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In the Arena

The policy fights, hearings, and people shaping US Middle East policy right now.

Iran

+10

Talks with No Deadlines; Strikes with No Decision

Nov 2, 2026

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4 min read

Talks with No Deadlines; Strikes with No Decision

The Forum went to the satellites over 43 bases to map the force that would fight a second round with Iran. Then Rubio's two answers, Tehran's two-day plan, the Netanyahu call, Israel's coalition calendar, Michigan and The Number.

The Long View

+3

El-Sayed, the DSA, and the Battle for Michigan

Aug 9, 2026

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8 min read

El-Sayed, the DSA, and the Battle for Michigan

He says he isn't DSA. The source code powering his Michigan Senate victory tells a very different foreign policy story.

Iran

+5

The Realignment

Jul 20, 2026

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13 min read

The Realignment

Seventeen American names, nine nights of strikes, a Houthi blockade of Saudi Arabia, and a region done renting deterrence. The era of Western frameworks is ending; here are the receipts.

In the Arena

+2

Jul 19, 2026

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10 min read

The Mailbag

1,226 answers, 194 letters, one editor. Special afternoon edition.

Iran

+2

From Memorandum to Missiles

Jun 29, 2026

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11 min read

From Memorandum to Missiles

One week into the 60-day window, the U.S. and Iran are trading missiles across the Gulf.

In the Arena

+2

Weekend Brief: Regional Summary

Jun 27, 2026

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9 min read

Weekend Brief: Regional Summary

Washington celebrates process. Tehran and its proxies dictate the terms.

In the Arena

+1

Unfiltered Insights: Addressing Your Questions on Middle East Conflicts

Jun 25, 2026

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12 min read

Unfiltered Insights: Addressing Your Questions on Middle East Conflicts

You wrote. Here are the answers, plus the day's brief and the book.

The Long View

+4

We have a deal. Now what?

Jun 18, 2026

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8 min read

We have a deal. Now what?

The 60-day window - not the signing - decides whether this refinances the regime or corrodes it

In the Arena

+3

Washington signed. Look at what it left standing.

Jun 16, 2026

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7 min read

Washington signed. Look at what it left standing.

Four Forum analysts on the Iran deal - plus six fights we're winning while the ink dries.

Islamist Influence

+4

Eleven fronts moved last week. Here's who's winning them.

Jun 15, 2026

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5 min read

Eleven fronts moved last week. Here's who's winning them.

The verdict on the Islamabad deal, plus today's board: Moscow's reactor in Egypt, Ankara's eyes on Jerusalem, the Brotherhood in Berlin and Ottawa

In the Arena

+3

Paying Tehran to Keep the Bomb

Jun 14, 2026

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6 min read

Paying Tehran to Keep the Bomb

Cash now, centrifuges later, missiles never discussed. The line-by-line, and the one fix a signature can't deliver.

Islamist Influence

+4

A deal, a strike, and a threat to level Tel Aviv.

Jun 14, 2026

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4 min read

A deal, a strike, and a threat to level Tel Aviv.

As Trump chases a signature, Iran turns Hormuz and its missiles into leverage. Here's the Forum's read, and mine.