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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 • 5:51
Washington Week with The Atlantic
How oil prices could impact Trump's next moves on Iran
How rising oil prices could impact Trump's next moves on Iran
Clip: S2026 E11 | 5:51
Watch • 14:26
Washington Week with The Atlantic
What leverage Iran may have as U.S. war continues
What leverage Iran may have as U.S. war continues
Clip: S2026 E11 | 14:26
Watch • 24:10
Washington Week with The Atlantic
Washington Week with The Atlantic full episode, 3/13/26
Full Washington Week with the Atlantic broadcast from March 13, 2026.
Episode: S2026 E11 | 24:10
Watch • 26:46
Washington Week with The Atlantic
Washington Week with The Atlantic full episode, 3/6/26
Full Washington Week with the Atlantic broadcast from March 6, 2026.
Episode: S2026 E10 | 26:46
Watch • 8:10
Washington Week with The Atlantic
Trump demands Iran’s surrender, but ending war is not easy
Trump demands Iran’s surrender, but ending war is not easy
Clip: S2026 E10 | 8:10
Watch • 13:09
Washington Week with The Atlantic
Trump's rationale and objectives for Iran war remain unclear
Trump's rationale and objectives for Iran war remain unclear
Clip: S2026 E10 | 13:09
Watch • 9:49
Washington Week with The Atlantic
Trump’s allies under scrutiny for Epstein ties
Trump’s allies under scrutiny for Epstein ties
Clip: S2026 E9 | 9:49
Watch • 10:56
Washington Week with The Atlantic
DOJ faces pushback for withholding Epstein files on Trump
DOJ faces pushback for withholding Epstein files mentioning Trump
Clip: S2026 E9 | 10:56
Watch • 24:10
Washington Week with The Atlantic
Washington Week with The Atlantic full episode, 2/27/26
Washington Week with The Atlantic full episode, 2/27/26
Episode: S2026 E9 | 24:10
Watch • 9:50
Washington Week with The Atlantic
Trump dealt major blow by Supreme Court
Trump dealt major blow by Supreme Court
Clip: S2026 E8 | 9:50