Erick Stakelbeck: May 15, 2025 | Stakelbeck Tonight

May 15, 2025 | S25:E515

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: May 15, 2025 | Stakelbeck Tonight | May 15, 2025
  • Welcome to stakelbeck tonight.
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  • I'm erick stakelbeck.
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  • And a nation that's long been one of the world's
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  • Most notorious sponsors of terrorism.
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  • Is attempting a makeover.
  • 00:00:11.701 --> 00:00:13.937
  • But is it credible?
  • 00:00:13.937 --> 00:00:15.839
  • That's the big question.
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  • After president trump met
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  • Wednesday with syrian leader ahmed al jazeera.
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  • Now, just a few months ago, al jazeera was known primarily
  • 00:00:21.344 --> 00:00:25.115
  • As an al qaeda terrorist who had a $10 million bounty
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  • On his head, courtesy of the united states.
  • 00:00:29.552 --> 00:00:32.122
  • Back then, he went by the name mohammed al golani.
  • 00:00:32.122 --> 00:00:35.425
  • But when his forces rolled into damascus in december 2024
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  • And overthrew dictator bashar al assad, the man now
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  • Calling himself ahmed al sharia
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  • Suddenly became the most powerful man in syria.
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  • Fast forward five months and he found himself meeting
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  • With the leader of the free world, donald j.
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  • Trump.
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  • The president
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  • Praised al shara afterwards and said the meeting went well.
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  • He also announced that he was
  • 00:01:01.985 --> 00:01:03.686
  • Now dropping sanctions against syria.
  • 00:01:03.686 --> 00:01:06.823
  • Take a look.
  • 00:01:06.823 --> 00:01:08.725
  • I will be.
  • 00:01:09.025 --> 00:01:09.626
  • Ordering the cessation
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  • Of sanctions against syria in order to give them a chance.
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  • At great. this.
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  • Year.
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  • The president has also made clear,
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  • However, that al-sharia has some big commitments to fulfill
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  • If he wants full normalization with the united states.
  • 00:01:32.148 --> 00:01:35.585
  • President trump demanded
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  • That he expel all terrorist groups from syrian soil.
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  • Help crack
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  • Down on isis, respect religious and ethnic minorities,
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  • Including syrian christians, and leave the kurds alone.
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  • He also told al jazeera that he wants syria
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  • To join the abraham accords and to normalize relations
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  • With israel.
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  • Now, al shara reportedly said all the right things in return.
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  • But folks, this is the ultimate case of let's wait and see.
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  • If al jazeera does not follow through and reverts to his old
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  • Jihadi ways.
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  • President trump has vowed to renew sanctions
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  • And squeeze syria like never before.
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  • Look, the president is taking a gamble
  • 00:02:17.594 --> 00:02:19.929
  • Here on a guy with a very dubious recent past.
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  • So why would he do it?
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  • A few reasons.
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  • Number one, the saudis, qataris and the uae all lobbied for it
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  • And vouched for al qaida, and the president
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  • Wanted to throw them a bone
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  • During his current tour of their countries.
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  • His strategy seems to be working.
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  • On tuesday, saudi arabia pledged to invest over $600
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  • Billion in the united states,
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  • And qatar yesterday signed a deal with the u.s.
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  • Worth 1.2 trillion.
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  • And then today,
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  • During the final leg of his trip,
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  • The president secured a $1.4 trillion investment
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  • Deal with the uae.
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  • All of this
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  • Economic wheeling and dealing brings me to the second
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  • And main reason president trump met with syria's leader.
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  • He's building a coalition against iran and china.
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  • The big economic deals with the arab gulf states
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  • Draw them closer to the west and away from chinese influence.
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  • And in the case of syria, the president wants to flip that
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  • Pivotal country away from iran under bashar al-assad's rule.
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  • Syria was a crucial part of iran's ring of fire
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  • And also very close to russia and china.
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  • Not good.
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  • So president
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  • Trump is trying to turn this longtime enemy of israel
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  • And the west into a potential ally,
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  • A bold strategy, but can it work?
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  • We'll soon find out.
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  • Folks, expect the unexpected in today's middle east.
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  • In these prophetic times, president trump
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  • Has leverage in the region, and he's using it.
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  • That includes in gaza and other world hotspots.
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  • Coming up,
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  • We're joined by the world's foremost expert on urban warfare
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  • To get the latest on wars and rumors of war around the globe
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  • And what they mean for america and israel.
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  • And it all starts now.
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  • As israel
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  • Battles hamas and one of the most complex urban
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  • Wars of our time, what does true victory look like?
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  • And is it possible
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  • When the world's leading militaries
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  • Need answers on how to fight and win in places like gaza?
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  • They turn to our next guest.
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  • John spencer
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  • Is the chair of urban warfare
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  • Studies at west point's modern war institute,
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  • Executive director of the urban warfare institute,
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  • And host of the urban warfare project podcast.
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  • He's advised top u.s.
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  • Generals, served in elite combat units, and literally wrote
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  • The book on how civilians
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  • Can defend their cities in war zones like ukraine.
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  • If anyone understands the brutal reality of urban
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  • Combat, it's john spencer.
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  • He joins us now.
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  • John, always great to see you.
