DeProgram with Ted Rall and Jamarl Thomas

The Republic Strikes Back | DeProgram with Ted Rall and John Kiriakou

7 snips

Mar 2, 2026

A sharp rundown of the widening US/Israeli conflict with Iran, including cross-border strikes, friendly-fire losses, and Hezbollah’s entry into the fight. They cover market turmoil from oil spikes and defense stocks, regional tensions in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and the diplomatic scramble over overseas bases. The conversation also touches on intelligence failures, possible escalation paths, and China and Russia’s geopolitical calculations.

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INSIGHT

War Shock Moves Markets Immediately

The current Israel–Iran conflict is already disrupting global markets with sharp selloffs and commodity spikes.
Ted Rall and John Kiriakou point to crude oil jumping and defense/energy stocks rising while broader indices plunged the morning after strikes.

INSIGHT

Friendly Fire and Coordination Failures

Friendly-fire and allied miscues are compounding US losses with three F-15s shot down by Kuwait and multiple US casualties.
John and Ted highlight the logistical chaos and lack of interagency communication fueling these errors.

INSIGHT

Iran Was Underestimated By Intelligence

The US intelligence community and allies misjudged Iran's readiness and capabilities, producing strategic surprise.
John mocks a New York Times claim and and both hosts note longstanding US familiarity with Iran despite apparent misestimates.

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Political cartoonist Ted Rall and CIA whistleblower John Kiriakou deprogram you from mainstream media every weekday at 9 AM EST.

Today we discuss the US/Israeli War Against Iran:

• Iran was more prepared for war than the Trump administration anticipated, U.S. officials admit. Three American service members were killed and five seriously wounded by Iran at Camp Arifjan in Kuwait. Flights across the Middle East came to a standstill after Iran struck at least four airports, including Dubai. Bahrain sustained minimal damage from a drone. Airports in both Kuwait and the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan, Irbil, were also hit. Iran hit Zayed Port in Abu Dhabi, where the French navy has a base. Two drones struck a port in Duqm, a port town in Oman. An Iranian bomb struck a shelter in Beit Shemesh, west of Jerusalem, killing at least nine people. Residential towers in Bahrain were also hit. Kuwait accidentally shot down three F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets—$100 million each—down late last night. Six crew members ejected.

• The war expanded into Lebanon after Hezbollah claimed a rocket and drone attack on Israel. Israel struck the group’s HQ in Beirut and targeted weapons storage facilities. PM Keir Starmer is reversing his decision to bar the U.S. from using U.K. bases. The war has only sped up the deterioration of the trans-Atlantic relationship.

• Trump is publicly warning Americans to gird for a sustained, costly war.“Sadly, there will likely be more [U.S. deaths] before it ends,” the president said. “America will avenge their deaths and deliver the most punishing blow to the terrorists who have waged war against, basically, civilization.”

• Oil futures surged. Brent crude, the international benchmark, spiked 6.2% to trade at $77 a barrel, having briefly surpassed $82 earlier in the trading session. Meanwhile, stock futures fell. Futures for the S&P 500, the Nasdaq and the Dow were all down more than 1%. But Exxon and Chevron shares rose pre-market. Defense stocks, like Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin, were also up strongly.

Also:

• Pakistan bombed Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan. The Taliban is firing at Pakistani fighter jets over Kabul.

• A man who fatally shot two people and wounded 14 others at a popular bar on Austin’s Sixth Street, 53-year-old Ndiaga Diagne, wore a hoodie that read “Property of Allah” over a T-shirt bearing an Iranian flag.

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