FLASH
Shkruar nga Freddie Sayers
Joe Kent reveals the behind-the-scenes story of the resignation: How the Iran peace deal was sabotaged and why Trump is risking a war that could destroy the dollar and America...
Joe Kent, until recently the head of the National Counterterrorism Unit in the Trump administration, has resigned in protest of the military campaign in Iran. In this interview, he explains the reasons for his departure and the external influence on White House decision-making.
How do you see the two camps within the Trump administration regarding Iran?
There is a division between the “hawks” and the “restraints.” The hawks are the traditional Republicans who seek the overthrow of the regime in Tehran. On the other hand, we who are part of the “restraints” believe that regime change by force has failed everywhere - in Iraq, Syria or Libya - and has only brought disaster. We propose the use of diplomacy and economic power, limiting military attacks to specific cases that do not involve us in long-term conflicts.
You claim that the Israeli lobby directly influenced the President to attack Iran. How does this influence work?
Early in his administration, Trump was in an excellent position to negotiate with Iran. He had shown strength by killing Soleimani during his first term, but without falling into the trap of endless war.
But the Israelis and their supporters in the American media began to repeat over and over again that Iran should not have any nuclear enrichment capacity. This narrative was adopted by our government, blocking any room for negotiation.
The Israelis put us in a position where attack seemed inevitable, not because Iran was attacking us, but because Israel would attack Iran and we would be forced to go to war to defend them.
Are you saying that the Israelis were specifically producing disinformation to convince Trump to go to war?
They convinced the President that any kind of nuclear enrichment means nuclear weapons, which is not true. Even though we had data since 2004 that the Iranians had an internal religious prohibition on nuclear weapons, the Israeli lobby distorted the truth to make the President believe that diplomacy with them was impossible.
The advice he received was dominated by this pro-Israel ecosystem, which dictated our timelines towards war, despite the fact that our strategic objectives differed from Israel's.
What was your stance during the debates on the “12-Day War” last year?
I was against escalation and insisted that we should not allow Israel to dictate our military agenda. We should make it clear to them that we would defend them if they were attacked, but if they went on the offensive, our assistance would be cut off.
In fact, I believe Steve Witkoff was very close to a deal with the Iranians in May-June. They had agreed not to develop nuclear weapons. But this deal was a threat to Israel's strategic objectives, which is why it was sabotaged.
Why did you decide to resign right now?
As a military veteran, I felt it was my duty to speak out. When I saw the vigorous debate within the administration being replaced by a very narrow group of advisors who only approved of the escalation of the situation, I realized that our voices were no longer being heard.
I could not stand by silently as we were being dragged into a "swamp" that would force the next generation to die in an unnecessary war. As I leave office, I hope to show the president through the media that he still has other options.
Some say that so far the campaign has been "clean," with only aerial bombing. Is there any chance that Trump will avoid a ground war?
No, because the consequences this time are global. The impact on energy prices, the Strait of Hormuz, and fertilizer production will be devastating. The problem is that we don't have a clear strategic goal.
We are destroying their infrastructure, but we don't know what will happen next. If we don't stop the Israelis, they will continue to escalate because they see this as their only chance to eliminate the regime, regardless of the chaos they cause.
Is it possible for Trump to change the scenario without appearing to capitulate?
Yes. He can return to negotiations using the Gulf countries as mediators. The first step should be to restrain Israel. Then, he should continue with lifting sanctions on the oil that is already at sea, which he started.
It is in Iran's national interest to keep the Strait of Hormuz open. If we show a willingness to return to the negotiating table, we can avert disaster.
Many people accuse you of anti-Semitism because of these attitudes. How do you respond?
I don't hear that accusation at all. My cause is not about religion, but about the balance of power. If Israel were a Christian country, I would say the same thing. It is not normal for a foreign country to have so much influence over our politics, especially when we pay for the vast majority of their defense. The relationship should be reciprocal. We cannot attack Iran simply because the Israelis want it.
But doesn't America have a moral responsibility to protect Israel, given that it is surrounded by enemies?
Defense is one thing, attack is another. When they were attacked on October 7, 2023, it was right to help them. But it is not right for them to dictate when we should go to war with Iran. Our cultural familiarity with them should not blind our strategic judgment. We have always defended Israel, but we must stop being party to their attacks that endanger us as well.
You lost your wife in the war in Syria. How much does this personal history influence your attitudes today?
Give me clarity. To me, the cost of war is not abstract. I know what it means to raise children alone after such a loss. In Iraq, I realized that we had been lied to about going to war. I told myself that if I ever had the opportunity to prevent the deaths of other American boys and girls, I would speak up.
In my resignation letter, I wrote, among other things, that my wife died in an “Israeli-made war,” because the Israeli lobby and neoconservatives insisted on intervention in Iraq and Syria, which led to the creation of ISIS.
What happens if the campaign against Iran continues according to this plan?
I fear that killing Iranian leaders will only radicalize them further. Iran is a large country with a strong will to fight. If we continue like this, we will either be forced to send ground troops, or Israel will do something drastic, like using nuclear weapons. Trump demands “total surrender,” but that language in a country like Iran only leads to annihilation.
What about domestically in the US, what consequences do you foresee?
If the energy sector goes into full-blown crisis and the Strait of Hormuz is closed, the American economy will be brought to its knees. With our behavior, we are killing confidence in the dollar as a reserve currency, encouraging countries like China to trade in the yuan.
If the dollar collapses, the “America First” project will be dead. And it would be a missed opportunity, because Trump’s agenda had great ideas, but this war is destroying that legacy. We Americans must put our own interests first before it’s too late. / Adapted from “Pamphlet” by “Unherd”
Për tu admiruar ky politikan. Sionistët e gjithë botës ju kundërvunë Donald Tramp, rrjedhimisht SHBA dhe dollarit. Mjaftë është mjaftë. SHBA duhet të hyjnë në bisedime dhe nëse Sionistët shkojnë edhe të vetëm trim në luftë, le të vazhdojnë.
B R A V O !!!!!!!!!! Uroj te kete sa me shume BURRA TRIMA AMERIKAN qe mendojne SAKTE dhe me kembe ne Toke. Trumpi ESHTE I DESHTUAR,fale Izraelit. E P I C F A I L U R E !!!
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