TRUMP FOREIGN POLICY - Targeting Iran

"The Trump administration’s unprecedented move on Iran" PBS NewsHour 4/8/2019

Excerpt

SUMMARY:  The Trump administration designated Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps a foreign terrorist organization Monday, with the goal of rendering the IRGC “radioactive” to other countries and organizations.  The unprecedented move represents one more step in the administration's ongoing “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran, but what does it mean for future attempts at diplomacy?  Nick Schifrin reports.

POLICY - Negotiating With Terrorists

IMHO:  I agree with not negotiating with terrorists because of all the stated reasons.  This policy does put current hostages in danger, but to negotiate (reward) WILL lead to more terrorist organizations endangering even more American or other Western citizens.

"Why U.S. policy toward negotiating with terrorists may be risking Americans’ lives" PBS NewsHour 3/4/2019

Excerpt

SUMMARY:  In “We Want to Negotiate: The Secret World of Kidnapping, Hostages and Ransom,” author Joel Simon analyzes hostage situations involving Westerners taken from Syria.  One example: American journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff, who were executed.  Judy Woodruff sits down with Foley's mother, Diane Foley, and author Simon to discuss why the U.S. might need to reconsider its negotiation policies.