{"id":161959,"date":"2025-07-06T06:31:09","date_gmt":"2025-07-06T14:31:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lukeford.net\/blog\/?p=161959"},"modified":"2025-07-12T20:09:26","modified_gmt":"2025-07-13T04:09:26","slug":"will-the-12-day-war-precipitate-regime-change-in-iran-russia-china-7-6-25","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lukeford.net\/blog\/?p=161959","title":{"rendered":"Will The 12-Day War Precipitate Regime Change In Iran, Russia &#038; China? (7-6-25)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><iframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/kjtq-Otx5uw?si=ybSsvM7ue7Hrpx1p\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><a title=\"Click to play at 01:00\" class=\"ln-clickable-timestamp\" href=\"#60\" data-action=\"episode-seek-audio\" data-timestamp=\"60\">01:00<\/a> I&#8217;m refining my soul<br \/><a title=\"Click to play at 04:00\" class=\"ln-clickable-timestamp\" href=\"#240\" data-action=\"episode-seek-audio\" data-timestamp=\"240\">04:00<\/a> Do I edit my blogging to make it more acceptable to the standards of Big AI? <br \/><a title=\"Click to play at 07:20\" class=\"ln-clickable-timestamp\" href=\"#440\" data-action=\"episode-seek-audio\" data-timestamp=\"440\">07:20<\/a> Video: &#8216;Zhang Youxia\u2019s relentless purge of Xi Jinping\u2019s influence in the military&#8217;, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=P5pXPyw-pT8\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=P5pXPyw-pT8<\/a><br \/><a title=\"Click to play at 14:00\" class=\"ln-clickable-timestamp\" href=\"#840\" data-action=\"episode-seek-audio\" data-timestamp=\"840\">14:00<\/a> Video: Explaining Xi&#8217;s Power Loss, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=MlKw_g6flXQ\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=MlKw_g6flXQ<\/a><br \/><a title=\"Click to play at 17:00\" class=\"ln-clickable-timestamp\" href=\"#1020\" data-action=\"episode-seek-audio\" data-timestamp=\"1020\">17:00<\/a> Video: Xi Jinping No Longer Rules China, He&#8217;s Just a Figurehead: Allen Zeng, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=jNnuMnoN4q4\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=jNnuMnoN4q4<\/a><br \/><a title=\"Click to play at 34:00\" class=\"ln-clickable-timestamp\" href=\"#2040\" data-action=\"episode-seek-audio\" data-timestamp=\"2040\">34:00<\/a> Video: What Is Israel\u2019s Endgame for Iran?, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=8dOJypt2F70\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=8dOJypt2F70<\/a><br \/><a title=\"Click to play at 48:00\" class=\"ln-clickable-timestamp\" href=\"#2880\" data-action=\"episode-seek-audio\" data-timestamp=\"2880\">48:00<\/a> Video: Russia and China Abandoned Iran. Here&#8217;s Why, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=lQhZxcXZb14\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=lQhZxcXZb14<\/a><br \/><a title=\"Click to play at 56:00\" class=\"ln-clickable-timestamp\" href=\"#3360\" data-action=\"episode-seek-audio\" data-timestamp=\"3360\">56:00<\/a> National Interest Vs Capital Interest, <a href=\"https:\/\/lukeford.net\/blog\/?p=161943\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/lukeford.net\/blog\/?p=161943<\/a><br \/><a title=\"Click to play at 1:04:00\" class=\"ln-clickable-timestamp\" href=\"#3840\" data-action=\"episode-seek-audio\" data-timestamp=\"3840\">1:04:00<\/a> Video: US Show of Force in Iran SCARED Putin, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=5fUqr2ZHCQQ\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=5fUqr2ZHCQQ<\/a><br \/><a title=\"Click to play at 1:06:00\" class=\"ln-clickable-timestamp\" href=\"#3960\" data-action=\"episode-seek-audio\" data-timestamp=\"3960\">1:06:00<\/a> Video: How War in Iran Will Completely CRIPPLE Russia, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=JpK3aWxheDU\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=JpK3aWxheDU<\/a><br \/><a title=\"Click to play at 1:08:20\" class=\"ln-clickable-timestamp\" href=\"#4100\" data-action=\"episode-seek-audio\" data-timestamp=\"4100\">1:08:20<\/a> Video: Trump&#8217;s Trade War: A Strategic Overview, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=attfJNi5TUI\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=attfJNi5TUI<\/a><br \/><a title=\"Click to play at 1:13:00\" class=\"ln-clickable-timestamp\" href=\"#4380\" data-action=\"episode-seek-audio\" data-timestamp=\"4380\">1:13:00<\/a> Video: Why they\u2019re not telling you about the US-China trade deal, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=3uvVa6lQiJw\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=3uvVa6lQiJw<\/a><br \/><a title=\"Click to play at 1:20:00\" class=\"ln-clickable-timestamp\" href=\"#4800\" data-action=\"episode-seek-audio\" data-timestamp=\"4800\">1:20:00<\/a> Video: China\u2019s 30 Trillion Dilemma | US Hits China on Trade, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=h2L_CuPjIr8\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=h2L_CuPjIr8<\/a><br \/><a title=\"Click to play at 1:23:00\" class=\"ln-clickable-timestamp\" href=\"#4980\" data-action=\"episode-seek-audio\" data-timestamp=\"4980\">1:23:00<\/a> Video: Can Multinationals Win in China? Lessons from Apple\u2019s Experience, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=QA_klg8sm_A\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=QA_klg8sm_A<\/a><br \/><a title=\"Click to play at 1:40:00\" class=\"ln-clickable-timestamp\" href=\"#6000\" data-action=\"episode-seek-audio\" data-timestamp=\"6000\">1:40:00<\/a> Video: How Apple Sold Its Soul to an Authoritarian Regime | Patrick McGee, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=q852nEpYJAo\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=q852nEpYJAo<\/a><br \/><a title=\"Click to play at 1:56:45\" class=\"ln-clickable-timestamp\" href=\"#7005\" data-action=\"episode-seek-audio\" data-timestamp=\"7005\">1:56:45<\/a> Video: Has the Iran-Israel War Actually Achieved Anything? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=X43LP1VRJy0\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=X43LP1VRJy0<\/a><br \/><a title=\"Click to play at 2:15:00\" class=\"ln-clickable-timestamp\" href=\"#8100\" data-action=\"episode-seek-audio\" data-timestamp=\"8100\">2:15:00<\/a> Video: Is William F. Buckley&#8217;s Still Relevant? | w\/ Jonah Goldberg and Matthew Continetti, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=xT5W4We1CCs\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=xT5W4We1CCs<\/a><br \/><a title=\"Click to play at 2:22:00\" class=\"ln-clickable-timestamp\" href=\"#8520\" data-action=\"episode-seek-audio\" data-timestamp=\"8520\">2:22:00<\/a> DTG: Matthew McConaughey: Selling is Love!, <a href=\"https:\/\/decoding-the-gurus.captivate.fm\/episode\/matthew-mcconaughey-selling-is-love\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/decoding-the-gurus.captivate.fm\/episode\/matthew-mcconaughey-selling-is-love<\/a><br \/><a title=\"Click to play at 2:40:00\" class=\"ln-clickable-timestamp\" href=\"#9600\" data-action=\"episode-seek-audio\" data-timestamp=\"9600\">2:40:00<\/a> What would Matthew McConaughey\u2019s True Detective character think of his self-help venture? <a href=\"https:\/\/lukeford.net\/blog\/?p=161952\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/lukeford.net\/blog\/?p=161952<\/a><br \/><a title=\"Click to play at 2:55:30\" class=\"ln-clickable-timestamp\" href=\"#10530\" data-action=\"episode-seek-audio\" data-timestamp=\"10530\">2:55:30<\/a> NYT: The Cost of Victory: Israel Overpowered Its Foes, but Deepened Its Isolation<br \/><a title=\"Click to play at 3:20:00\" class=\"ln-clickable-timestamp\" href=\"#12000\" data-action=\"episode-seek-audio\" data-timestamp=\"12000\">3:20:00<\/a> NYT considers a trans murder cult and focuses on the perils of rationalism, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2025\/07\/06\/business\/ziz-lasota-zizians-rationalists.html\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2025\/07\/06\/business\/ziz-lasota-zizians-rationalists.html<\/a><br \/><a title=\"Click