Iran’s rulers are true believers
That’s why they’re so difficult to deter or constrain
Houthis
US offers rewards for 3 Iraqi militia leaders
On April 27, the US State Department’s Rewards for Justice program offered a $10 million reward for information on Haydar Muzhir Malak al Saidi, the leader of Harakat Ansar Allah al Awfiya,...
Op-eds
5 Things To Know About China’s Wartime Support for Iran
China is Iran’s top trading partner and one of the regime’s most important economic lifelines. Beijing is not seeking a wider Middle East war, especially one that threatens energy flows through the...
Insights
Trump Strikes at China’s Iranian Oil Trade, but It’s Not Enough
The bombs may have stopped falling on Iran — for now — but that doesn’t mean the regime isn’t still under attack, including its illicit oil trade with China. The U.S. Treasury Department on Friday...
Policy Briefs
Iraq nominates little-known businessman to be next prime minister
The Coordination Framework (CF), a coalition of Iraqi Shiite parties that is the largest bloc in the country’s parliament, announced on April 27 that it is nominating Ali al Zaidi for prime...
Op-eds
Think we’re losing the war in Iran? Consider where things really stand
From nuclear setbacks to proxy collapse, the Islamic Republic faces its most severe strategic crisis in 47 years
Op-eds
Houthis portray steadfast support for Iran, reportedly consider Red Sea toll
After mostly sitting out the campaign that was launched by the United States and Israel against Iran on February 28, Houthi leader Abdulmalik al Houthi reiterated the Yemeni terrorist group’s...
Op-eds
Iran’s War on Iraq’s Oil Industry
Iran-aligned militias in Iraq have been attacking the country’s oil sector while the world’s attention focuses on the Strait of Hormuz.
Op-eds
Operation Economic Fury Turns Its Attention to Iraq
After weathering weeks of attacks from Iran-backed militias in Iraq, the United States designated seven leaders of these terror groups on April 17, asserting, “These militias operate with near impunity,...
Policy Briefs
US Treasury designates 7 Iran-backed Iraqi militia commanders as terrorists
The US Treasury Department designated seven commanders from four US-designated Iraqi terror groups as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs) on April 17. The leaders come from...
Op-eds
What Victory Looks Like When Your Foe Won’t Surrender
The U.S. can win without Iran acknowledging it lost
Op-eds
Crude new world: Oil markets will never be the same – regardless of how the war in Iran ends
Preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon is a worthy goal in and of itself. But President Trump’s campaign against the Iranian regime carries far broader implications — many of them...
Op-eds
In the Iran War, the US Needs Strategic Patience
An emboldened and more capable Iran is a far worse prospect for US interests than a few weeks of higher gas prices.
Op-eds
China Criticizes Iran War as Beijing Supports Tehran Under the Table
China is trying to have it both ways in the U.S.-Iran conflict. On April 14, Chinese leader Xi Jinping criticized Washington’s blockade of Iranian ports and called for a diplomatic resolution during...
Policy Briefs
Costa Rica Designates IRGC and Iranian Proxies as Terrorist Groups
Costa Rica has announced the designation as terror groups of three of Iran’s key regional proxies as well as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the bedrock of the Tehran regime. President...
Policy Briefs
How to assess America’s 40 days of war against Iran
Washington and Tehran are both arguing that they were victorious after 40 days of fighting. A detailed analysis, however, suggests a more nuanced picture in which American forces degraded Iran’s core...
Op-eds
Iraq’s bake sale for the Islamic Republic
Iran, under financial isolation, is turning to an old friend: Iraqi cash. Through informal financial channels and networks, currency-filled envelopes are moving across Iraq into Iran under...
Op-eds
The Broken Promise of the Panama Papers, Ten Years On
The scandal thrust financial secrecy into the spotlight. Why is dirty money still such a big problem?
Op-eds
American journalist kidnapped in Baghdad by Iranian proxy
American journalist Shelley Kittleson was kidnapped by Kataib Hezbollah, an Iraqi militia backed by Iran and designated by the US as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO), on March 31 in downtown...