‘The lesson US is teaching the world is you must have nuclear weapons to be safe’ – University of Chicago Professor Robert Pape
Published 13 May, 2026 22:04‘The Lesson the US is teaching the world is you must have nuclear weapons to be safe. We have given Poland, South Korea, Saudi Arabia and everyone else every reason to have them’ – University of Chicago Professor Robert Pape.
On the latest episode of ‘Sanchez Effect,’ Professor Pape unpacks the shadowy implications of the US-Israeli war on Iran. The rules of engagement have shifted – nuclear deterrence wasn’t previously essential; now, amid Trump’s recklessness, it’s a case of “better safe than sorry.”
Pape paints a grim picture for those in Washington who might be banking on a swift victory. Iran, he predicts, is set to emerge as a formidable power, becoming the fourth global center of influence – alongside the US, Russia and China – and challenging Israel’s regional aspirations.
The professor says Iran will maintain its control over the Strait of Hormuz – and that means oil prices above $100 a barrel for months to come. He argues that since World War Two, Iran, with its massive population and strategic resources, has been America’s strongest enemy – outshining even Vietnam. Iran is Trump’s Mount Everest, and the climb is far from smooth.
Rick notes that Trump’s usual bullying tactics worked against the EU and Venezuela, but they won’t fly with Tehran. Why? Tune in to RT, for more on the unfolding drama.