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

2009 Iranian Protests

Report

Feb 11, 2020

Iranian digital influence efforts: Guerrilla broadcasting for the twenty-first century

By Emerson T. Brooking, Suzanne Kianpour

This brief begins with a discussion of the modern Iranian state’s approach to information and information control. It proceeds to a history of the Iranian Internet. Next, it examines the evolution of Iranian digital influence operations, followed by a discussion of the broader information conflict in which they take place. The brief concludes by considering the future nature and intent of Iran’s clandestine digital activities.

Conflict
Disinformation

IranSource

Feb 10, 2020

Iran’s credit line to Syria: A well that never runs dry

By Karam Shaar and Ali Fathollah-Nejad

There is barely an article about the Syrian economy since the 2011 uprising that does not entail a reference to that rather mysterious Iranian credit line.

Economy & Business
Iran

Inflection Points

Feb 9, 2020

Trump and two “black swans”

By Frederick Kempe

Coronavirus and the shooting down of the Iranian passenger jet are “black swan” events that expose the flaws of authoritarian governments in dealing with unanticipated crises. They also provide President Trump unforeseen opportunities to advance the two most significant foreign policy issues of his administration – changing China’s unfair trading practices and pushing back against Iran’s malign behavior.

China
Iran

In the News

Feb 7, 2020

Ahmad in The Hill: What does Soleimani’s death mean for Afghanistan?

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan
Democratic Transitions

IranSource

Feb 6, 2020

Why Europe should delay FATF countermeasures on Iran

By Esfandyar Batmanghelidj

Iran’s economic policymakers and economic operators remain committed to reforms that improve the transparency of the Iranian financial system.

Economy & Business
Iran

New Atlanticist

Feb 4, 2020

What Trump’s State of the Union means for US foreign policy

By David A. Wemer

US President Donald J. Trump used his third State of the Union address to argue that his administration has “launched the great American comeback” through its economic policies and tough international stances. In a speech that focused heavily on domestic issues, his discussion of foreign policy mainly highlighted what he believed to be his major foreign policy successes, rather than announcements of new plans.

China
Energy & Environment

In the News

Feb 4, 2020

Aman in Responsible Statecraft: How U.S.-Iran Tensions Are Impacting South Asia

By Atlantic Council

Indo-Pacific
Iran

IranSource

Jan 30, 2020

Iranian civil society is our North Star: We should let them guide us

By Gissou Nia

One accurate window into which way the country will trend is to track the demands of Iranian civil society. They are leading with their chants in the streets and letters from prison. And their message to the people of Iran is clear: don’t abandon your self-respect and human dignity. Enough is enough.

Democratic Transitions
Iran

In the News

Jan 29, 2020

Slavin joins Foreign Affairs Inbox to discuss Iran’s response to death of Soleimani

By Atlantic Council

Barbara Slavin of the Future of Iran Initiative at the Atlantic Council joins George Washington University’s Foreign Affairs Inbox to explore future paths in US-Iran relations after the death of Soleimani.

Iran
Middle East

IranSource

Jan 27, 2020

Why mediation between Saudi Arabia and Iran keeps failing

By Banafsheh Keynoush

Mediating between Saudi Arabia and Iran means changing the balance of power in a way that pleases both countries.

Iran
Middle East

Experts