The David Pakman Show The war is suddenly much more dangerous as gas prices explode
Mar 11, 2026
Richard Blumenthal, U.S. Senator from Connecticut and member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, warns after a classified briefing that U.S. ground troops may be considered for the Iran conflict. The conversation touches on escalation risks from keeping military options open. It also covers a sharp 32% surge in gas prices and the political fallout of rising costs at the pump.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Ukraine Offered Ready Drone Fixes That Were Ignored
- Ukraine offered battlefield-tested low-cost interceptor drone tech to the White House months ago but the Trump team failed to follow through.
- Pakman explains Ukraine's experience fighting Iranian-designed drones made their sensors and interceptors directly relevant to countering Iran's current asymmetric drone threat.
Gas Prices Spike 32 Percent Creates Political Problem
- Gasoline prices jumped roughly 32% from mid-January lows to about $3.60 per gallon, creating a major political liability for Trump.
- Pakman notes spikes concentrated in Trump-leaning states and that sustained higher fuel costs raise broader inflation and voter dissatisfaction.
Use Deescalation Or SPR To Lower Pump Prices
- To blunt political damage, deescalate the conflict or release Strategic Petroleum Reserve supplies for temporary relief.
- Pakman lists deescalation, SPR releases (about 15 cents per gallon relief), or blaming others as limited options, urging action to lower prices.
