RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Daniel Kaufmann, February 06, 2012, The Brookings Institution
Daniel Kaufmann examines China and Russia's veto of the U.N. Security Council resolution condemning the violence in Syria, arguing that the veto is unsurprising given the low standards of governance in all three countries. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Kenneth M. Pollack, January 18, 2012, The New Republic
Kenneth Pollack questions the feasibility of the proposed strengthening of U.S. sanctions against Iran. Pollack explains how these sanctions could backfire, negatively impacting the United States in three distinct ways. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Marvin Kalb, January 18, 2012, The Brookings Institution
Marvin Kalb argues that tensions between the United States and Iran could lead to an escalation of conflict. According to Kalb, both sides have drawn red lines that, if crossed, will lead to military action. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Suzanne Maloney, January 06, 2012, BBC News
Suzanne Maloney discusses the impact of new economic sanctions on Iran. According to Maloney, it is unclear whether sanctions will be effective in deterring Iranian nuclear ambitions. However, Maloney argues these sanctions will exacerbate the decline of the Iranian economy, which could lead to regional instability. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Suzanne Maloney, January 05, 2012, Foreign Affairs
Suzanne Maloney writes on the effects of the U.S. sanctions against Iran’s central bank recently signed into law by President Obama. Maloney argues that the Obama administration’s approach for dealing with Iran and its nuclear ambitions will only further strain relations in the region. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Vali Nasr, December 29, 2011, CNN.com
Vali Nasr argues that proposed U.S. sanctions against Iran, designed as an alternative to military action, will raise tensions between the two countries, and could eventually lead to war. Nasr explains the impact that an escalation would have on the global economy, which includes imperiling the fragile recovery. Read More
PAST EVENT
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
3:00 PM to 4:30 PM
Washington, DC
With the death toll in Syria now exceeding 4,000 civilians, Turkey and the Arab League recently joined the U.S. and the EU in imposing wide-ranging sanctions against Syria—a coordinated, international move considered inconceivable just six months ago. On December 13, the Saban Center for Middle East Policy, the Center on the United States and Europe at Brookings and the Middle East Institute hosted a discussion to examine the impact of growing international pressure on the Assad government and analyzed the domestic and regional implications of a weakening Syrian regime and economy. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Suzanne Maloney and Ray Takeyh, November 2011, International Affairs
Suzanne Maloney and Ray Takeyh examine the United States’ strategy toward Iran, arguing that Washington currently is too reliant on economic sanctions, a tool whose efficacy progressively declines, to resolve successfully the most urgent American concerns about Iranian policies. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Suzanne Maloney, Fall 2011, Institut français des relations internationales
Suzanne Maloney chronicles U.S. policy toward Iran since the 9/11 attacks, writing that while both the (George W.) Bush and Obama administrations have demonstrated resourcefulness and flexibility in seeking to positively influence Iran's foreign policy, Iran continues to pose threats - in particular, with its growing nuclear program. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Erica S. Downs and Suzanne Maloney, March/April 2011, Foreign Affairs
Erica Downs and Suzanne Maloney explain why China, which invests heavily in Iran's energy sector, is the linchpin of the sanctions regime against Iran. According to Downs and Maloney, if Washington wants to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons, it must transform Beijing from a silent, subordinate partner to a vigorous ally. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Suzanne Maloney, November 01, 2010, United States Institute of Peace
Suzanne Maloney offers an in-depth look at Iran’s economic policy. Maloney addresses the country’s potential for growth and development, challenges in developing economic policy, and international measures, including sanctions, which attempt to influence Iranian policy from the outside. Read More
PAST EVENT
Thursday, October 28, 2010
10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Washington, DC
While the Iranian nuclear program grabs all of the headlines, for the average Iranian what matters more is the worsening human rights abuses of the regime in Tehran, and the Obama administration has strongly signaled that it would take up this cause. On October 28, the Saban Center for Middle East Policy at Brookings and the National Security Network hosted a discussion of human rights and its relevance to broader American policy towards Iran. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Kenneth M. Pollack, November/December 2010, The National Interest
Kenneth Pollack explains why President Obama’s current approach to Iran – putting intense pressure on Tehran so the government will negotiate a rollback of its current nuclear program – is no longer a strong enough policy to succeed. Pollack offers recommendations for the Obama administration moving forward. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Djavad Salehi-Isfahani , August 2010, The Dubai Initiative
Djavad Salehi-Isfahani argues that prolonged economic disruptions in Iran caused by Western sanctions will continue to weaken the Iranian economy. While some policymakers believe that a weaker Iranian economy is not necessarily bad for U.S. foreign policy, this approach risks alienating Iran’s youth, which will have serious long-term consequences for the United States and its allies in the region. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Ömer Taşpınar, June 21, 2010, Today's Zaman
In light of Turkey’s reaction to the flotilla incident and its vote against Iran sanctions, many Americans have begun to think that Turkey is no longer part of the West. Ömer Taşpinar maintains that Turkey has not been lost to the West- rather, it has become a more assertive economic and political force that the United States should see as an asset, and not an irritant. Read More