The David Lin Report Will Trade War Go Nuclear? What's Next After Latest Escalations | Juan Cole
Oct 18, 2025
Juan Cole, a history professor at the University of Michigan and editor of Informed Comment, dives into pressing global issues. He analyzes the recent Gaza ceasefire and discusses the U.S.'s role in the chaos. Cole argues that lasting peace hinges on Palestinian statehood. He also highlights the fragility of oil markets affected by regional violence and explores the implications of U.S.–China tensions as potential proxy conflicts. Looking ahead, he predicts China's rise in global influence and the impact of climate change on future migrations.
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Scale Of Destruction And U.S. Responsibility
- The Gaza campaign destroyed most infrastructure and caused famine-level suffering in Gaza.
- Juan Cole argues the U.S. enabled this by resupplying Israel and could have pressured an earlier end.
Disarmament Claims Versus Reality
- Donald Trump publicly claimed he forced a deal and threatened to 'disarm' Hamas if they didn't comply.
- Cole says Trump misrepresents Hamas's commitments and lacks a realistic mechanism to disarm them.
Hamas Stepping Down, Not Disarming
- Hamas agreed to step down from governing Gaza but has not agreed to fully disarm according to Cole.
- Cole emphasizes the U.S. has no troops in Gaza and limited capacity to enforce disarmament.