Podcasts about Axis

Russia is turning captured Orthodox parishes into tools of occupation while holding tens of thousands of abducted Ukrainian children as leverage in any ceasefire deal.  China and Iran continue to feed the Houthi militants in Yemen drone and satellite technology to terrorize Red Sea shipping lanes. From election interference to drone incursions along the Baltics and Poland, these authoritarian regimes continue to test the will of fragile democracies and international order.   U.S. Representative Joe Wilson (SC-2), chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, and FDD's Research Fellow Dr. Ivana Stradner join Foreign Podicy guest host RADM Mark Montgomery to unpack the Axis of Aggressors new generation warfare campaign against NATO and the West.

Three Big Conversations: Sydney Sweeney released a borderline pornographic commercial for Novig - 3:18 what the memes about Charlie Kirk may really mean - 19:52 why not every tween wants to grow up to be a YouTuber. - 33:20 Resource of the Week: "Breaking the Algorithm" - 00:46 → Click here to watch the first episode → Click here to read the discussion guide In Other News: - 46:38 Whispering the phrase "go play" has become a way to tell someone to leave you alone, with the implication that they are being childish.  Rapper Macklemore was removed from being the opening act for Ed Sheeran's tour after saying "Free Palestine" from the stage.  The comedy-horror series Widow's Bay dominated the Emmys this past Monday, taking home 14 total awards—including the top prize for the comedy genre, Outstanding Comedy Series.  A recent study from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression asked college students whether violence was an acceptable way to stop controversial speakers. 3% said "always," 12% said "sometimes," and 16% said "rarely." These numbers are down from last year, in which 34% total agreed that violence may sometimes be acceptable.  The indie band Bon Iver has apparently written a jingle to help promote "meatloaf dippers" at Howard's Bar in Minnesota.

Darrell Castle gives his thoughts on the Iran War and asks the question what has 200 days of war accomplished for the United States. He reminds us that yesterday, September 17th, was the 239th anniversary of the U.S. Constitution. Transcription / Notes TWO HUNDRED DAYS OF WAR Hello, this is Darrell Castle with today's Castle Report. This is Friday the 18th day of September in the year of our Lord 2026. My beat is war once again as the United States of America passes two milestones this week. Yesterday the 17th was Constitution Day and this week the US passed 200 days in its war against Iran. So, our subject is what has been accomplished in those 200 days. Yes, we are 200 days into the war against Iran and just on a brief inventory I will list a few of the things it has accomplished. It seems to me that war has torn the U.S. and much of the world apart in the last few days. Here's an excellent quote from the London Times via Bill Bonner. “The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq cost more than 7000 American lives, hundreds of thousands of civilian ones and trillions of dollars, turning that surplus into a debt of more than $40 trillion. Seeing the world's sole superpower flounder for a decade against roadside bombs and soviet-era rifles wrecked American self-esteem and drained Washington's international authority. But the deeper damage was to Americans' faith in their government and in themselves.” That is about as good a summation of what GWB called the war on terror as I could write myself. This reporter, Gerald Baker, is telling us that America has lost its way and we may never find the way again. The US has now spent more than two decades dealing out death and destruction across the world with very little if any to show for it. Now, we are in an even worse situation thanks to the unprovoked attack against Iran about 200 days ago. That attack has in so many ways torn the world apart. Thanks to the empowerment of Iran which was once a backwater country with its own people, especially its women, on the verge of rebellion because of the regime's harsh treatment, that backwater now controls the world's economy at least the fuel portion of it. Fuel may not be everything in the economic world but everything depends on it. When it comes to fuel the war seems to be going worse than ever and it has been a catastrophe for the world's economy. Iran controls the Strait of Hormuz which it made no effort to control before it was attacked. The Houthis are gaining control of the Red Sea and the chokepoints leading to it. Iraqi militia, undoubtedly armed by Iran have devastated the Saudi oil production and shipment facilities to the point that fuel in Europe is drying up. The Saudis built a pipeline from their oil facilities across to the Red Sea to avoid Iranian attacks on shipping in the Gulf but repeated drone attacks have destroyed the pipeline so the Saudis are unable to ship oil right now. There have been so many Iranian missile attacks on US. bases and all the oil producing nations that oil is becoming critically short worldwide. Here in the US, we have developed a system where we don't stockpile anything as we used to. Instead trucks continually roll to grocery stores and if they miss one day there is no food. Diesel delivers all the stuff we consume and if you've driven anywhere lately you know the highways are full of trucks and they all run on diesel. Since the price of diesel is soaring, over $6 in my area, the price of food and everything else is soaring too. The Iranians do not have the same system. They don't have to take delivery to prevail, they just have to make sure no one else takes delivery. The fuel shortage is growing worse by the day here in America. The emergency petroleum reserve is at a critically low point and even Donald Trump is alarmed so apparently that is why he made the deal with Venezuela for their oil. Will it be too little too late, time will tell I guess. It seems that petroleum is not the only thing in short supply. The Iranians are very clever people and they seem to have figured out that they can run us short of missiles as well as petroleum. The THAAD system, Terminal High Altitude Area Defense System is one of the nation's most expensive defensive systems costing about $13 million per missile. Consider that it is tasked with shooting down missiles supplied to Iran by China probably in exchange for oil which they have in abundance. If a swarm of missiles is fired at Israel THAAD will be highly effective against one, two, perhaps ten but at what cost. The system is not as effective against the hypersonic missiles the Iranians are currently using so perhaps tens of millions expended for each attack all back to US taxpayers. Military records show that 134 THAADs were fired in June of 2025 well before the current war even started. Now, apparently the supply is critically short and the maximum production capacity is about 8 missiles per month. It's easy to see the problem. Even if THAAD is completely effective US production capacity cannot keep up. If that were all it would be plenty but as usual it gets worse. According to anonymous, but trusted federal officials as reported by Tucker Carlson, the US has to replenish not only its own weapons expended but Israel's too. Reportedly the Trump administration plans to send a total of 40,000 Mark 84 and BLU-117 bombs to the Israeli government in the coming months. The records reveal that in World War ll all the allied nations combined from 1939 until 1945 dropped 3.4 million tons of bombs on their Axis enemies. The US didn't even enter the war until late 1941. The bombs I just mentioned being provided to Israel, 40,000 of them each contain 2000 pounds of explosive force or one ton. That means 40,000 tons if the transfer is approved. Some members of congress are starting to take notice however because Thomas Massie has introduced articles of impeachment against Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, and he promised to push it to a vote as one of his last acts before leaving office in November. Yes, Massie has represented Kentucky's 4th district since 2012 but he was primaried out of congress this year and will be leaving in November. He has always been critical of the Iran war and of the US relationship with Israel and I suppose that was just too much for the proponents of the war to bear. Coincidentally, yesterday, the 17th was Constitution Day which celebrates the 239th anniversary of the document that moved America from the status of a colony ruled by Britain to an independent, self-governing republic. Here are a few words from Massie's articles of impeachment. “It is appropriate on this day, the 239th anniversary of our Constitution, that Members of the House of Representatives can stand and vote to validate their constitutional oath and to impress upon the self-proclaimed Secretary of War that his days of waging preemptive, aggressive war are over. The current Secretary's practice of extrajudicial killings, of playing policeman, prosecutor, judge, jury and executioner will be at an end, if the House votes to impeach. Every American should understand the gravity of the conduct of Secretary Hegseth: Unilateral initiation and continuation of war, the taking of life without due process, the abandonment of protections for civilians, the suppression of free speech, the separation of powers and the constitutional authority of Congress” The articles also include charges which I won't quote but I will attempt to summarize as I am able. The United States conducted a preemptive attack on Iran at the request of Benjamin Netanyahu. Iran's leader Ayatollah Ali Hosseini Khamenei and members of his family were killed. US and Israeli planes attacked a clearly marked school and killed at least 168 mostly schoolgirls. The school was attacked in three separate raids. He followed illegal orders and continued to accelerate the attacks on Iran. Oil shipments have been cut off and gas prices are soaring. He ordered the deaths of individuals traveling by boat in the Caribbean, alleging they were drug smugglers, arrogating to himself a God-like power over life and death. These are very serious charges and if proven justify impeachment but do they have to be proven. They don't have to be proven to advance the process from the initial introduction to a full house vote but at some point if they are advanced they will have to be discussed and voted on. Just the fact that Articles of Impeachment have been introduced proclaims to the world that at least one member of congress thinks the war and the way US war policy is being conducted is so objectionable it deserves impeachment. One result of this is that victory or a favorable conclusion to the war is now impossible. It is an act that any enemy would very much like to see because it says they are so divided there is no consensus and therefore they can't prevail. Finally, folks, these are some of the most embarrassing and frustrating moments that America has had to face in my lifetime. This war has revealed Israeli motives but what it has revealed about the US, its leadership makes no sense to me but I guess even the world's only super power can get into a mess it can't seem to get out of. At least that's the way I see it, Until next time folks, This is Darrell Castle, Thanks for listening.

Live Recorded Set from VirtualDJ Radio PowerBase

Sydney Sweeney released a borderline pornographic commercial for Novig, what the memes about Charlie Kirk may really mean, and why not every tween wants to grow up to be a YouTuber. Resource of the Week: "Breaking the Algorithm" → Click here to watch the first episode → Click here to read the discussion guide In Other News: Whispering the phrase "go play" has become a way to tell someone to leave you alone, with the implication that they are being childish.  Rapper Macklemore was removed from being the opening act for Ed Sheeran's tour after saying "Free Palestine" from the stage.  The comedy-horror series Widow's Bay dominated the Emmys this past Monday, taking home 14 total awards—including the top prize for the comedy genre, Outstanding Comedy Series.  A recent study from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression asked college students whether violence was an acceptable way to stop controversial speakers. 3% said "always," 12% said "sometimes," and 16% said "rarely." These numbers are down from last year, in which 34% total agreed that violence may sometimes be acceptable.  The indie band Bon Iver has apparently written a jingle to help promote "meatloaf dippers" at Howard's Bar in Minnesota.

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Brad Onishi on "American Caesar": Inside the Movement to End American DemocracyToday is release day for Brad Onishi's new book American Caesar, and Matt Taylor sits down with him for a deep dive into the ideas inside it. Together they trace how three seemingly separate strands of the American right — Protestant Reconstructionism, radical traditionalist Catholicism, and Silicon Valley technocracy — are converging around a shared vision: an end to liberal democracy and the rise of an American strongman, an "American Caesar."If you enjoy our work, please subscribe.Paid subscribers get bonus content, ad-free listening, access to the entire 1k episode archive, an invite to our Discord community, and access to the Axis Daily Brief.

In today's culture, it is crucial that parents equip the next generation with everything they need to know about sex and sexuality. Where do we begin and can we avoid the awkwardness you both are feeling?  With the right approach, it can be easier than you think! Axis co-founder and CEO David Eaton joins Chris Brooks to answer your questions and provide the resources you need to confidently talk to your child about sex. Featured resource:A Parent’s Guide To Kicking Off The Sex Talk: Six Conversations September thank you gift:The Special Needs Parent by Dr. Joe and Cindi Ferrini Equipped with Chris Brooks is made possible through your support. To donate now, click here.

