Notes on Felbab-Brown, Brookings Co-authors, and Thucydides Melian Dialogue

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from the Felbab-Brown/Brookings notes on the Gaza war and the Thucydides Melian Dialogue.

Biden Doctrine

The Biden administration's strategy to pivot away from 'forever wars' toward great-power competition, particularly with China and Russia.

Forever wars

Long-running U.S. military campaigns in the Middle East and counterterrorism operations.

Great power competition

Strategic rivalry between major powers (e.g., the U.S. vs. China/Russia) shaping foreign policy.

Iran-backed groups

Militant factions supported by Iran (e.g., Hezbollah, Houthis, Iraqi militias) used to project influence and complicate conflicts.

Hezbollah

Iran-backed Lebanese group with a large rocket arsenal; viewed as too valuable to risk unless Iran’s deterrence is threatened.

Houthis

Yemeni movement backed by Iran; conducts attacks on ships and gains influence domestically amid the regional conflict.

Red Sea

Strategic shipping lane; engagement in the region due to attacks and naval operations associated with the conflict.

Leahy Law

U.S. law prohibiting military assistance to foreign security forces credibly accused of human rights abuses.

ICJ

International Court of Justice; mentioned in context of allegations of plausible genocide and war crimes in the conflict.

Abraham Accords

Normalization agreements between Israel and several Arab states.

Saudi–Iran rapprochement

Improving diplomatic ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Egypt–Turkey thaw

Improved relations between Egypt and Turkey after years of tension.

Two-State Illusion

Post-Oct 7 discussion of a two-state solution; often deemed unlikely or rejected by major actors; occasional progress noted only historically (Sadat, Carter).

China’s Role in the Middle East

China’s limited mediation presence; hopes for brokered cease-fire but overall passive role, with Beijing prioritizing its own security/economic interests.

Patricia M. Kim

Brookings scholar noting limited mediation by China and the need for cease-fire while critiquing U.S. bias toward Israel.

Tanvi Madan

Analyst highlighting India’s balancing act among Israel, Palestine, Gulf states, and Iran to protect trade and strategic interests.

Suzanne Maloney

Analyst describing dual trauma in Israelis and Palestinians and Iran’s opportunity in the chaos; Biden’s re-engagement with limited success.

Allison Minor

Analyst describing the idea of a 'Dangerous New Normal' in regional dynamics.

Natan Sachs

Analyst focusing on postwar order and West Bank issues (settlements, PA corruption, settler violence) after a potential conflict.

Valerie Wirtschafter

Analyst discussing Lula’s rhetoric on Israel and Holocaust comparisons and its domestic political implications in Brazil.

Lula da Silva

Brazilian president who drew international scrutiny by comparing Israeli actions to the Holocaust.

Lula’s persona non grata

Israel declared Lula persona non grata over his Holocaust comparison.

Melian Dialogue

A classic Thucydides text illustrating realism vs. idealism in international relations.

Realism

IR theory emphasizing power, interests, and survival over moral considerations.

Idealism

IR theory emphasizing justice, morality, and ethical norms in international relations.

The line: 'The strong do what they can, the weak suffer what they must'

Core realist maxim from the Athenians in the Melian Dialogue, illustrating power over justice.

Athenians

Imperial power in the Melian Dialogue demanding Melos’ submission to empire.

Melians

Neutral Melos inhabitants appealing to justice and Sparta for aid in independence.

Outcome of Melos

Melos refuses surrender; Athens besieges and conquers; mass executions and enslavement.

Themes of Melian Dialogue

Realism vs. idealism; justice vs. survival; fear, honor, interest; tragedy of idealism.

Foreshadowing in Melian Dialogue

Athens’ arrogance foreshadowing later overreach and downfall.

Day After

Conceptual postwar order planning; addressing West Bank issues like settlements, PA corruption, and violence.

West Bank issues

Settlements, Palestinian Authority corruption, and settler violence central to future arrangements.

Gaza war impact

Humanitarian disaster, regional instability, and a major test of U.S. credibility and influence.

Iran’s gains

Strategic advantages gained amid regional chaos in the Gaza war context.

New normal in instability

Long-term, entrenched regional and global instability suggested by the notes.