If the great sea empires (British, French, Dutch, Portuguese, Spanish) nearly disappeared sixty years ago, many land empires live on, conveniently hiding under their contiguity: the Chinese, Ethiopian, Burmese, and Persian. Iran’s non-Persian communities form about half of the population. Who are they, what are their political aims, and what potential do they have?

With Hamas continuing to relentlessly attack Israel, Arab pogroms and Jewish revenge attacks on Israel's streets, how does Israel achieve its objectives and return peace and security to its citizens?

Yemen’s civil war, underway since 2014, involves a dizzying array of combatant groups backed by an almost as large number of foreign governments. What is at stake in this conflict, what is the record of America’s allies in it, and what policies should the Biden Administration pursue?

Israel is under attack. Why has this conflagration broken out, how and when will it end, and what are its likely consequences?

The Islamic republic has developed extensive tools to engage in conflict short of war, in what has come to be known as the “gray zone.” Examples include the 1983 Beirut Marine barracks bombing, the 1996 Khobar Towers bombing, and the 2011 plot to assassinate the Saudi ambassador to the United States. The U.S. government has struggled to adapt to the unique requirements of gray zone deterrence, especially as it reduces its military presence in the Middle East. What steps need to be taken not only more effectively to deter Iran but also for more menacing actors like China and Russia?

The alleged coup attempt in Jordan last month briefly placed the Hashemite Kingdom at the forefront of the news. The crisis passed but it raised a host of questions about a country that usually attracts little attention: How vital is the monarchy to the country’s stability? How vital is Jordan’s stability to the region? After the Abraham Accords, what is Jordan’s role in diplomacy? What happens to Jordan if Israel diminishes its role in Jerusalem?

The contrast between the Trump and Biden approaches to Israel points to the contrast between Republicans and Democrats on the issue. How much do views depend on the left-right spectrum and how much on other considerations? What accounts for them? What shifts in outlook are underway?

The half-million Iranians in the United States home divide sharply in their attitudes towards the Islamic Republic of Iran, with some supporting the regime and others hoping to bring it down. Who are the main players and what how goes their rivalry under the new administration?

Time is running out for a Netanyahu-led government, especially with the "Change Camp" in advanced negotiations. Could this really be the end of the line for Bibi as PM?

The first Palestinian legislative elections since 2006 are scheduled for May 22. If fair and free elections proceed as scheduled, Hamas is again expected to win, this time also in the West Bank. The consequences for Palestinians, the Palestinian Authority, and Israel will be disastrous.