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Middle East

Middle East

Reducing U.S. exposure to the region’s politics and violence

The Middle East Engagement Program seeks to operationalize and promote a U.S. grand strategy for the Middle East based on realism and restraint. U.S. interests there are limited and diminishing, and our engagement in the region should be commensurate with its strategic importance.

MIDDLE EAST EXPERTS

Rosemary
Kelanic

Director, Middle East Program

Defense Priorities

Gil
Barndollar

Non-Resident Fellow

Defense Priorities

Dan
Caldwell

Public Policy Advisor

Defense Priorities

Daniel
Davis

Senior Fellow & Military Expert

Defense Priorities

Daniel
DePetris

Fellow

Defense Priorities

Michael
DiMino

Public Policy Manager & Fellow

Defense Priorities

Benjamin
Friedman

Policy Director

Defense Priorities

Jennifer
Kavanagh

Senior Fellow & Director of Military Analysis

Defense Priorities

Rajan
Menon

Non-Resident Senior Fellow

Defense Priorities

William
Ruger

Non-Resident Senior Fellow

Defense Priorities

Mike
Sweeney

Non-Resident Fellow

Defense Priorities

William
Walldorf

Senior Fellow

Defense Priorities

Israel-Hamas, Israel, Middle East

Has Netanyahu lost control of his war?

October 2, 2024

For decades, Benjamin Netanyahu touted himself as Mr Security, the leader Israelis could count on to keep them safe. Then came […]

Israel, Iran, Israel-Hamas, Middle East

Is Netanyahu plotting the destruction of Iran?

October 2, 2024

Israel-Hamas, Iran, Israel, Middle East

The U.S. should firewall itself from Iran-Israel hostilities

By Rosemary Kelanic

October 1, 2024

The Latest

Types

Israel, Iran, Israel-Hamas, Middle East

Is Netanyahu plotting the destruction of Iran?

October 2, 2024

Israel-Hamas, Israel, Middle East

Has Netanyahu lost control of his war?

October 2, 2024

Israel-Hamas, Israel, Middle East

Will Iran retaliate for the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah?

By Daniel DePetris

October 1, 2024

Israel, Israel-Hamas, Middle East

Israel won’t find victory in Lebanon

October 1, 2024

Israel-Hamas, Iran, Israel, Middle East

The U.S. should firewall itself from Iran-Israel hostilities

By Rosemary Kelanic

October 1, 2024

Iraq, Middle East

The US can leave Iraq. Really.

By Rosemary Kelanic

September 30, 2024

DEFP in the Media

Connect with Experts

Featured in Reuters: U.S. had no advance warning of Israeli strike that killed Hezbollah leader

Featuring Rosemary Kelanic

September 28, 2024

Featured in Reuters: Killing of Hezbollah chief Nasrallah: what happens now?

Featuring Rosemary Kelanic

September 28, 2024

Swamp Chronicles: Dan Caldwell on restraint and a second Trump administration

Featuring Dan Caldwell

September 26, 2024

See All Events

Houthis, Iran, Israel-Hamas, Middle East, Yemen

Past Virtual Event: Houthi conundrum: defend, degrade, or defer

Past Event: March 28, 2024

Grand strategy, Middle East

Past Virtual Event: Does the Middle East still matter?

Past Event: February 6, 2024

Grand strategy, Iran, Middle East, Syria

Past Virtual Event: Keeping the U.S. out of war in the Middle East

Past Event: January 16, 2024