Shalom Lipner
@shalomlipner.bsky.social
Nonresident Senior Fellow @AtlanticCouncil, former @BrookingsInst, 26-yr vet of @IsraeliPM
"Trump's steamrolling toward a lasting deal in Gaza & increased normalization with the Arab world—while it could wind up bringing greater long-term stability to Israel—could, ironically, deliver a crowning blow to its govt.
My latest via The National Interest.
nationalinterest.org/blog/middle-...
My latest via The National Interest.
nationalinterest.org/blog/middle-...
Benjamin Netanyahu Is Getting Royally Trumped
President Trump’s steamrolling toward a lasting deal in Gaza could deliver a crowning blow to the Israeli government.
nationalinterest.org
November 12, 2025 at 4:30 PM
"Trump's steamrolling toward a lasting deal in Gaza & increased normalization with the Arab world—while it could wind up bringing greater long-term stability to Israel—could, ironically, deliver a crowning blow to its govt.
My latest via The National Interest.
nationalinterest.org/blog/middle-...
My latest via The National Interest.
nationalinterest.org/blog/middle-...
Thanks to Deutsche Welle for a great discussion on the current state of play between Washington and Jerusalem.
youtu.be/9UFWARuTGwc?...
youtu.be/9UFWARuTGwc?...
October 24, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Thanks to Deutsche Welle for a great discussion on the current state of play between Washington and Jerusalem.
youtu.be/9UFWARuTGwc?...
youtu.be/9UFWARuTGwc?...
"Elated over the release of the hostages from Gaza, Israelis nonetheless are torn over the parameters of the bargain that has won their freedom..."
From my comments for @atlanticcouncil.bsky.social.
www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-at...
From my comments for @atlanticcouncil.bsky.social.
www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-at...
Twenty questions (and expert answers) about the next phase of an Israel-Hamas deal
What will follow part one of the cease-fire deal brokered by the Trump administration? Atlantic Council experts share their answers.
www.atlanticcouncil.org
October 15, 2025 at 7:42 PM
"Elated over the release of the hostages from Gaza, Israelis nonetheless are torn over the parameters of the bargain that has won their freedom..."
From my comments for @atlanticcouncil.bsky.social.
www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-at...
From my comments for @atlanticcouncil.bsky.social.
www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-at...
“Success will hinge greatly on the determination of President Trump to see the process through to its culmination—without which it could easily descend into mutual recriminations and chaos.”
From my convo w/@wsj.com.
www.wsj.com/world/middle...
From my convo w/@wsj.com.
www.wsj.com/world/middle...
Trump Declares Gaza War Over During Middle East Victory Lap
The president called on Israel and Arab governments to move beyond decades of conflict and war, but he faces obstacles extending the Gaza deal to the wider region.
www.wsj.com
October 14, 2025 at 4:39 PM
“Success will hinge greatly on the determination of President Trump to see the process through to its culmination—without which it could easily descend into mutual recriminations and chaos.”
From my convo w/@wsj.com.
www.wsj.com/world/middle...
From my convo w/@wsj.com.
www.wsj.com/world/middle...
“We’re going to see a reprisal of Bibi classic...‘Nobody else could’ve managed rel'ns with the WH like me. We’re bringing home the hostages’... And he’ll hope to crowd out all the negativity of the past 2 yrs & his role in it.”
Good talking w/@halbfinger.bsky.social.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/09/w...
Good talking w/@halbfinger.bsky.social.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/09/w...
Freeing Hostages Could Transform Netanyahu’s Political Fortunes
www.nytimes.com
October 9, 2025 at 7:21 PM
“We’re going to see a reprisal of Bibi classic...‘Nobody else could’ve managed rel'ns with the WH like me. We’re bringing home the hostages’... And he’ll hope to crowd out all the negativity of the past 2 yrs & his role in it.”
Good talking w/@halbfinger.bsky.social.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/09/w...
Good talking w/@halbfinger.bsky.social.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/09/w...
“Regionally, Israel is under less threat than it was two years ago,” said Lipner. “But internationally, it’s between a rock and a hard place, and the long-term trends are not working in its favor.”
- from my conversation with @wsj.com's @yarotrof.bsky.social.
www.wsj.com/world/middle...
- from my conversation with @wsj.com's @yarotrof.bsky.social.
www.wsj.com/world/middle...
