Al Gore called the war with Iran "a colossal mistake... on the level of Hitler invading Russia." Veteran Iran-watcher Barbara Slavin goes further: the worst U.S. mistake in the Middle East in 60 years. Six months into the war, she returns to The Way Forward to untangle who is actually in charge in Tehran now, why the doctrine of "escalate to de-escalate" has closed the Strait of Hormuz and sent oil prices soaring, what Netanyahu promised Trump in the situation room, and what the war has meant for the people of Iran — the protests, the repression, and the economy. Most importantly: is there a way out that's good for Iranians and for the world?
Guest: Barbara Slavin — Distinguished Fellow at the Stimson Center, veteran journalist on U.S.–Iran relations, and author of "Bitter Friends, Bosom Enemies: Iran, the U.S., and the Twisted Path to Confrontation."
🎙️ Hosted by Dr. John Izzo and Alain Gauthier · produced by Jim Burke
⏱️ CHAPTERS
00:00 Cold open — "A colossal mistake"
00:57 What we cover today
01:28 Welcome & setting the stage
03:16 What Barbara underestimated six months ago
05:08 Who is really in charge in Iran now?
08:36 The IRGC and "escalate to de-escalate"
11:04 Did Trump think Iran would surrender?
13:34 Factional fights in Tehran: fiction or reality?
16:51 The nuclear file — leverage, not distraction
19:31 The unfortunate lesson about nuclear weapons
21:47 What the war means for the people of Iran
26:20 A path to real change? The 1953 Mosaddegh overthrow — and the great what-if
30:40 A quick word from us — subscribe & support the show
31:41 The limits of power: Russia, China, and Taiwan
35:27 NATO and the damage to America's alliances
39:13 The Al Gore story — "worst mistake in 60 years"
42:35 Can Europe or China broker a way out?
44:04 What a good deal would actually look like
45:33 Energy, climate, and the way off fossil fuels
48:12 Will Iran's proxy strategy ever change?
53:37 What gives Barbara hope
56:42 Closing reflections
58:14 Outro
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💬 Do you see a way out of this war that's good for the people of Iran AND the world? Tell us below.
🔗 Mentions & Resources:
📖 Barbara's book: "Bitter Friends, Bosom Enemies: Iran, the U.S., and the Twisted Path to Confrontation"
📰 Barbara's Middle East Perspectives commentaries at the Stimson Center: https://www.stimson.org/
🤝 Support the Stimson Center: https://www.stimson.org/support/
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⚠️ Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this video are those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the official position of The Way Forward. This content is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be taken as professional advice.
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