Iran

Policy Analysis on Iran

Egyptian and Israeli flags along the Sinai border

Easing the Minds of Egyptian Generals Is Key to Continued Cooperation with Israel

By keeping bilateral military operations a secret, the two governments risk perpetuating fundamental misconceptions among Egypt's military ranks.

Feb 24, 2018

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Haisam Hassanein

Brief Analysis

Pushing Iran to Take Steps Against Terrorist Financing

By focusing on Tehran's struggle to reach an acceptable legal definition of terrorism, Washington can avoid further politicizing the traditionally technocratic effort to bring Iranian banks in line with international norms.

Feb 20, 2018

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Katherine Bauer

Brief Analysis

Washington's Militia Problem in Syria Is an Iran Problem

While Assad may nominally hold reclaimed areas in the south, he will never truly control them so long as Tehran tells its militia proxies to secure that corridor for its own purposes.

Feb 19, 2018

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Jackson Doering

Articles & Testimony

The Case for a Tillerson to Israel Moment

Given the risks posed by Iran's expanding presence in Syria, Secretary Tillerson should add Israel to his travel itinerary as a signal of support and deterrence.

Feb 16, 2018

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Dennis Ross

Articles & Testimony

Strengthen the Nuclear Deal and Counter Iran's Destabilizing Activities

The gaps between Washington and Europe's positions on the JCPOA remain wide, but the potential price of failure will hopefully provide enough motivation to bridge them.

Feb 16, 2018

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Michael Eisenstadt

Brief Analysis

Crossing Redlines: Escalation Dynamics in Syria

Tehran and its allies will test U.S. and Israeli limits again, requiring deterrent responses that are tough, consistent, and paired with political reassurances to allies.

Feb 13, 2018

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Michael Eisenstadt
Michael Knights

Brief Analysis

Israel Signaling a Heavy Price for Iranian 'Entrenchment' in Syria

If Tehran keeps trying to increase its military foothold in Syria, Israel may ramp up its strikes, so Washington should consider a more active posture that reduces the risks of escalation.

Feb 12, 2018

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David Makovsky

Articles & Testimony

After the Weekend's Iran-Israel Attacks, a Burden on Trump to Confront Russia and Engage Europe

Before the next shoe drops in Syria, the administration needs to get blunt with Putin and ask EU officials to warn Tehran about renewed sanctions.

Feb 12, 2018

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Dennis Ross

Articles & Testimony

Trump Is All Talk on Iran

The president has wooed Saudi Arabia and Israel with promises to roll back Iranian influence—but he has so far failed to match those words with action.

Feb 8, 2018

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Dennis Ross

Video

Brief Analysis

Rolling Back Iran's Foreign Legion

Two experts diagnose the Shia militia problem in Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq, offering concrete advice for reducing the power of Iran's proxies.

Feb 6, 2018

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Hanin Ghaddar
Phillip Smyth

Articles & Testimony

Here's Where Advocates and Critics of the Iran Nuke Deal Can Agree

Supporters should see the administration's threats as a last chance to salvage the deal, while critics should seize the opportunity to correct its flaws.

Feb 5, 2018

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Michael Singh

In-Depth Reports

Iran's Foreign Legion:

The Impact of Shia Militias on U.S. Foreign Policy

The leading such group is Lebanese Hezbollah, but Iraq's PMF and Yemen's Houthis also pose serious threats.

Feb 1, 2018

Brief Analysis

With or Without Putin, Israel Is Willing to Enforce Lebanon Redline

Through Moscow meetings and public statements, Israeli officials have made clear that Iranian weapons facilities in Lebanon are a game changer, so escalation is quite possible if Tehran ignores their warnings.

Feb 1, 2018

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David Makovsky

Brief Analysis

Saudi Nuclear Talks: Risks and Limitations

Allowing Riyadh to produce its own nuclear fuel could have bad proliferation consequences in the Middle East and Asia, but Washington may not have the leverage to enforce a permanent ban.

Jan 31, 2018

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Jay Solomon

Articles & Testimony

The International Order and Nuclear Negotiations with Iran

The recent history of U.S. policy toward Iran shows why Washington must consistently treat its international leverage as a precious asset, not a mere political tool.

Jan 31, 2018

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Michael Singh

Brief Analysis

New Palestinian and Egyptian Designations Highlight Iran and the Muslim Brotherhood

The State Department is upping the pressure on Tehran and the Brotherhood's violent progeny in Gaza and Egypt.

Jan 31, 2018

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Matthew Levitt

Articles & Testimony

'Losing an Enemy' Doesn't Tell the Full JCPOA Story

Trita Parsi's formidable persuasive effort would be stronger if he took the counterarguments more seriously and explained why the nuclear negotiations turned out the way they did.

Jan 25, 2018

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Michael Singh

Articles & Testimony

Conflict and Cover-Up: The Real Story of What Is Happening in Yemen

As Saudi military failures draw ever-sharper criticism, Iran seems content to support proxy actions that stop just short of prompting a direct clash with Riyadh.

Jan 25, 2018

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Simon Henderson

Articles & Testimony

The Evolution of Shia Insurgency in Bahrain

With Iran's help, militant cells are poised to add unmanned vehicles, anti-armor weapons, and other potent capabilities to their existing IED and combat skill set.

Jan 24, 2018

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Michael Knights
Matthew Levitt

Video

Middle East FAQs Volume 1: What is the Shia Crescent?

Institute experts Patrick Clawson, Hanin Ghaddar, and Nader Uskowi discuss Iran's growing influence from the Persian Gulf to the Mediterranean and beyond.

Jan 17, 2018

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Patrick Clawson
Hanin Ghaddar
Nader Uskowi

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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Featured experts

Farzin Nadimi

Farzin Nadimi, a Senior Fellow with The Washington Institute, is a Washington-based analyst specializing in the security and defense affairs of Iran and the Persian Gulf region.

Patrick Clawson

Patrick Clawson is the Morningstar Senior Fellow and Research Counselor at The Washington Institute.

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Policy Analysis on Iran

Viterbi Program on Iran and U.S. Policy

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Viterbi Program on Iran and U.S. Policy

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