How Trump’s gamble in Iran could backfire in America | The Economist

2026-03-05

Are Gulf countries running out of interceptor missiles? The Arab states have repelled hundreds of Iranian ballistic missiles and drone attacks, alongside American forces. But if the current pace of Iranian strikes continue, a crisis could soon develop.

#iran #missile #trump

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2026-02-27

Donald Trump has been amassing American forces across the Middle East, as he seeks to pressure Iran to limit its nuclear programme. The president is apparently “curious” as to why Tehran has not capitulated.

But where are his troops? And what are the forces capable of?

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2026-01-12

Could Iran’s protests spark another war with Israel? Anshel Pfeffer, our Israel correspondent, and Jason Palmer, co-host of The Intelligence podcast, discuss how unrest inside Iran could spill over and seriously ramp up tensions with Israel.

00:00 – What are the Iranian protests, and why do they matter to Israel?
01:10 – Why would Iran retaliate when it is facing serious problems at home?
04:02 – Could Israel use this moment to strike Iran again?
07:25 – How might Israel hope to benefit from Iran’s instability in the long run?

Listen to the full episode: https://econ.st/49wuqT9
Israel hopes for regime change in Iran: https://econ.st/4jyCiZ0
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#TheEconomist #Iran #Israel

2026-01-04

Derided as the “doping Olympics”, the Enhanced Games has drawn intense criticism from sporting bodies. But, as The Economist’s health editor Natasha Loder explains, human enhancement is already a $125bn industry.

2025-11-27

The Republican Party has a near-universal devotion to Donald Trump. But according to John Bolton, the president’s former national security adviser, Mr Trump’s grip on the party is starting to weaken.

2025-11-23

The world’s population is heading for collapse—but how worried should we be? Our top economics editors explain why women around the globe are having fewer babies.

2025-10-06

How did Donald Trump make the Gaza talks happen? Jason Palmer, co-host of The Intelligence podcast, and Anshel Pfeffer, our Israel correspondent, discuss the ongoing peace negotiations in Egypt and how America’s president was pivotal in making them happen.

00:00 – How did we get to this point?
02:55 – What’s the peace plan as it stands?
03:45 – Why do both sides want this first phase?
04:54 – What happens after the first stages of the ceasefire?
06:30 – Is Trump the difference this time?

#TheEconomist #DonaldTrump #gaza

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A make-or-break moment for Israel, Hamas—and Donald Trump: https://econ.st/3Kv2fLR
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2025-10-02

Can NATO protect its skies from Russia? On September 10th NATO experienced the worst-ever violation of its airspace, when 19 Russian drones entered Poland. On paper, the alliance has an incredibly capable air-defence system. But drones present a new threat. Shashank Joshi, our defence editor, explains why