Podcasts about Cyprus

In this episode, I'm joined again by Dr. Chrysovalantis Kyriacou where we discuss the ακριτικά τραγούδια i.e., the Acritic Songs! These are heroic ballads from the borderlands that emerged between the 9th and 11th centuries, highlighting semi- mythological figures like the legendary Digenis Akritas. Passed down through performances at festivals and weddings -- often created and performed by or for rural peasants -- these songs provide rare insight into the lives, struggles, and values of marginalized medieval communities. Their transmission reflects both elite and popular storytelling styles, often mixing Homeric, Christian, and local themes. In Cyprus, these songs were adapted into the local dialect. They also included unique Cypriot experiences, like in The Song of Antzoules, which reflects Cypriot responses to events in Anemourion in Anatolia and subsequent Frankish rule. In Cyprus, the legend of Digenis is imprinted on the land itself, from his handprint on the Pentadaktylos to the rocks of Petra tou Romiou, once believed to have been hurled at Saracen ships by Digenis himself! P.S. In this episode I learn that Vikings (VARANGIANS) may have been stationed in Cyprus!

194: How Executive Assistants can turn daily support work into hard numbers that lead to real raises. In this conversation, Elizabeth Sutkowska (based in Gdańsk, Poland) breaks down a practical way to negotiate your EA salary with data, using an EA ROI Calculator that tracks time saved, cost avoided, and the business impact leaders actually understand. If you've ever heard "your salary is fair," this is the exact mindset (and method) that flips the script. We also go beyond compensation and dig into the bigger picture of modern Executive Support: - From Au Pair → Hospitality → Corporate EA: how a non-linear career path builds the real skills top executives need (pressure handling, service excellence, business instincts, communication). - Executive Assistant in Poland: why the role is often underestimated, how stereotypes still shape expectations, and what needs to change for stronger recognition and career growth. - EA vs Chief of Staff: an honest take on titles, responsibilities, and why many EAs already do "CoS-level" work, without the label. - Community & visibility: why Elizabeth founded the Assistologist to elevate the profession through representation, education, and a "Polish roots, global mindset" approach. - Plus a few human moments (work-life balance, habits, and the funny IKEA/Swedish candy confession). This episode is packed with tools, perspective, and confidence boosts you can apply immediately. Drop a comment: Have you ever been told your salary is "fair"? What did you do next? Subscribe for more Executive Support career strategies. About Elizabeth Sutkowska: Elizabeth is an experienced Executive Assistant with international expertise supporting leaders in fast-paced corporate and startup environments. Her career spans Poland, Cyprus, the USA, and Italy, and she has studied at five universities in fields such as international relations, corporate communication, business psychology, media, and marketing. Elizabeth is the founder of Assistologist, a Poland-based association aimed at elevating the Executive Assistant's role through global best practices and strategic collaboration. She is passionate about healthy living, mindfulness, and exploring the world. LINKS:

Marcy Winograd and Medea Benjamin look back on 2025, reflecting on CODEPINK's campaigns to challenge U.S. militarism, stop weapons shipments, confront propaganda, and build people-powered resistance—from Gaza and Cyprus to China, Venezuela, and Capitol Hill. They close by looking ahead to the fights and possibilities of 2026.

Music and news from Cyprus and Greece.

Inserted Ad Free Dopey: www.patreon.com/dopeypodcastThis week on Dopey! For our post-Christmas Dopey episode we kick it off with a Christmas gift review and we read Spotify comments on the Alec Baldwin episode we shout out NANA/Lili Coffin hitting 6 years sober, and weaves in sponsor love. The return of White Tighties Jeremy Turner accidentally shooting Viagra and an email all about meth-fueled multi-day porn marathons that destroy skin and phones another about brutal long-term benzo withdrawal horrors, and a wild prison-submitted bath salts tale full of paranoia and fake-reality glitches.Then, at 25:42, Yellow Balloon recovery powerhouse Jen Dawson takes over with her unforgettable Southern story – from feeling like an outsider in a "normal" family, early prescribed Adderall and wild "nipple" psilocybin mushrooms, diving headfirst into '99 Phish tour life, crystal meth insanity, toxic soulmate drama (including a pistol-whipping incident), a venomous spider bite leading to near foot amputation and a pain-clinic fentanyl jackpot, research chemicals, shooting heroin, the devastating stillbirth of her son Dakota, a suicide attempt, multiple jail stints, and finally true surrender in a strict year-long program. Now 11 years sober, Jen shares how sweat lodges helped her connect with Dakota's spirit, rebuilding life with daughter Cyprus (now 18 and thriving), going to college, and finding lifelong community in the Yellow Balloon sober jam-band scene. Raw, funny, tragic, and deeply inspiring – peak Dopey.All That and MUCH MORE ON THIS HIPPY DIPPY FAR THE FUCK OUT NEW EPISODE OF THE GOOD OL DOPEY SHOW! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Professor Barry Strauss. During Trajan's campaign against Parthia, a coordinated Jewish revolt erupted across Libya, Egypt, and Cyprus. This massive insurgency threatened Rome's grain supply, forcing Trajan to divert troops. The suppression of this revolt devastated the historic Jewish community in Alexandria and strained Roman resources. 1843 MASADA

Merry Christmas! 'Tis the season to light your fireplaces and put out your colanders -- the 12 Days of Christmas are here! And of course you know, that means those pesky Kalikantzari (Christmas goblins) are back again, sowing mischief and cruel tricks. But it's not all bad news. Minos Papas' latest feature film* is making its rounds globally and featuring at the International Film Festival Rotterdam. I had the opportunity to screen the movie a couple weeks ago and chat again with Minos. This film is truly his love letter to Cyprus, its history and its heritage. In this episode, we chat about the performances, the themes and the post-production that went into the film. You'll also get to hear updates on how and when you can see the movie! *If you missed our first interview with Minos on the folklore and the making of Motherwitch, check out "Fantasy, Folklore & Film: 'Motherwitch' with Minos Papas" (October 2024) >>> https://iffr.com/en/iffr/2026/films/motherwitch

Professor Toby Wilkinson. Ptolemy I Soter, a scholar and general under Alexander, founded a dynasty by integrating Greek and Egyptian traditions. He appointed Egyptian advisors and created the hybrid god Serapis to unify his subjects, successfully establishing a stable, wealthy empire that included Cyprus and parts of the Mediterranean. 1900 NILE

In this insightful and high-level episode of Most Memorable Journeys, Elisabeth speaks with Natalia Kardash, one of Cyprus' most influential connectors in business, media, and international relations.For over 26 years, Natalia has called Cyprus home, building an extraordinary personal business network of more than 6,000 people, enabling her to bridge international executives with Cypriot opportunities. Her career is a masterclass in publishing, communications, PR, and strategic networking, always focused on turning ideas into successful ventures.Natalia is the Founder of the SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS Leaders' Club, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of VESTNIK KIPRA Expert Platform and SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS Magazine, a Member of the Corporate Advisory Board at the University of Cyprus, an Honorary Fellow of CIM Cyprus Business School, and the visionary force behind flagship events such as BEST LEGAL Conference, BEST INVEST Congress, and the Health & Beauty Forum.In this conversation, we explore:How Natalia connects global business leaders with CyprusThe power of trusted networks and relationship capitalWorking with expat communities and fostering cross-sector collaborationHer special regional focus on Armenia, Kazakhstan, and UzbekistanWhy genuine connection is the foundation of sustainable business growthRemarkably, Natalia has been personally connected to every President of the Republic of Cyprus, underscoring her deep-rooted influence and credibility.This episode is about leadership, vision, and the rare ability to connect the right people at the right time, creating value far beyond borders.

Episode 105 | Neuromodulation Explained: The Future of Drug-Free Brain Therapy with SOZO Brain Center In this episode of the Neurologic Wellness Podcast, host Dr. David Traster sits down with Matthew Papadopoulos, CEO of the Sozo Brain Center, one of the world's leading authorities in non-invasive neuromodulation. The Sozo Brain Center, based in Cyprus, is internationally recognized for delivering cutting-edge, drug-free brain stimulation therapies for complex neurological and mental health conditions. The word Sozo comes from ancient Greek, meaning "to save" — a mission reflected in their life-changing clinical outcomes. In this conversation, we explore: What neuromodulation really is and how non-invasive brain stimulation works Why protocols matter more than devices How combining stimulation with targeted cognitive and motor tasks enhances neuroplasticity Conditions treated including dementia, Parkinson's, autism, chronic pain, and mental health disorders EEG brain mapping, outcome tracking, and personalized treatment timelines Using TMS, TPS, tDCS, tACS, Vagal Nerve Stimulation, Tongue Electric Stimulation Training doctors globally to expand access to neuromodulation Dr. Traster shares why he considers Sozo Brain Center the global gold standard in neuromodulation and how this technology is redefining neurological and mental health care worldwide. Recovery is possible. The brain can heal. Neurologic Wellness Institute Locations: Boca Raton, FL | Chicago, IL | Wood Dale, IL | Waukesha, WI Learn more or schedule a consultation: neurologicwellnessinstitute.com Subscribe for more conversations on brain health, neuroplasticity, and cutting-edge neurological care.

