On 29 March 2026, Steve Walt and I were together on “Switzerland” talking with Tom Switzer about the Iran war and its broader geopolitical consequences.
Would we have gone to war with Iran if it wasn't on Israel's hit list, and for decades?. I don't think so. This show seemed to make a concerted effort to leave Israel out of the discourse, as well as the influence they continue to have on US decisions in regard to the war in Iran. Not that they are unaware of i, but I think if should have been referenced. Israel from the beginning felt Iran posed the greatest risk and those that preceded Trump let it be, and tackled other countries Netanyahu and his cohorts in America wanted gone. It would have been good to hear Israel's input in regard to our agenda in Iran, since the US is not fighting this war on it's own behalf.
Trump was obviously influenced by Israel and lobby that cares about nothing but Israel's perceived or speculated advantage. And always has it wrong. The world is tired of Israel's troublemaking.
Trump has never been the brightest light in the room. He doesn't at all know how to negotiate. Neither do his amateurish foreign policy crew. Trump and the U.S. are not going to win this outrageous, utterly stupid and unnecessary war. So now we are saving Trump's colossal ego by going up the escalation ladder.
The layers of calumny are many: oil shipments are about business - which business-first iran doesn't dare push around. All current commentary on this situation are thus superficial. including that from these very capable speakers.
Disgruntled Trump voter. IMO Trump the great deal maker got played. Played badly.
As a retired professional engineer with over 40 years in project management (fire protection), my edge was my objective truthful awareness and due diligence. You can never have too much information, as details matter and you want to remove risk.
Being in fire protection, my mantra is “awareness buys time, time buys options - until it doesn’t. And in a crunch, time dissipates exponentially.” Trump better gain objective truthful awareness while he still can. Time is his main adversary.
Great discussion - thanks for the insight, understanding, and awareness.
He has to get his massive ego out of the way and back us out of this war. It is already wrecking the international economy and it will do worse and worse if we stay in it.
Trump does not have the intellectual capacity for introspection required to "get his massive ego out of the way".
Without his messianic ego, Trump is nothing. No 5D Grand Chessboard Stable Genius Gambit, just a mentally weak, lifelong serial grifter WAY out of his increasingly dementia-ridden depth.
Trump's views on Iran have been consistent throughout the years, as a Trump voter you should know what he's publicly stated. How has he been played when he's followed through on his decades long views on Iran? That doesn't make any sense.
It's your choice to be disgruntled, but Trump had publicly stated he'd bomb the shit out of Iran, when he was campaigning. He recently said he pushed Israel into this current project.
Venezuelans, Iranians, Cubans are happy with Trump's actions, the Never Trumpers are spinning their wheels, attempting to fracture MAGA. Same old playbook, on steroids for the upcoming midterms. Pattern recognition easily seen by normies with common sense, college degrees and professional titles not required.
“The truth does not require your participation to exist. Bullshit does.” ~ Terence McKenna Understand this - bullshit needs believers. You have your bullshit, I have mine. Who cares? Nobody.
What matters is one's ability to assess objective, truthful reality. Like the reality of the job site, and hundreds of projects. All successful, all requiring 100% accuracy, and with zero warranty call-backs.
The reality, the collective West is at war with Russia and Iran. The common denominator? IMO - Energy. Why is the collective West at war with stable, affordable energy (and fertilizer, chemical stocks, helium, etc.)?
Well, the little people can't have nice things. Keep them destabilized and controllable. Keep the little people in debt (lots of debt), in doubt, fearful, lots of propaganda, lies by mission, gatekeepers, guard rails, and dependent. Let's not forget - feeding them bullshit.
Awareness buys time, time buys options - until it doesn't. And in a crunch, time dissipates exponentially. Are you aware? Are you prepared?
If "nobody cares", then why are you posting? You have some aspects 100% correct, and suffer inadequate grounding for others.
Dumping all the 'causes' on 'energy' and 'markets' is a cop-out.
