Episode Details

Retired Army Colonel Steve Bucci joins host Steve Finnegan on KARN/KFAY to discuss the ongoing U.S.-Iran ceasefire negotiations, expressing skepticism about Iran's willingness to negotiate in good faith due to the IRGC's control of the country and the likelihood of renewed hostilities. He highlights the economic pressure on Iran — including a run on Iranian banks and oil storage near capacity — as potential leverage, while also addressing reports that eight female protesters facing execution may have had their sentences suspended, though he cautions against trusting the regime to follow through. The conversation shifts to NATO, where Bucci praises Secretary General Mark Rutte for his strong pro-American leadership, criticizes allies like Canada, Spain, and the UK for failing to support U.S. operations — including denying basing rights for strikes on Iran — and argues that burden-sharing reforms are urgently needed. He concludes that NATO still has an important role but requires hard conversations to modernize the alliance for today's geopolitical realities, while also noting positive signs from non-NATO partners like South Korea, Japan, and India stepping up on international security.

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