Erick Stakelbeck, a prominent journalist, delves into the escalating tensions in the Middle East, focusing on Iran's brutal regime and the looming threat of a U.S. strike. With the Iranian people in turmoil and Israel on high alert, Stakelbeck navigates the complex web of international relations, discussing potential outcomes and the need for prayers for peace. As the situation intensifies, Stakelbeck's insights shed light on the urgency of the moment and the hope for a new dawn in the region.
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Stakelbeck Tonight | Erick Stakelbeck: January 29, 2026 | Stakelbeck Tonight | January 29, 2026
- Welcome to stakelbeck tonight i'm erick stakelbeck
- 00:00:03.593 --> 00:00:06.062
- And the moment of reckoning has arrived for iran's regime
- 00:00:06.062 --> 00:00:11.000
- In recent weeks, ayatollah khamenei death squads
- 00:00:11.000 --> 00:00:14.204
- Have conducted a brutal massacre against iranian civilians.
- 00:00:14.204 --> 00:00:18.708
- According to reports from inside iran.
- 00:00:18.708 --> 00:00:20.910
- Tens of thousands of iranians
- 00:00:20.910 --> 00:00:23.313
- Have been killed by their own government
- 00:00:23.313 --> 00:00:25.982
- For daring to protest its destructive policies.
- 00:00:25.982 --> 00:00:29.853
- Folks really wrap your heads around that.
- 00:00:29.853 --> 00:00:32.188
- Tens of thousands of people murdered in cold blood
- 00:00:32.188 --> 00:00:35.825
- In the span of just three weeks, and hundreds of thousands
- 00:00:35.825 --> 00:00:39.929
- More reportedly injured.
- 00:00:39.929 --> 00:00:41.798
- We haven't seen a government commit
- 00:00:41.798 --> 00:00:43.299
- Such wide scale atrocities against its own people
- 00:00:43.299 --> 00:00:47.137
- Since the days of pol pot, stalin and mao.
- 00:00:47.137 --> 00:00:50.940
- And now this evil regime in tehran, which has spent the past
- 00:00:50.940 --> 00:00:54.644
- 47 years terrorizing its own people
- 00:00:54.644 --> 00:00:57.780
- And sponsoring terrorism in the middle east
- 00:00:57.780 --> 00:01:00.383
- And around the world, may finally face justice.
- 00:01:00.383 --> 00:01:04.521
- On wednesday, president trump warned iran that
- 00:01:04.521 --> 00:01:06.756
- If it does not agree to a deal with the united states,
- 00:01:06.756 --> 00:01:10.126
- Then he would unleash an attack far worse
- 00:01:10.126 --> 00:01:12.962
- Than the strike on iran's nuclear sites last june.
- 00:01:12.962 --> 00:01:16.266
- Trump wrote on his social platform, quote,
- 00:01:16.266 --> 00:01:19.435
- A massive armada is heading to iran.
- 00:01:19.435 --> 00:01:22.739
- It is moving quickly with great power, enthusiasm and purpose.
- 00:01:22.739 --> 00:01:26.943
- It is a larger fleet headed by the great aircraft carrier
- 00:01:26.943 --> 00:01:30.046
- Abraham lincoln than that sent to venezuela.
- 00:01:30.046 --> 00:01:33.283
- Like with venezuela,
- 00:01:33.283 --> 00:01:34.751
- It is ready, willing and able to rapidly fulfill its mission
- 00:01:34.751 --> 00:01:38.588
- With speed and violence if necessary.
- 00:01:38.588 --> 00:01:41.858
- The u.s.
- 00:01:41.858 --> 00:01:42.959
- Has now deployed six destroyers, along with an aircraft
- 00:01:42.959 --> 00:01:45.595
- Carrier and three other combat ships to the middle east.
- 00:01:45.595 --> 00:01:48.965
- And president trump is said to be weighing
- 00:01:48.965 --> 00:01:50.600
- Massive strikes against the regime.
- 00:01:50.600 --> 00:01:53.369
- Ayatollah khamenei has reportedly gone into hiding,
- 00:01:53.369 --> 00:01:56.739
- And israel is on high alert in case iran
- 00:01:56.739 --> 00:02:00.076
- Follows through on its threats to attack the jewish state.
- 00:02:00.076 --> 00:02:03.246
- If and when war breaks out.
- 00:02:03.246 --> 00:02:05.148
- Bottom line the iranian regime has never been weaker
- 00:02:05.148 --> 00:02:09.185
- Or more vulnerable than it is right now.
- 00:02:09.185 --> 00:02:12.422
- Secretary of state marco rubio gave the state of play
- 00:02:12.422 --> 00:02:15.258
- During senate testimony yesterday.
- 00:02:15.258 --> 00:02:17.460
- Watch.
- 00:02:17.460 --> 00:02:18.695
- We've heard such differing accounts.
- 00:02:18.695 --> 00:02:20.964
- And the president has spoken strongly.
- 00:02:20.964 --> 00:02:22.432
- You have as well on the the deaths in iran
- 00:02:22.432 --> 00:02:25.501
- And the horrible atrocities are being committed.
- 00:02:25.501 --> 00:02:27.904
- Can you give us some sense of we see reports of thousands,
- 00:02:27.904 --> 00:02:31.174
- Tens of thousands.
- 00:02:31.174 --> 00:02:31.941
- What's the state
- 00:02:31.941 --> 00:02:33.176
- Department's best estimate of what's happened on the ground?
- 00:02:33.176 --> 00:02:35.578
- Well, i don't in the thousands for certain.
- 00:02:35.578 --> 00:02:38.381
- And look,
- 00:02:38.381 --> 00:02:40.183
- I think
- 00:02:40.416 --> 00:02:41.451
- Regimes, including that one in iran, have learned
- 00:02:41.451 --> 00:02:43.886
- That when you start shooting people in the head with snipers,
- 00:02:43.886 --> 00:02:46.789
- It's effective.
