Commander Kirk Lippold joins Allen Jackson to discuss current events.
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Allen Jackson NOW | Allen Jackson: Hormuz Threat | Allen Jackson Now | April 9, 2026
- Well, good evening and welcome to nashville.
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- I'm alan jackson.
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- The war is on hold, but no one thinks that
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- Whoever's in charge in tehran is going to stop pushing back.
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- Not in two weeks,
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- And not until there's a complete overhaul of iran's leadership.
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- It's a fact that to the core, iran's military has just
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- Been blown apart.
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- But not entirely eliminated because they've been hiding
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- Weapons for years across a vast countryside.
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- And all the top leadership has been killed.
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- Yet that won't stop them either, because there's always another
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- Wannabe dictator to fill the empty seats.
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- All of them are philosophically
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- Bound by the destruction of israel.
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- And while president trump
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- And prime minister netanyahu have won this round,
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- Who's left of iran, at least right now, surely wants to try
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- To regroup with this time out in the fighting and try again,
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- Even if they all die in the process as well.
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- China and russia?
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- Well, they'll re-arm them.
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- They'll go on chanting death to america.
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- And the citizens who don't comply, well,
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- They'll be killed in front of those who do.
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- Which leaves the united states, israel and several middle
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- Eastern countries to finish off the job,
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- Taking the enriched uranium,
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- Ensuring that the strait of hormuz is open.
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- And with any luck,
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- Seeing the iranian population
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- Overthrow the existing leadership.
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- Listen to how j.d.
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- Vance set the table for the upcoming negotiations.
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- If the iranians are willing, in good faith, to work with us,
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- I think we can make an agreement.
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- If they're going to lie, if they're going to cheat,
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- If they're going to try to, prevent
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- Even the fragile truce that we've set up from taking place,
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- Then they're not going to be happy.
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- Because what
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- The president has also shown is that we still have clear
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- Military, diplomatic, and maybe most importantly,
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- We have extraordinary economic leverage.
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- Well, the truth is, if iran's negotiators talk honestly
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- About a permanent ceasefire, it'll be the
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- First time they've done so in almost 50 years.
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- We shall see.
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- You know, every time we think now we can make peace with iran.
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- It's a slippery slope
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- Because to have a legitimate peace deal,
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- You must have people of integrity
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- With which to negotiate.
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- And iran doesn't meet that standard.
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- Wherever islam is the primary political influence,
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- It's anything but tolerant.
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- And it isn't peaceful.
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- It's oppressive.
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- In places where islam is not the primary influence,
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- It masquerades as peaceful and tolerant.
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- But when it's in charge, it is neither of those.
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- The ayatollah
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- Regime killed 45,000 of its own citizens in the streets.
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- In one week, 45,000 innocent civilians.
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- The media treated it like a hiccup.
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- It barely got reported.
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- Women and girls in iran, they face state
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- Enforced dress laws, surveillance and punishment
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- Simply for refusing a compulsory hijab.
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- In september of 22, a 22 year
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- Old woman was arrested by iran's morality police
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- For allegedly violating hijab rules.
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- Eyewitnesses said that
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- The morality police pushed her into a van
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- Where she was subjected
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- To torture and other horrific ill treatment.
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- She eventually fell into a coma and died.
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- Are you in fact finding mission described?
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- Her death is unlawful and caused by physical violence.
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- Amnesty international reported over 1000 executions
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- In 2025 alone in iran,
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- Tied to just dissent and protest.
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- Human rights watch reported cases of detained children, iran
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- Being beaten, electroshock, sexually assaulted, denied
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- Medical care and pressured into silence after arrest.
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- Amnesty international also reported
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- That after killing children,
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- The regime intimidated parents, restricted funerals,
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- Threatened families to stop them from speaking publicly.
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- Well, the regime that will do that to its own daughters
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- And its own sons,
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- They'll do far worse to its enemies if it gets the power.
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- Let's stop pretending the iranian regime is just
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- Some misunderstood government with different values.
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- No, this is a regime that
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- Has brutalized its own people for decades.
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- If media members in our nation really understood
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- The brutality of islam,
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- I believe there'd
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- Be a different national response to this whole conflict.
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- Islam is not peaceful.
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- Women are not treated well.
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- Children do not have opportunities.
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- Well, unfortunately,
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- Most of us aren't willing to say those things.
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- We must use our voices
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- When we see something that is patently evil.
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- We can't be silent and act like we don't notice.