After Two Years of War, Israel Is Stronger—and More Isolated—Than Ever
The war in Gaza has spurred a global backlash that threatens Israel’s long-term prospects.
www.wsj.com
October 7, 2025 at 5:58 PM
“Regionally, Israel is under less threat than it was two years ago,” said Lipner. “But internationally, it’s between a rock and a hard place, and the long-term trends are not working in its favor.”
- from my conversation with @wsj.com's @yarotrof.bsky.social.
www.wsj.com/world/middle...
- from my conversation with @wsj.com's @yarotrof.bsky.social.
www.wsj.com/world/middle...
Spoke yesterday with Deutsche Welle about POTUS' plan for Gaza. (You can watch at 7:30) www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrwW...
Will Hamas accept Gaza peace plan? Germany, Palestinians, Israelis react | DW News
YouTube video by DW News
www.youtube.com
October 1, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Spoke yesterday with Deutsche Welle about POTUS' plan for Gaza. (You can watch at 7:30) www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrwW...
“Netanyahu couldn’t allow himself to resist the ambitions of Trump, Israel’s prime benefactor,” said Mr Lipner, now a non-resident senior fellow for the Middle East Programmes at the @atlanticcouncil.bsky.social.
www.straitstimes.com/world/united...
www.straitstimes.com/world/united...
Trump’s Gaza peace plan tackles ‘Israel fatigue’ in America, crimps China in Middle East
The proportion of Americans who believe that support for Israel serves the US national interest has fallen sharply. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.
www.straitstimes.com
September 30, 2025 at 12:51 PM
“Netanyahu couldn’t allow himself to resist the ambitions of Trump, Israel’s prime benefactor,” said Mr Lipner, now a non-resident senior fellow for the Middle East Programmes at the @atlanticcouncil.bsky.social.
www.straitstimes.com/world/united...
www.straitstimes.com/world/united...
Trump & Netanyahu heralded a Gaza deal last night, but... “there will be many spoilers working hard to make sure that doesn’t happen.”
Good speaking with @wsj.com for this piece.
www.wsj.com/world/middle...
Good speaking with @wsj.com for this piece.
www.wsj.com/world/middle...
Trump Gives Hamas Ultimatum to Release Hostages or Face Destruction by Israel
In effect, the president threatened the prospect of more war in order to end nearly two years of fighting, in a risky diplomatic move delivered alongside Israel’s prime minister at the White House.
www.wsj.com
September 30, 2025 at 8:59 AM
Trump & Netanyahu heralded a Gaza deal last night, but... “there will be many spoilers working hard to make sure that doesn’t happen.”
Good speaking with @wsj.com for this piece.
www.wsj.com/world/middle...
Good speaking with @wsj.com for this piece.
www.wsj.com/world/middle...
"Netanyahu has put all his chips on Trump... and while he may believe he’s won the jackpot, he doesn’t have an open tab in the Oval Office... Matters could come to a head if he balks at Trump’s program for Gaza."
My latest for @atlanticcouncil.bsky.social. www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/menaso...
My latest for @atlanticcouncil.bsky.social. www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/menaso...
For an increasingly isolated Netanyahu, it's money time with Trump
Amid growing international criticism, the Israeli Prime Minister is playing his ace—or rather, his Trump—card in Washington.
www.atlanticcouncil.org
September 27, 2025 at 5:50 PM
"Netanyahu has put all his chips on Trump... and while he may believe he’s won the jackpot, he doesn’t have an open tab in the Oval Office... Matters could come to a head if he balks at Trump’s program for Gaza."
My latest for @atlanticcouncil.bsky.social. www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/menaso...
My latest for @atlanticcouncil.bsky.social. www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/menaso...
September 18, 2025 at 7:30 AM
"Immediate Israeli goals are to guarantee security along the border with Syria, prevent any entrenchment of hostile interlopers and ensure protection of Syria's Druze... Normalization would be a longer-term, aspirational objective."
Good speaking with Deutsche Welle.
www.dw.com/en/are-syria...
Good speaking with Deutsche Welle.
www.dw.com/en/are-syria...
Are Syria and Israel about to normalize ties? – DW – 08/21/2025
For the first time in decades, Syria and Israel have discussed the Golan Heights, Israeli troops in Syria and humanitarian aid for Syria's Druze community. Is this the beginning of establishing diplom...
www.dw.com
August 21, 2025 at 7:58 PM
"Immediate Israeli goals are to guarantee security along the border with Syria, prevent any entrenchment of hostile interlopers and ensure protection of Syria's Druze... Normalization would be a longer-term, aspirational objective."
