Iran

From a Gulf perspective, red lines keep being crossed, and the guardrails for avoiding entanglement in conflict prove unsatisfactory.

The Iranian regime’s internet censorship and shutdowns function as comprehensive weapons of political warfare, designed to isolate, demoralize, and ultimately suppress dissent.

With its position challenged in the Middle East, Iran is expanding its ties with the Sahel region as the West disengages.

Though the Iranian regime is facing increasing pressure from protesters and armed insurgent groups, it is not yet doomed – but without a deal with the United States, the regime is likely headed for a slow collapse.

On January 8, AGSI hosted a virtual roundtable with its leadership and scholars as they look ahead and assess trends likely to shape the Gulf region and U.S. foreign policy during the coming year. 

Saudi Arabia seeks a U.S. security umbrella strong enough to deter Iran but a diplomatic posture measured enough to avoid provoking Iran unnecessarily.

Iran’s first naval exercise since the June conflict with Israel was meant to project strength and ability to threaten the regional interests of Gulf states while avoiding military confrontation with the United States and Israel.

An Iraqi-born native of Najaf but an unmistakably Iranian nationalist, Ali Larijani is expected to leverage his record of bureaucratic competence and global fluency to coordinate Iran’s security bureaucracy.