Israel, Hezbollah and Iran - A Year After October 7 | Victor Davis Hanson

Victor Davis Hanson joins John to explore the 2024 presidential election and the escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, a year after October 7. Hanson criticises President Joe Biden, suggesting his cognitive decline has left a power vacuum in the American government. He also sees Vice President Harris’ policy shifts as strategic rather than genuine, causing confusion among voters about where she truly stands.

Hanson addresses the evolving situation in the Middle East, arguing that Israel must act disproportionately to reestablish deterrence, given Iran’s extensive backing of terror groups like Hezbollah. Hanson warns that Iran’s nuclear ambitions continue to be a destabilising factor, which may lead to a larger global conflict if left unchecked.

Victor Davis Hanson is the Martin and Illie Anderson Senior Fellow in Residence in Classics and Military History at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University. He is a nationally syndicated columnist and has written many books on ancient and modern warfare. His most recent books are The End of Everything: How Wars Descend into Annihilation and The Case for Trump: 2024 Edition.
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00:00:00 - Intro
00:06:02 - The Declining Fitness of Joe Biden and the Question of Leadership
00:12:15 - Kamala Harris’s Candidacy: Radical Policy Shifts and Uncertainty
00:18:35 - The Impact of Vice-Presidential Debates on the 2024 Election
00:24:42 - Trump's Election Struggles: Media Bias and Debate Challenges
00:30:59 - Harris’s Record on Guns, Crime, and Immigration Policies
00:37:11 - Mail-in Ballots and Voter Fraud Concerns in U.S. Elections
00:43:29 - October Surprises: Economic Manipulation and Political Strategy
00:49:40 - U.S. Foreign Policy and the Middle East: Biden’s Approach to Iran
00:55:55 - Israel’s Military Strategy: Dealing with Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran
01:02:10 - Western Nations’ Reliance on Israel for Counterterrorism
01:08:30 - The Disproportionality Debate: How Wars Are Won and Deterred
01:14:45 - Iran’s Role in Middle East Instability and Nuclear Threats
01:21:00 - Lessons from History: Why Proportional Warfare Fails
01:27:15 - Restoring Global Deterrence: The Stakes of Israel’s Success
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Conversations feature John Anderson, former Deputy Prime Minister of Australia, interviewing the world's foremost thought leaders about today's pressing social, cultural and political issues.

John believes proper, robust dialogue is necessary if we are to maintain our social strength and cohesion. As he puts it; "You cannot get good public policy out of a bad public debate."

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[rosaoddin]

Quiet spoken, calm, reasoned conversation - no hyperbole, ranting, gesticulating, impassioned speech attempting to overwhelm listeners. How refreshing! Thank you for the listening pleasure and learning.

[grannyannie]

I love listening to VDH, cheers John.

[junaid]

Such beautifully intelligent conversation! Thanks to both of you.

[jonwarren]

VDH is the most coherent educational commentator on these issues by far. So much to be learnt from the likes of him and Thomas Sowell. Thank you John for bringing these people to us.

[montygoldin]

This is from London. VDH is a sane voice in a mad world. Keep up the good work.

[hittingthewall]

Thank you, John and Victor, for another fascinating and necessary conversation. God bless you both!

[robyncohen]

Thank you VDH, you are an intellectual and moral giant

[dori]

Thank you Victor, Finally sane voice!!!

[PerhapsTodayInAMoment-yoxo]

Mr. Anderson, thank you for having the perennially brilliant and relevantly instructive Victor Davis Hanson on today's broadcast. I am a new subscriber; having become so after seeing VDH as your guest. I appreciate your methodology as a host; which is, actually allowing the guest to not only answer a question to its full extent, but allowing the train of thought to conclude itself before proceeding to the next query. As an American, I am unaware of the political impact you had or continue to have in your native country. My heart tells me Australia is all the better because of you and your contribution. Thank you again sir.

[wallacebrucker]

This man, Victor David Hanson, is a national treasure. He explains complex events in a manner that is easy to understand for everyone.

[worsethanjoerogan]

Love Victor Davis Hanson. I feel educated every time i listen to him.

[amirkini]

As an Iranian I would like to ask everyone use the term 'Islamic Repulic' or at least Iranian regime instesd of Iran. Iranians are patriotic and despise the islamic regime. We stand with Israel and we have a common enemy which is the ayatollah regime.

[nigelransley]

The knowledge and insight of VDH continues to amaze me. Great piece.

[veralevy]

Victor Davis is a very smart man and people should listen to him. He is one of the voices with the reason.
As an Israeli, I thank you very much. You are one of the rare voices in our world today and I wish there would be more.!

[patriciakimball]

I just adore John & Victor ❤. Such fine men in every way. 🙏🏼

[martaalvarez]

Extraordinary analysis and perspctive of the two most current events that have plagued the world in this past year: The Hamas attack on Israel and its response, and the Presidential campaign in the US. Thank you Mr. Anderson and Mr. Davis Hanson.

[autumnleaves]

I discovered Victor Davis Hanson thanks to hearing him interviewed by Jordan Peterson, they were discussing the state of academia in North America. He is calm, articulate, well-informed, and full of common sense. It is always an enlightening experience to listen to the erudite Victor Davis Hanson. Israel has the right to exist and defend itself. The Jewish people have always punched above their weight, just think of all the Jewish scientists who won the Nobel Prize. This was an excellent interview, thanks to John Anderson and Victor Davis Hanson. 👍

[Cmbswims]

Victor David Hanson, An American Treasure! A true truth sayer. Thank You Dr. Hanson!!!❤❤❤

[rosaoddin]

John is a great host, he invites guests and lets them speak - not overpowering them and airing his own thoughts, views.

[petergardner]

If only the West woukd listen to Victor Davis Hanson!