The Daily Beast Podcast How Trump's War Has Triggered New Axis of Evil
18 snips
Mar 3, 2026 
David Rothkopf, columnist and founder of the DSR Network, gives compact foreign policy analysis. He traces an impulsive strike lacking congressional approval and a coherent NSC process. He connects the action to Netanyahu’s political calculations, regional escalation risks, oil shocks before the midterms, and the unlikely promise of regime-change democracy in Tehran.
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Strike Driven By Distraction And Political Pressure
- David Rothkopf argues Trump launched the Iran strike impulsively to distract from domestic scandals, calling it "Operation Epstein Fury."
- Rothkopf points to Trump shopping for pretexts and Netanyahu pressing him, making the action politically motivated not strategic.
War Launched Without Congressional Approval
- Rothkopf says the strike was illegal because Trump bypassed Congress, violating the Constitution's war-declaration role.
- He contrasts this with George W. Bush seeking congressional approval for Iraq, highlighting lack of legal process here.
Iran Is A High Risk Target Not A Pinprick
- Rothkopf warns Iran is a large, capable state not a minor target like Venezuela, meaning attacks risk wide escalation.
- He emphasizes Iran's 93 million population, advanced weapons, and global networks as escalation multipliers.