9/28/26 - Are We Winning? Terrorism, Iran, and America’s Surprising Economy

On Monday’s Mark Levin Show, WJNO’s Brian Mudd fills in for Mark. The release of five terrorism suspects in the UK less than two days after their arrest is a clear example of how the West is losing its way. Authorities say they are still trying to determine the suspects' motives, activities, and level of involvement in an alleged plot targeting a U.S. air base, yet they were released on bail under monitoring conditions. This reflects a broader problem of political correctness and a reluctance to directly address the role of Islamist extremism. Western societies have largely failed to recognize these trends of demographic changes in London, the growth of Muslim political representation in the United States, and the handling of this case is another example of an unwillingness to confront the issue directly. Later, we are winning the war in Iran even though many people may not feel like we’re winning because higher gas prices make the conflict seem costly. Looking at recent events, leadership posturing, and the broader strategic picture, the situation is progressing better than it appears. China, Russia, and Iran operate as an aligned axis, and assessing the health of that network is key to understanding the conflict. Russia has suffered major setbacks, including severe damage to its refining capacity and a sharp decline in oil exports, creating both an energy and economic crisis. The broader strategic trends are signs that the axis is weakening and that we are closer to victory than most people realize. Finally, the economy is really a tale of two economies. On one hand, many people feel frustrated about affordability and believe the economy is struggling. On the other hand, the actual data shows a historic economic boom. Business activity in both services and manufacturing is at its strongest level in years, with demand surging and growth reaching levels not seen since 2015 outside of the post-COVID rebound. Corporate earnings are growing rapidly, GDP is projected to expand at a 5% annualized rate, poverty has fallen to a record low, and median household income has reached a record high while rising faster than inflation. Across nearly every major economic indicator, businesses are thriving and people at all income levels appear to be doing better. Yet despite these historic gains, many Americans remain unhappy with the economy, creating a disconnect between economic data and public perception. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices