The Middle East faces a web of complex crises driven by historical legacies, regional power struggles, and ongoing geopolitical tensions. Among these crises, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict stands out as a deeply entrenched issue, marked by competing national aspirations and territorial disputes. The region’s challenges are further compounded by a mix of deeply rooted conflicts, sectarian divides, and the influence of both regional and global actors. These crises have far-reaching implications, affecting global security, economic stability, and international diplomacy. Understanding the dynamics of these conflicts requires a comprehensive view of their historical contexts and current geopolitical shifts. In this interview, our columnist Helmut Sorge hosts Charles Kupchan, Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR). Kupchan shares insights into the underlying factors shaping the Middle East's past and ongoing crises, including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He explores the roles of major international players and discusses potential paths toward resolution, shedding light on the region’s complex landscape and its broader impact on global affairs.
RELATED CONTENT
-
November 12, 2026In this policy paper – Part 3 of our ongoing analysis – we address the Iran War and its implications for the evolution of the international system in its denouement from the clash between “Restoration”, on the one hand, and “Reformation” or “Revolution”, on the other (see our previous policy paper for a summary and analysis of Andrey Kortunov’s scenarios for the future of the international system). These rival global dynamics are faced off in this moment across the Strait of Hormuz ... -
November 12, 2026The U.S. midterm elections raise questions about the future direction of American foreign policy and its implications for Africa. This discussion examines how shifting political dynamics in Washington could shape the Trump administration’s foreign policy priorities and engagement with t... -
November 9, 2026“The emerging global disorder could present an opportunity for Africa. With the right long-term perspective, African countries will be well positioned to take advantage of some of the opportunities that arise from the new geoeconomic reality.”Gedion Timothewos (Ethiopia’s Foreign Affairs Minister) ... -
November 06, 2026In this episode, Dr. Andreas Østhagen examines how climate change and geopolitical competition are reshaping the Arctic’s strategic importance. The discussion also explores the opportunit ... -
November 4, 2026Le 30 octobre 2026, le mandat de la Minurso a expiré et n’a pas été renouvelé. La raison : un projet américain, pourtant appuyé par 11 membres du Conseil de sécurité, auquel la Russie a opposé son veto, suivi d’un projet russe qui n’a pu recueillir que trois voix en sa faveur, sur lequel les États-Unis ont émis un vote négatif.Cette impasse révèle deux conceptions opposées du règlement. Washington entend recentrer le processus sur l’initiative marocaine d’autonomie et adapter progre ... -
November 4, 2026Brazil’s presidential election, which concluded on October 25, 2026, was above all a digital battle. This is nothing new; the impact of social media on elections has been widely analyzed since Barack Obama's 2008 win marked a turning point for digital campaigning worldwide. Almost two decades later, social media is an entirely different breed, with a life of its own – and still very little regulation within electoral politics. The danger, however, is that digital players now also in ... -
October 29, 2026Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s victory brings to an end one of the most closely contested elections in Brazil’s recent history. Before any broader analysis, however, a qualification is necessary. Supreme Court Justice Cristiano Zanin’s controversial decision to extend voting hours sparked debate over the electoral process. Although the measure was not mathematically decisive in Lula’s come-from-behind victory, the episode risks fuelling challenges to the result and further eroding poli ... -
October 28, 2026Depuis 2016, le Policy Center for the New South et le Centre de Géopolitique de l’école HEC Paris organisent chaque année deux éditions des « Dialogues Stratégiques ». Cette plateforme d’analyse et d’échange réunit des experts, des chercheurs provenant de différents think-tanks et du mo...
-
October 23, 2026Ce Policy Paper analyse les élections législatives marocaines du 23 septembre 2026 à travers l’articulation entre participation, implantations partisanes et conversion des suffrages en sièges. Il s’appuie sur les résultats des 92 circonscriptions locales, les données démographiques et socio-économiques du Haut-Commissariat au Plan et une comparaison avec le scrutin régional. L’analyse met en évidence une mobilisation très inégale, marquée par la faible participation de plusieurs gra ... -
October 22, 2026Strategic hedging is rational when it preserves a worthwhile choice at a tolerable cost while respecting existing commitments. Drawing on the literature on hedging and Latin American autonomy, this Policy Brief examines contrasting illustrations of that proposition. It distinguishes ambiguity about future alignment from uncertainty about existing obligations and explains how clearly bounded commitments can reconcile autonomy with credibility. The cases reveal different vulnerabiliti ...