- 00:02:46.789 --> 00:02:48.057
- I mean, it works, and they've done it, and it's horrifying.
- 00:02:48.057 --> 00:02:49.959
- And that's what we've seen.
- 00:02:49.959 --> 00:02:51.427
- That regime is probably weaker than it has ever been.
- 00:02:51.427 --> 00:02:54.264
- And the core problem they face, unlike the protests
- 00:02:54.264 --> 00:02:56.866
- You saw in the past on some other topics,
- 00:02:56.866 --> 00:02:59.002
- Is that they don't have a way to address
- 00:02:59.002 --> 00:03:01.471
- The core complaints of the protesters,
- 00:03:01.471 --> 00:03:03.106
- Which is that their economies and collapse.
- 00:03:03.106 --> 00:03:04.907
- And the reason why there's economies and collapse
- 00:03:04.907 --> 00:03:07.076
- Is because they spend all their money
- 00:03:07.076 --> 00:03:08.845
- And all their resources building weapons
- 00:03:08.845 --> 00:03:11.714
- And sponsoring terrorist groups around the world
- 00:03:11.714 --> 00:03:13.683
- Instead of reinvesting it back into their society.
- 00:03:13.683 --> 00:03:15.918
- And as a result of taking on massive
- 00:03:15.918 --> 00:03:17.520
- Global sanctions,
- 00:03:17.520 --> 00:03:18.588
- Which is isolated their economy and their country.
- 00:03:18.588 --> 00:03:20.857
- And so that's what the iranian people are
- 00:03:20.857 --> 00:03:22.592
- Demanding,
- 00:03:22.592 --> 00:03:23.793
- Is that they stop doing that and start caring about them
- 00:03:23.793 --> 00:03:25.795
- And get these sanctions off of them.
- 00:03:25.795 --> 00:03:27.063
- And this regime is unwilling to do it.
- 00:03:27.063 --> 00:03:28.965
- So the core challenges, the protests may have ebbed,
- 00:03:28.965 --> 00:03:32.535
- But they will
- 00:03:32.535 --> 00:03:33.603
- Spark up again in the future because this regime,
- 00:03:33.603 --> 00:03:35.405
- Unless they are willing to change and or leave,
- 00:03:35.405 --> 00:03:38.107
- Have no way of addressing the legitimate and consistent
- 00:03:38.107 --> 00:03:40.910
- Complaints of the people of iran who deserve better.
- 00:03:40.910 --> 00:03:43.479
- Very good. thank you.
- 00:03:43.479 --> 00:03:45.181
- Now, other than the united states and israel, the so-called
- 00:03:46.316 --> 00:03:49.652
- International community has been mostly silent
- 00:03:49.652 --> 00:03:53.156
- As iran's government carries out a bloodbath in real time.
- 00:03:53.156 --> 00:03:57.126
- The left, the mainstream media and global elites will.
- 00:03:57.126 --> 00:04:00.563
- How about an imaginary genocide in gaza?
- 00:04:00.563 --> 00:04:04.267
- But they won't make a peep when the real thing happens
- 00:04:04.267 --> 00:04:07.203
- In the streets of iran.
- 00:04:07.203 --> 00:04:08.905
- It has never been more clear that in a world
- 00:04:08.905 --> 00:04:11.274
- That has largely lost any sense of moral clarity,
- 00:04:11.274 --> 00:04:14.744
- Israel is the first line of defense.
- 00:04:14.744 --> 00:04:17.347
- And the united states under president trump is the last line
- 00:04:17.347 --> 00:04:20.850
- Of defense against evil forces that threaten us all.
- 00:04:20.850 --> 00:04:24.921
- So what comes next in iran?
- 00:04:24.921 --> 00:04:27.256
- Former israel defense forces spokesman jonathan conricus
- 00:04:27.256 --> 00:04:29.992
- Joins us from tel aviv to break it down
- 00:04:29.992 --> 00:04:33.029
- Next.
- 00:04:33.262 --> 00:04:50.613
- Is iran's regime on the brink of collapse,
- 00:04:51.514 --> 00:04:55.084
- And will president trump strike the blow that finally pushes
- 00:04:55.084 --> 00:04:58.921
- The ayatollahs into the ash heap of history?
- 00:04:58.921 --> 00:05:02.325
- Joining us now to break
- 00:05:02.325 --> 00:05:03.292
- Down is our good friend, jonathan conricus,
- 00:05:03.292 --> 00:05:05.161
- Senior fellow at the foundation for defense of democracies
- 00:05:05.161 --> 00:05:08.364
- And former
- 00:05:08.364 --> 00:05:09.465
- International spokesman for the israel defense forces.
- 00:05:09.465 --> 00:05:12.568
- Jonathan, always great to see you.
- 00:05:12.568 --> 00:05:14.370
- It seems that president trump has to do something here.
- 00:05:14.370 --> 00:05:18.374
- He promised that
- 00:05:18.374 --> 00:05:19.609
- Help was on the way for the iranian people.
- 00:05:19.609 --> 00:05:21.911
- U.s. forces are locked and loaded now.
- 00:05:21.911 --> 00:05:24.046
- We have the assets moving into the region.
- 00:05:24.046 --> 00:05:26.883
- Jonathan, what does a potential u.s.
- 00:05:26.883 --> 00:05:29.118
- Attack on iran look like?
- 00:05:29.118 --> 00:05:31.387
- Is this targeting just perhaps the leadership?
- 00:05:31.387 --> 00:05:34.657
- Is it a broader regime change type
- 00:05:34.657 --> 00:05:36.959
- Operation?
- 00:05:36.959 --> 00:05:37.927
- How do you see it in terms of wh
- 00:05:37.927 --> 00:05:42.532
- Hello, eric, thanks for having me back on your show
- 00:05:43.566 --> 00:05:46.702
- And regards to everybody from the holy land.
- 00:05:46.702 --> 00:05:50.740
- I'd say the following that there's great anticipation
- 00:05:50.740 --> 00:05:53.876
- In israel.
- 00:05:53.876 --> 00:05:55.044
- Israelis are asking themselves, you know,
- 00:05:55.044 --> 00:05:58.581
- When is it going to happen?
- 00:05:58.581 --> 00:06:00.416
- Not if or whether it's happening, but it's about when
- 00:06:00.416 --> 00:06:04.420
- And what will the exact strikes be?
- 00:06:04.420 --> 00:06:07.223
- Because i think that israelis have grown accustomed to a u.s.
- 00:06:07.223 --> 00:06:11.327
- President who is a man of his word
- 00:06:11.327 --> 00:06:14.230
- And a redline was drawn by the president
- 00:06:14.230 --> 00:06:17.633
- And telling the oppressive iranian regime
- 00:06:17.633 --> 00:06:20.136
- That if you butcher civilians, if you shoot them down,
- 00:06:20.136 --> 00:06:23.039
- There will be consequences.
- 00:06:23.039 --> 00:06:24.907
- The iranian regime did that and did it in tremendous brutality.
- 00:06:24.907 --> 00:06:29.378
- We have reports of between 20 and 35,000
- 00:06:29.378 --> 00:06:33.516
- Iranian civilian protesters that were just mowed down
- 00:06:33.516 --> 00:06:37.453
- In the most brutal fashion.
- 00:06:37.453 --> 00:06:39.288
- And therefore,
- 00:06:39.288 --> 00:06:40.490
- I think israelis believe that president trump
- 00:06:40.490 --> 00:06:42.792
- Will indeed order
- 00:06:42.792 --> 00:06:44.093
- And enforce the red line that he said forward.
- 00:06:44.093 --> 00:06:46.963
- Now, what can we anticipate?
- 00:06:46.963 --> 00:06:49.065
- The only thing that we can, you know, assess
- 00:06:49.065 --> 00:06:52.435
- Is the opening salvo, like what will be the first targets?
- 00:06:52.435 --> 00:06:56.405
- And then
- 00:06:56.405 --> 00:06:57.607
- There's a whole other dynamic that will put into place,
- 00:06:57.607 --> 00:06:59.942
- Because as various american journalists have said,
- 00:06:59.942 --> 00:07:03.179
- The enemy will have a vote and we'll see how the iranians
- 00:07:03.179 --> 00:07:06.349
- Will respond.
- 00:07:06.349 --> 00:07:07.450
- But bottom line, what do i think we should anticipate
- 00:07:07.450 --> 00:07:10.853
- Is going to be overwhelming aerial attacks
- 00:07:10.853 --> 00:07:14.190
- On the centers of power of the iranian regime
- 00:07:14.190 --> 00:07:18.327
- And the attacks that will be designed to cripple
- 00:07:18.327 --> 00:07:22.064
- The ability of the regime to effectively maneuver troops
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- And to continue to oppress the iranian people.
- 00:07:26.102 --> 00:07:29.739
- In colloquial terms, i would say that this perhaps
- 00:07:29.739 --> 00:07:32.942
- Will be designed to be the trumpet of the cavalry,
- 00:07:32.942 --> 00:07:36.646
- Indicating to the iranian people,
- 00:07:36.646 --> 00:07:39.415
- The brave iranian people, that help has indeed finally arrived,
- 00:07:39.415 --> 00:07:43.786
- And that this is now the beginning
- 00:07:43.786 --> 00:07:45.855
- Of what can be a long but very important struggle
- 00:07:45.855 --> 00:07:49.892
- To actually take back control over the country
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- And rest it out of the hands of the regime
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- That has been oppressing them for 47 years.
- 00:07:55.064 --> 00:07:57.867
- Jonathan. well said.
- 00:07:57.867 --> 00:07:59.101
- And god willing, and israel right now on high alert,
- 00:07:59.101 --> 00:08:02.505
- The iranian regime has threatened to respond by
- 00:08:02.505 --> 00:08:04.707
- Launching missiles, specifically mentioning tel aviv this week.
- 00:08:04.707 --> 00:08:08.477
- What's israel's posture right now?
- 00:08:08.477 --> 00:08:10.780
- And if iran does start to launch?
- 00:08:10.780 --> 00:08:13.516
- What can we expect from the idf in response?
- 00:08:13.516 --> 00:08:17.920
- You know, if the iranians
- 00:08:18.487 --> 00:08:19.989
- Do indeed follow through on those threats of
- 00:08:19.989 --> 00:08:23.759
- Aggression against israel, i think what they will find
- 00:08:23.759 --> 00:08:26.562
- Is a battle hardened country and with civilians
- 00:08:26.562 --> 00:08:30.633
- That are disciplined, ready, agile and calm
- 00:08:30.633 --> 00:08:34.937
- In responding to government orders, we will take cover
- 00:08:34.937 --> 00:08:38.741
- And people will do what's necessary
- 00:08:38.741 --> 00:08:40.843
- In order to minimize the targets for the iranians.
- 00:08:40.843 --> 00:08:43.846
- And i think that the iranian regime will find a battle ready.
- 00:08:43.846 --> 00:08:48.084
- Defense and offensive capabilities of the idf.
- 00:08:48.084 --> 00:08:52.755
- Air defenses that are battle proven
- 00:08:52.755 --> 00:08:55.091
- That together with american help and with a few other partners,
- 00:08:55.091 --> 00:08:58.227
- We've been able to defend ourselves in the past.
- 00:08:58.227 --> 00:09:00.630
- And we've,
- 00:09:00.630 --> 00:09:01.831
- Of course, learned lessons from the previous engagements
- 00:09:01.831 --> 00:09:05.034
- And with the iranian regime, will meet is
- 00:09:05.034 --> 00:09:07.803
- A, i think, very swift and effective countermeasures
- 00:09:07.803 --> 00:09:12.375
- By israel which are ready, locked, loaded.
