From wars and rumors of war abroad, to the rise of anti-Christian, "woke" ideology here at home, it’s clear that Americans are living in perilous and unprecedented times. Some would even say that we’re witnessing biblical prophecy unfold in real time. Stakelbeck Tonight will make sense of these stunning developments through a bold and biblical lens.
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Stakelbeck Tonight | Erick Stakelbeck: February 12, 2025 | Stakelbeck Tonight | February 12, 2025
- Welcome to stakelbeck tonight.
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- I'm erick stakelbeck.
- 00:00:04.593 --> 00:00:05.794
- And if the past three weeks have shown us anything, it's
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- That peace through strength works.
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- It worked 40 years ago for ronald reagan,
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- And it's working today for donald trump.
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- We saw the latest example on
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- Tuesday night when american school teacher
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- Mark fogle returned home after four years in russian captivity.
- 00:00:21.276 --> 00:00:26.181
- Fogle had been sentenced to 14 years in a russian prison
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- For being in possession of medically prescribed marijuana.
- 00:00:29.651 --> 00:00:33.222
- President trump had promised fogle
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- 95 year old mother back in july that he would bring her
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- Son home.
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- And he did exactly that.
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- Just 22 days after taking office.
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- The president welcomed fogle
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- At the white house last night, and it was an emotional scene.
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- Take a look.
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- I love our country
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- And i'm so happy to be back here and
- 00:00:55.043 --> 00:01:02.484
- I wish i could articulate it better.
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- You've done beautifully.
- 00:01:04.620 --> 00:01:05.621
- And he's got a great mother.
- 00:01:05.621 --> 00:01:08.290
- And when i saw the mother at a rally,
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- She said to you, if you win, when you get my son out,
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- And i promise she's 95 years old and we'll get him out.
- 00:01:14.429 --> 00:01:18.700
- And we got him out pretty quickly.
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- And she told me that exact exact words.
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- She made quite an impression.
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- Amazing.
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- Now, earlier today, another american citizen
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- Was released from captivity in belarus.
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- And remember, late last month, president trump secured
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- The release of six americans
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- Who'd been imprisoned in venezuela.
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- And he's promising to bring more americans home
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- Who are imprisoned abroad, including from gaza.
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- Folks strong leadership matters.
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- President trump held a 90 minute phone call
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- With russian president vladimir putin today, and putin
- 00:01:51.934 --> 00:01:55.037
- Agreed to begin negotiations with ukraine immediately.
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- That's no coincidence.
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- It's clear that america is once again respected in the world
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- And maybe even a little bit feared by our adversaries is
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- Which is a very good thing, especially when it comes
- 00:02:08.684 --> 00:02:12.287
- To the middle east.
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- Now, king abdullah of jordan is not an adversary.
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- He's one of our strongest allies in the middle east.
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- But during his meeting with president trump
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- At the white house yesterday,
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- He understood that trump means business
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- When it comes to that gaza relocate action plan.
- 00:02:26.568 --> 00:02:29.538
- Take a look.
- 00:02:29.538 --> 00:02:31.440
- I think
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- One of the things that we can do right away,
- 00:02:32.407 --> 00:02:34.977
- It's take 2000 children that are either cancer children
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- Or in a very ill state to jordan as quickly as possible
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- And then wait for the egyptians to present that plan on
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- How we can work with the president
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- To work on all kinds of challenges.
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- So i said, excuse me, wait, just please.
- 00:02:52.261 --> 00:02:57.266
- I didn't know that what you just said,
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- 2000 children with cancer or other problems.
- 00:02:58.767 --> 00:03:02.237
- And that's really a beautiful gesture.
- 00:03:02.237 --> 00:03:08.443
- Now, what abdullah is proposing is certainly a start.
- 00:03:08.443 --> 00:03:11.046
- But remember, president trump's
- 00:03:11.046 --> 00:03:12.581
- Ultimate goal is to relocate all palestinians from gaza
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- And resettle them in other muslim countries as the u.s.
- 00:03:16.952 --> 00:03:20.889
- Rebuilds the strip
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- And turns it into something far different than the terror hub
- 00:03:22.291 --> 00:03:25.927
- That it's been. take a look.
- 00:03:25.927 --> 00:03:29.264
- With egypt, i think
- 00:03:29.264 --> 00:03:30.565
- You're going to see some
- 00:03:30.565 --> 00:03:31.433
- Great progress. i think with jordan,
- 00:03:31.433 --> 00:03:33.535
- You're going to see some great progress.
- 00:03:33.535 --> 00:03:35.537
- Three of us there, we'll have some others helping.
- 00:03:35.537 --> 00:03:37.306
- And we're going to have some others
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- That are very high level helping and the whole thing will come.
- 00:03:38.540 --> 00:03:41.576
- It's not a complex thing to do.
- 00:03:41.576 --> 00:03:43.745
- And with the united states being in control of that
- 00:03:43.745 --> 00:03:47.049
- Piece of land,
- 00:03:47.049 --> 00:03:48.283
- A fairly large piece of land, you're going to have stability
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- In the middle east for the first time.
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- And the palestinians are the people that live
- 00:03:53.155 --> 00:03:56.825
- Now in gaza will be living beautifully in another location.
