The Iran war is a severe blow to Shi’ite Islam
Strengthening regional stability in the Middle East is based on moderate Sunni-majority states and Israel's national interests.
Israel, Iran and the Laws of Motion
Escalation and Reaction in the Middle East’s New Regional War.
How the Iran war will reshape the Middle East economy
Operation Epic Fury is a stress test for the networks of connectivity that have grown over the last decade.
Is there still a Path for an International Security Force in Gaza
The US twenty-point peace plan that marked the end of Gaza War created an opportunity to break the political stalemate in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and advance major moves. Yet, progress
How to combine the new and old world orders
Last week, the “Board of Peace” established by President Trump convened in Washington. The week before, Prime Minister Netanyahu announced Israel’s joining of the board (even though this decision
Will a regional war guarantee a faster end?
The war with Iran has escalated beyond the U.S-Israel framework, posing a significant threat to the Iranian regime's survival. Iran may adopt a strategy of widening the conflict to pressure the
Mitvim Experts’ Commentary on the second Israel-Iran War
On February 28, against the backdrop of rounds of talks about a renewed nuclear agreement, Israel and the United States launched a surprise war against Iran. The following are responses from
Time to strike a political blow against Hezbollah after Khamenei’s death
Circumstances have created an unprecedented situation in which Israel is capable of conducting a campaign against a sworn enemy while the Lebanese state joins it.
What does victory for Israel, US look like in Iran?
Is the goal to weaken Iran’s regime or overthrow it? The answer could determine when and how the war ends.
Gulf states in shock as Iranian missile strikes strain trust
As long as the present regime remains in power in Iran, there will be no genuine revival of Gulf-Iran relations. Only a new regime could mend the rifts.
Cross-Border Power Connectivity
This report examines the advancement of electricity interconnections between Israel and both neighboring and more distant countries.
IMEC 2.0: A New Regional Vision After the Gaza War
The India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) was launched as a transport and connectivity initiative linking India, the Gulf, and Europe. That logic remains relevant, but the post-Gaza
From the Global Friction and Intra-‘West’ Fracture, Through the Multi-front (Gaza) War to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
This paper analyzes how the October 7 attack and the ensuing multi-front and Gaza war reshaped the region within the broader context of global power competition, inducing intra-Western fractures.
Pax Silica: Israel’s chance to become a must-have ally
Pax Silica offers Israel a path from protected ally of the US to indispensable partner on the global stage.
Saving the Palestinian Economy Will Disempower Hamas and Offer Security to Israel
An economic road map for the Palestinian Authority’s transition from dangerous collapse to stability within regional arrangements
Israel-Kurd Relations in the Middle East Post-October 7
This policy paper examines the relationship between Israel and the Kurdish nation against the backdrop of the dramatic changes in the Middle East since the events of October 7, 2023.
Trump’s Peace Council is still far from bringing peace in Gaza
It is unclear why it was necessary to construct such a complex structure to address Gaza’s well-known fundamental problems.
How Saudi Arabia Could Help Solve the Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Saudi Arabia holds unique leverage over the conflict's future, but Riyadh needs to choose to engage on all fronts. This is what pro-peace Israelis and Palestinians need it to do.
Saudi Arabia and the Palestinian State: A need and a role to play
This document is part of a series of policy papers within a joint project of the Mitvim Institute and the Berl Katznelson Foundation, aimed at thinking about the day after the war.
Security and Diplomacy on Diverging Tracks
Farah Bdour on the Endurance of the Jordan–Israel Peace and the Future of the Region
Egypt: An Indispensable Partner for the Post-War Stabilization of the Gaza Strip
The October 13, 2025 peace summit led by President Donald Trump in Sharm el-Sheikh, as well as other initiatives proposed since October 7, 2023, illustrate Egypt’s vital role in efforts to end
The Ideological Currents in the United States and Their Impact on Israel
In the past decade, political discourse in the United States has become polarized, loud, and, at times, violent. Concepts that were once clear have become fluid and shifting according to the
Diplomacy, Not War: How the Israeli-Lebanese-Syrian Triangle Could Transform the Middle East
These are critical days in the north. The severe blow to Hezbollah and the collapse of the Assad regime have created a diplomatic window for stabilization. This time, the opportunity is not only
Drawing lines for gas: Lebanon and Cyprus sort their waters out
The two countries at last have a maritime border, letting energy firms search for new gas fields in the Eastern Mediterranean, but the agreement has geopolitical repercussions too.
From Military Discourse to Security Through State Craft
On October 7th, Israeli society was significantly altered in light of the unprecedented trauma. As a direct result, the Israeli political system, which has never excelled in developed civil
Israel–Palestine and Europe’s neighbourhood: power, principles and responsibility
At this year’s State of Europe event, I had the privilege of initiating and facilitating a dialogue on the evolving dynamics of the Palestine–Israel–Europe relationship — a conversation that felt
Why the new Group of Eight Arab-Muslim coalition is bad for Israel – opinion
This new configuration is not good news for Israel. Its formation is another unplanned consequence of the war.
