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Stakelbeck Tonight | Erick Stakelbeck: Peace on Pause | Stakelbeck Tonight | June 9, 2026
- Welcome to stakelbeck tonight.
- 00:00:03.059 --> 00:00:04.861
- I'm erick stakelbeck and in foreign policy,
- 00:00:04.861 --> 00:00:07.931
- Much like in life.
- 00:00:07.931 --> 00:00:09.532
- Actions speak louder than words.
- 00:00:09.532 --> 00:00:12.502
- Or as jesus said, by their fruits you will know them.
- 00:00:12.502 --> 00:00:17.040
- We keep hearing that iran's regime badly wants a deal, but
- 00:00:17.040 --> 00:00:20.777
- All we keep seeing from the mad mullahs are very rotten fruits.
- 00:00:20.777 --> 00:00:26.149
- Earlier today,
- 00:00:26.483 --> 00:00:27.684
- President trump announced that the united states must respond
- 00:00:27.684 --> 00:00:31.020
- After iran used a drone to shoot down a u.s.
- 00:00:31.020 --> 00:00:33.990
- Apache helicopter over the strait of hormuz.
- 00:00:33.990 --> 00:00:37.460
- The two pilots, thankfully, were unhurt, but
- 00:00:37.460 --> 00:00:40.063
- Iran's regime clearly had deadly intent.
- 00:00:40.063 --> 00:00:43.800
- As we await the u.s.
- 00:00:44.267 --> 00:00:45.502
- Response, consider this monday's attack on the apache copter
- 00:00:45.502 --> 00:00:49.572
- Was just the latest red line iran has crossed.
- 00:00:49.572 --> 00:00:53.143
- Since memorial day, the regime has launched
- 00:00:53.143 --> 00:00:55.044
- Attacks against u.s. bases in the middle east.
- 00:00:55.044 --> 00:00:57.413
- Numerous times, including a wave of drones
- 00:00:57.413 --> 00:01:00.316
- Just yesterday that targeted a u.s.
- 00:01:00.316 --> 00:01:02.919
- Base in northern iraq.
- 00:01:02.919 --> 00:01:04.821
- Iran also recently launched missiles and drones
- 00:01:04.821 --> 00:01:07.690
- At its arab neighbors, kuwait and bahrain, and on sunday
- 00:01:07.690 --> 00:01:11.561
- Fired over 20 missiles at israel.
- 00:01:11.561 --> 00:01:14.764
- All this despite an ongoing cease fire.
- 00:01:14.764 --> 00:01:18.001
- Judging by their continuous violent actions, their fruits.
- 00:01:18.001 --> 00:01:22.372
- This does not
- 00:01:22.739 --> 00:01:23.907
- Seem like a group of people that are eager for peace.
- 00:01:23.907 --> 00:01:26.609
- But vice president barnes, who's been very involved in u.s.
- 00:01:26.609 --> 00:01:29.145
- Negotiations with iran,
- 00:01:29.145 --> 00:01:30.847
- Says the regime is looking for a way out of the war.
- 00:01:30.847 --> 00:01:34.751
- Watch.
- 00:01:34.951 --> 00:01:36.219
- We're going to take the attitude of accomplish the president's
- 00:01:36.219 --> 00:01:39.455
- Mission, but verify over the long term
- 00:01:39.455 --> 00:01:42.792
- That the iranians are keeping their end of the bargain.
- 00:01:42.792 --> 00:01:44.727
- It's a tall order,
- 00:01:44.727 --> 00:01:45.895
- But it's one
- 00:01:45.895 --> 00:01:47.130
- That the president has put us in a good position to achieve.
- 00:01:47.130 --> 00:01:49.832
- Because let's be honest, jesse, the iranians
- 00:01:49.832 --> 00:01:51.901
- Don't want this war to continue.
- 00:01:51.901 --> 00:01:53.469
- It's not in their best interest.
- 00:01:53.469 --> 00:01:54.971
- And i think they're coming to the table
- 00:01:54.971 --> 00:01:56.940
- Putting some real things on the table.
- 00:01:56.940 --> 00:01:58.975
- We're of course, going to verify it.
- 00:01:58.975 --> 00:02:00.510
- But if we get to this deal, it's
- 00:02:00.510 --> 00:02:01.778
- Going to be a home run one for the american people.
- 00:02:01.778 --> 00:02:04.814
- Folks, i pray that's the case.
- 00:02:05.415 --> 00:02:07.150
- And as i've said many times, president trump has certainly
- 00:02:07.150 --> 00:02:10.320
- Earned the benefit of the doubt when it comes to iran.
- 00:02:10.320 --> 00:02:13.523
- He's made all the right moves up until now
- 00:02:13.523 --> 00:02:15.391
- When it comes to the regime, and he's had the guts and moral
- 00:02:15.391 --> 00:02:18.428
- Clarity to do what his predecessors refused to do.
- 00:02:18.428 --> 00:02:21.965
- He has directly confronted and smashed the world's
- 00:02:21.965 --> 00:02:25.501
- Number one state sponsor of terrorism.
- 00:02:25.501 --> 00:02:27.537
- He deserves immense credit for that.
- 00:02:27.537 --> 00:02:30.039
- Iran's regime is down like never before, but it's not out.
- 00:02:30.039 --> 00:02:34.711
- My concern
- 00:02:35.011 --> 00:02:36.145
- Is that as talks drag on, iran is getting a lifeline.
- 00:02:36.145 --> 00:02:40.617
- And while i can't see any scenario where
- 00:02:40.617 --> 00:02:42.385
- President trump agrees
- 00:02:42.385 --> 00:02:43.653
- To a disastrous nuclear deal like barack obama signed off
- 00:02:43.653 --> 00:02:47.123
- On back in 2015, and which trump wisely pulled out of,
- 00:02:47.123 --> 00:02:51.728
- There cannot be gaps in a few crucial areas.
- 00:02:51.728 --> 00:02:55.632
- The nuclear issue
- 00:02:55.632 --> 00:02:56.466
- And the strait of hormuz are rightly,
- 00:02:56.466 --> 00:02:58.534
- The administration's main focus.
