Rumors of Mojtaba Khamenei being crowned with the Supreme Leader’s turban have been circulating for years. Now it may happen.

New Atlanticist Mar 18, 2025

The Gaza cease-fire is over. What’s next from Israel, Hamas, and the US?

By Atlantic Council experts

In the early hours of March 18, Israel launched air strikes on Gaza, ending the two-month cease-fire. Atlantic Council experts answer pressing questions about the resumed conflict.
Conflict Israel
Rumors of Mojtaba Khamenei being crowned with the Supreme Leader’s turban have been circulating for years. Now it may happen.

New Atlanticist Mar 17, 2025

Enough carrots for Putin. For better negotiations, serve ‘maximum pressure’ instead.

By Benjamin L. Schmitt, Richard L. Morningstar, and Daniel Fried

Since Russia appears content for negotiations to move slowly, the Trump administration should turn up the pressure with new sanctions.
Conflict Economic Sanctions
Rumors of Mojtaba Khamenei being crowned with the Supreme Leader’s turban have been circulating for years. Now it may happen.

Issue Brief Mar 13, 2025

Present without impact? How the Middle East perceives China’s diplomatic engagement

By Jonathan Fulton

Despite economic advancements and high-profile diplomatic engagements, China’s influence remains largely economic rather than political, Jonathan Fulton argues.
China Economy & Business

Content

IranSource

Sep 7, 2022

Rumors of Mojtaba Khamenei being crowned with the Supreme Leader’s turban have been circulating for years. Now it may happen.

By Anonymous

As President Ebrahim Raisi has stumbled, the prospects of the only other likely candidate for Supreme Leader have advanced. Attention is now focused on Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s second son Mojtaba, who seemed from the outset to be orchestrating Raisi’s presidency.

Iran Middle East

In the News

Sep 7, 2022

Kroenig on CNBC discussing Russia’s military supply lines and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant

By Atlantic Council

On September 6, Scowcroft Center acting director Matthew Kroenig was interviewed on CNBC’s “The News with Shepard Smith” discussing the potential Russian purchase of North Korean artillery and threats to the Zaporizhzhia power plant.

Arms Control China

In the News

Sep 6, 2022

Roberts Discusses Li Keqiang and Xi Jinping in SupChina

On August 26, Senior Fellow Dexter Tiff Roberts published an article, “The Li vs Xi silly season,” in SupChina. In this article, Roberts warns against believing gossip about Li Keqiang challenging Xi Jinping, as “Xi almost certainly will continue on to a third term, making history as the most powerful Chinese leader in generations.” 

China Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Sep 6, 2022

Younus in Dawn: Pakistan’s hybrid regime is coming to an end. What’s next?

By Atlantic Council

Democratic Transitions Elections

UkraineAlert

Sep 6, 2022

Europe can win Putin’s gas war but must learn Nord Stream lessons

By Anders Åslund

With Russia now dropping all pretense and openly declaring that it will not renew gas deliveries to the EU until sanctions are scrapped, it is vital to learn the lessons from Europe’s earlier refusal to recognize the Kremlin’s weaponization of energy exports.

Conflict Corruption

Fast Thinking

Sep 5, 2022

What should the world expect from Liz Truss?

By Atlantic Council experts

As Truss maps out her priorities, our experts weigh in on what to expect from London under her leadership.

Democratic Transitions European Union

Experts react

Sep 5, 2022

Experts react: The United Kingdom has a new prime minister. What should the world expect from Liz Truss?

By Atlantic Council experts

How will Truss balance economic challenges at home and deal with allies and foes abroad? Our experts weigh in.

Democratic Transitions Elections

In the News

Sep 3, 2022

Riaz in the Daily Star: Citizens’ fundamental rights are not the executive’s choice

By Atlantic Council

Bangladesh Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Sep 3, 2022

Chughtai participates in Dogana Social Forum: Voting rights for overseas Pakistanis

By Atlantic Council

Elections Pakistan
Ukrainian soldiers on patrol, August 29, 2022. (Source: Latin America News Agency via Reuters Connect)

New Atlanticist

Sep 2, 2022

Russian War Report: Ukraine counterattacks in Kherson as Russia prepares new deployments

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

Ukrainian forces targeted Russian military command-and-control elements in northwestern Kherson, while Russian forces attempted a limited ground assault in the same area.

Central Europe Conflict
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Experts

Staff

Josh Lipsky

Senior Director

GeoEconomics Center

China Digital Currencies

Fellow

Laura Linderman

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Eurasia Center

The Caucasus Political Reform

Fellow

Shalom Lipner

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Crisis Management English

Fellow

Hanna Liubakova

Nonresident Fellow

Eurasia Center

Belarus Civil Society

Fellow

David Mack

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

Staff

Shelby Magid

Deputy Director

Eurasia Center

Ukraine Human Rights
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Events

Online Event Tue, May 6, 2025 • 10:00 am ET

What to expect from Germany’s next government
Elections Europe & Eurasia European Union Germany
Public Event Wed, May 7, 2025 • 10:00 am ET

Taking stock: Bilateral ties after 100 days of the Trump administration
Economy & Business International Markets Latin America Mexico
Online Event Fri, May 16, 2025 • 10:00 am ET

Lucian Kim on “Putin’s Revenge” and Russia’s war on Ukraine
Europe & Eurasia Human Rights Politics & Diplomacy Ukraine