Interviews 02
Interviews 02
April 28, 2026

Col. Larry Wilkerson: Trump’s Own Advisors Now SPLIT on Iran - Israel’s Plan DECIMATED

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Quick Read

Colonel Larry Wilkerson details how Trump's chaotic foreign policy, driven by propaganda and personal agenda, is accelerating the decline of US diplomatic influence, particularly regarding Iran and Israel, while global powers like Russia and India forge new alliances and military capabilities.
Trump's 'diplomacy' is largely propaganda, with policy driven by personal image and uncoordinated advisors.
US military advisors are pushing for a 'victory' deal with Iran, but Israel's actions in Lebanon could spoil it.
The US lacks competent diplomats, fostering a 'zero-sum game' approach that alienates global partners and strengthens new alliances like Iran-Russia.

Summary

Colonel Larry Wilkerson, former Chief of Staff to Colin Powell, critiques the Trump administration's approach to foreign policy, describing it as 'clownish' and driven by propaganda rather than coherent strategy. He discusses the skepticism surrounding alleged assassination attempts on Trump, suggesting they may be staged diversions. Wilkerson reveals that 'smart' military advisors are urging Trump to declare a premature victory in the Iran conflict by securing a 'better' nuclear deal, but warns that Israel's aggressive actions in Lebanon, supported by its populace, could destabilize any such agreement. He laments the severe degradation of US diplomatic capabilities, highlighting the rise of a new global order where countries like Iran and Russia are forging unprecedented partnerships, and India is developing advanced weaponry, all while the US adheres to an outdated 'zero-sum game' mentality.
This episode offers a critical perspective on the current state of US foreign policy and its global repercussions. It highlights how a lack of coherent diplomacy and a transactional approach by the US leadership are contributing to the erosion of international law, empowering adversarial alliances, and accelerating a shift in global power dynamics. Understanding these internal and external pressures is crucial for comprehending ongoing geopolitical conflicts and the future trajectory of international relations.

Takeaways

  • Skepticism surrounds alleged assassination attempts on Trump, with many believing they are staged diversions.
  • Trump's foreign policy is uncoordinated, driven by personal image, and often communicated through unverified social media posts.
  • US military advisors are advocating for a 'declare victory and leave' strategy in the Iran conflict, centered on a new nuclear deal.
  • Israel's aggressive military actions in Lebanon, widely supported by its population, are seen as a major obstacle to regional stability and US diplomatic efforts.
  • The US State Department is severely depleted of experienced diplomats, with political appointees dominating ambassadorial roles.
  • Oman is identified as a crucial, neutral 'good offices country' for mediating regional conflicts, particularly concerning the Strait of Hormuz.
  • The US's consistent disregard for international law is pushing other nations to defy it and seek alternative frameworks.
  • India's development of advanced, long-range nuclear missiles (AGY 5) signals a significant shift in global military capabilities.
  • The unprecedented closeness between Iran and Russia is a direct consequence of US policies, forcing them to strengthen their military-industrial complexes.
  • The US's 'zero-sum game' approach to diplomacy is alienating 60-70% of the world, leading to a global 'ganging up on the bully' dynamic.

Insights

1Trump's Chaotic and Propaganda-Driven Diplomacy

Colonel Wilkerson characterizes the Trump administration's foreign policy as 'clownish' and primarily driven by propaganda. He asserts that policy is often made through tweets, 'midnight dreams,' or uncoordinated advisors like Jared Kushner and Laura Loomer, with the sole objective of making Trump 'look good,' regardless of factual accuracy. This approach undermines traditional diplomatic processes and international trust.

Wilkerson states, 'Trump makes policy by tweets. Trump makes policy by midnight dreams. He makes policy through Lori Laura Loomer. He makes policy through Kushner... No one coordinates it except like the spokesperson... Whatever you say must make me look really good.' He suspects '90% of them don't emanate from the president.'

2Military Advisors Push for 'Victory' in Iran Conflict Amidst Israeli Spoilers

Wilkerson reports that 'smart, wise and circumspect' US military advisors are urging Trump to conclude the Iran conflict by declaring victory based on a new nuclear agreement. This deal would be framed as superior to the JCPOA, allowing Trump to 'flag it in front of the American people.' However, Israel's ongoing, destructive actions in Lebanon, which are widely supported by the Israeli populace, pose a significant threat to any such settlement, as Netanyahu aims to 'destroy and occupy' parts of Lebanon.

Wilkerson explains, 'The smarter of them are saying, 'We've accomplished our objectives... shut it down as soon as possible... declare victory and walk away from it.' He adds, 'That leaves the big issue of BB Netanyahu and what he is doing in Lebanon right now, which is in large part to spite Trump... He's killing everything that moves in Lebanon.'

3Degradation of US Diplomatic Capacity

The US State Department has been severely weakened, with a significant portion (up to 40%) of ambassadorial positions filled by political appointees who lack diplomatic competence and are primarily interested in personal financial gain. This lack of skilled diplomats means the US is ill-equipped to engage in meaningful international negotiations, further exacerbating global distrust and the perception of the US as a 'grifter' nation.

Wilkerson states, 'We have no diplomats. We've fired all those who even vaguely resemble diplomats at the State Department... it's up as high as 40% of the ambassadorial staff now as political appointees... maybe one or two might be competent to drink tea or milk with their counterpart. The rest of them are just interested in using their position to make money.'

4Emergence of a Multipolar World and New Alliances

US foreign policy, particularly its 'zero-sum game' approach and disregard for international law, has inadvertently fostered stronger alliances among nations like Iran, Russia, and the BRICS countries. These nations are increasingly coordinating their defense and economic strategies, exemplified by Iran's military cooperation with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and India's development of advanced missiles. This shift signals the accelerated demise of the American empire and the rise of a multipolar global order.

