The Brian Lehrer Show Are We Going To War With Iran?
Jun 20, 2025
Fred Kaplan, Slate's War Stories columnist and author, dives deep into the Iran-Israel conflict, offering sharp insights on recent U.S. military postures. He discusses the muddled messaging from President Trump and the implications of ambiguous threats toward Iran, which only heighten tensions. Kaplan also highlights the fallout from the U.S. withdrawal from the nuclear deal and analyzes the historical consequences of foreign interventions in Iran. The podcast reflects on political inertia among Democrats regarding potential military actions, sparking listener frustrations and concerns.
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Trump's Ambiguity Undermines Credibility
- Trump's back-and-forth rhetoric on Iran confuses allies and adversaries alike, undermining strategic deterrence.
- This vagueness often leads opponents to ignore his threats, weakening U.S. credibility in foreign policy.
Delayed Military Decisions Cause Confusion
- President Trump has issued stark ultimatums and moved troops but still delays military decisions.
- Such delays create uncertainty and do not clarify U.S. intentions, complicating diplomatic efforts.
Iran Deal Focused on Nuclear Weapons
- The Iran nuclear deal was narrowly focused solely on preventing nuclear weapons development.
- Sanctions continued on other issues like missile programs and proxy support, emphasizing containment over complete compliance.
