K.T. McFarland | Former Deputy National Security Advisor | 02-18-26

Sid & Friends In The Morning

77 WABC

Sports, Comedy, News

4.2 • 828 Ratings

🗓️ 18 February 2026

⏱️ 16 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Former Deputy National Security Advisor K.T. McFarland makes her return to the morning show with Sid to talk about Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s noncommittal response about whether the U.S. should commit troops to defend Taiwan if China attacked. McFarland says leaders typically prepare Q&A materials and argues AOC “blew” a predictable top question, comparing her unfavorably to Kamala Harris and calling AOC not a serious person, while Sid contrasts her with Republicans like JD Vance and Marco Rubio. The discussion shifts to expectations that President Trump will ultimately take stronger action against Iran, with McFarland describing Iran’s worsening internal situation—sanctions, a “ghost fleet” used to sell oil, U.S. efforts to seize and shut it down, high inflation, and potential for internal collapse—and outlining options Trump could pursue, including letting Israel act and then stepping in. They also discuss Israeli politics, noting President Isaac Herzog’s limited role but power to pardon, Trump’s criticism of Herzog for not pardoning Prime Minister Netanyahu, and McFarland’s view that Herzog’s stance is driven by domestic election politics and that Netanyahu could ultimately be seen as a Churchill-like figure who brings peace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:58.6	Before I bring on KT. McFarlane does a tremendous job on this show.
1:02.9	She's been out a couple of weeks.
1:04.7	She had some surgery.
1:05.5	We really did miss her.
1:07.0	She's on box news all the time as well.
1:08.8	She's worked for President Trump and other presidents along the way, four or five of them.
1:13.9	I do want to play this for KT because this was so embarrassing for the Democrats.
1:19.9	It doesn't matter.
1:20.7	They'll never admit it.
1:21.7	They'll figure out a way to make it work for them.
1:25.0	But whether it was Gavin Newscombe talking about climate control again,
1:30.0	that was not the topic of conversation in Munich,
	...

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