Banafsheh Keynoush بنفشه کی نوش
@banafshkeynoush.bsky.social
Affiliate Faculty Uni of Notre Dame. Int. Geopolitical Consultant. Author: Abraham Accords; Saudi Arabia & Iran; .... Center liberal bridge builder. Stream soliloquy.
A key reason why #SaudiArabia postpones joining the #AbrahamAccords, discussed b/w President Trump & the Crown Prince, is to avoid being outflanked by ensuing tensions b/w its neighbors #IsraelIran, I explore at length in my article @mideastpolicy.bsky.social:
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Saudi Arabia and Iran: Spoilers or Enablers of Conflict?
Saudi Arabia and Iran played roles, inadvertently or not, in enabling the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel in October 2023. Before the war that ensued, Tehran aided and funded Hamas and its military ...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
November 21, 2025 at 12:10 PM
A key reason why #SaudiArabia postpones joining the #AbrahamAccords, discussed b/w President Trump & the Crown Prince, is to avoid being outflanked by ensuing tensions b/w its neighbors #IsraelIran, I explore at length in my article @mideastpolicy.bsky.social:
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Discussions between President Trump & Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman on the #AbrahamAccords ties into my recent book talk on the topic hosted by @MENA_2050 in conversation with Dr. Najwa Al Saeed, columnist at Al Ittihad and Arab News:
mena2050.org/webinar-the-...
mena2050.org/webinar-the-...
Webinar – The Abraham Accords: National Security, Regional Order, and Popular Representation - MENA2050
MENA2050 recently held a thought-provoking webinar featuring Dr. Banafsheh Keynoush, A contributor to MENA2050 on Climate related issues, Scholar in Residence at the Kroc Institute, Affiliate Faculty ...
mena2050.org
November 21, 2025 at 11:56 AM
Discussions between President Trump & Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman on the #AbrahamAccords ties into my recent book talk on the topic hosted by @MENA_2050 in conversation with Dr. Najwa Al Saeed, columnist at Al Ittihad and Arab News:
mena2050.org/webinar-the-...
mena2050.org/webinar-the-...
Crown Prince #MBS repeats in DC the Saudi position to not join #AbrahamAccords before a #PalestinianIsraeli two-state solution. The point I make in my book is this: As long as Saudi Arabia is outflanked by Israel on its right, Iran on its left, it will stick with its position.
November 21, 2025 at 3:20 AM
Crown Prince #MBS repeats in DC the Saudi position to not join #AbrahamAccords before a #PalestinianIsraeli two-state solution. The point I make in my book is this: As long as Saudi Arabia is outflanked by Israel on its right, Iran on its left, it will stick with its position.
Link to my interview with #AlJazeera @AJEnglish today, on #Saudi investments in US #companies, and how it helps the ongoing Saudi-US security partnership: www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-AF...
Saudi investments in the US quietly reshape America's economic future
YouTube video by Al Jazeera English
www.youtube.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Link to my interview with #AlJazeera @AJEnglish today, on #Saudi investments in US #companies, and how it helps the ongoing Saudi-US security partnership: www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-AF...
Reposted by Banafsheh Keynoush بنفشه کی نوش
New issue! Our 165th issue analyzes the Iranian perspective on war with Israel, the future of nuclear talks, pan-Arab fighters in Syria, and regional economics. @banafshkeynoush.bsky.social, Yagil Levy, Ali Bagheri Dolatabadi, many more
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/14754967...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/14754967...
Middle East Policy: Vol 32, No 3
Click on the title to browse this issue
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
November 14, 2025 at 11:14 PM
New issue! Our 165th issue analyzes the Iranian perspective on war with Israel, the future of nuclear talks, pan-Arab fighters in Syria, and regional economics. @banafshkeynoush.bsky.social, Yagil Levy, Ali Bagheri Dolatabadi, many more
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/14754967...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/14754967...
IAEA chief demands Iran verify enriched uranium stockpile. Iran will not verify it readily b/c it aims to retain what I term a "fluid #nuclear regime" one that is not easily verifiable, I write for @mideastpolicy.bsky.social.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
www.reuters.com/world/china/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
www.reuters.com/world/china/...
The Perils of Nuclear Talks After the US‐Israel War on Iran
In June 2025, Israel bombed Iranian nuclear facilities, military commanders and scientists, and civilian areas, with assistance from the United States—Washington's first foray into conventional warfa....
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
November 12, 2025 at 11:15 PM
IAEA chief demands Iran verify enriched uranium stockpile. Iran will not verify it readily b/c it aims to retain what I term a "fluid #nuclear regime" one that is not easily verifiable, I write for @mideastpolicy.bsky.social.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
www.reuters.com/world/china/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
www.reuters.com/world/china/...
