On this week’s Defense & Aerospace Report Washington Roundtable, sponsored by L3Harris, Dr. Patrick Cronin of the Hudson Institute think tank, former DoD Europe chief Jim Townsend of the Center for a New American Security, and former Pentagon Comptroller Dr. Dov Zakheim of the Center for Strategic and International Studies join Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discuss the implications of resumed US-Israel strikes on Iran as Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu argues it’s time to topple the Iranian regime and Tehran’s warning that if attacked, it will retaliate against US bases and ships in the region as well as America’s allies, driving up energy prices; Britain sends fighter jets to defend Saudi Arabia against mounting attacks by Iran-backed Houthi forces as Riyadh’s allies including Egypt and Turkey consider deploying military forces; impact of rising energy prices on US elections and demonstrations across Europe including violent protests in France; Washington’s deepening alignment with Moscow as President Trump continues to pressure Ukraine; Vladimir Putin grants the US leader’s request to release American hostage Steven Hubbard as three-way talks loom; the strategic implications of Washington’s decisions to suspend intelligence sharing, degrade StarLink connectivity with Kyiv and block allies from sending US weapons to Ukraine; deadly Palestinian attack on Israelis prompts closure of West Bank as elections loom; Washington works to advance a trade deal with India; China grey’s zone tactics against Taiwan include sanctioning Paraguay and Belize for sending officials to Taipei as Chinese AI was used to hack Japan; the Pentagon seeks a new intelligence unit to better wage economic warfare against China and other rivals; and reports that North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un is dead.
A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle returns to combat air patrol after being refueled above the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, April 5, 2025. The F-15EÕs capabilities help provide and maintain a strong defensive posture and support U.S. interests in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Christopher Lyons)
