In the United States, concerns are growing over what former CIA analyst Larry Johnson describes as the increasing politicization of the military — a shift in which the armed forces begin serving not the state as a whole, but the interests of individual political figures. He made the remarks during a broadcast on a YouTube channel while discussing the situation surrounding tensions with Iran.

Johnson argued that the trend resembles a transformation of the military into something akin to the Praetorian Guard. In the Roman Empire, he noted, legions fought for the state, whereas the guard was tasked with protecting a specific ruler.

He suggested that this process took shape in earnest under Barack Obama, continued during Joe Biden’s presidency, and was also evident under Donald Trump. In his view, crossing this line poses a serious risk and could ultimately lead to the degradation of the military as an institution.

Addressing the current situation, Johnson also pointed out that developments are unfolding unfavorably for Trump. He recalled that earlier claims in the United States portrayed Iran as effectively defeated, with assertions that the country lacked air defense systems, aviation, and naval capabilities. However, he indicated that recent developments — including reports of downed F-15 aircraft and a Black Hawk helicopter — call those claims into question and suggest that previous assessments did not fully reflect reality.