Trump Or Tehran: Who's Choking Whom in Hormuz?

Trump Or Tehran: Who's Choking Whom in Hormuz?

Author: JNS Podcasts August 12, 2026 Duration: 34:48
Is President Trump’s strategy slowly breaking Iran’s regime, or giving Tehran time to recover? Ruthie Blum and Mark Regev examine the growing debate over Trump’s approach to Iran, including economic pressure, the blockade of Iranian ports, the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s nuclear ambitions, rising oil prices, and the possibility of renewed military action. Could a prolonged war of attrition weaken the Islamic Republic, or was stopping short of decisive victory a dangerous mistake? Then, the conversation turns to Gaza: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s rejection of a proposed 15-point plan, reports of restraint by the IDF, Hamas’s refusal to disarm, and the possibility of private understandings between Trump and Netanyahu. Is Trump playing the long game, or allowing a dangerous regime to survive? Let us know what you think in the comments!

In Israel Undiplomatic, senior contributing editor Ruthie Blum and former ambassador Mark Regev, both veterans of the Prime Minister’s Office, engage in the kind of frank, detailed debate that happens behind closed doors. This podcast moves beyond headlines and diplomatic niceties to tackle the complex realities Israel navigates both at home and on the world stage. While sharing a foundational worldview, Blum and Regev often clash on strategy, interpretation, and the gritty particulars of policy, proving that the most consequential disagreements arise among those closest to the issues. Each episode is a deep dive into a pressing political, social, or security challenge, dissecting the nuances that shape Israel's present and future. Listeners get a front-row seat to an unfiltered exchange of ideas, where historical context meets current controversy and where the stakes of every decision are laid bare. The conversation is direct, informed by decades of insider experience, and unafraid to explore contentious ground. For anyone seeking to understand the forces shaping Israel beyond superficial narratives, this JNS podcast offers an essential and compelling dialogue.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

Israel Undiplomatic
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