American Thought Leaders Has the Iranian Threat Been Neutralized? | Michael Doran
Jul 2, 2025
In this conversation with Michael Doran, Director of the Middle East Center at the Hudson Institute, listeners gain insights into the unprecedented military collaboration between Israel and the U.S., termed ‘The 12-Day War.’ Doran reveals how the surprise strikes on Iran disrupted military operations, and he discusses the broader geopolitical shifts caused by these events. He contemplates whether Iran's nuclear threat has been effectively neutralized while warning of persisting uncertainties surrounding its capabilities.
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First Joint US-Israel Military Action
- Israel and the United States coordinated military action against Iran for the first time in history.
- The Israeli attack took the Iranians completely by surprise, neutralizing key targets swiftly.
Trump's New Middle East Template
- Trump's Middle East policy balances isolationists and neoconservatives by maintaining presence without large-scale wars.
- Israel leads operational efforts while the U.S. provides strategic support, defining a new model of engagement.
Debate on Iran Policy Influencers
- Some on the left and MAGA right argue Israel drags the U.S. into unnecessary wars and a deal with Iran is possible.
- Trump counters that Iran is a fundamental enemy and nuclear weapons for Iran are unacceptable.