Israel vs. Iran, Again
Jonathan Tepperman examines Israel and Iran's complicated relationship.
See more in Middle East and North Africa; Iran; Israel
Jonathan Tepperman examines Israel and Iran's complicated relationship.
See more in Middle East and North Africa; Iran; Israel
A military attack on Iran, especially one by Israel, would rally all Iranians to the government. It would completely stifle the voices of dissent in the name of national security, and provide precisely the glue the Ayatollah needs to keep his country together under his control.
Ray Takeyh examines Hassan Rouhani's 2011 memoir for insight into his presidency.
See more in Iran; Presidents and Chiefs of State
The newly elected moderate Iranian president may lead the United States to loosen economic sanctions on the country, according to Carla Robbins.
See more in Iran; United States; Sanctions
Ray Takeyh weighs the prospects for change in Iran under the newly elected President Hassan Rowhani.
Conceived as principal defenders of the 1979 Islamic revolution, Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps has evolved into a vast institution of political, economic, and military power.
See more in Iran; Defense and Security
With Ayatollah Khamenei set to replace Mahmoud Ahmadinejad with a "fawning admirer" of his choosing, Ahmadinejad may be missed for his ability to challenge the Islamic Republic's ruling religious hierarchy.
See more in Iran; Global Governance
A conservative candidate seems likely to win Iran's presidential election this week, but the reform movement may yet be energized by the remaining moderate contender, says CFR's Ray Takeyh.
Are Iran's presidential elections too tightly controlled, or will they offer an opportunity for reformist voices to emerge? This Issue Guide traces the campaign and essential background.
Author and journalist Hooman Majd, and Iran scholar Mohsen Milani discuss about the Iranian presidential election, the political future of the country, and the impact on U.S. foreign policy.
Never solely a military organization in the traditional sense, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC)—also known as the Pasdaran (Persian for "guards")—has seen a significant expansion and diversification of its domestic roles since the election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in 2005.
See more in Defense Strategy; Iran
Ray Takeyh debunks the myth that the CIA was responsible for Mossadeq's demise and the 1953 Iranian coup.
See more in Iran; Intelligence; History and Theory of International Relations
Author and journalist Hooman Majd, and Iran scholar Mohsen Milani discuss about the Iranian presidential election, the political future of the country, and the impact on U.S. foreign policy.
See more in Iran
The United States and a growing number of countries have intensified sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program, weakening its economy, but debate persists over their impact.
See more in Iran; Proliferation; Sanctions
Ray Takeyh asks, "after nearly a decade of delusory diplomacy, it may be time to ask: What if Iran's supreme leader actually means what he says?"
The United States has long struggled with how to manage Iran's nuclear ambitions. Any U.S. military option in Iran is likely to be dynamic, depending on its objectives.
See more in Iran; United States; Proliferation; Wars and Warfare
After the disqualification of popular former president Rafsanjani, it's unclear which of the remaining, mostly conservative candidates will triumph in the June presidential election, says expert Farideh Farhi.
Global monitors say Iran's human rights situation is poor and unlikely to improve amid a climate of political uncertainty and growing external pressures. But activists urge continued international scrutiny of Iran's violations.
See more in Iran; Human Rights
Ray Takeyh writes about Iran's upcoming election.
According to Meghan O'Sullivan, U.S. action in Syria may have implications for Iran and its nuclear program.
See more in Iran; Syria; Proliferation
To encourage the free flow of conversation, the 2011 Corporate Conference was entirely not-for-attribution; however, several conference speakers joined us for sideline interviews further exploring their areas of expertise.
Former Treasury secretary Robert E. Rubin and Nobel Laureate economist Michael Spence on the global economic outlook.
Foreign Affairs editor Gideon Rose and Edward Morse on energy geopolitics.
Additional conference videos include:
The Future of U.S. Special Operations Forces
Special operations play a critical role in how the United States confronts irregular threats, but to have long-term strategic impact, the author argues, numerous shortfalls must be addressed.
Reforming U.S. Drone Strike Policies
The author analyzes the potentially serious consequences, both at home and abroad, of a lightly overseen drone program and makes recommendations for improving its governance.
Pathways to Freedom
An authoritative and accessible look at what countries must do to build durable and prosperous democracies—and what the United States and others can do to help. More
The Power Surge
A groundbreaking analysis of what the changes in American energy mean for the economy, national security, and the environment. More
Two Nations Indivisible
Through an in-depth analysis of modern Mexico, Shannon O'Neil provides a roadmap for the United States' greatest overlooked foreign policy challenge of our time—relations with its southern neighbor. More