Mohamad Bazzi argues that war has rendered Iraq a pawn in regional battles, and placed the entire Middle East at risk for sectarian conflict.

Mohamad Bazzi says violence is on the rise as political maneuvering, inside and outside Iraq, creates a power vacuum.

Mohamad Bazzi discusses Muqtada al-Sadr's involvement in the formation of Iraq's government and the selection of its new prime minister.

Jonathan Pearl argues that in the Russia-Venezuela nuclear deal, the United States must be wary of Venezuela's relationship with Iran.

Iran's fueling of the Bushehr reactor is a reminder of ongoing concerns about the country's nuclear intentions. Negotiations with Iran on a broad set of issues, though unlikely, might be the best path, says CFR's Emma Belcher.

Mohamad Bazzi discusses the Shiite influence in Lebanon.

Hezbollah is reliant on Iran but is hardly its proxy, argues CFR's Mohamad Bazzi, who says the group's power feeds on the weakness of Lebanon's government.

Robert McMahon says Iran is fertile ground for a socia media campaign by U.S. broadcasters.

Please join Senator Joseph I. Lieberman for a discussion on the U.S. role in the Middle East, touching on Iran, the peace process, and the balance of power in the region.

Mohamad Bazzi discusses what Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was trying to accomplish with his UN speech.

Mohamad Bazzi says, "Mr Ahmadinejad's struggle to burnish his credibility mirrors the entire Iranian regime's quest for renewed legitimacy."

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who addresses the UN in New York this week, is facing domestic challenges from an angry public, an assertive legislature, and conflicts with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, says expert Kaveh Ehsani.

Ray Takeyh argues that Washington's attempts to have Iran rejoin the international community will be unsuccessful, since the Islamic Republic is too mired in ideological and domestic disagreements to act in the nation's interest.

In Reset, Stephen Kinzer argues that the United States should partner with Iran and Turkey to promote democracy and combat extremism in the Middle East. Although it is hard to imagine Iran as a friend of Washington, Turkey is ready to play that role.

Though a new IAEA report adds to concerns about Iran's nuclear program and U.S. opposition to the program is warranted, there's no clear proof that the country is pursuing weapons or would act belligerently if it succeeded, says CFR's Matthew Fuhrmann.

In the gap between Washington's and Jerusalem's views of Iran lies the question: who, if anyone, will stop Iran before it goes nuclear, and how? As Washington and Jerusalem study each other intensely, here's an inside look at the strategic calculations on both sides--and at how, if things remain on the current course, an Israeli air strike will unfold.

In this Der Spiegel interview, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki comments on Iran's policy of stoning as punishment, the impact of sanctions, and the risk of a military attack on Iran.

Mohamad Bazzi argues that as U.S. troops in Iraq became mired in fighting an insurgency, Iran extended its influence.

The startup of the Bushehr nuclear plant is feeding worries about Iran's nuclear agenda and talk about whether sanctions are failing.

Elliott Abrams says that hostility toward Israel should be left out of the debate over striking against Iran's nuclear program.