While the US would like to reduce its involvement in the Mid-East, many would like to see it take more direct action against Iran; although that is offset by Iran using proxy states to inflict damage and casualties on American forces in the region. These provocative activities are now in the hundreds testing the US’s patience to its limits. The US is being pushed to retaliate from all sides, especially after three Americans died due to recent proxy action.
It is appropriate for this author to ask the question: “What is the USA’s optimum option to warding off Iran in the Middle East; considering 1) Iran relies on proxies to shield it from direct US action, 2) Iran continues its efforts to build nuclear weapons, 3) Iran provokes hate toward the US, and 4) Iran is reliant on exporting oil for economic stability?” Again, it’s appropriate to focus on just these four considerations to reduce complexity in your editor’s eventual suggestion, when that ultimate moment arrives – despite there being many other possible considerations out there.
He decided to create yin and yang “bookends” posed by this question, to keep his mind focused. Bookends such as these are vital for preventing our fertile intuitive minds from wandering and losing concentration. We are mostly unaware of how powerfully valuable but foot-loose our intuition can be unless we can keep it properly focused on such occasions.
These came to be: “Establish a new trade treaty with Iran” – Unlikely. Too much bad blood to help;and “Cut a conducive deal with China to supply it with oil instead” – China likes to work with Iran to irk the US. You will note the italicized detractors associated with these least likely options, which shows why they are not particularly good ideas for consideration. Even so, these bookends will now hopefully nudge this editor’s intuitive thinking into high gear to come-up with a range of realistic options – see ourLatest Worked Option Example.
He then aimed to produce at least five plus realistic sub-options – A thru E or F – that would enable US leaders to pursue Emotional Distancing (ED). EDwould allow them to take a couple of hours or more of quiet reflection, or even sleep on it, beforecoming to any final conclusion. You can replace these proposed five options with any new ones of your own.
His final options look quite interesting and he was particularly intrigued by – Option B: Pressure proxies to stay out of situation – embargos, choke financials, no trade, military action, etc. The US leaders should stand-by any initial decision, as it would likely only work against them to second-guess themselves once that initial decision is made…no matter the challenges ahead.
If you have an example of your own, please share it with this blogger, through the COMMENTS area or contact him at peter@ileadershipsolutions. What is the optimum option for Western nations to pursue against Russia to protest Navalny’s unfortunate death? Thanks Option Solving. (NOTE: Our next posting will be in two week’s time.Let’s have your COMMENTS or go to peter@ileadershipsolutions.com. Allow time to connect with the blogger. Also consider buying the book: “Smart Decisions: Goodbye Problems, Hello Options” through amazon.com)
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