To the Point
Does the Trump White House want war with Iran?
President Trump has invited Iran to “pick up the phone and call” him. He’s also threatened the “end” of that country. It’s the latest act in a long international drama.
By Warren Olney • • 46m ListenIraq is accused of various provocations, and American ships and bombers are being sent to the Middle East. The consensus is that neither side wants war. But, National Security Advisor John Bolton did advocate bombing Iran before he joined the Trump White House, and the president has exchanged dire threats with Iranian leaders. The escalated rhetoric is confusing, and there’s a lot at stake for US allies in Europe. They’re still part of the nuclear deal Trump withdrew from; Iran wants their help in dealing with economic sanctions, and they have to maintain their business ties to the US.
Warren Olney
former KCRW broadcaster
Andrea Brody
Senior Producer, KCRW's Life Examined and To the Point podcast
Robin Wright
contributing writer at The New Yorker magazine, and a joint fellow at U.S. Institute of Peace and the Woodrow Wilson Center
Negar Mortazavi
Iranian journalist
Steven Erlanger
New York Times