Asks if Iran conflict has become more protracted given new Ayatollah's vow to keep Strait of Hormuz closed and avenge deaths.
Joe Mathieu
Evelyn Farkas
Iranian regime has made clear they will go down fighting. The goal is to militarily disable Iran's ability to choke the Strait of Hormuz, which will take another week or two.
Questions if conflict can end while the Supreme Leader remains in power, referencing a former Israeli ambassador's view.
Kailey Leinz
Evelyn Farkas
Prefers a strategy to get Iran militarily to its knees to force a pragmatic transition, rather than just taking out the leader.
Asks about the financial cost of the war, citing a $11.3 billion tab for the first week.
Joe Mathieu
Evelyn Farkas
Costs could be $50-100 billion per week, and human casualties are higher than initially reported.
Asks if mixed messaging from the administration could prolong the conflict.
Kailey Leinz
Evelyn Farkas
Acknowledges mixed signals but emphasizes the military job of disabling Iran's capability is not finished and will take more time.
Asks about Russia's role in guiding Iranian strikes and what the administration can do.
Joe Mathieu
Evelyn Farkas
Russia is an adversary aligned with Iran; the US should squeeze Russia with sanctions and embrace Ukrainian drone interceptor technology.
Asks if the US was ready for the new era of drone warfare highlighted by the conflict.
Kailey Leinz
Evelyn Farkas
The US is not ready and needs to make a deal with Ukraine to catch up fast on counter-drone technology.