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Stakelbeck Tonight

Erick Stakelbeck: Iran's Last Chance | Stakelbeck Tonight

April 20, 2026 | 23:29

Erick Stakelbeck: Iran's Last Chance | Stakelbeck Tonight
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.
#News #Media #Government #War #Politics #Terrorism #Israel #Culture #Military #PersonalStory #ErickStakelbeck

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Stakelbeck Tonight | Erick Stakelbeck: Iran's Last Chance | Stakelbeck Tonight | April 20, 2026
  • Welcome to stakelbeck tonight.
  • 00:00:03.293 --> 00:00:04.994
  • I'm erick stakelbeck.
  • 00:00:04.994 --> 00:00:06.096
  • And a jihadi leopard does not change its spots
  • 00:00:06.096 --> 00:00:11.134
  • For nearly 50 years iran's regime has lied,
  • 00:00:11.134 --> 00:00:14.971
  • Cheated, broke agreement after agreement and basically
  • 00:00:14.971 --> 00:00:18.908
  • Strung the world along
  • 00:00:18.908 --> 00:00:20.410
  • As it built the largest ballistic missile stockpile
  • 00:00:20.410 --> 00:00:23.613
  • In the entire middle east.
  • 00:00:23.613 --> 00:00:25.315
  • Not to mention a network of terror proxies
  • 00:00:25.315 --> 00:00:28.518
  • And enough enriched uranium to build several nuclear bombs.
  • 00:00:28.518 --> 00:00:32.856
  • Now in public.
  • 00:00:32.856 --> 00:00:34.190
  • Iranian representatives preached dialog and diplomacy.
  • 00:00:34.190 --> 00:00:38.695
  • But behind the scenes,
  • 00:00:38.695 --> 00:00:39.996
  • They were building up a massive war and terror machine.
  • 00:00:39.996 --> 00:00:43.733
  • This is who they are.
  • 00:00:43.733 --> 00:00:45.068
  • And this is what they do.
  • 00:00:45.068 --> 00:00:47.103
  • They lie all the time because they are evil.
  • 00:00:47.103 --> 00:00:52.242
  • And given their long track record of deception, it comes
  • 00:00:52.242 --> 00:00:55.411
  • As no surprise that iran's leaders have once again
  • 00:00:55.411 --> 00:00:58.615
  • Gone back on their word.
  • 00:00:58.615 --> 00:01:00.250
  • On friday,
  • 00:01:00.250 --> 00:01:01.518
  • They vowed to keep the strait of hormuz open for safe passage.
  • 00:01:01.518 --> 00:01:04.888
  • Things seem to be looking up.
  • 00:01:04.888 --> 00:01:07.023
  • Then on saturday, just one day later, the regime
  • 00:01:07.023 --> 00:01:10.793
  • Suddenly changed its mind and announced
  • 00:01:10.793 --> 00:01:13.630
  • It was closing the strait and would attack any ships
  • 00:01:13.630 --> 00:01:17.734
  • Passing through.
  • 00:01:17.734 --> 00:01:19.135
  • Now, past u.s.
  • 00:01:19.135 --> 00:01:20.537
  • Administrations like, say, joe biden or barack obama
  • 00:01:20.537 --> 00:01:24.707
  • Would have pleaded with the iranians to change their minds,
  • 00:01:24.707 --> 00:01:28.478
  • Maybe even offer them billions of dollars in sanctions
  • 00:01:28.478 --> 00:01:31.948
  • Relief to open the strait of hormuz.
  • 00:01:31.948 --> 00:01:35.018
  • We'll give you anything you want.
  • 00:01:35.018 --> 00:01:36.853
  • Just please be nice.
  • 00:01:36.853 --> 00:01:39.322
  • For years, that was the u.s.
  • 00:01:39.322 --> 00:01:40.957
  • Approach to the iran threat.
  • 00:01:40.957 --> 00:01:42.992
  • But that all changed once president trump took office.
  • 00:01:42.992 --> 00:01:46.396
  • On sunday, he reminded iran's regime
  • 00:01:46.396 --> 00:01:48.831
  • That he's not interested in playing games.
  • 00:01:48.831 --> 00:01:51.801
  • An iranian cargo ship tried to break the ongoing u.s.
  • 00:01:51.801 --> 00:01:55.338
  • Naval blockade of iran's ports.
  • 00:01:55.338 --> 00:01:58.208
  • The ship refused to turn back after repeated warnings.
  • 00:01:58.208 --> 00:02:01.678
  • So after six hours, the u.s.
  • 00:02:01.678 --> 00:02:04.681
  • Navy finally fired at the ship, boarded it and seized it.
  • 00:02:04.681 --> 00:02:09.552
  • Take a listen.
  • 00:02:09.886 --> 00:02:38.514
  • They can't say they weren't warned repeatedly.
  • 00:02:39.482 --> 00:02:42.785
  • Message sent.
  • 00:02:42.785 --> 00:02:44.554
  • The iranian regime, of course, is now vowing revenge
  • 00:02:44.554 --> 00:02:47.156
  • For the ship's capture
  • 00:02:47.156 --> 00:02:48.358
  • And as of now, is refusing to attend talks with the u.s.
  • 00:02:48.358 --> 00:02:52.862
  • Scheduled for tuesday in pakistan.
  • 00:02:52.862 --> 00:02:55.632
  • Vice president j.d.
  • 00:02:55.632 --> 00:02:56.799
  • Vance, steve wyckoff and jared kushner are scheduled to
  • 00:02:56.799 --> 00:03:00.570
  • Meet with the iranians and discuss
  • 00:03:00.570 --> 00:03:02.605
  • Extending the current cease fire, which expires
  • 00:03:02.605 --> 00:03:06.009
  • This wednesday, april 22nd.
  • 00:03:06.009 --> 00:03:08.911
  • If iran pulls a no show in pakistan, well,
  • 00:03:08.911 --> 00:03:12.348
  • President trump told fox news this morning, quote,
  • 00:03:12.348 --> 00:03:15.151
  • If the deal isn't done, i'm going to take out their bridges
  • 00:03:15.151 --> 00:03:19.322
  • And their power plants.