The legacy of the second world war is complex and fraught with misinterpretation and confusion which caused some of its more brutal tactics to be pursued in the decades that followed its conclusion.Support the show My latest novel, "Califia's Crusade," is now available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Apple Books, Bookshop.org, and many other online platforms! 

We have a brand-new segment on Around the Board! Introducing High Low Ruffalo, where we each bring a good game, a bad game, and a weird game to the table. You never know what we're going to pull out!Then we head across Europe to review Abroad, the euro game all about traveling through Europe with a huge deck of cards. Is this journey worth taking, or should you stay home?Finally, we wrap things up by sharing the stories of the longest board games we've ever played. How long is TOO long for a board game? We've got some stories that might just test your patience!So grab a game, pull up a chair, and join us Around the Board!

Alix Earle's reality show focuses on her family, Polymarket bettors made money off the Lindsay Clancy mistrial, and an immersive history project is about to recap 9/11 for an audience who can't remember it. Meme of the Week: "We'll Drive A Funky Ehh" In Other News: Teens are reading plenty of texts, but maybe not the kind of texts we'd wish for. A new assessment found that reading slumped to its very lowest levels this century, with a surge in screen time linked to the decline. Goodbye Shakespeare. A recent article in The Guardian made the case that the podcast "Girls Gone Bible" is basically the conservative Christian version of Alex Cooper's "Call Her Daddy" podcast.Olivia Rodrigo has officially entered her LEGO era. She is the first musician to have multiple LEGO sets based around her music, with 5 builds inspired by her albums and some of her most iconic tour moments. We wouldn't be surprised if these start showing up on Christmas lists! Apple is making foldable iPhones now. Grab one on October 23 for the low, low price of $1,999. When asked his favorite book in an interview with his wife Hailey, Justin Bieber said, "The Bible." Same.

Three Big Conversations: Polymarket bettors made money off the Lindsay Clancy mistrial- 05:21 an immersive history project is about to recap 9/11 for an audience who can't remember it - 28:28 Alix Earle's reality show focuses on her family - 38:06 Meme of the Week: "We'll Drive A Funky Ehh" - 00:48 In Other News: - 51:50 Teens are reading plenty of texts, but maybe not the kind of texts we'd wish for. A new assessment found that reading slumped to its very lowest levels this century, with a surge in screen time linked to the decline. Goodbye Shakespeare. A recent article in The Guardian made the case that the podcast "Girls Gone Bible" is basically the conservative Christian version of Alex Cooper's "Call Her Daddy" podcast.Olivia Rodrigo has officially entered her LEGO era. She is the first musician to have multiple LEGO sets based around her music, with 5 builds inspired by her albums and some of her most iconic tour moments. We wouldn't be surprised if these start showing up on Christmas lists! Apple is making foldable iPhones now. Grab one on October 23 for the low, low price of $1,999. When asked his favorite book in an interview with his wife Hailey, Justin Bieber said, "The Bible." Same.

Live Recorded Set from VirtualDJ Radio PowerBase

Live Recorded Set from VirtualDJ Radio PowerBase

fWotD Episode 3415: Yugoslav torpedo boat T6 Welcome to featured Wiki of the Day, your daily dose of knowledge from Wikipedia's finest articles.The featured article for Thursday, 10 September 2026, is Yugoslav torpedo boat T6.T6 was a sea-going torpedo boat that was operated by the Royal Yugoslav Navy between 1921 and 1941. Originally 93 F, a 250t-class torpedo boat of the Austro-Hungarian Navy built in 1915–1916, she was armed with two Škoda 66 mm (2.6 in) guns and four 450 mm (17.7 in) torpedo tubes and could carry 10–12 naval mines. She saw active service during World War I, performing convoy, escort, patrol and minesweeping tasks, as well as anti-submarine operations. In 1917 the suffixes of all Austro-Hungarian torpedo boats were removed, and thereafter she was referred to as 93.Following Austria-Hungary's defeat in 1918, 93 was allocated to the Navy of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, which later became the Royal Yugoslav Navy, and was renamed T6. At the time, she and the seven other 250t-class boats were the only modern sea-going vessels of the fledgling maritime force. During the interwar period, T6 and the rest of the navy were involved in training exercises and cruises to friendly ports, but activity was limited by reduced naval budgets. The boat was captured by the Italians during the German-led Axis invasion of Yugoslavia in April 1941. After her main armament was modernised, she served with the Royal Italian Navy under her Yugoslav designation, conducting coastal and second-line escort duties in the Adriatic Sea. Immediately following the Italian capitulation in September 1943, she was scuttled by her crew as she had insufficient fuel on board to reach an Allied port.This recording reflects the Wikipedia text as of 01:15 UTC on Thursday, 10 September 2026.For the full current version of the article, see Yugoslav torpedo boat T6 on Wikipedia.This podcast uses content from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.Visit our archives at wikioftheday.com and subscribe to stay updated on new episodes.Follow us on Mastodon at @wikioftheday@masto.ai.Also check out Curmudgeon's Corner, a current events podcast.Until next time, I'm generative Brian.

For the first time since 1945, a far-right party bordering on Nazism has won real power in Germany. Brad Onishi and Matthew D. Taylor break down the AfD's stunning election result, Elon Musk and JD Vance's public support for the party, and what this signals about the global retreat from liberal democracy. Then, religious historian Warren Throckmorton joins to unpack Southern Baptist leader Al Mohler's growing alignment with Doug Wilson and Christian Reconstructionism — and why it marks a striking departure from historic Baptist commitments to church-state separation and religious liberty. Preorder American Caesar at bn.com from Sept. 9th to Sept. 11th and get 25% off with code PREORDER25. Note, this discount is only available to B&N members but free memberships are available—learn more & sign up here: barnesandnoble.com/membership/ Mixed: https: https://redcircle.com/shows/b09749cc-fdf8-4230-8234-b90e3f11a1c9 Guest: Warren Throckmorton, author of The Christian Past That Wasn't: Debunking the Christian Nationalist Myths That Hijack History If you enjoy our work, please subscribe. Paid subscribers get bonus content, ad-free listening, access to the entire 1k episode archive, an invite to our Discord community, and access to the Axis Daily Brief. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

Double Tap Double Tap - Ep 478 September 7, 2026 Presented by This episode of Double Tap is brought to you by: Foxtrot Mike (Code: WLSISLIFE) C&G Holsters (Code: WLSISLIFE) Midwest Industries (Code: WLSISLIFE) Blue Alpha Rost Martin (Code: WLSISLIFE) Giveaways!! GAW Text Dear WLS or Reviews +1 743 500 2171 Public Show Titles Dear WLS WINNER Question from Anonymous Coward from Oregon Evening gents, Im looking at building a 4.5″ suppressed 10/22 in a chassis for fun. Debating on the polymer sb tactical chassis or the Fletcher hall aluminum chassis. Is there a major pro/con of either (besides price)?Thanks for your deep thought out answer to this manner… -typicalpnwguy Question from Anonymous Coward from Oregon Red. Thoughts on the new burn proof gear plate carrier that's 850+ dollars I love their suppressor covers but would you pay $850 for a plate carrier? Question from Agent Entropy from Georgia If you could load anything into a 12ga shell, what's the most embarrassing load that would still be fatal? Use case: it's pride month.– Agent Entropy (I'm not in Georgia) Question from Anonymous Coward from California Angel from Commiefornia, again, sorry for not being specific on my question I want a riffle that can be used for home defense and some target shooting. I started to look at the rugger harrier. As for budget I like to save up for it and purchase so I don't have debt. Question from Anonymous Coward from Louisiana What's up my inwards? I'm currently sitting on a small stash of 7.62×39, and am minus a rifle that can shoot it. I'm kind of burnt out on AK's at the moment, so I'm trying to avoid that route. Have been kicking around the idea of a bolt gun in x39 for hogs and deer. Do yall have any recommendations for something to feed this shit to besides an AK or an SKS? Question from The typicalPNWguy from Oregon Dear borthers,has there been an update on the ATF not requiring the extra engraving for SBRs? Seems like it was a hot topic for 48hrs then been nothing since. The typicalPNWguy Gun Industry News Thefirearmblog TMC TAO50-18 Short Barrel .50 BMG Rifle The TAO50-18 is a new short-barreled variant of the TAO50 .50 BMG anti-materiel rifle from TMC (Tactical Mindset Company). It features an 18-inch barrel while maintaining the core recoil-reduction and portability design of the platform, aimed at delivering .50 BMG performance in a more compact and maneuverable package than traditional long-barreled .50 cal rifles. Bottom Line: 18″ barrel, .50 BMG caliber, portable anti-materiel rifle design with recoil mitigation features Thefirearmblog CAA Roni Micro Now Compatible with Gen 6 Glock Pistols CAA has updated the Roni Micro pistol-to-carbine conversion platform to support 6th generation Glock pistols. The Roni Micro transforms a compact or subcompact Glock into a shoulder-fired platform with a folding stock, foregrip, and accessory rails while maintaining the original pistol's trigger, magazine, and fire control. The Gist: Availability now for Gen 6 Glock models Bottom Line: Folding stock, integrated foregrip, Picatinny rails; converts Glock pistol into carbine-style platform Thefirearmblog Bersa USA Enters Suppressor Market with Four-Model Lineup Bersa USA has launched its first suppressor line consisting of four models targeting different platforms and calibers. The suppressors utilize a modular design with user-serviceable baffles, stainless steel construction, and are designed for both rifles and pistols. This marks the Argentine manufacturer's expansion beyond firearms into the silencer segment. Bottom Line: Four models: .22 LR (pistol/rifle rated, 5.5″ length, 1.06″ diameter, 4.2 oz, 6 baffles); 9mm (pistol, 7.2″ length, 1.38″ diameter, 9.5 oz, 8 baffles, 32 dB reduction); .30 (rifle, 7.8″ length, 1.5″ diameter, 13.4 oz, 8 baffles, full-auto rated on .308); .338 (precision rifle, 9.2″ length, 1.75″ diameter, 16.8 oz, 8 baffles, rated to .338 Lapua). All models feature stainless steel baffles, titanium tubes on select models, 1/2×28 or 5/8×24 threads, and are user-serviceable. Thefirearmblog CZ 612 Tac Shotgun CZ introduces the 612 Tac, a tactical variant of their pump-action shotgun line chambered in 12 gauge. The model features a durable synthetic stock, Picatinny rail for optics, and multiple M-Lok slots on the forend for accessory mounting. It is designed for tactical and home defense applications with reliable pump-action operation. Bottom Line: 12 gauge pump-action; synthetic stock; Picatinny rail; M-Lok forend; tactical configuration Thefirearmblog Geissele HiCaR Hypervelocity Improved Capability Assault Rifle Geissele Automations has developed the HiCaR (Hypervelocity Improved Capability Assault Rifle), a next-generation assault rifle platform. The design focuses on achieving significantly higher projectile velocities through advanced barrel, chamber, and ammunition integration while maintaining controllability and reliability. Bottom Line: Hypervelocity design for increased projectile speed; improved capability assault rifle platform with advanced engineering for velocity and control Thefirearmblog CZ TS 3 Orange Competition Pistol Now Available in the US The CZ TS 3 Orange is a competition-focused 9mm pistol from CZ featuring a steel frame, optics-ready slide, and competition-oriented ergonomics. It is now available for purchase in the United States through authorized CZ distributors and retailers. The Gist: Now available through authorized CZ distributors and retailers in the US Bottom Line: 9mm, steel frame, optics-ready slide with fiber optic front sight, competition trigger, extended magazine release, checkered grips, aluminum magwell Thefirearmblog MKU Netro NW-3000 Night Vision Sights for Indian Army SIG 716 Rifles MKU has supplied Netro NW-3000 night vision weapon sights for the Indian Army's SIG Sauer SIG 716 patrol rifles. The NW-3000 is a lightweight, high-performance clip-on or stand-alone night vision sight designed for tactical use, providing enhanced low-light targeting capability to standard infantry rifles already in Indian service. Bottom Line: Lightweight high-performance night vision sight; compatible with SIG 716 rifles; enhances low-light targeting for Indian Army infantry Thefirearmblog Smith & Wesson Model 1854 America 250 Heritage Double Duty Lever-Action Rifle Smith & Wesson has released a commemorative edition of its Model 1854 lever-action rifle tied to the America 250 anniversary. The Heritage Double Duty variant features historical styling combined with modern performance enhancements in a lever-action platform chambered for .44 Magnum. The Gist: Available now through authorized Smith & Wesson retailers and distributors Bottom Line: Chambered in .44 Magnum; features include 16.5″ barrel, 9+1 capacity, walnut stock with heritage engraving, modern lever-action design with enhanced ergonomics and reliability updates over traditional designs Thefirearmblog Savage Arms Axis Rifles – All Barrels Now Threaded Savage Arms has updated its Axis bolt-action rifle line so that all barrels are now threaded from the factory. This change applies across the Axis lineup, enabling easier suppressor and muzzle device installation without aftermarket threading. The update simplifies customization for users seeking threaded muzzles on their entry-level rifles. The Gist: Availability: Now (all current production Axis rifles feature threaded barrels) Bottom Line: Key specs/features: All barrels factory-threaded for suppressors and muzzle devices; applies to entire Axis series; maintains existing Axis platform specifications Inside Safariland CZ TS3 Orange Cadre The CZ TS3 Orange is a competition pistol from CZ featuring an orange Cadre frame. It is designed for high-performance shooting with specific ergonomic and aesthetic updates in the orange variant. Bottom Line: Orange Cadre frame; competition pistol configuration Theoutdoorwire September Is Bear Aware Month In Montana Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) has designated September as Bear Aware Month to educate the public on bear safety during the fall season when bears are hyperphagic and more likely to encounter humans while foraging. The campaign promotes using bear spray as the primary deterrent, proper food storage, situational awareness, and making noise in bear country. It highlights that firearms are not the recommended first line of defense compared to bear spray in most scenarios. The Gist: The Gist: FWP and partners including the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee launched Bear Aware Month in September 2026 to reduce human-bear conflicts through education on bear behavior, proper attractant storage, carrying bear spray, and travel techniques in grizzly and black bear habitat. Impact: Market Impact: Affects hunters, hikers, anglers, and outdoor recreationists in Montana and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem; reinforces preference for bear spray over firearms in non-hunting contexts and may influence sales of bear deterrent products. Bottom Line: The Bottom Line: Bear Aware Month underscores proactive prevention and non-lethal tools to coexist with recovering grizzly populations, potentially reducing wildlife conflicts and associated regulatory or economic impacts on public land users. Inside Safariland SIG Sauer P365-AXG Equinox Cadre The SIG Sauer P365-AXG Equinox is a new variant of the popular micro-compact pistol featuring an AXG aluminum grip module with an Equinox slide finish. It incorporates the Cadre Defense grip texture and is designed for enhanced ergonomics and aesthetics whil

