See new posts Conversation Robert Barnes reposted Joe Kent @joekent16jan19 POTUS’s statement creates room for an off-ramp in which we avoid a return to fighting and eliminate the need for a formal settlement. We can withdraw and use sanctions as our blockade. By removing our troops and ships, we deny Iran military targets they can use as leverage, forcing them to engage us diplomatically—Iran would then be inclined to make quiet concessions because they urgently need sanctions relief. This gives us strong leverage on the nuclear issue. Both Iran and POTUS can tell their domestic audiences they won, saving face and preventing further senseless bloodshed. The dynamics of the region and the global balance of power will be forever altered because of this war—we can’t change that now. But we can avoid a massively destructive escalation. At this juncture, that has to be our priority. Quote Joe Kent @joekent16jan19 · 15h Professor Pape’s analysis is sharp. I agree with most of what he lay...