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Prof. Glenn Diesen chats w. Amb. Chas Freeman
Glenn Diesen
Sep 3, 2026
This video features a conversation between host Professor Glenn Diesen and guest Ambassador Chas Freeman, a former Assistant Secretary of Defense. The discussion centers on current global geopolitical crises, specifically the escalating conflict between the United States and Iran, as well as the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Key themes and insights from the discussion include:
- U.S.-Iran Conflict: Ambassador Freeman assesses that the United States has returned to a state of warfare with Iran due to a failure in diplomacy and a reliance on ineffective military and economic coercion (0:00-8:46). He argues that economic sanctions are primarily political gestures that often fail to influence foreign behavior and are, in some cases, self-destructive (19:00-28:34).
- The State of Israel: The speakers discuss the strategic position of Israel, noting that it appears overextended while simultaneously engaging in aggressive actions in Gaza and the West Bank. Freeman highlights the potential for further regional instability and expresses concern about the rhetoric used by some Israeli officials (5:49-7:26, 32:00-35:43).
- The Situation in Ukraine: Freeman argues that Ukraine has been severely abused by NATO and Western powers, with President Zelensky in a precarious position as the country faces immense military and political pressure (35:46-45:59). He contends that the conflict has pushed Russia to orient itself eastward and that the current strategy of attempting to isolate Russia is counterproductive (48:00-50:32).
- Escalation Risks: Throughout the conversation, Freeman warns that both the Middle East and Ukraine are caught in dangerous cycles of escalation and counter-escalation, noting that the United States consistently misses opportunities for de-escalation and meaningful negotiation (8:48-18:56, 52:00-55:33).
