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92. Syria in the US and Israeli debate on Iran
- Author:
- Shira Efron
- Publication Date:
- 11-2020
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- The Geneva Centre for Security Policy
- Abstract:
- With presidential elections in the United States underway in November 2020[1], the only possible scenarios for Washington in the Middle East are either continuation and solidification, or a change in its Iran policy, each with different potential impacts on the geopolitical conflict between the United States, Israel, and allied Arab countries on one side and Iran and its regional Axis-of-Resistance on the other. Analysing current convergences and divergences between the United States and Israel on Syria and Iran is important to anticipate potential changes in both countries’ positions following the US election, as such changes may impact the effectiveness and even the prospect of the continuation of the United States’ so-called ‘Maximum Pressure’ campaign. The policies of the two countries on Syria and Iran became varyingly intertwined as Iran entrenched itself deeply in Syria. Nonetheless, it is important to note that Israel and the United States differ in their approaches to tackling Syria. This contribution attempts to assess the US campaign against Iran, the cost it is likely to have inflicted upon it in Syria, and the outlook of an agreement with Iran. Although we are considering US policy on Iran, the analysis here also includes the Israeli perspective. Private conversations with Israeli current and former officials have provided important insights into how Israeli officials see US policy in Syria and vis-à-vis Iran, and can add a unique contribution to the dialogue. In this analysis, we sought to address several issues. First, whether there are any incentives for Iran to concede to US demands or reach a meaningful bargain, and whether under a Biden or Trump administration a new Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) could be renegotiated to include Iranian expansion in the region. We also examined the form and incentives structure that could entice Iran to offer a constructive contribution to the stability of Syria and the region. In addition, we assessed to what extent the Maximum Pressure campaign affects Iran, and whether targeting Syria with sanctions would incentivise both the Syrian government and the Syrian locals (who are working with Iran as fighters) to break with Iran. Finally, assuming that Iran is in Syria to protect its own interests, we question whether more threats to Tehran would lead to reduced presence in Syria.
- Topic:
- Security, Diplomacy, Military Strategy, Governance, Elections, and Leadership
- Political Geography:
- Iran, Middle East, Israel, Syria, North America, and United States of America
93. Explaining How Washington and the Election Works
- Author:
- Sean David Hobbs
- Publication Date:
- 09-2020
- Content Type:
- Journal Article
- Journal:
- Cairo Review of Global Affairs
- Institution:
- School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, American University in Cairo
- Abstract:
- In 2016, all predictions about the U.S. elections were wrong. Will Washington insiders get it right this time?
- Topic:
- Elections, Domestic Politics, Voting, and Models
- Political Geography:
- North America and United States of America
94. Sustainable Humanism Needed
- Author:
- Peter J. Jacques
- Publication Date:
- 09-2020
- Content Type:
- Journal Article
- Journal:
- Cairo Review of Global Affairs
- Institution:
- School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, American University in Cairo
- Abstract:
- COVID-19 has become a central election issue, but to overcome this urgent health crisis America needs to tune out the echo chambers that repeat medical misinformation and conspiracies.
- Topic:
- Elections, Public Health, Sustainability, Pandemic, COVID-19, Misinformation, and Health Crisis
- Political Geography:
- North America and United States of America
95. Abortion and the Political Futures of Women’s Rights
- Author:
- Andrew Delatolla
- Publication Date:
- 09-2020
- Content Type:
- Journal Article
- Journal:
- Cairo Review of Global Affairs
- Institution:
- School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, American University in Cairo
- Abstract:
- Gender and women’s rights have been divisive issues in U.S. domestic politics, particularly when it comes to abortion. How has the Trump administration handled these issues and will the 2020 U.S. election serve as a continuation of these policies?
- Topic:
- Gender Issues, Health, Governance, Elections, Women, Feminism, and Abortion
- Political Geography:
- North America and United States of America
96. What does a Trump or Biden presidency mean for Israel and Palestine?
- Author:
- Khaled Elgindy
- Publication Date:
- 10-2020
- Content Type:
- Journal Article
- Journal:
- Cairo Review of Global Affairs
- Institution:
- School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, American University in Cairo
- Abstract:
- Next month’s election may be instrumental in salvaging what hope remains for a two-state solution.
