Unpacking Trump's Iran Policy Transition 10/20/2017 6:33:34 PM   facebook Google+ ► Print US President Donald Trump - White House Oval Office - October 19, 2017 in Washington, DC. By: Heshmat Alavi Forbes, October 20, 2017  - We have surpassed a roller coaster month of intense developments over the Iran nuclear deal. Discussions in Washington and talks between Europe and the United States catapulted us all into a simple conclusion: A major global policy change was in the making. U.S. President Donald J. Trump  followed   suit and delivered his landmark speech last Friday. It was the first time in over 30 years that a U.S. president completely devoted a speech to announce his policy in regards to Iran. Trump delivered America’s new comprehensive strategy vis-à-vis Iran, following months of anticipation and talks. The issue at hand is not a discussion about personal differences between George W. Bush, Barack Obama or Dona...

Nuclear Agreement with Iran Has Not Contributed to Peace or Security The Trump White House has been a  purveyor  of very well-founded criticism of the 2015 Iran  nuclear deal , formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Countering the narrative about the agreement curtailing progress toward a nuclear weapon, administration officials  contend  that the JCPOA actually paves Iran’s way toward becoming a nuclear power. But this is not the sole or even the primary focus of the criticism, nor should it be. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and UN Ambassador Nikki Haley have instead focused on the broader intentions behind the JCPOA, as outlined in its preamble, which  states that the signatories “anticipate that full implementation of this JCPOA will positively contribute to regional and international peace and security.” Nearly 22 months after the deal was implemented, this has not come to pass. Quite the contrary, the Islam...