https://www.cfr.org/ Steven A. Cook examines developments in the Middle East and their resonance in Washington. en Sat, 11 Apr 2026 17:21:08 -0400 https://www.cfr.org/blog/m-alslamt-gule-gule-lhtrwt-farewell As the saying goes, all good things must come to an end.  So it is with From the Potomac Steven A. Cook From the Potomac to the Euphrates Turkey Post Middle East and North Africa U.S. Foreign Policy https://www.cfr.org/blog/m-alslamt-gule-gule-lhtrwt-farewell Thu, 18 Jul 2019 11:36:14 EDT From the Potomac to the Euphrates Steven A. Cook https://www.cfr.org/blog/israels-coming-roses When Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu failed to form a government on Wednesday, you coul Steven A. Cook From the Potomac to the Euphrates Israel Elections and Voting Post Benjamin Netanyahu https://www.cfr.org/blog/israels-coming-roses Wed, 12 Jun 2019 10:37:43 EDT From the Potomac to the Euphrates Steven A. Cook https://www.cfr.org/blog/myth-turkish-democracy Last week, Turkey’s Supreme Election Council annulled Istanbul’s recent mayoral election, trigger Steven A. Cook From the Potomac to the Euphrates Democracy Turkey Elections and Voting Post Recep Tayyip Erdogan https://www.cfr.org/blog/myth-turkish-democracy Wed, 22 May 2019 10:25:38 EDT From the Potomac to the Euphrates Steven A. Cook https://www.cfr.org/blog/american-tradition-supporting-authoritarianism Last week, the White House released its readout of a call between U.S. Steven A. Cook From the Potomac to the Euphrates Libya Post Authoritarianism Donald Trump https://www.cfr.org/blog/american-tradition-supporting-authoritarianism Mon, 06 May 2019 10:49:58 EDT From the Potomac to the Euphrates Steven A. Cook https://www.cfr.org/blog/sisi-has-his-own-jamal-khashoggi-her-name-april-corley Over the last six months, Washington has been consumed with the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, a lega Steven A. Cook Egypt From the Potomac to the Euphrates Abdel Fattah al-Sisi Post Donald Trump U.S. Congress https://www.cfr.org/blog/sisi-has-his-own-jamal-khashoggi-her-name-april-corley Tue, 16 Apr 2019 16:36:40 EDT From the Potomac to the Euphrates Steven A. Cook https://www.cfr.org/blog/turkey-perils-and-promise-prediction A few days before Turkey’s local elections, I wrote an article for Foreign Policy.com ti Steven A. Cook From the Potomac to the Euphrates Turkey Elections and Voting Post Recep Tayyip Erdogan https://www.cfr.org/blog/turkey-perils-and-promise-prediction Tue, 02 Apr 2019 09:57:07 EDT From the Potomac to the Euphrates Steven A. Cook https://www.cfr.org/blog/algerian-arab-spring It is hard not to be awestruck by events in Algeria over the last three weeks. Steven A. Cook From the Potomac to the Euphrates Algeria Arab Spring Post Demonstrations and Protests Middle East and North Africa https://www.cfr.org/blog/algerian-arab-spring Wed, 20 Mar 2019 10:50:48 EDT From the Potomac to the Euphrates Steven A. Cook https://www.cfr.org/blog/clashing-realities-syria Should I stay or should I go now? Should I stay o Steven A. Cook From the Potomac to the Euphrates Military Operations Post Syrian Civil War U.S. Foreign Policy https://www.cfr.org/blog/clashing-realities-syria Wed, 13 Mar 2019 10:23:48 EDT From the Potomac to the Euphrates Steven A. Cook https://www.cfr.org/blog/us-message-iran-reminiscent-2002 The Trump administration has repeatedly stressed that last week’s Middle East conference in Steven A. Cook From the Potomac to the Euphrates Iran Post Donald Trump Middle East and North Africa https://www.cfr.org/blog/us-message-iran-reminiscent-2002 Mon, 25 Feb 2019 09:31:26 EST From the Potomac to the Euphrates Steven A. Cook https://www.cfr.org/blog/bad-reputation-swift-decline-us-soft-power-middle-east