Dispatch from Doha: Assad’s fall, Iran’s weakness, and the impact of unintended consequences

New Atlanticist Jul 1, 2025

The US must enforce sanctions to prevent Iran from rebuilding its nuclear program

By Kimberly Donovan

To ensure that Tehran cannot get its hands on the financial resources it would need to rebuild its nuclear program, Iran sanctions enforcement should start with China.
Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Iran
Dispatch from Doha: Assad’s fall, Iran’s weakness, and the impact of unintended consequences

New Atlanticist Jun 26, 2025

What really happened to Fordow? Three possible futures for Iran’s nuclear program after US strikes.

By Amir Asmar

The condition of Fordow will have a direct impact on the likelihood of Iran giving up its nuclear program versus resuming its pursuit of nuclear weapons.
Iran Middle East
Dispatch from Doha: Assad’s fall, Iran’s weakness, and the impact of unintended consequences

Fast Thinking Jun 24, 2025

The big lessons from 12 days of war with Iran

By Atlantic Council

A tentative cease-fire is underway in the war between Iran and Israel. But where did the conflict leave Iran, Israel, and the United States?
Conflict Iran

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

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New Atlanticist

Dec 9, 2024

Dispatch from Doha: Assad’s fall, Iran’s weakness, and the impact of unintended consequences

By Jonathan Panikoff

In just six months, Iran has slid from a position of strength to perhaps the weakest it has been since 1979.

Conflict
Iran

Fast Thinking

Dec 8, 2024

Assad has fallen. Now what?

By Atlantic Council

The power shift in Syria will reverberate across the Middle East and the world. Our experts explain what's next.

Conflict
Iran

New Atlanticist

Dec 5, 2024

Could Syria’s rebels take Damascus?

By Qutaiba Idlbi

Controlling Aleppo was a big deal for the Syrian rebels, and taking Hama was an even bigger achievement. But Damascus remains the real prize.

Conflict
Crisis Management

New Atlanticist

Dec 4, 2024

To help Georgians, the West must drive a wedge between Georgia and the Russia-China-Iran camp

By Maia Nikoladze

Despite strong support among Georgians for their country to join the European Union, the governing Georgian Dream party has taken big steps to break with the West in favor of the “axis of evasion.”

China
European Union

In the News

Dec 3, 2024

Shaffer quoted in S&P Global on effectiveness of US Treasury Iran oil sanctions

By Brenda Shaffer

Energy & Environment
Energy Markets & Governance

New Atlanticist

Nov 27, 2024

What Russia, Iran, and the Houthis get out of Moscow recruiting Yemeni mercenaries

By Emily Milliken

Cooperation between the Houthis and Moscow is deepening, but what does that mean for the group’s position in Iran’s network of allies and Tehran’s relations with Russia?

Iran
Middle East

New Atlanticist

Nov 26, 2024

Experts react: Israel and Lebanon have struck a ceasefire deal. Is the Israel-Hezbollah war really over?

By Atlantic Council experts

Atlantic Council experts share their insights on the deal, which US President Joe Biden announced on Tuesday and already faces questions about its durability.

Conflict
Iran

New Atlanticist

Nov 21, 2024

‘You cannot separate’ the ‘unholy alliance’ that is Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea, warns Congressman Michael McCaul

By Katherine Golden

Ukraine is central to US interests because if Ukraine falls, it will embolden US adversaries, McCaul said at an Atlantic Council Front Page event.

China
Conflict

In the News

Nov 21, 2024

Donovan and Nikoladze cited in the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission’s annual report on the cooperation between Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea

Read the full report here

China
Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

IranSource

Nov 20, 2024

2025 will be a decisive year for Iran’s nuclear program

By Danny Citrinowicz  

Diplomatic deadlines and regional factors will force Iran to decide soon whether to strike a deal or seek a nuclear weapon. Either choice will have major ripple effects.

Arms Control
Defense Policy
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Experts

Staff

Britt Gronemeyer

Assistant Director, Strategic Litigation Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Human Rights International Organizations

Fellow

Khosro Sayeh Isfahani

Former Researcher

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arms Control Civil Society

Fellow

Carmiel Arbit

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Civil Society Extremism

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
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