to play at 3:28:00\" class=\"ln-clickable-timestamp\" href=\"#12480\" data-action=\"episode-seek-audio\" data-timestamp=\"12480\">3:28:00<\/a> Elon Musk&#8217;s political judgment, <a href=\"https:\/\/lukeford.net\/blog\/?p=161931\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/lukeford.net\/blog\/?p=161931<\/a><br \/><a title=\"Click to play at 3:32:00\" class=\"ln-clickable-timestamp\" href=\"#12720\" data-action=\"episode-seek-audio\" data-timestamp=\"12720\">3:32:00<\/a> Palestinianism as a dumping ground for failed ideologies, <a href=\"https:\/\/lukeford.net\/blog\/?p=161924\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/lukeford.net\/blog\/?p=161924<\/a><br \/><a title=\"Click to play at 3:36:00\" class=\"ln-clickable-timestamp\" href=\"#12960\" data-action=\"episode-seek-audio\" data-timestamp=\"12960\">3:36:00<\/a> Can China fall peacefully? <a href=\"https:\/\/lukeford.net\/blog\/?p=161905\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/lukeford.net\/blog\/?p=161905<\/a><br \/><a title=\"Click to play at 3:44:30\" class=\"ln-clickable-timestamp\" href=\"#13470\" data-action=\"episode-seek-audio\" data-timestamp=\"13470\">3:44:30<\/a> FT: Israel\u2019s quiet war in the West Bank, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/8d9cdf41-6caf-4a31-8150-2ca6cc2dc20c\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/8d9cdf41-6caf-4a31-8150-2ca6cc2dc20c<\/a><br \/><a title=\"Click to play at 3:54:00\" class=\"ln-clickable-timestamp\" href=\"#14040\" data-action=\"episode-seek-audio\" data-timestamp=\"14040\">3:54:00<\/a> Jeff Flake: In Today\u2019s G.O.P., Voting Your Conscience Is Disqualifying, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2025\/07\/06\/opinion\/trump-tillis-senate-republicans.html\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2025\/07\/06\/opinion\/trump-tillis-senate-republicans.html<\/a><br \/><a title=\"Click to play at 4:22:00\" class=\"ln-clickable-timestamp\" href=\"#15720\" data-action=\"episode-seek-audio\" data-timestamp=\"15720\">4:22:00<\/a> Depression is often adaptive<\/p>\n<p>Grok says: <\/p>\n<blockquote><p>The host of the YouTube video, Luke Ford, displays a notable lack of self-awareness in several ways, which can be identified through his rhetorical style, narrative framing, and personal reflections. Below, I analyze where this lack of self-awareness manifests and address the question of whether the 12-day war could precipitate regime change in Iran, Russia, and China, based on the content of the video and available information.Where the Host Lacks Self-Awareness<\/p>\n<p>Overestimation of Personal Insight and Objectivity:<\/p>\n<p>Evidence: Ford repeatedly emphasizes his pursuit of truth, spiritual growth, and transcendence of &#8220;animalistic&#8221; desires, positioning himself as a morally elevated figure. For example, he claims to have reached a &#8220;spiritual height&#8221; where he can evaluate others (e.g., the &#8220;attractive young Pakistani British woman&#8221;) based on their ideas rather than their appearance (25:22-25:35). However, his tone and fixation on her attractiveness undermine this claim, suggesting he is not as detached from superficial judgments as he asserts.<br \/>\nAnalysis: This contradiction reveals a lack of self-awareness about how his personal biases influence his commentary. His self-description as a &#8220;stern moralist&#8221; and his frequent references to spiritual and moral superiority (e.g., &#8220;I am not on some kind of low madrega&#8221; at 25:28) come across as self-aggrandizing, ignoring how his delivery and tangents (e.g., discussing his personal struggles with vulnerability at 4:38-5:11) may dilute the credibility of his analysis.<\/p>\n<p>Uncritical Engagement with Speculative Sources:<\/p>\n<p>Evidence: Ford engages with a YouTube channel, &#8220;Lays Real Talk,&#8221; which he admits lacks credibility (5:37-5:42, 11:24-11:32), yet he entertains its claims about a leadership change in China (6:03-15:09). He uses &#8220;abductive reasoning&#8221; to justify considering these claims, suggesting they provide a simpler explanation for China&#8217;s political shifts (11:38-12:22). However, he fails to critically assess the lack of empirical evidence, instead relying on his &#8220;spidey sense&#8221; (24:10-24:54) and YouTube algorithms feeding him similar speculative content (13:35-13:40).