How Iran is countering Trump's new sanctions

"Iran has very strong ties with Russia, China, India, and also Turkey," Sanam Vakil told VICE News Tonight on HBO. "Those four countries together are going to be very important to help Iran buffer against sanctions to maintain the flow of oil sales, which is really the most important thing that Iran needs in order to keep revenue coming into into its markets."

Donald Trump's sanctions on Iran will not change the regime. It will push millions into poverty

Sanam Vakil weighed in on U.S.-Iran relations in the wake of the latest moves towards increased sanctions. "There is a faction that does not believe that there should be any negotiations entered into with the US. And sanctions will reinforce this belief," said Vakil.

Italy is fast approaching a key deadline that will test its market credibility

As Italy prepares its latest budget, Erik Jones discussed its importance and the potential roadblocks with CNBC, including the diverging economic goals of the Five Star Movement and Lega. "This budget is a critical test of the credibility of the government in the eyes of market participants," said Jones, noting that it also presents an opportunity as "a test of how well the coalition partners stick together."

A dangerous moment for Iran; Portugal's revival

As a guest on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Extra Podcast, Sanam Vakil spoke about the effect of U.S. sanction on Iran and what it means for Iran's internal political situation.

Did Iran threaten war with US and what does Trump's reaction mean?

In light of recent comments coming from US President Trump in response to a speech given by Iranian President Rouhani, Sanam Vakil analyzes what the back and forth truly means for US-Iran relations. “I don't want to downplay the comments, as escalation is always possible and hostile rhetoric can have serious consequences, but these remarks come in the context of US domestic politics,” said Vakil. “On the Iranian side, the mindset from both more pragmatist and hardline politicians is that the Trump administration is so unpredictable it may be better to wait out his term and hope he doesn't get re-elected, rather than rise to any bait.”

Asia leads the world's response to protectionism

Michael Plummer and colleague Peter Petri were published in the Nikkei Asian Review discussing recent economic proposals coming from Asia just days after Japan and the European Union signed a comprehensive trade deal. Plummer and Petri write that the Asian approach is significant in that “it answers conflict with cooperation.“ “Asia's multilateral strategy is neither protectionist nor self-defeating - it will generate economic benefits for participating countries and the world as a whole,” they conclude.

Brexit scenarios: Toward the endgame

Michael Leigh, in his role as guest expert writing for Geopolitical Intellgience Services, provides the latest insight into the Brexit negotiations and the most likely scenarios. Given the fragility of the governing coalition, Leigh notes that the possibility of a "smooth" transition is all but lost. Further delays and even the no deal option appear more and more credible, Leigh concludes.

Iran on the Brink: Challenges and Opportunities for Washington

Sanam Vakil, writing for the Hoover Institution, explains the many challenges facing Iran in light of heightened U.S. pressure and divisive internal conflicts. Nonetheless, Vakil argues in this extensive essay that the situation presents an opportunity for the Trump administration to engage in a way that downgrades tensions despite recent rhetoric coming from Wasington.

EU needs common vision, patchwork will not help

Erik Jones recently spoke on the EU's need for a common vision and how recent efforts have lacked in substance despite the rhetoric. "Difference and vision are not the same thing, and so we have spent much of the last year trying to figure out which parts of the buffet are going to be taken up and which are going to be left behind," said Jones. "Europe's leaders have no shared vision of what they are trying to accomplish through integration in broad terms"

Michael Plummer to Address the National University of Singapore's 2018 ASEAN Law Academy

Michael Plummer will travel to Singapore later this month to participate in the inaugural ASEAN Law Academy hosted by the National University of Singapore. Plummer will lead discussions with ASEAN government officials and regional practitioners on ASEAN economic integration in the regional context.