Richard Nephew
Senior Research Scholar in the Faculty of International and Public Affairs; Adjunct Professor of International and Public Affairs
Personal Details
Richard Nephew joined SIPA's Center on Global Energy Policy February 1, 2015 directly from his role as Principal Deputy Coordinator for Sanctions Policy at the Department of State, a position he held since February 2013. Nephew also served as the lead sanctions expert for the U.S. team negotiating with Iran. From May 2011 to January 2013 Nephew served as the Director for Iran on the National Security Staff where he was responsible for managing a period of intense expansion of U.S. sanctions on Iran. Earlier in his career he served in the Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation at the State Department and in the Office of Nonproliferation and International Security at the Department of Energy. Nephew holds a Masters in Security Policy Studies and a Bachelors in International Affairs, both from The George Washington University.
Education
- MA in Security Policy Studies, The George Washington University
- BA in International Affairs, The George Washington University
In The Media
Joe Biden’s promised return to diplomacy with OPEC-members Iran and Venezuela could cut a path for a return of their oil exports should he win, but not before many months at least of talks and deal-making. Richard Nephew comments.
The president’s failures sanctioning Iran, North Korea, and Venezuela can inform future presidents, or even Trump during a second term. Richard Nephew comments.
The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action without U.S. sanctions relief and without Iranian nuclear concessions is meaningless states Richard Nephew.
The new head of the IAEA, Rafael Grossi, was the United States’ preferred candidate. As global tensions rise, he quickly needs to prove his independence. Richard Nephew says “If the IAEA was siding with the U.S. government all the time, it would immediately lose credibility."
After reports of Iran injecting uranium into secret government centrifuges came up, Richard Nephew says they are just one step closer to creating nuclear energy. "They’re getting closer and closer to muscle. They aren’t cutting fat right now.”