CRIMINAL FOREIGN POLICY

DANNY DAVIS—The transcript outlines the devastating military campaign against Iran, including thousands of strikes aimed at crippling Iran’s offensive capabilities and regime infrastructure. Despite these strikes and claims of success by U.S. officials, Iran remains defiant, continuing to retaliate with missile attacks. Henningsen highlights the falsity of Western media claims about Iran’s internal repression and points out the long history of U.S. misinformation campaigns used to justify wars in countries like Libya, Syria, Iraq, and now Iran. The discussion also exposes the flawed intelligence and echo chamber surrounding Trump’s decision-making process, which has led to escalating chaos and international isolation for the U.S.

DW—Pepe and Larry critically assess US President Donald Trump’s efforts to rally European allies and other global powers, such as China, into a coalition to “liberate” the Strait of Hormuz. However, most countries, including Germany, the UK, France, Japan, and Australia, have refused military involvement, citing the risk of escalating into a larger war that they do not want. The speakers emphasize that these governments are aware of the complexities and dangers on the ground, unlike the Trump administration, which they describe as driven by hubris, misinformation, and a disconnect from reality, often relying on biased media sources and fringe advisors.

IGL—The episode of India and Global Left features an extensive conversation with Chris Hedges, an American journalist and author, focusing on the ongoing Israeli-American conflict with Iran. The discussion situates the war within the volatile geopolitical landscape shaped during Donald Trump’s presidency, highlighting the impulsive and incoherent nature of Trump’s foreign policy. Hedges critiques Trump’s approach as naïve and driven by misinformation, particularly pointing to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s influence in pushing aggressive policies against Iran.

MH—Iranian officials likewise recognize that U.S. attacks will keep being repeated until the United States is driven out of the Middle East. Having agreed to a ceasefire last June instead of pressing its advantage when Israeli and regional U.S. anti-missile defenses were depleted, Iran realized that war would be resumed as soon as the United States could re-arm its allies and military bases to renew what both sides recognize as a fight to some kind of final solution.

DIMITRI LASCARIS—On the 13th day of the West’s war of aggression on Iran, Dimitri Lascaris examines growing evidence that Israel’s air defences have collapsed. He also discusses worsening turmoil in global oil markets and the Iranian navy’s latest attacks on tankers belonging to U.S. interests. By all indications, the Trump-Netanyahu war of aggression war will be a debacle of epic proportions, but there’s no sign yet that the aggressors will make the concessions that are necessary to end the war. That means that more escalation is coming – and that more and more Westerners will flee the region.
PLUS: Will Pakistan join the Iran war?