The Pour Over Today - U.S. and Israel Strike Iran, Clinton Testifies Before Congress, Pentagon Dumps Anthropic & More | 03.02.26

Episode Date: March 2, 2026

Today, we’re talking about the U.S. and Israel’s surprise attack on Iran and how the world is reacting; former President Bill Clinton’s testimony before Congress on his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein; the Pentagon breaking up with Anthropic, and other top news for Monday, March 2nd. Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with The Pour Over. Looking to support us? You can choose to pay ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠ Check out our sponsors! We actually use and enjoy every single one. Cru Wild Alaskan HelloFresh Safe House Project QAVA CCCU Upside Mosh LMNT Bible Gateway Plus Life Application Study Bible Unto Compelled Podcast I Choose Love TPO Corrections Page

Hey there, this is Bailey at the poorover. And this is Joe at the poorover. Today, we're talking about the U.S. and Israel's surprise attack on Iran and how the world is reacting. Former President Bill Clinton's testimony before Congress on his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, the Pentagon breaking up with Anthropic, and other top news from Monday, March 2nd. Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with the poorover. Here's your quote of the day. All my discoveries have been made in answer to prayer.

Sir Isaac Newton. Let's get started with some espresso shots. The U.S. and Israel began, quote, major combat operations in Iran over the weekend. The coordinated strikes began just after 9 a.m. local time Saturday, targeting political and military sites across the country. Supreme Leader Chaminet's compound was destroyed, and President Trump confirmed Saturday,

afternoon that the 86-year-old who ruled Iran for 35 years was killed, along with 48 of, quote, the people that make all the decisions. At least 201 people have died, including dozens of children at an all-girls elementary school. Iran blames the U.S. in Israel, while Israel attributed it to a misfired Iranian missile. Iran's Revolutionary Guard retaliated with strikes on U.S. bases across the region, including in Israel, Dubai, Kuwait, the UAE, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia. Three American service members were killed and five were, quote, seriously wounded. The operation was both expected and unexpected. The U.S. had been moving warships to the region for weeks and publicly threatened strikes,

but ongoing negotiations for a diplomatic resolution made timing unexpected. The Trump administration says Operation Epic Ferry aims to cripple Iran's military, eliminate its nuclear program, and crack open the door for regime change. The UN's Secretary General condemned the U.S. Israeli operation for, quote, undermining international peace and security, while European leaders largely focused their criticism on Iran's history of oppression and indiscriminate retaliatory strikes. Nateside, some Democratic lawmakers called the strikes, quote, illegal and unconstitutional, while Republicans largely backed the operation, though some in Trump's base say it breaks his promise of, quote, no new wars. Large crowds of Iranians reportedly celebrated in the streets of Tehran Saturday night, dancing and chanting freedom, freedom. When our news feed fills with violence and chaos, we're often swept into a spiral.

of anxieties. But believers have an anchor in Jesus, whose peace pierces the darkness now, and will one day shatter it completely. Come to Him in faith. Let's pray to our God. Mighty God, you are never caught by surprise or overpowered. By your overwhelming strength, work peace across the Middle East. Overcome evildoers. Comfort those who are mourning, protect the vulnerable, strengthen those who will rebuild. and bring order from chaos so that Iran and its neighbors will taste and see the goodness of the one true king. Amen. Former President Clinton testified on Friday that he, quote,

saw nothing that gave him pause and did nothing wrong during his time with Jeffrey Epstein. The House Oversight Committee pressed Clinton in a closed-door deposition over his repeated appearances in the files, and an infamous hot tub photo with an unidentified Epstein victim, Clinton claimed he did not know the woman and said if he'd, quote, had any inkling of what Epstein was doing, he would have, quote, turned him in. Clinton also condemned the committee for subpoenaing his wife, insisting Hillary, quote, had nothing to do with Jeffrey Epstein.

Committee Chairman Comer called the interview, quote, very productive, and lawmakers on both sides praised Clinton for his candor. Afterward, Democrats renewed calls for President Trump to testify, arguing the Clinton deposition sets a precedent to subpoena number 47. Reactions to stories like this will vary wildly. As you listen to people process everything from despair to triumph, point them to a hope that runs deeper than any one person, institution, or outcome. 1. John 1.5-7 says,

God is light, and there is absolutely no darkness in him. If we say we have fellowship with him, and yet we walk in darkness, we are lying and are not practicing the truth. If we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his son, cleanses us from all sin. You wouldn't use dirty water to boil your pasta, right? But what if all you had was dirty water?

Every day, women and children in places facing extreme water scarcity walk one to two hours on average, oftentimes much longer, just to collect water for their families. They go despite dangerous terrain, extreme temperatures, and the risk of physical harm. To top it off, once they get their water, they have to carry that 40-pound filled container all the way back home. This is one of the greatest sources of suffering on Earth, but here's the good news. You can do something about it. A gift to Untu provides people in developing countries with access to safe, clean water, and, most importantly, access to the living water of Jesus Christ. Any monthly gift of $25 or more will get you a TPO coffee mug as a reminder of the impact you're making. Text water to 71326, or visit Untoo.com slash give water to make a difference today.

In other bruce, here's a rapid round of updates. Uncle Sam and Anthropic are feuding. The Pentagon accused the AI company of attempting to veto military decisions with two restrictive terms of service and declared Anthropic a, quote, supply chain risk, a designation typically reserved for foreign adversaries. Anthropic says it only prohibits fully autonomous weapon systems and master's. surveillance on American citizens and vowed to challenge the risk designation in court. President Trump floated a, quote, friendly takeover of Cuba on Friday, saying Secretary of State

Rubio is in talks with former Cuban leader Raul Castro's grandson, quote, at a very high level. Cuba is reeling from a U.S. fuel blockade that has disrupted the Caribbean's country's access to water, and has worsened shortages of food and medicine. Luigi Mangione, accused of killing United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson in 2024, has dodged death row. On Friday, federal prosecutors declined to appeal at district judge's ruling that Mangione's stalking offense did not qualify as a, quote, crime of violence, which is what prosecutors must prove to pursue the death penalty. Mangione, 27, still faced. federal stalking charges and a separate state murder trial in June.

Pakistan and Afghanistan are in, quote, open war after days of back-and-forth strikes. Afghanistan struck Thursday, retaliating for last week's Pakistani air strikes that killed Afghan civilians. Pakistan fired back with strikes on Afghan cities, including the capital, Kabul. Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of harboring. covering Pakistani Taliban militants and cozy up to rival India. Uncle Sam backed Pakistan's right to defend itself. Berkshire Hathaway closed Warren Buffett's final quarter as CEO with a thud.

The conglomerate reported its Q for profit fell 30% due to weakness in its insurance operators like Geico. Berkshire's new CEO, Greg Abel, promised shareholders that he would uphold Buffett's legacy of disciplined investing, pointing to their record 373 billion cash pile as an opportunity to make major strategic acquisitions. That's all we have for today. Thanks so much for listening, TPOFam. If you're listening on the Apple Podcast app, give us a five-star rating and drop a review. If you're listening on Spotify, give us a follow and hit the notification bell to never miss a new episode. We're grateful for your support and hope you have a great Monday. Catch it on Wednesday. If you've ever finished a Bible reading and thought,

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