Risks of regime removal without a plan

In this special essay, the BBC’s international editor Jeremy Bowen explains what can happen when an American president calls for an uprising – and then doesn’t get involved when it starts.

A version of this piece first ran on BBC Radio 4's Today programme on 11 March.

Producer for The Global Story: Xandra Ellin

Mix: James Shield

Senior news editor: China Collins

Photo: Jeremy Bowen, October 2025