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: What's Next For Israel? | Stakelbeck Tonight | June 26, 2025
- Welcome to stakelbeck tonight.
- 00:00:04.227 --> 00:00:05.762
- I'm erick stakelbeck.
- 00:00:05.762 --> 00:00:06.896
- And we've heard a lot of noise
- 00:00:06.896 --> 00:00:08.665
- Over the past few weeks from anti-israel forces,
- 00:00:08.665 --> 00:00:12.302
- Including some so-called conservatives
- 00:00:12.302 --> 00:00:14.804
- Who were imploring president trump to not get involved in
- 00:00:14.804 --> 00:00:18.541
- Iran, to leave israel to its own devices,
- 00:00:18.541 --> 00:00:21.611
- And essentially allow iran, the world's number one state
- 00:00:21.611 --> 00:00:24.848
- Sponsor of terrorism,
- 00:00:24.848 --> 00:00:26.182
- Which refers to america as the great satan, allowing
- 00:00:26.182 --> 00:00:29.586
- That regime to acquire nuclear weapons.
- 00:00:29.586 --> 00:00:33.356
- It was madness all along,
- 00:00:33.356 --> 00:00:34.858
- And thankfully,
- 00:00:34.858 --> 00:00:35.358
- President trump
- 00:00:35.358 --> 00:00:36.493
- Didn't follow those instructions and did not sell israel
- 00:00:36.493 --> 00:00:39.262
- Down the river.
- 00:00:39.262 --> 00:00:40.096
- But it's a good time, i think, as
- 00:00:40.096 --> 00:00:41.931
- We get into things tonight to lay out my for reasons
- 00:00:41.931 --> 00:00:45.668
- That every american, certainly every christian, should support
- 00:00:45.668 --> 00:00:49.305
- And stand with israel.
- 00:00:49.305 --> 00:00:50.773
- Now, folks, you can share these with your friends,
- 00:00:50.773 --> 00:00:52.475
- Family members, coworkers, and neighbors.
- 00:00:52.475 --> 00:00:54.811
- Here's number one.
- 00:00:54.811 --> 00:00:56.045
- Israel is the first line of defense
- 00:00:56.045 --> 00:00:59.015
- For western civilization.
- 00:00:59.015 --> 00:01:00.650
- This tiny nation, the size of the state of new jersey
- 00:01:00.650 --> 00:01:03.153
- Is fighting the good fight
- 00:01:03.153 --> 00:01:04.687
- On the front lines in the belly of the beast
- 00:01:04.687 --> 00:01:07.090
- In the middle east for all of us.
- 00:01:07.090 --> 00:01:09.159
- Make no mistake about it, if israel goes down, we all go
- 00:01:09.159 --> 00:01:12.362
- Down.
- 00:01:12.362 --> 00:01:13.363
- And number two, israel is a thriving, free, open
- 00:01:13.363 --> 00:01:16.933
- Society, a democracy located in a sea of tyranny.
- 00:01:16.933 --> 00:01:21.237
- Israel is probably the most diverse place on earth.
- 00:01:21.237 --> 00:01:24.207
- Take a walk through jerusalem.
- 00:01:24.207 --> 00:01:25.575
- You'll see what i mean and talk about democracy.
- 00:01:25.575 --> 00:01:28.211
- Israel had five elections in the span of two years,
- 00:01:28.211 --> 00:01:31.181
- So this is a fellow kindred spirit of western values.
- 00:01:31.181 --> 00:01:34.484
- It's a birthplace, in fact, of judeo-christian western values.
- 00:01:34.484 --> 00:01:37.921
- Number three, israel, from an economic standpoint,
- 00:01:37.921 --> 00:01:40.590
- A blossoming medical, scientific and high tech powerhouse,
- 00:01:40.590 --> 00:01:45.461
- A mini silicon valley in the middle of the desert.
- 00:01:45.461 --> 00:01:48.464
- And number four,
- 00:01:48.464 --> 00:01:49.566
- And most importantly, why should you support israel?
- 00:01:49.566 --> 00:01:52.335
- Because god said so throughout the word of god,
- 00:01:52.335 --> 00:01:55.171
- He makes clear that his promises for israel are open ended.
- 00:01:55.171 --> 00:01:59.142
- They are everlasting.
- 00:01:59.142 --> 00:02:00.376
- He's a promise keeping god.
- 00:02:00.376 --> 00:02:03.012
- So those are for reasons that we all need to stand
- 00:02:03.012 --> 00:02:07.150
- With the land of israel again, this tiny nation, literally,
- 00:02:07.150 --> 00:02:10.820
- Geographically, in the center of the world,
- 00:02:10.820 --> 00:02:13.389
- Punching far above its weight.
- 00:02:13.389 --> 00:02:15.024
- And god's hand is on the land, and more and more of the world's
- 00:02:15.024 --> 00:02:17.760
- Attention will be focused on israel, especially the
- 00:02:17.760 --> 00:02:21.531
- Body of christ. hey.
- 00:02:21.531 --> 00:02:22.532
- Coming up,
- 00:02:22.532 --> 00:02:23.666
- Former spokesperson for israeli prime minister benjamin
- 00:02:23.666 --> 00:02:26.102
- Netanyahu, tal heinrich, is with us
- 00:02:26.102 --> 00:02:28.037
- With a great breakdown in the aftermath
- 00:02:28.037 --> 00:02:31.107
- Of israel's operation rising lion against iran.
- 00:02:31.107 --> 00:02:35.311
- And it all starts now.
- 00:02:35.311 --> 00:02:53.896
- We've seen two weeks of history
- 00:02:54.530 --> 00:02:56.766
- Unfolding in the middle east, and tal
- 00:02:56.766 --> 00:02:58.901
- Heinrich has had a front row seat for all of it.
- 00:02:58.901 --> 00:03:01.137
- She is a top middle east analyst
- 00:03:01.137 --> 00:03:02.939
- And a former spokesperson for israeli
- 00:03:02.939 --> 00:03:04.907
- Prime minister benjamin netanyahu.
- 00:03:04.907 --> 00:03:06.576
- And she joins us now.
- 00:03:06.576 --> 00:03:08.177
- Tal, it is always great to see you.