Abby Perry is a writer, editor, researcher, and reporter based in Texas. She has collaborated with Bustle, Christianity Today, The Gospel Coalition, Sojourners, Christ and Pop Culture, and Common Good Magazine, among many other organizations. She is also a mom of two boys. And she was the lead writer and researcher for our new Parent's Guide to Betting Apps (coming soon), which we'll be talking about today.  → Click here for our Parent's Guide to Betting Apps → Click here to see Abby's work

Live Recorded Set from VirtualDJ Radio PowerBase

Live Recorded Set from VirtualDJ Radio Hypnotica

Live Recorded Set from VirtualDJ Radio PowerBase

Three Big Conversations: Gen Z is discovering that intuition is not the same as anxiety - 13:45 poor dead Nimrod Workman never stood a chance - 29:22 the foraging trend is more than just a recession indicator - 37:40 Song of the Week: "serena joy" - 00:46 Click here for the lyrics. Click here to watch the Conversation Starter episode on analog hobbies amongst teens. In Other News: - 47:18 People on TikTok are wondering if their boyfriends can read. A new trend involves women filming their boyfriends as they attempt to say words like "epitome," "fuchsia," or "paradigm" correctly. Pumpkin spice is over. Matcha and chai seem to be outperforming the once-beloved fall beverage. Other novelty flavors like miso-caramel, brown-butter honey and smoked butterscotch are also crowding out the once-beloved PSL, according to The Washington Post. Searches for CD players are up 96% since July, The Guardian reports. Demand for CD recordings of artists like Olivia Rodrigo, Ariana Grande, and Olivia Dean is driving the skyrocketing demand. Professional gamers, also called esports players, are dealing with injuries similar to those of assembly-line workers: hand and wrist pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and tendonitis. A new term just dropped. A "meat proxy" is someone who shares AI-generated text with somebody without reading it—operating as the go-between for the other person and the AI system, according to Business Insider (paywall).

Our crew discuss the meaning of Axis in the final arc bark of Arc 3, the breaking of Jasper's world with the two ending wishes, how Ed explores ideas through his story telling, and Jon drops a big reveal for the next Arc!--- GET MORE ROTATING HEROES ACTION ON PATREON ROTATOES! If you enjoyed this episode and need of more space shenanigans in your life, then check out The Rotating Heroes Patreon and be sure to use the code SHADDY50 to get 50% off your first month!Get access to exclusive shows like our behind-the-scenes Arc Barks, and Off Leash: Character Creations before each new campaign starts. You'll also receive instant, ad-free access to the ENTIRE back catalogue of campaigns, listen to the latest Axis episodes as soon as they drop, bonus shows, live streams, exclusive character art, AMAs and much, much more!WANT EVEN MORE ACTUAL PLAY GOODNESS? Then listen to 12 Sided Studios' newest production Oaths & Empires: a dark fantasy D&D adventure featuring Kingdom Come: Deliverance II's Luke Dale and Tom McKay. Set in the Witcher-esk inspired world of the Isle of Veil, journey with our two rookie players as they navigate their very first game. Rotating Heroes is a 12 Sided Studios Production

Live Recorded Set from VirtualDJ Radio PowerBase

Live Recorded Set from VirtualDJ Radio ClubZone

A wheelchair isn't just a way to get around. To a dancer, it's also a tool for creating art, movement, and beauty.  As AXIS Dance approaches its 40th year of dance performance, the venerable East Bay dance organization will be featured in the Sept. 4 edition of Pushing Limits. For four decades, AXIS has delighted national audiences by showing how chairs on wheels can be every bit as graceful, expressive, and creative as any non-disabled human body.  Executive Director Holly Million and Artistic Director Nadia Adame speak with producer and host Eddie Ytuarte about why this organization continues to grow during a time of uncertainty for nonprofit arts presenters.  This program is hosted and produced by Eddie Ytuarte.  The post Dancing Beyond Limits – Pushing Limits – September 4, 2026 appeared first on KPFA.

CAPTION: 1955.CONTENTS THE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW, 9-2-2026Saudi Arabia Seeks Nuclear EnrichmentAndrea Stricker discusses the Trump administration's submission of a Section 123 nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia to Congress. This agreement could grant Saudi Arabia dual-use uranium enrichment and plutonium reprocessing capabilities, potentially enabling nuclear weapon development. A major concern is Saudi Arabia's refusal to sign the IAEA's Additional Protocol, which permits inspections of undeclared nuclear sites. Although Congress has 90 days to review and potentially block the accord, overcoming a presidential veto would require an unlikely two-thirds majority. Stricker notes the administration's claims about Chinese and Russian competition lack evidence. (1)China Rejects Global Trade ConsensusKamran Bokhari and Gordon Chang discuss China's refusal to sign a G20 finance ministers' consensus document, objecting to language targeting non-market policies that cause trade imbalances. Chang attributes this defiance to Xi Jinping's arrogance and belief in US decline. Bokhari explains that China is posturing ahead of a summit with Trump, utilizing command capitalism to flood global markets. Bokhari highlights a shifting security architecture in Asia, including Tokyo deploying fighter jets to India and Jakarta arming itself, driven by expectations of US retrenchment. Additionally, Xi Jinping maintains absolute control domestically through extensive military purges while building ties with Egypt. (2)Steve Yates Warns Of ConflictSteve Yates and Gordon Chang address China's refusal to sign the G20 finance ministers' statement, which criticized "non-market" policies. Yates views this as an honest admission that Beijing has no intention of conforming to international trade standards. He praises Treasury Secretary Bessent for maintaining a firm stance alongside allies. Anticipating the September 24th summit between Trump and Xi Jinping, Yates notes that Washington has delayed a $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan to preserve positive "mood music." Finally, Yates warns of the "CRINK" axis—comprising China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea—collaborating on military supply chains and conflicts. (3)Global Energy And Food CrisisMichael Bernstam outlines a compounding global energy and food crisis. Tensions between the US and Iran have halted critical oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, driving Brent crude prices up. Meanwhile, European winter natural gas prices have tripled due to storages being filled only to 62%. High gas prices also restrict fertilizer production, which, coupled with Black Sea port bombings by Russia and Ukraine, has caused a spike in global grain prices. Finally, despite US interest in Venezuelan heavy crude to produce diesel, decades of local mismanagement limit production. (4)Young Conservatives Embrace Nixon MaxingRyan Bangert explores the Gen Z trend of "Nixon maxing," where young conservatives view Richard Nixon as a heroic avatar resisting 1970s extremism. Bangert argues this aesthetic misinterprets Nixon as a revolutionary. In reality, Nixon was a counterrevolutionary who sought to preserve and revitalize established institutions based on the values of the American founding. Contrastingly, Bangert highlights the philosophical division between the destructive, post-Christian French Revolution and the enduring American Revolution. Ultimately, he urges young conservatives to appreciate Nixon's true legacy: conserving institutional checks and balances to temper flawed human nature. (5)Treasury Targets Iranian Sanctions EvasionMax Maizlish explains how the Treasury Department's FinCEN is penalizing five branches of an Egyptian bank in Dubai to curb illicit financial flows. FinCEN identified $1.8 billion in suspicious transactions linked to the Iranianregime. To effectively dismantle Iran's financial network, Maizlish argues the US must target Chinese institutions, as China purchases over 90% of Iran's crude oil. Specifically, he advocates for blacklisting the Bank of Kunlun—a state-owned Chinese entity heavily involved in Iranian sanctions evasion. Maizlish asserts that CNPC officials are fully aware of these illicit transactions, making decisive sanctions necessary. (6)El Niño Defies Weather ForecastsJeremy Zakis reports on the unpredictable impacts of the current super El Niño on Australian weather. Contrary to long-term dry forecasts, Sydney is experiencing unseasonable, rolling rain showers, while Western Australia faces extreme heat exceeding 100°F. Zakis warns that if droughts strike in late September rather than mid-October, Australia faces a catastrophic, extended bushfire season fueled by rapid undergrowth. Beyond Australia, extreme weather anomalies like French tornadoes and Southern California hurricane warnings are linked to historically high Pacific sea temperatures. Additionally, warm temperatures have caused dangerous eastern brown snakes to begin moving early. (7)brown snakes to begin moving early. (7)Axis Cooperates On Advanced WeaponryBradley Bowman and Mark Montgomery, authors of Axis of Aggressors, analyze the rising military coordination detailed in their book. They reveal a secret Russian program helping Iran build supersonic cruise missiles using ramjet engines, which pose a severe threat to US and merchant vessels in the Gulf. Furthermore, China assists Iran with chemical precursors and satellite targeting data. Beyond the Middle East, Russia engages in hybrid warfare in Europe, including attempted drone attacks in Germany. In response, Germany is significantly increasing defense spending and deploying a combat brigade to Lithuania to bolster deterrence. (8)Commodity Prices Spike Amid UnrestSimon Constable discusses recent extreme weather, including an unprecedented tornado in the south of France that damaged 300 homes. This disruption mirrors severe instability in the commodity markets, where Brent crude has surged to $94 a barrel, European gas has jumped 26%, and Black Sea grain prices have spiked up to 16%. Constable also critiques the new UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham for focusing on minor local issues rather than global crises. Finally, he reviews public backlash against data centers, which consume substantial water and over 4% of total US electricity. (9)SpaceX Builds Massive Private SpaceportBob Zimmerman highlights SpaceX's purchase of a massive plot in Louisiana to establish a private spaceport capable of hosting dozens of Starship flights daily. Zimmerman argues that SpaceX's market-driven approach ensures success, whereas state-sponsored space programs in the UK and Canada often flounder due to bureaucracy. He outlines SpaceX's progress, including recovering the prototype 13 Starship and preparing for flight 14. Finally, Zimmerman notes the successful, on-budget launch of the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, upgrades to NASA's Deep Space Network, and the upcoming nuclear-powered Skyfall mission to Mars. (10)

CAPTION: 1840 BORODINOAxis Cooperates On Advanced WeaponryBradley Bowman and Mark Montgomery, authors of Axis of Aggressors, analyze the rising military coordination detailed in their book. They reveal a secret Russian program helping Iran build supersonic cruise missiles using ramjet engines, which pose a severe threat to US and merchant vessels in the Gulf. Furthermore, China assists Iran with chemical precursors and satellite targeting data. Beyond the Middle East, Russia engages in hybrid warfare in Europe, including attempted drone attacks in Germany. In response, Germany is significantly increasing defense spending and deploying a combat brigade to Lithuania to bolster deterrence. (8)

Gen Z is discovering that intuition is not the same as anxiety, poor dead Nimrod Workman never stood a chance, and the foraging trend is more than just a recession indicator. Song of the Week: "serena joy" Click here for the lyrics. Click here to watch the Conversation Starter episode on analog hobbies amongst teens. In Other News: People on TikTok are wondering if their boyfriends can read. A new trend involves women filming their boyfriends as they attempt to say words like "epitome," "fuchsia," or "paradigm" correctly. Pumpkin spice is over. Matcha and chai seem to be outperforming the once-beloved fall beverage. Other novelty flavors like miso-caramel, brown-butter honey and smoked butterscotch are also crowding out the once-beloved PSL, according to The Washington Post. Searches for CD players are up 96% since July, The Guardian reports. Demand for CD recordings of artists like Olivia Rodrigo, Ariana Grande, and Olivia Dean is driving the skyrocketing demand. Professional gamers, also called esports players, are dealing with injuries similar to those of assembly-line workers: hand and wrist pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and tendonitis. A new term just dropped. A "meat proxy" is someone who shares AI-generated text with somebody without reading it—operating as the go-between for the other person and the AI system, according to Business Insider (paywall). memes about World War 3.  

Live Recorded Set from VirtualDJ Radio PowerBase

Brad Onishi and Matthew D. Taylor break down two major stories reshaping the Trump-era right: the sudden deportation of Milo Yiannopoulos and the escalating chaos inside Pete Hegseth's Pentagon.They dig into how Milo's fast-tracked removal reveals the internal power struggles of MAGA world — including his feud with Nick Fuentes and Laura Loomer's growing influence over immigration enforcement — and what it signals about who gets protected and who gets purged within the movement. Then they turn to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, examining reports of mass firings among top generals, a rudderless U.S. Army, unsustainable war spending in Iran, and the Pentagon's controversial move to put paid influencers like "Data Republican" on the payroll to push pro-Hegseth messaging while shutting out the traditional press.Along the way: Christian nationalism's role in reshaping MAGA identity, the military's meritocracy under threat, Silicon Valley's growing alignment with authoritarian politics, and whether Hegseth's rumored presidential ambitions have any real chance.SUPPORT US:www.axismundi.uswww.irmce.org - our supporting nonprofitBooks mentioned:

Today my guests are Brian Smith and Ed Uszynski. They are the authors of a book called Away Game, and they also are a part of Athletes in Action and organization that helps parents and coaches disciple teens through sports. Click here to get their book!

September 1, 1939, World War Two began when Nazi Germany attacked Poland. Six long and bloody years later, the guns finally fell silent. Nazi Albert Speer and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill are featured as Key Battles of American History scans the post-WW2 lives and careers of major wartime Axis and Allies leaders. E252. Check out the YouTube version of this episode at https://youtu.be/lot2tkC3-9Q which has accompanying visuals including maps, charts, timelines, photos, illustrations, and diagrams. Key Battles of American History available at https://amzn.to/3zATzL4 The Armistice Pen by Mark Vinet available at https://amzn.to/3MTRlOE ENJOY Ad-Free content, Bonus episodes, and Extra materials when joining our growing community on https://patreon.com/markvinet SUPPORT this channel by purchasing any product on Amazon using this FREE entry LINK https://amzn.to/3POlrUD (Amazon gives us credit at NO extra charge to you). Mark Vinet's HISTORICAL JESUS podcast at https://parthenonpodcast.com/historical-jesus Mark's TIMELINE video channel: https://youtube.com/c/TIMELINE_MarkVinet Website: https://markvinet.com/podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mark.vinet.9 X (twitter): https://twitter.com/MarkVinet_HNA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denarynovels Mark's books: https://amzn.to/3k8qrGM Audio credits: Key Battles of American History podcast with James Early (Parthenon Network, Salem Media). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Boreal Summer brings a bunch of cool new albums, maybe even an AOTY contender, and some awesome updates from Mad With Power Fest and Epic Fest for 2027. For the Impatient: 00:00:00 PreRoll 00:02:58 Sup Nerds 00:05:17 I've been pronouncing "Falaschi" wrong all this time 00:07:06 Elisa C. Martin announced for MWP 2027 00:10:53 Epic Fest 2027 Full Lineup announced 00:20:33 Hagane - Metal Quest 00:24:24 Galneryus - A Cry from the Sky Above 00:30:09 Novareign - Shifting the Axis of the World 00:34:40 Triosphere - Oceans Above, Stars Below 00:39:48 Edu Falaschi - Mi'raj 00:47:59 Jupiter - The Pantheon ~Age of Heroes~ 00:52:29 Kamelot - Dark Asylum 00:55:11 GenAI images tangent 00:57:50 Back to Kamelot 00:59:48 Wrapping Up Support us on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/powerfulpodcast Follow us! Spotify, Apple Podcasts, etc - powerful. a power metal podcastFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/powerfulpodcastInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/powerfulpodcastTwitter - https://twitter.com/powerfulpm Music by Fernando ReyEdited by Fernando Rey

Live Recorded Set from VirtualDJ Radio PowerBase

Live Recorded Set from VirtualDJ Radio PowerBase

Dr. Eric explains the Duplibiotic Gut Protocol to Burn Fat and improve overall health and performance!www.drericprimex.com

China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea are engaged in “unprecedented” cooperation, and that is empowering Russian aggression in Ukraine and making the regime in Iran more lethal and resilient. Axis security cooperation is iterative and flowing in both directions across the bilateral relationships within the Axis, making its militaries more formidable and eroding the margin of safety for Americans and their partners.What is the latest in Ukraine? How are Axis members supporting Putin's invasion? What role have drones played in Ukraine and the Middle East? How are Moscow and Tehran cooperating, and what are the consequences? What is the status of US and partner air defenses and lessons learned? And what changes are afoot when it comes to US military posture in Europe?Generation Jihad guest host Bradley Bowman, senior director of FDD's Center on Military and Political Power (CMPP), discusses these questions and more with John Hardie, deputy director of FDD's Russia program, and Cameron McMillan, senior research analyst at FDD's CMPP.

Three Big Conversations: Meta settles lawsuits with an $18 billion pledge to make social media safer - 06:08 what Gen Alpha is wearing for the back-to-school season - 18:30 the legacy of the beloved country music singer Dolly Parton - 29:52 Song of the Week: "Loser" by Tame Impala - 00:46 → Click here to read the lyrics (language) → Click here to see the video (language) In Other News: - 39:48 Australia's much-touted social media ban for teenagers is falling apart (paywall) as state authorities find it impossible to outsmart the tech prowess of fifteen-year-olds. Naur! China's big box office winner this week was made on a shoestring budget. The plot is a dream about a cow, or a dream of a cow, or perhaps a cow's dream. The movie was praised for its "craftsmanship." According to data from Eventbrite, events advertising shared hobbies (think mahjong or birdwatching) as "meet cutes," or chances to meet potential romantic partners, increased by 117% over the last year. Fanfiction publishing platform Wattpad, a longtime haven for teens experimenting with fanfiction, updated its content guidelines. Some users were convinced (incorrectly) that Wattpad would no longer host sexually explicit content and fled to another platform called AO3. The Olivia Rodrigo-backed Daisy Chain Festival will take place in Irvine, California, this weekend. The music festival is also a charity benefit and will feature an all-female lineup of musicians, including Doechii, Bikini Kill, Mitski, Katseye, and even the OG female-led festival queen, Sarah McLachlan.

