Economist Podcasts Spars and strikes: Who backs Iran war?
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Mar 5, 2026 
Shera Avi-Yonah, a business writer covering marketing trends, Sophie Pedder, Paris bureau chief with expertise in French defence, and Adam Roberts, foreign editor focused on international conflicts, discuss US strikes on Iran and the domestic political fallout for Trump. They cover European military moves, Macron’s nuclear posture shift, and the rise and limits of MAGA-branded businesses.
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Trump's Shift From Peace Candidate To War President
- Donald Trump has shifted from a 2016 anti‑war posture to an interventionist stance, sending forces and ordering strikes on Iran.
- Adam Roberts says this change alienates Trump’s original base who opposed 'forever wars' and could create domestic political fallout.
Weak Early Public Support For Iran Strikes
- Public support for strikes on Iran remains low compared with past wars, with only around 30–40% approval early on.
- Adam Roberts notes this is far below the near‑universal support seen after 9/11, and could fall further as casualties mount.
Allied Hesitation And Regional Risk Aversion
- Few US allies enthusiastically joined initial strikes; Israel supported but many Europeans and Gulf states were cautious.
- Adam Roberts highlights Europeans' reluctance to lend bases and Gulf fears of economic and stability blowback.