06.19.26. Art of the Deal

!Art of the Deal **This week, an interim deal that aims to end further escalations in the U.S.-Israel war with Iran has been reached, but questions about its efficacy have left experts unconvinced—is the U.S. really any closer to bringing the conflict to an end?**   President Donald Trump’s UFC birthday bash at the White House has come and gone, and with it, an entirely new rash of questions and controversies has arisen. While the event was seemingly presented in an effort to show the tirelessness of the U.S. commander in chief, that’s not exactly the impression it left with many of us. We also look at the latest involving the shock to the U.S. intelligence community with the interim appointment of Bill Pulte as the acting Director of National Intelligence, and other recent issues and controversies. Finally, in our main focus this week, an interim agreement appears to have halted further escalation in the ongoing U.S. and Israel’s war with Iran, at least for now. However, a look at what it provides indicates that Iran will receive substantial economic relief through renewed oil exports and easing of maritime restrictions, while the agreement postpones the most contentious issues—including the future of Iran’s nuclear program, sanctions enforcement, and regional security concerns—until later negotiations. In our analysis, we look at what we can hope to see in the next 60 days, which will determine whether the agreement becomes the foundation for a broader settlement or merely a pause in a conflict whose underlying disputes remain unresolved. *This episode of Middle Theory is dedicated* ***to mourning and honoring all U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the Armed Forces, and for lives lost in the ongoing U.S. conflict with Iran.***  **If you like Middle Theory and want to help support the show, you can** **donate to the program here:**    ## DOLLARS FOR DONUTS - **Shelly Orlandini** - **Connie Fletcher** - **Brian Igelman** - **Brett Giles** - **Chris Shanahan** ## SHOW NOTES - **AMERICA 250:** As US nears 250th birthday, Poll shows many Americans doubt it will last another 250 - **TRUMP BIRTHDAY BASH:** Trump’s UFC birthday bash looks to rescue his tarnished macho image - **PULTE CALLING:** Leaked Call Reveals Gabbard’s Final Humiliation - **SHORT TERM:** Trump: Pulte’s Tenure as Acting National Intelligence Director Will Be Brief - **CLAYTON NOMINATED:** Trump Picks Manhattan    Prosecutor Jay Clayton to Be Intelligence Chief - **PULTE PUSHES AHEAD:** Bill Pulte, a Bulldog for Trump, Prepares to Take Reins at Spy Agency - **CONTROVERSY:** UFC Fighter Declares “Michelle Obama Is a Man” After Winning Match at White House - **AUDIO:** ‘Absolute Trash’: UFC Fighter Sparks Intense Ire for Calling Michelle Obama a Man - **ART OF THE DEAL:** Iran Gets Major Economic Lifeline for Minimal Concessions in Initial Deal - **WORLD REACTS:** World reacts to US-Iran deal to extend ceasefire, reopen Strait of Hormuz - **TRUMP FIRES BACK:** Trump hits back at critics as Iran peace deal fuels debate over U.S. concessions - **VICTORY:** Iran’s government thinks it has won the war - **STRAIT TALK:** Iran to control Strait of Hormuz - **INFLATED FEARS:** Fear of inflation forced Trump into an Iran deal - **QUESTIONS:** What the Trump-Iran agreement says about Lebanon, Hormuz and uranium - **ICE DATABASE:** ICE denies having a protester database. But a letter to Congress sheds more light - Death of woman released by ICE on a winter day is now ruled a homicide – The Washington Post ### JOIN US - To send us feedback, you can [email us here](mailto:info@middletheory.com). - Follow Middle Theory on X.com here. - Donate to the program here.