Good speaking with Deutsche Welle.
www.dw.com/en/are-syria...
Good speaking with Deutsche Welle.
www.dw.com/en/are-syria...
“Clearly everyone is running out of patience. But I don't think it necessarily means that, were Hamas to come back with something people felt was more viable, that they wouldn't re-engage to get across the finish line.”
Nice to speak again with @ebazail.bsky.social.
www.politico.com/newsletters/...
Nice to speak again with @ebazail.bsky.social.
www.politico.com/newsletters/...
Turning the screws on Hamas
Were Hamas to change its demands, former U.S. and Israeli officials believe that talks will likely resume.
www.politico.com
July 25, 2025 at 5:29 AM
“Clearly everyone is running out of patience. But I don't think it necessarily means that, were Hamas to come back with something people felt was more viable, that they wouldn't re-engage to get across the finish line.”
Nice to speak again with @ebazail.bsky.social.
www.politico.com/newsletters/...
Nice to speak again with @ebazail.bsky.social.
www.politico.com/newsletters/...
"The recent events in Syria have underscored the fact that any excitement about that country’s imminent participation in the Abraham Accords was woefully premature."
Shared some thoughts for this @atlanticcouncil.bsky.social Q&A on the situation in Syria. www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-at...
Shared some thoughts for this @atlanticcouncil.bsky.social Q&A on the situation in Syria. www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-at...
Five questions (and expert answers) about Israel’s strikes against Syria
Our Middle East experts explain the roots of the crisis and what it means for Syria, Israel, the Druze, and the broader region.
www.atlanticcouncil.org
July 17, 2025 at 6:04 AM
"The recent events in Syria have underscored the fact that any excitement about that country’s imminent participation in the Abraham Accords was woefully premature."
Shared some thoughts for this @atlanticcouncil.bsky.social Q&A on the situation in Syria. www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-at...
Shared some thoughts for this @atlanticcouncil.bsky.social Q&A on the situation in Syria. www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-at...
"Lipner said that while Netanyahu’s personal popularity had risen after the war vs Iran, polling showed the multiparty coalition he now heads would likely end up in opposition after elex."
Great speaking w/@theglobeandmail.com's @markmackinnon.bsky.social.
www.theglobeandmail.com/world/articl...
Great speaking w/@theglobeandmail.com's @markmackinnon.bsky.social.
www.theglobeandmail.com/world/articl...
For Israel, winning peace will be far more complicated than triumphing in war
A breakdown of what might come next in the Middle East
www.theglobeandmail.com
July 12, 2025 at 7:55 PM
"Lipner said that while Netanyahu’s personal popularity had risen after the war vs Iran, polling showed the multiparty coalition he now heads would likely end up in opposition after elex."
Great speaking w/@theglobeandmail.com's @markmackinnon.bsky.social.
www.theglobeandmail.com/world/articl...
Great speaking w/@theglobeandmail.com's @markmackinnon.bsky.social.
www.theglobeandmail.com/world/articl...
Iran, Israel & the US "are pivoting to a series of accomplishments that offer ladders from which to climb off their warhorses. Those parallel narratives facilitate moving their respective publics toward deescalation."
My latest via @atlanticcouncil.bsky.social
www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/menaso...
My latest via @atlanticcouncil.bsky.social
www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/menaso...
July 7, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Iran, Israel & the US "are pivoting to a series of accomplishments that offer ladders from which to climb off their warhorses. Those parallel narratives facilitate moving their respective publics toward deescalation."
My latest via @atlanticcouncil.bsky.social
www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/menaso...
My latest via @atlanticcouncil.bsky.social
www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/menaso...
"Netanyahu’s son called him “Churchill of our time”... but change could end many different ways, for the region & for Israeli politics. Churchill won the war only to be rejected by voters. The same could happen to Netanyahu."
My latest for @foreignpolicy.com.
foreignpolicy.com/2025/06/18/n...
My latest for @foreignpolicy.com.
foreignpolicy.com/2025/06/18/n...
Netanyahu’s Future in the Balance
Can victory over Iran secure the Israeli leader’s legacy?
foreignpolicy.com
June 18, 2025 at 6:25 PM
"Netanyahu’s son called him “Churchill of our time”... but change could end many different ways, for the region & for Israeli politics. Churchill won the war only to be rejected by voters. The same could happen to Netanyahu."
My latest for @foreignpolicy.com.
foreignpolicy.com/2025/06/18/n...
