Poised and confused: the will-he-won’t-he of Iran strikes

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<p>As a military build-up continues in the Middle East, President Donald Trump’s messaging remains <a href="https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2026/02/25/americans-have-no-idea-what-donald-trump-wants-from-iran?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ambiguous</a>. What could, at this stage, head off conflict? Our <a href="https://www.economist.com/interactive/america-at-250#chapter-2?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">series on America’s 250th birthday</a> continues with a dive into our archive on the era leading up to civil war. And a couple of recommendations for the silver and the small screen.</p><br><p>Guests and host:</p><ul><li>Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondent</li><li>Annie Crabill, senior digital editor</li><li>Alexandra Suich Bass, Culture editor</li><li>Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”</li></ul><p><br></p><p>Topics covered: </p><ul><li>Iran, nuclear deal, military build-up</li><li>American history</li><li>entertainment, “Dreams”, “Bridgerton”</li></ul><p><br></p><p><em>Get a world of insights by </em><a href="https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>subscribing to Economist Podcasts+</em></a><em>. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our </em><a href="https://myaccount.economist.com/s/article/What-is-Economist-Podcasts" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>FAQs page</em></a><em> or watch </em><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gczo71bg1uY" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>our video</em></a><em> explaining how to link your account.</em></p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>