The Stimson Center’s Middle East Program seeks to inform policy discussions on the Middle East by leveraging regional expertise, convening dialogues, and producing rigorous, non-partisan analysis and scholarship. The program assesses regional geopolitical developments with a focus on conflict management, regional security, and post-conflict peacebuilding. Through sustained engagement with policymakers, scholars, and subject-matter experts, the program aims to advance practical policy thinking rooted in on-the-ground realities.
A core pillar of the program is the convening of high-level Track 1.5 and Track 2.0 regional dialogues that bring together policymakers, academics, and experts to conduct joint analysis, discuss de-escalation processes, and advance regional cooperation. The program also organizes issue-area roundtables to develop impactful policy recommendations informed by global lessons learned and regional experience. The program’s analysis and policy outputs are directly informed by the insights generated through these dialogues and roundtables.
The new corridor would deprive Iran of lucrative transit fees and an important geopolitical lever over Azerbaijan, with which Tehran has often had tense relations in part because of Baku’s ties to Israel
September 10, 2025
A convergence of pressures has left the Iranian regime scrambling to maintain control while projecting strength externally
September 5, 2025
The erosion of mutual deterrence in the Middle East marks the emergence of a new phase in regional politics characterized by the direct use of military force among competing powers
September 3, 2025
Assad’s ouster inspired cautious optimism that the Captagon trade would be curbed, but smaller labs have emerged in eastern and southern Syria
August 19, 2025
Pezeshkian’s greatest challenge remains internal and structural: governing within a system where ultimate power rests with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei
August 14, 2025
By providing the Houthis with technologies such as satellite imagery and drone components, Beijing complicates U.S. maritime security efforts in the Red Sea
August 12, 2025
A pivot to Asia would allow the Islamic Republic to reduce Western economic pressure while also minimizing the effect of a potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz
August 7, 2025
While Starlink promises global coverage and rapid connectivity, it also raises concerns about digital national sovereignty, competitiveness, and regulatory oversight.
August 5, 2025
