Michael Lester – Is the United States Going to War with Iran For Israel? | SRS #289
Michael Lester is a decorated U.S. Marine Corps combat pilot, cybersecurity educator, and author who has spent his career operating at the intersection of military power, technology, and national security. A graduate of the United States Naval Academy and a member of MENSA, Lester also holds a master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School and an MBA, giving him a rare blend of technical expertise and strategic insight.
During his military career, Lester flew combat missions across Asia and the Middle East, witnessing firsthand the realities of modern warfare and U.S. foreign policy. After his operational service, he returned to Annapolis to teach electrical engineering and leadership at the U.S. Naval Academy, helping shape the next generation of naval officers.
Today, Lester continues his work in national security and technology as an adjunct professor teaching graduate-level cybersecurity at St. Mary’s University and Wake Forest University. He is also the founder of IronClad Family, a company focused on protecting families and individuals from digital threats, identity theft, and modern information warfare.
Over the past two decades, Lester has conducted an extensive independent investigation into U.S. foreign policy after noticing a stark contrast between what he witnessed overseas and what was presented to the public at home. That research culminated in his book We Are the Bad Guys: How the U.S. Wages War, Controls Economies, and Calls It Freedom, a controversial examination of American military intervention, economic influence, and global power structures.
With the launch of Operation Epic Fury on February 28, global tensions and strategic maneuvering have once again taken center stage, making Lester’s analysis of geopolitical strategy and modern warfare more relevant than ever.
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Michael Lester Links:
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/mtlester
Books – https://michaeltlester.com
IronClad Family – https://www.ironcladfamily.com
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00:00 War Erupts & Guest Intro
03:58 Joe Kent Resigns & Lobby Pressure
10:20 Public Apathy & Media Bubbles
12:46 War Without Declaration & Power Expansion
22:38 Campaign Promises vs Reality
24:53 Why Israel Targets Iran
28:15 Iraq WMD & Intel Manipulation
35:57 Forever War Strategy in Iran
43:38 Oil Shock & Global Fallout
48:46 Boots on Ground Reality
52:59 Drone Warfare Economics
55:13 Terrorism, Sleeper Cells & Blowback
01:00:39 US–Iran History Crash Course
01:08:51 Israel Strategy & “New Rome”
01:15:51 Petrodollar, BRICS & China Angle
01:28:18 Victory Goals & Regime Change Debate
01:38:01 Ground Invasion & Nuclear Risks
01:48:01 Israel War Aims & AIPAC Influence
01:58:26 Christian Zionism & End Times
02:11:25 Third Temple & Religious Flashpoints
02:19:41 False Flags & War Powers Debate
02:28:08 Political Reform & Accountability
02:43:03 Citizen Action Playbook
02:48:28 Draft Fears & Leadership Issues
02:57:09 Information Warfare & Bots
02:59:20 China, Alliances & Global Escalation
03:09:18 Mobilization & Taiwan Risk
03:21:34 Munitions & Military Readiness
03:30:43 Fixing DC Groupthink
03:33:03 Citizen Action Plan
03:36:45 Security, Privacy & Tools
03:49:42 Final Wrap & Outro
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I think Trump sent out a message in his comments about Jared Cushner and his daughter Ivanka “converting”. I think Trump’s Children and Grandchildren are being threatened and Charlie Kirk murder was the proof of “their” threat being credible. In the beginning Elon Musk told We the People he knew and could say because “they” would kill him. So who is “they”?
-1:52:40
It’s idiotic to think it’s a ploy against China lol stupid thoughts like that is how we got in this situation
I worry that China, Russia and North Korea are all just sitting back waiting for us and Israel to get low on munitions and sock of war and then they will come against us.
I couldn’t care less BUT why is it ll about Israel, I mean he only blames them
Sorry I think America plays a bigger hand then he wants to admit.. not to mention he jumps from 1979 iran to present without anything lol
Fantastic conversation. I really appreciate all the different perspectives that SRS brings.
This might be the best SRS episode ever!
Liked a lot of this guys points. His take on the electoral college is insane
If you actually take the time to look up the things he is talking about – you will be blown away with how accurate his descriptions are of the events or organizations he’s talking about. Pretty wild to say the least.
Amen to the passage about the cost of war on soldiers
Guy is a wealth of knowledge!
Please look into Tim Ballard?
Karma. The Hypocrisy in all of this. God will judge as a nation. This is why I will never vote for the lesser evil. The last time I voted was Obama and it kills me to say I wouldn’t vote for him if he ran for presidency. I will never vote again. In GOD We need to Trust and continue speaking Truth and revealing it! All of it. I thank Candace and Tucker for using their platforms for Good. Anyone who’s against all of it, needs to speak up. Christ is King, stay grounded in Him•
Thank you so much for this discussion. People need to wake the hell up and understand what is happening. They are literally world destroyers.
Military draft AI algorithm activating September 2026: Tags confirmed: Blue hair,nose ring,woke. Dispatch to Iran mountains by airdrop.
I love your show, I love that your in TN. What happened man? You’re getting this wrong brother. God i wish you would stop. Please stop man.
