Can We Ever Move on from the Hostage Crisis?

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

Can We Ever Move on from the Hostage Crisis?

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

Can We Ever Move on from the Hostage Crisis?

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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New Atlanticist

Apr 2, 2014

Can We Ever Move on from the Hostage Crisis?

By Barbara Slavin

After several weeks of consideration, the Barack Obama administration has expressed reservations to Iran about the tentative choice of a middle-aged career diplomat and close associate of President Hassan Rouhani as the country’s next ambassador to the UN. Hamid Aboutalebi, 56, a former Iranian ambassador to Australia, Belgium and Italy who currently serves as Rouhani’s deputy chief of […]

Iran

Event Recap

Mar 24, 2014

Diplomacy with Iran Through a European Lens

By Nazia Khan

Despite a current political focus on nuclear talks, opening the human rights dialogue with Iran is an essential European Union (EU) priority. Speaking at an Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center roundtable, European Parliament Member Marietje Schaake stressed the need to place human rights at the forefront of the official agenda and to avoid a zero-sum […]

Iran

SouthAsiaSource

Mar 21, 2014

This Week in South Asia: March 15 – 21

Commentary from the South Asia Center on the most relevant news from the region, and suggested “must-read” analyses from the week. IndiaVaranasi, the holiest of the seven sacred Hindu cities located on the banks of the Ganges, came into the election spotlight this week as Narendra Modi announced that he would contest the national elections […]

Afghanistan
India

In the News

Mar 19, 2014

Slavin: Crimea Crisis Could Reduce Sanctions Pressure on Iran

By Barbara Slavin

Barbara Slavin, South Asia Center senior fellow, writes for Al Jazeera America on how the crisis in Crimea has taken pressure off the Obama administration’s negotiations with Iran:

Iran
Russia

Event Recap

Mar 13, 2014

Briefing with Gary Lewis

On Thursday, March 13, the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center hosted Gary Lewis for a private briefing. Drawing on his experiences of over 26 years at the United Nations, most notably as the current United Nations resident coordinator in Iran, Lewis spoke on a range of issues including but not limited to the ongoing nuclear […]

Iran

Event Recap

Mar 11, 2014

Iran Working Group Examines Financial and Cyber Deterrence

Despite the interim agreement on the Iranian nuclear program in November 2013, Iran’s nuclear program remains is arguably one of the greatest emerging challenges to US national and regional security interests. US President Barack Obama has reiterated that a nuclear-armed Iran is unacceptable and that the administration is prepared to take all necessary measures to […]

Iran

SouthAsiaSource

Mar 7, 2014

This Week in South Asia: March 1 – 7

Commentary from the South Asia Center on the most relevant news from the region, and suggested “must-read” analyses from the week.IndiaAs the current Lok Sabah, India’s lower house of parliament, approaches it end on May 31, The Election Commission of India announced the dates on which the nation’s 814 million voters will go to the […]

Afghanistan
India

Article

Mar 6, 2014

Empty Tough Talk from US Hawks

By Rajan Menon

You would think it’s self-evident that Ukraine’s current crisis and the controversies sparked before its eruption by Iran’s nuclear program, China’s muscle-flexing against Japan and the Philippines over disputed tiny islands, and Syria’s continuing carnage are distinct—that they have little, if anything, in common. Well, you’d be wrong, at least in the eyes of the […]

China
East Asia

SouthAsiaSource

Feb 28, 2014

This Week in South Asia: February 22-28

Commentary from the South Asia Center on the most relevant news from the region, and suggested “must-read” analyses from the week. PakistanAmidst targeted army strikes on militants’ hideouts in Waziristan, Pakistan’s released its first-ever internal security strategy primarily focused at eliminating the terrorist insurgency. The long awaited strategy takes a strong handed approach, stating “any […]

Afghanistan
India

In the News

Feb 26, 2014

Slavin on Tunisia’s Islamist Leader

By Barbara Slavin

South Asia Center Senior Fellow Barbara Slavin covers Tunisian political leader Rachid Ghannouchi’s visit to Washington for Al Monitor:

Iran
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Experts

Staff

William F. Wechsler

Senior Director, Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

National Security Middle East