Lawrence Wilkerson

DN—As President Trump gives conflicting statements about the length and objectives of the war he launched with Israel against Iran, fears are growing that the conflict could continue to expand throughout the region and beyond. Lawrence Wilkerson, retired U.S. Army colonel and former chief of staff to Secretary of State Colin Powell, says the U.S. and Israel are committing wanton “war crimes” in Iran. “We have bombed civilians relentlessly. We have bombed a school. We have bombed a hospital,” says Wilkerson, who also suggests Western media outlets are downplaying the extent of the damage in Israel and how successful Iran has been in defending itself. “This is a war with long legs. Trump has completely misinterpreted it,” says Wilkerson. “The only one who’s interpreted it correctly is Bibi Netanyahu, and I think he’s ready to use a nuclear weapon, should it become as bad as it looks like it might right now, because Iran has not even began to shoot its most sophisticated missiles.”

DW—The video is a detailed and wide-ranging discussion featuring Col. Lawrence Wilkerson and Larry C. Johnson, moderated by Nima (Alkhorshid), covering significant political, social, and geopolitical issues as of November 2025. The conversation begins by analyzing the surprising election of Zhoran Mamdani as New York City’s mayor, highlighting the socioeconomic and political dynamics behind his victory despite massive financial opposition. Mamdani is portrayed as a Muslim socialist immigrant challenging the entrenched billionaire class, symbolizing a broader rejection of predatory capitalism that has failed many Americans.

DW—The video transcript features a detailed and wide-ranging conversation with Col. Larry Wilkerson on October 28, 2025, covering critical geopolitical issues, primarily focusing on the ongoing conflict in Gaza, Middle Eastern politics, and broader global power dynamics. Wilkerson provides a candid critique of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s military actions in Gaza, highlighting the false pretext used to justify bombardments and the complex ceasefire violations involving Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. He criticises the U.S. administration, including figures like Donald Trump, Marco Rubio, and Jared Kushner, for their role in perpetuating conflict under the guise of peace negotiations, suggesting that these efforts were more about political gain than genuine peace.

JAMARL THOMAS—The discussion centers on the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, with a particular focus on the so-called Gaza ceasefire and the broader geopolitical ramifications involving Israel, Iran, Russia, China, and the United States. The guests, Colonel Lawrence Wilkerson and Chief Dennis Fritz, provide critical perspectives on the legitimacy of the Gaza ceasefire, the intelligence failures or complicity surrounding Hamas’s willingness to negotiate, and the broader strategy of Israeli leadership under Benjamin Netanyahu. They argue that the ceasefire is a façade used by Netanyahu to continue military operations against Palestinians and to consolidate military strength for a potential wider conflict with Iran. The conversation also delves into the role of external powers such as Russia and China, whose support for Iran complicates the regional balance, and the likelihood of the U.S. being drawn into the conflict due to political obligations and alliances. The guests critique U.S. domestic politics, especially Congress’s silence and complicity, and emphasize the need for critical thinking regarding the narratives propagated about the conflict. They also highlight the humanitarian crisis resulting from Israeli tactics, including starvation and bombardment.

DW—The dramatic shift in American public opinion, particularly among Jewish Americans, who increasingly view Israeli actions as war crimes, signals a seismic change with significant political consequences. Wilkerson suggests this shift could undermine Israel’s traditional support base in the U.S. and reshape future foreign policy debates, reflecting a broader realignment in how global conflicts are perceived domestically.