How to wrestle with an ayatollah 

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
How to wrestle with an ayatollah 

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
How to wrestle with an ayatollah 

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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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.

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Content

IranSource

Nov 20, 2024

How to wrestle with an ayatollah 

By Khosro Sayeh Isfahani

If one looks closely, the ancient Persian sport of wrestling might have answers to understanding how to contain Iran

Civil Society
Freedom and Prosperity

Inflection Points

Nov 20, 2024

Dispatch from the desert: Trump’s first global test is Iran

By Frederick Kempe

Iran hasn’t been this weak in decades. But does the US president-elect sense this opportunity and want to explore whether a major deal is possible?

Iran
Israel

In the News

Nov 15, 2024

Donovan quoted by Reuters on how the incoming Trump administration could utilize sanctions

Read the full article here

Economy & Business
Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

Inflection Points

Nov 13, 2024

Trump is inheriting a more dangerous world

By Frederick Kempe

China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran are coordinating in unprecedented ways, posing new challenges to the incoming US president.

China
Iran

In the News

Nov 12, 2024

Citrinowicz in the Institute for National Security Studies: Iranian Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference During the Swords of Iron War

By Atlantic Council

Conflict
Iran

In the News

Nov 12, 2024

Samaan in Institut Montaigne: Trump II—What are the consequences for the Middle East?

By Atlantic Council

Elections
French

In the News

Nov 6, 2024

Goldwyn quote in S&P Global on Trump’s approach to Russian oil sanctions

By David L. Goldwyn

Defense Policy
Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

Fast Thinking

Nov 5, 2024

What to know about foreign meddling in the US election

By Atlantic Council

Our experts explain the foreign malign interference operations targeting the 2024 US elections and how they might continue after Election Day.

China
Cybersecurity

IranSource

Nov 1, 2024

How the death of Abdul Malik al-Houthi could impact the Houthis and Iran

By Emily Milliken and Caitlin Miller Hollingsworth

While Abdul Malik al-Houthi is still alive today, his death in the near term would impact the Houthi's ability to operate and widen a leadership vacuum within Iran’s Resistance Axis.

Conflict
Iran

IranSource

Oct 31, 2024

Iran targeted human rights sanctions series: How can civil society contribute to the process?

By Celeste Kmiotek, Lisandra Novo

As the ultimate beneficiaries, and often those most knowledgeable about specific individuals or entities responsible for abuses, civil society’s role is essential in the sanctions process.

Civil Society
Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion
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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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