Whose war is it? Trump eyes Iran talks as Israel hints at long...

Whose war is it? Trump eyes Iran talks as Israel hints at long campaign

Posted 2026-03-24 01:00:26

Another deadline day, another ultimatum, another surprise turn from the US president. The same Donald Trump who may or may not send ground troops to try and secure the Strait of Hormuz now affirming that his administration's talking with the Iranians and thus holding off on hitting critical infrastructure. Trump's messaging since the start 24 days ago keeping friends and foes alike guessing. That's in stark contrast to Israeli allies, who in words and in deeds seem to be embracing a fight many of its leaders have been dreaming for decades.

Israel too has a larger-than-life populist leader who’s changed the course of his country’s history. Their interests overlap but remain distinct. Case in point, Israel’s rush to prepare for an eventual ground operation in Lebanon. So which one’s calling the shots? Trump or Benjamin Netanyahu? Whose idea was this war?

And who takes the blame once the guns go silent on a campaign that’s failed to rally traditional allies, one that’s punished civilians by laying waste to critical infrastructure, one that’s triggered a worldwide energy crisis? What prospects then for Trump and his MAGA movement, Netanyahu, and for the state of Israel?

Produced by François Picard, Rebecca Gnignati, Juliette Laffont, Ilayda Habip, Charles Wente.

Noga TARNOPOLSKY FRANCE 24 Jerusalem correspondent
Gil MIHAELY Editor-in-Chief, Causeur
Adam WEINSTEIN Researcher, Quincy Institute
Jim TOWNSEND Former US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for European and NATO Policy