The Logic of the JCPOA—Then and Now

The Biden administration must stop the Iranian regime’s rush toward nuclear weapons threshold capability. A new nuclear agreement, which many governments and observers in the West advocate (but not Iran), must address the weaknesses of the previous agreement, which worked to the advantage of the Iranian regime. The Biden administration faces an immense challenge in devising formulas for a workable new deal.

Should Israel Cooperate with the ICC?

The March 3, 2021 decision of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court to open a full investigation of the “Situation in Palestine” has prompted responses advising the Israeli government to take a more cooperative approach toward the Court. Yet there are a number of strong strategic, diplomatic, and legal arguments for not cooperating. This study analyzes the considerations that must be weighed carefully by Israeli policy makers before deciding next steps.

The Abraham Accords: Contrasting Reflections

It may be time to take a step back to consider the implications of the new state of affairs ushered in by the Abraham Accords, which changed Israel’s strategic landscape. The Trump era has passed, and subsequent developments encourage such reflection.

The Caspian Sea as Battleground

The Caspian basin is inextricably linked to the greater Middle East’s myriad conflicts and the fluid and fragile nature of regional alliances, partnerships, and animosities across the Eurasian landmass.

The Battle for the Soul of Islam

The world’s Muslim powerhouses are engaged in a deepening religious soft power struggle for geopolitical influence and dominance. This battle for the soul of Islam pits rival Middle Eastern and Asian powers against one another: Turkey, seat of the Islamic world’s last true caliphate; Saudi Arabia, home to the faith’s holy cities; the United Arab Emirates (UAE), propagator of a militantly statist interpretation of Islam; Qatar, with its less strict version of Wahhabism and penchant for political Islam; Indonesia, promoting a humanitarian, pluralistic notion of Islam that reaches out to other faiths as well as non-Muslim center-right forces across the globe; Morocco, which uses religion as a way to position itself as the face of moderate Islam; and Shiite Iran, with its derailed revolution.

Iran’s Killing Machine: Political Assassinations by the Islamic Regime

It was recently revealed that the Iranian regime was planning to assassinate the US ambassador to South Africa. Tehran denied any such plans, but a brief look at the Islamic regime’s history shows that Iran not only has the will but also the means to conduct assassinations on foreign soil.

The Second Nagorno-Karabakh War: A Milestone in Military Affairs

The recently concluded six-week-long Second Nagorno-Karabakh War fought by Armenia and Azerbaijan was a milestone in military affairs, as it was the first conflict in which unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) won a war from the air.

Iran Behind the Scenes During the Second Israel-Lebanon War

This paper presents a new perspective on the reasons for the outbreak of the Second Lebanon War against Hezbollah in 2006.

The American Public and Israel in the Twenty-First Century

Supportive public opinion has been a key factor in the formation and development of the US-Israel “special relationship.” This monograph presents and analyzes long-term trends in American attitudes toward Israel since 2000. The analysis is based on the collection, integration, and analysis of data from numerous national public opinion surveys conducted in the US by the most reliable and reputable polling agencies.

The Israel-UAE Peace: A Preliminary Assessment

BESA Center researchers have produced a rich array of analysis and commentary on the groundbreaking peace agreement reached by Israel and the UAE. In this post, those pieces have been compiled into a single document for easy reference.

Mideast Security and Policy Studies