The State Department announced what appeared to be a significant step forward in relations between the U.S. and Sudan earlier this month, offering to lift Sudan’s terrorism sponsor designation if certain conditions are met. But the Trump administration’s stated justifications for re-engagement are flimsy at best.

President Donald Trump is again sending mixed signals, this time over sanctioning Iran. After reimposing economic sanctions this month and then immediately issuing waivers for Iran’s major oil and gas customers—but not the European Union—Trump is undermining his own aims while hurting trans-Atlantic ties.