1947–1991 period of geopolitical tension between the Eastern Bloc and Western Bloc
POPULARITY
Categories
In this episode of Valley of Depth, we sit down with Xcimer Energy's cofounders, Conner Galloway and Alexander Valys, to unpack one of the boldest bets in fusion: resurrecting a Cold War-era laser technology to build the fastest, most scalable path to commercial fusion power.Xcimer has raised over $100 million to bring its inertial confinement fusion system to life, starting with LPK, a high-powered prototype laser built in just four months, and progressing toward Vulcan, a full-scale, ignition-class reactor designed for the grid. We also discuss:Why excimer lasers are making a comebackWhat Xcimer learned from building LPK in just four monthsThe Phoenix-to-Vulcan roadmap for commercial fusionLessons from NIF's ignition milestone and its limitsThe case for fusion as infrastructure, not just scienceHow Xcimer is positioning itself in a crowded fusion landscape…and much, more. • Chapters •00:00 – Intro01:24 – Payload Pro02:06 – Recent changes in fusion03:29 – Commercial fusion and perceptions on the tech05:18 – Founding story of Xcimer06:51 – Common approaches to fusion today08:48 – Was the National Ignition Facility (NIF) the catalyst to start Xcimer?12:22 – Convincing investors to invest $100m into Xcimer13:34 – What is NIF's goal right now and can it produce electricity?18:04 – Why hasn't the private sector solved the fusion problem?20:25 – Xcimer progress report23:07 – Xcimer's roadmap for the next bigger machine24:41 – Coming up with Athena25:33 – Addressing neutron damage29:54 – The biggest unknown for Xcimer32:29 – Who are Xcimer's first customers35:03 – Cost per megawatt per hour to be competitive37:23 – How much of Xcimer's supply chain is being verticalized38:48 – Vaporizing a missile with a laser41:27 – Other fusion companies Alex and Connor admire44:28 – What inspires a founder or engineer to pursue less proven fusion methods?47:28 – What drives Alex and Connor to keep on going?49:02 – First commercial Xcimer fusion plant • Show notes •Xcimer's website — https://xcimer.energy/Mo's socials — https://twitter.com/itsmoislamPayload's socials — https://twitter.com/payloadspace / https://www.linkedin.com/company/payloadspaceIgnition's socials — https://twitter.com/ignitionnuclear / https://www.linkedin.com/company/ignition-nuclear/Tectonic's socials — https://twitter.com/tectonicdefense / https://www.linkedin.com/company/tectonicdefense/Valley of Depth archive — Listen: https://pod.payloadspace.com/ • About us •Valley of Depth is a podcast about the technologies that matter — and the people building them. Brought to you by Arkaea Media, the team behind Payload (space), Ignition (nuclear energy), and Tectonic (defense tech), this show goes beyond headlines and hype. We talk to founders, investors, government officials, and military leaders shaping the future of national security and deep tech. From breakthrough science to strategic policy, we dive into the high-stakes decisions behind the world's hardest technologies.Payload: www.payloadspace.comIgnition: www.ignition-news.comTectonic: www.tectonicdefense.com
This week we are joined by Dr. Olivier Jutel, a lecturer in the Department of Media, Film & Communication at the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand. His scholarly focus is in communication studies and media theory, particularly around populism, digital media, political economy, and critical theory. Travis and Julian chat with Olivier about his iconoclastic take on the paradigms that have dominated U.S. technology and communications policy since 2016. Olivier argues that fear of foreign influence has been leveraged by a coalition of Silicon Valley firms, national‑security agencies and allied think‑tanks to deflect structural reform of platforms. Drawing on Cold‑War communication theory, this coalition frames all online conflict as “information warfare,” treating citizens as passive targets for behavioral manipulation while ignoring deeper political‑economic drivers of democratic decay. Jutel retraces the military origins of mass‑communication research, critiques Shoshana Zuboff's “surveillance capitalism” thesis, and dissects the role of high‑profile disinfo professionals whose methods, he contends, don't question the core assumptions of tech industry platforms and national‑security priorities. Olivier concludes that while this disinformation framework is past its heyday, its war‑like view of social life persists, empowering actors such as Palantir while sidelining antitrust and public‑interest remedies. The solution? A shift toward true democratic governance of digital infrastructure. Dr Olivier Jutel at University of Otago https://www.otago.ac.nz/mfco/staff/olivier-jutel Thanks for subscribing to QAA on patreon. Editing by Corey Klotz. Theme by Nick Sena. Additional music by Pontus Berghe. Theme Vocals by THEY/LIVE (https://instagram.com/theyylivve / https://sptfy.com/QrDm). Cover Art by Pedro Correa: (https://pedrocorrea.com) https://qaapodcast.com QAA was known as the QAnon Anonymous podcast. /// We've launched a new podcast miniseries network: Cursed Media. The very first Cursed Media miniseries is Science in Transition. Science in Transition is an investigation into the intellectual origins of the contemporary right wing backlash against transgender acceptance. Through six deeply-researched episodes, hosts Liv Agar and Spencer Barrows unearth a bizarre coalition of well-meaning clinicians, aristocratic sexologists, militant feminists, right-wing culture warriors, headline-chasing journalists, and conservative politicians. Listen to the first five episodes of Science In Transition right now and all episodes after the sixth one is released by subscribing through this link. www.cursedmedia.net/ Subscribers to Cursed Media get access to three new podcast series per year, plus every episode of QAA's existing mini-series (properly organized!)
TOS #294 | Big Strange Vacation Week 9 Detour! Unlocked from BCC: The Other Side: Recent headlines reveal a CIA document that details an attack on Russian soldiers by Alien Grays in Siberia during the Cold War. Could it be true? And what do other CIA documents reveal about UFO in the USSR? Plus: is Michael on the verge of a fictional incursion?? Watch this episode on YouTube. Join the BCC Clubhouse on SupercastPARACON KC LIVE SHOW Alien Attack in SiberiaUFOs in the USSRNew BCC Merch Michael's eBay Shop -- SHOW INFORMATION Bigfoot Collectors Club is produced by Riley Bray. Bonus and Ad-Free episodes on Supercast: https://bcc.supercast.com YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@bigfootcollectorsclub Merch:https://bigfoot-collectors-club-podcast-shop.fourthwall.com/collections/all Listener-Files Submissions: BigfootCollectorsClub@gmail.com. Instagram: https://bit.ly/3W7izlL | Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/bccpodcast.bsky.social Our theme song is “Come Alone,” by Suneaters, courtesy of Lotuspool Records. Follow Suneaters on Spotify https://bit.ly/3XnD4vS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
“China is surpassing American strength, whether it be naval forces or nuclear forces,” says retired U.S. Army Col. John Mills.His four-decade career has spanned key roles from the Cold War era to the War on Terror. At the Department of Defense, he directed cybersecurity policy.“I was brought into cyber in 2007 when the threat really was Russian cyber adventurism, but by 2012, from that point onward, it was all China—wasn't even close,” he says. “For every dollar Russia spent on misadventure, China spent 20.”In this episode, we dive into the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP's) influence globally and how it has created what Mills calls a “world on fire.”“All the playing pieces are kind of in place for [CCP leader Xi Jinping] to make his move around the world, to establish China as the dominant nation state, and everything else, all other nations, would be tributary vassal states, including the U.S.,” Mills says.“They are absolutely advancing a relentless onslaught of information warfare, through their media, through their wolf warriors, to advance a Chinese communist message that just drowns out everything else.”Views expressed in this video are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
WEALTHSTEADING Podcast investing retirement money stock market & wealth
Episode 483 The trade deals with the EU & Japan are further confirmation of the long term shift in USA national security strategy and the reshaping of global trade. Sign up for free ALERTs & Market Commentary at: https://www.investablewealth.com/subscribe/ ------------------------------------------------------
Welcome to another episode of Data Driven, where we delve deep into the crossroads of data, technology, and the ever-shifting world of geopolitics. In this packed episode, hosts Frank La Vigne and Bailey are joined by Christopher Nuland, AI technical marketing manager at Red Hat, for a candid, no-holds-barred discussion on the newly released America's AI Action Plan.Together, they tackle everything from the resurgence of Cold War tensions in the AI arena to the complexities of “AI sovereignty” and what it really means for the US, China, and the rest of the world. Expect spirited debates about EU's place in the global AI race, the real-world implications of chip supply chain disruptions, and the heated rhetoric around workforce security in an era when AI is starting to replace traditional jobs.The conversation weaves through existential questions—can AI ever truly reason, or are we just witnessing the rise of superpowered “spreadsheet goblins?”—and gets hands-on with the very real risks (and opportunities) of rolling out LLMs in everyday workplaces. Plus, the team touches on power-hungry data centers, potential impacts on the job market, and even finds time to swap sci-fi references from The Expanse to Ghost in the Shell to help paint a picture of what our AI-dominated future might look like.Buckle up for a dense, dynamic, and dangerously nerdy journey into the world of AI policy, technology, and what it means for all of us. Let's get into it!Timestamps00:00 AI Geopolitics & America's Action Plan08:14 EU's Role in Tech Hierarchy14:10 "US Focus: Securing AI Workforce"20:40 Supply Chain Security in Software24:24 Politicians' Technical Proficiency Limits27:19 AI Sovereignty and Cultural Values33:52 CHIPS Act: Innovation and Expansion Hopes38:11 "AI Vulnerability: Patch Attacks"47:58 Maryland Power Line Controversy50:09 "AI Impact on Jobs & UBI"55:47 Techno Feudalism Perspective01:04:41 "AI Sovereignty: A Geopolitical Chess Match"