One of the perks of my job is that every now and then I get to spend time talking about the futur Steven A. Cook From the Potomac to the Euphrates Post Middle East and North Africa U.S. Foreign Policy https://www.cfr.org/blog/bad-reputation-swift-decline-us-soft-power-middle-east Wed, 13 Feb 2019 14:29:44 EST From the Potomac to the Euphrates Steven A. Cook https://www.cfr.org/blog/most-dangerous-new-york-knick No matter where I have lived as an adult, my teams have always been the New York Yankees, New Yor Steven A. Cook From the Potomac to the Euphrates Turkey Post Recep Tayyip Erdogan https://www.cfr.org/blog/most-dangerous-new-york-knick Thu, 31 Jan 2019 10:50:27 EST From the Potomac to the Euphrates Steven A. Cook https://www.cfr.org/blog/israels-permanent-occupation-golan-heights Should the United States recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights? Steven A. Cook From the Potomac to the Euphrates Israel Post Golan Heights U.S. Foreign Policy https://www.cfr.org/blog/israels-permanent-occupation-golan-heights Mon, 28 Jan 2019 16:23:17 EST From the Potomac to the Euphrates Steven A. Cook https://www.cfr.org/blog/turkey-unreliable-partner-fight-against-isis Last summer I wrote a  Steven A. Cook From the Potomac to the Euphrates Turkey Post Islamic State Syrian Civil War https://www.cfr.org/blog/turkey-unreliable-partner-fight-against-isis Wed, 09 Jan 2019 10:12:36 EST From the Potomac to the Euphrates Steven A. Cook https://www.cfr.org/blog/case-reshaping-us-turkey-relations When Andrew Brunson, the North Carolinian pastor, was released from Turkish custody in October, P Steven A. Cook From the Potomac to the Euphrates Turkey Post International Relations Recep Tayyip Erdogan U.S. Foreign Policy https://www.cfr.org/blog/case-reshaping-us-turkey-relations Thu, 15 Nov 2018 13:06:42 EST From the Potomac to the Euphrates Steven A. Cook https://www.cfr.org/blog/jamal-khashoggis-disappearance-even-stranger-it-seems The full text of this article is available Steven A. Cook From the Potomac to the Euphrates Saudi Arabia Turkey Media Post https://www.cfr.org/blog/jamal-khashoggis-disappearance-even-stranger-it-seems Tue, 16 Oct 2018 16:28:37 EDT From the Potomac to the Euphrates Steven A. Cook https://www.cfr.org/blog/america-not-innocent-bystander-yemen This article first appeared Steven A. Cook From the Potomac to the Euphrates Yemen Post Humanitarian Crises U.S. Foreign Policy https://www.cfr.org/blog/america-not-innocent-bystander-yemen Wed, 03 Oct 2018 09:44:51 EDT From the Potomac to the Euphrates Steven A. Cook https://www.cfr.org/blog/middle-east-doesnt-take-china-seriously This article first appeared Steven A. Cook From the Potomac to the Euphrates China Post International Relations Middle East and North Africa https://www.cfr.org/blog/middle-east-doesnt-take-china-seriously Thu, 20 Sep 2018 10:10:09 EDT From the Potomac to the Euphrates Steven A. Cook https://www.cfr.org/blog/putin-sneaking-europe-south This article was originally published  Steven A. Cook From the Potomac to the Euphrates Russia Europe Post Middle East and North Africa https://www.cfr.org/blog/putin-sneaking-europe-south Fri, 07 Sep 2018 09:35:20 EDT From the Potomac to the Euphrates Steven A. Cook https://www.cfr.org/blog/we-wanted-turkey-be-partner-it-was-never-going-work This article was originally published Steven A. Cook From the Potomac to the Euphrates Turkey Post NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) U.S. Foreign Policy https://www.cfr.org/blog/we-wanted-turkey-be-partner-it-was-never-going-work Mon, 20 Aug 2018 10:23:29 EDT From the Potomac to the Euphrates Steven A. Cook https://www.cfr.org/blog/strongmen-die-authoritarianism-forever