ANALYSIS: How the Gaza Conflict Is Helping Iran
By Ahmad Rafat
The unfolding tragedy in Israel and the Gaza Strip shows just how quickly the Middle East can combust in the flames of war. It also makes clear that ordinary people are paying...
Natanz Explosion: A Game Changer?
By Ahmad Rafat
Ellie Cohanim was the U.S. deputy special envoy to monitor and combat anti-semitism at the U.S. State Department during the Trump administration, and the Department’s first Iranian-born Jewish representative.
While working for the...
ANALYSIS: Iran and China’s Controversial 25-Year Deal
By Ahmad Rafat
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi signed a 25-year accord between the two countries on March 27 in Tehran. Many Iranians inside and outside the country...
ANALYSIS: Iran Will Play No Role in Syria’s Future
By Ahmad Rafat
When Syrian people poured into the streets on March 15, 2011, demanding sweeping political reforms, they did not expect their anti-government protests to spark a devastating civil war that still rages today.
The...
U.S. Keeps Military Option on Table As It Seeks to Reboot Iran Nuclear Talks
By Ahmad Rafat
U.S. President Joe Biden and his administration have reiterated their commitment to rejoin the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), better known as the Iran nuclear deal. Yet it is unclear...
ANALYSIS: How Accurate Are Opinion Surveys of Iranians Conducted From Abroad?
By Ahmad Rafat
On Feb. 24, the University of Maryland’s School of Public Policy Center for International and Security Studies (CISSM) published a study titled “Iranian Public Opinion in the Biden Era,” which, according to...
Pope Francis to Meet Grand Ayatollah Sistani On His First-Ever Visit to Iraq
By Ahmad Rafat
Pope Francis arrived in Iraq on March 5 on his first-ever visit to the country. During his four-day visit to the birthplace of Abraham -- the patriarch of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam...
ANALYSIS: The Love-Hate Relationship Between Iran and Russia
By Ahmad Rafat
The relationship between Iran and Russia has been a story of love and hate and cooperation and rivalry. Although Tehran considers itself an equal partner in this affair, Moscow has the upper...
ANALYSIS: Is Iran Using Rocket Attacks to Pressure Biden?
By Ahmad Rafat
Recent rocket attacks on an American airbase in Iraq and terrorist operations in Africa are apparent steps taken by Iran to strengthen its position in any future nuclear talks with the U.S....
ANALYSIS: Reopening of Iran Nuclear Talks Poses Challenges to the U.S.
By Ahmad Rafat
While some White House remarks reveal that there are serious problems with the rebooting of the JCPOA, they also signal a new diplomatic game, which began when President Biden took office a...
