Skip to main content
Al-Monitor logo - globe icon in white
Sectors
  • Politics & Security
  • Culture
  • Technology
  • Economy & Business
Countries & Regions
  • Egypt
    مصر
  • Gulf
    الخليج
  • Iran
    ایران
  • Iraq
    العراق
  • Israel
    יִשְׂרָאֵל
  • Jordan
    الأردن
  • Lebanon
    لبنان
  • North Africa
    شمال أفريقيا
  • Palestine
    فلسطين
  • Syria
    سوريا
  • Turkey
    TÜRKIYE
Go PRO for premium insights
  • Access Limited.
    Please upgrade your Subscription.
  • Memos Concise, actionable scenarios and predictions from top regional experts.
  • Live events & webinars Intimate in-person access to policy and business VIPs.
  • Trend Reports Data-driven analysis of latest market trends.
New York Summit
Log In

The Middle East in your inbox Insights in your inbox.

Deepen your knowledge of the Middle East
Al-Monitor Independent, trusted coverage of the Middle East
Newsletters

Alex Vatanka

Alex Vatanka New Pic 2.jpg

Alex Vatanka is a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute in Washington, D.C. Vatanka is the author of a forthcoming book on Iran and Pakistan: Security, Diplomacy and American Influence to be published by I.B. Tauris.

Iran | Mar 18, 2015

Does Iran have a 'bridge' to Central Asia?

If Iran maintains its policy of not pushing an Islamist agenda on the secular Central Asian countries, there is potential for increased economic and political cooperation.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (L) and his Turkmen counterpart Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov take part in a joint press conference following their meeting in Ashgabat on March 11, 2015. Hassan Rouhani is on his first state visit to Turkmenistan. AFP PHOTO / IGOR SASIN        (Photo credit should read IGOR SASIN/AFP/Getty Images)
Iran | Dec 19, 2014

Why should Iran accept US presence in Afghanistan?

Iran has an interest in keeping a military presence in Afghanistan to keep its enemy the Taliban in check, and should drop its rhetoric against US troops being stationed there for much of the same objectives.

Afghan children gesture at U.S. soldiers from Grim Company of the 3rd Cavalry Regiment as they stand guard near an Afghan police checkpoint during a mission near Forward Operating Base Fenty in the Nangarhar province of Afghanistan December 19, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (AFGHANISTAN - Tags: CIVIL UNREST POLITICS MILITARY CONFLICT) - RTR4INDK
Saudi Arabia | Nov 26, 2014

Iran, Saudi Arabia find common ground in Yemen

Despite fears of increasing Riyadh-Tehran rivalry, Yemen's unity government serves the interests of both Iran and Saudi Arabia.

Saudi soldiers stand guard in Jizan on the border with Yemen November 3, 2014. Gains by the Shi'ite Houthi rebel movement in Yemen are ringing alarm bells in Saudi Arabia, concerned for what it means for its vulnerable southern border, already the conduit for a constant flow of illicit activity. Picture taken November 3, 2014.  REUTERS/Faisal Al Nasser (SAUDI ARABIA - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) - RTR4DNW9
Iran | Oct 24, 2014

Iranian-Pakistani border incident reveals deeper problems

Skirmishes on the Iranian-Pakistani border are not new, but reveal deeper problems between two large countries that have not capitalized on potential opportunities to improve relations.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif addresses the 69th United Nations General Assembly at United Nations Headquarters in New York, September 26, 2014.  REUTERS/Mike Segar   (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS) - RTR47V5B
Iran | Jul 31, 2014

Iran hawks can’t stop nuclear deal

US negotiators may be concerned, but Iran's hard-liners will not be able to derail the nuclear talks as long as Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei supports the negotiators.

EDITORS' NOTE: Reuters and other foreign media are subject to Iranian restrictions on leaving the office to report, film or take pictures in Tehran.

Ayatollah Mohammad-Taqi Mesbah Yazdi listens to the opening speech during the Assembly of Experts' biannual meeting in Tehran September 14, 2010.  REUTERS/Caren Firouz (IRAN - Tags: POLITICS RELIGION) - RTR2IB57

Latest News

Abbas to UN: No Mideast peace without Palestinians' rights

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas addresses the 78th United Nations General Assembly
by Shaun TANDON | AFP | Sep 21, 2023

Israel fires on Syria targets from occupied Golan

Smoke rises from a Syrian army position after an Israeli tank fires across the demarcation line from the occupied Golan Heights
by Jalaa Marey | AFP | Sep 21, 2023

Libya flood disaster displaced over 43,000 people: IOM

People sit among the rubble in Libya's eastern city of Derna
Agence France-Presse | AFP | Sep 21, 2023
See more

Podcasts

Will Armenia’s land border with Iran be Azerbaijan’s next target after Nagorno-Karabakh, asks analyst Benjamin Poghosyan

Benyamin Poghosyan
See more
Al-Monitor full logo in white

Follow Al-Monitor

Sectors
  • Politics & Security
  • Culture
  • Technology
  • Economy & Business
Countries & Regions
  • Egypt
    مصر
  • Gulf
    الخليج
  • Iran
    ایران
  • Iraq
    العراق
  • Israel
    יִשְׂרָאֵל
  • Jordan
    الأردن
  • Lebanon
    لبنان
  • North Africa
    شمال أفريقيا
  • Palestine
    فلسطين
  • Syria
    سوريا
  • Turkey
    TÜRKIYE

Terms of Use

  • Visitor Agreements
  • Privacy Policy
  • Submissions and Discussions Policy
  • Search our Archives

Contact Us

  • Support and Contact Info
  • Advertise

About Us

Al-Monitor.com is a trusted and award-winning independent source of Middle East news and analysis, founded in 2012.
  • Our History
  • Mission
  • Careers
  • Team

Newsletters

  • Subscribe

© 2023 Al-Monitor, LLC. All rights reserved.

Follow Al-Monitor