The Powers That Be: Daily Trump’s Iran Bait-and-Switch
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Mar 11, 2026 Julia Ioffe, foreign policy journalist expert on Iran and the Middle East. She unpacks Trump's mixed messaging and market-timing motives. She discusses risks of radicalization and Iran’s possible leadership response. She explores regional allies’ fears and the ripple effects on energy and global stability.
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Why Trump Keeps War Aims Vague
- Donald Trump keeps military and political aims intentionally vague so he can declare victory anytime and avoid accountability.
- Julia Ioffe says this 'bait-and-switch' messaging obscures whether objectives are limited strikes or regime change, confusing allies and markets.
Military Success Doesn’t Guarantee Political Change
- Military degradation can be achieved quickly, but political outcomes like regime change cannot be guaranteed by strikes alone.
- Julia Ioffe warns killing leadership can harden successors, citing the new Khamenei family successor as more hardline.
Undefined Objectives Undermine Off-Ramps
- Off-ramps become easier when objectives are clearly defined; vague answers from administration officials undermine democratic oversight.
- Ioffe and Hamby note Trump hasn't consulted Congress and treats victory as subjective, leaving allies uncertain.