Podcasts about democracies

CONTENTS THE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW, 8-25-2026COVER OF FANTASTIC MAGAZINE OCTOBER 1961Liz Peek, columnist for The Hill and Fox News, discusses the surprising resilience of the American economy, noting that small businesses are reporting strong hiring and profitability growth based on broad National Federation of Independent Business and Bank of America data. While consumer spending remains robust, recent data reveals a K-shaped economy, where higher-income homeowners spend extensively on renovations while lower-income consumers trade down at Walmart. Rising interest rates present a critical challenge, slamming the housing market and significantly increasing interest payments on the massive national debt. Lastly, the administration's tariff conflict with Canada is criticized as a major, highly unfortunate, and economically damaging political mistake. (1)Jonathan Schanzer, Executive Director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, evaluates the Treasury's initial tranches of secondary sanctions targeting entities trading with Iran, including firms in China and the UAE. Although these measures stop short of targeting major Chinese banks, they provide President Trump with leverage ahead of his Washington summit with Xi Jinping. Within the Middle East, Schanzer warns that regional powers are hedging their bets. Saudi Arabia may be negotiating a separate peace with the Houthis and Iran, which could undermine US sanctions. Additionally, the US controversially rescinded Syria's state sponsor of terror status following the rapid rise of former al-Qaeda commander Ahmed al-Shara. (2)Mary Kissel, Senior Fellow at the Hudson Institute and former Senior Advisor to the Secretary of State, analyzes Trump's "maximum pressure" campaign against Iran, asserting that its success relies on penalizing large Chinesefinancial institutions. However, Beijing holds significant economic and military leverage over the US, including export controls on critical minerals. Regarding North America, Kissel describes the escalating trade war with Canada as a "loser's game" driven by domestic politics. She stresses that the 50% tariffs on essential materials like Canadianaluminum and auto parts disrupt deeply integrated supply chains. Consequently, this trade conflict severely harms ordinary consumers and threatens Republican control of key Senate seats in critical border states of Maine and Michigan. (3)Colonel Jeff McCausland, US Army (Retired) and Visiting Professor at Dickinson College, warns that the US foreign policy process has collapsed under President Trump, who relies on personal loyalty over expert advice. This is illustrated by Trump's sudden decision to reduce joint US-South Korea military exercises without notifying allies. McCausland argues this undercuts South Korea while offering concessions to a nuclear-armed dictator, Kim Jong-un, who actively supplies weapons to Russia for the Ukraine war. Furthermore, he criticizes the "economic D-Day" against Iran as highly insincere given key delays in sanctioning China, and strongly condemns the trade war against Canada, a loyal ally with a rich military history. (4)Gregory Copley, editor of Defense & Foreign Affairs, argues that the US sanctions regime against Iran is strategic signaling that makes Washington look weak, as it ignores China's trade dominance and threatens relations with India. He also views the Canadian trade dispute as a strategic failure that weakens the NORAD treaty and forces Canada to act independently in the Arctic. This unpredictability has alienated European allies, who are now bypassing the US to negotiate directly on Ukraine. Additionally, Copley analyzes post-Petro Colombia, detailing how the energetic new president faces massive domestic security issues, narco-trafficking networks, and the grounding of critical disaster relief aircraft under sanctions. (5)Thaddeus McCotter, former US Representative from Michigan and columnist for American Greatness, details the severe political and economic fallout of Trump's trade war with Canada, noting that insulting rhetoric like the "51st state" remark has politically boosted Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. He explains that border states like Michigan and Maine share deep commercial integration, meaning 50% tariffs will directly harm their local economies. This unvetted policy blindsided senior Republican legislators, including Susan Collins, who openly opposed the tariffs and avoided a campaign rally with Vice President Vance. Ultimately, McCotter warns that these tariffs jeopardize critical Senate seats in highly contested swing states, giving rival Democrats a very major campaign advantage. (6)Judy Dempsey, Senior Scholar in Berlin for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, with co-host Thaddeus McCotter: Dempsey describes European Baltic and Nordic leaders flocking to Kyiv, yet warns that "moral outrage" lacks a cohesive strategic plan to negotiate an end to the war. She highlights the rising prominence of the pro-Russian, far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in state elections. Interestingly, an ideological rift has emerged as radical AfD factions in East Germany sour on MAGA due to Trump's policies on Iran. McCotter delivers a severe critique of the MAGA-AfD relationship, arguing MAGA should never have "played footsies" with neo-Nazis, and asserting the AfD is fundamentally aligned with Vladimir Putin rather than the United States—their temporary embrace of MAGA merely a superficial attraction. Although West Germans have abandoned historical sentiments toward Russiadue to the Ukraine invasion, East Germany remains deeply split, harboring lingering sentimental pro-Russian views and separate post-unification cultural dynamics. (7)Note: segment 7 came with a separate co-host block for McCotter, so I've folded his critique into the single paragraph after Dempsey's material — flag me if you'd rather run his commentary as its own standalone file.

