On December 22nd, National Security Advisor Jack Sullivan stated in an interview with CNN’s Fareed Zakaria GPS program that he believes the Biden administration has inherited a very strong United States from the outgoing President Trump, positioning the U.S. powerfully on the global stage. Sullivan noted that America’s competitors and adversaries have weakened over the past four years, which presents an opportunity for diplomatic breakthroughs under Trump’s leadership.
Sullivan emphasized the need to continue pressuring Russia, especially in light of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. He stressed the importance of finding a balance to achieve a fair agreement between Russia and Ukraine, with continued military support for Ukraine being a crucial factor in maintaining stability in the region.
Over the past four years, the U.S. has made significant improvements in its military preparedness, according to Sullivan, who highlighted the importance of strengthening the country’s defense industry base after a period of decline lasting four decades.
During President Biden’s tenure, several international crises have emerged, including the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, the 2023 Hamas attacks that sparked the Israeli-Hamas conflict, and the recent collapse of the Assad regime in Syria, which has raised concerns about the resurgence of terrorist groups such as ISIS.
Sullivan expressed concerns about the possibility of Iran developing nuclear weapons and stated that the Biden administration is actively notifying the Trump team about this potential threat. He noted that Israel’s strikes on Iranian facilities have weakened Tehran’s conventional military capabilities, prompting Iran to reconsider its nuclear strategy.
Since the Trump administration withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal limiting Tehran’s nuclear activities, Iran has expanded its uranium enrichment projects. Iran claims its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, but Sullivan warned that there is a risk of Iran reneging on its commitment not to pursue nuclear weapons, prompting consultations with U.S. ally Israel on how to address this threat.
The Trump administration may seek to impose stricter sanctions on Iran’s oil industry to bolster its tough stance on Tehran. Sullivan suggested that given Iran’s weakened state, Trump could potentially engage in diplomatic talks with Tehran to achieve a long-term nuclear agreement that curbs Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
(References: Politico and Reuters reports)