No matter how tough on paper, the sanctions will be effective only if they are enforced. There are good reasons to doubt that every country will follow through. The burden falls heavily on China, the North’s chief ally in providing food, fuel and political cover.
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Impose Sanctions on North Korea’s Enablers
Posted February 8th, 2016 at 10:13 am (UTC-5)
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Some North Korea watchers assert that Beijing doesn’t have the leverage that many U.S. officials contend it has over Pyongyang’s behavior. But that’s simply not true….What is true, however, is that at present China lacks the political will to stand with the international community against North Korea’s dangerous, destabilizing activities.
Obama: ‘Strong American Diplomacy’ Pays Off
Posted January 17th, 2016 at 2:58 pm (UTC-5)
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“This is a good day.” So began President Barack Obama’s televised statement on the release of Americans held in Iran following delicate negotiations between the United States and Iran on a prisoner swap apparently tied indirectly to last year’s historic nuclear pact to scale back Iran’s nuclear weapons program. Five Americans, including a Washington Post reporter, were freed in exchange for seven Iranians. The prisoner trade was swiftly condemned by Republican presidential hopefuls and some pundits. The stunning developments included sanction relief for Iran, and the release of roughly $100 billion of its assets after international inspectors concluded that the country had dismantled large portions of its nuclear program. Despite the developments – who can argue against the happiness that comes with release of Americans citizens and their families? – Iran remains on the U.S. list of states that sponsor terrorism. And that means the road ahead will be long and bumpy.
America Needs Iranian Cooperation
Posted January 15th, 2016 at 3:54 pm (UTC-5)
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The recent strife between Saudi Arabia and Iran, regional powers that have commanding influence in the Sunni and Shia worlds respectively, has made the Middle East even more volatile. By pursuing legislation to sink the Iran deal, the U.S. Congress will be adding fuel to the fire.
The High Price of Rejecting the Iran Deal
Posted August 14th, 2015 at 10:00 am (UTC-5)
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The simple fact is that, after two years of testing Iran in negotiations, the international community does not believe that ramping up sanctions will persuade Iran to eradicate all traces of its hard-won civil nuclear program or sever its ties to its armed proxies in the region.
Iran Nuclear Deal: The Alternatives
Posted July 30th, 2015 at 2:30 pm (UTC-5)
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Ever since the US-led nuclear deal with Iran was announced, the Obama administration has answered critics by arguing there is no better alternative. Here we present the views of several columnists and their proposed alternatives to the landmark agreement, which still must be approved by the US Congress.
The Next Iranian Revolution
Posted June 26th, 2015 at 9:23 am (UTC-5)
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While American and Saudi oilmen look warily at the prospect of an Iranian renaissance, plenty of others are all but banking on it. Europe, for example, has spent years trying to wean itself off reliance on Russian natural gas.
China Must Confront Its North Korea Problem
China does not want millions of refugees running north or violent conflict bursting out to the south. Beijing would lose if reunification turned its buffer into an advanced base for U.S. containment policy. The PRC wants to preserve economic preferences which have been dearly bought….The United States needs a different strategy.