Iran

Iran and its proxies are a key regional player in the Middle East. The country represents a major adversary to U.S. foreign policy interests through conflicts with Israel, support of Russia’s war in Ukraine, its burgeoning nuclear program, and its influence over global oil flows. CSIS scholars provide essential analysis on Iranian military and energy capabilities and how Tehran thinks about its place in the regional and global order.

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Seth G. Jones

Seth G. Jones

President, Defense and Security Department; Harold Brown Chair
Will Todman

Will Todman

Chief of Staff, Geopolitics and Foreign Policy Department; and Senior Fellow, Middle East Program
Williams

Heather Williams

Director, Project on Nuclear Issues and Senior Fellow, Defense and Security Department
Daniel Byman

Daniel Byman

Director, Warfare, Irregular Threats, and Terrorism Program
Emily Harding

Emily Harding

Vice President, Defense and Security Department; Director, Intelligence, National Security, and Technology Program
Joseph Rodgers

Joseph Rodgers

Deputy Director and Fellow, Project on Nuclear Issues

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The U.S.-Iran War and Its Economic Fallout | The High Top

Phil Luck joins Jon Alterman to unpack the economic story of the post-Iran-war order: China's real headwinds, why the Global South is hedging harder than ever, and what the policy community still misunderstands about economic statecraft.

Event — July 20, 2026

What the Iran War Revealed About U.S. Power | The High Top

How has the U.S.-Iran war changed the way the world views American power? Jon Alterman and Charles Edel discuss shifting views among allies and the Global South, the fraying post-1945 order, and the challenge of building a more durable allied strategy.

Event — July 14, 2026

Formula 1 on the Front Lines

Hosting F1 races was supposed to showcase the Gulf's post-oil future. Instead, the Iran war canceled two Grand Prix races and two more are under threat. What does this mean for the future of hosting major global events in contested regions?

Commentary by Emily Harding and Cynthia R. Cook — July 9, 2026

Saudi Vision 2030 at Ten

Ten years after its launch, Vision 2030 remains Saudi Arabia's roadmap for resilience. The Iran war reinforced—not weakened—the case for economic diversification, with AI, digital infrastructure, and strategic adaptation now central to the kingdom's long-term ambitions.

Brief by Michael Ratney and Adel Hamaizia — July 6, 2026

Preventing Iran’s Military Reconstitution

Iran’s ability to reconstitute its military depends on its ability to import key materials and equipment. With the UAE’s role as Iran’s central reexport hub up in the air, policymakers have a narrow window to identify and disrupt new procurement routes as they take shape. 

Report by CSIS Scholars — June 23, 2026