U.S. presidential administrations typically "hard launch" a war with congressional testimony, press conferences, and high-profile speeches designed to sell it to the American people. The Iran war is different. Nearly a month after the initial joint U.S.-Israel strikes, Trump's foreign policy amounts to leaving the public "on read." His motivations are nebulous, contradictory, and propped up by a media machine running on fumes. Some Republican congressional allies won't even call it a war.

No wonder support for the Iran war sits at an all-time low—46 percent—well below the clear majorities that backed past U.S. conflicts, including its closest parallel: the Iraq War. The Bush Iraq War had a full propaganda rollout, complete with weapons of mass destruction lies and the military industrial complex on overdrive. This? This is war propaganda on autopilot.

This week, Katelyn and Christine sit down with HuffPost Senior Politics Reporter Jen Bendery for a media criticism deep dive into how each war was sold—because how you package a lie matters. Their conversation traces the parallels between Trump Iran and Bush Iraq, emphasizes responsible media consumption, and pushes back on the media bias fueling disinformation in real time.

If you're here for progressive news that holds power accountable, this one's for you. Stream on YouTube—ring the bell! Listen on Apple or Spotify. And don't forget the merch store—Merch Me, Daddy!

Links:

Follow Jen Bendery on Bluesky: @jbendery.bsky.social
Subscribe to Christine’s newsletter, Vendetta
Katelyn’s newsletter collaboration with Kat Tenbarge and Marisa Kabas
Cassie's GoFundMe
Lily Boyce and Ruth Igielnik for The New York Times: Unlike Past U.S. Conflicts, Iran Attack Is Opposed by Most Americans
Eric Garcia for The Independent: When is a war in Iran not a ‘war’? When it’s ‘our’ war
Brandi Buchman for HuffPost: Military Commander Tells Troops Bombing Iran Is ‘Part Of God’s Divine Plan’
Meg Kinnard and Farnoush Amiri for The Associated Press: Sen. Graham got a war with Iran. What will it cost the country and his party?
Joel Roberts for CBS News: Plans For Iraq Attack Began On 9/11
ThinkProgress: One Month After 9/11, McCain Said Anthrax ‘May Have Come From Iraq,’ Warned Iraq Is ‘The Second Phase’
George W. Bush’s January 2002 State of the Union address calling Iraq, Iran, and Norrth Korea the “axis of evil”
Jack Mitchell for All Things Considered: 20 years ago, the U.S. warned of Iraq's alleged 'weapons of mass destruction'

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How (Not) to Sell a War (ft. Jen Bendery)