The Monocle Daily The world braces for a potential US attack on Iran
8 snips
Jan 14, 2026 
Patti Cohen, a seasoned global economics correspondent at the New York Times, and Phil Tinline, an insightful journalist and author, discuss the escalating tension between the US and Iran as Trump reiterates military threats. They analyze the implications of targeted strikes versus nation-building, exploring the risks of toppling leadership in Iran. The duo debates whether US intervention would genuinely support Iranian protesters or inadvertently strengthen the regime. They also touch on geopolitical nuances concerning Greenland and the delicate balance within NATO.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Short Strikes, Unclear Outcomes
- Trump's threats toward Iran reflect a strategy of short, high-impact actions rather than long-term nation building.
- That approach risks unclear outcomes and could leave protesters worse off if the regime stays in power.
Greenland Pressures NATO Choices
- Greenland talk exposes how presidential obsession can force awkward diplomatic responses and military posturing.
- European allies face a choice between appeasing a US president and reinforcing sovereignty with troop deployments.
NATO's Article 5 Ambiguity
- If Denmark explicitly assigns troops to defend Greenland from any actor, it creates a legal and political dilemma under NATO.
- Article 5 wasn't designed for intra-alliance conflict, making such scenarios fraught and unprecedented.
