Larry Johnson: Trump in PANIC as USS Lincoln COVER UP Backfires, Iran DESTROYS US Navy

CENTCOM's Disputed Claims on USS Lincoln [0:00]

• CENTCOM asserted the USS Abraham Lincoln had high re-enlistment rates and no deaths despite over 260 days at sea.
• The statement framed previous reports of horrendous conditions as "fake news."
• One sailor who fell overboard was reportedly recovered quickly and safely.

  "USS Abraham Lincoln has maintained among the highest crew re-enlistments of all aircraft carriers on the U.S. Navy."

Ex-CIA Analyst's Rebuttal [1:00]

• Former CIA analyst Larry Johnson calls CENTCOM's statement "bullshit" and "fake news."
• Johnson has spoken with mothers of sailors and Marines from the Tripoli, Lincoln, and Boxer, who report similar issues.
• He states the problem of low morale is not confined to one ship but is a systemic issue throughout the Navy.

  "It's bullshit. It's a lie."

Systemic Military Morale Crisis [2:30]

• Johnson argues that 25 years of war on terror and multiple combat deployments have stressed the U.S. military to its breaking point.
• He highlights the staggering number of military suicides since 2001, approaching 148,000.
• This suicide toll exceeds the combined deaths from the Vietnam, Korean conflicts, and U.S. deaths in World War II's European theater.

  "So this is, this is a significant number of casualties."

Army's Daily Checks Mandate [4:30]

• In November, Army Secretary Dan Driscoll ordered daily checks on soldiers by officers and non-commissioned officers.
• This directive indicates a serious concern about soldiers harming themselves.
• Cyber Command reportedly experienced five to six suicides in a single month among its personnel.

  "You wouldn't issue an order to that effect if it wasn't a problem."

Sailor's Account of Conditions [6:00]

• A message from a family member confirms reports of poor conditions, with a brother and fiancé in the Navy.
• Another account details a fiancée on the George H.W. Bush experiencing 136 days at sea with virtually no food, water, or soap.
• Morale is described as low, with everyone being miserable.

  "Morale is low. Everyone is miserable. It's heartbreaking."

Iran War's Toll on U.S. Military [7:00]

• TRT Turkish media reported the Iran war is straining U.S. military personnel, hardware, and stockpiles.
• This strain is linked to mounting pressures on weapons production and Pentagon spending.

  "The Iran war is taking a growing toll on the U.S. military, placing these strains, exhausted troops aboard deployed warships to the mounting pressures on weapons stockpiles, missional production, and Pentagon spending."

Weapon Shortages and China's Control [9:00]

• 78% of U.S. Department of Defense weapons rely on rare earth minerals and tungsten, primarily controlled by China.
• China's control over these critical materials hinders U.S. defense contractors' ability to increase production.
• Lockheed Martin faces difficulties producing PAC-3 missiles due to a lack of critical rare earth minerals for guidance systems, with China controlling 99% of one component.

  "So without those, uh, without those rare earth minerals and that tungsten, those weapon systems don't get produced."

Iran's Military Advancements [11:00]

• Iran has upgraded its missiles to evade air defenses, employing low-trajectory changes just before impact.
• Iran's commander stated they have produced more missiles during the war than they have fired.
• Iran shifted its military and nuclear facilities underground in 2003 for protection against potential U.S. attacks.

  "So they embarked upon a massive construction campaign that was shifting above ground factories and missile factories in particular, but this also applied to the nuclear industry to shift it all underground and make it, uh, you know, basically protected against nuclear blast and make it very difficult to attack."

Iran's Global Standing and Economic Shift [14:00]

• Iran is joining the New Development Bank and is considered a rising regional power.
• Russia and China no longer support sanctions on Iran and are openly trading with it.
• Iran is now a full member of BRICS and is shifting its commercial activities away from the U.S. dollar to the Chinese Renminbi and other currencies.

  "So they are moving, they're, they're moving towards more independence, not more dependence."

U.S. Energy Crisis and Declining Influence [17:00]

• Shortages in diesel and aviation fuel are significant, with a substantial drop in supply from the Persian Gulf.
• Canada is prioritizing selling its crude oil to China over the U.S.
• The U.S. faces a major energy and financial crisis, with perceptions of its global power diminishing.

  "So the, you've got right now, a global shortage of diesel and aviation fuel, and that's not going away anytime soon."

Escalation Fears and Military Readiness [19:00]

• CENTCOM's top general reportedly urged strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure, though CENTCOM denied these remarks.
• The U.S. has previously conducted bombing campaigns in the Persian Gulf but faced shortages of offensive weapons.
• The scale of Russian missile and drone strikes in Ukraine far exceeds U.S. actions against Iran, questioning the effectiveness of further escalation.

  "What in the hell are they thinking that a two week campaign is going to force Iran to go, Oh, stop. We can't stand it anymore."

Israeli Role and Trump's Security Concerns [22:00]

• Israeli intelligence reportedly provided a threat assessment to the CIA about an Iranian plot to assassinate Trump.
• This assessment is described as having no basis in reality, with security measures for Trump's departure being questionable.
• The narrative suggests Israel may be trying to provoke Trump into acting against Iran by convincing him he is a target.

  "No, they figured out one way to try to get Trump to act against Israel is convince, uh, actually act against Iran, convince Trump that, uh, Iran is trying to assassinate him."

Trump's Foreign Policy Legacy [26:00]

• Trump's foreign policy is characterized as a complete failure, endangering America and weakening its global image.
• His actions are compared to Herbert Hoover's, suggesting a negative historical legacy.
• The perception is that the U.S. is no longer the formidable power it once was, with Russia and China becoming more assured.

  "He weakened America, ruined America's image in the world and contributed to, uh, and as, on his way to becoming the Herbert Hoover of the 21st century."

Russia's Intensified Campaign in Ukraine [28:00]

• Russia has escalated its blockade of Ukrainian ports, cutting off access to the Black Sea.
• Lavrov indicated Russia has no intention of stopping at the current line of contact and will intensify its methods.
• Potential actions include striking targets in NATO countries providing material support to Ukraine.

  "It may, may include striking targets and NATO countries where they are clearly providing, uh, material support to Ukraine in the terms of weapons, and, and drones in particular."

Shifting Global Power Dynamics [31:00]

• The U.S. response to the Red Sea incidents and its perceived failure against Iran have altered global perceptions.
• Russia has increased its military pressure on Ukraine, and China appears to be in a strong technological, economic, and military position.
• The U.S. is viewed less as a powerhouse and more as a diminished entity.

  "The, the situation now is, you know, the, the perception of the United States is a giant. They're looking at it more like a, a shriveled, uh, a shriveled old man that has, you know, is not quite the powerhouse that they once thought."

Final Thoughts on Global Instability [33:00]

• The world situation is unlikely to improve in the near future.
• The U.S., Israel, and Saudi Arabia are perceived as attempting to worsen global conditions to protect their perceived losses.

  "My friend, I wish it would get better, but the, the good news for you is you're always going to have something to talk about for the foreseeable future."