The Young Turks
The Young Turks
June 24, 2026

Zohran Makes Israel First CRASH OUT By Calling Out AIPAC

YouTube · kEtHGWYYCMY

Quick Read

The Young Turks deliver a scathing critique of Israeli actions in Gaza and Lebanon, US foreign policy in Iran, and alleged corruption by figures like Elon Musk and Jared Kushner, arguing these actions are driven by greed, political bribery, and a disregard for human life.
Israel deliberately targets Palestinian children and healthcare, confirmed by UN report.
Cheap FPV drones are effectively destroying expensive Israeli tanks in Lebanon.
US politicians and media are accused of enabling war crimes and corruption, suppressing dissent.

Summary

The Young Turks hosts launch a fierce condemnation of Israel's military actions, citing a UN report that reconfirms genocide in Gaza, specifically detailing the deliberate targeting of Palestinian children and healthcare facilities. They applaud Hezbollah's use of inexpensive FPV drones to combat expensive Israeli tanks in Lebanon, framing it as a shift in modern warfare. The hosts also expose alleged US war crimes, including a 'double tap' bombing of a girls' school in Iran, and criticize the suppression of the investigation. They defend Zohran Mamdani's critique of AIPAC's 'dark money' influence in US politics, highlighting widespread American disapproval of the conflict. Additionally, the episode scrutinizes Elon Musk's SpaceX IPO, questioning its financial stability and the role of government subsidies, and details Jared Kushner's alleged conflicts of interest through his private equity firm, Affinity Partners, which raised billions from Middle Eastern countries while investing in Israeli companies.
This episode matters because it exposes alleged war crimes and corruption by powerful entities, challenging mainstream narratives and highlighting the financial and political mechanisms that perpetuate conflict. It suggests that US taxpayer money is being used to fund atrocities and that political figures are enriching themselves through foreign policy, impacting global stability and human rights. The discussion on drone warfare also signals a potential shift in military power dynamics, making traditional, expensive armies more vulnerable.

Takeaways

  • A UN report confirms Israel's deliberate targeting of Palestinian children and healthcare facilities, constituting genocide.
  • Hezbollah's use of $200 FPV drones is effectively destroying $6 million Israeli Merkava tanks, altering warfare dynamics.
  • US officials are accused of covering up a 'double tap' bombing of an Iranian girls' school and promoting an 'IDF-like warrior culture'.

Insights

1UN Report Confirms Israeli Genocide and Targeting of Palestinian Children

A June 23rd UN International Commission of Inquiry report reconfirmed genocide in Gaza, detailing Israel's deliberate targeting of Palestinian children. This includes severe physical and mental injuries, mass trauma, orphanhood, displacement, starvation, and the collapse of education and healthcare. The report also cited the IDF's intentional targeting of neonatal and maternity care centers, impacting newborn survival and the Palestinian reproductive future.

UN Human Rights Council report, specific findings cited by the hosts, including the targeting of neonatal and maternity care units.

2Hezbollah's Cheap Drones Devastate Expensive Israeli Tanks

Hezbollah is effectively using inexpensive, locally manufactured FPV (First-Person View) drones, costing $200-$300, to attack and destroy Israeli Merkava tanks, which cost $6 million each, and IDF command centers in southern Lebanon. These fiber-optic tethered drones are immune to jamming and difficult for Israeli radar to detect due to their slow movement, demonstrating a significant shift in modern warfare where cost-effective ingenuity challenges advanced military hardware.

Hezbollah drone footage from June 13th, cost comparison of drones vs. tanks, technical details of FPV drones, and a quote from Breth Zabber.

3US Accused of Covering Up 'Double Tap' Bombing of Iranian Girls' School

The US is responsible for a 'double tap' bombing of an elementary school in Manab, Iran, on February 28th, killing over 100 elementary school children and a total of 175 people. An investigation into this atrocity is allegedly being suppressed by figures like Pete Hegseth and Trump, potentially due to reliance on outdated 7-year-old targeting data or to shield defense contractors. Hegseth is criticized for dismantling civilian harm mitigation policies and promoting an 'IDF-like warrior culture' that disregards rules of war.

US use of Tomahawk missiles, reporting by The Guardian, comments from former US Air Force special operations expert Wes Bryant, and Pete Hegseth's public statements.

4AIPAC's 'Dark Money' Influence Challenged by Zohran Mamdani

New York Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani's criticism of AIPAC's 'dark money' influence on US politicians, which he argues turns Americans against each other and supports an 'immoral status quo,' has drawn accusations of antisemitism. However, Mamdani and anti-Zionist Jewish leaders like Rabbi Moshi Indig defend the critique, asserting it targets a lobbying group, not Jewish people. A CBS News poll indicates 78% of Americans want to end the conflict in Iran, suggesting growing public opposition to pro-Israel lobbying.

