Topic: Gunboats

McInnes advocates for a return to "gunboat diplomacy" and the Monroe Doctrine to secure American interests in the Western Hemisphere and the Middle East. He argues that destroying Iran's nuclear capability and navy is a positive outcome, regardless of the catalyst. Jones warns that the Iranian situation is unique due to the geographical "honeycomb" of the Strait of Hormuz, which makes traditional military intervention difficult.

A caller critiques host Harrison Smith for ridiculing Trump, while the primary host defends the need for diverse perspectives within the network. The discussion touches on "gunboat diplomacy" and the Monroe Doctrine, arguing that while removing dictators like Maduro might be justified, the current Iran policy is a disaster. The host also addresses past disagreements with Owen Shroyer regarding perceived censorship.

The 1966 film "The Sand Pebbles" illustrates the era of the U.S. Navy's "Asiatic Fleet" patrolling the Yangtze River in China. This period of Western gunboats operating deep within foreign territory ended as nations developed the means to fight back. Today, the U.S. Navy faces a similar decline in the Persian Gulf, where it can no longer operate safely within range of Iranian missiles.

The current administration's reliance on "gunboat diplomacy" and maximalist demands is labeled as incompetent and reckless when applied to a major nuclear power like Russia. While such tactics may have worked with North Korea, they are deemed inappropriate for the current geopolitical landscape involving Russia and China. The risk of a miscalculation leading to global catastrophe is presented as the primary threat facing the planet.