As they say, some professional news to share. It’s my honor to return to government service in this period of sobering consequence for our nation. Many thanks to all in my network who supported and counseled me through this decision. tinyurl.com/yc9mu4kt

My huckleberry, forever.

@cnas.bsky.social senior adjunct fellow Eitan Danon has written a piece for @foreignpolicy.com on the challenge of Yemen and the Houthis that could not be more timely: U.S. Airstrikes Alone Can’t Dislodge the Houthis foreignpolicy.com/2025/03/25/y...

Breaking News: Leopard’s Spots Remain Unchanged

I argue in @foreignpolicy.com: Don’t Trust Russia to Mediate the Iran Nuclear Deal foreignpolicy.com/2025/03/12/r...

Long an arsonist in the Middle East, Russia now offers to play firefighter in mediating a nuclear agreement between the U.S. and Iran. Russia has done more than most to undermine Maximum Pressure and support Iran and its proxies. Better for POTUS to work with E3 allies…

The IDF report about 10/7 suggests some intel failures very reminiscent of the failures that enabled Egyptian success in October 1973. Please revisit this event CNAS held in Jan 2024, in which our expert panel examined this very issue: www.youtube.com/live/D0sqTLe...

“I heard that one myself, Bob. Hell, I even thought I was dead. ‘Till I found out that it was just that I was in Nebraska.” Requiescat.

The Middle East Security program at @cnas.bsky.social is proud to welcome @adham-sahloul.bsky.social, a rising star in MidEast policy with a broad breadth of experience in the U.S. interagency and military! www.cnas.org/press/press-...

For years, my friend and colleague @schneidermandm.bsky.social has shared great insights and analysis with me on MidEast policy. I’m thrilled we could finally make the relationship official- welcome to @cnas.bsky.social!

In this timely piece for National Interest, @cnas.bsky.social MidEast Security Research Assistant Delaney Soliday offers a critical assessment of President Trump’s Gaza plan, and sensible recommendations for the way forward. nationalinterest.org/blog/middle-...

I spoke with Anat Peled of The Wall Street Journal about the impact of President Trump's Gaza comments on the ceasefire/hostage-release agreement. www.wsj.com/world/middle...

"Let's see if we can pass something imperfect, full of compromises, and not very pleasing to implacable partisans on either side--but that might provide workable solutions to problems Americans are struggling with today." 1/2

U.S. presence still under negotiation, while Russia may be keep its bases? Engagement w/ Damascus must address U.S. global interests, too. That means pressing for the expulsion of Russia’s air and naval bases. USG has a window of opportunity it should not miss. www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...

Eyal Zamir (the front-runner candidate, by all accounts), announced as the new IDF chief of staff, replacing outgoing LTG Herzi Halevi, who resigned effective March 6. www.kan.org.il/content/kan-...

The four young women slated for release this weekend were part of an IDF unit near the Gaza border tasked with monitoring Hamas. Their warnings of increased Hamas military activity went unheeded for months. Their story, as told by Anat Peled in @wsj.com: www.wsj.com/world/middle...

"Iran is closer than ever to having the capability to produce a nuclear weapon; the Trump administration should ensure that the regime does not make the decision to pursue it." Read more from @jonathanlorddc.bsky.social: www.cnas.org/publications...

In its defensive responsive to Iran’s October missile attack, Israel severely damaged Iran’s ability to make rocket fuel. China is attempting to resupply Iran with enough sodium perchlorate to fuel hundreds of missiles. The Axis of Upheaval at work. on.ft.com/4hsTop7

From @jonathanlorddc.bsky.social: "Convene the E3 to Address the Iranian Nuclear Threat" www.cnas.org/publications...

In a just-released volume, my @cnas.bsky.social colleagues and I make a series of recommendations for President Trump's first 100 days of his second administration. In it, I recommend President Trump coordinate an Iran engagement and negotiations strategy with the E3: www.cnas.org/publications...

Here’s the real lesson: The Biden and Trump teams worked hand in glove, proving that when America’s leaders identify bipartisan goals and work together to achieve them, nothing is out of reach for the United States. 🇺🇸 h/t @barakravid.bsky.social www.axios.com/2025/01/16/b...

In honor of Lebanon breaking its political deadlock to elect President Aoun, please enjoy this image of a delicious General Aoun cake generously served to us by the LAF during STAFFDEL Lord in Feb 2020.