Wilkerson notes, 'The rest of the world gangs up on the bully and takes care of them.' He highlights Iran's deputy defense minister stating 'America is no longer in a position to dictate its policies to independent nations' and Iran's readiness to share military capabilities with SCO members. He also points to India's AGY 5 missile development as a sign of changing global power.

Bottom Line

The widespread public skepticism within the US regarding the authenticity of alleged attacks on Donald Trump (with 300,000 people registering belief it was a setup) reflects a deep-seated distrust in his presidency and a perception of him as a 'con man' willing to stage events for political gain.

So What?

This level of public cynicism, even about events that would typically garner sympathy, indicates a profound breakdown of trust between a significant portion of the American populace and its leadership, which can have long-term implications for political stability and national cohesion.

Impact

For political strategists, understanding this deep distrust is key to crafting messages that resonate with a skeptical electorate. For media, it underscores the challenge of maintaining credibility in an environment where narratives are easily dismissed as staged.

The US's failure to ratify treaties and its consistent undermining of international law, while simultaneously expecting other nations to adhere to it, is directly leading to a global defiance of American authority and a push by other countries (like the UN, Iran, and its allies) to resurrect international legal frameworks independently.

So What?

This creates a bifurcated international legal system: one where the US operates outside norms, and another where the rest of the world attempts to enforce them. This divergence will lead to increased friction and make US-led initiatives less legitimate and effective globally.

Impact

For non-US powers, there's an opportunity to champion and strengthen international law, positioning themselves as responsible global actors and gaining influence by offering a stable, rules-based alternative to US unilateralism.

Key Concepts

Zero-Sum Game Mentality

The belief that in any interaction, one party's gain is another's loss. Wilkerson argues this mindset prevents effective diplomacy and compromise, leading to adversarial relationships rather than mutually beneficial solutions. This is evident in US foreign policy, where 'you either go our way or you get bombed or sanctioned' is the prevailing approach.

Power Vacuum / Shifting Alliances

When a dominant power recedes or acts erratically, other regional or global powers step in to fill the void or form new alliances. The podcast illustrates this with the strengthening Iran-Russia partnership, India's military advancements, and the collective defiance of the US by other nations, all driven by the perceived 'demented power' of the US.

Propaganda as Policy

The use of biased or misleading information to promote a political cause or point of view, often replacing genuine diplomatic engagement. Wilkerson describes Trump's foreign policy as largely 'propaganda,' where public statements are crafted to 'make me look good' rather than reflect coordinated strategy or truth, leading to confusion and distrust internationally.

Lessons

  • Recognize that US foreign policy under the current administration is often driven by domestic political considerations and personal image rather than coherent diplomatic strategy, leading to unpredictable international behavior.
  • Understand that the decline in US diplomatic capacity, marked by a lack of experienced diplomats, means that traditional channels for negotiation and conflict resolution are severely compromised.
  • Be aware that the US's 'zero-sum game' approach to international relations is pushing non-Western powers to form stronger alliances and develop independent military capabilities, accelerating a shift towards a multipolar world order.

Notable Moments

Wilkerson recounts his personal experience at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, detailing the security protocols and contrasting them with the media's portrayal of recent incidents, highlighting the distinction between hotel security and Secret Service protection.

This provides an insider's perspective on the event, challenging media narratives and offering context for the discussion on alleged assassination attempts against Trump.

The host mentions a post by Donald Trump claiming Iran called him, informing him of their 'collapse' and desire to open the Strait of Hormuz, which Wilkerson dismisses as likely propaganda or a lie.

This exemplifies the 'propaganda as policy' theme, showcasing how Trump's public statements can be disconnected from diplomatic reality and used to project a false narrative of strength or control.

Wilkerson discusses the Omani foreign minister's statement that 'the problem in the region is not Iran, the problem is Israel,' calling it 'the truth' from an Arab's mouth.

This highlights a significant contrarian viewpoint within the Arab world, challenging the dominant Western narrative and underscoring the complexity of regional conflicts.

Wilkerson reveals details about India's new AGY 5 missile, capable of 30,000 km/h with a 7,000 km range, and questions its intended target, suggesting it points to a changing global power dynamic.

This moment underscores the rapid military advancements by non-Western powers and the US's perceived lack of engagement or awareness, signaling a significant shift in the global strategic landscape.

Quotes

"

"This is the con man after all. One input said this is a con man. This is a con. this is another one of his kinds."

Col. Larry Wilkerson
"

"Trump makes policy by tweets. Trump makes policy by midnight dreams. He makes policy through Lori Laura Loomer. He makes policy through Kushner and and Witco. And no one coordinates it."

Col. Larry Wilkerson
"

"We've accomplished our objectives. We've got this straight where we want this straight. We'll work something out... We'll get the straight open again... We'll satisfy whatever Iran wants... Declare victory and walk away from it."

Col. Larry Wilkerson
"

"The problem in the region is not Iran, the problem is Israel. For the first time out of a an Arab's mouth came the truth."

Col. Larry Wilkerson
"

"You're not going to bring international law back. You've destroyed it. I said, 'Point made. You You have a point. We have destroyed international law. We, the empire, we've destroyed it.'"

Col. Larry Wilkerson
"

"America is no longer in a position to dictate its policies to independent nations."

Iran's Deputy Defense Minister (quoted by host)
"

"You need diplomacy much more when you're outnumbered and outguned than you do when you have the imperial block."

Col. Larry Wilkerson

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