Anti-War President Starts New War. Again.

The Iran bombings, public land selloffs, and the collapse of big city governance

Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Matt Welch, and Nick Gillespie | 6.23.2025 6:10 PM

(Illustration: Eddie Marshall)

:15 :15

Anti-War President Starts New War. Again.

This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch examine the latest U.S. military strike on Iran, unpacking the bipartisan pattern of anti-war campaign rhetoric followed by hawkish foreign policy once in office. They debate whether intervention is ever justified, what escalation might look like, and why Congress keeps abdicating its war powers. The hosts also tackle a listener question about public land sales and libertarian principles. Finally, they survey the baffling state of big city governance and the New York City mayoral primary battle between former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani.

00:22—President Donald Trump abandons "no new wars" promise

9:11—Vice President J.D. Vance kisses the ring

13:28—Are there any good arguments for war with Iran?

19:57—Israel set off a ticking clock

23:22—Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard contradicts Trump's narrative

26:27—What Congress should do now

36:24—Listener questions: public lands selloff

43:41—Big city governance and the NYC mayoral primary

55:32—Weekly cultural recommendations

Mentioned in this Podcast

"Just Don't Call It a War," by Christian Britschgi

"The Attack on Iran Is Unlawful," by Eric Boehm

"Trump Shreds the Constitution By Bombing Iran," by Matthew Petti

"Now Let Us Give Thanks for War," by Nick Gillespie

"Is Trump's America a Reliable Ally?" by Open To Debate

"The Federal Government Owns Too Much Land. Selling It Helps Rural Communities," by Jack Nicastro

"Utah Tells the Feds To Pound Sand," by J.D. Tuccille

"28 Years Later Is Terrifying and Life-Affirming," by Peter Suderman

Upcoming Reason Events

Today's Sponsors:

Future of Freedom: If you're tired of cable news debates and Twitter shouting matches, and you're looking for serious, good-faith conversations between people who actually care about liberty then it's time to check out the Future of Freedom podcast. Each episode dives deep into a single topic—tariffs, campus speech, the Department of Government Efficiency—and brings together two guests who disagree on the best path forward. But here's the twist: This isn't a debate show. No interrupting. No dunking. If you believe the future of freedom depends on more than just winning arguments and you're ready for something deeper than the usual echo chambers, check out the Future of Freedom podcast. Real disagreement. Real ideas. Real conversations. Subscribe to Future of Freedom wherever you get your podcasts.

Therapy can feel like a big investment, but the state of your mind is just as important as your physical health. Let's talk numbers. Traditional in-person therapy can cost anywhere from $100 to $250 per session, which adds up fast, but with BetterHelp online therapy, you can save, on average, up to 50% per session. With BetterHelp, you pay a flat fee for weekly sessions, saving you big on cost and time. Therapy should feel accessible, not like a luxury. With online therapy, you get quality care at a price that makes sense and can help you with anything from anxiety to everyday stress. Your mental health is worth it—and now, it's within reach. With over 30,000 therapists, BetterHelp is the world's largest online therapy platform, having served over 5 million people globally. It's convenient, too. You can join a session with the click of a button, helping you fit therapy into your busy life. As the largest online therapy provider in the world, BetterHelp connects you with mental health professionals with a diverse variety of expertise - so you can find the right fit. Plus, switch therapists at any time. Your well-being is worth it. Visit betterhelp.com/roundtable today to get 10% off your first month.