Home / Policy Topics / Middle East

Middle East

Middle East

Reducing U.S. exposure to the region’s politics and violence

U.S. interests in the Middle East are limited and diminishing, and our political and military engagement in the region should be commensurate with its strategic importance.

MIDDLE EAST EXPERTS

Rosemary
Kelanic

Director, Middle East Program

Defense Priorities

Photo of Gil Barndollar

Gil
Barndollar

Non-Resident Fellow

Defense Priorities

Photo of Daniel Davis

Daniel
Davis

Senior Fellow & Military Expert

Defense Priorities

Photo of Daniel DePetris

Daniel
DePetris

Fellow

Defense Priorities

Photo of Benjamin Friedman

Benjamin
Friedman

Policy Director

Defense Priorities

Jennifer
Kavanagh

Senior Fellow & Director of Military Analysis

Defense Priorities

Photo of Rajan Menon

Rajan
Menon

Former Non-Resident Senior Fellow

Defense Priorities

Photo of Will Ruger

William
Ruger

Non-Resident Senior Fellow

Defense Priorities

Mike
Sweeney

Non-Resident Fellow

Defense Priorities

Photo of Will Walldorf

William
Walldorf

Senior Fellow

Defense Priorities

op-edYemen, Middle East

The Signal Group Chat Reveals Confusion about Yemen Strikes

By Daniel DePetris

March 27, 2025

Even the most intense, red-blooded MAGA supporter can’t avoid admitting the obvious: accidentally incorporating one of the Beltway’s most widely-known […]

In the mediaHouthis, Middle East, Yemen

Signal Leak Bared U.S. Aims in Yemen. But Defeating Houthis Won’t Be Easy.

Featuring Jennifer Kavanagh

March 27, 2025

op-edSyria, Israel, Middle East

Israel’s Invasion Seeks To Keep Syria Divided

By Alexander Langlois

March 26, 2025

The Latest

Types

In the mediaHouthis, Middle East, Yemen

Signal Leak Bared U.S. Aims in Yemen. But Defeating Houthis Won’t Be Easy.

Featuring Jennifer Kavanagh

March 27, 2025

op-edYemen, Middle East

The Signal Group Chat Reveals Confusion about Yemen Strikes

By Daniel DePetris

March 27, 2025

op-edSyria, Israel, Middle East

Israel’s Invasion Seeks To Keep Syria Divided

By Alexander Langlois

March 26, 2025

In the mediaHouthis, Middle East, Yemen

On NewsNation, Daniel Davis reacts to the Signal intelligence leak

Featuring Daniel Davis

March 25, 2025

op-edIsrael‑Hamas, Israel, Middle East

The Gaza breakdown

March 22, 2025

In the mediaHouthis, Air power, Middle East, Military analysis, Naval power, Yemen

Trump’s looming war for a key trade route will be costly

Featuring Jennifer Kavanagh

March 21, 2025

DEFP in the Media

Connect with Experts

Featured in The New York Times: Signal Leak Bared U.S. Aims in Yemen. But Defeating Houthis Won’t Be Easy.

Featuring Jennifer Kavanagh

March 27, 2025

On NewsNation, Daniel Davis reacts to the Signal intelligence leak

Featuring Daniel Davis

March 25, 2025

Featured in Newsweek: Trump's looming war for a key trade route will be costly

Featuring Jennifer Kavanagh

March 21, 2025

See All Events

virtualSyria, Balance of power, Basing and force posture, Counterterrorism, Middle East, Military analysis

Past Virtual Event: Syria after Assad: Prospects for U.S. withdrawal

February 21, 2025

virtualMiddle East, Alliances, Diplomacy, Israel, Military analysis

Past Virtual Event: Assessing a formal U.S.-Saudi alliance

October 17, 2024

virtualHouthis, Iran, Israel‑Hamas, Middle East, Yemen

Past Virtual Event: Houthi conundrum: defend, degrade, or defer

March 28, 2024