Iran is in the headlines once again, for two important reasons. First, large numbers of brave Iranians continue to take to the streets in the face of significant repression by the brutal regime. And second, the United States is slowly but steadily amassing an impressive amount of firepower and pointing it straight at the Islamic Republic. Zineb Riboua, Research Fellow at the Center for Peace and Security in the Middle East at Hudson Institute, joins Vandenberg Senior Policy Director Corban Teague to unpack the latest developments.

https://www.city-journal.org/article/israel-us-west-decolonization-third-world

https://nationalinterest.org/blog/middle-east-watch/the-crisis-of-the-islamic-republic-of-iran

https://x.com/zriboua

https://substack.com/@zinebriboua

https://vandenbergcoalition.org/americans-first-polling/

Last Sunday, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s Liberal Democratic Party secured a sweeping two-thirds majority in Japan’s Lower House following snap elections. The decisive win comes at a critical juncture for Japan as it redefines its role in the Indo-Pacific amid rising tensions with China, a deepening partnership with the United States, and growing domestic support for strengthening the country’s military and defense capabilities. Ken Weinstein, Japan Chair at Hudson Institute, joins Flash Focus to unpack the election results, examine Takaichi’s rapid ascent and widespread appeal, and explore the implications for U.S.–Japan relations and the broader Indo-Pacific landscape.

(1:50) Election Results

(7:02) The Election’s Impact on a Free and Open Indo-Pacific

(12:29) Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi

(16:37) Takaichi and the China Challenge

(18:58) The Ramifications of Takaichi’s Comments on a Taiwan Contingency

(24:12) Article 9

(27:06) Next Steps for Washington and Tokyo

(32:41) Japan’s Importance to the United States

You can watch this episode as a video on YouTube.

Last week, Chinese leader Xi Jinping placed his most senior general, Zhang Youxia, under investigation, deepening what has become one of the most sweeping purges in the history of the People’s Liberation Army. Xi has now removed nearly the entire top tier of PLA leadership, raising important questions about the message he is sending to domestic and international audiences, what it means for a potential Taiwan contingency, and how it should inform the American approach to the Indo-Pacific. Jackie Deal—co-founder of the American Academy for Strategic Education, President of the Long Term Strategy Group, and Vandenberg Coalition Advisory Board member—joins Vandenberg Executive Director Carrie Filipetti to unpack what these purges mean.

China in the Homeland: https://vandenbergcoalition.org/china-in-the-homeland/

VFF with David Shedd: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-X0Evj6KdHc

(1:40) Purges Overview

(7:12) History of Purges in China

(12:30) Were Chinese Nuclear Secrets Leaked?

(14:56) What To Watch Next

(17:14) Takeaways for China’s Partners

(21:40) Are We Adequately Countering China?

(26:58) Deterring and Defeating China

You can watch this episode as a video on YouTube.