DeProgram with John Kiriakou and Ted Rall V-I (in his Imagination) Day | DeProgram with Ted Rall and John Kiriakou
Mar 25, 2026
They debate Trump’s “victory” claims and the real costs of a US-Iran showdown. Troop moves, asymmetric tactics, and risks of occupying Persian Gulf targets come under fire. Airport arrests spark questions about TSA sharing passenger data with ICE. European center-left politics get a moment of resurgence amid recent elections.
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Bombing Won't Topple Iran
- The U.S. and Israel are bombing Iran but not winning because asymmetric warfare favors Iran.
- John Kiriakou and Ted Rall say Iran functions as a modern state with resilient society, so bombing won't topple the regime.
Israel's Impossible War Aims
- Israel's war aims include decapitating Iran's leadership and dismantling the IRGC, goals both hosts call impossible.
- John Kiriakou notes the IRGC runs Iran and internal opposition isn't strong enough to topple the regime.
Don't Present Unenforceable Peace Ultimatums
- Iran will likely reject a 15-point U.S. peace plan resembling the JCPOA and view it as U.S. weakness.
- Ted and John argue the plan demands total dismantling and uranium surrender, making negotiation unlikely.