Jon Hoffman
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Articles by Jon Hoffman
Washington’s Middle East Military Presence Is Uniquely Counterproductive
A U.S. armored fighting vehicle drives along a highway outside Qamishli in Syria's northeastern Hasakah province on Feb. 22. Amjad Kurdo/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images Operation Epic Fury has revived the debate over the strategic value of U.S. military bases in the Middle East. During the war, Iran struck at least 20 U.S. military sites across eight countries, causing substantial damage and forcing U.S. service members to relocate to hotels and office spaces across the region.
Washington’s Middle East Military Presence Is Uniquely Counterproductive
The United States’ massive military presence in the Middle East is a relatively recent phenomenon, evolving in tandem with its increased involvement in the region’s affairs. U.S. troops levels have fluctuated for decades, but today, the United States maintains on average roughly 40,000 to 45,000 troops across its disclosed military bases in the Middle East. There are also an undisclosed number of troops stationed at various forward operating bases across the region.
Washington’s Middle East Military Presence Is Uniquely Counterproductive
Operation Epic Fury has revived the debate over the strategic value of U.S. military bases in the Middle East. During the war, Iran struck at least 20 U.S. military sites across eight countries, causing substantial damage and forcing U.S. service members to relocate to hotels and office spaces across the region. Tehran damaged or destroyed at least 228 structures or pieces of equipment, including hangars, barracks, aircraft, fuel depots, and air defense systems.
Cato at Liberty Cato at Liberty
Generated with ElevenLabs AI technology. The Trump administration has led the United States into war with Iran, assuming it could secure a quick victory with limited costs. They were wrong. After more than two weeks of consistent bombing, new US intelligence suggests Iran’s regime is now consolidating power, unlikely to collapse, and led by a cadre more extreme than before.
Iran Without a Plan
Foreign Affairs Iran Without a Plan The administration risks repeating the Iraq debacle as farce. Loading the Elevenlabs Text to Speech AudioNative Player... The United States is steamrolling toward another Middle East crisis of its own making. A second American-Israeli attack on Iran seems almost inevitable—this time likely to be far deadlier for all involved parties. President Donald Trump has surged military assets to the region, threatening that “time is running out” for Tehran to make a deal.
Telomere-to-telomere reference genome of the common five-lined skink, Plestiodon fasciatus (Squamata: Scincidae)
Abstract Although the publication of high-quality reference genomes is steadily increasing for vertebrate groups, many clades remain chronically neglected. Skinks (order: Squamata; family: Scincidae) are one of the most diverse lizard families (1,785 species), yet there are currently just four published chromosome-level skink genomes.
Trump Risks a Strategic Misfire in Iran
The United States is barreling toward full-scale war with Iran. Trump’s decision to join Israel’s war against Iran by striking Iranian nuclear facilities in Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan risks derailing any chance at a diplomatic resolution to Iran’s nuclear program and initiating region-wide war—with the United States leading the charge.
Jon Hoffman
Jon Hoffman is a research fellow in defense and foreign policy at the Cato Institute. His research interests include U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, Middle East geopolitics, and political Islam.
How Trump Can Be a Middle East Peacemaker
The first reason is that there is little evidence that the war will achieve Netanyahu’s stated ends: the destruction of Hamas rule in Gaza and the release of all the hostages. The leveling of Gaza and the killing of much of Hamas’ leadership has thus far has not produced either goal. Hamas remains the dominant political and military force inside the enclave, and former Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently said Hamas has recruited almost as many fighters as it has lost in 15 months of war.
How Trump Can Be a Middle East Peacemaker
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How Trump Can Be a Middle East Peacemaker
Protesters call for the return of hostages held in the Gaza Strip after a ceasefire and hostage release deal was reached, on Jan. 16, 2025 in Tel Aviv, Israel. Credit - Noam Galai—Getty Images President Donald Trump will welcome Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House next week, marking the first visit of a foreign leader to Washington in Trump’s second term. The trip comes on the heels of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire in Gaza.
Trump Now Faces 'Out of Control' Conflict in the Middle East
Does the President-elect have what it takes to end Biden’s blank-check support for Netanyahu’s agenda and immediately begin disentangling the US? November 7, 2024 • Commentary This article appeared on Responsible Statecraft on November 7, 2024. President-elect Trump faces a tall order in the Middle East. More than 13 months after Hamas’ terror attack against Israel on October 7, 2023, and Israel’s wars in Gaza and Lebanon, there is no end in sight to the violence.
