A particularly cogent and succinct summary of how Trump's folly will diminish US power, influence and security in many areas. It is also likely that as the US becomes "smaller" in many of these areas of power and influence, other countries will step in to fill the vacuum. France has already "offered" to provide a nuclear deterrent "guarantee" to take the place of the former US role in NATO. Many countries are offering U.S. researchers who lost funding the opportunity to move their work abroad and resume cutting edge research. In the area of the development of "green" climate friendly innovation, Trump has surrendered the field, but many countries are rushing ahead with the research which will render America as a "left behind" in and non-player competition for new technologies.
This is much-appreciated --- a prime example of the quality of analyses that have marked American intelligence for the past eight decades. Historians will surely marvel at the stunning incompetence that Mr. Hannah points to.
While my days at CIA came to a close some thirty years ago, they are fresh in my memory, particularly of the many years I spent in the Middle East and South Asia. Everything here is balanced, the assessments accurate and reasonable, and the clear projection of much of the air of American leadership escaping is whistling noisily in our ears. First-rate analysis from beginning to end.
I commented a day or two ago on Norm Roule’s long piece on Iran in Cypher Brief that I wondered if the new Iran MM is as good as Roule, and whether the quality of the assessments is getting to anyone with the strategic scope needed—and doubted that they are even capable of heeding the Agency’s analysis. You would know far better than I…
I can’t comment on the quality of Iranian strategic thought, but in the past they have had to overcome their own ideological blinders and weak internal processes. But all they have to be is smarter than Trump and Co. sadly a low bar.
A particularly cogent and succinct summary of how Trump's folly will diminish US power, influence and security in many areas. It is also likely that as the US becomes "smaller" in many of these areas of power and influence, other countries will step in to fill the vacuum. France has already "offered" to provide a nuclear deterrent "guarantee" to take the place of the former US role in NATO. Many countries are offering U.S. researchers who lost funding the opportunity to move their work abroad and resume cutting edge research. In the area of the development of "green" climate friendly innovation, Trump has surrendered the field, but many countries are rushing ahead with the research which will render America as a "left behind" in and non-player competition for new technologies.
Outstanding analysis and assessment. Typical of what my CIA (in the 80s and 90s) produced on a daily basis.
Given Trump’s [LACK OF] leadership attributes, the patient and flexible diplomacy needed to extricate the US from its Iran cul-de-sac is unlikely.
Thanks, Harry, for the thorough analysis.
Courtesy of Donald J Trump. That's an important fact.
This is much-appreciated --- a prime example of the quality of analyses that have marked American intelligence for the past eight decades. Historians will surely marvel at the stunning incompetence that Mr. Hannah points to.
Thanks. I suppose future professors can use Trump and Co as examples of what not to do.
While my days at CIA came to a close some thirty years ago, they are fresh in my memory, particularly of the many years I spent in the Middle East and South Asia. Everything here is balanced, the assessments accurate and reasonable, and the clear projection of much of the air of American leadership escaping is whistling noisily in our ears. First-rate analysis from beginning to end.
Thanks. I wish I was writing this while a Red Cell member (which I was) but I fear it may be mainline
I commented a day or two ago on Norm Roule’s long piece on Iran in Cypher Brief that I wondered if the new Iran MM is as good as Roule, and whether the quality of the assessments is getting to anyone with the strategic scope needed—and doubted that they are even capable of heeding the Agency’s analysis. You would know far better than I…
I can’t comment on the quality of Iranian strategic thought, but in the past they have had to overcome their own ideological blinders and weak internal processes. But all they have to be is smarter than Trump and Co. sadly a low bar.
Harry, great to see you in your new iteration. This analysis, like your earlier pieces, is brilliant.
First rate analysis Harry. Thank you for your perspective. As a military strategist, I agree with your assessment 100%.
Thanks. Sort channeling my inner Mahan and Mackinder!
Well channeled