October 23, 1983: Then and now

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
October 23, 1983: Then and now

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
October 23, 1983: Then and now

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

New Atlanticist

Oct 23, 2019

October 23, 1983: Then and now

By Frederic C. Hof

The needless deaths of 241 Americans in October 1983 and the ill-considered expectation of a “cake walk” in Iraq nearly twenty years later would combine, in the minds of many Americans, to create the belief that the United States can do nothing right in the Middle East; that it is a place of “sand and death” best left to its inhabitants and their neighbors.

Iran Middle East

IranSource

Oct 21, 2019

Kashmir is driving Pakistan’s mediation efforts between Tehran and Riyadh

By Fatemeh Aman

From Imran Khan’s perspective, the issue of Kashmir has not attracted enough international attention. Mediating de-escalation in the Persian Gulf could strengthen his ability to bring more attention to that crisis too.

India Iran

IranSource

Oct 17, 2019

Forget Telegram: Iranians are using Instagram to shop

By Fariba Parsa

Maryam searched all over Neyshabur’s pharmacies, a town in northeastern Iran, for her mother’s diabetes medication. “I came back home, exhausted and didn’t know what to say to my mother,” the 30-year-old economist explained. “It was late in the night and I searched Instagram. Wow! I found a place where I could buy my mother’s medicine.” […]

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Iran

In the News

Oct 16, 2019

Slavin in Al-Monitor: Majority of Iranians now want to quit nuclear deal

By Atlantic Council

Iran Nuclear Energy

IranSource

Oct 15, 2019

Iranian women fans rejoice at stadium access

By Tahereh Hadian-Jazy

A combination of domestic and international pressure resulted in the decision by the Iranian government to finally allow women to attend soccer matches at Iranian stadiums.

Iran Middle East

IranSource

Oct 10, 2019

Don’t expect regime change in Iran

By Jack A. Goldstone

There are half a dozen reasons why the Islamic Republic has been so resilient in the face of extraordinary internal and external pressures.

Iran

IranSource

Oct 3, 2019

Making sense of HOPE: Can Iran’s Hormuz Peace Endeavor succeed?

By Mehran Haghirian and Luciano Zaccara

Since President Hassan Rouhani’s election in 2013, Iran has proposed the establishment of a regional dialogue forum at various international conferences, through articles in numerous platforms, and within official statements.

Conflict Iran

IranSource

Oct 1, 2019

Despite sanctions, China is still doing (some) business with Iran

By Dan Katz

Since the US pull out from the JCPOA in May 2018, China has continuously declared its intention to uphold the deal and protested Washington’s unilateral actions.

China Iran

In the News

Sep 27, 2019

Slavin joins France 24 to discuss Trump, UNGA, and sanctions on Iran

By Atlantic Council

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion International Organizations

IranSource

Sep 27, 2019

Iran’s Supreme Leader leaves diplomatic door open

By Sina Toossi

For Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to now publicly support new talks with the US provided it returns to the JCPOA is striking.

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

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