Jonathan Schanzer, Executive Director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, evaluates the Treasury's initial tranches of secondary sanctions targeting entities trading with Iran, including firms in China and the UAE. Although these measures stop short of targeting major Chinese banks, they provide President Trump with leverage ahead of his Washington summit with Xi Jinping. Within the Middle East, Schanzer warns that regional powers are hedging their bets. Saudi Arabia may be negotiating a separate peace with the Houthis and Iran, which could undermine US sanctions. Additionally, the US controversially rescinded Syria's state sponsor of terror status following the rapid rise of former al-Qaeda commander Ahmed al-Shara. (2)

In this episode of The PDB Situation Report: President Trump's plan to crush Iran's economy may put Washington on a collision course with China, Tehran's largest remaining oil customer. Joshua Philipp joins us to discuss whether Beijing will cooperate with the economic campaign—or keep the Iranian regime alive. Russia pounds Kyiv with 168 drones and dozens of missiles, killing at least 16 people as Ukraine's air defenses run dangerously short. John Hardie, deputy director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies' Russia Program, joins us with his analysis. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President's Daily Brief by visiting https://PDBPremium.com. Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief. YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief QUO: Make this the season where no opportunity slips away. Try QUO for free PLUS get 20% off your first 6 months when you go to https://Quo.com/PDB Thanks to today's sponsor, Spring Sleep: eXciteOSA is an FDA-cleared, prescription-only device for primary snoring and mild obstructive sleep apnea. Go to springsleep.com/PDB and unlock 20% off with the code PDB. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andrea Stricker of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies examines Middle Eastern nuclear proliferation and the mystery surrounding legacy materials. Stricker details a positive, US-brokered development in which the post-AssadSyrian government agreed to cooperate and turn over legacy yellowcake uranium stored at a covert facility known as Site 99. This material was intended for a North Korean-built plutonium-producing reactor at Al-Kibar, which was destroyed by Israel in 2007. Despite long-standing Syrian secrecy and the site changing hands among various factions, environmental sampling by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed undeclared, man-made uranium particles at multiple locations. Stricker also raises concerns regarding Turkey's nuclear ambitions, highlighting its civilian programs' potential military purposes and Turkey's recent attempt to secure raw uranium contracts with the military regime in Niger. (9)

