The election of Hassan Rouhani as Iran's next president has prompted two sorts of reactions among U.S. officials and Iran analysts. Some see in Rouhani's victory a reformist resurgence and are urging the Obama administration to reach out in an effort to "strengthen" him, much as the...
Although Washington has long sought to moderate the Brotherhood's behavior through quiet diplomacy, Morsi's inflammatory political appointments suggest that this approach has failed.
The recent presidential election in Iran proved that the Islamic Republic's instinct for self-preservation trumps its ideology. Hassan Rouhani, the current representative of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the Supreme National Security Council and former head nuclear negotiator, won the election in the first round, a total surprise...
A G8 statement against Hezbollah would shine a spotlight on the group's widespread terrorist and criminal activities in a way few other multilateral agencies could.
Israeli defense minister Moshe Yaalon discusses how Israel is calm but cautious about the latest developments in the region.
Washington should pursue a measured but assertive course with Syria, because the longer the conflict lasts, the greater the threat it poses.
James F. Jeffrey and Soner Cagaptay
The antigovernment protests that erupted across Turkey last week may have serious domestic political consequences down the road, complicating Prime Minister Erdogan's efforts to prepare his party for local and presidential elections in 2014 and a potential redrafting of the constitution. But how might these difficulties affect Turkey's foreign...
At a time of declining U.S. military spending and growing concern about Iran's hegemonic ambitions and nuclear intentions, the Gulf Cooperation Council states continue to view the U.S. military as the hub of their security efforts. How can Washington help bolster Gulf defenses against Iran without exacerbating...
The forthcoming elevation of Crown Prince Tamim to Qatar's top leadership roles could spur Iran and other rivals to play mischief.
Over the past three decades, the Iranian regime has managed to survive numerous internal and external crises. From coup attempts to war and, most recently, mass uprisings and nuclear sanctions, the Islamic Republic has been able to neutralize threats at home and on its borders while avoiding foreign intervention. In...
Dan Schueftan and Shai Feldman
Subscribe to Washington Institute videos on YouTube. Sign up for live event broadcast alerts from The Washington Institute On June 3, 2013, Shai Feldman and Dan Schueftan addressed a Policy Forum at The Washington Institute. Dr. Schueftan is director of the National Security Studies Center at the University of Haifa...
James Cartwright and Amos Yadlin
It is late 2013 and Israel's prime minister has just received a phone call from the White House relaying the findings of a recent U.S. intelligence assessment: neither international sanctions nor negotiations have persuaded Iran to halt its nuclear program. What should they do? This scenario is the launching...
Articles & Op-Eds
While taking action in Syria will not be simple or cheap, it will ultimately be less costly than losing control of chemical weapons or letting Jordan and other neighbors be destabilized.
PolicyWatch 2054
As Syria heads toward a meltdown spilling over its borders -- with loss of control over strategic weapons, accelerated refugee flows, spreading extremism, and Sunni-Shiite clashes -- only engaging with those doing the fighting will give Washington much influence over events.
PolicyWatch 2051
Michael Herzog, Michael Knights, Andrew J. Tabler, and Jeffrey White
The Syrian regime has good reasons to both use chemical weapons and disguise what it has done. Having pegged out a firm stance on such weapons, Washington should respond vigorously with defensive measures while the investigation of reported use proceeds.
Articles & Op-Eds
Anything short of Assad's defeat would be a setback not only for Syrians, but also for America and Europe.
