In order to educate the public ahead of the consequential April 19 New York State primary election, the AIC and Marymount Manhattan College invited Dr. James Zogby, a surrogate for the Sanders campaign, and Mr. Richard Nephew, an advisor to the Clinton campaign, to speak at a major event. Each speaker outlined his candidate's Middle East foreign policy and took questions from the audience.

The topics they covered included the nuclear accord, sanctions, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, America's relationship with Saudi Arabia, the fight against ISIS, the Syrian civil war, and the prospect for normalized US-Iran relations.

The relationship between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran has often been referred to as a regional Cold War. Their open hostility significantly increased as a result of the recent execution of Shi’a cleric Nimr Baqir al-Nimr. With this tension in mind, the AIC and Marymount Manhattan College will feature a discussion with Dr. David Ottaway to explore the sources of the conflict and the prospects for reconciliation.

By David Mortlock
December 23, 2015

The U.S. government has developed unprecedented new measures over the past half decade:  the use of secondary sanctions on Iran; the easing of sanctions on Burma in a way that continues to encourage policy goals; and the restrictions on financing on Russia.  This increased sophistication makes sanctions a more calibrated and cost-effective tool for government, but also puts a greater burden on the private sector to comply with increasingly complex restrictions.  Sanctions also place an exceptional burden on the private sector because they are driven, not by regulation of an industry, but by foreign policy crises. As a result, changes are less predictable and the interests and motivations of the government may not be immediately obvious to private actors. The next Administration, whether Republican or Democrat, will almost certainly turn to sanctions with increasing frequency.

The attacks in Paris and Beirut have dominated headlines and prompted many to search for answers to key questions. How can we counter ISIS and Islamist extremism? What are the roots and causes that led to the rise of the so-called Islamic State? To what extent is this organization Islamic? What should the United States do about it?

To help elucidate these complex issues, the American Iranian Council and Marymount Manhattan College have organized an event featuring Ambassador Dennis Ross, moderated by Dr. Hooshang Amirahmadi

AIC Policy Advisor Dr. Alidad Mafinezam gave an address on Capitol Hill at an event hosted by the National Council on US-Arab Relations on the Iranian nuclear deal. Dr. Mafinezam argued that the Gulf states should welcome an Iranian nuclear deal because it will reduce Iran’s threat perception that revolves around the United States.

AIC Conference at the Willard Hotel in Washington D.C. Speakers include, Senator Bennett Johnston, Professor Shireen Hunter and Ambassador John Limbert.

Professor Richard Bulliet speaks at an AIC Conference at the Metropolitan Club in New York City.

Ambassador William Miller speaks at an AIC Conference at the Metropolitan Club in New York City.

Ambassador Robert Hunter speaks at an AIC Conference at the Metropolitan Club in New York City.

AIC Conference at the Metropolitan Club in New York City, featuring Professor Richard Bulliet and Ambassadors Robert Hunter and William Miller.

During the last three decades, the United States and Iran, despite continued animosity, have on many occasions tried to negotiate, and at times have even come together on a negotiation table. However, none of these attempts could be sustained and today both countries struggle to engage substantially on the issues that divide them.

Ambassador James Dobbins, Director, RAND International Security and Defense Policy Center speaking at the joint conference of AIC and ACMCU titled: Breaking the Impasse Between Iran and the United States. Amb. James Dobbins discusses Opening Address: Coping with a Nuclearizing Iran.

Professor Paul Pillar, Former National Intelligence Officer for the Near East and South Asia speaking at the joint conference of AIC and ACMCU titled: Breaking the Impasse Between Iran and the United States.  Prof. Paul Pillar discusses The Nuclear Weapons Issue in Perspective.

Professor Hooshang Amirahmadi, President, American Iranian Council speaking at the joint conference of AIC and ACMCU titled: Breaking the Impasse Between Iran and the United States. Prof. Hooshang Amirahmadi, discusses Nuclear Talks: A Huge Commotion for What?

Mr. Hooman Majd, Author, Journalist, and commentator on Iranian affairs speaking at the joint conference of AIC and ACMCU titled: Breaking the Impasse Between Iran and the United States. Mr. Hooman Majd, discusses "Misunderestimating" Iran.

Ambassador Robert Hunter, Former US Ambassador to NATO speaking at the joint conference of AIC and ACMCU titled: Breaking the Impasse Between Iran and the United States. Amb. Robert Hunter discusses Closing Address: US-Iran: Changing the Dynamics.

AIC Conference at Georgetown University's Alwaleed bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding, featuring Ambassadors Robert Hunter and James Dobbins, Professor Paul Pillar and Mr. Hooman Majd.

Dr. Hooshang Amirahmadi argues that it has almost become impossible for the U.S. and Iran to maintain the status quo, which Dr. Amirahmadi calls a no war, no peace stalemate.

In this panel, speakers will discuss some of the key forces competing for power in Iran's upcoming parliamentary elections. The March 2012 elections for the ninth parliament since the Islamic Revolution in Iran will take place under the shadow of international sanctions and the threat of war.

In this panel, speakers will discuss some of the key forces competing for power in Iran's upcoming parliamentary elections. The March 2012 elections for the ninth parliament since the Islamic Revolution in Iran will take place under the shadow of international sanctions and the threat of war.

Recent developments in the Middle East have changed the context of US-Iran relations. While past grievances remain, this transformation has given rise to new opportunities as well as constraints. Mr. Emad Kiyaei, AIC Executive Director, spoke at AIC panel discussion looking at possible direction in the US-Iran relations.

Recent developments in the Middle East have changed the context of US-Iran relations. While past grievances remain, this transformation has given rise to new opportunities as well as constraints. Dr. Scott Hibbard, Professor of Political Science at DePaul University, spoke at AIC panel discussion looking at possible direction in the US-Iran relations.

Then Senator Joe Biden speaks at AIC Conference held in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, filmed by C-SPAN 2.

Former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright delivers keynote address at AIC Conference in D.C., filmed by C-SPAN.

Following recent elections in Iran, Ambassador Hosseinian spoke about the prospects for improved relations between Iran and the U.S. Among the issues he addressed were fighting terrorism, nuclear nonproliferation, and economic ties between the countries.