Episode Description In this powerful and deeply moving episode of The Rob Skinner Podcast, Rob sits down with Jordan and Caryn McLeod, longtime missionaries whose journey has taken them from New York City to Jerusalem, Cyprus, and back to the United States. Raised in Jewish homes, Jordan and Caryn share their personal faith journeys, how they became Christians, and what led them to leave everything behind to help plant the church in the Holy Land. They open up about cultural barriers, spiritual resistance, heartbreak, perseverance, and what it really takes to serve God in one of the most challenging mission fields in the world. This conversation goes far beyond missions—it's about marriage, parenting, generosity, resilience, and learning to make your life truly count in every season. If you've ever wondered what faith looks like when it's tested, stretched, and refined over decades, this episode will inspire and challenge you. In This Episode, You'll Hear: Jordan and Caryn's conversion stories and Jewish backgrounds What it's like to plant a church in Jerusalem from scratch Why faith in Israel requires a completely different approach The idea of "completion" rather than conversion for Jewish believers Cultural, religious, and emotional challenges of overseas missions How they stayed faithful during years of slow growth and discouragement Stories of God's provision, generosity, and miracles Raising faithful children on the mission field Transitioning from full-time missions to family-focused ministry Advice for anyone who wants to live a no-regrets life Key Scriptures Referenced: Galatians 5:6 Hebrews (faith and perseverance themes) Acts (church planting and endurance) About the Guests Jordan and Caryn McLeod served for over a decade as missionaries in Jerusalem and Cyprus. They are parents of four children, many of whom are now serving in missions around the world. Their story reflects decades of faithful service, adaptability, and deep trust in God. Resources & Links Learn more about Rob Skinner: RobSkinner.com Get Rob's book The 10X Christian on Amazon or RobSkinner.com Support the Podcast If this episode encouraged you: Subscribe to The Rob Skinner Podcast Share this episode with a friend Leave a review to help others discover the show Live a no-regrets life. Make this life count. Multiply disciples, leaders, and churches.

Trilateral meeting between leaders of Israel, Greece and Cyprus being held in Jerusalem, Ministerial committee approves proposed bill for national committee of inquiry for October 7th events, Kiryat Shemona residents block highway to protest better government aid to war-stricken townSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The trilateral meeting between the leaders of Israel, Greece and Cyprus is a message of aligning arenas of interests but should also be seen as a counterweight to Turkey and its expanding Islamic nationalism. This according to Dan Feferman, the co-editor of Middle East 24 and a strategic affairs analyst. He told reporter Arieh O’Sullivan that the strategic, cultural and geographic relationship of these three countries in the eastern Mediterranean should flourish. (photo: Miriam Alster/flash90)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Noemi Beres is the Co-Owner of Podcast Connections, a podcast booking agency that helps entrepreneurs and experts grow their businesses through insightful interviews and meaningful connections. With a background in online marketing since 2007 and a Master's Degree in Danish Literature and Language, Noemi is a linguist, content creator, and passionate organizer. A self-taught artist residing in Cyprus for 13 years, she creates unique, mixed-media collages on canvas, drawing inspiration from memories, nature, and Mediterranean life. Through Art Therapy and Positive Psychology courses, Noemi has experienced firsthand the healing power of art, which she uses to help others find relaxation, self-expression, and emotional resilience.Website: https://www.podcastconnections.co/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noemiberes/Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/noemi_beres_/

What is a call? How does a person know if God is calling them to mission service? Join in a discussion as these and other questions are addressed.

Matt Faircloth interviews Maurice Philogene about designing a life around time freedom, personal fulfillment, and intentional investing, drawing from Maurice's journey from corporate executive, military officer, and police officer to real estate investor. Maurice explains how buying and systematically paying down small condo assets created early financial freedom, why ego-driven over-leverage nearly derailed him in 2008, and how discipline and simplicity became his long-term edge. They explore his transition into multifamily syndication, lessons from scaling too fast, and why he ultimately chose to deleverage, simplify, and prioritize lifestyle over endless growth. The conversation also dives into overseas investing in Cyprus and Lebanon, emphasizing relationships over spreadsheets and redefining success beyond net worth. Maurice PhilogeneCurrent role: Real Estate Investor, Syndicator, and Founder of Try Life OnSay hi to them at: https://trylifeon.com/ Get 50% Off Monarch Money, the all-in-one financial tool at www.monarchmoney.com with code BESTEVER Visit bestevercrypto.com today to get started and earn up to $2,500 in bonus crypto. Join us at Best Ever Conference 2026! Find more info at: https://www.besteverconference.com/  Join the Best Ever Community  The Best Ever Community is live and growing - and we want serious commercial real estate investors like you inside. It's free to join, but you must apply and meet the criteria.  Connect with top operators, LPs, GPs, and more, get real insights, and be part of a curated network built to help you grow. Apply now at⁠ ⁠⁠⁠www.bestevercommunity.com⁠⁠ Podcast production done by⁠ ⁠Outlier Audio⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Foreign Area Officer Podcast, host Michael Hill interviews retired Lieutenant Colonel Bill Woods, an Eastern European FAO and current instructor at the Joint Military Attaché School (JMAS). LTC Woods shares his experiences and challenges faced during his career, including the undervaluation of FAOs in the past, his roles in Naples, Cyprus, and London, and the importance of building relationships in diplomatic and military contexts. The discussion also touches on the practical aspects of being an FAO, the impact of critical thinking and current doctrinal knowledge, and the unique experiences and opportunities presented by serving at JMAS. Bill reflects on the importance of having fun in the job and staying engaged in current assignments while planning for future roles.   00:00 Introduction and Disclaimer 00:42 Welcome and Guest Introduction 00:59 Early Experiences as a FAO 02:13 Challenging Assignments and Career Growth 04:44 Political Advisor Role in Baghdad 07:47 NATO Advisor Experience 23:22 Greek Language and Cultural Immersion 41:39 Access and Opportunities in Foreign Military Education 43:06 Challenges and Misconceptions in Greek War College 44:19 Thesis Writing and Overcoming Language Barriers 44:58 Navigating Cultural and Academic Expectations 45:33 Ethical Dilemmas and Academic Integrity 46:31 Building Relationships and Gaining Respect 47:25 Experiences and Reflections on Military Assignments 49:45 The Importance of Fitting In and Building Trust 51:29 Protocol and Respect in International Military Relations 54:33 Career Path and Assignments in Military Diplomacy 55:59 Navigating the Attache Service and Career Challenges 57:54 The Role of FAOs in Multinational Operations 01:00:25 Balancing Operational Knowledge and Diplomatic Skills 01:07:31 The Value of War College and Continuous Learning 01:20:02 The Future of FAOs in a Changing Military Landscape 01:22:39 Experiences and Challenges in Cyprus 01:27:11 Minister's Support and Explosive Seizure 01:28:06 Meeting the Minister of Defense 01:28:59 The Explosion and Its Aftermath 01:30:14 Improving Relationships Post-Explosion 01:33:44 Challenges and Strategies in Diplomatic Relations 01:42:24 Reflections on Career and FAO Experiences 01:53:13 Working at the Joint Military Attaché School (JMAS) 01:58:28 Advice for Future FAOs and Instructors 02:08:22 Final Thoughts and Farewell

IS THE BONDI BEACH MASSACRE AUSTRALIA'S WAKE-UP CALL?HEADLINE 1: The United States just slapped new sanctions on Iran's shadow oil fleet. HEADLINE 2: Israel, Greece, and Cyprus are mulling a military coalition to deter the Turks.HEADLINE 3: U.S. MidEast envoy Steve Witkoff is heading to Gaza ceasefire talks…. In Miami. ---FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Joel Burnie, executive manager of the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council.Learn more at: fdd.org/fddmorningbrief---Featured FDD Pieces:"It's time for Brussels to designate Yemen's Houthis as a terrorist organization' - Behnam Ben Taleblu and Bridget Toomey, Euractiv"Mostly quiet on the Gazan front" - Clifford D. May, The Washington Times"How Turkey Props up Venezuela" - Sinan Ciddi and William Doran, The National Interest

Hello! Apologies for the unexplained absence. What began as internet difficulties in Cyprus turned into a needed break. We even had some father daughter therapy sessions. But our rabbi therapist told us there was nothing he could do...we were screwed. OK, that's not really what happened, but we fired him, and decided to work out our issues here, with all of you.My beloved purple car was destroyed by a drunk driver. My Sydney Jewish community is mourning the horrific murder of 15 innocent lives cut short. Rob Reiner and his wife killed by their own son. More violence. Tragedy. It goes on and on...BUT, it's chanukah and I have a new nephew, born TODAY. It's also Miketz, where we talk about Joseph being a chosen one. I, Briyah Ariel Paley, am a chosen one. Here we go...enjoy and shabbat shalom and happy Chanukah, wherever we find you.

As a prominent coastal city on the island of Cyprus, Salamis had a lot to offer the Romans. Well situated in the middle of the Mediterranean, it was the perfect location for maritime trade, as well as, unfortunately, the occasional war. Guest: Dr Christopher Gribbin (Adjunct Lecturer, Classics and Ancient History, La Trobe University)

For review:1. President Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Oil Tankers.2. Speaking at an annual meeting with top military officers, Russian President Putin said Moscow would prefer to achieve its goals and “eliminate the root causes of the conflict” by diplomatic means, but he added that “if the opposing side and its foreign patrons refuse to engage in substantive dialogue, Russia will achieve the liberation of its historical lands by military means.”3. Six Countries Join (Gaza) Board of Peace. The US has secured commitments from Egypt, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Italy and Germany to have their leaders join US President Donald Trump on the Board of Peace.4. The United States Central Command hosted a conference in Qatar on Tuesday with dozens of partner nations to discuss plans for an International Stabilization Force for the Gaza Strip.Egypt, Indonesia, Qatar, Jordan, the UAE, Italy, France, the UK, and Azerbaijan were among the attendees. Other countries at the summit included Cyprus, Georgia, Canada, Germany, Netherlands, Jordan, Japan, Greece, Singapore, the EU, Saudi Arabia, Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Kuwait, Morocco, Bahrain, Bosnia, Finland, Kosovo, Kazakhstan, Indonesia, Spain, and Yemen.5. Senators voted 77-20 on a bipartisan basis to send this year's National Defense Authorization Act to the desk of President Donald Trump, who has indicated he will sign the bill. The 2026 NDAA authorizes $900.6 billion in defense funds, or about $8 billion more than the White House's request. 

