Middle East Geoeconomics Lead for Bloomberg Economics, Dina Esfandiary, Talks US Military, Middle East Tensions
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What was that like, Dina? You wander in the door at King's College, and it's literally like you're talking to the Adam Smith of war studies.
First, thanks for having me. You know, you don't know better than to just be excited and appreciate that you are studying with some pretty great people and then really appreciate the mentorship that they give you, which is what I call.
This war that we're in, it's on the cover of the New York Times. There's maps that you look at and all that. Dina, have you ever seen, I mean, this is not like Kuwait. It's not like Iraq. There's something different about this Iran affair of the president. Discuss.
So much to say, so little time. I mean, you know, I think the Iran issue has historically been a real unifying issue in the United States, which is odd given that the US political elites are pretty much split on absolutely everything. Iran tends to unify them, although I think Trump's desire or at least build up and steps towards war is beginning to kind of chip away at that unified elite. So I think there's that element of it. And then I think there's the element of the buildup, right? The military buildup, the US military buildup in the region is really consequential. It's really significant. It's unlike anything that we've seen in the past before. Is it really intended to go to war or is it intended to scare the Iranians to the negotiating table?
I think there's an element of both. But the risk, of course, is that the buildup is so significant that unless Trump gets everything he wants out of an agreement with the Iranians, he's going to have to use it to justify that buildup. Dina, I think, as you mentioned, the buildup of military capabilities in that part of the world is substantial. Do we know what the U.S. strategy is?
What insights does Dina Esfandiary share about her background in geoeconomics?
What does the U.S. want here from Iran? That seems to be unclear for a lot of folks. I mean, that is the million dollar question. What are the objectives of what the United States is doing right now? It started out as, you know, we had to find a way to contain or roll back Iran's nuclear program. Then for some people in the United States, it became about regime change. Then it returned back to the nuclear program. It's really, really unclear. And the reason for that is I think the administration itself is unclear on what its objectives are. I think there's an element of...
opportunism right now okay but there's an opportunity dina how are the generals and the admirals like the pros at this like you do they feel left from where you sit is this being run off the desk of the president in the oval office or is there actually a discussion of normal planning of a conflict or a war in the process of war studies
I mean, I think it's impossible to go to war without at least having a conversation with the generals. And in fact, it's been reported that President Trump has been briefed on the military options when it comes to Iran. And part of that briefing and conversation is actually why Trump didn't go to war with Iran in January when the protests were happening and when he promised to send help. Because I think the briefing from the generals really frightened him and pushed him to build his capabilities up first.
That's the smartest thing I've heard, Paul. I mean, I'm sorry, but forget about all of our parents were riveted and molded by Pearl Harbor.
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