Our Future With Iran

For John, BLUF:  I suspect President Trump is willing to live and let live, if Iran doesn't keep poking him.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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Dealing with a Difficult Iran: Get Smart

This is from the very interesting Cipher Brief and Ambassador John Limbert.♠

Here is the lede plus one:

Like it or not, the Trump Administration will have to pay attention to Iran.  The President’s pre­de­cessors, beginning in 1979, have taken multiple paths, usually with few results beyond frustration.  Unable to ignore the Islamic Republic, they tried contain­ment, regime change, and engagement.  Nothing much worked, and – with a few exceptions – little changed as the two countries remained camped on opposite sides of an abyss trading threats, insults, and accusations.

Even those decades of futility, however, have provided lessons to be learned and suggest a path for the new administration.

No simple answers.

Hat tip to the InstaPundit.

Regards  —  Cliff

♠  "John Limbert is a Professor of Middle Eastern Studies at the U.S. Naval Academy and the author of numerous books and articles on Iran.  During a 34-year dip­lomatic career, he served mostly in the Middle East and Islamic Africa (including two tours in Iraq), was Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, and served as deputy assistant secretary of state responsible for Iranian affairs.  He worked in Iran as a university and high school teacher, and served at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, where he was held hostage in 1979-81."