Washington Week with The Atlantic

Is Trump’s war of choice becoming a war of necessity?

Season 2026 Episode 13 | 13m 10s

What does victory in Iran look like? Asking the president isn’t much use. He’s provided strikingly different answers, based, seemingly, on his mood. What is true is that Iran remains in control of the Strait of Hormuz, and it is unclear how President Trump plans to open up this crucial chokepoint. The panel discusses whether Trump’s war of choice is becoming a war of necessity.

Major funding for “Washington Week with The Atlantic” is provided by Consumer Cellular, Otsuka, Kaiser Permanente, the Yuen Foundation, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.