Miss Heard celebrates Season 6, Episode 309 and revisits Ozzy Osbourne's legendary 1980 hit “Crazy Train.” She dives into the song's misunderstood lyrics, explores its Cold War-inspired message, and unpacks the mythic origin of its iconic guitar riff. The episode also pays tribute to Ozzy's final live performance at the July 2025 farewell concert—just weeks before his passing—highlighting his lasting legacy in rock history. As always, expect hilarious misheard lyrics, fun facts, and heartfelt moments that make this podcast a must for music lovers. You can listen to all our episodes at our website at: https://pod.co/miss-heard-song-lyrics Or iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and many more platforms under Podcast name “Miss Heard Song Lyrics” Please consider supporting our little podcast via Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/MissHeardSongLyrics or via PayPal at https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/MissHeardSongLyrics #missheardsonglyrics #missheardsongs #missheardlyrics #misheardsonglyrics #podcastinavan #vanpodcast #OzzyOsbourne #CrazyTrain #RandyRhoads #BlizzardOfOzz #HeavyMetal #ClassicRock #BlackSabbath #RockLegends #MetalHeads #ColdWarMusic #MusicHistory #FarewellTour #OzzyTribute #EndOfAnEra #RockNRollForever #TrueStory #LearnSomethingNew #ThrowbackTracks #BehindTheMusic #SpotifyPodcasts #ApplePodcasts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVovq9TGBw0 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crazy_Train https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ozzy_Osbourne https://www.songfacts.com/facts/ozzy-osbourne/crazy-train
The term “Heimat,” referring to a local sense of home and belonging, has been the subject of much scholarly and popular debate following the fall of the Third Reich. Countering the persistent myth that Heimat was a taboo and unusable term immediately after 1945, Geographies of Renewal uncovers overlooked efforts in the aftermath of the Second World War to conceive of Heimat in more democratic, inclusive, and pro-European modes. It revises persistent misconceptions of Heimat as either tainted or as a largely reactionary idea, revealing some surprisingly early identifications between home and democracy. Jeremy DeWaal further traces the history of efforts to eliminate the concept, which first emerged during the Cold War crisis of the early 1960s, and reassesses why so many on the political left sought to re-engage with Heimat in the 1970s and 1980s. This revisionist history intervenes in larger contemporary debates, asking compelling questions surrounding the role of the local in democracy, the value of community, and the politics of place attachments. Guest: Jeremy DeWaal (he/him), is Lecturer in European History at the University of Exeter. His research focuses on German cultural history, spatial history, memory, and the history of emotions. DeWaal's work on Heimat and democracy has been supported by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, the German Academic Exchange Service, the Central European History Society, and the Berlin Programme at the Free University of Berlin. Host: Jenna Pittman (she/her), a Ph.D. student in the Department of History at Duke University. She studies modern European history, political economy, and Germany from 1945-1990. Scholars@Duke: https://scholars.duke.edu/pers... Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jennapittman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network
Following our earlier discussion of the documentary Apocalypse in the Tropics, Jessa and Nico get into the spread of Evangelicals in power -- not only in the United States but also where missionaries have established bases overseas. Like every other truly terrible contribution the US has made, this is all about the Cold War. Shownotes and references: http://theculturewedeserve.substack.com
Your Post-Apoc duo Boom Mike and Doc Benny are joined once again by that guy who's a little too fond of BBQ Pork; Doc Jared! We discuss growing up in the Cold War and our favorite RPGs from that period, notably Aftermath and Gamma World. Nostalgia leads to more modern games such as the recent […]
The Pacific Northwest Insurance Corporation Moviefilm Podcast
Hi there! Matt was on a different podcast, and we are sharing it, with you, RIGHT HERE! It's called 'Cold War Cinema,' and you can find it here and here. Join Ellis and hosts Jason Christian, Tony Ballas, and Paul T. Klein as they discuss: The Phoenician Scheme's connections to the Congress for Cultural Freedom, a CIA-backed cultural operation from 1950 that weaponized writers, artists, and other thinkers for intelligence operations. How Anderson's film reveals the Cold War origins of the contemporary world in its critiques of capitalism and the neoliberal project. The ways that The Phoenician Scheme breaks Anderson's hermetically sealed aesthetics and alludes to its formal limitations. To stay up to date on Cold War Cinema, follow along at coldwarcinema.com, or find us online on Bluesky @coldwarcinema.com or on X at @Cold_War_Cinema. For more from your hosts: Follow Jason on Bluesky at @JasonChristian.bsky.social, on X at @JasonAChristian, or on Letterboxed at @exilemagic. Follow Anthony on Bluesky at @tonyjballas.bsky.social, on X at @tonyjballas. Follow Paul on Bluesky at @ptklein.com, or on Letterboxed at @ptklein. Paul also writes about movies at www.howotreadmovies.com alright that's all. we'll be back on friday with certified copy, which i need to watch RIGHT NOW
The term “Heimat,” referring to a local sense of home and belonging, has been the subject of much scholarly and popular debate following the fall of the Third Reich. Countering the persistent myth that Heimat was a taboo and unusable term immediately after 1945, Geographies of Renewal uncovers overlooked efforts in the aftermath of the Second World War to conceive of Heimat in more democratic, inclusive, and pro-European modes. It revises persistent misconceptions of Heimat as either tainted or as a largely reactionary idea, revealing some surprisingly early identifications between home and democracy. Jeremy DeWaal further traces the history of efforts to eliminate the concept, which first emerged during the Cold War crisis of the early 1960s, and reassesses why so many on the political left sought to re-engage with Heimat in the 1970s and 1980s. This revisionist history intervenes in larger contemporary debates, asking compelling questions surrounding the role of the local in democracy, the value of community, and the politics of place attachments. Guest: Jeremy DeWaal (he/him), is Lecturer in European History at the University of Exeter. His research focuses on German cultural history, spatial history, memory, and the history of emotions. DeWaal's work on Heimat and democracy has been supported by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, the German Academic Exchange Service, the Central European History Society, and the Berlin Programme at the Free University of Berlin. Host: Jenna Pittman (she/her), a Ph.D. student in the Department of History at Duke University. She studies modern European history, political economy, and Germany from 1945-1990. Scholars@Duke: https://scholars.duke.edu/pers... Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jennapittman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/german-studies
In this episode of the HODGEPOD, Rob Fredette welcomes U.S. Foreign policy expert Ronald Bee to discuss pressing global issues. Ronald Bee, with his extensive background in international relations and national security, shares his insights on the Ukraine-Russia conflict, the historical impact of the Cold War, and the complexities of the Middle East crisis. Listeners gain a deep understanding of how past events shape current international dynamics and the ongoing efforts to maintain peace. Tune in to learn from Ronald's rich experiences and expertise in navigating the intricate landscape of global affairs. Ronald has worked as a public affairs analyst at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA, Vienna, Austria), as a foreign policy analyst at the Library of Congress Congressional Research Service (CRS, DC), as a Special Assistant for National Security Affairs at Palomar Corporation, with projects conducted for the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Department of Energy, the DoD Office of International Security Affairs, and the Presidential Commission on Chemical Warfare Review (DC), as a Robert Bosch Foundation Fellow for American Leadership working for the Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the German Parliament (Bonn) and the Governing Mayor of West Berlin the year before the Berlin Wall fell. In addition he served in fellowships at the Princeton Center for Energy and Environmental Studies, the Aspen Institute, Berlin, and the Salzburg Seminar in Salzburg, Austria. RECORDED JULY 29, 2025 Thank you for listening to HODGEPOD which can be heard on APPLE, SPOTIFY, IHEART, AUDACY, TUNEIN and the PODBEAN APP
