Five reasons why US ‘maximum pressure’ on Iran has backfired

New Atlanticist Mar 18, 2025

The Gaza cease-fire is over. What’s next from Israel, Hamas, and the US?

By Atlantic Council experts

In the early hours of March 18, Israel launched air strikes on Gaza, ending the two-month cease-fire. Atlantic Council experts answer pressing questions about the resumed conflict.
Conflict Israel
Five reasons why US ‘maximum pressure’ on Iran has backfired

New Atlanticist Mar 17, 2025

Enough carrots for Putin. For better negotiations, serve ‘maximum pressure’ instead.

By Benjamin L. Schmitt, Richard L. Morningstar, and Daniel Fried

Since Russia appears content for negotiations to move slowly, the Trump administration should turn up the pressure with new sanctions.
Conflict Economic Sanctions
Five reasons why US ‘maximum pressure’ on Iran has backfired

Issue Brief Mar 13, 2025

Present without impact? How the Middle East perceives China’s diplomatic engagement

By Jonathan Fulton

Despite economic advancements and high-profile diplomatic engagements, China’s influence remains largely economic rather than political, Jonathan Fulton argues.
China Economy & Business

Content

IranSource

May 14, 2020

Five reasons why US ‘maximum pressure’ on Iran has backfired

By Barbara Slavin

Sanctions imposed by the Trump administration have contributed to a disastrous contraction of the Iranian economy, but they have failed to alter Iranian policies for the better; indeed, they have made things much worse.

Politics & Diplomacy
gtc abstract image of connected flows

GeoTech Cues

May 13, 2020

Expert survey series: Societal and geopolitical changes in a post-COVID-19 world

By Stewart Scott

In the third installment of biweekly surveys sent from the Atlantic Council’s Geotech Center to a community of technology experts, we analyze how respondents believe COVID-19 and national responses to it will shape economies and societies.

Civil Society Coronavirus

In the News

May 13, 2020

Åslund quoted by The Washington Post on Ukraine’s IMF prospects

By Atlantic Council

Corruption English

New Atlanticist

May 13, 2020

Poland divided over elections and COVID restrictions

By Tomasz Zalewski

Poland has begun to ease its COVID lockdown, but Poles remain unsure if the benefits of reopening outwweigh the potential costs.

Coronavirus Elections

UkraineAlert

May 13, 2020

Ukraine approves crucial anti-oligarch banking law

By Anders Åslund

Ukrainian MPs have adopted legislation to prevent former owners regaining banks nationalized during recent reforms. The move is a blow to Ukrainian oligarch Ihor Kolomoiskiy and paves the way for a new IMF program.

Corruption Economy & Business

In the News

May 13, 2020

Kroenig in Foreign Policy: The United States Should Not Align with Russia to Counter China

By Atlantic Council

On May 13, Foreign Policy published an op-ed by Scowcroft Center Deputy Director Matthew Kroenig in which he argues the United States should not align with Russia to counter China. Instead, the United States should leverage its democratic advantages and work with allies to counter both Russia and China. While Russia and China may be […]

China Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

May 13, 2020

Lipner quoted in Jewish Insider on Pompeo’s visit to Israel

By Atlantic Council

Israel Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

May 13, 2020

Iraq’s new prime minister must manage expectations

By Rend Al-Rahim

There is one that Mustafa al-Kadhimi must be the most cautious in tackling—the management of expectations.

Iraq Middle East

New Atlanticist

May 12, 2020

Will India amend its approach to Afghanistan peace?

By Javid Ahmad

As India considers its next steps in Afghanistan, it may well conclude that it can no longer remain a mere spectator in peace efforts. This may include more aggressive calls for a humanitarian ceasefire, seeking more clarity about Pakistan’s role in the peace process, and possibly seeking an observer role in the future intra-Afghan talks

Afghanistan Conflict

UkraineAlert

May 12, 2020

Can Saakashvili rescue Ukraine’s reform agenda?

By Peter Dickinson

President Zelenskyy has appointed former Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili to lead Ukraine's National Reform Council. What might this appointment mean for the country's stuttering reform agenda?

Democratic Transitions Political Reform
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Experts

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Peter Mandaville

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Freedom and Prosperity Center

Civil Society Freedom and Prosperity

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Osman Haneef

Head of LBS Startup Incubator & Senior Manager of Ventures, London Business School

Millennium Leadership Program

Entrepreneurship Rule of Law

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Nic Adams

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Energy & Environment Middle East

Fellow

Daniel P. Erikson

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Economy & Business International Organizations

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Alina L. Romanowski

Distinguished Fellow

Iraq Initiative Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Economy & Business Geopolitics & Energy Security

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Linas Kojala

CEO, Geopolitics and Security Studies Center

Europe & Eurasia Politics & Diplomacy
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Online Event Tue, August 26, 2025 • 10:00 am ET

Accountability now: Liability for spyware harms
Politics & Diplomacy Rule of Law
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Understanding IMEC: A pathway to connectivity amid global uncertainty
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