- 00:02:58.534 --> 00:03:00.303
- But any deal that does not address
- 00:03:00.303 --> 00:03:03.573
- Iran's ballistic missile program and its support for terror
- 00:03:03.573 --> 00:03:06.909
- Proxies like hezbollah, to me, would be seriously incomplete.
- 00:03:06.909 --> 00:03:11.948
- It could also leave our ally israel, which has fought bravely
- 00:03:11.948 --> 00:03:15.418
- By our side throughout the iran conflict, vulnerable.
- 00:03:15.418 --> 00:03:19.455
- Here's more on that from vice president vance.
- 00:03:19.455 --> 00:03:22.158
- The israelis in the united states,
- 00:03:22.158 --> 00:03:23.793
- We have a lot of shared interests,
- 00:03:23.793 --> 00:03:25.194
- But we also have some situations where our interests diverge.
- 00:03:25.194 --> 00:03:27.797
- And i think the president has been very clear here,
- 00:03:27.797 --> 00:03:30.400
- Is that while israel obviously has some objectives, that it has
- 00:03:30.400 --> 00:03:34.037
- The united states, his main
- 00:03:34.037 --> 00:03:35.338
- Objective at iran is to ensure
- 00:03:35.338 --> 00:03:37.006
- That iran does not have a nuclear weapon.
- 00:03:37.006 --> 00:03:39.108
- And we've actually faced
- 00:03:39.108 --> 00:03:40.410
- What's happened over the last few months.
- 00:03:40.410 --> 00:03:41.778
- But really over the last year and a half,
- 00:03:41.778 --> 00:03:43.646
- We've created the space necessary
- 00:03:43.646 --> 00:03:46.215
- Where the president believes.
- 00:03:46.215 --> 00:03:47.684
- And i think that he's right,
- 00:03:47.684 --> 00:03:48.918
- That we can get the long term settlement to iran's nuclear
- 00:03:48.918 --> 00:03:52.488
- Deal. now, israel may like that.
- 00:03:52.488 --> 00:03:54.624
- They may not like that.
- 00:03:54.624 --> 00:03:55.658
- But fundamentally, we think this is in the best
- 00:03:55.658 --> 00:03:57.193
- Interests of the united states of america.
- 00:03:57.193 --> 00:03:59.028
- So we're going to keep on pursuing it,
- 00:03:59.028 --> 00:04:00.396
- Because that's what the president,
- 00:04:00.396 --> 00:04:01.597
- United states, was elected to do.
- 00:04:01.597 --> 00:04:02.999
- That's what we have to do
- 00:04:02.999 --> 00:04:04.334
- In order to properly serve the american people.
- 00:04:04.334 --> 00:04:08.104
- Israel,
- 00:04:08.338 --> 00:04:09.405
- Understandably, would definitely not be pleased if,
- 00:04:09.405 --> 00:04:13.009
- After a deal, iran continues to stockpile ballistic missiles
- 00:04:13.009 --> 00:04:18.114
- And build up terror groups on israel's borders.
- 00:04:18.114 --> 00:04:21.084
- Remember,
- 00:04:21.084 --> 00:04:22.251
- While iran is half a world away from the united states,
- 00:04:22.251 --> 00:04:25.254
- It resides in israel's immediate neighborhood.
- 00:04:25.254 --> 00:04:28.858
- It is an existential threat
- 00:04:28.858 --> 00:04:30.693
- To the world's one and only jewish state.
- 00:04:30.693 --> 00:04:33.963
- That's why prime minister netanyahu had to respond
- 00:04:33.963 --> 00:04:36.966
- To sunday's iranian
- 00:04:36.966 --> 00:04:38.401
- Missile barrage and carry out retaliatory strikes.
- 00:04:38.401 --> 00:04:42.305
- As president trump acknowledged last night watch.
- 00:04:42.305 --> 00:04:46.142
- We had a very good conversation and he was hit and he hit back.
- 00:04:46.142 --> 00:04:50.513
- And i can't blame him for that.
- 00:04:51.147 --> 00:04:53.216
- But he was hit.
- 00:04:53.216 --> 00:04:54.617
- He hit back and now they've called it quits.
- 00:04:54.617 --> 00:04:57.453
- So they're going to
- 00:04:57.453 --> 00:04:59.322
- Just leave each other alone for another week.
- 00:04:59.322 --> 00:05:02.225
- Update.
- 00:05:02.225 --> 00:05:04.827
- Folks, i'm very skeptical that iran's regime
- 00:05:05.728 --> 00:05:08.297
- Will leave well enough alone and stop the madness.
- 00:05:08.297 --> 00:05:11.667
- It is an apocalyptic jihadist death cult, and we've got a 47
- 00:05:11.667 --> 00:05:16.672
- Year sample size of who they are and what they want.
- 00:05:16.672 --> 00:05:20.143
- I believe we have a golden opportunity here
- 00:05:20.143 --> 00:05:22.845
- To finish the job and eliminate a long time threat.
- 00:05:22.845 --> 00:05:27.517
- Either way, the moment of reckoning is here.
- 00:05:27.517 --> 00:05:31.254
- Israeli special forces veteran aaron cohen is here to break it
- 00:05:31.254 --> 00:05:34.424
- All down.
- 00:05:34.424 --> 00:05:35.625
- Next.
- 00:05:35.625 --> 00:05:52.642
- Make a deal or finish the job.
- 00:05:53.242 --> 00:05:56.012
- That seems to be the choice that lies
- 00:05:56.012 --> 00:05:57.680
- Before the trump administration right now.
- 00:05:57.680 --> 00:05:59.615
- So what will they do?
- 00:05:59.615 --> 00:06:00.817
- And where does israel fall in all of this?
- 00:06:00.817 --> 00:06:03.486
- Joining us now to break down is our good friend, aaron cohen,
- 00:06:03.486 --> 00:06:05.888
- A veteran of israeli special operations
- 00:06:05.888 --> 00:06:08.191
- And one of the world's leading experts
- 00:06:08.191 --> 00:06:10.460
- On counterterrorism, intelligence and urban warfare.
- 00:06:10.460 --> 00:06:13.529
- He's also host of the great aaron cohen show.
- 00:06:13.529 --> 00:06:16.232
- Aaron, always great to have you with us, my friend.
