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Washington Week with The Atlantic

Trump's mixed messages and unpredictability on Iran

Season 2026 Episode 3 | 13m 26s

It seemed inevitable earlier this week that President Trump would be ordering military strikes on Iran, but then he pulled back after getting pressure from Israel and America’s Arab allies to hold off. But that doesn’t mean that he won’t attack Iran next week, or tomorrow, or right now, for that matter. Unpredictability is often a useful leadership tool, but we’re in a whole other reality now.

Major funding for “Washington Week with The Atlantic” is provided by Consumer Cellular, Otsuka, Kaiser Permanente, the Yuen Foundation, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
Extras
Watch • 10:22
Washington Week with The Atlantic
How Trump ignores the guardrails of the presidency
How Trump ignores the guardrails of the presidency
Clip: S2026 E3 | 10:22
Watch • 26:46
Washington Week with The Atlantic
Washington Week with The Atlantic full episode, Jan. 16, 2025
Washington Week with The Atlantic full episode, Jan. 16, 2025
Episode: S2026 E3 | 26:46
Watch • 26:46
Washington Week with The Atlantic
Washington Week with The Atlantic full episode,1/9/26
Washington Week with The Atlantic full episode,1/9/26
Episode: S2026 E2 | 26:46
Watch • 4:14
Washington Week with The Atlantic
What is the goal of Trump's immigration crackdown?
What is the goal of Trump's aggressive immigration crackdown?
Clip: S2026 E2 | 4:14
Watch • 19:32
Washington Week with The Atlantic
Trump’s Greenland threats and imperialist ambitions
Trump’s Greenland threats and imperialist ambitions
Clip: S2026 E2 | 19:32
Watch • 26:45
Washington Week with The Atlantic
Washington Week with The Atlantic full episode, 1/2/26
Washington Week with The Atlantic full episode, 1/2/26
Episode: S2026 E1 | 26:45
Watch • 20:14
Washington Week with The Atlantic
Trump's national security strategy and how it may play out
Trump's new national security strategy and how it may play out in 2026
Clip: S2026 E1 | 20:14
Watch • 3:26
Washington Week with The Atlantic
Will Trump go to war with Venezuela in 2026?
Will Trump go to war with Venezuela in 2026?
Clip: S2026 E1 | 3:26
Watch • 3:07
Washington Week with The Atlantic
Project 2026: What's next from the Trump administration
Project 2026: What's next from the Trump administration
Clip: S2025 E52 | 3:07
Watch • 26:45
Washington Week with The Atlantic
Washington Week with The Atlantic full episode, 12/26/25
Washington Week with The Atlantic full episode, 12/26/25
Episode: S2025 E52 | 26:45