Geo-Strategy #8: The Iran Trap

The podcast discusses the potential for a US war with Iran, outlining the key interest groups pushing for conflict: the Israel lobby, those profiting from America's "addiction to empire," and Saudi Arabia. It suggests that Trump, influenced by figures like Jared Kushner and potentially Nikki Haley, might escalate tensions, and that Iran may provoke the US into a war they believe they can win. The podcast analyzes the US military's shift to a "shock and awe" doctrine, its limitations, and the hubris that could lead to a miscalculated invasion. Historical examples such as the Athenian invasion of Sicily, the Vietnam War, and the Russian-Ukraine war are used to illustrate potential pitfalls. Game theory is applied to explain the motivations of the US, Iran, Israel, and Saudi Arabia, suggesting a complex web of desires that could lead to unintended consequences, including a scenario where the US becomes trapped in Iran. The role of Russia and nuclear weapons are also discussed.