The ‘Caesar Act’ has no teeth and is not about Assad
This new round of sanctions is targeted at anyone doing business with Bashar al-Assad, including Lebanon, a country that’s already dealing with economic crisis of its own.
Joe Macaron is a Resident Fellow at Arab Center, Washington DC primarily focusing his research on U.S. strategy, international relations, and conflict analysis in the Middle East. He pays particular attention to the countries of the Levant and Iraq. Macaron’s previous analyst roles include the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point, the Issam Fares Center in Lebanon, and the Colin Powell Center for Policy Studies at the City College of New York. A former journalist, he also advised the International Monetary Fund on public engagement in the Middle East and served in different capacities in the United Nations system. Macaron contributes his analysis widely to Arab and international print, online, and broadcast media. He holds a MA in International Relations from the City University of New York.
This new round of sanctions is targeted at anyone doing business with Bashar al-Assad, including Lebanon, a country that’s already dealing with economic crisis of its own.
Jordan’s reaction to Israel’s looming annexation of parts of the West Bank might redefine the kingdom’s relations with both Israel and the United States.
Since the killing of Qassem Soleimani, Iran has shifted to a custom-made strategy that mixes political and military tactics in Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq.
Key Arab countries are attempting to regain influence in Syria, but because of U.S.-Russian tension their diplomatic success might end up being limited.