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 13, 2025 | Stakelbeck Tonight | February 13, 2025
- Welcome to stakelbeck tonight.
- 00:00:03.093 --> 00:00:04.561
- I'm ercik stakelbeck.
- 00:00:04.561 --> 00:00:05.795
- And when i told you that 2025 would be the year of reckoning
- 00:00:05.795 --> 00:00:10.100
- For iran's nuclear program, i wasn't exaggerating.
- 00:00:10.100 --> 00:00:14.204
- U.s. intelligence agencies believe israel could strike
- 00:00:14.204 --> 00:00:17.740
- Iran's nuclear facilities this year,
- 00:00:17.740 --> 00:00:20.343
- According to a report from the wall street journal.
- 00:00:20.343 --> 00:00:22.912
- Folks, israel sees a golden opportunity here
- 00:00:22.912 --> 00:00:26.149
- To eliminate the iranian nuclear threat.
- 00:00:26.149 --> 00:00:28.551
- And it's not hard to see why.
- 00:00:28.551 --> 00:00:30.820
- In recent months, israel has destroyed iran's air
- 00:00:30.820 --> 00:00:33.756
- Defenses and dismantled its terror proxies like hamas
- 00:00:33.756 --> 00:00:37.794
- And hezbollah.
- 00:00:37.794 --> 00:00:39.062
- Israel's defense minister summed it up in november when he
- 00:00:39.062 --> 00:00:42.031
- Said, quote, iran is more exposed
- 00:00:42.031 --> 00:00:45.034
- Than ever to strikes on its nuclear facilities.
- 00:00:45.034 --> 00:00:48.238
- We have the opportunity to achieve our most important goal
- 00:00:48.238 --> 00:00:52.142
- To thwart and eliminate the existential threat
- 00:00:52.142 --> 00:00:55.512
- To the state of israel.
- 00:00:55.512 --> 00:00:56.813
- And a big reason for that as the wall street journal
- 00:00:56.813 --> 00:00:59.883
- Report laid out, is donald trump's return to office.
- 00:00:59.883 --> 00:01:03.786
- Israel believes that unlike joe biden, president
- 00:01:03.786 --> 00:01:07.257
- Trump would fully support a strike
- 00:01:07.257 --> 00:01:09.692
- Against iran's nuclear sites, which is a good thing
- 00:01:09.692 --> 00:01:13.062
- Because israel would likely need support
- 00:01:13.062 --> 00:01:15.498
- From the united states military, particularly u.s.
- 00:01:15.498 --> 00:01:18.835
- Munitions, in order to carry out the kind of successful strike
- 00:01:18.835 --> 00:01:22.705
- That would set back iran's nuclear program for years.
- 00:01:22.705 --> 00:01:26.242
- Remember, iran's
- 00:01:26.242 --> 00:01:27.810
- Nuclear sites are spread out across that country
- 00:01:27.810 --> 00:01:31.014
- And some are heavily fortified and deep underground.
- 00:01:31.014 --> 00:01:34.851
- So bunker busting bombs may be in order.
- 00:01:34.851 --> 00:01:38.955
- In the meantime, president trump has renewed
- 00:01:38.955 --> 00:01:41.457
- His maximum pressure campaign against iran with the goal
- 00:01:41.457 --> 00:01:45.128
- Of squeezing the regime economically to the point
- 00:01:45.128 --> 00:01:48.498
- That it cries uncle and gives up its nuclear ambitions.
- 00:01:48.498 --> 00:01:52.969
- If that doesn't happen, the president was very clear
- 00:01:52.969 --> 00:01:55.772
- Last week that iran's ayatollahs are in for a rude awakening.
- 00:01:55.772 --> 00:02:01.844
- They cannot have a nuclear weapon.
- 00:02:01.844 --> 00:02:03.580
- Very simple.
- 00:02:03.580 --> 00:02:04.814
- I'm not putting restrictions.
- 00:02:04.814 --> 00:02:06.449
- I'm not.
- 00:02:06.449 --> 00:02:07.116
- They can not have one thing.
- 00:02:07.116 --> 00:02:09.552
- They cannot have a nuclear weapon.
- 00:02:09.552 --> 00:02:11.354
- And if i think that
- 00:02:11.354 --> 00:02:12.956
- They will have a nuclear weapon, despite what i just said, that
- 00:02:12.956 --> 00:02:16.759
- I think that's going to be very unfortunate for them.
- 00:02:16.759 --> 00:02:20.964
- Folks, we've said it again and again over the past
- 00:02:20.964 --> 00:02:23.533
- 24 days since president trump returned to office.
- 00:02:23.533 --> 00:02:26.769
- Peace through strength works and so does having leverage
- 00:02:26.769 --> 00:02:31.274
- And not being hesitant to use it.
- 00:02:31.274 --> 00:02:33.476
- After four years of weakness and decline under biden,
- 00:02:33.476 --> 00:02:37.213
- Trump is reminding everyone that america is still
- 00:02:37.213 --> 00:02:40.617
- The most powerful country in the world.
- 00:02:40.617 --> 00:02:42.885
- And in less than a month, he's already used that leverage
- 00:02:42.885 --> 00:02:46.089
- To america's great benefit in dealing with everyone
- 00:02:46.089 --> 00:02:49.592
- From canada and mexico to russia to jordan, even hamas.
- 00:02:49.592 --> 00:02:54.264
- No longer will america be taken advantage of.
- 00:02:54.264 --> 00:02:57.800
- That includes our relationship with our nato allies.
- 00:02:57.800 --> 00:03:02.038
- The united states spent $755 billion on defense in 2020.
- 00:03:02.038 --> 00:03:07.677
- For the other 29 nato's member nations combined,
- 00:03:07.677 --> 00:03:11.314
- Including europe and canada, spent roughly half of that.
- 00:03:11.314 --> 00:03:15.318
- In a meeting with nato's secretary
- 00:03:15.318 --> 00:03:16.953
- General in brussels yesterday.
