School of War Ep 190: Michael Doran on “Restraint” and the Middle East
Apr 15, 2025
Michael Doran, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, dives into the concept of 'restraintism' in U.S. foreign policy. He discusses how this ideology influenced Trump's decisions in the Middle East, contrasting them with Obama's approach. Doran also tackles the complexities of U.S.-Iran relations, the impact of economic considerations on policy, and the tensions between Turkey and Israel. He sheds light on the challenges of negotiating peace while balancing regional dynamics, emphasizing the need for a nuanced understanding of American interests abroad.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Bipartisan Restraintism Trend
- Restraintism has bipartisan support, unusual for foreign policy issues.
- They position themselves as conservative populists ignored by globalists and mainstream media.
2007 Syria Nuclear Strike Incident
- In 2007, Bush refrained from attacking Syria's nuclear site due to public backlash.
- Israelis ignored his advice and struck, marking a pivotal restraint era moment.
Iraq Study Group Impact
- The Iraq Study Group sought bipartisan ways to exit Iraq, pushing outreach to Iran.
- Brett McGurk, present in multiple administrations, supported reaching out to Iran for stabilization.