It's Time to Rethink the U.S.-Israel 'Special Relationship' Original
Ideas By Jon Hoffman July 24, 2024 6:00 AM EDT Jon Hoffman is a research fellow in defense and foreign policy at the Cato Institute. His research interests include U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, Middle East geopolitics, and political Islam.
Israel Is a Strategic Liability for the United States
ISRAEL’S CAMPAIGN of collective punishment in Gaza has been historic in scale. According to the Gazan health authorities, the official death toll across the enclave is now roughly 32,000 people, the vast majority of whom are women and children. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin recently claimed that 25,000 women and children alone had been killed as a result of the war in Gaza.
Israel Is a Strategic Liability for the United States
Argument An expert’s point of view on a current event. Foreign & Public Diplomacy Military United States U.S. President Joe Biden recently proclaimed that “there’s no going back to the [Middle East] status quo as it stood on Oct. 6.” But the truth is that Biden refuses to abandon the status quo, particularly regarding Washington’s so-called special relationship with Israel.
U.S. Middle East Policy Has Failed
Amid this turmoil, Washington continues to reach for its old playbook: throwing money, weapons, and military assets at the region. The Biden administration remains adamant that pursuing an Israel‐Saudi normalization deal centered on U.S. security guarantees to both countries is the key to achieving lasting peace and prosperity in the Middle East. On Monday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken even visited Saudi Arabia, where he spoke of Riyadh’s continued interest in striking such a deal.
America's Middle East Policy Has Failed
U.S. Foreign Policy Iran Middle East and North Africa Following Hamas’s brutal massacre of Israeli civilians on Oct. 7, Israel’s massive military campaign against the group has brought the Gaza Strip to the brink of annihilation and the Middle East to the edge of a broader war.
The Power of One-On-One Meetings
Effective leaders possess an array of tools to guide and support their teams, and one frequently underestimated and often overlook tool is the one-on-one meeting. These personalized sessions between a leader and a team member are extremely effective and offers a unique chance for growth, communication, and relationship-building. In this article, we’ll dive into why one-on-one meetings are crucial for effective leadership.
Es hora de que Estados Unidos cambie de rumbo en Oriente Próximo
El estallido de la guerra entre Israel y Hamás supuso un duro golpe para la política estadounidense en Oriente Medio. Pocos días antes de que comenzara la guerra, el asesor de Seguridad Nacional de la Casa Blanca, Jake Sullivan, pregonaba los logros de la administración Biden en la región, afirmando que "la región de Oriente Medio está hoy más tranquila de lo que ha estado en dos décadas".
Many Arms and Little Influence in the Middle East
There is thus little evidence to suggest that leverage exists in ways that U.S. policymakers suggest. Instead, recipient states are using “reverse leverage” to guarantee a continuous flow of American weapons, undermining Washington’s foreign policy goals.
Many Arms and Little Influence in the Middle East
Despite the Biden administration’s relatively new Conventional Arms Transfer policy that seeks to include human rights in the arms sales process, the administration’s actual sales profile suggests that it seeks little real change from decades of prior U.S. arms transfers. Since 2009, the United States has delivered over $444 billion in arms sales to 169 countries.
Saudi and UAE Leaders Push New Nationalist Projects to Secure Authority
A new form of state-sponsored nationalism is rapidly taking root inside the two most powerful Arab states of the Persian Gulf, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Whether it be efforts to maintain high oil prices, the introduction of domestic mega projects, ventures into global sports, or increased outreach to Russia and China, almost all domestic and foreign policies the Saudi and UAE governments have pursued can be traced back to these nationalist strategies.
Saudi and UAE Leaders Push New Nationalist Projects to Secure … – Foreign Policy
QUESTION: Well, we’re now joined by the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken to discuss the Black Sea Grain Initiative and food security. He’s joining us from Washington, D.C. Secretary Blinken, thanks so much for making time for Focus on Africa. And I’ll get straight into it. Russia says it will only return to the Black Sea grain deal if reconnected to the SWIFT payment system. And all this is happening with the rising food prices.
Why China Has Found Willing Partners in the Middle East for Its Uyghur Repression
Such visits and declarations of support for China's repression of Muslim minorities have become all-too common from Muslim-majority countries, particularly in the Middle East, including those that claim to be defenders of Islam.
Arab Autocrats are Masking Repression With Religion
On March 1, the Abrahamic Family House opened to the public on Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. Hailed as a beacon of tolerance and modernity in the Middle East, the interfaith complex hosts the Imam al-Tayeb Mosque, St. Francis Church, and Moses Ben Maimon Synagogue.
