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Monday Afternoon Updates: NORTHCOM's Shock Drone Admission, Nuclear Talk, and Trump's Latest Threat – 8/17/26

Here's the news you need to know. So far.

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Ben Meiselas and MeidasTouch Network
Aug 17, 2026
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U.S. President Donald Trump walks to a vehicle after exiting Marine One at the Ellipse near the White House, in Washington, D.C., U.S., August 16, 2026. REUTERS/Annabelle Gordon

Hi all, Ben here. I hope you all had a nice weekend. It’s Monday and there is A LOT happening.

Before I dive in, I want to make sure everyone is subscribed to the MeidasTouch Podcast on your favorite audio podcast platforms, like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. We’ve recently received some emails from folks saying their podcast apps had erroneously unsubscribed them from the show, so make sure to check now. It’s free and only takes about 2 seconds, and brings you a ton of free reporting.

OK, top stories:

  • Iran threatens to go “fully offensive” in the Strait of Hormuz if diplomacy fails

  • Iran’s secret escalation plan includes a possible strike on undersea internet cables, a ground raid into Kuwait, and more, per WSJ

  • The IRGC flatly denies Trump’s claim of a backchannel, calling it his “delusions and nightmares”

  • Trump tells Fox he’ll “bomb the shit” out of Oman…We’ve heard these threats before

  • Congressional Republicans wave away concerns about depleted US stockpiles and dire conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln

  • NORTHCOM’s deputy commander warns the US can’t defend against a drone swarm on American soil

  • Marjorie Taylor Greene says nuclear weapons against Iran are being discussed by the Trump regime

  • Recent remarks from Israeli leadership

  • Secret Russian drone bases within striking distance of NATO

  • Legal news on the ballroom front and in the E. Jean Carroll case

  • And more…

If you haven’t yet, consider becoming a paid subscriber now. You’ll not only get access to everything we do here on the Meidas+ Substack, but you’ll also be supporting independent media at a time when it’s needed most.

Here we go.

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