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Barbara Slavin Guest

Barbara Slavin

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Atlantic Council / Al-Monitor

Barbara Slavin is the acting director of the Future of Iran Initiative at the Atlantic Council and a Washington correspondent for Al-Monitor.com. A contributor to Foreign Policy and Politico among other media outlets, she is the author of Bitter Friends, Bosom Enemies: Iran, the US, and the Twisted Path to Confrontation. Slavin has also previously served as assistant managing editor for World and National Security at the Washington Times, a senior fellow at the United States Institute for Peace, and a former senior diplomatic reporter for USA Today.

FROM Barbara Slavin

Whatever happened to 'America First?'

Whatever happened to 'America First?' Before his election, Donald Trump accused Saudi Arabia of complicity in the 911 attacks. In Riyadh, the President called it a “magnificent” and “sacred land.” The Saudis were glad to see the last of Barack Obama, and happy about a multi-billion-dollar weapons deal without any lectures about human rights. Mr. Trump denounced Islamic terrorists,” and said defeating them will be up to Muslim countries. Today he’s in Israel before moving on to the Vatican and a meeting of NATO. Will his foreign trip help ease international fears about the chaos in Washington?

43 MIN, 9 SEC May 22, 2017

The US and Iran: Diplomatic relations turn icy again

The US and Iran: Diplomatic relations turn icy again Responding to his first challenge from the world's most volatile region, President Trump has invoked economic sanctions against Iran. That's apparently what he meant when he said Iran was "on notice" after it tested a ballistic missile last weekend. It's not clear if he plans more to come. But there are stark warnings of possible escalation, unintended or otherwise, as Trump continues to keep Washington guessing, along with the rest of the world. During his campaign he promised to be "unpredictable," and today he tweeted that, "Iran is playing with fire." Iran says he has a lot to learn.

34 MIN, 20 SEC Feb 03, 2017

ISIS and the World's Cultural Heritage

ISIS and the World's Cultural Heritage The ancient Syrian city of Palmyra has been liberated, but ISIS is still selling off looted antiquities from there and other historic places. Worldwide publicity is increasing the value of stolen objects, and there’s reportedly a thriving black market in Europe, Asia and the United States. Museums and antiquities dealers say the criminal trade is exaggerated, damaging legal business. But are private collectors protecting the heritage of the Middle East or perpetuating colonialism?

33 MIN, 41 SEC Apr 12, 2016

Saudi Executions Mark a Dangerous Start to the New Year

Saudi Executions Mark a Dangerous Start to the New Year Three more Sunni Muslim countries have joined Saudi Arabia in curtailing diplomatic ties with Iran. It's the latest fallout from Saturday's execution of 47 people — including a Shiite cleric — by the Saudis. Barbara Slavin is with the Atlantic Council and Al-Monitor . She's also author of Bitter Friends, Bosom Enemies , about the US and Iran.

6 MIN, 30 SEC Jan 04, 2016

Multiple Crises in the Middle East as US Influence Declines

Multiple Crises in the Middle East as US Influence Declines With increased violence in Iraq and Yemen, and continuing chaos in Libya and Syria, the Obama Administration is accused of lacking a "coherent policy." In one fight, it shares an enemy with Iran; in another fight, it's the other way around — with a deadline for nuclear talks looming tomorrow. Now the Arab League, led by American allies, is taking what could be a historic step: forming its own military command. Does the US have any choice -- other than trying to keep up with unpredictable changes in the world's most volatile region?

31 MIN, 50 SEC Mar 30, 2015

Can the US Salvage a Deal with Iran?

Can the US Salvage a Deal with Iran? Diplomacy over Iran's nuclear program is not dead yet, but when talks resume next week foreign ministers will be replaced by lesser officials. Secretary of State John Kerry and Iran's Mohammad Zarif have each blamed the other for the failure of an anticipated agreement over the weekend. But France — and especially Israel — helped scuttle a deal, with hawks in both parties in Congress happy to see a delay. We hear what's at stake for the many parties involved, with the prospect of military action if diplomacy fails.

33 MIN, 11 SEC Nov 12, 2013

Is President Obama Too 'Passive' in Foreign Affairs?

Is President Obama Too 'Passive' in Foreign Affairs? President Obama is accused of standing by as Egypt's generals deposed an elected government and killed almost 1000 opponents both in the streets and in custody. Promised aid to Syrian rebels has not materialized, months after Obama's demand that President al-Assad step down. Iran's new president reportedly wants direct negotiations, but the US failed even to congratulate him on his recent election. Is it too late for the US to have an impact on crises in the Middle East? Have opportunities been missed, or did they really exist in the first place?

35 MIN, 21 SEC Aug 19, 2013

Iran's Nuclear Program: Does Diplomacy Have a Chance?

