Iran went after America's radars first, then hit hangars, warehouses and troop housing at 26 bases across the Middle East.
MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 1 NOVEMBER 2026
A new AP satellite analysis found more than 115 drone and missile strikes claimed by Iran or its militias damaged or destroyed structures at 26 bases and sites with U.S. equipment through August. Iran hit early-warning radars first, including a radar in Jordan that is one of only 13 the Army owns, then went after aircraft hangars, warehouses and barracks. Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait was hit at least 30 times, and a Congressional Research Service report says 15 U.S. aircraft were damaged.
Mike Ritland breaks down why the order of those strikes matters: it is the same playbook the U.S. uses, and it shows Iran can now reach every base in the region if strikes resume after Tuesday's election. He also explains why he doesn't think the Pentagon should publish its own damage assessments.
Also covered: Trump says the U.S. still has one or two sites to hit in Iran, including Pickaxe Mountain; the Navy blockade has now turned back 144 ships as Iran offers to reopen the Strait of Hormuz; a report that Russian satellites helped Iran's allies target Saudi Arabia; the U.S., South Korea and Japan on North Korean denuclearization; and what Tuesday's midterms mean for war powers and the troops.
Should the Pentagon tell Americans how badly our bases were hit, or keep it classified? Tell us in the comments.
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0:00 Iran hit U.S. radars first, then 26 bases
5:15 Trump: one or two sites left, including Pickaxe Mountain
7:40 Navy blockade turns back 144 ships
10:45 Report: Russian satellites helped Iran's allies
13:35 North Korea denuclearization talks
15:55 Tuesday's midterms and the war decision
