Military Force and the Fallacy of the Middle Way

by Paul R. Pillar There is a time-honored technique, familiar to veterans of policymaking in the U.S. Government, for ostensibly giving the boss a choice of options but in effect pre-cooking the decision.  That is to present three options, which… Continue Reading →

Resolution to Iran Nuclear Standoff Appears Possible but Requires Flexibility from both Sides

A new report from Iran’s hawkish Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) suggests the Iranians may be more open to achieving a peaceful resolution to the dispute over their controversial nuclear program than ever before. “With Obama’s reelection Tuesday, there is… Continue Reading →

The Daily Talking Points

News and views relevant to U.S.-Iran relations from Oct. 15 – Oct. 21 EA WorldView: Scott Lucas points out that the only named source that we have to back up David Ignatius’s advancing of the claim that Gholam Shakuri “helped… Continue Reading →