Sam Faddis

And which justices will you be listening for most closely?

Well, up front, Steve, as you know as well or better than anybody, the president often says things to provoke a response or stake out a position and doesn't necessarily represent where he's ultimately going to end up, but he's making a point.

So he's looking at NATO countries as an example.

in particular Spain, which is not just saying it won't send troops, but is literally denying us overflight, not letting us fly through their airspace and saying, you know, we need you and you're not there.

So in effect, what goes around comes around.

Do not expect on the other side of this ledger that we will forget this and that we will be there for you in all circumstances.

So I get it.

I think that's an important point.

I think it's something that needs to be said.

You guys are free to go your own way, but don't then turn around and think you're going to get a blank check from the United States.

In effect, you're sort of altering the nature of the alliance and there will be consequences.

In regard to where we are in terms of ending the conflict, there are some signs here that I think are hopeful.

you know, that we're beginning to hear some noises from the Iranians, perhaps, and certainly the president's talking about trying to wind this down and conclude this, and that's all.

I think that's great.

You know, it's sort of like you're seeing the first sparks in a fire.

Maybe we're kindling something positive here.

Where I guess I'm, you know, what I'm building up to my great hesitation is I don't think it is a viable solution for us to just leave

and say the Straits are not our issue, particularly in light of what the Iranians are doing.

I mean, they now have, I don't think the bill in their modulus, their parliament has finally passed, but they have a formal declaration that is out of committee.

So it's a draft of their formal government position that says, that codifies that they now control the Straits.