Hello and welcome to Colonial Outcasts, the anti Imperialist Podcast that all the Blue MAGA DNC bootlicking reactionary CHUDS in my comments section lambasting me for critiquing Jasmine Crockett and connecting the Palestine issue to why you will never be able to afford a home here in the US, will absolutely hate. We have a helluva of an expansive episode for ya! Starting with Russia, Trump's apparent war against the EU, expanding into the eastern Mediterranean and Cyprus - what's really going on with Türkiye - and  maybe we'll have time to bring in the Thailand/Cambodia border conflict. Because it's all connected man! Which is why we are joined today by regular contributor Elina Xenohpontos coming to us from the Imperial Colony of CyprusStick around and enjoy.

Air Force chief briefs his counterparts in Greece and Cyprus, Shin Bet arrests Israeli Bedouin for pledging allegiance to ISIS, IDF soldier killed by stray bullet in the northSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Radio International - The Ultimate Eurovision Experience is broadcast from Malta's Radio 105FM on Tuesday evenings from 2100 - 0059 hours CET. The show is broadcast live on Wednesday evenings from 1900 - 2300 hours CET on the Eurovision Radio International Mixcloud Channel as well as on the Facebook Page of Eurovision Radio International with an interactive chatroom.         AT A GLANCE - ON THE SHOW THIS WEEK  The Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2025 - We have a Winner Junior Eurovision 2025 Interview with  Sofia Nersesian (JESC 2025, Ukraine, Number 2) Junior Eurovision 2025 Interview with  Nela Mančeska (JESC 2025, North Macedonia, Number 7 Junior Eurovision 2025 Interview with  Leonardo Giovannangeli (JESC 2025, Italy, Number 12) Junior Eurovision 2025 Interview with  Inês Gonçalves (JESC 2025, Portugal, Number 13) Step into a Eurovision Christmas - Eurovision Artists sing Christmas Songs  The Eurovision Song Contest 2026 National Final Season Eurovision Spotlight: Austria's History at the Eurovision Song Contest  with Chris Poppe (final in the current series) Eurovision News with Nick van Lith from www.escXtra.com Eurovision Birthday File with David Mann Eurovision Cover Spot with David Mann Eurovision Calendar with Javier Leal  National Final Update for Junior and Eurovision Song Contest with Alain Forotti  New Music Releases by Eurovision Artists  Your music requests    The Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2025 - We have a Winner: The 23rd edition of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest was held on Saturday 13 Dec 2025 from the Gymnastic Hall of the Olympic City in Tblisi in Georgia with young artists from 18 countries taking part. In the running order: Malta, Azerbaijan, Croatia, San Marino, Armenia, Ukraine, Ireland, The Netherlands, Poland, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Georgia, Cyprus, France and Albania. Returning countries were Azerbaijan, Croatia and Montenegro while Estonia and Germany took a break. The Hosts of the show were David Aladashvili and Liza Tsiklauri. The show started at 1700 hours CET.        Lou Deleuze - Junior Eurovision 2025 Winner for France   CONGRATULATIONS !!! to Lou Deleuze from France   for winning the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2025  with the song "Ce Monde"   with a total of 248 points       The Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2025 Scoreboard   Interviews with four Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2025 Little Artists:  The Radio International Rowing Reporter Alain Forrotti has traveled to Tiblisi, Georgia to meet some of the young stars and interview them. Meet the four young artists on the show this week.  Sofia Nersesian (Ukraine, Number 2, "Motanka"),  Nela Mančeska (North Macedonia, Number 7, "Miracle" ),  Leonardo Giovannangeli (Italy, Number 12, "Rockstar") Inês Gonçalves (Portugal, Number 13, "Para onde vai o amor?")         The Eurovision Spotlight - The history of Austria at the Eurovision Song Contest:  It is time for the traditional look at the next host country's Eurovision Song Contest entries. JJ won Eurovision 2025 and with that Austria will host the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in the Wiener Stadthalle on 12 and 14 May 2026 for the two Semi Finals and the Grand Finale to take place on Saturday, 16 May 2026. Over the next weeks and before the National Final Season for 2026, Radio International's team members will be reviewing all the Eurovision entries from Austria. Chris Poppe will be continuing series of the Eurovision Spotlight looking at the history of Austria at the Eurovision Song Contest.   Eurovision News, New Song Releases, Birthday File, Coverspot, Eurovision Calendar:Also JP will be joined by David Mann for the Eurovision Birthday File and Eurovision Coverspot.  Javier stands in for Nick and will be presenting the Eurovision News courtesy of escXtra.com. There will be a lot of the great new releases of Eurovision artists on the show as well as great Eurovision Classics. Javier will be updating us on the upcoming Eurovision events in the Eurovision Calendar and Alain Forotti gives us already some updates of the National Finals regarding the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2025 and the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 and and....   For full details of this week's Show Content and Play List - click here

For years, regional rivalries have limited cooperation between Turkey and Iran. Now, shared security concerns over Israel are providing common ground. During a recent Tehran visit, the Turkish foreign minister called Israel the region's "biggest threat". Turkish foreign minister Hakan Fidan, hosted in Tehran by his Iranian counterpart Abbad Aragchi, declared that both countries see "Israel as the biggest threat to stability in the Middle East", because of its "expansionist policies". Ankara is increasingly angry over Israel's military operations in Syria, which it considers a threat to security. Syria's new regime is a close Turkish ally. With the Iranian-backed Syrian regime overthrown and Iran's diminishing influence in the Caucasus, another region of competition with Turkey, Tehran is viewed by Ankara as less of a threat "Ankara sees that Tehran's wings are clipped, and I'm sure that it is also very happy that Tehran's wings are clipped", international relations expert Soli Ozel told RFI. Ozel predicts that diminished Iranian power is opening the door for more cooperation with Turkey. Cooperation "Competition and cooperation really define the relations. Now that Iran is weaker, the relationship is more balanced. But there are limits, driven by America's approach to Iran", said Ozel. Murat Aslan of SETA, the Foundation for Political, Economic, and Social Research, a Turkish pro-government think tank, points out that changing dynamics inside Iran also give an impetus to Turkish diplomatic efforts towards Tehran. Israel talks defence with Greece and Cyprus, as Turkey issues Netanyahu warrant "Iran is trying to build a new landscape in which they can communicate with the West, but under the conditions they have identified", observes Aslan. "In this sense, Turkey may contribute. So that's why Turkey is negotiating or communicating with Iran just to find the terms of a probable common consensus." However, warming relations between Turkey and Iran are not viewed in a favourable light by Israel, whose ministers have in turn accused Turkey of being Israel's biggest threat. Tensions are rising over Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's strong support of Hamas, which Ankara's Western allies have designated as a terrorist organisation. "Obviously, Israel does not want to see Iranian and Turkish relations warm as Israel sees Iran as an existential threat and hence anything that helps Iran is problematic from Israel's perspective", warns Turkey analyst Gallia Lindenstrauss at the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv. Turkey warns Kurdish-led fighters in Syria to join new regime or face attack This month, Israeli security forces accused Hamas of operating a major financial operation in Turkey under Iranian supervision. Many of Hamas' senior members are believed to reside in Istanbul. American ally Israeli concerns over Turkey's improving Iranian ties will likely be exacerbated with Turkish officials confirming that a visit by President Erdogan to Iran has been "agreed in principle". Ankara also has a delicate balancing act to make sure its Iranian dealings don't risk antagonising its American ally, given ongoing tensions between Tehran and Washington. Good relations with Washington are vital to Ankara as it looks to US President Donald Trump to help ease tensions with Israel. "For Israel, the United States shapes the environment right now", observes Aslan. "The Turkish preference is to have an intelligence diplomacy with Israelis, not to have an emerging conflict, but rely on the American mediation and facilitation to calm down the situation", added Aslan.

Notes from poet and storyteller Jay Leeming during his two-month storytelling journey through Greece and Cyprus in 2025.  

