Conservatives were surprised to hear this.
Popular podcast host Joe Rogan is once again making headlines after criticizing President Donald Trump’s approach to the growing conflict with Iran, arguing that deeper U.S. military involvement could ultimately leave America less secure.
The comments came during Friday’s episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, where Rogan interviewed investigative journalist Annie Jacobsen. Known for her extensive reporting on national security, intelligence agencies, military operations, and nuclear weapons, Jacobsen shared concerns that another prolonged conflict in the Middle East could repeat mistakes made in previous wars.
Rogan opened the discussion by asking Jacobsen how concerned she was about the escalating tensions with Iran.
Jacobsen responded that she believes expanding the conflict would be “a terrible idea.” Drawing from research for her eight books, she explained that she has interviewed hundreds of military veterans, intelligence officials, and national security experts over the years.
According to Jacobsen, many of the veterans she spoke with expressed frustration over America’s long military engagements following the September 11 attacks. While acknowledging that not every veteran shares the same view, she said many believe they were asked to fight wars that lacked clear objectives and left lasting consequences.
She argued that this growing frustration has changed how many service members view the government and the decisions that send American troops into combat.
Rogan agreed with her assessment.
“Yeah, without a doubt,” he said before questioning whether there is a clear strategy for ending the conflict. He also voiced concerns about military readiness, pointing to reports of drone attacks on U.S. bases and questions surrounding America’s weapons stockpiles.
The podcast host also criticized media coverage that focuses heavily on the financial costs of war while paying less attention to the human toll. Rogan argued that military action without a clearly defined objective can create additional enemies and increase security risks for the United States.
He suggested that launching attacks can give hostile nations and terrorist groups greater motivation to retaliate against American interests, making future conflicts even more dangerous.
The remarks are not the first time Rogan has questioned Trump’s Iran policy. Earlier this summer, he openly wondered whether the administration had made the right decision in escalating tensions, saying the situation appeared to be moving in a troubling direction.
Rogan’s latest comments highlight an ongoing debate within the conservative movement. While many Republicans support maintaining a strong military and projecting American strength abroad, others favor a more restrained foreign policy that avoids lengthy overseas conflicts unless vital U.S. interests are directly at stake.
As the situation involving Iran continues to develop, the discussion reflects broader divisions over America’s role in the Middle East and how best to protect national security while avoiding another prolonged military engagement.