
Next Up with Mark Halperin Truth About War Polling, and Sen. Rand Paul on Inflation, Gas Prices, and How Iran Could Go "Endless"
Mar 12, 2026
Rand Paul, U.S. Senator from Kentucky known for libertarian-leaning views, discusses Iran, the risks of an open-ended Middle East war, and why reopening the Strait of Hormuz matters. He also covers national debt and entitlement reform, inflation, rising gas prices and electoral consequences. Short takes on tariffs, Fed leadership, AI risks, and a preview of an upcoming confirmation hearing.
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Episode notes
Drones Gave Iran A Cheap Asymmetrical Edge
- Halperin highlights drones as an asymmetrical tool giving Iran the ability to contest US and Israeli forces despite inferior conventional firepower.
- He notes the US appears improvising countermeasures now, having not planned sufficiently for drone and submarine threats.
Iran Could Open Multiple New Fronts Quickly
- Halperin warns of multiple new fronts Iran could open: cyberattacks, sleeper cells, and attacks on desalination plants.
- He cites reports of a large Iranian cyberattack and a desalination plant strike as signs of widening conflict vectors.
Use War Powers Votes To Force A National Debate
- Rand Paul urges restoring Congress's war-declaration role using tools like the War Powers Act to force debate.
- He says privileged War Powers votes have compelled floor debate and that primaries must elect legislators willing to assert Congress's authority.

