Former White House counterterrorism adviser Richard Clarke joins Michael Smerconish for a sobering look at the escalating conflict with Iran — and what it means for global security, energy markets, and U.S. strategy. Clarke warns that the U.S. may have entered the war without a clear plan, calling the lack of preparation for a potential shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz “professional malpractice.” With roughly 20% of the world’s oil flowing through that narrow passage, the stakes couldn’t be higher. From drones and cruise missiles to the risk of broader regional escalation, Clarke breaks down the military realities, the political miscalculations, and why he believes the U.S. is “winning militarily but losing strategically.” Is there an off-ramp — or is this a conflict with no clear end? Original air date 17 March 2026.