Pod Force One "Diplomatic Gangster": Mike Waltz, our UN ambassador, Talks DOGE-ing the U.N. and the Iran War
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Mar 25, 2026 
Mike Waltz, U.S. Ambassador to the UN and former Green Beret and congressman, outlines UN reform and hard-nosed diplomacy. He discusses cutting UN bureaucracy, countering Chinese influence, and embedding a Gaza peace plan into international law. He also discusses the Iran war, Iranian plots, and how coalition-building and military experience shape his diplomatic approach.
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EU Ambassador Called Us Diplomatic Gangsters
- During the IMO fight, EU diplomats called U.S. negotiators "diplomatic gangsters" after the U.S. helped kill the shipping tax proposal.
- Waltz framed it as a badge of honor and momentum for further reforms.
When Withdrawal Beats Reform In International Bodies
- Some international bodies are deemed unreformable and the U.S. may withdraw participation rather than cede sovereignty.
- Waltz cites leaving WHO and the UN Human Rights Council over perceived bias and attempts to impose global vaccine or policing policies.
Why UN Backing Turns Plans Into Actionable Policy
- The UN can legitimize multilateral actions that countries need to align domestic laws for contributions or operations.
- Waltz used the example of embedding President Trump's 20-point Gaza peace plan into UN-backed international law to enable contributions and replacements for Hamas-controlled infrastructure.