A recent article by David Stockman argues AGAINST the necessity of military intervention in Iran, positing that Iran poses no significant threat to the United States.
Stockman highlights Iran's limited military capabilities and economic scale compared to the US, suggesting that any military action would be a pursuit of "Empire" rather than genuine "Homeland Security." He criticizes the US presence in the Middle East, attributing it to imperial ambitions and arguing that it exacerbates regional instability and terrorism.
Furthermore, Stockman contends that the pursuit of nuclear weapons by Iran is a consequence of Washington's aggressive policies and withdrawal from the JCPOA, rather than an inherent desire for such weapons, and that the previous nuclear deal was effective. The author concludes by advocating for a focus on a strong, defensive "Fortress America" with an invincible nuclear deterrent, rather than engaging in costly and unnecessary foreign wars driven by ego and imperialistic aims.
Key Themes:
Iran Poses No Military Threat to the US Homeland:
Stockman unequivocally states, "Iran is just plain no military threat. Full Stop. End of story."
He highlights Iran's lack of blue-water navy, long-range bombers, or air/sealift capacity to project power to the US.
Iran's longest-range missile (2,000 km) is only one-fifth of the way to Washington D.C. (10,000 km).
Iran's defense budget ($12 billion) is a "pittance," only 1.2% of the Pentagon's $1 trillion annual budget, equivalent to "about 100 hours per year of US defense spending."
Its GDP ($400 billion) is 75 times smaller than America's $30 trillion GDP, and heavily dependent on oil/gas exports easily bottled up.
Even in the "very worst imaginable case—where Tehran manages to fabricate a primitive nuclear bomb or two— they have nothing remotely capable of delivering it to the US homeland."
US Foreign Policy is Driven by "Empire" Not "Homeland Security":
The author argues that the US has deviated from the founders' "wise admonition to pursue friendly commerce with all nations but entangling alliances with none."
Current military deployments (e.g., 51,000 US troops in the region surrounding Iran, 900 in Syria, 2,000 in Iraq, 10,000 in Kuwait, 15,000 in Qatar and Bahrain, 6,500 sailors in the Mediterranean and Persian Gulf) are "attributable to the contingencies of Empire, not the necessities of Homeland Security."
These "illicit" reasons include "defense of Israel, protection of the Persian Gulf oil supplies and functioning as the regional and global gendarme for the alleged good of mankind."
A "fulsome defense of the American homeland" only requires "an invincible nuclear deterrent and an ironclad Fortress America defense of the US shorelines and air space," neither of which "require entangling alliances abroad, foreign military bases or intervention against states like Iran."
Critique of Executive War Powers and Constitutional Principles:
Stockman references James Madison's warning against war: "Of all the enemies to public liberty war is, perhaps, the most to be dreaded, because it comprises and develops the germ of every other. War is the parent of armies; from these proceed debts and taxes; and armies, and debts, and taxes are the known instruments for bringing the many under the domination of the few."
He criticizes Trump for trampling "upon yet again the War Powers reserved exclusively for an act of Congress."
The author views Trump as an "unhinged, egomaniacal Caesarist who knows no limits to power," acting as "the CEO of the world."
Ineffectiveness and Counter-productiveness of US Interventions:
Oil Security: The claim that US military intervention is needed for Persian Gulf oil security is dismissed. Any regime in control of oil will produce it to the maximum, and global markets adjust to supply disruptions. The global oil price has remained around $75/barrel for 50 years, despite "Trillions of US military spending and middle east interventions."
Combating Terrorism: Stockman argues that US interventions are the cause of terrorism, not a solution. "The argument that massive Washington military intervention is needed in the middle east to combat terrorism is actually upside down." He notes that "Sunni-based terrorist episodes have been blow-back for massive and multiple US incursions in the middle east." GROK 3 estimates 1.8–2.7 million Middle Easterners killed due to US military interventions since 1990.
Nuclear Non-Proliferation: Washington's relentless campaign against Iran for not getting a nuke is deemed irrational, especially since "Iran actually has a religious edict against nuclear weapons." The 2015 JCPOA (Iran nuclear deal) was "sweeping, intrusive and onerous" and "guaranteed that no future government would abandon that principle." Trump's repudiation of the deal in 2018, despite IAEA confirmation of Iranian compliance, is seen as reckless and driven by personal and political motives ("demanded to be cancelled by Bibi Netanyahu and his neocon confederates").