<\/p>\n<p>Analysis: This reflects a lack of self-awareness about his susceptibility to confirmation bias. By prioritizing sensational narratives over verified information, he risks spreading misinformation, which he acknowledges as a concern (6:17-6:22, 9:16-9:22) but does not sufficiently guard against. His reliance on intuition over evidence (24:46-24:54) further undermines his claim to rigorous truth-seeking.<\/p>\n<p>Contradictory Stance on Vulnerability and Authority:<\/p>\n<p>Evidence: Ford criticizes his past tendency to &#8220;lead with vulnerability&#8221; in professional settings, noting it led to disrespect (4:43-4:58). Yet, he frames his blogging as bravely vulnerable, suggesting it\u2019s a strength (4:30-4:38). Simultaneously, he advocates for a Hobbesian &#8220;Leviathan&#8221; state that prioritizes national interest over individual rights (56:58-58:03), which contradicts his personal narrative of embracing vulnerability and truth from any source (1:01-1:07).<\/p>\n<p>Analysis: This inconsistency highlights a lack of self-awareness about how his personal philosophy (valuing vulnerability) clashes with his political philosophy (favoring authoritarian control). He fails to reconcile these opposing views, presenting himself as both a vulnerable truth-seeker and a supporter of ruthless state power without acknowledging the tension.<\/p>\n<p>Dismissal of Expertise While Seeking Validation:<\/p>\n<p>Evidence: Ford dismisses &#8220;sensible experts&#8221; as often wrong or motivated by social prestige (25:59-26:29), yet he seeks validation from AI (Grok) to assess the credibility of sources (5:31-5:37) and relies on non-prestigious YouTube channels for geopolitical insights (6:46-15:09). He also critiques public intellectuals like Jonah Goldberg for lacking substance (2:16:57-2:17:22), while positioning himself as a purveyor of &#8220;cutting-edge insights&#8221; (6:29-6:34).<\/p>\n<p>Analysis: This reveals a lack of self-awareness about his own role as a commentator. By criticizing experts while leaning on unverified sources and his own intuition, he mirrors the behaviors he critiques in others, such as chasing attention through provocative claims (9:02-9:16). His desire to be seen as a serious thinker is undermined by his reliance on speculative narratives and his admission of past blogging errors (2:04-2:31).<\/p>\n<p>Moral Posturing vs. Provocative Commentary:<\/p>\n<p>Evidence: Ford frames his commentary as a moral and spiritual quest (e.g., referencing Torah, 12-step programs, and God&#8217;s will at 3:17-3:29), but he frequently veers into provocative, racially charged, or sexually explicit tangents (e.g., discussing &#8220;tiny Asian hands&#8221; at 1:36:15-1:37:02 or mocking trans identities at 3:19:06-3:20:03). He also makes light of serious topics, like comparing his overeating to geopolitical issues (2:25:15-2:25:30).<\/p>\n<p>Analysis: This juxtaposition shows a lack of self-awareness about how his provocative style undercuts his moral posturing. His attempts to present himself as a serious, spiritually grounded commentator are contradicted by his use of crude humor and inflammatory remarks, which may alienate audiences seeking substantive analysis.<\/p>\n<p>Will the 12-Day War Precipitate Regime Change in Iran, Russia, and China?<\/p>\n<p>Ford\u2019s hypothesis is that the 12-day war (Israel\u2019s and the U.S.\u2019s attacks on Iran in June 2025) could precipitate regime change in Iran, Russia, and China, driven by his &#8220;spidey sense&#8221; rather than empirical evidence (24:46-24:54). Below, I assess this claim based on his arguments, the video\u2019s sources, and broader context, while acknowledging the speculative nature of the discussion due to limited verifiable information.