Hezbollah’s Advanced Missile Targets Israeli Drone as Israel Rethinks Purpose of Future War

Hezbollah’s firing of an advanced surface-to-air missile at an Israeli intelligence-gathering drone over Lebanon on February 3 is an acute reminder of the high-stakes cat-and-mouse game being conducted daily between a democratic state and a terror organization that has morphed into a terror army.t

Iran Is Using Violence to Put Pressure on Biden

Multiple missiles were fired at Erbil on February 15, killing at least one civil contractor and injuring at least one American national. It is likely that the attack was conducted by an Iranian proxy in order to put pressure on President Biden to lift the sanctions against the country and return to the 2015 nuclear deal.

Iran’s Intelligence Minister Sends a Clear Signal to the Biden Administration

Erfan Fard
February 12, 2021
Paper No. 1929

A recent television interview with Iranian Minister of Intelligence Mahmoud Alavi provides President Joe Biden’s national intelligence team with useful information as it assesses how to deal with the Iranian regime.

Many Iranians Privately Reject State-Mandated Religious Conservatism

A recent online survey by two Dutch universities of Iranian attitudes toward religion has revealed a stunning rejection of state-imposed adherence to conservative religious mores as well as the role of religion in public life.

An Arrest in the US Shows the Islamic Republic’s Influence in the West

The FBI recently arrested an Iranian academic for failing to register as a foreign agent in accordance with the Foreign Agents Registration Act. Kaveh Afrasiabi was arrested in Massachusetts and is believed to have received more than $250,000 from the Iranian regime to disseminate its propaganda in the guise of objective analysis. Iranian agent-scholars are easy to recognize: they always oppose the overthrow of the regime and they oppose any form of sanctions. They criticize the regime on occasion as a means of concealing their role as agents.

After the Karabakh War, Iran Faces Stiff Competition in the Caucasus

The Second Karabakh War changed the geopolitical landscape in the South Caucasus. Much has been written on Russia’s and Turkey’s gains, but Iran’s diminished position has gotten less attention. Though not involved in the military operations, Iran saw a steep decline in its geopolitical fortunes in the region as a result of the war.

Is Israel in Secret Contact with Syria?

Syrian president Bashar Assad, who now views the Iranian presence in his country as a burden, wants to oust Tehran from Syrian soil—and he has come to realize that achieving that goal will require Israel’s involvement. That may be why secret contacts are being reported between the two countries.

The Dangers of Lifting Sanctions on the Islamic Regime of Iran

Now that President Biden has been installed in the White House, the Islamic regime in Iran is hopeful that US sanctions on the country will soon be lifted. Lifting the sanctions, however, would tighten the regime’s grip on the Iranian people and provide a boost to its destabilizing operations across the Middle East. Biden must consider these issues before making a decision on rejoining the 2015 nuclear deal.

Who Is Quds Force Chief Esmail Qaani?

Erfan Fard
January 24, 2021
Paper No. 1900

Shortly after the killing of Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani on January 3, 2020, the Iranian Supreme Leader announced that Soleimani would be succeeded by his deputy in Afghanistan, Esmail Qaani. Qaani is a somewhat enigmatic figure, as he served for years in Soleimani’s shadow. He is known, however, to be a religious extremist and an avowed enemy of the US and Israel. His main mission is to expand Iran’s ballistic missiles program and strengthen Shiite militia groups across the Middle East.

What Will Happen When Khamenei Dies?

The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ali Khamenei, is 81 years old and reportedly in declining health. The question of the succession will be decided by the regime’s Assembly of Experts, who will choose the new Supreme Leader following Khamenei’s death. Six individuals have emerged as possible successors.