Parallax Views w/ J.G. Michael

Larry C. Johnson, former CIA analyst and State Dept. counterterrorism deputy now writing at Sonar21, warns U.S.–Iran conflict is primed to escalate. He says public talk of talks may be tactical market-calmers. Topics include strategic troop moves, risks to global energy and supply chains, Strait of Hormuz threats, and how this war could outpace Iraq in economic damage.

William J. Astore, retired USAF lieutenant colonel and historian, critiques U.S. foreign policy and the growing Iran conflict. He traces roots to the 1953 coup, warns of long costly wars, and debates the influence of the Israel lobby. They also examine resignations in the national security world, limits of air power, and civic resistance to militarism.

Garvan Rushe, a Dublin-based historian and founder of Dublin Tour Guide, brings the city to life with story-driven walking tours. He discusses tailoring intimate tours, weaving themes like religion, labor and layered urban history, and how monuments and memory shape Dublin. The conversation highlights social change, underseen museum gems, and the emotional power of place-based storytelling.

Ian S. Lustick, political scientist known for Israel-Palestine scholarship, and Eli Clifton, investigative journalist on money in politics, discuss how Israel-aligned networks shape U.S. policy. They probe historical cases like the Iraq war, lobbying ecosystems, Christian Zionist funding, Netanyahu’s influence, shifting public opinion, and a forthcoming book arguing the lobby’s evolving power.

Patrick N. Theros, a retired U.S. diplomat and former ambassador with deep Middle East experience, warns that the U.S. war with Iran is a catastrophic strategic mistake. He explains why the war is unwinnable, how regional politics and Netanyahu influence U.S. decisions, and the grave economic and military risks—urging a rapid face-saving exit to limit damage.

Wahid Azal, an independent scholar of Islamic esotericism and Sufi mystic, warns that Iran holds leverage over the Strait of Hormuz and the global economy. He discusses Iran’s decentralized military advantage, historical roots from 1953 to 1979, diaspora politics and monarchical nostalgia. He also maps regional flashpoints like the Houthis, Gulf state roles, and the risk of wider escalation.

Michael F. Duggan, historian and political analyst who writes on realism and regionalism, joins to unpack George Kennan’s legacy and the true meaning of realism. He explores moderate realism, the shift from unipolarity to multipolarity, and the idea of consolidating regional power rather than global overreach. The conversation also examines spheres of influence, risks of ideological crusades, and strategic restraint.

Jon Hoffman, a Cato Institute defense and Middle East analyst, breaks down the Trump administration’s Operation Epic Fury and its murky aims. He critiques shifting rationales, the illusion that killing leaders ends wars, and the risks of ground deployment, proxy fights, and regional collapse. The conversation spotlights historical parallels, unclear timelines, and the high political and human costs of a preemptive campaign.

James M. Dorsey, journalist and Middle East analyst, offers sharp analysis of Iran’s bold refusal to bow to Trump’s coercive tactics. He explores how Tehran’s moves test U.S. brinkmanship, the risks of escalation across the Gulf and energy markets, succession dynamics after Khamenei, and why regional actors may avoid—or be drawn into—a wider war.

Ori Goldberg, Israeli dissident and former academic, offers a sharp inside perspective from Israel. He discusses why the Iran war was avoidable, how Israeli pressure and Trump’s gamble shaped the strike, and growing fissures between Washington and Jerusalem. He also examines Israeli public logic, claims of Jewish exceptionalism, and the international fallout of a conflict without a clear endgame.