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Wall Street Journal
Jay Solomon is chief foreign affairs correspondent for the Wall Street Journal and the author of The Iran Wars: Spy Games, Bank Battles, and the Secret Deals that Reshaped the Middle East.
PROFILE
Jay Solomon
Guest
FROM Jay Solomon
To the Point
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.
To the Point
Did the US pay ransom to Iran for release of American prisoners? Ronald Reagan was embarrassed by a swap with Iran of arms for American hostages. Did the Obama Administration make a similar trade? US Secretary of State shakes the hand of Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian Photo: US State Department In January of this year, the US and Iran reached their nuclear deal and Iran had released four American prisoners. President Obama said it was time to resolve a dispute over an arms deal made before the Islamic revolution overthrew the Shah of Iran. It was worth $1.7 billion. What Obama did not say was that $400 million in cash had already been airlifted to Iran. Today, the White House says the timing was coincidental — denying that ransom was paid for the release of the prisoners. Jay Solomon is reporting the story for the Wall Street Journal .
To the Point
Kerry Tries to Restart Syria Peace Talks with Russia Secretary of State John Kerry is back in the Middle East, with Syrian peace talks on the agenda. But preparations involving the US and Russia have stalled. Jay Solomon is foreign affairs correspondent for the Wall Street Journal .
To the Point
Nuclear Development and Middle East Stability President Obama says Iran's nuclear program has been "halted" -- but a final settlement seems far in the future. Talks about the program will resume next month, with Iran, Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States back at the table. Their deadline for a real deal is the end of June — but there's talk of another extension. Senate Republicans, and some Democrats, want tougher sanctions, claiming that will encourage Iran to make new concessions, but Obama has threatened a veto. House Speaker Boehner has injected Israel into the mix by inviting Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu to address Congress -- while he's running for re-election. Are domestic politics in all three countries threatening diplomacy with nuclear weapons at stake?
To the Point
Nuclear Negotiations: Can Both Sides Win? As Iran sits down again today with five world powers — the US, the UK, France, Russia and China, plus Germany — there's a lot at stake for two leaders who've risked their legacies on the outcome. Iran's President Rouhani could see crippling economic sanctions lifted at last. President Obama could head off the possible threat of more nuclear weapons. But failure is likely to discredit both leaders with friends and foes in the Middle East, not to mention hardliners at home. We hear that Iran's increased transparency is cause for optimism, while intractable differences could make the world more dangerous than ever.
To the Point
What Will Vladimir Putin Do Next? American and European diplomats are trying to ease a potentially dangerous crisis, claiming Russia has illegally taken control of Crimea, which belongs to Ukraine. Vladimir Putin insists he hasn't sent any troops in yet — and that what's illegal is Ukraine's new regime, which overthrew an elected leader. The US has offered a $1 billion loan guarantee . The EU announced an aid package worth $15 billion in cash and infrastructure assistance. The IMF is already negotiating terms in Kiev. What the US wants most is for Russian diplomats to meet with those from Ukraine. Does Putin already have what he wants or has he made a strategic error? As the US and European Union try to craft a response, is Germany on board? We look at the economic, diplomatic and military options for an uneasy alliance against a Russian President with a very different view of the world.
To the Point
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.
To the Point
North Korea Responds to US Stealth Bomber Exercise Yesterday, stealth bombers from America's heartland flew over South Korea and dropped dummy weapons over the Yellow Sea. Today, North Korea's Kim Jong-Un himself ordered that missile units make ready to strike the US and South Korea. Jay Solomon, foreign affairs correspondent for the Wall Street Journal , was formerly based in Seoul.
To the Point
Nobel Peace Prize Choice Upsets China: Liu Xiaobo From a long list of candidates in a world full of war and repression, China's Liu Xiaobo has been chosen for this year's Nobel Peace Prize. However, Liu might not know it until his wife is able visit him in a Chinese prison, where he's serving an 11-years sentence on charges of subversion for advocating human rights. His history of dissent includes a hunger strike during the protests in Tiananmen Square. China warned the Nobel committee to choose someone else. Will this make things even worse for Liu? Will it increase international pressure on China? What have been the consequences of last year's choice of Barack Obama , a first-term President in the midst of two wars?
To the Point
Nuclear Non-Proliferation and America's Deal with Vietnam The Obama Administration has set what's called the "gold standard" for helping other countries develop nuclear energy. The United Arab Emirates agreed not to enrich uranium on its own soil, a path to producing nuclear weapons. But Vietnam will be under no such restrictions. Vietnam says it won't build atom bombs, but nonproliferation advocates are outraged. They call it a risky giveaway to America's nuclear industry. Nuclear advocates say enrichment is no big secret, and that US squeamishness poses another risk: falling behind in a multi-billion dollar international business. What does it all have to do with China?
Which Way, L.A.?
Will Reporters' Release Warm North Korea-US Relations? Former President Bill Clinton touched down at Bob Hope Airport in Burbank this morning with two American journalists. After months of captivity in North Korea and a sentence of 12 years at hard labor, Laura Ling described what happened yesterday when she and Euna Lee were told to go to a meeting.
To the Point
Will Reporters' Release Warm North Korea-US Relations? After months of captivity in North Korea and a sentence of 12 years at hard labor, Laura Ling described what happened yesterday when she and Euna Lee were told to go to a meeting. Ling spoke to reporters this morning at the airport in Burbank, California along with Al Gore. The two journalists were on assignment in China for Gore’s Current TV when they were arrested for crossing the border into North Korea. Reportedly, it was Gore who told Bill Clinton that North Korea asked him to visit in return for setting the journalists free. The White House has emphasized that Clinton went as a private citizen. Did the President ask Clinton to convey a message to Kim Jong Il?
To the Point
Congress Sees Syrian Reactor Evidence Six Months Late The CIA is showing Congressional committees a video today that reportedly shows North Korean involvement in the construction of a nuclear facility in Syria last summer. The Israeli government relied on this video evidence in its decision to bomb the facility on September 6. Jay Solomon is chief foreign affairs correspondent for the Wall Street Journal .
To the Point
Nuclear Deal Reached with North Korea North Korea was part of the famous " axis of evil ," but today it agreed to disable its three main nuclear facilities by the end of this year. President Bush called it a step toward "a Korean Peninsula that is free of nuclear weapons." Jay Solomon reports on national security for the Wall Street Journal .
Recommended
To the Point
What is Trump's plan for Middle East peace? On his first foreign tour, President Trump has promised "peace" between Israel and the Palestinians. Are there any details for re-starting talks that have been stalled for the past three years?
To the Point
White House budget proposal slashes and burns President Trump's first budget request is considered dead on arrival in Congress — a familiar development in Capitol Hill. We hear what it reveals about the priorities of the new administration. What's likely to die… and what might survive?
Left, Right & Center
President Trump: US to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord Trump says he was elected to serve Pittsburgh, not Paris.
To the Point
Trump's 'America First' goes missing abroad In the Middle East, President Trump is changing some policies of the Obama Administration—and reversing his own campaign attacks on Islam as a religion that "hates us." We hear about his visit to Saudi Arabia and what's at stake for the rest of his foreign excursion.