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  • Hey, israel this week attempted to take out mohammed sinwar, a
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  • Hamas leader,
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  • While we're still
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  • Awaiting confirmation on whether he was killed.
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  • But, john, you said wars can't be won
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  • Without taking names off the list.
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  • Is ultimate victory in gaza possible for israel?
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  • And what does that look like?
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  • I absolutely believe it's possible.
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  • And the only way to end
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  • The cycle of violence that has led us to this place
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  • Where you have the palestinian people in gaza being
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  • Radicalize, is to not even care for the life of their children,
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  • But only the death of the jewish people and israel state.
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  • Yeah.
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  • If president trump in my my opinion,
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  • Had been the president after october 7th,
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  • This war would have already come to a much different place.
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  • The only way to achieve ultimate victory is to defeat
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  • The will of hamas, to believe that they can win the war
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  • They started on october 7th.
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  • That does require a massive amount of military forces,
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  • Not just in the air, but on the ground,
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  • Going forth and removing hamas from political power
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  • And all of their military capabilities.
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  • They built over decades with billions of dollars
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  • Of international aid.
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  • And unfortunately, after october 7th, people like the biden
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  • Administration constrained israel based on misinformation.
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  • When the right way to win a war is use overwhelming force
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  • To convince your enemy that they're not going to win.
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  • Yeah, i mean, hamas has turned gaza essentially
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  • Into one big booby trap, terrorist hornet's nest.
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  • Now israel is ready to go back in in a major way, perhaps.
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  • It seems like the trump administration
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  • Wants to see the gaza war winding down.
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  • But do you believe it's important for israel
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  • To finish the job there?
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  • Absolutely.
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  • I mean, this is and i've been down to gaza
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  • Four times since october 7th watching the idf operation.
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  • It's understanding.
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  • It's not just the biggest urban warfare challenge of our time.
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  • From my research, probably
  • 00:07:23.833 --> 00:07:25.001
  • The biggest urban warfare challenge in military history
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  • And what the idf has been able to do despite the constraints
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  • That we would not be under, like egypt
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  • Saying not one refugee out of gaza having to be trapped
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  • So that hamas can use them at the civilians
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  • As human shields and human sacrifice.
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  • What the idf have been able to do thus
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  • Far is still incredible by every metric
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  • And protecting civilians.
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  • But the amount of work that must be done now to remove
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  • Hamas entrenched in gaza is is no small task.
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  • But there's actually a credible plan.
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  • And what it took was
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  • And we've seen this since president trump was elected,
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  • Hamas convinced that they need to do things differently
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  • Than what they were doing before,
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  • Which was just holding out, believing they could win.
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  • It takes a lot of credible
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  • Not just words, but actions.
  • 00:08:14.083 --> 00:08:16.886
  • And the world could have been helping up to this point.
  • 00:08:16.886 --> 00:08:19.488
  • But israel now has a new plan.
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  • It's called gideon's chariot
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  • To do what's necessary to go in and methodically move civilians
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  • Into a new area in southern gaza, where they can get aid
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  • And hamas can't take it,
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  • And then block by block, house by house.
  • 00:08:32.101 --> 00:08:35.037
  • Clear gaza of hamas's military and political capability,
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  • And then hold that ground. it's absolutely possible.
  • 00:08:38.874 --> 00:08:41.577
  • But what it took wasn't a military.
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  • It took a political will
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  • To including the united states, recognizing, look, there's a
  • 00:08:45.114 --> 00:08:48.451
  • This is a big problem that we the world allowed to happen.
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  • Israel is going to not ask me for help.
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  • I'm going to methodically do it correctly.
  • 00:08:54.390 --> 00:08:57.159
  • But the in the united states saying, look, i understand
  • 00:08:57.159 --> 00:09:00.696
  • You need to do this or the entire region won't be safe.
  • 00:09:00.696 --> 00:09:04.467
  • Yeah. john so well said.
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  • And i think you said the key word will
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  • There has to be the will. i believe bibi has.
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  • I think president trump has it
  • 00:09:11.107 --> 00:09:12.508
  • For a new day in gaza and to completely vanquish hamas.
  • 00:09:12.508 --> 00:09:16.112
  • About a minute left before the break, israel
  • 00:09:16.112 --> 00:09:18.180
  • Facing a bunch of tough challenges.
  • 00:09:18.180 --> 00:09:19.849
  • Obviously war on seven fronts.
  • 00:09:19.849 --> 00:09:21.817
  • Gaza one of them. but the head of the snake.
  • 00:09:21.817 --> 00:09:24.487
  • Iran. iran's nuclear program.
  • 00:09:24.487 --> 00:09:26.956
  • John talks ongoing with the trump
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  • Administration between the iranian regime
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  • And the trump administration.
  • 00:09:30.826 --> 00:09:32.194
  • At the end of the day, if israel is forced to go alone
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  • And perhaps strike iran's nuclear facilities,
  • 00:09:37.800 --> 00:09:40.603
  • We don't know how these talks will play out, of course.
  • 00:09:40.603 --> 00:09:42.872
  • Is that a mission that israel can complete
  • 00:09:42.872 --> 00:09:46.242
  • Alone, or would that require some sort of u.s.
