As they say, some professional news to share. It’s my honor to return to government service in this period of sobering consequence for our nation. Many thanks to all in my network who supported and counseled me through this decision. tinyurl.com/yc9mu4kt

My huckleberry, forever.

Steven A. Cook@stevenacook.bsky.social · last yr.

Farewell Iceman. Thank you for your service.

@cnas.bsky.social senior adjunct fellow Eitan Danon has written a piece for @foreignpolicy.com on the challenge of Yemen and the Houthis that could not be more timely: U.S. Airstrikes Alone Can’t Dislodge the Houthis foreignpolicy.com/2025/03/25/y...

U.S. Airstrikes Alone Can’t Dislodge the Houthis

The Yemeni militants are deeply entangled in great-power politics.

foreignpolicy.com

Breaking News: Leopard’s Spots Remain Unchanged

Jonathan Lord@jonathanlorddc.bsky.social · last yr.

I argue in @foreignpolicy.com: Don’t Trust Russia to Mediate the Iran Nuclear Deal foreignpolicy.com/2025/03/12/r...

I argue in @foreignpolicy.com: Don’t Trust Russia to Mediate the Iran Nuclear Deal foreignpolicy.com/2025/03/12/r...

Don’t Trust Russia to Mediate the Iran Nuclear Deal

Moscow’s interests go directly against Washington’s in the Middle East.

foreignpolicy.com

Long an arsonist in the Middle East, Russia now offers to play firefighter in mediating a nuclear agreement between the U.S. and Iran. Russia has done more than most to undermine Maximum Pressure and support Iran and its proxies. Better for POTUS to work with E3 allies…

The IDF report about 10/7 suggests some intel failures very reminiscent of the failures that enabled Egyptian success in October 1973. Please revisit this event CNAS held in Jan 2024, in which our expert panel examined this very issue: www.youtube.com/live/D0sqTLe...

Examination of Israel’s Intelligence and Policy Failures in the Yom Kippur War and Hamas Attack

YouTube video by Center for a New American Security (CNAS)

youtube.com

“I heard that one myself, Bob. Hell, I even thought I was dead. ‘Till I found out that it was just that I was in Nebraska.” Requiescat.

The Middle East Security program at @cnas.bsky.social is proud to welcome @adham-sahloul.bsky.social, a rising star in MidEast policy with a broad breadth of experience in the U.S. interagency and military! www.cnas.org/press/press-...

For years, my friend and colleague @schneidermandm.bsky.social has shared great insights and analysis with me on MidEast policy. I’m thrilled we could finally make the relationship official- welcome to @cnas.bsky.social!

@schneidermandm.bsky.social · last yr.

A little news - excited to be able to help @cnas.bsky.social and my friend @jonathanlorddc.bsky.social think about and offer constructive thinking on the state the of the MENA region and where U.S. policy should be going as I work on my next professional steps.

In this timely piece for National Interest, @cnas.bsky.social MidEast Security Research Assistant Delaney Soliday offers a critical assessment of President Trump’s Gaza plan, and sensible recommendations for the way forward. nationalinterest.org/blog/middle-...

Gaza After Hamas

Without a reformed Palestinian Authority presence in Gaza, Hamas will continue to rule the Strip.

nationalinterest.org

I spoke with Anat Peled of The Wall Street Journal about the impact of President Trump's Gaza comments on the ceasefire/hostage-release agreement. www.wsj.com/world/middle...

Israel and Hamas Are Teetering Toward War

The combatants have backed each other into a corner, while President Trump has added a volatile new variable by laying down an ultimatum of his own.

wsj.com

"Let's see if we can pass something imperfect, full of compromises, and not very pleasing to implacable partisans on either side--but that might provide workable solutions to problems Americans are struggling with today." 1/2

U.S. presence still under negotiation, while Russia may be keep its bases? Engagement w/ Damascus must address U.S. global interests, too. That means pressing for the expulsion of Russia’s air and naval bases. USG has a window of opportunity it should not miss. www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...

Syria could allow Russia to keep its bases, new defense minister says

In an interview, Murhaf Abu Qasra, a onetime leader in Syria’s insurgency, discussed moves by authorities in Damascus to build new alliances.

washingtonpost.com

Eyal Zamir (the front-runner candidate, by all accounts), announced as the new IDF chief of staff, replacing outgoing LTG Herzi Halevi, who resigned effective March 6. www.kan.org.il/content/kan-...

The four young women slated for release this weekend were part of an IDF unit near the Gaza border tasked with monitoring Hamas. Their warnings of increased Hamas military activity went unheeded for months. Their story, as told by Anat Peled in @wsj.com: www.wsj.com/world/middle...

