The Playbook Podcast Iran tensions rise
Jan 14, 2026
Tensions with Iran are escalating as President Trump considers various responses to protests, from diplomacy to military options. The U.S. military's presence in the Middle East is limited due to a shift in focus to the Western Hemisphere. The discussion also touches on Trump's controversial interest in Greenland and the pushback from Danish and Greenland officials. Additionally, the podcast delves into the implications of recent events like the Minnesota ICE shooting on domestic funding and political dynamics.
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Trump Signals Range Of Iran Options
- Trump is signaling strong action on Iran and publicly preparing multiple options, including kinetic ones.
- Sources inside the White House and Trump's past behavior make sudden military moves plausible in coming days or weeks.
Military Assets Shifted West Limits Options
- U.S. military posture in the Middle East is constrained because assets were shifted to the Western Hemisphere.
- That hemisphere focus limits immediate kinetic options against Iran and complicates rapid military responses.
Tariffs Are Symbolic, Not Always Effective
- Non-kinetic measures like tariffs have symbolic weight but practical limits, especially when major partners like China are involved.
- The 25% tariff announcement may lack real leverage given recent China deals and global trade ties with Iran.