Breaking Away From Secret Concessions in the Middle East
Saudi Arabia is seeking new security guarantees and cooperation on their civilian nuclear program from the United States, as the “price” for formally normalizing relations with Israel. Immediately following this revelation, the news of a brokered deal re-establishing diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran—aided in part by China—captured headlines around the world, with many casting the move as a diplomatic victory for Beijing.
Rompre avec les concessions secrètes au Moyen-Orient
L’Arabie saoudite exploite la concurrence entre grandes puissances pour obtenir des engagements de sécurité de la part des États-Unis. PAR JON HOFFMAN, SARAH LEAH WHITSON L’Arabie saoudite cherche à obtenir des États-Unis de nouvelles garanties de sécurité et une coopération sur son programme nucléaire civil, comme « prix » d’une normalisation formelle des relations avec Israël.
Breaking Away From Secret Concessions in the Middle East
Saudi Arabia is seeking new security guarantees and cooperation on their civilian nuclear program from the United States, as the “price” for formally normalizing relations with Israel. Immediately following this revelation, the news of a brokered deal re-establishing diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran—aided in part by China—captured headlines around the world, with many casting the move as a diplomatic victory for Beijing.
A Shaky Foundation
As Washington has settled on competition with Russia and China as the new organizing principle of its foreign policy, that logic is now one of the most commonly cited reasons for continued deep U.S. engagement in the Middle East.
America’s Autocratic Persian Gulf ‘Partners’ Are Actually Liabilities
In one swoop, last month’s announcement by the OPEC+ cartel, led by ostensible U.S. partner Saudi Arabia, to cut oil production by 2 million barrels a day essentially ran counter to major American interests in two ways — exacerbating U.S. energy costs at a critical time and fueling Putin’s war on Ukraine. It’s yet another reminder of how often Saudi Arabia and another erstwhile U.S. partner, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), take actions that diverge from U.S. interests.
Next in Line’s Loudoun United End-Of-Season Accolades
by · October 26, 2022 Despite another less-than-thrilling end to the season that saw Loudoun United get jaw-jacked by one of the proverbial heavy-weights and again miss the “playoff train,” I think that what we saw from Loudoun was a genuine improvement. For the first time since the 2019 Season, Loudoun was a team that wasn’t one to just roll through.
The Abraham Accords and the Imposed Middle East Order
The Abraham Accords and the Imposed Middle East Order Having just marked two years since their ratification, the Abraham Accords continue to represent a top-down regional order destined to yield instability, not peace. Read Full Article »
Biden’s Trip to the Middle East Failed to Serve US Interests
With President Joe Biden concluding his Middle East visit, many in the United States are left wondering what tangible benefits the American people gained as a result of the trip, particularly in relation to Israel and Saudi Arabia. Biden’s venture was already highly unpopular before he made his journey to the region. And the trip was conducted at a time when his overall domestic approval ratings, including among Democrats, were particularly low.
The Abraham Accords and the Imposed Middle East Order
Having just marked two years since their ratification, the Abraham Accords continue to represent a top-down regional order destined to yield instability, not peace. Having just marked the two-year anniversary of the inauguration of the Abraham Accords, American politicians and commentators continue to sing praises of a newfound framework for “peace” and the advancement of U.S. interests in the Middle East.
The United States Doesn’t Need to Recommit to the Middle East
Reports indicate that Washington is presenting the United Arab Emirates with a formal defense agreement containing U.S. security guarantees for Abu Dhabi. If true, it would be the first of its kind for the region—and a step back for U.S. interests. The Biden administration has reportedly already sent a draft agreement to the UAE, accompanied by a visit from White House Middle East coordinator Brett McGurk, to discuss the subject.
The Middle East and the Manipulation of Great Power Competition
The subject of America’s commitments to the Middle East has garnered a great deal of attention following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the hedging of U.S. regional partners concerning things such as condemning Russian aggression, maintaining current levels of oil output, and so on. There has been a litany of analyses published in the past several weeks arguing for the United States to “recommit“ to the region, arguing that it is Washington’s responsibility to re-mend these relationships.
The Evolving Relationship Between Religion and Politics in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s (MbS) rise to power has resulted in what are arguably some of the most significant political transformations in the kingdom since its establishment in 1932. Following his father Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud’s ascension to the throne in 2015, MbS quickly emerged as the dominant political actor in the country after sidelining his cousin Mohammed bin Nayef and becoming heir apparent in 2017.
