The DSR Network The President of the Board of Peace Seems to Be Bored of Peace
Feb 25, 2026
Steven Cook, CFR foreign policy analyst on Iran military strategy. Ed Luce, Financial Times columnist on U.S. leadership psychology. Kim Ghattas, Beirut-based journalist and Middle East expert. They dissect Trump’s State of the Union rhetoric, the naval buildup near Iran, regional expectations of conflict, domestic political drivers, military risks, Israel’s calculations, and the likely human cost of escalation.
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Armada Momentum Makes War Likely
- A war with Iran now looks likely because a large U.S. armada narrows the off-ramp.
- Kim Ghattas says 18 warships, carriers, and talk of jets create momentum that forces harder concessions or escalation.
Zero Enrichment Demand Is Nonstarter
- Zero enrichment demand is politically unacceptable to Iran and unlikely to be offered.
- Steven Cook notes Iran's leadership sees maintaining enrichment as essential and won't easily give it up.
Trump's Psychology Could Drive Escalation
- Personal psychology of the president matters more than policy frameworks in this crisis.
- Ed Luce suggests Trump—'president of the Board of Peace'—seeks action and may view humiliation from standing down as unacceptable.