American Sunrise Early Edition – March 4th, 2026

Podcast: Real America’s Voice (iHeartPodcasts)
Host: Brian Glenn
Date: March 4, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode centers on escalating military action in the Middle East as the U.S. and its allies, chiefly Israel, intensify operations against Iran. The hosts and guests provide updates and analysis on the ongoing conflict, discuss the domestic impact—including market volatility and political implications—and cover major U.S. primary election outcomes. The show emphasizes its core themes: reporting through the lens of American values, freedom, and skepticism of mainstream narratives.

Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. Severe Weather Outlook and Morning Setup

• Host: Brian Glenn
• Meteorologist Guest: Adrian Hernandez
• Timestamp: 03:48–05:35
  • The country enters meteorological spring with severe storms forecasted through the week, especially in the Midwest and South.
  • Advises viewers in affected areas to prepare for large hail, damaging winds, and possible tornadoes as storms could hit during overnight hours.
  • Quote:

    "Now is a great time more than ever to start getting those severe weather plans in place." — Adrian Hernandez (05:16)

2. Top Story: Operation Epic Fury — The U.S. & Iran Conflict

• Timestamp: 05:36–07:59
• Discussion: Major U.S.-led military operations against Iranian missile facilities and navy, working alongside Israel and allies.
• CENTCOM Commander describes the scale:
  • Largest U.S. Middle East buildup in a generation.
  • First 24 hours saw nearly double the scale of 2003’s "shock and awe."
  • 2,000 targets hit in under 100 hours.
  • 17 Iranian ships destroyed.
• Quote:

  "In the opening hours of Operation Epic Fury, US Central Command forces together with Israel delivered overwhelming and unprecedented strikes into Iran. ... We've already struck nearly 2,000 targets ... and destroyed hundreds of Iran's ballistic missiles, launchers and drones." — CENTCOM Commander (06:12)

3. Military Analysis and Geopolitics

• Guest: Lt. Colonel Alan West
• Timestamp: 07:59–13:46
• Analysis:
  • Current phase is "shaping operations" targeting Iranian command/control and missile capabilities.
  • U.S. now holds air dominance and is working to reopen Strait of Hormuz for global shipping and oil flow.
  • Geo-strategic consequences:
    • Impact on Russia (drones from Iran to Russia), China (oil imports threatened), and destabilization of Iran as a "state sponsor of terror."
    • Ripple effects: Weakening of groups like Hamas, Hezbollah.
• Quote:

  "We want to decapitate the head. We want them to not be able to coordinate military operations ... we're focused on shooting all the things that can shoot at us." — Alan West (08:18)

• Discussion on Iran lashing out at neighboring Gulf States, potentially turning regional actors against Iran.

4. Texas Primary Election Analysis

• Host: Brian Glenn
• Guest: Alan West
• Timestamp: 11:31–13:46
• Texas U.S. Senate race: John Cornyn vs. Ken Paxton headed to a runoff; discussion of Democratic challenges and shifting political dynamics in Texas.
• Commentary on Jasmine Crockett's failed bid and the uphill struggle for progressive candidates in statewide races.
• Quote:

  "Her political career seems to be over. ... His whole woke Jesus, you know, perspective ... that is very sickening to many people." — Alan West on Jasmine Crockett and James Talarico (12:49)

5. Market & Economic Impact of War

• Guest: Michael Wilkerson, Stormwall Advisors
• Timestamp: 14:29–19:42
• Market reaction:
  • Dow Jones, Nasdaq down sharply; oil surges 4-5% in response to regional instability.
  • Bond yields rising, reflecting investor anxieties.
  • Gas prices spiking at the pump by up to 50 cents overnight.
  • Quote:

    "War is always inflationary. Wartime pressures cause prices to rise as production moves from consumer goods to military uses ... this is a force ... likely to push prices back the other direction." — Michael Wilkerson (17:17)

• Cautions on consumer confidence—big purchase decisions (cars, homes) likely to be delayed further due to uncertainty.

6. Homeland Security & Immigration

• Guest: Bobby Charles, former Assistant Secretary of State
• Timestamp: 21:32–29:56
• U.S. embassies in the Middle East targeted; discussion of the need for intelligence flow between federal, state, and local law enforcement.
• Concerns about sleeper cells, lone-wolf terror threats, and border/immigration vulnerabilities.
• Importance of assimilation for new legal immigrants.
• Quote:

  "Sleeper cells really do exist ... and they are ready to take orders from abroad." — Bobby Charles (24:06)

  • Emphasizes the American "miracle" and stresses assimilation to the nation's values as security imperative.
• As a candidate for Maine governor, pledges to reduce taxes, fight opioid/fentanyl crisis, address fraud, and improve public safety.

