Unpacking Israel’s deterrence strategy after Iran’s missile attack Stacie Goddard and Boaz Atzili - April 25, 2024 A conversation with Boaz Aztili on Israel’s deterrence moves – and Iran's calculations
Iran’s security forces have little incentive to ease up on protesters Roya Izadi - September 30, 2022 Will forces remain loyal to the regime? That might depend on their business networks.
Are Iran’s hijab protests different from past protest waves? Ali Kadivar - September 22, 2022 Broader and broader swaths of society are showing that they’re outraged, with grievances that won’t soon go away.
How the Ukraine crisis could make the Syrian civil war worse Tiina Hyyppä and Aaron Pilkington - May 23, 2022 Shifting Russian troops away from Syria risks opening up new threats
Iran elected a hard-liner president. What does that mean for the nuclear deal? Henry Rome - June 21, 2021 Ebrahim Raisi’s anti-Western views may limit the benefits that many Iranians hope to see under a revival of the deal
We know one thing about Iran’s new president, even before this week’s election. He won’t be a reformer. Hossein Mahdavi - June 17, 2021 The consolidation of power within the Revolutionary Guard leaves little room for opposition politicians
Will the attack on Iran’s nuclear research facility derail U.S. nuclear talks? Dalia Dassa Kaye - April 13, 2021 The Biden administration will find it difficult to contain Israel and Iran’s escalating tensions.
Saudi Twitter blew up with support for the crown prince. How much of it is genuine? Andrew Leber and Alexei Abrahams - March 8, 2021 Tweets in support of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman racked up after a U.S. report implicated him in the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi
Trump changed how the U.S. assigns the label ‘terrorist.’ Can the Biden administration change it back? Samuel M. Hickey and Manuel Reinert - February 11, 2021 Trump changed ‘designation’ from a foreign policy tool to one aimed at influencing American public opinion
Iran and Turkey have become drone powers James Rogers - January 27, 2021 Drones have become the weapon of choice around the world.
How the assassination of an Iranian scientist could affect nuclear negotiations with Iran Farzan Sabet - December 11, 2020 Fakhrizadeh’s death potentially complicates a path back to a nuclear deal and follow-up agreements.
Has Israel been sabotaging Iran? Here’s what we know. Dalia Dassa Kaye - July 15, 2020 Four reasons Israel might be waging its shadow war more overtly — which could backfire.
The covid-19 crisis could strengthen Iran’s ‘invisible government’ Hossein Mahdavi - May 7, 2020 An increased social welfare role for groups within Iran could undercut the rationale for U.S. sanctions
What will happen to Iraqi Shiite militias after one key leader’s death? Ranj Alaaldin - February 28, 2020 This won’t help U.S.-Iran tensions
Will Soleimani’s death change Iran’s relationship with the Revolutionary Guard? Dina Esfandiary - January 8, 2020 Soleimani’s heavy-handed approach of using armed militias and proxies turned local opinion against Iran.
If any Iranians supported Soleimani’s killing, it would’ve been dissidents on Twitter. The opposite happened. Steven L. Wilson and Layla M. Hashemi - January 7, 2020 The attack may have united Iranians in outrage against the U.S.
How will Iran respond to Soleimani’s killing — and where will the escalation end? Elisa Ewers and Ariane Tabatabai - January 6, 2020 Expect something more than today’s proxy skirmishes — but less than all-out war.
How terrorism helps — and hurts — Iran Daniel Byman - January 3, 2020 Why Iran supports terrorist groups — and what the consequences can be.
How did the U.S. get to the brink of war with Iran? Afshon Ostovar - January 3, 2020 The assassination of Soleimani will provoke Iran to act
Iran shut down the Internet to stop protests. But for how long? Ali Kadivar - November 26, 2019 The government won’t find it easy to address protesters’ grievances.
Is there a way out of the Iran crisis? Mohammad Tabaar - October 2, 2019 Yes, research provides insight into Iran’s foreign policy — and a possible way to stop the escalation between Iran and United States.
