Defense Priorities
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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

op-edIsrael‑Hamas, Israel, Middle East

There is no ceasefire in Gaza

By Alexander Langlois

October 31, 2025

Any semblance of a ceasefire in Gaza died this week with Israel’s brief resumption of total war against Hamas on October 28. […]

op-edIsrael‑Hamas, Israel, Middle East

How Trump can avoid ‘owning’ Gaza

By William Walldorf

October 28, 2025

op-edMiddle East, Grand strategy, Israel, Israel‑Hamas

Now is not the time for new U.S. commitments to the Middle East

By William Walldorf

October 21, 2025

The Latest

op-edIsrael‑Hamas, Israel, Middle East

There is no ceasefire in Gaza

By Alexander Langlois

October 31, 2025

op-edIsrael‑Hamas, Israel, Middle East

How Trump can avoid ‘owning’ Gaza

By William Walldorf

October 28, 2025

op-edMiddle East, Grand strategy, Israel, Israel‑Hamas

Now is not the time for new U.S. commitments to the Middle East

By William Walldorf

October 21, 2025

In the mediaIsrael‑Iran, Middle East

Did decisive U.S. action restore deterrence—or has Washington simply been lucky?

Featuring Rosemary Kelanic

October 16, 2025

In the mediaIsrael‑Hamas, Israel, Middle East

Daniel Davis assesses the first phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal on NewsNation

Featuring Daniel Davis

October 15, 2025

op-edMiddle East, Israel, Israel‑Hamas

Donald Trump declares a new dawn in the Middle East. The reality is a little more complicated.

By Daniel DePetris

October 14, 2025

DEFP in the Media

Connect with Experts

Read at Fox News: Did decisive U.S. action restore deterrence—or has Washington simply been lucky?

Featuring Rosemary Kelanic

October 16, 2025

Watch at NewsNation: Daniel Davis assesses the first phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal on NewsNation

Featuring Daniel Davis

October 15, 2025

Watch at NewsNation: On NewsNation, Daniel Davis discusses Trump's new Israel-Hamas peace deal

Featuring Daniel Davis

October 10, 2025

See All Events
virtualGreat power competition, Balance of power, China, Grand strategy, Middle East

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

June 10, 2025
virtualMiddle East, Basing and force posture, Diplomacy, Houthis, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Israel‑Hamas, Military analysis, Syria

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

Syria after Assad: Prospects for U.S. withdrawal

February 21, 2025