Alex Vatanka

Alex Vatanka is the Iran Program Director at the Middle East Institute. He is newsworthy due to his expert commentary on the escalating tensions between the US, Israel, and Iran. Recent articles quote him discussing Iran's perspective on diplomacy, the potential aims of Israeli strikes on Iranian security forces, and the internal dynamics of the Iranian regime. He provides insights into Iran's calculations regarding the ongoing conflict, the implications of Mojtaba Khamenei's rise to Supreme Leader, and the potential for internal unrest. His analysis is relevant as the US grapples with formulating a clear Iran policy amidst ongoing military strikes and growing concerns about a prolonged conflict. He also comments on the alleged hypocrisy of Iranian elites regarding their children's lives in the West.