#2474 - Dave Smith

Dave Smith and Joe Rogan provide a critical examination of the history and ongoing patterns of U.S. foreign policy, particularly its tendency toward elective wars, the influence of the military-industrial complex, and renewed tensions around possible conflict with Iran.

Us Government's Tendency for Elective Wars

U.S. History of Unjustified Interventions

Smith and Rogan recount how the U.S. has a longstanding history of military interventions that were neither directly justified nor popular. Rogan cites the Vietnam War as a classic example, initiated after the questionable Gulf of Tonkin incident and resisted by the American public, with many asking why the U.S. was even involved. Smith refers to “Vietnam syndrome” as the aversion among Americans to support further unnecessary wars after Vietnam’s failures. He argues U.S. presidents have tried to “defeat” this syndrome with swift campaigns in Panama and Iraq, but points out that, despite public fatigue, the U.S. continued interventions: “after the Persian Gulf War in '92, we went on to be bombing Iraq for ever since, essentially. I mean, for 30 straight years.”

Smith notes similar patterns in Latin America, referencing U.S. interventions in Guatemala, Nicaragua, Cuba, and Mexico, as well as the disastrous outcomes in the Middle East and North Africa. Rogan and Smith discuss how the intervention in Libya—championed by then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton—led to the collapse of the state and exacerbated instability, with Clinton famously laughing about Gaddafi’s death on live TV. Smith concludes, “Libya still is [a failed state]. This whole time, man. It's been a disaster.”

Us-led Wars in Iraq, Libya, Syria, and Afghanistan: High Death Tolls, Destabilization, and Little Us Security Benefit

The hosts emphasize that elective wars in Iraq, Libya, Syria, and Afghanistan resulted in massive casualties, severe regional destabilization, and negligible benefit to U.S. security. Smith references the “slaughtering [of] Muslim children in the Middle East and in northern Africa” as treated in the West as “an acceptable political price,” and argues this approach creates generational animosity towards the United States. Smith laments, “after just 25 years of catastrophic failures, launching wars of choice, wars of aggression, lying the American people into it, just slaughtering millions of people and like bankrupting this country and really severely degrading the country with these wars,” the lesson has not been learned.

Smith scrutinizes public justification for these wars, noting that reasons are often shifting and unconvincing. He says American leaders frequently invoke humanitarian rhetoric, but the U.S. routinely partners with authoritarian regimes, exposing a contradiction in declared motives.

Potential For Us-iran Conflict

Concerns Over Us Pressure From Israel and Hawks to Confront Iran Without Clear Threat

Smith and Rogan discuss rising tensions and the risk of war with Iran, noting pressure from Israel and U.S. hawks for confrontation absent a direct threat. Smith claims that Israeli leaders, like Prime Minister Netanyahu, have long made regime change in Iran a goal, and points out how political lobbying influences U.S. decisions. Smith references Ariel Sharon’s preference for attacking Iran over Iraq, and describes how Israeli officials push for U.S. military involvement.

Rogan discusses the potential for escalation driven by Iran’s support for groups like Hezbollah and notes that Israel sees Iran as a major threat. Smith is critical of Netanyahu's motivation, stating, “this is a regime change and he even said it will require ground forces. And he said he's not sure who those ground forces will be.” Smith sees Netanyahu’s influence as significant: “He has been trying to lie our government into this war for my entire lifetime.”

Skepticism About Us Motives and Outcomes in Middle East Interventions Stems From Past Deceptive War Justifications

Skepticism about the true motives and likely outcomes for more Middle Eastern interventions permeates the discussion. Smith contends that justifications for war are misleading and often based on dubious intelligence or outright falsehoods, such as claims that Iran is racing toward nuclear weapons. Smith and Rogan both point out that even when Iran complied with agreements like the JCPOA (Iran deal), U.S. or Israeli actions would undermine these diplomatic efforts.

Smith recounts congressional testimony where a U.S. intelligence official deflected responsibility for determining imminent threats, instead deferring to the president, which Smith finds dangerous and dishonest. He highlights the way officials justify military action with ever-shifting pretexts and insists, “we don’t fight wars on humanitarian grounds… that’s not really what’s motivating this here,” given U.S. alliances with authoritarian regimes and continued funding for Israeli military actions.

Smith also notes the vastness and difficulty of militarily occupying Iran, a nation wit ...

Joe Rogan and Dave Smith discuss concerns about corruption at the highest levels of US politics, focusing on insider trading by officials and the significant influence of Israel on US foreign policy decisions. They argue these issues undermine both public trust and the prioritization of American interests.

Insider Trading and Self-Enrichment by Officials

Government Figures, Including Commerce Secretary, Allegedly Profiting From Policy Decisions or Insider Information

Rogan and Smith discuss accusations against a government official, identified as Howard Lutnik, the commerce secretary, who allegedly stood to profit from policy decisions. Specifically, Lutnik was accused of betting against the tariffs he publicly promoted, assuring the public that there would be no issues with the tariffs while personally shorting them for financial gain. Rogan emphasizes the conflict of interest, noting that while Lutnik was telling everyone that tariffs were fine, he was making bets against them. Smith adds that Lutnik stood to make a lot of money if the tariffs were struck down, highlighting the alleged self-enrichment by someone involved in setting policy.

