Iran: Countering Extremism Through Inclusiveness

by Fatemeh Aman The Iranian government has long accused some of its neighboring states of using terrorism and insurgency to destabilize the country. There may be some truth to these accusations. But Iran’s treatment of minority groups has also contributed… Continue Reading

A Deadly Enough Crisis to Forget MAGA for a Moment?

by Akbar Ahmed and Lawrence Wilkerson While Michael Cohen mesmerized the Democrats in the House of Representatives and provided more fodder for Republican ire, President Trump resumed his love affair with North Korea’s Kim Jong Un in a second U.S.-DPRK… Continue Reading

Imran Khan Resumes Pakistan’s Old Habits

by Shireen T. Hunter     Two terrorist attacks occurred almost simultaneously, on February 12 and February 14, in Indian-administered Kashmir and in Iran’s Sistan and Baluchistan province. The target of both attacks were military and paramilitary personnel. Jaish Muhammad claimed… Continue Reading

Imran Khan’s Faustian Bargain with Saudi Arabia

by Kaveh L. Afrasiabi There is now a growing conviction in Iran that Pakistan has for all practical purposes turned into an ally of Iran’s regional bete noire, namely Saudi Arabia. Its much-dreaded crown prince, Mohammad bin Salman (MbS), received… Continue Reading

Next Steps in Afghanistan

by Alia Ahmed In an about-turn of its two decades-old policy on Afghanistan, President Donald Trump tweeted in mid-December his decision to withdraw US troops from Afghanistan (and Syria). Until September last year, the United States had held firmly to… Continue Reading