Bush takes on Tehran

In his January 10 address to the American people calling for 21,500 more troops to Iraq, President Bush defined a provocative position on Iran. FP asked two prominent experts to dissect America’s new hard line on Iraq’s Persian neighbor—and predict its chances for ending the sectarian violence in Iraq. Our two commentators are: Karim Sadjadpour, ...

In his January 10 address to the American people calling for 21,500 more troops to Iraq, President Bush defined a provocative position on Iran. FP asked two prominent experts to dissect America’s new hard line on Iraq’s Persian neighbor—and predict its chances for ending the sectarian violence in Iraq.

In his January 10 address to the American people calling for 21,500 more troops to Iraq, President Bush defined a provocative position on Iran. FP asked two prominent experts to dissect America’s new hard line on Iraq’s Persian neighbor—and predict its chances for ending the sectarian violence in Iraq.

Our two commentators are:

  • Karim Sadjadpour, an analyst with the International Crisis Group and the primary author of Iran in Iraq: How Much Influence?, an in-depth look at Tehran's role in stirring up trouble for the United States in Iraq; and,
  • Cliff Kupchan, Director for Europe and Eurasia at the Eurasia Group.

Sadjadpour and Kupchan pour cold water on the idea that mobilizing Sunni Arab states to confront Tehran will be easy or without dangerous repercussions in the region. Sunni-Shiite proxy war, anyone? Check it out.

More from Foreign Policy

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping give a toast during a reception following their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow on March 21.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping give a toast during a reception following their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow on March 21.

Can Russia Get Used to Being China’s Little Brother?

The power dynamic between Beijing and Moscow has switched dramatically.

Xi and Putin shake hands while carrying red folders.
Xi and Putin shake hands while carrying red folders.

Xi and Putin Have the Most Consequential Undeclared Alliance in the World

It’s become more important than Washington’s official alliances today.

Russian President Vladimir Putin greets Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
Russian President Vladimir Putin greets Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

It’s a New Great Game. Again.

Across Central Asia, Russia’s brand is tainted by Ukraine, China’s got challenges, and Washington senses another opening.

Kurdish military officers take part in a graduation ceremony in Erbil, the capital of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, on Jan. 15.
Kurdish military officers take part in a graduation ceremony in Erbil, the capital of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, on Jan. 15.

Iraqi Kurdistan’s House of Cards Is Collapsing

The region once seemed a bright spot in the disorder unleashed by U.S. regime change. Today, things look bleak.