- 00:03:56.825 --> 00:04:02.230
- Folks, the big question is whether jordan, egypt
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- And other muslim countries will go along with this plan.
- 00:04:05.467 --> 00:04:08.904
- It's clear that
- 00:04:08.904 --> 00:04:10.105
- President trump has leverage and he's not afraid to use it.
- 00:04:10.105 --> 00:04:13.742
- Things are about
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- To get very interesting
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- In the world's most strategic and prophetic region.
- 00:04:15.644 --> 00:04:18.847
- And our team in israel
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- Correspondent yara pinto joins us
- 00:04:20.082 --> 00:04:22.117
- From just outside jerusalem to break it down next.
- 00:04:22.117 --> 00:04:42.537
- Hamas is threatening to put a halt to hostage releases
- 00:04:43.572 --> 00:04:47.109
- As part of its shaky ceasefire deal with israel.
- 00:04:47.109 --> 00:04:50.312
- President
- 00:04:50.312 --> 00:04:51.246
- Trump says that all hell could break loose
- 00:04:51.246 --> 00:04:52.848
- If the hostages are not released.
- 00:04:52.848 --> 00:04:54.983
- But what are israeli officials saying?
- 00:04:54.983 --> 00:04:57.853
- Could we see a new israeli offensive against hamas
- 00:04:57.853 --> 00:05:01.656
- Terrorists in gaza?
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- Joining us now from just outside jerusalem to break it down
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- Is our tbn israel correspondent, yaya pinto, co-host of boots
- 00:05:06.428 --> 00:05:10.265
- On the ground, seen
- 00:05:10.265 --> 00:05:11.333
- Right here on tbn every thursday night at 9:30 p.m.
- 00:05:11.333 --> 00:05:14.469
- Eastern time. yeah.
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- Always great to see you, my friend.
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- What do you think?
- 00:05:17.672 --> 00:05:18.507
- Look, if hamas sticks to this threat
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- And they do not release hostages this coming weekend,
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- Will the idf be forced to go back into gaza
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- And to hit hamas hard and send a message?
- 00:05:28.517 --> 00:05:32.687
- Well, let me explain the
- 00:05:32.687 --> 00:05:34.156
- Situation on the ground at this very moment.
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- After hamas said that the cease fire is frozen, basically
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- On hold because of unstated israeli violations,
- 00:05:42.030 --> 00:05:47.536
- Netanyahu said, okay, if you do not release
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- The hostages, all of them, by saturday at noon,
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- All the gloves are off and we're back into hostilities
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- And he's not just saying that the entire military,
- 00:05:58.480 --> 00:06:01.817
- The idf, and this is including the air force, the navy,
- 00:06:01.817 --> 00:06:06.021
- The ground forces and the tanks unit are all prepared.
- 00:06:06.021 --> 00:06:10.859
- And when i'm saying prepared, i mean that tanks are mobilized
- 00:06:10.859 --> 00:06:14.696
- Around the gaza strip and ready to enter in full force
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- To resume the operation to dismantle hamas completely.
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- The air force has already hundreds of targets
- 00:06:23.438 --> 00:06:26.475
- That are picked in order to strike immediately
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- Once they get the order that they can do that.
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- And the navy has also operational plan
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- To conduct the offensive against hamas.
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- This is the situation.
- 00:06:39.287 --> 00:06:40.455
- So it's more than just vague threats.
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- Thousands.
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- And i'm saying even tens of thousands,
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- Including people i know and you know as well,
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- Have been called into the gaza
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- Strip again, as part of their reserve duty.
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- And mandatory fighters are not allowed to go home
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- Because of the heightened
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- Security alerts surrounding the gaza strip.
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- So this is very serious.
- 00:07:03.211 --> 00:07:04.846
- And i think that hamas to take it serious as well.
- 00:07:04.846 --> 00:07:07.315
- Yeah, this is no doubt very serious here, as you said.
- 00:07:07.315 --> 00:07:10.018
- And look,
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- You've been on the ground in gaza
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- As a member of the israel defense forces reserves.
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- Hamas obviously has been hit
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- And hit very hard since october 7th.
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- But what will it take?
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- May be a bit of a tricky question,
- 00:07:21.062 --> 00:07:22.430
- But what will it take to accomplish that stated goal
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- Of prime minister netanyahu, of completely destroying hamas?
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- Is that possible?
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- Well, you know,
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- It seems like it's something that is impossible
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- In the current situation that we had in the gaza strip
- 00:07:37.078 --> 00:07:40.715
- Because hamas was in charge of the health ministry of gaza,
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- In charge
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- Of the educational system of the gaza strip, in charge of
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- The basically raising
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- The next generation, employing the workers of gaza with jobs.
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- But now, after trump presented his new
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- Plan for the gaza strip, there is
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- There is a different hope because there is an option.
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- If you remove all the palestinians from gaza,
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- Cleave the gaza strip, from all the hamas terrorists,
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- From all the bombs, and rebuild it.
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- They have hope.
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- They have a chance for a better future.
- 00:08:18.286 --> 00:08:20.088
- You know, without hamas, a terrorist organization
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- Being their leaders.
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- So i believe that it goes together.
- 00:08:25.193 --> 00:08:28.229
- The ability to destroy hamas with trump's
- 00:08:28.229 --> 00:08:31.600
- Plan for the gaza strip. yeah.
