Podcast Summary:

Today in Focus – The Latest
Episode: Why does Trump want Kurdish fighters to join the war in Iran?
Date: March 5, 2026
Host: Nosheen (Noshi) Iqbal
Guest: Devika Bhatt, Deputy Head of International News, The Guardian

Main Theme

The episode dives into the evolving strategy of the US and Israel under Donald Trump, focusing on alleged plans to arm and fund Kurdish militia groups to open a new front against Iran. It explores the risks, motivations, and geopolitical complexities of involving Kurdish fighters and other minority groups in the conflict, as well as the impact on Iranian civilians and the region’s stability.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The "New Front" in the Iran Conflict

• Timestamp: [01:04], [02:12]
  Devika Bhatt introduces the notion of a potential new front in the Iran conflict, reporting that Iranian forces have launched airstrikes on Kurdish territory in Iraq, allegedly targeting Kurdish groups suspected of collaborating with foreign powers.

  "It's difficult to know whether Trump and his advisors really have a sense of what they're dealing with in terms of the complexities of Iran and Iranian society."
  – Devika Bhatt [01:04]

• The attack is seen as a pre-emptive response by Tehran to suggestions that the US and Israel will work with Kurdish forces inside Iran.

2. Why the Kurds? Historical and Strategic Context

• Timestamp: [02:53], [03:08]
  Bhatt outlines the historical relationship between the US and Kurdish groups, highlighting past collaborations such as during the second Gulf War and the ISIS conflict, where Kurdish forces like the Syrian Democratic Forces were instrumental.

  "By the time we got to the defeat of ISIS, Syrian Democratic Forces, which was a Kurdish force, was controlling huge swathes of the territory."
  – Devika Bhatt [03:08]

• Kurds are a significant minority in Iran (about 10%), long repressed by the ruling regime, and while the US/Israel have a clear objective to recruit them, the willingness of Kurdish groups to participate remains uncertain.

3. Other Minority Groups Recruited – Risking Civil War

• Timestamp: [04:23], [04:42]
  Noshi raises reports that other minority militia groups (such as Baloch fighters) are being approached to join the anti-Tehran effort. The discussion turns to the potential for these moves to spark a broader internal conflict.

  "One has to wonder, is the aim here for there to be a full blown civil war?"
  – Noshi Iqbal [04:23]

• Bhatt stresses the complexities of Iranian society, drawing parallels with the US’s failures to grasp Iraq’s sectarian dynamics during its occupation.

  "It feels like there's a very real risk this could collapse into something much worse for both Iran, the Iranian people and the world at large."
  – Devika Bhatt [04:42]

4. Civilian Suffering and Changing US Rhetoric

• Timestamp: [05:35], [06:16]
  The conversation shifts to the real human toll of the conflict, with underreported stories of Iranian civilians. Specific mention is made of US/Israeli airstrikes on civilian targets including schools and hospitals, with the horrific example of a girls' school in Minab where 165 children died.

  "We've seen that horrific incident in southern Iran where that girl school, the Minab, 165 children dead. Devika, how on earth does the US and Israel explain that...?"
  – Noshi Iqbal [05:35]

• Bhatt notes that the US, represented by Defense Secretary Hegseth, seems less restrained by the usual 'rules of engagement':

  "Indeed, he used the phrase 'stupid rules of engagement.'"
  – Devika Bhatt [06:16]

Notable Quote:

"America, regardless of what so-called international institutions say, is unleashing the most lethal and precise air power campaign in history, all on our terms with maximum authorities. No stupid rules of engagement, no nation building quagmire, no democracy building exercise, no politically correct wars. We fight to win and we don't waste time or lives. As the President warned, an effort of this scope will include casualties."
– Mike Pompeo reading Defense Secretary statement [06:48]

Bhatt underscores that the "gloves are off," and the US is overtly prioritizing military victory over civilian protection or international opinion.

5. Leadership Succession Crisis in Tehran

• Timestamp: [07:41], [07:58]
  Attention turns to Iran’s internal politics—Ayatollah Khamenei’s succession. Devika explains that Khamenei’s son, Mujtaba, a hardliner believed to have orchestrated protest crackdowns, is the front-runner.

  "He is believed to have played a key role in the sort of suppression of protesters in 2008..."
  – Devika Bhatt [07:58]

• This succession is rejected by Iranian protesters and criticized by Trump as "someone who was worse than the last guy."

• Both US and Israeli officials have indicated Mujtaba is a direct target in the ongoing conflict.

  "Israel has said that he is a sitting target. Now, this war is far from over and Israel and the US has made that clear."
  – Devika Bhatt [09:06]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the complexity of Iranian society and Western intervention:

  "It's difficult to know whether Trump and his advisors really have a sense of what they're dealing with..."
  – Devika Bhatt [01:04]

• On American military tactics:

  "No stupid rules of engagement, no nation building quagmire..."
  – [Mike Pompeo quoting Defense Secretary Hegseth, 06:48]

• On Iranian civilian suffering:

  "...the US and Israel, they're striking hospitals, they're striking schools. We've seen that horrific incident in southern Iran where that girl school, the Minab, 165 children dead..."
  – Noshi Iqbal [05:35]

• On targeting Iran's next leader:

  "Israel has said that he is a sitting target."
  – Devika Bhatt [09:06]

Important Segment Timestamps

• [01:04] – Introduction of the new front in the conflict, US/Israel plans regarding Kurds
• [02:53] – History of Kurdish collaboration with the US
• [04:23] – Involvement of other ethnic militias, risk of civil war
• [05:35] – Civilian impact and targeting of non-military sites
• [06:48] – Defense Secretary's 'no stupid rules' doctrine, US stance on engagement
• [07:41] – Leadership succession in Tehran; risks surrounding Mujtaba Khamenei
• [09:06] – Mujtaba Khamenei as an explicit target

Overall Tone & Ending Thoughts

The discussion maintains a sober, urgent tone, stressing the potentially catastrophic consequences of external powers seeking to exploit Iran’s internal divisions. Both speakers express skepticism over US/Israeli understanding of Iran’s social fabric and deep concern for the safety and well-being of Iranian civilians caught in the crossfire.

"It feels like the US is sort of making it very clear that this is a war it wants to win regardless of the cost, which is a really kind of terrifying proposition for everyone." – Devika Bhatt [07:18]

For listeners:
This episode offers a concise but nuanced snapshot of the escalating Iran war, focusing on the controversial strategy of recruiting Kurdish—and other minority—fighters, the human toll, and the perilous uncertainty around Iran’s future leadership.