Trump restarts war with Iran and plays nice(ish) with Nato – podcast | US politics
US politics | The Guardian — 2026-07-09 23:00:00 — www.theguardian.com
Trump Declares Ceasefire Over, Revives Greenland Threats, and Praises NATO ‘Unity’ After Strikes on Iran
After the United States launched strikes on Iran this week, Donald Trump announced that the fragile ceasefire he had co-signed just last month was now over. In a series of statements that reignited diplomatic tensions, Trump also revived his previous threats to take Greenland, a move that had previously sparked international controversy. Before departing the NATO summit in Ankara, Trump claimed there was a lot of “love” and “unity” in the room.
Ceasefire Abandoned
Trump’s declaration that the ceasefire was over marks a sharp reversal from his earlier position. The ceasefire, which he had personally endorsed only weeks before, was intended to de-escalate tensions in the region. By abruptly discarding this agreement following the strikes on Iran, Trump has once again demonstrated a pattern of shifting positions on critical international issues.
Renewed Threats Over Greenland
In addition to ending the ceasefire, Trump reignited his threats to take Greenland. This is not the first time Trump has raised the idea of acquiring the territory, a proposal that has been widely dismissed by both Danish officials and international observers as unrealistic and provocative. The repeated mention of Greenland underscores Trump’s willingness to revisit contentious and previously rejected ideas, often to the bewilderment of allies and adversaries alike.
Claims of ‘Love’ and ‘Unity’ at NATO
Before leaving the NATO summit in Ankara, Trump asserted that there was a lot of “love” and “unity” in the room. This characterization stands in contrast to the often tense and fractious nature of recent NATO meetings, where disagreements over defense spending and policy direction have been common. Trump’s optimistic portrayal of the summit appears at odds with the reality reported by other participants and observers.
A Pattern of Contradictions
Trump’s latest statements highlight a recurring pattern: abrupt reversals, revived threats, and exaggerated claims of diplomatic harmony. These actions raise questions about the consistency and reliability of U.S. foreign policy under his leadership. As Jonathan Freedland discusses with Susan Glasser of the New Yorker, the challenge for international partners is how to make progress when confronted with a leader who appears to relive a diplomatic “Groundhog Day,” repeatedly cycling through the same disputes and declarations.
Conclusion
Donald Trump’s recent comments and actions—ending a ceasefire he had just signed, reviving threats to take Greenland, and claiming unity at a divided NATO summit—underscore ongoing concerns about his approach to diplomacy. The pattern of contradictions and exaggerated claims continues to complicate efforts to achieve lasting progress on the world stage.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/audio/2026/jul/10/trump-iran-war-nato-podcast