Victor Davis Hanson, Walter Pincus,Lt. Gen. Jerry Boykin, Roger Noriega

Victor David Hanson weighs in on the President’s State of the Union speech, specifically focusing on the question of whether or not the U.S.  is really on a decline, or as the President put it “anyone who thinks that the United States is on a decline knows nothing.” Hanson then evaluates the current defense budget cuts by the current administration. Is it really a wise way to reduce the deficit? Can the U.S. maintain its military superiority? Can our allies trust and depend on us? Do we owe them any responsibilities?

Walter Pincus sits with Frank to evaluate and analyze the reliability and dependability of the Predator,Reaper and other unmanned vehicles that the government is spending billions on. Are they really reliable and dependable? Who is responsible for the lack of quality control of such important vehicles used to fight one of the most important wars for America? How does China play a role in this issue?

Retired Lt. Genral Jerry Boykin talks about the recent raid in Somalia by the Navy Seals. Should the United States troops be involved in such missions; and how would the recent defense budget cuts affect such operations? Is lily pad strategy the right solution to these dilemmas?

According to President Obama’s State of the Union address, “our ties to the Americas are deeper… anyone who tells you that America is in decline or that our influence has waned, doesn’t know what they’re talking about. ” In 2011 Iran has enjoyed more influence in Latin America than ever. In recent years (since 2005) Iran has expanded and intensified the relations and mainly their cooperation among some Latin American countries, such as Venezuela, Cuba, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Bolivia and Brazil. Roger Noriega addresses these situations and provides a deeper analysis about the situation in Latin America, the influence of Iran with special concern in Venezuela and Brazil, and the United States role as in all of these.