The term “Heimat,” referring to a local sense of home and belonging, has been the subject of much scholarly and popular debate following the fall of the Third Reich. Countering the persistent myth that Heimat was a taboo and unusable term immediately after 1945, Geographies of Renewal uncovers overlooked efforts in the aftermath of the Second World War to conceive of Heimat in more democratic, inclusive, and pro-European modes. It revises persistent misconceptions of Heimat as either tainted or as a largely reactionary idea, revealing some surprisingly early identifications between home and democracy. Jeremy DeWaal further traces the history of efforts to eliminate the concept, which first emerged during the Cold War crisis of the early 1960s, and reassesses why so many on the political left sought to re-engage with Heimat in the 1970s and 1980s. This revisionist history intervenes in larger contemporary debates, asking compelling questions surrounding the role of the local in democracy, the value of community, and the politics of place attachments. Guest: Jeremy DeWaal (he/him), is Lecturer in European History at the University of Exeter. His research focuses on German cultural history, spatial history, memory, and the history of emotions. DeWaal's work on Heimat and democracy has been supported by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, the German Academic Exchange Service, the Central European History Society, and the Berlin Programme at the Free University of Berlin. Host: Jenna Pittman (she/her), a Ph.D. student in the Department of History at Duke University. She studies modern European history, political economy, and Germany from 1945-1990. Scholars@Duke: https://scholars.duke.edu/pers... Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jennapittman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/intellectual-history
In this episode of the HODGEPOD, Rob Fredette welcomes U.S. Foreign policy expert Ronald Bee to discuss pressing global issues. Ronald Bee, with his extensive background in international relations and national security, shares his insights on the Ukraine-Russia conflict, the historical impact of the Cold War, and the complexities of the Middle East crisis. Listeners gain a deep understanding of how past events shape current international dynamics and the ongoing efforts to maintain peace. Tune in to learn from Ronald's rich experiences and expertise in navigating the intricate landscape of global affairs. Ronald has worked as a public affairs analyst at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA, Vienna, Austria), as a foreign policy analyst at the Library of Congress Congressional Research Service (CRS, DC), as a Special Assistant for National Security Affairs at Palomar Corporation, with projects conducted for the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Department of Energy, the DoD Office of International Security Affairs, and the Presidential Commission on Chemical Warfare Review (DC), as a Robert Bosch Foundation Fellow for American Leadership working for the Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the German Parliament (Bonn) and the Governing Mayor of West Berlin the year before the Berlin Wall fell. In addition he served in fellowships at the Princeton Center for Energy and Environmental Studies, the Aspen Institute, Berlin, and the Salzburg Seminar in Salzburg, Austria. RECORDED JULY 29, 2025 Thank you for listening to HODGEPOD which can be heard on APPLE, SPOTIFY, IHEART, AUDACY, TUNEIN and the PODBEAN APP
The term “Heimat,” referring to a local sense of home and belonging, has been the subject of much scholarly and popular debate following the fall of the Third Reich. Countering the persistent myth that Heimat was a taboo and unusable term immediately after 1945, Geographies of Renewal uncovers overlooked efforts in the aftermath of the Second World War to conceive of Heimat in more democratic, inclusive, and pro-European modes. It revises persistent misconceptions of Heimat as either tainted or as a largely reactionary idea, revealing some surprisingly early identifications between home and democracy. Jeremy DeWaal further traces the history of efforts to eliminate the concept, which first emerged during the Cold War crisis of the early 1960s, and reassesses why so many on the political left sought to re-engage with Heimat in the 1970s and 1980s. This revisionist history intervenes in larger contemporary debates, asking compelling questions surrounding the role of the local in democracy, the value of community, and the politics of place attachments. Guest: Jeremy DeWaal (he/him), is Lecturer in European History at the University of Exeter. His research focuses on German cultural history, spatial history, memory, and the history of emotions. DeWaal's work on Heimat and democracy has been supported by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, the German Academic Exchange Service, the Central European History Society, and the Berlin Programme at the Free University of Berlin. Host: Jenna Pittman (she/her), a Ph.D. student in the Department of History at Duke University. She studies modern European history, political economy, and Germany from 1945-1990. Scholars@Duke: https://scholars.duke.edu/pers... Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jennapittman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/european-studies
The term “Heimat,” referring to a local sense of home and belonging, has been the subject of much scholarly and popular debate following the fall of the Third Reich. Countering the persistent myth that Heimat was a taboo and unusable term immediately after 1945, Geographies of Renewal uncovers overlooked efforts in the aftermath of the Second World War to conceive of Heimat in more democratic, inclusive, and pro-European modes. It revises persistent misconceptions of Heimat as either tainted or as a largely reactionary idea, revealing some surprisingly early identifications between home and democracy. Jeremy DeWaal further traces the history of efforts to eliminate the concept, which first emerged during the Cold War crisis of the early 1960s, and reassesses why so many on the political left sought to re-engage with Heimat in the 1970s and 1980s. This revisionist history intervenes in larger contemporary debates, asking compelling questions surrounding the role of the local in democracy, the value of community, and the politics of place attachments. Guest: Jeremy DeWaal (he/him), is Lecturer in European History at the University of Exeter. His research focuses on German cultural history, spatial history, memory, and the history of emotions. DeWaal's work on Heimat and democracy has been supported by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, the German Academic Exchange Service, the Central European History Society, and the Berlin Programme at the Free University of Berlin. Host: Jenna Pittman (she/her), a Ph.D. student in the Department of History at Duke University. She studies modern European history, political economy, and Germany from 1945-1990. Scholars@Duke: https://scholars.duke.edu/pers... Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jennapittman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/geography
Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau has called for a "reset" in South Africa's trade relations with the United States, amid rising tensions over the 30 percent tariffs on South African exports set to take effect on Friday. Meanwhile, the Director of the Centre for Risk Analysis, Chris Hattingh warns that a further 10 percent tariff threat by President Donald Trump's administration against BRICS and the 50 percent tariffs on Brazil including an effective trade Cold War between the US and China may well all combine to provide the BRICS members with an ever-useful uniting tool in politics and foreign policy. For more clarity we spoke to Director of the Centre for Risk Analysis, Chris Hattingh
Since the end of the Cold War, most Americans have taken U.S. military supremacy for granted. We can no longer afford to do so, according to reporting by the staff writer Dexter Filkins. China has developed advanced weapons that rival or surpass America's; and at the same time, drone warfare has fundamentally changed calculations of the battlefield. Ukraine's ability to hold off the massive Russian Army depends largely on a startup industry that has provided millions of drones—small, highly accurate, and as cheap as five hundred dollars each—to inflict enormous casualties on invading forces. In some other conflict, could the U.S. be in the position of Russia? “The nightmare scenario” at the Pentagon, Filkins tells David Remnick, is, “we've got an eighteen-billion-dollar aircraft carrier steaming its way toward the western Pacific, and [an enemy could] fire drones at these things, and they're highly, highly accurate, and they move at incredible speeds. . . . To give [Secretary of Defense Pete] Hegseth credit, and the people around him . . . they say, ‘O.K., we get it. We're going to change the Pentagon procurement process,' ” spending less on aircraft carriers and more on small technology like drones. But “the Pentagon is so slow, and people have been talking about these things for years. . . . Nobody has been able to do it.”Read Dexter Filkins's “Is the U.S. Ready for the Next War?”
KGB: THE RED SPARROWS AND EPSTEIN. CRAIG UNGER, SUBSTACK, CONTINUED 1960 COLD WAR
During the Cold War, tests were conducted on soldiers and unsuspecting cities. Anything from biological spraying to nuclear tests in Nevada, the spread of fallout to parts of Utah, which resulted in various cancers in people downwind from the test. The majority of U.S. nuclear tests occurred in the middle of the Western desert, at the Nevada Test Site. This site is now within the parameters of the Area 51, Groom Lake facility in the Nevada Desert, an hour and a half from Las Vegas. Hundreds of men in the service of their country have died because of this invisible enemy, and this sends a very poignant message. Not only are we ignoring our hardworking servicemen, but we are also sealing up the truth about what it means to be a nuclear superpower, with cancers and damage to DNA that are happening under the guise of plausible deniability. Listen to Ground Zero with Clyde Lewis M-F at 7 pm, pacific time on groundzeroplus.com. Call in to the LIVE show at 503-225-0860.
