Moxie Returning to US Foreign Policy?

U.S. National Security Adviser Michael Flynn

U.S. Warns Iran after Ballistic Missile Launch

U.S. National Security Adviser Michael T. Flynn said:
"Recent Iranian actions, including a provocative ballistic missile launch and an attack against a Saudi naval vessel conducted by Iran-supported Houthi militants, underscore...Iran's destabilizing behavior across the Middle East. The recent ballistic missile launch is also in defiance of UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which calls upon Iran 'not to undertake any activity related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons, including launches using such ballistic missile technology.'"
    
"Tehran's malign actions includ[e]...weapons transfers, support for terrorism, and other violations of international norms. The Trump Administration condemns such actions by Iran that undermine security, prosperity, and stability throughout and beyond the Middle East and place American lives at risk....Iran is now feeling emboldened. As of today, we are officially putting Iran on notice."  
(White House)

Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY)

House Leaders: Review Policy on Iran - Barney Breen-Portnoy
     
Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY) said,
"Iran needs to suffer consequences for its dangerous behavior....We should slam the door, be firm with them and make them understand that we're not going to put up with their nonsense."

He added that "one of the ways we can show Iran we mean business is we can keep up our close alliance with Israel." 
(Algemeiner)


U.S. Warns Palestinian Leaders Against Suing Israel in International Courts
- Jack Khoury

The U.S. has warned Palestinian leaders that suing Israel in international courts would trigger severe steps including the closure of PLO offices in Washington and an end to economic aid to the Palestinian Authority. A high-ranking Palestinian source told Ha'aretz that President Trump signed an order to execute a congressional resolution, passed in 2015, to bar the transfer of any funds to the Palestinian Authority were it to initiate any investigation against Israel at the World Court or support such an investigation.

"Messages arriving from Washington in recent days made clear that any such step by the Palestinians would lead to a severe American reaction, so much so that some talked about returning the PLO to the list of terrorist organizations," said the Palestinian source. Palestinian leaders consider the messages from Washington an attempt to sabotage the Palestinian strategy of recent years which involves international diplomacy. 
(Ha'aretz)
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UPDATE:

Trump's Push Back Against Iran - Liz Sly and Loveday Morris

Any misgivings America's Sunni Arab allies may have had about Trump's anti-Muslim rhetoric have been dwarfed by their enthusiasm for an American president they believe will push back against Iran.
(Washington Post)
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