Scott Ritter: Russia remains firm on its "special military operation" goals in Ukraine, including territorial demands, reducing Ukraine’s military, and blocking NATO membership. Russia advances across front lines, targeting infrastructure.
U.S. is cutting critical munitions (e.g., Patriot missiles, artillery) due to depleted stockpiles, leaving Ukraine vulnerable. Ritter calls Ukraine a "hospice patient" nearing collapse.
Larry Johnson: U.S. can’t ramp up production for modern warfare, contrasting slow F-35 production (18-24 months) with WWII-era B-24 bombers (18 hours).
Trump-Putin Dialogue
Ritter: Recent Trump-Putin call focused on re-engagement, Iran, Gaza, and cultural exchanges to counter U.S. Russophobia, not Ukraine specifically. Putin reiterated Russia’s unyielding stance.
Johnson: Putin’s talks with Trump and Macron tested for softening on Russia’s demands, which remain firm on addressing war’s root causes and new territorial realities.
Iran’s Nuclear Program
Ritter: Iranian officials (Oct 2024) claimed near nuclear weapons capability, fueling U.S./Israeli fears. Iran’s 60% enriched uranium makes it a threshold state, though no final bomb decision exists.
Iran agreed (June 2025) to limit enrichment to 3.75% and allow U.S. inspectors, but U.S.-Israeli strikes (June 12-13) disrupted this. Ritter urges Iran to avoid provocative rhetoric; both criticize Israel’s IAEA influence.
Johnson: Loss of IAEA access blinded Western intelligence on Iran’s program, necessitating Russia’s help to restore inspections.
Johnson: Israel’s small size makes it vulnerable (e.g., one airport loss halts civilian flights), unlike Iran, which absorbs damage due to its size and population.
Both: Netanyahu’s U.S. visit (post-July 4, 2025) seeks continued support, domestic political leverage, and intelligence restoration. Rumors of B-2 bomber transfers dismissed due to Israel’s history of leaking U.S. tech.
Netanyahu’s Agenda
Ritter: Netanyahu aims to project U.S. support for his leadership, avoid escalation with Iran, and navigate domestic legal issues, with Trump interfering via sanction threats.
Johnson: Israel needs IAEA access to rebuild intelligence networks in Iran after exposing operatives.
Description:
The video opens with breaking news, including a major Israeli airstrike into Damascus, Syria—reportedly hitting the presidential palace. The guest, Larry Johnson (former CIA analyst), criticizes U.S. and Israeli involvement in backing radical Sunni militants like Al-Julani, the head of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a former terrorist organization recently removed from the U.S. terrorism list. Johnson argues that the U.S. and its allies helped empower such groups, which are now attacking the Druze community in southern Syria—prompting Israel to intervene, claiming to defend the Druze, though geopolitical and historical interests are likely involved.
Johnson warns this conflict is escalating and could pull in Iran, especially after the June 13th strike that galvanized the region's Shia communities. He says this will likely broaden the war rather than contain it.
The discussion then shifts to Donald Trump’s perceived unreliability—particularly regarding Ukraine. Trump had previously promised to end the Russia-Ukraine war within 24 hours, later calling it “sarcasm,” and now has issued a 50-day ultimatum to Russia. Johnson criticizes Trump’s contradictory statements and lack of policy consistency, attributing it to ignorance, reliance on media soundbites, and possible age-related cognitive decline. He also highlights Trump’s past contributions to escalating tensions in Ukraine through arms support and military exercises during his first term.
The segment concludes by underscoring Trump’s pattern of making bold, unfulfilled promises, making it difficult to take his current ultimatums seriously.
Description:
President Donald Trump has issued a series of inflammatory posts on Truth Social indicating the U.S. now has “complete control” of the skies over Iran and suggesting he knows the location of Iran’s Supreme Leader, calling him an “easy target” but stating they won’t strike “for now.” He also demanded “unconditional surrender” from Iran, implying potential U.S. military action if provocations continue. This follows a national security meeting after his abrupt return from the G7 summit.
Analyst Larry Johnson, a former CIA official, reacted with alarm, saying Trump appears poised to launch a war against Iran without congressional approval, a decision he calls reckless and politically disastrous. Johnson warns this could split Trump’s base and likens it to the Iraq War—calling it another conflict based on misinformation. Prominent Trump allies like Tucker Carlson, Steve Bannon, Candace Owens, and Charlie Kirk have voiced strong opposition, fearing it will destroy Trump's presidency and damage the U.S. long-term.
