Columnist

Joseph Braude

Middle East specialist Joseph Braude is the author of Broadcasting Change: Arabic Media as a Catalyst for Liberalism (Rowman & Littlefield). He is Advisor to the Al-Mesbar Center for Research and Studies and tweets@josephbraude.

Latest Articles

  • By Joseph Braude

    Iran Turns Its Economic Hopes to China — But Its Hopes May be Dashed

    The American sanctions campaign continues to have devastating effects on Iranian commerce. Europe and India are pivoting to alternate supplies of oil and cutting their own exports to Iran. Tehran now pins its hopes on China not following suit — yet economic data for the last two months appears to...

  • By Joseph Braude

    Iranian Oil Smuggling and Naval Piracy Fail to Blunt Sanctions

    As Washington’s net of sanctions continues to tighten, Iran has mounted a campaign of naval and diplomatic brinkmanship toward America’s Arab and European allies. Despite these efforts — and a sophisticated Iranian oil smuggling campaign in Asia — American sanctions are dealing the Iranian...

  • By Joseph Braude

    Iran and the West: Stalemate in the Gulf and Negotiated Settlement in Doubt

    Iran and the West remain locked in a stalemate as the British and Iranian navies continue to hold oil tankers, each carrying the other’s flag. When the UK resisted Iranian demands to accede to a swap, Tehran responded with a familiar mix of threats and invitations to negotiate. IRAN AND BRITA...

  • By Joseph Braude

    If Iran Thought Military Escalation in the Gulf Would Trigger Negotiations with the West, it Thought Wrong

    Last week the Iranian navy launched a surprise attack on British shipping, seizing an oil tanker near the Strait of Hormuz. As if sensing overreach, figures from across Iran’s political spectrum almost immediately began calling for dialogue and de-escalation. Meanwhile, Western leaders hardened...

  • By Joseph Braude

    EU Works to Save Unraveling Nuclear Deal with Iran Amid Tensions in the Gulf

    The European Union’s Foreign Ministers are making a last-ditch push to save the JCPOA, battered by the US withdrawal last year and Iran’s escalating violations of the limits on its nuclear program in the last two weeks. Prospects for their efforts appear dim, further aggravated by a standoff be...

  • By Joseph Braude

    Iran Goads West into Tightening Containment

    Iran broke new ground this week by breaching the JCPOA’s limits on enriching uranium. In so doing, it inspired a backlash from the White House, Senate Republicans, and EU foreign ministers. Each moved in different ways to counter Tehran’s altering of the nuclear status quo: the White House with...

  • By Joseph Braude

    U.S. and Israel Prepare for Intensified Conflict with Iran

    As elevated tensions between the U.S. and Iran enter their second consecutive month, American policymakers have been joined by their Israeli counterparts in outlining preparations for an intensified conflict. In Washington, some Republicans are calling for an end to sanction waivers that have so...

  • By Joseph Braude

    Iran Fumes As Washington Launches Counteroffensive

    President Trump surprised many in Washington and internationally when he abstained from responding militarily to Iranian attacks in international waters — but a more quiet American counterattack of cyber sabotage and targeted sanctions is underway, and the leadership in Tehran is incensed....

  • By Joseph Braude

    Washington Struggles to Form Consensus Following Iranian Attacks

    Controversy over the recent attacks on international shipping in the Gulf of Oman is dominating the American public discussion: The Trump administration and Congressional Republicans are pushing a hard line, while Democrats and much of the media are conflicted over whether to assign...

  • By Joseph Braude

    US-Mexico Trade Dispute Stokes Volatility Concerns

    American attention over the past two weeks has turned to President Trump’s dramatic move to impose tariffs on Mexican imports if the tide of migrants crossing the U.S.’s southern border continues. After nine days of anxious negotiations, an accommodation appears to have been reached, but one that...

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Opinion

Hezbollah’s Lebanese Allies Can Be Contained
By Hanin Ghaddar
Iranian Oil Smuggling and Naval Piracy Fail to Blunt Sanctions
By Joseph Braude
US-Iran Tensions: From Maximum Pressure to Maximum Leverage?
By Dennis Ross
Iran Goads West into Tightening Containment
By Joseph Braude
Iran Fumes As Washington Launches Counteroffensive
By Joseph Braude
The US-Russia-Israel Summit: Can Russia Push Iran Out of Syria?
By Hanin Ghaddar