Ep. 924 - So Long, Soleimani!

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: The episode centers on the U.S. strike killing Iranian General Qasem Soleimani, which Ben Shapiro frames as a justified restoration of deterrence against a terrorist regime. He condemns Democratic and Obama-era foreign policy critiques, argues escalation is already underway from Iran, and predicts retaliation against U.S. allies rather than immediate direct war. The show closes with lighter culture commentary on Joker and a New York Times race-based critique of a University of Wisconsin homecoming video.

Main Topics: Soleimani strike and deterrence (Priority: 5/5): Shapiro argues the drone strike killing Qasem Soleimani was morally justified, legally permissible, and necessary to restore U.S. deterrence after years of Iranian aggression. Democratic and left-wing reactions (Priority: 5/5): He criticizes responses from Pelosi, Omar, Sanders, Biden, Rhodes, and others as misguided, hypocritical, or historically uninformed. Iran policy and the Obama legacy (Priority: 4/5): Shapiro claims the Obama administration’s Iran deal empowered Tehran, while Trump reversed appeasement and responded to years of Iranian escalation. Predicted Iranian retaliation and regional consequences (Priority: 4/5): He forecasts short-term Iranian lash-out through proxy attacks, likely against Saudi Arabia, Israel, or U.S. allies rather than a direct U.S. strike. Foreign policy theory: appeasement vs. deterrence (Priority: 4/5): A recurring argument is that peace requires credible force and that bribing hostile regimes only increases aggression. Culture segment: Joker and campus identity politics (Priority: 2/5): He briefly reviews Joker as a strong performance vehicle with narrative flaws, then mocks a New York Times story about racial representation in a UW homecoming video.

Key Arguments: Soleimani was one of the world’s worst terrorists and deserved to die because of his role in killing Americans and destabilizing the region. The strike was not an illegal assassination; it occurred in Iraq against a terrorist leader under U.S. authorization and Iraqi presence. Iran’s current escalation predates the strike: embassy attacks, shipping harassment, drone downing, and proxy violence were ongoing. Obama-era Iran policy and the nuclear deal enriched and empowered a terror regime instead of moderating it. Deterrence requires follow-through; if Iran retaliates, the U.S. must respond consistently or deterrence collapses. Democratic criticism reflects anti-Trump reflexes rather than sound foreign policy analysis. The most likely Iranian response is proxy warfare or terror abroad, not a full direct war, because Tehran knows it would lose badly. In domestic politics and culture coverage, media outrage often centers on identity optics rather than substantive issues.

Data Points: American deaths attributed to Soleimani: hundreds - Shapiro says Soleimani was responsible for hundreds of American deaths in Iraq and elsewhere. Share of U.S. deaths in Iraq attributed to Soleimani: 17% - He cites State Department estimates that Soleimani was responsible for 17% of all Americans killed in Iraq. Three days of mourning: 3 days - Iran’s Supreme Leader declared three days of public mourning after Soleimani’s death. Potential gold price surge: above $1,600/oz - Used in a sponsor pitch referencing Goldman Sachs expectations. Potential savings on insurance: $1,500 or more per year - PolicyGenius sponsor segment on comparing life insurance quotes. UW-Madison Black undergraduate population: fewer than 1,000 - Used to explain why a homecoming video was overwhelmingly white. UW-Madison undergraduate enrollment: 30,000 - Population context for the campus homecoming-video controversy. Membership discount: 20% off - Daily Wire promotional offer with code DW2020. Subscription offer deadline: January 6 - Last day mentioned for the discounted membership offer.

Pivotal Quotes: "The world is much better off with him not breathing the same air as the rest of us." — Ben Shapiro: Shapiro’s judgment on Soleimani after describing his role in terrorism and U.S. deaths. "This was Trump's attempt to restore deterrence." — Ben Shapiro: His central thesis on why the strike mattered strategically. "Trump's dangerous escalation brings us closer to another disastrous war in the Middle East" — Bernie Sanders: Quoted to illustrate Democratic criticism of the strike.

Implications: The show frames the strike as a test of U.S. credibility: if Trump sustains pressure, deterrence may return; if not, Iran may escalate via proxies. It also highlights ongoing partisan polarization over foreign policy and media attention to identity politics.