China’s Persian Gulf strategy: Keep Tehran and Riyadh content

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
China’s Persian Gulf strategy: Keep Tehran and Riyadh content

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
China’s Persian Gulf strategy: Keep Tehran and Riyadh content

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

MENASource

Jan 24, 2020

China’s Persian Gulf strategy: Keep Tehran and Riyadh content

By Julia Gurol and Jacopo Scita

The current tensions between Washington and Tehran have been a major stress test for China’s Persian Gulf strategy.

China Iran

In the News

Jan 23, 2020

Slavin joins WorldAffairs to discuss US-Iran tensions

By Atlantic Council

Barbara Slavin of the Future of Iran Initiative at the Atlantic Council joins WorldAffairs co-host Ray Suarez to talk about what US actions mean for the Middle East and the rest of the world.

Iran Middle East

IranSource

Jan 23, 2020

Oman’s new sultan and US-Iran tensions

By Giorgio Cafiero

In the region today there are incredibly turbulent waters which will further test Muscat’s ability to strike a delicate balance in its foreign policy of non-alignment.

Iran Middle East

IranSource

Jan 22, 2020

Perennial repression, mourning, and despair consume Iran

By Masoud Mostajabi

With no hint of reform on the horizon, demonstrations, counter-demonstraions, and repression will remain a component of an unstable Islamic Republic of Iran.

Iran Middle East

In the News

Jan 21, 2020

Slavin joins Phoenix TV (Chinese) to discuss Iran’s retaliation strategy against the United States

By Atlantic Council

Chinese Conflict

New Atlanticist

Jan 17, 2020

Khamenei’s rare sermon shows Tehran’s continued defiance

By Atlantic Council

Khameinei's January 17 speech shows that "those placing hopes in recent protests in Iran to shake—or even overturn—the system underestimate its power and ruthlessness," Barbara Slavin explains.

Conflict Iran

In the News

Jan 17, 2020

Slavin joins Alhurra (Arabic) to discuss Iran policy

By Atlantic Council

Arabic Iran

IranSource

Jan 17, 2020

To help the Iranian people, reverse tech sanctions ASAP

By Azin Mohajerin

US sanctions were a gift to the Iranian government. As a result of the sanctions, the Iranian government was able to build its national intranet despite massive public disapproval.

Iran Technology & Innovation

In the News

Jan 17, 2020

Herbst quoted in RFE/RL on downed Ukrainian airline

By Atlantic Council

Iran Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Jan 16, 2020

Slavin joins CBS to discuss consequences of the death of Soleimani

By Atlantic Council

Iran Middle East
Load More

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
Load More

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