  • 00:09:46.242 --> 00:09:49.845
  • Assistance to really make a dent in iran's nuclear facilities?
  • 00:09:49.845 --> 00:09:53.883
  • Well, if you've ever studied israel in its self-defense wars,
  • 00:09:55.051 --> 00:09:58.020
  • When it's attacked, it does things incredibly
  • 00:09:58.020 --> 00:10:00.790
  • That nobody could have imagined, even what it did in yemen.
  • 00:10:00.790 --> 00:10:03.893
  • Inside, to hit a deep, buried site
  • 00:10:03.893 --> 00:10:06.529
  • That wouldn't have been able to hit from the sky
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  • By putting soldiers on the ground
  • 00:10:08.664 --> 00:10:10.166
  • In a matter of hours, eliminating that site.
  • 00:10:10.166 --> 00:10:13.436
  • Is it possible?
  • 00:10:13.803 --> 00:10:15.137
  • What i've learned through studying in israel in the war
  • 00:10:15.137 --> 00:10:17.640
  • Don't ever underestimate the capability of israel.
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  • It will.
  • 00:10:21.177 --> 00:10:21.877
  • They act for their own survival.
  • 00:10:21.877 --> 00:10:24.246
  • Yes, they've done it before with nuclear ambitions of saddam
  • 00:10:24.246 --> 00:10:27.850
  • In syria.
  • 00:10:27.850 --> 00:10:29.085
  • I think that's not going to be necessary.
  • 00:10:29.085 --> 00:10:30.953
  • I'm actually hopeful that
  • 00:10:30.953 --> 00:10:32.788
  • The president trump, when he says
  • 00:10:32.788 --> 00:10:34.323
  • Iran will not get a nuclear weapon,
  • 00:10:34.323 --> 00:10:36.258
  • First, we're going to try diplomacy.
  • 00:10:36.258 --> 00:10:37.660
  • But there is only one solution here.
  • 00:10:37.660 --> 00:10:40.329
  • Could israel do it by themselves?
  • 00:10:40.329 --> 00:10:42.031
  • I think so. i don't think that's necessary.
  • 00:10:42.031 --> 00:10:44.667
  • Yeah, john, great points.
  • 00:10:44.667 --> 00:10:46.102
  • I think either way,
  • 00:10:46.102 --> 00:10:47.336
  • This is the year of reckoning for iran's nuclear program.
  • 00:10:47.336 --> 00:10:50.740
  • Finally, more with john spencer after the break, folks.
  • 00:10:50.740 --> 00:10:53.909
  • What about india and pakistan?
  • 00:10:53.909 --> 00:10:55.578
  • Have you been following this?
  • 00:10:55.578 --> 00:10:56.612
  • Was the world just on the brink of nuclear war?
  • 00:10:56.612 --> 00:10:59.448
  • What about russia? ukraine?
  • 00:10:59.448 --> 00:11:00.783
  • More with john spencer after the break.
  • 00:11:00.783 --> 00:11:03.152
  • Stick around.
  • 00:11:03.152 --> 00:11:06.004
  • Stick around.
  • 00:11:06.004 --> 00:11:08.692
  • Welcome back to stakelbeck tonight we're talking
  • 00:11:09.626 --> 00:11:11.461
  • To the world's foremost expert on urban warfare, john spencer.
  • 00:11:11.461 --> 00:11:15.432
  • John, it seems that the world may have just dodged
  • 00:11:15.432 --> 00:11:18.735
  • A bullet in this showdown between india and pakistan.
  • 00:11:18.735 --> 00:11:22.672
  • You've been covering this a bunch.
  • 00:11:22.672 --> 00:11:24.307
  • They're really on the brink of something major and disastrous.
  • 00:11:24.307 --> 00:11:27.711
  • Perhaps.
  • 00:11:27.711 --> 00:11:28.612
  • Tell us more about india's operations.
  • 00:11:28.612 --> 00:11:30.881
  • Endure pakistan's support for terror
  • 00:11:30.881 --> 00:11:34.017
  • And where that conflict stands right now.
  • 00:11:34.017 --> 00:11:37.387
  • Yeah, it's been surprising with the lack of international
  • 00:11:37.387 --> 00:11:39.856
  • Media coverage of this near,
  • 00:11:39.856 --> 00:11:41.892
  • You know, two
  • 00:11:41.892 --> 00:11:42.425
  • Nuclear armed states
  • 00:11:42.425 --> 00:11:43.660
  • Trading blows and but within a matter of
  • 00:11:43.660 --> 00:11:45.962
  • Four days, india was able to establish a new doctrine,
  • 00:11:45.962 --> 00:11:49.766
  • A new peace after on april 22nd, pakistan backed terrorists
  • 00:11:49.766 --> 00:11:54.204
  • Pretty undeniably entered india and killed 26 indian civilians.
  • 00:11:54.204 --> 00:11:59.509
  • And then india responded against their terror
  • 00:11:59.509 --> 00:12:01.845
  • Sites in pakistan or pakistan.
  • 00:12:01.845 --> 00:12:04.281
  • Areas in the kashmir,
  • 00:12:04.281 --> 00:12:06.449
  • Then the pakistan military elevated by sending a drone form
  • 00:12:06.449 --> 00:12:09.686
  • At indian civilian and military sites.