My latest for @foreignpolicy.com.
foreignpolicy.com/2025/06/18/n...
"Israel’s intent is not only to eliminate Iran’s nuclear program, but also to undermine its potential to inflict retaliatory harm on Israel and defend against subsequent waves of Israel’s offensive..."
Some initial thoughts for @atlanticcouncil.bsky.social.
www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-at...
Some initial thoughts for @atlanticcouncil.bsky.social.
www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-at...
Experts react: Israel just attacked Iran's military and nuclear sites. What’s next?
Our experts shed light on Israel’s major attack against Iran targeting its nuclear facilities and its implications for the region.
www.atlanticcouncil.org
June 13, 2025 at 3:39 AM
"Israel’s intent is not only to eliminate Iran’s nuclear program, but also to undermine its potential to inflict retaliatory harm on Israel and defend against subsequent waves of Israel’s offensive..."
Some initial thoughts for @atlanticcouncil.bsky.social.
www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-at...
Some initial thoughts for @atlanticcouncil.bsky.social.
www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-at...
"The pressing need to make strategic decisions is exposing fissures that now threaten the stability of Netanyahu’s governing coalition."
- from my comments for @atlanticcouncil.bsky.social. www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-at...
- from my comments for @atlanticcouncil.bsky.social. www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-at...
Five questions (and expert answers) on the state of the Netanyahu government
The Israeli prime minister is facing increasing pressure from within his country and in his government coalition as well as from abroad.
www.atlanticcouncil.org
May 30, 2025 at 5:57 AM
"The pressing need to make strategic decisions is exposing fissures that now threaten the stability of Netanyahu’s governing coalition."
- from my comments for @atlanticcouncil.bsky.social. www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-at...
- from my comments for @atlanticcouncil.bsky.social. www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-at...
"Impressions matter, Lipner told The Straits Times. “Even if the President’s primary focus is on doing business in the Gulf, not making a stop in Jerusalem is being perceived as a message in itself,” said Lipner, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council."
www.straitstimes.com/world/united...
www.straitstimes.com/world/united...
Trump's Middle East visit raises Israel's anxieties
It sent a clear message: Trust between America and its wealthy Gulf partners is deepening. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.
www.straitstimes.com
May 18, 2025 at 3:04 AM
"Impressions matter, Lipner told The Straits Times. “Even if the President’s primary focus is on doing business in the Gulf, not making a stop in Jerusalem is being perceived as a message in itself,” said Lipner, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council."
www.straitstimes.com/world/united...
www.straitstimes.com/world/united...
"“Everyone is on edge. There’s a lot of pushback in both Washington & Jerusalem insisting that it’s actually ‘business as usual.’ But... ‘Thou doth protest too much,’” says Lipner, referring to comments by various US & Israeli officials." @dinakraft.bsky.social www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle...
As Trump visits Mideast, Netanyahu’s government is wary of surprises
When Donald Trump was reelected, Benjamin Netanyahu’s social media posts overflowed with cheer. But comments from Israeli coalition members and supporters indicate a sense they’re being abandoned.
www.csmonitor.com
May 14, 2025 at 8:09 PM
"“Everyone is on edge. There’s a lot of pushback in both Washington & Jerusalem insisting that it’s actually ‘business as usual.’ But... ‘Thou doth protest too much,’” says Lipner, referring to comments by various US & Israeli officials." @dinakraft.bsky.social www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle...
“This current trip is about doing serious business, about solidifying [Trump’s] relationship with the countries that he’s visiting. Israel is not, apparently, part of that conversation right now,” said Shalom Lipner.
Good speaking with @jewishinsider.com.
jewishinsider.com/2025/05/trum...
Good speaking with @jewishinsider.com.
jewishinsider.com/2025/05/trum...
Trump’s Gulf tour underscores Israel’s diplomatic disadvantage
The message in Trump’s keynote speech and the optics of a Mideast visit that doesn’t include Israel were met with concern by pro-Israel Republicans and hawkish foreign policy experts
jewishinsider.com
May 14, 2025 at 2:53 PM
“This current trip is about doing serious business, about solidifying [Trump’s] relationship with the countries that he’s visiting. Israel is not, apparently, part of that conversation right now,” said Shalom Lipner.
Good speaking with @jewishinsider.com.
jewishinsider.com/2025/05/trum...
Good speaking with @jewishinsider.com.
jewishinsider.com/2025/05/trum...