|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Former Undersecretary of Defense Robert Wilkie stated on Monday that he believes President-elect Donald Trump will take decisive steps to weaken Iran’s economy and curb its influence after taking office. Speaking on Newsmax’s Wake Up America, Wilkie suggested that Trump would likely leverage America’s energy resources to lower oil prices and reimpose sanctions on Iran that were lifted during President Joe Biden’s administration. According to Wilkie, these actions could lead to a Middle East more aligned with pro-Israeli Arab partnerships and a stronger United States.
Wilkie also commented on the ongoing unrest in Syria, asserting that enduring peace in the Middle East can only be achieved through the downfall of Iran’s government. Referring to the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel by Iran-backed militants, Wilkie claimed that Iran’s regional influence has been significantly diminished, leaving it unable to support its key ally, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Recent reports indicate that armed insurgents have seized control of parts of northwest Syria, prompting government and allied forces to retaliate with airstrikes.
Additionally, Wilkie interpreted Trump’s recent meeting with the wife of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a signal of a shift in U.S.-Israel relations. He noted that Israeli journalists across the political spectrum celebrated Trump’s electoral victory, viewing it as a return to policies that ensured Israel’s security and regional stability. Wilkie contrasted this with what he described as the Biden administration’s antagonism toward Netanyahu, highlighting the Israeli leader’s role as a defender of Western values, a sentiment he said is lost on current U.S. leadership.
