RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Ted Piccone, October 27, 2009, The Brookings Institution
For the 18th year in a row, the United Nations General Assembly unequivocally calls for the end of the U.S. embargo against Cuba. Ted Piccone examines the long-running dispute between the international community and the United States and offers suggestions for the future of U.S.-Cuba relations. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Dennis Wilder, August 04, 2009, PBS' NewsHour
Following a surprise meeting with former President Bill Clinton, North Korean leader Kim Jong Il pardoned two jailed American journalists. Dennis Wilder joined other experts on PBS' NewsHour to examine the implications of the meeting. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Suzanne Maloney, July 30, 2009, Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Suzanne Maloney testified before the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs on recent developments in Iran and the possibility of new sanctions. Maloney noted that while sanctions may be the only effective means of persuading Iran to cooperate, the willingness of the international community is limited and Iran is somewhat insulated because of its already poor economy and extensive petroleum exports. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Erica S. Downs, July 30, 2009, ForeignPolicy.com
Erica Downs examines what is behind the recent Iranian invitation to China to invest $43 billion in Iran's oil industry. Downs argues that Iran is aiming to lessen the impact of additional international sanctions by adding to its meager refining capability, but she also believes there are several reasons China will be unwilling to deliver everything Iran wants. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Michael E. O'Hanlon and Stephen J. Solarz , June 24, 2009, USA Today
Michael O'Hanlon and Stephen Solarz write that with China’s lead—and U.S. support—Pyongyang could be brought to its knees and given the choice of watching its economy collapse or giving up nuclear weapons. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Richard C. Bush III, June 17, 2009, House Subcommittees on Asia, the Pacific and the Global Environment and on Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade
In testimony before Congress on June 17, senior fellow and CNAPS director Richard Bush described how North Korea’s recent nuclear and missile tests have transformed the challenge faced by the international system. Dr. Bush testified that it is now clear that North Korea bases its security on nuclear weapons, and the hope that it will abandon the nuclear option has disappeared. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Dennis Wilder, June 16, 2009, PBS' NewsHour
Dennis Wilder joined Gwen Ifill to discuss President Obama and South Korean President Lee Myung-bak meeting about recent provocations in the latest round of the ongoing diplomatic standoff with North Korea. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Michael E. O'Hanlon, May 28, 2009, The Washington Times
Michael O'Hanlon writes that while North Korea risks some tightening of sanctions as a result of their recent nuclear test, it probably will not pay a huge and enduring price. O'Hanlon believes if North Korea is unwilling to dismantle its arsenal the U.S., China, and other international partners should set up a maritime quarantine to monitor ships that could transfer nuclear materials and technology to terrorists or other nations. Read More
PAST EVENT
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Washington, DC
As the White House and Congress struggle to reshape U.S. policy toward Cuba, the Brookings Institution launched a new report on U.S. Policy Toward a Cuba in Transition, entitled Cuba: A New Policy of Critical and Constructive Engagement. Brookings suggests a path forward on travel, trade, human rights and diplomatic engagement – all focused on helping Cubans define a democratic course for Cuba. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Vicki Huddleston and Carlos Pascual, February 24, 2009, Miami Herald
Vicki Huddleston and Carlos Pascual argue that if President Obama wishes to alter U.S. policy toward Cuba, he has ample authority to do so. Huddleston and Pascual examine Obama's executive authority and note there is no reason the U.S. cannot reach out to the Cuban people and still retain the embargo as a symbol of concern about their government's failure to live up to international norms and human rights. Read More
PAST EVENT
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
12:30 PM to 2:00 PM
Washington, DC
The sixth session of the Iran Working Group was held on December 16, 2008, at Brookings. Several analysts shared their expertise on the current state of sanctions against Iran – in particular, on the current measures targeting certain Iranian banks – and on the prospects for the incoming U.S. administration to achieve multilateral consensus on a diplomatic strategy toward Tehran, particularly from key actors such as Russia and China. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Suzanne Maloney, October 21, 2008, The Fletcher Forum of World Affairs, Volume 32:2
Suzanne Maloney writes that U.S. policy toward Iran is in a profound state of disarray as international support for sanctions or use of force has dwindled recently. Maloney argues that the U.S. must first understand where the miscalculations occurred, and that the next administration should be prepared to outline a new way forward on Iran. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Michael E. O'Hanlon, July 17, 2008, USA Today
Michael O'Hanlon believes North Korea's recent nuclear declaration is good news, but he also warns the U.S. must remain cautious about the outcome. O'Hanlon argues that if the U.S. and its allies focus on fostering reform in North Korea, through carrots of aid, trade, investment and diplomatic contact, all parties may avoid returning to a crisis of severe levels. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Philip H. Gordon, July 09, 2008, Financial Times
Philip Gordon assesses China's role in recent diplomatic initiatives meant to contain Iran's nuclear program. Gordon believes China should stop refusing to place significant sanctions on Iran, and that Chinese leaders should focus on the long-term regional and global impact of a nuclear capable Iran instead of the short-term impact of their energy relationship. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Jeffrey A. Bader and Richard C. Bush III, June 26, 2008, The Brookings Institution
With North Korea now releasing information on its nuclear program and the Bush Administration stating that it will lift sanctions and remove North Korea from its list of terrorist states, Jeffrey Bader and Richard Bush offer their comments on both actions and offer recommendations for future U.S. policy. Bader and Bush say that North Korea will first need to allow on-the-ground verification at its nuclear sites. Read More