- 00:08:31.600 --> 00:08:33.868
- And it seems look, the israeli cabinet ministers. yeah.
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- Have spoken approve vaguely about president trump's plan.
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- Do you get the sense on the ground
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- That israelis are saying, hey, wait a minute,
- 00:08:41.610 --> 00:08:43.545
- This is a great plan?
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- It's certainly something different from the same
- 00:08:45.080 --> 00:08:48.483
- Old tired strategy we've seen for decades in gaza,
- 00:08:48.483 --> 00:08:52.253
- Outside the box, thinking sorely needed here.
- 00:08:52.253 --> 00:08:55.523
- And do you think this is a plan that what president trump
- 00:08:55.523 --> 00:08:58.059
- Has put forth
- 00:08:58.059 --> 00:08:59.260
- That prime minister netanyahu is really going to pursue?
- 00:08:59.260 --> 00:09:02.163
- About a minute left.
- 00:09:02.163 --> 00:09:04.199
- Yeah, definitely.
- 00:09:04.199 --> 00:09:05.400
- You know, the people of israel are sick and tired of this,
- 00:09:05.400 --> 00:09:09.504
- You know, two state solution that does not yield
- 00:09:09.504 --> 00:09:13.008
- Anything but more terrorism and having the terrorists
- 00:09:13.008 --> 00:09:16.077
- Really on our borders.
- 00:09:16.077 --> 00:09:17.912
- So this is something refreshing to have that
- 00:09:17.912 --> 00:09:21.750
- We do not need to negotiate with terrorists like hamas
- 00:09:21.750 --> 00:09:26.221
- And there is a hope for a better tomorrow for the civilian
- 00:09:26.221 --> 00:09:30.091
- Population of gaza.
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- The palestinians i'm talking about and living in israel
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- Without the fear of rockets attacks against us.
- 00:09:34.829 --> 00:09:37.899
- So this is the situation and, you know,
- 00:09:37.899 --> 00:09:40.101
- There's a long way ahead of us, but it looks positive.
- 00:09:40.101 --> 00:09:42.570
- Yeah, the same zombified two state solution
- 00:09:42.570 --> 00:09:45.774
- Narrative, that paradigm now.
- 00:09:45.774 --> 00:09:47.375
- I think, yeah, in the very least,
- 00:09:47.375 --> 00:09:48.943
- President trump has smashed that.
- 00:09:48.943 --> 00:09:50.845
- It's going to be very interesting
- 00:09:50.845 --> 00:09:52.414
- To see how this plays out for the remainder of the year.
- 00:09:52.414 --> 00:09:54.716
- Hey, my friend,
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- It's a cold night there
- 00:09:55.650 --> 00:09:56.918
- In the biblical heartland outside of jerusalem.
- 00:09:56.918 --> 00:09:59.187
- So we're going to let you go inside and get warm. yeah.
- 00:09:59.187 --> 00:10:01.589
- Thank you so much for joining us. great update, folks.
- 00:10:01.589 --> 00:10:04.092
- Catch him every thursday night, 9:30 p.m.
- 00:10:04.092 --> 00:10:06.094
- Eastern time.
- 00:10:06.094 --> 00:10:06.995
- Boots on the ground right here on tbn.
- 00:10:06.995 --> 00:10:09.397
- Yeah. god bless my friend. we will see you again soon.
- 00:10:09.397 --> 00:10:11.733
- And coming up after the break.
- 00:10:11.733 --> 00:10:13.401
- More on this gaza relocation plan, iran's nuclear program
- 00:10:13.401 --> 00:10:18.406
- And some other state sponsors of terrorism
- 00:10:18.406 --> 00:10:21.242
- That you need to know about.
- 00:10:21.242 --> 00:10:22.477
- Jonathan chandler, top middle east expert, is with us.
- 00:10:22.477 --> 00:10:25.313
- That's next. don't move.
- 00:10:25.313 --> 00:10:32.002
- That's next. don't move.
- 00:10:32.002 --> 00:10:34.657
- Welcome back to stakelbeck tonight
- 00:10:35.391 --> 00:10:37.026
- Are some of the world's
- 00:10:37.026 --> 00:10:38.160
- Most persistent and dangerous problems like gaza
- 00:10:38.160 --> 00:10:42.531
- And iran's nuclear program about to be solved?
- 00:10:42.531 --> 00:10:46.035
- Is it a new day or is the middle east
- 00:10:46.035 --> 00:10:49.171
- About to enter a new phase of instability?
- 00:10:49.171 --> 00:10:52.842
- No one knows that troubled region
- 00:10:52.842 --> 00:10:54.510
- Better than jonathan schanzer.
- 00:10:54.510 --> 00:10:56.445
- He's executive director at the foundation
- 00:10:56.445 --> 00:10:58.147
- For defense of democracies in washington, dc,
- 00:10:58.147 --> 00:11:00.783
- And he joins us from d.c.
- 00:11:00.783 --> 00:11:02.318
- Now. john, always great to see you.
- 00:11:02.318 --> 00:11:04.286
- Hey, the big talk right now, obviously,
- 00:11:04.286 --> 00:11:06.555
- Is this gaza relocation proposal of president trump.
