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Iran

Our Research & Offerings on Iran
  • Commentary posted April 3, 2013 by James Phillips Obama’s Middle East Challenges

    Brokering an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement - for recent American presidents, it’s been the holy grail of foreign policy. Unfortunately for President Obama, a comprehensive accord is just not in the cards for his second term. It won’t be for lack of trying. But the inconvenient truth is that peace is impossible as long as Hamas retains its stranglehold over Gaza.…

  • Commentary posted March 19, 2013 by James Phillips The Bottom Line on Obama's Middle East Mission

    Middle East tensions are rising as President Obama prepares to visit Israel, the West Bank and Jordan. Clearly, Iran will be at the top of the agenda. On Thursday, Mr. Obama announced that Tehran was only about a year away from producing a nuclear bomb. “Obviously, we don’t want to cut it too close,” he noted. Another issue requiring urgent attention: forging a common…

  • Issue Brief posted March 15, 2013 by James Phillips Obama’s Middle East Trip: Security Goals Should Be the Highest Priority

    President Obama’s upcoming trip to Israel, the West Bank, and Jordan comes at a tense time in an increasingly turbulent region. High on his agenda will be halting Iran’s nuclear weapons efforts, forging a common policy on containing the destabilizing spillover effects of Syria’s meltdown, and reviving the long-stalled Israeli–Palestinian peace negotiations. The President…

  • Issue Brief posted January 17, 2013 by James Phillips Hagel, Kerry, and Brennan Confirmation Hearings: Middle East and North Africa Issues

    The United States Senate will soon hold confirmation hearings for the Obama Administration’s nominees for three key positions: Senator John Kerry (D–MA) for Secretary of State, former Senator Chuck Hagel (R–NE) for Secretary of Defense, and White House Chief Counterterrorism Advisor John Brennan for Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). The confirmation…

  • Play Movie Iran's Nuclear Showdown - Peter Brookes on 'Happening Now' Video Recorded on January 7, 2013 Iran's Nuclear Showdown - Peter Brookes on 'Happening Now'

    Senior Fellow Peter Brookes discusses the latest on Iran's nuclear threats on Fox News' 'Happening Now'.…

  • Testimony posted December 5, 2012 by Ariel Cohen, Ph.D. Iran Threatens U.S. Interests in the South Caucasus

    Testimony before the Subcommittee on Europe and Eurasia, Committee on Foreign Affairs, U.S. House of Representatives December 5, 2012 Chairman Burton, Members of Congress, Ladies and Gentlemen: My name is Ariel Cohen. I am the Senior Research Fellow…

  • Play Movie Israel and Hamas Declare A Cease-Fire - James Carafano on Fox 5 News Video Recorded on November 22, 2012 Israel and Hamas Declare A Cease-Fire - James Carafano on Fox 5 News

    Director James Carafano discusses the logistics of the Israel-Hamas cease-fire and where Hamas has obtained their missiles on Fox 5 News.…

  • Play Movie Obama vs. Romney on Iran - Peter Brookes on Fox Video Recorded on October 23, 2012 Obama vs. Romney on Iran - Peter Brookes on Fox

    Senior Fellow Peter Brookes discusses how President Obama and Governor Mitt Romney view U.S.-Iran relations differently and what we can expect down the line on Fox News' Happening Now.…

  • Play Movie How Did The Middle East Score in the VP Debate? Peter Brookes on Fox News Video Recorded on October 12, 2012 How Did The Middle East Score in the VP Debate? Peter Brookes on Fox News

    Senior Fellow Peter Brookes discusses how foreign policy and The Middle East factored into the 2012 Vice Presidential Debate on Fox News' 'Happening Now'.…

  • Commentary posted September 24, 2012 by Peter Brookes Stopping Tehran's Nuclear March

    Overshadowed in the media by the senseless violence in the Middle East and North Africa, you can’t help but wonder what new intelligence Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has that led to his demand for a tougher American stance on Iran this past weekend. Without giving details, last week Netanyahu told CNN’s State of the Union: “They’re [Iran] moving very…

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  • America at Risk Memo posted June 1, 2010 by Jim Talent A Constitutional Basis for Defense

    Those who have not done so recently would benefit from studying what the United States Constitution says about the federal government’s responsibility to provide for the common defense. Most Americans had to memorize the preamble to the Constitution when they were children, so they are aware that one of the purposes of the document was to “provide for the common…