  • 00:12:09.686 --> 00:12:12.422
  • So india showed overwhelming military superiority
  • 00:12:12.422 --> 00:12:15.592
  • By responding all in very clear strategic direction.
  • 00:12:15.592 --> 00:12:20.964
  • And there is this
  • 00:12:20.964 --> 00:12:22.232
  • I think we have a problem in the world today going right.
  • 00:12:22.232 --> 00:12:24.501
  • Wrong.
  • 00:12:24.501 --> 00:12:25.001
  • Good, bad,
  • 00:12:25.001 --> 00:12:26.503
  • State backed terrorism that pakistan has been doing
  • 00:12:26.503 --> 00:12:29.072
  • For decades has been allowed in.
  • 00:12:29.072 --> 00:12:31.441
  • India finally drew a line
  • 00:12:31.441 --> 00:12:33.043
  • For many reasons, saying no more will date back.
  • 00:12:33.043 --> 00:12:36.913
  • Terrors that pakistan sends into india to conduct terrorism
  • 00:12:36.913 --> 00:12:40.150
  • Will be allowed and we will defend ourselves,
  • 00:12:40.150 --> 00:12:42.953
  • But also really showing leadership
  • 00:12:42.953 --> 00:12:44.855
  • Globally on the nuclear accord.
  • 00:12:44.855 --> 00:12:47.090
  • Right? so nobody wants
  • 00:12:47.090 --> 00:12:48.925
  • Wanted to see this escalate to nuclear warfare.
  • 00:12:48.925 --> 00:12:50.794
  • But india said, look, i understand that.
  • 00:12:50.794 --> 00:12:53.063
  • We understand that we are a democratic, law abiding
  • 00:12:53.063 --> 00:12:57.000
  • And of course want peace.
  • 00:12:57.000 --> 00:12:58.602
  • But you're not going to nuclear blackmail
  • 00:12:58.602 --> 00:13:00.737
  • Us by saying
  • 00:13:00.737 --> 00:13:01.638
  • Just because you have a nuclear weapon,
  • 00:13:01.638 --> 00:13:02.939
  • You can violate every international law and every
  • 00:13:02.939 --> 00:13:06.776
  • Really right thing to do by launching terrorist attacks
  • 00:13:06.776 --> 00:13:09.412
  • Into our country.
  • 00:13:09.412 --> 00:13:10.146
  • So there's actually
  • 00:13:10.146 --> 00:13:11.281
  • Some really big lessons that aren't being covered here,
  • 00:13:11.281 --> 00:13:14.684
  • As we've seen in other parts of the world
  • 00:13:14.684 --> 00:13:16.720
  • And why we can't have
  • 00:13:16.720 --> 00:13:18.788
  • An extremist islamic regime in iran have a nuclear weapon,
  • 00:13:18.788 --> 00:13:22.392
  • Because that changes everything
  • 00:13:22.392 --> 00:13:23.994
  • On what they think they can get away with.
  • 00:13:23.994 --> 00:13:25.662
  • So true john, great points.
  • 00:13:25.662 --> 00:13:27.664
  • And look, speaking of showdowns and rivals russia, ukraine.
  • 00:13:27.664 --> 00:13:32.269
  • We're hearing rumblings this week
  • 00:13:32.269 --> 00:13:33.637
  • That maybe vladimir putin and zelensky,
  • 00:13:33.637 --> 00:13:35.705
  • Perhaps even president trump, would all meet in turkey
  • 00:13:35.705 --> 00:13:38.541
  • And try and hammer out some sort of deal.
  • 00:13:38.541 --> 00:13:40.510
  • Where does that stand?
  • 00:13:40.510 --> 00:13:41.678
  • Vladimir putin now will not attend those nuclear
  • 00:13:41.678 --> 00:13:44.214
  • Or nuclear, i'm sorry, cease fire talks in turkey.
  • 00:13:44.214 --> 00:13:47.150
  • Where does that stand right now?
  • 00:13:47.150 --> 00:13:48.852
  • Are we any closer, perhaps, to ending that conflict?
  • 00:13:48.852 --> 00:13:51.922
  • President trump obviously has been very invested in that.
  • 00:13:51.922 --> 00:13:56.126
  • Yeah.
  • 00:13:56.359 --> 00:13:56.893
  • And he is fired from
  • 00:13:56.893 --> 00:13:58.128
  • Even before he was elected to to get the people to the table.
  • 00:13:58.128 --> 00:14:01.965
  • And it's only been one side that's been showing
  • 00:14:01.965 --> 00:14:03.800
  • Any willingness or a peace agreement.
  • 00:14:03.800 --> 00:14:06.036
  • President zelensky and ukraine has agreed to a
  • 00:14:06.036 --> 00:14:08.405
  • Three day ceasefire,
  • 00:14:08.405 --> 00:14:09.673
  • Agreed to attend this conference in person,
  • 00:14:09.673 --> 00:14:12.676
  • Agreed to a mineral deal that that will benefit the us
  • 00:14:12.676 --> 00:14:15.412
  • Economy. and putin has done everything.
