Recent Posts

Iran Update Special Report, May 26, 2026

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) and The Critical Threats Project (CTP) at the American Enterprise Institute are publishing daily updates to provide analysis on the war with Iran. The updates focus on US and Israeli strikes on Iran and Iran and the Axis of Resistance’s response to …

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Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, May 26, 2026

Toplines Russia and Belarus appear to be setting conditions to justify Russia launching drone strikes at Ukraine from Belarus. Belarusian Security Council Secretary Lieutenant General Alexander Volfovich claimed on May 26 that Belarusian forces have “recorded” 116 attempts by Ukrainian drones to cross the international border into Belarus over the …

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Tehran wants to end the war—but not at any price

As negotiations continue to end the fighting between Iran and the United States, it is increasingly clear that Iran’s leaders are interested in securing a ceasefire and avoiding further escalation. Tehran understands the heavy strategic, economic, and military costs of continued confrontation and appears determined to prevent the conflict from …

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Turkey’s Limited Role in the Iran War

Power parity informs the view from Ankara, which has a strong interest in preventing Iran from going nuclear or alternatively falling into chaos—even as the war’s outcome will be largely outside Turkish control. On May 22, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to …

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