Kasparian says Pentagon seeks extra $67bn after Iran war costs
""The Pentagon's already run out of money because of this war against Iran. So right now you have people like Pete Hexith um the defense department asking specifically for an additional $67 billion on top of the trillion dollars that was already approved.""
About this episode
Mario Nawfal interviews US commentator Ana Kasparian on US policy towards Israel, Iran and the Middle East, focusing on claims of Israeli influence in Washington and the risk of further escalation with Iran. Kasparian argues that a provision in the US National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) would effectively integrate the US and Israeli militaries, and she warns it could create intelligence and sovereignty risks; she references Douglas Macgregor’s framing and cites the Jonathan Pollard case as an analogy.
Kasparian also alleges Donald Trump reversed his position on a proposed civilian nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia within 24 hours, saying Trump made Saudi normalisation with Israel mandatory after what she describes as Israeli backlash. The pair discuss reports and claims about Trump’s decision-making environment and Netanyahu’s influence, including Nawfal recounting an alleged Netanyahu description of urging US action on Iran’s Fordow site.
On the prospect of renewed conflict with Iran, Kasparian says US military movements and the deployment of medical personnel suggest contingency planning that could include troops on the ground, which she calls potentially disastrous. She further claims Pentagon spending linked to war operations has driven a push for additional US funding, alleging a request for a $67bn supplemental on top of a roughly trillion-dollar defence allocation. The conversation ends with brief remarks about whistleblowing and military analyst Daniel Davis’s credibility.
Throughout, several assertions are presented as interpretation or based on reporting rather than first-hand evidence, and some claims are disputed or not substantiated in the episode itself.
Key takeaways
- Kasparian alleges an NDAA provision would integrate US and Israeli militaries and formalise existing practices.
- She argues the Israel lobby has decisive influence in US politics and says public backlash is growing.
- Kasparian claims Trump reversed course on a Saudi civilian nuclear deal, making Israel normalisation a condition within a day.
- Nawfal and Kasparian discuss reported concerns that Trump operates in an echo chamber and that Netanyahu has significant influence.
- Kasparian says US force posture and the movement of medical personnel suggest preparation for wider war scenarios, possibly including ground troops.
- Kasparian alleges the Pentagon has sought additional funding, citing a claimed $67bn supplemental request.
- Kasparian praises military analyst Daniel Davis for past whistleblowing on Afghanistan and for the accuracy of his analysis.