Ed Turzanski - National Security Expert Joins Houston Morning News

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Ed Tarzanski joins US national security expert. I'd love to
start with China, if you don't mind, Ed, because here
we go again. Jake Sullivan, national security Advisor, on his
way to China, he'll meet there today and they're kissing
the ring and find us at a phone call with Biden.
And we've repeatedly been sending people over there. I don't
know if if you've ever spend time talking to Norden Chang,

(00:22):
but we've had him on our show numerous times. And
Gordon thinks this is just absolutely the wrong approach. We
are just showing China just how weak we are. What
do you think.

Speaker 2 (00:32):
I think Gordon's got it spot on, Jimmy, Look, the
Chinese are strategic competitors. They do not like us in
their portion of the Pacific, and they've made that very
clear by building artificial islands, by threatening the Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan,

(00:53):
other American allies in the region. And here we are
practicing Einstein's definition, and we go there over and over
again and say, please, please behave rationally, don't act based
upon what you perceive to be your national interests. Why
don't you get along with us? Because we're spread too thin,

(01:17):
and we have to commit resources to the Middle East,
and oh, by the bye, we keep on degrading our
own military capabilities. We're sending weapons to Ukraine, we're not
replenishing them fast enough for our own use in other places.
And the Chinese, they must rub their eyes each morning

(01:40):
because they simply cannot believe that what's supposed to be
the greatest superpower in the world behaves us foolishly.

Speaker 1 (01:50):
Frankly, we don't even know who's calling these shots. We
got a president who was hung around on the beach,
a commander in chief.

Speaker 2 (01:59):
Well, yes, and the question is, how is that any
different than has been since day one of the administration?

Speaker 1 (02:05):
Exactly?

Speaker 2 (02:06):
It was just this is a very bad time, and
especially for America's allies because they take their lead from us,
and if we're not able to provide them with the
kind of support they need to defend themselves, they're going
to have to cut their own deals with the bully

(02:27):
in the neighborhood, meaning the Chinese. And again we're just
talking about China. We're not talking about the mischief of Iran.
We're gob smackingly this administration and the one that gave
rise with the about administration providing billions of dollars to

(02:49):
the Iranians, and then we're shocked, shocked that the Iranians
turn around and give that money to hamas Hesbala and
the houtis to cause the damage that they're causing, not
just to Israel, but very importantly to shipping. The American
Navy's goal is to make sure that we have free

(03:14):
access to the sea for commerce. That's one of the
most important goals of the Navy. We're having a harder
and harder time ensuring that, not just because the value
of our money is going down, we're missing recruitment goals
for the Navy. Of eleven aircraft carriers, four of them
are in dry dock right now in for renovation and repairs.

(03:39):
They'll be there anywhere from one to four years. And
we're giving more commitments to our people, less resources, and
then we go give money to the Iranians. Put that
together and explain it to any rational person.

Speaker 1 (03:54):
Well, and here's what you have to wonder to ed,
and we're already out of time, So if you could
give me a real quick answer on this one, I
sure would appreciate it. Going to support is we're acting.
We're sending assets there, but you know, the progressive left
part of the party is already protesting against whatever support
for Israel. The Democrats have left, So would we support
them if push came to shove.

Speaker 2 (04:14):
So we say we're going to support them, we are
providing material support. But with the very next breath we say,
oh yes, now, listen, you've got to be careful about
what you're doing in Gaza because this is a terrible thing.
We adopt Hamasa's line about Gaza in trying to restrain
the Israelis, so you can't put boxing gloves on them

(04:36):
and put handcuffs on them at the same time.

Speaker 1 (04:39):
Sure enough, Ed, thanks for joining us. Always a pleasure.
Ed Tarzanski, national security expert,