- 00:09:12.375 --> 00:09:15.811
- And it's a matter of, you know, waiting for the reason
- 00:09:15.811 --> 00:09:19.248
- To do so.
- 00:09:19.248 --> 00:09:20.349
- And the israeli air force has already shown capacity
- 00:09:20.349 --> 00:09:23.019
- In traveling hundreds, if not more than a thousand
- 00:09:23.019 --> 00:09:26.222
- Miles, and deliver
- 00:09:26.222 --> 00:09:27.356
- Very accurate strikes at important targets in iran.
- 00:09:27.356 --> 00:09:30.760
- That is what's in store for the iranian regime.
- 00:09:30.760 --> 00:09:33.295
- If they indeed
- 00:09:33.295 --> 00:09:34.897
- Fire missiles at israeli cities and try to kill israelis.
- 00:09:34.897 --> 00:09:39.101
- Yeah.
- 00:09:39.101 --> 00:09:40.169
- And you think iran might have learned its lesson
- 00:09:40.169 --> 00:09:41.437
- Back in june during the 12 day war,
- 00:09:41.437 --> 00:09:43.272
- But it apparently did not get the memo. jonathan.
- 00:09:43.272 --> 00:09:45.541
- About a minute to the break.
- 00:09:45.541 --> 00:09:47.243
- What does a middle east without the iranian regime look like?
- 00:09:47.243 --> 00:09:51.814
- It would be a new day, of course. about a minute left.
- 00:09:51.814 --> 00:09:54.116
- What are your thoughts there?
- 00:09:54.116 --> 00:09:55.885
- I'm very hopeful for that to happen.
- 00:09:56.686 --> 00:09:58.788
- I'm hopeful because it would be great for the iranian people.
- 00:09:58.788 --> 00:10:02.058
- It would mean tremendous opportunities for the u.s.,
- 00:10:02.058 --> 00:10:05.161
- For israel,
- 00:10:05.161 --> 00:10:06.295
- Of prosperity, investment, economic development.
- 00:10:06.295 --> 00:10:09.498
- It would mean that most of america's enemies,
- 00:10:09.498 --> 00:10:12.435
- America and israel's enemies in the region, would be left
- 00:10:12.435 --> 00:10:15.337
- Without their main funder and supporter,
- 00:10:15.337 --> 00:10:17.540
- The stomach republic of iran.
- 00:10:17.540 --> 00:10:19.208
- And i see almost only positive things.
- 00:10:19.208 --> 00:10:21.977
- And therefore i think this is now the time to do it.
- 00:10:21.977 --> 00:10:24.980
- And i hope that the brave
- 00:10:24.980 --> 00:10:26.215
- Iranian people will see the dawn of a new age in their country.
- 00:10:26.215 --> 00:10:30.219
- Amen. well, said, jonathan, we're not done with you yet.
- 00:10:30.219 --> 00:10:32.555
- Going back after the break, folks,
- 00:10:32.555 --> 00:10:33.989
- Saudi arabia and israel, there is talk of a peace deal.
- 00:10:33.989 --> 00:10:37.026
- Is that now on ice?
- 00:10:37.026 --> 00:10:38.194
- What is happening in saudi arabia? are we seeing it?
- 00:10:38.194 --> 00:10:40.496
- Turn there more with jonathan conricus after the break.
- 00:10:40.496 --> 00:10:43.799
- Stick around.
- 00:10:43.799 --> 00:10:48.004
- Stick around.
- 00:10:48.004 --> 00:10:49.776
- Welcome back to stakelbeck tonight
- 00:10:50.510 --> 00:10:52.178
- We're talking to our good friend jonathan conricus, a senior
- 00:10:52.178 --> 00:10:54.514
- Fellow at the foundation
- 00:10:54.514 --> 00:10:55.682
- For defense of democracies in washington, dc.
- 00:10:55.682 --> 00:10:58.685
- Jonathan, when president trump took office again
- 00:10:58.685 --> 00:11:00.487
- About a year ago, there was a lot of anticipation
- 00:11:00.487 --> 00:11:02.622
- That saudi arabia would finally normalize relations
- 00:11:02.622 --> 00:11:05.725
- With israel.
- 00:11:05.725 --> 00:11:06.893
- But in the past few months, it seems we've seen a turn
- 00:11:06.893 --> 00:11:09.496
- By the saudi government.
- 00:11:09.496 --> 00:11:10.964
- There's a kind of a rivalry with the uae.
- 00:11:10.964 --> 00:11:12.932
- Not only that, drawing closer to turkey and pakistan now, and
- 00:11:12.932 --> 00:11:17.170
- It seems that the abraham accords
- 00:11:17.170 --> 00:11:18.671
- May be a bit further off than was hoped for.
- 00:11:18.671 --> 00:11:21.441
- How do you see the turn?
- 00:11:21.441 --> 00:11:22.575
- Saudi arabia seems to be taking, as of late.
- 00:11:22.575 --> 00:11:27.447
- Yes, eric.
- 00:11:27.747 --> 00:11:28.381
- That's worrying.
- 00:11:28.381 --> 00:11:29.415
- I mean, that that brilliant diplomatic move on
- 00:11:29.415 --> 00:11:34.120
- President trump's first presidency
- 00:11:34.120 --> 00:11:36.422
- Of the abraham accords, which have been tremendous
- 00:11:36.422 --> 00:11:39.726
- For the region.
- 00:11:39.726 --> 00:11:40.693
- They've been great for the uae.
- 00:11:40.693 --> 00:11:42.328
- They've been great for israel and for other countries,
- 00:11:42.328 --> 00:11:44.697
- And they've really
- 00:11:44.697 --> 00:11:45.899
- Shown the region and the world that peace is indeed possible.
