The Moynihan Report

Dexter Filkins on why Biden’s "nice guy” foreign policy FAILED | The Moynihan Report

19 snips
Oct 10, 2025
Award-winning journalist Dexter Filkins, a staff writer at The New Yorker known for his in-depth coverage of Iraq and Afghanistan, delves into the intricacies of Middle East conflicts. He analyzes Trump's impactful foreign policy strategies compared to Biden's approach, highlighting Israel's military successes and intelligence operations. Filkins sheds light on the complexities of Hamas versus other militant groups, discusses civilian casualty protocols, and considers the potential for future normalization in the region despite ongoing tensions.
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INSIGHT

Regional Campaign Is A 40‑Year Arc

  • Filkins argues recent Israeli campaigns are the culmination of a 40-year Iranian effort to extend influence across the region.
  • He frames Israel's strikes on Hezbollah, Hamas and Iran as closing a long-standing Iranian land-bridge and campaign.
ANECDOTE

Iraq Reporting Revealed Regional Entanglement

  • Filkins reflects on his Iraq reporting and how interconnected groups like Hezbollah, Iran, and militias shaped conflicts across borders.
  • He recalls realizing Lebanon's actors were deeply entangled in Iraq's violence.
ANECDOTE

Nasrallah Misjudged Israeli Resolve

  • Filkins recounts traveling through Lebanon and hearing an Israeli commander describe listening to Nasrallah minutes before he was killed.
  • The commander said Nasrallah believed the Israelis would never attack him, so he hid too shallowly and was exposed.
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