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.
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?
War Fever: The Temperature Is Rising... Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee today about the threat from ISIL, or ISIS.
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?
The longest US war: Will Trump send more troops to Afghanistan? The Trump White House is divided over the Pentagon's request for more troops in Afghanistan—where the US has been fighting for the past 16 years. Is there a formula -- either for "victory" or a political settlement? Is there an end in sight for America's longest war?
Trump plays scolder-in-chief with NATO allies At the opening of NATO’s dramatic new headquarters in Brussels today, President Trump acknowledged that Article 5 — promising that “an attack on one nation is an attack on all” -- has only been invoked one time: in the aftermath of September 11. But the President failed to provide what 27 other Alliance members have been waiting for: a re-commitment by America’s new leader to Article 5. Instead, they got a scolding.
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?
Replacing Obamacare: Now you see it… now you don’t As the Senate deliberates replacing Obmacare, health coverage for millions of people is at stake. There've been no public hearings, and a draft measure won't be made public. Is the House version so unpopular that that Senate is hiding a version that looks much the same?