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‘Top Story,’ Ep. 18: Michael Pregent: Afghanistan ‘Ended US Credibility in Middle East’

Intelligence analyst and military veteran Michael Pregent joins JNS editor-in-chief Jonathan S. Tobin to discuss the debacle in Afghanistan and the implications of the Taliban’s triumph for American security and for its allies.

The two talk about the incompetence and misguided hopes that led to the Biden administration’s decision to withdraw from Afghanistan so quickly and inefficiently, as well as how these events might impact international terrorism. They also discussed the threat from Iran and trust in the United States by both friends and foes, and what lessons Israel needs to learn from recent events.

“Top Story” also airs on JBS-TV on Wednesdays at 7 p.m.; and on Thursdays at 11 a.m. and at 5:30 p.m.

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Jonathan S. Tobin is editor-in-chief of the Jewish News Syndicate, a senior contributor for The Federalist, a columnist for Newsweek and a contributor to many other publications. He covers the American political scene, foreign policy, the U.S.-Israel relationship, Middle East diplomacy, the Jewish world and the arts. He hosts the JNS “Think Twice” podcast, both the weekly video program and the “Jonathan Tobin Daily” program, which are available on all major audio platforms and YouTube. Previously, he was executive editor, then senior online editor and chief political blogger, for Commentary magazine. Before that, he was editor-in-chief of The Jewish Exponent in Philadelphia and editor of the Connecticut Jewish Ledger. He has won more than 60 awards for commentary, art criticism and other writing. He appears regularly on television, commenting on politics and foreign policy. Born in New York City, he studied history at Columbia University.
The U.S. has “flattened” Iran’s air defenses and defense industrial base, including the factories and production lines supporting missile and drone programs, the American defense secretary said.
“Terrorist propaganda online can incite real-world violence,” stated Pamela Bondi, the U.S. attorney general.
“The Iranian regime executed a 19-year-old for demanding democracy,” stated Sen. John Fetterman. “I stand with his memory and the thousands of other young Iranians.”
More than 70,000 Americans have returned to the United States from the Middle East since the Iran conflict began on Feb. 28.
“If this thing is growing, this inauthentic account is going to deceive more people,” Rep. Chris Smith told JNS. “Especially overseas, where there’s a language barrier or something.”
“We are now part of a process at the International Court of Justice initiated by Nicaragua,” Berlin said. “We have decided to focus on this process.”