X-twitter Instagram Facebook Linkedin

From the Briefing Room to the Newsroom

The United States Faces a Conundrum in Iran

Beth’s Current Thinking

Regions

Beth’s trusted analysis on crises across the globe provides information leaders need for action and the public needs to understand our complex world.
Learn More >>

Global

Beth’s trusted analysis on countries and regions, such as Ukraine- Russia, China, the Middle East and Iran, India, and Europe, provide information leaders need for action and the public needs to understand our complex world.
Learn More >>

Intelligence and National Security

Award-winning leadership in the Intelligence Community gives Beth the experience and insights to offer ways to improve America’s national security.
Learn More >>

Leadership

Public and private sector leaders look to Beth to apply her public policy skills to new leadership challenges.
Learn More >>

Cybersecurity

As institutions face greater threats from technology, they look to Beth to explain the intents of malign actors and ways to thwart these threats.
Learn More >>

Regions

Beth’s trusted analysis on crises across the globe provides information leaders need for action and the public needs to understand our complex world.

Learn More>>

Global

Beth’s trusted analysis on countries and regions, such as Ukraine- Russia, China, the Middle East and Iran, India, and Europe, provide information leaders need for action and the public needs to understand our complex world.

Learn More>>

Leadership

Public and private sector leaders look to Beth to apply her public policy skills to new leadership challenges.

Learn More>>

Gray-Zone Threats

As institutions face greater threats from technology, they look to Beth to explain the intents of malign actors and ways to thwart these threats.

Learn More>>

Intelligence and National Security

Award-winning leadership in the Intelligence Community gives Beth the experience and insights to offer ways to improve America’s national security.

Learn More>>

Videos

Watch the latest news videos, interviews, and reports covering trending topics from around the world—updated regularly for you.

View All
What To Expect from Biden at COP27, ASEAN, and G20 Summits
Carnegie Connects: U.S. Intel and the Ukraine Crisis With Beth Sanner
Beth Sanner Breaks Down the Russia-Ukraine Crisis on CNN

Podcasts

Listen to insightful podcasts featuring expert opinions, trending topics, and in-depth discussions on current news and events.

View All
The Axis of Upheaval': Beth Sanner NatSec Matters
Listen Podcast
The Axis of Upheaval': Beth Sanner NatSec Matters
Listen Podcast
The Axis of Upheaval': Beth Sanner NatSec Matters
Listen Podcast
The Axis of Upheaval': Beth Sanner NatSec Matters
Listen Podcast

Regions

Beth’s trusted analysis on countries and regions, such as Ukraine- Russia, China, the Middle East and Iran, India, and Europe, provide information leaders need for action and the public needs to understand our complex world.

View All

The United States Faces a Conundrum in Iran

Today, I joined CNN News Central to talk about where we are on Iran. The United States faces a conundrum. The Iranian regime is not going to be cowed into a nuclear deal, particularly zero enrichment (which I find hard to believe they would do), without major, major concessions from us. Those concessions, even if some sound good (like US economic opportunities), mean significant sanctions relief, i.e., lots of money flowing into this economically and morally bankrupt and dangerous regime. After killing so many Iranians, can we do that deal? And can we, should we do that deal when Iran’s missile force is an actual and growing threat that would worsen with sanctions relief? Hard to imagine we would. So we could walk/sail away, which makes us look weak. Hard to imagine. Or use our massive force to strike Iran. That’s getting easier to imagine.

Read More »
February 25, 2026

The Road Ahead: U.S. Foreign Policy After Year One

I had the pleasure of joining my friend Jim Falk on his podcast, along with Ambassador Charles Shapiro, a deep Latin America specialist.  We started strategic and then dove into some of the current hotspots. So much to talk about, so little time.

Read More »
February 11, 2026

Iran Nuclear Talks Resume in Oman

I joined Brianna and Boris on CNN News Central to talk about where we are after the first round of US-Iran talks concluded today. I have low confidence that these will go anywhere, but I do think they are worth trying. My low confidence stems from the fact that the Iranian regime seems to be on a different page. President Trump would probably tell the Supreme Leader, “You don’t have any cards!” True! They are definitely running short on options. But Iranian leaders are acting like they have a royal flush, or a least a pair of jacks. I’ve been shocked by their cavalier attitude. The Supreme Leader literally mocked the protesters and President Trump in a recent speech, telling them that President Trump said he would come to your aid, but he didn’t…which drew laughter. This disconnect comes in part because they know that we don’t want a full-up war and perhaps because they have no idea what we really want. Maybe today’s talks made that clearer.

Read More »
February 6, 2026

Intelligence

Award-winning leadership in the Intelligence Community gives Beth the experience and insights to offer ways to improve America’s national security.

View All

The United States Faces a Conundrum in Iran

Today, I joined CNN News Central to talk about where we are on Iran. The United States faces a conundrum. The Iranian regime is not going to be cowed into a nuclear deal, particularly zero enrichment (which I find hard to believe they would do), without major, major concessions from us. Those concessions, even if some sound good (like US economic opportunities), mean significant sanctions relief, i.e., lots of money flowing into this economically and morally bankrupt and dangerous regime. After killing so many Iranians, can we do that deal? And can we, should we do that deal when Iran’s missile force is an actual and growing threat that would worsen with sanctions relief? Hard to imagine we would. So we could walk/sail away, which makes us look weak. Hard to imagine. Or use our massive force to strike Iran. That’s getting easier to imagine.

Read More »
February 25, 2026

The Road Ahead: U.S. Foreign Policy After Year One

I had the pleasure of joining my friend Jim Falk on his podcast, along with Ambassador Charles Shapiro, a deep Latin America specialist.  We started strategic and then dove into some of the current hotspots. So much to talk about, so little time.

