Former Defense Secretary Mark Esper tells Ian Bremmer on GZERO World that the US is “on its back foot” strategically in Iran and warns the Trump administration’s focus on Tehran risks taking attention away from an even bigger threat: China.
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The US may be winning some battles in its more than six-month war with Iran, but is it losing the bigger strategic war? On GZERO World, former Defense Secretary Mark Esper told Ian Bremmer that the Trump administration appears to be on its “back foot” strategically, despite heavy damage inflicted on the Iranian navy, airforce, and industrial base. The mission has shifted from stopping Iran’s nuclear program to freedom of navigation in the. So what is the endgame?
Esper makes the case for economic strangulation with a blockade and more sanctions as the “least-worst option” over a ground invasion or withdrawal from the Strait. The longer Washington remains consumed by Iran, he warns, the more it risks taking attention away from the United States’ biggest strategic threat: China.
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With us pulling out of Iraq, the game changes as Iran has been using it for years to get American dollars and now will likely have an easier time doing it. They probably can last a lot longer than we think.
Trump's war with Iran is a total disaster for the USA and the world!
He should have finished them off in the very initial stages of the war, but he was too interested in preserving the Iranian Oil Industry (IOI), and our potential oil grab from them to control the middle eastern oil supply!
He was lead to believe internally and externally that they would roll over quickly, but that was a misgiving as he soon learned!
His lack of American support for the war and his waffling negotiation skills betrayed him to the Iran Government, which patiently played his negotiations, and still continues to do so much to our chagrin!
They believe time is on their side, however they could be very wrong as he does not like to be toyed with and make instant vengeful decisions!
How much money are the globalists making off of these wars?
The US has done it again . Adding another military campaign after Vietnam , Cambodia , Somalia , Afghanistan and now Iran ? ? ?
Esper points to history — the Korean War — for the lesson that wars change rapidly and in surprising ways. A fair point. So what's his historical example of his preferred option going forward — economic sanctions — resulting in … well whatever he thinks the end state is for this war (regime change? a better nuclear deal than Obama's? he doesn't actually say)? Anyone have an example of economic sanctions "working" (whatever that means)? Bueller?
If the threat from Iran is so bad as they claim, why don't they put boots on the ground to stop it?
You bombed the whole leadership, what did you expect?
America u done f'd up.
Thank Bibi. I have a clip of an retired top Israeli IDF officer saying he wants Trump to get serious about winning and compared it to 60k dead Americans in Vietnam
Moron interview same talking points. Shameless
at about $150 a barrel, that will wait them out enough. They will get nukes, sooner or later.
Another Warmonger who loves forever wars. Whats wrong with America ?
Weasel. Iran had given up 97% of its enriched uranium when traitorous Trump broke the treaty. Iran asked, "What do you want to stick to the treaty" Trump never answered. Saying that we murdered their leaders and thousands of citizens to get them to negotiate nuclear arms is completely false.
United States deserves to be sanctioned. You must lose. The planet does not want your arrogant country to prevail
Hold on. The Israeli "intelligence" has been saying that Iran is 2 weeks away from a nuclear bomb……since 1995.
CBS News, Sept 15, 2026: "The Defense Department's inspector general revealed Monday that the United States is facing a shortfall in ammunition as a result of its costly war in Iran.
In a first-of-its-kind mandatory report to Congress, the inspector said that between Feb. 28 and June 30, Operation Epic Fury (OEF) had an estimated cost of $33.4 billion, with $22.3 billion of that spent on munitions alone.
"The munitions expenditure on OEF has resulted in strategic inventory shortfalls and revealed industrial base bottlenecks for munitions resupply," the report states.
It also lists American military assets lost in the war, including four F-15s destroyed, one F-35 damaged, seven KC-135 tanker aircraft damaged and up to 30 MQ-9 Reaper drones destroyed."
Iran regime can take hit and its not bother about its people economic hardships, only regime change is the option and for God shake stop courting a terror state like Pakistan which itself a Chinese client state.
