THE DAILY BLAST with Greg Sargent Trump War Takes Darker Turn as Unnerving Leaks Hint at Big Escalation
Mar 20, 2026
Adam Smith, U.S. Congressman and ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, weighs in on looming escalations. He discusses leaked plans for large supplemental war funding and possible ground troop deployments. He warns about risks of impulsive military moves, questions the Pentagon’s priorities, and outlines how Congress could push back and demand oversight.
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Regime Change In Iran Is Unrealistic
- Rep. Adam Smith warns Trump is unlikely to achieve regime change in Iran and that massing forces often leads Trump to use them.
- He cites 13 U.S. service members dead, civilian casualties, and 14 countries dragged into conflict as evidence of rising costs.
Iran's Depth Makes Military Overthrow Improbable
- Smith explains Iran's resilience: 93 million people, deep regime entrenchment, and militias make quick regime overthrow improbable.
- Experts tell him even large bombing plus massive ground invasion has low success probability and enormous cost.
Massive New Defense Funding Mirrors Weakened Diplomacy
- The Pentagon reportedly wants $200 billion more while Trump may seek a $1.5 trillion regular defense increase, pushing defense toward $2 trillion.
- Smith ties this to gutted diplomacy and development, warning more ammunition follows cuts to soft power.