  • 00:14:15.412 --> 00:14:18.081
  • In the opposite, he refused a 30 day ceasefire,
  • 00:14:18.081 --> 00:14:21.384
  • Not even sending not a refused to attend this.
  • 00:14:21.384 --> 00:14:24.254
  • This talk
  • 00:14:24.254 --> 00:14:25.455
  • Won't even send like his number to lavrov or anybody else.
  • 00:14:25.455 --> 00:14:28.658
  • It's almost a sign of disrespect to the president,
  • 00:14:28.658 --> 00:14:31.861
  • To president trump to say, look,
  • 00:14:31.861 --> 00:14:33.296
  • I don't care about your negotiations.
  • 00:14:33.296 --> 00:14:35.165
  • This is the problem.
  • 00:14:35.165 --> 00:14:36.299
  • And in this fight, again with the nuclear blackmail,
  • 00:14:36.299 --> 00:14:39.769
  • People don't understand, like, why are people dying?
  • 00:14:39.769 --> 00:14:42.172
  • Ukraine is dying for their freedom
  • 00:14:42.172 --> 00:14:45.008
  • As russia tried to take the entire country.
  • 00:14:45.008 --> 00:14:48.211
  • And that somehow is getting mixed.
  • 00:14:48.211 --> 00:14:49.713
  • But putin is
  • 00:14:49.713 --> 00:14:50.914
  • Showing the president right now his true colors,
  • 00:14:50.914 --> 00:14:53.850
  • And he has no intention.
  • 00:14:53.850 --> 00:14:55.785
  • It appears to
  • 00:14:56.152 --> 00:14:57.320
  • Be genuine about wanting to seek an end to this violence.
  • 00:14:57.320 --> 00:15:00.323
  • Yeah, it's so obvious. john.
  • 00:15:00.323 --> 00:15:01.891
  • Hey, about a minute left. big picture.
  • 00:15:01.891 --> 00:15:04.761
  • Takeaways from president trump's visit.
  • 00:15:04.761 --> 00:15:06.963
  • Historic visit this week to the middle
  • 00:15:06.963 --> 00:15:09.165
  • East, saudi arabia, qatar, uae big picture there.
  • 00:15:09.165 --> 00:15:12.168
  • A lot of economic dealings going down.
  • 00:15:12.168 --> 00:15:14.037
  • How have you seen it?
  • 00:15:14.037 --> 00:15:16.139
  • I think it's historic of building
  • 00:15:16.139 --> 00:15:18.641
  • A economic tie that will benefit the united states economy for
  • 00:15:18.641 --> 00:15:22.846
  • For a generation,
  • 00:15:22.846 --> 00:15:24.114
  • But also holding people accountable to their actions.
  • 00:15:24.114 --> 00:15:27.717
  • So just because you signed $1 billion, trillion dollar deal
  • 00:15:27.717 --> 00:15:30.186
  • That makes the us economy, makes the u.s.
  • 00:15:30.186 --> 00:15:33.023
  • Military stronger, doesn't mean that we won't
  • 00:15:33.023 --> 00:15:35.759
  • Then still hold people accountable like qatar's,
  • 00:15:35.759 --> 00:15:38.695
  • You know, investment in our universities and other aspects,
  • 00:15:38.695 --> 00:15:41.464
  • But also building an alliance against the biggest threat
  • 00:15:41.464 --> 00:15:44.401
  • To peace in the entire region, if not the world.
  • 00:15:44.401 --> 00:15:47.904
  • The islamic regime's interest in trying to get to that
  • 00:15:47.904 --> 00:15:50.940
  • Nuclear weapon. so he's building that alliance.
  • 00:15:50.940 --> 00:15:53.676
  • So it is really generationally huge
  • 00:15:53.676 --> 00:15:57.847
  • What he's been able to achieve in just a few days.
  • 00:15:57.847 --> 00:16:00.350
  • Yeah, john, it's amazing.
  • 00:16:00.350 --> 00:16:01.351
  • We're seeing history in the making.
  • 00:16:01.351 --> 00:16:02.719
  • And john, you have a front row seat for folks.
  • 00:16:02.719 --> 00:16:04.521
  • Be sure to follow john spencer on x across social media.
  • 00:16:04.521 --> 00:16:08.124
  • John great job as always my friend.
  • 00:16:08.124 --> 00:16:09.859
  • Keep up the great work. god bless.
  • 00:16:09.859 --> 00:16:11.194
  • We'll see you again soon.
  • 00:16:11.194 --> 00:16:12.095
  • And coming up after the break,
  • 00:16:12.095 --> 00:16:13.563
  • We're talking hamas, talking gaza.
  • 00:16:13.563 --> 00:16:15.732
  • Well, you may have noticed
  • 00:16:15.732 --> 00:16:17.100
  • Pro hamas mobs on college campuses right here in america.
  • 00:16:17.100 --> 00:16:21.538
  • Can jews and christians come together
  • 00:16:21.538 --> 00:16:24.707
  • To form an alliance against that?
  • 00:16:24.707 --> 00:16:26.976
  • We headed to washington, d.c. to find out.
  • 00:16:26.976 --> 00:16:29.813
  • That's next.
  • 00:16:29.813 --> 00:16:33.002
  • That's next.
  • 00:16:33.002 --> 00:16:35.819
  • Welcome back to stakelbeck tonight.