- 00:03:08.177 --> 00:03:10.546
- Hey, the cease fire seems to be holding
- 00:03:10.546 --> 00:03:13.583
- Thus far and iran severely weakened.
- 00:03:13.583 --> 00:03:17.420
- Can you give people an idea
- 00:03:17.420 --> 00:03:18.721
- Just so people know, 12 days of war,
- 00:03:18.721 --> 00:03:21.090
- What israel has accomplished here?
- 00:03:21.090 --> 00:03:23.126
- Tal, i think years from now, military historians
- 00:03:23.126 --> 00:03:26.229
- Will be looking back and saying this was a watershed moment
- 00:03:26.229 --> 00:03:29.265
- In modern warfare.
- 00:03:29.265 --> 00:03:30.400
- Israel's performance was that amazing.
- 00:03:30.400 --> 00:03:32.835
- Break it down a bit for a bit more.
- 00:03:32.835 --> 00:03:34.737
- For us, the blows dealt to iran and how this changed
- 00:03:34.737 --> 00:03:38.574
- The entire landscape of the region.
- 00:03:38.574 --> 00:03:40.810
- So eric, great to be with you.
- 00:03:41.411 --> 00:03:43.146
- I think first i'll describe the feeling in israel right now.
- 00:03:43.146 --> 00:03:46.049
- I would say it's a big sigh of relief.
- 00:03:46.049 --> 00:03:49.218
- You know, it's been very intense,
- 00:03:49.218 --> 00:03:51.788
- Almost two weeks of fighting with people
- 00:03:51.788 --> 00:03:54.424
- Running to bomb shelters in the middle of the night
- 00:03:54.424 --> 00:03:56.826
- With their families,
- 00:03:56.826 --> 00:03:58.394
- Not knowing if there is, they're going to survive another day.
- 00:03:58.394 --> 00:04:02.098
- That was the mindset in israel.
- 00:04:02.098 --> 00:04:03.966
- But, everyone understands why this military operation
- 00:04:03.966 --> 00:04:08.504
- Was essential.
- 00:04:08.504 --> 00:04:09.672
- And thanks to the leadership of prime minister benjamin
- 00:04:09.672 --> 00:04:11.741
- Netanyahu and the moral global leadership of president trump,
- 00:04:11.741 --> 00:04:16.145
- You know, we are at the stage with a tremendous success
- 00:04:17.280 --> 00:04:20.249
- That, according to what we're hearing, iran, iran's
- 00:04:20.249 --> 00:04:23.820
- Nuclear aspirations were setback years, years.
- 00:04:23.820 --> 00:04:27.990
- And of course, we have to be on the lookout
- 00:04:27.990 --> 00:04:29.692
- Because, we're
- 00:04:29.692 --> 00:04:30.860
- Not just going to sit idly by, but we're not going to let
- 00:04:30.860 --> 00:04:33.363
- This crazy regime raise its head up again.
- 00:04:33.363 --> 00:04:36.733
- And, you know, try to,
- 00:04:37.200 --> 00:04:38.935
- Move around weapons
- 00:04:38.935 --> 00:04:40.169
- Around around the region or rebuild their nuclear facilities
- 00:04:40.169 --> 00:04:43.873
- That we destroyed. but,
- 00:04:43.873 --> 00:04:45.942
- To to your question, here's what israel has managed to,
- 00:04:45.942 --> 00:04:48.845
- To accomplish in the first blow, the military, operation
- 00:04:48.845 --> 00:04:52.749
- The first day we managed to,
- 00:04:52.749 --> 00:04:55.385
- Eliminate so many of their top brass.
- 00:04:55.385 --> 00:04:57.887
- If it's the irgc, top commanders,
- 00:04:57.887 --> 00:05:01.457
- Even the, the besieged,
- 00:05:01.958 --> 00:05:03.926
- Commanders, their,
- 00:05:03.926 --> 00:05:06.662
- Major nuclear facilities with the help,
- 00:05:06.662 --> 00:05:09.065
- Of course, of of the us b-2 bombers
- 00:05:09.065 --> 00:05:12.101
- That, president trump sent to the fordo,
- 00:05:12.101 --> 00:05:15.238
- Nuclear facility and,
- 00:05:15.238 --> 00:05:17.774
- That natanz one and so forth, and, aerial
- 00:05:17.774 --> 00:05:21.244
- Defense systems were destroyed, prior to that,
- 00:05:21.244 --> 00:05:25.047
- So that we gained the
- 00:05:25.548 --> 00:05:27.049
- Aerial superiority and managed to to do what we did.
- 00:05:27.049 --> 00:05:30.787
- So we we also took out the,
- 00:05:30.787 --> 00:05:33.389
- To two, i can say, two existential threats to israel.
- 00:05:33.389 --> 00:05:37.326
- First, the threat of annihilation by, a nuclear bomb.
- 00:05:37.326 --> 00:05:41.631
- And, as you know, they were getting very, very,
- 00:05:41.631 --> 00:05:44.367
- Very close to actually manufacturing and obtaining one.
- 00:05:44.367 --> 00:05:48.204
- Not one, but more.
- 00:05:48.204 --> 00:05:49.772
- And the, the ballistic missile threat that, as you saw
- 00:05:49.772 --> 00:05:53.075
- In the past week, is, is an existential threat
- 00:05:53.075 --> 00:05:56.145
- Because they were working to pursue about 20,000
- 00:05:56.145 --> 00:06:00.082
- Of these ballistic missiles within six years.
- 00:06:00.082 --> 00:06:02.885
- That alone, alone, even without the nukes,
- 00:06:02.885 --> 00:06:06.522
- Even without their involvement
- 00:06:06.522 --> 00:06:08.057
- All across the region with their terror proxies,
- 00:06:08.057 --> 00:06:10.593
- Is an existential threat to israel by itself, of course.
- 00:06:10.593 --> 00:06:13.763
- And now, this was also set back years.
- 00:06:13.763 --> 00:06:16.632
- Yeah. just incredible.
- 00:06:16.632 --> 00:06:17.867
- I mean, incredible to behold, tal and incredible to see
- 00:06:17.867 --> 00:06:20.903
- The u.s.