Subscribe now to skip the ads. Great Power Week continues here at American Prestige as historian Michael Brenes joins the show to talk about how prolonged competition with China threatens democracy, peace, and prosperity. They compare Biden and Trump's respective approaches to China, whether the national security establishment is trying to manufacture an existential threat out of The People's Republic, whether there is any national interest in a new Cold War, the degradation in American leaders, why rivalry is bad economically, erodes American society's social fabric, and leads to violence, and alternatives to the great power framework. Read his book on the matter (co-authored with AP regular Van Jackson), The Rivalry Peril: How Great-Power Competition Threatens Peace and Weakens Democracy. Don't miss the companion episode with Stacie Goddard from Sunday, “The Era of Great Power Competition.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
After we spent last week in the muck and mire, this episode takes us up where skies are blue. Just watch for the mushroom clouds. The guest is Scott Carson, pseudonym of thriller writer, Michael Koryta, and author of The Chill (2020), Where They Wait (2021), and last year's phenomenal Lost Man's Lane. His new novel, Departure 37 is something totally different – it has Cold-War conspiracy, AI anxiety, tech-terror and nuclear brinkmanship. Y'know, it's like the news … but fun! Scott and I discuss all of that, as well as the aviation mysteries that fascinate us both, and I give a much-deserved nod to the 90s brilliance of Michael Crichton. Enjoy! Other books mentioned: Where They Wait (2021), by Scott Carson Lost Man's Lane (2024), by Scott Carson The Chill (2020), by Scott Carson Sole Survivor (1997), by Dean Koontz The Shining (1977), by Stephen King Nuclear War: A Scenario (2024), by Annie Jacobsen Six Days of the Condor (1974), by James Grady The Auctioneer (1975), by Joan Samson King Sorrow (2025), by Joe Hill Support Talking Scared on Patreon Check out the Talking Scared Merch line – at VoidMerch Come talk books on Bluesky @talkscaredpod.bsky.social on Instagram/Threads, or email direct to talkingscaredpod@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Great Power Week continues here at American Prestige as historian Michael Brenes joins the show to talk about how prolonged competition with China threatens democracy, peace, and prosperity. They compare Biden and Trump's respective approaches to China, whether the national security establishment is trying to manufacture an existential threat out of The People's Republic, whether there is any national interest in a new Cold War, the degradation in American leaders, why rivalry is bad economically, erodes American society's social fabric, and leads to violence, and alternatives to the great power framework. Read his book on the matter (co-authored with AP regular Van Jackson), The Rivalry Peril: How Great-Power Competition Threatens Peace and Weakens Democracy.Don't miss the companion episode with Stacie Goddard from Sunday, “The Era of Great Power Competition.” Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
For half a century, the Cold War defined global politics. Contested by two superpowers with opposing ideologies and interests, it touched nearly every part of the globe. It threatened nuclear war, and brought incalculable devastation to its battlefields – from Korea to Vietnam to Afghanistan and beyond. Could all the tension and violence have been avoided? Did the U.S. triumph or did the Soviet Union surrender? Where can we find Cold War continuities as the world unravels today? In this episode, historians Vladislav Zubok and Sergey Radchenko address these questions, which remain as relevant as ever, 30 years after the end of the Cold War. This episode was inspired by Zubok's new book (see below). Recommended reading: The World of the Cold War, 1945-1991 by Vladislav Zubok (2025) To Run the World: The Kremlin's Cold War Bid for Global Power by Sergey Radchenko (2024) Zubok teaches history at the London School of Economics and Political Science. Radchenko teaches history at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. They were born in the Soviet Union.
“Normal people want the basic human rights that accompany citizenship in any sovereign nation. I don't… I don't live anywhere; I'm not a citizen at all. I don't need my human rights.” The Cold War Cinema team is back with special guest Matthew Ellis, a researcher, artist, and cohost of the Pacific Northwest Insurance Corporation Movie Film Podcast, for a special bonus episode covering Wes Anderson's The Phoenician Scheme. Recently released on home video and streaming, the film follows the cunning, reprobate industrialist Zsa-zsa Korda (Bencio Del Toro) as he swindles his way into a massive infrastructure deal in the country of Upper Independent Phoenicia. Join Matthew Ellis and hosts Jason Christian, Tony Ballas, and Paul T. Klein as they discuss: The Phoenician Scheme's connections to the Congress for Cultural Freedom, a CIA-backed cultural operation from 1950 that weaponized writers, artists, and other thinkers for intelligence operations. How Anderson's film reveals the Cold War origins of the contemporary world in its critiques of capitalism and the neoliberal project. The ways that The Phoenician Scheme breaks Anderson's hermetically sealed aesthetics and alludes to its formal limitations. _____________________ Each episode features book and film recommendations for further exploration. On this episode: Matthew recommends Danny Boyle's 28 Years Later. Paul recommends Matt Zoller Seitz's The Wes Anderson Collection and Louis Althusser's “Ideology and Ideological State Apparatuses: Notes Towards an Investigation.” Tony recommends Carpenter's Gothic by William Gaddis. Jason recommends The Darker Nations: A People's History of the Third World by Vijay Prashad. _____________________ Like and subscribe to Cold War Cinema, and don't forget to leave us a review! Want to continue the conversation? Drop us a line at any time at coldwarcinemapod@gmail.com. To stay up to date on Cold War Cinema, follow along at coldwarcinema.com, or find us online on Bluesky @coldwarcinema.com or on X at @Cold_War_Cinema. For more from your hosts: Follow Jason on Bluesky at @JasonChristian.bsky.social, on X at @JasonAChristian, or on Letterboxed at @exilemagic. Follow Anthony on Bluesky at @tonyjballas.bsky.social, on X at @tonyjballas. Follow Paul on Bluesky at @ptklein.com, or on Letterboxed at @ptklein. Paul also writes about movies at www.howotreadmovies.com _____________________ Logo by Jason Christian Theme music by DYAD (Charles Ballas and Jeremy Averitt). Happy listening!
