Ep. 2392 - Fake Allies and Backstabbers

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: The episode argues that U.S. allies are offering only symbolic support against Iran while America and Israel do the real fighting. It advocates seizing Iran’s Kharg Island and using control of oil to pressure Tehran, critiques “free-riding” allies and anti-war voices, and extends the broader theme to domestic waste, California corruption, and Cuba’s communist collapse.

Main Topics: Allied inaction on Iran (Priority: 5/5): The host mocks European and Japanese statements condemning Iran as empty rhetoric, arguing allies prefer letters and speeches over meaningful military or economic support. U.S. strategy toward Iran and Kharg Island (Priority: 5/5): A central policy proposal is that the U.S. should seize Kharg Island, control Iranian oil exports, and use that leverage to weaken the regime and benefit American interests. Critique of international institutions and postwar order (Priority: 4/5): The episode attacks the League of Nations, the Kellogg-Briand Pact, and the UN as examples of ineffective multilateralism that substitutes words for force. Domestic anti-war and anti-Trump voices (Priority: 4/5): The host links critics such as Tucker Carlson, Candace Owens, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and others to pro-Iran or anti-American narratives, portraying them as ideologically aligned with enemies of the U.S. Military spending and resupply (Priority: 4/5): The discussion defends large Pentagon resupply requests as necessary to replenish weapons stocks and prepare for future conflict rather than as wasteful war spending. Government waste and corruption in blue states (Priority: 3/5): The episode pivots to California and New York, highlighting hospice fraud, expensive wildlife crossings, and high homeless spending as examples of fiscal mismanagement. Cuba’s communist regime under pressure (Priority: 3/5): A guest segment with Rep. Carlos Gimenez argues Cuba is nearing collapse due to economic failure and that the U.S. should maintain pressure rather than offer relief.

Key Arguments: Allies are not truly helping the U.S. against Iran; they are issuing symbolic condemnations instead of taking risks or sharing burdens. If the U.S. is going to bear the costs of war, it should also capture strategic and economic benefits, especially control over oil infrastructure. Kharg Island is presented as a decisive target because it handles the vast majority of Iranian oil exports and would deprive the regime of revenue. The UN and similar institutions are portrayed as ineffective because they rely on unenforceable declarations rather than credible force. Critics of the Iran campaign are framed as either naive, anti-American, or aligned with hostile foreign ideologies. Large defense resupply packages are justified as prudent preparation to avoid leaving the military understocked during an ongoing conflict. California and New York are used as examples of progressive governance producing fraud, waste, and unsustainable spending. Cuba is described as economically broken and politically brittle, with regime change favored over engagement or investment under the current government.

Data Points: Countries signing allied statement on Iran: Germany, France, the UK, Italy, the Netherlands, Canada, and Japan - Referenced as the coalition issuing a strongly worded condemnation of Iran Kellogg-Briand Pact signatories: 15 original countries plus 47 more later - Used as a historical example of empty anti-war declarations Year war was outlawed in the Kellogg-Briand Pact: 1928 - Cited to show the futility of legalistic peace declarations Iranian oil through Kharg Island: 90% - Used to argue the island is a strategic choke point for Iran’s economy U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran: Thousands of targets over three weeks - Mentioned in the context of Pentagon resupply needs Pentagon resupply request: $200 billion - Reported as the scale of requested replenishment for weapons and readiness War cost estimate: About $1 billion a day - Used to distinguish ongoing operational costs from long-term resupply needs Public support for U.S.-Israeli strikes: 43% in favor, 33% against - Politico poll cited to show plurality support among Americans MAGA Republican support for strikes: 81% approval, 7% disapproval - Used to argue Trump-aligned voters strongly back the Iran campaign Non-MAGA Republican support for strikes: 61% approval, 19% oppose - Used to show broader GOP support California hospice agencies at one address: 197 - Cited as evidence of alleged hospice fraud in Van Nuys California wildlife crossing cost: $54 million originally, now $114 million - Used as an example of state spending bloat New York City homeless spending per person: $81,705 in FY2025; projected nearly $100,000 in FY2026 - Presented as evidence of inefficient homelessness spending Spending increase on homeless services: New York +187%, San Francisco +190%, LA +480% - Compared against a 13% rise in homeless population Homeless population change: Up 13% - Used to argue spending growth far outpaced the problem Cuba’s debt: About $50 billion - Mentioned by Rep. Gimenez as part of the regime’s economic failure Cuban blackouts: 1-2 hours of power per day if lucky - Used to illustrate the severity of Cuba’s collapse

Pivotal Quotes: "If we're going to do all the work and undertake all the sacrifice and spend the blood and spend the treasure, then we ought to reap the benefit." — Ben Shapiro: Argument for U.S. control of strategic assets if America bears the burden of conflict "We should seize it." — Ben Shapiro: Direct recommendation to seize Kharg Island as a way to cripple Iran economically "The only way we lose here is if people in the United States undermine us." — Ben Shapiro: Summary of the host’s view that domestic opposition is the main threat to success against Iran

Implications: The episode frames foreign policy as a test of resolve and burden-sharing, while warning that symbolic allies and domestic critics can undercut U.S. power. It also suggests a broader populist case for using American strength to secure tangible gains.