Iran

Policy Analysis on Iran

Will Iran Retaliate Against U.S. Sanctions?

IRGC hardliners have pushed for an aggressive response to U.S. measures, but they will have to convince the Supreme Leader that escalation does not pose too great a risk.

Aug 3, 2017

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Omer Carmi

Brief Analysis

Iran's Space Program Emerges from Dormancy

The reported failure of the July 27 launch offers little solace to Western observers, since it likely anticipates future attempts as well as the potential for more-advanced technologies.

Aug 1, 2017

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Farzin Nadimi

Articles & Testimony

Assessing the U.S.-Qatar Relationship

The Institute's leading counterterrorism expert discusses Washington's ties with the Gulf country, contending that Qatar must take substantive, verifiable steps to address the shortcomings in its posture toward Islamist extremism.

Jul 26, 2017

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Matthew Levitt

As Syria Crumbles, Only Iran Is a Sure Winner

A discussion of Syria's Sykes-Picot origins, the recent U.S.-Russia de-escalation deal, and the Sunni-Shia contest in the region.

Jul 23, 2017

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Andrew J. Tabler

Articles & Testimony

On Bombing Anniversary, Iran Still Engaged in Illicit Activity

Working through its proxy Hezbollah, the Islamic Republic continues to support terrorist plots across the globe and to raise significant sums through illegal smuggling, including in South America's Triborder Area.

Jul 19, 2017

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Matthew Levitt

Brief Analysis

What to Expect From the State Department's Annual Counterterrorism Report

Areas of focus will likely include a damaged but still dangerous Islamic State, a regrouping al-Qaeda, and the wide network fielded by Iran and its proxy Hezbollah.

Jul 18, 2017

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Matthew Levitt
Katherine Bauer
Aaron Y. Zelin

Brief Analysis

The Ceasefire and U.S. Interests on the Jordan-Syria Border

By setting limits on Iranian deployments in southern Syria, Washington could insulate Jordan from problems on the border and encourage Iranian caution in the east, potentially decreasing the likelihood there of a U.S.-Iran clash.

Jul 17, 2017

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David Schenker
Hanin Ghaddar

Articles & Testimony

Why Trump's Syrian Ceasefire Makes Israel Nervous

The tepid response to the deal by Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu can be summed up in one word: Iran.

Jul 14, 2017

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David Makovsky

Brief Analysis

Confidence- and Security-Building Measures in the Nineveh Plains

In the aftermath of Mosul's liberation, the adjacent Nineveh Plains could be a cockpit for new ethno-sectarian conflict or a test case of cooperative security arrangements, with the anti-IS coalition having strong incentives to ensure the latter.

Jul 14, 2017

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Michael Knights
Yousif Kalian

Articles & Testimony

Why Latest Syria Ceasefire Is Exactly What Putin Wanted

As long as Putin keeps control of the narrative in Syria, he can forestall a resolution that compromises Russian interests.

Jul 11, 2017

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Anna Borshchevskaya

Will the Gulf Crisis Blow Up the Middle East?

A discussion of what's at stake in the region, how to evaluate the situation, and the roles of Israel and Iran.

Jul 11, 2017

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Simon Henderson

Articles & Testimony

Will Iranian President Rouhani's Second Term Be Different?

Although Rouhani is a skillful politician who convinced the Iranian leadership to go along with the nuclear deal, he likely will not be in a position to wield similar influence over his country's regional activities.

Jul 11, 2017

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Omer Carmi

Brief Analysis

Addressing Iranian Weapons Smuggling and the Humanitarian Situation in Yemen

Reenergized and more-targeted maritime interdiction operations could reduce Iranian support for the Houthis while helping respond to Yemen's humanitarian crisis.

Jul 11, 2017

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Eric Pelofsky
Jeremy Vaughan

Articles & Testimony

Mosul Defeat a Blow to IS, but Not the End

Risks include a burgeoning jihadist insurgency in areas retaken from the group more than two years ago, including Diyala province, where Iran-backed militias have exacerbated matters by engaging in collective punishment.

Jul 10, 2017

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Michael Knights

Brief Analysis

The Trump-Putin Sideline and the Syria Conflict

Whatever the two leaders discuss at the G20 summit, the Trump administration must work urgently to develop a new Syria strategy that articulates a clear vision for the country's future and the U.S. readiness to protect it.

Jul 6, 2017

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Nikolay Kozhanov

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

Articles & Testimony

Qatar Crisis: Worst Case Scenarios

A dramatic response by Qatar could entail an appeal to the UN Security Council or, more dangerously, an attempt to play its military cards, both of which would carry risks for the United States.

Jul 6, 2017

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James Jeffrey
Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

Simmering Trouble in Oil-Rich Shia Area Complicates Riyadh's Concerns

Incidents in the town of al-Awamiyah are creating headaches for the Saudi leadership and adding to regional tensions.

Jul 5, 2017

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

Managing Escalation Dynamics with Iran in Syria -- and Beyond

Given recent frictions, the United States should take a number of steps to reduce the potential for escalation with Tehran and to avoid a broader conflict.

Jul 5, 2017

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Michael Eisenstadt

Articles & Testimony

The Muslim Brotherhood Is the Root of the Qatar Crisis

The Saudi-led bloc has made thirteen demands of Doha, but they're mostly about resolving one issue -- and time is almost up.

Jul 2, 2017

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Eric Trager

Articles & Testimony

Embrace a New Saudi Arabia

The United States should work with Muhammad bin Salman, the new crown prince, as he pushes for change.

Jun 29, 2017

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Dennis Ross

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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Policy Analysis on Iran

Viterbi Program on Iran and U.S. Policy

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