Podcasts about Afghanistan

Scott interviews Joe Kent, the former director of the US National Counterterrorism Center, about what drove him to resign. Kent explains how he saw the Israelis mislead Trump about an Iranian nuclear threat and the supposed fragility of the regime. He also backs up some of the widely attacked claims in his resignation letter about Israeli involvement in getting the US into previous wars in the region, reflects on what the real goals of the Israeli government are with this war, sheds light on Scott's concerns about significant blowback terrorism in the US and more. Discussed on the show: Kent's letter of resignation Joe Kent is a retired Army Special Forces soldier who served as the director of the National Counterterrorism Center in Trump's second term until he resigned in 2026 over the war with Iran. Follow him on Twitter @joekent16jan19 Audio cleaned up with the Podsworth app: https://podsworth.com Use code HORTON50 for 50% off your first order at Podsworth.com to clean up your voice recordings, sound like a pro, and also support the Scott Horton Show! For more on Scott's work: Check out The Libertarian Institute: https://www.libertarianinstitute.org Check out Scott's other show, Provoked, with Darryl Cooper https://youtube.com/@Provoked_Show Read Scott's books: Provoked: How Washington Started the New Cold War with Russia and the Catastrophe in Ukraine https://amzn.to/47jMtg7 (The audiobook of Provoked is being published in sections at https://scotthortonshow.com) Enough Already: Time to End the War on Terrorism: https://amzn.to/3tgMCdw Fool's Errand: Time to End the War in Afghanistan https://amzn.to/3HRufs0 Follow Scott on X @scotthortonshow And check out Scott's full interview archives: https://scotthorton.org/all-interviews This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: Roberts and Roberts Brokerage Incorporated https://rrbi.co Moon Does Artisan Coffee https://scotthorton.org/coffee; Tom Woods' Liberty Classroom https://www.libertyclassroom.com/dap/a/?a=1616 and Dissident Media https://dissidentmedia.com You can also support Scott's work by making a one-time or recurring donation at https://scotthorton.org/donate/https://scotthortonshow.com or https://patreon.com/scotthortonshow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Download Audio. Scott interviews Joe Kent, the former director of the US National Counterterrorism Center, about what drove him to resign. Kent explains how he saw the Israelis mislead Trump about an Iranian nuclear threat and the supposed fragility of the regime. He also backs up some of the widely attacked claims in his resignation letter about Israeli involvement in getting the US into previous wars in the region, reflects on what the real goals of the Israeli government are with this war, sheds light on Scott's concerns about significant blowback terrorism in the US and more. Discussed on the show: Kent's letter of resignation Joe Kent is a retired Army Special Forces soldier who served as the director of the National Counterterrorism Center in Trump's second term until he resigned in 2026 over the war with Iran. Follow him on Twitter @joekent16jan19 Audio cleaned up with the Podsworth app: https://podsworth.com Use code HORTON50 for 50% off your first order at Podsworth.com to clean up your voice recordings, sound like a pro, and also support the Scott Horton Show! For more on Scott’s work: Check out The Libertarian Institute: https://www.libertarianinstitute.org Check out Scott’s other show, Provoked, with Darryl Cooper https://youtube.com/@Provoked_Show Read Scott’s books: Provoked: How Washington Started the New Cold War with Russia and the Catastrophe in Ukraine https://amzn.to/47jMtg7 (The audiobook of Provoked is being published in sections at https://scotthortonshow.com) Enough Already: Time to End the War on Terrorism: https://amzn.to/3tgMCdw Fool's Errand: Time to End the War in Afghanistan https://amzn.to/3HRufs0 Follow Scott on X @scotthortonshow And check out Scott's full interview archives: https://scotthorton.org/all-interviews This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: Roberts and Roberts Brokerage Incorporated https://rrbi.co Moon Does Artisan Coffee https://scotthorton.org/coffee; Tom Woods' Liberty Classroom https://www.libertyclassroom.com/dap/a/?a=1616 and Dissident Media https://dissidentmedia.com You can also support Scott's work by making a one-time or recurring donation at https://scotthorton.org/donate/https://scotthortonshow.com or https://patreon.com/scotthortonshow

In this episode of The President's Daily Brief: New reports suggest backchannel communication between the U.S. and Iran—but with key leadership figures gone, a bigger question emerges: is there anyone left in Tehran with the authority to actually make a deal? President Trump delays a high-stakes trip to China by several weeks as the White House shifts its focus to the war with Iran. A deadly Pakistani airstrike in Kabul kills dozens, marking a sharp escalation in tensions with Afghanistan. And in today's Back of the Brief — an update on President Trump's push to build a multinational “Hormuz coalition” as several Western nations decline to participate. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President's Daily Brief by visiting https://PDBPremium.com. Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief. YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief Ava: See how millions are boosting their credit with Ava—download the Ava app and use code BAKER for 20% off your first year. Mars Men: For a limited time, our listeners get 50% off FOR LIFE, Free Shipping, AND 3 Free Gifts at Mars Men at https://Mengotomars.com  Acre Gold: Start building physical gold with simple monthly payments and enter to win two Ancient Collection gold bars at https://GetAcreGold.com/PDB  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jack MacTavish is a retired United States Army Colonel and author of action-adventure and espionage fiction. Over a military career spanning more than 36 years in both the U.S. Army and Army Reserve, he served in airborne, special operations, and joint assignments, including roles supporting U.S. Army Special Operations Command and U.S. Special Operations Command. His operational experience took him across multiple global regions, including Afghanistan, Korea, Haiti, Central and South America, and the Middle East. In addition to his military service, MacTavish has supported missions within the U.S. Intelligence Community as a contractor. MacTavish is the author of Royal Diamonds (2026), his debut novel, which blends action-adventure, espionage, and historical intrigue. His writing is informed by firsthand experience, emphasizing realism, operational authenticity, and the complexities of modern conflict and global power dynamics. He currently resides in North Carolina, where he continues to write and remains an advocate for veteran causes, including support for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On August 26, 2021, an ISIS-K terrorist attack killed 13 American service members and wounded many others at Abbey Gate outside Kabul International Airport in Afghanistan. Scores of Afghan civilians were also killed and wounded. Nine of the American service members killed that day were U.S. Marines from G Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines. Their company commander was then-Captain Geoffrey Ball.In this edition of Veterans Chronicles, Major Ball takes us through the chaos the company found when it arrived in Afghanistan on August 19. He tells about the heroic efforts of his unit and many others to establish as much order as possible among the many thousands of people desperate to reach the airport and leave Afghanistan before U.S. forces withdrew.Major Ball then walks us through the terrorist attack and the horrific toll it inflicted upon his company. He also shares what impact the explosion had on him and the details the amazing work of his company's Navy corpsman and other medics to save and stabilize those who were badly hurt.Finally, Ball tells us, in detail, about the service members who made the ultimate sacrifice at Abbey Gate, who they were, and what he appreciated about each one of them.

