Co-host: Morning Joe, MSNBC Contributing Writer: The Atlantic Author: "The Big Lie." Ex-AP, Politico, NY Daily News. Dad, Mr. Carrie Melago, Red Sox fanhttps://bsky.app/profile/jonlemire.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/jonlemire.bsky.social/post/3mlirgfrvck2nHow do you end a war when your opponent won’t budge? While Trump grasps for an exit, Iran seems hell-bent on pulling off something it’s historically done well: Humiliating an American president https://www.theatlantic.com/national-security/2026/05/iran-war-trump-deal/687100/?gift=SCYx-5scVta3-cr_IlgTyX_24Taxx4Smq5KbD2-uClw10 May 2026 12:34 +0000at://did:plc:wzf6d2mlcaeaxcppo425imrv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlirgfrvck2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/jonlemire.bsky.social/post/3mleb37kfw22mTrump is “bored” with the Iran war, an outside advisor told me It’s not going well and he is frantically looking for an off-ramp. But Iran could extend it for months It then becomes a matter of pain: Which side can withstand the most economic hardship? https://www.theatlantic.com/national-security/2026/05/iran-war-trump-deal/687100/?gift=SCYx-5scVta3-cr_IlgTyQfIlgjKoXZhMWhZje4dkA808 May 2026 17:30 +0000at://did:plc:wzf6d2mlcaeaxcppo425imrv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mleb37kfw22mhttps://bsky.app/profile/jonlemire.bsky.social/post/3mleajxnels2kNEW: President Trump is desperate for the Iran war to end Energy prices are up, his polls are down. Few U.S. military goals have been achieved Trump doesn’t want to resume hostilities so he keeps punting his deadlines - and Tehran is calling his bluff https://www.theatlantic.com/national-security/2026/05/iran-war-trump-deal/687100/?gift=SCYx-5scVta3-cr_IlgTyWiQMEnXblYSMmIiiglptFo08 May 2026 17:21 +0000at://did:plc:wzf6d2mlcaeaxcppo425imrv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mleajxnels2khttps://bsky.app/profile/jonlemire.bsky.social/post/3mkqreliomk2iOn the day the Strait of Hormuz (briefly) reopened, Trump may have inadvertently offered a preview of its future: In a post, he called it the “Strait of Iran” It’s clear: no matter when the war ends, Iran will have far more control over the key waterway https://www.theatlantic.com/national-security/2026/04/the-iran-wars-ramifications-have-only-just-begun/687004/?gift=SCYx-5scVta3-cr_IlgTyZPvrsdPis-6D873Hy5uKjw30 Apr 2026 23:29 +0000at://did:plc:wzf6d2mlcaeaxcppo425imrv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkqreliomk2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/jonlemire.bsky.social/post/3mkqrcwvkbc2iNEW: No matter when the war ends, Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz has grown since the conflict began The global economic uncertainty - and pain - will continue. And Iran has also found a new weapon: the ability to close the strait at any time https://www.theatlantic.com/national-security/2026/04/the-iran-wars-ramifications-have-only-just-begun/687004/?gift=SCYx-5scVta3-cr_IlgTyasxchE-_DtV3IVxPrI_WJA30 Apr 2026 23:28 +0000at://did:plc:wzf6d2mlcaeaxcppo425imrv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkqrcwvkbc2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/jonlemire.bsky.social/post/3mkj2vakcv22xNEW: The Briefly Introspective President After another brush with a gunman, Trump seemed to take stock of his own mortality and even praise the press But of course that didn't last https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/2026/04/trump-whcd-shooting/686965/?gift=SCYx-5scVta3-cr_IlgTyY0goaACbMn8bhebGOeArmE27 Apr 2026 21:58 +0000at://did:plc:wzf6d2mlcaeaxcppo425imrv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkj2vakcv22xhttps://bsky.app/profile/jonlemire.bsky.social/post/3mjkworw6ds2e“You’ve heard the joke: The White House is going to start talking about the Epstein files to distract from how badly the Iran war is going. Except that this reverse “Wag the dog” is based on bizarre truth” https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/2026/04/trump-iran-hungary-melania-epstein/686816/?gift=SCYx-5scVta3-cr_IlgTySUUQpDkb4LVGfrkOlv_BbQ15 Apr 2026 22:23 +0000at://did:plc:wzf6d2mlcaeaxcppo425imrv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjkworw6ds2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/jonlemire.bsky.social/post/3mjkwnqzujc2e“Most commanders in chief opt against attacking the vicar of Christ for fear of alienating the tens of millions of