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Commentary

A fragile opening: Iran, the US, and the high-stakes return to diplomacy

Talks between Tehran and Washington are set to take place on Saturday in Oman. Hamidreza Azizi writes that much of Iran’s political spectrum is cautiously optimistic about negotiations, reflecting a recognition of Iran’s military and economic constraints, and a desire to avoid war while securing relief from crippling sanctions. This pragmatic approach may signal a rare opportunity to pursue a deal that addresses concerns over Iran’s nuclear program while averting another regional conflict, but the potential for miscalculation remains high.

11 April 2025 | Dr Hamidreza Azizi
IranIranMultilateral Arms Control, Disarmament and Non-ProliferationIranJCPOAMiddle EastNuclear SecurityNuclear WeaponsUnited StatesIran
Report

Meeting report: Iran, Europe and the US – new approaches to nuclear diplomacy

In January 2025, the ELN with support from the Rockefeller Brothers Fund (RBF), convened a roundtable to discuss ways forward for a resumption of Iran-US nuclear negotiations. European, American, Asian, and Middle East experts discussed the role of Gulf actors in developing a new deal, Iran’s shift in priorities under President Pezeshkian, and the implications of the changes in the regional architecture as a result of the war in Gaza.

21 March 2025 | Roxane Farmanfarmaian
IranIranMultilateral Arms Control, Disarmament and Non-ProliferationEuropeIranIsraelJCPOANuclear Arms ControlNuclear SecurityNuclear WeaponsUnited StatesIranSenior Associate Fellow
Commentary

Will the fall of Bashar al-Assad weaken Russia’s position in the Middle East?

The fall of the Assad government was a serious blow to Moscow’s image in the MENA region and on the international stage. It was a reality check for those who believed the Kremlin’s support could be the key to political survival. However, Nikolay Kozhanov argues that Assad’s fall is unlikely to be a turning point in Russia’s presence in the broader Middle East. He notes that Russia has worked to diversify its relationships across the region since the mid-2010s, especially looking to strengthen ties in the Gulf.

19 February 2025 | Nikolay Kozhanov
Russia-WestRussia-West relationsBlack SeaDefenceDiplomacyEuropeForeign policyIranMiddle EastRussiaRussia-West RelationsSanctionsSecuritySyriaTerrorism
Podcast

The Women Leaders podcast: Syria unbound

Last weekend, President Bashar al Assad of Syria, the cruel and brutal head of a corrupt dynasty that had ruled Syria for over half a century, fled with his family to Moscow — just two weeks after a rebel group started upon an offensive from north to south. To dissect these dramatic events, ELN Senior Associate Fellow Ilana Bet-El, is joined by Professor Hind Kabawat, a former member of the High Negotiations Committee at the Syrian peace talks in Geneva, a prominent leader of Syrian civil society, and former classmate of Bashar al Assad. 

13 December 2024 | Ilana Bet-El and Florence Ferrando
IranDemocracyForeign policyInternational LawIranMiddle EastPodcastsRussiaSyriaTerrorismTurkeySenior Associate FellowYGLN
Podcast

The Women Leaders podcast: Iran all around

In the disaster zone that is currently the Middle East, Iran looms large. From its missile attacks on Israel to supporting Hizbollah, Hamas and the Houthis — it is perceived to be a malign presence across the region, especially from the Western perspective. To better understand Iran and its place in the world, ELN Senior Associate Fellow Ilana Bet-El is joined by her colleague, ELN Senior Associate Fellow Dr Roxane Farmanfarmaian of Cambridge University, in a strong and enlightening discussion that touches on the history of Iran and its international position since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, through the Iran-Iraq war of the 1990s, all the way to understanding its regional and global interests today.

18 October 2024 | Ilana Bet-El, Florence Ferrando and Roxane Farmanfarmaian
IranIranChinaDefenceDemocracyDiplomacyForeign policyIranJCPOAMiddle EastNuclear SecurityNuclear WeaponsPodcastsRussiaSanctionsTerrorismUnited NationsUnited StatesSenior Associate FellowYGLN
Commentary

The Women Leaders podcast: As missiles fly

One year since Hamas’ invasion of southern Israel, Israel’s consequent offensive in Gaza, and Hezbollah’s initial rocket campaign in northern Israel, it appears as if the violence in the Middle East is only getting worse. In this unique episode, Women Leaders is building a bridge: Fania Oz-Salzberger, Professor of History at Haifa University and renowned public intellectual, and Roula from Beirut — for security reasons, we cannot release her real name — join ELN Senior Associate Fellow Ilana Bet-El for an in-depth discussion of Israeli and Lebanese politics, the involvement of women in decision-making, and the hope of one day seeing a new Middle East.

4 October 2024 | Ilana Bet-El and Florence Ferrando
IranIranDefenceDiplomacyForeign policyGenderIranMiddle EastMissilesPodcastsUnited NationsSenior Associate FellowYGLN