Harlan Ullman.

The nuclear deal with Iran and the law of unintended consequences
The nuclear deal with Iran and the law of unintended consequences

Blogs, Harlan Ullman., Orientul Mijlociu, Regions

The nuclear deal with Iran and the law of unintended consequences

The Thanksgiving holiday and the consumer shopping frenzy over “Black Friday” last week temporarily captured America headlines obscuring for a brief spell, the nuclear deal that, if consummated, will assure Iran will not develop nuclear weapons. But make no mistake. Debate over the agreement signed by the P-5 Plus One, the European Union and Iran will fill tons of newsprint and hours of television airtime over the next six months as debate rages over the virtues and vices of this deal. Yet, almost certain to be lacking is thoughtful consideration of unintended consequences that may arise whether the agreement succeeds or sinks and how to respond regardless of the outcome. [...]

By Harlan Ullman|2017-11-14T21:28:29+02:00December 6th, 2013|Blogs, Harlan Ullman., Orientul Mijlociu, Regions|0 Comments

Freezing Iran’s nuclear ambitions: faux pas, fiasco or flash of genius?
Freezing Iran’s nuclear ambitions: faux pas, fiasco or flash of genius?

Blogs, Harlan Ullman., Orientul Mijlociu, Regions

Freezing Iran’s nuclear ambitions: faux pas, fiasco or flash of genius?

In an extraordinary time, by any measure last week was extraordinary. On Thursday, the Senate went nuclear. The super-majority requirement of 60 votes that allowed the revered “filibuster” to block confirmation of most presidential appointees was ended. Friday marked the fiftieth anniversary of John F. Kennedy’s death. And Sunday brought the news of a nuclear agreement between the P-5 Plus One (the permanent member of the UN Security Council---the U.S., UK, France, Russia and China plus Germany and Lady Catherine Ashton, foreign policy head of the European Union) and Iran. The specifics will be closely studied. The agreement “freezes” Iran for six months from enriching uranium; destroying so-called HEU (highly [...]

By Harlan Ullman|2017-11-14T21:28:29+02:00November 28th, 2013|Blogs, Harlan Ullman., Orientul Mijlociu, Regions|0 Comments

Desperately needed: a new security mindset for the 21st century
Desperately needed: a new security mindset for the 21st century

America, Blogs, Harlan Ullman., Issues, Regions, Studies and Analysis

Desperately needed: a new security mindset for the 21st century

Since George Washington was America’s first commander-in-chief, successive administrations have often been accused of either lacking a strategy or having one that did not work. The major exceptions perhaps were the bipartisan policies of containment and deterrence that ultimately prevailed over the Soviet Union. The debate then focused more on means than on ends. Unfortunately, the success of the Cold War has perpetuated a 20th century mindset for national security that cannot and will not work in the 21st century. Until we create a relevant framework and paradigm, unless we are unconscionably lucky, our policies will be flawed. And critics will sadly prove correct in assailing our inability to “think strategically.” The [...]

By Harlan Ullman|2017-11-14T21:28:29+02:00November 28th, 2013|America, Blogs, Harlan Ullman., Issues, Regions, Studies and Analysis|0 Comments

Worse than a bad joke: a broke and broken U.S. government
Worse than a bad joke: a broke and broken U.S. government

America, Blogs, Harlan Ullman., Issues, Regions

Worse than a bad joke: a broke and broken U.S. government

The great American and Oklahoman humorist Will Rogers had a toxic view of Congress eighty or so years ago and long before Congress bashing became a contact sport for late night television hosts. “Every time Congress wanted to pass a law, it became a joke,” Rogers quipped. “And every time Congress wished to make a joke, they turned it into a law.” Today, the U.S. government is worse than Rogers’ bad joke. Failure to pass a budget is now standard operating procedure. Should the debt-ceiling limit be unreconciled by October 17th and the nation defaults, the consequences are almost certainly going to be bad and grow worse the longer government is [...]

By Harlan Ullman|2017-11-14T21:28:29+02:00October 18th, 2013|America, Blogs, Harlan Ullman., Issues, Regions|0 Comments

What next for syria—breakthrough, breakdown or botched opportunity?
What next for syria—breakthrough, breakdown or botched opportunity?

Blogs, Harlan Ullman., International Peace, & Security, Issues, Orientul Mijlociu, Regions, Studies and Analysis

What next for syria—breakthrough, breakdown or botched opportunity?

The Obama administration is on the verge of botching an unprecedented opportunity. Prior to the remarkable joint U.S.-Russian initiative that established a process to dispose of Syria’s chemical weapons arsenal, the outlook for the region was grim. The only certainty was continuing violence that will kill tens of thousands and displace many more hundreds of thousands of Syrians. President Barak Obama had double checkmated himself by declaring that Syrian President Bashar al Assad must stand down from office and then setting a “redline” around using chemical weapons. Following the chemical attacks that killed some 1400 people on August 21st, Obama made two highly contradictory decisions. First, the president vowed to [...]