In-depth research & reports

Report

Oct 8, 2024

A bipartisan Iran strategy for the next US administration—and the next two decades

As tensions spike in the Middle East, how should the next US president approach Iran and its network of proxies including Hezbollah and Hamas? With a strategy that can be maintained for decades, by administrations of either party. A bipartisan, expert working group lays out the details.

Iran Middle East

Programs

Middle East Programs

Working with allies and partners in Europe and the wider Middle East to protect US interests, build peace and security, and unlock the human potential of the region.

Content

AfricaSource

Jul 3, 2025

What to expect from Iran’s approach to Africa after its war with Israel

By Rama Yade

The fallout from the war could seriously hamper Iran's growing influence in the short term. But depending on how the regime reacts, it could be a different story over the long run.

Africa Economy & Business

UkraineAlert

Jul 2, 2025

Iran becomes the latest Russian ally to discover the limits of Kremlin support

By Elena Davlikanova

Iran has recently joined fellow Kremlin allies Armenia and Syria in discovering the limits of Russian support. Putin's army is dangerously overextended in Ukraine and is in no position to embark on new military adventures, writes Elena Davlikanova.

Conflict Drones

New Atlanticist

Jul 1, 2025

The US must enforce sanctions to prevent Iran from rebuilding its nuclear program

By Kimberly Donovan

To ensure that Tehran cannot get its hands on the financial resources it would need to rebuild its nuclear program, Iran sanctions enforcement should start with China.

Economic Sanctions Iran

In the News

Jul 1, 2025

Tannebaum quoted in Bloomberg on the policy of allowing China to purchase Iranian oil

Read the full article here

China Economy & Business

MENASource

Jun 30, 2025

Balancing acts and breaking points: Iraq’s US-Iran dilemma

By C. Anthony Pfaff

The future of US–Iraq relations is neither as dim as it may first appear, nor as promising as one might hope.

Geopolitics & Energy Security Iran

New Atlanticist

Jun 27, 2025

Trump’s approach to Russia and its war on Ukraine is evolving, not in one big leap, but in several smaller steps

By John E. Herbst

Both Trump’s strikes on Iran and his statements at the NATO Summit signaled an evolution toward a tougher line on Moscow.

Conflict Defense Industry

In the News

Jun 27, 2025

Metzl featured across major media outlets responding to US strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities

Jamie Metzl, nonresident senior fellow in the GeoStrategy Initiative, offered analysis across numerous media platforms including, Fox News, CNN, News Nation, Fox & Friends, the Brian Kilmeade Show, the New York Post, and Mediaite following US President Trump’s decision to attack Iran’s nuclear sites. He argued that the United States is now better positioned to […]

Iran Middle East

New Atlanticist

Jun 26, 2025

What really happened to Fordow? Three possible futures for Iran’s nuclear program after US strikes.

By Amir Asmar

The condition of Fordow will have a direct impact on the likelihood of Iran giving up its nuclear program versus resuming its pursuit of nuclear weapons.

Iran Middle East

Inflection Points

Jun 26, 2025

Dispatch from The Hague: It’s been Trump’s week in Europe and Iran

By Frederick Kempe

What connects the recent events in Iran and at the NATO Summit is that they won’t be remembered for the threats countered but rather for the opportunities seized.

Europe & Eurasia Iran

Fast Thinking

Jun 24, 2025

The big lessons from 12 days of war with Iran

By Atlantic Council

A tentative cease-fire is underway in the war between Iran and Israel. But where did the conflict leave Iran, Israel, and the United States?

Conflict Iran

Experts