- 00:06:20.903 --> 00:06:21.737
- Israel alliance going full speed here,
- 00:06:21.737 --> 00:06:25.041
- Cooperating on destroying those nuclear facilities.
- 00:06:25.041 --> 00:06:28.077
- Hey, the iranian regime humiliated and weakened,
- 00:06:28.077 --> 00:06:30.980
- Number one.
- 00:06:30.980 --> 00:06:31.981
- Number two, its axis, its ring of fire around
- 00:06:31.981 --> 00:06:33.783
- The region
- 00:06:33.783 --> 00:06:34.951
- Has been smashed by israel over the past year and a half.
- 00:06:34.951 --> 00:06:38.287
- Seems like now everything's on the table.
- 00:06:38.287 --> 00:06:40.756
- Everything's possible.
- 00:06:40.756 --> 00:06:41.858
- How do you believe we could see the abraham accords?
- 00:06:41.858 --> 00:06:44.627
- Rev back up.
- 00:06:44.627 --> 00:06:45.495
- Who knows?
- 00:06:45.495 --> 00:06:46.496
- Saudi arabia, syria, lebanon, perhaps beyond.
- 00:06:46.496 --> 00:06:49.265
- And number two, does this make perhaps,
- 00:06:49.265 --> 00:06:52.268
- Hamas more likely to come back to the table in gaza?
- 00:06:52.268 --> 00:06:56.572
- Well, let's hope, let's hope.
- 00:06:57.206 --> 00:06:59.375
- I certainly feel that good times are ahead.
- 00:06:59.375 --> 00:07:02.311
- This is what we're hearing from president trump, from,
- 00:07:02.311 --> 00:07:05.081
- Prime minister netanyahu.
- 00:07:05.081 --> 00:07:06.449
- This is the feeling in israel.
- 00:07:06.449 --> 00:07:08.117
- And to be honest, over the past week, week and a half,
- 00:07:08.117 --> 00:07:11.521
- I received lots of messages from iranian
- 00:07:11.521 --> 00:07:14.690
- Muslim expats living here in the united states.
- 00:07:14.690 --> 00:07:18.461
- Who told me personally, this is great what you're doing,
- 00:07:18.461 --> 00:07:22.231
- And we hope that
- 00:07:22.231 --> 00:07:23.366
- The iranian people will stand up and rise like lions.
- 00:07:23.366 --> 00:07:27.403
- That's the name of the operation.
- 00:07:27.403 --> 00:07:29.071
- And, take back what was theirs.
- 00:07:29.071 --> 00:07:32.141
- Obviously, we can't know for certain
- 00:07:32.141 --> 00:07:34.810
- How things will unfold because we set the ball in motion.
- 00:07:34.810 --> 00:07:38.981
- And we have to, we have to remember that
- 00:07:38.981 --> 00:07:42.852
- The crazy people are still there.
- 00:07:42.852 --> 00:07:44.554
- It's not that all troublemakers are suddenly gone.
- 00:07:44.554 --> 00:07:47.690
- Right? and we should remember that.
- 00:07:47.690 --> 00:07:49.458
- Be on the lookout militarily.
- 00:07:49.458 --> 00:07:51.093
- And also, i would say that we should not be treating iran
- 00:07:51.093 --> 00:07:55.331
- Now with this regime still in power
- 00:07:55.331 --> 00:07:57.500
- As as a normal nation, despite
- 00:07:57.500 --> 00:07:59.468
- All the military achievements that that we've had.
- 00:07:59.468 --> 00:08:02.872
- They're not a normal nation, even though they had
- 00:08:02.872 --> 00:08:05.207
- Every chance to behave like one. every u.s.
- 00:08:05.207 --> 00:08:08.077
- President since 1979 or so, since the islamic revolution,
- 00:08:08.077 --> 00:08:11.914
- Gave them the chance to behave like a normal nation.
- 00:08:11.914 --> 00:08:14.550
- President trump gave them, two opportunities,
- 00:08:14.550 --> 00:08:17.186
- Not only in this term, but also the first term.
- 00:08:17.186 --> 00:08:19.555
- If you remember, secretary pompeo's,
- 00:08:19.555 --> 00:08:21.557
- 12 key demands from iran, and they decided not to, eric,
- 00:08:21.557 --> 00:08:25.595
- Because they have nothing except for this
- 00:08:25.595 --> 00:08:28.831
- Crazy ideology, stoking fear and,
- 00:08:28.831 --> 00:08:32.868
- You know,
- 00:08:33.169 --> 00:08:34.103
- Being so committed
- 00:08:34.103 --> 00:08:35.071
- To the annihilation, the destruction of
- 00:08:35.071 --> 00:08:37.206
- Of another people, another nation,
- 00:08:37.206 --> 00:08:39.075
- And the expansion
- 00:08:39.075 --> 00:08:40.242
- Of their islamist revolution
- 00:08:40.242 --> 00:08:41.844
- Outside their own countries, border at the expense of,
- 00:08:41.844 --> 00:08:46.382
- Of of their own, you know, their own people's well-being.
- 00:08:46.382 --> 00:08:50.119
- That's all they have.
- 00:08:50.119 --> 00:08:51.654
- So, certainly we hope that now with this,
- 00:08:51.654 --> 00:08:55.191
- With their crazy aspirations severely degraded,
- 00:08:55.191 --> 00:08:59.195
- The elimination of many of their top brass, top commanders,
- 00:08:59.195 --> 00:09:02.798
- We hope that there is a big opening
- 00:09:02.798 --> 00:09:04.867
- For more peace in the region because everyone, everyone
- 00:09:04.867 --> 00:09:08.004
- Was cheering on us to do what we did.
- 00:09:08.004 --> 00:09:11.273
- And i think it's, it's incredible.
- 00:09:11.273 --> 00:09:13.275
- It's it's another testament to, how things can go so.
- 00:09:13.275 --> 00:09:17.113
- Well,
- 00:09:17.113 --> 00:09:17.647
- You know, in terms of this entire world,
- 00:09:18.481 --> 00:09:21.217
- Speaking, when when the alliance
- 00:09:21.217 --> 00:09:22.818
- Between israel and in washington and the united states is, so,
- 00:09:22.818 --> 00:09:28.024
- So, so strong, so coordinated, i think, good times are ahead.
