White House's use of internet memes to promote Iran war sparks criticism

Iranian strikes on oil and gas facilities across the Persian Gulf sent shockwaves through global energy markets a day after Israel struck Iran's main natural gas complex. President Trump sought to reassure Americans as gas prices surge, even as the Pentagon appears poised to ask Congress for up to $200 billion for the war effort. Special correspondent Leila Molana-Allen reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

With the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran nearing its third week, Geoff Bennett spoke with special correspondent Reza Sayah in Tehran. They discussed the atmosphere on the ground there and how people are reacting. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

To discuss the number of petroleum facilities that have been struck, and how the countries in the Persian Gulf view the war in Iran, Geoff Bennett spoke with Susan Ziadeh. She served as U.S. ambassador to Qatar during the Obama administration and is now a senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

As the war with Iran nears the end of its third week, the Pentagon is considering asking Congress to approve $200 billion to fund the ongoing military operation. Lisa Desjardins discussed more with Republican Sen. Rick Scott of Florida, who serves on the Armed Services Committee. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

From video game clips to cartoon characters to blockbuster movie scenes, the Trump administration's Iran messaging has embraced a style critics say blurs the line between propaganda and entertainment and risks reducing a real war to spectacle. White House correspondent Liz Landers reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

A series of strikes across the Middle East jolted energy markets and fueled concerns that the war won't end anytime soon. Brent crude oil is nearing a 52-week high after Israel hit a large gas field in Iran, and Iranian strikes caused extensive damage to a major Qatari fuel hub. Nick Schifrin reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

For the Democratic perspective on developments in the Iran war, Geoff Bennett spoke with Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

In our news wrap Wednesday, the U.S. is easing sanctions on Venezuela's state-owned oil company as it tries to tame the rise in oil prices brought on by the Iran war, the Federal Reserve expects to cut rates just once this year after leaving rates unchanged for a second-straight meeting and Pakistan and Afghanistan announced a temporary pause in cross-border fighting. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Among the nearly one million people displaced in Lebanon are some of the roughly 170,000 migrant workers not counted by the government. Many came to Lebanon fleeing wars in their homelands or simply looking for a better life. Now, conflict again plagues them in their new home. Special correspondent Simona Foltyn reports from Beirut. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

All eyes are on Cuba as the world waits to see what will happen to its leaders and people. President Trump says he wants to take action as Cuba defies his sanctions. Two tankers carrying crude oil are on their way to the island after Russia declared its "unwavering solidarity." Amna Nawaz discussed more with Lillian Guerra of the University of Florida. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy