EP-399 | “U.S. Entered the Iran War Unprepared” Biden Era Top Gulf Official Daniel Benaim

Daniel Benaim served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Arabian Peninsula Affairs at the U.S. State Department. He previously advised President Joe Biden on West Asia policy and has worked at the White House and the U.S. Senate. He also wrote speeches for Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and other senior U.S. officials. He closely follows developments in West Asia and U.S. foreign policy.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Daniel says that the U.S. miscalculated the Iran war and wasn’t fully prepared. He explains how Iran may be “winning without winning”, and why Gulf countries feel let down by the conflict. He also talks about Iran’s use of the Strait of Hormuz as a key lever, and why India’s approach to the crisis appears measured and pragmatic.

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction

00:52 – Who’s Winning Iran War?

05:36 – Future of Iranian Regime

08:32 – Will U.S. Deploy Troops to Iran?

11:28 – Strait of Hormuz Blockade

14:51 – Future of Alliances in West Asia

19:57 – Will Gulf Nations Attack Iran?

23:00 – Russia & China on Iran War

24:10 – Trump Delays Beijing Visit

25:21 – Did Trump Miscalculate Iran?

30:46 – Biden or Clinton: Response to Iran War

32:35 – Will Iran Surrender?

34:28 – Trump Opening New War Fronts?

37:30 – If Iran Survives, Who Wins?

40:38 – Saudi-Pakistan Ties

44:17 – Do Americans Support Iran War?

49:46 – Iran’s Missile Capacity

52:41 – Did Biden Give $6 Billion to Iran?

55:48 – Iran’s Nuclear Program

58:21 – India’s Stand on Iran War

1:00:39 – Will India Pick a Side in Iran War?

1:04:27 – What Does Saudi Want from Pakistan?

1:06:56 – Who Can Mediate Iran War?

1:08:39 – Will Iranian Regime Survive?

1:10:47 – Who is Face of the Democrats?

1:12:29 – Evolving India-U.S. Ties