Joe Kent, a US Army veteran with 11 combat tours and a personal connection to the war in Syria, discusses the potential for war with Iran and argues for calculated strikes against proxy groups instead of a full-scale attack on Iran. They also explore the emotional toll of being denigrated after serving multiple combat deployments and losing a spouse, while advocating against the CIA's involvement in foreign countries. Additionally, they examine the potential consequences of a war with Iran on the United States, including the bloodiness of the conflict and the difficulty in defeating Iran, as well as the geopolitical implications of getting involved.
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Quick takeaways
There is a long-standing desire among some politicians to go to war with Iran, as evidenced by the coordinated response demanding retaliation against Iran for the deaths of American servicemen near the Syrian border.
Joe Kent suggests a more calculated approach of self-defense through targeted strikes against Iranian proxy groups while swiftly withdrawing troops from vulnerable positions, rather than engaging in a full-scale war with Iran that could strengthen the Iranian government and leave the US economy vulnerable to China.
Deep dives
Political Reaction to US Troop Deaths
The tragic deaths of three US troops at a base in Jordan near the Syrian border sparked a highly political and strategic reaction. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and Nikki Haley called for immediate retaliation against Iran, blaming the Biden administration's treatment of Iran as the cause. This coordinated response highlighted the long-standing desire among politicians to go to war with Iran. However, it is important to consider the implications and consequences of such actions to prevent further escalation and avoid playing into Iran's hands.
Leaving US Troops as Bait in Vulnerable Locations
The deaths of the American servicemen were not a surprise to Joe Ken, a former Green Beret and combat veteran who lost his wife in one of these wars. He believes that leaving US troops in vulnerable locations like the Jordanian-Syrian and Iraqi borders was intentional. Ken argues that many in Washington, D.C., have long desired a war with Iran and are willing to sacrifice American lives to escalate towards that goal. With a coordinated response demanding retaliation against Iran, he urges a more calculated approach of self-defense through targeted strikes against Iranian proxy groups while swiftly withdrawing troops from such risky positions.
Prioritizing National Interests and Avoiding War with Iran
Joe Ken emphasizes the need to reassess priorities and question the gains the United States can achieve by continuing military involvement in the Middle East. He points out the crisis at the US-Mexico border, the fentanyl epidemic, and the economic challenges the country faces. Ken highlights the risks of engaging in a full-scale war with Iran, as it would only strengthen the Iranian government and its allies while potentially leaving the US economy vulnerable to China. Instead, he encourages a pragmatic approach with calculated self-defense strikes against Iranian proxy groups, reevaluating past mistakes, and redirecting resources to prioritize American interests.
War with Iran? Yes. We’re already in it. Joe Kent did 11 combat tours in the U.S. Army. His wife Shannon was killed serving in Syria. Here’s his informed view of what that war will mean.