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- We've become so intimidated by the pressure of the culture
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- That we won't say the truth, that we all know as christians.
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- If we will use our voices,
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- We can give some courage to the general public.
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- Let's be bold with our biblical worldview
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- And just see what god will do.
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- You know, i
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- Appreciate recently the boldness shown by victor glover.
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- You may not have been familiar with his name before this week,
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- But he's one of the astronauts on artemis two.
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- This week,
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- The crew traveled farther than any humans in history.
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- The crew flew around the far side of the moon.
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- They reached more than 252,000 miles from earth.
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- During the mission, they came within about 4000
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- Miles of the moon's surface.
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- They briefly lost contact with earth for about 40 minutes
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- Before gravity caught them and pulled them around,
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- Putting them back to earth for the return journey.
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- It's truly an astonishing accomplishment.
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- Well, victor glover was a navy captain
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- Who flew combat missions in iraq before becoming a test pilot.
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- A nasa astronaut, and a crew member
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- Of the international space station. victor is a christian.
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- And when his wife asked him
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- If he was nervous before his trip to space,
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- He said, no, i've truly done everything i can to prepare,
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- Including praying and reading my bible.
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- Victor said
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- Whenever he's in space, he really feels closer to god,
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- Not because he was above the sky,
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- But because, as he puts it, the bible says,
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- When you submit yourself to god and come near to god,
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- God comes near to you.
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- Well, as christians,
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- Culture tells us that we shouldn't
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- Allow our christianity
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- To be a prominent part of our professional life.
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- That's a lie.
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- Let's have the courage to lead with our faith, and
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- To let it be a very prominent
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- Part of who we are, personally and professionally.
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- I look forward to hearing testimonies of christians in
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- Iran sharing how god led them through unimaginable difficulty.
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- I'm thankful
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- This administration is taking action in that nation,
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- And with all the tepid support from nato
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- And the democratic party filling the airwaves
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- With full time criticism of the u.s.
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- Mission.
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- In a moment, we'll explore all the options
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- With a man who's had his own experience
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- With the middle east terrorism and live to talk about it.
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- The former commander of the uss cole, kirk lippold.
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- I'll be right back.
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- I'll be right back.
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- Well, the world is
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- Taking a deep breath now that a cease fire is underway.
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- It took almost 50 years to get to this point.
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- Just a few weeks for iran to be brought to its knees.
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- It's a fragile truce.
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- And getting things to a better place is going to take time.
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- If it could work at all.
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- Well, joining us
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- Tonight is the former commander of the uss cole, kirk lippold.
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- Welcome back sir.
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- Thank you very much, reverend.
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- Great to be back on the show.
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- You know, the u.s.
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- May have the upper hand, but iran has figured out
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- How to push what few buttons they think they have left.
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- Now they're playing gatekeeper on the strait of hormuz.
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- That passageway were a very large part
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- Of the world's oil passes through.
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- They don't have a nuclear weapon,
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- But they do have the ability to shut off the sea
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- Traffic by threatening attacks.
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- Do you think president trump
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- Will eventually have to take over kharg island?
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- Robert, i'm not sure if he's going to have to take over
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- Cardigan island,
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- But clearly there is a military plan
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- That has been in place for a long time for us
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- To ensure that the speed that the strait of hormuz remains
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- Open for freedom of navigation to maritime traffic,
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- Without any gatekeepers, without any tolls, none of that.
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- The fact that iran is doing that,
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- And in some ways using information warfare
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- By even intimating
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- That they may have planted mines in the strait,
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- Has been enough to keep
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- It bottled up at the end of the day,
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- The united states and our allies,
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- Both in the region and internationally,
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- Are going to have to go in there
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- And either compel iran to do it militarily or convince them
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- Through a cease fire agreement negotiation process,
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- That it needs to not only open now, but remain open
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- For the foreseeable future with severe penalties
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- If they try to keep it closed.
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- Well, general jack keane was
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- The architect of the successful iraq troop surge in 2007.
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- And he thinks we should continue attacking iran
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- Because they're just trying
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- To buy time to have china and russia re-arm them.
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- What's your opinion on that?
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- I think it's a two fold sword.
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- When you really look at it, yes,
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- It does give them time to rearm and do everything,
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- But we're the ones with the surveillance assets.
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- We can use that to our advantage,
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- Using the intelligence that we get
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- From watching how their new communications mode sets,
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- Nodes get set up,
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- How they're beginning to communicate
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- Between the leadership in the field,
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- Where the rearming is going on so that we can develop
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- A fresh set of targets.
