A Response to Gad Saad on JRE

Dave Smith dissects Gad Saad's recent Joe Rogan Experience episode, where Saad defended Israel's influence on US foreign policy and actions in Gaza and against Iran. Smith approaches the critique openly, acknowledging Saad's intelligence, credentials, and friendly tone on Rogan, while praising Saad's "suicidal empathy" concept as useful for critiquing excessive compassion that harms one's own society—like excusing homeless takeovers or open borders. However, Smith finds Saad's core arguments empty, ahistorical, and logically flawed, likening them to his debate with Dennis Prager where initial nerves gave way to relief at weak substance.

Dismissing Israel Lobby Influence on US Wars

Smith challenges Saad's response to Rogan's point about AIPAC's sway over US politicians. Saad argues the US has agency and that many nations—like Gulf states, Britain, France, or Romania—oppose Iran getting nukes, so framing US actions as Israel-driven "doesn't pass the smell test." Smith counters that no serious critic denies US agency; the issue is Israel's documented push, including Netanyahu calling the Iran war a "culmination of my life's work" and Adelson's donations influencing Trump. Many nations wanting Iran denuclearized is irrelevant—others want US or Israeli nukes gone too—and doesn't justify US aggression. European countries warned against it and stayed out, while Gulf states like S