<p>The United States and Iran are at war. Coordinated US-Israel attacks on February 28, 2026, have unleashed a conflict of unclear objectives and uncertain duration. </p><p>President Trump unilaterally ordered commencement of offensive operations. There has been no express congressional authorization, much less a constitutionally mandated declaration of war. The administration has not made the case for exigent circumstances, such as defense from imminent attack.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.state.gov/reports/country-reports-on-terrorism-2021/iran">The Islamic regime has been a leading sponsor of global terror for decades.</a> It has an appalling human rights record at home, with <a target="_blank" href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2026/jan/27/iran-protests-death-toll-disappeared-bodies-mass-burials-30000-dead#">tens of thousands of its own citizens reported dead, wounded or tortured in recent months.</a> </p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2026/02/28/trump-iran-war-regime-change-freedom/">President Trump has proclaimed a goal of empowering the people of Iran to achieve a democratic transition.</a> <a target="_blank" href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/3/1/iran-begins-40-day-mourning-after-khamenei-killed-in-us-israeli-attack">The Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is confirmed dead from initial air attacks.</a> <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cfr.org/reports/leadership-transition-in-iran">A succession process is underway.</a></p><p>What is the strategic significance of renewed hostilities? Will the initial use of force by the US and Israel bring about a successful people’s revolution? Will it risk spurring Iranian nationalism? Will the Islamic regime that has held power since 1979 cease its brutal repression of its own people—or will it double down? </p><p>What are the stakes for the American people? What do we need to understand about Iran? Amid the fog of war, how can we receive accurate information and actionable commentary?</p><p>Kourosh Ziabari is an award-winning Iranian journalist and commentator, based in New York. In this episode of the <a target="_blank" href="https://jamesstrock.substack.com/podcast">Serve to Lead podcast</a>, he shares his views of the bigger picture. At once skeptical of the efficacy of outside force and critical of the current regime, Ziabari is well placed to provide a significant perspective at this hinge moment.</p><p>This interview was recorded on Thursday, February 26, 2026.</p><p>About Kourosh Ziabari</p><p>Kourosh Ziabari is an award-winning journalist, writer, and scholar of media studies. He has earned a master of arts (MA) in political journalism at Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. A member of PEN America and the Authors Guild, he is also a non-resident journalist at the National Press Club. He writes for <a target="_blank" href="https://newlinesmag.com/writers/kourosh-ziabari/">New Lines Magazine</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://foreignpolicy.com/author/kourosh-ziabari">Foreign Policy</a>, and many other publications.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.instagram.com/kouroshziabari/">Instagram</a> <a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/Kourosh.Ziabari/">Facebook</a> <a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/KZiabari">X</a> <a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kouroshziabari/">LinkedIn</a></p><p><p>The New Nationalist™ is an independent, nonpartisan publication advocating political reform. Your support makes this project possible and is greatly appreciated.</p></p><p><strong>Image Credits |</strong> Israeli attack on Tehran, Friday, June 13, 2025, Mehr News Agency, <a target="_blank" href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.en">CC BY 4.0</a> via Wikimedia Commons; Body bags, Mamlekate, <a target="_blank" href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en">CC BY-SA 4.0 </a>via Wikimedia Commons; Kourosh Ziabari, via kouroshziabari.com. </p> <br/><br/>Get full access to The New Nationalist™ at <a href="https://jamesstrock.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_4">jamesstrock.substack.com/subscribe</a>