US-Iran War: Escalate or Negotiate A major escalation between the U.S. and Iran, with U.S. airstrikes hitting multiple sites in Iran and Iran retaliating against U.S. military facilities across the region. The conflict has raised fears of a wider war…
Post-Ayatollah Regime: More Flexible? U.S. officials are betting Iran could be persuaded to change its long-standing hostility toward the United States in exchange for sanctions relief and economic benefits. But history suggests this is difficult: past attempts, including the 2015…
US Iran MOU Opens Strait of Hormuz The proposed U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding that would immediately pause hostilities, ease sanctions, reopen shipping access in the Persian Gulf, and begin negotiations for a final nuclear agreement within 60 days. It includes…
Deal to Open Strait of Hormuz is Close The U.S. and Iran are close to a preliminary agreement that could extend the cease-fire, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and set up later talks on Iran’s nuclear program and sanctions relief…
The US and Israel Did Have a Iran Plan A New York Times article notes that U.S. and Israeli planners briefly considered installing hard-line former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as a pliable leader of Iran after early 2026 strikes killed top…
Future of US Gulf Strategic Relationship The recent Gulf war between Iran and U.S./Israeli-aligned forces exposed deep strategic strain: Gulf states feel vulnerable despite long U.S. security guarantees, Iran’s missile-and-drone attacks disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and regional…
Oil Market Dynamics of a Weaker OPEC The UAE announced it will leave OPEC on May 1 amid a global energy crisis driven by the Iran war and closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Experts say the move reflects long‑running…
Risks and Opportunities for China and Russia The U.S.-Israeli war with Iran has created strategic opportunities for Russia and China to weaken U.S. influence, learn from U.S. military operations, and deepen ties with Iran. Moscow and Beijing benefit if the…
Possible US-Iran Deal but Complications Exist Recent high-level talks between the United States and Iran show a fragile opening for peace, but deep mistrust, recent violence, and uncompromising demands have blocked a deal. Sustaining the current cease-fire, building confidence measures,…
Trump Pushes Israel on Lebanese Ceasefire to Wrap up US-Iran Deal Israel and Lebanon agreed to a 10-day ceasefire pushed by U.S. President Donald Trump, taking effect at midnight. The truce is intended to create space for renewed mediation and…
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