Persian Gulf Region

Nuclear Deterrence
commentary
Understanding Iran's Nuclear Escalation Strategy
Eric Brewer, Ariane M. Tabatabai @ArianeTabatabai
Dec 12, 2019
War on the Rocks
Throughout 2019, Iran has gradually reduced its compliance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. What are its goals in doing this? Why has it adopted this strategy? And perhaps most importantly, how far does Iran intend to go?
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Iran
commentary
Don't Expect a Thaw in Iran
Ariane M. Tabatabai @ArianeTabatabai
Dec 11, 2019
Foreign Policy
Iran's recent protests could mark the beginning of a new chapter in Iran's domestic politics. Whatever happens inside the country, though, it will not likely change Iran's foreign policy.
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Hong Kong
blog
Hong Kong, Reducing Crime, Medical Marijuana: RAND Weekly Recap
Dec 6, 2019
This weekly recap focuses on what the U.S. can do about Hong Kong, reducing crime in Chicago, medical marijuana, and more.
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Iran
commentary
With Chaos in the Streets of Iran, Here's How the United States Could Help the Iranian People
Dalia Dassa Kaye
Dec 3, 2019
Los Angeles Times
The Iranian people deserve American support. But current U.S. policies are hurting the cause that Iranians are fighting for while failing to achieve any strategic objectives.
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Medicare
blog
Medicare, Climate Change, 'Superbugs': RAND Weekly Recap
Nov 22, 2019
This weekly recap focuses on opening Medicare to Americans at age 50, how to assess climate change plans, antibiotic-resistant superbugs, and more.
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Political Reform Movements
commentary
The Arab Spring in the Upside-Down
Jordan R. Reimer
Nov 21, 2019
The World Post
Where the original Arab Spring protests removed authoritarian leaders, the current demonstrators in Iraq and Lebanon are trying to topple popularly elected governments. This could have dramatic implications for the future of representative democracy in the Middle East.
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Political Reform Movements
commentary
Don't Overestimate the Power of Iraqi Protests
Jeffrey Martini, Ariane M. Tabatabai @ArianeTabatabai
Nov 14, 2019
Foreign Policy
As protests in Iraq grow, a “good news” narrative seems to be developing that they are a significant blow to Iranian influence. But the bigger story is not who is up and who is down between Washington and Tehran; it is that yet another Arab public has taken to the streets demanding change.
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The Islamic State (Terrorist Organization)
commentary
How the U.S. Withdrawal from Syria Provides a Boost to ISIS
Colin P. Clarke @ColinPClarke
Oct 21, 2019
Fox News Channel
President Trump's decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria could provide the ISIS terrorist group with the time and space to regrow its organization and extend its networks throughout the Middle East. The longer-term strategic effects of the decision could reverberate in the region for years to come.
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Peacekeeping and Stability Operations
commentary
The Syrian Withdrawal: Where Things Stand
James Dobbins @Jim_Dobbins, Jeffrey Martini
Oct 21, 2019
Fox News
Without an orderly process for its national security decisions, the Trump administration has defaulted to the worst option regarding Syria. The sudden withdrawal of U.S. forces has left an opening for Russia to exploit. It also left the Kurds, a U.S. partner, to fend off a Turkish assault.
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Iran
commentary
Iran, the Unitary State
Afshon Ostovar, Ariane M. Tabatabai @ArianeTabatabai
Oct 18, 2019
Foreign Affairs
Current and future U.S. policy toward Iran must begin with the premise that the Islamic Republic is the sum of its parts and that to try to empower moderates or disempower hard-liners is naive. Rather, Washington should strive to deal with Iran as it is, not as Washington wishes it were.
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Peacekeeping and Stability Operations
commentary
Indecision in Washington Compounded the Kurds' Dilemma
James Dobbins @Jim_Dobbins, Jeffrey Martini
Oct 18, 2019
The Hill
Core qualities of statesmanship and statecraft have been notably lacking in charting the U.S. administration's Syria end game. This has compounded the unavoidable costs of withdrawal with charges of betrayal and a retreat under fire.
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Iran
commentary
Iran's Proxies Are More Powerful Than Ever
Ariane M. Tabatabai @ArianeTabatabai, Colin P. Clarke @ColinPClarke
Oct 16, 2019
Foreign Policy
The Trump administration has pursued a so-called maximum pressure strategy designed to alter the course of Iran's foreign and security policies, which relies heavily on sanctions to change Iranian behavior. Financial sanctions are an important part of any counterterrorism strategy. But they aren't enough.
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Cyber Warfare
blog
Virtual Societal Warfare, Iran, Opioids: RAND Weekly Recap
Oct 11, 2019
This weekly recap focuses on the risk of virtual societal welfare, Iran's domestic debates, federal policy options for supervised consumption sites, and more.
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Politics and Government
commentary
The Realities of Civil War
Gian Gentile
Oct 9, 2019
The National Interest
Civil war is not a pretty thing to see or be a part of. Those understandably engaged with the intense debate over whether or not the president should be impeached should not suggest that impeachment would result in civil war in our country. There are peaceful means available for us as Americans to follow in order to solve the problems at hand.
Read More »
Israel
commentary
Israel’s War with Iran May Be Going Too Far
Dalia Dassa Kaye
Sep 16, 2019
The National Interest
Israel has a right to defend itself from Iranian threats to its country. American leaders should consider balancing support for Israel's efforts to counter Iran with firm redlines about activities negatively impacting American interests.
Read More »
Iran
commentary
Syria Changed the Iranian Way of War
Ariane M. Tabatabai @ArianeTabatabai
Aug 16, 2019
Foreign Affairs
To get a sense of the playbook that Tehran might consult in any future conflict with the United States, Washington should pay close attention to what the Iranians have learned in Syria.
Read More »

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Understanding Iran's Nuclear Escalation Strategy

Raising the Bar: Louisiana's Strategies for Improving Student Outcomes

The Policy Currents Podcast

Helping Children Cope with Trauma: A School-Based Intervention

Planning for the Rising Costs of Dementia

Addressing the Invisible Wounds of War

Helping Coastal Communities Plan for Climate Change

Persian Gulf Region

Understanding Iran's Nuclear Escalation Strategy

Don't Expect a Thaw in Iran

Hong Kong, Reducing Crime, Medical Marijuana: RAND Weekly Recap

With Chaos in the Streets of Iran, Here's How the United States Could Help the Iranian People

Medicare, Climate Change, 'Superbugs': RAND Weekly Recap

The Arab Spring in the Upside-Down

Don't Overestimate the Power of Iraqi Protests

How the U.S. Withdrawal from Syria Provides a Boost to ISIS

The Syrian Withdrawal: Where Things Stand

Iran, the Unitary State

Indecision in Washington Compounded the Kurds' Dilemma

Iran's Proxies Are More Powerful Than Ever

Virtual Societal Warfare, Iran, Opioids: RAND Weekly Recap

The Realities of Civil War

Israel’s War with Iran May Be Going Too Far

Syria Changed the Iranian Way of War

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