Concerns over the coronavirus outbreak in China, the world’s largest oil importing country, pushed down oil prices, while the market failed to react to a near collapse in Libyan oil production, the continued absence of Iranian barrels, and other disruptions.
Washington and Tehran are likely to face old problems in 2020, in which there is equal likelihood of military confrontation and negotiations between the two adversaries.
In 1993, the Palestinians, Israelis, and the United States all signed a Declaration of Principles that laid out the basic framework of the peace process, including five final-status issues. All of them have now been abrogated by the United States.
On January 20, Major General Hossein Salami, chief commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, appointed Brigadier General Mohammad Hossein-Zadeh Hejazi as deputy chief of the Qods Force.
صفقة ترامب للسلام تمهد لاستيلاء إسرائيل على المزيد من أراضي الفلسطينيين، وتشعل فتيل النزاع وإراقة المزيد من الدماء
In the Media
AP: Kristin Smith Diwan commented on Saudi Arabia’s response to the Trump administration’s Israeli-Palestinian peace plan. Hussein Ibish also addressed the Saudi reaction for Le Monde.
Vox: Ibish discussed the implications of the peace plan for Palestinians. He additionally discussed the political consequences of the plan for Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for Business Insider.
The Hill: Ali Alfoneh commented on Iran’s new Quds Force commander Brigadier General Ismail Qaani.
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: Alfoneh discussed a report by Iran’s Fars News Agency concerning foreign operations by the Quds Force.
KERA Think: In an interview with KERA, North Texas' PBS and NPR member station, Silliman discussed U.S. strategy in the Middle East and potential for improving relations with Iran.
