Part Of The Problem – "Mission Accomplished" (January 8, 2026)

Host: Dave Smith
Podcast Network: GaS Digital Network

Episode Overview

In this solo episode, Dave Smith explores the political and media fallout from the recent U.S. intervention in Venezuela, offering a piercing libertarian critique of mainstream conservative pundits' support for foreign interventionism. Drawing analogies to the “Mission Accomplished” moment of the Iraq War, Dave questions the wisdom and morality of repeating past mistakes, the shifting rationales for regime change, and the inability of public intellectuals to learn from catastrophic U.S. interventions. The episode features Dave responding to current narratives from Ben Shapiro and Lindsey Graham, discussing reactions in the media, and fielding listener questions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Real Test: Being Principled When It Matters (02:20–06:30)

• Dave reflects on how pundits and political figures often claim to hold principled positions (e.g., free speech, anti-war), yet fail when events demand difficult stances.
• He compares public’s post hoc opposition to Iraq, Covid mandates, or Wokeism with the rare courage of those who opposed these issues when it was risky.
• Quote:

  “Everybody’s good on the Iraq war now… The question is: Where were you when it actually mattered?” — Dave Smith (04:12)

2. Media Cheerleading for Venezuela Regime Change (06:30–08:15)

• Dave criticizes right-wing commentators like Ben Shapiro for endorsing U.S. intervention in Venezuela, drawing a parallel to the way media once justified the Iraq War by showing celebratory footage after Saddam fell.
• He highlights how superficial metrics (tears of joy, statue toppling) are used to validate disastrous wars.

3. Response to Ben Shapiro: Distorting ‘Iraq Syndrome’ and U.S. War History (07:35–16:30)

• Dave plays clips from Ben Shapiro, who claims Trump has overcome ‘Iraq syndrome’—the public’s reluctance for more wars after debacles like Vietnam and Iraq.
• Dave dissects this mindset, arguing that a “syndrome” reflecting skepticism toward aggressive war is actually a societal virtue.
• He rebuts Shapiro’s claim that “withdrawal” is always the problem, pointing out that the war itself amplifies chaos and empowers rivals (e.g., Iran after Iraq).
• Quote:

  “What they mean when they say we developed Iraq War Syndrome… is that Americans tend to go, like, ‘maybe we shouldn’t go on these giant murder campaigns…’ That’s the syndrome.” — Dave Smith (08:08)

• States that Obama’s and Trump’s interventions did not create more peace, but more instability, often by fueling proxy wars (arming Al Qaeda/ISIS in Syria).

4. Critiquing Trump’s ‘Mission Accomplished’ in Venezuela (16:30–29:00)

• Dave breaks down the lack of popular support for Venezuela intervention, contrary to Ben Shapiro’s triumphalism.
• He explains how American elites are trying to "sell" the mission as a limited, successful operation, while in reality it raises many open-ended, risky variables—including possible escalation and nation-building.
• He notes that Trump is openly bragging about the spoils (Venezuelan oil) and planning to control the proceeds, highlighting the imperial mindset.
• Quote:

  “Donald Trump is making big claims about what we’re going to do, how we’re going to control the oil… it is just totally up in the air as to how that will go.” — Dave Smith (23:18)

5. Historical Amnesia: Learning Nothing From Past Catastrophes (29:00–33:00)

• Drawing on Tom Woods’ analogy about abolitionists, Dave argues that being anti-war after the fact is empty, but taking a stand when the pressure is on is rare and meaningful.
• He highlights how mainstream figures like Ben Shapiro continue to cheerlead interventions despite a decade-long string of failures.
• Quote:

  “How you can support seven disastrous wars in a row and then, with confidence, tell you on the eighth one, ‘you gotta support this thing’… and not even bring up your responsibility for the rest of it?” — Dave Smith

6. The Hawkish New Red Line: Lindsey Graham’s Escalation (38:35–43:30)

• Dave plays a clip of Lindsey Graham expanding the justification for war against Iran: from nuclear weapons, to missiles, to now cracking down on domestic protest.
• He ridicules the ever-moving goalposts, questioning the sincerity and logic of ‘humanitarian’ rationales when the real goal appears to be regime change.

