Welcome to The Adversarial. Every other week, we’ll provide you with expert analysis on America’s greatest challengers: China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and jihadists. Read more below.***IranIn late September, U.S. and Iranian negotiators engaged in indirect talks for the first time since the memorandum of understanding they struck in June fell apart. On Oct. 8, U.S. President Donald Trump said “productive discussions” were underway. But it will take some doing to break the deadlock. Tehran’s offer to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within a week carries diminishing allure for Washington, as traffic through the chokepoint has trended upward. Also, Iran’s demand The post Shows of Strength and Signs of Strain appeared first on War on the Rocks .