Steven A. Cook
@stevenacook.bsky.social
Senior Fellow for Middle East and Africa Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations. Views are my own.
My latest @foreignpolicy.com Where are the members of Congress, the Canadian prime minister, and the European big wigs who say they are champions of human rights and democracy? Nowhere.... foreignpolicy.com/2026/07/02/t...
The Hypocrisy That Shields Erdogan From Global Criticism
Rising human rights violations in Turkey should be called out.
foreignpolicy.com
Me @foreignpolicy.com "Over the weekend, Trump stated that if Iran did not honor its commitments in the MOU, the United States would be the “guardian of the Middle East.” In fact, Trump’s failure in Iran is likely to trigger something else altogether: a U.S. withdrawal.:
"Strategically, the president achieved nothing." — Steven Cook, Middle East expert Read Jen Rubin's latest on the Iran deal @stevenacook.bsky.social @jenrubin.bsky.social
A Concept of a Plan for an Iran Deal
What happened — and did — not so far?
contrariannews.org
My latest @foreignpolicy.com So, is the world in which the nuclear agreement remains in place, with about four years left until the restrictions on Iran’s nuclear work end, superior to the present reality? I’d say sort of, kind of, but not necessarily....
By me @foreignpolicy.com ... "Why are the Saudis Sitting Out the Iran War?" A more active approach would help cement Riyadh’s regional clout. foreignpolicy.com/2026/04/24/s...
Why Are the Saudis Sitting Out the War With Iran?
A more active approach would help cement Riyadh’s regional clout.
foreignpolicy.com
@stevenacook.bsky.social and Elisa Ewers join @djrothkopf.bsky.social and @edwardluce.bsky.social to discuss the situation in the Middle East and Donald Trump’s failures in Iran. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t... youtu.be/NhKNWS9Ntuc
ICYMI by me @foreignpolicy.com The implications for islamists, annexation, Saudi nukes, and normalization... foreignpolicy.com/2026/03/05/o...
The Domino Effect of Operation Epic Fury
The U.S. war on Iran will weaken Islamist groups and embolden the Israeli right.
foreignpolicy.com
My latest @foreignpolicy.com The U.S. war on Iran will weaken Islamist groups and embolden the Israeli right. foreignpolicy.com/2026/03/05/o...
The Domino Effect of Operation Epic Fury
The U.S. war on Iran will weaken Islamist groups and embolden the Israeli right.
foreignpolicy.com
@jenrubin.bsky.social and @stevenacook.bsky.social give the latest on Iran. WACTH: open.substack.com/live-stream/...
Washington Journal #CSPAN #CSPANWJ Skeet at @c-span.bsky.social and cspanwj.bsky.social Council on Foreign Relations' @cfr.org Steven Cook @stevenacook.bsky.social joins to discuss latest as the U.S. and Israel continue major military operations against #Iran. Watch here: tinyurl.com/ytkfz4vb
AI is to the Gulf States what Al Udeid is/was to Qatar and its ruling family... foreignpolicy.com/2026/02/23/g...
For the Gulf States, Investment in AI Is Partly About U.S. Protection
Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE hope to become artificial intelligence hubs.
foreignpolicy.com
My latest @foreignpolicy.com A redrawing of maps in Yemen, Somalia, and elsewhere might serve U.S. interests. foreignpolicy.com/2026/01/29/c...
Could Shifting Borders Be a Good Thing?
A redrawing of maps in Yemen, Somalia, and elsewhere might serve U.S. interests.
foreignpolicy.com
How Sharaa rules his impoverished, broken, and politically divided country remains an open question, but clearly U.S. President Donald Trump believes a White House visit will help unlock much-needed reconstruction assistance and set Syria on a positive path, writes @stevenacook.bsky.social.
Pivotal U.S. Summit Could Help Mend a Fractured Syria
Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa makes a crucial first visit to the White House, with the reconstruction of his war-battered country at stake if he is able to persuade U.S. lawmakers to lift sanctions.
cfr.org
My reflections on a recent visit to Lebanon and Syria in @foreignpolicy.com Those poor little kids...
For Syrian Refugees, U.S. Aid Cuts Have Been Devastating
Many face a tough choice—remain in squalid camps or return to a troubled homeland.
foreignpolicy.com
Ghouta lies in ruins, but some life is coming back. youtube.com/shorts/wyWr1...
Syrians in Ghouta rebuild their lives in the ruins of civil war
YouTube video by Council on Foreign Relations
youtube.com
My latest @foreignpolicy.com A Trail of What Ifs and the Roads Not Taken foreignpolicy.com/2025/10/06/t...
Two Years After Oct. 7, a Trail of What-Ifs
Decisions made early on set the path for a devastating war.
foreignpolicy.com
Recent announcements by France, Britain, and Canada recognizing a Palestinian state are mostly performative. foreignpolicy.com/2025/08/06/r...
Why Recognizing Palestine Is Meaningless or Even Harmful
Recent announcements by France, Britain, and Canada are mostly performative.
foreignpolicy.com
My latest @foreignpolicy.com From Ro Khanna to Tom Barrack... Washington is pushing outdated ideas and unrealistic goals. foreignpolicy.com/2025/09/15/d...
The Delusions Driving U.S. Policy in the Middle East
Washington is pushing outdated ideas and unrealistic goals.
foreignpolicy.com
Now that he is back in the Middle East news, I am resurfacing my review of Jared Kushner's book... On Middle East politics, Jared Kushner is not the disruptor he says he is. foreignpolicy.com/2022/09/11/b...
Breaking History for No Good Reason
On Middle East politics, Jared Kushner is not the disruptor he says he is.
foreignpolicy.com
My latests @foreignpolicy.com Recent announcements by France, Britain, and Canada that they will recognize a Palestinian state are mostly performative. foreignpolicy.com/2025/08/06/r...
Why Recognizing Palestine Is Meaningless or Even Harmful
Recent announcements by France, Britain, and Canada are mostly performative.
foreignpolicy.com
New from Me @foreignpolicy.com "There are moments when the United States can pursue a narrow and easily defined set of goals than can transform tactical gains into strategic ones. In the case of Syria, this is one of those moments." foreignpolicy.com/2025/07/22/s...
Trump Has Leverage With Syria’s Neighbors—Here’s How He Should Use It
U.S. pressure on Israel and Turkey could help stabilize Syria.
foreignpolicy.com
Some weekend reading from me @foreignpolicy.com Trump's Iran Policy Has Gone Postmodern
Iran Policy Has Gone Postmodern
The Trump administration’s analysis of the war with Iran is an exercise in pure narrative.
foreignpolicy.com
Just got a call from someone claiming to be from US Customs and Border Protection. Clearly a scam. Be careful out there, folks.
My latest... On Oct 9, 2023, Prime Minister Netanyahu said Israel would "change the Middle East." Here we are. The Israeli attack on Iran is about much more than its nuclear program. foreignpolicy.com/2025/06/13/i...
Israel Is Going for the Death Blow on Iran
The Israeli attack on Iran is about much more than its nuclear program.
foreignpolicy.com