Tucker Carlson specifically warned it could mark the "end of the American empire" and expressed disappointment that Trump resorted to personal attacks rather than addressing criticism. Johnson echoed this frustration, calling Trump “thin-skinned” and “narcissistic,” and stated he now regrets voting for him. He emphasized that Iran, unlike Israel, complies with international nuclear inspection protocols, and suggested that Trump’s rhetoric is dangerously close to fabricating a new war under false pretenses.
Description:
Larry Johnson is a former intelligence analyst at the CIA, who also worked at the US State Department's Office of Counterterrorism. Johnson discusses the mutual focus on the destruction of energy infrastructure, and how Europe may be entering a prerevolutionary moment.
Former CIA analyst Larry Johnson discusses the U.S.'s dangerous stance towards Iran, revealing the shocking truth behind Trump's dismissal of intelligence, his embrace of Israeli claims, and the looming threat of military escalation. Tune in for a deep dive into the political maneuvering and the potential consequences for global peace.
Description:
Former CIA analyst Larry Johnson breaks down the behind-the-scenes chaos of the Iran-Israel conflict—covert ops, cyber sabotage, and secret letters to Putin. Who really stopped the war—and who lit the match?
TIMELINE:
00:00:00 Trump’s Firestorm Begins
00:01:15 Iran Strike Blueprint
00:03:01 CIA-Mossad Covert Ops
00:04:28 Iran’s Radars Blinded
00:06:59 Russia’s Offer Rejected
00:08:00 IAEA Failed Iran
00:10:07 Iran Hits Back
00:13:41 Kabuki War Games
00:15:46 Khamenei’s Secret Letter
00:17:14 Iran’s New Axis
00:20:15 Regime Change Playbook
Description:
Former US Marine Corps intel officer Scott Ritter argues that Russia is making history on the frontlines of Ukraine by changing the rules of war themselves, and it's devastating Ukraine & NATO along with it. Scott Ritter is joined by Larry Johnson to describe a geopolitical game changer no one is talking about. This video was recorded August 2025 but remains relevant to the changing character of the conflict.
Counter Currents host Larry Johnson provides his analysis of Steve Witkoff's recent interview with Tucker Carlson on the Trump administration's Middle East strategy, highlighting key points about Hamas, Hezbollah, and the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Here are some of the questions discussed:
* What role does Steve Witkoff play in shaping Trump’s approach to the Middle East, particularly in relation to Hamas and the Palestinian issue?
* How does Witkoff's lack of understanding of the Zionist-Palestinian conflict affect his negotiation efforts?
* Why does Witkoff believe Hamas cannot be allowed to exist, and how does this view contrast with the Palestinian demand for self-determination?
* How does the Trump administration’s view on Iran shape its policies in the broader Middle East, including its handling of Syria and Hamas?
Larry Johnson is a former intelligence analyst at the CIA, who also worked at the US State Department's Office of Counterterrorism. Johnson discusses what to expect from the meeting in Alaska aimed at ending the war.
Description:
Russia produces 600 drones a day. Ukraine “doesn’t exist as a state anymore.” What’s really happening in the war no one in Western media wants to talk about?
Former CIA analyst Larry Johnson and military expert Andrei Martyanov break down how the U.S. has lost strategic ground, why NATO’s plans are failing, and what comes next.
Vladimir Putin just upped the ante unveiling a massive test of new nuclear capable missiles and underwater drones that have sent shockwaves of fear down Trump & NATO's spine. Now Russian legislators are hinting at a possible transfer of Oreshniks to Venezuela as the US escalates toward a catastrophic regime change war against the government of Nicholas Maduro. Larry Johnson and Col. Lawrence Wilkerson Join to break down the significance of these developments and where it's all heading.
Description:
Former CIA analyst Larry Johnson drops a BOMBSHELL on Trump's "peace plan" for Gaza, arguing that it has already fallen apart as Israel lashes out in an attempt to stave off an embarrassing defeat which is leaving it globally isolated and militarily exposed. Matt Kennard and Patrick Henningsen also break down the crisis unfolding.
Description:
Colonel Douglas Macgregor joins Larry Johnson to expose the real lessons of the Ukraine War 2025 — from Russia’s evolving strategy to NATO’s critical failures in modern warfare.
