Podcast Summary: Tangle – SPECIAL EDITION: 14 Thoughts on Israel Striking Iran

Podcast Information:

• Title: Tangle
• Host/Author: Isaac Saul
• Episode: SPECIAL EDITION: 14 Thoughts on Israel Striking Iran
• Release Date: June 13, 2025

Introduction

In this special emergency edition of the Tangle podcast, host Isaac Saul addresses the unprecedented military strikes carried out by Israel against Iran. Originally slated to feature the debut edition from the new editor at large, Camille Foster, the episode pivots to provide immediate and in-depth coverage of the significant and rapidly evolving situation in the Middle East.

Isaac Saul opens the episode:

"[00:01:27]...given the significance of this news and I think the timeliness necessary to report it out, we kind of pivoted this morning and felt like we had to cover what was happening in Iran."

He introduces senior editor Will K. Bach, who provides a comprehensive breakdown of the latest developments.

Quick News Hits

Will K. Bach delivers a series of brief news updates:

1. Senator Alex Padilla Incident

   "[02:47] Number one, the Secret Service forcibly removed and temporarily detained Senator Alex Padilla, a Democrat from California, after he attempted to question Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem..."

2. Air India Crash Update

   "Number two, Indian authorities confirmed that one man, a British national, survived Thursday's Air India crash in India. All other passengers and crew were killed."

3. Trump and the National Guard

   "Number three, A federal appeals court temporarily paused a district judge's ruling that President Donald Trump must return control of the National Guard to California Governor Gavin Newsom."

4. House Spending Bill

   "Number four, the House of Representatives voted 214 to 212 to pass a bill cutting $9.4 billion in federal spending..."

5. DHS Immigration Policy Change

   "Number five, the Department of Homeland Security officially ended the legal status of hundreds of thousands of migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela..."

Main Story: Israel’s Operation Rising Lion

Overview of the Strike: Isaac Saul and Will K. Bach elaborate on the monumental military operation executed by Israel against Iran, dubbed "Operation Rising Lion." This initiative targets Iran's nuclear capabilities with the objective of preventing the country from developing a nuclear bomb within a year.

Key Details:

• Timing and Scale:

  "[04:34] Israel launched a series of coordinated attacks against Iran, targeting military bases, top generals, and nuclear enrichment facilities with over 200 aircraft."

• Targets Hit:

  "[04:48] Israel targeted Iran's main enrichment facility, a nuclear research center, two military bases, and an airport in the northwest."

• Casualties and Objectives:

  "[04:48] The operation resulted in the deaths of at least six military bases around Tehran, six military scientists, twenty senior commanders, and four top generals."

• Israel’s Justification:

  "[04:55] Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated, 'This operation will continue for as many days as it takes,' emphasizing the existential threat posed by Iran’s nuclear ambitions."

• International Response:

  NATO Secretary General Mark Ruda remarked, "This was a unilateral action by Israel. It is crucial for allies, including the United States, to work as we speak to de-escalate."

Political Responses: Left, Right, and International Views

Left-Leaning Perspectives: The left exhibits mixed reactions, with some condemning Netanyahu's actions as an unlawful escalation, while others acknowledge Israel's long-term efforts to weaken Iran.

Notable Commentary:

"[07:05] Juan Cole stated, 'Netanyahu launched the strikes to thwart the peace negotiations being conducted with Iran by President Donald J. Trump's administration...'"

"Cole further argued that 'a war with Iran is Netanyahu's double attempt to thwart the outbreak of peace between Iran and the US and to avert a vote of no confidence domestically.'"

Right-Leaning Perspectives: The right also presents a divided viewpoint. While many applaud Israel's preemptive measures to secure its safety, others worry about the potential drag-in of the United States into a broader conflict.

Notable Commentary:

"[12:30] The New York Post editorial board praised Israel, stating, 'Israel is serving the entire world, taking huge risks to stop Iran from going nuclear...'"

"Conversely, Jude Russo from the conservative side argued, 'This is not our war,' emphasizing skepticism about U.S. involvement and the futility of alternative options like regime change."

