Both the United States and Iran proved their points. Now they need to de-escalate tensions

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
Both the United States and Iran proved their points. Now they need to de-escalate tensions

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
Both the United States and Iran proved their points. Now they need to de-escalate tensions

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

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Content

IranSource

Jan 8, 2020

Both the United States and Iran proved their points. Now they need to de-escalate tensions

By Robert Czulda

After Trump’s press conference, there are some good reasons to be optimistic and believe that both sides will remain restrained. However, on the other hand, in the Middle East restraint is very often seen not as a virtue, but as a sign of weakness which has to be exploited by one’s enemies.

Conflict Iran

In the News

Jan 8, 2020

El-Gamal joins KSRO to discuss Iran tensions

By Atlantic Council

Iran Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Jan 8, 2020

Nooruddin joins India Today to discuss US-Iran tensions

By Atlantic Council

Please fast forward to 40 minutes for the interview.

Crisis Management Iran

In the News

Jan 8, 2020

Slavin joins BBC to discuss US-Iran tensions

By Atlantic Council

Iran Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Jan 8, 2020

Bryza join Indus TV to discuss US-Iran tensions

By Atlantic Council

Iran Middle East

In the News

Jan 8, 2020

Hausheer Ali joins Alghad TV (Arabic) to discuss Trump’s confrontation with Iran

By Atlantic Council

Arabic Conflict

In the News

Jan 8, 2020

Wechsler quoted in Yahoo on Trump’s authority to wage war against Iran

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Iran

In the News

Jan 8, 2020

Slavin quoted in JNS on Trump’s address on Iran

By Atlantic Council

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Iran

New Atlanticist

Jan 8, 2020

De-escalation still possible after Iran’s missile retaliation

By Atlantic Council

Iran avoided a central US red line, and "therefore, the Trump administration will have the opportunity to test Iranian claims that they truly do not seek any further escalation," Will Wechsler says.

Conflict Iran

New Atlanticist

Jan 8, 2020

Iran’s missiles may have avoided the worst outcome

By Thomas S. Warrick

If there had been significant US casualties, the world would have awoken to the dawn of a regional war, because the Trump administration would have been compelled to attack the launch sites in Iran—and probably other targets in Iran, also. If the present news holds, the situation is slightly less dangerous, if still perilous.

Conflict Geopolitics & Energy Security
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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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Holding enablers accountable: The Islamic Republic of Iran’s role in Russia’s drone war
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