This article first appeared Steven A. Cook From the Potomac to the Euphrates Turkey Post Authoritarianism Recep Tayyip Erdogan https://www.cfr.org/blog/strongmen-die-authoritarianism-forever Wed, 15 Aug 2018 16:40:01 EDT From the Potomac to the Euphrates Steven A. Cook https://www.cfr.org/article/syrian-war-over-and-america-lost This article first appeared Steven A. Cook Article From the Potomac to the Euphrates Syria Syrian Civil War U.S. Foreign Policy https://www.cfr.org/article/syrian-war-over-and-america-lost Wed, 15 Aug 2018 16:26:15 EDT From the Potomac to the Euphrates Steven A. Cook https://www.cfr.org/blog/trump-first-president-get-turkey-right-0 Last Friday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan published an  Steven A. Cook From the Potomac to the Euphrates Turkey Post Donald Trump https://www.cfr.org/blog/trump-first-president-get-turkey-right-0 Wed, 15 Aug 2018 16:13:17 EDT From the Potomac to the Euphrates Steven A. Cook https://www.cfr.org/blog/mohammed-bin-salman-weak-weak-weak This article was originally published Steven A. Cook From the Potomac to the Euphrates Canada Saudi Arabia Post Mohammed bin Salman https://www.cfr.org/blog/mohammed-bin-salman-weak-weak-weak Wed, 15 Aug 2018 15:27:52 EDT From the Potomac to the Euphrates Steven A. Cook https://www.cfr.org/blog/turkeys-elections-partially-free-fair-and-fake It should not be a surprise except to the most hopeful that Recep Tayyip Erdogan is once again pr Steven A. Cook From the Potomac to the Euphrates Turkey Elections and Voting Post Authoritarianism Populism Recep Tayyip Erdogan https://www.cfr.org/blog/turkeys-elections-partially-free-fair-and-fake Mon, 25 Jun 2018 10:45:45 EDT From the Potomac to the Euphrates Steven A. Cook https://www.cfr.org/blog/damage-done-jerusalem When President Donald J. Trump announced in December 2017 that he was moving the U.S. Steven A. Cook From the Potomac to the Euphrates Israel Post Israeli-Palestinian Conflict https://www.cfr.org/blog/damage-done-jerusalem Tue, 15 May 2018 13:39:54 EDT From the Potomac to the Euphrates Steven A. Cook https://www.cfr.org/blog/lost-middle-east This article was originally published  Steven A. Cook From the Potomac to the Euphrates Syria Post Donald Trump Middle East and North Africa Syrian Civil War U.S. Foreign Policy https://www.cfr.org/blog/lost-middle-east Fri, 27 Apr 2018 13:55:18 EDT From the Potomac to the Euphrates Steven A. Cook https://www.cfr.org/blog/trumps-syria-policy-isnt-retrenchment-its-pandering This article was originally published Steven A. Cook From the Potomac to the Euphrates Syria Post Donald Trump Recep Tayyip Erdogan Syrian Civil War https://www.cfr.org/blog/trumps-syria-policy-isnt-retrenchment-its-pandering Mon, 16 Apr 2018 16:19:27 EDT From the Potomac to the Euphrates Steven A. Cook https://www.cfr.org/blog/freedom-and-justice-sisi This article was originally published Steven A. Cook Egypt From the Potomac to the Euphrates Elections and Voting Post Authoritarianism https://www.cfr.org/blog/freedom-and-justice-sisi Fri, 06 Apr 2018 11:21:32 EDT From the Potomac to the Euphrates Steven A. Cook https://www.cfr.org/blog/russia-middle-east-stay This article was originally published Steven A. Cook From the Potomac to the Euphrates Russia Post Middle East and North Africa U.S. Foreign Policy https://www.cfr.org/blog/russia-middle-east-stay Mon, 26 Mar 2018 10:58:57 EDT From the Potomac to the Euphrates Steven A. Cook https://www.cfr.org/blog/strongmen-are-weaker-they-look This article was originally published  Steven A. Cook Egypt From the Potomac to the Euphrates Saudi Arabia Algeria Qatar Post Authoritarianism Middle East and North Africa U.S. Foreign Policy