Iran

Policy Analysis on Iran

Preserving an open-ended multilateral approach or allowing Russia to determine what is offered is not a prescription for successful nuclear diplomacy with Iran.

Jun 25, 2013

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Dennis Ross

Brief Analysis

Nuclear Breakthrough Unlikely Under Rouhani

Rouhani may soften the veneer and rhetoric of Tehran's nuclear policy, but there is little reason to expect a change in the regime's objectives.

Jun 24, 2013

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Nima Gerami

Brief Analysis

Rouhani's Nuclear Views: An Open Book?

The president-elect's recent writings provide a basis for judging how he will approach the nuclear issue.

Jun 19, 2013

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Patrick Clawson

Articles & Testimony

The Rowhani Front

The new president-elect's supporters want a better economy and integration into the international community more than they want nuclear glory.

Jun 19, 2013

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Mehdi Khalaji

Articles & Testimony

Iranian Actions Speak Louder Than Election Results

The election of Hassan Rouhani as Iran's next president has prompted two sorts of reactions among U.S. officials and Iran analysts. Some see in Rouhani's victory a reformist resurgence and are urging the Obama administration to reach out in an effort to "strengthen" him, much as the Clinton administration sought

Jun 18, 2013

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Michael Singh

Articles & Testimony

Did Sanctions Shape the Iranian Election?

The recent presidential election in Iran proved that the Islamic Republic's instinct for self-preservation trumps its ideology. Hassan Rouhani, the current representative of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the Supreme National Security Council and former head nuclear negotiator, won the election in the first round, a total surprise for

Jun 17, 2013

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Mehdi Khalaji

Brief Analysis

What to Expect from Russia at the G8 Summit

Serious progress is unlikely given Moscow's intransigence on Syria, Iran, and missile defense.

Jun 14, 2013

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Anna Borshchevskaya

Articles & Testimony

Exporting Terror in America's Backyard

The United States and other countries should avoid downplaying the threat from Iranian agents in Latin America.

Jun 13, 2013

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Matthew Levitt

Articles & Testimony

U.S. Credibility on Iran at Stake in Syria

Defeating Iranian designs in Syria would not halt Tehran's nuclear ambitions, but it could restore the credibility of American power and force Iran's leaders to reconsider the costs of their strategy.

Jun 12, 2013

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Michael Singh

Video

Brief Analysis

The Islamic Republic's Will to Survive: Likely Nuclear Resistance, Unlikely Social Revolt

On June 7, 2013, Saeid Golkar and Mehdi Khalaji addressed a Policy Forum at The Washington Institute. Mr. Golkar is a fellow at the Roberta Buffett Center for International and Comparative Studies at Northwestern University and author of the new Institute report The Islamic Republic's Art of Survival. Mr. Khalaji

Jun 12, 2013

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Saeid Golkar
Mehdi Khalaji

In-Depth Reports

Rising to Iran's Challenge:

GCC Military Capability and U.S. Security Cooperation

At a time of declining U.S. military spending and growing concern about Iran's hegemonic ambitions and nuclear intentions, the Gulf Cooperation Council states continue to view the U.S. military as the hub of their security efforts. How can Washington help bolster Gulf defenses against Iran without exacerbating military tensions, destabilizing

Jun 12, 2013

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Michael Knights

In-Depth Reports

The Islamic Republic's Art of Survival:

Neutralizing Domestic and Foreign Threats

Over the past three decades, the Iranian regime has managed to survive numerous internal and external crises. From coup attempts to war and, most recently, mass uprisings and nuclear sanctions, the Islamic Republic has been able to neutralize threats at home and on its borders while avoiding foreign intervention. In

Jun 7, 2013

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Saeid Golkar

Multimedia

Brief Analysis

The Middle East at the U.S.-China Summit

Discussions with Chinese officials and analysts highlight the need for measured cooperation on various regional issues, including endgame diplomatic proposals for Iran and de-escalation in Syria.

Jun 5, 2013

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Paul Haenle
James Jeffrey

Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, casts his vote for president

Articles & Testimony

Don't Discount the Iranian Election

Khamenei's handling of the presidential election highlights his desire to prevent foreign accommodation, including on the nuclear issue.

Jun 5, 2013

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Dennis Ross

Articles & Testimony

The Iran Primer: Power, Politics, and U.S. Policy

Patrick Clawson, Mehdi Khalaji, Michael Eisenstadt, Matthew Levitt, and Michael Singh have contributed material to this important ongoing project on Iran.

Jun 3, 2013

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Mehdi Khalaji
Patrick Clawson
Michael Eisenstadt
Matthew Levitt
Michael Singh

Articles & Testimony

Iranian Support for Terrorism and Violations of Human Rights

The director of the Institute's Stein Program on Counterterrorism and Intelligence addressed the Canadian parliament regarding Iranian-sponsored violence at home and abroad. The following is an excerpt from his prepared remarks; download the PDF to read the full testimony. In 1948, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and

May 30, 2013

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Matthew Levitt

Brief Analysis

Sworn Frenemies: Sunni-Shiite Conflict and Cooperation

Notwithstanding current hostilities, there is a long history of cooperation between Sunni and Shiite extremists.

May 30, 2013

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David Schenker

In-Depth Reports

Israeli or U.S. Action Against Iran

Who Will Do It If It Must Be Done?

It is late 2013 and Israel's prime minister has just received a phone call from the White House relaying the findings of a recent U.S. intelligence assessment: neither international sanctions nor negotiations have persuaded Iran to halt its nuclear program. What should they do? This scenario is the launching point

May 28, 2013

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James Cartwright
Amos Yadlin

Articles & Testimony

Iran's Nuclear Games Demand a Tougher U.S. Approach

As the conflict in Syria rivets international attention, Iran's nuclear program continues apace. Unfortunately, while the Iranians install the next generation of centrifuges -- machines that can produce enriched uranium three to four times faster than before -- the "P5+1" negotiations on Iran's nuclear program have ground once again to

May 27, 2013

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Dennis Ross
David Makovsky

Articles & Testimony

Syrian Crisis Leading Towards Open Turkey-Iran Conflict

Sectarian flames are melting away Turkey's hard-earned soft power in the Middle East and pushing Ankara closer to Washington.

May 26, 2013

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Soner Cagaptay

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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