Ceasefire Syria: Seize the Moment
Russia, US and Jordan have agreed a ceasefire for southern Syria. It is likely that Israel is supporting this given that the area stretches to…
Middle East
A Coalition of the Less-Than-Willing
It’s been almost 16 years since the United States responded to 9/11 by going to war in Afghanistan, and 14 years since the United States…
The Latest Trump Crisis
It’s becoming a weekly tradition: a Donald Trump misstep and a media explosion, and not always in that order. The Washington Post reported late Monday…
Turkey and the United States Groping to Accommodation
The Munich Security Conference is a place where senior leaders make speeches and hold meetings with each other. Sometimes, the meetings are merely formal, sometimes…
King Abdullah: The Palestinian Bridge to President Trump?
The Palestinian leadership has been unable to establish direct channels of communication with US President Donald Trump – enter King Abdullah of Jordan. According to…
US Strategies in the Middle East
Last week, Iran confirmed that it test-fired a ballistic missile. The United States has responded by imposing new sanctions on Iran and stating that Iran…
Chemical Weapons, Redlines, Trump & Putin
President Trump has suggested that the Redline issue on chemical weapons is, unlike his predecessor, not something he will allow to happen. I believe he…
Thinking Through Trump’s Views on the Islamic State
During President Donald Trump’s inauguration speech last Friday, he reiterated his promise to destroy the Islamic State. Previously, he also pledged to reduce international commitments…
Israel’s Disappearing Act
Friedman’s Weekly is normally focused on urgent events. This week, I was reminded by the appointment of David Friedman (no relation) as ambassador to Israel…
Shimon Peres and Israel’s Nuclear Bomb
Shimon Peres, who has died aged 93 lived through it all. The Holocaust, the founding of Israel, the wars, the politics, the triumphs and disasters….