7. National Political Roundup and Analysis

• Host: Brian Glenn

• Co-Host: Terrence Bates, Denver Newsroom

• Timestamp: 31:03–37:23

• Election Recap:

  • Trump-backed candidates performing strongly, especially in North Carolina and Arkansas.
  • Texas GOP Senate primary—Cornyn vs. Paxton runoff, with Wesley Hunt’s support as a spoiler.
  • Democratic turnout was "unexpectedly strong," possibly as a push against Trump.
  • Discussion of redistricting impact on Jasmine Crockett.

• Quote:

  "Democrats turned out big in this primary, a surprisingly large amount. ... It's a stop Trump agenda." — Brian Glenn (32:26)

• War & Defense Industry:

  • White House to meet with top defense contractors (Lockheed Martin, Raytheon) to expedite weapons production.
  • Concerns about ammunition depletion.
  • U.S. special forces advising Ecuadorian troops in anti-narcotics efforts—endorsed as a "war worth fighting."
  • Quote:

    "This is a great war to lean in on ... stop these drug cartels. I think it's a good move." — Brian Glenn (36:54)

8. Capitol Hill Insights

• Guest: Neil McCabe, Political Reporter
• Timestamp: 37:52–39:12
• Message from primary results: Voters are watching closely and tired of "performative" Republicans.
• Example: Sen. Cornyn’s pattern of campaigning as a hardliner but failing to deliver, with voters "finally catching up."
• Encouraged listeners to check the Liberty Scorecard for their representatives’ actual votes, not just rhetoric.

9. Pentagon Briefing & War Update

• Field Reporter: David Zier at the Pentagon
• Timestamp: 41:22–43:15
• Anticipation of in-depth Pentagon briefing, regular pressers with some tension between Defense officials and mainstream media.
• Pentagon continues detailed daily updates confirming ongoing military operations at unprecedented scale.

10. Closing Political Analysis

• Guest: David Brody, RAV D.C. Correspondent
• Timestamp: 44:01–47:01
• Deep dive on Texas Senate race:
  • Despite high base turnout, Cornyn likely to gain Trump endorsement, with run-off votes from Hunt’s base.
  • Dem nominee James Talarico described as "dangerously electable" for Republicans—a cross between Obama and Clinton.
• High Democratic turnout could change projections.

Notable Quotes

• "We want to decapitate the head. ... We want them to not be able to coordinate military operations."
  — Lt. Colonel Alan West (08:18)
• "Sleeper cells really do exist ... and they are ready to take orders from abroad."
  — Bobby Charles (24:06)
• "War is always inflationary. Wartime pressures cause prices to rise as production moves from consumer goods to military uses ... this is a force ... likely to push prices back the other direction."
  — Michael Wilkerson (17:17)
• "Her political career seems to be over. ... His whole woke Jesus, you know, perspective ... that is very sickening to many people."
  — Alan West (12:49)
• "Democrats turned out big in this primary, a surprisingly large amount. ... It's a stop Trump agenda."
  — Brian Glenn (32:26)

Major Moments (with Timestamps)

• Weather threats for the week: 03:48–05:35
• CENTCOM operation update and scale: 06:12–07:59
• Lt. Col. Alan West on Iran, geopolitics, and Texas election analysis: 07:59–13:46
• Michael Wilkerson on inflation and markets: 14:29–19:42
• Bobby Charles on homeland security and Maine politics: 21:32–29:56
• Terrence Bates on national political headlines: 31:03–37:23
• Neil McCabe on voter expectations vs. political performance: 37:52–39:12
• David Zier’s Pentagon update: 41:22–43:15
• David Brody on Texas political strategy and Democratic turnout: 44:01–47:01

Overall Tone & Perspective

The episode balances breaking international news with domestic implications, blending urgent national security concerns, populist skepticism of traditional institutions, and in-depth political commentary. There is a strong patriotic, right-of-center frame, marked by a focus on security, sovereignty, and criticism of both foreign adversaries and U.S. political elites perceived as out of touch.

For Listeners Who Missed It

This episode delivers a comprehensive, fast-paced breakdown of an inflection point in U.S.–Iran relations: unprecedented military action, immediate economic effects, and the ripple through American politics. Ground-level and expert analysis keeps the spotlight on how these global events converge with the day-to-day realities and decisions of everyday Americans—and what it could mean for the country’s near future.