“A Light at the End of the Tunnel”: Muhammad Baharoon on Regional Cooperation, Collective Security, and Israel’s Strategic Choice
As part of Mitvim Institute’s 8th annual “Building Hope” conference on regional foreign policy, Dr. Roee Kibrik, Director of Research, held an in-depth conversation with Muhammad Baharoon,
“We Are Witnessing a Vicious Cycle”: Ambassador Abderahman Salahadin on the Urgent Need for a Political Horizon
Over the past two years of regional turmoil and a devastating war, Dr. Roee Kibrik, Director of Research at the Mitvim Institute, held an in-depth conversation with Ambassador Abderahman
Saudi Arabia’s win in US highlights Israel’s continued missed opportunities
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's trip to US secured all his primary objectives and left Israel without leverage as a conduit to Washington.
“Normalization? Not Now”
Based on a conversation conducted by Dr. Roee Kibrik ahead of Mitvim’s Annual “Building Hope” Conference.
Building the ISF for Gaza: Key Components for Effective Implementation
The Twenty Point Peace plan seems to promise a brighter future for Gazans and Israelis alike. It envisions a massive reconstruction effort coupled with a process of disarmament, demobilization,
The Mitvim Institute Annual Conference Summary
At the 8th Annual Mitvim Conference, held in partnership with the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES), over 300 participants from Israel and abroad joined senior diplomatic, political, and civil
The Liberal Camp Should Embrace The Arab Parties
Israel’s liberal, centrist politicians have been playing politics by Netanyahu’s rules – and losing because of it.
Lessons for the Sustainable Rehabilitation of Gaza
The cumulative consequences of the Gaza war present the Middle East with a decisive choice – between the continued cycles of violence and destruction and the beginning of a long process of
Trump’s plan: Euphoria alongside challenges – opinion
The problem with Donald Trump’s plan is that it actually consists of several plans without a detailed timetable.
The Ripple Effects of the Oct. 7 Attack on Israel
Before the attacks on Oct. 7, Netanyahu had weakened Israel’s foreign ministry and centralized power in his own office, hollowing out the country’s diplomatic apparatus. When the war began,
Why Recognition of Palestine is a Reward to Israel
Contrary to the lies of the coalition and the cowardice of some in the opposition, like Gantz, who portray recognition of a Palestinian state as a “reward for Hamas,” the truth is precisely the
Israel Risks Ties With Egypt at Its Peril
Netanyahu’s policies since Oct. 7 have strained relations with Cairo at the expense of Israeli security.
What have the Abraham Accords achieved, five years on? – opinion
Israeli decision-makers tend to treat the Abraham Accords as a given. These relationships require ongoing “irrigation and fertilization,” lest they wither away.
Why a Syria-Israel security agreement is so important
Al-Sharaa confirmed the possibility of clinching a deal during a meeting with Arab journalists earlier this month, accompanied by a US push for Israel to cooperate in this regard.
The Israeli Foreign Policy Index of 2025
The 2025 Foreign Policy survey, published as we near the second commemoration of the October 7th attack, comes amid a severe humanitarian crisis and preparations for further escalation in the Gaza war.
Berlin must act
Germany’s reserve towards Netanyahu not only jeopardises the two-state solution, but also Israel’s democratic future.
Never again
Like every Israeli child, I grew up with the memory of the Holocaust. My grandmother came to Palestine from Germany as a young Zionist before World War II. Her family, who stayed behind, perished.
Saving the Two-State Solution: Euro-Arab Coalition Stopping Israeli Annexation
This policy paper proposes the formation of a Euro-Arab coalition to stop the Israeli government accelerated de-facto and possibly de-jure annexation of Area C or parts of it in the West Bank,
Bungled diplomacy, not fate, led to Israel’s isolation – opinion
Israel's military accomplishments should have been leveraged into a political gain.
Peace Through Strength – Israel’s Version: Abandoning Diplomacy for a Military-Only Strategy
The massacre of October 7th and the ensuing military campaigns in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and Iran did not merely reshape the Middle Eastern political landscape — they also redefined Israel’s role
Israel and Turkey must clarify their red lines on Syria
Discussions aimed at reaching a mutual understanding are vital to preventing miscalculation from either side.
