by Alireza Shams Lahijani One of the biggest raps against President Hassan Rouhani’s foreign policy in Iran is that he and his administration are too eager to expand relations with the West. Yet, in the two years after his election,… Continue Reading
by Paul R. Pillar There is much to be said for what is commonly called a “zero-based review”—a fresh look at a problem or project unencumbered by existing assumptions and practices. Just about any organization or mission could benefit periodically… Continue Reading
by William D. Hartung There are two reigning narratives about Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the former head of the U.S. Special Operations Command and U.S. forces in Afghanistan. One is the story of a loose-lipped, cocky military man who had to… Continue Reading
by Ebrahim Mohseni As the P5+1 and Iran negotiate over the future of Iran’s nuclear program, some have begun to argue that the Iranian people are so supportive of reaching a deal that the Iranian government would face severe public opposition… Continue Reading
by Paul R. Pillar The histories of many lands have repeatedly demonstrated two patterns in the relationship of extremism to political and economic conditions. One is that the combination of miserable economic circumstances and a lack of peaceful political channels… Continue Reading