Sanctions: A Bipartisan Weapon, Regardless of the Target
THE ACTORS: Who benefits from the "Iran is always a loser" narrative? Kim Ghattas (Author, Financial Times): Contributes to a narrative that reinforces existing policy frameworks, focusing on the plight of the Iranian people without critically examining the architecture of their suffering. Trump Administration Officials (and successive administrations): Those advocating for 'maximum pressure'
sanctions, and subsequently, 'tough negotiations,' consistently benefit from a public perception that Iran is an intractable foe and its people are merely caught in the crossfire. This allows for continuation of sanctions policies. Neoconservative Think Tanks and Lobbying Groups: Organizations like the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee
(AIPAC) have consistently pushed for increased sanctions and maintained a hawkish stance on Iran, regardless of diplomatic overtures. THE FUNDING: Who pays for the persistent pressure? AIPAC: Reported spending over $25 million in lobbying in 2022 alone, advocating for policies often aligned with maintaining pressure on Iran. Their annual policy conference draws significant political figures,
reinforcing a consistent posture. Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD): A non-partisan research institute that has advocated for aggressive sanctions against Iran. The FDD received significant funding from figures like casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, who publicly advocated for military strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities in 2013, underscoring the financial commitment to a specific hardline