Iran poses loyalty test for 'British Trump' Johnson

As Boris Johnson took the reins of 10 Downing Street, Sanam Vakil advised Britain's new leader to "avoid the temptation to align completely with Washington on Iran"."Rather than conflating the ships and the nuclear crisis, a direct UK-Iran bilateral negotiation on the tankers could provide both sides with a face-saving outcome," Vakil said.

Will the moderate voices prevail in Greek politics?

Marcus Walsh-Führing writing for E Sharp asks if the moderate voices within Greek politics will prevail amidst the latest election results. In Greece, Walsh writes, "In the past, moderate politics have been able to win over populism." The important question, however, according to Walsh: will "the message of moderate politics address the needs and demands of Greek citizens?"

UK vows 'robust' action if Iran doesn't release British-flagged oil tanker

Sanam Vakil was interviewed on CNN International in response to the news of Iran seizing a British commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz. Watch the clip in which Vakil outlines Iran's potential motivations and the repercussions of this latest escalation in tensions.

Italy's Populist Government Is a Marriage of Convenience. How Long Can It Last?

Mark Gilbert penned an article in World Politics Review asking how long the alliance between the League and the Five Star Movement can last. "The stability of this rowdy coalition was in doubt from the moment it was formed," Gilbert states, but the divide is clearer than ever.

Contentious borders in the Middle East and North Africa: context and concepts

Raffaella Del Sarto's 2017 article in the journal International Affairs on the context and concept surrounding contentious borders in the Middle East and North Africa was selected as one of the top cited pieces of the last two years

Caught between US and Iran, Europe struggles with diplomacy

In the Washington Post Sanam Vakil discussed the position Europe finds itself in between the US and Iran in terms of saving the nuclear deal. "They are forced to walk a fine line, trying not to escalate the situation on either side as they seek a resolution between Tehran and Washington," Vakil noted. “This is very much an E3 process, but Macron is leading it because obviously the U.K. is in a period of leadership transition and Germany is taking a slightly less-visible role, but I think there is great unity here,” Vakil added.

Iran Announces New Breach of Nuclear Deal Limits and Threatens Further Violations

Sanam Vakil in the New York Times described the situation in Iran as they decide to further breach the nuclear deal. "It's a back-to-the-future moment," said Vakil, referring to the fact that the international community is again asking itself how to permanently prevent Iran's nuclear quest.

Explained: the difference between the RCEP and the CPTPP

The South China Morning Post recently explained the difference between the RCEP and the CPTPP, looking to Michael Plummer to clarify the differences between the two deals. "The RCEP could grow the global economy by more than US$285 billion annually – almost twice as much as the CPTPP – if it is in place by 2030," according to Plummer and colleague Peter Petri.

Public Law in Time of change?

Justin Frosini will participate in a panel at the 2019 ICON's conference in Santiago, Chile this week. Panelists will discuss a few themes Frosini debates in his 2012's book “Constitutional Preambles at a Crossroads between Politics and Law”.

Iran Risks Rift With Europe by Breaching Nuclear Deal Limit

Sanam Vakil weighed in on what Iran's decision to breach the nuclear deal could mean for Europe. The move was “carefully calibrated” by authorities and “isn't in itself dangerous because it can be reversed,” said Vakil. “It's the action and reaction and what comes next -- it's a step in what can be a slippery slope." European nations are “struggling to find a band aid” to keep the agreement alive, added Vakil.