AP correspondent Charles de Ledesma reports Pakistan has offered an olive branch to Afghanistan at the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

Israel's foreign minister said Iranians were "safer" without Ali Larijani and Basij paramilitary force commander Gholamreza Soleimani, after the Israeli military said it had killed both of them in strikes. Hours after the Israeli announcement, there has still been no response from Tehran to the claims. The defence minister, Israel Katz, said he had instructed the military to “continue hunting down” Iran's leadership. Also: In the US, a top counter-terrorism official has resigned over the war against Iran, saying President Trump had been pushed into the conflict by Israeli pressure. And: Medical sources in Afghanistan say more than 100 bodies have been recovered after a Pakistani airstrike on a drug rehabilitation centre. We hear from our correspondent in Kabul, who went to the scene shortly after the strike. We find out why a US artificial intelligence firm wants to hire a chemical weapons expert; plus we look back at the life of best-selling spy thriller author Len Deighton, who's died. And we hear what is believed to be the earliest recording of whale song, from 1949.The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

Zweckentfremdung des "Sondervermögens" durch die Bundesregierung laut Wirtschaftsforschungsinstituten, Neuer Schufa-Score soll Bonitätsbewertung leichter nachvollziehbar machen, Israel tötet laut eigenen Angaben iranischen Sicherheitschef, US-Präsident Trump kritisiert mangelnde Bereitschaft zur Absicherung der Straße von Hormus durch NATO-Staaten, US-Präsident Trump spricht von "freundlicher Übernahme" von Kuba, Havarierter russischer Tanker treibt im Mittelmeer, Mindestens 400 Tote bei pakistanischem Angriff auf Afghanistan, Europäischer Gerichtshof stärkt Rechte von Angestellen der katholischen Kirche und ihrer Einrichtungen, Ausstellung zeigt Werke zu Felsen von Étretat im Frankfurter Städel Museum, Das Wetter

Listen to Daily Global #News from Grecian Echoes WNTN 1550 AM - Israel says Iran's security chief, Ali Larijani, has been killed in a strike - Trump escalated his rhetoric against Cuba - Pakistan & Afghanistan escalate conflict

Another person died in ICE custody over the weekend, that's 12 so far this year. This one was an Afghan National, here legally, who fought along side our troops in Afghanistan for over a decade. Why the fuck was he destined in the first place? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Madigan brings you a REWIND episode from September 23, 2024, in which you;ll learn the story of the woman who organized the Revolutionary Association of Women in Afghanistan, or RAWA, who lived (and died) for the freedom of Afghan women and girls, Meena. I highly recommend reading the book, Meena, Heroine of Afghanistan: The Martyr Who Founded RAWA, the Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan, for more information on today's subject. ⁠https://www.amazon.com/Meena-Heroine-Afghanistan-Revolutionary-Association/dp/0312306903⁠ To listen to more, join me on Patreon! ⁠https://www.patreon.com/angryneighborhoodfeminist⁠ Do you have a topic that you want the show to take on?    Email ⁠neighborhoodfeminist@gmail.com⁠ Social media:     Instagram: @angryneighborhoodfeminist Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this every-other-month presentation, Professor Wolff presents insights and analysis on six key topics leading up to, and lasting beyond, the current war on Iran; including: the history of U.S. military involvement in Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, and Iraq, the economic trends throughout U.S. history that lead up to war, the role of oil and natural gas as an excuse for conflict, the relevance and importance of the Straight of Hormuz, the reality of the U.S. empire's decline and Israel's gamble, and the prospects and consequences of renewed global conflict.    Presented by Democracy at Work and the Left Forum   Special messages to our audience:  Please help sponsor Global Capitalism by becoming a monthly donor to Democracy at Work. Go to our website to learn more (www.democracyatwork.info/donate). Follow Democracy at Work on X (Twitter) and YouTube.   Our four Democracy at Work books, three by Richard Wolff (Understanding Marxism, Understanding Socialism, and The Sickness is the System: When Capitalism Cannot Save Us from Pandemics or Itself) are for sale on Lulu.com.   Find direct purchase links on our website ( www.democracyatwork.info/books ), or find them directly on Lulu ( www.lulu.com/spotlight/democracyatwork )   Your support helps to produce and distribute these talks. Thank you.   Follow us on X (formally known as Twitter) at: @ProfRDWolff @DemocracyAtWrk2:13 

Why did Pakistan go to war against Afghanistan? - Propaganda against Pakistan - Shehzad |Ghias #TPE

This week on History's Greatest Idiots (featuring Patreon member Ben Markwart), we explore the Chernobyl nuclear disaster: the catastrophic 1986 explosion that killed dozens, displaced 350,000 people, cost 700 billion dollars, and helped collapse the Soviet Union.The Safety Test That Wasn't Very SafeOn 26th April 1986 at 1:23 AM, Reactor 4 at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant near Pripyat, Ukraine, exploded during a safety test. Engineers disabled the emergency core cooling system, ran the RBMK reactor at just 7% power (unstable below 20%), and withdrew most control rods. Within seconds, power surged to over 100 times normal output. Two explosions blew the 2,000 ton reactor lid off and ignited the graphite moderator, which burned for nine days, releasing massive radioactive contamination across Europe.The RBMK Reactor DesignThe Soviet RBMK reactor had catastrophic design flaws operators weren't informed about. It featured a positive void coefficient (coolant loss increased power), control rods with graphite tips that briefly increased reactivity when inserted, and no Western-style containment building. Deputy Chief Engineer Anatoly Diatlov, in charge during the accident, genuinely believed the reactor was safe.The Cover-up and Sweden's DiscoveryFor 36 hours, Soviet officials said nothing whilst Pripyat's 50,000 residents went about their normal lives at radiation levels 600,000 times background levels. On 28th April, radiation alarms triggered at Sweden's Forsmark Nuclear Power Plant, over 1,000 kilometres away. Only after Swedish authorities announced a Soviet nuclear accident did the USSR reluctantly admit to Chernobyl. Gorbachev didn't issue a statement until 14th May, 18 days later, calling it a "misfortune" and attacking Western media as spreading "malicious lies."The LiquidatorsFirst responders weren't told they were confronting an exposed reactor core. Firefighters handled radioactive graphite with ordinary equipment. 28 died within four months from acute radiation syndrome. Firefighter Vasily Ignatenko, aged 25, received 1,300 rem and died on 13th May 1986. About 600,000 liquidators cleaned up the site. Called "bio-robots," they shovelled radioactive debris from the roof in 40-second shifts because robots were destroyed by radiation. At least 1,800 children developed thyroid cancer from radioactive iodine-131.How Chernobyl Collapsed the Soviet UnionGorbachev later stated Chernobyl was "perhaps the real cause of the collapse of the Soviet Union," more than perestroika, glasnost, Afghanistan, or the Berlin Wall. The disaster shattered public trust, contradicting glasnost's promise of openness. Combined with Afghanistan casualties (15,000 troops), economic stagnation (2.6% GDP growth), and military spending (16% of GNP), Chernobyl's 18 billion rouble cost broke the system. The Berlin Wall fell in November 1989. The USSR dissolved in December 1991, less than six years after Chernobyl.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/HistorysGreatestIdiots⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/historysgreatestidiots⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/historysgreatestidiots⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Artist: Sarah Chey⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.fiverr.com/sarahchey⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

durée : 00:03:51 - Sous les radars - par : Sébastien LAUGENIE - L'ONU alerte sur un risque de catastrophe humanitaire en Afghanistan. Déjà fragilisé par une crise économique et sociale profonde, le pays subit aussi les répercussions des secousses régionales au Moyen-Orient et la guerre que lui mène le Pakistan. Vous aimez ce podcast ? Pour écouter tous les autres épisodes sans limite, rendez-vous sur Radio France.

durée : 00:03:51 - Sous les radars - par : Sébastien LAUGENIE - L'ONU alerte sur un risque de catastrophe humanitaire en Afghanistan. Déjà fragilisé par une crise économique et sociale profonde, le pays subit aussi les répercussions des secousses régionales au Moyen-Orient et la guerre que lui mène le Pakistan. Vous aimez ce podcast ? Pour écouter tous les autres épisodes sans limite, rendez-vous sur Radio France.