Special thanks to The Royal Society for Asian Affairs
and our Moderator Sir Richard Dalton, for a rich conversation on Iran and its future, with my co-panelists Dr. Ali Ansari and Holly Dagres.
.
youtube.com/watch?v=N_mc...
and our Moderator Sir Richard Dalton, for a rich conversation on Iran and its future, with my co-panelists Dr. Ali Ansari and Holly Dagres.
.
youtube.com/watch?v=N_mc...
October 24, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Special thanks to The Royal Society for Asian Affairs
and our Moderator Sir Richard Dalton, for a rich conversation on Iran and its future, with my co-panelists Dr. Ali Ansari and Holly Dagres.
.
youtube.com/watch?v=N_mc...
and our Moderator Sir Richard Dalton, for a rich conversation on Iran and its future, with my co-panelists Dr. Ali Ansari and Holly Dagres.
.
youtube.com/watch?v=N_mc...
Join me tomorrow for a conversation on Iran and its security and nuclear program, with Sir Richard Dalton, at The Royal Society for Asian Affairs. rsaa.org.uk/upcoming-eve...
Nuclear Diplomacy, Instability and the Survival of the Islamic Republic - The Royal Society for Asian Affairs
An online panel discussion with Professor Ali Ansari, Dr Banafsheh Keynoush and Holly Dagres. Guest moderated by Sir Richard Dalton 23 October 2025 14.00 BST
rsaa.org.uk
October 22, 2025 at 8:27 PM
Join me tomorrow for a conversation on Iran and its security and nuclear program, with Sir Richard Dalton, at The Royal Society for Asian Affairs. rsaa.org.uk/upcoming-eve...
VP @jd-vance-1.bsky.social speaks of strengthening the #AbrahamAccords to promote peace and prosperity in #Gaza, as countries come on board to help #USIsrael restore a ceasefire and build security. My co-authored book explains which Arab countries (and, how, why, and when) support the accords.
October 22, 2025 at 4:21 PM
VP @jd-vance-1.bsky.social speaks of strengthening the #AbrahamAccords to promote peace and prosperity in #Gaza, as countries come on board to help #USIsrael restore a ceasefire and build security. My co-authored book explains which Arab countries (and, how, why, and when) support the accords.
VP @jd-vance-1.bsky.social speaks in #Israel about an international security force shaping to ensure the ceasefire in #Gaza. My piece @mideastpolicy.bsky.social shows how US preponderant power over Gaza shaped, and why #SaudiArabia & Iran enabled it.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
October 22, 2025 at 3:59 PM
VP @jd-vance-1.bsky.social speaks in #Israel about an international security force shaping to ensure the ceasefire in #Gaza. My piece @mideastpolicy.bsky.social shows how US preponderant power over Gaza shaped, and why #SaudiArabia & Iran enabled it.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
VP @jd-vance-1.bsky.social says US to exhaust diplomacy over Iran nuclear program. Iran says it will not negotiate on certain parameters. I explain why both sides talk past each other, and what can be done, in my article @mideastpolicy.bsky.social
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
The Perils of Nuclear Talks After the US‐Israel War on Iran
In June 2025, Israel bombed Iranian nuclear facilities, military commanders and scientists, and civilian areas, with assistance from the United States—Washington's first foray into conventional warfa....
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
October 22, 2025 at 3:42 PM
VP @jd-vance-1.bsky.social says US to exhaust diplomacy over Iran nuclear program. Iran says it will not negotiate on certain parameters. I explain why both sides talk past each other, and what can be done, in my article @mideastpolicy.bsky.social
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
It is October 7, and my new article @mideastpolicy.bsky.social reviews what it means in terms of the #Trump administration's nuclear policy on #Iran and #Israel: "Perils of Nuclear Talks After The US-Israel War on Iran": lnkd.in/gEbVygy3
October 7, 2025 at 10:52 PM
It is October 7, and my new article @mideastpolicy.bsky.social reviews what it means in terms of the #Trump administration's nuclear policy on #Iran and #Israel: "Perils of Nuclear Talks After The US-Israel War on Iran": lnkd.in/gEbVygy3
Reposted by Banafsheh Keynoush بنفشه کی نوش
Middle East Policy marks October 7 with a special issue providing insights into which aspects of Trump 20-point plan have any chance. Featuring @banafshkeynoush.bsky.social
@ianlustick.bsky.social
@zivguy.bsky.social
Chas W. Freeman Jr.
and many others
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/toc/10.1...
@ianlustick.bsky.social
@zivguy.bsky.social
Chas W. Freeman Jr.
and many others
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/toc/10.1...