  • 00:03:19.322 --> 00:03:20.857
  • If they don't sign this thing, the whole country is going to
  • 00:03:20.857 --> 00:03:24.494
  • Get blown up.
  • 00:03:24.494 --> 00:03:26.195
  • Folks, this seems to be the regime's last chance
  • 00:03:26.195 --> 00:03:29.532
  • After 47 years of gains.
  • 00:03:29.532 --> 00:03:32.568
  • Double talk and deception.
  • 00:03:32.568 --> 00:03:34.771
  • The mad mullahs have finally run into a u.s.
  • 00:03:34.771 --> 00:03:37.507
  • President who is determined to end their terror empire.
  • 00:03:37.507 --> 00:03:42.178
  • You could argue that he already has.
  • 00:03:42.178 --> 00:03:44.247
  • The regime is now a shell of what it once was, and even if
  • 00:03:44.247 --> 00:03:47.750
  • It manages to hang on to power
  • 00:03:47.750 --> 00:03:49.519
  • When the dust settles, it's living on borrowed time.
  • 00:03:49.519 --> 00:03:53.323
  • That's what happens when a strong leader
  • 00:03:53.323 --> 00:03:56.092
  • Faces down evil and does not blink.
  • 00:03:56.092 --> 00:04:00.463
  • Coming up, we break down the state of play.
  • 00:04:00.463 --> 00:04:02.632
  • And what comes next?
  • 00:04:02.632 --> 00:04:04.167
  • And it all starts now.
  • 00:04:04.167 --> 00:04:22.418
  • Iran's regime is up to its old tricks.
  • 00:04:23.186 --> 00:04:26.356
  • So are we heading
  • 00:04:26.356 --> 00:04:27.557
  • Toward a breakthrough or a renewed military conflict?
  • 00:04:27.557 --> 00:04:31.494
  • Our good friend cliff may is here to break it down.
  • 00:04:31.494 --> 00:04:33.563
  • He's founder and president of the foundation
  • 00:04:33.563 --> 00:04:35.865
  • For defense of democracies, and a leading expert on u.s.
  • 00:04:35.865 --> 00:04:38.835
  • Foreign policy and national security.
  • 00:04:38.835 --> 00:04:41.337
  • Cliff, always great to have you with us.
  • 00:04:41.337 --> 00:04:43.272
  • The iranian regime up to its old tricks.
  • 00:04:43.272 --> 00:04:45.408
  • Needless to say, playing games here,
  • 00:04:45.408 --> 00:04:47.577
  • Going back and forth one day, it's
  • 00:04:47.577 --> 00:04:49.178
  • One thing, the next day it's another.
  • 00:04:49.178 --> 00:04:51.481
  • Are you optimistic at all,
  • 00:04:51.481 --> 00:04:52.548
  • Cliff, about pakistan tomorrow if it even happens?
  • 00:04:52.548 --> 00:04:56.452
  • I'm not optimistic. i may be hopeful.
  • 00:04:56.452 --> 00:04:58.621
  • I think it's important to stay hopeful.
  • 00:04:58.621 --> 00:05:00.623
  • You see, they're doing exactly what you say.
  • 00:05:00.623 --> 00:05:03.159
  • They're saying, well, maybe we won't show up for this.
  • 00:05:03.159 --> 00:05:05.328
  • Maybe we don't even need to negotiate or want to negotiate.
  • 00:05:05.328 --> 00:05:08.498
  • That is in itself a negotiating tactic, right?
  • 00:05:08.498 --> 00:05:11.401
  • You say, you know what?
  • 00:05:11.401 --> 00:05:12.635
  • I can't sell you this rug.
  • 00:05:12.635 --> 00:05:14.237
  • Not for that price. maybe go to another store.
  • 00:05:14.237 --> 00:05:16.973
  • I don't know.
  • 00:05:16.973 --> 00:05:17.840
  • I don't think it's going to work out.
  • 00:05:17.840 --> 00:05:19.075
  • And unless you. you're.
  • 00:05:19.075 --> 00:05:20.209
  • Until you're out the door, they don't come after you.
  • 00:05:20.209 --> 00:05:22.011
  • And these and these guys are very good negotiators.
  • 00:05:22.011 --> 00:05:25.081
  • I think they have a right to say,
  • 00:05:25.081 --> 00:05:27.316
  • You know, we may never have beaten the u.s.
  • 00:05:27.316 --> 00:05:29.585
  • On a battlefield,
  • 00:05:29.585 --> 00:05:30.953
  • But we've always beaten them when we've negotiated.
  • 00:05:30.953 --> 00:05:33.456
  • I can't think of a time when we didn't.
  • 00:05:33.456 --> 00:05:35.391
  • So it's going to be very challenging for a j.d.
  • 00:05:35.391 --> 00:05:38.161
  • Vance and steve wyckoff and jared kushner,
  • 00:05:38.161 --> 00:05:41.330
  • To hold the
  • 00:05:41.664 --> 00:05:42.632
  • Line here and, and not make concessions that
  • 00:05:42.632 --> 00:05:45.735
  • I think they and president trump will regret having made later.
  • 00:05:45.735 --> 00:05:50.606
  • Yeah. no doubt. we can't blink here.
  • 00:05:50.606 --> 00:05:52.375
  • And the job must be finished. by the way, cliff.
  • 00:05:52.375 --> 00:05:54.811
  • Who exactly are we talking to in iran right now?
  • 00:05:54.811 --> 00:05:57.547
  • Do we even know most of their leadership
  • 00:05:57.547 --> 00:05:59.282
  • Has been decimated over the past 7 or 8 weeks?
  • 00:05:59.282 --> 00:06:01.918
  • Who's in charge in tehran?
  • 00:06:01.918 --> 00:06:04.253
  • Well, it's not entirely clear, i would say.
  • 00:06:04.253 --> 00:06:07.423
  • And even within my shop,
  • 00:06:07.423 --> 00:06:09.058
  • Within the foundation for defense of democracies,
  • 00:06:09.058 --> 00:06:11.561
  • We're having some debates over who's really in charge.
  • 00:06:11.561 --> 00:06:14.197
  • And there may be a competition. i mean, think about it.
  • 00:06:14.197 --> 00:06:16.799
  • If if the u.s.
