Topic: Thaad

Volodymyr Zelensky presented a "victory plan" to the Ukrainian parliament, which critics labeled a "wish list" dependent entirely on Western allies and NATO membership. Simultaneously, the U.S. announced the deployment of a THAAD anti-missile system and American troops to Israel to defend against Iranian ballistic missile threats. These developments are framed as signs of escalating global instability and the failure of current diplomatic efforts.

President Trump spoke with King Salman, commending the anti-terror efforts and discussing the $15 billion purchase of the THAAD missile defense system. Trump explicitly asked the King to consider listing Saudi Aramco, a trillion-dollar oil company, on an American stock exchange. The hosts suggest the recent missile attack may have served as a "sales job" to justify further military investments and the US listing.

Following another North Korean ICBM launch, the media focuses on the potential threat to the US mainland and commercial airliners. The hosts suggest that the escalation serves as a sales tool for anti-ballistic missile systems like THAAD in South Korea. Doubts are raised about North Korea's actual nuclear capabilities and the role of Pakistani technology in their weapons program.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in ordered an investigation after four additional THAAD missile defense launchers were brought into the country without being reported to his new administration. The deployment has caused diplomatic tension with China, which fears the system's radar will be used for regional spying.

Newly elected South Korean President Moon Jae-in is facing pressure from his party to reconsider or suspend the deployment of the U.S.-made THAAD missile defense system. The deployment has caused significant friction with China and Russia, and controversy has intensified following President Trump's suggestion that South Korea should pay for the $1 billion system.

The United States deployed an RQ-4 Global Hawk surveillance drone to Yokota Air Base in Japan to monitor North Korean military activity. Simultaneously, large-scale protests occurred in Seoul, South Korea, with 50,000 people demonstrating against the deployment of the THAAD anti-missile system. Protesters expressed concerns about the cost and the potential for increased regional instability ahead of the South Korean presidential election.

John McCain referred to Kim Jong-un as a "crazy fat kid," sparking a discussion on U.S. policy toward North Korea. A report on *Democracy Now* suggests that the THAAD missile defense system being deployed in South Korea is ineffective and primarily serves as a surveillance tool against China. The hosts argue the deployment is more about military sales than actual defense.

North Korea conducted a rehearsal for attacks on U.S. military bases in Japan by launching four missiles simultaneously. In response, the U.S. began deploying the THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) system to South Korea. China has warned of an arms race in the Pacific, viewing the defense system as a direct threat to its own security.

North Korea has declared its nuclear facilities are fully operational and threatened to use weapons against the U.S. and its allies. In response, the U.S. is deploying missile defense systems, including THAAD batteries, to Guam and Japan. The hosts suggest these "provocations" are often timed to facilitate arms sales to regional allies like Japan.

The deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system in South Korea is identified as a major driver of regional tension. While the U.S. frames the Lockheed Martin-contracted system as a defense against North Korea, China and Russia view it as a surveillance tool directed at them. The hosts argue that the "boogeyman" of North Korea is maintained to facilitate high-value military equipment sales.

The U.S. is scheduled to hand over command of South Korea's wartime defenses in 2015, prompting a $1.4 billion sale of Lockheed Martin and Raytheon missile systems. The hosts characterize the ongoing tension with North Korea as a "sales job" designed to force South Korea to purchase expensive military hardware like the THAAD system.

The U.S. government notifies the Federal Register of a $6.5 billion sale of Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) systems to Qatar. The hosts detail the involvement of contractors like Lockheed Martin and Raytheon. They highlight past failures of the THAAD system and the high "other" costs associated with the deal.