Col. Lawrence Wilkerson discusses Drones & Russia's Special Military Operation! | 10/18/25

Timestamped Summary; Col. Lawrence Wilkerson on Drones & Russia's Special Military Operation:

- 0:04-1:23 - Introduction: American host in Russia interviews retired US Colonel who served in Vietnam and worked with Colin Powell. Colonel reveals shocking intel from Raytheon contacts that Trump's claims about having "thousands" of Tomahawk missiles are false—production is only about 38 per month.

- 2:08-3:26 - Col. Wilkerson's background: Served 16 years with Colin Powell, including as his chief of staff at State Department. Witnessed how even honorable leaders like Powell were corrupted by the system and prevented from implementing ethical policies, particularly regarding presidentially-authorized torture program that murdered 31 confirmed people.

- 3:52-5:08 - Colonel's military service: Served 31 years starting as enlisted man, went to officer candidate school, then flight school to become helicopter pilot just to get deployed to Vietnam. Describes persistence of military equipment like duffel bags from WWI through 1980s Korea exercises.

- 6:07-8:12 - End of Cold War history: Gorbachev ended Cold War single-handedly, creating euphoria in HW Bush White House. Bush promised not to "thump chest" or "stand on enemy's grave." Plans included Russia eventually joining NATO and creating European Security Identity to replace NATO, with 3,000-person brigade to handle conflicts like the Balkans independently.

- 8:18-10:06 - Clinton's betrayal: Everything changed in Bush's last year due to Bill Clinton's inexperience and lust for second term. Clinton feared Colin Powell as political opponent. To gain national security credentials, Clinton assembled defense contractors who recommended NATO expansion to sell F-16s to Poland. Russia suddenly became enemy again, shown through Balkans bombing and Kosovo creation.

- 10:14-11:02 - Israeli influence: George HW Bush forced Israel into Oslo process, so Israel threw full weight behind Clinton. Ross Perot's campaign was reportedly funded largely by AIPAC to take votes from Bush, contributing to Clinton's victory and subsequent policy shift.

- 11:09-12:00 - Neoconservative influence: This neoconservative ethic has woven itself impenetrably into national security decision-making and continues today, driving push for war with Iran. Pattern traces through Libya and all wars since 9/11.

- 12:25-13:31 - Trump's incoherence: Very difficult to analyze Trump's position because he lacks continuity of mind, doesn't do policy, strategy, or history. Makes idiotic statements like claiming Jews have been in Levant for 3,000 years. Must judge Trump from actions rather than statements since he's on different "sheet of music" each day of the week.

- 13:38-15:24 - Three motivations for Trump: (1) Wants money flowing to military-industrial complex worth billions; (2) Wants to be seen as "man of peace" for Nobel Prize; (3) Has neoconservative advisors like General Keith Kellogg and General David Petraeus pushing him, plus billionaires who see American Empire diminishing against China, Russia, and now India.

- 15:31-16:45 - Belt and Road context: Chinese rail initiatives run through northern Russia into Europe, central route would go through Ukraine (blocked by war), southern route through Iran and Persian Gulf. This revolutionizes world commerce by avoiding US Navy on high seas, cutting costs 20-27%. US sees Russia as impediment to stopping this economic shift and wants to "take her out first" before China.

- 16:45-17:44 - Global financiers: Current "Rothschilds, Nobels, JP Morgans" have no flag and will jump ship if necessary, likely around Lausanne. These financiers of warfare over last 3,000 years will desert US like they deserted Napoleon. Many currently backing Trump with their trillions to arrest inexorable power shift from West to East.

- 18:03-19:14 - Vision of Russia: Colonel's image is Shevardnadze and Jim Baker fly fishing together in Wyoming, with Shevardnadze holding American-made fishing reel saying "I wish our missiles were made as well." This represented promise of end of Cold War if both sides showed circumspection and wisdom, as HW Bush administration intended.

- 19:19-20:39 - Russia's difficult history: Torturous history including Tsars, 1917 revolution, 70 years of communist stasis, then US "raping and pillaging Moscow" through Larry Summers, Anatoly Chubais, Goldman Sachs. They increased Harvard's endowment by $19 billion by charging enormous fees for fire sales that created oligarchs. This made Vladimir Putin "very very angry" as young official witnessing the plunder.

- 20:39-21:23 - Putin's realization: Putin has been proven that American Empire lies, cheats, steals, and deceives in both economic/financial matters and national security matters. He's given up on trust or nearly so. Russia now better led both politically and militarily than US, especially after weeding out dead wood from early special military operation.

