The Libertarian: The Half-War

In this episode of The Ricochet Superfeed, host Charles C.W. Cook engages legal scholar and libertarian Richard Epstein in a critical analysis of President Trump's foreign policy toward Iran, particularly regarding military strategy in the Strait of Hormuz and the broader regional conflict. Epstein delivers a scathing critique of Trump’s approach, arguing that while the military campaign has achieved significant destruction of Iranian capabilities, it lacks strategic coherence and total dominance. He contends that Trump’s rhetoric—such as threatening to 'end civilization' in Iran—was counterproductive and dangerously vague, undermining diplomatic and military credibility. Epstein emphasizes that true victory requires not just tactical success but total regime submission, drawing parallels to WWII and warning against piecemeal ceasefires that allow Iran to retain leverage. He also condemns Trump’s inconsistent foreign policy, contrasting his reckless approach in Venezuela with his underwhelming handling of Iran, and argues that Trump’s refusal to listen to advisors makes him a geopolitical misfit. On domestic politics, Epstein challenges the constitutionality of the War Powers Act, asserting that Congress is ill-equipped to manage real-time military decisions, and warns that Democratic efforts to constrain Trump could paralyze U.S. foreign policy. He concludes with a bleak assessment: Trump is the least bad option, but only because of the even worse alternative—J.D. Vance—awaiting in the wings.