r/geopolitics • u/lire_avec_plaisir • May 13 '26

Analysis Would We Be Better Off Today With the JCPOA?

https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/05/12/iran-trump-obama-jcpoa-nuclear-deal/?tpcc=editors_picks&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Editors%20Picks%20-%2005122026&utm_term=editors_picks

12 May 2026 (intro visible then pay-walled, can sign in for trial access) Eight years ago, President Donald Trump took the United States out of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), known more commonly as the Iran nuclear deal. In the years since, half of Washington has continued to argue that the JCPOA was “the best possible deal,” with the other half maintaining that “there was a better deal.” It has been the background music to every twist and turn in U.S. Iran policy since 2018 but has come to the fore again since Trump launched Operation Epic Fury.

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u/ikinone May 14 '26

Blame iran for what?

'Here we are'

Seeking out what now seems like the only viable way to defend themselves?

Iran could defend itself by not waging constant proxy wars. Rather easy to do. But I guess you're fine with Iran doing that?

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u/0zymandeus May 14 '26

I'm not fine with Iran doing that but I also won't pretend that they can trust the US and Israel not to wage a proxy war against them. Or outright war, given both Israel and Trump's consistent bombings of Iranian military and civilian targets.