Kesgin, associate professor of political science, spoke with Le Devoir about the ongoing U.S.-Iran war.
Elon University Associate Professor of Political Science Baris Kesgin was featured in the French-language newspaper Le Devoir in an article examining potential “off-ramps” for U.S. President Donald Trump amid escalating tensions with Iran. The story explores diplomatic, military and political scenarios shaping the ongoing conflict and the challenges of de-escalation.
The article situates the analysis within a period of heightened instability, following renewed U.S. pressure on Iran and military escalation tied to nuclear concerns and regional conflict. Against this backdrop, Kesgin provided expert commentary on the limited and increasingly complex options available to policymakers.
Kesgin emphasized that while diplomatic solutions remain possible, they are becoming more difficult as the conflict intensifies and political stakes rise on both sides. He suggested that each potential “exit” — whether through negotiations, strategic restraint or continued pressure — carries significant risks and trade-offs, particularly given domestic political pressures and the broader geopolitical environment.
“Wars often test internal cohesion,” said Kesgin. “If the elites were to fragment, or if persistent popular unrest were to combine with a deterioration of Iran’s military capabilities, the political balance in Tehran could be seriously weakened. But a clear or immediate end is not on the horizon.”