1. Eric Cline discusses the Late Bronze Age through the lens of the Uluburun shipwreck, which represents the era's globalized trade network. The ship's cargo, including copper from Cyprus and tin from Afghanistan, highlights the interconnectedness of civilizations like the Egyptians, Hittites, and Mycenaeans. Cline explains that the collapse around 1177 BC was not caused by a single event but a "perfect storm" of factors, including drought, famine, earthquakes, and the Sea Peoples' migrations. This catastrophic sequence occurred so rapidly that societies lacked the time to recover, leading to a systemic failure of the ancient world's trade routes. (1)

Join the H-Hour Patron Community at patreon.com/hkpodcasts ***** In this H-Hour episode, I chat with actor and ex-Queen's Royal Hussars Officer Alex Brockdorff about breaking into film/TV via commercial crew work—starting as a runner and becoming a location manager to “keep a roof over my head” while pursuing acting—and why set life suits ex-military planning, teamwork, and initiative. Brockdorff praises the technical craft of production, contrasts commercials with long-form drama, and describes his unconventional audition for Warfare, the film's memory-based scripting, long takes, tight hours, and why it felt special, calling it “fucking grim” with “no sweeping strings” or “American Eagle” heroics. He recounts leaving the Army, bottoming out in 2015, seeking help through Combat Stress and HorseBack UK, and urges veterans to ask for help. ---- Alex Brockdorff Is an actor and former soldier. He joined the Army in 2008 with deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan - in 2014 he left the military to pursue a career in film. He as appeared in a slate of films, network and streaming television dramas, and most recently he played Mikey in the critically acclaimed WARFARE (A24). https://www.alexbrockdorff.com/

Join the H-Hour Patron Community at patreon.com/hkpodcasts ***** Live-streamed to H-Hour patrons, this Icebreaker introduces returning guest Alex Brockdorff and runs through patron questions about his Army career and acting work. Alex explains that Sandhurst is designed as a training course—selection should mean candidates can pass—though passing out isn't proof of “excellence,” and new officers should “keep your mouth shut and listen.” He recalls finishing Sandhurst in 2008 and being sent rapidly to Iraq with QRH in Basra, initially stuck on watchkeeper duties until he pushed to go into the city, and later doing a full Afghanistan tour on Herrick 15. Now freelancing in film, he says insecurity drives stress but he's learned to “roll with the punches.” He describes pivoting into acting after watching Rafe Spall direct non-professional actors, and praises Warfare's immersion—real radios and live comms—saying, “Shit's going fully fucking sideways,” and arguing it should be heard loud in Dolby Atmos. Alex Brockdorff Is an actor and former soldier. He joined the Army in 2008 with deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan - in 2014 he left the military to pursue a career in film. He as appeared in a slate of films, network and streaming television dramas, and most recently he played Mikey in the critically acclaimed WARFARE (A24). https://www.alexbrockdorff.com/

On the next episode of the Zero Limits Podcast, host Matty Morris chats with Mick Albrecht — former Infantry and Intelligence soldier turned comedian.Mick served in the Australian Army for 11 years. He began his military career as a reservist with 25/49 Royal Queensland Regiment in Brisbane before transferring to full-time service. He later served as a paratrooper with the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, deploying to the Solomon Islands.Mick then transferred to the Intelligence Corps, where he deployed to Timor and later completed two deployments to Afghanistan as part of the Special Operations Task Group, supporting combat operations conducted by the SASR and the 2nd Commando Regiment.In recent years, Mick has turned to comedy and now regularly features at stand-up comedy events. He has also teamed up with Kara Robinson as co-producer of Shellshocked Comedy AustraliaSend us a text however note we cannot reply through these means. Please message the instagram or email if you are wanting a response. Support the showWebsite - www.zerolimitspodcast.comInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/zero.limits.podcast/?hl=enHost - Matty Morris www.instagram.com/matty.m.morrisSponsors Instagram - @gatorzaustralia www.gatorzaustralia.com15% Discount Code - ZERO15(former/current military & first responders 20% discount to order please email orders@gatorzaustralia.com.au Instagram - @3zeroscoffee 3 Zeros Coffee - www.3zeroscoffee.com.au 10% Discount Code - 3ZLimits Instagram - @getsome_au GetSome Jocko Fuel - www.getsome.com.au 10% Discount Code - ZEROLIMITS

Scott interviews Israeli geopolitical analyst Shaiel Ben-Ephraim about how Israelis are navigating and thinking about this new war with Iran. He and Scott dig into the differences between the US and Israeli government's objectives in this war, the distinction between the various factions in Israel, how Netanyahu's goals differ from the IDF's and more. Discussed on the show: Follow Ben-Ephraim on X The Grand Reckoning Shaiel Ben-Ephraim is an Israeli geopolitical analyst, activist, and podcast host. Subscribe to his show The Grand Reckoning and follow him on Twitter @academic_la Audio cleaned up with the Podsworth app: https://podsworth.com Use code HORTON50 for 50% off your first order at Podsworth.com to clean up your voice recordings, sound like a pro, and also support the Scott Horton Show! For more on Scott's work: Check out The Libertarian Institute: https://www.libertarianinstitute.org Check out Scott's other show, Provoked, with Darryl Cooper https://youtube.com/@Provoked_Show Read Scott's books: Provoked: How Washington Started the New Cold War with Russia and the Catastrophe in Ukraine https://amzn.to/47jMtg7 (The audiobook of Provoked is being published in sections at https://scotthortonshow.com) Enough Already: Time to End the War on Terrorism: https://amzn.to/3tgMCdw Fool's Errand: Time to End the War in Afghanistan https://amzn.to/3HRufs0 Follow Scott on X @scotthortonshow And check out Scott's full interview archives: https://scotthorton.org/all-interviews This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: Roberts and Roberts Brokerage Incorporated https://rrbi.co Moon Does Artisan Coffee https://scotthorton.org/coffee; Tom Woods' Liberty Classroom https://www.libertyclassroom.com/dap/a/?a=1616 and Dissident Media https://dissidentmedia.com You can also support Scott's work by making a one-time or recurring donation at https://scotthorton.org/donate/https://scotthortonshow.com or https://patreon.com/scotthortonshow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Download Audio. Scott interviews Israeli geopolitical analyst Shaiel Ben-Ephraim about how Israelis are navigating and thinking about this new war with Iran. He and Scott dig into the differences between the US and Israeli government's objectives in this war, the distinction between the various factions in Israel, how Netanyahu's goals differ from the IDF's and more. Discussed on the show: Follow Ben-Ephraim on X The Grand Reckoning Shaiel Ben-Ephraim is an Israeli geopolitical analyst, activist, and podcast host. Subscribe to his show The Grand Reckoning and follow him on Twitter @academic_la Audio cleaned up with the Podsworth app: https://podsworth.com Use code HORTON50 for 50% off your first order at Podsworth.com to clean up your voice recordings, sound like a pro, and also support the Scott Horton Show! For more on Scott’s work: Check out The Libertarian Institute: https://www.libertarianinstitute.org Check out Scott’s other show, Provoked, with Darryl Cooper https://youtube.com/@Provoked_Show Read Scott’s books: Provoked: How Washington Started the New Cold War with Russia and the Catastrophe in Ukraine https://amzn.to/47jMtg7 (The audiobook of Provoked is being published in sections at https://scotthortonshow.com) Enough Already: Time to End the War on Terrorism: https://amzn.to/3tgMCdw Fool's Errand: Time to End the War in Afghanistan https://amzn.to/3HRufs0 Follow Scott on X @scotthortonshow And check out Scott's full interview archives: https://scotthorton.org/all-interviews This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: Roberts and Roberts Brokerage Incorporated https://rrbi.co Moon Does Artisan Coffee https://scotthorton.org/coffee; Tom Woods' Liberty Classroom https://www.libertyclassroom.com/dap/a/?a=1616 and Dissident Media https://dissidentmedia.com You can also support Scott's work by making a one-time or recurring donation at https://scotthorton.org/donate/https://scotthortonshow.com or https://patreon.com/scotthortonshow

