Trump seen as weaker on Iran war and AI geopolitics
Updated
Updated · AlterNet · May 1
Trump seen as weaker on Iran war and AI geopolitics
5 articles · Updated · AlterNet · May 1
In a 1 May column, Thomas L. Friedman said Trump misreads leverage over Tehran and the risks from rapidly advancing artificial-intelligence cyber capabilities.
He argued Iran could withstand a US oil-export blockade for months while threatening the Strait of Hormuz, potentially raising fuel and food prices for Americans and allies.
Friedman said asymmetric warfare and autonomous AI agents are reshaping conflict, enabling low-cost, self-optimising cyberattacks that could destabilise states, including the US, China and others.
How might rapidly advancing autonomous AI agents reshape the balance of power and security among nations within just a few years?
Could the U.S. blockade of Iran trigger wider global instability if Iran disrupts oil flows and prices continue to rise?
Are current international laws and institutions equipped to handle the dual threats of maritime conflict and autonomous AI-driven cyberattacks?
Weaponizing AI and Disinformation: Iran’s Lego Propaganda and the U.S. Strategic Failures in 2025–2026
Overview
Between 2025 and 2026, Iran launched a rapid AI-driven propaganda campaign using viral Lego-style videos to deepen divisions in the U.S. and erode trust in Western institutions. Meanwhile, the Trump administration underestimated Iran's resilience and embraced AI targeting with insufficient safeguards, leading to strategic missteps. The U.S. military pursued a doctrine of speed and overwhelming force with AI and autonomous drones, but Iran countered with asymmetric AI tactics and cyberattacks that disrupted U.S. systems. This conflict strained global alliances, intensified regional aggression, and caused energy market volatility, accelerating the decline of U.S. dominance and highlighting the urgent need for balanced AI governance and resilient defense strategies.