World leaders are gathering at the U.N. Yes, U.S. sanctions can make this complicated. David Bosco - September 19, 2019 Travel restrictions are a popular way to punish foreign leaders.
Iran’s cooperation with the Taliban could affect talks on U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan Ariane M. Tabatabai - August 8, 2019 Here’s what’s motivating the recently publicized ties.
Why do Facebook and Twitter’s anti-extremist guidelines allow right-wingers more freedom than Islamists? Anna Meier - July 31, 2019 Relying on governments to designate organizations as terrorists means “de-platforming” is always political.
Assad’s control over Syria’s security apparatus is limited Katherine Nazemi and Alexander Decina - July 29, 2019 Beneath an image of centralized authority is a divided system of competing security actors.
Oil probably won’t cause a war with Iran, but it certainly adds fuel to the blaze Jeff Colgan - July 20, 2019 Tensions are high, and liquid natural gas tankers are vulnerable to attack.
Trump’s Iran strategy is a Twitter thread. It’s hard to know where to start. Henry Farrell - June 21, 2019 Political scientists explain Trump’s strategy and how we got here.
The Stone Roses, ‘Shoot You Down’: The Week In One Song Christopher Federico - June 21, 2019 Tensions in the Gulf.
Trump tweeted there’s ‘no infighting’ on U.S. policy on Iran. But does he have all the information? Tyler Jost and Robert Schub - May 18, 2019 Advisers help presidents make informed decisions — usually
Iran reduces commitment to the nuclear deal amid increased U.S. pressure Dina Esfandiary - May 9, 2019 President Rouhani gives remaining parties of the JCPOA a 60-day deadline to help protect Iran’s interests before walking away.
Attempts to designate the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organization have failed before. Why is it returning now? Marc Lynch - May 1, 2019 Trump’s Middle East policy pattern shows disregard for the consequences.
Designating Iranian military unit a ‘terrorist organization’ will make U.S. relations with Iran more difficult. Here’s how. Afshon Ostovar - April 8, 2019 It’s a first for the United States to designate a foreign government entity as a terrorist organization.
Would Iranians welcome a new nuclear deal? Think again. John R. Cookson and Dina Smeltz - March 26, 2019 Trump’s withdrawal has made its citizens cynical about negotiations.
Russia is trying to limit its casualties in Syria. Here’s why that is bad for Syrian civilians. Lionel Beehner - March 28, 2018 [caption id="attachment_71523" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a
What are the lessons of the Arab uprisings for Iran’s protests? Marc Lynch - January 2, 2018 [caption id="attachment_67724" align="aligncenter" width="960"] In this photo, by an individual
Iran’s involvement in Syria is costly. Here’s why most Iranians still support it. Peyman Asadzade - October 19, 2017 [caption id="attachment_65055" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Mourners escort the truck carrying the
How 9/11 created a feedback loop for international jihadism Martha Crenshaw and Lisa Blaydes - September 22, 2017 [caption id="attachment_63827" align="aligncenter" width="960"] U.S. soldiers and Iraqi civilians pull
How Iran fights the Islamic State Dina Esfandiary - June 14, 2017 [caption id="attachment_59835" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Police control the scene around the
Iranian President Rouhani won reelection. Here’s how reformists got him there. Ali Kadivar - May 23, 2017 [caption id="attachment_58718" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Supporters of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani
What’s really at stake in Iran’s presidential election Naghmeh Sohrabi and Hossein Mahdavi - May 18, 2017 [caption id="attachment_58521" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A veiled Iranian woman supporting conservative
Why the death of Iran’s leading moderate could strengthen its reformists Hossein Mahdavi - January 23, 2017 [caption id="attachment_52890" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, foreground
There’s a battle in Iran over the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps business empire Nader Habibi and Eric Lob - January 5, 2017 [caption id="attachment_52079" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Iran's Supreme Leader tyatollah Ali Khamenei