This Day in Legal History: Eisenhower Signs Act Creating NASAOn July 29, 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the National Aeronautics and Space Act into law, officially creating NASA. The legislation emerged in response to growing Cold War tensions and the Soviet Union's launch of Sputnik the previous year. It marked a pivotal shift in U.S. federal priorities, establishing a civilian-led space agency to coordinate scientific exploration, aeronautics research, and peaceful uses of space. NASA began operations on October 1, 1958, absorbing the earlier National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) and ushering in a new era of government-backed technological ambition.Over the decades, NASA has become a symbol of American innovation, from landing astronauts on the moon to deploying the Hubble Space Telescope. Its work has catalyzed advancements not only in spaceflight, but also in climate science, materials engineering, and telecommunications. The legal framework underpinning NASA reflects a national consensus that science and exploration are critical public goods deserving of federal investment and support.But 67 years later, that consensus is showing strain. Just yesterday, NASA announced that nearly 4,000 employees—about 20% of its workforce—are leaving the agency through the Trump administration's deferred resignation program. This mass exodus follows proposed budget cuts and internal restructuring driven by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a key player in Trump's effort to slash the federal workforce.The timing couldn't be worse. The administration has called for both sweeping workforce reductions and a significant budget cut of nearly 24% for FY 2026, even as it touts long-term funding increases in the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Scientists and space advocates, including The Planetary Society, have criticized the inconsistency, calling it a direct threat to American leadership in space. A group of over 300 NASA employees echoed that concern in a public letter this week, denouncing the changes as "rapid and wasteful" and warning that they jeopardize the agency's mission.What began as a proud moment of bipartisan support for science and exploration now faces a political climate where expertise is undervalued and institutional stability is sacrificed for short-term optics.Nearly 4,000 NASA employees opt to leave agency through deferred resignation programIn her latest appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, Ghislaine Maxwell argues that her 2021 federal sex trafficking conviction should be overturned because it violated a 2007 non-prosecution agreement (NPA) originally struck between Jeffrey Epstein and federal prosecutors in Florida. Maxwell contends that the agreement, which shielded Epstein and his unnamed co-conspirators from federal charges in exchange for his state-level plea, should have also barred her later prosecution in New York. The Justice Department disputes this, saying the NPA applied only to the Southern District of Florida and does not merit Supreme Court review. Maxwell's brief criticizes the DOJ for focusing on Epstein's misconduct rather than the legal scope of the deal, framing the issue as one of government accountability to its promises. The Second Circuit previously upheld her conviction, finding no evidence that the NPA was meant to apply nationally. However, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers filed a brief supporting Maxwell, arguing that even atypical agreements must be honored if made by the government. Political tensions surrounding the Epstein case continue to complicate matters, as Maxwell recently met with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche amid renewed scrutiny of the Trump administration's handling of Epstein's prosecution. The Supreme Court is expected to consider whether to hear the case in late September.Ghislaine Maxwell Tells Supreme Court Epstein Deal Shielded HerThe Trump administration has filed a judicial misconduct complaint against Chief U.S. District Judge James Boasberg, accusing him of violating judicial ethics by expressing concerns that the administration might defy court rulings, potentially triggering a constitutional crisis. The complaint centers on comments Boasberg allegedly made during a March meeting of the judiciary's policymaking body, which included Chief Justice John Roberts. The Justice Department argues that these remarks, later echoed in his rulings, undermined judicial impartiality—particularly in a case where Boasberg blocked the deportation of Venezuelan migrants using wartime powers under the Alien Enemies Act. The administration claims Boasberg acted on a political bias when he found probable cause to hold it in criminal contempt for defying his deportation order. The DOJ has asked the D.C. Circuit to reassign the case and refer the complaint to a special investigative panel. Boasberg, appointed to the federal bench by President Obama after an earlier nomination to the D.C. Superior Court by President George W. Bush, has not publicly responded. The D.C. Circuit stayed his contempt finding, and a final ruling is still pending.Trump administration files misconduct complaint against prominent judge Boasberg | ReutersThe U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has extended the suspension of 98-year-old Judge Pauline Newman for another year, citing her continued refusal to undergo a full neuropsychological evaluation to assess her fitness to serve. Despite submitting medical reports from her own experts asserting she is mentally competent, the court concluded that those reports were insufficient and contained inaccuracies, including concerns about memory issues and fainting episodes. Newman's legal team criticized the court's swift decision, arguing that their evidence and arguments were not seriously considered following a recent hearing. Newman, a respected patent law jurist appointed by President Reagan in 1984, is the oldest active federal judge who has not taken senior status and has been a prominent dissenter on the Federal Circuit. The court originally suspended her in 2023 after Chief Judge Kimberly Moore raised concerns about her cognitive and physical condition. Newman sued over the suspension, but her case was dismissed; it is now under review by a separate federal appeals court. The latest ruling reaffirms the court's insistence on comprehensive testing before any reconsideration of her judicial role.US appeals court extends suspension of 98-year-old judge in fitness probe | ReutersDonald Trump has asked a federal court to expedite a deposition of Rupert Murdoch in his $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal over a July 17 article linking him to Jeffrey Epstein. The article claimed Trump sent Epstein a 2003 birthday greeting that included a suggestive drawing and cryptic references to shared secrets—allegations Trump calls fabricated. In a court filing, Trump's lawyers said he informed Murdoch before publication that the letter was fake, and Murdoch allegedly responded that he would “take care of it,” which they argue demonstrates actual malice—a necessary legal threshold in defamation cases involving public figures. Trump's team is seeking Murdoch's testimony within 15 days, and Judge Darrin Gayles has ordered Murdoch to respond by August 4. The article's release has intensified political scrutiny of Trump's handling of the Epstein investigation. Legal analysts note Trump faces an uphill battle given the stringent standards for proving defamation, especially against media outlets. Dow Jones, which publishes the Journal, said it stands by its reporting and intends to vigorously defend the case.Trump asks for swift deposition of Murdoch in Epstein defamation case | ReutersMy column for Bloomberg this week argues that the latest shift in federal tax law—the move from the global intangible low-taxed income (GILTI) regime to the net controlled foreign corporation tested income (NCTI) system—should push states to reassess their habitual conformity to the Internal Revenue Code. NCTI expands the scope of taxable foreign income for U.S. multinationals, reflecting a broader federal effort to combat base erosion and bolster global competitiveness. But when states automatically conform to these changes—especially through rolling conformity—they risk inheriting complex, federally motivated rules that don't align with their economic interests or legal authority.Rolling conformity is a mechanism by which a state automatically updates its tax code to reflect changes in the federal Internal Revenue Code as they occur, without requiring separate legislative action. While rolling conformity can reduce administrative friction, it's increasingly problematic in an era of aggressive and frequent federal tax rewrites. States adopting NCTI may find themselves without key federal mechanisms like foreign tax credits or Section 250 deductions, exposing them to potential legal challenges over extraterritorial taxation and apportionment. These lawsuits could be expensive, prolonged, and ultimately hinge on issues that federal tax policy has already moved past. I argue that states need to move beyond passive conformity and take an intentional, sovereign approach to tax policy—reviewing conformity statutes now, decoupling where necessary, and preparing to defend their fiscal independence in the face of Washington's rapid policy swings.Trump Tax Law Should Spur States to Split From Federal ‘Pendulum' This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe
In this explosive episode of the China Desk Podcast, former U.S. intelligence official and quantum security expert Denis Mandich joins Steve Yates to unpack the national security nightmare unfolding in plain sight. Mandich explains how China's massive IP theft, covert operations in American universities, and advances in quantum computing could undermine U.S. power within years. From the race for post-quantum encryption to the risk of total digital collapse, this conversation is a wake-up call for policymakers, tech leaders, and everyday citizens. If we don't act now, Mandich warns, your children might be working for Huawei. Topics Covered: - China's IP theft and the largest transfer of wealth in history - The threat of quantum computing to national security - Retroactive decryption and the “harvest now, decrypt later” tactic - China's infiltration of U.S. STEM education and labs - Why the U.S. must double down on counterintelligence and quantum innovation - Mandich's call for a Cold War-style response
In early 1948, Los Angeles couples were terrorized by a series of robberies and car thefts committed by a criminal the press dubbed “The Red Light Bandit,” a reference to the red light he used to flag down his victims. Fortunately, the bandit's crime spree was quickly cut short when police arrested Caryl Chessman, a Los Angeles resident with a criminal history going back to his teen years.Chessman was charged with multiple counts of robbery, rape, grand theft, and because of an unusual interpretation of events, he was also charged with kidnapping. Due to the attachment of kidnapping, several of the charges were defined as a capital offense and Chessman was convicted and sentenced to death.In the years following his conviction, Chessman's death sentence became a source of considerable controversy—an already controversial sentence applied in a non-lethal case due to a bizarre application of the law. For ten years, Chessman fought the sentence all the way to the US Supreme Court, with support from a wide variety of sources, both notable and ordinary. Thank you to the Incredible Dave White of Bring Me the Axe Podcast for research and Writing support!ReferencesChessman, Caryl, and Joseph Longstreth. 1954. Cell 2455, Death Row: A Condemned Man's Own Story. New York, NY: Prentice Hall.Erikson, Leif. 1960. "Chessman executed with a smile on his lips." Los Angeles Evening Citizen News, May 2: 1.Los Angeles Evening Citizen News. 1948. "Mother on stretcher testifies for 'genius'." Los Angeles Evening Citizen News, May 10: 1.—. 1948. "Wild chase nets 'Red Light Bandit' suspects." Los Angeles Evening Citizen News, January 24: 3.Los Angeles Times. 1941. "Crime victims point to youths." Los Angeles Times, February 14: 2.—. 1943. "Honor farm escapee says he only lost his memory." Los Angeles Times, September 5: 14.—. 1948. "Red-Light Bandit receives two death sentences." Los Angeles Times, June 26: 17.Pasadena Independent. 1948. "Red Light Bandit strikes again." Pasadena Independent, January 20: 8.People v. Caryl Chessman. 1959. CR. 5006 (Supreme Court of California , July 7).Press-Telegram. 1941. "Five bandit suspects held in shootings." Press-Telegram (Long Beach, CA), February 2: 1.Ruth, David E. 2014. "'Our free society is worthy of better': Caryl Chessman, Capital Punishment, and Cold War culture." Law, Crime and History 31-55.Time Magazine. 1960. "The Chessman affair." Time Magazine, March 21.Times, Los Angeles. 1948. "Bandit using red spotlight kidnaps girl." Los Angeles Times, January 23: 19.—. 1948. "Deasth asked in Bandit case." Los Angeles Times, May 19: 32.Stay in the know - wondery.fm/morbid-wondery.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
You'd think the guy helping build the deadliest weapon in history would be someone the Allies vetted carefully. You'd be wrong. Klaus Fuchs was a physicist, a refugee, and a trusted member of the Manhattan Project. He was also a Soviet spy. His quiet betrayal helped the USSR test its first atomic bomb years ahead of schedule—ending America's monopoly on nuclear weapons and setting the stage for the Cold War. All in the name of “peace.” "Crimes of the Centuries" is a podcast from Grab Bag Collab exploring forgotten crimes from times past that made a mark and helped change history. You can get early and ad-free episodes on the Grab Bag Patreon page. DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE CRIMES OF THE CENTURIES BOOK! Order today at www.centuriespod.com/book (https://www.centuriespod.com/book)! Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @centuriespod Episode Sponsors: Home Chef. For a limited time, Home Chef is offering my listeners FIFTY PERCENT OFF and free shipping for your first box PLUS free dessert for life! Go to Homechef.com/COTC. Galatea. Right now, Galatea is offering our listeners an extra 25% off on top of an already-irresistibly-affordable subscription when you go to GALATEA.COM/COTC.
