Podcast Summary: The Opinions

Host: The New York Times Opinion
Episode: Trump’s War of Choice Will Become a War of Regret
Date: April 11, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the aftermath and implications of the recent U.S. war against Iran—a conflict initiated as a “war of choice” under President Donald Trump. Host Robert Siegel is joined by Times opinion columnist Carlos Lozado and regular guest E.J. Dionne for a critical exploration of whether the U.S. achieved its objectives, what the war means for America's global leadership, and how decision-making unfolded inside the Trump White House. The conversation also dissects shifts in alliance structures, the rise of religious rhetoric in U.S. foreign policy, and broader geopolitical stakes, especially regarding China. The episode closes with a lighter segment on personal sources of joy amid turbulent times.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Did the U.S. Win, Lose, or Is It Too Soon to Tell?

(01:06–03:36)

• The panel agrees: the war’s outcome is negative and cannot be claimed as a victory.

  • The U.S. destroyed Iranian military assets, but failed at key objectives, such as halting nuclear ambitions or sparking regime change.
  • Quote [02:30] Carlos Lozado:

    "I wouldn't say that it's a win or a loss. I think what we can say, at least for now, it's a failure... When you launch a war of choice, which is what this was, and you expend great resources and you lose brave, precious lives in the process, and you don't meet your objectives, to me, that sounds like a failure."

• Damage to alliances and U.S. moral standing is emphasized.

  • The war, according to E.J. Dionne, “shattered our moral standing” and “weakened already shaky alliances” with NATO and Gulf states.
  • Quote [01:21] E.J. Dionne:

    “Trump shattered our moral standing with his threats to wipe out Iran's civilization. We weakened our already shaky alliances with NATO and the Gulf states.”

2. The Erosion of American Global Leadership

(03:36–08:15)

• Carlos Lozado expands on his written observation that the U.S. has “ceased to be the leader of the free world.”

  • The Pax Americana era is fading, not because of a decline in hard power, but in trust and legitimacy.
  • Quote [04:06] Carlos Lozado:

    "The sun has not set on American power. What I think it is setting on is on the legitimate exercise and use of that power on the world stage."

  • Abandoning allies, unilateral action, and a preference for “wielding superpowers” over responsible hegemony all erode American influence.

• E.J. Dionne notes a deliberate shift away from democratic alliances, pointing to the U.S. endorsement of right-wing authoritarian parties and the possible permanence of the damage.

  • Echoes of historical “declinist” debates are raised—questioning if a post-Trump “comeback” is possible for U.S. global leadership.

3. Is American Leadership Recoverable?

(08:15–11:38)

• Discussion centers on whether Trump’s abandonment of alliances marks an irreparable shift.
  • Carlos notes that global leadership is “not a faucet you can turn on and off” and references Mark Carney’s speech:
    • Quote [09:31] Carlos Lozado:

      “The old order is not coming back. We shouldn't mourn it. Nostalgia is not a strategy.”

  • The panel highlights how allies, especially in Europe and the UK, are adjusting by strengthening EU ties and “making other arrangements.”

4. China as a Global Actor in the Wake of U.S. Actions

(11:38–14:00)

• Siegel jokes that all future questions boil down to “China or artificial intelligence,” which prompts reflection on whether China can fill the U.S. void.
• China benefits from American blunders but faces its own limits.
  • Carlos flips the old rhetoric, noting Xi Jinping could now urge the U.S. to be a “responsible stakeholder.”
  • E.J. notes that, while China “has some good cards to play” due to U.S. mistakes, many Asian countries are wary of Chinese dominance.

5. Inside the Trump Administration: Decision-making on War

(14:00–20:51)

• Detailed discussion of NYT reporting reveals:
  • Israeli PM Netanyahu pitched Trump on the war as a regime-changing move—a premise skeptical even among Trump’s close advisors.
  • Significant internal dissent: J.D. Vance, Marco Rubio, and CIA Director John Ratcliffe all raised reservations. Trump proceeded regardless.
    • Quote [16:04] E.J. Dionne:

      “President Trump consistently goes with the optimistic view and kind of screens out any of the doubts.”

  • Carlos highlights the “mystical belief” in Trump’s instincts among his circle and a breathtaking lack of self-doubt.
    • Quote [16:44] Carlos Lozado:

      "Everyone deferred to the president's instincts... even Trump seems to buy that idea... Carlson asks, how do you know it's going to be okay? And he says, because it always is. Right."

  • Oddities in process: Jared Kushner is present in war councils, while the Director of National Intelligence is busy with domestic vote issues.
  • The Netanyahu argument for war closely mirrors Bush-era logic for the Iraq War—framing inaction as more dangerous than action.

6. The Religious Rhetoric of War

(20:54–25:26)

• Religious symbolism and language are unusually prominent in this conflict:
  • Defense Secretary Hegseth invokes Christian themes (“pray for victory in the name of Jesus Christ”), even likening a U.S. rescue to the resurrection.
  • Trump claims divine support for his actions.
    • Carlos connects this rhetoric to Trump’s lure for Christian conservatives and notes the irony of such theocratic language when the U.S. criticizes Iran as theocratic.
    • E.J. Dionne contrasts the triumphalist tone with religious humility, invoking Pope Leo’s and Lincoln’s more introspective styles.
      • Quote [24:19] E.J. Dionne:

        "[Lincoln] said both sides read the same Bible and pray to the same God... Instead, he said, the war represented God's judgment of us because of slavery. That is a remarkably different way of evoking God."

  • The current rhetoric is described as sectarian and lacking in inclusive, shared faith or humility.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On U.S. Failure in Iran (Carlos Lozado, 02:30):
  "When you launch a war of choice... and you don't meet your objectives, to me, that sounds like a failure. It doesn't matter how many targets you destroy."

• On the Erosion of Pax Americana (Carlos Lozado, 04:06):
  "The sun has not set on American power. What I think is setting is on the legitimate exercise and use of that power on the world stage... That trust is eroding."

• On White House Decision Making (Carlos Lozado, 16:44):
  “Everyone deferred to the president’s instincts... there’s a moment where Carlson asks, 'How do you know it’s going to be okay?' [Trump replies,] 'Because it always is.'”

• On Sectarian Rhetoric (E.J. Dionne, 23:20):
  "What’s so striking about the language coming out of this administration, which so often seems sacrilegious, not religious, is how sectarian it is... it’s not all inclusive."

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 01:06–03:36: Did the U.S. win, lose, or fail in Iran?
• 03:36–08:15: Decline of American “legitimate” global leadership
• 08:15–11:38: Can U.S. leadership be restored or is global trust lost?
• 11:38–14:00: China’s role and the shifting global order
• 14:00–20:51: Inside the decision to go to war with Iran; internal administration dynamics
• 20:54–25:26: The rise of overt Christian rhetoric in U.S. war-making

Closing: Finding Joy Amid Conflict

(25:26–29:25)

The episode concludes with personal reflections from panelists on moments of joy in their lives during troubling times. Themes of religious pluralism, family, and the calming escape of skiing highlight the value of humility, community, and grounding experiences.

Summary prepared for listeners seeking a richly detailed understanding of this episode's major arguments, critical analysis, and the tone of the panel’s debate.