Breaking: two US troops killed by Iran in Jordan

Two more American service members are dead in Jordan. One is missing. Sixteen US troops have now been killed by Iran since the start of Trump's unauthorized, unpopular, and expanding war — and the Pentagon is already promising to hit back. Paul Rieckhoff cuts into a summer weekend to break down what happened, what comes next, and why military families are getting no days off while much of America checks out.

Paul Rieckhoff

July 18, 2026

The Brief

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Show Notes

Two US service members were killed and one is missing after another Iranian strike on American forces in Jordan. That brings the confirmed US KIA count to sixteen since the start of a war that Paul Rieckhoff calls unauthorized, unnecessary, and increasingly unpopular — a war Trump owns, and one the White House and the Pentagon show no sign of winding down. Two more families are getting the most devastating call of their lives while the rest of the country tries to enjoy a lake weekend and the World Cup final. Paul refuses to look away.

In this quick response pod, Paul lays out what we know so far, why the

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