Iran

Policy Analysis on Iran

Ships of the US Navy's Fifth Fleet on exercise in the Persian Gulf

From Abu Dhabi and Riyadh’s perspective, there is no substitute for an American partner with the will to militarily deter or answer Iran’s regional aggression.

Jun 21, 2022

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David Schenker

Israeli and UAE flags flying together in Abu Dhabi - source: Reuters

Articles & Testimony

The Abraham Accords and the Changing Shape of the Middle East

A veteran U.S. diplomat reflects on the decades of direct engagement that paved the way to the accords, which have since opened a new avenue for curbing Iran and reanimating Israeli-Palestinian progress.

Jun 21, 2022

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Dennis Ross

Funeral in Tehran for a slain IRGC colonel

Articles & Testimony

The Backstory Behind the Killing of Qods Force Col. Khodaei

The case highlights the uptick in Iran’s targeting of regime opponents abroad, a trend laid bare in a new data set stretching back four decades.

Jun 20, 2022

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Matthew Levitt

Iranian military leaders inspect drones.

Brief Analysis

Insecurity Prompts Iran’s Deceptive Show of Force

Tehran is using drone technology to restore a deterrent posture tarnished by recent targeted killings, attacks on military and nuclear sites, and popular domestic uprisings.

Jun 8, 2022

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Farzin Nadimi

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Profile: Ahrar Sinjar

This facade group is used to "brand" muqawama attacks on Turkish targets and purportedly link the strikes to Yezidi grievances towards Turkey.

Jun 8, 2022

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Hamdi Malik
Michael Knights
Alex Almeida
Anwar al-Zamani

◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles

Articles & Testimony

This Could Be the Next Big War That Grips the Entire World

Two countries that have long clashed are tempting fate with escalations that could soon spiral well beyond their borders.

Jun 2, 2022

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Neri Zilber

Brief Analysis

Iran Nuclear Explainer

A brief summary of technical terms relating to the country’s nuclear progress.

Jun 2, 2022

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Simon Henderson

Articles & Testimony

Tehran's Proxy Army:

Iran's Regional Role

Over the past decade, Hezbollah has intensified its aggressive activities across the Middle East and now presides over a widening network of proxies.

May 29, 2022

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Matthew Levitt

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Ahrar Sinjar: Fasail Employment of the Yazidi Community

Ahrar Sinjar is a worrying example of Iran-backed militias utilizing micro-minorities to undertake cross-border rocket attacks into the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and terrorist cell-building inside Iraqi Kurdistan.

May 26, 2022

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Michael Knights
Hamdi Malik
Alex Almeida
Anwar al-Zamani

◆ Militia Spotlight

Palestians on a Mediterranean beach in Gaza

Articles & Testimony

Shifting East Mediterranean Tides: From Conflict to Club Med?

Although the worst-case scenarios of just a few years ago are in abeyance, the best-case ones of transformative cooperation are also still out of reach.

May 2022

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David Pollock

A Turkish Bayraktor UAV on display at an airshow - source: Reuters

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

The Muqawama's Duel with Turkey

Turkish counterstrikes may have instilled caution in militia rocketeers, suggesting more attacks may come against U.S. and Kurdish targets instead.

May 17, 2022

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Alex Almeida
Michael Knights

◆ Militia Spotlight

Israeli Prime Minister Bennett meets with the UAE's foreign minister in December 2021 - Source: Reuters

Video

Brief Analysis

Building an Arab-Israel Bloc: Can It Compensate for a Reluctant Washington?

Arab, European, and Israeli experts assess the possibilities and limits of normalization, discussing concerns about Iran’s nuclear program, U.S. retrenchment, and the Palestinian issue.

May 12, 2022

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Nickolay Mladenov
Zohar Palti
Ebtesam al-Ketbi
Karim Haggag

Qatari leader Emir Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani - source: Reuters

Brief Analysis

Qatari Visit to Iran Suggests Possible Policy Breakthroughs

The emir will likely seek a role in reviving the nuclear agreement, as well as Iranian help with accommodating World Cup fans later this year.

May 11, 2022

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Simon Henderson

In-Depth Reports

Countering Iran's Regional Strategy

A Long-Term, Comprehensive Approach

A coordinated response to Iran’s aggression can preserve U.S. and Western interests, reinforce Israel and America’s Arab allies, and promote regional stability.

May 8, 2022

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Eyal Zamir

A Ghauri nuclear-capable missile on parade in Pakistan

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Renewed Saudi-Pakistan Contacts Revive Nuclear Fears

Deadlock in the Iran nuclear talks may prompt action by Riyadh, with Pakistani support.

Apr 27, 2022

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Simon Henderson

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Muqawama Cyber-Surge (Part 2): Attributing Attacks to Militia Platforms

Sabereen News has seemingly broadened its capabilities to include simple hacking tactics like DDoS attacks, and it might quickly proceed to more complex exploits.

Apr 25, 2022

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Hamdi Malik
Crispin Smith

◆ Militia Spotlight

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Muqawama Cyber-Surge (Part 1): Chronology of Recent Attacks

Sabereen News appears to have added cyberattacks to its normal activities of spreading militia propaganda and disinformation, claiming operations against Israeli, Turkish, and Saudi targets.

Apr 25, 2022

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Crispin Smith
Hamdi Malik

◆ Militia Spotlight

Brief Analysis

Saudi-Kuwaiti Tensions with Iran over Offshore Gas Field

A relatively straightforward legal dispute could have geopolitical consequences.

Apr 18, 2022

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Simon Henderson

Israeli Minister of Defense Benny Gantz - source: Israeli Ministry of Defense

Video

Brief Analysis

Defense Minister Benny Gantz Discusses Israel's Strategic Challenges

The country's top defense official shares his insights on recent terrorist attacks, the Iran nuclear talks, the Ukraine war, expanding cooperation with regional countries, and more.

Apr 11, 2022

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Benny Gantz

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Sabereen's Suspension (Part 2): Causes and Consequences

The network's hiatus may have been ordered in response to its recent lean toward Russia, or perhaps its role in enabling a controversial arson attack on a political office.

Apr 11, 2022

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Crispin Smith
Hamdi Malik
Michael Knights

◆ Militia Spotlight

Supported by the

Viterbi Program on Iran and U.S. Policy

Today, the Islamic Republic of Iran poses the most serious and urgent set of security challenges to the United States and its allies in the greater Middle East. Since the Khomeini revolution in 1979, Iran has sought to export its radical ideology through the use of terrorism, subversion, and support to ideological fellow-travelers throughout the Muslim world.

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Policy Analysis on Iran

Viterbi Program on Iran and U.S. Policy

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Iran

Policy Analysis on Iran

Viterbi Program on Iran and U.S. Policy

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