• Quotes: "The nuclear non-proliferation deal announced today with Iran is a major achievement in five main respects,” says Bruce Jentleson, a Duke University professor of public policy and political science and a former senior adviser to the U.S. State Department policy planning director.“It provides the basis for resolving the threat of Iran developing nuclear weapons. While some uncertainty is inherent in the implementation of any such agreement, initial reports indicate that Iran made significant concessions on what it can and cannot maintain and develop in its nuclear energy facilities, on the structuring and sequencing of incentives such as sanctions relief, and on provisions for international verification.”“These terms are not only in the U.S. national security interest, but also can serve the security interests of our Middle East allies, including Israel.”“The agreement reduces the chances that we may have to resort to military force. While this option has to be kept open, there is way too much glib ‘tough’ talk about its utility.”“It makes possible broader engagement with Iran on other issues on which we long have been adversaries. To the extent to which Iran threatens the U.S. or our allies and intensifies conflicts such as in Syria and Iraq, we shouldcontinue to oppose and counter them. But we also should do more to explore possible shared interests that could make the region more peaceful and secure.”“As we move into another presidential election season, with broad debates about 21st century foreign policy, the Iran deal exemplifies the effectiveness of ‘strategic diplomacy.’ We have worked closely not only with our European allies, but also, despite other differences, with China and Russia, and with the United Nations. And we have found common ground with one of our major adversaries of the last four decades. This is not a matter of being ‘soft’ or 'tough,’ it’s about strategic savvy."• Bio:Bruce Jentleson is a professor of public policy and political science at Duke University's Sanford School of Public Policy and author of "American Foreign Policy: The Dynamics of Choice in the 21st Century" (5th edition, 2013). In 2009-11 he was a senior adviser at the State Department, working on the Middle East and other issues. Jentleson is the 2015-16 Henry Kissinger Chair in Foreign Policy and International Relations at the John W. Kluge Center in the Library of Congress, and a global fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.http://sanford.duke.edu/people/faculty/jentleson-bruce-w • Archive video interview (different subject): http://www.edmontonsun.com/videos/sports/sports/5745372001/understanding...• For additional comment, contact Jentleson at: bwj7@duke.edu