  • 00:06:16.799 --> 00:06:18.601
  • Like it, like tehran,
  • 00:06:18.601 --> 00:06:21.671
  • Lost the president.
  • 00:06:21.671 --> 00:06:22.872
  • Lost the vice president,
  • 00:06:22.872 --> 00:06:24.407
  • Lost the speaker of the house, and that's the way to go.
  • 00:06:24.407 --> 00:06:27.743
  • Who would go next?
  • 00:06:27.743 --> 00:06:28.845
  • I actually forget i think it's a member of the cabinet.
  • 00:06:28.845 --> 00:06:31.647
  • So once you have all those eliminations there, you have
  • 00:06:31.647 --> 00:06:34.917
  • Much, much.
  • 00:06:35.251 --> 00:06:36.152
  • Taba khamenei, the son.
  • 00:06:36.152 --> 00:06:38.187
  • But we're not.
  • 00:06:38.187 --> 00:06:39.055
  • He was we think he was badly wounded
  • 00:06:39.055 --> 00:06:41.023
  • In the same strike that killed his father.
  • 00:06:41.023 --> 00:06:43.392
  • So it's not clear that he's the decision maker,
  • 00:06:43.392 --> 00:06:46.262
  • The decider at this point.
  • 00:06:46.262 --> 00:06:48.498
  • We see possibly some divergence between the irgc,
  • 00:06:48.498 --> 00:06:53.302
  • The islamic revolutionary guard corps,
  • 00:06:53.302 --> 00:06:55.938
  • And they're the guys that have the guns.
  • 00:06:55.938 --> 00:06:57.473
  • So at the end of the day,
  • 00:06:57.473 --> 00:06:58.674
  • They're probably the guys who make the final decisions.
  • 00:06:58.674 --> 00:07:01.177
  • And on the other hand,
  • 00:07:01.644 --> 00:07:03.012
  • Some of the people i wouldn't say they're not hard liners,
  • 00:07:03.012 --> 00:07:05.848
  • But they're in the government, they're in the banking sector.
  • 00:07:05.848 --> 00:07:08.718
  • They look at how the economy is being strangled.
  • 00:07:08.718 --> 00:07:11.954
  • They may be more, maybe, i would say pragmatic.
  • 00:07:11.954 --> 00:07:15.091
  • They may say, look, here's the problem we're going to have
  • 00:07:15.091 --> 00:07:17.793
  • In another 2 or 3 weeks in terms of paying the besieged militia
  • 00:07:17.793 --> 00:07:22.398
  • And paying the army, paying the police, getting gasoline,
  • 00:07:22.398 --> 00:07:27.537
  • That people can travel, keeping the economy up.
  • 00:07:27.537 --> 00:07:30.273
  • And the irgc may say tough.
  • 00:07:30.273 --> 00:07:32.608
  • All right. we can, we can.
  • 00:07:32.608 --> 00:07:34.277
  • We're going to stick it out.
  • 00:07:34.277 --> 00:07:35.778
  • Don't forget, they killed something
  • 00:07:35.778 --> 00:07:37.246
  • Like 40,000 of their own people in january just for protesting.
  • 00:07:37.246 --> 00:07:40.850
  • That's a big chunk of the opposition.
  • 00:07:40.850 --> 00:07:42.685
  • They may say, look, i think we can
  • 00:07:42.685 --> 00:07:45.121
  • We can stick it out.
  • 00:07:45.121 --> 00:07:46.322
  • And i don't think trump can
  • 00:07:46.322 --> 00:07:47.623
  • Take, gasoline prices at more than $4 a gallon
  • 00:07:47.623 --> 00:07:51.627
  • For another week.
  • 00:07:51.627 --> 00:07:52.828
  • So just, you know, buckle up, hold your horses and wait.
  • 00:07:52.828 --> 00:07:56.232
  • Yeah. cliff. great breakdown.
  • 00:07:56.232 --> 00:07:57.466
  • As you said, the irgc has the guns.
  • 00:07:57.466 --> 00:07:59.969
  • By the way, mojtaba khamenei, still not seen in public.
  • 00:07:59.969 --> 00:08:03.205
  • Since this operation began.
  • 00:08:03.205 --> 00:08:05.374
  • Yeah.
  • 00:08:05.608 --> 00:08:06.442
  • So we don't know if he's coherent.
  • 00:08:06.442 --> 00:08:08.578
  • Who notes he's.
  • 00:08:08.578 --> 00:08:09.445
  • Making decisions, if he's being asked,
  • 00:08:09.445 --> 00:08:12.281
  • You know, or if he's just sitting in his bed
  • 00:08:12.281 --> 00:08:14.684
  • Having a little jello for lunch.
  • 00:08:14.684 --> 00:08:16.218
  • We just don't know.
  • 00:08:16.218 --> 00:08:17.987
  • Well, we do know that the uss
  • 00:08:17.987 --> 00:08:20.189
  • Gerald ford is now heading back towards the region.
  • 00:08:20.189 --> 00:08:23.326
  • Yesterday, president trump
  • 00:08:23.326 --> 00:08:25.328
  • Announced that the us navy had seized boarded this
  • 00:08:25.328 --> 00:08:28.164
  • Iranian ship which attempted to break the us blockade.
  • 00:08:28.164 --> 00:08:31.601
  • It seems that president trump
  • 00:08:31.601 --> 00:08:33.135
  • Means business here, but i guess the point,
  • 00:08:33.135 --> 00:08:35.438
  • Cliff, is the follow through.
  • 00:08:35.438 --> 00:08:36.939
  • Will it happen this week?
  • 00:08:36.939 --> 00:08:38.608
  • Iran's calculus here, though, like you said, kind of
  • 00:08:38.608 --> 00:08:41.210
  • Just play this thing out, play out the string
  • 00:08:41.210 --> 00:08:43.579
  • Like they've always done really in negotiations.
  • 00:08:43.579 --> 00:08:45.748
  • But now they believe perhaps they can wait
  • 00:08:45.748 --> 00:08:48.284
  • President trump out.
  • 00:08:48.284 --> 00:08:49.285
  • And as oil and gas prices
  • 00:08:49.285 --> 00:08:50.853
  • Rise, that we would finally say, okay, enough is enough.
