Stephen Zunes Podcast

I am Professor of Politics, University of San Francisco. I write on US politics and the Middle East. stephenzunes962006.substack.com

Stephen Zunes Podcast is a history podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 28 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts Stephen Zunes Podcast, a history show with 28 episodes published.

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  Stephen Zunes Podcast

  On Iran, Trump Has Backed Himself — and Much of the World — Into a Corner

  May 8, 202611 minS0

  <p>First published in Truthout, May 5, 2026</p><p>U.S. efforts to force an end to the stalemate in the Strait of Hormuz by attempting to escort a few U.S.-flagged ships through the Iranian closure will not only fail to relieve the worsening global fuel crisis and disruption of supply chains, it risks a resumption of full-scale war. The Trump administration has rejected Iran’s suggestion for negotiating an end to the blockade followed by a resumption of talks on other outstanding issues, insisting that Iran first agree to eliminate its nuclear program.</p><p>In February 2019, I sa...

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  Stephen Zunes Podcast

  This Isn’t Just Trump’s War on Iran. Both Parties Paved the Way for Disaster.

  Apr 18, 202612 minS0

  <p>First published in Truthout, April 17, 2026. Read by Greg Bates</p><p>Unlike the invasion of Iraq, which received the support of a sizable minority of congressional Democrats, Donald Trump’s war on Iran has received near-universal criticism. Still, the party has focused primarily on process-style critiques — such as the legality of declaring the war under the Constitution and the war’s economic impact — rather than the humanitarian consequences and flagrant violations of international law.</p><p>That should not come as a surprise to anyone familiar with the U.S. bipartisan consensus on Iran: For over 20 years, a number of promi...

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  Stephen Zunes Podcast

  Trump’s Disastrous War of Choice in Iran

  Apr 12, 20267 minS0

  <p>First published in The Progressive, April 10, 2026. Read by Greg Bates. </p><p>t is difficult, as of this writing, to speculate as to whether a genuine ceasefire in the war with Iran will take hold, even temporarily. Under previous U.S. presidential administrations, it was easier to make predictions, even when foreign policy decisions were based on faulty assumptions, since there was at least some sense that decision making would be based on strategic thinking.</p><p>Not so under President Donald Trump, who has consistently sidelined or overruled knowledgeable advisors, including those in top military and intelligence positions...

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  Stephen Zunes Podcast

  The United States Cannot ‘Win’ a War on Iran

  Apr 5, 202610 minS0

  <p>First published in The Progressive Magazine, April 3, 2026. Written by Stephen Zunes, Read by Greg Bates.</p><p>Iran certainly cannot win a war in the face of the massive U.S. and Israeli onslaught. As recent weeks have shown, however, it can still prevent the United States from winning.</p><p>In a new form of asymmetrical warfare, Iran has proven itself capable of wreaking havoc on the global economy to punish the United States and Israel for its aggression.</p><p>President Donald Trump is a bully. Whether with women or with nations, he is willing to cross...

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  Stephen Zunes Podcast

  What Are the Trump Administration’s True Objectives in Iran?

  Mar 5, 202613 minS0

  <p>First published in Truthout, March 4, 2026.</p><p>The ramifications of the escalating U.S.-Israeli war on Iran remain to be seen, but they will not be good. Indeed, as with the U.S.-led war on Iraq, the war on Iran could prove disastrous. It is important to understand, therefore, what would motivate the United States to launch such a reckless, illegal, and destructive action.</p><p>Not surprisingly, most of President Donald Trump’s justifications for the war are demonstrably false:</p><p>First of all, there is no evidence that Iran was planning a pre-emptive attack or...

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