Judging Freedom Prof. Jeffrey Sachs : Negotiation or Escalation? Trump’s Iran Crossroads
Feb 25, 2026
Prof. Jeffrey Sachs, economist and public policy expert, provides sharp analysis of U.S. policy toward Ukraine and Iran. He critiques informal diplomacy and partisan pressure pushing toward escalation. He examines the Iran nuclear history, the role of pro-Israel influence, and the global economic risks if the Strait of Hormuz is closed.
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Multiple Forces Keep Ukraine War Going
- The war in Ukraine persists because multiple actors benefit from its continuation and leaders lack coherent will to stop it.
- Jeffrey Sachs cites Britain’s pro-war stance, Zelensky’s militarized rule, and Trump's incoherence as forces fueling escalation.
Amateur Negotiation Risks With Iran
- The current U.S. negotiation approach with Iran is amateurish and built on coercion, not skilled diplomacy.
- Sachs criticizes meetings run by Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, indirect talks via Oman, and lack of nuclear expertise at the table.
JCPOA Was A Real Deal Iran Accepted
- Iran has repeatedly declared it does not want nuclear weapons and accepted IAEA scrutiny under the JCPOA.
- Sachs argues Trump tore up a viable deal in 2018, making current threats and rhetoric phony and counterproductive.