MAGA vs Neocons: How the Iran war split the American right

MAGA vs Neocons: How the Iran war split the American right

Author: The Telegraph July 2, 2026 Duration: 59:31

The US-Iran war has paused, but it has lit a fire under an ideological civil war inside the American right. As Donald Trump prepares to mark America’s 250th birthday on July 4th, today’s episode of Iran: The Latest hosts a high-stakes foreign policy grudge match. 


First, John Bolton, former National Security Advisor, delivers a scathing critique of Trump's premature exit from the conflict. Bolton argues that Washington "stopped too soon” and that Israel is a key ally that the US must continue to protect militarily from Tehran. 


Then, Curt Mills, Executive Director of The American Conservative, fires back from the MAGA right. Mills claims Trump’s base feels a deep sense of betrayal over a war that directly violated core campaign promises and argues the conflict was fought entirely at the behest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.


Plus, Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has not been seen since the start of the war. Will he finally show his face this weekend at the funeral of his father, the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei? 


Highlights

  • John Bolton: ‘The war stopped too soon’
  • Curt Mills: ‘This war was at the behest of Israel’


CONTRIBUTORS:

Venetia Rainey, co-host and executive producer @venetiarainey

Roland Oliphant, co-host and chief foreign affairs analyst @RolandOliphant

John Bolton, former National Security Adviser @AmbJohnBolton

Curt Mills, executive director The American Conservative magazine @CurtMills


WATCH US ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dk


Producer: Elliot Lampitt

Video Producer: Max Bower

Researcher and Social Producer: Anna Hindmarsh

Studio Operator: Ed Gould

Executive Producer: Venetia Rainey 


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For those trying to understand the complex and rapidly shifting landscape of the Middle East, Iran: The Latest offers essential context. This Telegraph podcast moves beyond the headlines to examine the military, diplomatic, and strategic forces shaping the ongoing tensions between Iran, the United States, and Israel. Hosted by veteran foreign correspondents Roland Oliphant and Venetia Rainey, each episode synthesizes frontline reporting from the paper's award-winning journalists with insightful conversations. You'll hear from specialists in areas like regional security architecture, covert operations, and geopolitical theory, providing a clearer picture of the stakes involved. The analysis considers historical grievances, economic pressures, and potential flashpoints, from proxy conflicts to direct confrontations. It’s a resource for anyone who wants to grasp not just what is happening, but why it matters and what might come next. By drawing on deep sourcing and expert commentary, this podcast delivers a nuanced perspective that is both timely and thoroughly researched, making sense of a critical and often misunderstood arena of global affairs.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

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