Dave Smith: Trump is LYING About the Iran Deal

The fastest way to understand American power is to watch where it mysteriously stops. We start with Trump’s constant “deal with Iran is coming” talk, his public back-and-forth over Netanyahu, and the recurring promise that a ceasefire is always just days away. Then we ask the uncomfortable question out loud: if Israel is a US-backed client state that depends on American money, weapons, and diplomatic cover, why does Washington behave like it can’t apply basic pressure behind closed doors?Dave Smith joins me to break down the real mechanics: war powers that flow easily toward escalation, a political current that punishes restraint, and the role of the Israel lobby in shaping what’s “allowed” in US foreign policy. We talk about why leaders perform toughness for the cameras, why that performance can look like humiliation, and why so many people are left speculating about leverage when outcomes don’t match the supposed balance of power.From there we get concrete about the stakes: the Greater Israel project, settlement expansion, the risk of a wider Iran conflict, and the Strait of Hormuz as the most obvious economic lever. We also dig into reports of Israeli espionage, the backlash to a client state spying on its patron, and fears around deeper military integration and data sharing through measures like NDAA Section 224. Finally, we look for political upside in a bleak landscape, including what Thomas Massie’s rise with younger voters signals for anti-war politics and what 2028 could look like if the old narratives keep collapsing.Chapter Markers0:00 Trump’s Claims And Ceasefire Theater1:55 Welcoming Dave Smith And Setup4:05 Who Actually Calls The Shots11:10 Leverage Over Presidents And “Why”16:45 Butler Security Questions And Pressure24:35 Greater Israel And Open Defiance33:10 Iran War Endgame And Hormuz40:55 Israeli Espionage And Data Sharing Fears49:10 Thomas Massie And The Youth Shift54:20 2028 Politics And The Rubio Lane56:05 Final Thoughts And Closing PlugsSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/jim-webb-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy