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Just dropped · Trial Balloon · Ep. 194

What Just Happened?

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Trial Balloon · Ep. 194: What Just Happened?

The Pentagon Is Quickly Running Short On Cash

July 21, 2026 · 10:12 am ET · Leave a Comment

“The Pentagon faces an urgent budget shortfall caused largely by the war in Iran, with some critical lines of funding set to run out within weeks even as President Donald Trump escalates the conflict with Tehran, according to lawmakers and current and former U.S. officials,” the Washington Post reports.

”The funding crunch is already leading the Pentagon to limit training and maintenance that help maintain military readiness, according to four current and former officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity to candidly describe the budget constraints.”

”And the collapsed ceasefire with Iran could further strain the military’s budget: After four U.S. service members died during more than a week of intensified fighting, officials in Washington signaled they were preparing for a wider conflict.”

Bloomberg: Hegseth faces lawmakers over Iran war costs as conflict widens.

Foreign Affairs, National Security

← PreviousCarney Blasts Trump Tariffs as IllegalNext →Red Sea Blockade Threatens a New Front in U.S.-Iran War

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Taegan Goddard

Taegan Goddard

Taegan Goddard is the founder of Political Wire -- which for more than two decades has been one of the nation's most influential political news sites.

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