The killing of Qassem Suleimani marks an important – and fraught – moment in the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran. The stage is set for an ugly tit-for-tat that risks escalation, with Iran acting through its proxies in the Middle East. Continue Reading
The exit from the INF appears more like a gesture than part of a well-considered long-term plan. There are few signs that the Trump administration has given substantial thought to how the United States can best protect its interests in a new and challenging international environment. Continue Reading
The good news: we managed to get through June and July without war in the Persian Gulf. The bad news: the risk of conflict remains high. Continue Reading
In a speech on May 21, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo laid out what was billed as the Trump administration’s new approach to Iran. His remarks, titled “After the Deal: A New Iran Strategy,” followed President Donald Trump’s May 8… Continue Reading
President Donald J. Trump has withdrawn the United States from the Iran nuclear agreement. Announcing his decision, the president declared, “This was a horrible, one-sided deal that should never, ever have been made.” The agreement – technically the Joint Comprehensive… Continue Reading
President Trump’s shake-up of his foreign policy team continues. He replaced Secretary of State Rex Tillerson with CIA director Mike Pompeo last week. On Thursday, Trump announced that he replaced national security advisor H.R. McMaster with John Bolton, a former… Continue Reading
In many ways, Rex Tillerson faced an uphill battle from the beginning. He struggled with a chaotic White House and a dysfunctional policymaking system. Tillerson may not have played his cards particularly well, but he was probably dealt a losing hand to begin with. Continue Reading