- 00:06:16.232 --> 00:06:17.967
- It seems that iran's regime, we're hearing talk about a deal,
- 00:06:17.967 --> 00:06:21.537
- That it's close, but iran's regime is
- 00:06:21.537 --> 00:06:24.240
- Still conducting itself like it's essentially at war
- 00:06:24.240 --> 00:06:28.177
- With the united states.
- 00:06:28.177 --> 00:06:29.245
- Israel and its arab neighbors launching drones,
- 00:06:29.245 --> 00:06:32.381
- Ballistic missiles, a lot of tough,
- 00:06:32.381 --> 00:06:34.183
- Inflammatory talk from the mad mullahs.
- 00:06:34.183 --> 00:06:36.853
- How do you see the state of play right now in terms of
- 00:06:36.853 --> 00:06:39.322
- A potential deal?
- 00:06:39.322 --> 00:06:41.190
- So, erick, here's what i'm out with that.
- 00:06:42.024 --> 00:06:43.526
- There's a
- 00:06:43.526 --> 00:06:44.660
- There's a lot of analysis going on across the board,
- 00:06:44.660 --> 00:06:46.462
- But i still think we're negotiating from strength.
- 00:06:46.462 --> 00:06:49.565
- But only if that military pressure stays on.
- 00:06:49.565 --> 00:06:52.468
- And president trump has leverage.
- 00:06:52.468 --> 00:06:55.171
- Everybody needs to remember that
- 00:06:55.171 --> 00:06:56.439
- Because of operation epic, fury damaged iran very badly.
- 00:06:56.439 --> 00:07:00.643
- And i truly believe that the amount of target packages
- 00:07:00.643 --> 00:07:03.446
- That were laid out were very significant.
- 00:07:03.446 --> 00:07:05.715
- But leverage disappears when the enemy believes the talks
- 00:07:05.715 --> 00:07:10.152
- Equal breathing room.
- 00:07:10.653 --> 00:07:11.988
- And so i ran cannot be allowed
- 00:07:11.988 --> 00:07:14.390
- To use negotiations to rebuild missile stocks,
- 00:07:14.390 --> 00:07:17.960
- Reconstitute any command structure or reload hezbollah,
- 00:07:17.960 --> 00:07:21.264
- Which, as you know, is iran's forward operating base on
- 00:07:21.264 --> 00:07:24.267
- The northern border of israel.
- 00:07:24.267 --> 00:07:25.968
- And they cannot move nuclear work deeper underground.
- 00:07:25.968 --> 00:07:29.138
- I know that is something that's been talked about in israel.
- 00:07:29.138 --> 00:07:33.009
- So i say there can be a deal that's reached, continue
- 00:07:33.009 --> 00:07:36.812
- To go ahead and talk,
- 00:07:36.812 --> 00:07:38.281
- But talk with sanctions, military pressure,
- 00:07:38.281 --> 00:07:41.951
- Interdiction is needed and consequences
- 00:07:41.951 --> 00:07:44.587
- That are still in place. and that's where i'm at.
- 00:07:44.587 --> 00:07:46.589
- Aaron, great points all around and very well said.
- 00:07:46.589 --> 00:07:49.058
- I keep coming back to the point that, okay, if there is a deal,
- 00:07:49.058 --> 00:07:52.228
- Maybe even it looks good on paper.
- 00:07:52.228 --> 00:07:53.863
- At the end of the day, this regime cannot be trusted.
- 00:07:53.863 --> 00:07:56.966
- We have a 47 year sample size of them
- 00:07:56.966 --> 00:08:00.036
- Being a double talking jihadist death cult.
- 00:08:00.036 --> 00:08:03.973
- So are you concerned if look iran to to give itself
- 00:08:03.973 --> 00:08:06.976
- Some breathing room agrees to a deal.
- 00:08:06.976 --> 00:08:09.211
- But they kind of wait president trump out
- 00:08:09.211 --> 00:08:11.881
- And they're back to their old tricks
- 00:08:11.881 --> 00:08:13.316
- In early 2029 when he leaves office. is that a possibility?
- 00:08:13.316 --> 00:08:17.386
- So i think that the u.s.
- 00:08:17.920 --> 00:08:20.990
- Can strike a deal, but it has to be durable.
- 00:08:20.990 --> 00:08:24.493
- Erick. yeah.
- 00:08:24.493 --> 00:08:26.228
- Only if the deal dismantles.
- 00:08:26.228 --> 00:08:28.965
- Here's the key term capability.
- 00:08:28.965 --> 00:08:31.734
- This cannot be about managing behavior.
- 00:08:31.734 --> 00:08:33.769
- And here's what i mean.
- 00:08:33.769 --> 00:08:34.870
- A paper agreement with the iranian regime means nothing
- 00:08:34.870 --> 00:08:37.907
- If i ran.
- 00:08:37.907 --> 00:08:39.008
- Keeps hezbollah that forward operating capability.
- 00:08:39.008 --> 00:08:41.744
- Hamas, who's already starting to kind of regroup
- 00:08:41.744 --> 00:08:45.181
- Booths who have not completely been dismantled, by the way.
- 00:08:45.181 --> 00:08:47.550
- And let's not forget the militias in iraq and syria.
- 00:08:47.550 --> 00:08:50.386
- We're talking about ballistic missiles,
- 00:08:50.386 --> 00:08:52.154
- And we're talking about the number one,
- 00:08:52.154 --> 00:08:53.990
- Which is the nuclear infrastructure.
- 00:08:53.990 --> 00:08:55.725
- So adorable deal has to be one verifiable.
- 00:08:55.725 --> 00:08:59.295
- Two, it has to be enforceable.
- 00:08:59.895 --> 00:09:01.530
- It has to be backed by automatic consequences.
- 00:09:01.530 --> 00:09:04.934
- And if i ran keeps that proxy network, which is their entire
- 00:09:04.934 --> 00:09:08.070
- Military operational capability erick.
- 00:09:08.070 --> 00:09:11.140
- It keeps their war machine.
- 00:09:11.140 --> 00:09:13.142
- So that's why i'm out with that.
- 00:09:13.142 --> 00:09:14.276
- It's got to be real.
- 00:09:14.276 --> 00:09:16.045
- Otherwise the pressure has to come back immediately.
