Iran

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.

This Week in South Asia: April 5 – 11

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

This Week in South Asia: April 5 – 11

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

This Week in South Asia: April 5 – 11

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

SouthAsiaSource

Apr 11, 2014

This Week in South Asia: April 5 – 11

Commentary from the South Asia Center on the most relevant news from the region, and suggested “must-read” analyses from the week. AfghanistanA large segment of the Afghan populace turned out to elect the country’s next President as 7 of the 12 million voters exercised their franchise this week. Unexpectedly, the overall turnout reported was close […]

Afghanistan India

In the News

Apr 10, 2014

Slavin: Former Radicals Are Now the Moderates We Need

By Barbara Slavin

South Asia Center Senior Fellow Barbara Slavin writes in the New York Times‘ Room for Debate that the United States should reconsider its decision to deny a visa to Iran’s newly appointed ambassador to the UN, Hamid Aboutalebi:

Iran

SouthAsiaSource

Apr 4, 2014

This Week in South Asia: March 29 – April 4

Commentary from the South Asia Center on the most relevant news from the region, and suggested “must-read” analyses from the week. IndiaWith the world’s largest democracy set to head to the polls for national elections early next week, its relationship with the world’s oldest democracy took yet another unexpected turn as Nancy Powell, U.S. Ambassador […]

Afghanistan Iran

SouthAsiaSource

Apr 3, 2014

This Week in South Asia: March 8 – 14

Commentary from the South Asia Center on the most relevant news from the region, and suggested “must-read” analyses from the week. IndiaA little over 3 months after Devyani Khobragade, India’s Deputy Consul General in New York, was arrested on charges of lying to the United States government to obtain a visa for her housekeeper, a […]

Afghanistan India

SouthAsiaSource

Apr 3, 2014

This Week in South Asia: March 22 – 28

Commentary from the South Asia Center on the most relevant news from the region, and suggested “must-read” analyses from the week. PakistanPakistan seems to have convinced the world community regarding the safety of its nuclear program. This week at the Nuclear Security Summit in The Hague, US Secretary of the State John Kerry was reported […]

Afghanistan India

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
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Experts

Fellow

Yesar Al-Maleki

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Geopolitics & Energy Security

Fellow

Carmiel Arbit

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Civil Society Extremism

Fellow

Colin Brooks

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Iran Middle East

Fellow

Hagar Hajjar Chemali

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Economic Statecraft Initiative GeoEconomics Center

Economy & Business Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

Fellow

Danny Citrinowicz  

Nonresident Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Cybersecurity

Fellow

Ariel Cohen

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Eurasia Center

Central Asia Politics & Diplomacy
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Events

Public Event Mon, April 13, 2026 • 12:30 pm ET

The IEA’s Fatih Birol on global energy market resilience in a moment of crisis

AN AC FRONT PAGE EVENT—Fatih Birol discusses how the International Energy Agency is guiding governments and markets through a complex energy landscape.

Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security Iran