‘This is going to backfire on Iran’: Janice Stein unpacks the chaotic first few days of the war in Iran

You can listen to this episode on Amazon, Apple, and Spotify. Episode Description The escalating war between U.S.-Israel and Iran is reshaping the entire Middle East in real-time. What does the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei mean for the country, and what are the implications of this war for the Middle East and global markets? Rudyard Griffiths and founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy Janice Gross Stein unpack these developments and more in this emergency livestream. Episode Summary A rapidly intensifying U.S.–Iran conflict is reshaping the Middle East, with missile exchanges spreading across the Gulf and Washington warning that further major strikes are imminent. U.S. authorities have urged American nationals to depart a dozen Middle Eastern countries, which could be signalling expectations of continued escalation. The confrontation remains regionally contained for now, but energy infrastructure and shipping lanes—particularly the Strait of Hormuz—represent critical pressure points. Iranian missile strikes have targeted sites beyond U.S. military installations, including energy facilities and regional airports, raising the economic stakes. Inside Iran, reports describe large-scale casualties, internet shutdowns, paramilitary checkpoints, and signs of internal strain. The regime faces simultaneous external military pressure and domestic instability, with public reactions reportedly divided between mourning and open celebration of senior leadership losses. Canada’s response marks a notable departure from several European governments. Ottawa issued a strong statement supporting U.S. action to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. The legality of the strikes under international law remains contested, and debate persists over the absence of clear evidence that Iran had crossed the nuclear weapons threshold. Reported mass killings inside Iran and broader security considerations appear to have influenced the Canadian position. The conflict carries significant geopolitical ripple effects. Higher oil prices could benefit Russia while harming China, an importer of Iranian crude. Turkey faces renewed concern about Kurdish instability along Iran’s borders. Sunni–Shia tensions, long muted in recent years, risk re-emerging as a defining regional fault line. Israel’s long-standing objective of confronting Iran directly has culminated in coordinated U.S.–Israeli military action, a step no previous U.S. administration had taken. At the same time, the campaign is rapidly drawing down U.S. weapons stockpiles, raising concerns about longer-term capacity in Europe and the Indo-Pacific. The nuclear issue remains central. While definitive proof of weaponization has not been publicly presented, high levels of uranium enrichment and limited cooperation with international inspectors intensified suspicions. Critics argue that bypassing international legal frameworks sets a troubling precedent, particularly in light of ongoing debates about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Whatever the immediate military outcome, Iran’s regional position appears significantly weakened, and Middle Eastern alliances are already shifting in response to a conflict that is altering the strategic landscape. This summary was prepared by NewsBox AI. Please check against delivery.