The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell Trump claims ‘we’ve won’ war as more troops deploy to Middle East
14 snips
Mar 21, 2026 
Eugene Vindman, retired Army colonel and member of the Armed Services Committee, offers frontline military and policy perspective. He discusses unclear objectives, rising casualties and costs, and the recent surge of U.S. troop deployments. The conversation highlights strategic options, congressional approval questions, and the administration’s planning gaps.
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Proposal To Unsanction Iranian Oil To Lower Prices
- The Trump administration considered temporarily lifting sanctions on Iranian oil to lower global prices by releasing about 140 million barrels believed to be en route to China.
- Treasury framed it as using Iranian barrels "against the Iranians," but Ali Velshi warns this enriches the adversary while fighting them.
Trump's Rhetoric Against NATO Weakens Alliances
- Trump is publicly blaming NATO allies for not escorting tankers through the Strait of Hormuz and calling them cowards while he initiated the conflict.
- Velshi highlights this rhetoric weakens alliances and benefits adversaries like Vladimir Putin.
Congressman Vindman At Dignified Transfer
- Eugene Vindman describes attending a dignified transfer of caskets and asking why the conflict continues without clear objectives.
- He notes 13 U.S. dead, over 200 wounded, and $1 billion a day expenditure with families lacking answers.
