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Middle East

Expert Q&A: What to Watch for at the Trump-Netanyahu Meeting

Ambassador Gary Grappo

Expert Q&A: What to Watch for at the Trump-Netanyahu Meeting

EXPERT Q&A — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in Washington D.C. on Monday to meet with President Donald Trump at the White House — [...] More

Middle East

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Iran is a Terrorist State

Ambassador Joseph DeTrani

Iran is a Terrorist State

OPINION — Since 1984, Iran has been designated a state sponsor of terrorism. The designation is justified, given Iran’s continued support of proxies [...] More

Middle EastAmbassador Joseph DeTrani
Former CIA Director on the Priority Intelligence Requirement in Iran

Former CIA Director on the Priority Intelligence Requirement in Iran

EXPERT INTERVIEW – Tehran’s response on Monday to U.S. attacks against its nuclear facilities over the weekend was measured and possibly calibrated [...] More

IranNuclearIntelligenceIsraelMiddle Eastmilitary

What Was Trump Thinking When He Ordered the Strike on Iran?

Walter Pincus

What Was Trump Thinking When He Ordered the Strike on Iran?

OPINION / FINE PRINT — “I want to thank and congratulate Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu. We worked as a team like perhaps no team has ever worked [...] More

Middle EastWalter PincusFine Print

Will Anything Stop Iran's Pursuit of Nuclear Weapons?

Ambassador Joseph DeTrani

Will Anything Stop Iran's Pursuit of Nuclear Weapons?

OPINION -- The weekend bombing of Iran’s nuclear sites in Isfahan, Natanz and Fordow surprised the leadership in Tehran. It shouldn’t have, given [...] More

IranAmbassador Joseph DeTraniNuclearMiddle East

Could Iran's Judiciary Chief Be the Next Supreme Leader?

Steven Ward

Could Iran's Judiciary Chief Be the Next Supreme Leader?

OPINION — As Israel's unprecedented military campaign and targeting of Iranian military leaders and scientists wreaked havoc across Iran last week, [...] More

Middle East

The Intelligence Behind the Strike: Was Everyone Wrong About Iran’s Nuclear Program?

Dr. Clement Renault

The Intelligence Behind the Strike: Was Everyone Wrong About Iran’s Nuclear Program?

OPINION — On June 13, 2025, just after midnight, Israel launched a military operation against Iran, citing an urgent need to halt Tehran’s march [...] More

Middle EastAlternative Perspectives
Experts Assess Iran Strikes, Response and What Comes Next

Experts Assess Iran Strikes, Response and What Comes Next

EXPERT SUMMARY -- Given this weekend’s strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities and the incredible fast pace at which events are unfolding, The Cipher [...] More

Middle EastIranNuclear
How Resilient is the Energy Market in Midst of Middle East Crisis?

How Resilient is the Energy Market in Midst of Middle East Crisis?

EXCLUSIVE EXPERT PERSPECTIVE -- One would have thought that the outbreak of a major war between Iran and Israel with daily missile salvos, would have [...] More

Middle EastIranSecurity/Stability

Amid Crisis, A Lesser-Told Story of US-Iran Similarities Holds Some Hope

Dr. Jerry Laurienti

Amid Crisis, A Lesser-Told Story of US-Iran Similarities Holds Some Hope

OPINION — As experts studiously debate what the latest Israel-Iran fighting will lead to, including a possible Iranian collapse, one enduring but [...] More

Middle EastDr. Jerry Laurienti
What Would It Take to End the Regime in Iran?

What Would it Take to End the Regime in Iran?

CIPHER BRIEF REPORTING – As U.S. President Donald Trump demands Iran’s “unconditional surrender” and hints that Iran’s Supreme Leader could also be [...] More

Middle EastIran
How Things Could go from Worse to Devastating for Iran

How Things Could go from Worse to Devastating for Iran

CIPHER BRIEF REPORTING – Given the state of damage Iran has suffered since Israel launched a devastating round of airstrikes targeting nuclear and [...] More

Middle EastIranNuclear

The Houthi Balancing Act After Israel’s Attack on Iran

Edmund Fitton-Brown

The Houthi Balancing Act After Israel’s Attack on Iran

Ari Heistein

The Houthi Balancing Act After Israel’s Attack on Iran

OPINION — How will the Houthis respond to the devastating Israeli strikes on Iran? This moment could prove decisive for both the Iran-led axis and [...] More

Middle East