  • 00:16:36.586 --> 00:16:38.354
  • He's been on the front lines of national security, middle
  • 00:16:38.354 --> 00:16:41.591
  • East policy, and the fight against anti-semitism
  • 00:16:41.591 --> 00:16:44.727
  • For over 15 years in washington, d.c.. e.j.
  • 00:16:44.727 --> 00:16:48.631
  • Kimball serves as director of christian outreach
  • 00:16:48.631 --> 00:16:51.067
  • And engagement for the combat antisemitism movement,
  • 00:16:51.067 --> 00:16:54.204
  • And from advising members of congress
  • 00:16:54.204 --> 00:16:56.272
  • To leading strategic efforts on capitol hill.
  • 00:16:56.272 --> 00:16:59.075
  • He's one of the most trusted voices on israel, anti-semitism
  • 00:16:59.075 --> 00:17:03.179
  • And national defense.
  • 00:17:03.179 --> 00:17:04.614
  • He joined me at the capitol recently to break down
  • 00:17:04.614 --> 00:17:07.517
  • Why jews and christians must work together
  • 00:17:07.517 --> 00:17:11.087
  • In the face of common threats to our civilization.
  • 00:17:11.087 --> 00:17:15.191
  • Take a look.
  • 00:17:15.191 --> 00:17:17.660
  • E.j., great to have you with us here on capitol hill.
  • 00:17:17.660 --> 00:17:19.996
  • And you're spearheading this great movement
  • 00:17:19.996 --> 00:17:21.898
  • Combating anti-semitism.
  • 00:17:21.898 --> 00:17:23.800
  • And you and i were talking off camera.
  • 00:17:23.800 --> 00:17:25.768
  • We've got obviously, the vanguard
  • 00:17:25.768 --> 00:17:27.370
  • Of global anti-semitism, the iranian regime.
  • 00:17:27.370 --> 00:17:30.039
  • We've got hamas and the after effects
  • 00:17:30.039 --> 00:17:31.841
  • Of the gaza war ongoing, actually.
  • 00:17:31.841 --> 00:17:33.710
  • But it all ties back here to the united states as well.
  • 00:17:33.710 --> 00:17:36.880
  • E.j., tell us what you're doing to combat the madness
  • 00:17:36.880 --> 00:17:39.916
  • On college campuses, places
  • 00:17:39.916 --> 00:17:41.484
  • Like harvard, columbia university,
  • 00:17:41.484 --> 00:17:43.052
  • Which right now
  • 00:17:43.052 --> 00:17:43.820
  • Are plagued by anti-semitism,
  • 00:17:43.820 --> 00:17:45.488
  • Not only students, but even professors as well.
  • 00:17:45.488 --> 00:17:48.358
  • Erick, thanks for for having me on
  • 00:17:48.358 --> 00:17:50.593
  • Because i always enjoy our conversations.
  • 00:17:50.593 --> 00:17:53.129
  • And so the combat antisemitism movement,
  • 00:17:53.129 --> 00:17:56.633
  • Where i've been working
  • 00:17:56.633 --> 00:17:58.134
  • To fight the world's oldest hatred,
  • 00:17:58.134 --> 00:18:00.103
  • We've been around for only six years,
  • 00:18:00.103 --> 00:18:02.005
  • Which is not a long time, but we've been doing a lot.
  • 00:18:02.005 --> 00:18:05.275
  • Unfortunately, because of the threats
  • 00:18:05.275 --> 00:18:07.777
  • That have just been growing in this country.
  • 00:18:07.777 --> 00:18:09.979
  • And, you know, since october 8th day
  • 00:18:09.979 --> 00:18:12.815
  • After the october 7th attack, we saw things
  • 00:18:12.815 --> 00:18:15.919
  • Erupt on college campuses, out of out of control.
  • 00:18:15.919 --> 00:18:19.722
  • And people were shocked
  • 00:18:19.722 --> 00:18:21.024
  • By this spontaneous explosion of antisemitism.
  • 00:18:21.024 --> 00:18:24.794
  • But this had been going on for generations.
  • 00:18:24.794 --> 00:18:27.664
  • It had been building.
  • 00:18:27.664 --> 00:18:29.299
  • And october 7th was sort of a triggering moment.
  • 00:18:29.299 --> 00:18:33.836
  • It was it was an excuse to to launch this invective
  • 00:18:33.836 --> 00:18:37.240
  • Against the jewish community in the united states.
  • 00:18:37.240 --> 00:18:40.376
  • And what we saw in that moment was a colossal,
  • 00:18:40.376 --> 00:18:44.013
  • Colossal failure of leadership.
  • 00:18:44.013 --> 00:18:46.449
  • It was, but not just on that day.
  • 00:18:46.449 --> 00:18:48.251
  • This had been years in the making,
  • 00:18:48.251 --> 00:18:50.019
  • Where leaders on these college campuses failed to do their job
  • 00:18:50.019 --> 00:18:54.591
  • To protect students and really to train,
  • 00:18:54.591 --> 00:18:57.760
  • Train the students on campus what it means to be
  • 00:18:57.760 --> 00:19:01.764
  • A good human being.