In 1979, Iranian revolutionaries stormed the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and took 52 Americans hostage, sparking a 444-day international crisis. Caught between shifting politics and fierce anti-American sentiment, the hostages endured beatings, mock executions, and months of isolation. Meanwhile, the world watched as President Jimmy Carter struggled to negotiate their release amid rising tensions and oil shocks. Discover how a daring CIA operation — involving a fake sci-fi movie called Argo — helped smuggle six diplomats to freedom. Dive into the behind-the-scenes drama of Iran's revolution, U.S.-Iran relations, and the unexpected heroes who changed history. Perfect for fans of political thrillers, Cold War stories, and true tales of courage under fire. Don't miss this gripping episode on one of the most intense hostage crises in modern history. SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS House of Atlas - https://houseofatlas.com with promo code CHAOS for 20% off everything. SelectQuote - Life insurance is never cheaper than it is today. Get the right life insurance for YOU, for LESS, and save more than fifty percent at https://selectquote.com/chaos Thrive Market - Go to https://ThriveMarket.com/CHAOS, to get thirty percent off your first order, plus a FREE sixty dollar gift just for signing up. BlueChew - Make life easier by getting harder and discover your options at https://BlueChew.com! And we've got a special deal for our listeners: Try your first month of BlueChew FREE when you use promo code CHAOS -- just pay $5 shipping. Christories Disclaimer* it is important to note that Christories knowledge and understanding of historical events, facts, and figures may not be 100% accurate or complete! Note that information in this episode has been lightly researched and we encourage you to continue your learning outside of this episode too, Babes! Follow us Muffin Butt!
In this episode, we dive into the murky world of blackmail by exploring how “honeytraps” (the use of seduction and blackmail as leverage) have been employed by intelligence agencies throughout history. From Cold War spies to political scandals, we go over past honeypot and honeytrap stories, and talk about why many people believe that was what Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell were doing. Check out https://www.squarespace.com/fluently to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code FLUENTLY Elevate your closet with Quince. Go to Quince.com/fluently for free shipping on your order and 365 -day returns.
Today Justin is joined once more by Tim Spicer. Tim served for 20 years in the British Army where he rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and saw active service in Northern Ireland, The Falklands Campaign, the Gulf War, and the Balkans, as well as serving in the Far East, Cyprus, and Germany. Today, he's back to discuss his own life and career, which has been full of danger and adventure as well. Tim wrote about it all in his autobiography which covers his service all over the world, as well as his work as the founder of a private military company not long after he left the British Army. Check out Tim's first appearance in ep 200: 'From Biffy to Bond: The Real Spy Who Inspired "From Russia, with Love"' here.Connect with Tim:penguin.co.uk/authors/208198/tim-spicerIG: @timspicerauthorCheck out the book, An Unorthodox Solider, here.https://a.co/d/6wZaj6YConnect with Spycraft 101:Get Justin's latest book, Murder, Intrigue, and Conspiracy: Stories from the Cold War and Beyond, here.spycraft101.comIG: @spycraft101Shop: shop.spycraft101.comPatreon: Spycraft 101Find Justin's first book, Spyshots: Volume One, here.Check out Justin's second book, Covert Arms, here.Download the free eBook, The Clandestine Operative's Sidearm of Choice, here.History by MailWho knew? Not me! Learn something new every month. Use code JUSTIN10 for 10% off your subscription.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show
Join us as Charles Berglund, a medic and sailor, describes his experiences on the heavy cruiser USS New Orleans (CA-32) as it fought its way across the pacific in some of the most pivotal battles of the War in the Pacific! After World War 2, Charles was part of the newly-established nuclear submarine fleet under Admiral Rickover that fought in the Cold War. He served on both attack and ballistic missile submarines and shares experiences that have only just recently been declassified!Support the show
Cautious Clay is the stage name of singer, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Josh Karpeh. He burst out of the gate with his song “Cold War” in 2017, a song that was later sampled by Taylor Swift in her track “London Boy”. Cautious Clay's music blends R&B, neo-soul, jazz, and more, and his subsequent output includes cowriting with John Legend and of course his own records, the most recent of which is called The Hours: Morning. Cautious Clay and his band play new music, in-studio. Set list: 1. Fade Blue 2. Tokyo Lift (5am) 3. Art MuseumThe Hours: Morning by Cautious Clay
Richard W. Harrison's The Soviet Army's High Commands in War and Peace, 1941-1992 (Casemate Academic, 2022) is the first full treatment of the unique phenomenon of High Commands in the Soviet Army during World War II and the Cold War. The war on the Eastern Front during 1941–45 was an immense struggle, running from the Barents Sea to the Caucasus Mountains. The vast distances involved forced the Soviet political-military leadership to resort to new organizational expedients in order to control operations along the extended front. These were the high commands of the directions, which were responsible for two or more fronts (army groups) and, along maritime axes, one or more fleets. In all, five high commands were created along the northwestern, western, southwestern, and North Caucasus strategic directions during 1941–42. However, the highly unfavorable strategic situation during the first year of the war, as well as interference in day-to-day operations by Stalin, severely limited the high commands' effectiveness. As a consequence, the high commands were abolished in mid-1942 and replaced by the more flexible system of supreme command representatives at the front. A High Command of Soviet Forces in the Far East was established in 1945 and oversaw the Red Army's highly effective campaign against Japanese forces in Manchuria. The Far Eastern High Command was briefly resurrected in 1947 as a response to the tense situation along the Korean peninsula and the ongoing civil war in China, but was abolished in 1953, soon after Stalin's death. Growing tensions with China brought about the recreation of the Far Eastern High Command in 1979, followed a few years later by the appearance of new high commands in Europe and South Asia. However, these new high commands did not long survive the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 and were abolished a year later. The book relies almost exclusively on Soviet and post-communist archival and other sources and is the first unclassified treatment of this subject in any country, East or West.Richard W. Harrison earned his Undergraduate and Master's degrees from Georgetown University, where he specialized in Russian Area Studies. He later earned his doctorate in War Studies from King's College London. He also was an exchange student in the former Soviet Union and spent several years living and working in post-communist Russia. He has taught Russian History and Military History at the US Military Academy at West Point. Dr. Harrison lives with his family near Carlisle, Pennsylvania.Stephen Satkiewicz is an independent scholar with research areas spanning Civilizational Sciences, Social Complexity, Big History, Historical Sociology, Military History, War Studies, International Relations, Geopolitics, and Russian and East European history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network
Presenting a replay of Secret Missions "Iron Curtain Escape" aired on Mar 06, 1949. Please support these shows with your donation today, thank you. https://mpir-otr.com/sponsors-donations
Welcome to tonight's Triple Feature, where we're diving deep into three searing portraits of adolescent collapse: Bad Boys (1983), The Basketball Diaries (1995), and Over the Edge (1979). These films don't just shock or provoke—they document. They document a particular strain of American decay that metastasized during the twenty-year stretch from 1959 to 1979—a period when the traditional family structure, once upheld as a Cold War ideal, began to fracture under economic pressure, suburban disillusionment, and institutional mistrust. This wasn't a clean break. It was a slow corrosion. The result? A generation of young men left untethered—adrift in a world that could neither protect them nor punish them fast enough to matter.We begin with Over the Edge, a 1979 cult classic that captured the disaffected spirit of middle-class youth like few films ever have. Set in a prefabricated suburb designed more for investment than living, the kids here are not impoverished—but they are neglected. Their world is one of false promises and fenced-in futures. There are no fathers, not really—just overworked salesmen and checked-out authority figures. The emotional distance is palpable. This is what happens when you build communities as holding pens, not homes. The result is explosive. These teens aren't rebelling against strict parents or moral codes—they're lashing out at an emotional void.Next, we jump to The Basketball Diaries—a harrowing look at addiction and alienation set against the backdrop of 1990s New York but rooted in a true story from the ‘60s. Jim Carroll's descent into heroin addiction is often read as a personal tragedy, but in context, it's emblematic