As indirect talks between America and Iran continue in Vienna, reports indicate the Biden administration is considering a major rollback of sanctions against Iran.
Why it matters: This could include lifting sanctions on Iran for its terrorism, missile development and human rights violations, in addition to nuclear-specific sanctions.
Meanwhile, Iran continues to ramp up its aggression in the region and further prove that the regime cannot be trusted.
Just this week...
Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps ships swarmed two U.S. military vessels while they were patrolling international waters.
This is the second time in a month that Iran has used fast-attack boats to harass U.S. Navy and Coast Guard vessels.
Reports emerged that Russia and Iran are working togetherto protect Iranian shipments of precision-guided missiles (PGMs) to its proxies in Syria and Lebanon.
Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, in a leaked tape, lamented the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' control of Iranian government policies and said decisions are frequently dictated by the IRGC.
Iran is the root of all American and Israeli challenges in the Middle East.
America must make clear to Iran that it cannot achieve sanctions relief by threats and raising tensions.
Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas postponed parliamentary elections that had been scheduled for next month.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is preparing for possible unrest following the announcement.
Between the lines: While Abbas blamed Israel for the delay, the reality is he is afraid of losing to Hamas.
Abbas' Fatah party remains split with multiple factions planning to run in the election. Palestinian infighting and division has led to 15 years of no elections.
Hamas is recognized as a terrorist organization by the United States and European Union. Its 2006 election victory was a major setback for the U.S. goals of peace, democracy and stability for the region.
The way forward: The U.S. must insist that an unreformed Hamas is not included in any election or government coalition.
Why it matters: Lifesaving systems like Iron Dome are a byproduct of U.S.-Israel cooperation and the annual security assistance we lobby Congress for each year.
Context: Last week, a bipartisan letter was sent to the House Appropriations Committee leadership with 331 congressional signatures — more than 75 percent of the House — reaffirming America's commitment to Israel's security.
Yes, but: Just a week earlier, Rep. Betty McCollum introduced a new bill in the House to add political restrictions on that vital security assistance.
Top American and Israeli national security officials met in Washington this week to discuss Iran's nuclear program and regional aggression.
What happened: In the latest meeting of the U.S.-Israel Iran working group, U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan briefed his Israeli counterpart Meir Ben-Shabbat on the nuclear negotiations in Vienna.
During the meeting, Sullivan emphasized strong U.S. interest in consulting closely with Israel on the nuclear issue going forward.
The U.S. and Israel established another inter-agency working groupto focus on the production and proliferation of Iranian drones and precision-guided missiles in the region.
The way forward: America must work closely with our regional allies most threatened by Iran.
Israel's IsraAID is sending a large shipment of medical aid to India to help with COVID-19.
The Israelis will provide oxygen machines and essential hospital supplies, help with technology and data-processing solutions, and assist with mental health trauma.
The big picture: This effort is only the latest of example of IsraAID helping to combat the pandemic.
Last month, it sent a delegation to Eswatini to advise on vaccine rollout, and in early 2020 it provided medical supplies and training to hospitals in China.
The bottom line: When disasters strike and people need healthcare and humanitarian support, our partner Israel is there.
