The Debate

As G7 foreign ministers root for the off-ramp in the Iran war, François Picard’s panel weighs the damage done to the region, to the world economy and to transatlantic trust. From Donald Trump's threats against NATO allies to France denying it disinvited South Africa from June's G7 summit to placate Washington, we weighs US threats… and those of Iran.
Produced by François Picard, Rebecca Gnignati, Juliette Laffont, Ilayda Habip, Charles Wente.
 
 
 
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It's Trump's war, but is it also NATO's problem? Europeans are forced to bear the security and financial consequences of the second war on their doorstep. We see if our panel agrees with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who assures it's only a matter of "a couple of weeks" before traditional allies agree to help secure the Strait of Hormuz. 
Before Europeans follow a US president who started the war without consulting them into a potential quagmire, several questions arise: why should they help? Can the so-called coalition of the willing that's scrambling to help Ukraine fend off Russia's onslaught leverage US support into firm backing for Kyiv? 
And what happens if Trump emerges weakened and wounded from a poorly planned campaign against Iran? Will the United States look at its traditional allies in a better light, or will he blame Europeans and turn on Ukraine? 
Produced by François Picard, Rebecca Gnignati, Juliette Laffont, Ilayda Habip, Charles Wente.

Are diplomatic talks to end the Iran conflict actually happening? Donald Trump has hinted at "major" progress, but the White House downplayed this. Iran says no, Qatar says they're not involved, while there's increasing speculation that Pakistan could be the host of talks later this week. Yet all of this comes as Israel says it plans to push into Lebanon as far as the Litani River against Hezbollah and will use a Gaza-style approach, which resulted in a humanitarian catastrophe. So where are we at? Are we witnessing a high-stakes poker game where someone has to blink first?
Produced by Annette Young, Rebecca Gnignati, Juliette Laffont, Ilayda Habip, Charles Wente.

Another deadline day, another ultimatum, another surprise turn from the US president. The same Donald Trump who may or may not send ground troops to try to secure the Strait of Hormuz is now claiming that his administration is talking with the Iranians, thus holding off on hitting critical infrastructure. Trump's messaging since the start of this war has been keeping friends and foes alike guessing. That's in stark contrast to his Israeli allies, who seem to be embracing a fight many of its leaders have been dreaming of for decades. 
Israel, too, has a larger-than-life populist leader who's changed the course of his country's history. Their interests overlap, but remain distinct. A case in point is Israel's rush to prepare for an eventual ground operation in Lebanon. So who's calling the shots? Trump or Benjamin Netanyahu? Whose idea was this war?
And who takes the blame once the guns go silent on a campaign that's failed to rally traditional allies, punished civilians by laying waste to critical infrastructure and triggered a worldwide energy crisis?
What prospects lie ahead for Trump, his MAGA movement, Netanyahu and the state of Israel?
Produced by François Picard, Rebecca Gnignati, Juliette Laffont, Ilayda Habip, Charles Wente.

The Middle East War is now in its 20th day, with a perceived split in US and Israeli strategy emerging. Donald Trump says Israel bombed Iran's gas field "without his knowledge". Then Trump, perhaps playing catch-up, threatened to "blow up" Iran's South Pars gas field if Iran strikes Qatar; a move that experts say would literally explode the region. 
There's also another issue simmering away: what to do with Iran's enriched uranium? Experts say this is the next big decision for Trump. Seizing Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium could well require the "largest special forces operation in history".
When US and Israeli jets bombed Iran's nuclear facilities last June, the regime was thought to have over 400 kg of 60 percent6enriched uranium. This is near weapons grade. Weapons-grade uranium is enriched to 90 percent. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, half of Iran's 60 percent enriched uranium is stored underground at Isfahan. US intelligence believes there's a "very narrow access point" through which this material could be retrieved.
We discuss this next possible phase in the war, and what it could mean going forward.
Produced by Mark Owen, Rebecca Gnignati, Juliette Laffont, Ilayda Habip, Charles Wente.