Sep 16, 2026 · 15 min
War costs collide with rate hikes and Kennedy Center turmoil
Federal Reserve Interest Rates, Reports Reveal Iran War Costs, Kennedy Center Closure
The episode connects wartime inflation, mounting military costs and institutional upheaval to decisions affecting the economy, national security and public culture.
- 1The Federal Reserve is expected to raise rates as war-driven energy costs push inflation and borrowing expenses higher.
- 2New reports estimate the Iran war has cost $33 billion to $38 billion, damaged U.S. bases and depleted Patriot interceptor stocks.
- 3The Kennedy Center plans to close amid financial and structural problems, a naming dispute and unresolved questions about its future.
Don't miss
Reports on the Iran war’s $33 billion to $38 billion cost are paired with warnings that depleted Patriot stocks may take years to replenish.
The brief
The Federal Reserve is expected to deliver a quarter-point rate increase as the Iran war and rising energy prices push inflation higher, with future hikes still uncertain.
The discussion examines how longer-term borrowing costs could rise further and how Kevin Warsh may signal the central bank’s path at upcoming meetings.
New Congressional Budget Office and Pentagon Inspector General reports put the war’s cost at $33 billion to $38 billion, excluding future rebuilding, while attacks damaged U.S. bases.
The administration is seeking another $67 billion for the war and military needs, even as Patriot interceptor stocks are depleted and could take years to replenish.
The Kennedy Center’s planned shutdown follows severe financial and structural problems and a court fight over adding Donald Trump’s name, leaving its programming and governance uncertain.
Kevin Maxwell Warsh
Greg Myre
Donald John Trump
Christopher Cooper
Pete HegsethListen to the full episode and explore every guest, topic, and moment on PodLume.