The Syrian people, as well as Western and regional leaders, hoped that the fall of the regime of President Bashar al-Assad to Islamist rebels professing moderation and tolerance would quickly produce domestic stability. Regional and European countries anticipated an end to civil conflict might encourage the more than 6 million Syrian refugees and 7 million […]| The Soufan Center
As Egypt and Qatar try to forge a ceasefire that would cut short Israel’s offensive against Gaza City, leaders in Cairo and other major Arab capitals are also moving forward with efforts to assemble a viable “day after” plan to govern and secure the Gaza Strip in a postwar period. U.S. and regional leaders assess that mounting Israel Defense Forces (IDF) casualties and an expanding global outcry over the severe humanitarian conditions in Gaza will eventually compel Israeli Prime Ministe...| The Soufan Center
Global and regional officials anticipated that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s visit to Washington last week, capped by a meeting with President Trump on February 4, would produce a clear roadmap toward a permanent end to the Israel-Hamas war, a release of all hostages, and a rebuilding of the devastated Gaza Strip. Toward the end of […]| The Soufan Center
As many experts expected, the January ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas unraveled last week as Israel undertook major airstrikes and began a ground offensive in the Gaza Strip. Hamas responded with a rocket volley against Israel, using its indigenous production capabilities still active in the enclave. Phase one of the ceasefire agreement had expired […]| The Soufan Center
As Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu began his visit to Washington last week, including meeting with President Trump in the Oval Office on February 4, global experts expected the meeting to produce an unequivocal commitment by Trump to use––or support Israel’s use of––military action to destroy Iran’s nuclear program. President Trump and all of his […]| The Soufan Center
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House earlier this week, where the leaders discussed a range of issues, including Trump’s tariffs, negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program, and Türkiye-Israel relations, especially as tensions have escalated over each country’s role in a post-Assad Syria. It was Netanyahu’s second […]| The Soufan Center