- 00:09:16.045 --> 00:09:19.148
- Yeah. you would think that israel if it does. okay.
- 00:09:19.148 --> 00:09:21.150
- Say the deal, puts severe limitations on iran's
- 00:09:21.150 --> 00:09:23.953
- Nuclear program and it opens up the strait of hormuz.
- 00:09:23.953 --> 00:09:26.389
- That's great.
- 00:09:26.389 --> 00:09:27.289
- But, aaron, from israel's perspective,
- 00:09:27.289 --> 00:09:28.591
- It seems if ballistic missiles aren't included, iran's
- 00:09:28.591 --> 00:09:31.594
- Ballistic missile program.
- 00:09:31.594 --> 00:09:32.728
- And as you just said, the support for terror proxies,
- 00:09:32.728 --> 00:09:35.064
- That deal
- 00:09:35.064 --> 00:09:36.198
- Seems sort of incomplete in the grand scheme of things.
- 00:09:36.198 --> 00:09:38.701
- Yeah, that's right.
- 00:09:38.701 --> 00:09:39.702
- And that's exactly the pattern with those guys.
- 00:09:39.702 --> 00:09:41.771
- And so i read negotiates when it's under pressure.
- 00:09:41.771 --> 00:09:43.706
- Erick lockhart's yield same yellow
- 00:09:43.706 --> 00:09:46.542
- I mean like we say in hebrew pressure creates diamonds.
- 00:09:46.542 --> 00:09:49.945
- And so iran starts when it needs time.
- 00:09:49.945 --> 00:09:52.948
- By the way.
- 00:09:52.948 --> 00:09:54.150
- That is their main operating tool with these negotiations
- 00:09:54.150 --> 00:09:57.253
- And agrees to big language is what we're seeing right now.
- 00:09:57.253 --> 00:10:00.423
- It's demanding sanctions relief and then it's using that
- 00:10:00.423 --> 00:10:02.858
- Breathing room to rebuild.
- 00:10:02.858 --> 00:10:04.460
- And that is why the west, people watching this thing
- 00:10:04.460 --> 00:10:07.830
- Unfold cannot judge iran by what it says at the table.
- 00:10:07.830 --> 00:10:12.034
- You judge iran by centrifuges, missiles,
- 00:10:12.034 --> 00:10:16.472
- Money flow, proxy activity and irgc movement.
- 00:10:16.472 --> 00:10:20.943
- Behavior matters more than anything.
- 00:10:20.943 --> 00:10:23.746
- With this regime statements mean nothing with the,
- 00:10:23.746 --> 00:10:28.117
- With the irgc.
- 00:10:28.117 --> 00:10:29.719
- Their actions, not their words.
- 00:10:29.719 --> 00:10:31.487
- That is the key point, aaron.
- 00:10:31.487 --> 00:10:32.755
- Great break down, folks. he's one of the best in the business.
- 00:10:32.755 --> 00:10:34.924
- Check him out on the aaron cohen show.
- 00:10:34.924 --> 00:10:36.759
- Instagram.
- 00:10:36.759 --> 00:10:37.626
- Across social media, our good friend
- 00:10:37.626 --> 00:10:39.195
- Aaron cohen will be right back with us.
- 00:10:39.195 --> 00:10:40.963
- We're talking lebanon.
- 00:10:40.963 --> 00:10:42.631
- Yeah, very, very strong.
- 00:10:42.631 --> 00:10:45.434
- The iranians would say linkage to the iranian potential deal
- 00:10:45.434 --> 00:10:49.004
- Will break that down with aaron.
- 00:10:49.004 --> 00:10:50.306
- Why you should care about what hezbollah's
- 00:10:50.306 --> 00:10:52.775
- Doing on israel's northern border right now.
- 00:10:52.775 --> 00:10:55.144
- That's next. don't move.
- 00:10:55.144 --> 00:10:59.007
- That's next. don't move.
- 00:10:59.007 --> 00:11:01.458
- Welcome back to stakelbeck tonight.
- 00:11:02.226 --> 00:11:04.094
- Israel is taking the fight to hezbollah in lebanon,
- 00:11:04.094 --> 00:11:07.698
- Launching new strikes against terror targets there.
- 00:11:07.698 --> 00:11:10.501
- As the iranian regime attempts to safeguard
- 00:11:10.501 --> 00:11:13.904
- The crown jewel of its terror proxies.
- 00:11:13.904 --> 00:11:16.907
- Aaron cohen is back with us.
- 00:11:16.907 --> 00:11:18.709
- Aaron, look, israel is responding to repeated drone
- 00:11:18.709 --> 00:11:22.913
- And rocket attacks over the past several weeks from hezbollah.
- 00:11:22.913 --> 00:11:27.050
- At the end of the day, is the iranian regime pulling
- 00:11:27.050 --> 00:11:30.521
- The strings here and and pushing hezbollah to escalate?
- 00:11:30.521 --> 00:11:34.658
- 100%, erick, hezbollah is iran's forward
- 00:11:35.526 --> 00:11:39.596
- Operating, capability on the northern border of israel.
- 00:11:39.596 --> 00:11:44.201
- So a couple of things that have been happening.
- 00:11:44.201 --> 00:11:45.669
- Now, if you look at,
- 00:11:45.669 --> 00:11:46.703
- The evacuations that have been
- 00:11:46.703 --> 00:11:48.005
- Happening in today, right now, which is, tells me everything
- 00:11:48.005 --> 00:11:52.142
- I need to know about hezbollah's footprint inside of northern,
- 00:11:52.142 --> 00:11:56.146
- Inside of southern lebanon.
- 00:11:56.146 --> 00:11:57.781
- Tells us that hezbollah is deeply
- 00:11:57.781 --> 00:12:00.117
- Embedded inside civilian terrain.
- 00:12:00.117 --> 00:12:02.553
- And when israel is warning areas like today,
- 00:12:02.553 --> 00:12:06.256
- Which has been happening now for the last 24 hours, including
- 00:12:06.256 --> 00:12:09.927
- Christian neighborhoods that had largely been spared,
- 00:12:09.927 --> 00:12:14.364
- It means that the israeli assessment
- 00:12:14.364 --> 00:12:16.099
- Is that the hezbollah infrastructure or personnel
- 00:12:16.099 --> 00:12:19.570
- Have moved into places civilians assumed were safe.
