Iran Fired Oldest Cheapest Missiles While US Depleted Cutting-Edge Interceptor Arsenal
"They're sending their oldest ballistic missiles and the cheapest and the ones that have the closest expiration date first, obviously. So the ones that they have remaining are going to be the ones that were produced more recently and be higher tech."
About this episode
Hosts Saagar Enjeti, Crystal Ball, Ryan Grim, and Emily Jashinsky dissected multiple political crises facing both parties in this Friday Breaking Points episode. The lead story focused on explosive new Pentagon data showing the US expended far more advanced missile interceptors defending Israel against Iran than Israeli forces deployed themselves, leaving American stockpiles dangerously depleted. Ryan Grim revealed sources indicating Israel had been down to double-digit ballistic missile interceptors before the conflict, forcing the US to rapidly exhaust supplies against roughly 1,000 Iranian missiles. Grim warned Iran deployed its oldest, cheapest weapons first while retaining newer sophisticated missiles, and suggested Trump may restart military hostilities this Memorial Day weekend despite having no viable military options. The panel tore into the disastrous DNC 2024 autopsy report, which appears partially AI-generated, omits Gaza, inflation, and Biden's age entirely, and contains basic factual errors with placeholder text like 'insert conclusion here.' DNC chair Ken Martin hired an unqualified friend to produce it, creating a Streisand effect when Democrats tried suppressing its release. Perhaps most disturbing, the show covered New York Magazine's investigation into Senator John Fetterman's mysterious advisor David Safir, who has no official role but sets up calls with Netanyahu, attends sensitive foreign official meetings, and appears to be manipulating the brain-damaged senator. Former staffers shared text messages showing Fetterman doesn't understand what affordability means and is now spending all his time on Israel rather than Pennsylvania constituents. The episode also featured CFPB Director Rohit Chopra warning that AI valuations may represent a bubble and discussing Fed independence under new chair Kevin Warsh, plus Trump casually suggesting he might skip his son's wedding to focus on Iran.
Key takeaways
- Pentagon data shows US expended far more advanced interceptors defending Israel than Israeli forces did themselves against Iran attacks.
- Ryan Grim reported Israel was down to double-digit ballistic missile interceptors, forcing US to rapidly deplete its own stockpiles.
- Iran fired its oldest cheapest missiles first while US spent millions per interceptor; Iran retains newer more sophisticated weapons.
- DNC 2024 autopsy appears AI-generated, omits Gaza, inflation, and Biden's age, contains factual errors and placeholder text.
- David Safir, mystery advisor with no official role, sets up Fetterman's Netanyahu calls and attends foreign official meetings as brain-damaged senator's closest confidant.
- Former Fetterman staffers shared texts showing senator doesn't understand affordability and has turned Senate office into Israel advocacy operation.
- Rohit Chopra warned AI company valuations may be a bubble with no cash flows to justify trillion-dollar-plus figures.