Democracy Now! Wednesday, April 29, 2026

Iran is not capitulating to U.S. demands but instead is actively reshaping the geopolitical landscape by setting its own terms for ending the war, according to investigative journalist Jeremy Scahill. Despite President Trump's claims of Iranian collapse and his aggressive posturing on Truth Social, Iran has refused to engage in direct talks unless the U.S. lifts its naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz—a condition Trump has not met. Instead, Iran has forged strategic alliances with Russia, Pakistan, and China, expanding trade routes and deepening military cooperation, all while maintaining a resilient state structure despite massive U.S.-Israeli bombing campaigns. Meanwhile, the war has triggered a global energy crisis, prompting the UAE to exit OPEC to boost oil production and accelerating the push for renewable energy, especially in developing nations. In a parallel crisis, the Supreme Court is deciding whether thousands of cancer patients can sue Bayer over Roundup, as new investigations reveal the U.S. Forest Service has quadrupled glyphosate use in forests—despite health risks and EPA warnings—while the Trump administration shields the chemical under national security claims, directly contradicting its 'Make America Healthy Again' agenda. The episode exposes a web of contradictions: Trump claims victory while markets ignore his lies, Germany’s chancellor admits U.S. humiliation, and the U.S. government prioritizes fossil fuel expansion over public health.