  • 00:08:50.853 --> 00:08:54.590
  • Is that their game or is the game
  • 00:08:54.590 --> 00:08:56.125
  • Just we're in it to go out in a blaze of glory martyrdom
  • 00:08:56.125 --> 00:08:59.161
  • And to be with allah?
  • 00:08:59.161 --> 00:09:01.063
  • You know,
  • 00:09:01.364 --> 00:09:02.598
  • The two are not mutually exclusive.
  • 00:09:02.598 --> 00:09:05.868
  • They can be saying, we can wait these guys out.
  • 00:09:05.868 --> 00:09:09.238
  • You remember who khalid sheikh mohammed was?
  • 00:09:09.238 --> 00:09:12.642
  • He was the architect behind the nine over 11 attacks
  • 00:09:12.642 --> 00:09:15.678
  • Long ago,
  • 00:09:15.678 --> 00:09:16.512
  • When he was down in guantanamo,
  • 00:09:16.512 --> 00:09:18.514
  • In gitmo and being interrogated.
  • 00:09:18.514 --> 00:09:20.583
  • One of the things he told his interrogators is
  • 00:09:20.583 --> 00:09:23.486
  • We will defeat you.
  • 00:09:23.486 --> 00:09:24.620
  • And they said, how can you defeat us?
  • 00:09:24.620 --> 00:09:25.821
  • You're not even a you're a non-state actor,
  • 00:09:25.821 --> 00:09:27.390
  • Not even in iran is he said,
  • 00:09:27.390 --> 00:09:28.758
  • We will defeat you because you will always quit.
  • 00:09:28.758 --> 00:09:31.827
  • That's all.
  • 00:09:32.161 --> 00:09:32.962
  • We always quit.
  • 00:09:32.962 --> 00:09:34.096
  • And it's also true that, yes, we have to understand
  • 00:09:34.096 --> 00:09:36.866
  • That the people we're dealing with, a lot of them,
  • 00:09:36.866 --> 00:09:39.101
  • Most of them, not all, but most of them in the irgc.
  • 00:09:39.101 --> 00:09:42.605
  • How to say they are true believers.
  • 00:09:43.372 --> 00:09:45.074
  • They have not just an ideology, but a theology.
  • 00:09:45.074 --> 00:09:48.010
  • I believe that ali khamenei,
  • 00:09:48.010 --> 00:09:49.679
  • Who was killed on february 28th by the israelis, with the
  • 00:09:49.679 --> 00:09:53.582
  • With president trump saying, go ahead and eliminate him.
  • 00:09:53.582 --> 00:09:56.786
  • I think he was probably pleased
  • 00:09:56.786 --> 00:09:58.587
  • To go out as a martyr rather than any other way.
  • 00:09:58.587 --> 00:10:01.824
  • Again, this is a very radical
  • 00:10:02.458 --> 00:10:05.528
  • Theology that they, that they believe in.
  • 00:10:05.528 --> 00:10:08.431
  • I don't know if he believes
  • 00:10:09.031 --> 00:10:10.032
  • In 72 versions in heaven, but maybe he does.
  • 00:10:10.032 --> 00:10:12.968
  • It's part of it, too.
  • 00:10:12.968 --> 00:10:14.804
  • Yeah. cliff.
  • 00:10:14.804 --> 00:10:15.504
  • Well said.
  • 00:10:15.504 --> 00:10:16.105
  • It truly is a modern day
  • 00:10:16.105 --> 00:10:17.673
  • Nazi death cult driven by islamic jihadist theology.
  • 00:10:17.673 --> 00:10:21.644
  • That's exactly why president
  • 00:10:21.644 --> 00:10:22.812
  • Trump and bibi netanyahu have taken action.
  • 00:10:22.812 --> 00:10:25.147
  • More on that with cliff may after the break.
  • 00:10:25.147 --> 00:10:27.249
  • Folks, be sure to check cliff out ftd.org.
  • 00:10:27.249 --> 00:10:29.819
  • They do incredible work also x and across social media.
  • 00:10:29.819 --> 00:10:33.089
  • Up next
  • 00:10:33.089 --> 00:10:34.256
  • I mentioned bibi and trump, that historic partnership.
  • 00:10:34.256 --> 00:10:36.459
  • President trump posted about it this weekend.
  • 00:10:36.459 --> 00:10:39.028
  • You want to hear what he had to say.
  • 00:10:39.028 --> 00:10:40.229
  • Also turkey big problem folks brewing in nato member nation.
  • 00:10:40.229 --> 00:10:44.100
  • More with cook may after the break.
  • 00:10:44.100 --> 00:10:45.735
  • Stick around.
  • 00:10:45.735 --> 00:10:48.010
  • Stick around.
  • 00:10:48.010 --> 00:10:50.717
  • Welcome back to stakelbeck tonight
  • 00:10:51.451 --> 00:10:52.919
  • We're talking to our good friend cliff
  • 00:10:52.919 --> 00:10:54.054
  • May, founder and president of the foundation
  • 00:10:54.054 --> 00:10:56.123
  • For defense of democracies in washington, dc,
  • 00:10:56.123 --> 00:10:58.391
  • And host of the foreign policy podcast.
  • 00:10:58.391 --> 00:11:01.728
  • Folks. check it out.
  • 00:11:01.728 --> 00:11:02.529
  • Great name and great content.
  • 00:11:02.529 --> 00:11:04.998
  • Cliff, president trump post over the weekend.
  • 00:11:04.998 --> 00:11:06.700
  • I thought it was very timely and very important about the us
  • 00:11:06.700 --> 00:11:09.402
  • Israel relationship.
  • 00:11:09.402 --> 00:11:10.771
  • And he said, quote,
  • 00:11:10.771 --> 00:11:11.938
  • Whether people like israel or not,
  • 00:11:11.938 --> 00:11:13.940
  • They have proven to be a great ally of the united states
  • 00:11:13.940 --> 00:11:17.210
  • Of america.
  • 00:11:17.210 --> 00:11:17.811
  • They are courageous, bold,
  • 00:11:17.811 --> 00:11:19.246
  • Loyal and smart, and unlike others
  • 00:11:19.246 --> 00:11:21.615
  • That have shown their true colors.
