Chas Freeman: Diplomacy Fails - Strait of Hormuz Shut Down Again

The current geopolitical landscape in West Asia is defined by a failed American reliance on coercive "peace through strength" tactics rather than traditional diplomacy. Former Assistant Secretary of Defense Chas Freeman argues that the U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, driven by irrational political posturing and a lack of experienced diplomatic engagement, has backfired by pushing Iran toward regime consolidation and a potential nuclear weapons program. While the U.S. attempts to manage the region through media-driven narratives and social media proclamations, Iran and other regional powers are increasingly bypassing the petrodollar system and seeking independent security arrangements. This shift, coupled with the deteriorating state of U.S. naval forces conducting the blockade and China’s emergence as a strategic mediator, signals a waning American influence and the unraveling of a stable, rules-based international order.