Stockman argues that the recent bombing of Fordow likely did not destroy much, as Iran had time to move materials.
He asserts that Iran's 60% enriched uranium was a "bargaining chip" to get sanctions lifted, as evidenced by its destruction after the 2015 deal.
The deal also reduced centrifuges by 70%, limited enrichment purity to 3.75%, and eliminated enrichment at Fordow, turning it into a research lab under inspection.
The "plutonium" scare regarding the Arak reactor was a "bogeyman" as Iran lacked reprocessing capabilities, and the 2015 deal required changes to prevent plutonium production.
The author concludes that Trump's actions have inadvertently pushed Iran towards seeking a nuclear "insurance policy," replacing a "workable JCPOA arrangement" with a more dangerous situation.
Critique of "Kill from the Sky Warfare" and Military Spending:
Stockman criticizes the focus on "bunker busters" and "Tomahawk cruise missiles," arguing they are instruments of "Empire" not homeland defense.
An "invincible triad strategic deterrent" based on MAD (Mutually Assured Destruction) costs only "$75 billion per year and requires no foreign bases or operations."
A "continental air force and attack submarine defense of Fortress America" would cost "several hundred billion additional."
Therefore, "$500 billion plus of the current $1 trillion Pentagon budget is actually for the pursuit of Empire, not direct homeland security."
He argues that bunker busters are destabilizing as counter-force weapons in the nuclear arena and useless for conventional homeland defense, which requires different assets like drones, cruise missiles, and fighter jets.
Economic Consequences of Current Policies:
Trump's "ALL CAPS" demand for low oil prices and the bombing of Iran are seen as self-inflicted wounds that threaten global oil supply.
Any serious disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, through which "one-quarter of the global supply" (25 million b/d) flows, would "generate $100+ per barrel oil prices in a heartbeat."
The author mocks the idea that other countries should fix the mess created by Washington, comparing it to "the 12-year who killed both of his parents, and then threw himself upon the mercy of the court on the grounds that he was an orphan!"
Most Important Ideas/Facts:
Iran's military capabilities are vastly inferior to the US and pose no direct threat to the US homeland. This is a central, repeated assertion, backed by specific metrics like missile range, defense budget, and GDP comparison.
US foreign policy in the Middle East is fundamentally misaligned with homeland security and is driven by imperial ambitions and alliances (e.g., Israel). This redefines the purpose of US military presence and actions in the region.
The US Constitution's separation of war powers is being violated, and perpetual warfare undermines liberty. This highlights a domestic governance concern tied to foreign policy.
US interventions, far from combating terrorism or ensuring oil security, are counterproductive and often exacerbate regional instability and anti-American sentiment. The claim that US actions are "blow-back" for terrorism is significant.
The 2015 Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA) was effective in preventing Iranian nuclear weaponization, and its repudiation by the Trump administration was a reckless mistake that has made the situation worse. This challenges the prevailing narrative about the deal's efficacy.
A significant portion of the US defense budget (over $500 billion of $1 trillion) is dedicated to "Empire" rather than essential homeland defense. This suggests a massive misallocation of resources.
Current US actions in the Persian Gulf risk a major global oil crisis, which would disproportionately harm other nations. This points to severe economic ramifications beyond immediate military objectives.
You are free to download the text and audio podcasts, share with others, or even post all or portions of them on your own website. Due to the time involved in researching and creating these podcasts, a coffee donation of any amount to support my efforts is appreciated but not required.
https://buymeacoffee.com/kpealock
Grab a copy of Dirty Laundry: How I Stole $50 Billion in CIA Drug Money, Almost. Read how I once held power of attorney over trillions of dollars in deep state bank accounts worldwide. This money was accrued from CIA drug smuggling, war booty, and government embezzlements. It is why I am on the government’s watch list.
If you want to escape mental slavery and government propaganda, grab a copy of The Star-Spangled Deception
Grab a copy of The Warmongers.
Grab a copy of Chains of Injustice. Learn how the terrorist IRS, corrupt FBI, and murderous ATF (the axis of evil) destroyed my life and that of others.
Check out ALL my fantastic books at: https://book-showcase.com
Share this post