Iran, Russia, & Trump’s War Dilemma (with Ed Luce & Karim Sadjadpour)
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A NOTE FROM THE PRODUCER
Since Israel launched what it described as “preemptive” strikes on Iran’s military and nuclear infrastructure last week, violence has only escalated between the two Middle Eastern countries. The international community is watching what President Trump, who just weeks ago was engaged in nuclear negotiations with Iran, will do.
The big question is whether the U.S. will get directly involved in the war by launching a strike on Iran’s underground nuclear development site in Fordo. While global leaders, including the G7, have urged deescalation, the future is, as always, up in the air. President Trump told a CNN reporter on Wednesday, “You don’t know. I may do it, I may not do it. Nobody knows what I’m going to do.”
Because of the scope and urgency of the news this week, today’s episode looks a bit different. First, Preet is joined by Iran expert Karim Sadjadpour, who is a policy analyst at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
This is an “8 out of 10 score on the Richter scale,” Sadjadpour told Preet. He lays out the “profound consequences” for both action and inaction from President Trump, and explains the wider context for why now?
“Prime Minister Netanyahu feared that Trump was capable of doing a deal with Iran which would limit, but not eliminate, the nuclear program. Perhaps the greatest source of urgency that Netanyahu had was to sabotage that prospect.”
Then, Financial Times columnist Ed Luce joins Preet to talk about his new book, Zbig: The Life of Zbigniew Brzezinski, America's Great Power Prophet. Luce reflects on the origins of Trump’s anti-war stance, and his inability, campaign claims notwithstanding, to contain the world’s wars today.
Luce zoomed out: “The quest to export democracy has actually been an immensely destabilizing force in the 21st century. The blowback from that, the Iraq War being the prime example, in some ways has given rise to Trumpism, to MAGA, to the rejection of the forever wars.”
Trump’s approach to foreign wars, Luce explained, is an extension of his biography.
“He thinks like a property developer... he sees the world as a jungle. And in the jungle, big predators eat small predators,” Luce told Preet. But his follow through?
“Trump talks a big game…It makes him look strong. But when he comes close to actual war, if there's any prospect of it being a sustained war, he backs down. And I find that reassuring in some ways.”
NEXT WEEK ON STAY TUNED
The Supreme Court is handing down the term’s final—and perhaps most consequential—decisions in these next couple weeks. We’ve already gotten a few of them, and there’s a ton to discuss. That’s why we’re hosting a SCOTUS panel on next week’s Stay Tuned episode. Preet will be joined by legal scholars Melissa Murray, Rachel Barkow, and Jack Goldsmith.
What questions do you want answered about the Supreme Court? Drop them in the comments below.
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The Return of Political Violence (with Ed Luce)
In this bonus from Stay Tuned, Preet is joined by Financial Times columnist Ed Luce to talk about the recent assassination of lawmakers in Minnesota, and Trump’s culpability for the increase in political violence.
I know these podcasts are full of great information, but I usually READ my news and comments.
Sorry I can't participate.
Trump spent lots of money and resources to move our bunker buster supports toward the middle east. I don't think he moved them there for nothing. He already approved the attack on Iran. When Trump blows open the Iranian bunker, radioactivity will be released in the air. When that happens will it go toward Russia who will retaliate by nuking us?