Iran

Policy Analysis on Iran

Iran's Ideological Exploitation of the Hajj

The massive, unregulated apparatus that the Supreme Leader has established to oversee Shiite activities during the Hajj is an essential tool in Tehran's efforts to export the Islamic Revolution and disseminate anti-Western sentiment.

Sep 12, 2016

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Mehdi Khalaji

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Deterring Iranian Provocations at Sea

In light of Iran's more assertive naval posture in the Persian Gulf, the otherwise commendable restraint demonstrated by the U.S. Navy may risk bringing about the very kind of unintended maritime incident Washington is trying to avoid.

Sep 12, 2016

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Jeremy Vaughan

Iran Cannot Be a Partner in the Struggle Against ISIS

In this in-depth interview, the veteran advisor and peace envoy discusses the regional consequences of the Iran nuclear deal and the possibility of progress in the Israeli-Palestinian arena.

Sep 11, 2016

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Dennis Ross

Brief Analysis

Obama Team Makes Defensible Actions on Iran Look Suspicious

If administration officials would simply explain their Iran decisions from the start rather than waiting for inevitable media leaks, they could ensure that any new revelations are small news items, not the subject of page one stories or congressional inquiries.

Sep 8, 2016

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Patrick Clawson

Brief Analysis

Iran's 'Useful Syria' Is Practically Complete

Helping the Assad regime establish full control in Damascus is only one part of Iran's plan to create a regional Shiite crescent, and any ceasefire plan that furthers such goals could spark wider sectarian conflict.

Sep 8, 2016

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Hanin Ghaddar

Brief Analysis

Holy War of Words: Growing Saudi-Iranian Tensions

Relations between Riyadh and Tehran are in a downward spiral, raising the urgent need for a U.S. and international response.

Sep 7, 2016

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

Non-Iranian Shiites Paying the Price in Aleppo

The costly siege has spurred Iran to withdraw or relocate certain IRGC units, but this is unlikely to hurt the Assad coalition's strategy in Aleppo so long as Hezbollah and other Shiite militias remain willing to fight there.

Aug 31, 2016

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Ali Alfoneh

Articles & Testimony

Vladimir Putin and the Shiite Axis

Russia's military alliance with Iran is all about keeping Assad in power and America on its back foot, and even a short-lived partnership can do long-term damage to U.S. interests.

Aug 30, 2016

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Anna Borshchevskaya

In-Depth Reports

The Rise of ISIL:

Counterterrorism Lectures 2015

As authorities scramble to prepare for the ways in which the Islamic State threat will continue to evolve, many lessons can be learned by looking at the factors that led to its rise. This seventh volume of Counterterrorism Lectures traces ISIL's evolution during 2015.

Aug 29, 2016

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Matthew Levitt

◆ Counterterrorism Lecture Series

Brief Analysis

Iran's Aggressive Naval Intercepts Serve Foreign and Domestic Purposes

The IRGC will likely continue using such incidents as a way to signal its domestic rivals, justify its large budget, and meet other goals, so Washington should remain vigilant and consider seeking an official channel for emergency communications.

Aug 26, 2016

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Farzin Nadimi

Articles & Testimony

Hezbollah’s Pivot Toward the Gulf

While Hezbollah's next war with Israel seems inevitable in the long term, recent events and rhetoric suggest that the group and its Iranian patron will focus on targeting Saudi interests in the meantime.

Aug 22, 2016

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Matthew Levitt

Brief Analysis

Iran's Afghan and Pakistani Proxies: In Syria and Beyond?

As part of its renewed effort to export the Islamic Revolution through armed proxies, Tehran has been recruiting and training Afghan and Pakistani fighters for Syria's battlefields, thereby giving them invaluable experience for potential future campaigns in other regional countries.

Aug 22, 2016

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Farzin Nadimi

Brief Analysis

Russia Uses an Iranian Air Base: Two Essays

Two Iran experts discuss the political and military implications of Tehran's unprecedented decision to allow Russian airstrikes from its territory.

Aug 17, 2016

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Mehdi Khalaji
Farzin Nadimi

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Should Iraq's ISCI Forces Really Be Considered 'Good Militias'?

While Washington should continue its efforts to engage Ammar al-Hakim's militia network, it should also be wary of the umbrella group's close cooperation with rabidly sectarian, anti-American actors controlled by Iran.

Aug 17, 2016

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Phillip Smyth

Iran and Hezbollah Remain Hyperactive in Latin America

Although Hezbollah and its affiliates are highly unlikely to attack the Rio Olympics, the group's troubling activities in Brazil and neighboring countries should not be ignored.

Aug 11, 2016

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Matthew Levitt

Articles & Testimony

Iran's Plan to Expand Its Nuclear Program -- and Steps the U.S. Can Take to Deter It

In response to a recently publicized document describing Iran's nuclear intentions, the next U.S. administration should first make clear that being aware of Iran's plans is not the same as acquiescing to them.

Aug 4, 2016

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Michael Singh

In-Depth Reports

Iran's Lengthening Cyber Shadow

Cyber is emerging as Iran's weapon of choice for dealing with domestic opponents and foreign adversaries. Accordingly, Washington needs to better understand the dynamics governing cyber deterrence and escalation vis-à-vis the Islamic Republic. In this Research Note, military expert Michael Eisenstadt explains why Tehran has come to rely increasingly on

Jul 28, 2016

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Michael Eisenstadt

Brief Analysis

Why Iran Will Never Proceed with the Proposed Plane Purchases

In deciding whether to formally prohibit plane sales that already seem commercially infeasible, Washington should consider one question: if the Islamic Republic is going to shoot itself in the foot, why refuse it the gun?

Jul 27, 2016

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Patrick Clawson

Brief Analysis

Oil and Islam: Saudi Policy Post-JCPOA

Disappointed with the nuclear deal and sensing that Iran is challenging its leadership role in Islam, Riyadh seems prepared to ramp up bilateral tensions via oil production increases, sectarian provocations, and other tactics.

Jul 15, 2016

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

Iran Still Looms Large in Israel's Threat Perception

Israel and Washington should jointly address the perceived lack of U.S. deterrence against persistent Iranian and proxy threats, conclude the ten-year military assistance package as soon as possible, and launch a strategic high-level dialogue under the next administration.

Jul 15, 2016

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Michael Herzog

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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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

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Viterbi Program on Iran and U.S. Policy

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