Trump in Iran: war as performance art

It's groundhog day in the White House, as Donald Trump reverts back to all out war with Iran, bombing essential targets and threatening escalation if Iran refuses to open the Strait of Hormuz. Is there any genuine optimism in Washington that the regime could fall—or is this 'hit em hard' attitude a cover for a foreign policy running out of options? If there is no appetite for real military action in US politics, are we left with an Iran War being used as a political statement rather than a coherent military strategy?

Also in this episode: the Democratic Socialists of America. Centrist Democrats are making a stand against a group of socialists that include Zohran Mamdani and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, promising 'capitalism not socialism', but are they being pulled leftwards on the economy? Troy Jackson, aka Johnny Cash of the Allagash, is a Democratic Socialist, and is currently favourite to replace the disgraced Graham Platner as the candidate for Maine. 

Finally, Katy Balls and Gerard Baker look ahead to Trump's prime-time address on Thursday. White House aides are increasingly nervous; Trump is expected to use the broadcast to aggressively attack the integrity of US voting system. Is the President laying the ground to nullify the upcoming midterm elections in November?

Katy Balls, Washington editor and columnist at The Times and The Sunday Times

Gerard Baker, columnist at The Times and editor at large at The Wall Street Journal

Producers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry Kitson

Executive producer: Molly Guinness

Picture: Handout photo by US Department of Defense via Getty Images (US sea drones strike a submarine and a ship maintenance facility on July 13, 2026 in an undisclosed area of Iran)

Audio: Fox News, AP, CBS, https://www.facebook.com/TroyJacksonmaine, Reuters

00:00 - Inside Trump's "Performance War"

01:43 - Bombing Iran: The Battle for the Strait of Hormuz

03:33 - A War with No Clear Way Out?

05:13 - Trump Unleashed & The Legacy of Lindsey Graham

06:36 - Military Strategy vs. Political Illusion in the Gulf

10:51 - Trump's History Obsession & The Shocking Oil Market Reality

15:25 - The Democratic Party's Sudden Lurch to the Left

17:07 - Can Centrist Democrats Survive the Socialist Momentum?

21:42 - The Fierce Battle Over Israel Aid & Speculation for 2028

23:57 - Meet Troy Jackson: The "Johnny Cash of the Allagash"

25:34 - Trump's "Wild Card" Speech on Election Integrity

28:07 - Laying the Groundwork to Nullify the Next Election?

29:44 - "See You In Court" — The Legal War Ahead

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