Dispatch from the UN Blue Line: Israel’s ‘systematic destruction’ in Lebanon

Fast Thinking Oct 2, 2024

What is Iran thinking now?

By Atlantic Council

Tehran launched nearly two hundred missiles at Israel on Tuesday. Atlantic Council experts consider the ways that the barrage—which was largely ineffectual—offers a window into Iranian thinking.
Conflict Iran
Dispatch from the UN Blue Line: Israel’s ‘systematic destruction’ in Lebanon

IranSource Oct 2, 2024

It’s time Iran’s artists be considered as human rights defenders

By Sanjay Sethi and Johanna Bankston

International recognition of the acute risk creatives face in Iran is necessary to ensure their vital role in advocating for human rights continues.
Civil Society Iran
Dispatch from the UN Blue Line: Israel’s ‘systematic destruction’ in Lebanon

New Atlanticist Sep 28, 2024

Experts react: Hassan Nasrallah is dead. What’s next for Hezbollah, Israel, and Iran?

By Atlantic Council experts

On Saturday, Hezbollah confirmed that its leader had been killed in an Israeli air strike. Atlantic Council experts share their insights on what might come next for the already war-torn region.
Iran Israel

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

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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.

EXPLORE THE Atlantic Council’s Middle East PROGRAMs

The latest from IranSource

IranSource

Jan 6, 2025

Blinded Iranian activist Elaheh Tavakolian: ‘We lost our eyes on this path. Let us not lose sight of our goal’

By Holly Dagres

Holly Dagres sits down with blinded Iranian activist Elahe Tavakolian to share her story and discuss the situation in Iran and what the West needs to do.

Civil Society Freedom and Prosperity

IranSource

Nov 20, 2024

2025 will be a decisive year for Iran’s nuclear program

By Danny Citrinowicz  

Diplomatic deadlines and regional factors will force Iran to decide soon whether to strike a deal or seek a nuclear weapon. Either choice will have major ripple effects.

Arms Control Defense Policy

IranSource

Nov 20, 2024

How to wrestle with an ayatollah 

By Khosro Sayeh Isfahani

If one looks closely, the ancient Persian sport of wrestling might have answers to understanding how to contain Iran

Civil Society Freedom and Prosperity
Read More From IranSource

Content

Scenes of destruction at the UN Blue Line, Southern Lebanon.

MENASource

Apr 29, 2025

Dispatch from the UN Blue Line: Israel’s ‘systematic destruction’ in Lebanon

By Nicholas Blanford

If Hezbollah refuses to disarm, Israel would almost certainly escalate its attacks possibly to the extent of resuming the war in Lebanon.

Iran Israel

Event Recap

Apr 29, 2025

Wargaming the Middle East: How Iran might reshape its Hezbollah proxy playbook

By Maayan Dagan and Luke Wagner

In March 2025, the Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative at the Atlantic Council hosted a War Game to explore how Iran will shape the future of its proxy strategy, particularly its relationship with Hezbollah.

Conflict Crisis Management

MENASource

Apr 28, 2025

Why Israel will resist any US-Iran nuclear deal

By Danny Citrinowicz  

Negotiations between the United States and Iran have displayed a significant divide between Washington and it’s ally Israel.

Iran Israel

MENASource

Apr 18, 2025

The case for designating Iran-linked crime networks as FTOs

By Jason M. Brodsky

Trump has been creative in designating international gangs as foreign terrorist organizations. He should apply the same standard to those linked to Iran.

Iran Middle East

New Atlanticist

Apr 17, 2025

Trump can’t afford to simply revive Obama’s Iran nuclear deal

By Jonathan Panikoff

Trump is right to try to seek a deal before okaying military action against Iran. But unlike in 2015, time is almost up.

Iran Nuclear Deterrence

MENASource

Apr 10, 2025

Iran is at an unprecedented crossroads over its nuclear program

By Alex Plitsas

The Middle East is experiencing a rare re-alignment that puts Iran in an unprecedently vulnerable position.

Iran Middle East

In the News

Apr 10, 2025

Daryl Press interviewed for ABC News article on B-2 nuclear-capable bombers

By Atlantic Council

On April 3, Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow Daryl G. Press was interviewed for an ABC News article entitled, “Satellite images show multiple US B-2 nuclear-capable bombers deployed to Indian Ocean.” In the article, Press was quoted as saying, “The movement of the aircraft to Diego Garcia definitely sends a signal to Iran about the extent […]

Defense Policy Iran

MENASource

Apr 10, 2025

No, Iran didn’t abandon the Houthis. It just wants Trump to think so. 

By Fatima Abo Alasrar

Instead of interpreting Iran's narrative shift as a break from the Houthis, we might see it as tactical storytelling. And the story's working.

Defense Policy Iran

New Atlanticist

Apr 2, 2025

Trump should not forget the Russian hand behind the Houthis

By Katherine Spencer

While negotiating with Russia, the United States must bear in mind the Kremlin’s support for the Houthis’ attacks on Red Sea shipping.

Conflict Crisis Management

UkraineAlert

Apr 1, 2025

Peace on Putin’s terms would lead to a new era of international insecurity

By Oleksandr Merezhko

As Trump seeks to end the war in Ukraine, it is apparent that any peace on Putin’s terms would signal the dawn of a dangerous new era marked by mounting instability, international aggression, and the looming threat of nuclear war, writes Oleksandr Merezhko.

China Conflict
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Experts

Fellow

Brian O’Toole

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Economic Statecraft Initiative GeoEconomics Center

Cuba Economic Sanctions

Staff

Jonathan Panikoff

Director, Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

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

Economy & Business Financial Regulation

Fellow

Amanda J. Rothschild

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoStrategy Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

China Iran

Fellow

Nilofar Sakhi

Nonresident Senior Fellow

South Asia Center

Afghanistan Arabic

Fellow

Sarkawt Shamsulddin

Nonresident Fellow

Iraq Initiative

Arabic Civil Society

Fellow

Thomas S. Warrick

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Adrienne Arsht National Security Resilience Initiative GeoStrategy Initiative

National Security Terrorism
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