Ali G. Scotten

This report examines the potential implications of an independent Kurdistan in northern Iraq. Specifically, the authors analyze the interests of three key regional neighbors the Iraqi central government, Turkey, and Iran and explore policies each actor may pursue in response to possible Kurdish independence under different scenarios."

This study explores Iranian influence in Afghanistan and the implications for the United States after most U. S. forces depart Afghanistan in 2014. Iran has substantial economic, political, cultural, and religious leverage in Afghanistan. Although Iran will attempt to shape a post-2014 Afghanistan, Iran and the United States share core interests: to prevent the country from again becoming dominated by the Taliban and a safe haven for al Qaeda.