- 00:09:28.024 --> 00:09:31.827
- Eric.
- 00:09:31.827 --> 00:09:32.361
- Yeah, i agree. tal.
- 00:09:32.361 --> 00:09:33.562
- Hey, peace through strength.
- 00:09:33.562 --> 00:09:35.131
- Both bibi and president trump represent that.
- 00:09:35.131 --> 00:09:37.733
- And it really is a new day.
- 00:09:37.733 --> 00:09:39.301
- And a new middle east is on the horizon.
- 00:09:39.301 --> 00:09:41.037
- Exciting times tal. great break down folks.
- 00:09:41.037 --> 00:09:43.706
- Be sure to follow talent x
- 00:09:43.706 --> 00:09:44.940
- And across social media to keep up the great work.
- 00:09:44.940 --> 00:09:47.076
- God bless. we'll see you again soon.
- 00:09:47.076 --> 00:09:49.111
- And coming up after the break, we're going
- 00:09:49.111 --> 00:09:50.713
- To go around the world from the middle east and beyond.
- 00:09:50.713 --> 00:09:53.249
- What about china, russia, north korea?
- 00:09:53.249 --> 00:09:56.118
- How are they responding to israel's stunning
- 00:09:56.118 --> 00:09:58.721
- Military success against iran and the u.s.?
- 00:09:58.721 --> 00:10:01.824
- Laying down the law and destroying
- 00:10:01.824 --> 00:10:03.559
- Those nuclear facilities? we get a break.
- 00:10:03.559 --> 00:10:05.594
- Great break down from a top expert. next, stick around.
- 00:10:05.594 --> 00:10:11.001
- Great break down from a top expert. next, stick around.
- 00:10:11.001 --> 00:10:13.570
- Welcome back to stakelbeck tonight.
- 00:10:14.337 --> 00:10:16.306
- Iran's nuclear weapons program has been destroyed,
- 00:10:16.306 --> 00:10:19.943
- And tyrannies everywhere have been put on notice.
- 00:10:19.943 --> 00:10:23.647
- Peace through strength is clearly back,
- 00:10:23.647 --> 00:10:26.249
- Thanks to bold leadership from president trump
- 00:10:26.249 --> 00:10:28.819
- And israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu.
- 00:10:28.819 --> 00:10:31.321
- So what does that mean for america, israel and the world?
- 00:10:31.321 --> 00:10:35.492
- Joining us now from dc to break it down
- 00:10:35.492 --> 00:10:37.461
- Is cliff maye, founder
- 00:10:37.461 --> 00:10:38.662
- And president of the foundation for defense of democracy.
- 00:10:38.662 --> 00:10:41.932
- Cliff, it is always great to see you.
- 00:10:41.932 --> 00:10:44.167
- Hey, you just wrote a great
- 00:10:44.167 --> 00:10:45.202
- Column for the washington times, and you broke down
- 00:10:45.202 --> 00:10:48.405
- How in taking away iran's nuclear weapons program,
- 00:10:48.405 --> 00:10:51.641
- President trump destroyed the crown jewel of the regime.
- 00:10:51.641 --> 00:10:56.179
- Just how weakened has this great adversary of the u.s.
- 00:10:56.179 --> 00:11:00.050
- And israel been over the past two weeks?
- 00:11:00.050 --> 00:11:02.385
- Whether it was israel or the u.s.?
- 00:11:02.385 --> 00:11:04.588
- It seems the regime is really on the ropes right now
- 00:11:04.588 --> 00:11:07.224
- And maybe teetering on the brink of collapse.
- 00:11:07.224 --> 00:11:10.460
- Hiya.
- 00:11:10.694 --> 00:11:11.161
- Great to see you.
- 00:11:11.161 --> 00:11:12.262
- Look, the regime has been severely degraded.
- 00:11:12.262 --> 00:11:15.432
- Its credibility has been broken.
- 00:11:15.432 --> 00:11:18.268
- Yes. the nuclear weapons program, was people
- 00:11:18.268 --> 00:11:21.605
- Said the jewel in the crown.
- 00:11:21.605 --> 00:11:22.973
- I prefer to call it the dagger in the ayatollahs cloak or the,
- 00:11:22.973 --> 00:11:27.043
- Bomb in the in the terrorist knapsack.
- 00:11:27.043 --> 00:11:30.480
- But this this this job got done.
- 00:11:30.480 --> 00:11:32.783
- Now, will they try to.
- 00:11:32.783 --> 00:11:34.417
- You should excuse expression, build back better.
- 00:11:34.417 --> 00:11:37.187
- They may try.
- 00:11:37.187 --> 00:11:38.121
- I think the best.
- 00:11:38.121 --> 00:11:39.523
- But what we can tell,
- 00:11:39.523 --> 00:11:41.324
- They've been setback at least years.
- 00:11:41.324 --> 00:11:42.893
- I mean, you can always try to do this again.
- 00:11:42.893 --> 00:11:44.961
- And i can't see what this regime would want to do more
- 00:11:44.961 --> 00:11:48.098
- Than do it again.
- 00:11:48.098 --> 00:11:48.932
- Because this regime since 1979.
- 00:11:48.932 --> 00:11:52.002
- I'm old guy.
- 00:11:52.002 --> 00:11:53.103
- I remind you, i was a young foreign correspondent
- 00:11:53.103 --> 00:11:54.771
- In iran in the early 1979, covering the revolution.
- 00:11:54.771 --> 00:11:58.942
- This revolution has always been about it's been an islamic,
- 00:11:58.942 --> 00:12:02.679
- Not an iranian revolution.
- 00:12:02.679 --> 00:12:03.980
- It's been about death to israel and death to america.
- 00:12:03.980 --> 00:12:07.684
- And it's a bit about reviving islamic power,
- 00:12:07.684 --> 00:12:11.354
- Prominence, and domination, not just in the middle east,
- 00:12:11.354 --> 00:12:15.725
- But in the world. that's what it's been about.
