PDB Situation Report | February 21st, 2026: U.S. Deploys Largest Force Since Iraq & Buck Sexton On Political Brainwashing In The U.S.
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What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
Welcome to the PDB Situation Report. I'm Mike Baker, your eyes and ears on the world stage. All right, let's get briefed. First up, the stage appears set for a potential showdown with Iran as the U.S. assembles its largest concentration of military power in the region since the 2003 invasion of Iraq, or as we called it back then, an incursion. We'll speak with former Naval Intelligence Commander Paul Chabot about what comes next. Later in the show, Washington ramps up pressure on Havana. Even his reports surface of discreet outrage to figures tied to the Castro family. Former CIA analyst, friend of the show, and author of Manufacturing Delusion, a new book, is Buck Sexton. He stops by to weigh in. But first, today's Situation Report Spotlight.
President Trump has signaled that a decision on whether to strike Iran could come within the next 10 days if Tehran doesn't agree to a meaningful nuclear deal, warning that, quote, bad things will happen if it doesn't. Meanwhile, the United States has moved the largest concentration of air power into the Middle East since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Everything from F-35s and F-22s to command and control aircraft and carriers now in position. even as no final decision, reportedly anyway, has been made. This buildup gives Washington options, of course, ranging from limited strikes on nuclear and ballistic missile sites to a sustained campaign, raising the specter of a broader conflict should diplomacy fail.
To break down what all of this means and where this crisis might be headed, we turn it out to retired Naval Intelligence Commander Paul Chabot. Paul, thanks very much for joining us here on the Situation Report. It looks like you're joining us from a hotel room somewhere. Where do you think this is heading?
What military buildup is the U.S. making in relation to Iran?
And by that, I mean the building situation in the Middle East with Iran.
Yeah, you know, from a naval perspective, obviously, they have the largest footprint in there. We've got one carrier strike group there now, another one heading in the way. I think when you look at it from the perspective of Iran, they are looking for a way out. They've been negotiating, although in Geneva. And they're not coming to an agreement just yet. And the wild card here is Trump. Iran's already been hit by the U.S. They seem we can do in Venezuela. And I think Trump and the White House have signaled quite strongly to Iran that you better make a deal. Otherwise, our naval forces are going to continue to pile up and can cause significant damage to the infrastructure and wipe out a significant part of their threat, not just to the Middle East, but to the free world.
What's your assessment? You say that Iran might be looking for an offer, they might be looking for a deal, but what's your assessment of the way they've been handling the discussion so far? And by that I mean, they've acted as if they're driving the train. They're saying, we're not talking about our ballistic missile program, we're not going to talk about our terrorist proxy network or our regional activities. We're only going to talk about one element of the nuclear program. So it's hard to imagine that they think, A, that they are driving the train and B, that somehow they are negotiating in good faith of any sort.
Yeah, they have no history of negotiating in good faith. The world will be much better if the Iran regime were not here. And that's really honestly the absolute truth.
How is the U.S. approaching Cuba's political situation?
You know, what we're looking for has always been sort of the same. We want them to stop enriching uranium. We want to cut their stockpiles down, want to limit their advanced capabilities with ballistic missiles. And Iran doesn't want that because then they lose all their trump cards to have any threat to Israel.
What dual-track strategy is being employed by Washington towards Cuba?
or the Middle East. And Trump wants a deal. We're halfway into his term. He's pushing hard, and he's shown that military force has been very effective under his administration so far, both in Iran and in Venezuela.
What does Buck Sexton say about the implications of U.S. pressure on Cuba?
But I will say that when you listen to the Iran diplomats, they are speaking a little bit more favorably today.
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Chapters
8 chapters
1
What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
0:12–1:59
2
What military buildup is the U.S. making in relation to Iran?
1:59–3:37
3
How is the U.S. approaching Cuba's political situation?
3:37–3:52
4
What dual-track strategy is being employed by Washington towards Cuba?
3:52–4:06
5
What does Buck Sexton say about the implications of U.S. pressure on Cuba?
4:06–7:36
6
What options does the U.S. have regarding Iran's nuclear program?
7:36–8:52
7
What insights does Paul Chabot provide about the situation in the Middle East?
8:52–13:49
8
How does the current U.S. administration view the Castro family's influence?
13:49–47:44
Speakers
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