The DSR Network More Trump “Magic”: How He Made Many in the World Have Sympathy for Iran
Apr 22, 2026
Ed Luce, Financial Times columnist known for sharp international analysis. Elisa Ewers, CFR Middle East analyst focused on U.S. policy. Steven A. Cook, CFR senior fellow on regional dynamics. They probe Trump’s apparent lack of a coherent Iran plan. They discuss shifting global sympathy toward Iran, Iran’s info warfare, regional realignments, economic fallout, and China’s opportunistic role.
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Trump Is Making Up Iran Policy As He Goes
- Donald Trump is improvising policy in Iran with shifting goals and tactics rather than a coherent plan.
- Elisa Ewers and Steven A. Cook describe repeated course changes: blockades, ceasefires, regime-change claims and ad-hoc threats illustrating confusion.
Ed Luce's Awkward Phone Calls With Trump
- Ed Luce describes his phone relationship with Trump to illustrate how the president reacts to criticism.
- He recounts sending columns, receiving an excitable text about 'America's winning', then a three-minute rant when he called back.
No Easy Exit Means Political Humiliation For Trump
- The Iran conflict has become existentially humiliating for Trump because every exit option entails political damage.
- Steven A. Cook explains Iran isn't a bank and won't be cowed by his theatrics, leaving Trump with no face-saving off-ramp.