Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, former president turned ‘popstar,’ plans to run again

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
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, former president turned ‘popstar,’ plans to run again

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
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, former president turned ‘popstar,’ plans to run again

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

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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Content

IranElections2021

Aug 18, 2020

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, former president turned ‘popstar,’ plans to run again

By Holly Dagres

In recent months, there have been talks that the two-term ex-president is planning to run in the 2021 Iranian presidential elections.

Iran Middle East

IranSource

Aug 18, 2020

The failed UN Security Council vote on Iran proves why diplomatic engagement matters

By Alma Keshavarz

Should the arms embargo expire—and it likely will—the US faces a tough battle to reimpose snapback sanctions.

Iran Middle East

In the News

Aug 16, 2020

Dagres joins Al Jazeera to discuss ‘snapback’ of UN sanctions
Iran Middle East

In the News

Aug 14, 2020

Slavin quoted in Jewish News Syndicate on US arms embargo on Iran
Economy & Business Iran

In the News

Aug 14, 2020

Handler in Lawfare: Normalizing Arab-Israeli Relations Through Cybersecurity Cooperation

By Atlantic Council

This diplomatic rekindling between Israel and the Arab world offers an opportunity for the United States to establish a regional cybersecurity cooperation center dedicated to the protection of critical infrastructure.

Cybersecurity Iran

In the News

Aug 14, 2020

Deputy Director Julia Friedlander’s Op-Ed for the Hill on the Implications of the Current Sanction Regime

By Julia Friedlander

Read the full article here.

Economic Sanctions Iran

In the News

Aug 14, 2020

Kroenig and Ashford discuss fallout from Beirut explosion, Belarus election and reflect on General Brent Scowcroft’s legacy

By Atlantic Council

On August 14, Foreign Policy published a biweekly column featuring Scowcroft Center Deputy Director Matthew Kroenig and the Cato Institute’s Emma Ashford discussing the latest news in international affairs. In this column, they discuss the fallout from the explosion in Beirut, potential consequences of protests following Belarus’s presidential election, and the legacy of General Brent Scowcroft.

Belarus Corruption

IranSource

Aug 14, 2020

Are the US and Iran talking behind the scenes?

By Sina Toossi

If there is an ongoing US-Iran backchannel, it may be similar to the one Trump’s predecessor Barack Obama conducted via Oman late in the term of former hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Iran Middle East

IranSource

Aug 13, 2020

Coronavirus pandemic exacerbates Iran’s child abuse problem

By Khosro Sayeh Isfahani

Lack of healthy communication and parenting skills, coupled with a sense of unknowing and fear during the pandemic, have increased stress and tensions at home.

Iran Middle East

Issue Brief

Aug 13, 2020

Future of DHS Project: Key findings and recommendations

By Thomas Warrick & Caitlin Durkovich

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) needs to refocus its mission to lead the defense of the United States against major nonmilitary threats.

China Coronavirus
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Experts

Fellow

Alan Pino

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Intelligence Iran

Expert bio

Nicholas Hopton

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Europe & Eurasia Iran

Staff

Britt Gronemeyer

Assistant Director, Strategic Litigation Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Human Rights International Organizations

Fellow

Khosro Sayeh Isfahani

Former Researcher

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arms Control Civil Society

Fellow

Carmiel Arbit

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Civil Society Extremism

Fellow

Hagar Hajjar Chemali

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Economic Statecraft Initiative GeoEconomics Center

Economic Sanctions Economy & Business
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