- 00:12:15.725 --> 00:12:17.527
- I don't see how the ayatollah
- 00:12:17.527 --> 00:12:19.262
- Ali khamenei can change that can be anything else.
- 00:12:19.262 --> 00:12:22.866
- But he has been slowed down substantially.
- 00:12:22.866 --> 00:12:25.936
- He will not see his dream fulfilled in his lifetime.
- 00:12:25.936 --> 00:12:28.738
- He's 86 years old, by the way.
- 00:12:28.738 --> 00:12:31.041
- Incredible, cliff. what does that mean?
- 00:12:31.041 --> 00:12:32.709
- The larger ramifications for iran's ring of fire,
- 00:12:32.709 --> 00:12:35.612
- The proxies like hezbollah and hamas,
- 00:12:35.612 --> 00:12:38.415
- They are also on the run licking their wounds.
- 00:12:38.415 --> 00:12:41.051
- They've been smashed by the idf over the past year and a half.
- 00:12:41.051 --> 00:12:44.154
- It seems the ayatollah, his entire dream,
- 00:12:44.154 --> 00:12:46.323
- As you laid it out for regional and global hegemony,
- 00:12:46.323 --> 00:12:48.992
- Is now out the window, at least for the foreseeable future.
- 00:12:48.992 --> 00:12:52.062
- That's exactly right.
- 00:12:52.562 --> 00:12:54.798
- Well, first of all, keep in mind i was in israel,
- 00:12:54.798 --> 00:12:56.800
- I don't know, a month or so ago,
- 00:12:56.800 --> 00:12:58.401
- And i talked to an israeli general, and i said to him,
- 00:12:58.401 --> 00:13:01.638
- You guys have been fighting on seven fronts,
- 00:13:01.638 --> 00:13:03.607
- And you've been well on all seven fronts.
- 00:13:03.607 --> 00:13:05.342
- And his answer to me was, yes, thank you.
- 00:13:05.342 --> 00:13:08.144
- You're right. we have been i'm very pleased.
- 00:13:08.144 --> 00:13:10.046
- But they're still trying to develop
- 00:13:10.046 --> 00:13:12.449
- Nuclear weapons to wipe us out in tehran.
- 00:13:12.449 --> 00:13:15.518
- If they get to do that,
- 00:13:15.518 --> 00:13:17.120
- Everything else we've accomplished is for nothing.
- 00:13:17.120 --> 00:13:20.657
- Now, i don't know if he knew,
- 00:13:20.657 --> 00:13:21.858
- But i think it's possible he did.
- 00:13:21.858 --> 00:13:23.426
- What?
- 00:13:23.426 --> 00:13:24.394
- Bibi netanyahu and what the head of the idf,
- 00:13:24.394 --> 00:13:27.097
- Amir samir samir, had in mind.
- 00:13:27.097 --> 00:13:30.700
- But it's probably is.
- 00:13:30.700 --> 00:13:31.902
- But the israelis took care of all that.
- 00:13:31.902 --> 00:13:33.370
- Keep in mind,
- 00:13:33.370 --> 00:13:34.237
- This was all, strategy going back decades
- 00:13:34.237 --> 00:13:38.008
- To wipe israel off the face of the earth.
- 00:13:38.008 --> 00:13:40.010
- That strategy is
- 00:13:40.010 --> 00:13:41.344
- We will develop these proxies and they will surround israel.
- 00:13:41.344 --> 00:13:45.982
- A ring of fire, as you say, will let them take the casualties.
- 00:13:45.982 --> 00:13:49.552
- We will sit back and have our kabobs and tea here in tehran.
- 00:13:49.552 --> 00:13:53.723
- Nobody's going to touch us.
- 00:13:53.723 --> 00:13:55.859
- That's how they saw it.
- 00:13:56.359 --> 00:13:57.460
- And we will work on developing a nuclear weapon.
- 00:13:57.460 --> 00:13:59.663
- Once we have that,
- 00:13:59.663 --> 00:14:00.964
- Then that's a game changer for the middle east.
- 00:14:00.964 --> 00:14:03.934
- And for the world
- 00:14:03.934 --> 00:14:05.001
- Will be the equal with our good friends in moscow,
- 00:14:05.001 --> 00:14:07.537
- Beijing and pyongyang. north korea.
- 00:14:07.537 --> 00:14:10.307
- This was the plan.
- 00:14:10.307 --> 00:14:11.374
- This was it's clever strategy.
- 00:14:11.374 --> 00:14:13.043
- It's not a stupid strategy. it was a good strategy.
- 00:14:13.043 --> 00:14:15.712
- At the end of the day,
- 00:14:15.712 --> 00:14:16.713
- It has failed and they will have to come up
- 00:14:16.713 --> 00:14:19.049
- With a new strategy of some kind.
- 00:14:19.049 --> 00:14:21.151
- But i but i don't think they will do.
- 00:14:21.151 --> 00:14:23.053
- And on this i think the president trump is
- 00:14:23.053 --> 00:14:25.221
- Perhaps too optimistic.
- 00:14:25.221 --> 00:14:26.523
- I don't think they'll say, you know what?
- 00:14:26.523 --> 00:14:28.625
- Enough of this.
- 00:14:28.625 --> 00:14:29.693
- What we want now is to make sure
- 00:14:29.693 --> 00:14:31.294
- All our people have great health care plans and a 401
- 00:14:31.294 --> 00:14:35.198
- K that, takes care of them in retirement.
- 00:14:35.198 --> 00:14:37.600
- I, i mean, i think a lot of people in iran
- 00:14:37.600 --> 00:14:39.803
- Would like that,
- 00:14:39.803 --> 00:14:40.870
- But i don't think it's
- 00:14:40.870 --> 00:14:41.838
- What the clerics see the theocratic want.
- 00:14:41.838 --> 00:14:44.874
- And i'm not sure it's what the islamic
- 00:14:44.874 --> 00:14:46.609
- Revolutionary guard wants.
- 00:14:46.609 --> 00:14:48.411
- And that's the
- 00:14:48.411 --> 00:14:49.646
- That's other interesting thing we might get into the difference
- 00:14:49.646 --> 00:14:51.247
- Between the clerical leadership or rulers and, and the irgc.
