With the help of our special guest Ryan Grim, in our latest conversation about the ongoing mess of a war Trump is waging on Iran, we take a close look at the media narratives shielding Trump from ultimate responsibility for that conflict. In one of those narratives, Saudi Arabia becomes a main architect of the war in pursuit of its own economic and political interests. This line we’ve been fed on Saudi Arabia’s position in the conflict might have made sense at the most basic level — it has been a close ally for the U.S. in the Middle East — but the narrative pays no attention to the fallout that this conflict has had on Saudi Arabia’s own industry, not to mention on the industries of other Gulf Arab states. The region’s luxury tourism industry has been devastated, and while the conflict may not fully impair Saudi’s ability to deliver oil, that situation is far more grave for the other countries relying on the Strait of Hormuz. Hence the recent refusal of the Saudis to allow the U.S. into their airspace, forcing Trump to backpedal on Project Freedom.

Unlike Saudi Arabia, though, Israel is actively fueling the flames of this war and likely will continue to do so as peace talks advance and a potential permanent end to the conflict comes into view. Hugh Hewitt was willing to say out loud what many others are thinking: that Israel should blow up the negotiations to pursue its own political interests. Israel’s massive strike on Beirut after last month’s ceasefire agreement is an object lesson in precisely this craven willingness to place civilians’ lives in danger in the name of regional dominance. Our conversation then turns to the future: what will make peace possible? And what might make Trump and Netanyahu want to undermine it?

Thanks for tuning in. You can listen to this conversation as a podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other major streaming platforms.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit krystalkyleandfriends.substack.com/subscribe