- 00:11:06.555 --> 00:11:10.259
- King abdullah of jordan
- 00:11:10.259 --> 00:11:11.427
- Was in the oval office with him yesterday.
- 00:11:11.427 --> 00:11:13.829
- Now, there are reports, though,
- 00:11:13.829 --> 00:11:15.231
- That president sisi in egypt may not visit d.c.
- 00:11:15.231 --> 00:11:18.334
- Because he opposes this relocation plan.
- 00:11:18.334 --> 00:11:21.604
- John, what's the latest here?
- 00:11:21.604 --> 00:11:23.272
- Is this plan possible or will it strain relations
- 00:11:23.272 --> 00:11:26.976
- Between the u.s.
- 00:11:26.976 --> 00:11:28.144
- And the likes of egypt?
- 00:11:28.144 --> 00:11:29.812
- Well, it's already strained relations between egypt
- 00:11:29.812 --> 00:11:33.082
- And jordan and the united states and israel, by extension.
- 00:11:33.082 --> 00:11:37.753
- But i think we need to be clear.
- 00:11:37.753 --> 00:11:38.854
- This isn't a plan.
- 00:11:38.854 --> 00:11:40.189
- It's a notion.
- 00:11:40.189 --> 00:11:41.257
- It's an idea. it's the beginning of a conversation
- 00:11:41.257 --> 00:11:43.692
- That has to happen.
- 00:11:43.692 --> 00:11:44.760
- This is a a longstanding,
- 00:11:44.760 --> 00:11:48.197
- Sclerotic, ossified view held by the arab world
- 00:11:48.197 --> 00:11:52.368
- That palestinians need to stay in territory
- 00:11:52.368 --> 00:11:55.404
- That was earmarked
- 00:11:55.404 --> 00:11:56.839
- For the palestinian national project, that no one can leave,
- 00:11:56.839 --> 00:12:00.643
- And that effectively these people are imprisoned
- 00:12:00.643 --> 00:12:03.312
- By the rest of the arab world that is cheering them on
- 00:12:03.312 --> 00:12:06.282
- To defeat israel, when that just simply won't happen.
- 00:12:06.282 --> 00:12:09.685
- There is no answer other than
- 00:12:09.685 --> 00:12:12.421
- To probably walk away from gaza for a time,
- 00:12:12.421 --> 00:12:15.391
- Let it be reconstructed, and then let palestinians
- 00:12:15.391 --> 00:12:17.726
- Figure out whether they want to live there or not.
- 00:12:17.726 --> 00:12:19.995
- But in the meantime, what we have is jordan digging in.
- 00:12:19.995 --> 00:12:22.431
- I think they're taking probably a little bit
- 00:12:22.431 --> 00:12:24.066
- More of a conciliatory tone than the egyptians, at least.
- 00:12:24.066 --> 00:12:27.770
- King of king abdullah came out the other day
- 00:12:27.770 --> 00:12:29.972
- And said, well, we'll take in 2000
- 00:12:29.972 --> 00:12:32.174
- Palestinian children who are sick or hospitalized.
- 00:12:32.174 --> 00:12:35.778
- That was a small concession
- 00:12:35.778 --> 00:12:38.013
- On the part of the hashemite kingdom.
- 00:12:38.013 --> 00:12:39.982
- But egypt digging in and saying that they won't even send
- 00:12:39.982 --> 00:12:43.018
- Their president
- 00:12:43.018 --> 00:12:44.086
- To meet with the president of the united states.
- 00:12:44.086 --> 00:12:46.789
- That is a strong statement that is not likely to go over
- 00:12:46.789 --> 00:12:50.092
- Well here with the trump administration.
- 00:12:50.092 --> 00:12:52.461
- Yeah, very interesting.
- 00:12:52.461 --> 00:12:53.295
- And, john, you and i were talking off
- 00:12:53.295 --> 00:12:54.797
- Camera about, look, hamas hostage releases.
- 00:12:54.797 --> 00:12:57.933
- Hamas is saying they may not release some of the hostages.
- 00:12:57.933 --> 00:13:01.470
- Over the weekend, president
- 00:13:01.470 --> 00:13:02.938
- Trump saying you better release them.
- 00:13:02.938 --> 00:13:04.874
- And you and i were talking off camera and you said, look,
- 00:13:04.874 --> 00:13:07.209
- People need to fasten your seatbelts.
- 00:13:07.209 --> 00:13:09.411
- We could see hostilities break out again in the region
- 00:13:09.411 --> 00:13:12.748
- In a major way.
- 00:13:12.748 --> 00:13:14.149
- Yeah, we can.
- 00:13:14.149 --> 00:13:14.884
- And, you know,
- 00:13:14.884 --> 00:13:15.985
- Look, what we've already seen is that hamas says,
- 00:13:15.985 --> 00:13:18.988
- You know, we're not going to be bullied by the united states.
- 00:13:18.988 --> 00:13:22.191
- Of course, they're the ones
- 00:13:22.191 --> 00:13:23.259
- Who killed 1200 people and took 254 people hostage.
- 00:13:23.259 --> 00:13:27.162
- I think we know who the bullies are,
- 00:13:27.162 --> 00:13:28.564
- But they're saying they won't be pushed around by the u.s.
