by Mitchell Plitnick The current situation in the Persian Gulf is all too similar to Europe in 1914, according to a new report by the International Crisis Group (ICG). In “Averting the Middle East’s 1914 Moment,” the ICG makes the… Continue Reading
by Karim Sharara “People talk about smart sanctions and crippling sanctions. I’ve never seen smart sanctions, and crippling sanctions cripple everyone, including innocent civilians, and make the government more popular.” – Mohammad al-Baradei, former Director General of the IAEA. All… Continue Reading
by Robert E. Hunter In the latest tit-for-tat in the battle between the United States and Iran, this week the Treasury Department, at the behest of the State Department, imposed sanctions on the Iranian foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif. This… Continue Reading
by Eldar Mamedov As the drumbeats for war with Iran grow louder, efforts are gaining momentum to discredit those politicians and officials who advocate for diplomatic engagement as a way to resolve the outstanding issues between the West and the… Continue Reading
by Gregory Aftandilian Although uncertainties abound regarding the future of Syria, various players are maneuvering to consolidate and enhance their positions there, or at least to hedge their bets. Alliances such as those between Iran and Russia now appear to… Continue Reading