The Trump Administration Has Criminalized the Iranian Economy

by Tyler Cullis The Trump administration’s “maximum pressure” strategy with respect to Iran is predicated on placing Iran’s economy in perpetual isolation. A not-insignificant part of that effort has involved designating the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)—Iran’s premier military outfit—as… Continue Reading →

The Dogs of War That Have Not Barked

by Helena Cobban In May, President Donald J. Trump rolled out his policy of “maximum pressure” designed to force Tehran to concede to far-reaching demands. He tightened U.S. sanctions against Iran considerably and ordered the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier… Continue Reading →

Will the Release of the Adrian Darya-1 Affect U.S.-UK relations?

by Abdulaziz Kilani Authorities in Gibraltar decided on Thursday to release the Iranian oil tanker Adrian Darya-1, which they was seized last month. The vessel was detained for allegedly breaching European Union sanctions by shipping oil to Syria. Tehran has… Continue Reading →

Trump’s Middle East Communications Theater

by Sam Bahour One of the key architects of President Trump’s Middle East peace efforts, his son-in-law Jared Kushner, has embarked on a frontal assault in one of the key Middle East battlefields, media communications. For someone who prides himself… Continue Reading →

How Will Kashmir Affect the Afghan Peace Process?

by Fatemeh Aman Commentaries are calling India’s unilateral move to end the autonomy of Jammu and Kashmir that had prevailed since India’s independence a geopolitical “earthquake.” A major geological earthquake normally has significant ripple effects as the affected tectonic plates… Continue Reading →