https://www.cfr.org/blog/strongmen-are-weaker-they-look Tue, 13 Mar 2018 11:07:38 EDT From the Potomac to the Euphrates Steven A. Cook https://www.cfr.org/blog/trumps-middle-east-strategy-totally-boring I am delighted to announce that I have joined Foreign Policy as a columnist where my Steven A. Cook From the Potomac to the Euphrates Post Donald Trump Middle East and North Africa U.S. Foreign Policy https://www.cfr.org/blog/trumps-middle-east-strategy-totally-boring Wed, 21 Feb 2018 10:51:55 EST From the Potomac to the Euphrates Steven A. Cook https://www.cfr.org/blog/general-erdogans-first-war This article was originally published Steven A. Cook From the Potomac to the Euphrates Turkey Defense and Security Post Recep Tayyip Erdogan Syrian Civil War https://www.cfr.org/blog/general-erdogans-first-war Thu, 08 Feb 2018 11:43:33 EST From the Potomac to the Euphrates Steven A. Cook https://www.cfr.org/blog/entirely-rational-basis-turkeys-move-syria This article was originally published Steven A. Cook From the Potomac to the Euphrates Turkey Syria Post Kurds Recep Tayyip Erdogan https://www.cfr.org/blog/entirely-rational-basis-turkeys-move-syria Mon, 22 Jan 2018 10:41:40 EST From the Potomac to the Euphrates Steven A. Cook https://www.cfr.org/blog/war-about-break-out-horn-africa-will-west-even-notice This article was originally published Steven A. Cook Egypt From the Potomac to the Euphrates Food and Water Security Wars and Conflict Ethiopia Post Sudan https://www.cfr.org/blog/war-about-break-out-horn-africa-will-west-even-notice Tue, 16 Jan 2018 10:11:28 EST From the Potomac to the Euphrates Steven A. Cook https://www.cfr.org/blog/annexation-west-bank-already-here My recent Steven A. Cook From the Potomac to the Euphrates Israel Palestinian Territories Post Israeli-Palestinian Conflict https://www.cfr.org/blog/annexation-west-bank-already-here Tue, 09 Jan 2018 15:01:46 EST From the Potomac to the Euphrates Steven A. Cook https://www.cfr.org/blog/israel-moves-annex-west-bank-how-two-state-solution-dies This article was originally published Steven A. Cook From the Potomac to the Euphrates Israel Palestinian Territories Post Israeli-Palestinian Conflict https://www.cfr.org/blog/israel-moves-annex-west-bank-how-two-state-solution-dies Mon, 08 Jan 2018 11:21:28 EST From the Potomac to the Euphrates Steven A. Cook https://www.cfr.org/blog/democracy-not-cure-terrorism This article was originally published  Steven A. Cook Egypt From the Potomac to the Euphrates Democracy Terrorism and Counterterrorism Post Islamic State https://www.cfr.org/blog/democracy-not-cure-terrorism Thu, 21 Dec 2017 13:42:25 EST From the Potomac to the Euphrates Steven A. Cook https://www.cfr.org/blog/why-turkey-feels-burned-trump This article was originally published  Steven A. Cook From the Potomac to the Euphrates Turkey Post Donald Trump Recep Tayyip Erdogan https://www.cfr.org/blog/why-turkey-feels-burned-trump Mon, 27 Nov 2017 10:21:50 EST From the Potomac to the Euphrates Steven A. Cook https://www.cfr.org/blog/saudis-are-hoping-mohammed-bin-salman-will-drain-swamp This article was originally published  Steven A. Cook From the Potomac to the Euphrates Saudi Arabia Post Mohammed bin Salman https://www.cfr.org/blog/saudis-are-hoping-mohammed-bin-salman-will-drain-swamp Tue, 21 Nov 2017 13:39:12 EST From the Potomac to the Euphrates Steven A. Cook https://www.cfr.org/blog/turkey-friend-or-frenemy-tangled-relationship-keeps-getting-worse This article was originally published  Steven A. Cook From the Potomac to the Euphrates Turkey Post Recep Tayyip Erdogan https://www.cfr.org/blog/turkey-friend-or-frenemy-tangled-relationship-keeps-getting-worse Mon, 13 Nov 2017 09:36:48 EST From the Potomac to the Euphrates