The Briefing with Jen Psaki Iran outmaneuvers Trump; cuts deal that leaves U.S. worse off than pre-war
16 snips
Apr 8, 2026 
David Remnick, New Yorker editor and reporter on U.S.-Iran policy; Wes Moore, Maryland governor and former Army officer; Mark Kelly, Arizona senator and ex-NASA astronaut. They dissect Trump’s sudden ceasefire pause, the negotiated Strait of Hormuz arrangements, shifting deadlines and costs to U.S. credibility and alliances. Tense political fallout and questions about military and moral leadership arise.
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Short War Produced Long Strategic Damage
- The war raised U.S. costs and damaged alliances: higher gas prices, weakened NATO ties, and erosion of U.S. moral authority on war crimes.
- Psaki emphasized these harms were inflicted while the Strait of Hormuz was effectively less secure than before the conflict.
Follow The Law Over Unlawful Orders
- Military personnel should refuse unlawful orders and follow the law when orders conflict with it.
- Sen. Mark Kelly cited West Point guidance and praised professional officers who reportedly rejected civilian-target strike recommendations from Defense leadership.
Harsh Rhetoric Strains Military Cohesion
- Top-level rhetoric calling for "no mercy" and threats to target civilian infrastructure created moral and operational strain on deployed forces.
- Kelly said mid-grade officers are struggling with leadership messaging and their professional identity amid conflicting orders.