Catholics in the United States—or, perhaps, to avoid any potential for divine retribution. “But Trump, of course, is not most presidents” https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/2026/04/trump-iran-hungary-melania-epstein/686816/?gift=SCYx-5scVta3-cr_IlgTyQI0UAdiLx8iTCCnpnWEO9s15 Apr 2026 22:22 +0000at://did:plc:wzf6d2mlcaeaxcppo425imrv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjkwnqzujc2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/jonlemire.bsky.social/post/3mjkpjetmps2jNEW: President Trump is stuck in a bind of his own making Iran. Orban. Rising prices. Sinking polls. The pope (yes, the pope). Epstein Trump is on a real losing streak. And Republicans are now worrying about the House *and* Senate this November https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/2026/04/trump-iran-hungary-melania-epstein/686816/?gift=SCYx-5scVta3-cr_IlgTycyXFY9jfN9F4yv56OXcQBQ15 Apr 2026 20:14 +0000at://did:plc:wzf6d2mlcaeaxcppo425imrv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjkpjetmps2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/jonlemire.bsky.social/post/3mj3m4fqqxc2xNEW: President Trump’s ethos is famously shaped by the 1980s - which helps explain how he is viewing the conflict with Iran A deep dive on his (surprisingly consistent) take on Tehran. And how that may be leading to mistakes in this war: https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/2026/04/trump-iran-war-1979/686735/?gift=SCYx-5scVta3-cr_IlgTyfZDOwPO7qAchH7-5ofXBhM09 Apr 2026 20:04 +0000at://did:plc:wzf6d2mlcaeaxcppo425imrv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mj3m4fqqxc2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/jonlemire.bsky.social/post/3mijem4thek2fMilitary officials are planning for two potential high-risk ground assaults in Iran Assets are in place for a raid on Kharg Island and an operation to retrieve Iran’s uranium All they need now is President Trump’s go-ahead - if it comes https://www.theatlantic.com/national-security/2026/04/trump-iran-war-ground-troops/686640/?gift=SCYx-5scVta3-cr_IlgTyQQJ9Ru_98tuo3_32A6Vla802 Apr 2026 14:01 +0000at://did:plc:wzf6d2mlcaeaxcppo425imrv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mijem4thek2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/jonlemire.bsky.social/post/3mhyhgivm6k2xDays before his 2018 summit with Putin in Helsinki, Trump nearly pulled out of NATO Furious over Strait of Hormuz, Trump is again trashing the allies - and could fulfill Putin’s lifelong dream The U.S. attacked Iran. Russia may win https://www.theatlantic.com/national-security/2026/03/nato-iran-war-trump-russia/686546/?gift=SCYx-5scVta3-cr_IlgTyfBERcYJlm14aBP8mdg4y2I26 Mar 2026 20:37 +0000at://did:plc:wzf6d2mlcaeaxcppo425imrv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhyhgivm6k2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/jonlemire.bsky.social/post/3mhyeuykvmc23NEW: Trump’s Greenland obsession strained the NATO alliance Now the Strait of Hormuz could break it Trump is livid that other nations won’t help. And NATO is bracing for revenge: Could Trump pull U.S troops out of Europe? Or withdraw from NATO entirely? https://www.theatlantic.com/national-security/2026/03/nato-iran-war-trump-russia/686546/?gift=SCYx-5scVta3-cr_IlgTyWNWX3gi97ALVawqdLjwE-s26 Mar 2026 19:51 +0000at://did:plc:wzf6d2mlcaeaxcppo425imrv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhyeuykvmc23https://bsky.app/profile/jonlemire.bsky.social/post/3mhriu37t4222NEW: The U.S. presented a 15-point plan—based on the 15-point proposal presented to the Iranian government last year—to give the weakened regime a chance to concede and spare itself further bombardment Trump says it’s progress. Tehran says it’s fiction https://www.theatlantic.com/national-security/2026/03/trump-iran-war-negotiations/686512/?gift=SCYx-5scVta3-cr_IlgTyc0EsR5LRcfbycds4tYgkjs24 Mar 2026 02:13 +0000at://did:plc:wzf6d2mlcaeaxcppo425imrv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhriu37t4222https://bsky.app/profile/jonlemire.bsky.social/post/3mhosa5icwk2a“Even by the low standards that Trump has set, cheering the death of another man is abhorrent. Not that it hasn’t happened before” https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/2026/03/donald-trump-nothing-like-robert-mueller/686498/?gift=SCYx-5scVta3-cr_IlgTyZ1XT_k1yO0Brmnt8S0DZvQ23 Mar 2026 00:23 +0000at://did:plc:wzf6d2mlcaeaxcppo425imrv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhosa5icwk2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/jonlemire.bsky.social/post/3mhmbnjjhbk2q“Trump has never tried to be the president of all Americans. That deficiency was on grotesque display again as he celebrated the death of someone who devoted his life to the country Trump now leads” https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/2026/03/donald-trump-nothing-like-robert-mueller/686498/?gift=SCYx-5scVta3-cr_IlgTyTfFn3PeNp-yuBVfTh0oVlI22 Mar 2026 00:21 +0000at://did:plc:wzf6d2mlcaeaxcppo425imrv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhmbnjjhbk2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/jonlemire.bsky.social/post/3mhmb5xtobk2qNEW: Robert Mueller III was a Bronze Star Marine veteran, an FBI director, and an American citizen When the president of the United States heard the news that Mueller died today, he put it this way: “Good, I’m glad he’s dead." https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/2026/03/donald-trump-nothing-like-robert-mueller/686498/?gift=SCYx-5scVta3-cr_IlgTyTPcfSvjL-SmbG4UWTBsWXo22 Mar 2026 00:12 +0000at://did:plc:wzf6d2mlcaeaxcppo425imrv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhmb5xtobk2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/jonlemire.bsky.social/post/3mhe6c4eti226The U.S. has lost 13 troops since the Iran war began, the same number killed at Abbey Gate in August 2021 Trump blamed Biden, whose presidency never quite recovered. But Trump’s Pentagon now faces similar questions as he considers deploying ground forces https://www.theatlantic.com/national-security/2026/03/trump-iran-war-endure/686425/?gift=SCYx-5scVta3-cr_IlgTydOsx8KdrJqi76MDPSxPxDw18 Mar 2026 19:00 +0000at://did:plc:wzf6d2mlcaeaxcppo425imrv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhe6c4eti226https://bsky.app/profile/jonlemire.bsky.social/post/3mhddkxr77s2lTrump wanted to attack Iran during the protests but couldn’t because it took weeks for the needed military assets to reach the region. Some experts say the strike was rushed; an ex-official told us that some early preparations were aimed at a May launch https://www.theatlantic.com/national-security/2026/03/trump-iran-war-endure/686425/?gift=SCYx-5scVta3-cr_IlgTyaLM3v6srktOKwUT1khGPnw18 Mar 2026 11:02 +0000at://did:plc:wzf6d2mlcaeaxcppo425imrv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhddkxr77s2lhttps://bsky.app/profile/jonlemire.bsky.social/post/3mhcdjmngb22kTrump now faces a daunting decision: Does he escalate the conflict, no matter how unpopular at home? Or does he declare victory and leave, minimizing economic damage but leaving behind an embittered regime with the materials to build a nuclear weapon? https://www.theatlantic.com/national-security/2026/03/trump-iran-war-endure/686425/?gift=SCYx-5scVta3-cr_IlgTyZAIP7ZeK12o8xY05t9QDso18 Mar 2026 01:28 +0000at://did:plc:wzf6d2mlcaeaxcppo425imrv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhcdjmngb22khttps://bsky.app/profile/jonlemire.bsky.social/post/3mhcd5jb5ls2kNEW: The Iran war has not quite gone to plan Tehran’s military has been crushed, but the regime lives and oil prices are surging The eventual outcome may come down to just how much risk Trump is willing to accept—and how much pain he is willing to take. https://www.theatlantic.com/national-security/2026/03/trump-iran-war-endure/686425/?gift=SCYx-5scVta3-cr_IlgTyV3notE8CwzIWJNKLUMXFAM18 Mar 2026 01:21 +0000at://did:plc:wzf6d2mlcaeaxcppo425imrv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhcd5jb5ls2khttps://bsky.app/profile/jonlemire.bsky.social/post/3mggk67325k2eTrump has not uttered the line that once seemed to come so easily: We should take the oil The omission is striking. For a president who has treated natural resources as both leverage and loot, Iran’s oil fields would appear to be the ultimate temptation https://www.theatlantic.com/national-security/2026/03/trump-oil-iran-venezuela/686271/?gift=SCYx-5scVta3-cr_IlgTyfD2tBdUdG9WRw890mofZio07 Mar 2026 00:13 +0000at://did:plc:wzf6d2mlcaeaxcppo425imrv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mggk67325k2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/jonlemire.bsky.social/post/3mggjsjxfs22eNEW: President Trump has rarely considered a foreign conflict without musing, sometimes bluntly, about what the United States might take in return for intervening: Iraqi oil. Syrian oil. Venezuelan oil So why hasn’t he mentioned