  • 00:11:21.615 --> 00:11:22.983
  • In a moment of conflict and stress,
  • 00:11:22.983 --> 00:11:25.118
  • Israel fights hard and knows how to win.
  • 00:11:25.118 --> 00:11:28.622
  • I couldn't have said it better myself.
  • 00:11:28.622 --> 00:11:29.990
  • Look at a time when the left, obviously the democrat party
  • 00:11:29.990 --> 00:11:33.193
  • Seems hell bent on abandoning israel and elements of the right
  • 00:11:33.193 --> 00:11:36.530
  • Or what used to be the right, the tucker carlson wing
  • 00:11:36.530 --> 00:11:39.366
  • Are coming out against israel. israel.
  • 00:11:39.366 --> 00:11:41.401
  • I think cliff, over the past two months has proven
  • 00:11:41.401 --> 00:11:43.937
  • To be america's indispensable ally.
  • 00:11:43.937 --> 00:11:46.573
  • Can you talk more a bit about that,
  • 00:11:46.573 --> 00:11:48.675
  • How israel has performed during this war
  • 00:11:48.675 --> 00:11:51.578
  • And its rock solid alliance with the united states?
  • 00:11:51.578 --> 00:11:54.681
  • Listen, you're exactly right, erick.
  • 00:11:55.448 --> 00:11:57.884
  • Israel has shown that it can be a tremendously good partner,
  • 00:11:57.884 --> 00:12:01.388
  • That it contributes to the security of both nations.
  • 00:12:01.388 --> 00:12:04.658
  • We have americans and israelis flying the same planes
  • 00:12:04.658 --> 00:12:09.029
  • Made in america like the f-35, but improved somewhat.
  • 00:12:09.029 --> 00:12:13.333
  • In israel with various upgrades to some of the software.
  • 00:12:13.333 --> 00:12:17.604
  • They talk, they speak to each other in english.
  • 00:12:17.604 --> 00:12:19.840
  • If you're an israeli pilot, you learn to speak english.
  • 00:12:19.840 --> 00:12:23.310
  • That we need allies who can fight and will fight
  • 00:12:23.310 --> 00:12:26.479
  • Against common enemies.
  • 00:12:26.479 --> 00:12:28.048
  • We need nato to do the same thing
  • 00:12:28.048 --> 00:12:30.584
  • For nato, but we need our nato contributors
  • 00:12:30.584 --> 00:12:33.253
  • To provide security, not just consume security.
  • 00:12:33.253 --> 00:12:37.791
  • On that tweet, there's one other thing
  • 00:12:37.791 --> 00:12:39.426
  • I suspect, which i'll just mention.
  • 00:12:39.426 --> 00:12:41.962
  • It comes after a tweet that the israelis
  • 00:12:41.962 --> 00:12:44.598
  • Were not too happy with when president trump tweeted,
  • 00:12:44.598 --> 00:12:48.201
  • And on his truth social account that he was prohibiting
  • 00:12:48.201 --> 00:12:51.972
  • The israelis from further attacking hezbollah in lebanon.
  • 00:12:51.972 --> 00:12:55.909
  • Yeah.
  • 00:12:55.909 --> 00:12:57.043
  • Now, what you also need to know is that these attacks
  • 00:12:57.043 --> 00:12:59.846
  • Are in response to, hezbollah, attacking israel.
  • 00:12:59.846 --> 00:13:05.452
  • They've done so repeatedly over the years.
  • 00:13:05.452 --> 00:13:08.421
  • They did so on october 8th, one day after hamas invaded,
  • 00:13:08.421 --> 00:13:11.825
  • They began rocketing northern israel,
  • 00:13:11.825 --> 00:13:14.060
  • Causing tens of thousands of
  • 00:13:14.060 --> 00:13:15.662
  • Israelis to flee their farms, their homes, their villages,
  • 00:13:15.662 --> 00:13:19.799
  • They did so, also in response to the, american
  • 00:13:19.799 --> 00:13:24.004
  • And israel strikes against iran, they did so
  • 00:13:24.004 --> 00:13:27.307
  • In solidarity with the islamic republic of iran.
  • 00:13:27.307 --> 00:13:30.477
  • So president trump has announced, a ceasefire.
  • 00:13:30.477 --> 00:13:34.314
  • And it's very interesting.
  • 00:13:34.881 --> 00:13:36.583
  • I just
  • 00:13:36.583 --> 00:13:37.517
  • I'm writing a column about this right now
  • 00:13:37.517 --> 00:13:38.451
  • For the washington times about tomorrow.
  • 00:13:38.451 --> 00:13:40.654
  • It's all the media will say.
  • 00:13:40.654 --> 00:13:42.489
  • This is a ceasefire between lebanon and israel,
  • 00:13:42.489 --> 00:13:45.525
  • Except lebanon. israel are not at war.
  • 00:13:45.525 --> 00:13:47.961
  • The lebanese armed forces are not at war
  • 00:13:47.961 --> 00:13:49.930
  • With the israel defense forces. they're not.
  • 00:13:49.930 --> 00:13:52.532
  • Who is israel at war with hezbollah and hezbollah?
  • 00:13:52.532 --> 00:13:56.970
  • It is the is the forward deployed
  • 00:13:57.704 --> 00:13:59.973
  • Armed militia of the islamic republic of iran.
  • 00:13:59.973 --> 00:14:03.410
  • They're not shy about that.
  • 00:14:03.410 --> 00:14:04.611
  • Their loyalty is to the ayatollah in tehran,
  • 00:14:04.611 --> 00:14:08.715
  • And that's who israel is fighting.
  • 00:14:08.715 --> 00:14:10.016
  • And let me explain this.
  • 00:14:10.016 --> 00:14:11.985
  • Lebanon cannot become what it is,
  • 00:14:11.985 --> 00:14:14.054
  • Not now, and it cannot become
  • 00:14:14.054 --> 00:14:15.455
  • An independent, sovereign and free nation.
  • 00:14:15.455 --> 00:14:18.224
  • So long as hezbollah and an armed militia stronger
  • 00:14:18.224 --> 00:14:23.129
  • Than the lebanese armed forces is calling the shots,
  • 00:14:23.129 --> 00:14:26.232
  • If lebanon is to become free, they need israel's help.
  • 00:14:26.232 --> 00:14:29.669
  • Yeah, people don't want to talk about that.
  • 00:14:29.669 --> 00:14:31.404
  • But it's so clear.
  • 00:14:31.404 --> 00:14:32.439
  • As you know, lebanon is an interesting country.
  • 00:14:32.439 --> 00:14:35.408
  • Used to be a christian majority country.
  • 00:14:35.408 --> 00:14:37.210
  • It no longer is or is still a large
  • 00:14:37.210 --> 00:14:39.479
  • Christian population, also shia, sunni, druze.
  • 00:14:39.479 --> 00:14:43.550
  • But hezbollah rules the roost and it does true
  • 00:14:43.550 --> 00:14:46.252
  • Through the barrel of a gun.
  • 00:14:46.252 --> 00:14:47.988
  • Yeah.
  • 00:14:47.988 --> 00:14:49.222
  • And they are the crown jewel of iran's terror proxy network.
  • 00:14:49.222 --> 00:14:51.891
  • They must be dealt with to
  • 00:14:51.891 --> 00:14:53.360
  • To get a twofer here,
  • 00:14:53.360 --> 00:14:54.527
  • So to speak, cliff, to deal with the regime
  • 00:14:54.527 --> 00:14:56.396
  • And to see the downfall of hezbollah would be incredible.
  • 00:14:56.396 --> 00:14:59.899
  • And region shifting and region reshaping the region.
  • 00:14:59.899 --> 00:15:03.436
  • Speaking of which, turkey and erdogan kind of waiting
  • 00:15:03.436 --> 00:15:07.207
  • In the wings here
  • 00:15:07.207 --> 00:15:08.341
  • And watching the chess pieces moving in the region.
  • 00:15:08.341 --> 00:15:10.977
  • How concerned are you about erdogan's recent statements?
  • 00:15:10.977 --> 00:15:13.780
  • He even talked about invading israel last week,
  • 00:15:13.780 --> 00:15:16.416
  • Not the first time he said some pretty outlandish things.
  • 00:15:16.416 --> 00:15:19.119
  • How concerned are you about when the dust settles here
  • 00:15:19.119 --> 00:15:21.521
  • And iran's axis is weakened,
  • 00:15:21.521 --> 00:15:23.390
  • That erdogan will make some moves in the region?
  • 00:15:23.390 --> 00:15:26.593
  • Well, i'm very concerned.
  • 00:15:26.593 --> 00:15:27.894
  • I think there's no question that erdogan sees himself
  • 00:15:27.894 --> 00:15:31.731
  • As an ottoman sultan.
  • 00:15:31.731 --> 00:15:34.167
  • He wants to restore the ottoman empire.
  • 00:15:34.167 --> 00:15:36.469
  • He's a neo ottoman empire.
  • 00:15:36.469 --> 00:15:38.705
  • Keep in mind, we both don't don't know
  • 00:15:38.705 --> 00:15:40.640
  • History, don't know this.
  • 00:15:40.640 --> 00:15:42.008
  • They ruled much of the civilized world,
  • 00:15:42.008 --> 00:15:45.211
  • Certainly much of the middle east, but also well into europe
  • 00:15:45.211 --> 00:15:48.581
  • For hundreds of, for hundreds of years.
  • 00:15:48.581 --> 00:15:51.651
  • And only at what happened is world war one.
  • 00:15:51.651 --> 00:15:54.387
  • The ottoman empire sided with the germans.
  • 00:15:54.387 --> 00:15:56.222
  • They lost and the ottoman empire was, collapsed.
  • 00:15:56.222 --> 00:16:00.160
  • From that, turkey rose what was for a long time
  • 00:16:00.160 --> 00:16:04.064
  • A kind of modern, secular, western oriented state,
  • 00:16:04.064 --> 00:16:08.735
  • Republic of turkey under, you know, under,
  • 00:16:08.735 --> 00:16:12.272
  • Ataturk command, most of, ataturk.
  • 00:16:12.272 --> 00:16:15.075
  • But that revolution, the kemal revolution is over.
  • 00:16:15.075 --> 00:16:18.144
  • It's no longer a, such a secular state.
  • 00:16:18.945 --> 00:16:21.948
  • Erdogan has grand ambitions for himself
  • 00:16:21.948 --> 00:16:25.151
  • And for turkey, and that's a threat to israel.
  • 00:16:25.151 --> 00:16:28.154
  • And he has the, the the biggest military in nato
  • 00:16:28.154 --> 00:16:32.425
  • Except for the us, much bigger than the french,
  • 00:16:32.425 --> 00:16:34.727
  • The british, the germans, bigger than any of them and stronger.
  • 00:16:34.727 --> 00:16:37.730
  • So it's a threat. there's no question about it.
  • 00:16:37.730 --> 00:16:40.467
  • He is a very dangerous man with a muslim brotherhood
  • 00:16:40.467 --> 00:16:43.369
  • Style ideology. cliff, great breakdown folks.
  • 00:16:43.369 --> 00:16:46.005
  • Check him out on the foreign
  • 00:16:46.005 --> 00:16:47.540
  • Policy podcast ftd.org x and across social media.
  • 00:16:47.540 --> 00:16:51.544
  • Cliff great job as always my friend. great seeing you.
  • 00:16:51.544 --> 00:16:54.080
  • God bless. we will see you again soon.
  • 00:16:54.080 --> 00:16:55.915
  • And coming up after the break, we've got a great series here
  • 00:16:55.915 --> 00:16:59.085
  • Every sunday night on tbn and hosted by yours truly
  • 00:16:59.085 --> 00:17:02.222
  • Called the heroes of october 7th and beyond.
  • 00:17:02.222 --> 00:17:05.091
  • We're on the ground in israel.
  • 00:17:05.091 --> 00:17:06.359
  • We will show you a sneak peek
  • 00:17:06.359 --> 00:17:07.660
  • From that great documentary series.
  • 00:17:07.660 --> 00:17:09.829
  • Next, stick around.
  • 00:17:09.829 --> 00:17:14.011
  • Next, stick around.
  • 00:17:14.011 --> 00:17:16.505
  • Welcome back to stakelbeck tonight, folks.
  • 00:17:17.405 --> 00:17:19.307
  • If you appreciate our middle
  • 00:17:19.307 --> 00:17:20.709
  • East coverage here on stack, go back tonight.
  • 00:17:20.709 --> 00:17:22.444
  • You will love our brand new documentary series,
  • 00:17:22.444 --> 00:17:25.981
  • The heroes of october 7th and beyond.
  • 00:17:25.981 --> 00:17:29.084
  • Now, i went on the ground in israel
  • 00:17:29.084 --> 00:17:30.652
  • To put together this incredible eight part series.
  • 00:17:30.652 --> 00:17:33.355
  • It's airing every sunday night right here on tbn at 11 p.m.
  • 00:17:33.355 --> 00:17:37.692
  • Eastern time.
  • 00:17:37.692 --> 00:17:38.493
  • We go inside
  • 00:17:38.493 --> 00:17:39.895
  • October 7th, the aftermath and how it matters to you.
  • 00:17:39.895 --> 00:17:43.932
  • Here's a sneak peek from the series with an idf
  • 00:17:43.932 --> 00:17:46.902
  • Reserve major who broke ranks to save lives on october 7th.
  • 00:17:46.902 --> 00:17:52.240
  • It's a powerful, powerful, personal testimony.
  • 00:17:52.240 --> 00:17:55.410
  • Take a look.
  • 00:17:55.410 --> 00:17:57.612
  • My first stop is outside of kibbutz aluminum.
  • 00:17:57.612 --> 00:18:00.982
  • It's a main junction.
  • 00:18:00.982 --> 00:18:02.150
  • Hamas have done.
  • 00:18:02.150 --> 00:18:03.919
  • Unfortunately, a very small decision.
  • 00:18:03.919 --> 00:18:06.021
  • Strategically, they didn't capture
  • 00:18:06.021 --> 00:18:08.323
  • Only the bases and the communities.
  • 00:18:08.323 --> 00:18:10.392
  • They captured the main road
  • 00:18:10.392 --> 00:18:11.993
  • And what i'm trying to cross aluminum junction.
  • 00:18:11.993 --> 00:18:15.463
  • I'm under heavy fire with two people in my car.
  • 00:18:15.463 --> 00:18:19.234
  • One that i don't know what's his name
  • 00:18:19.234 --> 00:18:21.002
  • Even we just connected, then drove together and kiril,
  • 00:18:21.002 --> 00:18:25.740
  • One of my friends, he was actually a soldier under me
  • 00:18:25.740 --> 00:18:28.577
  • And we are breaking the car under heavy fire.
  • 00:18:29.544 --> 00:18:33.215
  • I'm jumping.
  • 00:18:33.215 --> 00:18:34.416
  • I see in front of me
  • 00:18:34.416 --> 00:18:35.383
  • Bunch of terrorists, bloodthirsty terrorists.
  • 00:18:35.383 --> 00:18:37.752
  • Fire.
  • 00:18:37.752 --> 00:18:38.587
  • And around me there are 23 bodies.
  • 00:18:38.587 --> 00:18:41.189
  • Now i know the number.
  • 00:18:41.189 --> 00:18:42.624
  • All of them are victims
  • 00:18:42.624 --> 00:18:44.492
  • Of the noble festival that managed to left
  • 00:18:44.492 --> 00:18:46.261
  • Only to be captured and executed in this junction.
  • 00:18:46.261 --> 00:18:50.031
  • And i also saw a rape victim.
  • 00:18:50.665 --> 00:18:54.336
  • I remember myself checking out boss.
  • 00:18:54.336 --> 00:18:57.405
  • I bent all the way down.
  • 00:18:57.939 --> 00:18:59.507
  • She was raped and murdered by hamas.
  • 00:18:59.507 --> 00:19:01.243
  • By hamas on the junction.
  • 00:19:01.243 --> 00:19:03.845
  • She had full life ahead of her.
  • 00:19:03.845 --> 00:19:06.615
  • I covered her
  • 00:19:06.615 --> 00:19:08.883
  • And from that moment and on,
  • 00:19:08.883 --> 00:19:11.553
  • It will take my self, my friends that were with me
  • 00:19:11.553 --> 00:19:15.223
  • And other people to join me.
  • 00:19:15.223 --> 00:19:16.691
  • We were few against many
  • 00:19:16.691 --> 00:19:19.527
  • To kill all these almost 40 hamas terrorists.
  • 00:19:19.527 --> 00:19:23.298
  • To eliminate this threat on kibbutz
  • 00:19:24.065 --> 00:19:26.501
  • Alamin they tried with everything they got
  • 00:19:26.501 --> 00:19:29.571
  • To enter this helpless community and to kill innocent life.
  • 00:19:29.571 --> 00:19:33.708
  • And we were the only things between them.
  • 00:19:33.708 --> 00:19:35.543
  • So we were basically 14 against more than 30.
  • 00:19:35.543 --> 00:19:40.815
  • At the first few minutes, one of us died,
  • 00:19:41.683 --> 00:19:44.753
  • A few were injured.
  • 00:19:44.753 --> 00:19:46.121
  • Myself, i got shot in the chest on that day
  • 00:19:46.121 --> 00:19:49.424
  • And and i survived to tell this story.
  • 00:19:49.424 --> 00:19:53.695
  • But not only we eliminate this threat of terrorists
  • 00:19:53.695 --> 00:19:57.866
  • On kibbutz around me, but we basically we opened the main
  • 00:19:57.866 --> 00:20:00.935
  • Road to more communities, to the novel festival
  • 00:20:00.935 --> 00:20:04.372
  • And to other communities.
  • 00:20:04.372 --> 00:20:05.573
  • How long did this firefight last?
  • 00:20:05.573 --> 00:20:08.076
  • It was around 2.5 hours.
  • 00:20:08.076 --> 00:20:10.545
  • Very hard.
  • 00:20:10.545 --> 00:20:11.880
  • Everything that i was taught in my service
  • 00:20:11.880 --> 00:20:15.317
  • And my experience in the army, i had to pull everything.
  • 00:20:15.317 --> 00:20:18.553
  • I know that we, the jewish people,
  • 00:20:18.553 --> 00:20:20.655
  • We kept saying this mantra of never again from the holocaust
  • 00:20:20.655 --> 00:20:24.426
  • That we were killed just by being jews.
  • 00:20:24.426 --> 00:20:27.529
  • And here i felt that. i see it again.
  • 00:20:27.529 --> 00:20:30.031
  • You know, they were the hamas terrorists.
  • 00:20:30.031 --> 00:20:32.667
  • Not only they killed people after they raped specifically
  • 00:20:32.667 --> 00:20:36.971
  • And killed soldiers, they violated their bodies.
  • 00:20:36.971 --> 00:20:40.508
  • They tortured the bodies by burning them
  • 00:20:40.508 --> 00:20:42.277
  • Or shooting at their genitalia and their heads in their faces.
  • 00:20:42.277 --> 00:20:46.281
  • So they burned a lot.
  • 00:20:46.781 --> 00:20:48.516
  • They burned cars, houses, warehouses.
  • 00:20:48.516 --> 00:20:52.020
  • You could see communities by almost
  • 00:20:52.020 --> 00:20:55.056
  • A chimney, a pillar of smoke all the way to the sky.
  • 00:20:55.056 --> 00:20:58.593
  • And for me, when i arrived there,
  • 00:20:58.593 --> 00:21:00.228
  • It immediately reminded me of of auschwitz.
  • 00:21:00.228 --> 00:21:04.199
  • And hamas is a modern day nazi death.
  • 00:21:04.933 --> 00:21:07.936
  • Coal.
  • 00:21:07.936 --> 00:21:09.003
  • Hamas stopped.
  • 00:21:09.003 --> 00:21:10.138
  • At no point they killed christians, muslims, buddhists.
  • 00:21:10.138 --> 00:21:13.908
  • They killed everyone on the path.
  • 00:21:13.908 --> 00:21:16.378
  • It was an act of barbarism that i think humankind
  • 00:21:16.378 --> 00:21:19.114
  • Almost haven't seen in the world.
  • 00:21:19.114 --> 00:21:22.817
  • How can people create so much damage?
  • 00:21:22.817 --> 00:21:25.653
  • Physical damage?
  • 00:21:25.653 --> 00:21:26.588
  • I mean,
  • 00:21:26.588 --> 00:21:27.956
  • The amount of hate of,
  • 00:21:27.956 --> 00:21:31.159
  • You know, they say that they are,
  • 00:21:31.159 --> 00:21:34.028
  • A very believer muslim.
  • 00:21:34.028 --> 00:21:36.798
  • God cannot be a part of something like that.
  • 00:21:36.798 --> 00:21:39.534
  • Not even a chance.
  • 00:21:39.534 --> 00:21:41.970
  • It things like that happen only in places where god is not
  • 00:21:41.970 --> 00:21:45.673
  • Is not there.
  • 00:21:45.673 --> 00:21:50.678
  • Powerful eight part documentary series
  • 00:21:51.513 --> 00:21:53.681
  • The heroes of october 7th and beyond.
  • 00:21:53.681 --> 00:21:56.284
  • You can catch it every sunday night right here on tbn, 11 p.m.
  • 00:21:56.284 --> 00:21:58.987
  • Eastern time,
  • 00:21:58.987 --> 00:22:00.255
  • And if you miss any episodes, be sure to check it out at tbn.
  • 00:22:00.255 --> 00:22:04.459
  • Plus, i think it's one of the most important series
  • 00:22:04.459 --> 00:22:07.128
  • I have ever done and for such a time as this.
  • 00:22:07.128 --> 00:22:10.465
  • And speaking of which, my final thoughts
  • 00:22:10.465 --> 00:22:12.200
  • After the break about shining
  • 00:22:12.200 --> 00:22:14.002
  • Light in the darkness don't move.
  • 00:22:14.002 --> 00:22:20.011
  • Light in the darkness don't move.
  • 00:22:20.011 --> 00:22:22.744
  • Welcome back to stakelbeck tonight, folks.
  • 00:22:23.645 --> 00:22:25.480
  • As we wrap up here, we've been reminded tonight
  • 00:22:25.480 --> 00:22:27.715
  • That yes, evil does exist in the world.
  • 00:22:27.715 --> 00:22:30.652
  • In many cases.
  • 00:22:30.652 --> 00:22:31.920
  • You could say it's on the march and there could be a tendency
  • 00:22:31.920 --> 00:22:34.789
  • To be fearful and worried.
  • 00:22:34.789 --> 00:22:36.157
  • What's going to happen to iran, china, russia, the left, islam?
  • 00:22:36.157 --> 00:22:39.727
  • They're all on the march.
  • 00:22:39.727 --> 00:22:40.862
  • They all despise judeo-christian
  • 00:22:40.862 --> 00:22:42.931
  • Western civilization and israel.
  • 00:22:42.931 --> 00:22:44.799
  • But i think of psalm 27, verse one, the psalm of david,
  • 00:22:44.799 --> 00:22:48.136
  • The lord is my light and my salvation.
  • 00:22:48.136 --> 00:22:51.105
  • Whom shall i fear?
  • 00:22:51.105 --> 00:22:52.841
  • The lord is the stronghold of my life.
  • 00:22:52.841 --> 00:22:56.377
  • Of whom shall i be afraid? amen.
  • 00:22:56.377 --> 00:22:59.547
  • Do not fear man.
  • 00:22:59.547 --> 00:23:01.149
  • God is on the throne.
  • 00:23:01.149 --> 00:23:02.550
  • He will never leave you or forsake you.
  • 00:23:02.550 --> 00:23:04.686
  • I think it's a good time to remind everyone of that.
  • 00:23:04.686 --> 00:23:07.622
  • As things continue to rage around the world.
  • 00:23:07.622 --> 00:23:10.592
  • God has you right where he wants you tomorrow night.
  • 00:23:10.592 --> 00:23:14.162
  • Lance wallnau is here. going to be a great interview.
  • 00:23:14.162 --> 00:23:16.197
  • Also.
  • 00:23:16.197 --> 00:23:17.332
  • Jonathan turley, great professor with a legal breakdown.
  • 00:23:17.332 --> 00:23:19.767
  • You won't want to miss that until then.
  • 00:23:19.767 --> 00:23:21.169
  • God bless you and we'll see you soon.
  • 00:23:21.169 --> 00:23:21.169