In the explosive finale of Arc 3 Shaddy must look deep within himself to find the true meaning of Axis if he stands any chance of saving the day. Be sure to stick around for the epilogue after the credits roll!   --- GET MORE ROTATING HEROES ACTION ON PATREON ROTATOES! If you enjoyed this episode and need of more space shenanigans in your life, then check out The Rotating Heroes Patreon and be sure to use the code SHADDY50 to get 50% off your first month!Get access to exclusive shows like our behind-the-scenes Arc Barks, and Off Leash: Character Creations before each new campaign starts. You'll also receive instant, ad-free access to the ENTIRE back catalogue of campaigns, listen to the latest Axis episodes as soon as they drop, bonus shows, live streams, exclusive character art, AMAs and much, much more!WANT EVEN MORE ACTUAL PLAY GOODNESS? Then listen to 12 Sided Studios' newest production Oaths & Empires: a dark fantasy D&D adventure featuring Kingdom Come: Deliverance II's Luke Dale and Tom McKay. Set in the Witcher-esk inspired world of the Isle of Veil, journey with our two rookie players as they navigate their very first game. Rotating Heroes is a 12 Sided Studios Production

Meta settles lawsuits with an $18 billion pledge to make social media safer, what Gen Alpha is wearing for the back-to-school season, and the legacy of the beloved country music singer Dolly Parton. Song of the Week: "Loser" by Tame Impala → Click here to read the lyrics (language) → Click here to see the video (language) In Other News: Australia's much-touted social media ban for teenagers is falling apart (paywall) as state authorities find it impossible to outsmart the tech prowess of fifteen-year-olds. Naur! China's big box office winner this week was made on a shoestring budget. The plot is a dream about a cow, or a dream of a cow, or perhaps a cow's dream. The movie was praised for its "craftsmanship." According to data from Eventbrite, events advertising shared hobbies (think mahjong or birdwatching) as "meet cutes," or chances to meet potential romantic partners, increased by 117% over the last year. Fanfiction publishing platform Wattpad, a longtime haven for teens experimenting with fanfiction, updated its content guidelines. Some users were convinced (incorrectly) that Wattpad would no longer host sexually explicit content and fled to another platform called AO3. The Olivia Rodrigo-backed Daisy Chain Festival will take place in Irvine, California, this weekend. The music festival is also a charity benefit and will feature an all-female lineup of musicians, including Doechii, Bikini Kill, Mitski, Katseye, and even the OG female-led festival queen, Sarah McLachlan.  

Summary: Justin shares his detailed experiences hunting on the Hawaiian island of Lanai, exploring its unique terrain, logistics, and the challenges of island hunting. Discover insights into hunting Mouflon sheep and Axis deer, and learn practical tips for hunting in remote, rugged environments. - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a Review of the Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy our Wild Fish and Game Spices⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Art of Venison Sausage Making⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Takeaways: Unique terrain and geography of Lanai Logistics of hunting on remote islands Experience hunting Mouflon sheep and Axis deer Weather challenges and how they impact hunting trips Importance of preparation and local knowledge Keywords: Hunting, Lanai, Mouflon sheep, Axis deer, Hawaii, backcountry, hunting logistics, island hunting, outdoor adventure, wildlife Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chaos breaks loose as Week 0 arrives! Did the SEC and Big Ten just declare war on pro athlete transfers? Kevin and Ciarnan return from break to tackle college football's off-season disasters, the mad NIL world, and the most hilarious AP preseason poll moments you'll hear all year. If you think college sports are wild, buckle up! This episode brings SEC and LSU madness, gambling scandals, Twitter beefs, and the dumbest NIL deal in ages. With riffs on everything from TCU's Irish mapgate and the “Axis of Evil” at LSU to Rice's prophecy against Notre Dame and the strategic brilliance (or saltiness?) of Ohio State's rivalry reset, you'll get sharp takes and signature banter. The duo also drop season betting picks and reveal their “mid-teams” of the year, putting their “vibes over logic” reputations directly on the line. 00:00:00 – College football chaos erupts, the latest NCAA and SEC scandals, and post-vacation hot takes 00:07:00 – Baton Rouge goes nuclear, FBI bug sweeps, LSU's “Axis of Evil,” and NIL lunacy 00:15:00 – TCU's Ireland mapgate, Twitter beefs, and meme-worthy school social media fails 00:21:00 – AP preseason poll roast, Notre Dame's hope (and pain), plus Indiana's disrespect 00:33:30 – Betting picks, wild season-long bets, and mid-team reveals 00:44:42 – Closing vibes, Brentford/Tottenham suffering, and off-the-rails banter   Website: https://bellyupsports.com/quad-tailgate/ Twitter/X: https://x.com/QuadTailgate Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quadtailgate Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@quadtailgate

On this episode of Axis Live, Brad Onishi and Matthew D. Taylor examine growing efforts to undermine confidence in the 2026 elections, including claims about foreign interference, voter rolls, mail-in voting, and calls from figures on the American right for a national emergency. They discuss how election-denial rhetoric can shift from questioning election integrity to challenging the legitimacy of results, and why the period after the election could be as important as Election Day itself. The second half of the episode focuses on Jake Lang, his increasingly confrontational political spectacles, his Christian supremacist rhetoric, and the larger movement behind him. Following Lang's confrontation with a protester dressed as Spider-Man, Brad, Matt, and writer Kate Burns examine how provocation, confrontation, and claims of persecution can become political content.

Katie M. Kelley is a writer, teacher, a lifelong learner, and a mother to eight in a beautifully blended family. She has been a longtime member of the Coffee + Crumbs writing team as well as the podcast co-host, and is the author of three books: Gluing the Cracks, The Very Best Baseball Game, and her most recent book, Grace Will Be There.

Last time we spoke about the reaction after the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. After four years of fighting Japan almost alone, China's Chiang Kai-shek learned of Pearl Harbor with profound relief. Japan's attack, meant to neutralize American naval power, instead galvanized the entire Western world against Tokyo. Within hours, Chiang declared war on the Axis powers, transforming China from an isolated nation to a recognized Allied member. The strategic mathematics were clear to Chiang: America's industrial might would ultimately crush Japan. China simply needed to survive long enough. The United States quickly formalized this partnership, pledging military support through Lend-Lease and elevating Chiang to leadership of Allied forces in the China theater. Yet Pearl Harbor brought catastrophe for Western civilians in China. Americans and Britons, previously protected as neutral foreigners, were suddenly rounded up and interned in camps. For many, decades of presence in China ended in hasty evacuation, leaving behind lives built over generations.   #216 The Battle of Hong Kong Part 1: The Approaching Storm Welcome to the Fall and Rise of China Podcast, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about the history of Asia? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on history of asia and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel where I cover the history of China and Japan from the 19th century until the end of the Pacific War. Japan emerged as a significant threat to British interests during the 1920s following the collapse of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance. This concern intensified dramatically after Japan's invasion of China, with the ensuing Sino-Japanese War escalating tensions further. British assets in the region came under direct assault, including attacks on Western military and commercial vessels such as HMS Ladybird. Yet despite these provocations, the British Government maintained an inconsistent stance toward Japan, responding with only feeble diplomatic and military countermeasures. This contradiction characterized London's approach: while diplomatic channels remained conciliatory, military planners viewed Japan with genuine apprehension. During the 1930s, Singapore and Malaya represented Britain's most valuable and prosperous holdings in the Far East and consequently received substantial garrison reinforcements. By contrast, Hong Kong was widely acknowledged to be indefensible—a conclusion reached repeatedly by successive military studies. Despite this consensus, the British Government proceeded with the Hong Kong Defence Scheme in 1936, which aimed to transform Hong Kong Island into a fortified redoubt while establishing delaying positions in Kowloon and the New Territories. The Hong Kong Garrison's mandate was straightforward: repel external attacks and prevent enemy use of the harbour and dry dock. The underlying strategy relied on a simple principle: hold Hong Kong Island as an impregnable fortress and await relief from the Royal Navy. Consequently, protecting the harbour became the paramount objective. Japanese strategists were correctly identified as Hong Kong's primary threat, with military planners anticipating attack from the sea rather than overland. To counter such an offensive, the defence scheme incorporated five successive layers of protection: naval mines fitted with indicator nets and anti-submarine booms formed the first barrier; coastal artillery provided the second; beach installations featuring pillboxes, wire entanglements and mines constituted the third; infantry strongpoints positioned on commanding heights guarded against amphibious landings; and finally, a mobile reserve force stood ready to counterattack and eliminate any successful enemy incursion. The 1936 plan also mandated extensive fortification of Kowloon's bottleneck approaches through bunkers, trenches and blocked passages, with a principal defensive line—resembling a miniature Maginot Line—constructed across the mountains immediately north of Kowloon. The garrison structure comprised three infantry battalions plus the Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps (HKVDC), a unit approximately regiment-strength equipped with armoured cars, engineers, artillery, anti-aircraft guns and infantry. These forces organized into three brigades: mainland, island, and garrison reserve. The air component was planned to be formidable: a reconnaissance squadron, a fighter-bomber squadron, two torpedo squadrons and a flight of auxiliary spotting aircraft operated by the HKVDC. Naval forces consisted of a modest destroyer contingent, an MTB flotilla, gunboats and patrol vessels. When Japan occupied Guangzhou, Hong Kong found itself effectively encircled. In response, limited conscription was implemented, though restricted to non-Chinese males for HKVDC service. Chinese personnel were largely confined to non-combat positions such as air-raid precautions and medical duties. The expanding Japanese threat prompted a substantial expansion of the Hong Kong Garrison to four regular infantry regiments—two British units (one specializing in medium machine-gun support) and two Indian regiments. Supporting forces included two coastal artillery regiments, a field artillery regiment-plus, and an anti-aircraft regiment. The Royal Navy expanded to include the 2nd MTB flotilla (eight 60-foot, 29-knot motor torpedo boats armed with twin torpedoes and eight Lewis guns each, plus two smaller 55-foot vessels), four shallow-draught river gunboats (HMS Cicala, Tern, Moth and Robin), four aging World War I S-class destroyers (HMS Thracian, Thanet, Scout and Tenedos—the last transferred to Singapore in 1939), HMS Cornflower sloop, and various auxiliary vessels including tugs, boom defence ships and minelayers. The Fleet Air Arm deployed three Supermarine Walruses—single-engine reconnaissance amphibians—at Kai Tak Airport. The Royal Air Force remained the weakest service, equipped with only four Vickers Wildebeest torpedo-bombers and a handful of HKVDC aircraft: one Avro Tutor, two Hornet Moths and two Cadet biplanes. When World War II erupted in Europe, Britain's focus necessarily shifted to national survival, inevitably leaving distant imperial outposts like Hong Kong neglected. Rather than receive reinforcements, Hong Kong actually lost capable personnel; many veteran troops were repatriated to Europe, leaving behind a less proficient garrison. Peacetime duties had proven a poor preparation for combat—officers and men had passed their time socializing rather than maintaining combat readiness. Governor Sir Geoffrey Northcote persistently urged London to adopt a firmer stance against relentless Japanese provocations: aircraft incursions, sinking of junks and fishing vessels, and infiltration by Taiwanese fifth columnists (Japan had colonized Taiwan in 1895). Recognizing the hopelessness of his position, Northcote recommended withdrawal in October 1940, arguing that defending the colony would inevitably result in mass civilian casualties and widespread destruction—a pragmatic assessment given Hong Kong's indefensible state. London categorically rejected this proposal, reasoning that withdrawal would demoralize China, embolden Japan and undermine American confidence in British resolve. Underlying this decision was an additional consideration: the long-standing dispute over Hong Kong's sovereignty. Since Britain acquired Hong Kong in 1841, the prospect of surrendering it, even temporarily, raised fears about reclaiming it afterward. Preserving the appearance of British determination was deemed crucial to demonstrating to Chiang Kai-shek, Nationalist China's leader, that Britain intended to retain the territory. Despite these political calculations, London consistently refused fresh troop deployments. Major-General A. E. Grasett, the China theatre commander, requested reinforcements only to face rejection—London offered only Indian or other colonial forces. Air Chief Marshal Sir Robert Brooke-Popham, appointed British commander in the Far East in 1941, likewise pressed for garrison strengthening, to no avail. The situation shifted dramatically after Grasett, a retired Canadian who had recently left his China post, travelled to Britain via Canada. Upon arriving in Canada, he independently approached his former classmate Major-General Crerar, Chief of the Canadian General Staff, and advocated for reinforcement. Grasett argued persuasively that deploying two or more additional battalions would enable the Hong Kong garrison to withstand an extended siege. When Grasett reached London in early September 1941, he presented this case directly to the British Chiefs of Staff, simultaneously proposing that Canada could provide the extra units. His arguments proved persuasive; the Chiefs of Staff altered course and convinced a reluctant Churchill to reconsider. In light of accelerating Japanese pressure, Britain substantially enlarged the Malaysia/Singapore garrison from nine to 32 battalions and despatched two capital ships—HMS Prince of Wales and Repulse—to the region, reasoning that this show of force would deter Japanese aggression against British Far Eastern interests, including Hong Kong. The original defence strategy envisaged holding Hong Kong Island exclusively while denying the harbour to attackers. A single battalion (the Punjabis) would execute delaying actions across the New Territories, followed by a three-battalion defensive stand on the Gin Drinkers Line. This brief mainland resistance would allow time for demolishing stores, power installations, docks and wharves, clearing food stocks and removing vital matériel before withdrawing to Hong Kong Island for a protracted resistance awaiting relief from Singapore or American forces from the Philippines. The Gin Drinkers Line—styled after the French Maginot Line in miniature—ran approximately 18 kilometres south of the Sino-Hong Kong border. Beginning near Gin Drinkers Bay west of Kowloon, it extended 17 kilometres across the Kowloon Peninsula hills toward its eastern extremity. The strategic expectation was that this line would delay the Japanese assault for three weeks or longer, permitting battalion withdrawal to Hong Kong Island for sustained resistance while mainland forces completed evacuation procedures. The 1937 war plan stipulated that four battalions would be necessary for an effective delaying action and seven for an adequate Gin Drinkers Line defence—figures which excluded the aircraft and naval support essential to success. With only a single army brigade available and virtually no air capability, planners abandoned the mainland defence concept, leaving defensive works incomplete and deteriorating under tropical conditions. Chinese personnel were conspicuously absent from initial war preparations and strategic planning, only being incorporated late in the process. The largest Chinese component was the volunteer contingent serving with the HKVDC. On the regular army side, approximately 150 Chinese recruits were enlisted in mid-1941 for the 5th Anti-Aircraft Regiment. The Hong Kong Chinese Regiment, hastily constituted on 3 November 1941, comprised officers borrowed from British and Indian units alongside 52 Chinese junior NCOs and other ranks with minimal training. A Royal Engineers troop staffed entirely by Chinese soldiers saw service, and some Chinese personnel served with the Royal Navy and Dockyard Defence Corps. Chinese participation increased substantially in auxiliary services—air-raid precautions, auxiliary police, nursing, St John Ambulance and fire brigades. This reluctance to fully integrate Chinese forces likely reflected prevailing attitudes of the era. Pre-war British propaganda had frequently mocked Japanese military capability, portraying officers and soldiers as myopic and incompetent. Japanese combat prowess was systematically underestimated; their victories in China were attributed to facing inferior opposition rather than evidence of genuine military strength. Japanese weaponry was dismissed as inferior to European standards. Consequently, British confidence remained high that the colony could hold indefinitely if adequately reinforced. In September 1941, Hong Kong received heartening news: two additional Canadian battalions would be deployed to the garrison. Brigadier John Maltby promptly revived the pre-war plan for defending the Gin Drinkers Line, developing a strategy centred on three mainland battalions (2nd Royal Scots, 5/7 Rajputs and 2/14 Punjab) supported by HKVDC elements and four artillery troop detachments, while three island battalions (1st Middlesex, Royal Rifles of Canada and Winnipeg Grenadiers) bolstered by the bulk of the HKVDC would hold Hong Kong Island. Command responsibility was divided between two brigades: the Island Brigade (Hong Kong Infantry Brigade) under Brigadier Lawson, a recently arrived Canadian, and the mainland Kowloon Infantry Brigade under Brigadier Wallis. The Canadian regiments arrived on 16 November 1941. Maltby was commissioned into the Indian Army in 1911, and  saw extensive service across multiple campaigns: World War I, the Persian Gulf (1913–14), and the North-West Frontier (1923–24). His early promise earned him selection for accelerated advancement through prestigious staff colleges at Quetta and RAF Andover. By 1937, he was again serving on the North-West Frontier, and by 1939 commanded both the 3rd Jhelum Brigade (later the Calcutta Brigade) and the 19th Infantry Brigade in Deccan. In 1940, posted to China, Maltby orchestrated the closure of the North China Command by withdrawing two infantry battalions from Shanghai. Promoted to major-general as GOC China in August 1941, he had only three months to prepare the colony's defenses, a race against time he could not win.  The Gin Drinkers Line occupied a naturally dominant position atop mountains spanning northern Kowloon's breadth, yet possessed inherent weaknesses that would prove fatal. The line lacked defensive depth and remained vulnerable to flanking manoeuvres, with two sectors representing particular danger: Customs Pass and the gap between Golden Hill and Laichikok Peninsula near Gin Drinkers Bay. Given the extended front, each battalion arranged its forces in a string of platoon positions with gaps covered by daytime fire and nighttime patrols. One company per battalion could be held in reserve within prepared positions guarding the most dangerous sectors. The reserve company of the centre battalion (2/14 Punjab) initially advanced as forward troops, screening demolition operations and delaying the enemy's initial thrust. The hasty decision to establish mainland defences meant that essential support systems—communication networks, artillery registrations, mortar calibrations—remained incomplete when combat commenced. Ammunition shortages compounded the problem. For instance, the 2/14 Punjab conducted only a single 3-inch mortar practice session before the attack; adequate ammunition arrived only in November and totalled a mere 70 rounds per battalion for both training and combat. These mortars were registered for the first time in their battle positions, with combat beginning just 12 hours later. The 2-inch mortar situation was even more desperate: troops received live ammunition only as fighting started, making their baptism of fire an actual combat situation. Transportation deficiencies—trucks and animals in short supply—forced manual ammunition transport across Hong Kong's challenging terrain, imposing severe physical demands on already stretched personnel.   On 6 November 1941, Imperial Japanese Headquarters ordered its Commander-in-Chief in China to prepare plans for capturing Hong Kong. The 23rd Army, part of the China Southern Expeditionary Army Group and commanded by Lt. Gen. Sakai Takashi with Maj. Gen. Kuribayashi Tadamichi serving as Chief of Staff, would form the invasion's backbone. All preparations were to be completed by the end of November 1941. The operation, designated 'Operation C', sought to 'seize Hong Kong within ten days'. Takahashi was the son of a factory worker, and rose through the ranks to become a veteran of China campaigns. He was tasked with capturing Hong Kong using the 38th Division normally assigned to the Southern Expeditionary Army Group. Despite setbacks and humiliation over requests for additional resources—particularly following intelligence reports of tanks (actually Bren carriers) in Hong Kong—Sakai remained determined to succeed. He served as Governor of Hong Kong from 26 December 1941 to 20 February 1942. Kuribayashi, best remembered as the Japanese commander at Iwo Jima, graduated from the Army Academy in 1914 specializing in cavalry. He served as deputy military attaché to Washington and Canada and studied at Harvard University. In December 1941, he held the position of Chief of Staff to the 23rd Army during the Hong Kong operation. Operation C followed a straightforward strategic framework. A blocking force would prevent Chinese interference from the rear, while the main invasion force would spearhead the assault. The 23rd Army, comprising four divisions plus a mixed brigade and two infantry regiments, received the assignment to attack Hong Kong. Of these four divisions, only the 38th played a substantive role in the invasion itself. The attack employed a combined-arms approach. Naval forces would establish a blockade and deliver bombardment while aircraft targeted key installations. Ground forces from the 38th Division—specifically the 228th, 229th, and 230th Regiments—would execute the land invasion using a three-pronged strategy. The right column would sweep westward in a wide arc, clearing Castle Peak Road and targeting the western flank of the Gin Drinkers Line near Laichikok Peninsula. The centre force would press directly through the line's middle, while the left column would cross Tidal Cove (Tolo Harbour) toward Kai Tak Airport and eastward toward Devil Peak, a crucial defensive position. The objective was to annihilate British forces on the mainland and compel Hong Kong's surrender through sustained bombardment. Should British forces resist, the island phase of the campaign would commence. Securing the rear against the Chinese National Army of the 7th Military District and Communist guerrillas fell to the 66th Regiment, normally part of the 51st Division but attached to the 38th for this operation. The 66th would simultaneously occupy and secure rear areas throughout the New Territories and Kowloon while the three assault regiments engaged the main defensive forces. This rearguard operation was organised into columns named after their commanding officers: Kitazawa, Kobayashi, Sato, and Araki. The Japanese selected the narrowest approach between Kowloon and Hong Kong Island, targeting the eastern coast near Lyemun Passage where only 410 metres of water separated the mainland from the island. Upon landing, forces would rapidly advance inland to seize the critical junction of Wongneichong Gap, then pivot westward and southward to capture Victoria City and the remainder of Hong Kong. The naval contingent divided into two groups: the Bombardment Group and the Attack Group. Approximately 300 personnel from the Special Naval Landing Force (SNLF) were attached to the invasion force. Air support came from the First Air Brigade under Col. Habu Hideharu, which contributed 56 light bombers and fighters. Their mission was to neutralise the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy, thereby securing aerial and maritime superiority for the ground campaign.   