TABLE OF CONTENTS THE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW, 8-19-2026Rebecca Grant, Vice President of the Lexington Institute, discusses technological advancements on the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford. She details the transition from traditional steam-powered catapults to modern electromagnetic aircraft launch systems (EMALS), which offer superior, adjustable torque to launch both lightweight drones and heavily armed fighter jets. Additionally, Grant highlights the ship's new electromagnetic advanced weapons elevators, which double the capacity of older Nimitz-class systems and move much faster to significantly improve sortie generation rates. However, a White House executive order directing a study to reconsider steam systems threatens to disrupt these advancements. Grant warns that backtracking to older technology on carriers currently in construction, like the CVN-81, could delay delivery by up to seven years, creating dangerous operational gaps as Chinese naval threats rise in the Pacific. (1)Rick Fisher of the International Assessment and Strategy Center analyzes China's advancement in space and its competition with the United States. Fisher discusses China's Gandai constellation, a space debris monitoring satellite system controlled by the People's Liberation Army (PLA), which tracked a SpaceX Falcon 9 booster crashing near the moon's Einstein crater from over 380,000 kilometers away. He warns that this constellation can perform dual-use military targeting for space combat and missile defense. Fisher criticizes China's lack of transparency, noting its refusal to give advance notice for earthbound ICBM tests and its intention to let expendable propulsion stages crash into the lunar surface. Finally, he highlights the rapid progress of China's LandSpace with its liquid-fueled, methane-oxygen-powered reusable Zhuque-3 rocket, predicting that ten Chinese companies will offer cheap reusable launch services within five years and directly undercut Western competitors. (2)Greg Scarlatoiu, President and CEO of the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea, analyzes the multifaceted security threats posed by Pyongyang. Scarlatoiu describes North Korea as a post-communist, dynastic kleptocracy and a crime family masquerading as a nation-state. Under Kim Jong-un, the regime has consolidated its intelligence and police agencies while streamlining its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. Scarlatoiu explains that North Korea's war economy exploits its people's human rights and security to fund weapons, which it now exports globally to Russia and Iran. The discussion, co-hosted by Gordon Chang, highlights active military provocations along the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), including recent boundary crossings. Finally, Scarlatoiu and Chang evaluate how controversial remarks by the Trump administration praising Kim Jong-un have strained trust in extended deterrence and undermined relationships within the vital US-South Korea alliance. (3)Craig Unger, investigative reporter and author, explores President Donald Trump's unstable foreign policy toward Russia and Ukraine. Unger contends that Trump behaves as a Russian appeaser whose real estate-linked advisers take marching orders from Vladimir Putin. The discussion highlights how Ukrainian-manufactured drones have successfully targeted Russian oil refineries, causing severe fuel shortages and long gas lines across Russia. While these military successes initially impressed Trump, leading him to publicly promise Patriot missiles and production technology to President Zelenskyy, Unger reveals that Trump subsequently withheld this critical support. Unger cautions that as Putin faces an existential crisis and potential military defeat, he may launch a limited incursion into Baltic states like Estonia or Poland. This would trigger NATO's Article 5, which Unger warns Trump would likely refuse to honor, thereby destroying the Western alliance. (4)Caleb Weiss of the Bridgeway Foundation and the Foundation for Defense of Democracies examines the evolution of African jihadist movements. Weiss details the case of Jamal Chima, a Ugandan Guantanamo Bay alumnus who transitioned from Al-Qaeda to recruiting for the Islamic State Central African Province (ISCAP) in Kampala. Weiss explains that East African court systems frequently experience "catch and release" cycles due to strict evidentiary demands for terrorism cases. The segment also addresses the kidnapping of missionary Kevin Rideout by the Islamic State Sahel Province. Weiss describes how these groups raise funds through lucrative ransoms, utilizing regional coordination hubs like the Al-Furqan and Al-Karrar offices to move capital globally to active cells in regions like Afghanistan. Finally, he notes that eastern Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar has leveraged anti-jihadist operations to secure Western backing. (5)Michael Bernstam of the Hoover Institution warns of a severe global crisis in refined petroleum products, especially diesel, gasoline, and jet fuel. Bernstam explains that the "crack spread"—the cost differential between crude oil and refined diesel—has reached an unprecedented historical peak of over $102 per barrel. This crisis stems from a fifty-year systemic failure, during which no major new refineries were built in the United States or Europe. Compounding this, sophisticated Ukrainian drone strikes have successfully knocked out 40% of Russia's refining capacity, forcing the major oil exporter to ban refined product exports and become an importer. Additionally, China has halted refined exports to meet its domestic demand. Bernstam warns that the resulting global diesel shortage directly threatens agricultural planting, harvesting, and regional food security, particularly for developing nations as winter approaches. (6)Peter Huessy of the Gold Institute for International Strategy critiques the Hollywood film House of Dynamite for its inaccurate depiction of US nuclear command and control. Huessy argues that the movie relies on flawed premises, such as the sudden, unexplained failure of Defense Support Program (DSP) tracking satellites and the total failure of US missile defense interceptors, to fabricate a helpless crisis scenario. He highlights that actual US missile defenses achieve 75% to 85% success in tests and up to 98% in combat scenarios like Israel's missile defense systems. Huessy strongly refutes the film's negative portrayal of military leadership as reckless warmongers and its central message that nuclear deterrence is ineffective. He asserts that the nuclear triad has successfully and perfectly preserved global peace for eighty years, keeping the country safe. (7)Simon Constable, writer for the Wall Street Journal, discusses European climate anomalies and their severe impact on global commodities. Speaking from the south of France, Constable reports temperatures reaching 35 degrees Celsius, contributing to low water levels in the Danube, Rhine, and Po rivers. These climate constraints, alongside maritime blockades of Ukrainian ports, have driven up prices for energy, wheat, and coffee. Turning to UK politics, Constable criticizes Prime Minister Keir Starmer for failing to spur house-building and notes that regional politicians like Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham lack an international profile. Finally, he reviews a longevity quiz from the Wall Street Journal, which highlights that the wealthiest Americans live fourteen years longer than the poorest. He notes that Japan leads the world in centenarians, emphasizing that geographic location and financial wealth are pivotal factors in determining an individual's healthy lifespan. (8)Andrea Stricker of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies examines Middle Eastern nuclear proliferation and the mystery surrounding legacy materials. Stricker details a positive, US-brokered development in which the post-AssadSyrian government agreed to cooperate and turn over legacy yellowcake uranium stored at a covert facility known as Site 99. This material was intended for a North Korean-built plutonium-producing reactor at Al-Kibar, which was destroyed by Israel in 2007. Despite long-standing Syrian secrecy and the site changing hands among various factions, environmental sampling by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed undeclared, man-made uranium particles at multiple locations. Stricker also raises concerns regarding Turkey's nuclear ambitions, highlighting its civilian programs' potential military purposes and Turkey's recent attempt to secure raw uranium contracts with the military regime in Niger. (9)Joel Kotkin, senior research fellow at the Civitas Institute at the University of Texas at Austin, examines California's economic and demographic challenges. Kotkin notes that California is on the verge of losing its population lead as middle-class families vote with their feet and move to states like Texas. He attributes this out-migration to exorbitant housing costs, a severe shortage of upwardly mobile middle-class jobs, and high electricity prices that hamper manufacturing and modern technology sectors like artificial intelligence. Furthermore, Kotkin highlights systemic social issues, including high teen unemployment, rising store break-ins, and a deteriorating public education system. These factors have depleted the state's middle class, leaving the tax base heavily dependent on a wealthy top one percent who can easily relocate to lower-tax states like Florida. Kotkin warns that this loss of middle-class families threatens California's future tax base and demographic vitality. (10)Corrections applied, several pending your confirmation: Bridgeway Foundation (transcribed as "Ridgeway," segment 5 — Weiss's actual affiliation), Al-Furqan and Al-Karrar offices (transcribed as "Al-Furkan and Al-Karr" — the standard renderings of the ISIS regional offices), LandSpace and Zhuque-3 (transcribed as "Land Space Corporation" and "Juk 3" — the Chinese firm and its rocket), Zelenskyy per house style, and "yellow cake" → yellowcake. One flag: "Gandaiconstellation" (segment 2) — I couldn't verify that name; the audio may be rendering a Chinese program name roughly, worth checking with the transcript or Fisher's notes. In segment 8, note the source describes Keir Starmer as PM and Andy Burnham as Manchester Mayor — this contradicts the recent batches where Burnham is PM. I've left it as the source has it since it's Constable's segment, but flag it if the summary tool garbled the timeline.R

