COVID-19: The latest shock to a battered Iranian system

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
COVID-19: The latest shock to a battered Iranian system

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
COVID-19: The latest shock to a battered Iranian system

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

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Content

IranSource

Mar 16, 2020

COVID-19: The latest shock to a battered Iranian system

By Barbara Slavin

How many shocks can a political system absorb and still remain in power?

Coronavirus Iran

In the News

Mar 11, 2020

Slavin quoted in South China Morning Post on the spread of coronavirus in Iran

By Atlantic Council

Iran

IranSource

Mar 11, 2020

How Iran’s new Quds Force commander could hurt the US in Afghanistan

By Obaidullah Obaid

A US-Taliban peace deal leaves the possibility of Iran-sponsored proxy groups such as the Fatemiyoun Brigade or Taliban breakaway factions to go after the downsized US troop presence or other American targets in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan Iran

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Mar 8, 2020

Nia quoted in Elle (Italian) on women’s rights in Iran

By Atlantic Council

Human Rights Iran

IranSource

Mar 5, 2020

Soleimani’s grave isn’t all hearts and roses, like Hezbollah fighters

By Lizzie Porter

While Hezbollah combatants looked up to the commander in life, their graves take on highly-personalized and vibrant forms that veer away from Qasem Soleimani's modest grave site.

Iran Middle East

IranSource

Mar 3, 2020

Ayatollah Mike and the IRGC’s growing credibility gap

By Emily Blout

The IRGC’s attempts to fudge the facts and manipulate the news is creating a credibility gap: a breach in trust between the people and the government.

Iran Middle East

IranSource

Feb 28, 2020

Trump fights Iran’s ‘Axis of Resistance’ in Latin America

By Giorgio Cafiero

With President Donald Trump in the White House and Mike Pompeo as his Secretary of State, the US is determined to eject Iranian influence from Latin America.

Iran Latin America

In the News

Feb 27, 2020

Max Brooks in the Washington Post: China barred my dystopian novel about how its system enables epidemics

By Atlantic Council

China Civil Society

In the News

Feb 26, 2020

Dagres quoted in Middle Easy Eye on Iran’s ability to address the coronavirus spread

By Atlantic Council

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Iran

IranSource

Feb 26, 2020

Factbox: The outcome of Iran’s 2020 parliamentary elections

By Arash Azizi

Now that the elections are over, this guide aims to illuminate its outcome and why there was a low turnout.

Iran Middle East
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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