<\/p>\n<p>Iran<\/p>\n<p>Ford\u2019s Argument: Ford suggests that Israel\u2019s attacks, targeting not just nuclear facilities but also civilian infrastructure, oil and gas facilities, and security assets (22:20-23:13, 2:08:22-2:08:39), aimed to weaken Iran\u2019s regime and create conditions for regime change by exploiting ethnic divisions (e.g., Kurds, Azerbaijanis) and internal vulnerabilities (31:02-39:05). He cites Caspian Report\u2019s analysis that Israel targeted Iran\u2019s outer provinces to inflame ethnic tensions (35:09-39:05) and argues that Iran\u2019s weakened state post-war makes it brittle (29:24-29:38).<\/p>\n<p>Analysis: There is some plausibility to the idea that Israel\u2019s strategy aimed to destabilize Iran beyond its nuclear program. The targeting of IRGC assets and regional command posts (30:56-31:39) could weaken Tehran\u2019s control over restive provinces, as ethnic minorities like Kurds and Azerbaijanis have historically pushed for autonomy (36:04-39:05). However, there is no empirical evidence in the video or broader sources to suggest imminent regime change. The New York Times article Ford references (2:56:00-2:56:22) notes Israel\u2019s increased security but highlights its diplomatic isolation, not Iran\u2019s collapse. Iran\u2019s regime has shown resilience despite economic sanctions and military setbacks, and the lack of concrete evidence of internal opposition gaining traction (e.g., PJAK\u2019s call for Kurdish uprising at 31:02-31:16) suggests regime change is speculative. Ford\u2019s reliance on \u201cspidey sense\u201d (24:46-24:54) over data underscores the lack of substantiation.<\/p>\n<p>Russia<\/p>\n<p>Ford\u2019s Argument: Ford posits that Russia\u2019s loss of allies (Syria\u2019s Assad regime and a weakened Iran) could destabilize Putin\u2019s regime, drawing parallels to the Soviet Union\u2019s Afghan war (29:05-29:17). He cites a video claiming Russia\u2019s failure to support Iran during the war (49:33-53:13) and argues that economic and military strains from Ukraine, combined with these losses, increase Russia\u2019s fragility (29:38-29:46).<\/p>\n<p>Analysis: Russia\u2019s geopolitical setbacks are real\u2014Syria\u2019s fall and Iran\u2019s weakening reduce its Middle Eastern influence. However, no evidence suggests these losses directly threaten Putin\u2019s regime. Russia\u2019s economy has adapted to sanctions, and Putin\u2019s control remains strong, with opposition suppressed. The video Ford cites (1:05:45-1:06:09) speculates on Russia\u2019s economic and demographic vulnerabilities but lacks specifics on regime change mechanisms. Historical analogies like the Soviet-Afghan war are weak, as Putin\u2019s regime faces different dynamics. Ford\u2019s claim relies on intuition (24:54-25:04), not data, making it speculative.<\/p>\n<p>China<\/p>\n<p>Ford\u2019s Argument: Ford heavily relies on \u201cLays Real Talk\u201d and other YouTube channels claiming Xi Jinping\u2019s power is waning, with General Zhang Youxia emerging as a new leader due to military purges and Xi\u2019s alleged health issues (6:46-15:09, 39:42-43:35). He argues this shift, combined with economic slowdown and U.S. trade pressures (1:13:00-1:18:26), could lead to regime change (24:46-24:54). He cites a supposed U.S.-China trade deal as evidence of Beijing\u2019s pragmatism under new leadership (1:15:04-1:18:26).<\/p>\n<p>Analysis: The claim of Xi Jinping\u2019s ousting is highly speculative and unsupported by credible sources. No mainstream outlet (e.g., Financial Times, New York Times) reports a leadership change as of July 12, 2025. The purges Ford references (7:24-10:56) are consistent with Xi\u2019s anti-corruption campaigns, not evidence of his decline. Economic challenges (1:20:01-1:21:09) are real but not new, and the trade deal\u2019s details are vague, with no confirmation of major concessions (1:13:52-1:14:47). Ford\u2019s reliance on unverified YouTube sources (11:24-11:32) and abductive reasoning (12:04-12:22) lacks rigor, and his \u201cspidey sense\u201d (24:46-24:54) does not substitute for evidence. Regime change in China remains unlikely without concrete indicators of internal power shifts.