Blockade Brinkmanship: Richard Fontaine

About this episode

Michael discusses the sustainability of the US economic blockade in the Strait of Hormuz and the prospects for a nuclear agreement with Richard Fontaine.

Michael welcomes Richard Fontaine, CEO of the Center for a New American Security, to evaluate the sustainability of the US economic blockade in the Strait of Hormuz and the realistic prospects for a nuclear breakthrough with Iran. Richard provides a reality check on the administration's declarations of victory, explaining why a meaningful nuclear agreement remains weeks, if not months, away. He explores the likelihood of a blockade-for-blockade swap and the potential for a narrow, three-to-four page framework to replace the sprawling agreements of the past. Finally, Richard assesses how Beijing could be evaluating US positioning and maritime pressure in the region.

People in this episode

Host: Michael

Guest: Richard Fontaine

Topics covered

• US economic blockade
• Strait of Hormuz
• nuclear agreement with Iran
• blockade-for-blockade swap
• US positioning
• maritime pressure

Keywords

• economic blockade
• nuclear breakthrough
• Iran
• US administration
• Beijing
• maritime pressure
• blockade-for-blockade

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Center for a New American Security

Places: United States, Strait of Hormuz, Iran, Beijing

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