- 00:12:19.570 --> 00:12:24.341
- This is the hezbollah
- 00:12:24.341 --> 00:12:25.342
- Playbook carried behind inside that population.
- 00:12:25.342 --> 00:12:28.445
- Force israel into impossible targeting decisions
- 00:12:28.445 --> 00:12:31.949
- And then exploit the civilian suffering for propaganda.
- 00:12:31.949 --> 00:12:35.853
- That's exactly what's going on.
- 00:12:35.853 --> 00:12:37.788
- And hezbollah is the military operational wing
- 00:12:37.788 --> 00:12:42.192
- Sitting on israel's northern border.
- 00:12:42.192 --> 00:12:44.194
- They must be dealt with every time there is a strike.
- 00:12:44.194 --> 00:12:48.632
- Yeah, and there's broader implications here, aaron,
- 00:12:48.632 --> 00:12:50.667
- Because the iranian regime,
- 00:12:50.667 --> 00:12:51.902
- Apparently in negotiations with the united states
- 00:12:51.902 --> 00:12:54.571
- Keeps saying, look, we want the fired,
- 00:12:54.571 --> 00:12:57.074
- The cease fire to extend and hold in lebanon.
- 00:12:57.074 --> 00:13:00.377
- They're trying to protect hezbollah there.
- 00:13:00.377 --> 00:13:03.046
- How does that factor in?
- 00:13:03.046 --> 00:13:04.114
- I know the trump administration wants to separate
- 00:13:04.114 --> 00:13:06.750
- The lebanon portfolio, and the iran portfolio,
- 00:13:06.750 --> 00:13:09.786
- But the regime,
- 00:13:09.786 --> 00:13:11.054
- They're obviously all in behind
- 00:13:11.054 --> 00:13:12.456
- Their most powerful proxy, hezbollah.
- 00:13:12.456 --> 00:13:14.258
- They want to save hezbollah.
- 00:13:14.258 --> 00:13:16.293
- How does that factor in at all in all this?
- 00:13:16.293 --> 00:13:18.228
- Can the u.s.
- 00:13:18.228 --> 00:13:19.062
- Separate lebanon from iran?
- 00:13:19.062 --> 00:13:21.632
- Well, you can't separate the
- 00:13:22.232 --> 00:13:23.300
- Two where they're one and the same.
- 00:13:23.300 --> 00:13:24.902
- There is no hezbollah without iran.
- 00:13:24.902 --> 00:13:27.537
- There's no hamas over the last
- 00:13:27.537 --> 00:13:29.139
- Two decades, getting funded by iran.
- 00:13:29.139 --> 00:13:31.475
- There's no houthis without iran.
- 00:13:31.475 --> 00:13:33.377
- This is proxy warfare.
- 00:13:33.377 --> 00:13:35.212
- And so, in my opinion, hezbollah is being used secretively
- 00:13:35.212 --> 00:13:39.950
- Off the books to trigger the next major escalation.
- 00:13:39.950 --> 00:13:44.488
- Iran is weakened and may want to avoid any direct destruction
- 00:13:44.488 --> 00:13:48.825
- Because they know they've been hit so hard.
- 00:13:48.825 --> 00:13:51.395
- And there's just not a lot left of its military infrastructure.
- 00:13:51.395 --> 00:13:55.399
- So hezbollah has the largest arsenal on israel's border.
- 00:13:55.399 --> 00:14:01.438
- And let me be clear.
- 00:14:01.438 --> 00:14:02.739
- This shortest fuze, these are islamic extreme
- 00:14:02.739 --> 00:14:06.410
- Radicals who are military grade operational.
- 00:14:06.410 --> 00:14:10.781
- Hezbollah, as i mentioned, is iran's forward deployed army.
- 00:14:10.781 --> 00:14:14.151
- And if tehran wants pressure without that direct
- 00:14:14.151 --> 00:14:17.688
- Fingerprint, hezbollah is the lever.
- 00:14:17.688 --> 00:14:21.491
- Eric.
- 00:14:21.491 --> 00:14:22.159
- Yeah.
- 00:14:22.159 --> 00:14:23.093
- And folks, remember, aaron is an israeli
- 00:14:23.093 --> 00:14:24.461
- Special forces veteran.
- 00:14:24.461 --> 00:14:25.762
- He knows these groups very, very well.
- 00:14:25.762 --> 00:14:27.965
- Needless to say. aaron, about a minute left.
- 00:14:27.965 --> 00:14:30.467
- I know the trump administration also we're talking lebanon.
- 00:14:30.467 --> 00:14:33.203
- The trump administration would like to freeze hezbollah
- 00:14:33.203 --> 00:14:35.706
- Out and see a deal between the lebanese central government
- 00:14:35.706 --> 00:14:40.610
- And israel. is that possible?
- 00:14:40.610 --> 00:14:42.512
- I mean, you would think that hezbollah and iran
- 00:14:42.512 --> 00:14:44.314
- Will try everything in their power to sabotage that deal.
- 00:14:44.314 --> 00:14:46.750
- About a minute left.
- 00:14:46.750 --> 00:14:47.684
- I do think it's possible, but i don't think it's realistic.
- 00:14:48.885 --> 00:14:52.356
- I hate to use that term
- 00:14:52.356 --> 00:14:53.357
- Because it puts us in a negative frame,
- 00:14:53.357 --> 00:14:55.192
- But we're talking about the middle east.
- 00:14:55.192 --> 00:14:57.227
- Eric.
- 00:14:57.227 --> 00:14:58.228
- So, i mean, a cease fire is not peace, eric.
- 00:14:58.228 --> 00:15:01.765
- It's a pause between strikes.
- 00:15:01.765 --> 00:15:03.633
- Iran, hezbollah, what's left of the houthis
- 00:15:03.633 --> 00:15:06.737
- All testing whether israel and the united states still have
- 00:15:06.737 --> 00:15:09.606
- The will to enforce deterrence after operation epic theory.
- 00:15:09.606 --> 00:15:13.543
- The answer has to be yes.
