Proliferation

Policy Analysis on Proliferation

Militias Are Threatening Public Safety in Iraq

Exploding ammo dumps are only one of many problems posed by out-of-control militias, making it more urgent than ever to warehouse heavy weapons, halt mass detentions, and protect Iraqis and Iraq’s investors alike.

Aug 14, 2019

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Michael Knights
Alex Almeida

Brief Analysis

Time to Change Course on the UN’s Lebanon Policy

Serious change is required to avoid decisions that accommodate Hezbollah’s ends, ways, and means, and a vital first step is to look at current policy mechanics with a clear eye.

Aug 13, 2019

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Assaf Orion

Brief Analysis

The Road Ahead on Iran Policy: Toward a Multilateral Strategy

Iran’s recent actions in the region challenge the core interests of many American allies, and rallying those partners around shared objectives would give U.S. policy a better chance of success.

Jul 26, 2019

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Michael Singh

Articles & Testimony

High Stakes for Trump and Pakistan's Khan: Afghanistan, India, Nukes and Money

The military elite who decide much of Pakistan's foreign policy view Afghan stabilization efforts as a strategic opportunity for arch rival India to encircle them.

Jul 22, 2019

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Simon Henderson

Articles & Testimony

Will Iran 'Break Out' for a Nuclear Weapon, and What Can Trump Do?

Seeing that the president wants out of “endless Middle East wars,” Tehran seems to think that raising the pressure might get him to back off.

Jul 16, 2019

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Dennis Ross

Articles & Testimony

There’s a Deal to Be Had Between the U.S. and Iran

If Tehran agrees to extend the JCPOA’s sunset provisions and curtail its activity in Syria and Lebanon, Washington may be willing to lift the nuclear sanctions and create a special-purpose vehicle.

Jul 10, 2019

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Dennis Ross

Articles & Testimony

Iran Steps Over the Line on Nukes. What’s the Next Step for Trump?

At the very least, the International Atomic Energy Agency should be pressured to conduct closer inspections of Iranian enrichment sites and other nuclear facilities.

Jul 2, 2019

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Simon Henderson

Articles & Testimony

Democrats Can Show Trump the Way to Avoid War with Iran

The regime’s economic pain is real, so it may eventually be willing to talk about extending the nuclear deal’s sunset provisions and limiting its military infrastructure in Syria.

Jun 26, 2019

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Dennis Ross

Articles & Testimony

Turkey and Russia Are Not Friends, Despite Appearances

The truth is that Ankara feels threatened by Moscow, but security concerns, mistrust of the West, and an inability to secure American missiles left Erdogan searching for an alternative.

Jun 16, 2019

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Soner Cagaptay
Andy Taylor

Articles & Testimony

A Deal Trump and Khamenei Could Make

Iran says it won’t negotiate with Washington under pressure, but it has done so in the past and might again.

May 29, 2019

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Dennis Ross

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Iran’s Deceptive Nuclear Messaging

Tehran’s decision to renege on some of its nuclear commitments heralds a new period of disturbingly ambiguous announcements.

May 23, 2019

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

Responding to Iranian Harassment of U.S. Facilities in Iraq

Tehran has reportedly told its militia proxies to be ready for escalation, so Washington must prepare to maintain a full presence in Iraq even under potentially increased fire.

May 21, 2019

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Michael Knights

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei delivers public remarks.

Brief Analysis

‘No War, No Negotiation’ Is Iran’s Stance

By holding fast to his defiant approach while stopping just short of war, Khamenei may be hoping to stall until the next U.S. and Iranian election cycles.

May 21, 2019

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Mehdi Khalaji

Brief Analysis

If Iran Deploys Missiles in Iraq: U.S.-Israeli Response Options

If Iran duplicates its formula from Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen by sending long-range missiles to Iraq, then future conflicts with Israel would likely include military action on Iraqi soil.

May 13, 2019

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Michael Knights
Assaf Orion

Brief Analysis

Iran’s Six Potential Nuclear Steps

Hoping to pressure Europe into providing more concessions, Tehran may threaten to reduce its commitments under the nuclear deal, but can it avoid escalation with Washington while doing so?

May 7, 2019

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Omer Carmi

Brief Analysis

Renewing the Iran Sanctions Waivers (Part 1): Nuclear Activities

Neither blanket extension nor wholesale cancellation is the best course, but several of the expiring waivers would serve U.S. interests if properly—and publicly—revised.

Apr 22, 2019

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Patrick Clawson

Brief Analysis

How Sanctions Are Affecting Iran’s Airline Industry

Greater delays, downtime, and problems acquiring new planes have made Iran feel the heat, but its civil aviation sector continues to generate revenue for the regime.

Apr 17, 2019

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Farzin Nadimi

Articles & Testimony

The Turkish Rupture Could Cause a Fissure in NATO

A dramatic rift seems unavoidable unless Ankara delays the arrival of Russian missiles and Washington provides security guarantees against Moscow and the Syrian Kurds.

Apr 16, 2019

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Soner Cagaptay

Brief Analysis

Iran’s Holiday Prologue to Exploiting Nuclear Loopholes

Although Tehran refrained from using its annual ‘Nuclear Day’ to threaten a wholesale breakout, it seems determined to push the West’s boundaries on centrifuge technology and other issues.

Apr 10, 2019

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Omer Carmi

Articles & Testimony

What Will IRGC Designation Actually Do?

The administration's message is not a new one, the FTO listing does not add much additional pressure, and the resultant risks to U.S. interests are significant.

Apr 8, 2019

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Matthew Levitt

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Featured experts

Patrick Clawson

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

Michael Singh

Michael Singh is the Managing Director and Lane-Swig Senior Fellow at The Washington Institute.

Simon Henderson

Simon Henderson is the Baker Senior Fellow and director of the Bernstein Program on Gulf and Energy Policy at The Washington Institute, specializing in energy matters and the conservative Arab states of the Persian Gulf.

Henry Rome

Henry Rome was a Senior Fellow at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, specializing in Iran sanctions, economic, and nuclear issues.

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Policy Analysis on Proliferation

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