Would Regime Change Solve the Iran Challenge?

About this episode

The episode discusses the implications and risks of regime change in Iran with insights from experts.

To discuss the risks of regime change in Iran, the lessons to draw from other regime change efforts in the Middle East and beyond, and to outline what the United States can do now to ensure a positive outcome in Iran, Jon Alterman, Daniel Byman, and Mona Yacoubian joined Will Todman on a live episode of State of Play. Jon Alterman, "Why Decapitation Will Not Solve the United States’ Iran Problem," CSIS, March 3, 2026. Daniel Byman, "6 Questions About Operation Epic Fury," Foreign Policy, February 28, 2026. Mona Yacoubian and Samuel Zabin, "If Compute is the New Oil, War in the Gulf Significantly Raises the Stakes," CSIS, February 27, 2026.

People in this episode

Host: Will Todman

Guests: Jon Alterman, Daniel Byman, Mona Yacoubian

Topics covered

• regime change
• Iran
• Middle East
• U.S. foreign policy
• risk assessment

Keywords

• Iran
• regime change
• U.S. policy
• Middle East
• foreign relations

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Center for Strategic and International Studies

Books & works: Why Decapitation Will Not Solve the United States’ Iran Problem, 6 Questions About Operation Epic Fury, If Compute is the New Oil, War in the Gulf Significantly Raises the Stakes

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