Iran

The US-Iranian relationship has experienced significant challenges over the past forty years. The lack of diplomatic relations, changes in both the US and Iranian administrations, repeated US military interventions in the region as well as Iran’s support for militant groups and increasingly harsh rhetoric on both sides have further undermined chances for reconciliation. Through a balanced approach of engagement and containment, there is a need to push back against Iranian intervention while promoting US interests, regional conflict resolution, and the well-being of the Iranian people.

The Obama Doctrine and the Middle East: Problems and Prospects

Dispatches
Mar 6, 2026

How would a Kurdish offensive change the war in Iran?

By
Atlantic Council experts

Our experts explain the goals of the various Kurdish groups the United States is reportedly backing for an attack against Iran and how their involvement could impact the wider war.

Conflict
Defense Policy

The Obama Doctrine and the Middle East: Problems and Prospects

Dispatches
Mar 6, 2026

Washington’s limited levers to shape a post-Khamenei Iran

By
Nate Swanson, Ingrid Small

The United States and its allies do have some options to coax change that might result in a more Western-leaning Tehran.

Conflict
Iran

The Obama Doctrine and the Middle East: Problems and Prospects

MENASource
Mar 3, 2026

Trump wants Iranians to ‘take back their country’ from the regime. Can they?

By
Alan Pino

To succeed in overthrowing the Iranian regime, an uprising would likely require a unifying leader, an effective organization, and the support of whatever remains of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Conflict
Democratic Transitions

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

Apr 21, 2015

The Obama Doctrine and the Middle East: Problems and Prospects

By Nabeel Khoury

President Barack Obama, in his interview with Tom Friedman on April 5, was at his intellectual best. He convincingly explained the framework agreement with Iran while stressing serious strategic disagreement with Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamene’i. Tom Friedman, in turn, was at his diplomatic best, trying to nudge the President into crafting an Obama doctrine […]

Iran Middle East

MENASource

Apr 17, 2015

Why Did Abadi Criticize Saudi Arabia?

By Ramzy Mardini

During his first visit to the White House as the Prime Minister of Iraq, Haider al-Abadi surprised Washington when he criticized the Saudi Arabian-led air strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen.

Iran Iraq

Article

Apr 16, 2015

“The Iran deal’s rare achievement”

By Nicholas Burns

WHAT SEEMS lost in the furious, partisan debate about the Iran nuclear deal is just how long it took the United States to actually get back to a negotiating table with the Iranian government — nearly 35 years. The talks have already achieved something tangible and rare: The United States and Iran are talking again, […]

Iran Middle East

New Atlanticist

Apr 10, 2015

Are We Back on the Road to Extraterritoriality?

By Richard L. Morningstar

The Implications of Congressional Action Regarding the Iran Deal There has been much debate over the past several weeks on Congress’ role in a final nuclear deal with Iran. Congress clearly has an important role to play leading up to and after an agreement is finalized. US negotiators can, for example, cite congressional pressure to […]

Iran

New Atlanticist

Apr 10, 2015

Iran’s Growing Cyber Capabilities in a Post-Stuxnet Era

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Cyber attack on Iran served as an ‘awakening’ for Tehran Iran has vastly ramped up its cyber capabilities transforming itself from a “Tier 3” country to one that poses a significant global threat in the years following a massive cyber attack on its nuclear facilities, panelists said at the Atlantic Council April 8. “Iran is […]

Iran

In the News

Apr 10, 2015

Manning on the Iran-China Energy Talks

By Robert Manning

Anadolu Agency’s Energy News Terminal quotes Brent Scowcroft Center Senior Fellow Robert Manning on Iran’s talks with China for oil and natural gas trade and energy investments:

China Iran

In the News

Apr 10, 2015

Kroenig: A Nuclear Turning Point

By Matthew Kroenig

Brent Scowcroft Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Matthew Kroenig writes for The Weekly Standard on America’s history of a bipartisan nuclear nonproliferation policy and why the nuclear deal with Iran has lawmakers split along party lines:

Iran

Article

Apr 10, 2015

Opinion: Iran Advances Beyond ‘Third Tier’ Cyber Power

By Barbara Slavin

Even as Iran has applied the brakes to its nuclear program over the past 18 months and provisionally agreed last week to a deal lasting more than a decade, it has continued to advance its prowess in the field of cyber-attacks, experts say.

Iran

Event Recap

Apr 9, 2015

The Future of Iranian Cyber Threat

Iran could more aggressively undermine US allies through “cyber attacks, subversion, and terrorism” once its has a nuclear deal and international sanctions are lifted, retired Gen James L. Jones, Jr., said April 8.

Cybersecurity Iran

In the News

Apr 9, 2015

Voice of America Covers Event on Iran and Cybersecurity

By Atlantic Council

Voice of America covers an event hosted by the Atlantic Council’s Cyber Statecraft Initiative on Iran and cybersecurity:

Iran
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Experts

Fellow

Brian O’Toole

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Economic Statecraft Initiative GeoEconomics Center

Cuba Economy & Business

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

Alan Pino

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Intelligence Iran

Fellow

Amanda J. Rothschild

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoStrategy Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

China Iran

Fellow

Anthony J. Ruggiero

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Indo-Pacific Security Initiative

Arms Control Defense Policy

Fellow

Nilofar Sakhi

Nonresident Senior Fellow

South Asia Center

Afghanistan Arabic
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