- 00:03:16.953 --> 00:03:18.755
- Defense secretary pete hegseth
- 00:03:18.755 --> 00:03:20.657
- Said the rest of nato's needs to start pulling its weight.
- 00:03:20.657 --> 00:03:24.694
- And it seems his message was received loud and clear.
- 00:03:24.694 --> 00:03:28.831
- Take a look.
- 00:03:28.831 --> 00:03:31.067
- Obviously, defense spending.
- 00:03:31.067 --> 00:03:33.002
- Clearly, we have to do more and we have to ramp up
- 00:03:33.002 --> 00:03:36.406
- Defense spending because we know we cannot
- 00:03:36.406 --> 00:03:38.941
- Protect ourselves for five years from now if we don't.
- 00:03:38.941 --> 00:03:42.078
- And also, we need to ramp up defense spending
- 00:03:42.078 --> 00:03:43.980
- Because it is clear that us u.s.
- 00:03:43.980 --> 00:03:46.849
- Rightly requires us to do more here
- 00:03:46.849 --> 00:03:49.552
- On the european side and the canadian side of natal.
- 00:03:49.552 --> 00:03:52.622
- It's only fair. it's only sensible.
- 00:03:52.622 --> 00:03:55.158
- We also discuss defense industrial production
- 00:03:55.158 --> 00:03:57.794
- Because we simply do not produce enough.
- 00:03:57.794 --> 00:04:00.730
- This is including the u.s.
- 00:04:00.730 --> 00:04:01.931
- And up to and including turkey and everything in between.
- 00:04:01.931 --> 00:04:04.701
- We need to really
- 00:04:04.701 --> 00:04:05.835
- Get more output from our huge defense industrial base
- 00:04:05.835 --> 00:04:10.273
- To keep up with russia and the chinese and others.
- 00:04:10.273 --> 00:04:15.211
- Very interesting.
- 00:04:15.211 --> 00:04:16.379
- All of a sudden, europe wants to play ball.
- 00:04:16.379 --> 00:04:18.915
- I wonder why
- 00:04:18.915 --> 00:04:20.283
- Now if europeans had any doubt
- 00:04:20.283 --> 00:04:21.951
- That the world is a very dangerous place.
- 00:04:21.951 --> 00:04:24.487
- They received a
- 00:04:24.487 --> 00:04:25.621
- Horrific reminder earlier today when a man rammed a car
- 00:04:25.621 --> 00:04:29.392
- Into a crowd of people in munich, germany, injuring 28.
- 00:04:29.392 --> 00:04:33.396
- The attacker, who's now in police custody, is an afghan
- 00:04:33.396 --> 00:04:37.500
- Refugee who's in germany seeking asylum.
- 00:04:37.500 --> 00:04:40.670
- By the way, the vice president is there in munich.
- 00:04:40.670 --> 00:04:43.072
- He landed today with his family
- 00:04:43.072 --> 00:04:45.041
- To attend an upcoming security conference.
- 00:04:45.041 --> 00:04:47.777
- Folks, my prayer is that with the trump effect
- 00:04:47.777 --> 00:04:50.313
- Now in full effect,
- 00:04:50.313 --> 00:04:51.714
- The west will be inspired to shake off its slumber
- 00:04:51.714 --> 00:04:55.351
- And get serious about preserving judeo-christian civilization.
- 00:04:55.351 --> 00:04:59.789
- Coming up, we'll talk to two top foreign policy experts
- 00:04:59.789 --> 00:05:03.025
- For a threat breakdown and what america and israel must do.
- 00:05:03.025 --> 00:05:07.964
- And it all starts now.
- 00:05:07.964 --> 00:05:26.315
- President trump says
- 00:05:26.783 --> 00:05:28.050
- It's his goal to end the wars in the middle east and ukraine.
- 00:05:28.050 --> 00:05:31.554
- But will iran, hamas and russia comply?
- 00:05:31.554 --> 00:05:35.658
- Joining us now to break it down is cliff may, founder
- 00:05:35.658 --> 00:05:37.960
- And president of the foundation
- 00:05:37.960 --> 00:05:39.695
- For defense of democracies in washington, d.c.
- 00:05:39.695 --> 00:05:42.265
- And host of the foreign policy podcast.
- 00:05:42.265 --> 00:05:44.767
- Cliff, always great to see you.
- 00:05:44.767 --> 00:05:46.669
- Hey, let's start with iran.
- 00:05:46.669 --> 00:05:48.671
- The wall street journal reported this week that u.s.
- 00:05:48.671 --> 00:05:51.073
- Intelligence officials believe
- 00:05:51.073 --> 00:05:52.542
- And israeli strike on iran's nuclear facilities
- 00:05:52.542 --> 00:05:55.611
- Could come this year.
- 00:05:55.611 --> 00:05:56.846
- Cliff, i know president trump
- 00:05:56.846 --> 00:05:58.681
- Wants to solve this diplomatically, but right now
- 00:05:58.681 --> 00:06:01.551
- Seems like a golden opportunity to strike those nuclear sites.
- 00:06:01.551 --> 00:06:06.155
- Do you think military action may be inevitable?
- 00:06:06.155 --> 00:06:09.592
- It may be inevitable.
- 00:06:09.592 --> 00:06:10.993
- And one thing i would say is the fact
- 00:06:10.993 --> 00:06:13.696
- That the iranian regime
- 00:06:13.696 --> 00:06:15.431
- Has to worry that the israelis may strike
- 00:06:15.431 --> 00:06:18.334
- Is one thing that may move them to say,
- 00:06:18.334 --> 00:06:20.169
- All right, let's see if we can't get a deal
- 00:06:20.169 --> 00:06:22.705
- That president trump and the israelis will accept.
- 00:06:22.705 --> 00:06:26.075
- And that would have to be a deal
- 00:06:26.075 --> 00:06:27.510
- To get rid of their nuclear programs
- 00:06:27.510 --> 00:06:30.313
- In order to get rid of their nuclear programs.