On the eve of war, the British garrison numbered 13,981 all ranks, including nursing staff and St John Ambulance personnel. Of these, 8,919 were British and Canadian, with 4,402 Indian and Chinese. The core infantry force comprised 5,422 regular soldiers, complemented by approximately 6,000 additional personnel across artillery, engineering, naval, and Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps (HKVDC) units. By 1941, the Royal Navy had become a shadow of its former self as the once-dominant China Squadron. Of the three World War I destroyers present on 8 December, two had been sent to Singapore—the third undergoing repairs—by 1930. This redeployment stemmed partly from the futility of defending the colony and partly from a commitment by senior US Navy officers: Britain would reinforce Singapore with Hong Kong's fleet in exchange for four American destroyers at Singapore. This American guarantee, however, never materialized. The defensive infrastructure focused primarily on countering a seaborne attack: twenty-nine coastal guns (9.2in., 6in., 4.7in., and 4in. calibres), ten 18- and 2-pounder beach defense guns, and twenty-eight field guns (60-pounder, 6in., 4.5in., and 3.7in. calibres). The Hong Kong Garrison's infantry comprised four regular army battalions—two British and two Indian—bolstered by five HKVDC infantry companies, each averaging 100 men. The 1st Middlesex Regiment, deployed in August 1937, served as a machine-gun battalion equipped with forty-eight Vickers medium machine guns. Having been abroad since 1931, the regiment had deteriorated through protracted garrison service, Hong Kong being among the softest postings available. From September 1939 onward, all regiments—including the 5/7 Rajputs (arrived June 1937) and the 2/14 Punjab—experienced systematic loss of experienced officers and NCOs to other theaters. The Royal Scots proved particularly hard hit, suffering disciplinary problems and an unusually high court-martial rate. Units like the Hong Kong and Singapore Royal Artillery suffered critical leadership gaps that went unaddressed. By December 1941, many formations fielded inexperienced replacement troops, significantly undermining combat readiness. The Punjabis exemplified these deficiencies. Stationed in Hong Kong since November 1940, they received their vehicles and mortars only in August 1941—three months before combat. Compounding this, forty percent of their strength consisted of raw recruits arrived just in October. When war erupted, artillery regiments found themselves relying on junior officers in senior roles, with British commanders unfamiliar with Urdu directing Indian troops, a handicap that severely compromised effectiveness. Deficient equipment compounded leadership shortages. Shells dating from 1918 detonated prematurely upon discharge, while ammunition shortages crippled operations. On 8 December, all field guns deployed with merely 100 rounds apiece, with 200 rounds held in reserve for the entire campaign, and coastal guns received only 25 rounds each. Insufficient cross-training meant many infantrymen failed to understand the artillery "clock face" targeting system, causing them to miss their objectives. Malaria devastated European troops, particularly the Royal Scots. Of approximately 770 personnel, at least 180 suffered recurring malarial episodes from the Shing Mun Redoubt area's notoriously endemic conditions. Staff shortages forced nearly every unit to promote junior officers to positions beyond their rank, exacerbating structural weaknesses. Although the Canadians' arrival bolstered the garrison, significant handicaps undermined their effectiveness. Both battalions carried a C-class designation—deemed unfit for foreign service—having spent years in soft garrison postings without rigorous training. The deficit was stark: each Canadian soldier received only thirty-five rifle practice rounds. The two battalions incorporated 115 men with fewer than sixteen weeks' training, while sixty-two of seventy-five recruits joining the Winnipeg Grenadiers in June came directly from a training depot lacking even basic rifles. Twelve percent of the Canadian force remained untrained. Equipment deficiencies proved even more damaging. A standard 1941 Canadian infantry battalion required 102 motor vehicles—including twenty-two Universal Carriers, thirty-seven ¾-ton trucks, thirteen 1-ton trucks, thirty-one bicycles, and twenty-two Boys anti-tank rifles. When the Canadians landed, logistical failures left them with only six Bren carriers, two water tankers, twelve ¾-ton trucks, and a single Boys anti-tank rifle. Although they carried 3in. mortars, neither ammunition nor radios accompanied them. Canada possessed only 300 3-inch mortar bombs in its entire inventory at that time, making any allocation to Hong Kong impossible. A second vessel, the SS Don Jose, was dispatched with replacement vehicles and equipment but never reached Hong Kong before 8 December. The Japanese seized it en route to Manila. Despite these shortcomings, the force departed on 27 October with 1,975 men and arrived on 16 November. Intelligence estimates regarding Japanese available forces varied widely, ranging from two to four divisions. On 6 December evening, Chinese reports confirmed the previous day's arrival of three Japanese divisions at Buji township, located eight miles from the border in what is now Shenzhen. Earlier, around 1 November, a Japanese deserter provided intelligence of significant troop concentrations north of the frontier, including large-calibre artillery indicative of at least divisional strength.   The Hong Kong invasion force comprised three service branches: the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) deployed the 38th Infantry Division, the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) committed the Second China Fleet, and the Imperial Japanese Air Force (IJAF) contributed the 1st Air Group. Command of the ground assault rested with Lieutenant-General Sano Tadayoshi of the 38th Division, supported by Major-General Ito Takeo heading the infantry group, while supporting arms including artillery, engineers, armor, and transport fell under Sano's authority. The main assault force consisted of three infantry regiments from the 38th Division, each led by a colonel: the 228th under Doi Teihichi, the 229th under Tanaka Ryosaburo, and the 230th under Shoji Toshishige. The 38th Division itself was a standard 1940s B-class infantry division of approximately 20,000 troops (ranging from 18,000–21,000 depending on operational requirements), organized into three regiments with three battalions each. Reflecting the Japanese army's reliance on animal and human transport, each regiment fielded roughly 3,800 troops supported by some 700 horses. Battalion strength averaged around 1,071 personnel, with companies numbering approximately 180 men. Japanese infantry battalions of this period featured a distinctive organization: rifle platoons consisted of four sections (three equipped with rifles and light machine guns, one with light mortars and rifles), complemented by an additional heavy machine-gun company fielding twelve Type 92 weapons and a troop of light artillery—likely Type 92 70mm infantry guns. The divisional field artillery regiment operated 75mm Type 41 mountain guns organized into three 688-man battalions, each with two troops of two guns. Mountain artillery units, numbering 36 guns total, carried additional personnel (3,400) and animals (1,400) to navigate the terrain complexities of Hong Kong operations. Recognizing the need for overwhelming firepower to compel Hong Kong's surrender, the IJA augmented the invasion force with heavy artillery—15cm and 24cm howitzers commanded by Major-General Kitashima Kineo. News of the Canadian reinforcements arriving in Hong Kong forced a reassessment. Commander-in-Chief Sakai Takashi of the 23rd Army informed his superiors that the original ten-day timeline was unrealistic and requested additional troops. Although most formations were already committed to other operations, Imperial Headquarters eventually authorized two depot regiments from Japan to support the campaign. Intended for second-line duties rather than frontline combat, these units were to be returned promptly after freeing experienced personnel for Hong Kong operations. This arrangement allowed the 19th and 20th mixed brigades—approximately 6,000 men organized in five infantry battalions, a field artillery battalion, and an engineer battalion—to be released for Hong Kong. However, Sakai's request for reinforcements met with disapproval from Imperial Headquarters, and he received an unmistakable message: a swift, decisive campaign was essential. His situation worsened when Japanese agents mistakenly identified British Bren carriers as tanks, forcing Sakai to improvise armor by raiding the 1st Reserve Tank Battalion and tankette units from infantry depot divisions. In attempting to secure additional armor from the 11th Army's 9th Reconnaissance Regiment, Sakai encountered resistance. General Hata Shunroku lodged sustained complaints with senior officials, and Sakai received a sharp rebuke—further requests would not be entertained, and his replacement would follow if necessary. Stung by this loss of face, Sakai abandoned all additional requests and became even more determined to achieve success. Vice-Admiral Niimi Masaichi, commanding the 2nd China Expeditionary Fleet, oversaw the entire naval element, divided into bombardment and attack groups. His flagship, the light cruiser Isuzu, carried Captain Ura Koichi, who simultaneously commanded the bombardment group. This naval force assembled ships from various China Expeditionary Fleet units, particularly from the Canton Special Base Force, 15 Squadron, and 11 Torpedo Boat Division at Guangzhou. Reflecting Niimi's lack of confidence in the army's air support capabilities, the seaplane tender IJN Kamikawa Maru joined the operation on his insistence, providing organic naval aviation against the threat posed by British Wildebeests. Niimi also petitioned for destroyers IJN Wakaba and Yugure to counter the three British destroyers, though this request was denied. The Special Naval Landing Forces (SNLF) were assigned to conduct diversionary attacks south of Hong Kong Island, intended to distract British forces from the main land invasion thrust. The IJAF's 1st Air Brigade, commanded by Colonel Habu Hideharu, centered on the 45th Air Regiment with 34 Kawasaki Ki-32 Type 98 'Mary' light bombers. This composite force drew aircraft and units from airfields across China and Manchuria—Beijing, Shanghai, Taiwan, and Qiqihar—all assembled at Baiyun Aerodrome in Guangzhou on 7 December 1941. Supporting the 1st Air Brigade were the 10th Independent Squadron under Captain Takatsuki Akira with 13 Nakajima Ki-27 Type 97 'Nate' fighters, 3 Mitsubishi Ki-15 Type 97 'Babs' command reconnaissance aircraft from the 18th Independent Reconnaissance Squadron, and the 44th Independent Squadron fielding 6 Tachikawa Ki-36 Type 98 'Ida' observation aircraft. Years before the invasion, the Japanese cultivated an extensive network of agents and sleeper operatives in Hong Kong, methodically gathering intelligence and mapping military installations. This sophisticated network proved remarkably effective: invasion maps carried by IJA officers were actually Hong Kong Government and British military maps, overprinted with Japanese annotations and interpretations. British officers later discovered in captivity that the Peninsula Hotel's regular barber was a Japanese Navy lieutenant-commander who had exploited the intimate setting to extract valuable information about British force dispositions. Intelligence operatives infiltrated every level of Hong Kong society—the garrison tailor and barber both served as spies. This groundwork enabled exceptional accuracy in artillery fire and bombing campaigns. The Japanese further leveraged criminal networks, recruiting gangsters throughout Hong Kong and Guangdong province with money and arms, turning them into irregular auxiliaries supporting the invasion.   On Sunday, 7 December, seven hundred members of the 2nd Royal Scots and Middlesex Regiment marched to St John's Cathedral for the morning service. As Major-General Maltby read a passage from Matthew, his aide-de-camp, Lieutenant I. MacGregor, delivered an urgent message that would change everything. Preparations for conflict had already begun. On 5 December, the HKVDC had mobilized fully, yet Hong Kong's broader population remained unmoved—the Happy Valley racetrack reported record attendance that very day. The contrast was stark: while one institution prepared for war, another celebrated as though nothing threatened. Japanese forces had been positioned advantageously since autumn 1941. The 23rd Army was already stationed west of Guangzhou, with contingents scattered across Foshan Town, Zhuhai, and other locations on the Pearl River delta. Upon orders for war on 1 December, they faced minimal distances to cover. The army regrouped at Humen, Shilong Town, and Guangzhou itself—staging areas for the invasion. The first visible signs arrived on 4–5 December when Japanese forces landed at Mirs Bay; the 228th Regiment moved into its staging area at Buji Town, now part of Shenzhen City. Maltby received these reports and immediately departed the cathedral service to issue urgent stand-to orders. Yet skepticism persisted within military circles. Some dismissed the threat, dismissing such intelligence as "astonishingly erroneous." Meanwhile, the Imperial Japanese Navy massed in the waters beyond Hong Kong's horizon. The Kowloon Infantry Brigade held a stretched defensive line: the 5/7 Rajputs anchored the centre, the 2/14 Punjab the east, and the 2nd Royal Scots the west. Forward positions extended far—C Company, 2/14 Punjab, under Major S. Burns ranged along Castle Peak Road toward Yuen Long. The brigade screen, C Company of the 2/14 Punjab, held Shueng Shui and Taipo Market with four Bren carriers and two armoured cars from the HKVDC, backed by engineers and the 22nd Fortress Company. The Hong Kong Infantry Brigade held Hong Kong Island itself. The Winnipeg Grenadiers occupied Victoria City on the north-west coast, while the Royal Rifles of Canada stretched along the north-east shores from Saukiwan to Lyemun. Brigadier Lawson commanded from his headquarters at Wongneichong Gap in the island's centre. At 0355 hours on 8 December, the code word "Blossom Blossom" was transmitted. Eleven minutes later, Lieutenant-General Sakai ordered the invasion to commence. Fifty minutes after that, at 0445 hours, Major Charles Boxer—a fluent Japanese speaker formerly of the Lincolnshire Regiment—was roused by Radio Tokyo announcing that war was imminent. Governor Young and Major-General Maltby were informed at once. By 0500 hours, the forward demolition points had been blown by Major Gray, OC of C Company 2/14 Punjab, and the HKVDC engineers under Major J. H. Bottomley. At 0645 hours, the garrison received formal notification: Britain and Japan were at war. Seventy-five minutes later, air-raid sirens wailed. Within moments, smoke billowed from Kai Tak Airport as Japanese aircraft destroyed virtually the entire air garrison. The Wildebeests, Walruses, HKVDC biplanes, and several civilian planes were engulfed in flames. Only two Ju-52s of the Eurasia Corporation and one CNAC T-32 Condor escaped destruction—dispersal bays had never been built due to lack of funds. The Japanese then turned to secondary targets, bombing Shamshuipo Camp and the neighbouring police station. The Canadians suffered few large-scale casualties in the initial strikes, though Sergeant Routledge and Signalman Fairley of the signal platoon were wounded—the first Canadian soldiers injured in World War II. Remarkably, Hong Kong Island's theatres, cinemas, and restaurants continued operating as though the island faced no peril. Japanese demolition efforts proved only minor obstacles. Bridges blown were quickly replaced. The invasion proceeded on three fronts: the 230th Regiment advanced westward along the northern route toward Yuen Long and Castle Peak, targeting the northern slope of Tai Mo Mountain. The 228th Regiment drove down the centre, following the Sheung Shui–Taipo–Kowloon road toward Grassy Hill north of the Shing Mun Redoubt. The 229th Regiment, crossing at Sha Tau Kok and by boat at Starling Inlet, proceeded via Taipo toward Tai Shui Hang and Ma On Mountain. Whenever confronted with strongly defended positions, the Japanese bypassed them entirely rather than engage. The first day brought scattered but spirited resistance. Around 1300 hours, the Punjabis inflicted the first serious check, drawing blood from advancing Japanese forces. At 1830 hours, they ambushed and decimated several Japanese platoons south of Taipo market town. The HKVDC's armoured cars and Bren carriers struck similar successes nearby. The 2 Royal Scots' reconnaissance platoon clashed with elements of the 229th Regiment around Yuen Long. Despite these minor victories, Japanese momentum continued. Armed with stolen British maps and guided by fifth columnists, they pushed forward relentlessly. By late afternoon on the 8th, the Punjabis withdrew toward Grassy Hill to avoid being outflanked. The artillerymen of the 12th Battery engaged an IJN destroyer and Japanese forces around Taipo, inflicting heavy casualties. Farther south near Shatin, on the Taipo–Kowloon highway, rapidly advancing Japanese troops surprised the defenders and severed the fuse at an HKVDC demolition point. Their triumph proved momentary; the engineers completed the backup circuit and detonated the bridge, destroying it along with the Japanese soldiers crossing it. By early morning on 9 December, orders came to withdraw all mainland units to the Gin Drinkers Line. The Punjabis, already at Shatin Wai overlooking Tide Cove, held their position under pressure and continuous shelling for the next two days. The HKVDC withdrew to Fotan, a village south of Shatin. Maltby ordered D Company, 5/7 Rajputs, under Captain H. R. Newtons to Smuggler's Ridge to close the gap between the 2 Royal Scots and 2/14 Punjab. HKVDC armoured cars and Bren carriers continued patrols along Castle Peak Road while HMS Cicala, having survived two air attacks, maintained station in Castle Peak Bay. Despite an IJN blockade, the destroyers HMS Thanet and Scout slipped anchor and escaped to Singapore around 2130 hours. The surviving CNAC and Eurasia aircraft took off with high-value evacuees: Dr. Sun Yat-Sen's widow and her two equally renowned sisters—the Soong sisters—along with Chinese Finance Minister H. H. Kung. Also departing was Lieutenant-Colonel H. Owen-Hughes of the HKVDC, who carried orders to coordinate with the Chinese Nationalist Army for a rear-guard attack on Japanese forces to relieve the pressure on Hong Kong. I would like to take this time to remind you all that this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Please go subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry after that, give my personal channel a look over at The Pacific War Channel at Youtube, it would mean a lot to me. On 8 December 1941, Japan attacked Hong Kong with the 38th Division, supported by naval and air forces. Despite British defenses manned by undertrained, under-equipped troops, Japanese forces advanced rapidly across three fronts. Within hours, the RAF was destroyed, demolitions proved futile, and British units withdrew toward the Gin Drinkers Line facing overwhelming odds.

