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The Middle East is once again an arena of great-power competition, with strategic threats seeking to undermine the American-led order in the region. Hudson Institute’s Center for Peace and Security in the Middle East develops policies to confront Iran while countering Russian and Chinese attempts to expand their regional influence. The center advances the United States and Israel as the leaders of an allied coalition dedicated to countering adversaries and preserving stability.
Below, please find the center’s most recent efforts.
Highlights
Michael Doran | Free Press
As criticism of the Iran memorandum of understanding swirls around Washington, DC, Michael Doran looks back at the successes of the war and at President Donald Trump’s tactical track record to suggest cautious optimism.
Michael Doran | Free Press
With the Trump administration keen on settling the Iran war, Doran urges that the US should maintain pressure by emphasizing leverage, verification, and long-term containment rather than maximalist demands for unconditional victory.
Zineb Riboua | Foundation for Defense of Democracies
Zineb Riboua explains why she is skeptical of attempts to forge peace deals with the Islamist revolutionaries in Iran. She also gives an account of Third Worldism, an ideology that she says is rising in the West.
Zineb Riboua | Fox Business
Riboua discusses the latest developments in the United States’ war with Iran now that Operation Epic Fury has resumed. She argues that Tehran is attempting to assert control over the Strait of Hormuz to generate much-needed revenue amid economic pressure.
Michael Doran and Zineb Riboua | Wall Street Journal
Doran and Riboua argue that to compete with China’s AI program, the US needs to adopt an offensive strategy by partnering with allies such as Israel to build its capabilities. They argue that Israel, with its operational pace, innovation culture, and world-class engineering, is the prime candidate to host an American AI base.
Liel Leibovitz | New York Post
Liel Leibovitz draws attention to the many ironies and inconsistencies of New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s advocacy on behalf of Palestinians, underscoring how ideological and ill-informed politicians weaponize antisemitism and anti-Zionism to virtue signal at the expense of their constituents.
Events
July 15, 2026
Joel Rayburn sat down with Representative Mike Lawler, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa, for a conversation on the emerging Middle East security order and the future of American strategy in the region.
May 20, 2026
Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy Sarah B. Rogers joined Zineb Riboua to discuss how the US is adapting its public diplomacy tools to advance its interests abroad, counter censorship, promote free speech, and leverage AI to deliver more effective messaging. Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Senate Judiciary Committee, delivered opening remarks.
May, 19, 2026
Michael Doran sat down with Zineb Riboua, Professor Brenda Shaffer of the US Naval Postgraduate School and the Atlantic Council, and investigative journalist Sam Cooper to discuss how climate organizations promoting anti-Western agendas are eroding American cohesion, undermining energy independence, and weakening US diplomatic and economic standing. Some of the most radical have even called for the eradication of the State of Israel.
May 8, 2026
Riboua discussed how the Iran war is reshaping Iranian society with Mariam Memarsadeghi, who researches civil society, democratic movements, and civic education inside Iran, and Samira Gharaei, who reports on political developments and public sentiment in Iranian media.
Watch or listen here.
In the Media
Israel Update: Doran discusses how the US has demonstrated that its will to fight is strong if it can maintain air superiority and sustain few casualties. Doran explains that the memorandum of understanding is a tactical retreat and predicts that hostilities will resume eventually. He also examines what the document means for Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s reelection.
PBS NewsHour: Doran discusses President Trump’s deal with Iran. He argues that one of the clauses is fundamentally different from previous arrangements: if the memorandum of understanding remains in effect, Iran will not enrich uranium. He explained that the deal was essential for opening the Strait of Hormuz while postponing more difficult issues for future negotiations.
EWTN News Nightly: Rayburn appears on EWTN News Nightly to discuss the US-Iran deal. He argues that opening the Strait of Hormuz and lowering global energy prices will be positive signs for US domestic politics. He cautions, however, that the Iranian regime may attempt to “shift the goalpost” by reopening settled issues and expanding negotiations to additional items, especially Israel’s campaign in Lebanon.
Fox News: Riboua appears on Fox News to discuss Iranian singer Parastoo Ahmadi, who was sentenced to 74 lashes and a travel ban for performing without a hijab. Riboua attributes the regime’s brutal crackdowns to the Islamic Republic’s growing weakness.
Wall Street Journal: Doran appears on the Wall Street Journal’s podcast Potomac Watch as Iran rejects President Trump’s proposal to settle the war. He examines the chances for renewed fighting and whether Iran’s economy will break under American pressure.
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: Riboua discusses Iran’s post-Ali Khamenei leadership structure, the expanding influence of the IRGC, and why she believes the growing repression reflects weakness.