Former National Security Advisor John Bolton doesn't mince words: the opening strikes on Iran were just the beginning. In this special bonus episode, Bolton breaks down why he believes the Iranian regime will fragment from within, what the Gulf Arab states are about to do, and how war in Iran affects Russia, Ukraine, and China. 

Then, retired Lt. General Mark Hertling brings the view from the ground. A veteran of multiple Iraq deployments and the former Chief of War Plans on the Joint Staff. Hertling has seen this before. He's asking the question nobody in Washington seems to want to answer: Is there actually a plan for the day after the strikes?

In this episode:

• 01:31 John Bolton

• 04:32 Power Vacuum Risks

• 08:44 Gulf States Reaction

• 10:50 Iran Retaliation Strategy

• 15:16 Israel Influence Question

• 17:03 Oil Shock And Putin

• 19:51 China And Taiwan 

• 23:34 Deterrence And Alliances

• 29:51 Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling

• 34:28 Decapitation and Unrest

• 36:24 Iraq Lessons on Disbandment

• 42:02 Intel Gaps and Planning

• 52:19 Wider Regional Fallout

Show Notes: 

• Opinion | With attack on Iran, U.S. deterrence is being restored - The Washington Post 

• Order Mark Harling’s book: If I Don’t Return: A Father’s Wartime Journal

Lt. General Mark Hertling recorded on March 2, and Amb. John Bolton recorded on March 3. 

Hosted by Sir Richard Dearlove (former MI6 Chief) and Kate McCann (Political Editor at Times Radio). 

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