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- By the same token, it gives our focus on the aircraft carrier
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- And at the bases, the opportunity
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- To rearm, to refuel, to conduct maintenance,
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- To get a little downtime for those crews that have really
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- Been working 24 over seven ever since the conflict started.
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- So there's a little bit of an operational pause
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- That i think is much more to our advantage than to iran's.
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- Well, you know, as you mentioned,
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- If iran is rearming now, we're doing the same.
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- It gives our forces a little bit of rest
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- To refuel and recharge.
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- Given that we've dominated iran, does
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- This also give
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- Us more opportunity to see where they're getting
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- Their supplies, hiding them?
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- Should we need to go back at them?
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- Can we be better prepared this time?
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- Even?
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- Absolutely.
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- And i think when you look at it, reverend
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- Date, the bottom line for me is this is clearly proving
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- That china is no longer a competitor or an adversary.
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- They are the enemy.
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- When you look at russia, they are clearly an enemy.
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- They're providing targeting information.
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- Both countries are providing weapons
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- Or the capability to employ weapons
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- More effectively against u.s.
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- Forces and other forces or countries in the region.
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- So i think at the end of the day,
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- Watching what those other countries are, do
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- We need to be very careful?
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- And if you take a larger strategic view,
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- What iran did over 47 years
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- Was surround the middle east with proxy groups.
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- When you look at
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- What china is doing in the south china sea with those illegal
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- Militarized islands
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- And what they call the dash nine lines about to come back,
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- Ten with with antelope reef being militarized,
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- They are trying to create
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- The ability to project power in the south china
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- Sea to throttle maritime traffic,
- 00:10:58.850 --> 00:11:00.885
- Just like iran is doing in the strait of hormuz.
- 00:11:00.885 --> 00:11:03.221
- So what we do in the middle east with iran
- 00:11:03.221 --> 00:11:07.024
- Is not being watched very closely by china.
- 00:11:07.024 --> 00:11:09.961
- To make sure that we finish the job
- 00:11:09.961 --> 00:11:11.829
- Is going to send the signal that,
- 00:11:11.829 --> 00:11:13.297
- No, if you take taiwan and try to expand in the south
- 00:11:13.297 --> 00:11:16.634
- China sea, there will be forces there to stop you.
- 00:11:16.634 --> 00:11:20.872
- You have a great deal of experience in the middle east.
- 00:11:21.939 --> 00:11:23.841
- If iran violates the ceasefire.
- 00:11:23.841 --> 00:11:25.910
- How would you recommend we handle that?
- 00:11:25.910 --> 00:11:29.013
- I think that what we do is we gather all the forces
- 00:11:29.013 --> 00:11:31.649
- Together, plan the operation carefully,
- 00:11:31.649 --> 00:11:33.818
- And then we strike with utterly overwhelming force
- 00:11:33.818 --> 00:11:36.821
- To a point
- 00:11:36.821 --> 00:11:37.755
- That it takes their breath away, wipes out
- 00:11:37.755 --> 00:11:39.624
- Whatever leadership is remaining.
- 00:11:39.624 --> 00:11:41.425
- And then we begin to look at it.
- 00:11:41.425 --> 00:11:42.894
- And unfortunately, i think we have to look at what,
- 00:11:42.894 --> 00:11:45.196
- You know,
- 00:11:45.196 --> 00:11:46.030
- When president trump the other day
- 00:11:46.030 --> 00:11:47.031
- Talked about taking out civilization,
- 00:11:47.031 --> 00:11:48.966
- Taking out bridges and electrical,
- 00:11:48.966 --> 00:11:50.802
- And everyone was crying about war crimes.
- 00:11:50.802 --> 00:11:53.304
- If you have dual use facilities, bridges for logistics,
- 00:11:53.304 --> 00:11:57.041
- Power supplying power to military,
- 00:11:57.041 --> 00:12:00.077
- Bases, for example, at the same time
- 00:12:00.878 --> 00:12:03.514
- They're supplying civilian.
- 00:12:03.514 --> 00:12:04.949
- Those are still legitimate
- 00:12:04.949 --> 00:12:06.818
- Targets under the law of armed conflict and international law.
- 00:12:06.818 --> 00:12:10.454
- So all these claims of war crimes are absolutely false.
