Special Episode: War in Iran

The foreign-affairs journalist Ishaan Tharoor joins Tyler Foggatt to discuss the fallout from the United States’ joint military operation with Israel in Iran. They talk about the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei—who was among the hundreds killed by drone and missile strikes—and how the country has retaliated against the U.S., Israel, and several of its Arab neighbors. Their conversation explores what comes next for the Iranian government and people, how the conflict fits into President Donald Trump’s broader foreign-policy vision, and whether this latest attempt at regime change in the Middle East is likely to succeed when past American interventions have failed. 

This week’s reading:

• “Has Trump Thought Through the Endgame in Iran?,” by Ishaan Tharoor
• “What Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Meant to Iran, and What Comes Next,” by Robin Wright
• “Trump’s Reckless Decision to Pursue Regime Change in Iran,” by Isaac Chotiner
• “Donald Trump Launches a War of ‘Epic Fury’ on Iran,” by Robin Wright
• “What Mehdi Mahmoudian Saw Inside the Iranian Prison System,” by Cora Engelbrecht

The Political Scene draws on the reporting and analysis found in The New Yorker for lively conversations about the big questions in American politics. Join the magazine’s writers and editors as they put into context the latest news—about elections, the economy, the White House, the Supreme Court, and much more. New episodes are available three times a week. 

Tune in to The Political Scene wherever you get your podcasts.