Political Legitimacy: Practicing that which is Preached

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

Political Legitimacy: Practicing that which is Preached

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

Political Legitimacy: Practicing that which is Preached

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 12, 2015

Political Legitimacy: Practicing that which is Preached

By Frederic C. Hof

A recent MENASource article addressed the issue of chronic political illegitimacy—the absence of consensus, derived from consent of the governed, on the rules of the political game—that plagues most of the states of the Arab world. Now that forty-seven Senate Republicans have affixed their signatures to an “open letter” purporting to instruct the Islamic Republic […]

Iran
Middle East

In the News

Mar 12, 2015

Slavin: Europeans Worry Senate Letter Gives Iran Edge in Nuclear Talks

By Barbara Slavin

South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Barbara Slavin writes for Al Monitor on how European partners in the Iran talks feel the letter signed by forty-seven GOP senators this week has made the negotiations with Iran more difficult:

Iran
US Capitol, May 4, 2004

NATOSource

Mar 5, 2015

Why the New US Congress Matters to Europe

By Robbie Gramer

Since the new, Republican-led Congress took office a few weeks ago, transatlantic policymakers should anticipate changes in Washington’s foreign policy atmosphere.

Economy & Business
Energy & Environment

MENASource

Mar 5, 2015

The Tikrit Offensive Raises Hard Questions about US Policy

By Faysal Itani and Jeppe Sorensen

In Iraq, an assault on ISIS-held Tikrit, north of Baghdad, is underway. In theory, this serves US goals: defeating the Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) and restoring Iraq’s territorial integrity and political sovereignty. In practice, something different and more sinister is underway in Tikrit and Iraq writ large.

Iran
Iraq

In the News

Mar 2, 2015

Al Jazeera Highlights Atlantic Council Event

By Atlantic Council

Al Jazeera quotes former Congressman Jim Slattery on the US-Iran relationship and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech before the US Congress from an Atlantic Council event about his recent visit to Tehran:

Iran
Israel

In the News

Mar 1, 2015

Slavin on Iran’s Nuclear Capabilities

By Barbara Slavin

South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Barbara Slavin joins i24 News to discuss Iran’s nuclear capabilities and whether the United States and Iran can reach a deal:

Iran

In the News

Feb 25, 2015

Healey on the Need for Transparency with Cyber Attacks

By Jason Healey

Healthcare Info Security quotes Cyber Statecraft Initiative Director Jason Healey on the need for greater transparency from the government concerning cyber attacks, citing Iran as an example:

Cybersecurity
Iran

In the News

Feb 24, 2015

Slavin: US Experts Converge on Breakout Formula for Iran Talks

By Barbara Slavin

South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Barbara Slavin writes for Al Monitor on the nuclear talks with Iran and the importance of the breakout period — a key metric that estimates the time it would take for Iran to produce enough weapons-grade uranium for one nuclear bomb:

Iran

In the News

Feb 23, 2015

Slavin on Positive Signs for a Nuclear Deal with Iran

By Barbara Slavin

South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Barbara Slavin joins PRI to discuss positive signs that a nuclear deal with Iran could be reached:

Iran

In the News

Feb 23, 2015

Slavin on the Iran Talks

By Barbara Slavin

South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Barbara Slavin joins PRI to discuss the Iran nuclear talks:

Iran
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Experts

Fellow

Mark Klamberg

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

English European Union

Fellow

Brian O’Toole

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Economic Statecraft Initiative GeoEconomics Center

Cuba Economic Sanctions

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
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