- 00:12:10.454 --> 00:12:13.724
- And at the end of the day,
- 00:12:13.724 --> 00:12:14.959
- We should strike iran overwhelmingly again
- 00:12:14.959 --> 00:12:17.428
- And begin to take down those targets,
- 00:12:17.428 --> 00:12:19.330
- Because once again, it makes them less
- 00:12:19.330 --> 00:12:21.199
- Effective to project power.
- 00:12:21.199 --> 00:12:22.834
- Well, given that they can't even communicate among one another,
- 00:12:24.001 --> 00:12:26.871
- Do you think we'll
- 00:12:26.871 --> 00:12:27.772
- Need to extend this pause in the fighting
- 00:12:27.772 --> 00:12:29.540
- So they can get their act together?
- 00:12:29.540 --> 00:12:31.242
- Or will that just be seen as another
- 00:12:31.242 --> 00:12:32.543
- Of their predictable stalling tactics?
- 00:12:32.543 --> 00:12:36.314
- Iran has spent 47 years lying and murdering.
- 00:12:36.314 --> 00:12:39.584
- I don't think we give them
- 00:12:39.584 --> 00:12:40.785
- The opportunity to get their act together.
- 00:12:40.785 --> 00:12:43.054
- If anything else.
- 00:12:43.054 --> 00:12:44.021
- If they are not complying
- 00:12:44.021 --> 00:12:45.289
- With the cease fire agreement and its strict interpretation
- 00:12:45.289 --> 00:12:48.759
- By both sides,
- 00:12:48.759 --> 00:12:50.161
- Then we go back and we hit them and hit them hard.
- 00:12:50.161 --> 00:12:52.496
- And at this point,
- 00:12:52.496 --> 00:12:53.497
- We also engage our regional partners to do it.
- 00:12:53.497 --> 00:12:56.033
- Because clearly yesterday
- 00:12:56.033 --> 00:12:57.635
- The cease fire was announced,
- 00:12:57.635 --> 00:12:58.970
- Yet missiles were still outbound from iran,
- 00:12:58.970 --> 00:13:01.239
- Impacting the countries in the region.
- 00:13:01.239 --> 00:13:03.274
- That was a violation.
- 00:13:03.274 --> 00:13:04.542
- It's settled down today, even with president vance
- 00:13:04.542 --> 00:13:07.612
- Going there as a high level negotiator to pakistan.
- 00:13:07.612 --> 00:13:10.781
- I don't believe iran is going to be trusted.
- 00:13:10.781 --> 00:13:13.885
- It's not a matter of trust, but verify they cannot be trusted.
- 00:13:13.885 --> 00:13:17.688
- Period.
- 00:13:17.688 --> 00:13:18.489
- And that they are, in fact,
- 00:13:18.489 --> 00:13:19.690
- Going to violate that agreement at the first opportunity.
- 00:13:19.690 --> 00:13:22.460
- They see it to their advantage
- 00:13:22.460 --> 00:13:24.195
- And we should be there to stop them.
- 00:13:24.195 --> 00:13:26.063
- Is there a clearly identified
- 00:13:26.697 --> 00:13:28.366
- Leader for us to even negotiate with right now?
- 00:13:28.366 --> 00:13:31.936
- I'm not sure there is.
- 00:13:32.403 --> 00:13:33.537
- Obviously, though,
- 00:13:33.537 --> 00:13:34.605
- The ayatollah is wounded and is in a hospital.
- 00:13:34.605 --> 00:13:38.175
- He may or may not be communicating.
- 00:13:38.175 --> 00:13:39.810
- He may not even be conscious.
- 00:13:39.810 --> 00:13:41.612
- I'm sure that back channel more through
- 00:13:41.612 --> 00:13:43.681
- Intelligence channels than anything else.
- 00:13:43.681 --> 00:13:45.816
- We know who the leaders are, certainly within the irgc,
- 00:13:45.816 --> 00:13:49.186
- Who is de facto running the government there.
- 00:13:49.186 --> 00:13:52.456
- The mullahs may claim to be in charge
- 00:13:52.456 --> 00:13:54.425
- For the theocracy, but at the end of the day,
- 00:13:54.425 --> 00:13:56.827
- The irgc is the true target that we need to be negotiating with
- 00:13:56.827 --> 00:14:00.698
- And eventually meeting our demands that we all laid out
- 00:14:00.698 --> 00:14:04.902
- No nuclear weapons,
- 00:14:04.902 --> 00:14:06.070
- No ballistic missile program, no support for proxies.
- 00:14:06.070 --> 00:14:09.173
- And now it's open the strait of hormuz.