Caleb Weiss of the Bridgeway Foundation and the Foundation for Defense of Democracies examines the evolution of African jihadist movements. Weiss details the case of Jamal Chima, a Ugandan Guantanamo Bay alumnus who transitioned from Al-Qaeda to recruiting for the Islamic State Central African Province (ISCAP) in Kampala. Weiss explains that East African court systems frequently experience "catch and release" cycles due to strict evidentiary demands for terrorism cases. The segment also addresses the kidnapping of missionary Kevin Rideout by the Islamic State Sahel Province. Weiss describes how these groups raise funds through lucrative ransoms, utilizing regional coordination hubs like the Al-Furqan and Al-Karrar offices to move capital globally to active cells in regions like Afghanistan. Finally, he notes that eastern Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar has leveraged anti-jihadist operations to secure Western backing. (5)

In 2025, Voice of America was thrust into the spotlight when the bulk of its funding was taken away. But in an era shaped by the internet and social media revolutions and with the West's funding priorities changing, it was not the first international broadcaster to go quiet. The soft power war of the airwaves has now moved to a decisive phase.Josephine McDermott traces the start of international radio and its heyday through World War Two and the Cold War as a tool of soft power. Hear the hosts of shortwave radio, from the Nazi propagandists Lord Haw Haw and Mildred Gillars to Doris Maxina, the presenter of Soviet radio's Moscow Mailbag, plus June Taylor, the New Zealander who became the global voice of communist Albania.Tune in to the sounds lost to time from Radio Netherlands' Happy Station Show to Radio Berlin International, and the Russian version of the British institution, The Archers, which came about following the collapse of the USSR.Featuring Thomas Witherspoon, creator of the Shortwave Radio Audio Archive; Jamie Shea, Nato spokesperson from 1993 to 2000; Sir John Tusa, managing director of the BBC World Service from 1986 to 1992; Ivana Stradner, research fellow at the Foundation for Defence of Democracies in the United States and Nic Newman, senior research associate at the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at Oxford University, UK. With archive from the Shortwave Radio Audio Archive, including recordings from Thomas Witherspoon, Paul Watson, Greg Shoom, Mark Hirst, Tom Gavaras and Keith Perron. Moscow Mailbag recording from KSN's Tech Topics on YouTube.

In this episode of The PDB Situation Report: First up—President Trump is turning back to economic pressure on Iran, betting that a sustained naval blockade and financial squeeze can force Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Former deputy national security advisor Victoria Coates joins us with analysis. Later in the show—an international military presence could soon be deployed to southern Lebanon to help verify Hezbollah's disarmament. David Daoud, senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, joins us to break down the proposal and what it could mean for the conflict with Israel. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President's Daily Brief by visiting https://PDBPremium.com. Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief. YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief Cardiff: Get fast business funding without bank delays—apply in minutes with Cardiff and access up to $500,000 in same‑day funding at https://Cardiff.co/PDB  HomeServe: Protect your home systems from expensive repairs with https://HomeServe.com/dailybriefand get 50% off your first year of coverage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A week ago the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan signed the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement. The new defense pact has many in the region and in Washington scratching their heads, wondering what its goals are, whether it will trigger regional realignment, and what new risks it raises in an already volatile region where we've seen geopolitical rivalries deepen - whether it's Pakistan's rivalry with India, Saudi Arabia's relations with the UAE, or Turkey's continued provocations and threats against Greece, Cyprus, and Israel. Beyond the security dimensions of this pact, the economic questions it raises may be more important. This new pact is increasingly seen as undermining US supported projects in which both Greece and Cyprus have invested politically, notably the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).  This comes at a time when Congress is looking to bolster the Eastern Mediterranean's role as a strategic link between India, the Middle East, and Europe. Just this week, a bipartisan group of Congressmen once again stressed the importance of IMEC for US interests in the region, emphasizing the significance of projects like the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI). Beyond Congress, we saw a major development when it came to the GSI earlier this month as months of negotiations between Athens and Paris wrapped up with the French investment group Meridiam acquiring a majority stake in the project. Athens hopes the deal will give both a financial and diplomatic boost to the GSI, which has seen Turkey try to obstruct its progress. These latest moves in the Eastern Mediterranean once again remind us why the region remains critical for global developments, and, more importantly, for US interests. This is a story that we've seen time and again, and as we celebrate America's 250 anniversary, we can't ignore the integral role the Mediterranean has played in shaping this story. Experts Jonathan Schanzer, Vassilis Nedos, and Ian Lesser join Thanos Davelis as we break down all of these issues. A little more info on our guests: Jonathan Schanzer is executive director at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Vassilis Nedos is Kathimerini's diplomatic and defense editor. Ian Lesser is a Distinguished Fellow and Advisor to the president at the German Marshall Fund of the United States, and a Senior Fellow at the Policy Center for the New South. You can support The Greek Current by joining HALC as a member here.