- 00:15:13.543 --> 00:15:16.346
- Period. peace through strength.
- 00:15:16.346 --> 00:15:18.949
- Now more than ever.
- 00:15:18.949 --> 00:15:20.050
- The man aaron cohen.
- 00:15:20.050 --> 00:15:22.052
- Great break down as always, my friend.
- 00:15:22.052 --> 00:15:23.453
- Folks, be sure to check it
- 00:15:23.453 --> 00:15:24.521
- Out on the aaron cohen show x across social media.
- 00:15:24.521 --> 00:15:27.524
- Aaron keep up the great work. we'll see you again soon.
- 00:15:27.524 --> 00:15:29.693
- God bless.
- 00:15:29.693 --> 00:15:30.861
- And coming up after the break, look, we're talking iran.
- 00:15:30.861 --> 00:15:33.597
- What about the iranian people?
- 00:15:33.597 --> 00:15:35.198
- Tens of thousands of iranians
- 00:15:35.198 --> 00:15:37.067
- Were slaughtered in the streets by the regime back in january.
- 00:15:37.067 --> 00:15:40.504
- How are they doing now?
- 00:15:41.004 --> 00:15:42.873
- And what do they think about a potential cease fire?
- 00:15:42.873 --> 00:15:45.842
- Emily schrader joins us from tel aviv next.
- 00:15:45.842 --> 00:15:48.979
- Stick around.
- 00:15:48.979 --> 00:15:52.016
- Stick around.
- 00:15:52.016 --> 00:15:54.429
- Welcome back to stakelbeck tonight,
- 00:15:55.196 --> 00:15:57.198
- The iranian people continue
- 00:15:57.198 --> 00:15:59.100
- To live under one of the world's most oppressive regimes.
- 00:15:59.100 --> 00:16:02.437
- Yet they continue to show remarkable courage
- 00:16:02.437 --> 00:16:05.640
- In their fight against the ayatollahs.
- 00:16:05.640 --> 00:16:08.376
- Joining us now to break it all down is emily schrader,
- 00:16:08.376 --> 00:16:10.511
- An award winning journalist, human rights activist
- 00:16:10.511 --> 00:16:12.980
- And one of the world's
- 00:16:12.980 --> 00:16:14.015
- Leading voices exposing anti-semitism, extremism
- 00:16:14.015 --> 00:16:17.952
- And the true nature of the iranian regime.
- 00:16:17.952 --> 00:16:20.588
- Emily, always great to have you with us.
- 00:16:20.588 --> 00:16:22.457
- We're hearing a lot about a deal, a cease fire.
- 00:16:22.457 --> 00:16:24.725
- We're not hearing much, though, here in the west
- 00:16:24.725 --> 00:16:27.028
- And in the mainstream media in particular,
- 00:16:27.028 --> 00:16:29.297
- About the iranian people.
- 00:16:29.297 --> 00:16:30.932
- Emily, you've got great contacts on the ground in iran.
- 00:16:30.932 --> 00:16:33.401
- For years,
- 00:16:33.401 --> 00:16:34.569
- You've brought attention to the plight of iran's people.
- 00:16:34.569 --> 00:16:37.238
- What's the situation like now
- 00:16:37.238 --> 00:16:39.107
- On the ground
- 00:16:39.107 --> 00:16:40.341
- For the average iranian still suffering under this regime?
- 00:16:40.341 --> 00:16:43.644
- Well, thanks for having me.
- 00:16:43.644 --> 00:16:44.745
- It's always a pleasure to join you on the broadcast.
- 00:16:44.745 --> 00:16:47.448
- Unfortunately,
- 00:16:47.448 --> 00:16:48.916
- The situation is not good for the iranian people.
- 00:16:48.916 --> 00:16:51.886
- We do see some degree of restored internet
- 00:16:51.886 --> 00:16:55.323
- After what is the longest shutdown of internet?
- 00:16:55.323 --> 00:16:58.426
- Intentional shutdown of internet in modern history.
- 00:16:58.426 --> 00:17:01.896
- Nationwide, we saw internet completely cut off
- 00:17:01.896 --> 00:17:04.465
- Since the january protests until well after a cease fire
- 00:17:04.465 --> 00:17:07.835
- Had been declared with the iran israel united states conflict.
- 00:17:07.835 --> 00:17:12.573
- But that said, the internet is still very limited.
- 00:17:12.573 --> 00:17:14.709
- Not working very well requires a lot of vpns.
- 00:17:14.709 --> 00:17:18.279
- There's a lot of filters in place
- 00:17:18.279 --> 00:17:19.747
- And of course, heavy monitoring by the regime.
- 00:17:19.747 --> 00:17:22.416
- The other thing that i'm hearing
- 00:17:22.416 --> 00:17:23.651
- From iranians on the ground now, now that more internet
- 00:17:23.651 --> 00:17:27.155
- Connectivity exists, albeit weak,
- 00:17:27.155 --> 00:17:29.524
- Is that there are checkpoints everywhere.
- 00:17:29.524 --> 00:17:32.059
- The irgc is extremely active.
- 00:17:32.059 --> 00:17:34.128
- They are very concerned
- 00:17:34.128 --> 00:17:35.630
- About uprisings restarting again,
- 00:17:35.630 --> 00:17:38.199
- Or at least some of them already have started.
- 00:17:38.199 --> 00:17:39.800
- We've seen some protests
- 00:17:39.800 --> 00:17:41.169
- On campuses, in particular inside iran,
- 00:17:41.169 --> 00:17:43.905
- But they're worried about wide
- 00:17:43.905 --> 00:17:45.173
- Scale protests that really could bring down the regime.
- 00:17:45.173 --> 00:17:48.242
- And so as a result of that,
- 00:17:48.242 --> 00:17:49.844
- They are responding to that preemptively
- 00:17:49.844 --> 00:17:52.213
- With nightly marches where they're
- 00:17:52.213 --> 00:17:55.283
- Having a lot of their supporters
- 00:17:55.283 --> 00:17:56.884
- Or people who work in the government,
- 00:17:56.884 --> 00:17:58.452
- People who are part of the regime
- 00:17:58.452 --> 00:17:59.987
- March through neighborhoods, especially neighborhoods
- 00:17:59.987 --> 00:18:02.290
- That are known to have a lot of dissidents
- 00:18:02.290 --> 00:18:04.392
- And to be in opposition to the regime.