The National Army Museum's Justin Maciejewski reveals how General Bagnall's far-reaching reforms transformed the British Army for war against the USSR. By the 1980s, General (later Field Marshal) Sir Nigel Bagnall GCB CVO MC and bar (1927-2002) felt that British Army was ill-prepared for the fight against the Soviets. He pinpointed shortcomings such as the lack of conventional mass, the right doctrine and a personnel skills gap. Moreover, British plans did not fit with the allied armies on either flank. Bagnall sought to transform the Army and integrate it within a broader NATO approach involving changing nuclear and conventional postures, most notably the Air-Land Battle. Commissioned as an infantry officer, Bagnall was schooled in counter-insurgency warfare in Palestine, Malaya, Cyprus and Indonesia-Malaysia before becoming an armour commander in West Germany. As Chief of the General Staff, he steered many of the reforms he had initiated when commanding the British Army of the Rhine, changing the face of the Army and leaving it better prepared for war in Europe. According to Justin Maciejewski, the reforms made Bagnall the most consequential officer since the Second World War. Justin Maciejewski DSO MBE spent 27 years in the British Army before becoming a management consultant for McKinsey and then moving to the National Army Museum in London. He draws on his experience serving in the Army through the Bagnall reforms, and his time as a consultant overseeing commercial transformation programmes. Further Reading Justin Maciejewski, How the British Army's Operations Went Agile, McKinsey Quarterly, October 2019. Alexander Alderson, Influence, the Indirect Approach and Manoeuvre, RUSI Journal Vol.157:1, 2012, pp. 36-43. Ben Barry, Rise and Fall of the British Army 1975-2025, Osprey, 2025. Army, Army Doctrine Publication (ADP) 01, Operations, 1994. Beatrice Heuser: NATO, Britain, France and the FRG: Nuclear Strategies and Forces for Europe, 1949-2000 (London: Macmillan, 1997)

Elk halfjaar een andere lidstaat die de EU voorzit. Na Denemarken nu Cyprus. Jaap Jansen en PG Kroeger schetsen de dramatische politieke omstandigheden waarin dit eiland die bijzondere Europese rol moet gaan spelen. Drie existentiële, lange termijn uitdagingen moeten nu in hoog tempo een antwoord vinden. - Oorlog en vrede in Oekraïne en de EU-defensierol daarbij - Het Meerjarig Financieel Kader voor de Unie van 2028 tot en met 2034 - Het antwoord op Trumps nationale veiligheidsstrategie Elk van deze cruciale thema's zal direct het functioneren van een kabinet-Jetten onder druk zetten. Er is alle reden om grondig na te denken over de aansturing van de EU-koers van het nieuwe kabinet. De positie van Nederland is tijdens Schoof dramatisch verzwakt en de statuur van een Lubbers of een Rutte in Europa zal Jetten dan ook niet als vanzelfsprekend kunnen claimen. *** Deze aflevering is mede mogelijk gemaakt met donaties van luisteraars die we hiervoor hartelijk danken. Word ook vriend van de show! Heb je belangstelling om in onze podcast te adverteren of ons te sponsoren? Zend ons een mailtje en wij zoeken contact. *** De rol van de EU bij Oekraïne kan alleen sterk zijn als de Unie echt als geheel zijn defensiebeleid en productie gaat voeren. Juist ook als Europese pilaar binnen de NAVO, samen met de Britten, Noren en Turken, en ook met Canada. In het kader van de veiligheidsgaranties voor Oekraïne en Moldavië zal een snelle en heel nieuwe vorm van toetreding van die landen tot de Unie hoogst actueel kunnen worden. Dat raakt direct de aanstaande toetreding van landen als Montenegro en Albanië. Bij de nieuwe zevenjaarsbegroting is de positie van Nederland precair. De afkerige houding van het kabinet-Schoof heeft ons land weinig bondgenoten geschonken. Bovendien moet Nederland ook voor de eigen begrotingsperikelen rekenen op medewerking vanuit Brussel. Daarbij komt dat grote buur Duitsland en de Scandinavische geestverwanten binnen de Unie nu meer dan voorheen de lijn van Mario Draghi en Ursula von der Leyen waarderen. Handhaaft Nederland de klassieke vrekkige houding, dan zou het wel eens geïsoleerd kunnen komen staan. Zo'n startpositie kan Rob Jetten zich bij het begin van zijn kabinet moeilijk veroorloven. Het antwoord op Trumps vernietigende analyse van toekomst en kwaliteit van de EU en zijn voorkuren voor 'verdeel en heers' tussen individuele lidstaten kwam in Den Haag scherp aan de orde tijdens een ontmoeting met Mark Rutte’s adjunct secretaris-generaal Radmila Šekerinska. Dat een Franse minister de Amerikaanse veiligheidsstrategie een ‘brutalité ideologique’ had genoemd, zette wel de toon. Relativering kwam meteen, want had niet élke Amerikaanse president sinds Dwight Eisenhower de Europese partners gemaand hun met het Wirtschaftswunder herwonnen welvaart ook voor hun verdediging in te zetten? Dat poetste niet weg dat Donald Trump - hoe anders dan Eisenhower, Richard Nixon of Ronald Reagan - de EU als zodanig een vijandelijk fenomeen vindt en Europa ‘een stervende beschaving’ noemt. De aanvankelijke sprakeloosheid van Europese leiders was dan ook niet zo vreemd. Eén van hen doorbrak die stilte. Bondskanselier Friedrich Merz kondigde ijskoud het einde aan van de 'Pax Americana'. Trumps omhelzing van radicaal-rechtse Europese partijen liet hij niet over zijn kant gaan. De VS keren terug naar de Monroe Doctrine uit de eerste helft van de 19e eeuw. Dezelfde tijd waarnaar Alexander Doegin en Vladimir Poetin verwijzen voor hun visie op de 'Ruski Mir', het unieke Russische nationalisme, dat het land een imperium met eigen beschaving verleende dat buurlanden als vazallen of buffers mocht onderdrukken. Net als in die jaren van Klemens von Metternich en later Otto von Bismarck zint Trump met Poetin op een wereldwijde dominantie van een kerngroep van vijf wereldmachten waarin voor de EU geen plaat is. De VS, Rusland, China, India en Japan maken de dienst uit, is de Amerikaanse gedachte. Verdeel en heers is ook het motto bij een ander wereldwijd initiatief uit Washington. De Pax Silica zou de hightech, chips en AI avant garde rond Amerika moeten scharen. En tegenover China. Slechts één EU-lidstaat rekent Washington tot die elite van de technologie: Nederland. Dit lijkt eervol, maar het zou ons land ook kunnen isoleren in EU en NAVO. Als Nederland beticht zou worden van een Alleingang ten koste van de partners, dan kon de positie van ons land wel eens precair worden. Cyprus krijgt komend half jaar heel wat voor de kiezen. Wie de historie en cultuur van dit eiland kent zal vaststellen dat ze daar eigenlijk al tientallen eeuwen geopolitieke en strategische crises en krachtmetingen gewend zijn. Van Alexander de Grote en de Perzen tot farao Echnaton en de kaliefs en sultans, vele heersers moeten zich met het eiland en zijn unieke strategische locatie en rijkdom aan zeldzame aardmetalen bezighouden. Rusland poogde het te veroveren, maar Bismarck bemiddelde en verzon het compromis dat de Britten het eiland maar beter konden inlijven. De Britse kruisvaarder koning Richard Lionheart moest er zijn bruid bevrijden en kroonde haar daar tot zijn koningin. Venetië kocht het eiland als vastgoed voor zijn maritieme handelsimperium en raakte daardoor verzeild in een felle oorlog met de Turken. Dat leverde ons wel de beste, meest dramatische opera van Giuseppe Verdi op. *** Verder luisteren 447 - Als Trump wint staat Europa er alleen voor https://art19.com/shows/betrouwbare-bronnen/episodes/eee9ebfb-042b-4753-b70d-a48e915b5beb 551 – Klem tussen Amerika en China: de koude oorlog rond ASML https://omny.fm/shows/betrouwbare-bronnen/551-klem-tussen-amerika-en-china-de-nieuwe-koude-oorlog-rond-asml 548 – Poetins dictaat voor Oekraïne https://omny.fm/shows/betrouwbare-bronnen/548-poetins-dictaat-voor-oekra-ne 518 – Veiligheid is voor de Denen een sterke defensie en een streng migratiebeleid https://art19.com/shows/betrouwbare-bronnen/episodes/f93ccf69-6946-455f-b401-c804dd5a03e9 503 - Duitsland maakt een nieuwe start met bondskanselier Friedrich Merz https://art19.com/shows/betrouwbare-bronnen/episodes/b42190b5-afcd-4a80-af7c-20d9d8467a27 488 - Het Congres van Wenen (1814-1815) als briljant machtsspel https://art19.com/shows/betrouwbare-bronnen/episodes/1423134d-c671-4a71-805a-1d21ab9f7de6 486 - ‘Welkom in onze hel’ Een jonge verslaggever aan het front in Oekraïne https://art19.com/shows/betrouwbare-bronnen/episodes/0552f0eb-998a-4af2-8960-05429aa1f510 458 - De gedroomde nieuwe wereldorde van Poetin en Xi https://art19.com/shows/betrouwbare-bronnen/episodes/7e62cdac-bdb9-450c-af23-a7f974ec3e42 455 - De bufferstaat als historische - maar ongewenste - oplossing voor Oekraïne https://art19.com/shows/betrouwbare-bronnen/episodes/0feef3c8-fd13-4461-860a-e54e2eba2f2c 427 - Europa wordt een grootmacht en daar moeten we het over hebben https://art19.com/shows/betrouwbare-bronnen/episodes/84273d61-0203-4764-b876-79a25695bed1 *** Tijdlijn 00:00:00 – Deel 1 00:40:05 – Deel 2 01:14:43 – Deel 3 01:42:48 – EindeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since it was introduced, President Trump's peace plan for Ukraine has put many European leaders in a bind. With Turkey's occupation of Cyprus in its 51st year, and amid open Turkish threats against Greece's Aegean islands, Greece is also worried about the precedent this plan would set. John Psaropoulos joins Thanos Davelis as we break down these concerns, the latest comments by US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack about resolving Greek-Turkish differences, and Greece's efforts to aggressively court US investments.John Psaropoulos is an independent journalist and Al Jazeera's correspondent in southeast Europe. He publishes Hellenica, a weekly deep dive into Greek current affairs and history. You can find it on Substack.com.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Why Trump's plan for Ukraine alarms the GreeksCyprus pitches plan to untangle Turkey tensionsFarmers' protests escalate into third weekProtesting farmers present their demands

