As a writer, editor, and researcher, I am deeply passionate about U.S. foreign policy, the Middle East, Iran, and human rights advocacy. I am currently a senior non-resident fellow at the Center for International Policy. I also write a substack newsletter called Beyond Borders.

You can contact me at stoossi [at] internationalpolicy [dot] org.

I have a professional background in producing research and analysis on U.S.-Iran relations, U.S. foreign policy towards the Middle East, and nuclear policy issues. My work experience includes extensive political advocacy efforts to make diplomacy and the promotion of human rights a centerpiece of U.S. foreign policy, including co-leading grassroots campaigns calling for the restoration of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal and highlighting the humanitarian costs of U.S. sanctions.

My articles have appeared in Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, USA Today, and other outlets. My work earned recognition in Foreign Policy’s “top five reads of the year on Iran” in 2020 and Al Jazeera English’s “seven opinion pieces you should read” on the 2020 US presidential election. Additionally, my writing appeared in Foreign Policy’s “5 top reads” of 2022 for an article on Iran’s “Revolutionary Year.” In 2024, I received the Middle East Policy Council’s 40 Under 40 Award, which recognizes the breadth of cultural, economic, and political relationships between the US and countries of the Middle East. I have also been featured or quoted by BBC World News, the Associated Press, CNN, the Wall Street Journal, CNBC, the Guardian, Vox, BBC Persian, and more. I hold a Master’s degree in International Relations from American University and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Political Science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

This personal website is a collection of my writings and press and speaking appearances. You can also contact me here through email and Twitter.