Introduction

In this compelling episode of kianistan, I sit down with Colonel Larry Wilkerson, former Chief of Staff to Secretary of State Colin Powell and a longtime critic of U.S. foreign policy. At nearly 80 years old, Col. Wilkerson reflects on 2024 as one of the darkest years he can remember, and offers an unfiltered assessment of the American empire’s global footprint—from Ukraine and Gaza to Syria, Yemen, and beyond.

Watch the Full Episode

Watch on YouTube: Episode 25 – Col. Larry Wilkerson On The Fallout of Western Aggression

2024: A Year of Chaos

Col. Wilkerson opens with a stark observation: 2024 has been unlike any year he’s experienced in over six decades of public service. From Gaza to Ukraine, he sees a deliberate campaign of destabilization led by an empire fearful of losing global dominance. Instead of elevating America, he argues, U.S. policy has fueled destruction, from the Baltics to the Persian Gulf.

Strategic Fear: America’s Response to Power Shifting East

According to Wilkerson, the real driver of Western aggression is fear—not strength. As global power shifts back to the East, with China as the central force, Western elites are panicking. He believes the American empire is waging wars to delay the inevitable: a rebalancing of global power toward Eurasia.

Empire Tactics: Proxy Wars and Destabilization

Whether it’s Georgia, Ukraine, Syria, or Yemen, Wilkerson highlights how the U.S. now relies on proxy wars and covert operations through NGOs and civilian fronts to assert control. He believes the empire isn’t being hijacked by allies like Israel; rather, it is using Israel—and Ukraine—as tools to serve its own objectives.

The Ukraine Conflict: A No-Win Stalemate

Wilkerson outlines how Russia has already achieved many of its strategic goals in Ukraine and is unlikely to pursue full occupation. Meanwhile, the U.S. and NATO, driven by chaos and economic hegemony, continue to pour fuel on the fire. The outcome? A prolonged conflict with increasing nuclear risk.

Nuclear Escalation and Military Decline

One of the most chilling warnings comes as Wilkerson discusses the state of U.S. military readiness and the dangers of nuclear escalation. He believes the U.S. would not hesitate to use nuclear weapons if backed into a corner—and worries that new hypersonic weapons, especially from Russia, are changing the calculus of deterrence.

Gaza, AI Warfare, and Ethical Collapse

Touching on Gaza, Wilkerson criticizes the use of AI-driven targeting systems that are indiscriminately killing civilians. He sees modern warfare turning into a live experiment on helpless populations. He estimates the real death toll in Gaza far exceeds official numbers and warns of a global ethical breakdown in warfare.

Decline of Israel and Shifting Middle East Alliances

Israel, Wilkerson argues, is in deep decline. Economically and militarily overstretched, its survival now depends entirely on U.S. support. As populations flee and regional resistance strengthens—from Hezbollah to the Houthis—he questions whether Israel will remain a viable state in the long term.

U.S. in Syria and the Kurdish Gamble

In Syria, U.S. forces remain primarily to guard oil pipelines benefiting Israel. The Kurdish alliance, Wilkerson suggests, is a temporary and cynical move driven by short-term strategy rather than long-term diplomacy. As history shows, the Kurds often end up abandoned once their usefulness ends.

Empire at Home: Militarism and Mental Decline

Domestically, the U.S. faces its own rot: an unsustainable military model, a lack of new recruits, rising economic inequality, and rampant gun violence. These internal crises reflect the broader decay of an empire obsessed with external dominance at the expense of its own people.

Final Thoughts

Colonel Wilkerson doesn’t offer easy answers, but his message is clear: the American empire, propped up by aggression and fear, is in decline. The world is changing rapidly, and the consequences of resisting that change—militarily, economically, and morally—could be catastrophic.

Tags: #LarryWilkerson #WesternAggression #USForeignPolicy #UkraineWar #GazaGenocide #EmpireDecline #MiddleEast #KistanPodcast #MilitaryIndustrialComplex #Geopolitics #Syria #Yemen