Elie Podeh

The author teaches at the Department of Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and is a board member of Mitvim – the Israeli Institute for Regional Foreign Policies.

 Illustrative of an Israel flag and Syria flag, with soldiers and weapons.

Israel’s opening in Lebanon, Syria may not last long - opinion

 IRANIAN PRESIDENT Ebrahim Raisi delivers a speech marking the 45th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, in Tehran, in February 2024.

Israel – hegemon or partner? The Middle East is divided- opinion

Map of Middle East

Middle East realignment: Turkey, Egypt, and Pakistan are reshaping US-Iran relations - opinion


Survival means victory: Preserving honor as a war objective - opinion

From Egypt to Iran, leaders often choose honor over surrender, enduring defeat rather than risking public humiliation.

 Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi speaks to the media at the UN headquarters in New York City, US, September 25, 2024

The Iran war is a severe blow to Shi’ite Islam - opinion

Strengthening regional stability in the Middle East is based on moderate Sunni-majority states and Israel's national interests.

 IRANIAN PRESIDENT Ebrahim Raisi delivers a speech marking the 45th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, in Tehran, in February 2024.

Iran’s strikes expose failure of the Gulf states, tests regional stability - opinion

Iran’s missile and drone strikes hit Gulf states, testing trust, unity, and reliance on the US.

Iran and Iraq map. Ilustration.

Gulf states in shock as Iranian missile strikes strain trust - opinion

As long as the present regime remains in power in Iran, there will be no genuine revival of Gulf-Iran relations. Only a new regime could mend the rifts.

A PLUME of black smoke rises from an ongoing fire near fuel depots at the port of Fujairah in the UAE caused by Iranian strikes, last week.

As Middle East redraws post-Iran war maps, new alignments are leaving Israel behind - opinion

Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt are forging alliances, reshaping Middle East politics as old enemies fade and new regional ties emerge.

USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier leaves Souda Bay on the island of Crete, Greece, February 26, 2026.

Why the new Group of Eight Arab-Muslim coalition is bad for Israel - opinion

This new configuration is not good news for Israel. Its formation is another unplanned consequence of the war.

THE FOREIGN MINISTERS of Qatar, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Jordan, Indonesia, and the UAE stand before a meeting on Gaza in Istanbul last month.

Saudi Arabia's win in US highlights Israel's continued missed opportunities - opinion

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's trip to US secured all his primary objectives and left Israel without leverage as a conduit to Washington.

US President Donald Trump greets Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman at a White House dinner on Tuesday. The crown prince’s visit appears to have been a major success, says the writer.

Trump's plan: Euphoria alongside challenges - opinion

The problem with Donald Trump’s plan is that it actually consists of several plans without a detailed timetable.

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump convenes his cabinet, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s comments on the first phase of a Gaza ceasefire draw applause, last Thursday. Hopefully, this opportunity will not turn into yet another missed one, says the writer.

Queen Rania and manifestations of antisemitism in Jordan - opinion

The atmosphere in Jordan blurs the line between legitimate criticism of Israeli policy and antisemitism.

JORDAN’S QUEEN RANIA: She argued in a CNN interview in November 2023 that ‘Israel uses antisemitism to deflect criticism,’ the writers note.

The future of Israel's 'complex' ties to Qatar uncertain following Doha strike - opinion

Has Qatar shifted from a ‘complex’ state to a hostile one?

QATARI EMIR Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani meets Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian at the emergency Arab-Islamic summit in Doha this week. Leaders were quick to respond to Qatar’s call for a summit, says the writer.