Did Trump Defy Israel? Iran, Cuba & "The Epstein Regime" (Ft. Benjamin Studebaker)

Get access to The Backroom (100+ exclusive episodes) on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/OneDimeIn this episode of 1Dime Radio, I am joined once again by Benjamin Studebaker to discuss the new Iran deal, the growing rift between the United States and Israel, and what this all reveals about American power, Israeli leverage, and the limits of elite theory.We break down why the so-called Iran deal is really a memorandum of understanding, whether Trump has effectively recreated the Obama Iran deal after a disastrous war, why Israel is so angry about the terms, and whether the United States can actually discipline Israel when it comes to Lebanon, Hezbollah, and the broader regional conflict.From there, we zoom out into the realpolitik behind the U.S.-Israel alliance, the history of Israel’s strategic function in the Middle East, nuclear weapons, Palestine, the Gulf states, and the international pressure behind the Islamabad Accords. We then turn to Cuba’s sudden market reforms, the collapse of Cuba’s external support, Venezuela, China, Vietnam, North Korea, and why so many Western leftists turn foreign regimes into fantasy objects of anti-imperialist spectatorship.In The Backroom, this week’s bonus discussion is split into two exclusive episodes. In the first, Ben and I have a cordial debate about the narrative of the so-called Epstein regime, Israel, conspiracy thinking, and whether there is a rational kernel of truth in some conspiratorial interpretations of politics. In the second, we continue into elite theory, scapegoating, and why elites may not actually be as powerful, coordinated, or all-controlling as people often imagine.Timestamps:0:00 The Backroom Preview: “The Elites” Aren’t That Smart 3:43 The Iran Peace Deal, Israel, Cuba6:13 A Massive L For the USA and  Israel? 14:11 Regime Change Fail & Trump’s Midterm chances22:10 Israel Doesn’t Control the USA30:36 Can the U.S. Discipline Israel?39:33 The Necessity of a One State Solution 43:03 Did Israel Drag America In the War?50:17 Lebanon & the Iran Deal’s Weak Spot1:02:02 The Islamabad Accords1:11:04 Cuba’s Market Reform Shock1:25:22 The Truth about Cuban Socialism 1:34:32 Anti-Imperialism & Spectator Politics1:39:36 Conspiracies & Elite Theory1:44:51 “The Epstein Regime” Narrative (The Backroom Transition)GUESTBenjamin StudebakerPolitical theorist and author of Legitimacy in Liberal DemocraciesSubstack: https://substack.com/@bmstudebakerX/Twitter: https://x.com/BMStudebakerWebsite: https://benjaminstudebaker.com/Buy Legitimacy in Liberal Democracies: https://edinburghuniversitypress.com/book-legitimacy-in-liberal-democracies.htmlAffordable paperback now available for $24.95.FOLLOW 1DIMEX: https://x.com/1DimeOfficialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonyof1dime/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@1DimeeMy Substack: https://1dimereview.substack.com/Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/OneDime#IranDeal #IsraelIranWar #USIsraelRelationsMake sure to like, comment, subscribe, and hit the bell for more 1Dime Radio episodes on politics, philosophy, history, economics, and geopolitics.