Middle East
Regional politics, escalation risk, energy pressure, and security decisions across the Middle East.
19 Reports
Whatever Happened to Trump the Isolationist? The Limits of American Retreat
Trump campaigned on ending forever wars, then bombed Iran and armed Ukraine. The reversal reveals why true isolationism may be impossible for any US president.
Who Could Replace Iran's Ayatollah? The Contenders to Lead Tehran
With Iran's Supreme Leader dead and the country at war, an interim council rules Tehran while clerics, sons, and the Larijani brothers vie to succeed him.
Who Profits From the Iran War: Inside the Trades That Cashed In Early
Anonymous traders made millions betting on the Iran war's twists. How the bets worked, why they look like insider trading, and what regulators can do.
The Ayatollah Is Dead: Who Will Replace Iran's Supreme Leader?
With Ayatollah Khamenei killed in a US-Israeli strike, Iran faces a perilous succession. Here are the contenders to lead a regime fighting for survival.
Who Will Replace Iran's Supreme Leader? The Race to Succeed Khamenei
With Ayatollah Khamenei killed and Iran at war, a tangled succession fight pits hardliners, reformists, and the Larijani brothers for the top job.
The Iranian Regime is Badly Wounded. Will It Be Enough?
Tehran has lost proxies, deterrent credibility, and strategic patience. Loss of capacity is not the same as loss of control.
Could Negotiations Save the Iranian Regime?
A deal would buy Tehran time and a pause in the bleeding. The harder question is what it would cost on the inside.