Jared Kushner, CIA Coups & the Bananas Reason We're at War with Iran: Amanda with Jeremy Scahill - We Can Do Hard Things Recap

Podcast: We Can Do Hard Things

Published: 2026-03-24T04:00:00.000Z

Duration: 5131

Guests: Jeremy Scahill

What Happened

Jeremy Scahill, an investigative journalist and co-founder of Drop Site News, discusses the United States' history of regime change and how it benefits specific interests. He details how the U.S. has orchestrated coups in countries like Iran and Guatemala to protect corporate and strategic interests. The 1953 coup in Iran, driven by the nationalization of the oil industry under Prime Minister Mossadegh, set a precedent for future interventions.

The episode highlights Jared Kushner's involvement in the Middle East, particularly his role in Gaza reconstruction plans that resemble real estate development projects. Kushner's financial ties to Saudi Arabia and his private equity fund's investments are discussed as influencing factors in U.S. foreign policy. Scahill claims these developments serve corporate interests rather than humanitarian concerns.

Trump's administration is described as combining neoconservative foreign policy with erratic principles, benefiting personal and family business interests. The administration's actions in the Middle East are depicted as part of a corrupt nexus involving Israel, the White House, and Gulf monarchies. Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, is portrayed as having significant influence in these dealings.

Scahill emphasizes the destabilizing effects of U.S. interventions, pointing out that they often replace one 'bad guy' with another, leading to long-term instability and violence. The episode critiques the moral bankruptcy of the U.S. foreign policy narrative, which prioritizes business and strategic interests over genuine humanitarian concerns.

The history of the United Fruit Company (UFC) in Central America is used as an example of how corporate interests shape foreign policy. The 1954 CIA coup in Guatemala, aimed at protecting UFC's profits, demonstrates the pattern of intervention to secure economic interests. This action led to decades of instability and conflict in the region.

Jeremy Scahill's investigative work, including his books 'Blackwater' and 'Dirty Wars,' provides context for understanding these complex geopolitical dynamics. His reporting has revealed significant CIA operations and sparked congressional investigations, underscoring the ongoing impact of U.S. foreign interventions.

Key Insights

• The U.S. has a history of regime change, frequently intervening to protect corporate interests, as demonstrated by the 1953 coup in Iran. This intervention was motivated by the nationalization of Iran's oil industry, threatening Western oil interests.
• Jared Kushner's financial ties to Saudi Arabia and his involvement in Middle Eastern policy are pivotal in shaping U.S. actions in the region. His private equity fund's investments from Gulf states highlight the intersection of business and foreign policy.
• The Trump administration's foreign policy is characterized by a blend of neoconservative and MAGA principles, benefiting personal and family business interests. This approach involves forming coalitions against Iran and leveraging relationships with Gulf monarchies.
• U.S. interventions often lead to long-term instability, as seen in Guatemala and Iran. These actions typically replace one problematic regime with another, driven by economic and strategic motivations rather than humanitarian concerns.