The United States has once again found itself drawn into a major conflict in the Middle East, this time with Iran.

But a key question is now being debated: who pushed Washington into this conflict?

Israel has played a central role in encouraging a confrontation with Tehran, warning that Iran poses an existential threat, and has urged Washington to take stronger action to stop its nuclear ambitions.

But how much influence does Israel really have over US foreign policy, and did it help shape the decision to confront Iran militarily?

This week on UpFront, Redi Tlhabi speaks with political scientist John Mearsheimer.

With the thrust and parry of rigorous debate, Mehdi Hasan cuts through the headlines to challenge conventional wisdom, highlight contradictions and uncover double standards.

UpFront

Through rigorous debate, Marc Lamont Hill cuts through the headlines to challenge conventional wisdom.

<p>Through rigorous debate, Marc Lamont Hill cuts through the headlines to challenge conventional wisdom.</p>

John Mearsheimer: “We’re not going to win this war with Iran” | UpFront

The United States and Israel have often portrayed themselves as secular democracies fighting against a theocratic Islamic regime in Iran. But as the war against Iran continues to escalate, US leaders have spoken of a biblical duty to defend Israel, military commanders have referenced divine destiny, and Israeli leaders continue to cite biblical claims to territory. So why is this religious rhetoric resurfacing now?

This week on UpFront, Redi Tlhabi speaks with author and Professor of American Studies and International Affairs at George Washington University Melani McAlister, and rabbi and Professor of Modern Jewish Studies at Harvard Divinity School Shaul Magid on what happens when faith, nationalism and politics collide on the global stage.

War on Iran: US evangelicals, Israeli Zionists cite holy war | UpFront

This past week, the United States and Israel launched a war on Iran under the banner of regime change. But as the war escalates and with Iran firing missiles at US bases across the region and at Israel - questions are mounting over how far this conflict could spiral.

This week on UpFront Redi Tlhabi challenges former National Security Adviser and former US Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton on why he believes that a diplomatic end to the war would be a mistake, and we speak to Joe Cirincione, author of, Nuclear Nightmares: Securing the World Before it is Too Late, about the risk of nuclear proliferation.

War against Iran: How far will it go? | UpFront

More than a hundred days into Gaza’s ceasefire, Israeli strikes continue, killing hundreds of Palestinians.

At the same time, United States President Donald Trump’s "Board of Peace" is pushing ahead with Gaza reconstruction plans - without any Palestinians in its top leadership - raising questions about whether meaningful change is possible without the voices of those most affected.

So what comes next? Will Gaza Palestinians have any real say in shaping their own future?

This week on UpFront, Marc Lamont Hill speaks with Jehad Abusalim, policy analyst and author of Light in Gaza: Writings Born of Fire, on the ceasefire, the ongoing Israeli strikes, Trump’s plans for Gaza, and what lies ahead for the territory.

John Mearsheimer: “We’re not going to win this war with Iran” | UpFront

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