- 00:06:30.313 --> 00:06:32.014
- They need to say on the record very clearly what
- 00:06:32.014 --> 00:06:35.651
- All their nuclear activities are and have been.
- 00:06:35.651 --> 00:06:38.120
- They have never done that, in fact.
- 00:06:38.120 --> 00:06:39.989
- So there's a lot to do.
- 00:06:39.989 --> 00:06:40.990
- But if they're really afraid of getting hit,
- 00:06:40.990 --> 00:06:43.392
- Then they might be willing to make some concessions
- 00:06:43.392 --> 00:06:46.095
- Rather than get hit.
- 00:06:46.095 --> 00:06:47.663
- But that fear is necessary if they don't have that fear.
- 00:06:47.663 --> 00:06:51.133
- There's no way they're going to make a good deal.
- 00:06:51.133 --> 00:06:53.102
- And it's going to they're going to they've got to deal.
- 00:06:53.102 --> 00:06:55.838
- That was good for them, as trump understood out of obama,
- 00:06:55.838 --> 00:06:59.709
- Because it was a deal that said you delay it
- 00:06:59.709 --> 00:07:01.644
- For a while and you can be a nuclear power pretty soon.
- 00:07:01.644 --> 00:07:04.480
- And we're talking like, you know, around now.
- 00:07:04.480 --> 00:07:06.449
- So, anyhow,
- 00:07:06.449 --> 00:07:07.550
- The israelis have to be thinking about that now
- 00:07:07.550 --> 00:07:09.819
- Before the air defenses that the israelis took out
- 00:07:09.819 --> 00:07:13.689
- Are restored in some way before they start to build back
- 00:07:13.689 --> 00:07:17.393
- Their defenses better.
- 00:07:17.393 --> 00:07:18.661
- Yeah, the clock is ticking.
- 00:07:18.661 --> 00:07:20.029
- Cliff, great point.
- 00:07:20.029 --> 00:07:20.830
- And speaking of leverage and peace
- 00:07:20.830 --> 00:07:22.465
- Through strength, hamas
- 00:07:22.465 --> 00:07:23.699
- Now saying they will release hostages this weekend.
- 00:07:23.699 --> 00:07:27.670
- Cliff, where do you think that's heading?
- 00:07:27.670 --> 00:07:29.038
- We have president trump, of course,
- 00:07:29.038 --> 00:07:30.273
- Putting forth this gaza relocation plan.
- 00:07:30.273 --> 00:07:32.708
- Jordan and egypt
- 00:07:32.708 --> 00:07:33.843
- Don't seem too happy about it, but end game in gaza.
- 00:07:33.843 --> 00:07:37.680
- I know it's hard to see that far ahead,
- 00:07:37.680 --> 00:07:39.515
- But could this relocation plan work?
- 00:07:39.515 --> 00:07:42.852
- Could it really happen?
- 00:07:42.852 --> 00:07:45.354
- I think actually, it could.
- 00:07:45.354 --> 00:07:47.223
- I think it's very interesting that president trump is decided
- 00:07:47.223 --> 00:07:50.526
- To break the normal paradigm, which is that
- 00:07:50.526 --> 00:07:53.362
- There has to be a two state solution
- 00:07:53.362 --> 00:07:55.097
- When we know hamas doesn't want a two state solution.
- 00:07:55.097 --> 00:07:57.600
- Hamas's grievances that israel exists.
- 00:07:57.600 --> 00:08:00.303
- Also, president trump just looked at gaza
- 00:08:00.303 --> 00:08:03.205
- And said, look, there's rubble all over the place.
- 00:08:03.205 --> 00:08:06.375
- There are unexploded ordnance, there's ieds.
- 00:08:06.375 --> 00:08:10.713
- It has to be cleared.
- 00:08:10.713 --> 00:08:11.581
- You can't clear when people are there.
- 00:08:11.581 --> 00:08:13.549
- They're going to have to go somewhere.
- 00:08:13.549 --> 00:08:15.051
- Now, in every war, practically throughout history,
- 00:08:15.051 --> 00:08:18.955
- There have been people
- 00:08:18.955 --> 00:08:19.855
- Who have wanted to flee the conflict
- 00:08:19.855 --> 00:08:22.291
- And they've been allowed to do so.
- 00:08:22.291 --> 00:08:23.759
- In fact, i'm not sure it's not a violation
- 00:08:23.759 --> 00:08:25.828
- Of international law for, for example, egypt to say, nope,
- 00:08:25.828 --> 00:08:29.298
- We're not taking any refugees from this war, even temporarily.
- 00:08:29.298 --> 00:08:33.135
- We have plenty of room in the sinai peninsula.
- 00:08:33.135 --> 00:08:35.204
- We can have tents.
- 00:08:35.204 --> 00:08:36.339
- International community will provide them whatever.
- 00:08:36.339 --> 00:08:38.708
- No, we're not going to do it.
- 00:08:38.708 --> 00:08:39.842
- Why are they not going to do it?
- 00:08:39.842 --> 00:08:41.544
- Well, that's an interesting question.
- 00:08:41.544 --> 00:08:43.379
- Two reasons, probably not mutually exclusive.
- 00:08:43.379 --> 00:08:46.382
- One is
- 00:08:46.382 --> 00:08:47.617
- They want these gazans to serve as human shields for hamas.
- 00:08:47.617 --> 00:08:51.320
- They want them to get killed because that's bad for israel,
- 00:08:51.320 --> 00:08:53.756
- Too, is they see these they see people from gaza
- 00:08:53.756 --> 00:08:57.526
- As destabilizing
- 00:08:57.526 --> 00:08:58.794
- Because they may be members of supporters of hamas,
- 00:08:58.794 --> 00:09:02.565
- Which is the muslim brotherhood, which is jihadi.
- 00:09:02.565 --> 00:09:05.034
- So both there are both those reasons.
