Washington Week with The Atlantic full episode, July 24, 2026

This episode of Washington Week with The Atlantic (broadcast July 24, 2026) is hosted by Vivian Salama (filling in for Jeffrey Goldberg). The panel features:

Leanne Caldwell (Chief Washington Correspondent at Puck)

Adam Harris (Host of Radio Atlantic)

Jonathan Karl (Chief Washington Correspondent at ABC News)

David Sanger (White House and National Security Correspondent at The New York Times)

Key Topics & Discussion Breakdown

1. The Escalating War with Iran & White House Strategy

War Dynamics & Ceasefire Breakdown: Fol

lowing 38 initial days of bombing that began in late February, the administration attempted a hastily constructed Memorandum of Understanding for a ceasefire. The agreement quickly eroded after Iran asserted sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz, leading to renewed strikes, Houthi attacks on oil tankers, and moving additional U.S. military assets to the region.

White House Objectives: Panelists analyze President Trump's consideration of a massive military attack similar to or exceeding Operation Epic Fury. David Sanger

and Jonathan Karl note the lack of a clear long-term strategy to achieve stated goals—such as dismantling Iran's nuclear/missile capabilities or instigating internal regime change—and highlight that the conflict has instead emboldened hardline Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) leadership.

Human Cost: The panel notes the return of four U.S. service members killed in action (Lieutenant Tyler Feehan, Sergeant Angel Ramperad, Sergeant Michael Swinton, and Private Isabella Gonzalez) at Dover Air Force Base.

2. Econo

mic Impact and Congressional Backlash

Economic Strain: Adam Harris details the economic spillover, including oil prices briefly topping $100 per barrel, elevated gas and diesel prices raising household costs, and U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserves reaching their lowest point since 1983.

War Costs & Capitol Hill Tension: With the Pentagon estimating war costs at $37.5 billion so far, lawmakers are expressing frustration over vague timelines and objectives. A Senate Appropriations Exchange between Louisiana Republican Sen

ator John Kennedy and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth highlighted growing bipartisan skepticism.

Legislative Action: While the House passed a war powers rebuke, the Senate rejected it, granting the administration more time as the 60-day War Powers resolution clock reset following the ceasefire collapse.

3. Saudi Arabia Nuclear Deal Backtrack

Civilian Nuclear Program: The administration signed a agreement to build a civilian nuclear power program in Saudi Arabia using American technology.

Truth Social Announcement: Short

ly after the agreement was signed by Energy Secretary Chris Wright and his Saudi counterpart, President Trump posted on Truth Social that the deal would be contingent on Saudi Arabia normalizing relations with Israel and joining the Abraham Accords.

4. Pre-Midterm Capitol Hill Dynamics

House Activity: Speaker Mike Johnson managed to pass key items prior to the August recess, including a short-term funding bill through the midterm elections, a stock trading ban, and a war funding framework.

Trump vs. Senate Leadership:

President Trump has continued to publicly criticize Senate Majority Leader John Thune over the Senate filibuster rules, demanding rule changes that Thune contends lack the necessary votes to pass.

Electoral Fallout: With war approval polling at approximately 29% and rising energy costs, Republican lawmakers express concern over defending the administration's foreign policy on the campaign trail ahead of the midterm elections.

Washington Week with The Atlantic full episode, July 24, 2026

Washington Week PBS · 171K views