- 00:11:45.899 --> 00:11:50.103
- And that economy,
- 00:11:50.103 --> 00:11:52.806
- With the development, with investment and peaceful
- 00:11:52.806 --> 00:11:56.643
- Relations is the way going forward,
- 00:11:56.643 --> 00:11:58.678
- Not war and terrorism and jihadi activity
- 00:11:58.678 --> 00:12:01.714
- And all of the other things that we see
- 00:12:01.714 --> 00:12:03.750
- The iranians and hamas and islamic jihad,
- 00:12:03.750 --> 00:12:07.153
- Providing.
- 00:12:07.453 --> 00:12:08.254
- But yes, i agree, there are some,
- 00:12:08.254 --> 00:12:11.391
- There's a there's a fly in the ointment here.
- 00:12:11.391 --> 00:12:14.460
- And the saudis appear to be having second thoughts.
- 00:12:14.460 --> 00:12:18.064
- It is concerning because we've seen the saudis
- 00:12:18.064 --> 00:12:20.800
- Over the last years flirting with china
- 00:12:20.800 --> 00:12:24.537
- As a way of applying leverage on the u.s.
- 00:12:24.537 --> 00:12:27.607
- And kind of indicating
- 00:12:27.607 --> 00:12:28.842
- To the us that saudi arabia does have other options.
- 00:12:28.842 --> 00:12:33.213
- And you will remember that deal that the saudis
- 00:12:33.213 --> 00:12:36.282
- Struck with the iranian regime
- 00:12:36.282 --> 00:12:39.452
- A few years ago with chinese mediation?
- 00:12:39.452 --> 00:12:42.622
- That was mostly a message to the u.s.
- 00:12:42.622 --> 00:12:45.091
- That the saudis could pursue other venues.
- 00:12:45.091 --> 00:12:49.028
- And i read the saudi actions much into that same category.
- 00:12:49.028 --> 00:12:54.300
- It's them trying to keep their options
- 00:12:54.300 --> 00:12:56.569
- Open and signaling open and signaling to dc that
- 00:12:56.569 --> 00:13:00.406
- They can do that.
- 00:13:00.840 --> 00:13:02.008
- I think that's unfortunate because being partners
- 00:13:02.008 --> 00:13:05.778
- With regimes, you know, other regimes, not the u.s.,
- 00:13:05.778 --> 00:13:09.749
- That usually doesn't work very well.
- 00:13:09.749 --> 00:13:11.684
- And i think that the saudis would be wiser
- 00:13:11.684 --> 00:13:14.153
- In being true and loyal and being thankful
- 00:13:14.153 --> 00:13:18.024
- To the tremendous support and defense that the u.s.
- 00:13:18.024 --> 00:13:21.327
- Provides them.
- 00:13:21.327 --> 00:13:22.795
- And i think that the best way forward for saudi arabia,
- 00:13:22.795 --> 00:13:25.865
- For the region is to expand the successful abraham accords
- 00:13:25.865 --> 00:13:29.702
- That now have withstood quite a lot of pressure.
- 00:13:29.702 --> 00:13:33.606
- You know, after october 7th, there was a lot of pressure
- 00:13:33.606 --> 00:13:36.643
- By extremist forces in the middle east to basically,
- 00:13:36.643 --> 00:13:41.147
- Call on muslim countries to withdraw their,
- 00:13:41.147 --> 00:13:44.851
- Participation in the abraham accords.
- 00:13:44.851 --> 00:13:46.686
- But it has withstood those pressures.
- 00:13:46.686 --> 00:13:48.521
- And i think the only way moving forward,
- 00:13:48.521 --> 00:13:50.790
- Exactly as the president promotes, is through strength.
- 00:13:50.790 --> 00:13:54.360
- But building bridges of peace through economy research
- 00:13:54.360 --> 00:13:58.498
- And development, investment and the good things that we have
- 00:13:58.498 --> 00:14:01.701
- In life and not focusing on war and the bad things.
- 00:14:01.701 --> 00:14:05.438
- Yeah, it seems that
- 00:14:05.438 --> 00:14:06.072
- President trump
- 00:14:06.072 --> 00:14:07.340
- And his team want to bring that economic development to gaza.
- 00:14:07.340 --> 00:14:09.876
- We just had
- 00:14:09.876 --> 00:14:11.010
- The remains of the final israeli hostage returned home
- 00:14:11.010 --> 00:14:13.646
- Earlier this week. jonathan, what's the latest?
- 00:14:13.646 --> 00:14:15.848
- The state of play in gaza.
- 00:14:15.848 --> 00:14:17.717
- Hamas any closer to disarming?
- 00:14:17.717 --> 00:14:20.486
- What's the latest out of the strip?
- 00:14:20.486 --> 00:14:22.989
- Well, here, eric, it's a bit
- 00:14:23.589 --> 00:14:24.724
- Of a mixed bag because, you know, one down, two to go.
- 00:14:24.724 --> 00:14:27.994
- One as in one objective achieved.
- 00:14:27.994 --> 00:14:31.497
- We finally
- 00:14:31.497 --> 00:14:32.598
- Have all of the israelis
- 00:14:32.598 --> 00:14:34.267
- That were abducted, murdered
- 00:14:34.267 --> 00:14:35.802
- And abducted by hamas on october 7th.
- 00:14:35.802 --> 00:14:38.237
- They're finally home.
- 00:14:38.237 --> 00:14:40.173
- Really was the last one.
- 00:14:40.173 --> 00:14:41.708
- And, thanks to president trump and his team and, of course,
- 00:14:41.708 --> 00:14:45.144
- The bravery of israeli soldiers on the ground.
- 00:14:45.144 --> 00:14:47.480
- We now have everybody back in israel.
- 00:14:47.480 --> 00:14:49.916
- And that is magnificent.
- 00:14:49.916 --> 00:14:51.784
- That is no small accomplishment.
- 00:14:51.784 --> 00:14:54.187
- Many people didn't believe that we would come to this day
- 00:14:54.187 --> 00:14:56.889
- And just, you know, for proportions.
