Defense Priorities
Home / Policy Topics / Middle East

MIDDLE EAST EXPERTS

Rosemary
Kelanic

Director, Middle East Program

Defense Priorities

Photo of Gil Barndollar

Gil
Barndollar

Non-Resident Fellow

Defense Priorities

Photo of Daniel Davis

Daniel
Davis

Senior Fellow & Military Expert

Defense Priorities

Photo of Daniel DePetris

Daniel
DePetris

Fellow

Defense Priorities

Photo of Benjamin Friedman

Benjamin
Friedman

Policy Director

Defense Priorities

Jennifer
Kavanagh

Senior Fellow & Director of Military Analysis

Defense Priorities

Photo of Rajan Menon

Rajan
Menon

Former Non-Resident Senior Fellow

Defense Priorities

Photo of Will Ruger

William
Ruger

Non-Resident Senior Fellow

Defense Priorities

Mike
Sweeney

Non-Resident Fellow

Defense Priorities

Photo of Will Walldorf

William
Walldorf

Senior Fellow

Defense Priorities

In the mediaHouthis, Iran, Middle East, Military analysis, Naval power

Red Sea passage remains a no-go for shipping despite U.S. action

Featuring Jennifer Kavanagh

June 5, 2025

“If it were really a pain, if this new route was really imposing costs, I think you might see more […]

op-edGrand strategy, Houthis, Iran, Middle East, Syria

Under Donald Trump, Restraint Is Winning

By Alexander Langlois

June 4, 2025

In the mediaIran, Middle East

Iran does not accept the US proposal. The US does not accept Iran’s request. What is the third way?

Featuring Rosemary Kelanic

June 3, 2025

The Latest

In the mediaHouthis, Iran, Middle East, Military analysis, Naval power

Red Sea passage remains a no-go for shipping despite U.S. action

Featuring Jennifer Kavanagh

June 5, 2025

op-edGrand strategy, Houthis, Iran, Middle East, Syria

Under Donald Trump, Restraint Is Winning

By Alexander Langlois

June 4, 2025

In the mediaIran, Middle East

Iran does not accept the US proposal. The US does not accept Iran’s request. What is the third way?

Featuring Rosemary Kelanic

June 3, 2025

op-edIran, Middle East, Nuclear weapons

The False Binary at the Heart of Trump’s Iran Strategy

By Rosemary Kelanic

June 2, 2025

op-edMiddle East, Iran, Israel‑Hamas, Yemen

Trump needs to stop involving himself in Middle East drama

By Christopher McCallion

May 29, 2025

op-edGrand strategy, Iran, Israel, Israel‑Hamas, Middle East

Donald Trump’s New Middle East Doctrine

By Alexander Langlois

May 26, 2025

DEFP in the Media

Connect with Experts

Read at the New York Times: Red Sea passage remains a no-go for shipping despite U.S. action

Featuring Jennifer Kavanagh

June 5, 2025

Read at BBC News: Iran does not accept the US proposal. The US does not accept Iran's request. What is the third way?

Featuring Rosemary Kelanic

June 3, 2025

Read at Newsweek: New US-Iran Nuclear Talks as Tensions Rise

Featuring Daniel DePetris

May 22, 2025

EVENTS ON THE MIDDLE EAST

See All Events
virtualChina, Alliances, Balance of power, Diplomacy, Grand strategy, Great power competition, Middle East
June 10, 20253:00PM–4:00PM ET

Virtual: U.S.-China competition and the value of Middle East influence

The U.S. has expended considerable resources to dominate and influence Middle East politics through training, wars, and security guarantees built […]
RSVP
virtualMiddle East, Basing and force posture, Diplomacy, Houthis, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Israel‑Hamas, Military analysis, Syria

Past Virtual Event: Trump in the Middle East: Impacts, implications, and alternatives

May 16, 2025
virtualSyria, Balance of power, Basing and force posture, Counterterrorism, Middle East, Military analysis

Past Virtual Event: Syria after Assad: Prospects for U.S. withdrawal

February 21, 2025
virtualMiddle East, Alliances, Diplomacy, Israel, Military analysis

Past Virtual Event: Assessing a formal U.S.-Saudi alliance

October 17, 2024