Susan Kokinda argues that John Bolton and the foreign policy establishment are alarmed not by U.S. strikes on Iran, but by President Trump’s refusal to commit to a managed regime-change architecture. She contrasts Bolton, Anne Applebaum, and Chatham House criticizing a lack of strategy with Trump telling The Atlantic he has agreed to talk with Tehran, framing this as a break from “The Great Game” geopolitics. Kokinda says the strikes publicly cracked the U.S.–UK “special relationship,” citing that Britain was informed but not included, Starmer refused U.S. use of British bases, and European leaders issued statements emphasizing non-participation. She claims Tehran is calling Washington, not London, and links this shift to arrests of former Prince Andrew and Lord Peter Mandelson, described as key operators connected to Epstein-file allegations.
00:00 The Monday Brief – BOLTON SCREAMS: It’s All Over for Them – March 2, 2026
02:36 The Regime Changers Are Not in the Room
05:10 The Special Relationship Shatters
07:56 The Operative Gets Arrested
