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...

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

@stevenacook.bsky.social on US - Israeli relations foreignpolicy.com/2026/05/26/i...

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...

@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

My latest @foreignpolicy.com

ICYMI by me @foreignpolicy.com The implications for islamists, annexation, Saudi nukes, and normalization... foreignpolicy.com/2026/03/05/o...

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...

@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...

My latest @foreignpolicy.com A redrawing of maps in Yemen, Somalia, and elsewhere might serve U.S. interests. foreignpolicy.com/2026/01/29/c...

Thanksgiving weekend content from me @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.

My reflections on a recent visit to Lebanon and Syria in @foreignpolicy.com Those poor little kids...

Ghouta lies in ruins, but some life is coming back. youtube.com/shorts/wyWr1...

My latest @foreignpolicy.com A Trail of What Ifs and the Roads Not Taken foreignpolicy.com/2025/10/06/t...

Recent announcements by France, Britain, and Canada recognizing a Palestinian state are mostly performative. foreignpolicy.com/2025/08/06/r...

My latest @foreignpolicy.com From Ro Khanna to Tom Barrack... Washington is pushing outdated ideas and unrealistic goals. foreignpolicy.com/2025/09/15/d...

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...

Me @foreignpolicy.com I'm getting a Cold War-y vide... foreignpolicy.com/2025/08/21/i...

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...

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...

Nothing like a LEO to start the weekend.

Some weekend reading from me @foreignpolicy.com Trump's Iran Policy Has Gone Postmodern

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 @foreignpolicy.com "Why Trump Changed His Mind on Iran"

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...

New by me @foreignpolicy.com

Trump’s visit, and particularly his speech in Riyadh, was important for its forthrightness about what he and his administration believe is Washington’s appropriate place in the region. It is a vision—for lack of a better term—that should make both so-called restrainers and interventionists unhappy.

"Begs the question." Grrrr.

Me @foreignpolicy.com Washington's binary thinking on Iran obscures a better way forward...

U.S. higher education is the envy of the world—but, with state interference, maybe not for long. foreignpolicy.com/2025/04/09/a...

Farewell Iceman. Thank you for your service.

My latest @foreignpolicy.com

It was only a matter of time before the realities of Syria pierced the mostly optimistic and encouraging recent accounts of the country’s transition from the Assad dynasty, writes @stevenacook.bsky.social. foreignpolicy.com/2025/03/13/s...

My latest @foreignpolicy.com The obstacles to a better Syria are significant. Like elsewhere in the Middle East, sectarianism is baked into Syrian society. foreignpolicy.com/2025/03/13/s...

Also, not good quality cars.

Maybe now it will be possible to figure out what is happening in Syria...

I suspect the Vice President's secret service detail kept protesters at a safe distance.

Was wondering the same...

I gave up mine on quality issues.

I don't think I'm being an alarmist...