Counter-Terrorism and Commercial Interests: Do They Conflict?

This paper concentrates on whether there is an inherent conflict between commercial interests and the fight against state-sponsored terrorism.(1) It examines the differences between US and EU policy, particularly in relation to Iran; the roles of Russia and China and the wider impact of international responses. The author concludes that symbolic sanctions and sporadic dialogue are completely inadequate instruments, but that genuine international sanctions and critical dialogue should not be viewed as mutually exclusive policy instruments.