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?
Ex-FBI Director Comey tells his side of the story Today, former FBI Director James Comey came close to calling the President who fired him a liar. The White House denied the claim and called it insulting, but Republican Senators did not challenge Comey’s truthfulness. Many questions remain: did the President try to obstruct a federal investigation? Later, we’ll go behind the “velvet rope” for a look at 5-Star health care for the richest Americans.
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?
Is the threat from Russia missing from the Russia meddling probe? There's much being made about the Trump administration's possible ties with Russia. But the bottom line is Russia's effort to influence American democracy. Do the President and his aides care enough to take action before voters go back to the polls?
The Trump agenda: where's the beef? President Trump says big things are happening. After celebrating a House bill on health care, he doesn’t yet have Senate agreement. With James Comey’s public testimony scheduled tomorrow, the President today tweeted his selection of a new FBI Director. Is the Chief Executive all style and no substance? Later, terror attacks in Iran and conflicting claims about who’s behind them.