Defense Priorities Defense Priorities
  • Policy Topics
    • Iran
    • Western Hemisphere
    • Ukraine-Russia
    • NATO
    • China
    • Syria
  • Analysis
    • Research
    • Q&A
  • Programs
    • Grand Strategy Program
    • Military Analysis Program
    • Asia Program
    • Middle East Program
  • Experts
  • Events
  • Media
  • About
    • Mission & Vision
    • People
    • Jobs
    • Contact
  • Donate
Select Page
Home / Middle East / Today’s D Brief: Hamas deputy killed; Deadly bombs in Iran; Long wait for missiles; Awards for Red Sea sailors; And a bit more.
Middle East

January 3, 2024

Today’s D Brief: Hamas deputy killed; Deadly bombs in Iran; Long wait for missiles; Awards for Red Sea sailors; And a bit more.

“An Israel war with Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran, risks drawing the United States into another war in the Middle East. That is a prospect we should strive to avoid,” said Benjamin Friedman, policy director at the Washington-based think tank Defense Priorities. He also suggested the U.S. “should cease missions in Iraq and Syria that put our troops pointlessly in harm’s way. And we should push a negotiated settlement with the Houthis. No U.S. friend or ally should expect us to fight wars that serve their interests and not ours.”’

Read at Defense One

Featuring

Photo of Benjamin Friedman

Benjamin
Friedman

Policy Director

Defense Priorities

More on Middle East

op-edSyria, Middle East

The U.S. couldn’t prop up the Kurds forever

By Rosemary Kelanic

February 4, 2026

op-edIran, Middle East

Trump’s global gunboat diplomacy leaves the U.S. overstretched

By Alexander Langlois

February 3, 2026

op-edIran, Middle East

Ignore the Hawks. Attacking Iran comes with huge risks

By Peter Harris

February 1, 2026

op-edSyria, Middle East

The U.S. should pull the plug on its Syria deployment

By Daniel DePetris

February 1, 2026

op-edMiddle East, Iran, Israel‑Hamas, Israel‑Iran, Syria

Trump’s Middle East policy is teetering on overextension

By William Walldorf

January 29, 2026

op-edSyria, Middle East

The U.S. is adapting its Syria strategy. Here’s why that’s a problem.

By Alexander Langlois

January 28, 2026

Events on Middle East

See All Events
virtualMiddle East

What’s Next for U.S. Foreign Policy in 2026? Middle East Edition

January 14, 2026
virtualGreat power competition, Balance of power, China, Grand strategy, Middle East

U.S.-China competition and the value of Middle East influence

June 10, 2025
virtualMiddle East, Basing and force posture, Diplomacy, Houthis, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Israel‑Hamas, Military analysis, Syria

Trump in the Middle East: Impacts, implications, and alternatives

May 16, 2025

Receive expert foreign policy analysis

Join the hub of realism and restraint

Expert updates and analysis to enhance your understanding of vital U.S. national security issues

Defense Priority Mono Logo

Our mission is to inform citizens, thought leaders, and policymakers of the importance of a strong, dynamic military—used more judiciously to protect America’s narrowly defined national interests—and promote a realistic grand strategy prioritizing restraint, diplomacy, and free trade to ensure U.S. security.

  • Research
  • Experts
  • About
  • For Media
  • Jobs
  • Donate
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact
© 2026 Defense Priorities All Right Reserved