- 00:13:28.564 --> 00:13:32.001
- And they've already turned off their cell phones.
- 00:13:32.001 --> 00:13:34.069
- They want to don't want to be tracked by israeli intelligence.
- 00:13:34.069 --> 00:13:36.972
- And they're preparing
- 00:13:36.972 --> 00:13:37.973
- For another round of fighting as we speak.
- 00:13:37.973 --> 00:13:41.210
- The houthis in yemen have said that they are willing
- 00:13:41.210 --> 00:13:44.713
- And ready to go back to battle with israel.
- 00:13:44.713 --> 00:13:47.283
- That means the firing of ballistic missiles
- 00:13:47.283 --> 00:13:49.485
- Made in iran, fired at israel from long distances.
- 00:13:49.485 --> 00:13:53.289
- That may happen if the war ramps back up in gaza.
- 00:13:53.289 --> 00:13:57.092
- And don't forget that hezbollah,
- 00:13:57.092 --> 00:13:58.761
- They lost like two thirds of their arsenal.
- 00:13:58.761 --> 00:14:01.430
- That's the good news.
- 00:14:01.430 --> 00:14:02.932
- They had about 150 to 180000 projectiles.
- 00:14:02.932 --> 00:14:07.069
- So about 100,000 of those
- 00:14:07.069 --> 00:14:08.637
- Have been destroyed because the israeli military took them out.
- 00:14:08.637 --> 00:14:11.807
- But they still have 50 or 60,000 projectiles.
- 00:14:11.807 --> 00:14:15.544
- They can shoot at israel if they want to from northern lebanon.
- 00:14:15.544 --> 00:14:20.082
- And that doesn't even get into what's going on in iraq.
- 00:14:20.082 --> 00:14:23.652
- They got these shiite militias
- 00:14:23.652 --> 00:14:25.220
- That could fire missiles at israel
- 00:14:25.220 --> 00:14:27.523
- Or american servicemen, as they've done in the past.
- 00:14:27.523 --> 00:14:30.492
- And we just don't even know
- 00:14:30.492 --> 00:14:31.927
- What the new regime in syria will do if war erupts.
- 00:14:31.927 --> 00:14:36.231
- This new leader, abu muhammad al giovanni, former al-kidd.
- 00:14:36.231 --> 00:14:40.202
- Right.
- 00:14:40.202 --> 00:14:41.203
- Says that he doesn't have a beef with israel,
- 00:14:41.203 --> 00:14:42.838
- But he's al qaeda at the end of the day.
- 00:14:42.838 --> 00:14:44.640
- So when i look out at the region right now, if we see this war
- 00:14:44.640 --> 00:14:48.711
- Kick back into high gear, there is the potential for that
- 00:14:48.711 --> 00:14:52.181
- Multi-front scenario that we were watching
- 00:14:52.181 --> 00:14:54.350
- Just a few short months ago.
- 00:14:54.350 --> 00:14:56.151
- We all tend to, i think, forget that iran still has the ability
- 00:14:56.151 --> 00:15:00.522
- To direct a lot of military traffic at israel's way.
- 00:15:00.522 --> 00:15:04.860
- Yeah. and they are obviously the head of the snake, jon.
- 00:15:04.860 --> 00:15:07.129
- That is their ring of fire.
- 00:15:07.129 --> 00:15:08.931
- They funded, built up, supported
- 00:15:08.931 --> 00:15:10.699
- That surrounds israel, which you just laid out, by the way.
- 00:15:10.699 --> 00:15:13.035
- Ayatollah khamenei, iran's supreme leader, said
- 00:15:13.035 --> 00:15:15.571
- Earlier today that iran should continue
- 00:15:15.571 --> 00:15:17.439
- To build up its ballistic missile program.
- 00:15:17.439 --> 00:15:19.808
- Jon, about a minute left before the break.
- 00:15:19.808 --> 00:15:21.410
- Then we will bring you right back.
- 00:15:21.410 --> 00:15:22.945
- It seems that iran hasn't gotten the memo.
- 00:15:22.945 --> 00:15:25.814
- As you said, hezbollah
- 00:15:25.814 --> 00:15:27.316
- Smashed to a large degree, still dangerous.
- 00:15:27.316 --> 00:15:29.451
- Of course, hamas in a very tough spot.
- 00:15:29.451 --> 00:15:31.754
- The houthis, assad gone in exile in moscow.
- 00:15:31.754 --> 00:15:35.357
- But iran seems undeterred, even though, by the way,
- 00:15:35.357 --> 00:15:38.660
- Their air defenses were destroyed by israel
- 00:15:38.660 --> 00:15:40.562
- Not so long ago. yeah, those air defenses are down.
- 00:15:40.562 --> 00:15:43.298
- We're looking at a window of weakness
- 00:15:43.298 --> 00:15:45.200
- Right now that the us and israel,
- 00:15:45.200 --> 00:15:48.437
- You know, maybe together, maybe, maybe separately,
- 00:15:48.437 --> 00:15:50.939
- They have the opportunity to weaken iran further.
