David Marchese

Israel has nuclear weapons. Right. And so they felt that they should have them. But also because they believed that as one of the Middle East's biggest, oldest powers— they should be a senior member of the nuclear club.

Israel has nuclear weapons. Right. And so they felt that they should have them. But also because they believed that as one of the Middle East's biggest, oldest powers— they should be a senior member of the nuclear club.

But at the same time, they've been nervous about it because they know that as soon as they get too close to a weapon, the chances that the Israelis attack, maybe with American support, is very high. So in 2003, for example, after the United States had invaded Afghanistan and then Iraq,

But at the same time, they've been nervous about it because they know that as soon as they get too close to a weapon, the chances that the Israelis attack, maybe with American support, is very high. So in 2003, for example, after the United States had invaded Afghanistan and then Iraq,

The Iranians deeply feared they may be next, and their political leadership sent out a message to the scientists running the nuclear weapons program that says, hey, maybe this isn't such a great idea. Let's take a pause on this whole thing. And so they continued to produce nuclear fuel.

The Iranians deeply feared they may be next, and their political leadership sent out a message to the scientists running the nuclear weapons program that says, hey, maybe this isn't such a great idea. Let's take a pause on this whole thing. And so they continued to produce nuclear fuel.

But they did so relatively slowly, and in 2013, President Obama started a secret series of talks, and that turned into a negotiation that two years later turned out to be a way to cap the Iranian nuclear programs. Right, just kind of stall it out, freeze it in place. Freeze it in place and ship 97% of the fuel that they had already produced out to Russia.

But they did so relatively slowly, and in 2013, President Obama started a secret series of talks, and that turned into a negotiation that two years later turned out to be a way to cap the Iranian nuclear programs. Right, just kind of stall it out, freeze it in place. Freeze it in place and ship 97% of the fuel that they had already produced out to Russia.

And, you know, this was an agreement that had some flaws in it. You know, over time, the Iranians under the agreement were allowed to begin to figure out how to make uranium more efficiently. And basically, by 2030... They would have no restraints at all. But Obama thought this was actually a pretty good bet. After all, Ayatollah Khamenei was old. He was believed to be suffering from cancer.

And, you know, this was an agreement that had some flaws in it. You know, over time, the Iranians under the agreement were allowed to begin to figure out how to make uranium more efficiently. And basically, by 2030... They would have no restraints at all. But Obama thought this was actually a pretty good bet. After all, Ayatollah Khamenei was old. He was believed to be suffering from cancer.

And this would buy some time. And in return, years of sanctions approved by the United Nations and enforced by the U.S. and Europe would get lifted. So for them, there was a lot of inducement to reach the deal. Right.

And this would buy some time. And in return, years of sanctions approved by the United Nations and enforced by the U.S. and Europe would get lifted. So for them, there was a lot of inducement to reach the deal. Right.

Actually, he did it as candidate. It was one of his earliest positions in 2016, that this deal was a giveaway. It was negotiated by idiots and never should have been agreed to. In fact, at one point, Maggie Haberman and I were interviewing him in 2016 in, I think, one of his first foreign policy interviews. And he said, you know, I would have gotten up from the table

Actually, he did it as candidate. It was one of his earliest positions in 2016, that this deal was a giveaway. It was negotiated by idiots and never should have been agreed to. In fact, at one point, Maggie Haberman and I were interviewing him in 2016 in, I think, one of his first foreign policy interviews. And he said, you know, I would have gotten up from the table

And walked away on parts of that agreement. And so I remember pulling out a copy of the agreement, and the Obama agreement was not short. It was like 150 detailed pages. And I said, what part of this would you have walked away from? Well, of course, he fumbled around for a bit. But eventually when I said, well, is it long enough? He said, no, no, no, it doesn't last long enough.

And walked away on parts of that agreement. And so I remember pulling out a copy of the agreement, and the Obama agreement was not short. It was like 150 detailed pages. And I said, what part of this would you have walked away from? Well, of course, he fumbled around for a bit. But eventually when I said, well, is it long enough? He said, no, no, no, it doesn't last long enough.

And, you know, it doesn't actually dismantle anything. So those were his complaints. But the fact of the matter is when he came in as president, his own aide said to him, hey, this thing is working. They're not producing enough fuel to make a single weapon. So we understand that you hate it, but maybe you shouldn't tear it up.

And, you know, it doesn't actually dismantle anything. So those were his complaints. But the fact of the matter is when he came in as president, his own aide said to him, hey, this thing is working. They're not producing enough fuel to make a single weapon. So we understand that you hate it, but maybe you shouldn't tear it up.

Well, you know, Michael, since he left office in January of 2021, a lot has changed for the United States, for Iran, for the state of its nuclear program, even for the Israelis, who, of course, have long been trying to slow this down and threatening to destroy Iran's facilities.

Well, you know, Michael, since he left office in January of 2021, a lot has changed for the United States, for Iran, for the state of its nuclear program, even for the Israelis, who, of course, have long been trying to slow this down and threatening to destroy Iran's facilities.