Iran's Nuclear Program: Does Diplomacy Have a Chance? In Almaty, Kazakhstan this weekend, Iran met with the so-called "PR5+1" — UN Security Council members Russia, China, Britain, France and the US — plus Germany. After talks ended on Saturday, the best US officials could say was there wasn't a "breakthrough," but there wasn't a "breakdown" either. It's the tenth year of the stand-off over Iran's nuclear program, and Israel is threatening attack if Iran gets the capacity to build a nuclear bomb. After President Ahmadinejad is replaced by election ten weeks from now, will Iran be any different? What's the impact of economic sanctions? Can diplomats find an alternative to either the use of force or trying to contain another nation gone nuclear like North Korea?

34 MIN, 44 SEC Apr 08, 2013

Iran, Egypt and the UN General Assembly

Which Way, L.A.?

Iran, Egypt and the UN General Assembly On Day Two of the UN General Assembly’s annual session, an unwelcome reminder of the major issue on the minds of 120 world leaders: Syrian rebels staged another deadly attack on President Assad’s military headquarters in Damascus today. In New York, the focus was on other developments in the Middle East: the new government of Egypt, Iran’s nuclear progress and relations between Israel and the Palestinians.

22 MIN, 10 SEC Sep 26, 2012

Iran, Egypt and the UN General Assembly

Iran, Egypt and the UN General Assembly On Day Two of the UN General Assembly’s annual session, an unwelcome reminder of the major issue on the minds of 120 world leaders: Syrian rebels staged another deadly attack on President Assad’s military headquarters in Damascus today. In New York, the focus was on other developments in the Middle East: the new government of Egypt, Iran’s nuclear progress and relations between Israel and the Palestinians.

35 MIN, 34 SEC Sep 26, 2012

US and Israel Discuss Iran's Nuclear Ambitions

US and Israel Discuss Iran's Nuclear Ambitions At the White House today, President Obama began a day of meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , who's been publicly impatient about preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons. As they began, the President told reporters they both "prefer to solve this diplomatically." The Prime Minister said, "Israel and America stand together." Yesterday, at the annual meeting of AIPAC, anticipating criticism from Republicans and hard-line Israelis, the President addressed the issue head on. "Already, there is too much loose talk of war. Over the last few weeks, such talk has only benefited the Iranian government… I do not have a policy of containment; I have a policy to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon."

23 MIN, 44 SEC Mar 05, 2012

Iranians Vote between Hard-Liners in Parliamentary Elections

Iranians Vote between Hard-Liners in Parliamentary Elections Iranians went to the polls in parliamentary elections today. With many reformists and opposition leaders not participating, the vote is a contest between hard-line supporters of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Pressure from the West over Iran's nuclear program has been a central issue. Barbara Slavin is Washington correspondent for AL-Monitor.com , a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, and the author of Bitter Friends, Bosom Enemies : Iran, the US and the Twisted Path to Confrontation.

7 MIN, 35 SEC Mar 02, 2012

The US and Iran: Diplomacy or Confrontation?

Which Way, L.A.?

The US and Iran: Diplomacy or Confrontation? The US has categorically denied any role in yesterday's assassination of an Iranian nuclear scientist or the recent deadly attack on an Iranian missile facility. But two American aircraft carrier battle groups are near Iranian shores with a third on the way, and the US is imposing new sanctions that could do real damage to Iran's oil economy. Is regime change of the current leaders of Iran's Islamic Republic America's real goal? Could that policy backfire, making Iran more determined than ever to build nuclear weapons? Will tough talk in the presidential campaign convince them there's no other choice?

27 MIN, 1 SEC Jan 12, 2012

The US and Iran: Diplomacy or Confrontation?

The US and Iran: Diplomacy or Confrontation? The US has categorically denied any role in yesterday's assassination of an Iranian nuclear scientist or the recent deadly attack on an Iranian missile facility, and says an attack on Iran is not inevitable. But two American aircraft carrier battle groups are near Iranian shores with a third on the way, and the Pentagon is making contingency plans in case Iran learns to make nuclear weapons. Diplomacy is the official policy, but the US is imposing new sanctions that could do real damage to Iran's oil economy, and State Department officials say they're "tightening the noose." If Iran's rulers think America's goal is regime change, will they be more likely to develop atomic bombs for their own protection? Is anti-Iranian rhetoric by Republican candidates pushing the President to take a harder line that will make confrontation more likely than diplomacy?

37 MIN, 51 SEC Jan 12, 2012

Is the US Headed Toward Another War?

Is the US Headed Toward Another War? After the UN Security Council authorized " all necessary measures " to protect citizens in Libya, Colonel Moammar Gadhafi declared a cease-fire. While President Obama voiced agreement with European and Arab allies that a cease-fire must be implemented immediately, he vowed that the US will not "deploy ground troops into Libya."

12 MIN, 7 SEC Mar 18, 2011

Libya Declares Cease-fire as West Prepares for Air Strikes

Libya Declares Cease-fire as West Prepares for Air Strikes After weeks of reluctance by the United States, the UN Security Council last night authorized " all necessary measures " to protect Libyan rebels and other citizens from Moammar Gadhafi's Army. Gadhafi then declared "an immediate cease-fire." Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was skeptical. Borzou Daragahi is in the Libyan capital of Tripoli for the Los Angeles Times .

7 MIN, 47 SEC Mar 18, 2011

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