Iran is at a crossroads

by Jasmin Ramsey The title of this post is a quote from Shaul Bakhash, a George Mason University professor who moderated a panel discussion, “Iran, the Next Five Years: Change or More of the Same?” at the Wilson Center today. “In… Continue Reading

The Geneva Accords and the Return of the “Defensive Realists”

by Ali Fathollah-Nejad After intense negotiations between Iran and world powers (chiefly among them the United States), November 24 saw a historic breakthrough. In a six-month interim agreement, Tehran has committed itself to a substantial freezing of its nuclear program… Continue Reading

This Week in Iranian News – September 5-12

by Shawn Amoei Foreign Affairs President Hassan Rouhani cites improved relations with Europe as a top foreign policy priority. Yemen confirms that a kidnapped Iranian diplomat is in al-Qaeda custody. Audio from a speech by former President Hashemi Rafsanjani blaming… Continue Reading

Iran Torn on Syria

by Alireza Nader via USIP Iran has mixed feelings and conflicting interests in the Syrian crisis. Tehran has a strategic interest in opposing chemical weapons due to its own horrific experience during the 1980-1988 war with Iraq. For years, President… Continue Reading

Iran Surprises Again!

by Farideh Farhi Okay, it is time to admit that the only thing predictable about Iranian politics these days is its unpredictability! There are people who know Iran well and as early as a few months ago thought that the… Continue Reading