- 00:09:05.034 --> 00:09:06.902
- But what trump is saying, get them out temporarily.
- 00:09:06.902 --> 00:09:08.871
- We're not talking about forced evac forced evacuations.
- 00:09:08.871 --> 00:09:11.874
- People want to leave and get out of the area
- 00:09:11.874 --> 00:09:13.809
- Because there's nothing for them there. let's do it now.
- 00:09:13.809 --> 00:09:16.212
- He's going to have to put a lot
- 00:09:16.212 --> 00:09:17.346
- Of pressure on egypt and jordan to get them to agree.
- 00:09:17.346 --> 00:09:20.950
- But trump knows how to put pressure
- 00:09:20.950 --> 00:09:22.652
- On one of those countries.
- 00:09:22.652 --> 00:09:24.754
- Yeah, cliff, to me, this seems like a commonsense plan.
- 00:09:24.754 --> 00:09:27.423
- And as you said, the paradigm, it's
- 00:09:27.423 --> 00:09:29.258
- It's smashing the failed paradigm, the two state madness.
- 00:09:29.258 --> 00:09:32.862
- It's going back decades and decades.
- 00:09:32.862 --> 00:09:34.964
- Speaking of smashing the paradigm,
- 00:09:34.964 --> 00:09:36.932
- Russia, ukraine, president trump held
- 00:09:36.932 --> 00:09:38.701
- A call with putin this week and he's been talking to zelensky.
- 00:09:38.701 --> 00:09:42.538
- Do you think we could actually see an end to that conflict?
- 00:09:42.538 --> 00:09:46.375
- I know putin says now he's willing to negotiate.
- 00:09:46.375 --> 00:09:49.445
- Can we see an end to russia, ukraine, maybe sometime
- 00:09:49.445 --> 00:09:53.582
- In the near future, now that trump is back in office?
- 00:09:53.582 --> 00:09:56.919
- I don't think we see an end to the conflict.
- 00:09:56.919 --> 00:09:59.522
- I think
- 00:09:59.522 --> 00:10:00.723
- We might see a cease fire, which we never should confuse
- 00:10:00.723 --> 00:10:04.093
- With an end to the conflict.
- 00:10:04.093 --> 00:10:05.327
- It's an end to immediate hostilities.
- 00:10:05.327 --> 00:10:07.563
- And maybe an end to people dying for a while.
- 00:10:07.563 --> 00:10:10.833
- But putin has ambitions.
- 00:10:10.833 --> 00:10:12.468
- What would happen if you had a cease fire?
- 00:10:12.468 --> 00:10:14.603
- I think putin would try to build up his
- 00:10:14.603 --> 00:10:17.506
- His his his munitions and his military strength
- 00:10:17.506 --> 00:10:21.510
- And might well come back at the same time.
- 00:10:21.510 --> 00:10:24.113
- The ukrainians will do the same.
- 00:10:24.113 --> 00:10:25.548
- They'll buy weapons and they'll try to be more
- 00:10:25.548 --> 00:10:27.483
- Of what we like to call a porcupine.
- 00:10:27.483 --> 00:10:29.785
- Hard to swallow.
- 00:10:29.785 --> 00:10:31.187
- Who wins in that battle of that kind of arms race?
- 00:10:31.187 --> 00:10:34.657
- I think that's hard to predict,
- 00:10:34.657 --> 00:10:36.625
- But i think that's what we may be heading towards.
- 00:10:36.625 --> 00:10:39.328
- It may be that putin feels he needs what he'll see
- 00:10:39.328 --> 00:10:42.298
- As a pause.
- 00:10:42.298 --> 00:10:43.365
- The ukrainians may think it's better to do that.
- 00:10:43.365 --> 00:10:47.069
- I think that's at least
- 00:10:47.069 --> 00:10:48.671
- A realistic possibility right now.
- 00:10:48.671 --> 00:10:50.973
- Yeah. cliff, great.
- 00:10:50.973 --> 00:10:52.208
- Break down
- 00:10:52.208 --> 00:10:52.708
- A great
- 00:10:52.708 --> 00:10:53.943
- Breakdown of the state of play right now in a very dangerous
- 00:10:53.943 --> 00:10:56.045
- World, folks.
- 00:10:56.045 --> 00:10:57.146
- Be sure to follow cliff on eqrx across social media.
- 00:10:57.146 --> 00:10:59.582
- Follow ftd as well. they're doing great work.
- 00:10:59.582 --> 00:11:02.017
- Cliff, great job, as always.
- 00:11:02.017 --> 00:11:03.252
- We'll see you again soon.
- 00:11:03.252 --> 00:11:04.286
- And coming up next, we've got iran.
- 00:11:04.286 --> 00:11:06.589
- We've got russia. and then there's china.
- 00:11:06.589 --> 00:11:09.191
- Are we in the middle of an air arms race with the communist
- 00:11:09.191 --> 00:11:13.295
- Regime in beijing?
- 00:11:13.295 --> 00:11:14.930
- We'll break it down with top china expert gordon chang
- 00:11:14.930 --> 00:11:17.733
- Next.
- 00:11:17.733 --> 00:11:21.006
- Next.
- 00:11:21.006 --> 00:11:23.974
- Welcome back to sstakelbeck tonight.
- 00:11:24.775 --> 00:11:26.376
- China right now is engaged in the largest military and nuclear
- 00:11:26.376 --> 00:11:30.380
- Build up of any nation since world war two.
- 00:11:30.380 --> 00:11:33.416
- The trump administration sees the communist regime in beijing
- 00:11:33.416 --> 00:11:36.453
- As america's number one strategic threat.
- 00:11:36.453 --> 00:11:39.623
- So are we headed into a new arms race with china,
- 00:11:39.623 --> 00:11:43.160
- Including in the field of artificial intelligence?
