Building nuclear weapons would certainly be the most consequential strategic decision by the Iranian leadership since the 1979 revolution.
Iran
As the U.S. pulls back from the Middle East, China is carefully stepping up its economic, diplomatic, and military roles. And Saudi Arabia is learning how to play chess in a multipolar world.
As talk of another Iranian revolution grows, Reza Aslan’s new book on Iran’s first revolution is a must-read for observers of the region.
Iran’s attractiveness to Central Asian nations increases the Islamic republic’s importance to the Belt and Road, China’s infrastructure, transportation and energy-driven initiative to connect the Eurasian landmass to Beijing.
A rethink is taking place in Eurasian capitals on an alternative collective security framework for the Persian Gulf region.
Washington is in a Catch-22 situation in the Persian Gulf region.
Riyadh and Washington have good reason to avoid pinning blame on Tehran for the attack on Saudi oil facilities.
The Middle East information wars are only part of a larger battle that includes proxy wars and economic contestation.