Iran’s Strategy of Reversible Escalation

by Eldar Mamedov In case anyone thought Iran was bluffing with its threats to respond robustly to U.S. “maximum pressure,” recent developments should have disabused them of that notion. Not only did Iran down a highly sophisticated American drone near… Continue Reading

EU3: De-Facto Enforcer of U.S. Sanctions against Iran?

by Eldar Mamedov The situation around Iran, which only seemed to be moving inexorably toward a crisis, recently took a slightly more hopeful turn. Multiple international efforts to facilitate de-escalation between the United States and Iran, in addition to both… Continue Reading

What Do European Parliament Elections Mean for the Middle East?

by Eldar Mamedov On May 25-26, voters throughout the European Union’s 28 member states elected the new European Parliament. The elections will determine the bloc’s direction in the next five years and the leadership of the Commission, Council, External Action… Continue Reading