Ημέρα: 25 Μαρτίου 2026

¹On 17 March 2026, I appeared on Rachel Blevins’ popular podcast to discuss the Iran war with her.  We discussed the deep trouble the US is in as it thinks about either going up the escalation ladder or finding an exit ramp. President Trump has no good options, only bad and worse ones.  We also focused on the fact that China and Russia are benefitting from this war. Specifically, the US is pivoting away from East Asia by moving precious resources from there to the Middle East, weakening its ability…

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¹On 5 March 2026, I did a long interview — two hours — with Gita Wirjawan, the former Indonesian Minister of Trade. It was my third long interview with Gita, and as was the case with the first two interviews, it was a pleasure going back and forth with him. We had a wide-ranging discussion about the various ongoing conflicts in the world and where we are headed in the years ahead. As one would expect, I painted a dark picture. ²Recorded on March 5, 2026. Gita Wirjawanª:  In his…

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Israel has launched a ground operation in Lebanon, opening a major second front in its war against Iran and its proxies – raising the stakes in an already volatile region. While the risks of escalation are enormous, some argue the potential strategic gains for Israel are just as significant: reduced threats from hostile neighbors, stronger ties with Gulf states, and an even more dominant position in the region militarily and politically. As the conflict intensifies, questions are mounting over the role of the United States. President Donald Trump, who campaigned…

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Bottom line:  The speaker argues the war is escalating, won’t be won through assassinations, and risks spiraling into a prolonged conflict with major global economic fallout The U.S. and its allies have lost leverage because Iran can threaten to close the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil and fertilizer shipments. Despite heavy strikes and assassinations of Iranian officials, the strategy is unlikely to work—Iran’s leadership can quickly replace losses, and its political system remains stable. The conflict is expected to be long, not decisive, as even hawkish…

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