of something larger: the erosion of protective adult guidance and the seductive power of oblivion when reality offers nothing back. His mother, present but overwhelmed, is powerless to stop the spiral. Authority comes too late and in the wrong form. There's no community here, only institutions—and institutions don't love you. They process you. In many ways, this film picks up the thread left dangling by Over the Edge: What happens when the fallout of that suburban collapse reaches the inner city and there's no illusion of a future left?Finally, Bad Boys—a film that doesn't blink. Released in 1983, it thrusts us into the juvenile detention system and strips away every layer of protection we pretend still exists for troubled youth. Sean Penn's character is a product of pure hardening. There's no fantasy, no poetry, no redemption arc—only survival. The family here is nonfunctional to the point of irrelevance. The state is a gladiator pit. Violence isn't dramatic—it's pragmatic. What Bad Boys does so brutally well is force us to confront what happens when boys become men too early, too alone, and too angry.What ties these three films together is not just their focus on troubled youth, but their implicit accusation: We made them this way. Through neglect, economic expediency, and the slow abandonment of any consistent moral or emotional scaffolding, American society left millions of young people to fend for themselves. These aren't just stories of crime or rebellion. They're stories of abandonment. And that's why they matter—especially in 2025. Because while the details have changed, the pattern remains. We live in a world where young men are still falling through the cracks—only now the cracks are digital, pharmacological, or ideological.Watching these films today isn't about nostalgia. It's about recognition. It's about asking how many more generations we can afford to lose before we start reckoning with the systems that keep producing them. So let's talk about it.Disclaimer: The following may contain offensive language, adult humor, and/or content that some viewers may find offensive – The views and opinions expressed by any one speaker does not explicitly or necessarily reflect or represent those of Mark Radulich or W2M Network.Mark Radulich and his wacky podcast on all the things:https://linktr.ee/markkind76alsohttps://www.teepublic.com/user/radulich-in-broadcasting-networkFB Messenger: Mark Radulich LCSWTiktok: @markradulichtwitter: @MarkRadulichInstagram: markkind76RIBN Album Playlist: https://suno.com/playlist/91d704c9-d1ea-45a0-9ffe-5069497bad59
Richard W. Harrison's The Soviet Army's High Commands in War and Peace, 1941-1992 (Casemate Academic, 2022) is the first full treatment of the unique phenomenon of High Commands in the Soviet Army during World War II and the Cold War. The war on the Eastern Front during 1941–45 was an immense struggle, running from the Barents Sea to the Caucasus Mountains. The vast distances involved forced the Soviet political-military leadership to resort to new organizational expedients in order to control operations along the extended front. These were the high commands of the directions, which were responsible for two or more fronts (army groups) and, along maritime axes, one or more fleets. In all, five high commands were created along the northwestern, western, southwestern, and North Caucasus strategic directions during 1941–42. However, the highly unfavorable strategic situation during the first year of the war, as well as interference in day-to-day operations by Stalin, severely limited the high commands' effectiveness. As a consequence, the high commands were abolished in mid-1942 and replaced by the more flexible system of supreme command representatives at the front. A High Command of Soviet Forces in the Far East was established in 1945 and oversaw the Red Army's highly effective campaign against Japanese forces in Manchuria. The Far Eastern High Command was briefly resurrected in 1947 as a response to the tense situation along the Korean peninsula and the ongoing civil war in China, but was abolished in 1953, soon after Stalin's death. Growing tensions with China brought about the recreation of the Far Eastern High Command in 1979, followed a few years later by the appearance of new high commands in Europe and South Asia. However, these new high commands did not long survive the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 and were abolished a year later. The book relies almost exclusively on Soviet and post-communist archival and other sources and is the first unclassified treatment of this subject in any country, East or West.Richard W. Harrison earned his Undergraduate and Master's degrees from Georgetown University, where he specialized in Russian Area Studies. He later earned his doctorate in War Studies from King's College London. He also was an exchange student in the former Soviet Union and spent several years living and working in post-communist Russia. He has taught Russian History and Military History at the US Military Academy at West Point. Dr. Harrison lives with his family near Carlisle, Pennsylvania.Stephen Satkiewicz is an independent scholar with research areas spanning Civilizational Sciences, Social Complexity, Big History, Historical Sociology, Military History, War Studies, International Relations, Geopolitics, and Russian and East European history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/russian-studies
In this episode, we dive into The Iron Giant, a story of friendship, fear, and identity set against the backdrop of 1950s paranoia. Directed by Brad Bird, this 1999 animated gem blends Cold War anxiety with heartfelt storytelling and hand-drawn wonder. Join The Dale, Cea, and Twan as we explore what makes The Iron Giant timeless, tender, and tragically overlooked.
Richard W. Harrison's The Soviet Army's High Commands in War and Peace, 1941-1992 (Casemate Academic, 2022) is the first full treatment of the unique phenomenon of High Commands in the Soviet Army during World War II and the Cold War. The war on the Eastern Front during 1941–45 was an immense struggle, running from the Barents Sea to the Caucasus Mountains. The vast distances involved forced the Soviet political-military leadership to resort to new organizational expedients in order to control operations along the extended front. These were the high commands of the directions, which were responsible for two or more fronts (army groups) and, along maritime axes, one or more fleets. In all, five high commands were created along the northwestern, western, southwestern, and North Caucasus strategic directions during 1941–42. However, the highly unfavorable strategic situation during the first year of the war, as well as interference in day-to-day operations by Stalin, severely limited the high commands' effectiveness. As a consequence, the high commands were abolished in mid-1942 and replaced by the more flexible system of supreme command representatives at the front. A High Command of Soviet Forces in the Far East was established in 1945 and oversaw the Red Army's highly effective campaign against Japanese forces in Manchuria. The Far Eastern High Command was briefly resurrected in 1947 as a response to the tense situation along the Korean peninsula and the ongoing civil war in China, but was abolished in 1953, soon after Stalin's death. Growing tensions with China brought about the recreation of the Far Eastern High Command in 1979, followed a few years later by the appearance of new high commands in Europe and South Asia. However, these new high commands did not long survive the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 and were abolished a year later. The book relies almost exclusively on Soviet and post-communist archival and other sources and is the first unclassified treatment of this subject in any country, East or West.Richard W. Harrison earned his Undergraduate and Master's degrees from Georgetown University, where he specialized in Russian Area Studies. He later earned his doctorate in War Studies from King's College London. He also was an exchange student in the former Soviet Union and spent several years living and working in post-communist Russia. He has taught Russian History and Military History at the US Military Academy at West Point. Dr. Harrison lives with his family near Carlisle, Pennsylvania.Stephen Satkiewicz is an independent scholar with research areas spanning Civilizational Sciences, Social Complexity, Big History, Historical Sociology, Military History, War Studies, International Relations, Geopolitics, and Russian and East European history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/eastern-european-studies
US UNREADY FOR PREDATORY PLA: 1/4: Embracing Communist China: America's Greatest Strategic Failure Hardcover – by James Fanell (Author), Bradley Thayer (Author), https://www.amazon.com/Embracing-Communist-China-Americas-Strategic/dp/1648210597/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?crid=SVI5QKVDH7ZQ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.3CuO3jl7d1hENlqXaYI1Kw.KJkeRg4eW-N9W9Ot0y7eRVaoCa8IXAU3S7fe2eAUdTI&dib_tag=se&keywords=Embracing+China+Fannell+thayer&qid=1716425180&s=books&sprefix=embracing+china+fannell+thayer%2Cstripbooks%2C123&sr=1-1-fkmr0 For decades, the United States has underestimated the threat from the People's Republic of China (PRC). In doing so, it has left our country vulnerable to their devious plans—a profound, strategic miscalculation. As a result of this carelessness, the United States is at risk of losing its dominant position in global politics. But how did this happen? How was it possible that the US could lose its dominant position after its Cold War victory and allow the rise of a peer enemy over a short period of time—about thirty years.