In this episode of The PDB Situation Report: The war with Iran has reportedly burned through some of America's most important long-range missiles, raising questions about whether the Pentagon has enough left for another major conflict. Bill Roggio from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies joins us to break down the state of America's missile stockpiles and what it could mean for U.S. military readiness. The Pentagon is reportedly rethinking America's nuclear strategy as China rapidly expands its arsenal and challenges U.S. power across the Pacific. Steve Yates of the Heritage Foundation joins us to discuss how Beijing's nuclear buildup is changing the strategic balance. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President's Daily Brief by visiting https://PDBPremium.com. Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief. YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief Quince: Refresh your wardrobe with timeless, high-quality pieces from Quince—go to https://Quince.com/PDBfor free shipping and 365-day returns! Lean: Get 20% off plus free rush shipping when you go to https://TAKELEAN.comand use code PDB Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What's Trending: We continue to dive into the life and criminal history of the accused Spokane Fire starter. GUEST: Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swank joins Victoria to talk about the difficulties of his job as the Democratic politicians, lawmakers, and judicial officials seek to be soft on crime and demonize those who enforce the law. // LongForm: Edmund Fitton-Brown of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies’ and Britain’s former Ambassador to Yemen joins the show to discuss the current state of the war in Iran and what the US’s next move could be. // The Quick Hit: Is there ever a justifiable reason for hitting a cop?

0:30 - Rand Paul Votes To Hold Fauci In Contempt: "Seeking The Truth Is Not A Witch Hunt, Accountability Is Not Vengeance" 14:10 - Seattle Storm's Gabby Williams has no issue with trans players in WNBA 32:00 - Over 2,600 US Flight Delays and 76 Cancellations Recorded in July 50:16 - Kevin Sabet is the CEO of Smart Approaches to Marijuana, was a drug policy adviser in the Clinton, George W. Bush and Obama administrations. He joined Dan Proft to talk about whether or not marijuana use as reached a “high’ point 01:09:38 - Noah Rothman is a senior writer at National Review and author of Blood and Progress: A Century of Left-Wing Violence in America. He joined Dan Proft with reaction to the results of the Michigan primary 01:28:48 - Cliff May is President of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and foreign affairs columnist for The Washington Times. He joined Dan Proft to explain the new “Axis of Aggressors” the US faces now 01:44:00 - Joe Holberg joined Dan Proft to talk about his run for Chicago Mayor. 02:05:56 - Open Mic Friday!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan have signed a historic trilateral defence agreement containing a Nato-style mutual assistance clause. As the Iranian threat - including from its proxies in Yemen and Iraq - grows, is this the future of security in the Middle East?On today's episode of Iran: the Latest, Sophia Yan is joined by Miad Maleki, senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and former Pentagon lead sanctions architect. They discuss how much control Tehran still has over its proxies, growing internal dissent in Iran over the Strait of Hormuz deal, and whether Tehran is stringing out the war to avoid further protests. Plus, how China enables Iran to bypass Western sanctions. HighlightsSaudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan sign Nato-style pact against IranHow China enables Iran to bypass Western sanctionsCONTRIBUTORS:Sophia Yan, co-host and senior foreign correspondent @sophia_yanMiad Maleki, senior fellow at the Foundation for Defence of Democracies @miadmalekiWATCH US ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dkCONTENT REFERENCED:Iran considers banning US and Israeli ships from Strait of Hormuzhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/07/iran-considers-banning-us-israeli-ships-strait-of-hormuz/Winner Best News and Analysis Podcast - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026Nominated Podcast of the Year - Society of Editors News Podcasts Awards 2026Nominated Best News, Politics and Current Affairs - British Podcast Awards 2026The Telegraph, Winner Podcast Publisher of the Year 2026 - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026Producer: Max BowerVideo Producer: Peter Shevlin Researcher and Social Producer: Anna HindmarshStudio Operator: Andy WatsonExecutive Producer: Venetia Rainey ► Sign up to our most popular newsletter, From the Editor. Look forward to receiving free-thinking comment and the day's biggest stories, every morning. telegraph.co.uk/fromtheeditor► EMAIL US: Contact the team on battlelines@telegraph.co.uk► GET THE LATEST HEADLINES: Find all our latest Iran coverage here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/iran-war/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

