Middle East

The latest analysis, events, research, and commentary on the Middle East.
Podcast Deep Dish on Global Affairs Podcast
What Trump's Peace Plan Means for Israel and Hamas
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shakes hands with President Donald Trump after a news conference at the White House on September 29, 2025. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shakes hands with President Donald Trump after a news conference at the White House on September 29, 2025. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shakes hands with President Donald Trump after a news conference at the White House on September 29, 2025. Global Politics
Alex Brandon / AP
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Trump and Netanyahu announced a 20-point plan for Gaza, widely hailed by global leaders What comes next?
a person holds an American flag in front of Israeli flags a person holds an American flag in front of Israeli flags a person holds an American flag in front of Israeli flags a person holds an American flag in front of Israeli flags Public Opinion
Oded Balilty / AP
Democrats and Republicans Grapple with Internal Divisions on Israel
RESEARCH Public Opinion Survey by Lama El Baz
Cécile Shea appears via video on Fox 32 Cécile Shea appears via video on Fox 32 Cécile Shea appears via video on Fox 32 Cécile Shea appears via video on Fox 32 Defense and Security
Israel and Hamas Hold Gaza Peace Talks in Egypt
In the News Fox 32 Chicago Cécile Shea
From left to right: Leslie Vinjamuri, Ali Vaez, Robert Pape, and Rachel Bronson on the Council stage.
Ana Miyares Photography
Global Politics

The Middle East on Edge: What's Next for Iran, Israel, and the Region

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Security and Middle East policy experts discuss the Iran-Israel conflict, the current ceasefire, and the status of Iran's nuclear program.

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RESEARCH Public Opinion Survey
Republicans Favor Trump Approach to Israel-Hamas War
n Image of the US and Israeli flags is projected on the walls of Jerusalem's Old City n Image of the US and Israeli flags is projected on the walls of Jerusalem's Old City n Image of the US and Israeli flags is projected on the walls of Jerusalem's Old City n Image of the US and Israeli flags is projected on the walls of Jerusalem's Old City US Foreign Policy
Mahmoud Illean / AP
But as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens, Democrats and Independents say US support for Israel has gone too far.
President Donald Trump speaks from the East Room of the White House as Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth listen President Donald Trump speaks from the East Room of the White House as Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth listen President Donald Trump speaks from the East Room of the White House as Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth listen President Donald Trump speaks from the East Room of the White House as Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth listen Public Opinion
Carlos Barria / Pool via AP
More Americans Oppose than Support US Strikes against Iran
RESEARCH Public Opinion Survey
Palestinians walk amid the rubble of destroyed homes and buildings in Jabaliya, northern Gaza Strip Palestinians walk amid the rubble of destroyed homes and buildings in Jabaliya, northern Gaza Strip Palestinians walk amid the rubble of destroyed homes and buildings in Jabaliya, northern Gaza Strip Palestinians walk amid the rubble of destroyed homes and buildings in Jabaliya, northern Gaza Strip Public Opinion
Jehad Alshrafi / AP
Americans Grow More Divided on US Support for Israel
RESEARCH Public Opinion Survey

Commentary & Analysis

People protest the war in Gaza at Lafayette Park across from the White House Public Opinion
Jose Luis Magana / AP
Americans Are Changing Their Views of Israel. That's a Problem.
In the News Politico by Daniel W. Drezner

"Israel’s worst-case scenario would be to find itself in the same boat as apartheid-era South Africa in the 1980s," Daniel Drezner writes.

Palestinians push up against a fence waiting for food at a community kitchen in Gaza City on July 26, 2025. Food and Agriculture
Abdel Kareem Hana / AP
Is Gaza's Hunger Crisis Driving the World to Recognize a Palestinian State?
Podcast Deep Dish on Global Affairs Podcast

Ertharin Cousin joins Deep Dish to unpack the unfolding hunger crisis in Gaza and explains how calls for Palestinian statehood recognition could reshape the conflict.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas shakes hands with French President Emmanuel Macron Global Politics
Ludovic Marin / Pool via AP
Recognizing Palestinian Statehood Isn't Just Political Theater
In the News World Politics Review by Paul Poast

France, the United Kingdom, and Canada are all prepared to recognize the state of Palestine. Paul Poast unpacks what that actually means in international relations.

Iranians walk under a mural of the late Iranian revolutionary founder Ayatollah Khomeini Global Politics
Vahid Salemi / AP
Why Don't the Iranian People Rise Up?
In the News Foreign Policy by Saeid Golkar

"The regime has invested in creating an extensive suppressive apparatus across Iran, at every level of society," Saeid Golkar and Kasra Aarabi write.