# Why Trump's Iran attacks are nothing new | Glenn Greenwald Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgSmPTBTSIY Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/hgSmPTBTSIY Generated: 2026-03-06T17:08:57.846+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview Glenn Greenwald argues that Donald Trump's foreign policy, while rhetorical, is largely a continuation of prior US foreign policy, specifically citing Trump's praise for authoritarian leaders and his administration's military actions in the Middle East, which echo post-9/11 interventionism, contrasting this continuity with the perceived anti-war stance of the MAGA movement. **Key Points:** - Greenwald notes that Trump showed praise for authoritarian leaders like Kim Jong Un (North Korea) and Maduro (Venezuela), and their 'ruling by iron fist,' contrasting with typical Western democratic rhetoric. - The alleged 'forever wars' have not ended; Greenwald points to the US conducting airstrikes in Nigeria, Yemen, Somalia, Syria, and Iraq under Trump, similar to the War on Terror. - The Iraq War, in particular, caused horrific abuses and was part of the post-9/11 interventionist framework that Trump did not fundamentally dismantle. - Greenwald points out that the Biden administration continues aggressive policies, such as bombing Iran twice and attempting to engineer regime change in Venezuela, suggesting continuity in US interventionism. - A significant discontinuity under Trump was the rhetoric and explicit prioritization of US interests (America First) over promoting democracy abroad, even with allies like the UK and EU. - The historical precedent of the post-WWII liberal democratic order, which united the West, is now crumbling, replaced by a US foreign policy that treats ideological allies harshly while courting autocratic regimes in the Middle East and Latin America. - Greenwald suggests that figures like Tucker Carlson and JD Vance, who embody a non-interventionist strain of Republicanism, are succeeding because the American public is weary of perpetual war, evidenced by the lack of public outrage over US bombings in Yemen and the general sentiment against long wars. ![Screenshot at 00:08: Glenn Greenwald discussing how Donald Trump praised authoritarian leaders like Kim Jong Un and Maduro for their 'ruling by iron fist,' highlighting a rhetorical disconnect from traditional Western democratic praise.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/hgSmPTBTSIY/00-00-08.jpg) **Context:** The video features a discussion, likely an interview or a panel, between Glenn Greenwald, identified as a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, and another speaker (likely a moderator or interviewer) from the Institute of Art and Ideas (IAI). The central theme revolves around analyzing the nature and continuity of US foreign policy, specifically contrasting the rhetoric associated with Donald Trump's 'America First' agenda against the actual military and diplomatic actions taken during his presidency and comparing them to the preceding and subsequent administrations. ## Detailed Analysis Glenn Greenwald argues that claims that Donald Trump ended 'forever wars' or fundamentally changed the nature of US foreign policy are largely inaccurate, asserting that his actions were more a continuation of prior interventionist policies than a radical departure. Greenwald highlights Trump's expressed admiration for strongmen like Kim Jong Un and Maduro, suggesting a willingness to overlook authoritarianism in allies. He counters the 'America First' narrative by listing numerous military actions undertaken during Trump's term, including airstrikes in several African and Middle Eastern countries, echoing the post-9/11 War on Terror framework. Greenwald notes that while Trump may have been less outwardly dedicated to promoting democracy globally than previous presidents, his administration still engaged in aggression, such as the strikes against Iran and the attempt to overthrow Maduro in Venezuela. He observes that this hypocrisy is evident as Biden continues similar aggressive stances. Greenwald suggests that the popular anti-war sentiment within the MAGA movement, evidenced by figures like Tucker Carlson and JD Vance, is a genuine desire to avoid costly foreign entanglements, contrasting sharply with the ongoing military commitments in places like Iraq and Afghanistan. Ultimately, Greenwald concludes that the core US foreign policy structure, deeply rooted in post-WWII transatlantic alliances and geopolitical interests (especially regarding oil), remains largely intact, despite ideological shifts in rhetoric. ### Trump's Foreign Policy Style - Praised authoritarian leaders like Kim Jong Un and Maduro for their 'iron fist' rule - Liked toughness and was not always consistent in rhetoric - His approach is seen as a continuation of pre-existing policy, not a radical deviation. ### Continuity of Military Intervention - US continued airstrikes in Nigeria, Yemen, Somalia, Syria, and Iraq under Trump, mirroring post-9/11 actions - Trump's administration was involved in the bombing of Iran and supporting the attempt to overthrow Maduro in Venezuela. ### The 'Forever Wars' Narrative - Trump's alleged ending of 'forever wars' is contested; the Iraq War framework remained largely intact, and the general hostility towards non-allied regimes persisted. ### The Role of Domestic Politics - The anti-interventionist sentiment within the MAGA movement, exemplified by figures like Tucker Carlson and JD Vance, is a significant factor driving domestic support against costly foreign wars, regardless of Trump's personal stance. ### Biden Administration - The current administration continues aggressive policies, such as bombing Iran and supporting allies in the Middle East, indicating a lack of fundamental change from Trump's operational foreign policy. ![Screenshot at 00:03: Glenn Greenwald discussing Trump's praise for authoritarian leaders like Kim Jong Un and Maduro.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/hgSmPTBTSIY/00-00-03.jpg) ![Screenshot at 00:52: The interviewer posing the question: "Has Trump's rejection of a rules-based international order enabled an even more unrestrained and dangerous US foreign policy?"](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/hgSmPTBTSIY/00-00-52.jpg) ![Screenshot at 02:24: Glenn Greenwald arguing that Trump's foreign policy is more 'candid' and less hypocritical than previous administrations regarding allies.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/hgSmPTBTSIY/00-02-24.jpg) ![Screenshot at 11:12: The interviewer asking if Europe is still being treated differently by the US compared to other allies.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/hgSmPTBTSIY/00-11-12.jpg)