According to reports, Iran and Oman are close to reaching an agreement on the Strait of Hormuz. Miad Maleki, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, joined "Forbes Newsroom" to discuss what is known about the potential agreement and what it means for both the waterway and the war. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andrea Stricker, Deputy Director at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, outlines the proliferation risks associated with a proposed US-Saudi nuclear cooperation agreement. She expresses concern over uranium enrichment on Saudi soil, which could enable a nuclear weapons pathway. Stricker warns that granting enrichment rights would destroy the "gold standard" for non-proliferation and likely trigger a nuclear arms race involving Turkey and Egypt. Although President Trump has added caveats regarding the Abraham Accords, Saudi Arabia has threatened to turn to China for technology. Stricker notes the deal faces a difficult 90-day congressional review starting in September. (7)1956 SEMINOLE (13.6 KT)

SCHEDULE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW.  8-4-2026.1900 ST. LAWRENCEColonel Jeff McCausland, United States Army (Retired), discusses the critical depletion of United States missile stockpiles, particularly Patriot and THAAD systems, due to the intensifying war with Iran. He notes that these shortages might force a transition toward piloted bombing missions using heavy aircraft like the B-2 and B-52 for deep penetration. Regarding the Strait of Hormuz, McCausland highlights that Iran's ability to deploy sea mines and drones makes military reopening difficult. Turning to Ukraine, he predicts Vladimir Putin will escalate through mobilization rather than negotiation as both sides increasingly target food supplies in the Black Sea. (1)Judy Dempsey, Senior Scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, describes a Europe struggling with record heat, wildfires, and critically low river levels that are hampering nuclear power and agriculture. She argues these patterns reflect a deteriorating climate requiring a global response. The conversation shifts to a massive migration incident where 60,000 young men attempted to enter a Spanish exclave from Morocco. Dempsey explains that this surge is being exploited by far-right parties across Europe, such as the AfD in Germany, who capitalize on voter dissatisfaction. She notes that despite bilateral labor agreements, the political fallout is fueling nationalism. (2)Joseph Sternberg, Editorial Board Member of the Wall Street Journal, examines the release of Dr. Anthony Fauci's pandemic-era diaries, which reveal a dichotomy between his private doubts and public pronouncements regarding COVID-19's origins. Sternberg suggests Fauci became pathologically obsessed with his media coverage, positioning himself as an antagonist to Donald Trump to maintain his "star" status. The discussion also covers the growing influence of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). Sternberg notes that young voters, disillusioned by the economy, are increasingly drawn to the DSA's radical, government-led solutions. He questions whether this movement can succeed in purple states. (3)Jonathan Schanzer, Executive Director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, discusses the alarming shortage of US defensive munitions needed to intercept Iranian threats. He notes that Iran, coached by Russia and China, is exploiting this crisis to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed and drive up energy prices. Schanzer also addresses the significant weakening of Hezbollah after sustained Israeli operations and the complexities of disarming Hamas in Gaza. He highlights that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu faces a political tightrope balancing military goals with international pressure. Finally, he observes the unraveling of Chinese-brokered agreements as Houthi threats against Saudi Arabia resurface. (4)Gregory Copley, Publisher of Defense & Foreign Affairs, analyzes global efforts to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, noting that Russia and China are seeking alternative trade corridors to undermine Washington's strategic influence. He suggests China is using current tensions to project American impotence before high-level diplomatic visits. Copley also discusses the "war on food" in the Black Sea, where blockades are forcing a diversification of global supplies. Turning to Ethiopia, he describes a brutal civil conflict involving ethnic factions and the use of Turkish drones against civilian targets. He concludes with the success of King Charles III at the Commonwealth Games. (5)Bill Roggio and Bridget Toomey of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies discuss the Houthis' re-entry into the regional war by declaring a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea. Roggio criticizes the Trumpadministration's lack of a forceful military response, arguing that two US destroyers are insufficient to secure vital waterways. Toomey explains that the Houthis use these attacks to re-establish domestic norms and pressure the global oil market. They note that while the Houthis operate independently, their actions align with Iranian goals to use control over maritime chokepoints as a strategic "nuclear weapon." (6)Andrea Stricker, Deputy Director at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, outlines the proliferation risks associated with a proposed US-Saudi nuclear cooperation agreement. She expresses concern over uranium enrichment on Saudi soil, which could enable a nuclear weapons pathway. Stricker warns that granting enrichment rights would destroy the "gold standard" for non-proliferation and likely trigger a nuclear arms race involving Turkey and Egypt. Although President Trump has added caveats regarding the Abraham Accords, Saudi Arabia has threatened to turn to China for technology. Stricker notes the deal faces a difficult 90-day congressional review starting in September. (7)Conrad Black, distinguished biographer and National Post columnist, discusses the "aberrant" trade tensions between the US and Canada following the imposition of tariffs based on allegations of forced labor in Chinese imports. Black argues these tariffs are a legal workaround for the Trump administration to bypass the Supreme Court by declaring a national emergency. He characterizes the policy as arbitrary and offensive, noting it has dampened cross-border tourism and led to retaliatory tariffs on items like hockey sticks. Despite the current friction, Black remains optimistic that the dispute will be resolved through negotiation because he believes President Trump fundamentally likes Canada. (8)

