Parallax Views w/ J.G. Michael U.S.-Iran Talks, Netanyahu Goes to Washington Redux, & the Saudi-UAE Rivalry w/ James Dorsey
Feb 11, 2026
James Dorsey, independent journalist and scholar of Middle East affairs, breaks down U.S.-Iran talks and the deep mistrust shaping negotiations. He analyzes Netanyahu’s trips to Washington and the political calculations at play. He also explores the rising Saudi–UAE rivalry, the UAE’s proxy moves across the region, and how these shifts reshape Gulf and North African dynamics.
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Netanyahu's Maximal Iran Demands
- Netanyahu seeks far more than a nuclear rollback; he wants Iran militarily emasculated and its regional alliances cut.
- James Dorsey argues nuclear compromise is more achievable than concessions on missiles or proxies.
Regional Risks Of Military Action
- A U.S. strike on Iran would likely cause cross-border retaliation hitting Israel, Gulf US facilities, and critical Gulf infrastructure.
- Dorsey warns Gulf states fear both regional war and domestic fallout like uprisings or state disintegration.
Deal With One Issue At A Time
- Negotiate issues sequentially rather than as a package to maximize chances of progress.
- Dorsey endorses starting with the nuclear file then addressing other disputes step by step.