Fareed Zakaria GPS The Global Square: Navigating Economic and Political Challenges
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Feb 22, 2026 
Jonathan Haidt, NYU social psychologist focusing on youth mental health and social media harms, and Kimberly Clausing, economist and former U.S. Treasury lead economist, discuss NYC's mounting fiscal crisis and policy choices. They examine U.S. military buildup near Iran and possible regional fallout. They also unpack the Supreme Court tariff ruling and the economic and legal paths forward.
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Iran's Calculus Centers On Resistance Not Capitulation
- Iran appears prepared to resist rather than make major concessions, viewing resistance as regime survival.
- Kareem Sajdapur notes Khamenei's decades‑long commitment to resisting the U.S. and preparations for leadership succession if leaders are killed.
The Financial And Operational Cost Of A Buildup
- Sustaining the deployed U.S. strike power is enormously expensive and politically risky if costs mount.
- Haass estimates 40–50% of U.S. strike power is deployed and warns daily costs escalate and spike further in war.
Narrowing Demands Makes A Deal More Plausible
- Narrowing U.S. demands to primarily nuclear constraints increases the chance of a diplomatic deal; broad demands make conflict more likely.
- Haass suggests a nuclear‑focused, face‑saving agreement could be presented as superior to Obama's deal.