- 00:18:04.392 --> 00:18:06.494
- We've also seen tens of thousands of arrests.
- 00:18:06.494 --> 00:18:08.896
- That's an ongoing process.
- 00:18:08.896 --> 00:18:10.565
- And of course, we've also seen
- 00:18:10.565 --> 00:18:11.766
- Executions almost every single day.
- 00:18:11.766 --> 00:18:13.768
- We see people being executed for their role
- 00:18:13.768 --> 00:18:16.671
- In, you know, spying or whatever conspiracy the regime
- 00:18:16.671 --> 00:18:20.374
- Has concocted in order to persecute their own people
- 00:18:20.374 --> 00:18:23.911
- And to mass execute those who they weren't able to execute
- 00:18:23.911 --> 00:18:28.115
- Extra judicially on january 8th, the ninth.
- 00:18:28.115 --> 00:18:30.952
- It's a horrific situation, truly.
- 00:18:30.952 --> 00:18:33.254
- Emily, great break down.
- 00:18:33.254 --> 00:18:34.488
- And january the 9th, which you mentioned over 40,000,
- 00:18:34.488 --> 00:18:37.725
- Probably much more iranians slaughtered by this regime.
- 00:18:37.725 --> 00:18:41.796
- Emily, do you get the sense from your contacts on the ground?
- 00:18:41.796 --> 00:18:44.165
- Look, we've got this talk of a deal which presumably
- 00:18:44.165 --> 00:18:47.068
- Would leave the regime or what's left of it in power.
- 00:18:47.068 --> 00:18:50.805
- Do you get the impression from the iranian people that they'd
- 00:18:50.805 --> 00:18:54.041
- Rather see the united states
- 00:18:54.041 --> 00:18:55.676
- Finish the job here and topple this regime?
- 00:18:55.676 --> 00:18:59.046
- There's no question that the iranian people
- 00:18:59.046 --> 00:19:01.382
- Want to see the united states or israel or both,
- 00:19:01.382 --> 00:19:04.485
- Finish this regime once and for all.
- 00:19:04.485 --> 00:19:06.354
- There is no appetite on the ground
- 00:19:06.354 --> 00:19:08.256
- Amongst the general public for any kind of a deal,
- 00:19:08.256 --> 00:19:11.792
- Any kind of a deal, even one that guarantees
- 00:19:11.792 --> 00:19:14.662
- That there will be no nuclear program
- 00:19:14.662 --> 00:19:16.397
- And no future
- 00:19:16.397 --> 00:19:17.531
- For a nuclear program inside of iran is not something
- 00:19:17.531 --> 00:19:20.768
- That will be accepted by the iranian people.
- 00:19:20.768 --> 00:19:22.837
- And i think that the problem
- 00:19:22.837 --> 00:19:24.338
- For a lot of americans, the difficulty in accepting
- 00:19:24.338 --> 00:19:27.375
- This comes from a scarred memory of the situation with iraq.
- 00:19:27.375 --> 00:19:31.746
- And it's important to remember
- 00:19:31.746 --> 00:19:33.514
- That this is not iraq, this is not the same situation.
- 00:19:33.514 --> 00:19:36.384
- And furthermore, i urge those
- 00:19:36.384 --> 00:19:38.019
- Who are within the trump administration to remember
- 00:19:38.019 --> 00:19:40.388
- That iran is also not venezuela
- 00:19:40.388 --> 00:19:42.356
- Looking for a figure from within
- 00:19:42.356 --> 00:19:44.292
- The regime to sort of fulfill that position of delsey
- 00:19:44.292 --> 00:19:47.595
- Rodriguez, that we saw the trump administration approach
- 00:19:47.595 --> 00:19:50.631
- The issue in venezuela with.
- 00:19:50.631 --> 00:19:52.066
- That won't work with the regime.
- 00:19:52.066 --> 00:19:53.467
- The problem with this regime is ideology based
- 00:19:53.467 --> 00:19:56.203
- And the entire regime is rotten.
- 00:19:56.203 --> 00:19:58.372
- And that is why you will see
- 00:19:58.372 --> 00:20:00.007
- Eventually, even if a deal is made,
- 00:20:00.007 --> 00:20:02.109
- The iranian people will rise up against this.
- 00:20:02.109 --> 00:20:04.312
- There is zero appetite for a deal.
- 00:20:04.312 --> 00:20:06.180
- They are
- 00:20:06.180 --> 00:20:07.214
- Crying out in the streets begging for support.
- 00:20:07.214 --> 00:20:09.884
- In fact, one of the first waves of
- 00:20:09.884 --> 00:20:11.919
- Content that we saw after the internet was turned back
- 00:20:11.919 --> 00:20:14.155
- On, other than footage from january 8th,
- 00:20:14.155 --> 00:20:16.791
- The ninth of the horrific killing that took place
- 00:20:16.791 --> 00:20:19.327
- Was iranians begging with notes and graffiti and anything
- 00:20:19.327 --> 00:20:23.230
- They can get their hands off begging for arms.
- 00:20:23.230 --> 00:20:25.833
- They want to be armed.
- 00:20:25.833 --> 00:20:27.068
- They want to do it themselves.
- 00:20:27.068 --> 00:20:28.502
- They don't want an american boots on the ground operation.
- 00:20:28.502 --> 00:20:31.405
- If america wanted to do that, that's a different situation.
- 00:20:31.405 --> 00:20:34.709
- But that's not what they're calling for.
- 00:20:34.709 --> 00:20:36.243
- They're calling for them to receive arms for them
- 00:20:36.243 --> 00:20:38.779
- To take back their country so that the entire world,
- 00:20:38.779 --> 00:20:41.916
- Including the region, including the united states,
- 00:20:41.916 --> 00:20:44.151
- Are in a safer place as a result. emily.
- 00:20:44.151 --> 00:20:46.554
- So we'll say this is a jihadist death cult.
- 00:20:46.554 --> 00:20:49.557
- This is who they are. it's what they do.
- 00:20:49.557 --> 00:20:51.258
- This is who they've been for 47 years.