Oligarchy has names, and if you pull on the Rothschild Class 'thread' the mystery unravels. The Epstein Class is a subsidiary of the Rothschild Class, as Epstein clearly wrote, "I represent the Rothschilds".
Start with the Mayer Amschel Rothschild and his 5-Arrows sons in the late 1700s, and 'follow the yellow brick road' through Sykes-Picot and the Balfour Declaration to today's AIPAC-backed Illegitimate Zionist Apartheid Genocidal Theocratic Terrorist State in Occupied Palestine. Oh sorry, 'Israel'.
Find the men and women currently spouting brimstone and smoke from 'behind the curtain'.
Yes - now we are cooking with gas. Encourage all to do a deep dive. Recommend AlterAI.
1694 - July 27th - The founding of the Bank of England. Debt-based financing unleashed. Why does it matter?
1815 - June 18 - A popular story claims Nathan Rothschild learned of Napoleon’s defeat before the British government did, exploited that information by momentarily selling British bonds, triggering panic, then buying them back cheaply—thus "taking control" of the Bank of England.
America - 1913 Woodrow Wilson (Democrat)
In December 1913, the Federal Reserve Act was passed—during a late-night session, just before Christmas break, when most Congressmen had already gone home.
In 1913, the 16th Amendment was ratified, legalizing a permanent federal income tax.
In 1913, the 17th Amendment was ratified, changing how U.S. Senators were chosen.
1913 is the origin point of the permanent establishment. Power moved upward—to financial elites and bureaucrats. The entire 20th century’s political, economic, and social upheavals, from the Great Depression to endless inflation cycles, trace back to the architecture built that year.
1953 - Operation Ajax. On August 19, 1953, Mossadegh was overthrown.
1967 - June 8 - The USS Liberty incident.
It's a rabbit hole - but does anyone (except the few that read substacks) care? I do, for one reason - my four grand-kids. My great fear - on my deathbed, Landon, Brooklyn, Regan, and Rowan approach and say "Papa we love you and will miss you. But Papa, why didn't you fight for us?" Well? Awareness matters.
For an even deeper history of how Oligarchs have 'shaped' the modern world, Micheal Hudson's trilogy on the subject is a highly detailed expose back to earliest recorded history.
Same tune, different players, but the masses never seem to get the message.
Milgram and Zimbardo showed how easily the majority can be led by Illegitimate Authority to do inhumane things to others. The Oligarchs rely on exploiting that near-universal trait. Religion, politics, militarism... all rely on the masses never thinking critically or publicly questioning the Establishment. Add in the Persistent Policy Uniparty System ensconced in most 'western liberal democracies' and it is obvious how we got here, and obvious how to get out.
"No More Oligarchs" is a better aim than No Kings. 'Kings' like Trump and Carney et.al. can't retain power without the support of Oligarchs.
Michael Hudson is at the top of the list for sure. I have his "Super Imperialism. The Economic Strategy of American Empire." I will check out his trilogy.
Add Edward Bernays - "Propaganda"
Spot on with "No More Oligarchs." Follow the money!!!
2026 - 250th birthday of the American Republic - at its foundation, the American Revolution was a revolution of ideas. "We the people" vs. "they the powerful." Wealth transfer in play. The little people that create wealth vs. the ruling class that accumulates wealth (give me some rope). IOM - the American Revolution is still in play.
So, avoid 1939, 1940 + 1941 Kremlin Muscovy fervent marriage to Hitler. But, to rescue exactly who, the kids of America are scooped out to possible death by a failed heelspur hero who was awarded the purple what?
Great to have you and Prof. Walt together in the same plateau. Can't wait for the follow up!
They can polish their medals and sharpen their smiles,
And abuse themselves playing games for a while
Boom boom, bang bang, lie down you're dead
https://griobhtha1.substack.com/p/fletcher-memorial-home-for-incurable
Great minds think alike! I’ve been posting this Pink Floyd classic as well. Next: Negotiations run up against The Wall.