- 00:14:09.173 --> 00:14:11.242
- So four key conditions that have to be met.
- 00:14:11.242 --> 00:14:14.111
- Absolutely.
- 00:14:14.111 --> 00:14:15.313
- Well, commander lippold, would you please
- 00:14:15.313 --> 00:14:16.714
- Stand by for another segment? there's more to talk about.
- 00:14:16.714 --> 00:14:19.717
- Absolutely.
- 00:14:20.051 --> 00:14:21.185
- We need to take a short break.
- 00:14:21.185 --> 00:14:22.486
- And if you want to share your thoughts
- 00:14:22.486 --> 00:14:23.721
- On this discussion, you can log on to aj now.com.
- 00:14:23.721 --> 00:14:26.924
- And you'll see the easy steps for doing so.
- 00:14:26.924 --> 00:14:29.460
- I'll be right back.
- 00:14:29.460 --> 00:14:35.000
- I'll be right back.
- 00:14:35.000 --> 00:14:39.738
- We're back now
- 00:14:40.072 --> 00:14:41.306
- With military analyst and former navy commander kirk lippold.
- 00:14:41.306 --> 00:14:44.142
- When you were the commander
- 00:14:44.743 --> 00:14:45.644
- Of the uss cole, you learned quite a bit
- 00:14:45.644 --> 00:14:48.580
- About how terrorism was conducted in the middle east.
- 00:14:48.580 --> 00:14:51.183
- What lessons from back then would you apply to
- 00:14:51.183 --> 00:14:53.318
- What the trump administration is dealing with now?
- 00:14:53.318 --> 00:14:57.489
- I think number one, reverend jackson, is you have to look at
- 00:14:57.489 --> 00:15:00.826
- What are the key
- 00:15:00.826 --> 00:15:01.994
- Indicators that the terrorist organizations are using.
- 00:15:01.994 --> 00:15:05.530
- First, you start with where's the flow of money?
- 00:15:05.530 --> 00:15:08.633
- Because money drives their ability to recruit, equip,
- 00:15:08.633 --> 00:15:12.671
- Train, plan and conduct those terrorist operations
- 00:15:12.671 --> 00:15:15.540
- Around the world.
- 00:15:15.540 --> 00:15:16.641
- In the case of uss cole and even 911,
- 00:15:16.641 --> 00:15:19.444
- We didn't
- 00:15:19.444 --> 00:15:20.545
- Have the intelligence apparatus to detect those things
- 00:15:20.545 --> 00:15:22.914
- Like we do today.
- 00:15:22.914 --> 00:15:24.082
- So clearly it is being implemented.
- 00:15:24.082 --> 00:15:26.351
- When you look at how successful
- 00:15:26.351 --> 00:15:28.253
- And how deeply the israeli mossad
- 00:15:28.253 --> 00:15:30.822
- And other intelligence organizations
- 00:15:30.822 --> 00:15:32.657
- Have penetrated within iran
- 00:15:32.657 --> 00:15:34.493
- To allow them
- 00:15:34.493 --> 00:15:35.360
- The ability to target the leadership
- 00:15:35.360 --> 00:15:36.862
- So effectively over the last few weeks.
- 00:15:36.862 --> 00:15:38.997
- I think that's amazing.
- 00:15:38.997 --> 00:15:40.565
- We could not do this alone.
- 00:15:40.565 --> 00:15:42.534
- Israel could not do this alone.
- 00:15:42.534 --> 00:15:44.136
- We have to partner and work together.
- 00:15:44.136 --> 00:15:46.171
- And i'm just hopeful that at some point,
- 00:15:46.171 --> 00:15:48.306
- Both countries that are immediately
- 00:15:48.306 --> 00:15:50.175
- Impacted by the flow of oil not coming from the middle east,
- 00:15:50.175 --> 00:15:54.312
- Principally those european countries, begin
- 00:15:54.312 --> 00:15:57.149
- To realize that it is going to be in their best interest
- 00:15:57.149 --> 00:16:00.619
- To get engaged in this,
- 00:16:00.619 --> 00:16:01.987
- To help us get
- 00:16:01.987 --> 00:16:03.188
- That strait of hormuz open, because we may have confronted
- 00:16:03.188 --> 00:16:06.058
- Iran first, they may not have liked it.
- 00:16:06.058 --> 00:16:08.260
- But the real question is, okay, if you didn't want to do it.