  • Backgrounder posted March 15, 2012 by Ariel Cohen, Ph.D. How the U.S. Should Respond to Russia's Unhelpful Role in the Middle East

    Abstract: Russia is pursuing a Middle Eastern policy that is designed to reduce U.S. and Western influence in the Middle East, even at the risk of Islamist terrorism, which is a growing problem in Russia. It views the recent upheavals in the Middle East and North Africa as an American conspiracy to undermine Russia and friendly regimes in the region. Russia’s Soviet…

  • Backgrounder posted March 5, 2012 by Helle C. Dale Why America Has Trouble Reaching Iran: VOA’s Persian News Network in Dire Need of Reform

    Abstract: The regime that controls Iran is the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism, the world’s fourth-largest oil producer, and close to acquiring a nuclear weapon. Controlled by this regime are 74 million Iranians, 60 percent of which are under age 30, multitudes of whom reject the fanatic theocracy that tries to separate them from outside ideas. Millions of…

  • WebMemo posted March 8, 2007 by John J. Tkacik, Jr. A Chinese Military Superpower?

    Members of Congress are considering several bills designed to combat climate change. Chief among them is Senate bill 2191--America's Cli­mate Security Act of 2007--spearheaded by Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) and John Warner (R-VA). This bill would set a limit on the emissions of green­house gases, mainly carbon dioxide from the com­bustion of coal, oil, and natural…

  • Testimony posted September 21, 2012 by James Phillips Safeguarding Israel’s Security in a Volatile Region

    Testimony before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia September 20, 2012 My name is James Phillips. I am the Senior Research Fellow for Middle Eastern Affairs at The Heritage Foundation. The views I express in this testimony are my own, and should not be construed as representing any official…

  • Commentary posted November 5, 2009 by James Phillips What Iran Learned From the Hostage Crisis: Terrorism Works

    Today is the 30th anniversary of the beginning of the Iranian hostage crisis, America's first searing experience with Islamist terrorism. On Nov. 4, 1979, Iranian militants seized the U.S. embassy in Tehran and took American diplomats as hostages. Fifty-two Americans were held captive for 444 days in a prolonged crisis that boosted the power of Iranian hardliners,…

  • Backgrounder posted December 8, 2011 by Ladan Archin, James Phillips More International Pressure Needed to Advance Freedom in Iran

    Abstract: Iran will remain a hostile power that poses threats to its neighbors, the United States, and its own people as long as the current regime remains in power. International sanctions have weakened the Iranian economy, but sanctions alone will not halt Iran’s nuclear weapons program or topple the regime. The Obama Administration should abandon any further attempts…

  • WebMemo posted March 8, 2006 by James Phillips, Brett D. Schaefer Nuclear Diplomacy: Keep the Pressure on Iran

    After years of diplomatic foot-dragging, procrastination, and wishful thinking, the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) Board finally is slated to vote this week on whether to refer Iran's suspicious nuclear activities to the UN Security Council for possible action. Iran, as usual, is trying to delay a diplomatic confrontation by dividing key nations with…

  • WebMemo posted July 10, 2008 by James Phillips Iranian Missile Tests Boost International Tensions andProliferation Concerns

    Yesterday Iran launched nine missiles as part of military exercises designed to accomplish the following: Deter military action against its accelerating nuclear program; Undermine the international coalition seeking to dissuade Iran from attaining a nuclear weapon; Intimidate its neighbors; and Boost President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's flagging…

  • Commentary posted December 12, 2011 by James Jay Carafano, Ph.D. Shadow War Won't Stop Iran's Nukes

    America was born in the shadow of shadow wars. In Conquered into Liberty, Eliot Cohen recalls the "Great Warpath" -- the corridor from Montreal to Albany where armies battled over the course of centuries. Even then, warfare included what we call today "black operations." But, as Cohen notes, these missions, "particularly those that are the stuff of legend, rarely…

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  • Issue Brief posted March 15, 2013 by James Phillips Obama’s Middle East Trip: Security Goals Should Be the Highest Priority

    President Obama’s upcoming trip to Israel, the West Bank, and Jordan comes at a tense time in an increasingly turbulent region. High on his agenda will be halting Iran’s nuclear weapons efforts, forging a common policy on containing the destabilizing spillover effects of Syria’s meltdown, and reviving the long-stalled Israeli–Palestinian peace negotiations. The President…