- 00:11:43.160 --> 00:11:46.496
- Joining us now with more is our good friend
- 00:11:46.496 --> 00:11:48.465
- Gordon chang,
- 00:11:48.465 --> 00:11:49.266
- Top china
- 00:11:49.266 --> 00:11:49.900
- Expert and author of several
- 00:11:49.900 --> 00:11:51.501
- Bestsellers, including his latest plan read
- 00:11:51.501 --> 00:11:54.538
- China's project to destroy america.
- 00:11:54.538 --> 00:11:57.507
- Gordon, always great to see you.
- 00:11:57.507 --> 00:11:59.342
- Hey. defense secretary pete hegseth was speaking in brussels
- 00:11:59.342 --> 00:12:02.546
- Yesterday with the nato's secretary general.
- 00:12:02.546 --> 00:12:04.981
- He had some interesting comments about,
- 00:12:04.981 --> 00:12:06.883
- I guess, what we could call gordon the trump doctrine.
- 00:12:06.883 --> 00:12:09.719
- Let's take a look.
- 00:12:09.719 --> 00:12:12.622
- Safeguarding european security
- 00:12:12.622 --> 00:12:14.324
- Must be an imperative for european members of nato's.
- 00:12:14.324 --> 00:12:18.428
- As part of this, europe must provide the overwhelming
- 00:12:18.428 --> 00:12:21.531
- Share of future lethal and non-lethal aid to ukraine.
- 00:12:21.531 --> 00:12:26.503
- Increasing your commitment
- 00:12:26.503 --> 00:12:28.839
- To your own security is a down payment for the future.
- 00:12:28.839 --> 00:12:31.975
- A down payment, as you said, mr.
- 00:12:31.975 --> 00:12:34.611
- Secretary, of peace through strength.
- 00:12:34.611 --> 00:12:40.917
- Gordon, great to have you with us.
- 00:12:40.917 --> 00:12:42.552
- How do you think the peace through strength
- 00:12:42.552 --> 00:12:44.888
- Doctrine that hedge seth has laid out?
- 00:12:44.888 --> 00:12:46.990
- How does that apply to china?
- 00:12:46.990 --> 00:12:49.559
- Well, clearly, china has, as you point out,
- 00:12:49.559 --> 00:12:52.028
- A preponderance of forces in east asia.
- 00:12:52.028 --> 00:12:55.432
- And we are behind the ball, as are our allies,
- 00:12:55.432 --> 00:12:58.935
- Such as the philippines and japan.
- 00:12:58.935 --> 00:13:02.138
- Right now, there is this buildup,
- 00:13:02.138 --> 00:13:04.507
- But the chinese are moving faster than we are.
- 00:13:04.507 --> 00:13:07.010
- So clearly, something's got to be done.
- 00:13:07.010 --> 00:13:08.979
- And i'm glad
- 00:13:08.979 --> 00:13:09.846
- The secretary of defense acknowledges
- 00:13:09.846 --> 00:13:11.581
- That and is working on the problem as we speak.
- 00:13:11.581 --> 00:13:14.918
- Yeah, seth mentioned china as well, his comments, gordon.
- 00:13:14.918 --> 00:13:17.921
- Let's take a look and basically say in europe,
- 00:13:17.921 --> 00:13:20.123
- We have in the united states a major, major issue
- 00:13:20.123 --> 00:13:23.793
- With the rise of the communist regime regime in beijing.
- 00:13:23.793 --> 00:13:26.596
- Let's take a look.
- 00:13:26.596 --> 00:13:28.965
- We're also here today to directly
- 00:13:28.965 --> 00:13:30.734
- And unambiguously express that stark strategic realities
- 00:13:30.734 --> 00:13:35.572
- Prevent the united states of america
- 00:13:35.572 --> 00:13:37.941
- From being primarily focused
- 00:13:37.941 --> 00:13:40.644
- On the security of europe.
- 00:13:40.644 --> 00:13:43.313
- The united states
- 00:13:43.313 --> 00:13:44.314
- Faces consequential threats to our homeland.
- 00:13:44.314 --> 00:13:47.317
- We must and we are focusing on security of our own borders.
- 00:13:47.317 --> 00:13:52.088
- We also face a peer competitor in the communist chinese
- 00:13:52.088 --> 00:13:55.926
- With the capability and intent to threaten our homeland
- 00:13:55.926 --> 00:13:59.562
- And core national interests in the indo-pacific.
- 00:13:59.562 --> 00:14:04.234
- Gordon, how big of a threat is china to the u.s.
- 00:14:04.234 --> 00:14:06.937
- Homeland right now?
- 00:14:06.937 --> 00:14:08.071
- You've been laying this out on x across social media
- 00:14:08.071 --> 00:14:10.807
- In your great books.
- 00:14:10.807 --> 00:14:12.175
- This is a clear and present danger,
- 00:14:12.175 --> 00:14:14.077
- It seems, posed by the regime in beijing.
- 00:14:14.077 --> 00:14:16.646
- Well, certainly
- 00:14:16.646 --> 00:14:17.881
- Because the communist party believes that the united states
- 00:14:17.881 --> 00:14:20.283
- Poses an existential threat to it.
- 00:14:20.283 --> 00:14:22.285
- And it's not because of anything that we say or do, eric,
- 00:14:22.285 --> 00:14:25.055
- But it's because of who we are.
- 00:14:25.055 --> 00:14:26.890
- An insecure regime is worried about the inspirational impact
- 00:14:26.890 --> 00:14:29.926
- Of america's
- 00:14:29.926 --> 00:14:31.027
- Values and form of governance on the chinese people.
- 00:14:31.027 --> 00:14:33.663
- So the communist party believes
- 00:14:33.663 --> 00:14:35.065
- It must destroy the united states,
- 00:14:35.065 --> 00:14:37.267
- Which is the reason
- 00:14:37.267 --> 00:14:38.301
- Why it declared a people's war on us in may 2019.
- 00:14:38.301 --> 00:14:41.871
- And by the way, the regime defines people's war
- 00:14:41.871 --> 00:14:45.308
- As total war.
