The Stimson Center’s Middle East Program seeks to inform policy discussions on the Middle East by leveraging regional expertise, convening dialogues, and producing rigorous, non-partisan analysis and scholarship. The program assesses regional geopolitical developments with a focus on conflict management, regional security, and post-conflict peacebuilding. Through sustained engagement with policymakers, scholars, and subject-matter experts, the program aims to advance practical policy thinking rooted in on-the-ground realities.
A core pillar of the program is the convening of high-level Track 1.5 and Track 2.0 regional dialogues that bring together policymakers, academics, and experts to conduct joint analysis, discuss de-escalation processes, and advance regional cooperation. The program also organizes issue-area roundtables to develop impactful policy recommendations informed by global lessons learned and regional experience. The program’s analysis and policy outputs are directly informed by the insights generated through these dialogues and roundtables.
The fall of Assad reshapes Middle Eastern dynamics, challenging Iran’s influence and offering cautious hope for regional change amid persistent complexities
December 9, 2024
Turkey’s support of the Syrian opposition not only weakens Assad but targets the Kurdish military stationed in northern Syria across the Turkish border
December 5, 2024
By cultivating the Houthis, the Kremlin is signaling that it can reach any geography to hurt the West and punish it for opposing Russia’s territorial ambitions in Ukraine
November 27, 2024
The Biden administration’s efforts to support peace while degrading Houthi military capabilities have made it difficult to achieve diplomatic progress
November 26, 2024
Muscular diplomacy still offers the best set of tools to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
November 26, 2024
A broad range of risk to northern Israel and, potentially, to critical areas of central Israel is what drives Israel’s military campaign in Lebanon today
November 19, 2024
Any new U.S.-Iran agreement would likely require Israeli buy-in and a meaningful regional pullback by Tehran, including reduced support for militant groups like Hezbollah and Hamas
November 15, 2024
If Trump fails to provide the leadership Gulf states seek from Washington, his return may push Arab states to further diversify their alliances
November 14, 2024
