Beyond Westoxification and Orientalism: How to read Iranian politics

Fast Thinking
Oct 2, 2024

What is Iran thinking now?

By
Atlantic Council

Tehran launched nearly two hundred missiles at Israel on Tuesday. Atlantic Council experts consider the ways that the barrage—which was largely ineffectual—offers a window into Iranian thinking.

Conflict
Iran

Beyond Westoxification and Orientalism: How to read Iranian politics

IranSource
Oct 2, 2024

It’s time Iran’s artists be considered as human rights defenders

By
Sanjay Sethi and Johanna Bankston

International recognition of the acute risk creatives face in Iran is necessary to ensure their vital role in advocating for human rights continues.

Civil Society
Iran

Beyond Westoxification and Orientalism: How to read Iranian politics

New Atlanticist
Sep 28, 2024

Experts react: Hassan Nasrallah is dead. What’s next for Hezbollah, Israel, and Iran?

By
Atlantic Council experts

On Saturday, Hezbollah confirmed that its leader had been killed in an Israeli air strike. Atlantic Council experts share their insights on what might come next for the already war-torn region.

Iran
Israel

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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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

The latest from IranSource

IranSource

Jan 6, 2025

Blinded Iranian activist Elaheh Tavakolian: ‘We lost our eyes on this path. Let us not lose sight of our goal’

By
Holly Dagres

Holly Dagres sits down with blinded Iranian activist Elahe Tavakolian to share her story and discuss the situation in Iran and what the West needs to do.

Civil Society
Freedom and Prosperity


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


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

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Content

IranSource

Jan 31, 2019

Beyond Westoxification and Orientalism: How to read Iranian politics

By Giorgia Perletta

Using fixed categories to describe Iranian politics is often a risk. Western readings are frequently imbued with misconceptions and prejudices due to an Orientalist approach. At the same time, the official narrative of the Islamic Republic reflects a self-representation in conscious reaction to Western views of Iran. These two readings clash with each other at […]

Iran

IranSource

Jan 30, 2019

Can Iran Help Reach a Lasting Peace in Afghanistan?

By Fatemeh Aman

Progress has been reported in peace talks between US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad and the Taliban, but without the participation of the Afghan government, it seems premature to assume that an agreement will be reached soon. Could Iran play a constructive role in achieving an end to America’s longest war? Despite their lack of diplomatic relations and enduring hostility, […]

Afghanistan Iran

In the News

Jan 29, 2019

Dagres quoted in BuzzFeed on looming Iran ban on Instagram

By Holly Dagres

Read the full article here.

Iran

IranSource

Jan 29, 2019

Glimmer of Hope in Iran for Long-Persecuted Baha’is?

By Tara Sepehri Far

The Iranian constitution after the 1979 revolution provides limited freedoms for religious minorities, and it does not recognize the Baha’i community, with more than 300,000 members in the country. Instead, for four decades, the Islamic Republic has routinely harassed, prosecuted, and imprisoned Baha’is solely for practicing their faith. Among other things, the government severely restricts Baha’is […]

Iran

IranSource

Jan 28, 2019

Persia is back, but in a different form

By Kayhan Barzegar

A powerful trend at the international level—led by the United States, Israel and Saudi Arabia—is trying to sell the idea that Iran’s active regional presence, together with its missile program and location at several of the world’s geostrategic chokepoints, is an attempt to restore the Persian Empire and is a fundamental danger to global security. […]

Iran

IranSource

Jan 25, 2019

Israel and Iran Exchange Blows in Syria: A View From Israel

By Shemuel Meir

The January 20 Israeli attack on an Iranian weapons shipment delivery near the Damascus airport in Syria led to a quick and exceptional succession of events that could have easily brought both sides to the brink of war.  Iran reacted with a missile launch at the Golan Heights. Israel then responded with an attack on […]

Iran Israel

IranSource

Jan 18, 2019

What’s Behind the Middle East Summit in Poland?

By Robert Czulda

The US announcement that an international summit on the security and stability of the Middle East will be held February 13 and 14 in Warsaw was as shocking as it was unexpected, not only for Iranians but also for Poles. Poland is an important political and military ally of the United States and Polish energy […]

Iran Poland

IranSource

Jan 15, 2019

How the exiled Iranian opposition may actually Be helping the Iranian regime

By Maysam Behravesh

The Islamic Republic of Iran has no shortage of opposition groups, many with adherents in the large Iranian diaspora. From the Mojahedin-e Khalq (MEK) to secular republicans to ethnic separatist organizations, they are all bent on overthrowing the Iranian regime and replacing it with what they claim will be a more inclusive system. Despite this […]

Iran

IranSource

Jan 14, 2019

Japan Strives to Keep Importing Iranian Oil Despite US Sanctions

By Sachi Sakanashi

Japan’s energy policy towards Iran has been an area of struggle for independence from the United States for four decades. Even when Japan tried to pursue its own energy policy towards Iran, the US has generally had the final say. From Japan’s point of view, however, the US stance towards Japan-Iran energy relations has toughened […]

Iran Japan

Global Energy Forum

Jan 12, 2019

United States determined to drive Iran’s oil exports down to zero

By Ashish Kumar Sen

The United States is determined to drive Iran’s oil exports down to zero in its effort to maximize economic pressure and force Tehran back to the negotiating table.

Arms Control Economic Sanctions
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Experts

Fellow

Alan Pino

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Intelligence Iran

Staff

Britt Gronemeyer

Program Assistant, 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

Economic Sanctions Economy & Business

Fellow

Danny Citrinowicz  

Nonresident Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Cybersecurity
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