Regions

Middle East and North Africa

Content covering countries in the Middle East and North Africa, including Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Lebanon, Libya, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Palestine, Yemen, and more.

Past Events

Corporate Roundtable on the Geopolitical Implications of US Strikes on Iran

PAST EVENT

Corporate Leadership Conversations

Former US Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks on the strategic risks and potential consequences of the United States’ recent strikes on Iran.

Mar 17

The sun sets behind a plume of smoke rising after a US–Israeli military strike in Tehran, Iran.

Vahid Salemi / AP

After US-Israel Strikes: What Comes Next for Iran and the Region?

PAST EVENT VIDEO

Rapid Response

A live stream with Lisa Anderson, Daniel Byman, and Leslie Vinjamuri on the emerging developments following the joint US-Israel coordinated strikes on Iran.

Mar 2

US Central Command / AP

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Commentary

June 1, 2026

Ceasefire Under Strain: Where US-Iran Peace Talks Stand

In the News

WTTW

Ariane Tabatabai

Ariane Tabatabai, the Council's vice president of research for security and defense, joins Chicago Tonight to discuss the latest on the war, Iran's nuclear program, and more.

Defense and Security

May 26, 2026

Will the War Change Iran's Way of War?

In the News

Lawfare

Ariane Tabatabai

"This war has allowed Iran to test its strategy and operational capabilities, giving the regime an opportunity to adjust them to strengthen its resistance capacity," Ariane Tabatabai, Council senior fellow on the Middle East, and Madison Rinder write.

troops stand while attending a maneuver in northwestern Iran

Iranian Revolutionary Guard's Ground Force via AP

Defense and Security

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Research

May 12, 2026

Americans Say the Iran War Is Bad for the United States

RESEARCH

Public Opinion Survey by Coauthors

But Republicans stand in stark contrast, favoring the Trump administration’s actions in Iran.

A man waves an Iranian flag under a billboard with graphic showing Strait of Hormuz and sewn lips of USPresident Donald Trump

Vahid Salemi / AP

Public Opinion

March 3, 2026

Majority of Americans Say Congress' Approval Needed for US Strikes in Iran

RESEARCH

Public Opinion Survey by Coauthors

While few Americans want to see Iran develop a nuclear weapon, just half expressed support for US airstrikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities—and most believe direct military action would spark a broader regional war.