Archived articles

Middle east

Qassim Suleimani's grave
Commentary
Suleimani assassination 'pulverizes' U.S. influence in Middle East
Published Jan 6, 2020
JHU experts on the Middle East, international relations, and political science discuss the role Qassim Suleimani played in Iran's military and the potential fallout from his assassination by U.S. drone strike
Narges Bajoghli
Interview
Talking with Narges Bajoghli
Published Fall 2019
The anthropologist, filmmaker, and writer discusses her debut book, an inside look on being pro-regime in Iran / Johns Hopkins Magazine
Two people in the foreground cover their faces with scarves while protesters behind them burn papers in an open fire
Global affairs
Why thousands are protesting in Iran
Published Jan 4, 2018
Experts Vali Nasr, Ryan Calder discuss the economic causes of and political fallout from Iran's demonstrations
Donald Trump
Commentary
Trump's 'strategic blunder' on Iran
Published Oct 13, 2017
SAIS Dean Vali Nasr says decertifying nuclear deal is mistake that will define president's foreign policy legacy
MIDDLE EAST
A year after Hajj tragedy, political tensions linger
Published Sept 8, 2016
As annual pilgrimage to Mecca begins, SAIS Dean Vali Nasr discusses ongoing conflict between Saudi Arabia, Iran / NPR
Donald Trump shrugs at podium at Phoenix rally
Election 2016
Who founded ISIS? It's complicated
Published Aug 12, 2016
SAIS Dean Vali Nasr links rise of Islamic terror group to sectarian conflict in Iraq, 2003 U.S. invasion / The Huffington Post
Turkish people wave flags and assemble to protest the military coup
Commentary
Fallout of a failed coup
Published July 21, 2016
SAIS Middle East expert says events could strain U.S.-Turkey relations, pave Erdogan's path to more power / The LobeLog
Commentary
Middle East power struggle
Published Jan 5, 2016
SAIS Dean Vali Nasr discusses widening diplomatic rift between Saudi Arabia, Iran / NPR
Crowd around memorial of candles, flowers on Paris sidewalk
Q+A
How to defeat ISIS
Published Nov 18, 2015
SAIS dean, Middle East scholar Vali Nasr discusses the Paris attacks and the need for a diplomatic solution to Syrian conflict
Opinion
Arab world's blurred lines
Published Aug 13, 2014
Vali Nasr: Sectarian violence in Iraq can be traced to 'arbitrary boundaries' drawn after WWI / The New York Times