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What’s the Point of the Iran War?

Shownote

This week, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss the possible political outcomes of the war in Iran given the complexities of Iranian society with guest Karim Sadjadpour [https://carnegieendowment.org/people/karim-sadjadpour], whether the primary election results could mean that Texas will finally turn blue, and the amazing legal back-and-forth between the embarrassed Trump DOJ and the victorious Big Law firms who fought back against its clear abuse of executive power.   For this week’s Slate Plus bonus episode, Emily, John, and David discuss this week’s Supreme Court arguments over whether the federal government can bar marijuana users from owning a gun.   In the latest Gabfest Reads [https://slate.com/podcasts/gabfestreads], John Dickerson talks with Father James Martin about his new book, Work in Progress: Confessions of a Busboy, Dishwasher, Caddy, Usher, Factory Worker, Bank Teller, Corporate Tool, and Priest [https://www.amazon.com/Work-Progress-Confessions-dishwasher-corporate/dp/0062694480/tag=slatmaga-20]. They discuss the spiritual lessons learned through eight different jobs, Martin’s controversial LGBTQ ministry that made him a target of criticism within the Catholic Church, and what the Gospels demand about welcoming strangers and caring for the marginalized.   Email your chatters, questions, and comments to gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be referenced by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)   Podcast production by Nina Porzucki   Research by Emily Ditto You can find the full Political Gabfest show pages here [https://slate.com/podcasts/political-gabfest].   Want more Political Gabfest? Join Slate Plus to unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. You can subscribe directly from the Political Gabfest show page on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/political-gabfest/id158004641]and Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/2oXS9kkKiXdkkCYB3YfqYZ]. Or visit slate.com/gabfestplus [http://slate.com/gabfestplus] to get access wherever you listen.   Find out more about David Plotz's monthly tours of Ft. DeRussy, [http://secretfortdc.com/] the secret Civil War fort hidden in Rock Creek Park.     Follow @SlateGabfest on X / https://twitter.com/SlateGabfest [https://twitter.com/SlateGabfest] Slate Political Gabfest on Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/Gabfest/ [https://www.facebook.com/Gabfest/] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Highlights

This week, the hosts delve into the complex geopolitical landscape of US-Israel relations with Iran, the shifting political tides in Texas following a key primary, and the chaotic legal confrontation between the Trump administration and major law firms.
00:04
US and Israel going to war with Iran
06:39
Israel sees Iran as an existential threat
10:06
80% of Iranians oppose the regime.
24:20
Allred's cultural crossover appeal drove his victory.
45:45
Professions with stronger ethical theology show more resistance.
52:08
Productivity up, compensation at record low.

Chapters

Tensions with Iran, Texas Politics, and Trump's Legal Battles
00:00
Why the US and Israel See Iran So Differently
06:39
The Fractured Opposition: Why 80% of Iranians Aren't Protesting
10:06
Can Colin Allred's Latino Support Turn Texas Blue?
24:20
The Trump DOJ's Chaotic War with Big Law Firms
39:32
Economic Paradoxes and a Controversial DHS Ad Campaign
52:08
Listener Chatter: The Joy of Seeing the Same Broadway Show
58:35

Transcript

David Plotz: Hello and welcome to the Slate Political Gabfest. March 5th, 2026, the What's the Point of the Iran War? Edition. I am David Plotz of CityCast here in Washington, D.C. I'm joined from New Haven, Connecticut, where she is one year older, but fo...