How Far Will Trump Go in Iran?
3/26/202651 min
Is the U.S. winning the war with Iran? Even though President Trump claims success, it doesn’t quite feel like it — oil and gas prices are high, the Strait of Hormuz is effectively closed, and the Iranian regime is still in place. Mark Dubowitz, the chief executive of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and a prominent Iran hawk, explains why “total victory” is within reach in spite of the cost. I pressed him on the gap between Trump’s desire for a quick deal and his desire to end the Islamic Republic.
- 00:00 - Intro
- 00:03:49 - Is Iran biding its time until Trump leaves office?
- 00:07:07 - Three phases to regime change
- 00:09:42 - Iran's military capabilities and the Strait of Hormuz
- 00:14:54 - How will the next American president treat Iran?
- 00:18:48 - The battle for the Strait of Hormuz
- 00:23:27 - Will Iran attack its neighbors?
- 00:28:43 - Will Trump cut a deal?
- 00:38:19 - Does Israel think Trump is its best chance?
- 00:43:04 - Risk of U.S. alienation from Israel
- 00:48:01 - The cost of inaction and the Iranian people
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Transcript preview
First 90 secondsSolana Pyne0:00
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Ross Douthat· Host0:28
[upbeat music] From New York Times Opinion, I'm Ross Douthat, and this is Interesting Times. So is the United States winning its war against Iran?
Speaker 2· Soundbite0:58
They have no navy and they have no air force and they have no nothing.
Ross Douthat· Host1:02
And if this is what success looks like...
Mark Dubowitz· Guest1:05
The war in Iran has caused oil and gas prices to spike, and it's not just affecting cars on the road.
Ross Douthat· Host1:10
Economists say American consumers can't get a break. What would failure look like? If the Iranian regime stays in power, they win. My guest this week is the CEO for the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. He's a longtime Iran hawk who argues that victory is within our reach and