Iran’s Sunnis resist extremism, but for how long?

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.
Economic Sanctions Iran
Iran’s Sunnis resist extremism, but for how long?

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
Iran’s Sunnis resist extremism, but for how long?

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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Issue Brief

Apr 6, 2018

Iran’s Sunnis resist extremism, but for how long?

By Scheherezade Faramarzi

A predominantly Shia nation, the Islamic Republic of Iran has a substantial Sunni population that receives little attention compared to the country’s other minorities. Last year’s attacks by the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) in the capital Tehran have raised fears that disgruntled Iranian Sunnis, who have until now largely escaped extremist influences, […]

Extremism Iran

New Atlanticist

Apr 4, 2018

Syria: To Leave or Not to Leave?

By Frederic C. Hof

That is the question.  On the “leave” side of the answer are Bashar al-Assad, Ali Khamenei, Vladimir Putin, and Donald Trump. “Not to leave” is the position of the United States Department of Defense. Who will prevail? Who should? One may stipulate that President Trump’s motives for wanting to put Syria in the rear-view mirror […]

Iran Russia

In the News

Apr 3, 2018

Slavin Quoted in The Hill on Iran Nuclear Deal

By Barbara Slavin

Read the full article here

Iran

In the News

Apr 3, 2018

Slavin in Axios: Nixing the Iran Deal Would Be a Boon to China

By Barbara Slavin

Read the full article here

Iran

In the News

Apr 2, 2018

Stein Quoted in AFP on Iran, Russia and Turkey’s Alliance

By Aaron Stein

Read the full article here

Iran

In the News

Apr 1, 2018

Alfoneh in The Arab Weekly: Facing Isolation Iran Turns to Russia, China

By Ali Alfoneh

Read the full article here

Iran

In the News

Mar 26, 2018

Slavin in Bourse and Bazaar: Hold on Iran: Regime Change is Coming to Washington

By Barbara Slavin

Read the full article here

Iran

In the News

Mar 25, 2018

Alfoneh in The Arab Weekly: Ahmadinejad, Iran’s Robin Hood Who Never Gave to the Poor

By Ali Alfoneh

Read the full article here

Iran NATO

In the News

Mar 25, 2018

Alfoneh in Arab The Weekly: The False Notes of Khamenei’s New Year’s Address

By Ali Alfoneh

Read the full article here

Iran

EnergySource

Mar 22, 2018

US pressure is pushing Iran closer to Russia and China

By Mahsa Rouhi

The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) promised economic recovery for Iran in the form of sanctions relief, and many expected it would boost the country’s prosperity and general economic outlook. However, despite the initial optimism and some positive trends following the implementation of JCPOA, broad economic improvements have not materialized. The challenges are both internal […]

China Energy Markets & Governance
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Experts

Staff

Jonathan Panikoff

Director, Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

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

Economy & Business Financial Regulation

Fellow

Amanda J. Rothschild

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoStrategy Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

China Iran

Fellow

Nilofar Sakhi

Nonresident Senior Fellow

South Asia Center

Afghanistan Arabic

Fellow

Thomas S. Warrick

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Adrienne Arsht National Security Resilience Initiative GeoStrategy Initiative

National Security Terrorism

Staff

William F. Wechsler

Senior Director, Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

National Security Middle East