- 00:14:51.247 --> 00:14:56.453
- Yeah. agreed.
- 00:14:56.453 --> 00:14:57.387
- Cliff. great point.
- 00:14:57.387 --> 00:14:58.555
- Had about a minute left, and we'll bring it right back
- 00:14:58.555 --> 00:15:00.523
- After the break.
- 00:15:00.523 --> 00:15:01.691
- Do you think, khamenei
- 00:15:01.691 --> 00:15:02.792
- Not not think it seems pretty obvious he underestimated
- 00:15:02.792 --> 00:15:05.662
- President trump and he certainly under
- 00:15:05.662 --> 00:15:07.430
- Estimated benjamin netanyahu would seem
- 00:15:07.430 --> 00:15:09.232
- Just a fatal, perhaps misjudgment by the ayatollah.
- 00:15:09.232 --> 00:15:12.969
- A fatal misjudgment.
- 00:15:13.436 --> 00:15:14.804
- It goes back a long way.
- 00:15:14.804 --> 00:15:16.506
- It goes back to 1979, in particular,
- 00:15:16.506 --> 00:15:19.876
- After the american embassy was occupied,
- 00:15:19.876 --> 00:15:23.313
- Ayatollah ruhollah khomeini, who was the first
- 00:15:23.313 --> 00:15:27.050
- A supreme leader, the leader of the revolution,
- 00:15:27.050 --> 00:15:29.252
- The predecessor to khamenei, who took over in 1989.
- 00:15:29.252 --> 00:15:32.989
- He's been around 20.
- 00:15:32.989 --> 00:15:34.057
- So the first supreme leader, ayatollah khamenei,
- 00:15:34.057 --> 00:15:36.659
- He watched and saw what happened in the over the 444 days
- 00:15:36.659 --> 00:15:41.564
- That they occupied the embassy and took our diplomats
- 00:15:41.564 --> 00:15:44.267
- And others hostage.
- 00:15:44.267 --> 00:15:45.368
- And his famous quote,
- 00:15:45.368 --> 00:15:46.569
- Which has been recited over and over, has been,
- 00:15:46.569 --> 00:15:49.806
- The americans can't do a damn thing.
- 00:15:49.806 --> 00:15:52.375
- Yeah. he was astonished, but relieved.
- 00:15:52.375 --> 00:15:54.844
- And he knew that meant they could do whatever they wanted.
- 00:15:54.844 --> 00:15:57.514
- And i think that's what khamenei was thinking and hearing right
- 00:15:57.514 --> 00:16:00.850
- Up until the 61st day, when he got rather surprised
- 00:16:00.850 --> 00:16:04.320
- To see israeli aircraft above the skies of tehran.
- 00:16:04.320 --> 00:16:07.524
- Yeah,
- 00:16:07.524 --> 00:16:08.558
- They thought the united states was a paper tiger,
- 00:16:08.558 --> 00:16:10.326
- And they thought bibi netanyahu was a paper tiger.
- 00:16:10.326 --> 00:16:12.395
- The opposite was the reality.
- 00:16:12.395 --> 00:16:14.497
- The iranian regime was a real paper tiger.
- 00:16:14.497 --> 00:16:16.633
- Here. more with our good friend cliff may.
- 00:16:16.633 --> 00:16:18.835
- After the break, folks, be sure to follow cliff
- 00:16:18.835 --> 00:16:20.537
- On x across social media and follow his great work@ftd.org.
- 00:16:20.537 --> 00:16:25.275
- What are the larger ramifications?
- 00:16:25.275 --> 00:16:27.077
- Cliff mentioned russia, china, north korea
- 00:16:27.077 --> 00:16:29.279
- Of this devastating israeli u.s operation
- 00:16:29.279 --> 00:16:32.649
- To weaken iran and take out its nuclear program.
- 00:16:32.649 --> 00:16:35.385
- North cliff may, after the break, stick around.
- 00:16:35.385 --> 00:16:43.008
- North cliff may, after the break, stick around.
- 00:16:43.008 --> 00:16:45.602
- Welcome back to stakelbeck tonight,
- 00:16:46.369 --> 00:16:47.804
- We're talking to cliff may, founder
- 00:16:47.804 --> 00:16:49.206
- And president of the foundation
- 00:16:49.206 --> 00:16:50.540
- For defense of democracies, a think tank in washington, d.c.
- 00:16:50.540 --> 00:16:53.877
- Folks,
- 00:16:53.877 --> 00:16:55.078
- You can check out their cutting edge work at fedora cliff.
- 00:16:55.078 --> 00:16:58.081
- Before the break, you mentioned
- 00:16:58.081 --> 00:16:59.382
- Iran's islamic revolutionary guard corps, the irgc.
- 00:16:59.382 --> 00:17:03.620
- What comes next?
- 00:17:03.620 --> 00:17:04.921
- It's tough to say. right now.
- 00:17:04.921 --> 00:17:06.156
- We're praying the iranian people
- 00:17:06.156 --> 00:17:07.657
- Long oppressed rise up against this tyrannical regime.
- 00:17:07.657 --> 00:17:10.760
- But in terms of when the dust settles here, does
- 00:17:10.760 --> 00:17:14.197
- Khomeini survive this 86 years old and bad health?
- 00:17:14.197 --> 00:17:18.368
- Does the irgc take control and move to the forefront?
- 00:17:18.368 --> 00:17:23.106
- It's tough to say, i know, but but how do we see this possibly
- 00:17:23.106 --> 00:17:26.643
- Shaking out in the weeks and months to come?
- 00:17:26.643 --> 00:17:29.646
- Yeah, you're on the right track there.
- 00:17:29.646 --> 00:17:31.882
- Look, i always root for the people,
- 00:17:31.882 --> 00:17:34.017
- But i if i have to bet, i bet on whoever has the guns.
- 00:17:34.017 --> 00:17:37.754
- There are guns in the hands of the irgc, which is an elite
- 00:17:37.754 --> 00:17:40.524
- Fighting force, more elite than the regular army.
- 00:17:40.524 --> 00:17:43.527
- Now, of course, many members of the of the top
- 00:17:43.527 --> 00:17:47.464
- Echelon of the irgc were taken out by the israelis
- 00:17:47.464 --> 00:17:51.735
- In these strikes.