US UNREADY FOR PREDATORY PLA: 2/4: Embracing Communist China: America's Greatest Strategic Failure Hardcover – by James Fanell (Author), Bradley Thayer (Author), https://www.amazon.com/Embracing-Communist-China-Americas-Strategic/dp/1648210597/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?crid=SVI5QKVDH7ZQ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.3CuO3jl7d1hENlqXaYI1Kw.KJkeRg4eW-N9W9Ot0y7eRVaoCa8IXAU3S7fe2eAUdTI&dib_tag=se&keywords=Embracing+China+Fannell+thayer&qid=1716425180&s=books&sprefix=embracing+china+fannell+thayer%2Cstripbooks%2C123&sr=1-1-fkmr0 For decades, the United States has underestimated the threat from the People's Republic of China (PRC). In doing so, it has left our country vulnerable to their devious plans—a profound, strategic miscalculation. As a result of this carelessness, the United States is at risk of losing its dominant position in global politics. But how did this happen? How was it possible that the US could lose its dominant position after its Cold War victory and allow the rise of a peer enemy over a short period of time—about thirty years.
US UNREADY FOR PREDATORY PLA: 3/4: Embracing Communist China: America's Greatest Strategic Failure Hardcover – by James Fanell (Author), Bradley Thayer (Author), https://www.amazon.com/Embracing-Communist-China-Americas-Strategic/dp/1648210597/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?crid=SVI5QKVDH7ZQ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.3CuO3jl7d1hENlqXaYI1Kw.KJkeRg4eW-N9W9Ot0y7eRVaoCa8IXAU3S7fe2eAUdTI&dib_tag=se&keywords=Embracing+China+Fannell+thayer&qid=1716425180&s=books&sprefix=embracing+china+fannell+thayer%2Cstripbooks%2C123&sr=1-1-fkmr0 For decades, the United States has underestimated the threat from the People's Republic of China (PRC). In doing so, it has left our country vulnerable to their devious plans—a profound, strategic miscalculation. As a result of this carelessness, the United States is at risk of losing its dominant position in global politics. But how did this happen? How was it possible that the US could lose its dominant position after its Cold War victory and allow the rise of a peer enemy over a short period of time—about thirty years.
US UNREADY FOR PREDATORY PLA: /4: Embracing Communist China: America's Greatest Strategic Failure Hardcover – by James Fanell (Author), Bradley Thayer (Author), https://www.amazon.com/Embracing-Communist-China-Americas-Strategic/dp/1648210597/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?crid=SVI5QKVDH7ZQ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.3CuO3jl7d1hENlqXaYI1Kw.KJkeRg4eW-N9W9Ot0y7eRVaoCa8IXAU3S7fe2eAUdTI&dib_tag=se&keywords=Embracing+China+Fannell+thayer&qid=1716425180&s=books&sprefix=embracing+china+fannell+thayer%2Cstripbooks%2C123&sr=1-1-fkmr0 For decades, the United States has underestimated the threat from the People's Republic of China (PRC). In doing so, it has left our country vulnerable to their devious plans—a profound, strategic miscalculation. As a result of this carelessness, the United States is at risk of losing its dominant position in global politics. But how did this happen? How was it possible that the US could lose its dominant position after its Cold War victory and allow the rise of a peer enemy over a short period of time—about thirty years.E
On today's episode of the Cops and Writers Podcast, I have with me Author and retired FBI Forensic Artist Lisa Bailey for this special two-part interview that will conclude next Sunday.Lisa Bailey spent most of her adult life serving our country. She enlisted in the United States Navy after high school and served for six years as a linguist translating Russian during the Cold War. Armed with a top-secret security clearance, she later joined the FBI, working as a forensic artist helping solve complex felony and cold case crimes. Lisa's casework included creating composite sketches of terror suspects, age progressions of wanted fugitives, and post-mortem images of unidentified victims.Please enjoy this enlightening and entertaining conversation with forensic artist Lisa Bailey. In today's episode we discuss: Her mother being an artist and how that influenced her later in her professional life. Joining the navy, being in the intelligence field as a Russian linguist during the Cold War. What was the process to get a top-secret security clearance? How she leveraged her Navy experience into the civilian world. The FBI Special Agent Robert Hansen scandal. How her love of donuts led to joining the FBI. Her first impression of working for the FBI. Was it what she thought it would be? What is a forensic artist, and what did the training look like? What she was trying to accomplish in a case when an agent or other LE reached out to her with a case? How did she do that? Working at the FBI three months after the 9/11 terror attacks. Hollywood portrayals of what you did, especially “Bones.” Are there any movies or TV shows that are close to accurate? Lisa's body farm study. What is the body farm, and what was she trying to accomplish? All of this and more on today's episode of the Cops and Writers podcast.Visit Lisa's website to learn more about her and her book, Clay and Bones: My Life as an FBI Forensic Artist. Check out the new Cops and Writers YouTube channel!Check out my newest book, The Good Collar (Michael Quinn Vigilante Justice Series Book 1)!!!!!Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series.Please visit the Cops and Writers website.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In this episode, we return to the Diefenbunker, not just Canada's Cold War relic, but now possibly a place where you can survive a nuclear attack and get a massage. We've already unpacked the bunker's Cold War backstory in past episodes, but this time, we're diving into the weirder side: A new elite survival shelter for the 1%, right in the heart of rural Nova Scotia.Join us for a tour through Canada's ultimate “just in case” facility—equal parts Fallout bunker, museum, and surprisingly good event space.This podcast is hosted two idiots and created purely for entertainment purposes. By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that the CIB Podcast makes no warranty, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in this Podcast. The information, opinions presented in this Podcast are for general entertainment and humor only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. However, if we get it badly wrong and you wish to suggest a correction, please email canadianpoliticsisboring@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
For decades, digital rights activists, technologists, and cybersecurity experts have worried about what would happen if the US government secretly broke into people's encrypted communications.The weird thing, though, is that it's already happened—sort of.US intelligence agencies, including the FBI and NSA, have long sought what is called a “backdoor” into the secure and private messages that are traded through platforms like WhatsApp, Signal, and Apple's Messages. These applications all provide what is called “end-to-end encryption,” and while the technology guarantees confidentiality for journalists, human rights activists, political dissidents, and everyday people across the world, it also, according to the US government, provides cover for criminals.But to access any single criminal or criminal suspect's encrypted messages would require an entire reworking of the technology itself, opening up not just one person's communications to surveillance, but everyone's. This longstanding struggle is commonly referred to as The Crypto Wars, and it dates back to the 1950s during the Cold War, when the US government created export control regulations to protect encryption technology from reaching outside countries.But several years ago, the high stakes in these Crypto Wars became somewhat theoretical, as the FBI gained access to the communications and whereabouts of hundreds of suspected criminals, and they did it without “breaking” any encryption whatsover.It all happened with the help of Anom, a budding company behind an allegedly “secure” phone that promised users a bevy of secretive technological features, like end-to-end encrypted messaging, remote data wiping, secure storage vaults, and even voice scrambling. But, unbeknownst to Anom's users, the entire company was a front for law enforcement. On Anom phones, every message, every photo, every piece of incriminating evidence, and every order to kill someone, was collected and delivered, in full view, to the FBI.Today, on the Lock and Code podcast with host David Ruiz, we revisit a 2024 interview with 404 Media cofounder and investigative reporter Joseph Cox about the wild, true story of Anom. How did it work, was it “legal,” where did the FBI learn to run a tech startup, and why, amidst decades of debate, are some people ignoring the one real-life example of global forces successfully installing a backdoor into a company?The public…and law enforcement, as well, [have] had to speculate about what a backdoor in a tech product would actually look like. Well, here's the answer. This is literally what happens when there is a backdoor, and I find it crazy that not more people are paying attention to it.Tune in today.You can also find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and whatever preferred podcast platform you use.For all our cybersecurity coverage, visit Malwarebytes Labs at malwarebytes.com/blog.Show notes and credits:Intro Music: “Spellbound” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Outro Music: “Good God” by Wowa (unminus.com)Listen up—Malwarebytes doesn't just talk cybersecurity, we provide it.Protect yourself from online attacks that threaten your identity, your files, your system, and your...