7. Cautious Conservatism: Praising Megyn Kelly’s Sober Stance (44:56–46:46)

• Dave plays a clip from Megyn Kelly refusing to join the "cheerleading brigade" for intervention in Venezuela, citing personal and parental concern for U.S. soldiers.
• Contrasts Kelly’s minimum threshold of caution with the reckless optimism of war hawks.
• Quote:

  “I think I speak for a lot of moms—and dads—when I say I’m staying in yellow territory until we know more. And I will not be joining the FOX News cheerleading brigade this time.” — Megyn Kelly (45:35)

8. Epstein Files & the Currency of Honesty (52:51–56:50)

• Dave critiques Dan Bongino (ex-Trump official and conservative podcaster) for claiming to have seen evidence that Epstein killed himself, later contradicted by the claim that files were non-existent.
• He challenges Bongino’s credibility, arguing that in independent media, “the currency is honesty.”
• Quote:

  “In this world, the currency is honesty. The currency is the truth.” — Dave Smith (55:09)

Notable Quotes

• "What they mean when they say we developed Iraq War Syndrome... is that Americans tend to go, like, ‘maybe we shouldn’t go on these giant murder campaigns...’ That’s the syndrome."
  — Dave Smith (08:08)

• “Everybody’s good on the Iraq war now… The question is: Where were you when it actually mattered?”
  — Dave Smith (04:12)

• “How you can support seven disastrous wars in a row and then, with confidence, tell you on the eighth one, ‘you gotta support this thing’… and not even bring up your responsibility for the rest of it?”
  — Dave Smith (~33:05)

• "I think I speak for a lot of moms—and dads—when I say I’m staying in yellow territory until we know more. And I will not be joining the FOX News cheerleading brigade this time."
  — Megyn Kelly (45:35, clip played and discussed by Dave)

• “In this world, the currency is honesty. The currency is the truth.”
  — Dave Smith (55:09, addressing Dan Bongino)

Key Timestamps

• 02:20 – Dave outlines the themes: the difference between being right in principle and under pressure; fallout from the Venezuela operation.
• 07:35 – Dave plays/responds to Ben Shapiro: "Iraq syndrome" and justifications for intervention.
• 14:50 – Critique of the “pullout theory” causing chaos; historical context for rise of ISIS and Iran’s gain in Iraq.
• 18:34 – Dissecting the “Trump Doctrine”; the manufactured Middle Ground between neocon and isolationist.
• 23:18 – Questioning “Mission Accomplished” in Venezuela, the illusion of control, and imperial management of oil.
• 27:48 – Dave pushes back on the idea that America's postwar skepticism is a sickness.
• 38:35 – Lindsey Graham clip: moving goalposts for war with Iran.
• 44:56 – Megyn Kelly clip: caution against intervention, concern for families.
• 52:51 – Dan Bongino and the credibility crisis over the Epstein files.
• 55:09 – Dave’s challenge to Bongino: honesty as the primary currency in new media.

Memorable Moments

• Dave's Mockery of "FAFO" (Find Out Acronym) (18:34):
  Lightly mocks Ben Shapiro's use of "F.A.F.O." ("Fuck Around and Find Out"), calling it "cringy" and childish, particularly when used by pundits unwilling to use strong language.

• Breakdown of Venezuela Dynamics (29:00–39:00):
  Explains the societal and political complications the new Venezuelan leadership faces, and why this makes the “mission accomplished” narrative premature.

• Sharp Rejection of War as an 'Option' (27:48):
  Dave insists that skepticism or “allergy” to war is not a problem but the mark of a moral and sane society.

• Praise for Megyn Kelly (44:56):
  Dave highlights Kelly’s parental perspective and willingness to withhold judgment—contrasting with pundit “cheerleaders.”

Listener Questions Segment (46:50–50:00)

• Dave answers questions from the live chat about CIA/FBI influence over war policy, the rationale behind the Venezuela operation, rumors about connections to Iran/Israel, and a possible debate with Columbia professor Jeffrey Lax.
• Emphasizes Trump’s focus on oil, Marco Rubio’s Cuba angle, and the absence of true congressional oversight or debate.

Conclusion

Dave ends with a scathing reflection on the cyclical nature of American foreign policy debates: hawks never admit fault, always pivot to the next target, and demonize skeptics as “black pill” pessimists. He warns that cheerleaders for regime change repeat errors of the past without accountability, and hails honesty and independent scrutiny as essential antidotes to establishment thinking.

Final Thought:

"If Dan Bongino wants to come back into this world, in this world, the currency is honesty. The currency is the truth. So tell us, man... You went into government, looked us all in the eye, and made up a big fat fucking lie..."

For Listeners

• For those who haven’t listened: This episode is a must for anyone skeptical of bipartisan interventionism, and worth hearing for the thorough, principled libertarian arguments against falling for yet another “successful” U.S. regime change narrative.
• No time wasted on ads, intros, or outros—Dave jumps straight to content, keeping it sharp, engaging, and deeply informative.