- 00:14:56.889 --> 00:14:58.825
- That hasn't been the situation since 2014.
- 00:14:58.825 --> 00:15:02.662
- This is now the first time
- 00:15:02.662 --> 00:15:03.896
- Since 2014 that all that there are no longer any israelis
- 00:15:03.896 --> 00:15:07.834
- In the hands of hamas.
- 00:15:07.834 --> 00:15:09.035
- And that's a beautiful achievement.
- 00:15:09.035 --> 00:15:10.670
- However, to to to go means that hamas needs
- 00:15:10.670 --> 00:15:14.640
- To be dismantled, disarmed and that they need to be,
- 00:15:14.640 --> 00:15:18.344
- Taken out of control
- 00:15:18.811 --> 00:15:19.979
- Or control needs to be wrested from their hands
- 00:15:19.979 --> 00:15:22.815
- Of the gaza strip.
- 00:15:22.815 --> 00:15:24.150
- That has not yet happened.
- 00:15:24.150 --> 00:15:25.618
- And i hate to be,
- 00:15:25.618 --> 00:15:27.253
- You know, a bit pessimistic,
- 00:15:27.253 --> 00:15:28.488
- But i'm not seeing the necessary movement on the ground
- 00:15:28.488 --> 00:15:31.991
- In terms of disarming hamas and in terms of taking control
- 00:15:31.991 --> 00:15:35.995
- Of the gaza strip.
- 00:15:35.995 --> 00:15:37.463
- I do not see yet the international stabilization
- 00:15:37.463 --> 00:15:40.299
- Force. and let me be clear.
- 00:15:40.299 --> 00:15:42.402
- As long as hamas has weapons
- 00:15:42.402 --> 00:15:45.238
- And exists in gaza, then there will not be peace.
- 00:15:45.238 --> 00:15:49.075
- And i wouldn't invest in any infrastructure in gaza
- 00:15:49.075 --> 00:15:52.578
- Because hamas will be will bring war to gaza again
- 00:15:52.578 --> 00:15:56.315
- And it will be destroyed.
- 00:15:56.315 --> 00:15:57.617
- So i think first things first, disarm hamas.
- 00:15:57.617 --> 00:16:00.553
- That is the absolute
- 00:16:00.553 --> 00:16:01.954
- Basic condition for any positive change in the future.
- 00:16:01.954 --> 00:16:05.725
- I hope it will happen
- 00:16:05.725 --> 00:16:06.726
- For the sake of israelis and arabs alike.
- 00:16:06.726 --> 00:16:08.861
- With the collapse of the iranian regime
- 00:16:08.861 --> 00:16:10.530
- Just weakened hamas further.
- 00:16:10.530 --> 00:16:11.864
- Jonathan, or with turkey
- 00:16:11.864 --> 00:16:13.332
- And qatar kind of fill the void there and propping hamas up.
- 00:16:13.332 --> 00:16:17.270
- You hit the nail straight on the head there, eric.
- 00:16:18.304 --> 00:16:21.207
- It's, yes, the collapse of the islamic
- 00:16:21.207 --> 00:16:23.910
- Republic of iran would likely weaken hamas.
- 00:16:23.910 --> 00:16:27.246
- But sadly, there are other countries,
- 00:16:27.246 --> 00:16:30.850
- States of sponsors of terrorism that i think are eager
- 00:16:30.850 --> 00:16:35.088
- To, fill their place and to provide hamas with money,
- 00:16:35.088 --> 00:16:39.425
- Political cover and weapons, and that they yearn
- 00:16:39.425 --> 00:16:42.962
- For turkey and qatar are the leading culprits here.
- 00:16:42.962 --> 00:16:47.066
- And i think that is why it is so absolutely important
- 00:16:47.066 --> 00:16:50.736
- To minimize any turkish and qatar
- 00:16:50.736 --> 00:16:54.173
- Influence in the board of peace and the day after in gaza.
- 00:16:54.173 --> 00:16:57.510
- These are not friends of america.
- 00:16:57.510 --> 00:16:59.278
- These are not friends of the west.
- 00:16:59.278 --> 00:17:00.680
- These are evil countries that support an islamist agenda
- 00:17:00.680 --> 00:17:05.118
- That don't really view christians or jews
- 00:17:05.118 --> 00:17:07.987
- As their equal peers, but that look
- 00:17:07.987 --> 00:17:10.923
- In a condescending way on jews and christians
- 00:17:10.923 --> 00:17:13.926
- And really don't want peace or prosperity for gazans.
- 00:17:13.926 --> 00:17:17.430
- They want an islamist kind of mindset,
- 00:17:17.430 --> 00:17:20.466
- And they look at hamas as a vehicle to to obtain that
- 00:17:20.466 --> 00:17:24.804
- Goal.
- 00:17:24.804 --> 00:17:25.905
- So turkish and catholic influence is not a good thing.
- 00:17:25.905 --> 00:17:28.741
- And i suggest we minimize it to the smallest, smallest
- 00:17:28.741 --> 00:17:32.545
- Extent possible.
- 00:17:32.545 --> 00:17:33.946
- Yeah. jonathan, great breakdown as always folks.
- 00:17:33.946 --> 00:17:36.315
- Be sure to follow
- 00:17:36.315 --> 00:17:37.350
- Jonathan on x across social media and@ftd.org.
- 00:17:37.350 --> 00:17:40.019
- Jonathan keep up the great work.
- 00:17:40.019 --> 00:17:41.521
- We'll see you again soon. god bless.
- 00:17:41.521 --> 00:17:43.156
- And coming up after the break. we're staying in israel.
- 00:17:43.156 --> 00:17:45.391
- We've got an on the ground report from jerusalem
- 00:17:45.391 --> 00:17:47.894
- With our good friend chris mitchell.
- 00:17:47.894 --> 00:17:49.562
- You won't want to miss that. don't move.
