Middle East

Refine by:

Cross search by:

Dome of the rock and wailing wall in Jerusalem, Israel

U.S. Marines with Lima Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct a live fire deck shoot aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7), Philippine Sea, March 16, 2026. The 31st MEU is a persistent, combat credible force operating aboard the ships of the Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group in the U.S. 7th fleet area of operations, routinely interacting and operating with our allies and partners to contribute to deterrence, security, crisis

US Marines conduct a live fire deck shoot aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli in the Philippine Sea on March 16, 2026. (US Marine Corp)

In the Media

The United States in Iran: Troops, Timing, and Market Fallout

Rebeccah L. Heinrichs

Senior Fellow and Director, Keystone Defense Initiative

Rebeccah L. Heinrichs

In the Media

Mar 30, 2026

In the Media

A general view of the Port of Kharg Island Oil Terminal, 25 km from the Iranian coast in the Persian Gulf and 483 km northwest of the Strait of Hormuz, in Iran on March 12, 2017. Kharg Island Oil Terminal brings Iranian oil to the world market. The oil terminal is the world's largest open oil terminal, with 95% of Iran's crude oil exports coming through it. (Photo by Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

A general view of the Port of Kharg Island Oil Terminal, 25 km from the Iranian coast in the Persian Gulf in Iran on March 12, 2017. (Getty Images)

Reports

Examining US Military Options for Kharg Island and the Strait of Hormuz

Can Kasapoğlu

Senior Fellow (Nonresident)

Can Kasapoğlu

Reports

Mar 30, 2026

Reports

13 Min Read

A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II taxis following military actions in Venezuela in support of Operation Absolute Resolve, Jan. 3, 2026. U.S. military forces are deployed to the Caribbean in support of the U.S. Southern Command mission, Department of War-directed operations, and the president’s priorities to disrupt illicit drug trafficking and protect the homeland. (U.S. Air Force Photo)

A US Air Force F-35A Lightning II taxis following military actions in Venezuela in support of Operation Absolute Resolve, January 3, 2026. (US Air Force)

Commentary

How US Military Dominance Unravels China’s War Machine

Miles Yu

Senior Fellow and Director, China Center

Miles Yu

Commentary

Mar 30, 2026

Commentary

6 Min Read

A U.S. Sailor signals to an F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron 213, as it approaches a catapult on the flight deck of the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), while underway, March 17, 2026. (U.S. Navy photo)

A US sailor signals to an F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft on March 17, 2026. (US Navy)

Commentary

Operation Epic Fury Should Make China Very Afraid

William Luti

Adjunct Fellow

William Luti

Commentary

Mar 30, 2026

Commentary

1 Min Read

US President Donald Trump speaks during a Cabinet meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House on March 26, 2026, in Washington, DC. (Getty Images)

Commentary

Why Not Declare War?

Walter Russell Mead

Ravenel B. Curry III Distinguished Fellow in Strategy and Statesmanship

Walter Russell Mead

Commentary

Mar 30, 2026

Commentary

1 Min Read

(Screenshot via Fox News)

In the Media

The Ground War Question

Rebeccah L. Heinrichs

Senior Fellow and Director, Keystone Defense Initiative

Rebeccah L. Heinrichs

In the Media

Mar 30, 2026

In the Media

The United States Navy aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford arrives in Souda Bay on March 23, 2026, in Souda, Greece. (Getty Images)

Podcast

USS Gerald R. Ford Aircraft Carrier Arrives in Croatia for Repairs

Bryan Clark

Senior Fellow and Director, Center for Defense Concepts and Technology

Bryan Clark

Podcast

Mar 30, 2026

Podcast

(Screenshot via YouTube)

In the Media

Iran End Game

Rebeccah L. Heinrichs

Senior Fellow and Director, Keystone Defense Initiative

Rebeccah L. Heinrichs

In the Media

Mar 30, 2026

In the Media

(Screenshot via Fox News)

In the Media

Where Do the United States’ Operations in Iran Stand?

Rebeccah L. Heinrichs

Senior Fellow and Director, Keystone Defense Initiative

Rebeccah L. Heinrichs

In the Media

Mar 29, 2026

In the Media

(What Really Matters Logo)

Podcast

How Everyone Got Iran Wrong

Walter Russell Mead

Ravenel B. Curry III Distinguished Fellow in Strategy and Statesmanship

Walter Russell Mead

Podcast

Mar 28, 2026

Podcast

The United Stated Navy aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford arrives in Souda Bay on March 23, 2026 in Souda, Greece. (Getty Images)

Podcast

Iran Warns US Against Ground Invasion

Aparna Pande

Senior Fellow

Aparna Pande

Podcast

Mar 28, 2026

Podcast

U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth gestures as he speaks during a Cabinet meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House on March 26, 2026 in Washington, DC. This is Trump's second Cabinet meeting of 2026 and the first since the United States and Israel began attacking Iran on February 28. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth speaks during a Cabinet meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House on March 26, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Getty Images)

Podcast

“We Negotiate with Bombs.”