The October 7 Emergencies: Middle East Policy
Click on the title to browse this issue
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
October 7, 2025 at 4:13 AM
Middle East Policy marks October 7 with a special issue providing insights into which aspects of Trump 20-point plan have any chance. Featuring @banafshkeynoush.bsky.social
@ianlustick.bsky.social
@zivguy.bsky.social
Chas W. Freeman Jr.
and many others
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/toc/10.1...
@ianlustick.bsky.social
@zivguy.bsky.social
Chas W. Freeman Jr.
and many others
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/toc/10.1...
I argue for
@mideastpolicy.bsky.social
Iran is unable to autonomously shape the debate to build a #nuclear #weapon, due to lack of #elite consensus on the issue. In similar fashion, to maintain elite consensus, a requirement for regime survival, it will retain the option to weaponize.
@mideastpolicy.bsky.social
Iran is unable to autonomously shape the debate to build a #nuclear #weapon, due to lack of #elite consensus on the issue. In similar fashion, to maintain elite consensus, a requirement for regime survival, it will retain the option to weaponize.
Iran's Pezeshkian says UN General Assembly, his country does not seek to weaponize. To see if an inward-looking regime is more likely to seek to build nuclear weapons, read my latest analysis for @mideastpolicy.bsky.social : "The Perils of Nuclear Talks"
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
The Perils of Nuclear Talks After the US‐Israel War on Iran
In June 2025, Israel bombed Iranian nuclear facilities, military commanders and scientists, and civilian areas, with assistance from the United States—Washington's first foray into conventional warfa...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
September 24, 2025 at 5:46 PM
I argue for
@mideastpolicy.bsky.social
Iran is unable to autonomously shape the debate to build a #nuclear #weapon, due to lack of #elite consensus on the issue. In similar fashion, to maintain elite consensus, a requirement for regime survival, it will retain the option to weaponize.
@mideastpolicy.bsky.social
Iran is unable to autonomously shape the debate to build a #nuclear #weapon, due to lack of #elite consensus on the issue. In similar fashion, to maintain elite consensus, a requirement for regime survival, it will retain the option to weaponize.
Iran's Pezeshkian says UN General Assembly, his country does not seek to weaponize. To see if an inward-looking regime is more likely to seek to build nuclear weapons, read my latest analysis for @mideastpolicy.bsky.social : "The Perils of Nuclear Talks"
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
The Perils of Nuclear Talks After the US‐Israel War on Iran
In June 2025, Israel bombed Iranian nuclear facilities, military commanders and scientists, and civilian areas, with assistance from the United States—Washington's first foray into conventional warfa...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
September 24, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Iran's Pezeshkian says UN General Assembly, his country does not seek to weaponize. To see if an inward-looking regime is more likely to seek to build nuclear weapons, read my latest analysis for @mideastpolicy.bsky.social : "The Perils of Nuclear Talks"
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Over 70 Iranian MoPs call for revising supreme leader's fatwa banning use of nuclear #weapons. They urge for building the weapon. For history of the fatwa & debates leading by 1998 to building nuclear weapons knowhow, see my article @mideastpolicy.bsky.social
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
The Perils of Nuclear Talks After the US‐Israel War on Iran
In June 2025, Israel bombed Iranian nuclear facilities, military commanders and scientists, and civilian areas, with assistance from the United States—Washington's first foray into conventional warfa....
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
September 22, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Over 70 Iranian MoPs call for revising supreme leader's fatwa banning use of nuclear #weapons. They urge for building the weapon. For history of the fatwa & debates leading by 1998 to building nuclear weapons knowhow, see my article @mideastpolicy.bsky.social
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Hezbollah calls on Saudi Arabia to unite, tapping into the group's influence over the Gulf Shias, support for #Palestine & a pan-Arab sentiments opposed to the #AbrahamAccords. My book chapter on #SaudiIsrael details how Riyadh navigates these terrains. www.reuters.com/world/middle...
September 20, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Hezbollah calls on Saudi Arabia to unite, tapping into the group's influence over the Gulf Shias, support for #Palestine & a pan-Arab sentiments opposed to the #AbrahamAccords. My book chapter on #SaudiIsrael details how Riyadh navigates these terrains. www.reuters.com/world/middle...
"In June, #Israel launched a preventive war against Iran. While Benjamin #Netanyahu declared his intention as destroying Tehran’s nuclear & ballistic-missile capabilities, the war aim began to shift toward regime change"-my piece @mideastpolicy.bsky.social
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/1475...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/1475...
Middle East Policy
Click on the title to browse this journal
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
September 18, 2025 at 7:51 PM
"In June, #Israel launched a preventive war against Iran. While Benjamin #Netanyahu declared his intention as destroying Tehran’s nuclear & ballistic-missile capabilities, the war aim began to shift toward regime change"-my piece @mideastpolicy.bsky.social
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/1475...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/1475...