- 00:14:45.308 --> 00:14:47.043
- We can see this from a number of things
- 00:14:47.043 --> 00:14:49.012
- That the chinese are doing from but not to others.
- 00:14:49.012 --> 00:14:51.982
- But also, we've got to remember that china has ceded hundreds
- 00:14:51.982 --> 00:14:55.819
- And perhaps
- 00:14:55.819 --> 00:14:56.953
- Tens of thousands of operatives and agents and soldiers
- 00:14:56.953 --> 00:15:00.223
- In our country through this migration, through
- 00:15:00.223 --> 00:15:02.225
- Both our southern and northern borders.
- 00:15:02.225 --> 00:15:04.361
- We've got to be extremely concerned
- 00:15:04.361 --> 00:15:05.996
- With these chinese incursions in our military
- 00:15:05.996 --> 00:15:08.031
- Bases, the drone overflights and the illicit surveillance.
- 00:15:08.031 --> 00:15:12.035
- Yeah. gordon, great points all around.
- 00:15:12.035 --> 00:15:13.737
- It seems we were largely asleep at the wheel over the past
- 00:15:13.737 --> 00:15:17.107
- Four years.
- 00:15:17.107 --> 00:15:17.941
- Is donald trump's return to office
- 00:15:17.941 --> 00:15:19.943
- A potential game changer vis a vis that china threat?
- 00:15:19.943 --> 00:15:23.813
- Or trump focuses on china far more than biden did.
- 00:15:23.813 --> 00:15:27.317
- Biden wouldn't even call the chinese an adversary.
- 00:15:27.317 --> 00:15:30.954
- He just said that they were merely a competitor.
- 00:15:30.954 --> 00:15:33.490
- But we need to have an american president who will be
- 00:15:33.490 --> 00:15:37.360
- Is willing to say china is an enemy.
- 00:15:37.360 --> 00:15:39.829
- And the reason is because the chinese call us an enemy
- 00:15:39.829 --> 00:15:42.899
- And we do not have, even today,
- 00:15:42.899 --> 00:15:45.769
- A sufficient
- 00:15:45.769 --> 00:15:46.903
- Appreciation of the malice that china has towards us
- 00:15:46.903 --> 00:15:50.273
- And its activities to try to take down our society.
- 00:15:50.273 --> 00:15:53.710
- We, the chinese, are preparing for war.
- 00:15:53.710 --> 00:15:55.812
- We need to be able to defend ourselves
- 00:15:55.812 --> 00:15:58.314
- And we need to start thinking
- 00:15:58.314 --> 00:16:00.650
- We're no longer a society at peace.
- 00:16:00.650 --> 00:16:02.786
- We are a society at the edge of catastrophe.
- 00:16:02.786 --> 00:16:05.789
- Well, and part of china's war strategy, gordon, seems to be
- 00:16:05.789 --> 00:16:09.125
- Artificial intelligence.
- 00:16:09.125 --> 00:16:10.760
- Coming up after the break, when going
- 00:16:10.760 --> 00:16:11.995
- Talk more with top china expert gordon chang about a potential
- 00:16:11.995 --> 00:16:15.732
- Ai arms race between the united states and china.
- 00:16:15.732 --> 00:16:19.436
- That's coming up. stick around.
- 00:16:19.436 --> 00:16:23.006
- That's coming up. stick around.
- 00:16:23.006 --> 00:16:26.211
- Welcome back to stakelbeck tonight
- 00:16:26.945 --> 00:16:28.213
- We're talking to gordon chang, author of plan
- 00:16:28.213 --> 00:16:30.348
- Red china's project to destroy america.
- 00:16:30.348 --> 00:16:34.286
- Gordon, could part of that project
- 00:16:34.286 --> 00:16:36.021
- Be artificial intelligence?
- 00:16:36.021 --> 00:16:38.090
- Vice president j.d.
- 00:16:38.090 --> 00:16:39.091
- Vance
- 00:16:39.091 --> 00:16:40.325
- Spoke about that, the rise of ai earlier this week in paris.
- 00:16:40.325 --> 00:16:43.929
- Take a look.
- 00:16:43.929 --> 00:16:47.099
- Now, we've also watched
- 00:16:47.099 --> 00:16:48.600
- As hostile foreign adversaries have weaponized a.i.
- 00:16:48.600 --> 00:16:52.304
- Software to rewrite history, surveil users and sensor speech.
- 00:16:52.304 --> 00:16:56.741
- This is hardly new, of course, as they do with other tech.
- 00:16:56.741 --> 00:17:00.879
- Some authoritarian regimes have stolen and used
- 00:17:00.879 --> 00:17:04.049
- Ai to strengthen their military intelligence
- 00:17:04.049 --> 00:17:07.252
- And surveillance capabilities, capture foreign data
- 00:17:07.252 --> 00:17:11.156
- And create propaganda to undermine other nations.
- 00:17:11.156 --> 00:17:14.459
- National security.
- 00:17:14.459 --> 00:17:16.228
- I want to be clear this administration will block
- 00:17:16.228 --> 00:17:19.531
- Such efforts full stop.
- 00:17:19.531 --> 00:17:23.935
- Now, gordon, the vice president didn't name china specifically,
- 00:17:23.935 --> 00:17:27.072
- But everything he's saying could apply
- 00:17:27.072 --> 00:17:28.974
- To the communist regime in beijing.
- 00:17:28.974 --> 00:17:31.109
- How is china using ai to, in their view,
- 00:17:31.109 --> 00:17:34.713
- Stay one step ahead of the united states and the world?
- 00:17:34.713 --> 00:17:38.150
- Well, this is pretty evident with the release of deep sea
- 00:17:38.150 --> 00:17:40.952
- Explorer one model on january 20.
- 00:17:40.952 --> 00:17:43.989
- What they did to train their model,
- 00:17:43.989 --> 00:17:46.625
- They used chad for open a.i.,
- 00:17:46.625 --> 00:17:50.328
- And that was a violation of open ai's terms of service,
- 00:17:50.328 --> 00:17:53.398
- Which means it was intellectual property theft.
