Former CIA officer describes Aipac's rise to political power

Former CIA officer John Kiriakou and journalist Tucker Carlson sharply discuss the power of the Israel lobby in Washington, including Aipac's controversial rise, Israel’s attack on the USS Liberty in 1967, and Israel’s involvement in the assassination of U.S. President John F. Kennedy. The two discuss how the Johnson administration protected Israel after the attack on the American ship and punished surviving crew members for speaking about what happened. According to their discussion, Israel attacked the USS Liberty again roughly 45 minutes after the initial attack. “There’s no question they tried to sink it.” They also discuss JFK’s confrontation with Israel over its nuclear programme and Israel’s involvement in Kennedy’s assassination. "Kennedy not just refused to give them nuclear technology, he actively stood in the way" Former CIA officer John Kiriakou and journalist Tucker Carlson sharply discuss the power of the Israel lobby in Washington, including AIPAC’s controversial rise, Israel’s attack on the USS… pic.twitter.com/yoL3a1OcPc — Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) August 24, 2026