Barbara Slavin - AL-Monitor: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Barbara Slavin

Barbara Slavin is a columnist for Al-Monitor and director of the Future of Iran Initiative at the Atlantic Council. On Twitter: @BarbaraSlavin1

Hariri: Late Syrian security chief tried to speak out

Barbara Slavin

U.S. President Barack Obama pauses during remarks at a reception for supporters of H.R. 2, the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington April 21, 2015. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst - RTX19Q1Z

White House omits 'G-word'

Barbara Slavin

This undated image released by the U.S. Government shows the steel liner for the reinforced concrete reactor vessel before it was installed at the suspected Syrian nuclear reactor in Syria. The White House on April 24, 2008 broke its official silence on the mysterious September 6, 2007 Israeli air strike. "We are convinced, based on a variety of information, that North Korea assisted Syria's covert nuclear activities," White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said in a statement. The statement came after intelli

Syria agrees to return highly enriched uranium to China

Barbara Slavin

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi walks to a meeting with the Senate leadership at the U.S. Capitol in Washington April 15, 2015. REUTERS/James Lawler Duggan - RTR4XHQA

Iraqi PM walks back criticism of Saudi Arabia

Barbara Slavin

Iran's ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Reza Najafi addresses the media after a board of governors meeting at the IAEA headquarters in Vienna March 4, 2015. No deal has been reached on the duration of any possible final agreement with world powers on Iran's nuclear programme, Najafi said on Wednesday. REUTERS/Heinz-Peter Bader (AUSTRIA - Tags: POLITICS ENERGY) - RTR4S2WE

Building on Iran deal to stem nuclear proliferation

Barbara Slavin

U.S. President Barack Obama (L) shakes hands with Saudi Arabia's King Salman at the start of a bilateral meeting at Erga Palace in Riyadh January 27, 2015. Obama sought to cement ties with Saudi Arabia as he came to pay his respects on Tuesday after the death of King Abdullah, a trip that underscores the importance of a U.S.-Saudi alliance that extends beyond oil interests to regional security. REUTERS/Jim Bourg (SAUDI ARABIA - Tags: POLITICS TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) - RTR4N5LG

Can US reassure Arabs, Israel on Iran deal?

Barbara Slavin

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier speaks on transatlantic issues at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Statesmen's Forum in Washington March 12, 2015. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS) - RTR4T42S

Europeans worry Senate letter gives Iran edge in nuclear talks

Barbara Slavin

Iran holds first ever fashion week

Barbara Slavin

Retired U.S. General John Allen, special envoy for building the coalition against Islamic State, speaks to the media during a news conference at the U.S. embassy in Baghdad January 14, 2015. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani (IRAQ - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) - RTR4LELC

US still considering no-fly zone for Syria

Barbara Slavin

An unidentified International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspector disconnects the connections between the twin cascades for 20 percent uranium production at nuclear power plant of Natanz, some 300 kilometres south of Tehran on January, 20, 2014 as Iran halted production of 20 percent enriched uranium, marking the coming into force of an interim deal with world powers on its disputed nuclear programme. AFP PHOTO/IRNA/KAZEM GHANE (Photo credit should read KAZEM GHANE/AFP/Getty Images)

US experts converge on breakout formula for Iran talks

Barbara Slavin

U.S. President Barack Obama speaks during the White House Summit on Countering Violent Extremism at the State Department in Washington February 19, 2015. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS CRIME LAW CIVIL UNREST) - RTR4Q9O7

Can returned extremist fighters be rehabilitated?

Barbara Slavin

A protester chants anti-government slogans during a protest by women at the same location in central Cairo where activist Shaimaa Sabbagh was killed during a protest on Saturday, January 29, 2015. A group of women protested in Cairo on Thursday against the death of Sabbagh and around 25 other activists allegedly killed by security forces at recent rallies marking the anniversary of Egypt's 2011 uprising. Sabbagh, 32, died on Saturday as riot police were trying to break up a small, peaceful demonstration. Fr

Former Egyptian diplomat cites progress on women's rights

Barbara Slavin