  • 00:19:01.764 --> 00:19:03.600
  • We need partners because as much as people
  • 00:19:03.600 --> 00:19:06.436
  • Look at this as a jewish issue
  • 00:19:06.436 --> 00:19:09.505
  • Fighting antisemitism, it's not just about the jews.
  • 00:19:09.505 --> 00:19:12.609
  • So, you know, it starts with the jews.
  • 00:19:12.609 --> 00:19:14.410
  • It never ends with the jews.
  • 00:19:14.410 --> 00:19:15.945
  • And we've seen at these,
  • 00:19:15.945 --> 00:19:17.513
  • You know, so-called protests, you know, for for gaza,
  • 00:19:17.513 --> 00:19:21.351
  • You know, these are pro hamas protests.
  • 00:19:21.351 --> 00:19:23.720
  • These are anti-american protests.
  • 00:19:23.720 --> 00:19:25.888
  • So this is
  • 00:19:25.888 --> 00:19:27.056
  • Something that we realize we have to work with partners.
  • 00:19:27.056 --> 00:19:30.126
  • We have over 900 partner organizations that we work with
  • 00:19:30.126 --> 00:19:34.130
  • And the community that i focus my attention on
  • 00:19:34.130 --> 00:19:36.699
  • Is the christian community.
  • 00:19:36.699 --> 00:19:38.201
  • First of all, the christian community has open arms.
  • 00:19:38.201 --> 00:19:40.970
  • They want to help. they want to work.
  • 00:19:40.970 --> 00:19:42.739
  • There's the biblical connection to working
  • 00:19:42.739 --> 00:19:45.775
  • With the jewish people, supporting the state of israel.
  • 00:19:45.775 --> 00:19:48.578
  • But there's also a basic moral understanding of good and evil.
  • 00:19:48.578 --> 00:19:53.983
  • And this is something that we saw on college campuses,
  • 00:19:53.983 --> 00:19:56.986
  • You know, post october 7th, i'm sure you've covered on the show
  • 00:19:56.986 --> 00:20:00.390
  • President of harvard, who,
  • 00:20:00.390 --> 00:20:01.891
  • You know, couldn't answer the basic questions of,
  • 00:20:01.891 --> 00:20:04.894
  • You know, does
  • 00:20:04.894 --> 00:20:05.728
  • Chanting for genocide against jews
  • 00:20:05.728 --> 00:20:07.563
  • Violate your student code of conduct right here?
  • 00:20:07.563 --> 00:20:10.366
  • You know, these really simple things,
  • 00:20:10.366 --> 00:20:12.168
  • Which is what leaders need to do.
  • 00:20:12.168 --> 00:20:13.569
  • And so that's what we're doing as as an organization.
  • 00:20:13.569 --> 00:20:16.339
  • We're partnering with groups.
  • 00:20:16.339 --> 00:20:17.807
  • We're working to get college campuses to do their job. e.j.
  • 00:20:17.807 --> 00:20:22.679
  • Mentioned the importance of leadership.
  • 00:20:22.679 --> 00:20:24.314
  • What kind of difference has president trump
  • 00:20:24.314 --> 00:20:26.449
  • And the new administration,
  • 00:20:26.449 --> 00:20:27.750
  • Their leadership, made in combating this scourge,
  • 00:20:27.750 --> 00:20:30.553
  • Not only abroad but here at home?
  • 00:20:30.553 --> 00:20:32.655
  • It's been night and day.
  • 00:20:32.655 --> 00:20:34.657
  • You know, we had the previous administration would give
  • 00:20:34.657 --> 00:20:38.561
  • Lip service. they would talk,
  • 00:20:38.561 --> 00:20:40.063
  • You would see some college campuses.
  • 00:20:40.863 --> 00:20:42.699
  • We're doing a good job fighting anti-semitism.
  • 00:20:42.699 --> 00:20:45.101
  • Some of them you would almost and i would say encouraging
  • 00:20:45.101 --> 00:20:49.639
  • As through their faculty from their top,
  • 00:20:49.639 --> 00:20:52.709
  • Because they weren't willing
  • 00:20:52.709 --> 00:20:54.344
  • To take on the fight of what they needed to do
  • 00:20:54.344 --> 00:20:56.679
  • When president trump was candidate.
  • 00:20:56.679 --> 00:20:59.382
  • Trump, he was very clear about what was going to happen
  • 00:20:59.382 --> 00:21:03.486
  • When he won, and he has followed through with it.
  • 00:21:03.486 --> 00:21:07.223
  • And so they've changed.
  • 00:21:07.223 --> 00:21:09.325
  • They've changed a lot of these universities
  • 00:21:09.325 --> 00:21:11.227
  • The way that they are acting.
  • 00:21:11.227 --> 00:21:12.695
  • And we've seen there's been a significant drop
  • 00:21:12.695 --> 00:21:15.231
  • In the violent activity against jews.
  • 00:21:15.231 --> 00:21:17.300
  • Accountability thanks.
  • 00:21:17.300 --> 00:21:18.434
  • The administration, thanks to great work
  • 00:21:18.434 --> 00:21:19.869
  • You're doing as well, e.j.,
  • 00:21:19.869 --> 00:21:21.003
  • Combating anti-semitism movement.