Would we have gone to war with Iran if it wasn't on Israel's hit list, and for decades?. I don't think so. This show seemed to make a concerted effort to leave Israel out of the discourse, as well as the influence they continue to have on US decisions in regard to the war in Iran. Not that they are unaware of i, but I think if should have been referenced. Israel from the beginning felt Iran posed the greatest risk and those that preceded Trump let it be, and tackled other countries Netanyahu and his cohorts in America wanted gone. It would have been good to hear Israel's input in regard to our agenda in Iran, since the US is not fighting this war on it's own behalf.
Trump was obviously influenced by Israel and lobby that cares about nothing but Israel's perceived or speculated advantage. And always has it wrong. The world is tired of Israel's troublemaking.
Given that tRump has NEVER told the truth, why would anyone have any uncertainty over who to believe in this case?
Trump has never been the brightest light in the room. He doesn't at all know how to negotiate. Neither do his amateurish foreign policy crew. Trump and the U.S. are not going to win this outrageous, utterly stupid and unnecessary war. So now we are saving Trump's colossal ego by going up the escalation ladder.
The layers of calumny are many: oil shipments are about business - which business-first iran doesn't dare push around. All current commentary on this situation are thus superficial. including that from these very capable speakers.
When al that money spent on weaponry was spend on the benefit of humans, we could have had paradise by now ….
What If the world would spend all the money on peace projects instead of war ….
Wouldn’t that make the world a remarkable place to live in ….?
Disgruntled Trump voter. IMO Trump the great deal maker got played. Played badly.
As a retired professional engineer with over 40 years in project management (fire protection), my edge was my objective truthful awareness and due diligence. You can never have too much information, as details matter and you want to remove risk.
Being in fire protection, my mantra is “awareness buys time, time buys options - until it doesn’t. And in a crunch, time dissipates exponentially.” Trump better gain objective truthful awareness while he still can. Time is his main adversary.
Great discussion - thanks for the insight, understanding, and awareness.
Trump is a pathalogical liar and pampered moron.
He has to get his massive ego out of the way and back us out of this war. It is already wrecking the international economy and it will do worse and worse if we stay in it.
Trump does not have the intellectual capacity for introspection required to "get his massive ego out of the way".
Without his messianic ego, Trump is nothing. No 5D Grand Chessboard Stable Genius Gambit, just a mentally weak, lifelong serial grifter WAY out of his increasingly dementia-ridden depth.
Trump's views on Iran have been consistent throughout the years, as a Trump voter you should know what he's publicly stated. How has he been played when he's followed through on his decades long views on Iran? That doesn't make any sense.
It's your choice to be disgruntled, but Trump had publicly stated he'd bomb the shit out of Iran, when he was campaigning. He recently said he pushed Israel into this current project.
Venezuelans, Iranians, Cubans are happy with Trump's actions, the Never Trumpers are spinning their wheels, attempting to fracture MAGA. Same old playbook, on steroids for the upcoming midterms. Pattern recognition easily seen by normies with common sense, college degrees and professional titles not required.
“The truth does not require your participation to exist. Bullshit does.” ~ Terence McKenna Understand this - bullshit needs believers. You have your bullshit, I have mine. Who cares? Nobody.
What matters is one's ability to assess objective, truthful reality. Like the reality of the job site, and hundreds of projects. All successful, all requiring 100% accuracy, and with zero warranty call-backs.
The reality, the collective West is at war with Russia and Iran. The common denominator? IMO - Energy. Why is the collective West at war with stable, affordable energy (and fertilizer, chemical stocks, helium, etc.)?
Well, the little people can't have nice things. Keep them destabilized and controllable. Keep the little people in debt (lots of debt), in doubt, fearful, lots of propaganda, lies by mission, gatekeepers, guard rails, and dependent. Let's not forget - feeding them bullshit.
Awareness buys time, time buys options - until it doesn't. And in a crunch, time dissipates exponentially. Are you aware? Are you prepared?
If "nobody cares", then why are you posting? You have some aspects 100% correct, and suffer inadequate grounding for others.
