Episode Details

A $34 million primary challenge. A Congress that looks bought and paid for. And a country that keeps drifting toward new wars while veterans keep dying at home. I sit down with former CIA analyst Larry Johnson, co-founder of Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity and the voice behind Sonar 21, to sort through what’s real, what’s theater, and what the incentives are behind the noise.

We start with the Thomas Massie fight and why “don’t cross AIPAC” has become a quiet rule in Washington. From there, we move into the part of this conversation that hits hardest: veteran suicide, moral injury, and the rage that comes from watching endless conflicts produce political careers and defense profits, but not real closure for the people who fought.

Then we pivot to Iran and the practical constraints most pundits skip. Larry breaks down why Saudi Arabia, basing, and air refueling logistics like KC-135 tankers can decide whether escalation is even feasible, and why air power has limits when the political end state is unclear. We also zoom out to Israel, Lebanon, Hezbollah, the changing media landscape, and the bigger global shift toward a Russia China partnership, BRICS, and alternatives to the US dollar system.

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Chapter Markers

0:00. Welcome And Larry Johnson’s Background

3:40. The Massey Primary And AIPAC Power

5:45. Veteran Suicide And Moral Injury

10:05. Why Iran Matters And Who Benefits

14:50. Saudi Airspace And War Logistics Reality

26:55. Predictable Tactics And Yes Men Culture

30:40. Israel, Lebanon, Hezbollah, And Leverage

35:30. New Media Breaks The Old Gatekeepers

42:50. Russia China Partnership And BRICS Future

50:00. Religion, War Limits, And Civilian Protection

54:30. Final Thoughts And What’s Next