  • 00:21:21.003 --> 00:21:22.805
  • Last question.
  • 00:21:22.805 --> 00:21:24.040
  • You have a legal background, of course,
  • 00:21:24.040 --> 00:21:25.975
  • A difference between free speech, first amendment.
  • 00:21:25.975 --> 00:21:28.578
  • You hear this from these pro hamas mobs.
  • 00:21:28.578 --> 00:21:30.179
  • We've got freedom of speech.
  • 00:21:30.179 --> 00:21:31.547
  • The big difference, right, when someone say, columbia
  • 00:21:31.547 --> 00:21:34.083
  • University is calling for death to the jews and praising hamas,
  • 00:21:34.083 --> 00:21:37.286
  • And they're not even a u.s.
  • 00:21:37.286 --> 00:21:38.287
  • Citizen, they probably should be here.
  • 00:21:38.287 --> 00:21:41.057
  • So, 100% there is a first amendment right
  • 00:21:41.057 --> 00:21:44.060
  • To freedom of speech.
  • 00:21:44.060 --> 00:21:45.294
  • Someone here on a student visa has the right to protest.
  • 00:21:45.294 --> 00:21:49.832
  • Absolutely.
  • 00:21:49.832 --> 00:21:50.933
  • What they don't have a right to do is violate the law.
  • 00:21:50.933 --> 00:21:53.536
  • So when you are calling
  • 00:21:53.536 --> 00:21:54.771
  • For the genocide of jews, when you are assaulting jews,
  • 00:21:54.771 --> 00:21:58.007
  • Preventing their freedom of movement,
  • 00:21:58.007 --> 00:21:59.942
  • Not only are you violating the law,
  • 00:22:00.710 --> 00:22:02.412
  • You're violating
  • 00:22:02.412 --> 00:22:03.546
  • The terms of your visa, which means you can be kicked
  • 00:22:03.546 --> 00:22:06.282
  • Out of this country.
  • 00:22:06.282 --> 00:22:07.316
  • That is not violating your due process rights.
  • 00:22:07.316 --> 00:22:10.820
  • That is following the law.
  • 00:22:10.820 --> 00:22:12.522
  • And that is so vitally important.
  • 00:22:12.522 --> 00:22:14.357
  • Yeah, e.j., great job.
  • 00:22:14.357 --> 00:22:15.525
  • Keep up the great work. we appreciate it.
  • 00:22:15.525 --> 00:22:17.126
  • God bless.
  • 00:22:17.126 --> 00:22:19.362
  • Thanks again to e.j.
  • 00:22:19.362 --> 00:22:20.229
  • Kimball folks.
  • 00:22:20.229 --> 00:22:21.130
  • He's doing great work on antisemitism.
  • 00:22:21.130 --> 00:22:23.232
  • Be sure to follow him on x across social media.
  • 00:22:23.232 --> 00:22:26.102
  • Coming up after the break,
  • 00:22:26.102 --> 00:22:27.470
  • My final thoughts on those prophetic chess pieces
  • 00:22:27.470 --> 00:22:30.606
  • That we've talked about earlier.
  • 00:22:30.606 --> 00:22:32.175
  • That's next.
  • 00:22:32.175 --> 00:22:33.009
  • Don't move.
  • 00:22:33.009 --> 00:22:36.002
  • Don't move.
  • 00:22:36.002 --> 00:22:38.948
  • Welcome back to stakelbeck tonight, folks.
  • 00:22:39.816 --> 00:22:41.651
  • We've been talking about wars and rumors of war.
  • 00:22:41.651 --> 00:22:44.420
  • And then on the positive side, these big economic deals
  • 00:22:44.420 --> 00:22:47.089
  • Happening right now in the middle east and beyond.
  • 00:22:47.089 --> 00:22:49.158
  • But at the end of the day,
  • 00:22:49.158 --> 00:22:50.626
  • Remember the words of psalm 22, verses 27 and 28,
  • 00:22:50.626 --> 00:22:54.564
  • All the ends of the earth will remember, and turn to the lord,
  • 00:22:54.564 --> 00:22:58.701
  • And all the families of the nations will bow down
  • 00:22:58.701 --> 00:23:01.471
  • Before him.
  • 00:23:01.471 --> 00:23:02.138
  • For dominion
  • 00:23:02.138 --> 00:23:03.239
  • Belongs to the lord, and he rules over the nations.
  • 00:23:03.239 --> 00:23:07.577
  • Please keep that in mind as you see
  • 00:23:07.577 --> 00:23:09.445
  • The chess pieces moving on the board.
  • 00:23:09.445 --> 00:23:11.481
  • God is in control.
  • 00:23:11.481 --> 00:23:13.049
  • He is sovereign no matter what happens.
  • 00:23:13.049 --> 00:23:15.384
  • Hey, speaking of which, tomorrow we're in washington, d.c.,
  • 00:23:15.384 --> 00:23:17.954
  • The nation's capital
  • 00:23:17.954 --> 00:23:18.988
  • For a great israel all star panel
  • 00:23:18.988 --> 00:23:21.190
  • You won't want to miss until then.
  • 00:23:21.190 --> 00:23:23.159
  • God bless you and we'll see you soon.
  • 00:23:23.159 --> 00:23:23.159