A good read in @breakingdefense.com today from @cnas.bsky.social Middle East Security Program’s Delaney Soliday and Shivane Anand, warning of the burgeoning Iran-Russia security relationship, which threatens U.S. partners in both Europe and the Middle East. breakingdefense.com/2025/01/tehr...

17.5 years ago I moved to DC from upstate NY, thinking I’d escaped the snow. On days like today, I think a lot about this exchange.

After a protracted vote, Mike Johnson will retain the speakership going into the 119th Congress. Here’s a reminder from 2 years ago why it’s essential for national security that the House selects a speaker quickly. amp.cnn.com/cnn/2023/01/...

Feb 2020 and Dec 2024, in what is clearly my Sphinx-visiting outfit.

President Carter played an instrumental role in negotiating the 1978 Camp David Accords, which led to the 1979 Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty. This peace has proven durable and essential to the security and stability of Egypt and Israel. It’s a legacy that can be seen and felt everyday in the region.

Thank you, @davidpriess.bsky.social!

Every incoming administration faces an unanticipated foreign policy crisis or event; that’s not new. However, an intergalactic foreign policy crisis? All I can say is, that’s no moon, Mr. President.

Netanyahu on his way to Cairo for talks on Gaza cease-fire, deal expected to be signed in coming days, sources say www.haaretz.com/israel-news/...

Will U.S. policy in Syria continue to be a product of the environment, or will the environment in Syria finally be a product of U.S. policy? The secret talks between Syria’s new leaders and the Kremlin www.economist.com/middle-east-... from The Economist

Got a great gift this morning from our amazing intern, Shivane. The back story is this exchange with Rep Gerry Connolly in September….

Over 3 administrations, Washington’s Syria strategy was deeply flawed. In this piece for @foreignpolicy.com, I’ve offered some framing principles to assist decisionmakers craft a new, hopefully more coherent one.

"Israel is taking no chances with their security and not waiting to find out if the new Syrian government is friendly or hostile," @jonathanlorddc.bsky.social tells @businessinsider.com. Read more: www.cnas.org/press/in-the...

Shot: www.cnas.org/axis-of-uphe...

Over 3 administrations, Washington’s Syria strategy was deeply flawed. In this piece for @foreignpolicy.com, I’ve offered some framing principles to assist decisionmakers craft a new, hopefully more coherent one.

A new U.S. approach to Syria policy was long overdue. In this piece for @foreignpolicy.com, I offer some framing principles for the next and hopefully, better one. foreignpolicy.com/2024/12/09/a...

Reuters: Russia grants asylum to Syria's Assad and his family

For a while, Hamas was winning strategically, while Israel was winning tactically. But at some point, Hamas’s strategic gains in isolating Israel internationally may have been eclipsed by the historic losses its patrons and partners have endured. 1/4

How did Assad lose Syria? Two ways. Gradually, then suddenly.

I’m typing fast, but HTS is moving faster…

In April 2023, I testified before the HFAC Middle East Subcmte on U.S. policy on Syria and Assad. My testimony, titled "Congress' Vital Role in Developing a Lasting, Sustainable and Bipartisan, U.S. Strategy for Syria": s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/files.cnas.o...

Cyprus buys Israeli-made advanced Barak-MX air defense system www.haaretz.com/israel-news/...

The @cnas.bsky.social Middle East Security program hosted a hybrid roundtable to examine opportunities for greater U.S.-Japan policy cooperation in the Middle East. 🧵

Read more content from research leads Andrea Kendall-Taylor, @jonathanlorddc.bsky.social, @jacobstokes.bsky.social and others here⬇️ www.cnas.org/axis-of-uphe...

Today a new Axis of Upheaval—the alignment of China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea—is altering the geopolitical landscape. At @cnas.bsky.social, we are undertaking a major initiative focused on this increasing strategic convergence. Check it out and watch this space: www.cnas.org/axis-of-uphe...

Find out more about CNAS's Axis of Upheaval Initiative here⬇️ www.cnas.org/axis-of-uphe...

Research leads Andrea Kendall-Taylor, @jonathanlorddc.bsky.social, and @jacobstokes.bsky.social, as well as broader CNAS research, will spell out how the U.S. can arrest the development of this new axis.

Given the stakes for U.S. national security, CNAS is undertaking a major research initiative focused on the increasing strategic convergence of Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea.