A History of Total War - Big Picture with Jack Atherton

In this episode of 'Big Picture with Jack Atherton' on the 55KRC Morning Show, host Brian Thomas engages in a heated and historically grounded discussion with political commentator Jack Atherton about the concept of total war, particularly in the context of U.S. foreign policy toward Iran. The conversation begins with a critique of President Trump's hardline stance on Iran, including his threat of total annihilation if Iran does not dismantle its nuclear and missile programs. Atherton draws parallels to historical examples of total war—Rome’s destruction of Carthage, Sherman’s scorched-earth campaign in the American Civil War, and the Allied bombings of Dresden and the atomic attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki—to argue that while total war is horrific, it can be a necessary evil to prevent greater long-term suffering. He contends that Iran’s regime, driven by eschatological ideology and willing to accept mass death, cannot be deterred by traditional mutually assured destruction logic. The discussion then shifts to domestic concerns, with Atherton warning that the greatest threat to America is not foreign powers like Iran or China, but internal decay—driven by unchecked immigration, progressive social policies, and the erosion of American values. He calls for a national reckoning and prioritization of defending American identity and institutions. The episode closes with a reflective note on the importance of civil, thoughtful debate as a cornerstone of democratic discourse.