Bill Roggio and Bridget Toomey of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies discuss the Houthis' re-entry into the regional war by declaring a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea. Roggio criticizes the Trumpadministration's lack of a forceful military response, arguing that two US destroyers are insufficient to secure vital waterways. Toomey explains that the Houthis use these attacks to re-establish domestic norms and pressure the global oil market. They note that while the Houthis operate independently, their actions align with Iranian goals to use control over maritime chokepoints as a strategic "nuclear weapon." (6)1771

Jonathan Schanzer, Executive Director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, discusses the alarming shortage of US defensive munitions needed to intercept Iranian threats. He notes that Iran, coached by Russia and China, is exploiting this crisis to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed and drive up energy prices. Schanzer also addresses the significant weakening of Hezbollah after sustained Israeli operations and the complexities of disarming Hamas in Gaza. He highlights that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu faces a political tightrope balancing military goals with international pressure. Finally, he observes the unraveling of Chinese-brokered agreements as Houthi threats against Saudi Arabia resurface. (4)1753

FDD Senior Fellow and former IDF Spokesperson, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Jonathan Conricus is back and dives deeply today on three issues: What's really going on with Hamas? How should we interpret the tension between IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and Minister of Defense, Yisrael Katz? And of course - we get into Iran. Trump seems to be very indecisive and there are strong signs that the power struggle within Iran between the “moderate” political leadership and the hardline IRGC is becoming more entrenched. Conricus and I discuss the many concerning signs around the much-ballyhooed Board of Peace “agreement” with Hamas to disarm and relinquish power that was announced a few days ago. People have been writing to me and asking - “Is this real?” Who better to turn to on that question than Jonathan Conricus.. There are no clear terms, no protocols for overseeing and verifying disarmament and no indication that Hamas is actually serious about any of these initiatives. But President Trump needs a win…..and a distraction from the mess in which he's entangled in Iran. And he seems to think that a very porous “agreement” with Hamas will divert attention from Iran. We discuss all that and more - with an interlude in the middle section about political brinksmanship between the IDF Chief of Staff and the Minister of Defense.Show your support for STLV at buymeacoffee.com/stateoftelavivJonathan Conricus is a senior fellow with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a Washington D.C.-based think tank. He served in the IDF for 24 years, four of them as spokesman during the intense 11 days of the Guardian of the Walls Operation between Israel and Hamas. Now a reserve officer with the rank of Lt. Col., he is a sought-after speaker internationally and is frequently seen on major television news shows. Jonathan was born in Jerusalem to a Swedish father and an Israeli mother and spent his formative years in Sweden.State of Tel Aviv is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.stateoftelaviv.com/subscribe

Dr. Jonathan Schanzer, Executive Director of Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, joined us on the Guy Benson Show today to discuss the latest on the Iran war and negotiations to end the conflict in the region. Dr. Schanzer discussed whether the Iranian regime is negotiating in earnest to end the conflict, as well as if the war has the potential to end without further regime change, and you can listen to the full interview below! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Donald Trump announced last week that "the Board of Peace reached a historic deal for the complete disarmament of Hamas" in what he characterized as "a major milestone in the implementation" of the 20-point peace plan brokered between the terror group and Israel back in the fall. Dr. Jonathan Schanzer, executive director at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, joined "Forbes Newsroom" to discuss the potential implications of the announcement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The PDB Situation Report: Investigative journalist Annie Jacobsen joins Mike to discuss her new book, Biological War: A Scenario, and the terrifying possibility that the next weapon of mass destruction could be a deadly engineered pathogen. Cliff May, founder and president of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, examines the latest developments in the war between the United States and Iran—and where the conflict may be headed next. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President's Daily Brief by visiting https://PDBPremium.com. Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief. YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief Pendulum: Ditch the afternoon crashes and naturally curb your cravings with 20% off the doctor-recommended Pendulum Metabolic Daily at https://pendulumlife.com Cardiff: Get fast business funding without bank delays—apply in minutes with Cardiff and access up to $500,000 in same‑day funding at https://Cardiff.co/PDB Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Trump has announced that a deal has been reached to disarm Hamas in Gaza, while also forcing Israel to withdraw its troops from the strip. The President is hailing it as a ‘monumental step towards lasting PEACE and SECURITY'. But can it succeed where so many other attempts have failed?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuests: Michael Evans, contributor and former defence editor, The Times.Jonathan Conricus, former spokesperson of the Israel Defense Forces and senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies think tank.Hosts: Ryan Tubridy, Ayesha Hazarika.Producers: Lewis Decker, Musty Aziz.We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comRead more: Trump hails historic Gaza deal – but will it work?Further listening: The ticking time bomb Netanyahu faces at homePhoto: Getty Images. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Steve Schmidt and Brian Tyler Cohen talk about his newly launched book, “The Day After." Its real subject isn’t Donald Trump. It’s power. More specifically, it’s the refusal of too many Democrats to understand what power is for. For too long, Democrats have responded to authoritarianism with process, commissions, and endless deference to institutions that their opponents have been systematically dismantling. While Republicans seized power, Democrats too often acted as custodians of norms that no longer existed. That failure carried consequences. The corruption that went unpunished after Trump’s first administration didn’t disappear. It metastasized. When those who abuse power face no meaningful accountability, they return emboldened, convinced there’s no price to pay. If Democrats are entrusted with power again, they can’t simply promise a return to normal. America needs a government that solves problems, delivers results, and restores public confidence in democratic institutions. It will also require a broad coalition. Democracies are built by majorities, not ideological purity tests. Progress has always depended on imperfect allies united by a common purpose. The first hours of a new administration — not the first 100 days — will define whether it succeeds. Executive authority must be exercised immediately to restore integrity, dismantle corruption, and reverse abuses of government power. History rarely grants second chances, and when it does, they belong to leaders prepared to act. The challenge before the Democratic Party is larger than defeating Donald Trump. It’s proving that democratic government can still deliver competence, accountability, and hope. Elections are only the beginning. Governing is the test. And power, when entrusted by the American people, exists for one reason alone: to be used in defense of the republic. Support The Warning and become a YouTube member today! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2I50t9-7Ol7AjwryRv-Fiw/join Today's Merch: Got Mitch? tee: https://thewarningwithsteveschmidt.com/products/got-mitch-tee?_pos=1&_sid=10cfd6cf7&_ss=r SUBSCRIBE for more and follow me here: Substack: https://steveschmidt.substack.com/subscribe Store: https://thewarningwithsteveschmidt.com/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thewarningses.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SteveSchmidtSES/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thewarningses Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewarningses/ X: https://x.com/SteveSchmidtSES

