An Iran Hawk’s Take on the Cease-Fire

An Iran Hawk’s Take on the Cease-Fire

From Foreign Policy Live by Foreign Policy

April 9, 2026 · 34 min

About this episode

John Bolton discusses the Trump administration's approach to Iran and the current cease-fire in the Middle East with host Ravi Agrawal.

The Trump administration’s plans in the Middle East are often criticized by those who say he shouldn’t have attacked Iran. But the White House is also facing flak from those who say that it didn’t go far enough. John Bolton is a longtime proponent of regime change in Iran. He served as national security advisor in the first Trump administration before falling out with the president. Bolton joined FP’s Ravi Agrawal for a debate. Plus, Ravi gives his read on the tenuous Middle East cease-fire. Ravi Agrawal: Why Trump Mishandled Iran New York Times: John Bolton: Finish the Job: How Trump Can Still Win in Iran Ali Hashem: The Iran Cease-Fire Has Only Divided the War Raphael S. Cohen: Trump’s Iran War Is a Dilemma, Not a Debacle Eric Brewer: Preventing an Iranian Bomb Is Only Getting Harder Stephen Walt: America’s Pro-War Elites Must Be Held Accountable Rishi Iyengar: Trump’s Pivot to Pakistan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

People in this episode

Host: Ravi Agrawal

Guest: John Bolton

Topics covered

  • Iran
  • Middle East
  • Cease-fire
  • Regime change
  • Trump administration
  • National security

Keywords

  • Iran
  • Trump
  • cease-fire
  • John Bolton
  • Middle East
  • regime change
  • national security

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Trump administration, New York Times

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