taking Iran’s oil? (Yet) https://www.theatlantic.com/national-security/2026/03/trump-oil-iran-venezuela/686271/?gift=SCYx-5scVta3-cr_IlgTybl63cownOqD5Ora1nWn5uY07 Mar 2026 00:06 +0000at://did:plc:wzf6d2mlcaeaxcppo425imrv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mggjsjxfs22ehttps://bsky.app/profile/jonlemire.bsky.social/post/3mfysum6e6c2mInside Trump’s decision to attack Iran - including a last call to the U.S. military commander about possible American casualties Killing the Supreme Leader was one thing. Ousting the regime will be another: “The worst-case outcome is complete chaos” https://www.theatlantic.com/national-security/2026/02/iran-war-trump-us-strikes/686197/?gift=SCYx-5scVta3-cr_IlgTyVil-JTWH_wbRXcneuTNbH001 Mar 2026 13:11 +0000at://did:plc:wzf6d2mlcaeaxcppo425imrv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mfysum6e6c2mhttps://bsky.app/profile/jonlemire.bsky.social/post/3mfyslq4bec2mPresident Trump attacks Iran With unclear goals and little effort made to sell the conflict to the public, Trump has launched a broad military effort that could now help define his presidency War with Iran has begun. Where does it end? https://www.theatlantic.com/national-security/2026/02/trump-war-iran-allies-supreme-leader/686189/?gift=SCYx-5scVta3-cr_IlgTyTd99Vqo2hrxzKARJlUvBN801 Mar 2026 13:06 +0000at://did:plc:wzf6d2mlcaeaxcppo425imrv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mfyslq4bec2mhttps://bsky.app/profile/jonlemire.bsky.social/post/3mfn7hpblc22hA year ago, Trump’s address to Congress was a victory lap But his return to the Capitol tonight now comes amid his tariff defeat and poor polling Suddenly, the State of the Union is a desperate moment in a stumbling presidency https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/2026/02/trump-state-of-the-union-2026-tariffs-iran/686118/?gift=SCYx-5scVta3-cr_IlgTyfjaTDXDDfFVgTgpu48rkzI24 Feb 2026 22:24 +0000at://did:plc:wzf6d2mlcaeaxcppo425imrv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mfn7hpblc22hhttps://bsky.app/profile/jonlemire.bsky.social/post/3mfl2o6esgs2u“Trump did not handle the SCOTUS decision well. He eviscerated the justices in a remarkably angry news conference. Then, in a particular fit of pique, he declared that he would no longer use capital letters to refer to, as he put it, ‘the supreme court’” https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/2026/02/trump-state-of-the-union-2026-tariffs-iran/686118/?gift=SCYx-5scVta3-cr_IlgTyfGtnMHSwBrW-KAltRCtwjE24 Feb 2026 01:53 +0000at://did:plc:wzf6d2mlcaeaxcppo425imrv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mfl2o6esgs2uhttps://bsky.app/profile/jonlemire.bsky.social/post/3mfkzvpdu6c2a“But there’s a problem with the idea that Trump can simply rerun his 2024 campaign and expect the same result: Over the past two years, many of his most popular issues have turned into political liabilities” https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/2026/02/trump-state-of-the-union-2026-tariffs-iran/686118/?gift=SCYx-5scVta3-cr_IlgTyYU65bSW0--jdk1nPmRwC5424 Feb 2026 01:40 +0000at://did:plc:wzf6d2mlcaeaxcppo425imrv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mfkzvpdu6c2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/jonlemire.bsky.social/post/3mfkzqevcbk2aNEW: A year ago, Trump’s address to Congress was a victory lap But his return to the Capitol tomorrow night now comes amid his tariff defeat and poor polling Suddenly, the State of the Union is a moment to try to turn around a stumbling presidency https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/2026/02/trump-state-of-the-union-2026-tariffs-iran/686118/?gift=SCYx-5scVta3-cr_IlgTyUSynbvmhbyfe8Iz_tEdMhQ24 Feb 2026 01:37 +0000at://did:plc:wzf6d2mlcaeaxcppo425imrv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mfkzqevcbk2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/jonlemire.bsky.social/post/3mdzyvtwghk2u“Never before has a president so thoroughly dominated the political landscape and national discourse. That is to Trump’s delight, but it potentially works less well for Republicans who are left to defend a series of unpopular decisions and policies” https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/2026/02/trump-texas-senate-kennedy-renovation/685868/?gift=SCYx-5scVta3-cr_IlgTyTtmP7R0V6vAaSQR0UP-EqI04 Feb 2026 13:41 +0000at://did:plc:wzf6d2mlcaeaxcppo425imrv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mdzyvtwghk2u