The Monocle Daily Will Iran be Donald Trump’s next target?
Jan 6, 2026
In this discussion, Daniela Pellett, Managing Editor at the Institute for War and Peace Reporting, analyzes Iran's recent protests and the implications of U.S. intervention. Robin Lustig, veteran journalist, debates the unpredictability of Trump's motives and the potential impact of U.S. foreign actions. Technology author Dan Wong contrasts the engineering approaches of the U.S. and China, shedding light on infrastructure advancements. The panel also critiques Germany's migration policy and questions if disaster recovery is becoming a privilege for the wealthy.
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Migration Is Push And Pull Dynamics
- Migration shifts reflect both push factors and changing pull factors like economic opportunity.
- Robin Lustig highlights Germany's falling attractiveness as an economic pull amid slower growth.
Integration Often Delivers Economic Gains
- Many migrants who arrived in Germany have become skilled workers and contributors.
- Robin Lustig uses the 2015 Syrian arrivals as evidence of long-term integration benefits.
Emotion Fuels Migration Misinformation
- Migration debate has been dominated by feeling and exploited by disinformation operations.
- Daniela Pellett warns emotive culture-war framing left Europe vulnerable to manipulation.
