Episode Details

John Mearsheimer argues that Ukraine cannot win the war, and that Donald Trump’s pressure on Kyiv and his easing of sanctions on Russia are steps towards ending it. Tom Switzer also asks him whether Washington’s economic war on Iran is working, whether Tehran will spring an October surprise before the US midterms, and what Barack Obama’s Belfast remarks reveal about the debate over Israel.

Trump’s growing estrangement from Volodymyr Zelensky has raised fresh questions about the future of the war in Ukraine and the transatlantic alliance. His decisions have once again outraged the proponents of conventional Western wisdom. But John Mearsheimer argues that pressuring Kyiv to accept a settlement is a necessary step towards ending a war Ukraine cannot win. What are the longer-term consequences for American credibility, European security and relations between Washington and its traditional allies?

We then examine the latest developments in the US-Iran war. The so-called Economic D-Day was presented as the decisive blow that military operations had failed to deliver. But nearly 50 days later, how effective has Washington’s campaign to bring Iran’s economy to its knees proved? Meanwhile, tensions and attacks are intensifying in the Strait of Hormuz. Will Tehran spring an October surprise ahead of the US midterm elections?

What would a peace settlement on unfavourable terms for Washington mean for the regional balance of power? Could it undermine American influence not only across the Middle East but also in East Asia?

Finally, we turn to Barack Obama’s recent remarks in Belfast, where the former US president accused Israel of having taken Palestinian land and warned that its reliance on military superiority, without meaningful concessions, had “ceded moral ground”. As Israelis prepare to head to the polls, what do Obama’s comments reveal about the growing debate over Israel’s conduct, its long-term security and the prospects for peace with the Palestinians?

About the guest
John Mearsheimer is Professor of Political Science at the University of Chicago and the author of The Tragedy of Great Power Politics (2001).

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About the host
Tom Switzer is a journalist and broadcaster who has been a prolific commentator on politics and international affairs. His writing and commentary have appeared in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times (international), The Australian, and across ABC and News24 (formerly Sky News), where he has been a regular presenter and panellist. For 30 years, since 1995, he has worked at the Washington-based American Enterprise Institute, the Australian Financial Review, The Australian, the London-based Spectator magazine, and the Sydney-based Centre for Independent Studies, which he headed from 2017 to 2025. He is the host of Switzerland, a long-form interview series exploring global politics, modern history, and the ideas shaping the world.

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