How the Massacre of Ignored Female Soldiers Came to Symbolize Oct. 7 Failures

The women stationed at Nahal Oz warned authorities for months about increasingly suspicious Hamas activity, but no one acted.

wsj.com

"Iran is closer than ever to having the capability to produce a nuclear weapon; the Trump administration should ensure that the regime does not make the decision to pursue it." Read more from @jonathanlorddc.bsky.social: www.cnas.org/publications...

Convene the E3 to Address the Iranian Nuclear Threat

In its first 100 days, the Trump administration should convene the the E3 to coordinate a strategy for dealing with Iran’s nuclear program.

cnas.org

In its defensive responsive to Iran’s October missile attack, Israel severely damaged Iran’s ability to make rocket fuel. China is attempting to resupply Iran with enough sodium perchlorate to fuel hundreds of missiles. The Axis of Upheaval at work. on.ft.com/4hsTop7

Ships carrying missile propellant ingredients set to sail from China to Iran, say officials

Intelligence suggests vessels will be laden with sodium perchlorate used in critical weapons

on.ft.com

From @jonathanlorddc.bsky.social: "Convene the E3 to Address the Iranian Nuclear Threat" www.cnas.org/publications...

Convene the E3 to Address the Iranian Nuclear Threat

In its first 100 days, the Trump administration should convene the the E3 to coordinate a strategy for dealing with Iran’s nuclear program.

cnas.org

In a just-released volume, my @cnas.bsky.social colleagues and I make a series of recommendations for President Trump's first 100 days of his second administration. In it, I recommend President Trump coordinate an Iran engagement and negotiations strategy with the E3: www.cnas.org/publications...

Convene the E3 to Address the Iranian Nuclear Threat

In its first 100 days, the Trump administration should convene the the E3 to coordinate a strategy for dealing with Iran’s nuclear program.

cnas.org

Here’s the real lesson: The Biden and Trump teams worked hand in glove, proving that when America’s leaders identify bipartisan goals and work together to achieve them, nothing is out of reach for the United States. 🇺🇸 h/t @barakravid.bsky.social www.axios.com/2025/01/16/b...

How two feuding presidents combined to get a Gaza deal

Trump's intervention "was the 10 cents missing for the dollar," one U.S. official told Axios.

axios.com

In honor of Lebanon breaking its political deadlock to elect President Aoun, please enjoy this image of a delicious General Aoun cake generously served to us by the LAF during STAFFDEL Lord in Feb 2020.

A good read in @breakingdefense.com today from @cnas.bsky.social Middle East Security Program’s Delaney Soliday and Shivane Anand, warning of the burgeoning Iran-Russia security relationship, which threatens U.S. partners in both Europe and the Middle East. breakingdefense.com/2025/01/tehr...

Tehran’s proxies are on the back foot. An Iran-Russia defense pact could revive them.

In this op-ed, Delaney Soliday and Shivane Anand of the Middle East Security Program at CNAS lay out what an Iran-Russia defense agreement could mean for Iran's proxies.

breakingdefense.com

17.5 years ago I moved to DC from upstate NY, thinking I’d escaped the snow. On days like today, I think a lot about this exchange.

After a protracted vote, Mike Johnson will retain the speakership going into the 119th Congress. Here’s a reminder from 2 years ago why it’s essential for national security that the House selects a speaker quickly. amp.cnn.com/cnn/2023/01/...

How the speaker impasse is impacting US national security | CNN Politics

The House’s inability to select a speaker is impacting US national security, Republican and Democratic lawmakers and staffers say, as members who can’t yet be sworn in are being locked out of classifi...

amp.cnn.com

Feb 2020 and Dec 2024, in what is clearly my Sphinx-visiting outfit.

President Carter played an instrumental role in negotiating the 1978 Camp David Accords, which led to the 1979 Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty. This peace has proven durable and essential to the security and stability of Egypt and Israel. It’s a legacy that can be seen and felt everyday in the region.

Thank you, @davidpriess.bsky.social!

David Priess@davidpriess.bsky.social · 2y ago

Such a great article by @jonathanlorddc.bsky.social: “U.S. indecision on Syria advanced the agendas of America’s adversaries and prolonged the presence, rule, and cruel butchery of Assad himself. It is well past time for Washington to demonstrate leadership.” foreignpolicy.com/2024/12/09/a...

Every incoming administration faces an unanticipated foreign policy crisis or event; that’s not new. However, an intergalactic foreign policy crisis? All I can say is, that’s no moon, Mr. President.

Sharon 🪳🌹@sharonk.bsky.social · 2y ago

Senator that is a TIE fighter

Netanyahu on his way to Cairo for talks on Gaza cease-fire, deal expected to be signed in coming days, sources say www.haaretz.com/israel-news/...

Netanyahu en route to Cairo, Gaza truce expected in coming days, sources say

***

haaretz.com