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Voices From the Middle East

Shira Efron, coauthor of the RAND study Alternatives in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, describes several surprising findings from the report. For example, there is a lack of knowledge among Israeli Jews of the way the West Bank is divided, and among Palestinians of previous peace processes in which Palestinian leaders agreed to have a demilitarized state.

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Alternatives in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
The two-state solution has dominated efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for decades. But Israelis across the political spectrum prefer the status quo to the two-state solution, and Palestinians are interested in a variant that Israelis cannot accept. Is there a viable alternative?
Feb 10, 2021
The Abraham Accords Could Have Wide-Reaching Economic Benefits
The Abraham Accords between Israel and Muslim nations represent a possible new chapter in the region's development—away from conflict and toward a shared vision of economic prosperity. Israel's partners could gain 150,000 new jobs. And that could grow to 4 million new jobs over a decade if other nations join.
Mar 18, 2021
Reevaluating U.S. Partnerships in the Middle East Under the Biden Administration
U.S. partnerships in the Middle East are in particular need of modernization, and the Biden administration could seize the opportunity to reevaluate its relations with traditional partners. A good start could be to elevate regional stability as the United States' primary interest in the Middle East and to pursue this aim with tools that extend beyond military cooperation.
Mar 17, 2021
Implementing Arab Gulf Reconciliation
As the Arab Gulf states prepare to engage with a new U.S. administration, their recent reconciliation announcement offers an opportunity to advance their interests as well as mutual interests with the United States. But the Gulf states' intent to end their feud will very likely not be sufficient unless the agreement is deepened through confidence-building measures and expanded by reaching a parallel understanding with Turkey.
Jan 27, 2021