- 00:17:51.735 --> 00:17:52.969
- So now there are great career opportunities within the irgc.
- 00:17:52.969 --> 00:17:57.641
- Look, if anybody wants to take out
- 00:17:58.408 --> 00:18:01.111
- Khamenei at this point, it would be the irgc.
- 00:18:01.111 --> 00:18:03.980
- It seems to me they might think he failed.
- 00:18:03.980 --> 00:18:06.516
- Keep in mind there's there's two
- 00:18:06.516 --> 00:18:08.718
- There's sort of 2 to 2 groups in iran right now.
- 00:18:08.718 --> 00:18:11.855
- There are the true believers who are absolutely committed
- 00:18:11.855 --> 00:18:16.326
- To jihad against the west, the same jihad that began 1400
- 00:18:16.326 --> 00:18:20.463
- Years ago when muslim arab armies sprang out of arabia.
- 00:18:20.463 --> 00:18:24.968
- They went west and conquered the byzantine empire.
- 00:18:24.968 --> 00:18:27.737
- They went east and conquered
- 00:18:27.737 --> 00:18:30.006
- Iran, which had been for years a great empire.
- 00:18:30.006 --> 00:18:33.877
- And by the way, the majority of the
- 00:18:33.877 --> 00:18:35.679
- Of the people living there were zoroastrians.
- 00:18:35.679 --> 00:18:38.448
- We talked about that another time, but
- 00:18:38.448 --> 00:18:41.284
- They're not entirely wiped out, but pretty close to it.
- 00:18:41.284 --> 00:18:43.520
- Temples burned, persecuted.
- 00:18:43.520 --> 00:18:45.155
- They left for other countries. all of that.
- 00:18:45.155 --> 00:18:47.591
- But so there are
- 00:18:47.591 --> 00:18:48.158
- Those are true
- 00:18:48.158 --> 00:18:49.125
- Believers in this jihad, and there are also
- 00:18:49.125 --> 00:18:51.761
- Those who are charlatans who don't really believe it.
- 00:18:51.761 --> 00:18:54.331
- But, you know,
- 00:18:54.331 --> 00:18:55.665
- If you're going to have power, if you're going to have money,
- 00:18:55.665 --> 00:18:58.068
- You have to be
- 00:18:58.068 --> 00:18:59.169
- Part of the establishment, and the establishment is
- 00:18:59.169 --> 00:19:01.838
- Whatever the ayatollah khomeini has said, because he has.
- 00:19:01.838 --> 00:19:05.675
- And he's got to give them credit as a political operative.
- 00:19:05.675 --> 00:19:09.212
- He's been in power since 89, by the way.
- 00:19:09.212 --> 00:19:10.880
- If you look at his background,
- 00:19:10.880 --> 00:19:12.282
- He is not a great islamic scholar.
- 00:19:12.282 --> 00:19:14.050
- He never was nobody.
- 00:19:14.050 --> 00:19:15.485
- Nobody could nobody would seriously tell you
- 00:19:15.485 --> 00:19:17.654
- That he is during this, this was a war.
- 00:19:17.654 --> 00:19:21.258
- He named three clerics that he said could succeed him.
- 00:19:21.258 --> 00:19:24.261
- Not because he thought he'd be killed, though.
- 00:19:24.261 --> 00:19:25.729
- There was a possibility.
- 00:19:25.729 --> 00:19:27.530
- There's a council that will have to decide that.
- 00:19:27.530 --> 00:19:29.666
- But it's also possible, for example,
- 00:19:29.666 --> 00:19:31.268
- That the irgc puts in a cleric as a supreme leader,
- 00:19:31.268 --> 00:19:35.672
- But he doesn't really have power because, again, the people
- 00:19:35.672 --> 00:19:38.241
- The guns do.
- 00:19:38.241 --> 00:19:39.142
- But let me just say this one more thing.
- 00:19:39.142 --> 00:19:41.044
- I the people i believe strongly that the most people in iran
- 00:19:41.044 --> 00:19:44.614
- Like 80%, are so tired of this theocratic rule,
- 00:19:44.614 --> 00:19:48.184
- They would love to overthrow it.
- 00:19:48.184 --> 00:19:49.819
- It would take great courage to do it.
- 00:19:49.819 --> 00:19:51.421
- Not easy to do it. they don't have guns.
- 00:19:51.421 --> 00:19:53.790
- I don't think we can export democracy,
- 00:19:53.790 --> 00:19:55.759
- But i think we should do what we can
- 00:19:55.759 --> 00:19:57.294
- For people who are fighting for freedom.
- 00:19:57.294 --> 00:19:59.496
- Reagan talked about that, wanted to do that, said,
- 00:19:59.496 --> 00:20:01.865
- They're fighting to be like us, to be our friends. why not?
- 00:20:01.865 --> 00:20:04.634
- I would so love to see this regime overthrown by the people.
- 00:20:04.634 --> 00:20:09.339
- Yeah. amen. cliffs. so well said.
- 00:20:09.339 --> 00:20:11.574
- Hey, speaking of which, tyrannies and the larger lesson,
- 00:20:11.574 --> 00:20:15.245
- Larger message here for the likes of
- 00:20:15.245 --> 00:20:16.946
- Iran's allies, russia, china, north korea,
- 00:20:16.946 --> 00:20:20.016
- They have to be taking notes here and are on notice.
- 00:20:20.016 --> 00:20:23.219
- And it was striking to me no one came to iran's aid here.
- 00:20:23.219 --> 00:20:26.189
- No one came rushing to help the iranian regime
- 00:20:26.189 --> 00:20:28.325
- As it was being pounded.
- 00:20:28.325 --> 00:20:29.592
- What's the larger lesson here for the tyrannies of the world?
- 00:20:29.592 --> 00:20:32.495
- That or that axis that includes iran?
- 00:20:32.495 --> 00:20:35.632
- Yeah.
- 00:20:35.865 --> 00:20:36.499
- Well, one is that the u.s.
- 00:20:36.499 --> 00:20:37.634
- Is not a paper tiger, at least not under president trump.
