Jeffrey Sachs: Iran Conflict 'Irrational and Misguided,' No End in Sight Jeffrey Sachs, a professor at Columbia University, has criticized the ongoing Iran conflict as inherently irrational and misguided, arguing that it has not developed as the United States and Israel anticipated. He further noted that the situation is politically unfavorable for President Donald Trump. Sachs described the current scenario as a "very dangerous misadventure" rooted in a flawed assumption that a single strike could alter the dynamics within Iran. The professor emphasized that the conflict’s trajectory has diverged from initial expectations, highlighting the lack of a clear resolution. He warned that the approach taken by the U.S. and Israel has led to escalating tensions without achieving the desired outcomes. Sachs’s remarks underscore concerns about the sustainability and effectiveness of the current strategy, suggesting that the conflict may continue to spiral without a defined endpoint. Sachs’s analysis comes amid growing international scrutiny of the conflict’s impact, with many experts questioning the long-term viability of military actions in the region. His comments add to a broader debate about the role of diplomacy versus force in addressing complex geopolitical challenges. The professor’s critique also reflects broader criticisms of the Trump administration’s foreign policy approach, which has been accused of prioritizing unilateral actions over multilateral cooperation. The situation in Iran remains a focal point of global tensions, with ongoing military and political developments raising concerns about regional stability. Sachs’s warning serves as a reminder of the potential consequences of prolonged conflict and the need for a more strategic, less confrontational approach to resolving such crises.#donald_trump #trump_administration #iran_conflict #columbia_university #jeffrey_sachs
Mahmoud Khalil remains in limbo but ready to fight Mahmoud Khalil, a former Columbia University graduate student known for his role in the 2024 pro-Palestinian protests, continues to face legal challenges a year after his detention. His case has become a focal point in the debate over immigration due process and the Trump administration’s policies on detaining and deporting noncitizens who criticize Israel’s actions in Gaza. Khalil was arrested in March 2025 and spent over 100 days in immigration custody while awaiting a decision on his future. During this time, he missed the birth of his son and remained separated from his family. Despite the prolonged detention, Khalil has remained resolute, stating that the government has not charged him with any crimes or presented evidence of wrongdoing. He claims he was targeted for his activism, which he describes as part of a student movement opposing U.S. support for Israel. The Trump administration’s approach to Khalil’s case has been marked by legal maneuvering. Initially, Secretary of State Marco Rubio cited “potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences” as a reason for his detention, a rarely used statute. Khalil’s legal team argued that the administration failed to follow proper procedures, and a federal judge in New Jersey ruled that the government’s actions likely violated the Constitution by penalizing him for his protected political speech. The case took a new turn when the administration attempted to revoke Khalil’s green card, alleging he lied about his work for the U.N. and the British Embassy. Khalil and his attorneys dispute these claims, asserting that his U.N. work was as an intern supervised by Columbia University.#new_york #marco_rubio #zohran_mamdani #mahmoud_khalil #columbia_university
