment of diplomatic relations between Israel and Morocco is not without precedent. In fact, the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1994 following Israel’s peace agreements
Progressive politics in the Middle East: Israel and the region
The Abraham Accords that were signed recently between Israel, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) can be equalled to a tip of an iceberg: much more is laying beneath the surface. These
2021
US Policies towards Israel and the Middle East is a monthly publication of the Mitvim Institute, currently written by Gall olle Sigler. The publication covers issues related to US-Israel
Opportunities and Challenges for Israel-UAE
Economic Cooperation
Israeli-Emirati economic ties have been developing continuously since the 1990s, setting the stage for the recent Abraham Accords and the partnerships that have begun to flourish as a result.
After UAE, Bahrain normalization,
will ties with Egypt, Jordan improve?
The establishment of peaceful relations between Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco introduces a new model of normalization, highlighting warm receptions between the people
Will Saudi Arabia Pick Up the Mantle?
Yonatan Touval on Modern Diplomacy
Civilian cooperation between Israel and Arab states: How does it work?
A research by Dr. Roee Kibrik and Einat Levi
How Israel Is Triggering a Royal Civil War in Saudi Arabia
Prof. Elie Podeh on Haaretz
The UAE’s Stability from an Outsider’s Perspective
Dr. Moran Zaga on Qposts
Regional Cooperation: Government Practices
A research by Ksenia Svetlova and Mor Yahalom