- 00:17:53.398 --> 00:17:55.934
- But with a.i.
- 00:17:55.934 --> 00:17:57.068
- And this is true for all artificial intelligence,
- 00:17:57.068 --> 00:17:59.971
- It just absorbs an enormous amounts of data.
- 00:17:59.971 --> 00:18:03.141
- And researchers have found hidden code in deep sea ice.
- 00:18:03.141 --> 00:18:06.711
- One model that pipelines data to china mobile, which is a
- 00:18:06.711 --> 00:18:10.849
- Military linked company and sanctioned by the u.s..
- 00:18:10.849 --> 00:18:14.753
- So we can see that
- 00:18:14.753 --> 00:18:15.954
- This is going to be a data sinkhole even worse than tiktok.
- 00:18:15.954 --> 00:18:20.025
- And so i think that the united states needs to ban
- 00:18:20.025 --> 00:18:24.496
- Deep sea in the u.s.
- 00:18:24.496 --> 00:18:25.931
- And the president has the authority to do that.
- 00:18:25.931 --> 00:18:28.633
- The international emergency economic powers act, 1977.
- 00:18:28.633 --> 00:18:32.437
- I hope president trump uses that authority soon.
- 00:18:32.437 --> 00:18:36.341
- Yeah, a.i.
- 00:18:36.341 --> 00:18:37.542
- Is obviously a rising threat.
- 00:18:37.542 --> 00:18:39.377
- Gordon and president trump's made clear
- 00:18:39.377 --> 00:18:41.246
- He wants to stay ahead of the curve on that technology
- 00:18:41.246 --> 00:18:44.082
- And speak of staying ahead of the curve economically.
- 00:18:44.082 --> 00:18:47.285
- Tariffs against china.
- 00:18:47.285 --> 00:18:49.221
- Gordon can this be effective?
- 00:18:49.221 --> 00:18:51.156
- Obviously, president trump
- 00:18:51.156 --> 00:18:52.057
- Is talking about enforcing exactly that.
- 00:18:52.057 --> 00:18:54.259
- Is that an effective strategy to weaken the regime in beijing?
- 00:18:54.259 --> 00:18:57.929
- Oh, absolutely.
- 00:18:57.929 --> 00:18:59.264
- To see jinping, he's turned his back on consumption
- 00:18:59.264 --> 00:19:01.700
- As the foundation for the chinese economy.
- 00:19:01.700 --> 00:19:04.236
- And he is his only hope is to export more to the world.
- 00:19:04.236 --> 00:19:08.273
- Now, the u.s.
- 00:19:08.273 --> 00:19:09.040
- Is the world's largest export market.
- 00:19:09.040 --> 00:19:11.276
- It can't be replaced in any foreseeable time frame. so
- 00:19:11.276 --> 00:19:14.913
- President trump's use of tariffs can keep chinese goods out.
- 00:19:14.913 --> 00:19:18.817
- And that could substantially weaken jinping's hold on power.
- 00:19:18.817 --> 00:19:23.521
- This is really important for us to do for any number
- 00:19:23.521 --> 00:19:26.157
- Of different reasons, not just economic.
- 00:19:26.157 --> 00:19:28.827
- But clearly, this is something that xi
- 00:19:28.827 --> 00:19:31.062
- Jinping is extremely worried about.
- 00:19:31.062 --> 00:19:33.164
- So i'm glad that president trump's favorite word
- 00:19:33.164 --> 00:19:36.134
- In the dictionary, as he's told us, is tariff.
- 00:19:36.134 --> 00:19:39.804
- A very true.
- 00:19:39.804 --> 00:19:40.939
- And when we talk china, the big issue that everyone
- 00:19:40.939 --> 00:19:44.109
- Eventually gets around to gordan is taiwan.
- 00:19:44.109 --> 00:19:48.079
- China obviously really building up
- 00:19:48.079 --> 00:19:50.081
- During the biden years
- 00:19:50.081 --> 00:19:51.283
- And threatening and menacing taiwan more and more.
- 00:19:51.283 --> 00:19:54.819
- Now the president trump's in office,
- 00:19:54.819 --> 00:19:56.187
- We could continue talking about
- 00:19:56.187 --> 00:19:57.455
- The trump effect for certain, but now that he is in office,
- 00:19:57.455 --> 00:20:00.525
- Do you believe china has more hesitancy in approaching taiwan
- 00:20:00.525 --> 00:20:04.663
- And a potential invasion, god forbid, of that island nation?
- 00:20:04.663 --> 00:20:08.633
- Well, the chinese are very worried
- 00:20:08.633 --> 00:20:10.568
- About the unpredictability
- 00:20:10.568 --> 00:20:11.970
- Of president trump, and that keeps them
- 00:20:11.970 --> 00:20:15.140
- From doing all sorts of things.
- 00:20:15.140 --> 00:20:17.008
- But we've got to understand
- 00:20:17.008 --> 00:20:18.276
- That the people in taiwan and people in asia
- 00:20:18.276 --> 00:20:20.412
- And i think the leadership in
- 00:20:20.412 --> 00:20:22.213
- Beijing is very much looking to what will happen in the war
- 00:20:22.213 --> 00:20:25.583
- In ukraine, and that will have a major
- 00:20:25.583 --> 00:20:27.786
- Effect on xi jinping's mentality.
- 00:20:27.786 --> 00:20:30.088
- You will either be deterred or emboldened by what happens,
- 00:20:30.088 --> 00:20:33.458
- How that conflict ends.
- 00:20:33.458 --> 00:20:35.593
- Yeah. gordon, about a minute left.
- 00:20:35.593 --> 00:20:37.629
- Do you see what i've seen?
- 00:20:37.629 --> 00:20:38.897
- I've called it the gathering storm coalition.
- 00:20:38.897 --> 00:20:41.733
- Russia, china, iran, north korea.
