Politics and views in the United States

The U.S. and Iran remain deadlocked on how to end the war. National opinion remains split on the conflict with Iran and Congress temporarily renews an intelligence surveillance provision, over objections.

Transcript

Welcome to 2026 Talks, where we're following our democracy in historic times.

The United States has rejected the Iranian government's recent proposal, which was only slightly more flexible than their previous position.

Their previous position was the United States needs to lift its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz before there can be serious negotiations on the other issues.

Stephen Cook with the Council on Foreign Relations describes the U.S.-Iran war as at a stalemate, although economic pressure should eventually force negotiation.

Both countries have now walked away from the other's peace proposals, with President Donald Trump saying Iran is asking for things he can't agree to.

Trump says the U.S. will guide cargo ships through the Strait of Hormuz, but without using Navy warships.

Some economists estimate the world has at most eight weeks before a global recession hits.

Brent crude remains over $100 a barrel and gas continues to spike, Already struggling before higher jet fuel prices, Spirit Airlines has gone out of business.

National polling finds the war unpopular by two or three to one, but a new survey finds North Dakotans are almost exactly split.

While most of those polled say they worry about rising gas prices, University of North Dakota political scientist Mark Jandryski says the state's strong Republican base is more likely to accept the White House's position.

For the most part, you have people who trust Donald Trump, who support him very strongly, who think this is necessary, it should have been done long ago, and we can take the short-term pain for some long-term gain.

Democratic leaders in Nevada say the government should invest in social services and renewable energy instead of the Iran war.

The Pentagon puts the price at about $25 billion so far, not counting damage to U.S. bases.

Former President Pro Tempore of the Nevada State Senate Pat Spearman is now with the nonprofit Elected Officials to Protect America.

Everybody ought to contact whoever it is that represents them in Congress and say, I don't want to spend one more dime on this war.

I want to make sure that we have money for health care.

We have money for child care.

With the Iran war in limbo, conflict with Cuba is simmering.

On Friday, Trump signed an executive order broadening sanctions on the island, targeting individuals and entities connected to the government's security system.

Cuba's president says that reinforces a, quote, brutal genocidal blockade.

Trump has said he would use military action to implement regime change there.

Congress has temporarily extended a controversial surveillance power.

The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act lets agencies like the NSA collect the communications of foreigners.

Section 702 inadvertently allows them to look at messages of U.S. residents caught in the dragnet without a warrant.

The House initially approved a three-year extension for that section, but at the last minute, the Senate slashed that to 45 days.

In the meantime, California Democratic Congressman Ted Lieu says he wants to hammer out reforms, including requiring a warrant before Americans are monitored and changes. at the top of the FBI.

If it takes some time to get to a bipartisan solution, again, I would vote for a short-term extension if FBI Director Cash Patel was removed.

I'm Edwin J. Viera for Pacific Network and Public News Service.

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