Trump Doctrine: A New Era of Gunboat Diplomacy | Stephen Walt

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Jul 3, 2025

Stephen Walt, a Harvard International Affairs Professor and a realist in foreign relations, discusses the Trump Doctrine's implications for U.S. policy in the Middle East. He critiques America's coercive strategies and the impact on global standing. Walt delves into Iranian ambitions, the prospects for Israeli-Palestinian peace, and the unfulfilled U.S. pivot to Asia. He underscores the need for a more restrained approach to foreign policy while navigating complex geopolitical dynamics.

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INSIGHT

Basics Save Leaders From Mistakes

Ignorance of basic international relations concepts causes big mistakes in leadership.
Understanding concepts like security dilemma and balance of power can help avoid such errors.

ANECDOTE

Historic Diplomats Master Strategy

Otto von Bismarck unified Germany through clever wars and diplomacy, avoiding larger conflicts.
Anwar Sadat broke a peace logjam by sincerely reaching out to Israel, risking his life for diplomacy.

ANECDOTE

Bush Sr.'s Gulf War Diplomacy

George H. W. Bush built a broad international coalition and sought UN authorization before going to war in Iraq.
He also knew when to stop, avoiding occupation and prolonged conflict after Desert Storm.

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In Episode 426 of Hidden Forces, Demetri Kofinas speaks with Stephen Walt, Professor of International Affairs at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government, about American grand strategy, the Trump Doctrine of Coercive Primacy, and the implications of Washington’s new Gunboat Diplomacy in the Middle East.

Stephen is a prominent member of the realist school in international relations. He’s been a long-time critic of American adventurism and an advocate for a more restrained approach to U.S. foreign policy.

In the first hour, Stephen provides his assessment of recent events in the Middle East, how U.S. policy in the region improves or worsens America’s global position, and what we can say with certainty about the Trump administration’s approach to foreign policy.

In the second hour, he and Demetri discuss: (1) America’s policy in the Middle East (2) Iranian intentions and the potential for regime change (3) Solutions to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict (4) American grand strategy (5) The long-awaited U.S. pivot to Asia that has failed to fully materialize

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Producer & Host: Demetri Kofinas Editor & Engineer: Stylianos Nicolaou

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Episode Recorded on 06/25/2025