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.
In the face of growing external pressure, the government may have no choice but to offer more concessions to its own people in order to preserve internal unity
July 31, 2025
Iranian officials probe Israel’s alleged use of Azerbaijani airspace to hit Iranian targets
July 25, 2025
Without a significant push toward renewable energy and substantial renovation of domestic infrastructure, Iran’s growing power deficit is unsustainable
July 22, 2025
Years of rising tensions between Iran and the IAEA came to a head after the Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and personnel
July 16, 2025
U.S. airstrikes on Yemen fell short of degrading the Houthis’ military capabilities and strengthened their domestic and regional propaganda
July 11, 2025
Along with Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar played pivotal roles in persuading the Trump administration to lift most U.S. sanctions on Syria
July 9, 2025
It appears that the largest withdrawals took place during the two terms of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad when Iran first began facing severe sanctions pressure over its nuclear program
July 3, 2025
The public’s calculus favors maintaining an unsatisfactory status quo over risking national collapse
July 1, 2025
