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Paul Rieckhoff, founder of Independent Veterans of America, joins CSPAN’s Washington Journal to break down the strategic “sucking chest wound” of the current conflict in Iran. The Iraq War veteran who predicted the fallout of Baghdad is back with a haunting warning: we are repeating every disastrous mistake of the last twenty years—and adding new ones. From the unprecedented lack of congressional oversight to the terrifying rise of low-cost drone threats hitting U.S. bases at home, Rieckhoff exposes why this “forever war” is the most unpopular in American history and how it is actively isolating us from our oldest allies.
Beyond the front lines, a different kind of battle is being waged inside the Pentagon and across the American political landscape. Rieckhoff details a “culture war” and a systematic purge of senior military leadership mid-conflict, while the administration asks for billions in new defense spending without a single cent allocated for the long-term care of the veterans coming home. This episode is a call to action for the 45% of Americans who identify as Independent to reject partisan dysfunction and support a new generation of veteran leaders who prioritize integrity over party lines.
-WATCH full video of this episode here.
-Join IVA and stand up to Trump’s Forever Wars.
-Learn more about Paul’s work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America.
-Learn more about American Veterans for Ukraine here.
-Remember Independent is an Attitude.
-Learn more about The Headstrong Project for Veterans, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and Department of Veterans Affairs resources in your area. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness. It’s a show of strength. If you or a loved one are in immediate crisis, dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255.
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