Brent Verner shares his journey from being one of the first eight Army Ranger Combat Assault Dog handlers to working with Naval Special Warfare, bringing decades of operational experience from Iraq and Afghanistan. Brent discusses his first dog Rudy—a "landshark" who licked trees in training but became a combat-proven asset—and the evolution from contract handlers to Ranger-qualified K9 operators.The conversation explores critical lessons learned in combat: why early training didn't translate to operational success, how dogs perform differently under real-world pressure, and the importance of calculated training with specific benchmarks versus "checkbox" mentality. Brent emphasizes that special operations training is deliberately structured with measurable tasks, while many law enforcement programs settle for general training that doesn't build fluency.Key Topics:Combat Assault Dog program origins and selectionReal combat deployments: what worked, what didn'tDogs getting injured and handler decision-makingTransitioning from military to law enforcement mindsetWhy "busy" agencies (like LAPD) create better handlers fasterThe danger of checkbox training vs. calculated objectivesFirst aid and tactical care for working dogsFinding credible mentors who've "no-shit done it"Essential for law enforcement K9 handlers, security operators, and military working dog communities looking to elevate training standards beyond basic competency.Brent Verner Background: Former U.S. Army Ranger, one of first eight Combat Assault Dog handlers, transitioned to Naval Special Warfare, multiple combat deployments (Iraq/Afghanistan), now trains law enforcement and security K9 teams in Pennsylvania.

Afghanistan Hits Pakistan with Drones | Islamabad तक पहुंचे Drones | Sanjay Dixit | Map Explanation

In this special "On This Planet" episode, Ophira Edut of The AstroTwins talks to our longtime friend NEDA, a seasoned entertainment executive, former music manager for bands including Bon Jovi and Motley Crue, cultural diplomat and creator of the documentary "Nobody's Enemy: Youth Culture in Iran" (2006). An Iranian American currently residing in Istanbul, Neda's work has consistently bridged East and West through the power of media, music, and storytelling. In "Middle Eastern Misfits," Ophi and Neda discuss:

"Ich wurde im Irak und auch in Afghanistan angeschossen. Aber das hier war furchteinflößend." Das sagt ein ehemaliger, hochdekorierter US-Offizier, der mutmaßlich Opfer eines russischen Mikrowellen-Angriffs wurde. So wie hunderte US-Diplomaten, Agenten und Regierungsangestellte, die in Havanna genauso ins Visier gerieten wie in Washington und auch in Wien. Jahrelang taten US-Behörden diese Anschläge als Hysterie ab. Doch wie neue internationale Recherchen zeigen, haben US-Agenten solch eine Mikrowellen-Waffe tatsächlich in die Hände bekommen und zumindest hinter verschlossenen Türen die schlimmsten Annahmen bestätigt. Wie der Kreml eine Mikrowellen-Waffe entwickelt und eingesetzt haben soll und wieso die USA versuchen, diese Angriffe zu vertuschen, darüber sprechen wir mit STANDARD-Redakteur und Waffenexperte Peter Zellinger.

Greg Kelly in the third hour navigates a dense landscape of geopolitical conflict and domestic policy, weaving together a live radio broadcast that features commentary on military strategy in Iran and political endorsements for the Trump-Vance economic platform. The narrative shifts between an interview with General Blaine Holt regarding maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz and a speech by JD Vance that contrasts conservative financial principles with current leadership through personal anecdotes of military service. Central to the discourse is a focus on American military superiority, tempered by a critical analysis of its limitations in nation-building, as seen in historical references to Afghanistan and Vietnam. Kelly further grounds the program in national security concerns, reporting on potential domestic terror threats and criticizing administrative transparency while maintaining an informal, opinionated dialogue with his audience on topics ranging from religious tensions to aviation safety. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has said the issues between Afghanistan and Pakistan can only be resolved through dialogue and consultation. He was speaking during a phone call with his Afghan counterpart.

White House war advisor ROBERT PAPE reveals why Trump is trapped in a war with Iran, the risk of a nuclear breakout, the role of China in the conflict, and how the US is losing control of the Middle East. Robert Pape is a renowned political scientist and director of the Chicago Project on Security and Threats. He has advised every White House since 9/11 on military strategy and is the author of Bombing to Win: Air Power and Coercion in War. He explains: ▪️The 3 stages of the escalation trap locking the US into war ▪️Why precision smart bombs trick leaders into strategic failure ▪️The hidden reality of Iran's 400kg enriched uranium stockpile ▪️How killing the Supreme Leader made the Iranian regime more resilient ▪️The pattern that connects Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq and Iran Enjoyed the episode? Share this link and earn points for every referral - redeem them for exclusive prizes: https://doac-perks.com Follow Robert: X - https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/CACnkUs LinkedIn - https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/EhIzCvZ Substack - https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/AtTbkWq The Diary Of A CEO: Join DOAC Circle - https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/EVyBm53  The Diary Of A CEO book - https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/67654nf  The 1% Diary - https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/2mrbk7t  Conversation Cards - https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/Ex8Yc9b  Get email updates - https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/7Az7mkJ  Follow DOAC on Instagram - https://link.thediaryofaceo.com/6KoLc6C  Sponsors: Stan - Visit https://coach.stan.store/?ref=stevenbartlett&utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=episode1 Fiverr - https://fiverr.com/diary and get 10% off your first order when you use code DIARY Wispr - Get 14 days of Wispr Flow for free at https://wisprflow.ai/steven

Following the initiation of Operation Epic Fury, there has been a lot of talk about a supposed MAGA split among Trump supporters. After all, the America First credo was no optional wars in the Middle East following disgust with the 20-year misadventures in Afghanistan and Iraq. But Iran is not Afghanistan or Iraq. This is a top-down, air-only military conflict whose stated mission objectives do not necessitate ground forces, and the MAGA base understands this, argues Victor Davis Hanson on today's edition of “Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words.” “But nobody has ever seen a war in which one side destroyed the entire air force of the enemy, the entire navy of the enemy, and has got pretty much 90% of its ballistic missile arsenal nullified and probably 85% of the drones and decapitated the entire command and control of the military.”

Jake Engelen is a Marine Corps veteran who served two deployments to Afghanistan, surviving combat and emerging with resilience forged in conflict. Transitioning from military service and a stint in the financial sector, he embraced his roots to become a regenerative farmer. As founder of Coastal Pastures Farms in Delray, Florida, he champions sustainable, pasture-based agriculture for healthier food, soil, and humanity. https://www.coastalpasturesfarms.com/home ----- SUPPORT VIVA! GET MERCH! www.vivafrei.com BUY A BOOK! https://amzn.to/4qBXikS SEND ME SOMETHING! David Freiheit 20423 SR 7 Ste F6319 Boca Raton 33498 TIP WITH CRYPTO! bc1qt0umnqna63pyw5j8uesphsfz0dyrtmqcq5ugwm For advertising inquiries please email sponsorships@rumble.com THAT IS ALL!

