As widely reported, the United States, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United Kingdom (the P5+1), coordinated by the European Union’s High Representative, reached a Framework Agreement with Iran on April 2, 2015, pursuant to which the parties will work through June 2015 to craft a Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
With reports that Washington and its partners may reach a nuclear accord with Iran in the coming days, a former senior IAEA safeguards official answers the most pressing questions about Tehran’s program and how the agreement might affect its capabilities. What is the commonly accepted definition of “breakout time”? This is the time required to… Keep reading →
Whether by advocating careful congressional action or simply waiting until a new administration is in place, those who question the president’s apparent Iran strategy will have several means of correcting course once an agreement is signed. The Obama administration and the rest of the P5+1 will likely agree soon on a limited-duration agreement with Iran… Keep reading →
The president should use this week’s visit to channel Qatar’s diplomatic energies in directions more in line with U.S. regional policy. When Emir Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani visited the White House on February 24, President Obama contended with a Qatari diplomatic scorecard that has significant marks on both sides of the ledger. Given its historically… Keep reading →
Oil prices increased to their highest in nearly two months on Monday, following concerns over escalating conflict with Islamic State militants in Libya and threats to withhold exports from Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdish region. “Egypt bombed Islamic State targets inside Libya on Monday and Cairo renewed calls for a U.S.-led coalition to confront militants there a… Keep reading →
Tuesday’s meeting in Riyadh between King Salman and Pakistan’s top military commander will revive speculation of a secret nuclear agreement to counter any Iranian nuclear threat. The visit by the chairman of Pakistan’s Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee will likely prompt concern in Washington and other major capitals that Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have reconfirmed… Keep reading →
The latest shakeup among Saudi decisionmakers will require Washington to work on new relationships in Riyadh and perhaps reconfirm understandings reached at last Tuesday’s summit. Just two days after President Obama’s visit to Riyadh, King Salman has sacked several of the princes who met with the U.S. delegation. According to U.S. and Saudi reporting of… Keep reading →
Earlier this month, I accompanied Dr. Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall on her first overseas trip as Deputy Secretary of Energy — a visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States Fifth Fleet in Bahrain, a component command of U.S. Central Command. The trip was an exceptional opportunity for the Deputy Secretary to reinforce the… Keep reading →
