August 19, 2026

The American Conservative Morning Briefing · Aug 19, 2026 · 4m

Good morning! Today is Wednesday, August 19th 2026, and this is The American Conservative's Morning Brief. Day one hundred seventy-two of the Iran conflict brings no diplomatic movement, with President Trump declaring the Strait of Hormuz "New U.S. Territory" as the naval blockade tightens and Brent crude climbs above ninety-one dollars. George O'Neill Jr. delivers a scathing verdict on the second Trump administration's foreign policy, arguing that operations in seven countries have shattered the America First promise and exposed the fantasy of American military supremacy. Andrew Day…