Watch us on Youtube: https://youtu.be/vQ0o0F07o2k Subscribe to get bonus episodes, read more about the team, and catch us on every platform we're on! > https://bit.ly/unholy-podcast Naomi Alderman on Substack: look at me. I'm here. I'm the ultimate product of Hitler's defeat: https://naomialderman.substack.com/p/look-at-me-im-here-im-the-ultimate Day 13 of the war with Iran — and the conflict just got bigger. Overnight, 200 rockets were fired at Israel from Lebanon. Hezbollah, which many believed had been neutered, is back.  This week, Yonit and Jonathan take stock of a war that is growing, not winding down. They're joined by General David Petraeus — former CIA Director, commander of coalition forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, and one of the most clear-eyed voices on American military strategy. Petraeus breaks down what the US and Israel have actually achieved so far: missile launches are down over 90%, air defenses have been dismantled, and over 6,000 targets hit. But the new Khamenei? "We wanted a Delcy Rodriguez," he says. "We got a young Kim Jong-un." And he's blunt about what comes next: Iran's a million men under arms, and nobody has a clean exit. Then: a very different conversation. Jonathan talks to novelist and broadcaster Naomi Alderman about why she thinks Marty Supreme is the most intensely Jewish movie she's ever seen.  Plus: the Mensch and Chutzpah awards return. The Academy of Hebrew Language gets hacked by Iranians. Their response? Perfect. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In Los Angeles completing his upcoming film about Unabomber Ted Kaczynski, north of Viborg-born Danish film and television director JANUS METZ talks about being drawn to characters that look into darkness. From his documentary Armadillo (2010) about Danish soldiers in the war in Afghanistan to his big budget tv series Star Wars: Andor (2025) to the miniseries ZeroZeroZero (2020) about the global cocaine trade, Janus talks about the anthropological approach and perspective in all his work.Janus selects a work by Per Kirkeby from the SMK collection.https://open.smk.dk/en/artwork/image/KMS7953(Private photograph)This conversation with Asger Hussain occurred on November 10, 2025.----------We invite you to subscribe to Danish Originals for weekly episodes. You can also find us at:website: https://danishoriginals.com/email: info@danishoriginals.com----------And we invite you to donate to the American Friends of Statens Museum for Kunst and become a patron: https://donorbox.org/american-friends-of-statens-museum-for-kunst

On this week's Stumped with Alison Mitchell, Clint Wheeldon and Sunil Gupta; after India's men's side banished the ghosts of 2023 and defended their T20 World Cup title on home soil, we look back at a one-sided final and ask whether anyone can match them in white ball cricket?Plus, we hear from Afghanistan cricketer Tooba Khan Sarwari on how life has been over the last 12 months - including that visit to the Women's World Cup in India - and her hopes for the future.Photo: Suryakumar Yadav Captain of India along with the teammates lifts the trophy after winning the ICC Men's T20 World Cup India & Sri Lanka 2026 Final between India and New Zealand at Narendra Modi Stadium on March 8, 2026 in Ahmedabad, India. (Credit: MB Media/Getty Images)

Contributing producer and Kabul-based journalist Ali Latifi tells the story of a roughly 48-hour period, at the end of 2025, when the Taliban turned off the entire internet in Afghanistan.–Become a Never Post member at https://www.neverpo.st/ for access to an ad-free feed, and member-only episodes.– Call us at 651 615 5007 to leave a voicemail Drop us a voice memo via airtable Or email us at theneverpost at gmail dot com –Cord Cutters https://bsky.app/profile/netblocks.org/post/3mgrehog7wk23 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Iran_massacres Shutdown Tracker Optimization Project The Internet, Switched Off   Internet Shutdown: How Governments Weaponize Connectivity Iran's regime has shut down the internet in the middle of war How Iran shut down the internet and built a sophisticated system of digital control Afghanistan imposes internet blackout: What has the effect been so far? The Kremlin says the internet is turned off to stop drone attacks. Russians are fed up Blocked and Bypassed: Russians Evade Internet Censorship  –Find Alihttps://authory.com/Ali–Thank you to Suha, Fara, Saeed, Samir, Ramin, Mohammad, Hamed, Jabar, Sanam Muradi, Haroun Rahimi, Naser, Ahmad Azizi and Saeed.This episode's Contributing Producer is Ali Latifi. Never Post's producers are Audrey Evans, Georgia Hampton and The Mysterious Dr. Firstname Lastname. Our senior producer is Hans Buetow. Our executive producer is Jason Oberholtzer. The show's host is Mike Rugnetta.1. These are the vague demands you make on me2. (that I) assemble(to) recollect(to) decode(   ) associate3. that I admit, fraught with difficulty, reintegrationis no day at the beach in eggshell tints“The inmates start to get brave and a little crazy”when they hear that friendly voice–the matron4. (But that's also my mind, lost)Her epic poem on the constraints society places on the5. misunderstoodExcerpt of Sybil by Rebecca Wolf Never Post is a production of Charts & Leisure and is distributed by Radiotopia

What happens when ordinary people try to build a democracy from scratch in the middle of a civil war — and what happens when it falls apart? In this episode, our host Kelly McFarland sits down with journalist and author Anand Gopal, a three-time Pulitzer finalist, to discuss his new book Days of Love and Rage: A Story of Ordinary People Forging a Revolution. The book follows six individuals in the northern Syrian city of Manbij, where residents overthrew the Assad regime in 2012 and launched a remarkable 18-month experiment in participatory democracy, before inequality, economic crisis, and the rise of ISIS tore it apart. In this conversation: How 50 protesters grew into a citywide movement that toppled a dictatorship The assemblies, newspapers, and civic organizations that emerged from 40 years of authoritarian silence Why economic inequality — not just tyranny — proved to be democracy's greatest threat How ISIS recruited ordinary, secular Syrians through populist rhetoric, not just ideology The role of women in the revolution and the double battle against both the regime and patriarchal norms What Syria's story tells us about radicalization, democratic fragility, and the long arc of revolution Lessons from comparing Syria's struggle to the French Revolution About the Guest: Anand Gopal is a journalist and author who has covered Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria for over a decade. His new book Days of Love and Rage is based on eight years of reporting and nearly 2,000 interviews. It was published on March 3rd. Produced by Freddie Mallinson and Mislav Majcan. Recorded on March 9, 2026. Diplomatic Immunity, a podcast from the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy at Georgetown University, brings you frank and candid conversations with experts on the issues facing diplomats and national security decision-makers around the world. Funding support from the Carnegie Corporation of New York. For more, visit our website, and follow us on Linkedin, Twitter @GUDiplomacy, and Instagram @gudiplomacy  

Tune in here to this Thursday's edition of the Brett Winterble Show! Brett kicks off the program by talking about the ongoing conflict with Iran and why he believes the United States has already achieved its major military objectives in the region. He argues that U.S. and Israeli operations have significantly weakened Iran’s naval forces, missile capabilities, and influence through proxy groups, leaving the country with little strategic leverage. Brett contends that with these goals accomplished, there is no reason for the United States to remain heavily involved in the conflict or risk American lives in a prolonged war. Drawing comparisons to long conflicts like Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan, he stresses the importance of avoiding another “forever war.” Instead, Brett says the U.S. should recognize the victory, bring American troops home, and shift focus back to domestic priorities and strengthening the economy, while still maintaining the ability to respond quickly if Iran or its allies attempt to threaten regional stability again in the future. Listen here for all of this and more on The Brett Winterble Show! For more from Brett Winterble check out his YouTube chan See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1. The State of the Iran Conflict The U.S. is in week two of a war with Iran, claiming major military success Iran’s missile and drone capabilities have been nearly eliminated. Iran’s navy has been almost entirely destroyed. The U.S. is using overwhelming force, rapid strikes, and no gradual escalation. 2. U.S. Objectives (as framed in the discussion) The stated goals of “Operation Epic Fury”: Destroy Iran's missile stockpiles, launchers, and weapons manufacturing. Destroy Iran’s navy. Permanently prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. 3. Justification for War Iran has been at war with the U.S. for 47 years, funding terrorism (Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthis). Iran attempted to assassinate former President Trump and other U.S. officials (Bolton, O’Brien, etc.). This war is described as “America-first,” not about Israel, and responds to direct threats against Americans. 4. Political Framing & Criticism of Opponents Democrats are: Confused in their messaging. Trying to politicize gas prices. Accusing Trump of being manipulated by Israel. Media personalities (notably Tucker Carlson) are heavily criticized for: Alleged pro‑Islamist, anti‑Israel, anti‑American rhetoric. Being amplified by foreign adversaries (Iran, Russia, Muslim Brotherhood). 5. Foreign Influence Qatar is: Funding U.S. universities with $6.6 billion. Supporting Hamas. Influencing American academic and political spheres. 6. Economic Effects Gas prices have risen during the conflict. The increase is temporary. Prices are still much lower than under Biden. If Iran’s regime collapses, oil prices may drop significantly. 7. Vision of the Endgame The conflict will be short, decisive, and not like Iraq or Afghanistan. Expectations: No long-term occupation. No large-scale troop deployment. Focused destruction of hostile infrastructure. Confidence that the Iranian regime might collapse, leading to a more stable region without prolonged war. Please Hit Subscribe to this podcast Right Now. Also Please Subscribe to the 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson and The Ben Ferguson Show Podcast Wherever You get You're Podcasts. And don't forget to follow the show on Social Media so you never miss a moment! Thanks for Listening YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VerdictwithTedCruz/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/verdictwithtedcruz X: https://x.com/tedcruz X: https://x.com/benfergusonshow YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VerdictwithTedCruzSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

