America's gunboat diplomacy may overreach, risk war, experts warn

The guided-missile destroyer Bainbridge follows the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln into the Strait of Gibraltar, on April 13, 2019. The USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group is being deployed to the Middle East to send a clear warning to Iran.
The guided-missile destroyer Bainbridge follows the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln into the Strait of Gibraltar, on April 13, 2019. The USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group is being deployed to the Middle East to send a clear warning to Iran.PHOTO: NYTIMES
US Bureau Chief
  • Published
    May 7, 2019, 12:53 pm SGT
New: Gift this subscriber-only story to your friends and family

WASHINGTON - The United States' deployment of a second aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East, citing threats from Iran, has alarmed policy circles in Washington who fear that an increasingly toe to toe confrontation with Iran could well lead to a miscalculation.

Larger questions loom, however, over the Donald Trump administration's particular brand of "peace through strength" - or what some analysts are calling "coercive" diplomacy - and its inherent risks.

Please or to continue reading the full article.

Get unlimited access to all stories at $0.99/month

  • Latest headlines and exclusive stories
  • In-depth analyses and award-winning multimedia content
  • Get access to all with our no-contract promotional package at only $0.99/month for the first 3 months*
Subscribe now

*Terms and conditions apply.

Topics: