Aaron Stein

A Chabahar Check-In Earlier this month at an event for Iran’s Space Technology Day, Iranian Space Agency President Hassan Salarieh made a set of announcements. According to [...]

The President of the Iranian Space Agency recently announced their spaceport at Chabahar was completed, but is that really the case? Thanks to our friends @planet.com I got to the bottom of it (short answer: no). Enjoy a light weekend read on the ACW blog: www.armscontrolwonk.com/archive/1221...

One of my favorite anecdotes about the base — and others in Syria — is that it was sold as a hedge against Iranian militias, despite the base (and others) enjoying the Iranian beverage “banana milk” (supplied via Iraq)

I met one of my best friends arguing over Tanf. I had thoughts about the base and Iranian drones in the area. As it turned out, the guy I was talking with shot down the Shahed-129 I was so interested in studying.

Sunset over Tanf. An image that symbolizes the withdrawal.

🇱🇻 In-Person Event: How does the war in Ukraine affect the Baltic countries?
Join FPRI's Kaspars Germanis for this discussion at the Latvian Society of Philadelphia. Click to register for the event on February 14, 2026, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM. buff.ly/4FClwVc

Happening tomorrow at 10 AM EST - Revitalizing US Maritime Power: The Way Forward buff.ly/mYhRSYb

FPRI Experts React | Sanae Takaichi's victory in Japanese Election - Foreign Policy Research Institute Image Credit: Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), speaks during a press conference at the LDP

🆕 FPRI Experts React | Sanae Takaichi’s victory in Japanese Election

Conscious Decoupling U.S. Undersecretary of State Tom DiNanno accused China of conducting decoupled, low-yield nuclear tests including on June 22, 2020.  Aaron and Jeffrey [...]

And #2 with the blogfather @armscontrolwonk.bsky.social on China’s maybe decoupled nuclear experiment

www.armscontrolwonk.com/archive/1221...

(Just Like) New START is Over The New START treaty has expired leaving the US and Russia without a bilateral limit on offensive strategic arms for the first time in decades. There [...]

The blogfather @armscontrolwonk.bsky.social did 2 podcasts this week. First one is on the death of New Start

www.armscontrolwonk.com/archive/1221...

We’ll have two episodes out soon.

As Axl once said, just a little patience is required

TWO PODS IN THE CAN. (One on New START, another on Chinese nuclear testing.)

Syrian Democratic Farces Issue #289

Issue #289 is out with comments from Mohammed Salih, @aaronstein1.bsky.social and more:

1. Syria clashes redraw map, threaten mass migration
2. US policy centers on IS containment
3. Greek marine park, Israeli ties test Ankara
4. Domestic & diplomatic wraps
5. ‘Marylin Monroe of Mardin’ arrested

There are only a few days left to sign up for the in-person event on Germany's security environment on February 5! RSVP now on our website. buff.ly/NSYxEc4

I'm excited to announce that 50 Maps That Don’t Explain the World: A Cartographic Tour from Ptolemy to Trump is finished and has found a publisher! My enduring gratitude to everyone who helped along the way.

Trump and the Special Operations Panacea - Foreign Policy Research Institute Donald Trump has shown that he is no exception to the history of US presidents looking to special operations to solve their national security problems. Within

The use of special operations forces requires coherent strategy from civilian decision makers. My latest for @fpri.bsky.social

www.fpri.org/article/2026...

The Islamic Republic Teeters This week on Chain Reaction - What is the future of Iran?

My latest podcast for @fpri.bsky.social with Saeid Golkar and Hamed Behravan :: The Islamic Republic Teeters open.substack.com/pub/fpriinsi...

Join us in person on February 5, 2026, at 5 PM to discuss Germany's security environment. buff.ly/AXmaKId

The Trump-Class Battleship Spectacle wins out over combat power

The latest from @fpri.bsky.social @salisbot.bsky.social discusses the Trump-Class Battleship and asks questions about the future of the US Navy

open.substack.com/pub/behindth...

Provided my quick thoughts on the Venezuela raid to @fpri.bsky.social

FPRI Experts React | Regime Change in Venezuela @fpri.bsky.social
www.fpri.org/article/2026...

Philly - Albany - Quebec City - Charlevoix - Montreal - Middlebury - Stratton - Danielsville. 1520 miles. 15 days on the road. 9 days of ski in Canada, Vermont, Pennsylvania.

I’m not too far from you

This is such an incredible story and inspiring for us skiers

Watch this week's virtual event with Aaron Stein and Emily Holland on Russo-Ukrainian ceasefire negotiations. buff.ly/XO8qGud

"The #NSS largely ignores US-Russia relations. The only core US interests related to Russia are reducing the risk of conflict between Russia + Europe and reestablishing 'conditions of strategic stability,' which indicates the administration’s desire to work more closely with Moscow." buff.ly/LW50DXj

Join our virtual event, The State of the Status Quo: Prospects for Stability in the Taiwan Strait, on December 15 at 8 AM. buff.ly/4D5z7qP

Only a few minutes until our virtual event on #ceasefire negotiations between #Russia and #Ukraine. Sign up to join! buff.ly/qVtpcZn

Understanding Unmanned Naval Systems In Conversation with Billy Byrne, the Director of Strategy for Defense at Saildrone

My latest podcast for @fpri.bsky.social :: Understanding Unmanned Naval Systems open.substack.com/pub/behindth...

Want of Frigates Why is it so hard for America to buy small surface combatants?

The best way to welcome back Americans from a long holiday weekend with analysis from @salisbot.bsky.social :: Want of Frigates open.substack.com/pub/behindth...

Me and the 6 year old. Day 1 in the books. Thanksgiving ski. cc: @stevenacook.bsky.social @thomasjuneau.bsky.social @dovsfriedman.bsky.social