Alex Vatanka

Iran   Jun 25, 2019 Snapshot

Stuck in the Middle With Iran

U.S. policies should not leave Iraq with no better option than becoming Iran’s accomplice. 

Alex Vatanka

Civil Society   Jan 8, 2018 Snapshot

Why Iran’s Protesters Are So Angry With Rouhani

Rouhani's record in office since winning reelection has been an enormous disappointment to Iranian voters.

Alex Vatanka

Post-Conflict Reconstruction   Nov 29, 2017 Snapshot

Iran and Russia, Growing Apart

The IRGC wishes not only to secure Iranian influence in post-war Syria, but also to transform its allied Syrian militias into an institutionalized military-political...

Alex Vatanka

Political Economy   Nov 1, 2017 Snapshot

China Courts Iran

As the Trump administration works out the specifics of its strategy to contain Iran, China is looking for ways to bring Iran into the global system.

Alex Vatanka

Trump Administration   Sep 4, 2017 Snapshot

Turkey's New Alliances

In a new move, Turkey is distancing itself from the United States and seeking to form a closer alliance with Iran and Russia.

Gonul Tol and Alex Vatanka

Iran   Aug 14, 2017 Snapshot

Iraq’s Shiites Test Iran

Iran is concerned that it will be shut out of Iraq's post-ISIS national dialogue about power-sharing.

Alex Vatanka

Iran   July/August 2017 Response

How Deep Is Iran’s State?

The Iranian deep state is hardly invincible, and those in the regime who are aching for reform, including President Hassan Rouhani and his circle, are hardly impotent.

Alex Vatanka, Sanam Vakil, and Hossein Rassam

Trump Administration   Feb 28, 2017 Snapshot

Iran's Trump Cards

Iran knows that it isn’t completely bereft of bargaining leverage over the United States in the Middle East and beyond. And if the Trump administration takes a...

Ross Harrison and Alex Vatanka

Politics & Society   Jan 10, 2017 Snapshot

After Rafsanjani

Despite Rafsanjani’s controversial and mixed political record, he is leaving behind a vacuum. For good or bad, he had become the face of hope for moderation and...

Alex Vatanka

Campaign 2016   Nov 29, 2016 Snapshot

Iran and Assad in the Age of Trump

Top IRGC commanders have so far been amenable to the idea of a Donald Trump presidency. It appears that they are following Russian President Vladimir Putin’s lead and...

Alex Vatanka

Civil & Military Relations   Oct 17, 2016 Snapshot

The Iranian Industrial Complex

Iran has a military-industrial complex problem that stands in the way of any attempt toward policy moderation.

Alex Vatanka

Terrorism & Counterterrorism   Aug 11, 2016 Snapshot

Baku's Choice

Despite the rising threat of Islamism, Azerbaijan should be wary of entering Iran or Russia's orbit.

Alex Vatanka

Iran   May 8, 2016 Snapshot

Iran's Supreme Politics

Khamenei and Rafsanjani each see the Supreme Leader succession process as a both a pivotal juncture for their country and their individual legacies.

Alex Vatanka

Energy   Mar 13, 2016 Snapshot

Hit the Gas in Iran

Oil Minister Bijan Zangeneh has ambitious plans to attract $200 billion in foreign investment to expand Iran’s enormous oil and gas export potential. Following the...

Alex Vatanka

Pakistan   Jan 17, 2016 Snapshot

Pakistan's Game

As it has done so many times before, Islamabad will seek to mollify the concerns of both Tehran and Riyadh, but without falling victim to their cold war for regional...

Alex Vatanka

Civil & Military Relations   Nov 25, 2015 Snapshot

Pulling the Strings

The three centers of power in Iran—the Supreme Leader, the president, and the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC)—are embroiled in a historic contest to shape the...

Alex Vatanka

Trade   May 5, 2015 Snapshot

Central Sultanate

Few countries have as much at stake in the outcome of the Iran negotiations as Oman. For this state on the horn of the Arabian Peninsula, the diplomatic and economic...

Sigurd Neubauer and Alex Vatanka

Strategy & Conflict   Mar 4, 2015 Snapshot

Iran's Yemen Play

Iran may have been happy to see Yemen's pro-Western government ousted last January, but Tehran's influence there is far more limited than many assume.

Alex Vatanka

Arms Control & Disarmament   Jan 15, 2013 Snapshot

Tangle in the Caucasus

The standoff between Iran and the West has moved into the Caucasus, where both the Islamic Republic and Israel are trying to woo Azerbaijan -- a country with firm...

Alex Vatanka