Recognizing Palestine is an Act of True Zionism
More than a century after Britain first endorsed a Jewish homeland in Palestine, it now stands on the brink of recognizing a Palestinian one. In 1917, the Balfour Declaration marked the first
On-the-Ground: Emergency Tour in E1 Highlights the Imminent Threats of Settlement Expansion
On July 29th, I joined an emergency press tour organized by Ir Amim, focusing on the planned settlement expansion in E1. The tour came ahead of the plan’s upcoming court hearing on August 6th
Nourishing Tomorrow: A Call for Cross-Border Food Security Innovations
Food security is a pressing global challenge, amplified by climate change, political instability, and socioeconomic disparities. The "Jordanian-Israeli Food Security: A Road Map of Potential
China’s strategic shift: Navigating relations with Israel, Iran in a changing Middle East – opinion
If Israel plays its diplomatic cards wisely, it could redefine its bilateral relationship with China in the wake of the Iran war.
Update on the Humanitarian Situation in Gaza
The Israeli Humanitarian Forum for Gaza – which includes Israeli humanitarian and aid organizations such as Mitvim – The Israeli Institute for Regional Foreign Policies – received alarming
Israel in the Middle East and the Mediterranean:
After Prolonged Multi-Front Confrontations, Diplomatic Opportunities Emerge
Israeli-Syrian security arrangement: A new model of normalization? – opinion
A renewed security agreement between Israel and Syria could lead to a new kind of normalization.
Why Syria and Israel should walk, not run, towards peace
This is a once-in-a-blue-moon opportunity to agree a détente between two hostile neighbours, but getting there is tricky. Several issues must (but can) be overcome.
Deterrence to diplomacy: Can Israel’s military might facilitate Middle East peace? – opinion
It overestimates the appeal of military might while ignoring the real motivations that have historically led Arab states to normalize relations with Israel.
Shared vision of alignment: Azerbaijan’s strategically important energy deal with Israel – opinion
SOCAR’s expanding footprint in Israel could eventually open new routes and strategies for future export diversification in the region.
We must distinguish between civilians and combatants
The ceasefire in the war with Iran provides us with an opportunity to draw lessons both for that conflict and beyond it.
Axis of the weak: Iran’s proxy network has been severely damaged – opinion
Iran’s axis of proxies has taken a serious hit and has become an axis of the weak.
“We’re All Part of the Same Region — It’s Time to Act Accordingly”: Dr. Aziz Alghashian Warns of Further Escalation
In a special conversation with the Mitvim Institute, Saudi scholar Dr. Aziz Alghashian – a senior research fellow at Mitvim – shares a Gulf perspective on the Israel-Iran conflict, calling for
Mitvim Experts’ Responses to the Israel-Iran War, June 2025
"Security is not just the tank, the airplane, and the missile ship. Security is also, and perhaps above all, the person—the person, the Israeli citizen. Security is also the person's education,
Saudi Arabia’s Status in the Regional Arena and Relations with Israel
Dr. Aziz Alghashian is a Saudi researcher specializing in the kingdom’s foreign policy strategies. He is a senior research fellow at the Mitvim Institute. Alghashian is especially known as an
Trump’s business trip to the Middle East presents a new strategic reality
"Trump’s business trip to the Middle East presents a new strategic reality: the American president has, for now, chosen to sideline Israel and its considerations in his foreign policy."
Stopping annexation and advancing normalization in Trump-world: A framework for European policy makers
This document is part of a series of policy papers within a joint project of the Mitvim Institute and the Berl Katznelson Foundation, aimed at thinking about the day after the war.
Tomorrow’s Global Superhighway
Why the US should appoint a special envoy for the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor? Ambitious India-Middle East-Europe corridor gains momentum amidst geopolitical shifts and renewed diplomatic
Jordanian-Israeli Food Security: A Road Map of Potential Collaboration
Food security has become a critical priority in recent years, driven by the growing impacts of global climate change. As countries develop strategies to ensure stable and sufficient food
Israel’s Foreign Policy Has Lost Its Moral Compass
When I joined the Israeli Foreign Ministry in the 1990s, I was proud to represent a country that was a beacon of values on the international stage. A country that led the fight against
Arab Leaders Unite on Paper, but Who Will Rebuild Gaza?
