Iran

Policy Analysis on Iran

Assessing U.S. Policy across the Middle East

A panel of senior U.S. and foreign policy practitioners shared insights into the status and course of American policy in the Middle East.

May 8, 2014

◆

Elliott Abrams
Tim Kaine
Jean-David Levitte
James Steinberg

Video

In-Depth Reports

Israel's Evolving Terrorist Threats from Sinai to Syria

Israel and Jordan have together mounted a "well coordinated" effort to prevent the most extreme elements among the Syrian rebellion from dominating the southern front along both the Israeli and Jordanian borders, Middle East analyst Ehud Yaari told attendees at The Washington Institute's 2014 Weinberg Founders Conference. Yaari, the Institute's

May 8, 2014

◆

Ehud Yaari
Aaron Y. Zelin
Matthew Levitt

Brief Analysis

Saudi Arabia's Missile Messaging

The inclusion of long-range Chinese-made missiles in a Saudi military parade is likely a diplomatic signal to Iran and the United States.

Apr 29, 2014

◆

Simon Henderson

Articles & Testimony

The Smart Power Play That Could Help the U.S. Control Putin

Washington does not need to put boots on the ground to show Moscow, Tehran, and Damascus that is it serious about exercising U.S. power in the region.

Apr 28, 2014

◆

Dennis Ross

United Nations headquarters building in New York - source: Reuters

Articles & Testimony

Obama Correct -- and Canny -- to Refuse a Visa to Iranian Envoy

If the nuclear talks cannot survive this unrelated incident, then the P5+1 must reexamine its narrow approach to the negotiations.

Apr 15, 2014

◆

Michael Singh

Brief Analysis

Iran Seeks to Untangle UN Sanctions

The Islamic Republic has added to its nuclear negotiating team a law professor who has extensive experience making Iran's case in international disputes.

Apr 10, 2014

◆

Steven Ditto

In-Depth Reports

Tightening the Reins

How Khamenei Makes Decisions

This new study by Mehdi Khalaji focuses on explaining the decisionmaking process within Iran's highest political echelon.

Apr 9, 2014

◆

Mehdi Khalaji

In-Depth Reports

What Iran's Chemical Past Tells Us About Its Nuclear Future

Michael Eisenstadt examines the parallels between the development of Iran's chemical warfare program during the war with Iraq and its nuclear program today.

Apr 3, 2014

◆

Michael Eisenstadt

Articles & Testimony

The Saudi Problem and the Head of the Snake

Does Obama still have pull over Riyadh when the king's point man -- Prince Bandar -- is pulling the strings from afar?

Mar 28, 2014

◆

Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

What If the Ukraine Crisis Affects the Iran File?

Given Moscow's potential ability to undermine Iran diplomacy, Washington has yet another compelling reason to reestablish faith in -- and fear of -- America's willingness to use military strength.

Mar 28, 2014

◆

James Jeffrey

Brief Analysis

Nuclear Kingdom: Saudi Arabia's Atomic Ambitions

Although Iran's nuclear potential will likely dominate talks between President Obama and King Abdullah on March 29, Riyadh's own nuclear plans should also be part of the discussion.

Mar 27, 2014

◆

Olli Heinonen
Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

Iranian Aid to Fighters in the Gulf Peninsula

A number of U.S. interests could be served by expanding support to strategic Gulf partners in their efforts to curb Iranian aid to local fighters.

Mar 24, 2014

◆

Lori Plotkin Boghardt

Brief Analysis

Iranian Suspicions About the IAEA

Iranian elites continue to express skepticism about the International Atomic Energy Agency's verification measures, nuclear safeguards agreements, and impartiality, with some even accusing it of collusion with foreign intelligence agencies.

Mar 21, 2014

◆

Steven Ditto

Articles & Testimony

The Case for Zero Enrichment in Iran

At a time when sanctions are having a significant impact on the Iranian economy, the P5+1 should allow the pressure to work to full effect instead of yielding on nuclear activities that threaten vital U.S. interests.

Mar 18, 2014

◆

Michael Singh

Iran's navy commander speaks in front of a map

Brief Analysis

Iran's Evolving Maritime Presence

The growing capabilities of Iran's navy will enhance the country's soft power and its peacetime reach, while providing an alternative means of supplying the "axis of resistance" if traditional means of civilian transport become untenable.

Mar 13, 2014

◆

Michael Eisenstadt
Alon Paz

Brief Analysis

Preventing an Iranian Breakout after a Nuclear Deal

Washington must urgently reestablish the credibility of its military threat, along with other steps, to guard against noncompliance from Tehran.

Mar 12, 2014

◆

James Jeffrey
David Pollock

Articles & Testimony

Syria Spillover: The Growing Threat of Terrorism and Sectarianism in the Middle East

The scope of the war's regional fallout will become more apparent in the coming months as radicalized foreign fighters return to their home countries, sectarian strife increases in Lebanon, and massive refugee flows exacerbate public health problems.

Mar 6, 2014

◆

Matthew Levitt

Articles & Testimony

Iran's Support for Terrorism Worldwide

By dramatically increasing its sponsorship of terrorism and cementing its partnership with Hezbollah in Syria, the Iranian regime is posing more of a threat to regional and international security than ever.

Mar 4, 2014

◆

Matthew Levitt

Articles & Testimony

A Regional Approach to Iran

If the United States neglects the bigger regional picture and focuses solely on deal-making with Tehran, the result may be a tactical victory but a strategic defeat.

Mar 3, 2014

◆

Michael Singh

Brief Analysis

The Ukraine Crisis and the Middle East

The Ukraine situation will affect Washington's Middle Eastern priorities, but not to such a degree that it will stymie a strong U.S. response to Russian actions, since America has the power to act in the region without Moscow if necessary. Ukraine could well make it necessary.

Mar 3, 2014

◆

James Jeffrey

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.

Never miss a breaking event on U.S. policy interests in the Middle East. Customize your subscription to our expert analysis, op-eds, live events, and special reports.

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.

Regions & Countries

Issues

Policy Analysis on Iran

Viterbi Program on Iran and U.S. Policy

Featured experts

Regions & Countries

Issues

Iran

Policy Analysis on Iran

Viterbi Program on Iran and U.S. Policy

Sign Up for Email Updates from The Washington Institute

Featured experts