Jon Finer is an international affairs expert and former Principal Deputy National Security Adviser to Jake Sullivan during the presidency of Joe Biden. Before that, he served in the White House under Barack Obama as a White House Fellow, working in the office of the Chief of Staff and the National Security Council. Finer was a foreign and national correspondent for The Washington Post. He reported from more than 20 countries around the world. He also co-hosts “The Long Game,” a weekly national security podcast with Jake Sullivan.

In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Jon Finer discusses the U.S.–Israel military action against Iran and its strategic implications. He says Donald Trump is creating ambiguity about the real objective of the conflict. According to him, “A U.S. win is unclear and politically difficult to define.” He adds that China is supporting Iran rhetorically, but not militarily. He also warns that this conflict could accelerate global nuclear proliferation. Finer also speaks about India–U.S. ties and America’s growing closeness with Pakistan.

00:00 – Introduction

01:18 – Regime Change in Iran

04:30 – U.S. Objectives in Iran War

07:36 – Gulf Nations Under Attack

14:18 – China Helping Iran in War?

16:39 – U.S.–Iran Nuclear Talks

18:35 – Trump’s War Powers

23:04 – U.S. Nuclear Umbrella

27:23 – U.S.–Pakistan Relations

33:52 – U.S.–India Ties

37:13 – Serving Under Obama & Biden

41:27 – China’s Limited Global Alliances

47:54 – How U.S. Media Portrays India

52:51 – Jeffrey Sachs’ Claims on Jake Sullivan