Beyond “Maximum Pressure” in US Policy on Iran: Leveraging Regional Partners to Contain Iran's Actions and Shape its Future Choices
Jan 30, 2025In his second term in office, President Donald Trump faces a Middle East undergoing multifaceted upheaval and an Islamic Republic of Iran currently in its weakest and most isolated position since the founding of the regime in 1979. Yet far from permanently subdued, Tehran continues to move closer to building a nuclear weapon, and it is trying to preserve its regional network of proxies and non-state allies. Trump now faces an important strategic choice on Iran policy. This report analyzes three overarching dynamics: the shifting strategic landscape across the Middle East in 2023-24; the impact of these shifts on Iran and its Axis of Resistance network; and Iran’s current position and standing at home and in the region. It concludes with a series of strategic-level recommendations for the new administration.
About the Director
Alex Vatanka
Alex Vatanka (الکس وطن خواه) specializes in Middle Eastern regional security affairs with a particular focus on Iran. From 2006 to 2010, he was the managing editor of Jane’s Islamic Affairs Analyst. From 2001 to 2006, he was a senior political analyst at Jane’s in London (UK) where he mainly covered the Middle East. Alex is also a senior fellow in Middle East Studies at the US Air Force Special Operations School (USAFSOS) at Hurlburt Field and teaches as an adjunct professor at DISAM at Wright-Patterson AFB.
Advisory Council
Mohammed Baharoon
Nadereh Chamlou
Robert Fardi
Dokhi Fassihian
Alberto M. Fernandez
John Limbert
Norman T. Roule
Rob Sobhani
Program Experts
Fatemeh Aman
Non-Resident Senior Fellow
Shukriya Bradost
Non-Resident Scholar
Jason M. Brodsky
Non-Resident Scholar
Andrew Scott Cooper
Non-Resident Scholar
Alan Eyre
Non-Resident Scholar
Meir Javedanfar
Non-Resident Scholar
Banafsheh Keynoush
Non-Resident Scholar
Marjan Keypour
Non-Resident Scholar
Nazee Moinian
Non-Resident Scholar
Mahmood Sariolghalam
Non-Resident Scholar
