Donald Trump at the UN in New York, September 22, 2026 (Sky)
EA on TVP World: Is The UN Relevant?
UPDATE 1011 GMT:
Al Monitor’s Adam Lucente and I have a deep-dive discussion on Pakistan TV about the situation in Iran and across the Middle East and the prospects for both Tehran and the Trump Administration amid the “limbo”.
UPDATE, SEPT 28:
I spoke with India’s WION TV on Sunday about the latest tension in the US War on Iran, with Tehran claiming the capture of an American underwater drone and Donald Trump threatening a renewal of the war after US elections in November.
I explain why the Trump Administration’s economic warfare has not brought regime surrender, and I evaluate how Iran is trying to seize the political and diplomatic higher ground.
Watch from 3:52:
UPDATE, SEPT 24:
I chatted with Pakistan TV on Wednesday about the developments at the UN General Assembly around the US War on Iran and a possible “off-ramp” to end it.
I link Tuesday’s 3-hour indirect “talks about talks” between Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi; Trump’s threat to “annihilate” Iran; and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s declaration of willingness to negotiate but not to surrender.
Before this week, I believed that significant talks were unlikely before November’s US mid-term elections. Now I think there is a chance, albeit a relatively small one.
I also discuss the isolation of Israel at the Assembly, with even Trump refusing to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in contrast to the Israeli expansion of occupation in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon.
And I consider the significance of events this week for Ukraine’s resistance of Russia’s invasion, with important signs of support for Kyiv before Moscow’s attempt to break Ukrainian resistance this winter.
Watch from 9:52:
ORIGINAL ENTRY, SEPT 23: As national leaders gathered at the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday, I joined Pakistan’s Express 24-7 to assess the US War on Iran and the “uncontained war” across the region.
I begin with the significance of the Houthi advance in Yemen against Saudi-backed Government forces, and the Houthi attacks on Saudi facilities in response to Riyadh’s airstrikes.
I consider Donald Trump’s three-times refusal of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s appeal for US strikes on the Houthis, and I link the situation to the failing US War on Iran.
Is there a way out through the Trump Administration’s return to negotiations with Iran? I am cautious despite the news, hours after the recording of the interview, of 3-hour indirect talks in New York between Trumpist and Iranian officials.
Watch from 8:05:
Trump offers Iran economic relief for concrete nuclear concessions: https://www.axios.com/2026/09/28/trump-iran-war-sanctions-blockade-nuclear
“President Trump is willing to give Iran sanctions relief and release Iranian frozen funds in return for concrete Iranian steps regarding the nuclear program, U.S. officials say.”
U.S. Marines injured in recent Iranian attack: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/us-marines-injured-recent-iranian-attack-rcna600097
“Eight U.S. Marines were injured two weeks ago when an Iranian cruise missile attacked the ship they were operating on in the Strait of Hormuz, according to three U.S. officials.”
Iran exposed how vulnerable our bases are: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/22/opinion/us-military-bases-iran-pentagon.html
“It’s not just Bahrain. American bases in Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman and Jordan have been damaged by Iranian drone and missile strikes. At least 18 U.S. service members have been killed and some 800 others wounded; thousands of troops and family members normally based in the region have been sent elsewhere. A Defense Department inspector general report last week cited the loss of nearly 60 aircraft and other equipment, resulting in around $3.7 billion going up in smoke. Hundreds of buildings were damaged.”
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