- 21:31-22:38 - Global realignment: Standoff between single country Russia and fraying American Empire alliance system. Through strategic errors, US added China and India as opponents, possibly 11-12 BRICS members and more. Two-thirds of world now hates America. US outnumbered 3-to-1, maybe 10-to-1 or 20-to-1 since three out of five humans are Asian or live in that region, plus alienating Latin America through Venezuela.

- 22:44-23:10 - Nuclear danger: Putin and Xi Jinping using Sun Tzu and Clausewitzian strategy, telling US to "kill yourself, but please don't take us out" because they know when US is really against the wall, it will use nuclear weapons.

- 23:18-24:10 - Christian Zionist alliance: Some globalist financiers are "ardent Christians" and "super Zionists" closely allied with Israel. Christian Zionists United for Israel organization gave West Bank settlers $300 million. Incredible alliance exists between American Christian Zionists and Israeli Zionists.

- 24:23-25:38 - Russian-American similarities: Both peoples are "giant branches that grew out of European Christian tree" with no reason they can't be healthy partners. Colonel's daughter (Secret Service agent) encountered Boris Yeltsin offering vodka to agents, found Russians were "decent people" and "human beings just like us." Russian ambassador gave coherent diplomatic presentation after drinking multiple tumblers of vodka without notes.

- 27:25-27:43 - Diplomatic breakdown: Russian ambassador told Colonel he was leaving because "You won't talk to me. No one will talk to me in Washington." US hasn't had Russian ambassador since, during Biden administration.

- 28:56-30:31 - Chinese drone analysis: Video shows Chinese FDG33 UAV quadcopter with front propeller carrying two FPV drones, capable of flying 1,000km. Host asks if Ukraine using Chinese drone to trick China into conflict. Colonel explains this is not China sending directly—China has policy not to get involved.

- 31:15-34:08 - Global arms trade: Colonel's revelations from highly secret meetings tracking AQ Khan nuclear network and similar operations for Saddam Hussein and Gaddafi showed how many countries participate in world arms trade worth $3-4 trillion annually in black market. Before SMO, Ukraine was #3 in world arms sales (illicit and licit), US #1, Russia #2, China #4. Many US allies were complicit in providing nuclear material to AQ Khan's network. "Spider charts" showed complex web of third parties and cover companies.

- 34:34-35:50 - Drone technology: Mama drone carries baby drones to extend range. Similar to F-35's strength in coordinating multiple platforms (drones, cruise missiles, ballistic missiles) from single aircraft. Technology sophisticated enough that in Gaza, drones fly into surgical wards, process 3,000 bits of data in nanosecond to identify viable targets among surgeons, patients, and nurses. Thank Palantir and other Silicon Valley firms for these instruments.

- 36:53-39:22 - Trump's missile lies: Colonel doubts Trump knows technical details because "he's not smart enough" and "doesn't stop to read and study." Trump claims US has thousands of Tomahawks to give everyone, but Raytheon says this is false—even at full production across all facilities, US might make 56-57 per month. Half of entire THAAD missile supply is in Israel. Trump either lying when told truth or just lying with no one correcting him. Can't admit error after claiming 2,000/month production when reality is under 50/month.

- 39:30-40:22 - Escalation danger with sophisticated missiles: Putin's "grievous concern" is that firing even one sophisticated missile into Russia requires US assistance from satellites or ground personnel or both. This means NATO and Washington have "entered the war." Putin has been explicit that continued escalation will trigger reciprocation—he will pick out NATO facility in Poland or elsewhere and destroy it, then "we're off to the races" with major escalation. But US is the "provocator" here.

- 40:28-41:48 - Military terrorism definition: By UN and US definitions, attacking civilians with no stake in the system who are being terrorized is exactly terrorism. What Israeli Defense Forces are doing to Gaza, West Bank, and Syria is "terrorism pure and simple." Simple definition: using military force to attack civilians. Military benefit of targeting civilians is "nothing" unless goal is to destroy every Palestinian.

- 42:03-43:44 - Ukraine's dual nature: Genuine Ukrainians defending their soil died in enormous quantities. But leadership from 2002-2005 (Tymoshenko, Yanukovych) were "bunch of crooks" and "highly paid bandits." Zelensky and his crowd likely the same. Vast divide between foot soldiers and oligarchy directing them. This dichotomy cost nearly 1 million Ukrainian lives and 300-400,000 Russian lives, principally because of leaders in Kiev and more so leaders in London, Paris, Washington and NATO.

- 43:19-44:09 - Proxy war crime: "Double crime" because US using proxies who don't know they're being used for nefarious things for Empire. US must fight wars this way now because couldn't win on battlefield ourselves—haven't won a war in 20+ years. Young Ukrainian males being shoved into vans, dragged from bars in dark of night, impressed into military service—"hell on earth."