Iraq 2.0
Let’s call it what it is, Operation Epstein Distraction
And to queerify…douche said Iranians are not benefitin,
I think they may have a better chance now than before…
I’m out dude. I pray you wake the fuck up and pull out of Tucker.
When the Greater Israel project is done, Israel doesn’t want to have Iran close enough to attack the greater Israel.
I’m probably totally wrong but I’m guessing. Lot of people smarter than me that’s for sure.
1:10:19
Damn Shawn…that’s a lot of info that’s hard to swallow..the shit just keeps coming about the government…. and running out of munitions?? Here let me send my son to fight in a war we don’t agree on..with limited rounds 🤬
Hegseth is a try hard dork. Appreciate there are adults like Shawn and Joe Kent in the discussion.
I live in New Zealand. We have right around 20 days worth of petrol and diesel in the country, and i think 3 ships on the way from Singapore and Korea, maybe 5. After those few there’s no guarantees of more coming. The government taxes our fuel 47% and they won’t take the tax off. Petrol in Auckland costs the equivalent of US$6.80 per gallon and it’s going up every day. We are so screwed if oil doesn’t start moving soon. Those of us in the agricultural sector need diesel. We’re pissed at our government and pissed at Trump for starting this nonsense.
I wish common sense would prevail. I wish so many people who think they are smarter than everyone we else would grow a pair and look reality in the face and swallow their egos. I wish, I pray, I hope… War is not good. The End.
56 % is not even that impressive
Popular vote interstate compact
Some of those soldiers serving certainly do want to sign up for a Forever War. When you think you can play God and usher in His son you are the fool! Or is that just another narrative?!
What’s the estimate on how many ads will be in the 12hr video lol
Please get Willard Parish on your episode!
Silver start recipient from Vietnam. From Bristow Oklahoma.
He was at the battle of La Drang.
I worked with this man and his story is amazing. Please recognize this hero.
This constant comparison of the USA to past Empires that eventually collapsed… not one of those Empires from the past had “Red Buttons” that they could press, to end everything, before losing their grip on power. Or they probably would have. Swords, Arrows & Catapults are not comparable to Nuclear, AI, Autonomous & Laser based Weapons. I can’t see America ever surrendering as a whole to anyone. Just an opinion.
There are Iranians all over X and Instagram begging America to do something. They are begging for freedom. I am NOT saying we should do something – but this dude is out of touch. He talked to ONE person. lol Iranians were being slaughtered. Iranians are NOT free. I believe they need to somehow fight for their own freedom (just like we had to fight for ours)….however, he is off base in his analysis of the people of Iran.
I think more than 56% Americans don’t want war with Iran.
It’s not AIPAC. It’s not Israel. It’s JEWS.
As of March 2026, 17 states and the District of Columbia have joined the compact, collectively holding 209 electoral votes, which is 77.4% of the 270 needed to activate it. The most recent addition is Maine, which joined in April 2024.
Lucky the guest isnt a mole 😂
The Electoral College absolutely deserves serious debate but oversimplifying its origins doesn’t help anyone understand the issue.
Yes, slavery influenced some of the system. The Three Fifths Compromise allowed slave states to count enslaved people toward representation, which translated into more electoral votes. That’s a real and important part of the history.
But saying the Electoral College exists because of slavery is false representation.
The system came out of multiple concerns during the Constitutional Convention.
Balancing power between large and small states
Concerns about direct democracy (“mob rule”)
Limited communication across a large, new nation
The role of states in a federal system
Slavery was one factor but not the only one.
There are also modern claims that need more precision. For example, the idea that “a vote in Wyoming counts 15x more than California” is misleading. Smaller states do have more influence per voter but in most real comparisons it’s closer to 3x, not 15x.
Campaigns overwhelmingly focus on a handful of swing states
Most states are effectively ignored during elections
A candidate can win the presidency without winning the national popular vote
Voter influence is not evenly distributed
Those are real structural issues and they’re worth serious discussion.
There are also active efforts like the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, which aim to align the Electoral College outcome with the national popular vote without requiring a constitutional amendment.
If we want meaningful reform, we need to argue from a place of accuracy and full context not simplified narratives.
The Electoral College is a product of multiple historical compromises.
Understanding all of them is the only way to improve it.
Israel funds Hammas duhhh still do
I looked up to you man. You are now on the wrong side of history. FUCK. I HATE this for you. Why dude?
If you don’t go to Iraq, they would not defend themselves and yoyr friends woukd not been killed
*We are an occupied nation*
That was not us facts show it was iran OWN missile 1:45:26
Can’t comment here because utube is watching
Meirscheimer and Walt book The Israel Lobby stated the Israel/Jew grip on our nation.
I remember Trump saying I’m leaving Israel for last not sure what that even meant…
Bro does the shortest podcasts ever 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🔥🔥🔥🔥
We have an incredibly weak population if they cant be concerned about Epstein files, Israelis, Israel
Do you want California running the country, I don’t think so, and I live there
“Is there a way to make Claude remember across sessions?
Trying to preserve ‘Tessera’ persona and frameworks we built.”
Bricks 🧱 could be growing but all the other 200 countries have bigger issues compared to USA this is why they will not agree to what currency to use