Biden’s Policies Help Middle-Class Americans but Harm the Global Middle Class
This past weekend, the G-20 countries endorsed a plan that would overhaul the international corporate tax system. The agreement fit neatly into U.S. President Joe Biden’s vision of a “foreign policy for the middle class.” Biden revived stalled global negotiations and achieved a deal that will cut down on multinational companies’ ability to avoid taxes. In turn, the deal will provide revenue to fund a major increase in government support for the U.S. middle class.
Washington’s Blank Check for the United Arab Emirates Must End
The UAE’s bad behavior harms U.S. interests in the Middle East and at home. Emirati Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan attends a bilateral meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the State Department in Washington on Oct. 13.
Neither Russia nor China Could Fill a U.S. Void in the Middle East
The 20th anniversary of 9/11 and America’s withdrawal from Afghanistan have renewed debate over whether the United States should remain so deeply engaged militarily in the broader Middle East. These debates typically center on whether such a presence is needed to ensure the safe transit of oil out of the Persian Gulf, prevent terrorist attacks, or prevent a single power from dominating the region.
Despite Taliban’s Hopes, China-Afghanistan Engagement Has Limits
In the wake of the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan amid the chaotic withdrawal of U.S. forces and their allies, China has rhetorically seized upon America’s failures. The official Xinhua news agency lambasted the United States as “the world’s largest exporter of unrest,” arguing that “its hegemonic policies” have led to far too many human tragedies, and that the fall of Kabul marked the collapse of America’s international image and credibility.
Israel Can Tolerate New Iran Nuclear Deal, Defense Minister Benny Gantz Says
TEL AVIV, Israel—Israel would be willing to accept a return to a U.S.-negotiated nuclear deal with Iran, Defense Minister Benny Gantz told Foreign Policy—but Israeli officials are also pressing Washington to prepare a serious “demonstration of power” in case negotiations with Tehran fail.
‘Green Burden’: How Global Climate Policies Could Impact Russia
The European Union, Russia’s , recently proposed a major new carbon tax that could cost Russia’s economy hundreds of millions, if not billions, of dollars. This is just the most immediate of the risks to energy exporters emanating from key global players’ pledges to become carbon-neutral by 2050-2060—pledges made not just by the EU but by China and the United States, as well.
Be Careful What You Wish For: Russia, China and Afghanistan after the Withdrawal
The ongoing withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan aims to put an end to what has been the United States’ longest war. The departure is accelerating the long-running effort on the part of Afghanistan’s neighbors, including Russia, China and other regional stakeholders, to shape Afghanistan’s future and secure their own interests in the wider region.
U.S. and Russian Experts Share Insights on Strategic Stability Ahead of Bilateral Talks
Top U.S. and Russian diplomats are to meet in Geneva on July 28th to revive a high-level dialogue on strategic stability, which lapsed prior to the latest changing of the guard at the White House, and which its current master Joe Biden and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin agreed to revive during their recent summit in the Swiss city.
Nye and Cherenenko on Whether the United States, Russia Can Agree on Cyber
Should the U.S and Russia agree on a set of cyber rules and is doing so even possible? The answer according to a recent U.S.-Russian exploratory paper we published, is yes, but not yet.
The Rift Between Turkey and Israel Continues to Deepen
Tensions are rising in the eastern Mediterranean. Turkey’s sparring with Israel is combining with its conflicts with Saudi Arabia and its partners, and is increasingly drawing in other countries—from Libya to Greece, and maybe soon the United States. Just a few months ago, there appeared to be signs of rapprochement between Turkey and Israel, but that now seems unlikely.
The Rift Between Turkey and Israel Continues to Deepen
Published by The Lawfare Institute in Cooperation With Tensions are rising in the eastern Mediterranean. Turkey’s sparring with Israel is combining with its conflicts with Saudi Arabia and its partners, and is increasingly drawing in other countries—from Libya to Greece, and maybe soon the United States. Just a few months ago, there appeared to be signs of rapprochement between Turkey and Israel, but that now seems unlikely.
Mastering Swift 5
Description: “Over the years, the Mastering Swift book has established itself amongst developers as a popular choice as an in-depth and practical guide to the Swift programming language. The latest edition is fully updated and revised to cover the new version: Swift 5. Inside this book, you’ll find the key features of Swift 5 easily explained with complete sets of examples.
Mastering Swift 5 - Fifth Edition
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