Notes from the Underground with David Aaronovitch

Live with The New World: Matt Kelly and David Aaronovitch

In this live episode of The New World, editor‑in‑chief Matt Kelly chats with Substack writer David Aaronovitch about the chaotic fallout from recent Middle‑East crises, especially the U.S.‑Iran confrontation and its ripple effects on oil markets, Russia, and global geopolitics. They dissect competing narratives about Trump’s motives—whether he was nudged by Israel, exploiting a chance to weaken Iran, or simply reacting to oil price spikes—and compare today’s “regime‑change” rhetoric to past interventions in Iraq and Venezuela. Aaronovitch revisits his earlier stance on international law, arguing that the failure of the Responsibility‑to‑Protect doctrine still haunts policy decisions. The conversation also touches on the political fallout for Trump domestically and the challenges faced by allies like the UK under Keir Starmer.