Trump’s Russia Sanctions Toolkit
Options to Increase Leverage to End Putin’s War Against Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
President Trump meets with a Specially Designated Global Terrorist, lifts sanctions on Syria
President Donald Trump met with Syrian interim president Ahmad al Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammad al Jolani, a US and UN-designated terrorist and the former leader of Hayat Tahrir al Sham,...
Op-eds
U.S. and Saudi Arabia Sign $600 Billion Agreements as Trump Begins Tour of Gulf
U.S., Saudi Arabia Sign Deals: President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have signed a series of economic agreements valued at more than $600 billion, including...
Flash Briefs
Hamas releases US hostage Edan Alexander, IDF continues operations in Gaza
On May 12, Hamas released Edan Alexander, one of 59 hostages still held in Gaza and the last living American hostage held by the terrorist group. Four other Americans who are presumed deceased are also...
Op-eds
How to Promote Holocaust Education in the Middle East
President Donald Trump has the opportunity to build the foundation of regional peace. One way to do so is through education about one of history’s worst atrocities.
Op-eds
‘We’re Increasing the Pressure’: Israel Approves Expanded Gaza Operation, IDF Set to Hold Territory
Cabinet Approves Expanded Operation: The Israeli security cabinet unanimously approved expanded military operations in the Gaza Strip on May 4 with the reported aim of controlling...
Flash Briefs
‘Stem the Flow of Revenue’: U.S. Sanctions Illicit Traders of Iranian Oil
U.S. Targets Funding of Tehran’s Malign Activities: The State Department announced on April 30 that it had sanctioned seven entities trading in Iranian petroleum and petrochemical...
Flash Briefs
Calibrating US policy to constrain Iranian oil exports
Shortly after President Donald Trump started his second term, his new Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, promised, “We are committed to bringing the Iranians to going back to the...
Op-eds
No Clear Progress at Third Session of U.S.-Iran Nuclear Talks, Next Round Scheduled
Talks Continue: A third round of negotiations between the United States and Iran over the future of Tehran’s nuclear program took place on April 26 in Muscat, the capital of Oman....
Flash Briefs
Will U.S. Forces Leave Syria for Good in 2025?
U.S. forces in Syria continue to support their partners in the war against ISIS. This is part of a mission that dates back to 2015, when the U.S. first became involved in Syria. However, recent reports point to an increasing likelihood that the U.S. role in Syria may end within months.
Op-eds
U.S. and Iran Hold Second Round of Nuclear Talks in Rome
Second Round Held: A second round of negotiations between the United States and Iran over the future of Tehran’s nuclear program took place in Rome on April 19. A four-hour long...
Flash Briefs
Yemeni Factions Hope to Exploit the Current Chaos in Houthi-Controlled Yemen
Amid daily U.S. airstrikes, Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels appear increasingly vulnerable to their Yemeni rivals. Those rivals are reportedly planning a ground offensive whose goals include recapturing...
Policy Briefs
Yemeni forces planning ground offensive against the Houthis
Anti-Houthi “Yemeni militias are planning a ground offensive against the Houthis,” according to Yemeni and US officials cited by the Wall Street Journal. The plans follow over a month...
Op-eds
Turkey’s Ties to Al-Qaeda Entities in Yemen Threaten Regional Security
“Turkey is a country that loves us, and we love it,” declared Abu Omar al-Nahdi, a former emir in al-Qaeda’s Yemen branch and now the leader of the newly formed Change and Liberation Movement in...
Policy Briefs
U.S. Levies Sanctions Against Chinese Oil Storage Terminal for Iranian Oil Purchases
State Department Sanctions Chinese Oil Facility: The U.S. State Department has sanctioned a China-based crude oil storage terminal for receiving “at least eight Iranian crude...
Flash Briefs
To Beat China, America Must Balance AI Innovation with National Security
While the White House is busy restricting trade with China, it keeps unlocking the back gate. Even as the Department of Commerce expanded export restrictions on March 26 to prevent...
Op-eds
Iran braces for possible US attack amid proxy setbacks
An anonymous Iranian official told Reuters on April 6 that Islamic Republic Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has instructed Iranian armed forces to be on high alert. The source also said Tehran has...
Op-eds
‘They Are Sitting Inside a Glass Room’: Citing U.S. Threats, Iran Puts Army on High Alert
Latest Developments Iran Fears U.S. Strikes: Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei placed his country’s military on its highest alert level, fearing potential strikes by the United States,...
Flash Briefs
U.S. Treasury Targets Russian Elements of the Houthis’ Iran-Backed Financing Network
Washington is intensifying pressure against Iran and its proxies. The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced new sanctions on April 2 against the Russia-based funding sources of Yemen’s Iran-backed...
Policy Briefs
US removal of Sirajuddin Haqqani’s $10 million bounty signals engagement with the Taliban
The Trump administration appears to be continuing its previous policy of engagement with the Taliban, which led to the 2020 Doha Agreement that paved the way for the Biden administration’s 2021 withdrawal...