Reconciling sanctions and humanitarian need during COVID-19

Dispatches Jan 28, 2026

The expert conversation: Should Trump strike Iran? What happens next if he does?

By Jason M. Brodsky and Danny Citrinowicz

As the USS Abraham Lincoln arrives in the Middle East, two experts debate the opportunities, uncertainties, and risks of a US strike on Iran.
Iran Middle East
Reconciling sanctions and humanitarian need during COVID-19

Dispatches Jan 23, 2026

What Trump could do next in Iran

By Nate Swanson

As a US carrier strike group nears the Persian Gulf, what options does US President Donald Trump have to strike against the Iranian regime?
Iran Middle East
Reconciling sanctions and humanitarian need during COVID-19

MENASource Jan 14, 2026

Voices from Iran: As rejection of government reaches all-time high, Iranians also wary of foreign intervention

By Tara Kangarlou

If Trump is serious about peace, stability, and a lasting legacy, the path forward does not run through air strikes or transactional deals with a failing theocracy.
Civil Society Crisis Management

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.

EXPLORE THE Atlantic Council’s Middle East PROGRAMs

Content

New Atlanticist

Apr 1, 2020

Reconciling sanctions and humanitarian need during COVID-19

By Brian O’Toole

As the world economy shuts down to try to contain the COVID-19 outbreak, the humanitarian collateral effects of sanctions become more pronounced and potentially deadly. But the argument that the United States should unilaterally roll back sanctions draws a false dichotomy; sanctions do not have to be suspended or rolled back for the United States to better address humanitarian concerns.

Cuba Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

IranSource

Apr 1, 2020

Iranian New Year in the time of coronavirus

By Tahereh Hadian-Jazy

The high number of deaths in Iran compared to the number of those infected reflects poorly on the level of treatment.

Coronavirus Iran

New Atlanticist

Mar 31, 2020

Gulf partners could give Iran and the US a way out of their collision course

By Kirsten Fontenrose

With interests on both sides of the conflict and much to lose if it worsens, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is the one organization that could be a hero here, kickstarting a chain reaction that arrives at de-escalation without any party losing face.

Conflict Iran

Elections 2020

Mar 26, 2020

US strategy in Iraq and the coronavirus plot twist

By Kirsten Fontenrose

Tehran is betting that the world is too consumed with managing a pandemic to hold them accountable—and that the US administration is unwilling to stay the course in Iraq because it is too gun shy in an election year and too financially strapped by the coming burden of US unemployment. The implications of a global pandemic make that a risky bet.

Conflict Coronavirus

IranSource

Mar 26, 2020

New tensions between Iran and the IAEA threaten the JCPOA

By Sina Azodi

Amid the outbreak of the deadly coronavirus, concerns are being expressed by some experts that the disease could hamper the ability of the IAEA to monitor Iran’s nuclear program.

Coronavirus Iran

In the News

Mar 25, 2020

Aman in Responsible Statecraft: Without international aid, the coronavirus crisis in Iran will spread throughout South Asia

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan Bangladesh

In the News

Mar 24, 2020

Slavin quoted in Middle East Eye on how sanctions hinder Iran’s ability to address coronavirus

By Atlantic Council

Coronavirus Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

Press Release

Mar 24, 2020

Sina Azodi joins the Middle East Programs as Nonresident Fellow

WASHINGTON, DC – March 24, 2020 – The Atlantic Council is pleased to welcome Sina Azodi as a nonresident fellow with the Middle East Programs at the Atlantic Council where he will focus on a range of issues including Iran’s foreign policy, Iran’s nuclear program, nuclear non-proliferation, nuclear weapons, and regional security issues. Mr. Azodi is a PhD […]

Iran Politics & Diplomacy

IranSource

Mar 24, 2020

The Islamic Republic is preparing for a second Trump term

By Maysam Behravesh

The Iranian leadership is bracing itself for a second Trump victory in the US presidential elections, in which case his administration’s “maximum pressure” policy against the Islamic Republic will probably continue in one way or another for the foreseeable future.

Iran Middle East

IranSource

Mar 23, 2020

A loan for Iran and a tragedy of a different kind

By Ali Dadpay

It is time for Iranian authorities to dismantle the barriers they have created to interact with the global business community.

Coronavirus Iran
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Experts

Fellow

Carmiel Arbit

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Civil Society Extremism

Fellow

Colin Brooks

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Iran Middle East

Fellow

Hagar Hajjar Chemali

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Economic Statecraft Initiative GeoEconomics Center

Economy & Business Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

Fellow

Danny Citrinowicz  

Nonresident Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Cybersecurity

Fellow

Ariel Cohen

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Eurasia Center

Central Asia Politics & Diplomacy

Fellow

Jonathan Fulton

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

China Chinese
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Events

Public Event Fri, February 27, 2026 • 1:00 pm ET

Reporters at risk: Navigating Iran’s internet blackout
Iran Middle East Resilience Resilience & Society
Online Event Tue, March 3, 2026 • 10:00 am ET

Holding enablers accountable: The Islamic Republic of Iran’s role in Russia’s drone war
Civil Society Conflict Crisis Management Iran