Two weeks into Operation Epic Fury, we break down what's happening, what went wrong, and where this is all heading.

In this conversation:

• The unclear end goals: regime change, nuclear disarmament, or ballistic missile elimination?
• Who's really driving this — the U.S. or Israel?
• The Strait of Hormuz crisis and why the economic fallout was entirely predictable
• How Gulf States like Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and the UAE are caught in the crossfire
• Rising oil and food prices hitting pocketbooks worldwide
• The Houthi wildcard and potential Red Sea disruptions
• Why this war may actually push Iran closer to a nuclear weapon
• What Putin gains while the world looks away from Ukraine
• Can Trump just declare victory and walk away?

Produced by Freddie Mallinson and Mislav Majcan. Recorded on March 17, 2026.

Diplomatic Immunity, a podcast from the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy at Georgetown University, brings you frank and candid conversations with experts on the issues facing diplomats and national security decision-makers around the world. Funding support from the Carnegie Corporation of New York. For more, visit our website, and follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter @GUDiplomacy, and Instagram @gudiplomacy

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