Foundation for the Defense of Democracies
Jonathan Schanzer is vice president for research at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, a DC-based think-tank studying terrorism in the Middle East. A former terror finance analyst for the US Treasury, Schanzer is the author of several books on the Middle East, including Hamas Versus Fatah: The Struggle for Palestine and State of Failure: Yasser Arafat, Mahmoud Abbas, and the Unmaking of the Palestinian State.
Trump Administration takes a new hard line approach to Iran In 2015, the Obama Administration struck a landmark deal with Iran and other world powers to curtail the Iranian nuclear program. From the campaign trail, then candidate Donald Trump called it a bad deal -- He still does. However, as part of the agreement the President has to certify every 90 days whether Iran is complying and so far he’s done just that. But today Trump went further. Despite threats to scrap the deal, instead he kicked responsibility for what happens next to Congress , where Republicans, who would prefer to focus on their tax reform effort, are reportedly unlikely to invalidate the agreement by imposing sanctions.
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.
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?
Praying for Peace in a Hostile Climate Pope Francis visited the Middle East at the end of May. Now he's following up by inviting leaders of Israel and the Palestinian Authority to "pray for peace" in the Vatican this coming Sunday. The Pontiff from Argentina is injecting a new perspective into the heart of diplomacy at a time of increasing tension. Yesterday, Israel announced more settlements in the West Bank, in response to recent "unity" between the Palestinian Authority and its "terrorist" rival Hamas. We hear how all these developments reflect changes in the region. Are Israel and the Obama Administration further apart than ever?
Islamophobia and Foreign Policy Mitt Romney and other Republicans are being criticized for fostering hostility toward Muslims. Governor Romney is said to have “insulted” Palestinians. President Obama is said to be doing the same thing more subtly, with 17% of Americans believing he’s Muslim himself. Is the political culture encouraging an atmosphere of hostility? Is it a function of the foreign policy agenda of both political parties?
How was the trip? President Trump's travels got less fun as he went from the Middle East to Europe.
Terrorism and tweets, hate speech and murder Just days before an election, Britain is coping with a rash of deadly terrorism, and Prime Minister Theresa May is on the defensive. And again today, President Trump has tweeted criticism of the Mayor of London. Later, a double murder in Portland, Oregon has revealed the ugly past of a supposedly “progressive” city. One immediate question: is “hate speech” protected by the First Amendment?
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?
What happens when America retreats from the world? Is President Trump taking his "America First" agenda to extremes, withdrawing the country from the international stage on trade and climate change, distancing America from its traditional allies across the Atlantic and even threatening to physically isolate the country through the building of a wall along its southern border? León Krauze guest hosts.