#1785 Iran and the Chain Reaction: The War Nobody Thought Through (Or, Bomb First, Think Never)

#1785 Iran and the Chain Reaction: The War Nobody Thought Through (Or, Bomb First, Think Never)

Author: Best of the Left: Perspectives on Politics, Culture, and Economics April 18, 2026 Duration: 3:32:37

Air Date: 4/17/2026

Today we examine how the U.S. war with Iran has exposed the deep structural rot at the heart of American power, the global economic catastrophe quietly building beneath the surface, and the cuts felt at home in order to pay for it all.

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Full Show Notes

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TOP TAKES

KP 1: Excerpt, "Cross of Iron" Speech, 1956 - Dwight D. Eisenhower

KP 2: White House Accidentally Releases Video of Trump Saying the Truth About War's Priority - The Briefing with Jen Psaki - Air Date 4-2-26

KP 3: Lets Talk About Fertilizer - Paul Krugman - Air Date 3-21-26

KP 4: Why Israels Bombing of Lebanon Means All Our Futures Are at Stake - The Independent - Air Date 4-9-26

KP 5: Will There Even Be a "Ceasefire"? - Drop Site News - Air Date 4-9-26

KP 6: The TV War That Backfired - Brendan Miller - Air Date 3-20-26

KP 7: Why the US Couldnt Force a Deal with Iran - LBC - Air Date 4-12-26

KP 8: Hormuz Crisis _Only Going to Get More Horrific Before It Gets Any Better__ Prof. Laleh Khalili - Democracy Now! - Air Date 4-16-26

KP 9: Dwight D Eisenhower - Farewell Speech - Address to the Nation - Military Industrial Complex Warning - War and Military Documentaries - Air Date 1-17-61


(00:52:25) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

Eisenhower Warned Us: Trump's $1.5T Military Budget Is Gutting America


DEEPER DIVES

(01:03:57) SECTION A: LEBANON UNDER ATTACK

(01:29:29) SECTION B: THE WORLD DEDOLLARISES

(01:49:40) SECTION C: WORLD ECONOMY IN PERIL

(02:21:45) SECTION D: THE MORAL ROT OF WAR PROFITEERING

(02:46:42) SECTION E: THE DAMAGE OUR MILITARY DOES

(03:06:15) SECTION F: MAKING CHINA GREAT AGAIN


SHOW IMAGE CREDITS

Description: A composite image showing a satellite image of the Straight of Hormuz  behind a screenshot of Trump's post that says "A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again…."

Credit: Internal composite design. Image: "Satellite image of the Strait of Hormuz." by Jacques Descloitres, NASA | Public Domain


For over fifteen years, Best of the Left-Leftist Perspectives on Progressive Politics, News, Culture, Economics and Democracy has served as a vital, human-curated digest of voices from across the progressive spectrum. Instead of presenting a single opinion, each episode is built around a specific theme-from economic inequality to climate policy to cultural shifts-and weaves together insightful commentary from a diverse array of journalists, activists, and thinkers. This approach allows you to efficiently grasp the nuances of complex issues by hearing multiple expert angles in one sitting, all while discovering new commentators and sources you might not have encountered otherwise. The result is a richly layered analysis that algorithms simply cannot replicate, offering depth and context often missing from the daily news cycle. Since 2006, this award-winning podcast has cut through the noise, drawing from hundreds of independent and established sources to provide a coherent, thoughtful examination of the forces shaping our society and governments. Tuning in means joining a long-running conversation dedicated to understanding and advancing democratic principles, social justice, and a more equitable economy, all through the focused lens of leftist thought.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Best of the Left - Leftist Perspectives on Progressive Politics, News, Culture, Economics and Democracy
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