Read More »
February 11, 2026

Iran Nuclear Talks Resume in Oman

I joined Brianna and Boris on CNN News Central to talk about where we are after the first round of US-Iran talks concluded today. I have low confidence that these will go anywhere, but I do think they are worth trying. My low confidence stems from the fact that the Iranian regime seems to be on a different page. President Trump would probably tell the Supreme Leader, “You don’t have any cards!” True! They are definitely running short on options. But Iranian leaders are acting like they have a royal flush, or a least a pair of jacks. I’ve been shocked by their cavalier attitude. The Supreme Leader literally mocked the protesters and President Trump in a recent speech, telling them that President Trump said he would come to your aid, but he didn’t…which drew laughter. This disconnect comes in part because they know that we don’t want a full-up war and perhaps because they have no idea what we really want. Maybe today’s talks made that clearer.

Read More »
February 6, 2026

Leadership

Public and private sector leaders look to Beth to apply her public policy skills to new leadership challenges.

View All

The United States Faces a Conundrum in Iran

Today, I joined CNN News Central to talk about where we are on Iran. The United States faces a conundrum. The Iranian regime is not going to be cowed into a nuclear deal, particularly zero enrichment (which I find hard to believe they would do), without major, major concessions from us. Those concessions, even if some sound good (like US economic opportunities), mean significant sanctions relief, i.e., lots of money flowing into this economically and morally bankrupt and dangerous regime. After killing so many Iranians, can we do that deal? And can we, should we do that deal when Iran’s missile force is an actual and growing threat that would worsen with sanctions relief? Hard to imagine we would. So we could walk/sail away, which makes us look weak. Hard to imagine. Or use our massive force to strike Iran. That’s getting easier to imagine.

Read More »
February 25, 2026

The Road Ahead: U.S. Foreign Policy After Year One

I had the pleasure of joining my friend Jim Falk on his podcast, along with Ambassador Charles Shapiro, a deep Latin America specialist.  We started strategic and then dove into some of the current hotspots. So much to talk about, so little time.

Read More »
February 11, 2026

Iran Nuclear Talks Resume in Oman

I joined Brianna and Boris on CNN News Central to talk about where we are after the first round of US-Iran talks concluded today. I have low confidence that these will go anywhere, but I do think they are worth trying. My low confidence stems from the fact that the Iranian regime seems to be on a different page. President Trump would probably tell the Supreme Leader, “You don’t have any cards!” True! They are definitely running short on options. But Iranian leaders are acting like they have a royal flush, or a least a pair of jacks. I’ve been shocked by their cavalier attitude. The Supreme Leader literally mocked the protesters and President Trump in a recent speech, telling them that President Trump said he would come to your aid, but he didn’t…which drew laughter. This disconnect comes in part because they know that we don’t want a full-up war and perhaps because they have no idea what we really want. Maybe today’s talks made that clearer.

Read More »
February 6, 2026

Cybersecurity

As institutions face greater threats from technology, they look to Beth to explain the intents of malign actors and ways to thwart these threats.

View All

The United States Faces a Conundrum in Iran

Today, I joined CNN News Central to talk about where we are on Iran. The United States faces a conundrum. The Iranian regime is not going to be cowed into a nuclear deal, particularly zero enrichment (which I find hard to believe they would do), without major, major concessions from us. Those concessions, even if some sound good (like US economic opportunities), mean significant sanctions relief, i.e., lots of money flowing into this economically and morally bankrupt and dangerous regime. After killing so many Iranians, can we do that deal? And can we, should we do that deal when Iran’s missile force is an actual and growing threat that would worsen with sanctions relief? Hard to imagine we would. So we could walk/sail away, which makes us look weak. Hard to imagine. Or use our massive force to strike Iran. That’s getting easier to imagine.

Read More »
February 25, 2026

The Road Ahead: U.S. Foreign Policy After Year One

I had the pleasure of joining my friend Jim Falk on his podcast, along with Ambassador Charles Shapiro, a deep Latin America specialist.  We started strategic and then dove into some of the current hotspots. So much to talk about, so little time.

Read More »
February 11, 2026

Iran Nuclear Talks Resume in Oman

I joined Brianna and Boris on CNN News Central to talk about where we are after the first round of US-Iran talks concluded today. I have low confidence that these will go anywhere, but I do think they are worth trying. My low confidence stems from the fact that the Iranian regime seems to be on a different page. President Trump would probably tell the Supreme Leader, “You don’t have any cards!” True! They are definitely running short on options. But Iranian leaders are acting like they have a royal flush, or a least a pair of jacks. I’ve been shocked by their cavalier attitude. The Supreme Leader literally mocked the protesters and President Trump in a recent speech, telling them that President Trump said he would come to your aid, but he didn’t…which drew laughter. This disconnect comes in part because they know that we don’t want a full-up war and perhaps because they have no idea what we really want. Maybe today’s talks made that clearer.

Read More »
February 6, 2026
Choosing Beth to brief the President was one of the best decisions I made as DNI.
───── The Honorable Dan Coats, former Director of National Intelligence
"Beth is one the most credible voices that I hear day-in and day-out on CNN and elsewhere talking about important national security issues.
───── Colonel Chris Costa, Executive Director of the International Spy Museum
[Beth’s] comments have such texture, depth, and the wisdom of experience.
───── John McLaughlin, former Acting Director of National Intelligence
Few people know the art of briefing as she does … Grateful to Beth for her time, wisdom, and insights!
───── Dr. Maria Robson-Morrow, Harvard Intelligence Project