Analysis & Opinions - Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists

Never Waste a Good Crisis

| July 29, 2019

The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists has asked top experts from a variety of countries and with a variety of points of view to offer their best and most realistic advice on how the U.S.-Iran impasse might be broken, so a war that neither the United States nor Iran seems eager to begin can be averted. Chuck Freilich's advice follows after John Mecklin's introduction.

Coercive diplomacy is a legitimate part of national security decision-making, and even Trump critics must acknowledge that the policy of "maximal pressure" has placed Iran under extreme duress. The objective is not to cause Iran pain, but to force a change in its policy, and, admittedly, this has yet to happen. If managed correctly, however—still a big if— Trump's approach may have opened new possibilities to address the shortcomings of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), often known popularly as the Iran nuclear deal....

  – Via Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists.

For more information on this publication: Belfer Communications Office
For Academic Citation: Freilich, Chuck.“Never Waste a Good Crisis.” Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, July 29, 2019.