Steven A. Cook https://www.cfr.org/blog/iraq-kurds-and-me-what-went-wrong-kirkuk This article was originally published  Steven A. Cook From the Potomac to the Euphrates Iraq Post Kurds https://www.cfr.org/blog/iraq-kurds-and-me-what-went-wrong-kirkuk Mon, 23 Oct 2017 09:32:11 EDT From the Potomac to the Euphrates Steven A. Cook https://www.cfr.org/blog/american-alliance-turkey-was-built-myth This article was originally published Steven A. Cook From the Potomac to the Euphrates Turkey Post Recep Tayyip Erdogan U.S. Foreign Policy https://www.cfr.org/blog/american-alliance-turkey-was-built-myth Thu, 12 Oct 2017 10:00:11 EDT From the Potomac to the Euphrates Steven A. Cook https://www.cfr.org/blog/turkeys-incursion-syria-making-things-better-or-worse This article was originally published  Steven A. Cook From the Potomac to the Euphrates Iran Russia Turkey Syria Post Syrian Civil War https://www.cfr.org/blog/turkeys-incursion-syria-making-things-better-or-worse Mon, 02 Oct 2017 10:14:34 EDT From the Potomac to the Euphrates Steven A. Cook https://www.cfr.org/blog/weekend-reading-yom-kippur-war Who knew that Steven A. Cook Egypt From the Potomac to the Euphrates Israel Syria Post Middle East and North Africa https://www.cfr.org/blog/weekend-reading-yom-kippur-war Fri, 29 Sep 2017 16:13:48 EDT From the Potomac to the Euphrates Steven A. Cook https://www.cfr.org/blog/weekend-listening-gulf-crisis-not-just-my-hijab-part-i-and-part-ii Marc Lynch and Kristian Coates Ulrichsen break down the Steven A. Cook From the Potomac to the Euphrates Qatar Post Gender Middle East and North Africa https://www.cfr.org/blog/weekend-listening-gulf-crisis-not-just-my-hijab-part-i-and-part-ii Fri, 22 Sep 2017 16:17:49 EDT From the Potomac to the Euphrates Steven A. Cook https://www.cfr.org/blog/iran-new-north-korea-not-even-close This article was originally published  Steven A. Cook From the Potomac to the Euphrates Iran Israel Post Benjamin Netanyahu Iran Nuclear Agreement Nuclear Weapons https://www.cfr.org/blog/iran-new-north-korea-not-even-close Mon, 18 Sep 2017 11:05:24 EDT From the Potomac to the Euphrates Steven A. Cook https://www.cfr.org/blog/weekend-reading-us-iran-and-krg-remembering-bentalha Fazel Hawramy Steven A. Cook From the Potomac to the Euphrates Iran Algeria Iraq Middle East Program Tunisia Post https://www.cfr.org/blog/weekend-reading-us-iran-and-krg-remembering-bentalha Fri, 15 Sep 2017 13:16:39 EDT From the Potomac to the Euphrates Steven A. Cook https://www.cfr.org/blog/world-ready-kurdexit-referendum-among-iraqi-kurds-has-middle-east-edge This article was originally published  Steven A. Cook From the Potomac to the Euphrates Iraq Post Middle East and North Africa Kurds Referendums https://www.cfr.org/blog/world-ready-kurdexit-referendum-among-iraqi-kurds-has-middle-east-edge Mon, 11 Sep 2017 10:04:14 EDT From the Potomac to the Euphrates Steven A. Cook https://www.cfr.org/blog/priorities-and-challenges-us-turkey-relationship Earlier this week, I testified before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations at a hearing Steven A. Cook From the Potomac to the Euphrates Turkey Post U.S. Foreign Policy https://www.cfr.org/blog/priorities-and-challenges-us-turkey-relationship Fri, 08 Sep 2017 16:11:35 EDT From the Potomac to the Euphrates Steven A. Cook https://www.cfr.org/blog/weekend-reading-depleted-uranium-religion-and-culture-egypt-and-what-was-left-june-1967 Toby C. Steven A. Cook Egypt From the Potomac to the Euphrates Iraq Post Middle East and North Africa https://www.cfr.org/blog/weekend-reading-depleted-uranium-religion-and-culture-egypt-and-what-was-left-june-1967 Fri, 01 Sep 2017 16:54:19 EDT From the Potomac to the Euphrates Steven A. Cook