Like him or hate him, Donald Trump gave more thrills than Hollywood 🎬 ever could. Politics is no longer boring. It has become hot, slowly becoming crazy nuclear hot. The entire earth wants him to play golf 🏌 and wants him to DO NOTHING for some time. Entire earth. Netflix and Amazon aren't able to compete with White House.
Not a word about the incompetence of Trump, something that's going through Ian's head as Mark speaks. One thing I give credit for is the frequent references (aside from this video) to Trumps total incompetence.
In addition, full support for Taiwan is now a pipe dream. Mark Esper is playing make believe without acknowledging that.
Does this guy live under a rock? They have destroyed all the US bases in the Persian gulf. Now, they are leveling bases in Jordan. Yet, this guy says we have had tactical wins.
The Trump trolls are really unhappy. Let's not talk about $8.50 diesel.
The problem is that the US is spending money on behalf of Israelis, which are not poor people. Supporting Israel has no use for the US.
Nth Korea has 50 nukes apparently, but the US worries about the possibility that Iran might acquire one. Go figure! 🤔
Iran doesn't really have a navy or airforce. What has the taxpayers paid so far for fighting for Israel?
Iran has been destroyed. The IRGC has been reduced to hiding in tunnels like frightened little rats. In constant fear of meeting our latest precision-guided munition. Let them shoot off the last of their little missiles while our Naval Blockage chokes off their last desperate breath. Time for the IRGC Leadership to meet Allah. 🦅🇺🇸
How did the policy of economic strangulation work for Japan in 1941?
The best option was the JCPOA in 2015. Now we have no good options and its getting worse.
Instead of focusing on China's military, how about focusing on issues at home?? Want to compete against China then create an awesome domestic economy and society. There will be many nations following US leadership. Thats the best path forward. Unfortunately we are doing the opposite….
How about two pro America guys, instead of pro Iran agents?
Who are these Iranian paid agents?
Dummy ! Some shots ? F o r f u n , as the Donald said ? What arrogance . What carelessness for the defense of our country ! And for West Asia !
Who ever hired this guy ? Tactical success ? Oh , you finally figured this out ! The mediocrity is astonishing. Think !!!
Many thanks for your information.
Even though negative emotional of thoughts to your own country America.
The greatest truth is:
Iran has 100 % failed. No King no government no military no economy before the war Iran has bankruptcy! Today no water no foods no money inflation over 300%. It's called successful results?
America is world leader for Centrals always Win forever Win!!
Trump is World President today!! Entire World knows it!!
Trump giants team CIA FBI Win national and international Win Physical World and spirit World Win physical War and spirit War Win forever for all Americans for humanity in the future!!
The World only America has power lead and benefits the World.
The World only has America has the greatest powerful responsibility to the humanity!! Saving 74.4 % humility in the World in the future. They are not Islam people they are white people black people yellow people! Are you Islam people? Do you know future scientists information.
Iran and middle East terrorists wipe out humanity by nuclear weapons. This is War core for long run really peace in the World.
America savings entire World humanity!!
Powerful on the right direction Win forever!!
Both parties power Win together Win forever!! When you voice, asking yourself, are you Islam terrorists or your are America citizens? Thanks.
USA and world advisor
Ke Qin Yang
Esper is right. Add to the economic blockade surgical and effective attacks on strategic military assets.
Blah blah blah left wing biased BS this is an editorial not a news story
The Dumb Cheeto is blaming $6 diesel on Joe Biben
Two faces of evil!
The muslims never end wars. The definition of end of the war is when they cannot strike anyone else.
Felons are barred from serving in the US military. Yet we have a felon — convicted on 34 counts — as commander-in-chief of our entire military. Go figure!
There is no lack of clarity.
This is ALL BY DESIGN. We're not behind by accident WE ARE MEANT TO BE IN THIS HYSTERIA MODE> THEY KNEW UKRAINE WOULDN"T RESOLVE and IRAN WOULDN"T RESOLVE. But they can't sell it like that.