- 00:16:08.260 --> 00:16:11.797
- You said they didn't want a nuclear weapon.
- 00:16:11.797 --> 00:16:14.232
- Well, if not now, when and if not, how many lives?
- 00:16:14.232 --> 00:16:18.537
- How many more have to die
- 00:16:18.537 --> 00:16:19.805
- Before you're willing to do something?
- 00:16:19.805 --> 00:16:21.573
- President trump took the bold step to finally do something.
- 00:16:21.573 --> 00:16:24.609
- Out of 47 years of both republican
- 00:16:24.609 --> 00:16:27.746
- And democrat administrations not having the moral courage
- 00:16:27.746 --> 00:16:31.283
- Or ethical clarity to do what we are doing today.
- 00:16:31.283 --> 00:16:35.487
- Well, you mentioned europe.
- 00:16:36.088 --> 00:16:37.189
- The secretary of state says that nato
- 00:16:37.189 --> 00:16:39.357
- Has been a huge disappointment,
- 00:16:39.357 --> 00:16:41.226
- And we pay a fortune to protect the nato countries.
- 00:16:41.226 --> 00:16:43.829
- And some of them wouldn't
- 00:16:43.829 --> 00:16:44.963
- Even allow us to use their bases the past several weeks.
- 00:16:44.963 --> 00:16:48.033
- Listen to how he put it.
- 00:16:48.033 --> 00:16:50.302
- If now we have reached a point where the nato alliance means
- 00:16:50.302 --> 00:16:53.405
- That we can't use those bases, that, in fact,
- 00:16:53.405 --> 00:16:56.041
- That we can no longer use those basis
- 00:16:56.041 --> 00:16:57.909
- To defend america's interests, that nato is a one way street.
- 00:16:57.909 --> 00:17:01.113
- You know, president trump said flatly, nato wasn't there
- 00:17:02.214 --> 00:17:05.016
- When we needed them.
- 00:17:05.016 --> 00:17:06.351
- He believes the problem with nato started.
- 00:17:06.351 --> 00:17:07.986
- And when he began talking about expanding our bases in
- 00:17:07.986 --> 00:17:11.123
- Greenland before china tries to take it.
- 00:17:11.123 --> 00:17:14.326
- How big a mistake
- 00:17:14.326 --> 00:17:15.260
- Is this on their part, and what might it mean
- 00:17:15.260 --> 00:17:17.262
- If putin tries to move further into europe?
- 00:17:17.262 --> 00:17:20.565
- I think it's a big mistake by nato.
- 00:17:21.333 --> 00:17:23.301
- While they may not have liked how this conflict
- 00:17:23.301 --> 00:17:25.570
- Started with the united states taking the lead with israel
- 00:17:25.570 --> 00:17:28.807
- At the end of the day, a threat needed to be addressed.
- 00:17:28.807 --> 00:17:32.644
- It was the number one state sponsor of terrorism.
- 00:17:32.644 --> 00:17:35.447
- Iran was building
- 00:17:35.447 --> 00:17:36.515
- A nuclear weapon, and so they had to be attacked.
- 00:17:36.515 --> 00:17:40.452
- There was no choice.
- 00:17:40.452 --> 00:17:41.820
- Iran put the world in this position.
- 00:17:41.820 --> 00:17:44.256
- The united states took the leadership role,
- 00:17:44.256 --> 00:17:46.725
- Nato, in their failure
- 00:17:46.725 --> 00:17:48.927
- And actually initially condemning what we were doing
- 00:17:48.927 --> 00:17:52.197
- Just shows in some ways
- 00:17:52.197 --> 00:17:53.698
- How feckless the europeans are
- 00:17:53.698 --> 00:17:55.300
- When it comes to really understanding the threat.
- 00:17:55.300 --> 00:17:57.702
- Look at it today.
- 00:17:57.702 --> 00:17:58.970
- Russia has invaded ukraine.
- 00:17:58.970 --> 00:18:00.906
- The largest conflict on the european continent
- 00:18:00.906 --> 00:18:03.608
- Since world war two.
- 00:18:03.608 --> 00:18:05.810
- The european countries together could have given ukraine
- 00:18:05.810 --> 00:18:09.381
- All of the weapons that they needed.
- 00:18:09.381 --> 00:18:11.516
- But instead, every time putin bluffed that he was going
- 00:18:11.516 --> 00:18:14.419
- To do something, every time he rattled the saber,
- 00:18:14.419 --> 00:18:16.922
- Or even the nuclear saber, they cowered in fear,
- 00:18:16.922 --> 00:18:19.991
- Looked to the united states for leadership.