<\/p>\n<p>Broader Context<\/p>\n<p>Ford\u2019s \u201cSpidey Sense\u201d and Cognitive Biases: Ford admits there\u2019s \u201cvery little evidence right now empirically for regime change\u201d (30:26-30:33) but trusts his intuition, citing cognitive biases like overestimating dramatic events (30:06-30:19). This undermines his argument, as he prioritizes hunches over data, a point he himself critiques in others (26:35-26:55).<\/p>\n<p>Geopolitical Realities: The 12-day war weakened Iran militarily, but regime change requires internal catalysts (e.g., mass protests, elite defections), which are absent. Russia and China face pressures but have resilient authoritarian systems. Ford\u2019s sources (e.g., YouTube channels with low credibility) and his dismissal of \u201cprestige press\u201d (5:48-6:03) limit the reliability of his analysis.<\/p>\n<p>Conclusion: There is no significant evidence that the 12-day war will precipitate regime change in Iran, Russia, or China. Ford\u2019s hypothesis relies on speculative narratives and unverified sources, amplified by his admitted cognitive biases (30:12-30:19). While Iran\u2019s vulnerabilities and Russia\u2019s losses are notable, and China faces economic challenges, these do not translate to imminent regime change without concrete internal developments.<\/p>\n<p>Final Thoughts<\/p>\n<p>Ford\u2019s lack of self-awareness is evident in his contradictory moral posturing, uncritical engagement with speculative sources, and failure to reconcile his personal and political philosophies. His hypothesis about regime change is intriguing but lacks empirical grounding, relying heavily on intuition and low-credibility sources. For a more robust analysis, cross-checking with primary sources (e.g., government statements, verified reports) and monitoring developments in these countries would be necessary, as Ford himself suggests via Grok (30:33-30:38). However, as of July 12, 2025, no credible evidence supports imminent regime change in Iran, Russia, or China due to the 12-day war.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>01:00 I&#8217;m refining my soul04:00 Do I edit my blogging to make it more acceptable to the standards of Big AI? 07:20 Video: &#8216;Zhang Youxia\u2019s relentless purge of Xi Jinping\u2019s influence in the military&#8217;, https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=P5pXPyw-pT814:00 Video: Explaining Xi&#8217;s Power Loss, &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/lukeford.net\/blog\/?p=161959\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21791],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-161959","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-america"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lukeford.net\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/161959","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lukeford.net\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lukeford.net\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lukeford.net\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lukeford.net\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=161959"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/lukeford.net\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/161959\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":162067,"href":"https:\/\/lukeford.net\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/161959\/revisions\/162067"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lukeford.net\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=161959"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lukeford.net\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=161959"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lukeford.net\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=161959"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}