2023: A year in the Middle East

Fast Thinking Oct 2, 2024

What is Iran thinking now?

By Atlantic Council

Tehran launched nearly two hundred missiles at Israel on Tuesday. Atlantic Council experts consider the ways that the barrage—which was largely ineffectual—offers a window into Iranian thinking.
Conflict Iran
2023: A year in the Middle East

IranSource Oct 2, 2024

It’s time Iran’s artists be considered as human rights defenders

By Sanjay Sethi and Johanna Bankston

International recognition of the acute risk creatives face in Iran is necessary to ensure their vital role in advocating for human rights continues.
Civil Society Iran
2023: A year in the Middle East

New Atlanticist Sep 28, 2024

Experts react: Hassan Nasrallah is dead. What’s next for Hezbollah, Israel, and Iran?

By Atlantic Council experts

On Saturday, Hezbollah confirmed that its leader had been killed in an Israeli air strike. Atlantic Council experts share their insights on what might come next for the already war-torn region.
Iran Israel

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

The latest from IranSource

IranSource

Jan 6, 2025

Blinded Iranian activist Elaheh Tavakolian: ‘We lost our eyes on this path. Let us not lose sight of our goal’

By Holly Dagres

Holly Dagres sits down with blinded Iranian activist Elahe Tavakolian to share her story and discuss the situation in Iran and what the West needs to do.

Civil Society Freedom and Prosperity

IranSource

Nov 20, 2024

2025 will be a decisive year for Iran’s nuclear program

By Danny Citrinowicz  

Diplomatic deadlines and regional factors will force Iran to decide soon whether to strike a deal or seek a nuclear weapon. Either choice will have major ripple effects.

Arms Control Defense Policy

IranSource

Nov 20, 2024

How to wrestle with an ayatollah 

By Khosro Sayeh Isfahani

If one looks closely, the ancient Persian sport of wrestling might have answers to understanding how to contain Iran

Civil Society Freedom and Prosperity
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Content

MENASource

Dec 18, 2023

2023: A year in the Middle East

By Rachel Friedman

2023 was a tumultuous and tragic year for the Middle East and North Africa. It also produced moments of hope and diplomatic feats.

Iran Iraq

Strategic Litigation

Dec 15, 2023

Strategic Litigation Quarterly Newsletter: Pursuing gender justice through international law

The SLP team has continued and built upon efforts to codify the crime of gender apartheid in international law, including by advocating for its inclusion in the UN Sixth Committee’s draft crimes against humanity treaty.

Afghanistan China

In the News

Dec 7, 2023

Panikoff quoted in Time Magazine on Iran’s involvement in Israel-Hamas war
Conflict Iran

In the News

Dec 7, 2023

Panikoff quoted in WBUR On-Point on escalation risks of Israel-Hamas war

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Defense Policy

In the News

Dec 7, 2023

Sales and Warrick testify for the House Homeland Security hearing on Iranian threats to national security

By Atlantic Council

Iran Middle East

In the News

Dec 7, 2023

Cunningham quoted in NTD on Iran-China-Russia-North Korea alliance

By Atlantic Council

Iran Korea

IranSource

Dec 7, 2023

Does the Resistance Axis believe its propaganda about Israel? The October 7 attack seems to suggest so.

By David Daoud

For the Resistance Axis, portraying Israel as a temporary entity that will inevitably melt away has an obvious utility, and is one that furthers the goal of destroying the Jewish state.

Conflict Iran

In the News

Nov 29, 2023

Goldwyn quoted in S&P Global on the US Treasury’s move to ramp up sanctions on Iran
Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

Transcript

Nov 28, 2023

Our experts explain what US policymakers should know about deterring Russia’s and China’s nuclear threats

The fellows of Forward Defense’s Nuclear Strategy Project met at a roundtable to discuss how to deter nuclear powers Russia and China from expanding their capabilities and from giving nuclear weapons a greater role in Moscow's and Beijing's defense strategies.

China East Asia

IranSource

Nov 22, 2023

Meet the secret IRGC entity purging university professors in Iran 

By Saeid Golkar and Kasra Aarabi

The Islamic Republic's war on university professors and academic staff is led by the Professors Basij Organization.

Human Rights 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

Staff

Britt Gronemeyer

Program Assistant, Strategic Litigation Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Human Rights International Organizations

Fellow

Khosro Sayeh Isfahani

Former Researcher

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arms Control Civil Society

Fellow

Carmiel Arbit

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Civil Society Extremism

Fellow

Hagar Hajjar Chemali

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Economic Statecraft Initiative GeoEconomics Center

Economic Sanctions Economy & Business

Fellow

Danny Citrinowicz  

Nonresident Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Cybersecurity
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