- Topic:
- Foreign Policy, Diplomacy, Territorial Disputes, Elections, and Voting
- Political Geography:
- Israel, Palestine, North America, and United States of America
97. 2020 Election: Achieving a Safe, Accessible, and Credible Election during COVID-19
- Author:
- Committee for Economic Development of the Conference Board
- Publication Date:
- 09-2020
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- The Conference Board
- Abstract:
- The 2020 general election is already underway, with absentee ballots being mailed out and collected in some states. And what seemed worryingly possible in the spring is now inevitable: the COVID-19 pandemic will be an important factor in the conduct of this fall’s election. Every community must address the public health threat and facilitate safe participation. Policymakers, election officials, and business leaders must ensure that voters need not choose between exercising their franchise and protecting their health, and that the election itself does not further spread COVID-19.1 The Committee for Economic Development of The Conference Board (CED) strongly believes that transparent, fair, and accessible elections are fundamental to the confidence of US citizens in their government and its leadership, and to the long-term health of the US economy. In May, June, and July, CED called on Congress to provide states with funding to conduct a safe, accessible, and credible election in the midst of a pandemic. With the election in progress, and Election Day less than two months away, the states and local communities, with or without federal support—including leaders in the business community—must act to meet those goals. As explained in this Solutions Brief, there is still time to protect voters and poll workers and maintain trust in the conduct and outcome of elections. Fortunately, effective measures are already in force in pockets of the country, with states and election officials needing only to replicate the best preparations and practices nationwide. This brief outlines recommendations policymakers should adopt to improve operations in their jurisdictions. Given the public health challenges involved, business leaders will also play a critical role in protecting their employees, customers, and communities during a successful election. To the extent possible, business leaders should take the concrete steps outlined in the brief to assist in the election effort.
- Topic:
- Elections, Economy, Business, Domestic Politics, and COVID-19
- Political Geography:
- North America and United States of America
98. What to Expect: The Biden Health Care Program
- Author:
- Committee for Economic Development of the Conference Board
- Publication Date:
- 11-2020
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- The Conference Board
- Abstract:
- During the primary campaign, Biden engaged in a lively debate over the future of the US health care system with the other Democratic contenders. No candidate for the Democratic nomination expressed satisfaction with the current system; the differences among the candidates centered on the degree of change that they advocated. The dissatisfactions of all of the candidates included the cost of and access to care, as well as the quality of care that Americans receive. Several of candidate Biden’s opponents advocated a fundamental shift to a “Medicare for All” program, which would abolish private insurance outright and instead put every American onto an administered-price, fee-for-service system like today’s traditional Medicare, with broad coverage of services (adding vision, dental and long-term care coverage) and no (or very low) deductibles and copayments. (Even the current popular Medicare Advantage program would be abolished, and all of its senior enrollees would be forced onto Medicare for All.) Then in the general election campaign, President Donald Trump tried to associate former Vice President Biden with the Medicare for All proposal, but the Vice President countered aggressively that he had campaigned and won against Medicare for All in the primaries.
- Topic:
- Health Care Policy, Elections, Domestic Politics, and Joe Biden
- Political Geography:
- North America and United States of America
99. Coronavirus Policy Under a Biden Administration
- Author:
- Committee for Economic Development of the Conference Board
- Publication Date:
- 11-2020
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- The Conference Board
- Abstract:
- now appears almost certain that former Vice President Joe Biden will assume the office of President on January 20 of next year. The President-elect today announced the membership of a new thirteenmember advisory board of non-governmental experts to develop recommendations so that they can be implemented by his new Administration, further emphasizing that this is the priority focus of his transition. This memo, covering the handling of the coronavirus pandemic, is the first in a series of short pieces to explain what you can expect from the new Administration. Candidate Biden’s campaign laid out in considerable detail a five-point program (counting the number of major headings in the document; some news outlets specified six) for how he would attack the pandemic, which was claimed to be sharply different from the practices under the Trump Administration. President-elect Biden yesterday stood up his new transition website, with what is now characterized as a seven-point plan, which is shorter (a little more than one-seventh the word count) and less-detailed than the campaign document. And the President-elect today announced the membership of a new thirteen-member advisory board of non-governmental experts to develop these recommendations so that they can be implemented by his new Administration.
- Topic:
- Health Care Policy, Elections, Public Health, COVID-19, and Joe Biden
- Political Geography:
- North America and United States of America
100. 2020 Thematic Brief: Trump Investigations
- Author:
- Third Way
- Publication Date:
- 09-2020
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Third Way
- Abstract:
- President Trump’s governing style deviates dramatically from the approaches followed by his predecessors. His propensity to ask for foreign interference in American elections, lack of transparency, erratic decision making, political retaliation, and potential self-dealing has led to over 300 House congressional hearings and more than 900 oversight letters into his actions.It has also resulted in federal criminal investigations into Trump associates, and criminal and civil investigations in New York state, where the Trump Organization is headquartered
- Topic:
- Elections, Justice, Foreign Interference, Election Interference, and Investigations
- Political Geography:
- North America and United States of America