1A The Role Of Diplomacy In The War With Iran
Mar 17, 2026
Trita Parsi, Quincy Institute co-founder focused on U.S.-Iran relations; Aaron David Miller, former State Department negotiator and Middle East expert; Akbar Shahid Ahmed, HuffPost diplomatic correspondent. They discuss why diplomacy was sidelined, how weakened negotiating expertise and resignations erode credibility, who pays the price when talks collapse, and what a future deal might require.
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Allies Won't Follow Without Clear Endgame
- European and NATO allies are reluctant to join U.S. military efforts without a clear U.S. endgame.
- Officials cite lack of strategy, U.S. credibility issues, and overlapping crises like Gaza and Ukraine.
Iran Holds Strategic Leverage Over Global Economy
- Iran gained leverage by disrupting the Strait of Hormuz and energizing domestic support after leadership changes.
- Tehran can force economic pressure on the West, making it harder for Trump to unilaterally end the war.
Coalitions Should Be Built Before Wars
- Wars require pre-war coalition-building and a clear strategy; Trump launched a war of choice without forming a coalition.
- Compared to the 1991 Gulf War, this conflict lacked attainable goals and allied coordination.