 BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATERSRumored for a Trump posting, Elbridge Colby’s dovish views on Iran stand out Dominic Gwinn/Middle East Images via AFP The Tucker Carlson-backed foreign policy hand previously worked at Tony Blinken’s WestExecEven as President-elect Donald Trump nominates several foreign policy hawks to leading roles in his Cabinet, some conservative pro-Israel activists are raising concerns that one potential candidate for a senior national security job could create ideological friction in the incoming administration, particularly on Iran and the broader Middle East. Elbridge Colby, who served as a deputy assistant secretary of defense in Trump’s first administration, has recently appeared on shortlists for key national security posts as the president-elect prepares for his second term. But Colby’s dovish views on Iran and its nuclear ambitions, which he sees as a less urgent threat to American interests than China, have long been a source of contention within Republican foreign policy circles. The former Trump official — now a partner at the Marathon Initiative, a think-tank he co-founded — has notably opposed direct military action against Iran, while arguing that containing a nuclear Iran “is an eminently plausible and practical objective.” His assessment of Iran was reportedly why Colby’s name was removed from consideration as a foreign policy director for Jeb Bush’s fledgling presidential campaign in 2015 — as he faced internal objections that his extensive public writings on the issue could sow tension with hawkish Republicans backing the former Florida governor. A former official in the first Trump administration, who requested anonymity to speak candidly about the ongoing transition, claimed that Colby’s “views are almost indistinguishable from” former President Barack Obama “on a range of issues, most notably Iran.” You May Have MissedTULSI TALKTulsi Gabbard under consideration to be director of national intelligenceThe former Hawaii congresswoman's consideration for the DNI post could raise concerns among Republican hawks. ALLIANCE ISSUESSa'ar has pushed back against Netanyahu's call for a NATO-like ‘Abraham Alliance’ between Israel and moderate Arab states opposing Iran. Read more...      |
11.13.2024
Rumored for a Trump posting, Elbridge Colby’s dovish views on Iran stand out
