We Need a Long-Term Strategy to Deal With Iran
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TL;DR
- The conflict between Washington and Tehran began decades ago with the birth of a revolutionary Iranian movement aimed at combating American influence.
- Iran's leaders are refusing meaningful concessions, emboldened by their survival and newfound sense of deterrence.
- President Trump should avoid impulsive grand bargains and focus on a long-term strategy for dealing with Iran.
- Any diplomatic agreement is unlikely to achieve lasting peace or compel Iran to make significant arms-control commitments.
- Iran's nuclear program is damaged but not destroyed, and the regime seeks sanctions relief for cosmetic concessions.
- Iran's control over the Strait of Hormuz would gravely undermine the U.S.-led regional security order.
- The U.S. needs an effective and sustainable plan to reopen Hormuz, defend against aggression, and foster the collapse of the Islamic Republic.
- Countering Iran requires new thinking on regional basing, missile defense, arms procurement, combined operations, and intelligence coordination.
- A long-term strategy should also involve political, economic, and psychological warfare against the regime, combined with covert support for internal resistance.