Delaney

My latest in @ForeignPolicy. Trump has promised to lift sanctions on Syria. I explain why it's not that easy to fully end the sanctions—and their effects. foreignpolicy.com/2025/06/02/tru…

Negotiations start today at the Security Council on whether or not to lift the arms embargo on South Sudan. In the @The_EastAfrican last week, @jongethon and I argue why lifting it after recent escalations would be reckless. theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/opinion/co…

I'm eager to see sanctions relief in Syria, and hopeful we're headed that way. But let's not let the sanctions debate obscure other economic priorities that must proceed in parallel: building up local institutions, bolstering rule of law, & ramping up humanitarian aid.

Tune in to my interview on the @CBC with Canadian journalism legend Susan Ormiston. I discuss with the great @edwardfishman and @AndreaCharron whether economic punishment actually shapes behavior — or just creates diplomatic noise.🎙️ Listen here: cbc.ca/listen/live-ra…

Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei took office in 1989. Over that period, the IRI's security doctrine has been shaped around three key elements: Regional networks. Missile development. A nuclear program dialed up to threshold status. 9 months - and 9 days - that upended that…

U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to end sanctions on Syria is welcome news. But as @delaneysimon explains, challenges loom in rolling them back. crisisgroup.org/middle-east-no…

“Past administrations removed sanctions on pariah nations incrementally, and always in exchange for painstakingly negotiated actions from the sanctioned parties.” @delaneysimon explains the novelty of Trump’s approach to lifting sanctions on Syria. foreignpolicy.com/2025/06/02/tru…

Lifting of SST - if/if true - is a massive deal. But getting the private sector and banking world to go back to Syria will require @treasury and @StateDept to signal that it’s a meaningful and long term shift that won’t immediately yo yo back to have a meaningful impact on #Syria

1/x A lot useful in this @AP article about divisions emerging wrt the Administration's views on how (and probably in some cases whether) to implement rapid sanctions relief: apnews.com/article/syria-…

I told @MEDialogues how ending sanctions on Syria will not be easy. Trump has a heavy bureaucratic and political lift ahead. "If he stays the course, he will have made Syria’s future far brighter than it would have been otherwise. I hope he does.”

From billion-dollar deals to lifting sanctions on #Syria. What were the key takeaways from #Trump's visit to #SaudiArabia, the #UAE, and #Qatar? #MEDThisWeek → ispionline.it/en/publication…

So it begins. I’ve also heard folks in Congress are beginning to draft language for repealing different sanctions they’ve passed previously, including Caesar.

#Syria's president branded #Trump's decision to lift US #sanctions on his country "historic and courageous". What benefits will Trump & Sharaa reap from this unprecedented step? Latest for @AFP naharnet.com/stories/en/312… @aronlund @delaneysimon

I told the @washingtonpost that Trump's decision to lift sanctions on Syria, seemingly without conditions, is unprecedented. Full relief won't be easy. “President Trump has a tough road ahead to make good on this commitment, but he should persevere.” washingtonpost.com/world/2025/05/…

A few reflections on Trump's "cessation" of sanctions on Syria; what it might mean and what it doesn't mean. Either way, this is very much worth celebrating! We deserve a fresh start. Congratulations everyone!!