Writing @mideastpolicy.bsky.social I show how Tehran's "end of time" ideology drives a #nuclear program: "Mahdi represents a utopian quest for justice, if need be thru a nuclear program, even if it means persistent struggles in earthly dealings with the US".
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
The Perils of Nuclear Talks After the US‐Israel War on Iran
In June 2025, Israel bombed Iranian nuclear facilities, military commanders and scientists, and civilian areas, with assistance from the United States—Washington's first foray into conventional warfa...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
September 16, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Writing @mideastpolicy.bsky.social I show how Tehran's "end of time" ideology drives a #nuclear program: "Mahdi represents a utopian quest for justice, if need be thru a nuclear program, even if it means persistent struggles in earthly dealings with the US".
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
US @secrubio.govpeeps.us says at press conf with PM Netanyahu max pressure on Iran continues till it changes behavior. My piece published @mideastpolicy.bsky.social
shows why & how Iran will respond to change America's position: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
www.state.gov/releases/202...
shows why & how Iran will respond to change America's position: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
www.state.gov/releases/202...
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a Joint Press Availability - United States Department of State
PRIME MINISTER NETANYAHU: Mr. Secretary, Marco, your visit to our eternal and undivided capital, Jerusalem, is a powerful, powerful affirmation of a powerful bond. We stand in a time of immense chal...
www.state.gov
September 15, 2025 at 10:02 PM
US @secrubio.govpeeps.us says at press conf with PM Netanyahu max pressure on Iran continues till it changes behavior. My piece published @mideastpolicy.bsky.social
shows why & how Iran will respond to change America's position: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
www.state.gov/releases/202...
shows why & how Iran will respond to change America's position: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
www.state.gov/releases/202...
US Energy Sec Wright says at the IAEA Iran's enrichment program must be completely dismantled. My piece published @mideastpolicy.bsky.social explains root cause of why Iran ignores the demand, "The Perils of Nuclear Talks":
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
www.reuters.com/world/china/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
www.reuters.com/world/china/...
The Perils of Nuclear Talks After the US‐Israel War on Iran
In June 2025, Israel bombed Iranian nuclear facilities, military commanders and scientists, and civilian areas, with assistance from the United States—Washington's first foray into conventional warfa...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
September 15, 2025 at 9:47 PM
US Energy Sec Wright says at the IAEA Iran's enrichment program must be completely dismantled. My piece published @mideastpolicy.bsky.social explains root cause of why Iran ignores the demand, "The Perils of Nuclear Talks":
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
www.reuters.com/world/china/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
www.reuters.com/world/china/...
Reposted by Banafsheh Keynoush بنفشه کی نوش
Early View of Fall 2025 issue examines dehumanization in Gaza, what’s next after the US-Israel war on Iran, pan-Arab corporate elite, regional trade and conflict. Analyses by Yagil Levy, @banafshkeynoush.bsky.social, @hannesbaumann.bsky.social, many others.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/14754967...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/14754967...
Middle East Policy: Vol 0, No 0
Click on the title to browse this issue
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
September 15, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Early View of Fall 2025 issue examines dehumanization in Gaza, what’s next after the US-Israel war on Iran, pan-Arab corporate elite, regional trade and conflict. Analyses by Yagil Levy, @banafshkeynoush.bsky.social, @hannesbaumann.bsky.social, many others.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/14754967...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/14754967...
Open access link to my latest piece for
@MidEastPolicy
The Perils of Nuclear Talks After US-Israel War on Iran
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
@MidEastPolicy
The Perils of Nuclear Talks After US-Israel War on Iran
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
The Perils of Nuclear Talks After the US‐Israel War on Iran
In June 2025, Israel bombed Iranian nuclear facilities, military commanders and scientists, and civilian areas, with assistance from the United States—Washington's first foray into conventional warfa....
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
September 13, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Open access link to my latest piece for
@MidEastPolicy
The Perils of Nuclear Talks After US-Israel War on Iran
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
@MidEastPolicy
The Perils of Nuclear Talks After US-Israel War on Iran
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
I am extremely honored to return to The Commonwealth Club of California @cwclub, as Chair of the Member-Led Middle East Forum.
www.commonwealthclub.org/member-led-f...
www.commonwealthclub.org/member-led-f...
Member-Led Forums & Chapters | Commonwealth Club World Affairs
www.commonwealthclub.org
September 10, 2025 at 6:05 PM
I am extremely honored to return to The Commonwealth Club of California @cwclub, as Chair of the Member-Led Middle East Forum.
www.commonwealthclub.org/member-led-f...
www.commonwealthclub.org/member-led-f...