Mamdani's public statements, reactions from Rabbi Yakov Burman and Rep. Josh Gottheimer, defense by Moshi Indig, and a CBS News poll.

5SpaceX's IPO Raises Concerns Over Speculation and Subsidies

Despite a reported $86 billion IPO and $100.8 billion in cash, Elon Musk's SpaceX is seeking an additional $20 billion bridge loan, raising questions about its financial strategy. Analysts do not expect SpaceX to achieve full-year profitability until 2028, and its target valuation of $1.75 trillion is considered inflated. The hosts argue this situation, coupled with $38 billion in government subsidies received by Tesla and SpaceX, facilitates speculation and potentially harms retail investors and 401ks, rather than fostering genuine product-driven capitalism.

Bloomberg and New York Times reports, company financial figures, analyst projections, comparison to other major companies, and reported government subsidies.

6Jared Kushner's Private Equity Firm Accused of Conflicts of Interest

Jared Kushner, while serving as a peace envoy for the Trump administration, raised billions for his private equity firm, Affinity Partners, from Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds, including Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar. This is seen as a significant conflict of interest, especially since Kushner previously stated he would not raise capital for four years and has no prior financial experience. Affinity Partners has invested in Israeli companies, further complicating his role in Middle East policy.

Kushner's past public statements, New York Times reporting, details of Affinity Partners' fundraising efforts and investments, and a list of Trump administration corruption scandals.

Bottom Line

The rise of inexpensive, easily manufactured FPV drones capable of destroying multi-million dollar tanks signals a potential democratization of warfare, challenging the dominance of traditional, capital-intensive military powers and potentially deterring large-scale invasions.

So What?

This technological shift could fundamentally alter geopolitical power dynamics, making it harder for well-funded armies to occupy foreign territories without facing significant, cost-effective resistance. It may lead to a re-evaluation of military spending priorities and strategies globally.

Impact

Defense industries could pivot towards developing countermeasures for these drones or integrating similar low-cost, high-impact technologies. Nations seeking to defend against larger military powers could invest in local FPV drone manufacturing and training programs.

The growing disconnect between US public opinion (e.g., 78% wanting to end the Iran conflict) and political action, attributed to powerful lobbying groups like AIPAC and media suppression, indicates a crisis of democratic representation and media integrity.

So What?

This suggests that US foreign policy is not driven by the will of its citizens but by entrenched special interests, leading to policies that may not serve national interests and contribute to global instability. It erodes public trust in both government and media.

Impact

Independent media and grassroots movements have an opportunity to bridge this gap by providing alternative narratives and mobilizing public sentiment to demand accountability from politicians. Supporting candidates who refuse corporate and foreign lobby money could be a viable path to reform.

Key Concepts

Luxury Fighters vs. Ingenuity

This model contrasts highly equipped, expensive military forces ('luxury fighters') with adversaries who use inexpensive, innovative, and locally sourced technology (like FPV drones) to achieve disproportionate damage, highlighting a shift in military effectiveness where cost and sophistication do not guarantee victory.

Virtuous Cycle of Appreciation

The concept that actively focusing on and expressing gratitude for positive moments and relationships leads to increased happiness and a more positive outlook, creating a self-reinforcing loop of contentment.

Lessons

  • Support independent media outlets that challenge mainstream narratives and expose alleged corruption and war crimes, as they often provide information not covered by corporate media.
  • Demand accountability from politicians and government officials regarding military actions, foreign aid, and financial dealings, particularly those involving defense contractors and foreign influence.
  • Consider the 'Not Another Dollar' pledge to avoid voting for politicians who take money from AIPAC or other foreign lobbies, aiming to reduce undue influence on US foreign policy.

Quotes

"

"We'll never forgive the Palestinians for making us kill their children."

Jenk Uygur (quoting Golda Meir)
"

"We must shoot at a child and a donkey, too. Enough with being merciful and accepting what happened until October 6th."

Itamar Ben-Gvir (National Security Minister of Israel)
"

"The Israelis are luxury fighters. They sit in tanks, which cost millions, and then they are hit by a drone, which cost all of €200, and it's destroying the tank."

Breth Zabber
"

"War fighters have maximum authorities granted personally by the president and yours truly. We saw what your workouts look like. You are a pathetic coward."

Pete Hegseth (and Anna Kasparian's response)
"

"I'm not going to allow people like the media or these ethics experts who quite frankly don't have real jobs and get paid to try to find potential conflicts that don't exist to change what we think and what we're going to do."

Jared Kushner

Q&A

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