Iran and Hezbollah Avoid Blaming Israel for Terrorist Commander’s Death
It sure looks like Israel killed Mustafa Badreddine—you just won't hear it from Israel's enemies.David DaoudAmir ToumajMustafa Badreddine, the head of Hezbollah’s military operations in Syria, was...
View ArticleThe Iran Deal Hasn't Changed Anything
A British MP—and veteran—recognizes the danger of an empowered Tehran.Tom TugendhatSince the P5+1 (the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, along with Germany) signed the nuclear deal...
View ArticleWhat Washington Doesn't Get about Iran
Policymakers fail to grasp how Tehran's political system operates.Lincoln P. Bloomfield Jr.Ramesh SepehrradObscured by the drama of America’s presidential campaign, one major foreign policy issue—the...
View ArticleIran's Leaders Disagree on Propping Up Syria's Assad
Drama behind the scenes.Muhammad SahimiTwo important developments in Iran have finally brought into open a simmering issue that has divided the Iranian leadership since at least 2011. First, Iran’s...
View ArticleIran's Foreign Policy Is in Chaos. How Should America Respond?
Hardliners and moderates are facing off, creating dilemmas for the United States.John Allen GayIran’s foreign-policy establishment is in chaos. The last week has seen a catena of maneuvers by the...
View ArticleThe Celebrities Who Sell Iran's War in Syria
Blacklisted movie stars are back in a supporting role—for the IRGC.Varujean AvanessianHow does Iran sell its engagement in the Syrian conflict to its own public?Celebrity TV hosts, actors and rich kids...
View ArticleWhy Is Iran Shaking Up Its Military Leadership?
The Islamic Republic doubles down on its regional ambitions.Sam TamizIn an unexpected development late last month, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei announced the promotion of Maj. Gen. Mohammad...
View ArticleRussian Bombers in Iran and Tehran's Internal Power Struggle
The IRGC has deep ties with Moscow; the Rouhani government isn't so enthusiastic.Alex VatankaFor the first time since 1979, Iran has given a foreign power the right to conduct military operations from...
View ArticleHow Iran's Revolutionary Guards Learned to Love the Nuclear Deal
They’re ready to profit from a more open economy.Farhad RezaeiIran watchers have had a hard time predicting whether the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) agreed to by Iran and six world powers...
View ArticleDon't Shoot Iran's Naval Provocateurs
America has learned how to defuse these situations.Ilan GoldenbergIn recent weeks, Iranian ships have harassed a number of American vessels in the crowded waters of the Persian Gulf. Republican...
View Article5 Reasons the Middle East is Becoming More Dangerous for the U.S. Navy
Hint: they all have to do with Iran. J. Matthew McInnisIran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) naval ships frequent, aggressive behavior towards the US Navy has hit new levels in the past few...
View ArticleThe Quiet Fight for Iran's Future
The future direction of Iran’s foreign policy is all about internal politics.Farhad RezaeiIran watchers have puzzled to assess whether the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) that Iran and the...
View ArticleWhat Comes Next for Iran's Defense Doctrine?
Tehran is gradually shedding its defensive posture in favor of an offensive disposition.Mohammed NuruzzamanIranian president Hassan Rouhani, in a speech delivered on the occasion of the National Army...
View ArticleHow Iran Hopes the Nuclear Deal Will Revive Its Economy
Rouhani’s first target is the country’s corrupt banking system.Farhad RezaeiFrom the beginning of his presidency, Hassan Rouhani and his team considered the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)...
View ArticleU.S.-Iranian Relations Could Spiral Out of Control
The Trump administration's response to a naval confrontation with Iran could indicate what is in store for U.S.-Iranian relations.Daniel R. DePetrisEarlier this month, the U.S. Navy and Iran’s Islamic...
View ArticleIran Needs Foreign Investment. But They're Not Making It Easy.
Western sanctions and a paranoid government make Iran’s economy a unique challenge.Farhad RezaeiSomayeh KhodaeiAfter Iran’s nuclear agreement, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action with six world...
View ArticleCould Iran Elect Its Own Rodrigo Duterte?
Ebrahim Raisi oversaw 1988’s infamous “death panels.” Now he could unseat Hassan Rouhani.John Allen GayWhat is your political affiliation?Are you willing to go on television to condemn members of your...
View ArticleShould Anyone Care about the Iranian Missile Strikes?
An emboldened Iran may feel tempted to match its covert actions with more overt missile strikes.Behnam Ben TalebluOn Sunday June 18, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Aerospace Force (IRGC-AF)...
View ArticleIran's Hand and Iraq's Kirkuk Offensive
With ISIS out of the way, underlying tensions have come to the surface.Seth J. FrantzmanOn Sunday October 15, the Pentagon encouraged Iraqi Security Forces and Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG)...
View ArticleThe Iranian Threat to the U.S. Navy May Be Overblown
While Tehran’s forces are aggressive, they are no match for the U.S. Navy.Kyle MizokamiWhile it might be easy to discount such a lightweight force, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Naval Forces...
View ArticleTrump Is Right about Iran, and Needs Opposing Sides to Focus on Common Ground
If the administration is not able to effectively implement its policy on Iran due to lack of cooperation, then the party that will benefit is Tehran.Emily B. LandauAvner GolovPositions on both sides of...
View ArticleIs Iran Getting Ready to Send Warships to the U.S. East Coast?
Yes, this is back in the news—again. Michael PeckIran is vowing to dispatch warships to the Atlantic Ocean, which could put them near the U.S. East Coast.The head of Iran’s navy, Habibollah Sayyari,...
View ArticleAn Emboldened Iran Has Begun to Seek out the Geopolitical Spotlight
Iran’s role and aims in the Middle East—often described as expansionist—are more complicated than what typically appears on the surface.Geneive AbdoIran’s political elites are endorsing the...
View ArticleInside the Fight to Control the Iran Protests Narrative
A Tuesday TV brawl between Bill Kristol and Trita Parsi is representative of the debate over the #IranProtests—which have quickly become contentious in America. Curt Mills“It wasn’t planned or anything...
View ArticleIran's Protests Show the Cracks in the System
If the regime responds with brutal force, it is likely to provide the movement not only with martyrs, but also with a greater stimulus to coalesce.Mohammed AyoobJust a fortnight ago analysts were...
View ArticleAmerica Should Keep Iran's Protesters at Arm's Length
A U.S. endorsement could be the kiss of death for anti-regime activists.Ted Galen CarpenterThe sudden eruption of antigovernment demonstrations across Iran has generated both surprise and enthusiastic...
View ArticleIran’s Blame Shame: Unrest Is the Regime’s Responsibility Alone
Tehran poses a threat to universal human values and to U.S. security.Peter BrookesPublicly, the Islamic Republic of Iran blames the United States—and the other usual foreign-enemy suspects—for the...
View ArticleWhere are U.S.-Iran Relations Headed?
An event at the Center for the National Interest explored the topic today.Blake FrankoPresident Donald Trump indicated in mid-January that he’s extending sanctions relief to Iran for “the last time”...
View ArticleThe February 2018 Air War between Israel, Syria and Iran Was Brief and Violent
An Iranian drone incursion provoked a devastating Israeli response.Tom CooperMany of us woke up on the morning of Feb. 10, 2018 to news of air-to-ground clashes between the Israeli Air-Space Force and...
View ArticleHow Trump Should Define Success in Syria
There is a way forward in Syria, and Donald Trump has more than once had the courage to stand up to those inside and outside his administration who have urged retreat. Jack KeaneDanielle PletkaGive...
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