The Debate

What could possibly go wrong? As Donald Trump repeats threats of a Venezuela-style seizing of Tehran’s oil exports, as US assault troops get in position, the price of oil blowing past 110 dollars a barrel, and as markets take it at face value that the Pentagon's planning to make a grab for Kharg Island - the hub for nearly 90-percent of Iranian crude exports...
We’ll ask about the pitfalls of sailing warships past the Strait of Hormuz for an invasion, the Islamic Republic’s response, and how Gulf neighbors would view it all. Since 1945, the United States has positioned itself as the Arabian peninsula’s main security guarantor. Will it still be the same when the dust settles?
 
Produced by François Picard, Rebecca Gnignati, Juliette Laffont, Ilayda Habip, Charles Wente.

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.