Bremmer Claims Iran Gains Geopolitical Leverage Despite Losses in Trump War
"This to me feels like an enormous failure compared to why Trump went into the war. What he is getting— there is no regime change. The Iranian people will continue to be brutalized, and they're continuing to have influence over Hezbollah and the Houthis. I wouldn't say that they've won the war because, I mean, you killed their Supreme Leader, you killed a lot of their military leaders, their economy has been damaged massively, but they have a lot more geopolitical leverage coming out of this than what anyone would've considered acceptable before you went into the war. So America's war goals have not been close to been reached. I see this for Trump as an enormous failure of policy."
About this episode
On this episode of Raging Moderates, hosts Scott Galloway and Jessica Tarlow dissect the Trump administration's Iran ceasefire agreement with Eurasia Group president Ian Bremmer, who delivered a scathing assessment of what he called an enormous policy failure. Bremmer revealed insider information that Qatar and the UAE are unfreezing Iranian assets as part of the deal despite White House denials of financial concessions, and disclosed that the memorandum of understanding remains classified because its terms favor Iran and embarrass the administration. He argued that while Iran suffered major losses including its Supreme Leader, the Islamic Republic emerged with greater geopolitical leverage than before the war, with none of Trump's stated objectives—regime change, ballistic missile restrictions, or ending proxy support—achieved. The conversation shifted to Ukraine, where Bremmer declared Ukrainians are now winning after years of losses, aided by Elon Musk cutting Starlink access to Russia and Hungary's new leadership ending obstruction to EU integration. The hosts also analyzed the White House UFC event celebrating Trump's 80th birthday, where a fighter's transphobic remark about Michelle Obama drew condemnation for casting a pall over the spectacle. Galloway argued the event, while distasteful, represents politically savvy outreach to voters seeking masculine governance, while Tarlow noted polling shows only 16% of Americans found it appropriate. The episode concluded with discussion of Maine Senate candidate Graham Plattner's prospects despite abuse allegations, with both hosts suggesting his background and policy positions may overcome controversy in a race where Republicans must now spend unexpected resources.
Key takeaways
- Bremmer revealed Qatar and UAE are unfreezing Iranian assets in the ceasefire deal despite White House denials of financial concessions to Iran.
- The Iran MOU remains classified because Trump officials are uncomfortable with terms that favor Iran over America, according to Bremmer's analysis.
- Bremmer characterized the Iran ceasefire as an enormous Trump policy failure with no regime change or restrictions on ballistic missiles or proxies achieved.
- Ukraine has shifted from losing to winning against Russia aided by Musk cutting Starlink to Russian forces and Hungarian leadership change ending EU obstruction.
- A fighter's transphobic remark about Michelle Obama at the White House UFC event drew condemnation for undermining the historic spectacle on the South Lawn.
- Polling shows only 16% of Americans found the White House UFC fight appropriate, with 31% of Republicans approving the event.
- Maine Senate candidate Graham Plattner maintains competitiveness despite abuse allegations, with hosts suggesting his military background and policy positions may prevail despite controversy forcing Republicans to spend more defending the seat.