Timeline:
00:00 Defining Maneuver Warfare
05:23 Russian Commanders and Attitudes toward War
07:44 Underestimating the Enemy – Historical Parallels
12:32 Early Observations of the Ukraine War
21:48 Adaptation and Learning in Russian Forces
24:25 NATO and Organizational Weakness
28:48 Russian General Staff and Leadership Selection
32:28 Cultural and Tactical Blindness in Western Training
38:14 Current U.S. Deployments and Logistical Limits
40:05 Drones and the Changing Face of Warfare
42:02 Ukrainian Collapse and End of the War
Description:
Former CIA analyst Larry Johnson joins us to break down the Israeli attack on Iran and the shadowy role of the United States. Was Washington complicit? Could this trigger a wider regional war across West Asia?
Description:
The road to war in Ukraine is paved with secretive NATO military exercises, growing tensions, and covert strategies that have shaped the modern geopolitical landscape. From 1992 to the present, military maneuvers involving the U.S., NATO, and Ukraine have set the stage for the ongoing conflict. Dive into the untold history and the strategic military operations that have been crucial in the buildup to one of the world's most volatile confrontations with Counter Currents host Larry Johnson.
TIMELINE:
(00:00:00) The Road to War in Ukraine: A History of NATO's Military Exercises
(00:02:05) The Long-Term Strategy Behind NATO and Ukraine's Military Cooperation
(00:05:10) How Ukraine Became a De Facto NATO Member Without Formal Membership
(00:09:47) The Evolution of Ukraine's Military: From Small Forces to Major NATO Drills
(00:14:01) The Role of the Yavoriv Base: NATO’s Unofficial Training Ground
(00:18:24) Why NATO's Military Exercises Targeted Russia as the Enemy
(00:21:00) The Rising Tensions: How Ukraine Was Groomed for War
(00:25:45) Donald Trump and the Dramatic Military Build-Up in Ukraine
(00:30:06) The Hidden Truth Behind NATO’s Aggressive Posture Towards Russia
In this HUGE livestream, geopolitical analysts Scott Ritter, Larry C. Johnson, and Andrei Martyanov join to respond to Russia's warning that NATO targets are on the table in response to the latest round of Ukrainian strikes into Russian territory. It's about to be a massive year of geopolitical turmoil and change in 2025 and we cover what comes next as we enter Trump 2.0.
Geopolitical analyst Pepe Escobar joins Counter Currents host and former CIA analyst Larry Johnson to discuss the following issues:
- Does Donald Trump have any leverage over Russia regarding the Ukraine-Russia conflict?
- What do Trump's actions toward China and BRICS as a whole signify?
- What are Russia's and Iran's stances on the situation in Syria?
Iran, Russia, and China are at the heart of a geopolitical storm, but why did Iran pull back from its aggressive stance? What’s really going on with BRICS and global alliances? In this interview, geopolitical analyst Pepe Escobar helps break down the hidden dynamics that could shape the future of world politics. Watch to understand how Iran, Israel, and BRICS are navigating a complex web of power, strategy, and survival. Don't miss out on the details that are shaping today's global conflicts.
TIMELINE:
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:01:20 - The Growing Power of BRICS and Its Challenge to the U.S.
00:02:47 - U.S. Pressure on Iran: Escobar’s Key Analysis
00:06:05 - BRICS’ Bold Move Against the U.S.
00:07:53 - Russia and China’s Rising Financial Power
00:10:30 - Iran’s Nuclear Ambitions: What’s at Stake?
00:12:17 - Russia’s Military Bond with Iran: A Game Changer?
00:15:54 - Escobar on Iran’s Military Capabilities and Strategy
00:17:43 - Russia, China, and Iran: A New Axis Against the U.S.
00:19:00 - Inside Iran: Power Struggles and Global Influence
00:23:53 - Iran’s Calculated Approach to Beating Up Israel
00:27:52 - Putin and Trump: Global Strategy and Power Plays
00:29:02 - BRICS vs. U.S.: Russia’s Fight for Global Dominance
00:31:43 - The Battle for Hormuz: Iran’s Strategic Calculus
00:34:47 - Putin’s Role in Defending Iran and Strengthening BRICS
00:38:23 - The U.S. and the Global War for Influence
00:41:32 - The Future of Iran’s Nuclear Program and Global Stability
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