Trump Says He’ll Choose Iran’s Next Leader (w/ Marc Polymeropoulos)

Marc Polymeropoulos dismisses President Trump's public statement about personally choosing Iran's next leader as 'preposterous.' He explains that while the CIA might identify potential successors in a covert action plan, such a decision would typically involve an inter-agency process and National Security Council recommendations, not a public presidential announcement. This public declaration undermines the covert nature of such operations.

The guest states, 'the idea that he's going to kind of pick and choose is is rather preposterous.' He contrasts this with the normal inter-agency process for covert action plans.

Polymeropoulos highlights a significant separation in US and Israeli post-conflict goals for Iran. While pre-war intelligence cooperation was strong, Israel's primary objective is a weakened Iran, even if it means fomenting civil war by arming groups like the Kurds. The US, however, has less clear and potentially contradictory goals, not prioritizing the same destabilization.

Polymeropoulos explains, 'there's going to be a natural separation in terms of US goals whatever they may be disjointed and Israeli goals because the Israelis actually don't care other than Iran is weakened.' He adds, 'if they want to arm the Kurds... for them that's what they want. It's a weakened state.'

The guest clarifies that if the US is indeed arming Kurds to instigate an uprising in Iran, this legally requires a 'finding'—a written order from the President to the CIA authorizing covert action with a specific end goal. This implies that 'regime change' is formally on the table, a significant policy shift that may not be fully understood or publicly acknowledged.

Polymeropoulos states, 'If we're going to arm a group in order to conduct covert action, that takes a finding. And that finding is a regime change finding. And so that means that there is actually regime change on the table.'

Polymeropoulos expresses deep concern over a 'brain drain' within the CIA and FBI, citing a mass exodus of experienced personnel, including Iran specialists. He specifically mentions the firing of FBI Iran specialists just before the conflict. This loss of institutional knowledge and expertise leaves the US vulnerable to terrorist attacks and hinders effective policy planning.

Polymeropoulos states, 'I have no friends left there [CIA].' He later adds, 'Cash Patel last week fired... Iranian specialists in the FBI because they were involved in the Mara Lago... classified documents case.' He emphasizes the need for 'experienced people to have... the history of Iranian terrorism in the US.'

The administration's initial 'short-term strategy' in Iran has failed, leading to an extended conflict, potentially lasting months. This directly contradicts Trump's campaign promise of ending 'never-ending wars.' The lack of foresight is also evident in the delayed evacuation of Americans and the apparent unpreparedness for Iranian drone attacks, despite Ukraine's prior experience.

Polymeropoulos notes, 'We're talking and the Pentagon I think announced today it might go the the Cobbs might last until September. And so we're talking that's that's six months from now. This is getting to be exactly what Trump said he would never do.' He also points to the delayed evacuation of Americans and the lack of understanding regarding drone vulnerabilities.