- 00:20:41.733 --> 00:20:44.269
- Those seem like the big four in the worst of ways.
- 00:20:44.269 --> 00:20:47.172
- Coming closer together.
- 00:20:47.172 --> 00:20:48.673
- Do you see that playing out as well?
- 00:20:48.673 --> 00:20:50.108
- These rogue
- 00:20:50.108 --> 00:20:51.343
- Regimes and tyrannies cleaving closer together in opposition
- 00:20:51.343 --> 00:20:54.746
- To the united states and the free world?
- 00:20:54.746 --> 00:20:56.815
- No question about it.
- 00:20:56.815 --> 00:20:58.116
- I mean, you have china fighting proxy wars in ukraine
- 00:20:58.116 --> 00:21:00.852
- Because beijing is totally behind russia's effort.
- 00:21:00.852 --> 00:21:04.322
- Beijing is behind iran's assault on israel.
- 00:21:04.322 --> 00:21:07.325
- The october 7th attacks.
- 00:21:07.325 --> 00:21:09.561
- China and russia are cooperating and fueling insurgencies
- 00:21:09.561 --> 00:21:12.397
- In north africa that look like wars.
- 00:21:12.397 --> 00:21:14.899
- These are regimes, the four of them russia, china,
- 00:21:14.899 --> 00:21:18.069
- Iran, north korea,
- 00:21:18.069 --> 00:21:19.204
- Working very closely on many different fronts.
- 00:21:19.204 --> 00:21:22.507
- Yeah, and peace through strength is more important now
- 00:21:22.507 --> 00:21:25.343
- Than ever. gordon great job, folks.
- 00:21:25.343 --> 00:21:27.612
- Follow him on x across social media,
- 00:21:27.612 --> 00:21:29.981
- Pick up plan, read wherever books are sold.
- 00:21:29.981 --> 00:21:32.550
- Gordon always a pleasure, my friend. great breakdown.
- 00:21:32.550 --> 00:21:34.753
- God bless. gordon. we will see you again soon.
- 00:21:34.753 --> 00:21:36.821
- And coming up after the break,
- 00:21:36.821 --> 00:21:38.323
- My final thoughts were talking about peace through strength.
- 00:21:38.323 --> 00:21:41.793
- What about peace in the storm?
- 00:21:41.793 --> 00:21:44.362
- How can you find it?
- 00:21:44.362 --> 00:21:45.764
- I'll break that down next. stick around.
- 00:21:45.764 --> 00:21:51.007
- I'll break that down next. stick around.
- 00:21:51.007 --> 00:21:54.105
- Welcome back to stakelbeck tonight, folks.
- 00:21:55.006 --> 00:21:56.641
- As we wrap up here, a reminder to check out our stakelbeck
- 00:21:56.641 --> 00:21:59.844
- Tonight merch.
- 00:21:59.844 --> 00:22:00.945
- Now go to shop.tbn.org, you'll find stakelbeck tonight
- 00:22:00.945 --> 00:22:04.616
- Hoodies, mugs, t shirts, hats and more.
- 00:22:04.616 --> 00:22:07.752
- A great way to show your support for the show.
- 00:22:07.752 --> 00:22:10.555
- And speaking of support,
- 00:22:10.555 --> 00:22:12.257
- America can use some right now, of course
- 00:22:12.257 --> 00:22:14.492
- As we've got that gathering storm.
- 00:22:14.492 --> 00:22:16.528
- Russia, china, iran, north korea.
- 00:22:16.528 --> 00:22:18.696
- It's easy to hear our experts tonight
- 00:22:18.696 --> 00:22:21.332
- And get kind of anxious about it.
- 00:22:21.332 --> 00:22:23.268
- And yet the book of philippians chapter
- 00:22:23.268 --> 00:22:25.103
- Four, verses six and seven says
- 00:22:25.103 --> 00:22:26.938
- Do not be anxious about anything.
- 00:22:26.938 --> 00:22:29.307
- But in every situation,
- 00:22:29.307 --> 00:22:30.708
- By prayer and petition with thanksgiving,
- 00:22:30.708 --> 00:22:33.278
- Present your request to god and the peace of god,
- 00:22:33.278 --> 00:22:36.414
- Which transcends all understanding,
- 00:22:36.414 --> 00:22:38.216
- Will guard your hearts and your minds in christ jesus.
- 00:22:38.216 --> 00:22:42.187
- Another reminder here book of isaiah chapter 26, verse three
- 00:22:42.187 --> 00:22:45.924
- You will keep in perfect peace
- 00:22:45.924 --> 00:22:48.760
- Those whose minds are steadfast because they
- 00:22:48.760 --> 00:22:52.230
- Trust in you, trust in the lord with all your heart.
- 00:22:52.230 --> 00:22:56.100
- And he will grant you that peace.
- 00:22:56.100 --> 00:22:57.969
- Even when the storms are crashing all around you,
- 00:22:57.969 --> 00:23:00.872
- You will have peace.
- 00:23:00.872 --> 00:23:02.407
- Trust in jesus.
- 00:23:02.407 --> 00:23:03.942
- Hey, he's still on the throne.
- 00:23:03.942 --> 00:23:05.376
- And by the way, tomorrow our good friend sage steele
- 00:23:05.376 --> 00:23:08.580
- Joins us to explain how she defeated espn.
- 00:23:08.580 --> 00:23:12.383
- And disney won't want to miss that.
- 00:23:12.383 --> 00:23:14.152
- Monday, actor nate basil is here.
- 00:23:14.152 --> 00:23:16.221
- How did he become one of the world's
- 00:23:16.221 --> 00:23:17.722
- Most prominent pro-israel advocates?
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- Some good stuff coming up.
- 00:23:19.991 --> 00:23:21.526
- Until tomorrow.
- 00:23:21.526 --> 00:23:22.794
- God bless you and we'll see you soon.
- 00:23:22.794 --> 00:23:22.794
