Middle East Institute

The Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire deal is a positive development. It showcases the benefits of diplomacy and is an achievement for US mediation. It should be fostered and successfully implemented, to enable a gradual return to normal life for Israelis and Lebanese living near the border. Spoke about it with Dan Murphy on CNBC

Will the #Israel - #Hezbollah ceasefire in #Lebanon last? In this TIME Magazine piece I argue that much will depend on the day after. Without a willing partner in Beirut, it will accomplish very little. Here's why 👇 https://lnkd.in/ed7XfmDa

The #Israel-#Lebanon cease-fire deal announced by US President Joe Biden is the first potentially lasting cease-fire after 13 months of war. MEI's Paul Salem analyzes the situation, including what it means for Lebanon, #Gaza cease-fire talks, and the #Biden administration.

The deck is stacked against this #Israel - #Lebanon ceasefire, welcome as it may be. Discussing some of the reasons with @jimsciutto @CNN. Rather than a binary (war/no war) outcome, expect a lower intensity conflict with new rules of engagement after some reprieve. Eyes on #Iran

“The scale and the threat of ISIS operations in Africa right now remind me, eerily so, of what we saw in Iraq and Syria in 2013 and 2014,” MEI’s Charles Lister tells POLITICO. “I mean, an army of ISIS is basically marching at will through the Sahel and taking over military bases,” he added.

My latest for World Politics Review: "Ankara may indeed find the incoming Trump administration an easier partner to work with than the Biden team has been. But with Trump nothing is ever certain, and the risks facing Turkey under his leadership may end up being far greater than the officials currently rejoicing in Ankara ever expected." This link is free for the next seven days https://lnkd.in/eMSfS8VD

The expected Israel - Lebanon ceasefire is welcome news, but many moving pieces in the following 60 days & questionable intentions. The “day after” arrangements for Lebanon, which has no president & a caretaker gov, will be crucial for implementation. Still largely ignored 🤞

Donald Trump's return to the White House has sparked debate in Tehran over whether to pursue negotiations with his administration. Despite Supreme Leader #Khamenei's deep distrust of US intentions — rooted in decades of fraught relations — some #Iranian commentators argue Trump's strong mandate could offer a rare chance for a mutually beneficial deal. MEI's Alex Vatanka explores the dynamics shaping #Tehran's potential strategy.

As the #US competes with #China in the global race for #AI supremacy, regional players like the UAE and Saudi Arabia are emerging as key partners in shaping the future of AI innovation. MEI's Vincent Carchidi and Mohammed Soliman offer recommendations on how the US can strengthen its strategy by leveraging these alliances and securing a competitive edge in AI development.

How might US-Israeli relations evolve under the Trump administration? Find out on this week’s Middle East Focus podcast with MEI’s Senior Fellow for Israeli Affairs, Nimrod Goren and Ilai Saltzman, Associate Research Professor at the University of Maryland, moderated by MEI’s Alistair Taylor. To listen to the full episode, click the link below: https://lnkd.in/dcmYmsvh