Since the outbreak of the war, several Arab states have played supportive roles – Egypt and Qatar as mediators, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan in providing humanitarian aid to Gaza, and
Gaza Reconstruction is Israel’s Chance to Shape the Region
In recent weeks, a flood of words has been spoken about US President Donald Trump’s proposed “evacuation and reconstruction” plan for the Gaza Strip – both regarding its impracticality and its
The EU-Israel Association Council: Harsh Criticism of Israel Alongside Desire to Advance Relations
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who last year wanted to suspend the Association Agreement, stated that the meeting did not take place under a “business as usual” atmosphere. And yet,
Building Networks in the Shadows of War: Mapping Challenges and Opportunities
In September 2023, Mitvim – The Israeli Institute for Regional Foreign Policies – and the U.S. Department of State launched a joint project to create a civil-society network of regional thinkers
The UAE’s Foreign Policy Anchors and Their Influence on Israel and the Region
This policy paper explores the fast-moving expansion of the UAE’s influence in the Middle East through physical control of territories and assets beyond its borders, analysing the implications
Trump’s Proposals for Gaza: A Political Gamble With Global Risks
Unsurprisingly, the meeting between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu garnered significant headlines, but far more than expected. Trump’s proposals to transfer
Don’t Like Trump’s Gaza Plan? Offer an Alternative
In the opening weeks of his second term, US President Donald Trump renamed the Gulf of Mexico, expressed interest in acquiring Greenland, and threatened to retake the Panama Canal. Yet all this
Here’s Why Israel Should Care About the Modi-Trump Meeting
As Washington and New Delhi prepare for the high-stakes meeting between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, defense cooperation takes center stage. This
Biden’s Failure and Trump’s Success
Alongside the excitement and joy over the ongoing release of hostages, I can’t stop thinking that the deal for a ceasefire and hostage release could have been achieved long ago. It’s a “gut
Riyadh Is the Arab World’s New Real Leader
On January 12, two seemingly unrelated events took place in Saudi Arabia. In the first, Real Madrid faced Barcelona in the final of the Spanish Super Cup in Jeddah. Thousands of Saudis filled the
A “Revitalized” EUBAM Rafah? One Avenue for Eu’s Involvement in the “Day After” in Gaza
The re-deployment of the European Union Border Assistance Mission for the Rafah Crossing Point (EUBAM Rafah) emerges as one crucial component for promoting stability and governance in Gaza
Making Deals, Building Corridors: Trump’s Middle East Moment
When President Joe Biden announced on Jan. 15, 2025 that the United States had successfully brokered a fragile ceasefire and phased hostage exchange between Israel and Hamas, he underscored how
Normalizing Relations with Saudi Arabia Provides New Opportunities
Immediately after the signing of the ceasefire agreement with Hamas, incoming US President Donald Trump announced that, after the return of the hostages, he intends to continue the implementation
Gaza Cease-Fire: The View From Israel
After 15 months of devastating news from the Middle East, a silver lining has appeared in the form of the Israel-Hamas cease-fire. The Israeli public has been waiting for this for months, with
Israel Should Make the Ceasefire with Lebanon Permanent
The election of the Christian Commander of the Lebanese Army, Joseph Aoun, as Lebanese president is an important milestone for Lebanon and a positive geopolitical development for Israel. It
Will an Outstretched Hand Meet a Sister’s Hand?
Last week, Saudi researcher Abdulaziz Alghashian, from the Observer Research Foundation Middle East, published an op-ed in Haaretz arguing that the Israeli public misunderstands Saudi Arabia’s
The 23 State Solution
For decades, the Israeli peace camp has hoisted the two-state formula to the top of the flagpole as the solution to the conflict with the Palestinians. We believed that resolution of the “core of
Israel’s 2024 Military Successes Came at a Cost – Will It Pay in 2025?
Looking back at 2024, Israel has strengthened its strategic position in the Middle East, but this has come at the cost of deepening internal divisions within Israeli society, straining relations
President Carter Was a True Friend of Israel
President Carter, who passed away at the age of 100, was committed to the future of Israel and the region, and to promoting a two-state solution. It is very regrettable that too many people in
Saudi perspective: The Palestinian issue cannot be pushed aside
I heard that Israeli media has been debating about the Saudi position regarding the way to end the war and move forward, and its obligation to the Palestinian issue. It seems that Saudi Arabia’s
Europe’s Response to the War in Gaza: Capabilities and Actorness
The European Union’s response to the war in Gaza has been widely criticized as irrelevant and incoherent, casting doubt on its ability to become a credible player in the region. While the EU is
The Fall of Assad Is Just the Beginning: The Struggle for Syria Has Resumed
Syria constantly manages to surprise us anew. With the death of Hafez al-Assad in 2000, his son Bashar survived against all the odds and contrary to all predictions. At the beginning of the civil
Israel has the chance to help reshape Syria and form stable ties
The collapse of the Assad regime confronts Israel with a familiar dilemma, one with which decision-makers grappled a decade ago in the early stages of the Syrian civil war. The question is
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
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
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
An Israeli Public Turn into Pragmatism a Year Into the War May Provide an Opening for a New International Vision for Ending the War
There is a widespread perception globally that the October 7th massacre and the subsequent war have pushed the Israeli public toward the far right. This narrative suggests that while Israelis are
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
The Israeli Foreign Policy Index of 2024
The Mitvim Institute’s twelfth annual public opinion poll on Israeli foreign policy was conducted at the end of August. The survey was conducted by the Rafi Smith Institute in collaboration
The EU’s Possible Role in the ‘Day After’ the Gaza War according to a Reverse Engineering Roadmap
The paper outlines the existing and potential role of the EU in helping to shape a sustainable resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the aftermath of the Gaza war under new Israeli
