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Middle East & North Africa Program

Middle East Perspectives

A forum for discussion of the most pressing issues facing the Middle East and U.S. policymakers

In Middle East & North Africa Research

Featuring sober analysis and a variety of perspectives from U.S., European, and regional experts, Middle East Perspectives strives to identify solutions to the myriad crises afflicting this historic and strategic global crossroads.

This forum features analyses from a variety of global perspectives. The views expressed are not necessarily those of Barbara Slavin or the Stimson Center.

Commentary
Israel’s 75th Anniversary Evokes a Jumble of Memories and Conflicting Emotions
75 years after its founding, what is Israel's path forward?
Barbara Slavin

Research & Writing

Commentary
How Iran Interferes in Sports
The Iranian government forbids its athletes from competing with Israelis and punishes women athletes who refuse to wear the hijab
Mohammad Salami
Commentary
After Iran and Israel’s Attacks, Is There Any Chance Left for the Iran Nuclear Deal?
There are indications that quiet contact has continued between the U.S. and Iran not only on the Gaza crisis but on the nuclear file
Javad Heiran-Nia
Commentary
Iran and Israel Use Media and Propaganda to Try to Shape Post-Attack Reality
Iran’s massive aerial assault on Israel resembles the 1991 Gulf War in its theatricality and the psychological media operations
Mohammad Mazhari
Commentary
How to Prevent All-out War Between Iran and Israel
Iran might have been better advised to let Netanyahu continue to dig a bigger hole for himself rather than changing the subject and making Israel the perceived victim
Barbara Slavin
Commentary
Iran’s “Limited Response” Pleases Hardliners and Used Channels with the US
Iran used Turkish and Swiss intermediaries to communicate with Washington in advance how it would calibrate its attack on Israel
Saeed Azimi
Commentary
Turkey-GCC Trade Talks Mark Another Step Toward Rapprochement with Arab World
The negotiations reflect a shift in Turkey’s foreign policy from an ideological focus to investment and trade priorities
Nader Habibi
Commentary
Consumers Protest the Gaza War by Boycotting US Goods
McDonald’s, Starbucks, and other high-profile American companies have been targeted because of their perceived support for Israel and its war on Gaza
Kristian Alexander
Commentary
Iran Carefully Weighs Response to Israeli Attack in Damascus
Iran is caught between a perceived need to retaliate to preserve its internal authority while fearing to escalate the conflict into full-scale war
Shahir Shahidsaless
Commentary
Quarrel Over Hijab Triggers New Public Outrage in Iran
An altercation between a cleric and an unveiled woman in Qom has become the latest cause celebre in Iran, widening rift between the regime and society
Mohammad Mazhari
Commentary
Germany’s Blanket Support for Israel Has Undermined Its Utility as a Middle East Mediator
Germany has been among Israel's strongest supporters since the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks, providing both diplomatic backing and significant arms transfers.
Sajjad Safaei
Commentary
Moscow Attack Reflects Russian Intelligence Weakness and ISIS-K Ambitions
The ISIS-K attack on Moscow reflects the group’s ambitions to hit closer and more vulnerable adversaries rather than focus on enemies abroad like the U.S.
Arman Mahmoudian
Commentary
European Disunity Undermines Leverage on Gaza
The European focus on airdrops and sea deliveries risks shifting attention away from the leverage the EU has over Israel but declines to wield
Marc Martorell Junyent
Commentary
Iran’s Supreme Leader Blames His ‘Favorite’ President for Economic Woes
Ebrahim Raisi is only the latest Iranian president to fall afoul of Supreme Leader Khamenei for poor performance in office
Saeed Azimi
Commentary
Why Syria is So Silent About Hamas
Syria is still too shattered by civil war to do much to bolster Hamas beyond using powerful rhetoric in support of the Palestinian cause
Giorgio Cafiero
Commentary
How to Prevent a Nuclear Crisis with Iran
Nonproliferation experts are scrambling for new ideas to avoid what some have called a binary choice between bombing Iran and Iran with a bomb
Barbara Slavin
Commentary
What Does a Recent ISIS-K Terror Attack Mean for Turkey?
An attack on a Roman Catholic church in Istanbul signals a renewed threat from ISIS-K, which is seeking new targets outside Taliban-controlled Afghanistan
Fuad Shahbazov
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