The Acritic Songs are a collection of Byzantine folk songs whose origins date back to the 9th-11th centuries. These songs celebrate the exploits of the "Acritae," or the frontiersmen, who patrolled the empire's periphery, protecting it from Saracen (Arab) marauders. Though we don't know the exact contexts in which these songs were performed, we know that they appealed to the bottom rungs of society, the disenfranchised and the down-trodden, as the songs were adopted and adapted all over the Greek speaking world -- including, of course, Cyprus. These songs were passed down in oral tradition and adapted linguistically in Cyprus in a way that reflected its own social and political realities. The stories themselves generally fell into two categories: those that celebrate royal authority and look towards God or the State as a source of comfort and protection (ca. 9th-12th centuries) and those which celebrate the hero fighting authority and resisting the cosmic order which is dated after the 13th century (see: Charopalema i.e., Digenis' battle with Death). For this particular song, as interpreted and performed by Michalis Christodoulides Costas Charalambides and Areti Kasapi (and can be purchased here)*, we hear an excerpt from "Ο Κάουρας" (i.e., The Crab). In the song, a giant, monstrous crab chokes the waters of a village/town, terrorizing the community. One of the most notable Acritic heroes, Digenis Akritas, is called upon to defend the people from its terror. The story of the Giant Crab evokes Herculean themes. Those familiar with Greek mythology might identify Digenis's battle with Hercules fighting Karkinos that came to assist the Lernean Hydra. Next month, I welcome back Dr. Chrysovalanti Kyriacou to discuss the Acrites and the Byzantine Warrior Hero! The Acritic Songs on YouTube *Στες Άκρες Των Άκρων - Ακριτικά Τραγούδια Της Κύπρου: Μιχάλης Χριστοδουλίδης, Αρετή Κασάπη, Κώστας Χαραλαμπίδης **Artwork by Dimitris Skourtelis 

The full squad is back to wrap up this year’s Junior Eurovision season, with discussions on the songs from Cyprus, France, and Albania, followed by a countdown of our favorites […]

Join us as we discuss Border Externalisation - what is it, and why does it drive violence at the border? We're joined by two fantastic guests - Dan from the Border Violence Monitoring Network to discuss the EU's Border Externalisation, and Kathy from Al Otro Lado to discuss the America's.Border Violence Monitoring Network's workBVMN's website https://borderviolence.eu/Surveillance Tech Serbia Report: https://borderviolence.eu/reports/surveillance-technologies-at-european-borders-serbiaCyprus Borderscape: https://cyprusborderscape.com/BalkanDac: https://borderviolence.eu/reports/decoding-balkandac-navigating-the-eu-s-biometric-blueprintSamos CCAC : https://borderviolence.eu/reports/controlled-and-confined-unveiling-the-impact-of-technology-in-the-samos-closed-controlled-access-centreUse of mercenaries for pushbacks in Cyprus. https://borderviolence.eu/reports/submission-to-the-ohchr-for-the-upcoming-visit-of-the-working-group-on-the-use-of-mercenaries-to-cyprusAl Otro Lado:Al Otro Lado's Programs: https://www.alotrolado.org/our-programsMerch: https://www.bonfire.com/al-otro-lado/?srsltid=AfmBOoqZMoeVG0Ggysn-YhlXQ7YPehx_4tnFPY5O2K236THD3U7p7_SGPI workDrivers of Surveillance: http://privacyinternational.org/challenging-drivers-surveillanceWhen Spiders Share Webs: EU-Funded INTERPOL policing programme in West Africa: https://privacyinternational.org/long-read/5346/when-spiders-share-webs-unveiling-privacy-threats-eu-funded-interpol-policingMigration and borders: https://privacyinternational.org/learn/migration-and-borders

PREVIEW. The Geopolitical "Trade" in Ukraine — Judy Dempsey — Dempsey describes an emerging diplomatic scenario wherein Ukraine would receive guaranteed, expedited membership into the European Union—effectively "jumping the line" ahead of other candidate nations—in exchange for ceding the Donbas territory in Eastern Ukraine to Russiancontrol, creating a complex geopolitical and ethical dilemma transcending traditional security calculations. Dempseyemphasizes that European Union membership represents a coveted strategic "prize" that Ukraine might otherwise fail to qualify for due to documented institutional corruption, governance deficiencies, and rule-of-law concerns requiring substantial reform. However, Dempsey stresses that officially surrendering sovereign territory violates the foundational principle of territorial integrity, constituting a "bitter pill to swallow" for Ukrainian nationalism and democratic legitimacy. Dempsey acknowledges historical precedent for EU admission of divided nations, specifically citing Cyprus's 2004 admission despite ongoing partition between Greek and Turkish communities. Dempsey documents significant Ukrainian and European concern that the Trump administration cannot be trusted to honor commitments and may unilaterally "sideline Ukraine," negotiating bilateral deals directly with Russia behind President Zelensky's back, thereby undermining Ukrainian negotiating leverage and European institutional voice in the settlement process. 1890 BLACK SEA RUSSIAN FLEET

This session will examine key considerations for leaders, senders, and international travelers/workers in the areas of duty of care, risk assessment, contingency planning, security, and common pitfalls ("lessons learned") in international mission work.

Beyond The Outer Realm welcomes back fan favourite Mark Olly Host: Michelle Desrochers Date: December 9th, 2025 Episode: 651 Discussion : We take a step back in time and talk about the dark roots and ancient origins of Yule and Christmas, and much more! Contact for the show - theouterrealmcontact@gmail.com https://linktr.ee/michelledesrochers_ Please support us by Liking, Subscribing, Sharing and Commenting. Thank you all !!! About Our Guest: Mark Olly was born in 1962 in Warrington, England, and educated at Appleton Hall County Grammar School, Warrington College of Art & Design, the University of Liverpool Institute of Extension Studies field archaeology unit, various business schools, and El-Shaddai College of Advanced Ministry U.K. Manchester where he obtained a Certificate of Ministry (Ct.Min.AP) and Diploma of Biblical Studies (Dip.BS.AP). For over 22 years he worked as a professional musician, live DJ, compare, and in music management, founding Angelharp Music, Unicorn Entertainments Agency Ltd. and Legendthink Ltd. (one of the first ‘multi-media' companies in the world) before moving on to pursue a solo career as a writer, archaeologist and television presenter. This career has so far taken him to all parts of the UK, France, Egypt, Norway, Italy, Bulgaria, Cyprus, South America, Turkey, Malta, and North Africa in search of the ancient and the mysterious. His hobbies include collecting antiques and geological specimens, Dark Age, Celtic and Medieval costumed re-enactment, staging occasional exhibitions and live events, public speaking, and investigating ancient sites. He has six major books in print, appeared on Carlton Television's ‘The History Detectives', wrote and presented all three seasons (22 episodes) of ITV Granada's award nominated ‘Lost Treasures' adventure archaeology series, has presented for Sky History Channel, writes, presents and directs DVD's for US media giant Reality Entertainments / Reality Films, wrote and directed four Music Videos for International US band Hayseed Dixie and three for Sacred Wind's 2014/15 Christmas charity single, occasionally appears in movies, and recently played sessions with bands Soul Path, Sacred Wind, Metall Hose, Atakarma Giants, Wolf and Copperworm. He is visiting lecturer at Wilsmlow Guild and the University Of Chester, an exam invigilator, occasionally heads up his own archaeological unit, and runs his own DVD production and props company MythCo. If you enjoy the content on the channel, please support us by subscribing: Thank you All A formal disclosure: The opinions and information presented or expressed by guests on The Outer Realm Radio and Beyond The Outer Realm are not necessarily those of the TOR, BTOR Hosts, Sponsors, or the United Public Radio Network and its producers. Although the content may be interesting, it is deemed "For Entertainment Purposes" . We are always respectful and courteous to all involved. Thank you, we appreciate you all!!!!

The Uluburun Shipwreck as a Bronze Age Microcosm: Colleague Eric Cline discusses the Uluburun shipwreck, which sank around 1300 BC and serves as a time capsule for the Late Bronze Age, describing the ship as a microcosm of a globalized network carrying cargo from at least seven different civilizations including Mycenaeans, Egyptians, and Hittites, with ten tons of copper from Cyprus and tin likely from Afghanistan—enough to outfit an army of 300 soldiers with bronze gear—highlighting the sophistication of ancient trade evidenced by standardized Canaanite storage jars and a rare gold scarab belonging to Nefertiti. 1956

