The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert Clarissa Ward | Strait Misbehavin'
Mar 12, 2026
Clarissa Ward, CNN chief international correspondent and Peabody Award winner reporting from conflict zones. She reports live from Erbil, Iraq about the war near the Iran border. She discusses the unpredictability and risks of regional escalation. She describes information blackouts in Iran and the human cost hidden from view. She critiques the Pentagon’s glamorization of violence and reflects on coverage fatigue in other conflicts.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Tweet Mistakes Can Roil Global Markets
- A deleted tweet claiming the U.S. Navy escorted a tanker briefly calmed markets, then its removal spiked investor confusion and volatility.
- The incident shows how fast erroneous official messages can move oil and stock futures.
Conflict Quickly Raises Consumer Fuel Costs
- Colbert notes U.S. domestic impact: average gas rose from $2.98 to $3.58 per gallon since the conflict began, tightening summer travel plans.
- He frames political spin as detached: leadership claims price pains are worth long-term security despite voters feeling immediate cost.
Frontline Proximity Intensifies Regional Fear
- Clarissa Ward reports from Erbil, ~60 miles from Iran, where nightly drone and missile strikes target U.S. bases, hotels, and opposition groups.
- The attacks are frequent and often heard locally, creating pervasive regional tension and fear.