SPIA Experts on the Crisis in the Middle East
On the risk of Iran having nuclear capabilities:
"Even in wartime history and facts matter, and it is worth remembering that the United States helped launch Iran’s nuclear program and has long told the world that nuclear weapons are symbols of strength and technological capability, a source of coercive power, and absolute weapons that guarantee national defense. Rather than coercive denuclearization through punitive sanctions and the carnage of war, or accepting a few nuclear-armed states that put all humanity at risk, there is a path to security for all through disarmament by all, including agreement on a long-sought Middle East Nuclear Weapon Free Zone that includes Israel, fulfilment of all obligations of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, and joining the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons."
On the cost of the war:
"In many ways, strategy is the art of balancing competing objectives to make the most of the resources that you have. Is this operation with highly uncertain outcomes against a well-contained threat really worth the risk to soldiers' lives and burning through billions of dollars worth of ammunition, fuel, and supplies? At a time when weapons stockpiles are reportedly running low, this operation creates new risks to conventional deterrence and will reveal a great deal to potential future adversaries about how we operate, about our logistical capabilities, and about the strengths and vulnerabilities of our systems."
On diplomacy:
“We ought to be saying to ourselves, this is not a good idea for the United States. And ultimately, what's not a good idea for the United States is also not good for Israel. And so we ought to have a very high-level conversation with Israelis and say, ‘Look, you may feel good if Iran descends into chaos, but it's going to be very bad for us, and that ends up being very bad for you, because we lose friends, we lose support, and our ability to influence other countries diplomatically declines.’”
Past Events
Latest News
President Donald Trump has threatened to attack Iran multiple times in recent weeks, accusing Tehran of developing weapons capable of striking the United States.
However long it takes, Operation Epic Fury will undoubtedly end with something the United States and Israel will call a win.
Israel formally declared war following Hamas’s surprise attack on the country...
Expert Perspectives
Drawing on deep expertise in international relations and security, SPIA faculty analyze the key drivers, risks, and implications of the unfolding crisis.
