Ideas
Take It From an Iraq War Supporter—War With Iran Would Be a Disaster
It would mean repeating a mistake, only on a much bigger scale: without allies, without justification, and without any plan at all.
Ideas
Who Wins When US-Iran Tensions Rise? China
The Sino-Iranian relationship advances Chinese interests — and particularly when Washington tries to turn the screws on Tehran.
Ideas
Trump’s Counter-Iran Moves Are Provocative, But They’re Not War
Truly bad messaging is undermining trust among allies and the American public — and increasing the chance of accidental escalation.
Threats
A Bewildering Briefing on the Iranian Threat Leaves More Questions Than Answers
A deputy commander of the counter-ISIS coalition appeared to rebut White House claims about Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Syria.
Ideas
Trump’s ‘Maximum Pressure’ Won’t Make Iran Yield
The one thing Tehran would find more intolerable than the crushing impact of sanctions is raising the white flag because of them.
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.
Threats
Senior Military and Trump Officials in Washington Escalate Iran Warnings
General says sending aircraft carrier and B-52 bombers is not a pretext for war.
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