In The News

Will It Be a Trusting Relationship?

Nayan Chanda September 29, 2014
Prime Minister Narendra Modi received an enthusiastic welcome from members of the US Indian diaspora at Madison Square Garden, perhaps previewing strategic cooperation between the world’s largest democracy and the United States. In his regular column for the Times of India, Nayan Chanda reviews how the strategic situation has deteriorated for both India and the United States: China is...

A Justified Extension for Iran Nuclear Talks, But Hard Choices Ahead

Robert Einhorn July 21, 2014
Iran and P5+1 countries – United States, Russia, China, the United Kingdom, France and Germany – are extending talks on ending Iran’s nuclear program for another four months. A “six-month halt in all significant advances in Iran's nuclear program will remain in effect, as will the modest but worthwhile lengthening of the time it would take Iran to produce enough weapons-grade uranium for a...

Reaching Nuclear Threshold, Iran May Be Ready for Pause

Arch Roberts April 10, 2014
Iran possesses the technology to enrich uranium that could lead to production of nuclear weapons, putting the country in a class with 14 nations including Germany and Japan. Perhaps that was the nation’s goal all along. “It’s possible that a pause in Iran’s nuclear program has become desirable and convenient in the face of the sanctions that undermine the economy and the regime, especially given...

Two Talibans and India

Ashok Malik February 24, 2014
The US withdrawal from Afghanistan will pose challenges for the country and the entire region, including India. “Even if a security agreement is signed with the government in Kabul that allows the Americans to retain a small presence, the overarching security umbrella that has been in place since the Taliban defeat in 2001 would have receded,” writes Ashok Malik for the Times of India. “In...

Will the Iran Nuclear Deal Thrive or Wither?

Dilip Hiro January 21, 2014
Iran and six world powers known as P5 + 1, led by the United States, have a narrow time frame for working out a permanent deal that ensures an end to Tehran's enriching weapons-grade uranium. A final accord requires the convergence of diverse interests of countries reaching critical mass, and such moments are rare in history, warns journalist and author Dilip Hiro. Iranians support an...

“Chance of a Century”: International Investors Flock to Tehran

Susanne Koelbl January 6, 2014
Investors and businesses, particularly major oil and gas companies, are descending on Iran, hoping to profit from 80 million people, many of whom are eager to engage in international commerce. Iran has the world’s fourth largest oil reserves and the second largest gas reserves, and the nation’s equipment requires updating and renovations. Western sanctions, imposed on Iran’s nuclear program,...

Iran Approaches a “Gorbachev Moment”

Robert A. Manning November 26, 2013
The United States and Iran have reached a historic interim accord that would limit sanctons and Iranian nuclear enrichment, subject to IAEA inspections. Iran confronts a transformative moment, explains Robert A. Manning of the Brent Snowcroft Center for International Security at the Atlantic Council. Western sanctions have contributed to high inflation, unemployment and other economic woes for...