Former National Security Advisor John Bolton doesn't mince words: the opening strikes on Iran were just the beginning. In this special bonus episode, Bolton breaks down why he believes the Iranian regime will fragment from within, what the Gulf Arab states are about to do, and how war in Iran affects Russia, Ukraine, and China.

Then, retired Lt. General Mark Hertling brings the view from the ground. A veteran of multiple Iraq deployments and the former Chief of War Plans on the Joint Staff. Hertling has seen this before. He's asking the question nobody in Washington seems to want to answer: Is there actually a plan for the day after the strikes?

In this episode:

01:31 John Bolton
04:32 Power Vacuum Risks
08:44 Gulf States Reaction
10:50 Iran Retaliation Strategy
15:16 Israel Influence Question
17:03 Oil Shock And Putin
19:51 China And Taiwan
23:34 Deterrence And Alliances
29:51 Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling
34:28 Decapitation and Unrest
36:24 Iraq Lessons on Disbandment
42:02 Intel Gaps and Planning
52:19 Wider Regional Fallout

Show Notes:

Lt. General Mark Hertling recorded on March 2, and Amb. John Bolton recorded on March 3.

Hosted by Sir Richard Dearlove (former MI6 Chief) and Kate McCann (Political Editor at Times Radio).

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