But in three cases — North Korea, Iran and Venezuela — Trump’s explicit policy has been “maximum pressure.” And in those instances, the record at the moment is clear: maximum ­failure. Maximum pressure was going to force Iran to renegotiate the curbs on its nuclear program — and maybe cause the regime to collapse. So why hasn’t maximum pressure worked? U.S. allies in Europe have refused to go along with Trump’s voiding of the Iran nuclear deal and reimposition of sanctions. That’s why “maximum pressure” will be an emblem of Trump’s tenure: a crude, half-baked strategy that was destined to fail.

Source: Washington Post January 20, 2020 00:45 UTC