Shifting to a Syria-First Approach

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

Shifting to a Syria-First Approach

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

Shifting to a Syria-First Approach

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

Programs

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

Content

MENASource

Mar 27, 2015

Shifting to a Syria-First Approach

By Frederic C. Hof

The stunning decision of the US government to provide combat air support for Iranian-led Shia Iraqi militiamen fighting to liberate the city of Tikrit from the Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) illustrates why Washington and its partners should shift now to a Syria-first anti-ISIL strategy.

Iran
Syria

In the News

Mar 26, 2015

Pham on the Conflict in Yemen and Oil Shipping Routes

By J. Peter Pham

Reuters quotes Africa Center Director J. Peter Pham on how the conflict in Yemen could affect oil shipping routes and allow Iran to expand its presence in the region:

Iran
Yemen

In the News

Mar 25, 2015

Ullman: Iran 2015: Are 1914 and 1964 Calling?

By Harlan Ullman

Atlantic Council Senior Adviser Harlan Ullman writes for the Huffington Post on the global implications of a nuclear deal with Iran:

Iran

MENASource

Mar 25, 2015

Iran’s Free Pass in the Region

By Frederic C. Hof

In his recent Nowruz address to the people of Iran, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said something I have heard more than once from Iranian counterparts in track two (unofficial) discussions: “The negotiations with America are about the nuclear program and nothing else, everyone should know this . . .

Iran
Syria

In the News

Mar 20, 2015

Kroenig on Iran’s Nuclear Capabilities

By Matthew Kroenig

The Weekly Standard quotes Brent Scowcroft Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Matthew Kroenig on Iran’s nuclear capabilities and what a nuclear deal would mean:

Iran

In the News

Mar 20, 2015

Burns: Will Congress Torpedo Obama’s Iran Deal?

By Nicholas Burns

Member of the Atlantic Council’s Board of Directors Nicholas Burns writes for the Boston Globe on the tension between the Obama administration and members of Congress over the Iran nuclear deal:

Iran

In the News

Mar 18, 2015

Slavin: Why Iran Negotiators Welcome Spring Break in Tehran, United States

By Barbara Slavin

South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Barbara Slavin writes for Al Jazeera on how the easing of outside pressure could create a better atmosphere for negotiating a nuclear deal with Iran:

Iran

In the News

Mar 17, 2015

Goldwyn on a Nuclear Deal with Iran and the Global Oil Market

By David Goldwyn

Reuters quotes Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center Nonresident Senior Fellow David Goldwyn on how a nuclear deal with Iran and the lifting of economic sanctions against Tehran could affect the global oil market:

Iran

New Atlanticist

Mar 16, 2015

Strange Bedfellows: Saudi Arabia, Israel Oppose Iran Nuclear Deal for Different Reasons

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Saudis worry about regional power, Israelis about an ‘existential threat,’ say analysts Saudi Arabia and Israel find themselves in the same camp as opponents of a nuclear deal with Iran, but the Sunni kingdom and Jewish state have very different reasons for their opposition. Israelis are concerned mainly with a nuclear-armed Iran, while the Saudis […]

Iran

Event Recap

Mar 16, 2015

A Nuclear Deal, Iran’s Regional Role and US Relations with the Gulf

By South Asia Center

On March 16, the Iran Task Force hosted a discussion on the impact of a possible Iran nuclear deal on Iran’s regional role and US relations with the Arab states across the Gulf. Speakers included Richard LeBaron, Alireza Nader, and Ilan Goldenberg. Barbara Slavin moderated the panel.  

Iran
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Experts

Fellow

Alan Pino

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Intelligence Iran

Fellow

Nicholas Hopton

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Europe & Eurasia Iran

Fellow

Colin Brooks

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Iran Middle East

Fellow

Anthony J. Ruggiero

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Indo-Pacific Security Initiative

Arms Control Defense Policy

Expert

Nathanael Swanson

Resident Senior Fellow

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

Iran Middle East

Staff

Britt Gronemeyer

Assistant Director, Strategic Litigation Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Human Rights International Organizations
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