Show Notes Ted Caplow graduated with a degree in social science and has had a career in engineering and entrepreneurship. He describes his initial interest in science and his experience with physics at Harvard, which he found challenging. Ted shares his interest in humanities, particularly theater, and his involvement in various theater activities at Harvard. He discusses his consideration of theater conservatory programs and urban planning after graduation.  Joining the Peace Corps and Sailing across the Atlantic Ted recounts his application to the Peace Corps and the unexpected technical fields he was qualified for, which were teaching  English or beekeeping. This led him to reconsider his career path. He describes his sailing adventure across the Atlantic Ocean with his family and friends. They left shortly after graduation and the trip lasted six months. They stopped in the Azores for a couple of weeks, onto Gibraltar and Spain, through the Mediterranean. They stopped in Sardinia and stayed in Malta for a month; they sailed to Greece, the islands and Cyprus where they stopped and decided whether to continue around the world or go back to real life.  Returning to New York and the Theater Industry Ted returned and went to New York where he  joined the theater industry, working on production and starting his own theatrical company. Ted talks about his involvement in the theater industry, including producing interdisciplinary performances and meeting his first wife through a mutual friend. He describes his transition from theater to entrepreneurship. He started his own company and a non-profit theater company. This lasted a few years before Ted felt he should focus on a more technical field and he discusses the separation between creative pursuits and technical professions. Ultimately, he decided to pursue urban planning and his interest in sustainable development. A Shift to Engineering Ted shares his experience at Princeton and Columbia, where he pursued a PhD in engineering, despite initial doubts about his qualifications. He reflects on the challenges and rewards of his academic journey, including the intense environment at Princeton and the decision to pursue a master's degree instead of a PhD. He wrote his masters' thesis on solar power. Moving on from academia, Ted's next job was with a yacht designer. He then ran his friend's restaurant for two years before going back to school and earning his PhD. in engineering at Columbia in 2004. The Development of the Science Barge  Ted explains his idea to create a sustainable technology laboratory in the Bahamas, why he became interested in hydroponics, and why he didn't go to the Bahamas. He explains how the original idea evolved into the Science Barge in the Hudson River.  The Science Barge was a hydroponic greenhouse with solar panels, wind power, and aquaponics, designed to educate schoolchildren about sustainable technologies such as recycling the waste water. Ted discusses the challenges of moving the barge every two months and the decision to find a permanent home for it in Yonkers, and how this venture inspired the SunWork Center project. Sustainable Development Success Stories He highlights the success of the SunWork Center, a greenhouse on the rooftop of PS 333 in Manhattan, and the expansion of New York SunWorks to over 300 schools. Ted describes the development of Bright Farms, a commercial company that grew local produce in greenhouses on top of grocery stores. He shares the challenges and successes of Bright Farms, including partnerships with major retailers and the acquisition by Cox Enterprises. Ted reflects on the importance of sustainable design and the impact of his work on the food industry. He discusses the evolution of his design firm, Caplow Manzano, and its focus on creating durable, resilient homes that prioritize human health and environmental sustainability.  Technological Innovation in Building Ted talks about his personal journey and the diverse skills he has developed over the years. He reflects on the importance of technological innovation, the role of engineering in his work, and the difficulty of navigating and innovating around  all the components of building houses. Ted shares his plans for expanding his design firm's impact and the potential for scaling sustainable design solutions. Harvard Reflections He expresses gratitude for the opportunities and challenges that have shaped his career and looks forward to continuing his work in sustainable design and education. He mentions E.O. Wilson for Evolutionary Biology as an incredible talent and researcher in that field. He also mentions a poetry class with Seamus Heaney. He also mentions a class on China and one on Africa that he found inspiring and eye opening, and taking classes on Shakespeare from actors in the repertory theater. Timestamps: 04:26: Exploring Career Paths  15:45: Entrepreneurial Ventures and Personal Life  31:56: The Science Barge and Educational Initiatives  48:06: Commercial Ventures and Bright Farms  55:37: Personal Reflections and Future Plans  Links: Caplow Manzano: https://www.caplowmanzano.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caplow/ Featured Non-profit: The featured non-profit of this week's episode is brought to you by Kristen Hunter who reports:    "Hi, I'm Kristen Hunter, class of 1992. The featured nonprofit of this episode of The 92 Report is Habitat for Humanity, Greater Boston. Habitat for Humanity, Greater Boston works in partnership with families in need to build decent, affordable homes that strengthen communities, expanding access to home ownership for low income households, I'm proud to support the work of Habitat for Humanity, Greater Boston, whose CEO, James Costars, a longtime mentor, colleague and friend, has brought visionary leadership to their mission. You can learn more and support their work at habitatboston.org,  and now here's Will Bachman with this week's episode." To learn more about their work, visit: habitatboston.org *AI generated show notes and transcript  

Last week Cyprus and Lebanon signed a long-awaited maritime demarcation deal, an agreement that not only paves the way for potential exploration and energy cooperation, but also checks Turkey's revisionist “Blue Homeland” doctrine in the Eastern Mediterranean. Constantinos Filis, the director of the Institute of Global Affairs and a professor of international relations at the American College of Greece, joins Thanos Davelis as we look into what's being called a “historic” deal that also serves to bridge the EU with the Middle East.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Cyprus–Lebanon deal sets new legal line in the Eastern Med, and Ankara isn't loving itLebanon, Cyprus sign maritime deal, paving way for possible energy explorationGreece, Bulgaria and Romania sign agreement on Aegean-Black Sea corridorCyprus pledges Ukraine will be ''front and center” during EU presidency

Victory didn't end the story; it changed the rules. After Mycale and Plataea, the Persian threat receded, the Aegean opened, and a vacuum pulled Athens, Sparta, and Persia into a new contest—one fought with fleets, diplomacy, and competing visions of security. We walk through the decade that followed 479 BC to show how shattered empires, cautious land powers, and ambitious sea powers redrew the map of Greek politics.We unpack Persia's strategic shift from invasion to consolidation: naval losses that invited Ionian revolts, satraps scrambling to stabilize Lydia and the Hellespont, and a measured pivot to subsidies and envoys that exploited Greek divisions. On the mainland, we contrast Sparta's deliberate restraint—defending the Peloponnese, avoiding distant obligations, and prioritizing social stability—with Athens' awakening to maritime destiny. The Athenian fleet becomes more than defense; it becomes identity, food security, and leverage, soon anchored by the Piraeus and the Long Walls.At the heart of the story sits the Ionian question: who protects the liberated cities when Persian garrisons fall away? Athens answers with ships and treaties that coalesce into the Delian League—a standing alliance promising collective security while granting Athens command of contributions and strategy. We explore how the League funds naval expansion, extends operations to Cyprus and the Hellespont, and slowly turns cooperation into hegemony. Along the way, we track the emerging fault line with Sparta, as allied poleis navigate between land hegemony and sea hegemony, and Persia watches for fractures to widen.By the end, freedom has returned to the Aegean, but unity has not. That paradox—liberation without consensus—sets the foundations for the classical Greek order, Athenian naval supremacy, and the rivalries that will define the fifth century. If power abhors a vacuum, this decade shows who rushed in, why they moved, and how their choices reshaped the world. Subscribe, share, and tell us: which decision mattered most—the Spartan retreat, the Athenian fleet, or Persia's long game?Support the show

Our guest for this episode is Daniel Nelson. Nelson has over 20 years of international basketball coaching experience. Beginning his career in Ireland with Templeogue, DCU St Vincent's, Trinity College Dublin and Irish national youth programs, he quickly built a reputation for technical teaching and player development. Since 2011, Nelson has coached across Australia, Europe and beyond, including roles with the Perth Wildcats, where he was part of a national championship-winning team, MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg, Parma Basket Perm and the Taylor Hawks. He has also served as Video Scout for the Australian Men's National Team, coached West Australian state teams, and worked in national talent identification programs in both Ireland and Australia. His career includes head and assistant coach positions in Cyprus, Romania, the UK, Kosovo, Belgium and the Netherlands, leading teams to competitive success. Nelson is the founder of Daniel Nelson Coaching, delivering clinics, workshops and consulting for coaches and clubs internationally. Known for his tactical precision, use of advanced analytics and commitment to building strong team cultures, he blends structure with adaptability to develop players and programs. He is the current Head Coach of Anorthosis Famagusta in Cyprus, leading the team into the FIBA Europe Cup for the 2025–26 season. Holding multiple coaching licenses, he continues his record as one of Ireland's most globally experienced basketball coaches. Holding multiple coaching licenses, he continues to build on a career that has taken an Irish coach to professional leagues and national teams across the world.

What's Tom Barrack, the US Ambassador to Turkey, up to? That's a question that's emerged after a recent interview he gave to Kathimerini, where he talked about Washington's aspiration for a “new regional ordinance” and made head-scratching comments about Greek-Turkish relations and Cyprus. Henri Barkey and Endy Zemenides join Thanos Davelis as we look to tackle this question.Henri Barkey is an adjunct senior fellow for Middle East studies at the Council on Foreign Relations and the Cohen chair in international relations at Lehigh University.Endy Zemenides is Executive Director of HALC.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:The US ‘goal' is to serve as a ‘bridge' in Greek-Turkish tiesPM urges farmers to avoid roadblocks, pledges faster subsidy paymentsGreece to repay €5.29 billion early under first memorandum loans

With talks over a deal to end the Russia-Ukraine war moving along, the latest peace proposals have caught the attention of many, including Cyprus, where Turkey's 51 year illegal occupation serves as a stark reminder of what happens when revisionist powers are not checked. Harris Georgiades, the Chairman of the Foreign and European Affairs Committee of the Cypriot Parliament, a former Minister of Finance, and the chairman of the Clerides Institute, joins Thanos Davelis as we take a closer look at these peace talks, the parallels between what Russia is doing in Ukraine and what Turkey has done for over 50 years in Cyprus, and more.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Rubio Says ‘Much Work to Do' After Talks With Ukrainian DelegationEU tells Trump: You can't pardon Putin for war crimes in Ukraine Γράμμα από το ΚίεβοEurope Fears It Can't Catch Up in Great Power CompetitionLebanon, Cyprus sign maritime deal, paving way for possible energy explorationJoint declaration signed in Pope's historic first visit to Patriarchate

