The Monocle Daily As oil prices pass $100 a barrel, the G7 holds off releasing emergency stockpiles
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Mar 9, 2026 Daniel Rachel, author and historian of music and fascist iconography. Simon Brook, journalist on geopolitics and media. Zoe Grunewald, Westminster editor and political commentator. They discuss soaring oil prices, why the G7 held back on reserve releases, US–Europe splits and Iran’s potential leverage. They also debate Russia’s cultural readmission and how musicians flirted with Nazi aesthetics.
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Ambiguity Is A Diplomatic Liability
- Ambiguity in Trump's aims risks lacking an off-ramp and creating diplomatic instability.
- Simon Brook warns that if Trump doesn't know his objective, he cannot easily claim victory or end the confrontation.
New Iranian Leader Signals Defiance And Hardline Rule
- Mojtaba Khamenei's succession signals defiance and likely hardening of Iran's stance given personal losses in the strikes.
- Simon Brook notes he's probably more hardline, with Revolutionary Guard ties and international property holdings.
Regime Resilience Limits Decapitation Impact
- Iran's leadership structure was diffused to survive decapitation, reducing the effect of strikes and making outcomes unpredictable.
- Zoe Grunewald explains powers were scattered to ensure regime continuity after the attack.
