Bill Kristol: End the War

The episode opens with Bill Kristol warning that President Trump’s unilateral strike on Iran has left traditional European partners feeling sidelined. Germany’s defense minister publicly rebuffed the move, while France and other allies expressed frustration at being excluded from planning. This diplomatic fallout underscores a widening rift in NATO and EU‑US relations, eroding the trust built over decades and complicating any coordinated response to the crisis in the Gulf.

Kristol and host Tim Miller then explore the broader strategic fallout. The conflict is inadvertently boosting Russian oil revenues, driving global energy prices higher and straining markets that depend on Gulf supplies. Gulf states, particularly the UAE and Saudi Arabia, find their investments and political capital at risk as the United States appears unable to protect them. Without a coherent plan, Washington faces a stark decision point: pull back and risk appearing weak, or commit ground forces, which could entangle the U.S. in a costly, protracted war.

Finally, the conversation turns to domestic implications. Kristol suggests Trump may view the war as a tool to consolidate his authoritarian base, using national‑security rhetoric to silence dissent ahead of upcoming elections. This political calculus could force the administration to prolong the conflict despite clear strategic hazards, further damaging America’s credibility on the world stage. The episode concludes that without a clear exit strategy, the war threatens to undermine both U.S. foreign policy objectives and internal democratic norms.