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Author archiveJason M. Blazakis

Jason M. Blazakis is a Professor of Practice at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey, California. He previously directed the Office of Counterterrorism Finance and Designations at the U.S. Department of State.

Protesters demonstrate over the U.S. airstrike in Iraq that killed Iranian Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani in Tehran, Iran, Friday Jan. 3, 2020.

Commentary Iran White House Pentagon State Department

The US Recently Made a Smart Move Toward Iran. Killing Soleimani Wasn’t It

The decision to focus on Tehran’s proxies in the wake of the embassy attack was the right course.

BY Jason M. Blazakis READ NOW»

This Oct. 17, 2019, photo shows clouds of smoke from burning cars mar the skyline of Culiacan, Mexico. The Mexican city lived under drug cartel terror for 12 hours as gang members forced the government to free a drug lord.

Commentary Americas White House

Declaring Mexican Drug Cartels ‘Terrorists’ Is a Bad Old Idea

Trump and Obama policymakers rejected it because it brings no new tools to bear — and quite a few drawbacks.

BY Jason M. Blazakis READ NOW»