Trump’s Iran Blockade, Robot Wars in Ukraine, and the Rise of Independent Candidates

As Trump’s Iran blockade sends 10,000 more U.S. troops into harm’s way and ties up 41% of our Navy, Independent Americans host Paul Rieckhoff breaks down why this risky move could become a “sucking chest wound” for our military and the global economy—and how Iran is effectively holding the world’s gas station hostage. From Signalgate and impeachment talk swirling around Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, to Trump’s increasingly extreme religious rhetoric and open conflict with the pope, Paul explains why this moment is so dangerous for our troops, our allies, and America’s standing in the world.

Then Paul goes deep on the future of war, unpacking President Zelensky’s stunning announcement that Ukrainian forces used robots—not humans—to take an enemy position, what that means for drones, AI warfare, and American national security, and why Ukraine has become the world’s live‑fire R&D lab. He also spotlights the surge of independent and nontraditional candidates—from Dan Osborn in Nebraska to Seth Bodnar in Montana—and why independents can win races Democrats can’t, if party leaders stay out of the way and let them be true champions for people sick of both parties, dark money, and a rigged system.