- 00:18:19.991 --> 00:18:22.160
- And so today, when this is going on,
- 00:18:22.160 --> 00:18:24.396
- I think at the end of the day, well,
- 00:18:24.396 --> 00:18:26.097
- I don't think we need to pull out of nato.
- 00:18:26.097 --> 00:18:28.200
- We certainly need to look at what that organization
- 00:18:28.200 --> 00:18:30.669
- Means for our national security as well as the
- 00:18:30.669 --> 00:18:33.738
- European continent.
- 00:18:33.738 --> 00:18:34.940
- It does give continuity across
- 00:18:34.940 --> 00:18:36.741
- Weapons systems and communications.
- 00:18:36.741 --> 00:18:38.643
- But by the same token,
- 00:18:38.643 --> 00:18:40.178
- After the
- 00:18:40.178 --> 00:18:41.012
- After the fall of the soviet union
- 00:18:41.012 --> 00:18:42.747
- And the warsaw pact dissolved. why does europe,
- 00:18:42.747 --> 00:18:45.483
- Why does the nato really exist today?
- 00:18:45.483 --> 00:18:48.153
- If you look at it in many ways, nato exists because it does
- 00:18:48.153 --> 00:18:51.656
- Prevent europe from going war to itself.
- 00:18:51.656 --> 00:18:54.025
- President clinton
- 00:18:54.025 --> 00:18:55.093
- And general clark in bosnia, herzegovina and kosovo
- 00:18:55.093 --> 00:18:58.063
- And serbia proved that
- 00:18:58.063 --> 00:18:59.898
- With the bombing
- 00:18:59.898 --> 00:19:01.099
- Campaign in 1998, because it was the only unifying factor.
- 00:19:01.099 --> 00:19:04.603
- Otherwise, europe was fracturing
- 00:19:04.603 --> 00:19:06.104
- Along the lines of 1914 and world war one.
- 00:19:06.104 --> 00:19:09.207
- So the alliance can still do good.
- 00:19:09.207 --> 00:19:12.210
- We could still be a part of it,
- 00:19:12.210 --> 00:19:14.145
- But they are going to have to undergo some reorganization
- 00:19:14.145 --> 00:19:17.515
- And some reprioritization of how nations help each other.
- 00:19:17.515 --> 00:19:21.419
- Well, before we run out of time, i'd like to hear your thoughts
- 00:19:21.419 --> 00:19:24.122
- On the brave rescue the u.s.
- 00:19:24.122 --> 00:19:25.590
- Conducted to get back the air force colonel
- 00:19:25.590 --> 00:19:28.026
- Who had to eject from the f-15 that was shot down.
- 00:19:28.026 --> 00:19:31.296
- What does that say about the united states
- 00:19:31.296 --> 00:19:32.831
- Military that you don't find elsewhere in the world?
- 00:19:32.831 --> 00:19:35.967
- I think when
- 00:19:36.301 --> 00:19:37.402
- You look at that is we don't leave anyone behind.
- 00:19:37.402 --> 00:19:40.605
- Let's face it, today
- 00:19:40.605 --> 00:19:41.873
- We are still trying to recover
- 00:19:41.873 --> 00:19:43.441
- The remains of world war two airmen.
- 00:19:43.441 --> 00:19:45.810
- Korea, vietnam, all the conflicts in our past.
- 00:19:45.810 --> 00:19:50.315
- We still go out so that no one is left in my air.
- 00:19:50.315 --> 00:19:53.752
- And eventually, i'd love to see it
- 00:19:53.752 --> 00:19:55.220
- To a point where we could lower that p.o.w.
- 00:19:55.220 --> 00:19:57.322
- Mia flag because we've recovered everyone.
- 00:19:57.322 --> 00:20:00.258
- That's probably an impossible goal,
- 00:20:00.258 --> 00:20:02.327
- But it is an ideal one to continue to pursue.
- 00:20:02.327 --> 00:20:05.497
- And the fact that we dedicated the resources necessary
- 00:20:05.497 --> 00:20:08.800
- Send a signal to the world that our people are valued,
- 00:20:08.800 --> 00:20:12.871
- That we want to take care of them.
