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Explainer: How US Ties in the Middle East are Preventing a Regional War (So Far)

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Global Insight by Hope O'Dell

The U.S. has official relationships with nearly every country in the Middle East. Israel, a close U.S. ally, has official ties with only five.

Antony Blinken, left, shakes hands with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani
Evelyn Hockstein / AP
Defense and Security

What is the International Court of Justice, Where Israel Faces Genocide Charges?

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Global Insight by Hope O'Dell

On Dec. 29, South Africa brought genocide charges against Israel in the International Court of Justice. Israel said it will defend itself from the charges at hearings on Jan. 11 and 12 in The Hague.

View of the Peace Palace which houses World Court in The Hague, Netherlands
Peter Dejong / AP
Defense and Security

Israel Loses Support at UN With Resolution for Gaza Ceasefire

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Global Insight by Hope O'Dell

UN resolutions against Israel's position and for a Gaza ceasefire have been getting more support from US allies and other countries.

Results are displayed as the U.N. General Assembly voted for a non-binding resolution calling for a "humanitarian truce" in Gaza
Bebeto Matthews/ AP
Global Politics

How the US has Used its Power in the UN to Support Israel for Decades

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Global Insight by Hope O'Dell

The US has used its UN veto power to stop an Israel-Hamas war ceasefire resolution and other measures. Here's how it got veto power and how America has used it.

An illustrated collage of a dove and images from the United Nations
Elizabeth Sokolich with AP Photos
US Foreign Policy

Why is the United States Arming Taiwan?

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Global Insight by Hope O'Dell

The U.S. has maintained a delicate balance between not officially recognizing Taiwan as a sovereign nation and arming the island to fend off any Chinese aggression.

A photo collage of Joe Biden, U.S. soldiers, and the flag of Taiwan
Elizabeth Sokolich with AP photos
Defense and Security

Here's What You Can Read to Better Understand the Israel-Hamas War

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Global Insight by AJ Caughey

We compiled five expert lists of recommended reading from diverse authors, viewpoints, and backgrounds to help explain the history, context, and experiences shaping the war.

Collage of an open book with a map of the Gaza Strip in the background Defense and Security

What's Qatar's Role in the Israel-Hamas Negotiations?

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Global Insight by Hope O'Dell

Despite its small size, Qatar has historically played an outsize role in negotiating with organizations or countries that the U.S. doesn’t have relations with.

Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, right, and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, attend a meeting
Jacquelyn Martin / AP
Defense and Security

How Cities Can Go Slow to Achieve Real Change

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Global Insight by Coauthors

Nonresident Fellow Sascha Haselmayer discusses his new book, which synthesizes the lessons he learned from his work with cities, governments, and NGOs.

City under construction
Nicolas J. Leclercq
Global Cities

Where in the World are US Military Deployed?

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Global Insight by Hope O'Dell

In 2022, there were about 170,000 troops stationed outside of the U.S. and its territories, according to the Department of Defense. As of June 2023, there were over 30,000 troops stationed in the Middle East alone, before America expanded its military presence following Hamas' attack on Israel in October. 

An illustrated collage of Earth
Elizabeth Sokolich
Defense and Security

German Public Opinion Shifts After Hamas Attack, New Polling Shows

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Global Insight by Coauthors

Germans used to think Israel was more responsible for the conflict in the Middle East. Now they are more likely to blame Palestinians.

Silhouettes of three people against a gray sky with the German flag in the foreground
Michael Sohn / AP
Defense and Security