Fr. Mike highlights the importance of prayer and fasting, instructing us how to fast and empty ourselves to feel our spiritual need for Christ. He also discusses faithfulness in vocations and living out the life God has called you to. Today's readings are from Acts 13, 1 Corinthians 7-8, and Proverbs 28:4-6. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

The Eastern Mediterranean island of Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded the north after a military coup backed by Greece. Since then, the northern third has been run by a Turkish Cypriot government. This self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is recognised as an independent state only by Turkey, while the rest of the world sees it as part of Cyprus. The southern two-thirds of the island is run by an internationally recognised government led by Greek Cypriots. Whilst the physical division between the two is maintained by a United Nations peacekeeping force. Negotiations aimed at reunification have been attempted over the years and stalled. One of the biggest barriers has been the differences over what a future settlement would look like, with Turkey pushing for a two-state solution and the recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The last formal attempt, supported by the United Nations, was in 2017 and took place in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. And even though informal talks have continued since then, there has been little progress. Key sticking points remain over issues including political equality and what it means between the two communities, issues of governance and security. But in October of this year, a new Turkish Cypriot leader, Tufan Erhürman, was elected. He supports federation and is in favour of the resumption of reunification talks.So, this week on The Inquiry we're asking, ‘Is Cyprus moving closer to reunification?'Contributors: Mete Hatay, Senior Research Consultant, PRIO Cyprus Centre, Oslo, Norway Lefteris Adilinis, Political Analyst, Cyprus Dr. Dorothée Schmid, Director, Middle East Programme, French Institute of International Relations, Paris, France Kathleen Doherty, Former United States Ambassador to Cyprus, USAPresenter: Charmaine Cozier Producer: Jill Collins Researcher: Maeve Schaffer Production Management Assistant: Liam Morrey Technical Producer: James Bradshaw Editor: Tom Bigwood(Photo: A United Nations worker rides bike through the UN Buffer Zone. Credit: Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

RUNDOWN   We're celebrating the start of Year 8 of Mitch Unfiltered! Mitch checks in from Las Vegas—oddly with zero urge to gamble—while Hotshot breaks down his old roulette system and the painful bad beat that once drove him out of Vegas for years. Mitch and Hotshot geek out over the new Eddie Murphy documentary, then Mitch tells his favorite 10-seconds-of-fame story — yelling a deep-cut sketch line to Murphy at a 1985 stand-up show and getting singled out from the stage. They pivot to the Seahawks' 30–24 "no-win" win in Nashville, weighing how worried to be about letting a 30–10 lead shrink, while marveling at Jaxon Smith-Njigba's obscene pace (already breaking the single-season franchise yardage mark in 11 games) and explaining why Rams-Bucs, common opponents, and divisional records mean Seattle may need both a win over the 49ers and help from the lowly Cardinals to take the NFC West. Steve Phillips joins Mitch to unpack Seattle's near–World Series run — from Julio Rodríguez's late-season surge to the Game 7 choices that doomed the Mariners, including pulling George Kirby too early and avoiding Andrés Muñoz in the highest-leverage spot. He explains why modern analytics can mislead managers, why Aaron Judge rightfully edged Cal Raleigh for MVP despite East Coast conspiracy theories, and why extending Josh Naylor was the right call even if the back-end years sting. Brady and Jacson join Mitch to break down Seattle's 30–24 win over the Titans — a game that was far closer than it should've been against the NFL's worst roster. They dissect the defensive lapses (two long late TD drives, missed tackles, fatigue), Sam Darnold's clean but risky performance (a couple near-picks, heavy JSN dependence), and a quietly emerging run game anchored by Walker and Charbonnet. Rick Neuheisel joins Mitch to reset the entire college football landscape heading into rivalry week — from Washington's shot at a season-defining upset over Oregon to the seismic consequences of an eight-win finish versus nine. He breaks down the transfer-portal era attrition at programs like UCLA, the SEC's multi-team playoff math (with Alabama's "brand advantage"), and why chaos in Austin, Baton Rouge, and Oxford could reshape the playoff bracket if Lane Kiffin jumps jobs before December 3rd.   GUESTS   Steve Phillips | Former Mets GM & MLB Analyst (SiriusXM / MLB Network) Brady Henderson | Seahawks Insider, ESPN Jacson Bevens | Writer, Cigar Thoughts Rick Neuheisel | CBS College Football Analyst, Former Head Coach & Rose Bowl Champion   TABLE OF CONTENTS   0:00 | Mitch Turns 8 (Seasons), Vegas Without Gambling, and a Birthday Tour Through Sports, History… and Freddie Mercury 12:00 | BEAT THE BOYS - Register at MitchUnfiltered.com 16:09 | Eddie Murphy, Clint, and a Nervy 8–3: Seahawks Survive Titans While JSN Flirts with 2,000 Yards 40:55 | GUEST: Steve Phillips; Steve Phillips on the Mariners' Game 7 Collapse, Cal Raleigh's MVP Near-Miss, and Seattle's Offseason Decisions 1:05:13 | GUEST: Seahawks No-Table; Seahawks Escape Tennessee, Move to 8–3, and Reveal Both Promise and Warning Signs in Nashville 1:27:51 | GUEST: Rick Neuheisel; Rick Neuheisel on Washington–Oregon Stakes, Lane Kiffin Chaos, and a Wild Final Push Toward the Playoff 2:01:20 | Other Stuff Segment: NFL players spitting incidents (Jalen Carter, Jamar Chase, Jalen Ramsey, Boise State, massive fines for spitting), Mariners non-tender Gregory Santos after almost never pitching, questions about how MLB trade physicals get passed, Dodgers Game 7 World Series home run balls (Miguel Rojas, Will Smith) both caught by same father/son and later underperforming at auction, Lane Kiffin's reported choice between Ole Miss, LSU, and Florida with a 7-year $98M deal and $25M/year in NIL money, UW women's soccer upsets #1 Virginia 10v11, Belichick family blowup, Chris Paul announces plans to retire after the 25–26 season and reflects on a Hall of Fame point guard career, Boris Becker (age 58) welcomes baby daughter, Kevin Spacey claims to be essentially homeless and working as a lounge singer in Cyprus, Ace Frehley's famous smoking sunburst Les Paul goes up for auction, RIPs: Rodney Rogers — Wake Forest star and 12-year NBA forward, dies at 54, Jellybean Johnson — drummer for The Time, dies at 69, Randy "Junkman" Jones — Padres legend, dies after a long career in and around baseball, HEADLINEs: Airport bulge turns out to be two endangered parakeets, Interstate flasher "needed excitement", Two Texas men plot to invade a Haitian island and enslave everyone, Failed threesome leads woman to beat up her boyfriend, Study says Viagra may help with hearing loss.

Former Hollywood superstar and two time academy award winning actor, Kevin Spacey is apparently now a nightclub singer in Cyprus. In a fascinating interview, Spacey talks about his dramatic fall from fame amid the #metoo movement, why he thinks it happened and why he believes his redemption will happen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Hollywood superstar and two time academy award winning actor, Kevin Spacey is apparently now a nightclub singer in Cyprus. In a fascinating interview, Spacey talks about his dramatic fall from fame amid the #metoo movement, why he thinks it happened and why he believes his redemption will happen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Hollywood superstar and two time academy award winning actor, Kevin Spacey is apparently now a nightclub singer in Cyprus. In a fascinating interview, Spacey talks about his dramatic fall from fame amid the #metoo movement, why he thinks it happened and why he believes his redemption will happen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

CONTINUED 2/4 During Emperor Trajan's campaign against the Parthian Empire, a widespread and coordinated "diaspora revolt" erupted in 115–117 AD, beginning in Libya and spreading to Egypt, Cyprus, and Mesopotamia. This was a major challenge, forcing Trajan to divert a legion, as Egypt was the empire's strategic breadbasket. The revolt was spurred by the insulting Jewish tax, the fiscus Judaicus, paid to Jupiter, and the frustrated expectation that the Temple would be rebuilt within 70 years. The Jewish community in Alexandria, possibly the largest Jewish city in the ancient world, was wiped out during the suppression, a disaster for diaspora Judaism. 1614 SACK OF TROY