In this episode: • Trump says the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports will remain in place • Tehran denies reports of extending a 60-day ceasefire • 32 countries condemn Iran over executions of protesters • Israeli families return to Ganim in northern Samaria • The history of Ganim and the 2005 disengagement • Rising tensions in Kusra and clashes involving Israeli settlers • IDF disciplinary action involving soldiers and settlers • U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee's comments about Israeli settlers • Israel and Venezuela restore consular relations after 17 years • Venezuela's shrinking Jewish community • The story of Sergeant William Zev Shaken, a lone soldier from New York • Will's service in the Golani Brigade and his experience fighting in Gaza • His struggle with PTSD after returning to civilian life • His dream of becoming a social worker and helping others • Will's funeral at Mt. Herzl Military Cemetery • The debate over recognition of non-operational military deaths • Israel's growing need for psychological support for veterans • A Torah thought from Rabbi Yosi Madvig on faith, justice and redemption Will's story is a reminder of the sacrifices made by soldiers long after they leave the battlefield. We send our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and brothers-in-arms. If you or someone you know is struggling with trauma or a mental health crisis, please seek immediate help through your local emergency or crisis-support services.  Support Israel Daily News: Your support helps us continue producing independent journalism and reporting from Israel and the region. Sign up for the Israel Weekly News: israeldailynews.org Subscribe to the Israel Daily News Podcast for daily coverage of Israel, the Middle East, politics, security and the stories that matter.  Israel Daily News website: https://israeldailynews.org  YOUTUBE:     / @israeldailynews    Israel Daily News Patreon:   / shannafuld    Support our Wartime News Coverage:  https://www.gofundme.com/f/independen...  Links to all things IDN:  https://linktr.ee/israeldailynews Timestamps  00:00 Trump Keeps Iran Blockade in Place  01:00 Iran Denies Ceasefire Extension  02:00 Israeli Families Return to Ganim  03:00 Rising Tensions in Kusra  04:00 IDF Soldiers & Settler Confrontations  05:00 Huckabee Calls Some Settlers “Israeli Terrorists”  06:00 Gaza Strikes & Regional Tensions  07:00 Israel & Venezuela Restore Consular Relations  08:00 Venezuela's Jewish Community Shrinks  09:00 The Story of Lone Soldier William Zev Shaken  10:00 Will's Service After October 7th  11:00 His Dream to Help Others  12:00 Will's Funeral in Jerusalem  13:00 Shanna's Personal Connection With Will  14:00 Will's Leadership Project  15:00 A Friend Remembers Will  16:00 Will Buried at Mt. Herzl  17:00 His Parents' Heartbreaking Eulogy  18:00 Questions About Military Recognition  19:00 How the Defense Ministry Reviews These Cases  20:00 PTSD & Psychological Trauma Among Soldiers  21:00 The Growing Mental Health Crisis  22:00 Support for Veterans & Trauma Survivors  23:00 Remembering Will Shaken + Torah Thought Begins  24:00 Abraham's Argument With God  25:00 God's Promise of Consolation  26:00 Moses, Action & Divine Protection  27:00 Faith, Confidence & Redemption  28:00 Shabbat Shalom & Sign-Off    #Israel #IsraelNews #IsraelDailyNews #Trump #Iran  #IsraelIran #MiddleEast #IDF #IsraeliSoldiers #IsraelDefenseForces #JudeaAndSamaria #Gaza #IsraelPolitics #GolaniBrigade #LoneSoldier #PTSD #Veterans #Venezuela #JewishCommunity  #IsraelPodcast Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Monday, August 17, 2026; 8pm: Tonight, Trump bails on America's South Korean allies and effectively sides with the “Axis of Upheaval.” Plus, Congressman Jamie Raskin on Trump's Justice Department takeover and an attorney general who refuses to be independent. And more than 50 years after Richard Nixon resigned the presidency in disgrace, the striking parallels between Nixon and Donald Trump.   Want more of Chris? Download and follow his podcast, “Why Is This Happening? The Chris Hayes podcast” wherever you get your podcasts.To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Admiral Mark Montgomery: Admiral Mark Montgomery details the growing cyber and hybrid warfare cooperation within the axis of aggressors: China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. This cooperation often involves criminal actors sharing attack techniques and technology to target critical infrastructure. Montgomery warns of new generation warfare, including terrorist acts, jamming, and disinformation. He specifically points to China's Volt Typhoon program, which has installed malware in US rail, water, and energy systems. Montgomery urges an all-hands-on-deck approach to secure essential systems, as attribution for these ghost-like attacks remains difficult. (8)