- 00:15:50.939 --> 00:15:53.542
- The real question right now
- 00:15:53.542 --> 00:15:54.810
- Is whether donald trump
- 00:15:54.810 --> 00:15:56.011
- Wants to try to move forward with a deal which i think
- 00:15:56.011 --> 00:15:58.580
- Would be a terrible idea, would give the regime,
- 00:15:58.580 --> 00:16:01.083
- You know, kind of a lifeline or maybe to start to think about
- 00:16:01.083 --> 00:16:04.586
- Taking out those nuclear facilities,
- 00:16:04.586 --> 00:16:06.321
- The ballistic missile
- 00:16:06.321 --> 00:16:07.790
- Production sites,
- 00:16:07.790 --> 00:16:08.857
- Maybe some of the energy assets as well,
- 00:16:08.857 --> 00:16:11.193
- And really send the regime into a tailspin.
- 00:16:11.193 --> 00:16:13.228
- That's what i hope we'll see.
- 00:16:13.228 --> 00:16:14.496
- But i think that debate is on.
- 00:16:14.496 --> 00:16:16.298
- Yeah, the iranian nuclear menace,
- 00:16:16.298 --> 00:16:17.900
- Folks, we're going to pick up right there
- 00:16:17.900 --> 00:16:19.401
- With jonathan schanzer after the break.
- 00:16:19.401 --> 00:16:21.703
- What comes next?
- 00:16:21.703 --> 00:16:23.439
- Some people describe this iranian nuclear program
- 00:16:23.439 --> 00:16:25.941
- As the cuban missile crisis in slow motion.
- 00:16:25.941 --> 00:16:29.311
- But is this the year of reckoning for the ayatollahs?
- 00:16:29.311 --> 00:16:32.748
- More with jonathan chandor after the break. stick around.
- 00:16:32.748 --> 00:16:41.006
- More with jonathan chandor after the break. stick around.
- 00:16:41.006 --> 00:16:43.367
- Welcome back to stakelbeck tonight.
- 00:16:44.135 --> 00:16:45.570
- We're talking to our good friend, jonathan schanzer,
- 00:16:45.570 --> 00:16:47.438
- Executive director at the foundation
- 00:16:47.438 --> 00:16:49.407
- For defense of democracies in washington, dc.
- 00:16:49.407 --> 00:16:52.510
- And jon, last week, obviously, bibi met with president trump
- 00:16:52.510 --> 00:16:56.314
- At the white house and the iran nuclear program
- 00:16:56.314 --> 00:16:59.417
- Was at the top of the agenda during their meetings.
- 00:16:59.417 --> 00:17:01.986
- Anything you're hearing about that meeting
- 00:17:01.986 --> 00:17:05.823
- Is are we further hear towards a military solution
- 00:17:05.823 --> 00:17:09.127
- Or as you mentioned before the break, is president trump
- 00:17:09.127 --> 00:17:11.629
- Kind of fixated on some sort of grand bargain with the mullahs?
- 00:17:11.629 --> 00:17:15.533
- Look, i think we don't know.
- 00:17:15.533 --> 00:17:17.401
- And i think that's the signature of the trump policy.
- 00:17:17.401 --> 00:17:20.104
- You know, you got to expect the unexpected with this president.
- 00:17:20.104 --> 00:17:23.841
- I think what we have seen is an immediate and eager
- 00:17:23.841 --> 00:17:27.545
- Return to the maximum pressure
- 00:17:27.545 --> 00:17:29.747
- Campaign, that sanctions campaign
- 00:17:29.747 --> 00:17:31.449
- That is just draining the regime, the regime of resources.
- 00:17:31.449 --> 00:17:35.319
- And that's an important first step.
- 00:17:35.319 --> 00:17:37.855
- We are seeing continued
- 00:17:37.855 --> 00:17:39.056
- Coordination between israel
- 00:17:39.056 --> 00:17:40.525
- And the united states on air defenses
- 00:17:40.525 --> 00:17:42.793
- And making sure that the israelis
- 00:17:42.793 --> 00:17:44.395
- Have the munitions that they need in order
- 00:17:44.395 --> 00:17:46.397
- To tackle that ring of fire
- 00:17:46.397 --> 00:17:48.299
- That the iranian regime has built on israel's borders.
- 00:17:48.299 --> 00:17:52.503
- And by the way,
- 00:17:52.503 --> 00:17:53.638
- Some of those weapons can be used by israel's f-35s
- 00:17:53.638 --> 00:17:56.841
- As as we've seen as they've gone into iranian airspace
- 00:17:56.841 --> 00:18:01.045
- In the past, as well as against the houthis in yemen.
- 00:18:01.045 --> 00:18:05.016
- But the real question remains as to
- 00:18:05.016 --> 00:18:06.651
- Whether donald trump wants to try to cut a deal.
- 00:18:06.651 --> 00:18:09.086
- We know he sees himself as the ultimate deal maker.
- 00:18:09.086 --> 00:18:12.490
- He would love,
- 00:18:12.490 --> 00:18:13.658
- I think, nothing more than to bring iran to its knees and
- 00:18:13.658 --> 00:18:17.328
- Then force them to cut a deal that would potentially end
- 00:18:17.328 --> 00:18:21.399
- The nuclear crisis once and for all.
