Raising Expectations, March 16, 2026 Podcast By cover art

Raising Expectations, March 16, 2026

Raising Expectations, March 16, 2026

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Raising Expectations with Pastor Joe Schofield, Dr. Paul Hall, Stefanie Thayer, Dr. Craig Thayer, Pastor Ron Greer Guest, Dr Jim Robbins - Geopolitical Shifts and the Future of Iran Dear Friends, This week on Raising Expectations we have Dr. Jim Robbins joining us again: Join us for a special discussion with Dr. Jim Robbins of the Institute of World Politics in Washington DC. We will explore the issues and events surrounding the war with Iran, Washington politics, and the implications for the future under President Trump and his administration. Dr. Robbins, an outstanding historian and Dean of Academics at IWP, Senior Fellow in National Security Affairs at the American Foreign Policy Council, and former special assistant in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, will share his expertise and insights. Jim is a great man of Faith and has a God given ability to not only understand questions but to discern the heart of the person asking! I am often reminded of the sensitivity of C.S. Lewis with Dr. Robbins. Find out more about Dr. Jim work at his institute's website: www.iwp.edu In this episode of Raising Expectations, host Joe Schofield and his team sit down with historian and academic dean Jim Robbins to discuss the shifting landscape of Middle East diplomacy, the strategic use of energy markets, and the ongoing challenges to American national security. The conversation highlights the potential for a "new world" in the Middle East through regime pressure and economic leverage. Strategic Perspectives on the Middle East The discussion centers on four critical issues currently facing the administration in the Middle East: the ongoing conflict with Iran, the stabilization of oil markets, the pursuit of the Abraham Accords for regional normalization, and the long-term redevelopment of Gaza. Jim Robbins emphasizes that the primary goal is to return to a period where Iran acts as a strategic partner rather than an adversary, noting that before the 1979 revolution, Iran maintained strong ties with both the United States and Israel. The current strategy involves maintaining pressure to eventually defund regional proxies like Hezbollah and Hamas, which rely heavily on Iranian oil revenue. Economic Leverage and Global Security A significant portion of the dialogue focuses on the "drill, baby, drill" energy policy as a tool for national security. Robbins argues that lowering oil prices serves a dual purpose: it eases domestic inflation for American consumers and simultaneously cripples the Iranian economy. Historical data suggests that when oil prices drop toward $52 per barrel or lower, the Iranian regime loses its ability to fund its nuclear program and global terrorism. Furthermore, the participants discuss the internal "crisis of legitimacy" in Iran, where a younger, digital-native population increasingly rejects theocratic control in favor of Western-style freedoms and prosperity. Regarding domestic safety, the panel expresses concern over "lone actor" terrorist threats. Robbins notes that while the administration has been successful in targeting high-level leadership abroad—disrupting their ability to coordinate large-scale attacks—the presence of unvetted individuals within the U.S. remains a high-risk factor. The conversation also touches on a new "War on Fraud" initiative aimed at uncovering the destination of approximately $2 trillion in funds dispersed during the COVID-19 era. The episode concludes with a call for national resilience and strategic patience. By combining economic pressure through energy markets with a firm stance on border security and domestic oversight, the speakers envision a future where both American interests and Middle Eastern stability are significantly enhanced.
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