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Browse: Home » Iran » Page 5
Meet the Man Who Should Be the Next Secretary of State

Meet the Man Who Should Be the Next Secretary of State

October 14, 2016 · by Patrick Lawrence · in Articles, The Nation.

Former ambassador to Saudi Arabia Chas Freeman is that rare thing, an honest and wise diplomat—which is why he’ll probably never be appointed. Late this past summer, when I mentioned to Andrew Bacevich that I had interviewed Chas Freeman and…

John Kerry’s last hurrah: With the Syrian cease-fire, the secretary of state takes a parting swipe at Russophobia

John Kerry’s last hurrah: With the Syrian cease-fire, the secretary of state takes a parting swipe at Russophobia

September 14, 2016 · by Patrick Lawrence · in Articles, Salon

The cease-fire ends his successful skirmish with the Pentagon, but the war will grind on long after Kerry is gone Secretary of State John Kerry now gives us another “cessation of hostilities” agreement — a not-quite-cease-fire — as signed with…

Can Obama’s Successor Sort Out His Middle East Mess?

Can Obama’s Successor Sort Out His Middle East Mess?

May 30, 2016 · by Patrick Smith · in Articles, The Fiscal Times

Whoever goes to the White House in November will have one foreign policy challenge above all others: How to navigate transitions between two of America’s Middle East alliances that daily events are rendering inevitable. On one side of this question…

She’ll make Iran, Syria worse: What the media won’t tell you about our foreign policy — and how hawkish Hillary will pour the kerosene

She’ll make Iran, Syria worse: What the media won’t tell you about our foreign policy — and how hawkish Hillary will pour the kerosene

April 17, 2016 · by Patrick L. Smith · in Articles, Salon

The truth about our foreign policy is on display, if we choose to look. If only we ever learned the right lessons What an unusual season—or seasons, I should say. The inner workings of American foreign policy are rarely as…

Why US Companies Are Left Out as Iran Gets Back to Business

Why US Companies Are Left Out as Iran Gets Back to Business

February 1, 2016 · by Patrick Smith · in Articles, The Fiscal Times

It’s hard to say who pounced more quickly, the Iranians or the rest of the world, when punishing international sanctions were lifted last month. In a matter of days, the Islamic Republic is back in business. As expected, the European…

Iran Deal Meets First Major Hurdle, Marking a Win for Obama

Iran Deal Meets First Major Hurdle, Marking a Win for Obama

January 18, 2016 · by Patrick Smith · in Articles, The Fiscal Times

We’ve just lived through a little bit of history. As of Saturday, the International Atomic Energy Agency announced that the contentious-from-the-start deal between the U.S. and Iran has met its first and most important challenge under the accord governing its…

He’s made the Middle East worse: Let’s be honest, Obama bears as much responsibility for this mess as predecessors who shaped them

He’s made the Middle East worse: Let’s be honest, Obama bears as much responsibility for this mess as predecessors who shaped them

January 6, 2016 · by Patrick L. Smith · in Articles, Salon

Decades of poorly concocted policies with Iran, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and others haunt us — and worsen every day It is all there now for us to see. Decades of cynical, poorly devised policy in the Middle East, vacant of…

From Mideast to Moscow, These 3 Crises Could Wreck Obama’s Foreign Policy

From Mideast to Moscow, These 3 Crises Could Wreck Obama’s Foreign Policy

January 4, 2016 · by Patrick Smith · in Articles, The Fiscal Times

What a start for the Obama administration’s final year. In the course of a few days,Russia declares the U.S. a threat to its security taking relations to a perilous new low, and Iran announces it will escalate a new missile…

Why Allies and Adversaries Should Unite to Defeat ISIS

Why Allies and Adversaries Should Unite to Defeat ISIS

November 23, 2015 · by Patrick Smith · in Articles, The Fiscal Times

Suddenly, the civilized world has one thing on its mind — an alliance among key nations to fight ISIS. No one is talking about containment anymore. The topic is decisive defeat on Syrian and Iraqi battlefields and anywhere else terrorists…

This is not a democracy: Behind the Deep State that Obama, Hillary or Trump couldn’t control

This is not a democracy: Behind the Deep State that Obama, Hillary or Trump couldn’t control

October 21, 2015 · by Patrick L. Smith · in Articles, Salon

Foreign policy never really changes regardless of who holds the White House. This is why exceptionalism always wins There are two ways to consider the White House’s announcement last week that, no, American troops will no longer withdraw from Afghanistan…

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About Patrick Lawrence

Writer, commentator, longtime newspaper and magazine correspondent abroad. Writes often on Europe and Asia. Published five books.

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