4. Guest Bill Roggio discusses a tragic US strike on an Iranian school. He argues that air power alone cannot win wars or overthrow regimes, citing lessons from the Taliban's victory in Afghanistan. (4)1903 TRIAL OF PM MOSSADEQH AT THE DIRECTION OF MI6 AND CIA.

Kyle Steiner is a U.S. Army Special Forces veteran and combat leader who served in the Global War on Terror. He enlisted in the Army in 2005 and deployed to Afghanistan with the 173rd Airborne Brigade, serving in the Korengal Valley during some of the most intense fighting of the war. His experiences there were later captured in the acclaimed documentaries Restrepo and Korengal. During combat operations, Steiner was wounded in action and awarded two Purple Hearts after surviving multiple enemy attacks, including an RPG blast and a machine-gun round that struck and deflected off his helmet. He later went on to serve in U.S. Army Special Forces, conducting missions across the Middle East, Central America, and South America. Over the course of his career he became Ranger-qualified, Combat Diver-qualified, HALO-certified, and a graduate of the Special Forces Sniper Course. His assignments included service with SOCOM’s Crisis Response Force. Steiner’s military decorations include two Purple Hearts, three Bronze Stars, and the Army Commendation Medal with “V” device for valor. Today, he is the founder of Operator Mindset, a leadership and performance coaching platform focused on discipline, resilience, and purpose. He is also a husband, father, and speaker who shares lessons from combat, leadership, and personal transformation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Iran War Opposed by Most Americans. Senator Ron Johnson Hates Vets. Dr Dre is a Billionaire. USA Sled Hockey Rocks. Trump's deeply unpopular war in Iran is escalating, US troops are being wounded in large numbers, and the war on the truth is raging—so Paul Rieckhoff is back with a fast, fiery solo episode to help you cut through the chaos, fueled by G. Love & Special Sauce and fresh off a big night on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. From new reporting on undisclosed American casualties and oil shocks in the Strait of Hormuz to Trump's all‑gas‑no‑brakes foreign policy and a Congress with “no plan to stop him,” Paul breaks down what's really happening, why it feels like Iraq all over again, and what eternal vigilance looks like for you right now.​ He digs into Trump's forever war, the overextended US military, and the historic unpopularity of the Iran conflict—less support than Vietnam, Iraq, or Afghanistan—while calling out senators who act more like pundits than leaders and demanding a real plan to constrain presidential war powers. Along the way he blasts Senator Ron Johnson for blocking the bipartisan Richard Starr Act that would ensure wounded combat veterans get both the disability and retirement pay they've earned, pulls back the curtain on his latest Colbert appearance and his push to draft Stephen to run as an independent against Lindsey Graham, spotlights Independent Veterans of America, and still finds room for joy—from USA sled hockey's Paralympic dominance and the World Baseball Classic to Dr. Dre's long‑awaited billionaire status and what the “year of the billionaire” says about America now. -WATCH full video of this episode here. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Learn more about American Veterans for Ukraine here. -Learn more about The Headstrong Project for Veterans, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and Department of Veterans Affairs resources in your area. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness. It's a show of strength. If you or a loved one are in immediate crisis, dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255. Connect with Independent Americans: Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all podcast platforms Read more at Substack Support ad-free episodes at Patreon  Connect: Instagram  • X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Follow on social: @PaulRieckhoff on X, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Send a textHow do we protect ourselves in a digital world where attackers face almost no real consequences?In this episode of Joey Pinz Discipline Conversations, Joey Pinz sits down with cybersecurity founder and inventor Mike Siers for a thought-provoking conversation that challenges everything we assume about online security, identity, and trust.Mike's journey begins in the Florida National Guard and a deployment to Afghanistan, where life-altering experiences shaped how he sees service, responsibility, and problem-solving. That same mindset later led him into healthcare innovation—and eventually into cybersecurity—after realizing that the internet lacks one critical element found in the physical world: real risk for bad actors.Inspired by military strategy and an MIT thesis on cyber power projection, Mike explains a radical idea: what if unauthorized access attempts cost money? Instead of defenders absorbing endless attacks, attackers would inherit the risk before they even try.This conversation explores how empathy fuels innovation, why most cybersecurity models are reactive by design, and how shifting incentives could dramatically change online behavior. It's a powerful look at leadership, responsibility, and building solutions not just for today—but for the next generation. ⭐ Top 3 Highlights

In this episode of the It's a Good Life podcast, host Brian Buffini talks with David Berke, an accomplished Marine Corps pilot, TOPGUN instructor and author, about the real-world leadership lessons he has learned throughout his career. David relays how as a child, he watched Marine fighter jets flying over his El Toro, CA neighborhood. Years later, he too became a Marine pilot flying jets, including combat missions in Afghanistan. David also was in the United States Navy Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor program, (commonly known as TOPGUN), and returned there to become an instructor. Now retired from the Marines, he is a leadership instructor and speaker, as well as the Chief Development Officer of Echelon Front. YOU WILL LEARN: Why leadership is a learnable skill — and how to grow it at work, at home, and within yourself. How discipline and process carry you through seasons when motivation is nowhere to be found. Why humility, teamwork, and relationship-building are the true foundations of long-term success MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: The Need to Lead — A TOPGUN Instructor's Lessons on How Leadership Solves Every Challenge by David Berke NOTEWORTHY QUOTES FROM THIS EPISODE: “Leadership is a skill that you can learn.” — David Berke “If you have anything that contributes to this team, which you do, you are a leader.” — David Berke “Every problem is a leadership problem in your family, within yourself, in your business, whatever it is. And the attributes of good leadership apply everywhere, which means that through good leadership, you can solve all those problems.” — David Berke “Motivation is a waning emotion. What is a sustaining thing, is working hard and being disciplined and powering through when you're not motivated.” — David Berke “When you put in the work when things are dark and difficult and hard, what you get in the end is so much more powerful.” — David Berke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Agnès Callamard, secretary general of Amnesty International, talks about the work that Amnesty International does to advance the rights of women and girls worldwide, including in Afghanistan, Malawi, Gaza, China, Iran and more. (Photo by STAN HONDA / AFP) (Photo by STAN HONDA/AFP via Getty Images)

