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The Trump administration’s sanctions policy has been under fire since the outbreak of the global pandemic of novel coronavirus, accused of doing unjustified humanitarian damage. After all, the maximum pressure sanctions campaigns had already been the target of significant push back from allies and foes alike. Those sanctions campaigns, however, came amidst a decade of economic expansion and relative stability. As the world economy shuts down to try to contain the COVID-19 outbreak, the humanitarian collateral effects of sanctions become more pronounced and potentially deadly.

Our experts will review the US Treasury Department’s most recent guidance on providing humanitarian assistance, recommend policy options, and outline ways to provide necessary aid. In addition, the discussion will focus on whether the US government should lift sanctions against countries such as Iran.

Please join Atlantic Council senior fellow Brian O’Toole and Ariane Tabatabai, who serves as Middle East Fellow at the Alliance for Securing Democracy at the German Marshall Fund of the United States, as they unpack these questions. Ambassador Daniel Fried, Weiser Family Distinguished Fellow at the Atlantic Council, will provide opening remarks and moderate the discussion.

Speakers

Brian O’Toole
Nonresident Senior Fellow
Atlantic Council

Ariane Tabatabai
Middle East Fellow
Alliance for Securing Democracy

Moderated by

Ambassador Daniel Fried
Weiser Family Distinguished Fellow
Atlantic Council