- 00:18:21.399 --> 00:18:23.501
- The challenge here,
- 00:18:23.501 --> 00:18:24.735
- And this is what i hear in israel,
- 00:18:24.735 --> 00:18:26.504
- Is that the regime is very good at playing rope a dope
- 00:18:26.504 --> 00:18:29.540
- With whoever they're negotiating with.
- 00:18:29.540 --> 00:18:31.209
- So they continue to drag the negotiations along
- 00:18:31.209 --> 00:18:36.447
- And ultimately try to get what they want out of the other side.
- 00:18:36.447 --> 00:18:40.251
- I don't know if donald trump would fall
- 00:18:40.251 --> 00:18:41.886
- For that sort of stuff, but of course,
- 00:18:41.886 --> 00:18:44.021
- We know that this is what the regime has done
- 00:18:44.021 --> 00:18:46.357
- With the likes
- 00:18:46.357 --> 00:18:47.525
- Of the obama administration, the biden administration.
- 00:18:47.525 --> 00:18:49.860
- We don't want to see it happen here.
- 00:18:49.860 --> 00:18:51.429
- Yeah, they're the dirtiest players
- 00:18:51.429 --> 00:18:53.197
- In the game, needless to say, john, and two other regimes
- 00:18:53.197 --> 00:18:56.601
- That i think we i hope we may see held accountable soon.
- 00:18:56.601 --> 00:19:01.172
- Turkey and qatar.
- 00:19:01.172 --> 00:19:02.573
- Now, john, you've been sounding alarm
- 00:19:02.573 --> 00:19:03.941
- About these two regimes for a long time.
- 00:19:03.941 --> 00:19:06.510
- You've said, look, these are state
- 00:19:06.510 --> 00:19:08.079
- Sponsors of terrorism, harboring, supporting hamas.
- 00:19:08.079 --> 00:19:11.782
- What's the latest there with turkey,
- 00:19:11.782 --> 00:19:13.517
- Qatar, their support of hamas,
- 00:19:13.517 --> 00:19:15.419
- And how do they factor into any sort of future for gaza,
- 00:19:15.419 --> 00:19:18.656
- If at all?
- 00:19:18.656 --> 00:19:19.490
- Look, these two countries continue
- 00:19:19.490 --> 00:19:21.225
- To run interference for hamas.
- 00:19:21.225 --> 00:19:22.994
- And i mean, no one does it more than the qataris.
- 00:19:22.994 --> 00:19:26.998
- They continue to play the role of arsonist and firefighter.
- 00:19:26.998 --> 00:19:30.134
- They've been supporting hamas financially.
- 00:19:30.134 --> 00:19:32.403
- They give them a headquarters.
- 00:19:32.403 --> 00:19:33.771
- And at the same time, they're out there
- 00:19:33.771 --> 00:19:35.506
- Trying to negotiate
- 00:19:35.506 --> 00:19:36.540
- Purportedly on behalf of the united states
- 00:19:36.540 --> 00:19:38.643
- And israel to get the release of these hostages.
- 00:19:38.643 --> 00:19:40.845
- They have not done their job.
- 00:19:40.845 --> 00:19:42.780
- I think that is clear to see.
- 00:19:42.780 --> 00:19:45.049
- And i think the real question facing the president right now
- 00:19:45.049 --> 00:19:47.718
- Is whether we let this insane arrangement continue.
- 00:19:47.718 --> 00:19:51.489
- I would love to see the trump administration begin
- 00:19:51.489 --> 00:19:54.125
- To come down on the qataris like a ton of bricks,
- 00:19:54.125 --> 00:19:56.560
- Make them force the hamas leadership out of qatar,
- 00:19:56.560 --> 00:19:59.797
- Forced them to cut off funding to qatar
- 00:19:59.797 --> 00:20:02.133
- And really force them to dial
- 00:20:02.133 --> 00:20:03.701
- Back on all the support they provide to al qaeda,
- 00:20:03.701 --> 00:20:05.836
- The taliban, the new regime in syria.
- 00:20:05.836 --> 00:20:08.606
- And actually, when we talk about that
- 00:20:08.606 --> 00:20:10.007
- Regime in syria, there is one address
- 00:20:10.007 --> 00:20:12.576
- For everything that happens right now under the peace
- 00:20:12.576 --> 00:20:17.048
- Or hayat tahrir al-sham government, and that is turkey.
- 00:20:17.048 --> 00:20:20.551
- Turkey is
- 00:20:20.551 --> 00:20:21.719
- You see the personnel crawling all over syria right now.
- 00:20:21.719 --> 00:20:25.189
- The lira there, their currency is what is used,
- 00:20:25.189 --> 00:20:28.959
- And that is how you buy things in the central
- 00:20:28.959 --> 00:20:32.463
- Kind of population centers of syria.
- 00:20:32.463 --> 00:20:34.899
- The turks can bring this government to heel
- 00:20:34.899 --> 00:20:38.502
- And should be held responsible for the al qaeda government
- 00:20:38.502 --> 00:20:41.706
- That's there.
- 00:20:41.706 --> 00:20:42.707
- The hamas government, such as it is,
- 00:20:42.707 --> 00:20:45.509
- Is it's unraveling in the gaza strip. also,
- 00:20:45.509 --> 00:20:48.479
- The turks have a significant amount of influence there.
- 00:20:48.479 --> 00:20:51.282
- So these are two countries, as you rightly note.
