Is America ready for Iran’s plans in Jordan and Lebanon?
{Previously published in The Jerusalem Post} America is safer and the world functions better when America is engaged throughout the world. Every time America tries to pivot its foreign policy…
Will Trump’s Iran Sanctions be Weaker than Obama’s?
{Previously published in The Jerusalem Post} The intelligence community’s rationale for allowing Iran to remain part of SWIFT is that it allows them to track Iran’s finances internationally. Last spring…
Understanding American and Iranian Choices in the New Middle East
{Previously published in The Jerusalem Post} Have the Iranians come to the same conclusion as their archenemy Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman? Everything has changed in the Middle East.…
The Importance of Secondary Sanctions to Rein in Iran
{Previously published in The Jerusalem Post} There is a lack of understanding of what secondary sanctions are, why they are an indispensable tool for advancing diplomacy in the Middle East…
When Interests and Values Collide in Middle East Policy
{Previously published in The Hill} Advancing a country’s foreign policy interests usually means coming to terms with the inherent contradictions between national values and strategic interests. Translation: sometimes you must…
It’s Time for the US to Swap Carrots for Sticks in the Middle East
America’s choices in the Middle East continue to challenge the best of our foreign policy experts. There are no easy answers in a region with ever-changing interests and alliances, but…
A Year Later, Failure of Iran Nuclear Deal is Clearer Than Ever
(Previously published on Forward.com) Dr. Eric R. Mandel is the director of MEPIN™. He regularly briefs Congress on issues related to the Middle East and is a columnist for the…
Legitimizing Iran: The US Administration’s Middle East Agenda
(Previously published in The Jerusalem Post.) The time is now for Congress to act, to assert its constitutional responsibility regarding foreign policy in the name of American national security interests.…
Will Senate Democrats take Violations of the Iran Deal Seriously?
(Previously published in The Jerusalem Post) Will Democratic senators and members of the House follow their consciences and defend American national security interests, or will they march in step with…
Iranian Transgressions and Ongoing Palestinian Terrorism
Today’s VLOG asks two questions: The first: Is there any Iranian violation or transgression of the JCPOA or of long-standing sanctions that would cause this administration to consider imposing a…