This week we talk about Khamenei, Trump, and Netanyahu.We also discuss Venezuela, Cuba, and cartels.Recommended Book: Plagues upon the Earth by Kyle HarperTranscriptAli Hosseini Khamenei was an opposition politician in the lead-up to the Iranian Revolution that, in 1979, resulted in the overthrow of the Shah—the country's generally Western government-approved royal leader—and installed the Islamic Republic, an extremely conservative Shia government that took the reins of Iran following the Shah's toppling.Khamenei was Iran's third president, post-Shah, and he was president during the Iran-Iraq War from 1981-1989, during which the Supreme Leader of Iran, the head of the country, Ruhollah Khomeini sought the overthrow of then Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. Khomeini died the same year the war ended, 1989, and Khamenei was elected to the role of Supreme Leader by the country's Assembly of Experts, which is responsible for determining such roles.The new Supreme Leader Khamenei was reportedly initially concerned that he wasn't suitable for the role, as his predecessor was a Grand Ayatollah of the faith, while he was just a mid-rank cleric, but the constitution of Iran was amended so that higher religious office was no longer required in a Supreme Leader, and in short order Khamenei moved to expound upon Iran's non-military nuclear program, to expand the use and reach of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, in-country and throughout the region, and he doubled-down on supporting regional proxies like Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, and Hamas in Gaza, incorporating them into the so-called Axis of Resistance that stands against Western interests in the region—the specifics of which have varied over the decades, but which currently includes the aforementioned Hezbollah and Houthis, alongside smaller groups in neighboring countries, like Shiite militias in Bahrain, and forces that operate in other regional spheres of influence, like North Korea, Venezuela, and at times, portions of the Syrian government.Khamenei also reinforced the Iranian government's power over pretty much every aspect of state function, disempowering political opponents, cracking down on anyone who doesn't toe a very conservative extremist line—women showing their hair in public, for instance, have been black-bagged and sometimes killed while in custody—and thoroughly entangled the functions of state with the Iranian military, consolidating essentially all power under his office, Supreme Leader, while violently cracking down on anyone who opposed his doing whatever he pleased, as was the case with a wave of late-2025, early 2026 protests across the country, during which Iranian government forces massacred civilians, killing somewhere between 3,000 and 35,000 people, depending on whose numbers you believe.What I'd like to talk about today is a new war with Iran, kicked off by attacks on the country from Israel and the United States that led with the killing of Khamenei and a bunch of his higher-up officers, how this conflict is spreading across the region and concerns about that spreading, and what might happen next.—On February 28, 2026, the US and Israel launched a wave of joint air attacks against Iran, hitting mostly military and government sites across the country. One of the targets was Khamenei's compound, and his presence there, above-ground, which was unusual for him, as he spent most of his time deep underground in difficult-to-hit bunkers, alongside a bunch of government and military higher-ups, may have been the rationale for launching all of these attacks on that day, as the attackers were able to kill him and five other top-level Iranian leaders, who he was meeting with, at the same time.This wave of attacks followed the largest military buildup of US forces in the Middle East since the invasion of Iraq back in 2003, and while military and government targets were prioritized, that initial wave also demolished a lot of civilian structures, including schools, hospitals, and the Grand Bazaar in Tehran, leading to a whole lot of civilian casualties and fatalities, as well.In response, Iran launched hundreds of ballistic missiles and drones at Israel, and at US bases throughout the region—these bases located in otherwise uninvolved countries, including Qatar, Bahrain, the UAE, Kuwait, Iraq, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. Iranian missiles and drones also hit non-military targets, and in some cases maybe accidentally hit civilian infrastructure, in Azerbaijan, and Oman, alongside a British military base on the island of Cyprus.The Iranian president apologized in early March for his country's lashing out at pretty much everyone, saying that there were miscommunications within the Iranian military, and that Iran wouldn't hit anyone else, including countries with US bases, so long as US attacks didn't originate from those bases.Despite that apology, though, Iranian missiles and drones continued to land in many of those neighboring countries following his remarks, raising questions about communications and control within the now-decapitated Iranian military.This new conflict follows long-simmering tensions between Iran and Israel—the former of which has said it will someday wipe the latter from the face of the Earth, considering its existence an abomination—and long-simmering tensions related to Iran's nuclear program, which the government has continuously said is just for civilian, energy purposes, but which pretty much everyone suspects, with a fair bit of evidence, is, in parallel, also a weapons program.Iran's influence throughout the region has been truncated in recent years, due to a sequence of successes by the Israeli military and intelligence services, which allowed them to hobble or nearly wipe out traditional Iranian proxy forces like Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, which have collectively surrounded and menaced Israel for decades.Those menacing forces more or less handled, Israel has become more aggressive in its confrontations with Iran, exchanging large air attacks several times over the past handful of years, and the US under Trump's second term continues to see Iran as the main opposition to their efforts to build a US-aligned counterbalance against Russian and Chinese influence in the Middle East, with Israel, Saudi Arabia, and increasingly entities like Qatar and the UAE playing ball with the West, while Iran and its allies stand firm against the West.Trump has regularly threatened to act in Iran, usually waiting for the Iranian government to do something really bad, like that recent massacre of civilians following those large anti-government protests in late-2025, early 2026, and that to some degree has served as justification for the massing of US military assets in the region, leading up to this attack.Now that the attack has launched, a new war triggered, the question is how big it will get and how long it will last.For the moment, it looks like Iran's government and military is very much on the back foot, a lot of their assets taken out in that initial wave, and they're still scrambling to put someone in charge to replace Khamenei and those other higher-ups who were assassinated at the outset of this war—that'll likely change soon, maybe even before this episode goes live. But whomever takes the reins will have quite the task ahead of them, probably—according to many analysts, at least—aiming to just hold out until the US runs out of ammunition, which is expected to happen within a week or so, at which point Iran can launch surgical attacks, aiming to make this war too expensive, in terms of money and US lives, for the Trump administration to continue investing in, as money and lives are especially expensive in an election year, which 2026 is. So the idea is to grind the US down until it makes more political sense for Trump to just declare victory and leave, rather than allowing this to become a Vietnam or Afghanistan situation for his administration.It's also generally expected that when the US pulls out, Israel probably will too, as they've already made their point, tallied a bunch of victories, and set Iran back in a lot of ways; they could walk away whenever they like and say they won. And Iran would probably be incentivized to, at that point, avoid doing anything that would lead to more punishment, though they would almost certainly immediately begin rebuilding the same exact centralized, militarized infrastructure that was damaged, the only difference being they would have someone else on top, as the Supreme Leader. Relations could be even worse moving forward, but it would probably be at least a few years before Iran could do anything too significant to their regional enemies, which I guess if you're Israel does, in fact, represent a win.But considering the unlikelihood of permanent change in Iran, the big question here, in the minds of many, is what this war, this attack, is even for.For Israel, the main purpose of any attack against Iran is to weaken or destroy an enemy that has made no secret about wanting to weaken and destroy them. For the US, though, and the Trump administration more specifically, the point of all this isn't as clear.Some contend that this is another effort to steal attention and headlines from the increasingly horrifying revelations coming out of the investigation into the Epstein files, which seem to indicate Trump himself was involved in all sorts of horrible, pedophilic sexual assault activities with the late human-trafficker.Some suspect that the apparent victory in grabbing former Venezuelan president Maduro from his own country and whisking him away to the US without suffering any US casualties has emboldened Trump, and that he's going to use the time he's got to take out anyone he doesn't like, and may even specifically target authoritarian leaders who will not be missed—who oppress and kill their own people—because then it's difficult for his political opponents to call him out on these efforts.Most Venezuelans are happy to see Maduro gone, and many Iranians celebrated when Khamenei was assassinated. Trump has publicly stated that he intends to go after Cuba, next, and continues to suggest he wants a war of sorts with Mexican and south and central American cartels, which follows this same pattern of demonstrating a muscular, aggressive, militarized United States doing whatever it wants, even to the point of kidnapping or assassinating foreign leaders, but doing so in a way that is difficult to argue against, because the leaders and other forces being taken out are so horrible, at times to the point of being monstrous, that these acts, as illegal as they are according to internal laws, can still seem very justified, through some lenses.Still others have said they believe this is purely an Israeli op, and the US under Trump is just helping out one of Trump's buddies, Israel's Netanyahu, who wants to keep his country embroiled in war in order to avoid being charged for corruption.The real rationale could be a combination of these and other considerations, but the threat here, regionally, is real, especially if Iran continues to lash out at its neighbors.This part of the world is renowned for its fuel reserves and exports, and every time there's a Middle Eastern conflict, energy prices rise, globally, and other nations that produce such exports, like Russia, benefit financially because they can charge more for their oil and gas for a while—gas prices in the US have already increased by 14% over the past week as a result of the conflict—and those increases also then the raises the price of all sorts of other goods, spiking inflation.Another huge concern here, though, is that this part of the world is highly reliant on the desalination of water just to survive; massive desalination plants, most located along the coast, where they are very exposed to military threats, are at risk if Iran and Saudi Arabia, or Kuwait, or Oman start firing at each other in earnest.About 90% of Kuwait's drinking water comes from these sorts of plants, and about 86% of Oman's and 70% of Saudi Arabia's do, as well.Earlier in this war, a US strike damaged an Iranian desalination plant, and the Iranian foreign minister made a not-so-veiled threat against such plants in neighboring countries, saying the US set the precedent of attacking such infrastructure, not them.Worth noting here, too, is that many desalination plants are attached to power stations, located within the same facility, so attacks on power infrastructure, which are already common in any conflict, could also lead to more damaged desalination plants, all of which could in turn create massive humanitarian crises, as people living in some of the hottest, driest parts of the world find themselves, in the millions, without drinkable water.The potential for a spiraling humanitarian disaster increases with each passing day, then, which would seem to increase the likelihood that someone will stop, declare victory, and move on to the next conflict. But there's always the chance the one or more of the involved forces will clamp down and decide that it's in their best interest to keep things going as long as possible, instead—and in this case, it would likely be Iran playing that role, locking the US and Israel and their allies into a grinding, long-term conflict that no one would actually win.Show Noteshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Axis_of_Resistancehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_and_state_funeral_of_Ruhollah_Khomeinihttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Iran_massacreshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ali_Khameneihttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assassination_of_Ali_Khameneihttps://www.eurasiareview.com/08032026-strikes-continue-despite-iranian-presidents-apology/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/trump-rejects-settling-iran-war-raises-prospect-killing-all-its-potential-2026-03-08/https://www.reuters.com/world/us/irans-retaliation-began-us-officials-scrambled-arrange-evacuations-2026-03-07/https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/mapping-crisis-iran-visual-explainer-2026-03-06/https://apnews.com/live/iran-war-israel-trump-03-08-2026https://apnews.com/article/iran-israel-us-march-8-2026-f0b20dbffaea9351ae1e54183ffe53ffhttps://apnews.com/article/iran-war-desalination-water-oil-middle-east-12b23f2fa26ed5c4a10f80c4077e61cehttps://apnews.com/video/trump-says-us-will-turn-attention-to-cuba-after-war-with-iran-91c3f239c18349fdb409f901c50b7e71https://www.nytimes.com/live/2026/03/08/world/iran-war-trump-israel-lebanonhttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/08/us/politics/trump-russia-ukraine-iran-war.htmlhttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/07/us/politics/iran-war-first-week.htmlhttps://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/03/08/opinion/iran-war-ayatollah.htmlhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Iran_war This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letsknowthings.substack.com/subscribe