- 00:17:49.562 --> 00:17:59.007
- You won't want to miss that. don't move.
- 00:17:59.007 --> 00:18:00.611
- Welcome back to stakelbeck tonight.
- 00:18:01.379 --> 00:18:03.247
- Israel is on high alert as the u.s.
- 00:18:03.247 --> 00:18:05.650
- Moves closer to a possible strike against iran's regime.
- 00:18:05.650 --> 00:18:09.420
- Meanwhile, hamas still refuses to disarm
- 00:18:09.420 --> 00:18:12.957
- As phase two of the gaza peace plan remains on hold.
- 00:18:12.957 --> 00:18:16.827
- The middle east is once again on edge
- 00:18:16.827 --> 00:18:19.197
- And joining us from jerusalem with on the ground
- 00:18:19.197 --> 00:18:21.399
- Perspective is our good friend chris mitchell.
- 00:18:21.399 --> 00:18:23.734
- Cbn news middle east bureau chief
- 00:18:23.734 --> 00:18:25.636
- And host of the jerusalem dateline show,
- 00:18:25.636 --> 00:18:28.005
- Chris always great to see you.
- 00:18:28.005 --> 00:18:29.907
- You and i were talking off camera before we began.
- 00:18:29.907 --> 00:18:32.577
- You're watching and waiting right now in israel.
- 00:18:32.577 --> 00:18:35.479
- There has to be a sense of anticipation
- 00:18:35.479 --> 00:18:37.648
- That president trump is about to do something in iran.
- 00:18:37.648 --> 00:18:41.352
- Chris, what's your read on the situation?
- 00:18:41.352 --> 00:18:43.588
- Yeah, eric, a lot of anticipation right now
- 00:18:43.588 --> 00:18:45.623
- Watching and waiting.
- 00:18:45.623 --> 00:18:46.591
- Some people think it could be any day.
- 00:18:46.591 --> 00:18:48.492
- Could be this weekend.
- 00:18:48.492 --> 00:18:49.994
- We'll see what happens.
- 00:18:49.994 --> 00:18:51.028
- But ever since the,
- 00:18:51.028 --> 00:18:52.930
- You know,
- 00:18:52.930 --> 00:18:53.431
- The protests that
- 00:18:53.431 --> 00:18:54.565
- Have started on december 28th and seeing the horrific
- 00:18:54.565 --> 00:18:57.868
- Scenes in iran
- 00:18:57.868 --> 00:18:59.003
- And then president trump, you know, sometimes saying
- 00:18:59.003 --> 00:19:01.973
- Help is on the way.
- 00:19:01.973 --> 00:19:03.341
- And now he says, you know,
- 00:19:03.341 --> 00:19:04.809
- That maybe there's negotiations going on.
- 00:19:04.809 --> 00:19:07.078
- So there's sort of a sense that what's going to happen
- 00:19:07.078 --> 00:19:10.181
- Is the armada is huge right now in the middle east, eric.
- 00:19:10.181 --> 00:19:14.585
- We'll see the uss abraham lincoln.
- 00:19:14.585 --> 00:19:16.988
- We see f-15s coming in f-35s, air refueling and also the,
- 00:19:16.988 --> 00:19:22.627
- Anti-missile batteries.
- 00:19:23.127 --> 00:19:24.695
- I would say here, eric, there's a sense of resilience.
- 00:19:24.695 --> 00:19:28.666
- There's even a sense of calm.
- 00:19:28.666 --> 00:19:31.269
- You know, israelis have been through this three times
- 00:19:31.269 --> 00:19:33.337
- Already.
- 00:19:33.337 --> 00:19:34.338
- October 24th, june 25th, and also april 24th.
- 00:19:34.338 --> 00:19:38.643
- We had, you know,
- 00:19:38.643 --> 00:19:39.777
- Hundreds of ballistic missiles fired here at jerusalem.
- 00:19:39.777 --> 00:19:42.546
- Thankfully, most of them have been shot down.
- 00:19:42.546 --> 00:19:45.516
- But i think israel is on high alert but prepared for anything
- 00:19:45.516 --> 00:19:49.086
- That's going to happen, perhaps in the next few days.
- 00:19:49.086 --> 00:19:51.689
- Yeah, it could be on the horizon, chris, as you said.
- 00:19:51.689 --> 00:19:54.191
- Hey, speaking of which,
- 00:19:54.191 --> 00:19:55.660
- President trump would love for phase
- 00:19:55.660 --> 00:19:57.595
- Two of this gaza peace plan to go into effect.
- 00:19:57.595 --> 00:20:00.164
- It seems hamas has other ideas.
- 00:20:00.164 --> 00:20:02.466
- What's the sense in israel right now?
- 00:20:02.466 --> 00:20:04.268
- There's got to be a sense of frustration
- 00:20:04.268 --> 00:20:06.037
- That hamas still refuses to disarm.
- 00:20:06.037 --> 00:20:09.907
- I think a sense of frustration, but also determination
- 00:20:09.907 --> 00:20:13.144
- That phase two won't go on until phase one is completed,
- 00:20:13.144 --> 00:20:17.548
- Which is the disarmament of, of hamas,
- 00:20:17.548 --> 00:20:20.618
- I would say just in the last 24, 48 hours.
- 00:20:20.618 --> 00:20:24.755
- Eric,
- 00:20:24.989 --> 00:20:25.823
- There's been a real sense of closure
- 00:20:25.823 --> 00:20:27.425
- Because the last hostage ron gave the,
- 00:20:27.425 --> 00:20:30.294
- You know, israeli policemen that had been murdered
- 00:20:30.294 --> 00:20:32.997
- Right after un on october 7th is finally home.
- 00:20:32.997 --> 00:20:36.233
- And now, for the first time in ten years,
- 00:20:36.233 --> 00:20:39.537
- There's no israeli hostage inside gaza.
