Pod Save America Trump Desperate for Strait Allies
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Mar 17, 2026 Trump scrambles to rally allies for a tense Middle East standoff and gets little support. The conversation tracks war confusion, threats against the press, and a nasty feud on the right. It also turns to eyebrow-raising fundraising, Jared Kushner’s money ties, suspicious stock trades, and the surreal trend of cold-calling Trump.
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Trump’s Alliance Strategy Collapsed In Real Time
- Jon Favreau argues Trump’s allies won’t help reopen the Strait of Hormuz because he started the war without consulting them and spent years attacking them.
- Trump mocked partners for refusing minesweepers while claiming “we already won,” even as shipping stalled and oil hovered near $100 a barrel.
Removing Iran’s Uranium Means Boots On The Ground
- Tommy Vietor says securing Iran’s highly enriched uranium would likely require a dangerous ground operation, not a clean airstrike ending.
- He describes needing commandos, excavation equipment, perimeter troops, missile defense, and a seized or built runway to move material out.
J D Vance Can’t Quietly Distance Himself
- Jon Favreau and Jon Lovett argue J.D. Vance cannot escape ownership of the Iran war by leaking private doubts while serving as vice president.
- They say any 2028 anti-war lane would likely energize Tucker Carlson-style challengers, not Vance or Marco Rubio.