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Washington Week with The Atlantic

Trump's rationale and objectives for Iran war remain unclear

Season 2026 Episode 10 | 13m 09s

It was just last week that President Trump launched a war against Iran after telling Americans that he was opposed to new wars, especially new Middle East wars. The Iranian regime is practically leaderless and on its back foot, but the commander-in-chief of American forces has yet to explain to a doubting public the rationale for the war.

Major funding for “Washington Week with The Atlantic” is provided by Consumer Cellular, Otsuka, Kaiser Permanente, the Yuen Foundation, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
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Hegseth’s contentious hearing in Congress reveals partisan divide over Iran war
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