- 00:20:51.258 --> 00:20:53.361
- This jihadi
- 00:20:53.361 --> 00:20:54.495
- Leopard will not change its spots regardless of a deal.
- 00:20:54.495 --> 00:20:57.498
- Hey, about a minute left.
- 00:20:57.498 --> 00:20:58.599
- You mentioned israel, which is fought bravely
- 00:20:58.599 --> 00:21:00.901
- By the side of the united states throughout this conflict.
- 00:21:00.901 --> 00:21:04.238
- Talk about the iranian people's
- 00:21:04.238 --> 00:21:05.539
- Feelings for the people of israel.
- 00:21:05.539 --> 00:21:06.874
- I talk to iranians a lot, and they say, look,
- 00:21:06.874 --> 00:21:08.743
- We we feel good about israel, or they're at least indifferent
- 00:21:08.743 --> 00:21:12.012
- To israel.
- 00:21:12.012 --> 00:21:12.980
- We don't have any animosity towards israel.
- 00:21:12.980 --> 00:21:14.949
- Do you get that sense when you talk to iranians
- 00:21:14.949 --> 00:21:17.084
- That they see
- 00:21:17.084 --> 00:21:18.185
- Israel not as an enemy, but even perhaps as an ally?
- 00:21:18.185 --> 00:21:20.788
- About a minute left.
- 00:21:20.788 --> 00:21:22.089
- There's a tremendous amount
- 00:21:22.089 --> 00:21:23.324
- Of support for israel and appreciation
- 00:21:23.324 --> 00:21:25.559
- For prime minister
- 00:21:25.559 --> 00:21:26.627
- Netanyahu for the actions that he's already taken
- 00:21:26.627 --> 00:21:29.029
- Against the regime.
- 00:21:29.029 --> 00:21:29.964
- But i do want to emphasize,
- 00:21:29.964 --> 00:21:31.165
- Even for president trump as well.
- 00:21:31.165 --> 00:21:32.967
- But i do have to say that they're very concerned
- 00:21:32.967 --> 00:21:35.236
- About a deal.
- 00:21:35.236 --> 00:21:35.970
- And we hear a lot of talk
- 00:21:35.970 --> 00:21:37.204
- From the administration now about what's best for americans.
- 00:21:37.204 --> 00:21:39.974
- And perhaps that diverges from what's best for israel.
- 00:21:39.974 --> 00:21:42.376
- I want to correct the record on that, because it's not true.
- 00:21:42.376 --> 00:21:45.880
- Even a deal that ensures there is no nuclear weapon
- 00:21:45.880 --> 00:21:49.116
- For the islamic republic doesn't necessarily mean
- 00:21:49.116 --> 00:21:51.519
- That that is in american interests.
- 00:21:51.519 --> 00:21:53.354
- American interests involve getting rid of the proxy
- 00:21:53.354 --> 00:21:55.890
- Terror network, hezbollah, the houthis,
- 00:21:55.890 --> 00:21:58.159
- All of these terror proxies that are funded,
- 00:21:58.159 --> 00:22:00.094
- Armed and trained by the islamic republic.
- 00:22:00.094 --> 00:22:01.962
- They threaten american forces, they kill americans,
- 00:22:01.962 --> 00:22:04.965
- They kidnaped americans and held them hostage
- 00:22:04.965 --> 00:22:07.368
- For well over a year.
- 00:22:07.368 --> 00:22:08.502
- We have to remember that it's not just the nuclear issue.
- 00:22:08.502 --> 00:22:11.372
- What's in the interest of israel
- 00:22:11.372 --> 00:22:12.773
- Is actually also in the interest of every single american.
- 00:22:12.773 --> 00:22:16.076
- No doubt.
- 00:22:16.076 --> 00:22:16.877
- Emily. great, great break down folks.
- 00:22:16.877 --> 00:22:18.546
- Be sure to follow emily x instagram across social media.
- 00:22:18.546 --> 00:22:21.816
- Emily. great stuff. god bless. keep up the great work.
- 00:22:21.816 --> 00:22:24.418
- We'll see you again soon.
- 00:22:24.418 --> 00:22:25.453
- And coming up, my final thoughts on the situation
- 00:22:25.453 --> 00:22:28.189
- In the middle east and why it impacts you.
- 00:22:28.189 --> 00:22:31.292
- That's next. stick around.
- 00:22:31.292 --> 00:22:35.017
- That's next. stick around.
- 00:22:35.017 --> 00:22:38.159
- Welcome back to stakelbeck tonight, folks.
- 00:22:39.060 --> 00:22:40.762
- As we wrap up here, this is real simple.
- 00:22:40.762 --> 00:22:42.564
- As a christian, why you should care about
- 00:22:42.564 --> 00:22:44.799
- What happens between israel,
- 00:22:44.799 --> 00:22:46.301
- Iran and really anything involving israel.
- 00:22:46.301 --> 00:22:48.903
- I think of the book of zechariah chapter 14, verse four.
- 00:22:48.903 --> 00:22:52.140
- On that day, his feet, the feet of jesus will stand
- 00:22:52.140 --> 00:22:55.977
- On the mount of olives east of jerusalem,
- 00:22:55.977 --> 00:22:57.979
- And the mount of olives
- 00:22:57.979 --> 00:22:59.214
- Will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley,
- 00:22:59.214 --> 00:23:02.650
- With half of the mountain moving north and half moving south.
- 00:23:02.650 --> 00:23:05.253
- Bottom line
- 00:23:05.253 --> 00:23:06.454
- Jesus is not returning to dc, new york, tokyo or berlin.
- 00:23:06.454 --> 00:23:10.091
- He's returning to jerusalem.
- 00:23:10.091 --> 00:23:11.893
- In israel, you've got a vested interest
- 00:23:11.893 --> 00:23:14.529
- In the world's one and only jewish state.
- 00:23:14.529 --> 00:23:16.331
- Hey, tomorrow night, panther sammy
- 00:23:16.331 --> 00:23:17.999
- Rodriguez, johnny more are here. it's going to be a great show.
- 00:23:17.999 --> 00:23:20.869
- Until then, god bless you and see you soon.
- 00:23:20.869 --> 00:23:20.869
