Bill Kristol: Keep Up the Pressure, Dems

Tim Miller and Bill Kristol kick off the podcast by diving into the latest developments in US foreign policy, particularly the escalating tensions with Iran and the controversial Venezuela oil deal. They also touch upon domestic issues, including the Pentagon's alleged propaganda efforts and the upcoming midterm elections.

Escalating Tensions with Iran

Miller begins by referencing a recent exchange of fire in the Strait of Hormuz, where US forces struck Iranian launchers on Larak Island. These launchers were reportedly set to disperse sea mines. Miller notes the irony of the administration bragging to Axios about the seas being open just 36 hours prior to this incident. Kristol expresses concern that the military has been "unrevealing" about what's happened, highlighting a recent report detailing the damage inflicted by Iranian drones on US hubs, particularly the naval support base in Bahrain. He emphasizes that the extent of the damage and casualties has been downplayed, and that the administration's claims of "winning" and Iran being "decimated" are misleading.

Miller acknowledges that the blockade of Iranian ships seems to be having some impact on their economy, but he agrees with Kristol that the situation is far from a "sustainable deal." Kristol points out that the Middle East and the world are adjusting to a new reality where the US was "unable to impose our will on Iran, unable to keep the strait open." He argues that the nuclear program hasn't changed, and the Iranians aren't rushing to the table to give up their nuclear weapons. Kristol concludes that it's a "failed war" with "real consequences," including gas prices still over four dollars a gallon.