Feeling overwhelmed by the current news cycle but needing to provide answers, Glenn takes a different approach when discussing the conflict in Iran. Glenn talks about what went wrong when America went into Afghanistan, which cost the country trillions, alongside the deaths of citizens. So what's the strategy of going into Iran? Glenn analyzes the belief system of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D) and the radical Islamic worldview he's pushing. What is the red-green alliance? Glenn warns about the ideology of radical Marxist Aleksandr Dugin and the worsening of the red-green alliance. Glenn further analyzes the oil price spike and explains what President Trump's strategy may be. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feeling overwhelmed by the current news cycle but needing to provide answers, Glenn takes a different approach when discussing the conflict in Iran. Glenn talks about what went wrong when America went into Afghanistan, which cost the country trillions, alongside the deaths of citizens. So what's the strategy of going into Iran? Glenn explains the difference between regime change and regime containment. Oil prices have skyrocketed to their highest level in four years. What's happening? Glenn analyzes the belief system of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D) and the radical Islamic worldview he's pushing. What is the red-green alliance? Glenn warns about the ideology of radical Marxist Aleksandr Dugin and the worsening of the red-green alliance. Glenn further analyzes the oil price spike and explains what President Trump's strategy may be. Glenn answers a question from one of his Insiders regarding America's ongoing relationship with NATO. What is the benefit for America if Cuba's regime falls?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When the Taliban captured Herat City in August 2021, Tooba Sarwari had just one thing on her mind: cricket. Would she ever be able to play her beloved sport again? And more pressing, would the Taliban find the evidence of her and her team mates’ sporting achievements? If they did, it would surely spell the end for them and their families. This is the story of how Tooba, and the other members of the Afghan Women’s Cricket Team, risked everything to flee Afghanistan and start a new life in Australia - with the help of some cricketing friends. And how once they were there, they began to rebuilt the team… The Girlfriends: Spotlight is produced by Novel for iHeartPodcasts. For more from Novel visit novel.audioSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2. The Loss of Sacrifice and the Shadow of the Pacific War The debaters contrast the modern era with the Pacific War (1941-1945), noting that Pearl Harbor provided an immediate, unifying rationale for total war. During that time, there was no doubt regarding the mission to defeat Japan and Germany, and the nation embraced a spirit of sacrifice. Germanicus points to the film *They Were Expendable* as an artifact of a time when martyrdom bound the people together in a shared national identity. Today, however, he argues that the sacred narrative has been "hollowed out" and corrupted by leaders who use it for manipulation. Modern Americans, described as increasingly narcissistic, have lost the memory of what it means to be part of something larger than themselves. Furthermore, the U.S. has transitioned into a society that prefers striking from afar via technology rather than engaging in "boots on the ground" combat. This leads to a dangerous disconnect: while the leadership feels "in command pushing buttons," they are oblivious to the fact that they may be losing the war, repeating the failures of Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Without a clear U.S. war aim, the military appears to be merely executing an Israeli mission to degrade Iran, leaving the American public without a sense of purpose or a defined end to the hostilities. (3)1944 OKINAWA

As Iran's retaliation hit American allies throughout the Middle East this week, David Remnick was joined by two New Yorker writers with decades of experience reporting from the region. Robin Wright has reported from Iran extensively, and she met with Ali Khamenei before he became the Supreme Leader of Iran; Dexter Filkins covered the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and he has been reporting on the Pentagon and military readiness. Filkins and Wright discuss the possibilities for future leadership in Iran; the Administration's chaotic statements in regard to its goals and time frame; and the economic impact of the war, which is already being felt around the globe. The Political Scene draws on the reporting and analysis found in The New Yorker for lively conversations about the big questions in American politics. Join the magazine's writers and editors as they put into context the latest news—about elections, the economy, the White House, the Supreme Court, and much more. New episodes are available three times a week. Tune in to The Political Scene wherever you get your podcasts.  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices