Judging Freedom Dr. Gilbert Doctorow : The Cold War Is Back — Trump, Putin, Cuba
Jan 14, 2026
Dr. Gilbert Doctorow, a historian and foreign policy analyst renowned for his insights on Russia and China, joins the discussion on the rekindled dynamics of Cold War-era geopolitics. He shares why Trump intrigues and alarms Russia, highlighting his oil-centric strategies in Latin America. Doctorow evaluates the likelihood of Russian and Chinese support for Iran and discusses Putin's cautious approach in Ukraine. He also touches on U.S. actions affecting Cuba and Mexico, spelling out their implications for global power balance.
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Oil-Centric Strategy Behind Trump's Moves
- Gilbert Doctorow argues Trump's foreign moves form a coherent strategy aimed at reclaiming global oil control for U.S. dominance.
- He links interventions in Venezuela and Iran to a MAGA project of oil-driven imperial power and petrodollar preservation.
Petrodollars Underpin U.S. Global Power
- Doctorow connects control of oil and gas to sustaining the dollar's global dominance and U.S. financial leverage.
- He claims Trump's agenda seeks to secure petrodollar benefits that allow America to operate under heavy debt.
Limited Likelihood Of Russian/Chinese Rescue
- Doctorow doubts Moscow or Beijing will meaningfully defend Iran against a U.S. intervention.
- He suggests Iran could only deter attack by taking extreme preemptive risks, which he finds unlikely.