Threats

The Flash Point Between America and Iran Could Be Iraq's Militias

U.S. troops and Iran-backed fighters had an alliance of sorts in the anti-ISIS campaign. With Washington and Tehran at odds, could they turn on each other?

Ideas

The Slow Death of the Iran Nuclear Deal

Tehran says it will stop complying with elements of the accord unless the countries that remain live up to their commitments. But those five states are unlikely to stand up to U.S. pressure.

Ideas

How Not to Announce a Ship Deployment

A simple press conference could have avoided 36 hours of confusion and fears of war with Iran.

Threats

The Many Ways Iran Could Target the United States

The White House is citing unspecified threats from Iran. The specifics are murky, but the potential for escalation is real.

Ideas

Trump’s Iran Policy Is Counterproductive

It makes no sense to punish allies in Europe while shoring up hardliners in Tehran.

Policy

The US Escalates Even Further Against Iran—To What End?

Declaring the country’s most powerful security services a terrorist organization is just the Trump administration’s latest move in a long pressure campaign against Iran.

Policy

Trying to Kill the Iran Deal Could End Up Saving It

Trump administration officials are publicly united on their policy of punishing the Islamic Republic. But cracks are showing over just how far to go.

Ideas

‘Chaos Serves Putin’s Interest’: A Veteran Diplomat Takes Stock

A 3-decade Foreign Service officer weighs in on Russia, Trump, and America’s place on the world stage.

Ideas

Bibi’s Iran War Tweet Just Backfired

Netanyahu’s ‘war with Iran’ quip is a gift to the regime — and his latest strategic failure.

Ideas

The Slender Path Back to the Iran Nuke Deal — and Away from War

U.S. policymakers outside the administration must speak up about the need to rejoin the JCPOA, and so pave the way for Trump's successor to do so.

Policy

The Trump Administration Can’t Get a United Front Against Iran

But the Warsaw conference did bring together Gulf Arabs and Israel against their common enemy.

Science & Tech

Former Air Force Intelligence Officer Charged with Spying for Iran

DOJ indictment: Monica Witt moved to Iran, revealed secret missions and information about her former colleagues.

Policy

Senior Officials Downplay Trump Plan to Keep Troops In Iraq to ‘Watch Iran’

Some Baghdad watchers say the president’s remarks could imperil the U.S. troop presence in Iraq.

Ideas

Bolton’s Big Iran Con

There’s no evidence behind the national security adviser’s dire warnings about Tehran’s nuclear intentions.

Science & Tech

Report: Iran Is Likely Setting Stage for International Phishing Campaign

Hackers have been methodically gaining access to domain name services that allow malware-laden emails to look like they come from legitimate organizations.

Policy

Here’s How Iran Will Try to Evade US Sanctions

U.S. sanctions against the Islamic Republic’s oil industry have gone into effect. Tehran is already turning to some old tricks.

Threats

'Extraordinarily Important': Top US General Defends Saudi Relationship, Yemen War

‘I think it is better if we are engaged,” CENTCOM commander Gen. Joseph Votel says in an interview.

Ideas

It’s Unnecessary to Pick Sides in the Gulf. America Should Stop.

Iran and Saudi Arabia are each capable of keeping the other from establishing regional control.

Ideas

If Iran Never Leaves Syria, Will America Stay Forever?

If the Trump administration’s containment strategy fails, it could embolden Tehran while miring U.S. troops indefinitely.