Misreading the 1953 Coup

 by Gregory Brew On May 8, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) invited U.S. Special Representative Brian Hook to an event commemorating one year of the Trump administration’s “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran. During the event, Hook briefly… Continue Reading

Bankrolling Kushner’s Mideast Plan

by Khalil E. Jahshan Although the Trump administration has yet to unveil publicly its long-delayed “deal of the century,” the architect of the plan, Trump’s son-in-law and senior advisor Jared Kushner, paid a visit during February 25-28, 2019 to six… Continue Reading

Rouhani’s Iraq Visit Undercuts U.S. Iran Policy

by Kaveh L. Afrasiabi This week, President Hassan Rouhani’s three-day Iraqi visit marks an important turning point in Iran-Iraq relations. Rouhani aims to boost bilateral ties and, simultaneously, circumvent suffocating U.S. sanctions. This much-anticipated visit, Rouhani’s first as Iran’s president,… Continue Reading

Iran’s Missile Test: A Provocation, Not a Violation

by Mark Fitzpatrick Iran’s reported test of a medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) on December 1 gave its enemies further ammunition in their vitriolic campaign against the regime. But in exaggerating the offense, the Trump administration has undermined its case. US… Continue Reading

Dissecting International Concerns about Iran’s Missiles

by Tytti Erasto While trying to save the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), or the Iran nuclear deal, some European leaders have stepped up pressure on Iran’s ballistic missile program, simultaneously demanding talks and threatening sanctions. Iran—which sees… Continue Reading