- 00:20:12.871 --> 00:20:14.606
- And even when we give them the best equipment in the world,
- 00:20:14.606 --> 00:20:17.375
- Yes, occasionally things will happen, like people
- 00:20:17.375 --> 00:20:20.245
- Getting shot down,
- 00:20:20.245 --> 00:20:21.446
- But nonetheless, when they do, we will do whatever it takes
- 00:20:21.446 --> 00:20:25.617
- In order to make sure that they come home
- 00:20:25.617 --> 00:20:27.319
- Safely to their families. amen.
- 00:20:27.319 --> 00:20:29.921
- Well, commander lippold, thank you for your time today
- 00:20:29.921 --> 00:20:32.524
- And for your service to our country.
- 00:20:32.524 --> 00:20:34.726
- We'll have you back on soon and enjoy your time out in montana.
- 00:20:34.726 --> 00:20:39.597
- Thank you very much.
- 00:20:40.065 --> 00:20:40.932
- Looking forward to it.
- 00:20:40.932 --> 00:20:41.933
- The weather's beautiful coming out of winter.
- 00:20:41.933 --> 00:20:44.069
- When i come back, i'll go through your emails,
- 00:20:44.069 --> 00:20:46.371
- Which i thank you for sending in.
- 00:20:46.371 --> 00:20:48.139
- If you haven't done so, yeah, you can log on to aj now.com.
- 00:20:48.139 --> 00:20:51.409
- Click on the upper right and you'll see where to send one.
- 00:20:51.409 --> 00:20:53.945
- I'll be back in just a moment.
- 00:20:53.945 --> 00:20:59.009
- I'll be back in just a moment.
- 00:20:59.009 --> 00:21:03.989
- Thank you for spending a few minutes of your day with us
- 00:21:05.124 --> 00:21:07.727
- Your emails, your thoughts and opinions.
- 00:21:07.727 --> 00:21:09.495
- They're always a highlight.
- 00:21:09.495 --> 00:21:11.197
- Nancy commented on our youtube episode with captain chuck nash.
- 00:21:11.197 --> 00:21:15.835
- Expose your life and heart to god and find the truth.
- 00:21:15.835 --> 00:21:18.838
- Expose your life and heart to evil and you will find evil.
- 00:21:18.838 --> 00:21:22.375
- Evil starts with pretty little lies
- 00:21:22.375 --> 00:21:24.310
- Until you're no longer able to hear and understand the truth.
- 00:21:24.310 --> 00:21:27.680
- Please walk away from the lies and the father of lies
- 00:21:27.680 --> 00:21:30.516
- Before you can no longer hear the truth.
- 00:21:30.516 --> 00:21:33.586
- Well, nancy, i think that is really good counsel.
- 00:21:33.586 --> 00:21:37.022
- You know, we all need to pay attention
- 00:21:37.022 --> 00:21:38.557
- To what we choose to listen to,
- 00:21:38.557 --> 00:21:39.925
- Even for our sources of information and news.
- 00:21:39.925 --> 00:21:42.928
- If we listen to the deception long enough, we become deceived.
- 00:21:42.928 --> 00:21:46.699
- Your friends who you bring into
- 00:21:46.699 --> 00:21:48.067
- Your circle of influence, it really matters.
- 00:21:48.067 --> 00:21:51.103
- And ultimately, as i've been saying
- 00:21:51.103 --> 00:21:52.938
- A great deal lately, i think your kitchen table
- 00:21:52.938 --> 00:21:55.808
- And the power
- 00:21:55.808 --> 00:21:57.009
- Of that kitchen table as the organizing point of your home,
- 00:21:57.009 --> 00:22:00.579
- Have a meal together at your table.
- 00:22:00.579 --> 00:22:02.648
- No devices.
- 00:22:02.648 --> 00:22:04.083
- Unpack with one another
- 00:22:04.083 --> 00:22:05.217
- What's happening in the world, what you understand.
- 00:22:05.217 --> 00:22:07.520
- Learn together.
- 00:22:07.520 --> 00:22:08.487
- Establish your values in your home,
- 00:22:08.487 --> 00:22:11.190
- Especially if you still have
- 00:22:11.190 --> 00:22:12.558
- Small children or grandchildren there.
- 00:22:12.558 --> 00:22:14.493
- It makes all the difference.
- 00:22:14.493 --> 00:22:16.362
- God is moving in the earth.
- 00:22:16.362 --> 00:22:17.730
- I want to be a part of that and cooperate with him.
- 00:22:17.730 --> 00:22:20.266
- I believe you do as well. have a good evening.
- 00:22:20.266 --> 00:22:20.266