Give Up the Dream of a Grand Bargain: Why a Trump Can’t Strike a Deal with Iran

Albert Wolf

The US administration pretends that its decision to withdraw from the nuclear deal with Iran is a radically new approach which may change the entire regional strategic equation, similar to the huge policy reversal towards China executed by President Nixon in the early 1970s. But the Trump White House will be disappointed; the comparisons with Nixon are misconceived.

"“The airframe appears to be an externally unaltered, two-seat F-5 tiger. Whilst it may be domestically manufactured, it’s an entirely foreign airframe,” said Justin Bronk, a research fellow specialising in combat airpower and technology in the Military Sciences team at the Royal United Services Institute. "

Eying U.S., Iran says to boost military might, showcases new fighter jet

"Other analysts also suggested the age of the original aircraft would be a factor. “Yes, it’s a modernised F-5, first designed in the 1950s and in service since the 60s. One can get a lot out of modernising older airframes but this is pushing it,” said Justin Bronk, research fellow for airpower and technology at the Royal United Services Institute. "

Iran's 'New' Fighter Jet Provokes Derision, As Observers Note Likeness To U.S. Jet From The '60s

"“In this situation the EU is utterly powerless – it has the moral high ground but the US remains the economic hegemon in the world. “If the US wants to use its control of the US dollar and control of much of the industrial banking system as a tool of aggression, then no one can stop it. "

EU to introduce protections for firms hit by US-Iran sanctions

"Watch Aniseh Bassiri-Tabrizi discuss US extraterritorial sanctions, sanctions on Iran and US' broader role in the world. "

Are US sanctions realigning global alliances?

"U.S. statements of support for protesters have been interpreted as a call for regime change. Yet Iran’s ruling elite, top clerics, elected officials and military commanders are rallying round because they understand that “there is no real alternative” to Rouhani’s brand of more moderate policies, said Aniseh Bassiri Tabrizi, a research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute in London. "

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