SHOW 11-17-25 CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN BATCHELOR 1899 UKRAINE THE SHOW BEGINS IN THE DOUBTS ABOUT POTUS... FIRST HOUR 9-915 Pakistan's Military Dominance: Field Marshal Munir's Power and US Relations Guest: Ambassador Husain Haqqani Ambassador Husain Haqqani detailed the institutional dominance of Pakistan's military, noting that Parliament recently granted Field Marshal Asim Munir legal immunity for life and expanded his power by designating him Chief of Defense Forces, giving him control over the entire military, as Munir aims for presidential privileges without directly taking power, backed by a national narrative that Pakistan is perpetually under threat from India, and gained significant political and psychological advantage through two meetings and praise from President Trump, despite no new US aid or weapons, while Trump, who favors strongmen, may also be using this praise to leverage concessions from Indian Prime Minister Modi, as Munir is taking risks by adopting a firmer stance regarding violence on the Northwest frontier with the Taliban, an approach not well received by the Afghans, with Pakistani politicians historically conceding ground to the military to secure a shared portion of power. 915-930 CONTINUED Pakistan's Military Dominance: Field Marshal Munir's Power and US Relations Guest: Ambassador Husain Haqqani Ambassador Husain Haqqani detailed the institutional dominance of Pakistan's military, noting that Parliament recently granted Field Marshal Asim Munir legal immunity for life and expanded his power 930-945 China's Economic Slump: Export Decline, Policy Failures, and Property Market Stagnation Guests: Anne Stevenson-Yang and Gordon Chang Anne Stevenson-Yang and Gordon Chang discussed the unprecedented slump in China's economic activity, noting cooled investment and slowing industrial output, with exports falling 25% to the US, attributing this long-term decline to the government's 2008 decision to pull back economic reforms and the current 15th Five-Year Plan lacking viable solutions or bailouts for hurting localities, while consumption remains dangerously low (around 38% of GDP) and is expected to shrink further as the government prioritizes technological development and factory production, with the property market collapsing as capital investment, land sales, and unit prices decline, forcing people to hold onto decaying apartments and risking stagnation for decades similar to Japan post-1989, a problem largely self-created due to overcapacity, although other countries like Brazil are also restricting Chinese imports. 945-1000 China's Role in Global Drug Epidemics: Meth Precursors and Weaponizing Chemicals. Guests: Kelly Curry and Gordon Chang. Kelly Curry and Gordon Chang detailed China's crucial role in the global drug trade, asserting that China's chemical exports are fueling a "tsunami of meth" across Asia. Chinese manufacturers supply meth precursor chemicals to warlords, notably the Chinese-aligned, US-sanctioned United Wa State Army in Myanmar. This production (Yaba/ice) is believed to have been diverted from China's domestic market in the 1990s. Both guests confirmed this activity is impossible without the explicit knowledge and support of the Central Committee, noting China grants export subsidies, tax rebates, and uses state banks for money laundering associated with the drug trade. China benefits financially and strategically by weakening US-backed allies like Thailand and South Korea who are flooded with the drugs. This structure mirrors the fentanyl crisis in North America, and experts predict increasing co-production and sharing of chemical methods between Asian drug groups and Mexican cartels. SECOND HOUR 10-1015 Syria's Complex Geopolitics: Air Bases, Sanctions, Accountability, and Great Power Mediation Guest: Ahmad Sharawi Ahmad Sharawi discussed the non-transparent situation in Syria, focusing on reports of potential US air bases (Mezzeh and Dumayr), with denials from the Syrian government suggesting they won't possess the bases but might allow US use for counter-ISIS missions or potentially a security agreement requested by Israel for deconfliction, noting a recent US C-130 spotted landing at the Mezzeh air base near Damascus, while during a reported White House visit, Syrian requests included the removal of Caesar sanctions (partially waived by President Trump) and an Israeli withdrawal from the southern border buffer zone, with domestic movement towards accountability for the Suwayda province massacre and government security forces being arrested, as a Russian military delegation visited Damascus and southern Syria, potentially acting as a deconfliction mechanism between Syria and Israeli forces, with Russia's goal appearing to be balancing regional interests while maintaining its bases in western Syria. 1015-1030 CONTINUED Syria's Complex Geopolitics: Air Bases, Sanctions, Accountability, and Great Power Mediation Guest: Ahmad Sharawi Ahmad Sharawi discussed the non-transparent situation in Syria, focusing on reports of potential US air bases (Mezzeh and Dumayr), with denials from the Syrian government... 1030-1045 Venezuela Crisis: Potential Maduro Exit and Shifting Political Tides in Latin America Guests: Ernesto Araújo and Alejandro Peña Esclusa Alejandro Peña Esclusa and Ernesto Araújo discussed the crisis in Venezuela, noting a powerful US fleet gathered nearby, with Maduro fearing military intervention and reportedly wanting to discuss surrender conditions with President Trump, though his exit is complicated by his ally Diosdado Cabello, who heads operations for the Cartel of the Suns and has no path for redemption, while Maduro's potential fall would deliver a severe blow to the organized crime and drug trafficking networks that permeate South America's political structures, with the opposition, led by María Corina Machado, having transition plans, and Brazilian President Lula neutralized from strongly opposing US actions due to ongoing tariff negotiations with Trump, as the conversation highlighted a new conservative political wave in Latin America, with optimism reported in Argentina following elections that strengthened Javier Milei, and in Chile, where conservative José Antonio Kast is strongly positioned, representing a blend of economic freedom, anti-organized crime platforms, and conservative values. 1045-1100 CONTINUED Venezuela Crisis: Potential Maduro Exit and Shifting Political Tides in Latin America Guests: Ernesto Araújo and Alejandro Peña Esclusa Alejandro Peña Esclusa and Ernesto Araújo discussed the crisis in Venezuela, noting a powerful US fleet gathered nearby, with Maduro fearing military intervention and... THIRD HOUR 1100-1115 1/4 Jews Versus Rome: Two Centuries of Rebellion and the Cost of Diaspora Revolts Professor Barry Strauss of Cornell University, Professor Emeritus and Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, discusses the history of Jewish resistance against the Roman Empire as detailed in his book Jews versus Rome. Following the destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem, rebellion continued among Jewish communities scattered across the Roman world. 1115-1130 CONTINUED 2/4 During Emperor Trajan's campaign against the Parthian Empire, a widespread and coordinated "diaspora revolt" erupted in 115–117 AD, beginning in Libya and spreading to Egypt, Cyprus, and Mesopotamia. This was a major challenge, forcing Trajan to divert a legion, as Egypt was the empire's strategic breadbasket. The revolt was spurred by the insulting Jewish tax, the fiscus Judaicus, paid to Jupiter, and the frustrated expectation that the Temple would be rebuilt within 70 years. The Jewish community in Alexandria, possibly the largest Jewish city in the ancient world, was wiped out during the suppression, a disaster for diaspora Judaism. 1130-1145 CONTINUED 3/4 srajan's successor, Hadrian, revered the war against Parthia but recognized the Jews' disloyalty. Starting in 117 AD, Hadrian planned to rebuild Jerusalem as a pagan city named Aelia Capitolina to demonstrate that the Temple would never be restored and to discourage collusion between Jews and Parthians. This provoked the Bar Kokhba Revolt in 132 AD. The leader, Simon Bar Kosa, took the messianic title Bar Kokhba, meaning "Son of the Star," and was accepted as the Messiah by some leading rabbis, including Rabbi Akiva. 1145-1200 CONTINUED The rebels utilized successful asymmetrical warfare, operating from underground tunnel systems and ambushing Roman forces. The conflict was so severe that Hadrian deployed reinforcements from across the empire, including Britain, and the Roman army was badly mauled. The revolt ended bloodily at the stronghold of Betar. As lasting punishment for centuries of trouble and rebellion, the Romans renamed the province from Judea to Syria Palestina. Pockets of resistance continued, notably the Gallus Revolt in 351–352 AD. Guest: Professor Barry Strauss. FOURTH HOUR 12-1215 Iran's Multi-Faceted Crises: Water Scarcity, Pollution, and Transnational Repression Guest: Jonathan Sayah Jonathan Sayah discussed the multi-faceted crises plaguing Iran, reflecting poor management and ecological decline, with Tehran overwhelmed by severe water scarcity as dams dry up and crippling air pollution with CO2 levels 10 times the WHO standard, while the water crisis is worsened by the regime, especially IRGC-affiliated contractors, who prioritize their support base through unregulated mega-projects, leading to rivers and lakes drying up, a deliberate deprivation of clean water that constitutes a human rights violation, as environmental disasters have driven widespread internal migration into Tehran, taxing infrastructure and leading to issues like land subsidence, with the population considered "prime for unrest," while separately, Iran continues its policy of transnational repression, highlighted by the recent foiled plot to assassinate Israel's ambassador in Mexico, as Iran targets both Israeli/American officials and relies on criminal networks to repress Iranian dissidents abroad, while consistently holding American dual citizens hostage as political leverage. 1215-1230 CONTINUED 1230-1245 Ukraine Conflict: French Arms Deal, Sabotage, and the Perilous Battle for Pokrovsk. Guest: John Hardy. John Hardy reported that Ukraine signed a letter of intent with France to obtain 100 Rafale warplanes over 10 years, along with air defense systems. While this partnership is encouraging, Hardy expressed concern that Ukraine is excessively over-diversifying its future air fleet (including F-16, Grippen, Mirage, and Rafale) which complicates long-term sustainment and maintenance. Simultaneously, alarming reports surfaced that sabotage was blamed for an explosion on a major railway line in Poland used to supply Ukraine, fitting a pattern of suspected Russian covert operations against European infrastructure. On the battlefield, fighting continues in Pokrovsk (Picro). Hardy warned that if Ukrainian forces prioritize a politically motivated hold, they risk the encirclement and destruction of troops in nearby areas. Poor weather, such as fog, plays a significant role in the conflict, as Russians often time assaults during these conditions to impede Ukrainian aerial reconnaissance and FPV drones 1245-100 AM raq Elections and Yemen's Houthi Crackdown Guest: Bridget Toomey Bridget Toomey discussed recent developments in Iraq and Yemen, noting that Iraqi parliamentary elections saw a higher-than-expected 56% voter turnout, with preliminary results suggesting Shiite parties close to Tehran performed well and might secure enough seats to form the next government, despite internal infighting and votes remaining largely sectarian, while Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani received credit for stability and his party performed strongly, though many Iraqis doubt the elections affect real change, believing critical decisions are made via elite backroom deals, and turning to Yemen, the Houthis announced the arrest of a purported Saudi-American-Israeli spy ring, a paranoid crackdown following Israel's successful targeting of Houthi government and military leaders in August, with arrests including 59 UN workers and prosecutors requesting the death sentence for 21, aiming to intimidate domestic dissent and signal resolve to Western and regional adversaries, especially in sensitive Houthi locations in Sana'a.