Dumping all the 'causes' on 'energy' and 'markets' is a cop-out.
Oligarchy has names, and if you pull on the Rothschild Class 'thread' the mystery unravels. The Epstein Class is a subsidiary of the Rothschild Class, as Epstein clearly wrote, "I represent the Rothschilds".
Start with the Mayer Amschel Rothschild and his 5-Arrows sons in the late 1700s, and 'follow the yellow brick road' through Sykes-Picot and the Balfour Declaration to today's AIPAC-backed Illegitimate Zionist Apartheid Genocidal Theocratic Terrorist State in Occupied Palestine. Oh sorry, 'Israel'.
Find the men and women currently spouting brimstone and smoke from 'behind the curtain'.
Yes - now we are cooking with gas. Encourage all to do a deep dive. Recommend AlterAI.
1694 - July 27th - The founding of the Bank of England. Debt-based financing unleashed. Why does it matter?
1815 - June 18 - A popular story claims Nathan Rothschild learned of Napoleon’s defeat before the British government did, exploited that information by momentarily selling British bonds, triggering panic, then buying them back cheaply—thus "taking control" of the Bank of England.
America - 1913 Woodrow Wilson (Democrat)
In December 1913, the Federal Reserve Act was passed—during a late-night session, just before Christmas break, when most Congressmen had already gone home.
In 1913, the 16th Amendment was ratified, legalizing a permanent federal income tax.
In 1913, the 17th Amendment was ratified, changing how U.S. Senators were chosen.
1913 is the origin point of the permanent establishment. Power moved upward—to financial elites and bureaucrats. The entire 20th century’s political, economic, and social upheavals, from the Great Depression to endless inflation cycles, trace back to the architecture built that year.
1953 - Operation Ajax. On August 19, 1953, Mossadegh was overthrown.
1967 - June 8 - The USS Liberty incident.
It's a rabbit hole - but does anyone (except the few that read substacks) care? I do, for one reason - my four grand-kids. My great fear - on my deathbed, Landon, Brooklyn, Regan, and Rowan approach and say "Papa we love you and will miss you. But Papa, why didn't you fight for us?" Well? Awareness matters.
For an even deeper history of how Oligarchs have 'shaped' the modern world, Micheal Hudson's trilogy on the subject is a highly detailed expose back to earliest recorded history.
https://michael-hudson.com/
Same tune, different players, but the masses never seem to get the message.
Milgram and Zimbardo showed how easily the majority can be led by Illegitimate Authority to do inhumane things to others. The Oligarchs rely on exploiting that near-universal trait. Religion, politics, militarism... all rely on the masses never thinking critically or publicly questioning the Establishment. Add in the Persistent Policy Uniparty System ensconced in most 'western liberal democracies' and it is obvious how we got here, and obvious how to get out.
"No More Oligarchs" is a better aim than No Kings. 'Kings' like Trump and Carney et.al. can't retain power without the support of Oligarchs.
Michael Hudson is at the top of the list for sure. I have his "Super Imperialism. The Economic Strategy of American Empire." I will check out his trilogy.
Add Edward Bernays - "Propaganda"
Spot on with "No More Oligarchs." Follow the money!!!
2026 - 250th birthday of the American Republic - at its foundation, the American Revolution was a revolution of ideas. "We the people" vs. "they the powerful." Wealth transfer in play. The little people that create wealth vs. the ruling class that accumulates wealth (give me some rope). IOM - the American Revolution is still in play.
Would you consider reevaluating whether Trump is, in fact, a good deal maker? Or did I miss the sarcasm?
So, avoid 1939, 1940 + 1941 Kremlin Muscovy fervent marriage to Hitler. But, to rescue exactly who, the kids of America are scooped out to possible death by a failed heelspur hero who was awarded the purple what?
Yeah, ignore what POTUS Obama did in 2014 Bal
Almost coherent... at least it was short.
Saw it. You 3 Amigos make a good team !!
Good to see your co-author Steve Walt looks like.