Podcast Summary: "We Are At War With Iran"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Part Of The Problem
• Host: GaS Digital Network
• Description: Dave Smith delves into current events, government policies, foreign affairs, and Libertarian perspectives. Aimed at educating listeners about the potential for a truly free nation, subscribers gain early access to episodes and exclusive content.
• Episode: We Are At War With Iran
• Release Date: June 17, 2025

Introduction and Main Thesis

In this solo episode, Dave Smith opens by stating his conviction that the United States is currently at war with Iran. He challenges the prevailing narrative that frames the conflict as primarily between Israel and Iran, emphasizing that U.S. involvement is significant and direct.

Dave Smith [00:00]: "I think we are at war with Iran right now. I think Donald Trump has already led us into another catastrophic war in the Middle East."

Historical Context and Israel’s Role

Smith provides a comprehensive historical overview, highlighting Iran's longstanding tensions with Israel and the U.S. He traces back to the post-9/11 era when Iran was labeled an "axis of evil" alongside Iraq and North Korea, a designation made by the Bush administration despite Iran's non-involvement in the 9/11 attacks.

Dave Smith [05:30]: "The Clean Break memo was written in 1996. ... They want to get away from the peace process and normalize relations without granting a Palestinian state."

He discusses Israel's "Clean Break" strategy from the 1990s, aiming to sever ties with the peace process and pursue regime changes in hostile neighboring governments, thereby avoiding concessions to the Palestinians.

Neoconservative Influence and Regime Change Agenda

Smith critiques the neoconservative agenda, arguing that it has persistently pushed for regime changes in Middle Eastern countries, including Iran, under the guise of security and combating terrorism. He asserts that these policies have led to prolonged conflicts and instability.

Dave Smith [15:45]: "This entire time he's been claiming that Iran is about to get nuclear weapons... now we're at war with them."

He references the "Project for a New American Century" and the influence of figures like Richard Perle and David Wurm, emphasizing their longstanding plans for Middle Eastern interventions.

Iran’s Nuclear Program and U.S. Policy

The discussion shifts to Iran's nuclear ambitions, or the lack thereof. Smith distinguishes between actual nuclear capabilities and what he terms a "latent deterrent," wherein Iran enriches uranium enough to pose a threat but stops short of creating a functional nuclear weapon.

Dave Smith [35:20]: "They are enriching uranium up to point... it's supposed to be enough of a threat."

He criticizes Netanyahu's persistent claims over decades about Iran's imminent development of nuclear weapons, highlighting the inconsistency and lack of tangible progress toward such armament.

Current Conflict and U.S. Involvement

Smith delves into the recent attacks by Israel on Iran, questioning the justifications and implications of such actions. He examines conflicting reports about U.S. President Donald Trump's role, with Netanyahu suggesting Trump approved the attack, while figures like Tucker Carlson deny any prior knowledge or coordination.

Dave Smith [50:10]: "Either Netanyahu is telling the truth... or Tucker Carlson's telling the truth here. Either way, we're at war with Iran."

Smith argues that regardless of Trump's involvement, the U.S. is effectively at war with Iran, whether through direct military actions like missile interceptions or through support for Israeli aggression.

Critique of U.S. Leadership and Foreign Policy

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to criticizing Donald Trump's foreign policy decisions, portraying him as complicit in escalating conflicts through inadequate leadership and overreliance on neoconservative strategies.

Dave Smith [1:10:45]: "Donald Trump should be impeached and removed for this. Either of those two scenarios is just unforgivable."

Smith expresses his disillusionment with Trump, despite having previously supported him, highlighting failures in both domestic and foreign policies, including the mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing Middle Eastern conflicts.

Consequences of Pro-Regime Change Policies

Smith reflects on historical interventions, such as the Gulf War, the overthrow of Saddam Hussein, and Libya's intervention, illustrating how initial military successes often lead to prolonged conflicts and unintended consequences.

Dave Smith [1:30:30]: "Each time we intervened, it turned into a prolonged, catastrophic conflict... It was such an easy success at the time, except we went on to be militarily bogged down."

He warns that similar patterns are likely to unfold with the current situation in Iran, cautioning against celebrating premature victories without understanding the long-term ramifications.

Call for Objective Standards and Policy Reevaluation

Concluding the episode, Smith urges listeners to adopt consistent and objective standards in evaluating international conflicts. He criticizes the double standards applied to different nations and calls for a reassessment of the U.S.'s foreign policy approach to avoid further entanglements.

Dave Smith [1:50:15]: "We can't have one standard for when Iran is at war and a completely different standard for when we're at war."

Final Thoughts and Subscriber Information

Smith wraps up by reiterating his hope that the current conflict does not escalate into a prolonged war and encourages listeners to stay informed and critical of mainstream narratives. He also mentions exclusive content available to subscribers, emphasizing the importance of informed discourse.

Notable Quotes:

• Dave Smith [00:00]: "I think we are at war with Iran right now."
• Dave Smith [05:30]: "They want to get away from the peace process and normalize relations without granting a Palestinian state."
• Dave Smith [35:20]: "They are enriching uranium up to point... it's supposed to be enough of a threat."
• Dave Smith [50:10]: "Either Netanyahu is telling the truth... or Tucker Carlson's telling the truth here. Either way, we're at war with Iran."
• Dave Smith [1:10:45]: "Donald Trump should be impeached and removed for this."
• Dave Smith [1:30:30]: "Each time we intervened, it turned into a prolonged, catastrophic conflict... It was such an easy success at the time, except we went on to be militarily bogged down."
• Dave Smith [1:50:15]: "We can't have one standard for when Iran is at war and a completely different standard for when we're at war."

Conclusion:

In this episode, Dave Smith presents a fervent critique of U.S. foreign policy, particularly focusing on the alleged wars of choice against Iran facilitated by neoconservative agendas and support from Israeli leadership. He challenges mainstream narratives, questions the integrity of political figures, and calls for a more consistent and objective approach to international relations to prevent further conflicts and national betrayals.