John C. Dvorak (29:25)
Have you talked with the President? I know that you guys have had a good relationship. Yes, we have, and we talked several times this week. But before I get there, let me. Before I get there, let me stay here for a moment. Let me say something which is top of the show, top of mind. Just say at the top of our interview that my thoughts and prayers are obviously with the players and women in uniform who are at this moment fighting to make the world more secure and implement the President's vision of making sure Iran will not get its hands on a nuclear facility, a nuclear capability and a ballistic missile capability. Yes, we cannot have that at all. But don't worry, we are coming with 22 nations. I know the President was angry because he feels that European and other allies have been too slow. The good news here is, is that since Thursday, a group of 22 countries, most of them from NATO, but also Japan, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, the UAE and Bahrain, most of the other countries from NATO coming together to implement his vision of making sure that the Strait of Hormuz is free is opening up as soon as that is possible. So we are now planning the military people and others, the military people, this group of 22 nations and with the US when can we do that? What is needed and how should we do this? Okay, well, let me tell you. So the 22 nations not included in this coalition are NATO members Turkey, Greece, Poland, Belgium, and Hungary. So those, they're not participating. And even though France, Italy, Spain are participating, Spain closed their airspace to us. Italy denied bombers use of the air base in Sicily, and France has refused territory for military operations as well. Those in the coalition who are not NATO members. Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. And Rubio is the one who's going out to explain this on behalf of the President. He had a long interview with Sean Hannity. Sean, I've been one of the strongest defenders of NATO during my time as a United States Senator because I found great value in it. And it wasn't just about defending Europe. I said it also allowed us to have military bases in Europe that allowed us to project power into different parts of the world when our national security was threatened. If now we have reached a point where the NATO alliance means that we can't use those bases, that in fact, that we can no longer use those bases to defend America's interests, then NATO is a one way street. Then NATO is simply about us having troops in Europe to defend Europe. But when we need their help, not their help. We're not asking them to conduct airstrikes. When we need them to allow us to use their military bases, their answer is no. Then why are we in NATO? Why are we in NATO? That's a good question. I think we should reexamine after the war is over. So I think there's no doubt, unfortunately, after this conflict is concluded, we are going to have to reexamine that relationship. We're going to have to reexamine the value of NATO and that alliance for our country. Ultimately that's a honey NATO. We've got to talk decision for the President to make and he'll have to make it. We're going to finish the job here. As I said, we're very, very close to achieving our objectives on all of these things that I've outlined. But I do think, unfortunately, we are going to have to reexamine whether or not this alliance that has served this country well for a while is still serving that purpose. Or has it now become a one way street where America is simply in a position to defend Europe. But when we need the help of our allies, they're going to deny us basing rights and they're going to deny us overflight. Yeah. So it's just screw you guys. That's what it is. But yes, we are NATO. So I'm sure you saw the President last night on his national broadcast.
