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From ‘Terrible People’ to ‘Smart People’: The Trump-Led Right Rethinks Iran
The New York Times • • world
Key Points:
- The traditional Republican view of Iran as a hostile regime has shifted recently, with parts of the American right now seeing Iran as a pragmatic country the U.S. must learn to coexist with.
- President Trump has led this change by praising Iran’s leaders as “strong” and “smart,” and Vice President JD Vance has become a prominent advocate for this new stance.
- The shift reflects a broader generational change within the Republican Party, including a move away from unwavering support for Israel and some respect for Iran’s resilience under bombardment.
- Despite this evolving perspective, many Republicans maintain a hard-line position, and Trump has occasionally threatened to reignite conflict, indicating uncertainty about the durability of the shift.
- This domestic political realignment has significant global implications, affecting energy supplies in Europe and Asia and the security dynamics of Persian Gulf Arab states.
