Iranians and Their iPhones, and the Futility of Sanctions
by Paul R. Pillar U.S.-imposed economic sanctions often have been misdirected and counterproductive, but a new sanctions-related development involving Iran is especially illustrative.
Iran
Charlie Naas: The Quiet Diplomat
by Michael Metrinko [EDITOR’S NOTE: It saddens us to report that Charles Naas, an Iran specialist par excellence and a LobeLog contributor since 2013, passed away August 18 at the age of 92. We asked Michael Metrinko, one of his former… Continue Reading
Full of Sound and Fury
by Derek Davison Friday’s news that the Trump administration’s “chief strategist,” Steve Bannon, had been fired sent shockwaves through Washington and the U.S. media. Although it had been reported all week that Bannon was on shaky ground within the White… Continue Reading
Tajikistan Accuses Iran of Assassination Campaign in Foreign Policy Gambit
by Eurasianet Despite the close cultural connection that Tajikistan has with Iran, Dushanbe seems intent on burning all its diplomatic bridges with Tehran. In a remarkably hostile gesture, Tajik state television in early August aired a sensationalist, 45-minute documentary produced… Continue Reading
Netanyahu’s Priorities and U.S. Responses
by Paul R. Pillar Recently I wrote about the two-sided Saudi policy on Iran, in which Riyadh sees good reason to take quiet steps to reduce tension with its neighbor across the Persian Gulf while still making alarm about a… Continue Reading