International Perspectives: Global voices range from support to condemnation. Some international writers defend Israel's right to act against a perceived threat, while others criticize the destabilization of the region.

Notable Commentary:

"[18:30] Yaakov Katz from the Jerusalem Post supported the strike, highlighting Israel's optimal timing and strategic advantage."

"Belen Fernandez of Al Jazeera critiqued the attack as symptomatic of Israel's perpetual upheaval strategies, stating, 'Netanyahu has effectively preempted the prospect of any sort of peaceful solution...'"

Host’s 14 Thoughts

In a detailed segment, Isaac Saul shares his personal insights and analyses on the situation through 14 distinct points.

Highlights Include:

1. Historical Context and Future Implications:

   ("[08:52]... this is a harrowing moment. Israel has clearly made the decision that now is the time to fight the big fight...")

2. Diplomatic Failures Leading to Conflict:

   "A cascade of diplomatic failures spanning multiple administrations in multiple countries have all led up to this moment."

3. Differentiating the Iran Strike from Gaza Operations:

   "You all know how I feel about Israel's actions in Gaza, but this is not the same story...this is probably the war that Israel should have been fighting this whole time..."

4. Skepticism Over Intelligence Claims:

   "How credible is the latest intelligence really? And how much are the reports about Iran's nuclear capabilities really just a pretext for war?" [14:10]

5. Impact on U.S. Politics and Trump's Role:

   "What does this mean for Trump?... Netanyahu conducted this strike either with or without Trump's approval."

6. Assessing Iran’s Current Strength and Future:

   "Is Iran screwed?... This might really be the beginning of the end of this regime."

7. Optimistic Scenario - Potential for Change in Iran:

   "A new moderate government in Iran allows Israel to draw its Arab partners closer without fear of existential reprisal..."

8. Pessimistic Scenario - Escalation to Global Conflict:

   "This conflict spills into a global war that causes massive spikes in the price of energy, food and goods..."

9. Balancing Potential Outcomes:

   "The most likely outcome is probably somewhere between the two, and my initial reaction is to be much more concerned about the possible risks than excited about the potential benefits."

10. Moral and Ethical Concerns Over Targeted Assassinations:

    "It is also hard not to marvel at the brilliance of the Israeli military... Images from Tehran of attacks in the middle of residential neighborhoods appear to be war crimes..."

11. Acknowledgment of Israeli Military Excellence:

    "Iran’s proxies are weakened. Its credible denials of being near a bomb are less convincing."

12. Questioning Netanyahu’s Motives:

    "Were Iran and Trump inching closer to a deal that Israel did not want?... Netanyahu is conducting this war to keep his right-wing allies in the Knesset happy."

13. Warnings from Intelligence Figures:

    "Contrasting predictions like this with the reality of what happens next will be important and worthwhile throughout the coming weeks."

14. Humanizing the Iranian People:

    "We must remember the people there, the millions of normal people who want to be free from this regime and the random kids roaming the streets..."

Isaac concludes his thoughts:

"[19:00]... My sincere prayer is for a quick end to these targeted attacks and hopefully new paths for peace throughout the region. I'm not optimistic, but I'm hopeful."

Conclusion

Wrapping up the special edition, Isaac and Will reiterate their commitment to ongoing coverage of the evolving situation and emphasize the gravity of the moment in global politics.

Isaac Saul closes the discussion:

"[34:45] ... We will be back on Monday with more coverage of the story, as well as plenty of other news stories happening this week and what's sure to come this weekend."

Key Takeaways:

• Operation Rising Lion marks the largest Israeli military strike on Iran since the 1980s, targeting critical aspects of Iran's nuclear and military infrastructure.
• Political Reactions are deeply divided along ideological lines, with significant implications for U.S. foreign policy and regional stability.
• Isaac Saul's Analysis provides a nuanced perspective, weighing potential outcomes from optimistic regime change to the risks of broader conflict.
• International Community remains cautious, with calls for de-escalation and concern over the long-term repercussions of the strikes.

This episode serves as a crucial listen for those seeking an in-depth understanding of the complexities surrounding the Israel-Iran conflict and its broader geopolitical ramifications.