Honestly with Bari Weiss

Niall Ferguson and Dexter Filkins: Who Will Win the Israel-Iran War?

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Jun 16, 2025
Niall Ferguson, a renowned historian and Free Press columnist, joins Dexter Filkins, a veteran foreign correspondent and contributor to The New Yorker, to explore the escalating Israel-Iran conflict. They delve into whether Israel can effectively dismantle Iran's nuclear ambitions, the potential U.S. military involvement, and the long-term geopolitical repercussions of this war on global tensions, including the U.S.-China rivalry. The duo also discusses the future of Iran's regime amid internal dissent and the risks of nuclear proliferation.
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INSIGHT

Israel's Air Dominance and Decapitation Strategy

  • Israel has achieved air dominance and is decapitating Iran's military leadership effectively.
  • This combination has led to significant Israeli success early in the conflict.
INSIGHT

Mossad's Local Recruitment and Intelligence

  • Mossad relies heavily on locally recruited operatives given widespread animosity toward the Iranian regime.
  • Israeli intelligence is extraordinarily detailed, tracking even Hezbollah's top leaders daily for years.
INSIGHT

Challenges of Targeting Fordow Facility

  • Fordow is a heavily fortified Iranian uranium enrichment plant, buried under 300 feet of concrete.
  • Israel may need US support or a risky ground operation to destroy Fordow effectively from within.
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