
War with Iran and the “Small Price" of $200 Billion
From First Of All with Victor Blackwell by CNN Podcasts
March 21, 2026 · 43 min
About this episode
Victor Blackwell discusses the implications of a $200 billion request for the war with Iran and explores various social issues and cultural topics.
What could the federal government do with $200 billion? Right now, the Trump Administration says they need that amount for the war with Iran. But as debate over that request starts in congress, Victor walks through the programs that money could go toward instead. From statues taken down to tribute events canceled, the backlash to Cesar Chavez after revelations of alleged sexual abuse decades ago was swift and significant. Victor walks through the seismic change in how people are viewing his legacy with New York Times reporter Sarah Hurtes and Pulitzer-prize winning journalist Maria Hinojosa, both of whom spoke with fellow labor leader and civil rights icon Dolores Huerta about her decision to come forward with her story. Cuba is struggling right now. Nearly three months after the U.S. effectively imposed an oil blockade, a convoy is heading to Havana to help bring aid. But there are mixed feelings about that effort. Victor gets reaction from a leader of the exile movement in Miami, Ramón Saúl Sánchez from Movimiento Democracia. The trucking industry is already facing higher gas prices, now add thousands of truckers starting to lose their licenses due to new restrictions on…
People in this episode
Host: Victor Blackwell
Guests: Sarah Hurtes, Maria Hinojosa, Ramón Saúl Sánchez
Topics covered
- U.S. government funding
- war with Iran
- Cesar Chavez legacy
- Cuba aid
- trucking industry challenges
- BTS album release
Keywords
- Iran
- Cesar Chavez
- Cuba
- trucking industry
- BTS
- Dolores Huerta
- Ramón Saúl Sánchez
- government funding
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Movimiento Democracia, Public Citizen Litigation Group
Products: BTS
Books & works: Arirang
Places: Cuba, Iran, Miami, Havana, Howard
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