How elections are secularizing Iranian politics Shervin Malekzadeh - May 19, 2016 [caption id="attachment_40789" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A man distributes electoral posters in
No, Yemen’s Houthis actually aren’t Iranian puppets Thomas Juneau - May 16, 2016 [caption id="attachment_40606" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Armed members of a Houthi militia
Why the triumph of moderates is a setback to Iranian democracy Mohammad Tabaar - March 9, 2016 [caption id="attachment_36973" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Iranian voters fill out their ballots
Iran’s election wasn’t about moderation or democracy. It was about how Iran will re-engage with the world. Hossein Mahdavi - March 3, 2016 [caption id="attachment_36711" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Iranian President Hassan Rouhani speaks during
Why Iran’s Assembly of Experts election is the real race to be watching Farzan Sabet - February 24, 2016 [caption id="attachment_36301" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Former Iranian president Ali Akbar Hashemi
Iran’s cyberattacks are likely to increase. Here’s why. Dina Esfandiary and Ariane Tabatabai - November 18, 2015 [caption id="attachment_32180" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Iran's President Hassan Rouhani arrives for a
So are Russia and Iran best buddies now? Um, maybe not. Samuel Ramani - November 12, 2015 [caption id="attachment_32032" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, shakes
What Iran will really do with its sanctions relief windfall Eric Lob - November 4, 2015 [caption id="attachment_31702" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif
Why did Iran’s parliament hold hearings on the nuclear deal? Hossein Mahdavi - October 6, 2015 [caption id="attachment_30277" align="aligncenter" width="908"] A general view of Iran's parliament
The danger of (mis)perceptions after the Iran deal Mohammad Tabaar - August 3, 2015 [caption id="attachment_28151" align="aligncenter" width="620" class="align center "] Iranian Foreign Minister
Iran's political economy under and after the sanctions - April 23, 2015 [caption id="attachment_23909" align="aligncenter" width="620" class="center"] A shopkeeper counts Iranian bank
Iran’s political economy under and after the sanctions Kevan Harris - April 23, 2015 [caption id="attachment_23909" align="aligncenter" width="620" class="center"] A shopkeeper counts Iranian bank
Understanding Iran's supreme leader on the nuclear deal - April 14, 2015 [caption id="attachment_23725" align="aligncenter" width="620" class="center"] A handout photo released Feb.
Understanding Iran’s supreme leader on the nuclear deal Eric Lob and Hossein Mahdavi - April 14, 2015 [caption id="attachment_23725" align="aligncenter" width="620" class="center"] A handout photo released Feb.
Will Iran's parliament block the nuclear deal? - April 14, 2015 [caption id="attachment_23693" align="aligncenter" width="620" class="center"] Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad
Will Iran’s parliament block the nuclear deal? Paasha Mahdavi - April 14, 2015 [caption id="attachment_23693" align="aligncenter" width="620" class="center"] Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad
Sectarianism comes back to bite Saudi Arabia Toby Matthiesen - November 18, 2014 [caption id="attachment_18229" align="aligncenter" width="620"] Saudi Shiite protesters take part in
Strategic anti-Americanism in Iran from the hostage crisis to nuclear talks Mohammad Tabaar - November 4, 2014 [caption id="attachment_17734" align="aligncenter" width="620"] An Iranian woman stands in front
Soccer breeds nationalism and anti-regime protests in Iran Pejman Abdolmohammadi and Lars Rensmann - June 15, 2014 [caption id="attachment_11779" align="aligncenter" width="398" special=""] Iran's soccer fans protest their
Iran’s delicate nuclear consensus Farzan Sabet and Aaron Stein - May 29, 2014 [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="606" special=""] Iran's President Hassan Rouhani attends
Conservatives for Hillary? Part 2 Andrew Gelman - April 12, 2010 A reader writes: I read your blog post on conservative