  • Issue Brief posted January 17, 2013 by James Phillips Hagel, Kerry, and Brennan Confirmation Hearings: Middle East and North Africa Issues

    The United States Senate will soon hold confirmation hearings for the Obama Administration’s nominees for three key positions: Senator John Kerry (D–MA) for Secretary of State, former Senator Chuck Hagel (R–NE) for Secretary of Defense, and White House Chief Counterterrorism Advisor John Brennan for Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). The confirmation…

  • Issue Brief posted July 9, 2012 by Brett D. Schaefer U.S. Should Hold WIPO Accountable and Dissuade Future Violations of U.N. Sanctions

    It is becoming increasingly clear that the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has transferred technology to North Korea and Iran that are prohibited by United Nations Security Council sanctions and U.S. law. These violations have spurred a State Department investigation and were raised at a House of Representatives Judiciary Committee hearing on June 27. The…

  • Issue Brief posted May 22, 2012 by James Phillips Iran Nuclear Talks: U.S. Should Stand Firm

    The revived nuclear talks with Iran, set to resume May 23 in Baghdad, face an uncertain and risky future. Iran has a long history of exploiting diplomatic talks on the nuclear issue as a means of forestalling international pressure, easing sanctions, and buying time for its steadily advancing nuclear program. The United States should stand firm and prevent backsliding by…

  • America at Risk Memo posted May 14, 2012 by Peter Brookes Protect America from What?

    A North Korean long-range ballistic missile launch into the Pacific Ocean, Russian threats of a preemptive strike against U.S. missile defenses in Europe, the Syrian regime’s continuing violence on protestors, and Taliban terrorist attacks in Afghanistan are just a few of the recent events that should serve to remind us that we are living in uncertain times…

  • Issue Brief posted April 27, 2012 by Helle C. Dale, Paul Rosenzweig Target Cyber-Oppressors, Not U.S. Businesses

    The Obama Administration has been heavily criticized for not acting forcefully to stem human rights abuses in the Middle East. Criticism of the Administration has largely focused on Iran and Syria, where Bashar al-Assad’s government is guilty of atrocious bloodshed against its own people. In response, President Obama announced several new initiatives on April 23,…

  • Issue Brief posted April 24, 2012 by Morgan Lorraine Roach, Michaela Dodge Washington Should Advance U.S.–Turkey Ties Through Missile Defense

    This year, Turkey celebrates its 60th anniversary as a member of the NATO alliance. As a Muslim-majority country with close ties to Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, Turkey’s participation in NATO is integral to the alliance’s influence beyond Europe’s borders. However, while Turkish membership provides the alliance with extended regional access, Ankara continues a…

  • Issue Brief posted April 3, 2012 by Ray Walser, Ph.D. U.S.–Brazil Summit Must Address Differences on Democracy, Human Rights, and Iran

    On April 9, President Obama welcomes Dilma Rousseff, Brazil’s first female president, to the White House for an official visit. The White House hopes to showcase a strong, reliable partnership with Brazil. It will focus attention on a broad range of low-cost soft power initiatives aimed at education, technology, energy, research, and economic cooperation, while leaving on…

  • Backgrounder posted March 15, 2012 by Ariel Cohen, Ph.D. How the U.S. Should Respond to Russia's Unhelpful Role in the Middle East

    Abstract: Russia is pursuing a Middle Eastern policy that is designed to reduce U.S. and Western influence in the Middle East, even at the risk of Islamist terrorism, which is a growing problem in Russia. It views the recent upheavals in the Middle East and North Africa as an American conspiracy to undermine Russia and friendly regimes in the region. Russia’s Soviet…

  • Backgrounder posted March 5, 2012 by Helle C. Dale Why America Has Trouble Reaching Iran: VOA’s Persian News Network in Dire Need of Reform

    Abstract: The regime that controls Iran is the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism, the world’s fourth-largest oil producer, and close to acquiring a nuclear weapon. Controlled by this regime are 74 million Iranians, 60 percent of which are under age 30, multitudes of whom reject the fanatic theocracy that tries to separate them from outside ideas. Millions of…

Find more work on Iran
Find more work on Iran