- 00:20:39.537 --> 00:20:42.940
- And so that's a huge sense of closure, the sense of relief,
- 00:20:42.940 --> 00:20:46.811
- A sense of,
- 00:20:46.811 --> 00:20:47.712
- Finally, that
- 00:20:47.712 --> 00:20:48.646
- That the three goals that had been set
- 00:20:48.646 --> 00:20:51.015
- At the very beginning of the world war, that
- 00:20:51.015 --> 00:20:53.117
- All the hostage was come home is finally, been realized.
- 00:20:53.117 --> 00:20:57.154
- And now the next to the defeat of hamas and the
- 00:20:57.154 --> 00:20:59.957
- Make sure that hamas never
- 00:20:59.957 --> 00:21:01.759
- Governs gaza again have yet to be, finalized.
- 00:21:01.759 --> 00:21:05.396
- But there's a determination.
- 00:21:05.396 --> 00:21:06.997
- And as the israeli prime minister netanyahu said,
- 00:21:06.997 --> 00:21:09.734
- That is going to be the goal that israel sets,
- 00:21:09.734 --> 00:21:13.571
- And they're not going to go to phase two
- 00:21:13.571 --> 00:21:15.706
- Unless phase one, the disarmament before
- 00:21:15.706 --> 00:21:17.875
- Mars is completed.
- 00:21:17.875 --> 00:21:19.710
- Yeah, chris, that is non-negotiable.
- 00:21:19.710 --> 00:21:21.879
- Hey, about a minute left
- 00:21:21.879 --> 00:21:23.147
- A lot going on in your backyard right now in jerusalem
- 00:21:23.147 --> 00:21:26.016
- And beyond in the region.
- 00:21:26.016 --> 00:21:27.551
- How can we pray right now for israel, for president trump,
- 00:21:27.551 --> 00:21:31.322
- Just for the world? how can we pray as believers?
- 00:21:31.322 --> 00:21:33.924
- Such a great question, eric, and everybody needs to pray.
- 00:21:35.059 --> 00:21:38.262
- First of all, i would pray for the people in iran.
- 00:21:38.262 --> 00:21:40.698
- The brave souls
- 00:21:40.698 --> 00:21:42.066
- Who lord tens of thousands have been murdered by the regime.
- 00:21:42.066 --> 00:21:45.136
- Many people are in anguish.
- 00:21:45.136 --> 00:21:47.438
- Pray for their comfort,
- 00:21:47.438 --> 00:21:48.639
- Pray for their deliverance,
- 00:21:48.639 --> 00:21:49.807
- That from freedom would finally come to iran.
- 00:21:49.807 --> 00:21:52.777
- Pray, father,
- 00:21:52.777 --> 00:21:54.245
- That here in israel it would be protected from
- 00:21:54.245 --> 00:21:57.648
- Perhaps hundreds of missiles coming this way.
- 00:21:57.648 --> 00:22:00.484
- And pray, father, that, you know that
- 00:22:00.484 --> 00:22:02.586
- That the peace of jerusalem, that he would be a watchmen,
- 00:22:02.586 --> 00:22:05.856
- And have that iron dome, that spiritual
- 00:22:05.856 --> 00:22:08.025
- Iron dome over israel right now during these perilous days
- 00:22:08.025 --> 00:22:11.996
- Where war could be any day.
- 00:22:11.996 --> 00:22:13.831
- Amen, chris. great break down. as always.
- 00:22:13.831 --> 00:22:15.633
- Stay safe, my friend. god bless. chris.
- 00:22:15.633 --> 00:22:17.435
- We will see you again soon.
- 00:22:17.435 --> 00:22:18.636
- And coming up after the break,
- 00:22:18.636 --> 00:22:20.070
- My final thoughts on the situation in the tinderbox,
- 00:22:20.070 --> 00:22:24.041
- The middle east right now and what it means for you.
- 00:22:24.041 --> 00:22:26.710
- That's next. stick around.
- 00:22:26.710 --> 00:22:32.416
- But. welcome back to stakelbeck tonight, folks.
- 00:22:32.416 --> 00:22:37.126
- We had a great break down
- 00:22:37.126 --> 00:22:38.194
- The night of the state of play on the ground in iran.
- 00:22:38.194 --> 00:22:40.797
- Imagine being an iranian.
- 00:22:40.797 --> 00:22:42.699
- An average person, going about your daily business
- 00:22:42.699 --> 00:22:45.001
- These past 47 years
- 00:22:45.001 --> 00:22:46.469
- And living under the jackboot of this wicked regime.
- 00:22:46.469 --> 00:22:49.472
- Here is my prayer
- 00:22:49.472 --> 00:22:50.440
- For the iranian people in isaiah 43 verse 19.
- 00:22:50.440 --> 00:22:53.676
- God lays it out.
- 00:22:53.676 --> 00:22:54.611
- See, i'm doing a new thing now.
- 00:22:54.611 --> 00:22:57.080
- It springs up.
- 00:22:57.080 --> 00:22:58.114
- Do you not perceive it?
- 00:22:58.114 --> 00:22:59.449
- I am making a way in the wilderness
- 00:22:59.449 --> 00:23:01.618
- And streams in the wasteland.
- 00:23:01.618 --> 00:23:03.453
- That is my hope and prayer for the iranian people.
- 00:23:03.453 --> 00:23:05.955
- A new day free from this evil demonic regime.
- 00:23:05.955 --> 00:23:10.760
- Hey, tomorrow.
- 00:23:10.760 --> 00:23:11.361
- Speaking of freedom,
- 00:23:11.361 --> 00:23:12.528
- Pastor larry huck is here sharing his great testimony
- 00:23:12.528 --> 00:23:14.764
- From junkie to jerusalem folks, you will not want to miss that
- 00:23:14.764 --> 00:23:18.701
- Until tomorrow.
- 00:23:19.068 --> 00:23:20.136
- God bless you and we'll see you soon.
- 00:23:20.136 --> 00:23:20.136
