Valuetainment "Iran Has NO Friends" - Andrew Bustamante SLAMS CIA’s Role In The Shah’s Fall
Aug 15, 2025
Dive into the complex world of Middle Eastern politics as Andrew Bustamante reveals why Israel is wary of the U.S. Discover the pragmatics behind Iran's reliance on Russia and China. Unravel the mysterious role of Henry Kissinger in the Shah's downfall and explore the historical motivations behind U.S. interventions. The conversation highlights shifting alliances and the impact of personal branding in politics, showcasing a mix of intrigue and optimism amid chaos.
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Allied Trust Fluctuates With U.S. Politics
- Andrew Bustamante argues allied trust in the U.S. is limited because American rhetoric and policy shift with elections and markets.
- This instability makes partners like Israel and Taiwan wary of full reliance on U.S. guarantees.
Strongmen Gain Appeal After Prolonged U.S. Failures
- Bustamante links declining U.S. influence to prolonged conflicts and the rise of strongman leaders whose models looked effective.
- He says around 2020 the global appeal of non-democratic strong leadership grew as Western strategies faltered.
Pragmatism Draws Adversary Respect
- Russia and China view Israel's policy as pragmatic rather than ideological and respect its effective security moves.
- That pragmatic predictability is attractive to adversaries because it yields clear, exploitable outcomes.