There is also discussion about the reporting on whether Lutnik’s firm profited after a Supreme Court ruling on tariffs. Rogan tries to clarify the details and acknowledges confusion regarding what was reported and what actually occurred, mentioning that old firms and Lutnik’s sons were involved, and that some reporting may have been inaccurate. Regardless, Rogan and Smith highlight the broader issue of government officials acting in self-interest and using insider knowledge for financial gain.

Rogan broadens the discussion to insider trading in Congress, “slimy deals” with NGOs, and self-serving actions by politicians in general, declaring that “everything’s dirty” and that “it’s not one party government,” implying pervasive corruption across the political spectrum.

Lack of Accountability Undermines Trust in Political Integrity

Smith stresses that many questionable trades by officials go uninvestigated and that accountability is largely absent; some people are forced to resign from jobs, but most powerful figures continue unimpeded. He underscores the problem of “really confident liars” who publicly say one thing and act in self-interest behind closed doors. Rogan concurs, stating “the wolves have taken over the henhouse” and sarcastically noting, “this is what draining the swamp looks like.” Both express frustration and cynicism over the lack of consequences for official misconduct, which further erodes trust in the integrity of US politics.

Foreign Influence From Israel on US Foreign Policy

Concerns Over Israeli Influence on US and Pressure Into Wars Serving Israeli Interests

Smith and Rogan turn to the issue of foreign lobbying, focusing on Israel's pronounced influence over US foreign policy. Smith discusses how large donors like Sheldon and Miriam Adelson regularly pressed Donald Trump for actions that would benefit Israeli interests, noting that Trump himself has publicly acknowledged these interactions. Smith details how Trump got into trouble with the Israel lobby early in his career, and subsequently tried to regain their favor by pledging to dismantle Obama’s Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA).

Smith argues that Israeli influence led the US toward further confrontations in the Middle East, particularly against Iran. He claims that after protests and unrest in Iran, Trump was persuaded—by Israeli interests and his own advisers—to consider regime change in Iran, based on promises that it would be a quick operation resulting in popular Iranian support. Smith refers to comments by Israeli leadership, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel’s defense minister, emphasizing Israel’s desire for territorial security, which involves direct action and, sometimes, occupation of neighboring regions like southern Lebanon.

He points out US material and military support for Israel, including missile defense and ongoing funding of what he characterizes as the “destruction of Gaza” over the past two and a half years. Smith underscores that US foreign policy often follows Israeli preferences, and that American involvement in wars in the Middle East frequently aligns with Israeli strategic goals rather than straightforward US interests. ...

UFC's Distribution Model and Pay-per-view Structure Changes

UFC's Streaming Shift: Paramount Plus to Stream all Events Live, Moving Away From Pay-per-view Model

Dave Smith, a self-described hardcore UFC fan, discusses his surprise at the UFC’s major shift in distribution: moving all events to a streaming model on Paramount Plus and ending the traditional pay-per-view setup. Previously, fans needed to pay about $70 for each big pay-per-view card, often on top of an ESPN+ subscription fee. Now, subscribers can access every UFC event live on Paramount Plus for a flat monthly fee, currently about $13.99 a month or $139 a year for the ad-free plan, with promotional rates as low as $2.99 a month for new users.

Joe Rogan and guests highlight that this is a significant change for longtime fans who were used to paying for each marquee event. Now, with a single subscription, fans have access not just to UFC but to a library of Paramount Plus shows and Showtime, making the service far more attractive and economical for consumers. Rogan calls it a “great deal for the consumer,” easily justifying the cost versus previous pay-per-view spending.

Rogan and Smith also note how Paramount Plus is available across most streaming platforms (Apple TV, Android TV, etc.), ensuring accessibility. Rogan describes it as “a smart business move for Paramount,” which acquires a built-in core UFC viewer base hungry for fresh, legitimate access, and points out how piracy of pay-per-view events likely influenced the decision. Sean O’Malley is quoted noting that the prevalence of illegal streaming made UFC’s previous paywall model increasingly unsustainable.

New Setup May Attract Viewers, Raises Revenue Questions

While acknowledging the influx of new viewers and the benefit for families tired of repeated pay-per-view charges, Smith expresses questions about long-term business implications. He finds it strange that loyal, high-paying fans no longer need to pay extra for each card, and wonders how this benefits the UFC financially—especially since diehard fans were happy to pay before. Rogan responds that the $7 billion investment Paramount is making will be justified by the massive possible influx of loyal new customers, increased subscriber retention, and exposure to a broader entertainment library, allowing Paramount Plus to build its overall content and subscriber base for years. Rogan acknowledges some fans may be price-sensitive if already paying for other streaming platforms but believes the value proposition will convert many.

Concerns About Logistics and Conditions For White House Fight Card

Hosting UFC Title Fight Outdoors In D.C. June Heat Raises Safety, Performance Concerns

Rogan and others raise major concerns about the proposal to host a UFC title fight outdoors in Washington D.C. in June. They note that conditions in mid-June can reach highs of 100°F with 67% humidity, and there’s up to an 80% chance of thunderstorms. These conditions, they argue, could “radically affect” fighter performance—potentially endangering competitors who ar ...