- 00:20:51.282 --> 00:20:53.384
- We talked about it on your program in the past.
- 00:20:53.384 --> 00:20:55.653
- These are muslim brotherhood islamist supporters.
- 00:20:55.653 --> 00:20:58.356
- They should not be viewed as allies of the united states.
- 00:20:58.356 --> 00:21:02.259
- Turkey should not be part of nato's.
- 00:21:02.259 --> 00:21:04.028
- Qatar should not be a major non-nato ally.
- 00:21:04.028 --> 00:21:06.864
- Both should be shunned by this administration.
- 00:21:06.864 --> 00:21:09.800
- We're just going to have to hope here
- 00:21:09.800 --> 00:21:11.302
- That the trump administration figures that out quickly
- 00:21:11.302 --> 00:21:14.438
- And begins to take action. john? well said.
- 00:21:14.438 --> 00:21:16.774
- And look, turkey,
- 00:21:16.774 --> 00:21:17.975
- The second largest military, nato behind the united states.
- 00:21:17.975 --> 00:21:21.078
- Jon, about 30 seconds left.
- 00:21:21.078 --> 00:21:22.847
- How concerned should israel be about turkey setting up shop
- 00:21:22.847 --> 00:21:26.851
- In a major way in syria at israel's doorstep?
- 00:21:26.851 --> 00:21:30.187
- Look, they're worried.
- 00:21:30.187 --> 00:21:31.055
- They're looking on.
- 00:21:31.055 --> 00:21:32.223
- They know that al qaeda doesn't change its spots, right?
- 00:21:32.223 --> 00:21:34.592
- So they know that they now have
- 00:21:34.592 --> 00:21:36.227
- An al qaeda regime on their doorstep.
- 00:21:36.227 --> 00:21:38.162
- They're watching carefully.
- 00:21:38.162 --> 00:21:39.630
- They're learning very quickly.
- 00:21:39.630 --> 00:21:41.132
- They've got to get up to speed because
- 00:21:41.132 --> 00:21:42.233
- They were so focused on iran.
- 00:21:42.233 --> 00:21:43.868
- But i would expect a pivot in terms of intelligence collection
- 00:21:43.868 --> 00:21:47.371
- And focus politically on what's going on over there in syria.
- 00:21:47.371 --> 00:21:50.775
- While the middle east never sleeps.
- 00:21:50.775 --> 00:21:52.510
- Thank god we have jonathan sands.
- 00:21:52.510 --> 00:21:53.978
- We're keeping a very close eye on it for us. folks.
- 00:21:53.978 --> 00:21:56.213
- Follow him on x across social media.
- 00:21:56.213 --> 00:21:58.749
- And, of course, john, great insights as always, my friend.
- 00:21:58.749 --> 00:22:01.752
- God bless. we will see you again soon.
- 00:22:01.752 --> 00:22:03.654
- And coming up after the break, my final thoughts
- 00:22:03.654 --> 00:22:06.490
- On what this all means for you.
- 00:22:06.490 --> 00:22:10.127
- That's next. stick around.
- 00:22:10.127 --> 00:22:17.015
- That's next. stick around.
- 00:22:17.015 --> 00:22:19.343
- Welcome back to stakelbeck tonightfolks as we wrap up here.
- 00:22:20.478 --> 00:22:23.014
- Why should you care about israel?
- 00:22:23.014 --> 00:22:24.715
- Well, because god cares about his land and his people.
- 00:22:24.715 --> 00:22:27.919
- He has an eternal covenant with the land of israel,
- 00:22:27.919 --> 00:22:30.521
- Which he made clear throughout his words.
- 00:22:30.521 --> 00:22:32.190
- Speaking of which, israel is going to be just fine.
- 00:22:32.190 --> 00:22:34.926
- We're talking wars, rumors of wars, his enemies gathering.
- 00:22:34.926 --> 00:22:38.229
- Think of psalm two, verses one through six.
- 00:22:38.229 --> 00:22:41.098
- Why did the nations conspire in the people's plot
- 00:22:41.098 --> 00:22:43.868
- And vain the kings of the earth rise up and the rulers
- 00:22:43.868 --> 00:22:46.938
- Band together against the lord and his anointed, saying,
- 00:22:46.938 --> 00:22:50.041
- Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles.
- 00:22:50.041 --> 00:22:53.044
- But the one enthroned in heaven, god almighty, laughs.
- 00:22:53.044 --> 00:22:56.314
- The lord scoffs at them.
- 00:22:56.314 --> 00:22:57.582
- He rebukes them in his anger
- 00:22:57.582 --> 00:22:59.250
- And terrifies them in his wrath, saying,
- 00:22:59.250 --> 00:23:01.452
- I have installed my king on zion, my holy mountain.
- 00:23:01.452 --> 00:23:05.156
- That's king jesus.
- 00:23:05.156 --> 00:23:06.290
- He still sits on the throne. so be encouraged.
- 00:23:06.290 --> 00:23:09.060
- Tomorrow night we're talking china and air arms
- 00:23:09.060 --> 00:23:12.129
- Raised with that communist regime. that and much more.
- 00:23:12.129 --> 00:23:14.832
- Until then, god bless you and we'll see you soon.
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