- 00:20:37.634 --> 00:20:40.870
- It's not that whenever
- 00:20:40.870 --> 00:20:42.238
- Anything happens, we will not necessarily
- 00:20:42.238 --> 00:20:44.808
- Have a president in the white house.
- 00:20:44.808 --> 00:20:46.242
- We don't now who will say, oh,
- 00:20:46.242 --> 00:20:47.977
- I know what we need de-escalation.
- 00:20:47.977 --> 00:20:50.213
- Because when you say that, your adversaries say, fine,
- 00:20:50.213 --> 00:20:53.149
- We'll de-escalate in exchange for a concession or two,
- 00:20:53.149 --> 00:20:56.653
- Which they inevitably get. so that's important.
- 00:20:56.653 --> 00:20:59.356
- I think if you're xi jinping, you think,
- 00:20:59.356 --> 00:21:02.325
- America has some tricks up its sleeve.
- 00:21:02.325 --> 00:21:04.928
- I still want to take over taiwan and subjugate the taiwanese,
- 00:21:04.928 --> 00:21:08.765
- But i want to think this through.
- 00:21:08.765 --> 00:21:10.333
- I want to be careful.
- 00:21:10.333 --> 00:21:11.634
- Putin is not sure quite what to think because,
- 00:21:11.634 --> 00:21:15.105
- Well, trump has said he he offered, said i could help you
- 00:21:15.105 --> 00:21:18.141
- With the diplomacy.
- 00:21:18.141 --> 00:21:19.109
- And trump rightly said, why don't you help
- 00:21:19.109 --> 00:21:21.277
- Sort out your the all the war you're fighting?
- 00:21:21.277 --> 00:21:24.280
- I have to
- 00:21:24.581 --> 00:21:25.648
- Say putin wants to subjugate the people of ukraine.
- 00:21:25.648 --> 00:21:28.351
- I don't want to see that happen.
- 00:21:28.351 --> 00:21:30.387
- As for kim jong un in north korea,
- 00:21:30.387 --> 00:21:33.056
- He has to think to what could it be two, with a,
- 00:21:33.056 --> 00:21:37.093
- With a massive ordnance penetrator?
- 00:21:37.093 --> 00:21:39.396
- Due to his nuclear facilities, he's been giving putin help,
- 00:21:39.396 --> 00:21:44.401
- Both artillery shells and soldiers to lie down
- 00:21:44.401 --> 00:21:48.204
- And die on ukrainian territory.
- 00:21:48.204 --> 00:21:51.307
- But in exchange, i have to figure and others do, that.
- 00:21:51.307 --> 00:21:53.843
- He's been getting technology and
- 00:21:53.843 --> 00:21:55.445
- And other things that would help him
- 00:21:55.445 --> 00:21:56.980
- Should he try to take over south korea.
- 00:21:56.980 --> 00:22:00.016
- This is one
- 00:22:00.016 --> 00:22:00.950
- This is the fourth member
- 00:22:00.950 --> 00:22:01.985
- Of this axis of aggressors and it is now weakened.
- 00:22:01.985 --> 00:22:04.621
- And if you're putin, if you're xi jinping,
- 00:22:04.621 --> 00:22:06.790
- Certainly you say, yeah,
- 00:22:06.790 --> 00:22:08.158
- This guy didn't really
- 00:22:08.158 --> 00:22:09.192
- He didn't really have the courage, or at least
- 00:22:09.192 --> 00:22:10.727
- He didn't play his cards very well.
- 00:22:10.727 --> 00:22:12.328
- Yeah. cliff, great break down all around.
- 00:22:12.328 --> 00:22:14.597
- It feels like a new day
- 00:22:14.597 --> 00:22:15.799
- In the middle east and perhaps hopefully around the world.
- 00:22:15.799 --> 00:22:18.401
- Great break down from our friend cliff may, folks be sure.
- 00:22:18.401 --> 00:22:20.470
- Follow cliff on x and across social media.
- 00:22:20.470 --> 00:22:22.472
- Cliff, keep up the great work.
- 00:22:22.472 --> 00:22:24.007
- God bless and we'll see you again soon.
- 00:22:24.007 --> 00:22:25.575
- And coming up after the break, my final thoughts on the big
- 00:22:25.575 --> 00:22:28.478
- Shake up in the middle east and what it means for you.
- 00:22:28.478 --> 00:22:31.748
- That's next. they'll move.
- 00:22:31.748 --> 00:22:38.010
- That's next. they'll move.
- 00:22:38.010 --> 00:22:40.792
- Welcome back to stakelbeck tonight,
- 00:22:41.560 --> 00:22:42.861
- Folks, as we wrap up here, a quick final thought.
- 00:22:42.861 --> 00:22:44.963
- I believe israel right
- 00:22:44.963 --> 00:22:45.897
- Now is stepping into its prophetic destiny.
- 00:22:45.897 --> 00:22:48.967
- In the days to come,
- 00:22:48.967 --> 00:22:49.935
- You'll see more miraculous
- 00:22:49.935 --> 00:22:51.236
- Victories for israel, like we've seen really
- 00:22:51.236 --> 00:22:53.505
- Since 1948, when israel was reborn.
- 00:22:53.505 --> 00:22:56.107
- And none of this should be a surprise.
- 00:22:56.107 --> 00:22:57.976
- Think of the book of jeremiah, chapter 30, verse three.
- 00:22:57.976 --> 00:23:00.479
- God says, the days are coming
- 00:23:00.479 --> 00:23:02.347
- When i will bring my people, israel and judah
- 00:23:02.347 --> 00:23:05.150
- Back from captivity and restore them to the land
- 00:23:05.150 --> 00:23:08.253
- I gave their ancestors to possess.
- 00:23:08.253 --> 00:23:11.189
- He's a promise keeping god.
- 00:23:11.189 --> 00:23:12.657
- We see it playing out in real time right now
- 00:23:12.657 --> 00:23:14.926
- With the nation of israel, and the best is yet to come.
- 00:23:14.926 --> 00:23:17.596
- Hey, more to come here tomorrow night.
- 00:23:17.596 --> 00:23:19.498
- Until then, god bless you and we'll see you soon.
- 00:23:19.498 --> 00:23:19.498