- 44:23-45:29 - Viktor Orban meeting prospects: If Orban hosts Trump-Putin meeting, Colonel would have "a little more hope." But can't imagine Trump sitting through meeting with Orban chairing. Predicts "eruption" or meeting going silent with no digestible minutes available to public except through Trump's mouthpiece. Can't see productive meeting because Trump has no real positive objectives.

- 45:35-47:13 - Nuclear treaty failure: Helsinki meeting during first term gave Colonel great hope because he knew US had destroyed nuclear treaties worldwide. Hoped Putin would influence Trump to understand danger of eliminating all treaties with only New START left (expiring February 2026). Thought Alaska summit would pick up this theme as major purpose—Trump had covertly indicated this. Goal was meaningful nuclear treaty possibly expanding to incorporate Xi Jinping's stockpile, then forcing Israel, Pakistan, India into multilateral treaty regime. Nothing specific was accomplished—Putin stops talking in specifics.

- 47:19-47:45 - Priority issues: Hopes Ukraine won't be on back burner, nor Levant/Southwest Asia since both might lead to nuclear exchange. But most serious issue is "treatyless world" with nuclear weapons in new arms race, and "we're doing nothing about it."

- 48:33-49:11 - Trump's failed cabinet: Trump thought he was doing differently from first term, thought he had no John Boltons, thought he had people he could trust. But he's surrounded by people interested in different matters who are intent on doing what they want. Trump isn't paying attention enough and has destroyed formal decision-making process in White House—"nothing except Trump" issues decisions.

- 49:18-51:41 - Venezuela intelligence scandal: Trump taking intelligence on Venezuela from Israeli dual citizen and former CIA operative who failed in Afghanistan. These two people get their intelligence from Maria Corina Machado (Nobel Peace Prize winner) who is "Israeli agent in Venezuela." All this intelligence defies legitimate entities (INR, DIA, CIA) and goes through Laura Loomer and Stephen Miller to president "raw and clean." Think Ahmad Chalabi, think mobile biological labs, think curveball, think everything that confused Colin Powell about Iraq WMD—now being employed against Maduro. Military force off Venezuela coast conducting extrajudicial unlawful killings on high seas. Southern Command commander recently stepped down, possibly for this reason.

- 51:47-52:20 - Why Putin still meets with Trump: "Because we have 6,000 nuclear warheads" and Putin is "rightfully frightened," as is Xi Jinping. An empire going down "can still crush a lot of grass." This is existential concern.

- 52:26-53:46 - Putin's patience: Some criticize Putin for being too patient or trusting West too much. But we haven't been in this place in history before with so many nuclear alternatives. Putin considers himself Christian and bears heavier burden to think deeply about actions. Better to make people think badly of you and save lives than do something rash. "This is civilization ending what we're talking about."

- 53:52-55:18 - Forgotten nuclear threat: Colonel used to hand students government pamphlet signed by LBJ showing how to build backyard bomb shelter, what foods to stock, how much water—showing how seized with fear people were during Cold War. Now forgotten—"we don't even think about it anymore." Francis Fukuyama's "End of History" about democratic liberalism spreading globally—but "end of history might be upon us very shortly, and it won't be any end of history that we'll like."

- 56:50-57:13 - McDonald's in Moscow memory: Colonel was in Moscow when first McDonald's opened, witnessed 1,200-1,300 people in line at Pushkin Square. Colin Powell wanted to stop and get one (like he'd get New York street hot dogs), but they didn't because of the crowd. Russian handlers probably would have put them at front of line, but "Russians in line would kill us" or at least be very offended.

- 59:47-1:00:59 - Warsaw Pact lecture: Colin Powell assembled former Warsaw Pact military leaders in Warsaw and lectured them about serving leadership that doesn't like you. Told them standing army has been "anathema" throughout US history—"not something positive, but something negative." In democracies, military must serve leadership that won't particularly like them because military will always be biggest threat. Leaders asked many questions trying to understand concept that "military instrument was a necessary evil."

- 1:01:42-1:04:31 - Escalation trajectory: If long-range missiles continue entering Russia, Putin is within his rights under international law to attack NATO targets in Poland, Estonia, Britain, France, Germany, or even Washington. He probably won't go that far initially but might attack NATO facilities in Poland. Oreshnik launch was show of force. Colonel would recommend hitting several NATO facilities hard in Poland or Estonia, then communicate: "If you want more I have more, but I'd like to stop it here." Problem is US doesn't think Putin is serious—advisors tell Trump he's weak. But Putin's "weak position" is opposite of their interpretation: he's showing restraint while powerful people behind him want him to quit restraining and end the war.

