DeProgram with John Kiriakou and Ted Rall Target: Tehran | DeProgram with Ted Rall and John Kiriakou
Jan 29, 2026
They debate rising US threats toward Iran and whether military strikes or diplomacy will follow. They examine domestic fights over Homeland Security funding and proposed ICE reforms. They cover an unprecedented FBI seizure of Georgia voter records and a Dutch court ruling on climate duty to protect island residents. The conversation also touches on China policy and risks of geoengineering.
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Iran Is Framed As Threat, But History Says Otherwise
- Ted Rall and John Kiriakou stress that Iran has never posed a direct threat to the U.S., but the U.S. has long threatened Iran.
- They argue U.S. policy now echoes Israeli demands, weakening independent American foreign policy.
Use Regional Intermediaries For Quiet Diplomacy
- John Kiriakou recommends engaging third-party regional intermediaries like Oman and Algeria for discreet diplomacy with Iran.
- He urges private diplomacy instead of public naval posturing to de-escalate tensions.
U.S. Demands Echo Israeli Agenda
- The three demands pushed on Iran mirror Netanyahu's list: stop enrichment, dispose stockpiles, and end proxy support.
- John Kiriakou says this shows U.S. foreign policy is conceding to Israeli priorities.
