The Dangers of Escalation
My interview with Bianna Golodryga for CNN's Amanpour
I joined CNN’a Amanpour yesterday to talk about the latest in the Iran War, the conflict between Trump and the European Allies, and whether the Ukraine War is likely to end soon.
My bottom line concern — in all three areas — is that the prospect for further escalation are greater than the prospects for negotiations and peace.
In the Iran War, the absence of direct talks and coordination is a recipe for miscommunication and accidents that can easily lead to a resumption of war — unless President Trump is willing to settle for something less on the nuclear file than he could have gotten before the war started.
In the transatlantic relationship, President Trump’s pique at criticism and undervaluing of Europe as a security partner for the United States is leading both sides to knuckle down for a fight.
In Ukraine, despite the temporary reprieve of higher energy prices because of the Iran Ear, Russia is under growing pressure on the battlefield and economically. But rather than suing for peace, these pressures could lead President Putin to escalate the war as well.
Watch the full interview here.