The clash of great powers to control the Middle East, particularly between the U.S. and the U.S.S.R., neither began after World War II nor ended with the demise of the Soviet Union in 1991. Today, China, the U.S., Russia and Middle Eastern regional powers vie to influence everyday politics and resources. Treasured by foreigners, the region will remain coveted for centuries to come. The three major elements that have shaped Middle Eastern history for thousands of years will not disappear: its geographic location at the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea, linking north and south and east and west; its historical place as the cradle to the three major monotheistic religions, where it has radiated an insatiable thirst by worldwide followers to assert presence and control; and the availability of the world’s largest known oil and gas reserves.
The clash of great powers to control the Middle East, particularly between the U.S. and the U.S.S.R., neither began after World War II nor ended with the demise of the Soviet Union in 1991. Today, China, the U.S., Russia and Middle Eastern regional powers vie to influence everyday politics and resources.
CIE has compiled the following list of books, articles and videos, including some available on our website, to guide understanding of the great world powers and their involvement in the Middle East. Books Alterman, Eric,…
The post-WWI San Remo Conference allocates former Ottoman territories to Britain and France and recognizes Jewish self-determination in Palestine by adopting the language of the Balfour Declaration, decisions the League of Nations confirms two years later.
Born in Hungary, Herzl is viewed as the father of modern political Zionism. A journalist, novelist and playwright, he embraced Zionism after reporting on Alfred Dreyfus’ trial in France. His pamphlet “Der Judenstaat” (“The Jewish…
A U.S.-mediated agreement between Israel and Lebanon provides a comprehensive path, through bilateral negotiations, for peace, full sovereignty and mutual recognition.
The June 2026 U.S.-Iran Memorandum of Understanding as read to reporters by a U.S. official, although the White House did not publish the text.
The success or failure of 2026 U.S.-Iran negotiations may be judged by the elements President Trump listed in 2018.
With the support of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a pro-Israel congressman moves to reset the U.S.-Israel conversation with a nonbinding resolution to end U.S. military aid to Israel.
Prime Minister Netanyahu uses the opportunity of an extensive prime-time U.S. interview to promote himself as the defender of a stronger-than-ever Israel, explain the war against Iran and insist on the necessity of removing the Hezbollah threat from Lebanon.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu highlights strategic if incomplete achievements in wars fought since October 2023 while working to solidify his political support before fall elections.
President Trump’s speech a month into the war makes the case for Iran as a longtime U.S. enemy and argues that the war has largely succeeded and will soon be over.
Iran’s move to assert sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz has short- and long-term implications for the Islamic regime and the world economy.
Washington Institute Senior Fellow Michael Eisenstadt speaks about the regional effects of the 2023-2025 Hamas-Israel war and the ongoing U.S.-Israel-Iran war in March 2026.
For those looking for the best reads and watches on Iran and its relations with Israel, the United States and the Jewish people, CIE has compiled analyses, videos, documents and books.
While too much is unknown after a week of fighting to make definitive statements about the war, certain possible outcomes can be explored.
Turkish-Israeli relations have swung between friendship and hostility since Turkey became the first Muslim-majority country to recognize Israel in 1949.
President Donald Trump announces Operation Epic Fury, the second U.S. attack on Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs in eight months, and urges the Iranian people to overthrow their Islamic regime.
The first meeting of the Board of Peace convened under the Trump ceasefire for Gaza offers grand plans for reconstruction and a vibrant, peaceful future for Palestinians but depends on the disarmament of Hamas.
Nine questions guide key understandings about Theodor Herzl’s “The Jewish State.”
While the Palestinian official leading the technocratic Gaza administration promises to open the Rafah Crossing and the Bulgarian high commissioner for Gaza urges the world to focus on the big picture, U.S. envoy Jared Kushner lays out a vision for Gaza as a rapid, phased real estate redevelopment.
The Trump administration’s proposed charter for the Board of Peace, the body the United Nations has charged with overseeing the Gaza ceasefire, does not mention Gaza or any other specific location of operation but does grant its chairman, Donald Trump, extensive control over its mission and operations.
January 2, 2026 A week of unrest in Iran does not guarantee a revolution even if 85-plus million Iranians are angry at the country’s autocratic, theological rulers. Iran is a security-clerical oligarchy where kleptocracy, cronyism…
Secretary of State Marco Rubio explains the urgent need to establish the Board of Peace and the International Stabilization Force for Gaza to move from Phase 1 to Phase 2 in the ceasefire, but he also warns that the work likely will last longer than the Trump administration.
The fiscal 2026 National Defense Authorization Act shifts U.S. military cooperation with Israel to a postwar focus, including support for neighbors facing Iranian proxies and a response to military embargoes of Israel.