- 1:04:31-1:05:30 - Netanyahu's submarines: Similar worry about Netanyahu sitting on quiet German diesel submarines in North Arabian Sea and Eastern Mediterranean with nuclear-capable missiles that can be fired from surfaced subs. If BB faces existential circumstances in renewed war with Iran where Iran wins short exchange, he might use nuclear weapon on Tehran. Pakistan-Iran pact includes nuclear language, so "we're off to the races with that one too."

- 1:06:08-1:07:21 - Russian military strategy: Very Clausewitzian and adherent to what Putin has candidly stated. Lavrov and others verify: purpose is not controlling Ukraine by taking Kiev—"I don't want those bastards...they're some of worst partisan guerrillas in world, murderers" going back to WWI and WWII. Goal is destroying Ukrainian military and their ability to make war "in very efficient and sound fashion." Putin is destroying Ukraine's military and now focusing on "turning the lights out."

- 1:07:26-1:09:21 - Territory vs attrition: Russia doesn't need more land—not about gaining territory. Goal is taking out Ukrainian military apparatus while minimizing Russian casualties and maximizing Ukrainian casualties. Pro-information warriors claim "lines barely moved, Russia gained little territory, Russia not doing well"—but this misses the point. One element holding back: people Putin calls "Nazis" (about 125,000) who refuse to go to front lines multiple times. They rushed to Kursk, got slaughtered, learned lesson. They have control over Zelensky and power to bring him down.

- 1:09:29-1:11:09 - Polish awakening: Recent Polish movement indicates they know they're up against "warrior caste" but their position vis-à-vis Ukraine and Moscow is untenable. EU decision to allow Ukrainian foodstuffs without tariffs will destroy Poland's farm industry—Poles really angry at Ursula von der Leyen. Zelensky trapped: can't escape Nazis' grip, and can't move because of US, France, Britain, Berlin. "Someone's going to kill him probably." Soil now untenable for fast warfare due to mud. Russia going slowly, continuing pressure, turning lights out.

- 1:11:09-1:12:08 - Odessa objective: Colonel expects Putin will eventually take Odessa and own all Black Sea northern ports (Sevastopol to Odessa plus eastern port). Russian Navy will have all three dominant Black Sea ports. US will think twice about entering Black Sea. Taking Odessa cuts off any Black Sea access by Kiev—now Kiev must depend on Europeans or Russians through Odessa to transship goods. This gives Russia control over Kiev. "We're handing all of this prize to Putin." Odessa is ancient city populated by many who consider themselves Russians and "one of great criminal capitals of world."

- 1:15:02-1:16:01 - No Kings Day protests: Colonel drove through Falls Church this morning seeing crowds gathering for "No Kings Day" with placards saying "No Kings in America." Told maybe 10-20 million Americans protesting across country (maybe more). Very encouraging. Many signs said "Let's take our republic back." This gives hope.

- 1:16:18-1:17:03 - Gaza tragedy: People on ground (Palestinian, Israeli, Egyptian, Jordanian) report probably 90,000 dead in Gaza, half of them children, underneath rubble that hasn't been counted. "They're going to pave the rubble over and that's going to be their grave because they do not want these numbers to come out."

- 1:18:55-1:20:05 - Military recruitment advice: Colonel advises young men and women in draft age (18-24) not to think about going into military. "If draft comes, go to Mexico, go to Canada." Military "no longer what it is supposed to be." Will only change mind if military changes its mind about assisting president in "taking over the country." Biggest recruiting component that dropped off: military families—both NCO and officer families telling children and grandchildren "don't go in the military. It's not the military I served."

- 1:20:10-1:20:52 - What military needs: Needs to return to leadership (enlisted and officer) who "think about Constitution first and themselves second" and don't entertain ideas like "killing people on high seas with no due process of law." This is like policeman shooting drug dealer dead on street corner without trial—"same thing."

- 1:23:12-1:23:32 - Eisenhower Media Network: Colonel only affiliated with Eisenhower Media Network, described as "group of military veterans opposed to Stupid Endless Wars." Can be found by Googling "Eisenhower Media Network."
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Original Source Attribution:

'Col. Lawrence Wilkerson discusses Drones & Russia's Special Military Operation!' | EXPAT American | Oct 18, 2025 | https://www.youtube.com/live/0uGuZF_iOO0?si=JQl0Od93-SF-HNPO

Alt Media Commentator and Vietnam Veteran, US Colonel Lawrence Wilkerson is coming on the show for the first time to give us his opinion about Eastern Europe and Drones based on his Military experience. Putin and Trump have talked again. What does the Colonel think?
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