Since the conflict in Iran began in February, the results have been mixed. It has degraded Iran's nuclear capacity, reduced its missile arsenal, and sunk its navy. But the war has also closed the Strait of Hormuz, divided America's Gulf allies, fractured the U.S.-Israeli relationship, and failed to achieve objectives like regime change and nuclear elimination. A panel of Iran experts with different perspectives discuss whether the conflict could mark the end of the Islamic Republic's long strategy of proxy warfare or the beginning of a far more dangerous Middle East. Journalist and author Fareed Zakaria leads the conversation with Kim Ghattas, Karim Sadjadpour, and Mark Dubowitz. Ghattas is an Emmy-award winning journalist. Karim Sadjadpour is a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Mark Dubowitz is CEO of Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Their conversation was held June 29.

President Trump hosted Volodymyr Zelensky and Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House as tensions with Iran continue to escalate, raising fresh questions about the prospect of a wider regional conflict. The discussions come after Trump publicly rejected Netanyahu's claims about Iran's nuclear activity, while Ukraine's role in US strategic planning appears to be growing. The latest developments follow Iran's missile strike on a US base in Jordan, with Washington now weighing its response. Meanwhile, former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Dr Anthony Fauci faces renewed political scrutiny, despite receiving a presidential pardon, as an extraordinary Senate hearing fuels speculation over whether Republicans could still pursue legal action. On tonight's Uncensored, Piers Morgan is joined by counselor to the US president, Peter Navarro, followed by a panel of senior fellow at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, Jonathan Conricus, former CIA officer & author of the new book: “The Ultimate Guide to CIA Skills, Tactics, and Techniques”, John Kiriakou, host of the Scott Horton Show, Scott Horton, and chief strategist of the Middle East Forum, Jim Hanson, to discuss. 00:00 Introduction 03:03 Piers is joined by his panel to discuss Netanyahu's visit to the U.S. 07:50 Piers asks Jonathan Conricus about Trump trying to get out of this war 10:45 America's war aims and enriching uranium in Iran and Saudi Arabia 14:05 America's exit strategy 19:50 Piers challenges Johnathan Cornicus on Israel's declining popularity around the world 24:10 The International media ban in Gaza 58:06 How will this war end? 22:45 The panel clashes over qualifying Israel's activity in Gaza as a genocide 31:26 When and how does the war in Iran end? 33:15 Anthony Fauci takes the Fifth Amendment 33:55 POLYMARKET: Who will be arrested before 2027? (https://polymarket.com/event/who-will-be-arrested-before-2027) 34:05 Peter Navarro joins Piers to discuss Anthony Fauci invoking the fifth at senate hearing 35:14 Navarro on Fauci's diaries 42:42 Piers challenges Navarro's claims Fauci killed people and created the virus 48:42 Navarro gives his view on the vaccine rollout 52:00 Piers asks Navarro if he gives Fauci any credit for due to the fast moving nature of the pandemic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mark Montgomery, senior director of the Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and a retired U.S. Navy rear admiral, returns to School of War to analyze the latest military developments across the world. Why has the Iran war entered such a dangerous and uncertain phase? What role will the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea play in its next stage? And what do Iran and Ukraine reveal about the changing shape of global conflict? 02:22 - Why the Iran War Suddenly Paused 04:44 - An Uneasy Ceasefire and Dueling Blockades 05:35 - The Challenge of Escorting Ships Through Hormuz 07:19 - Why America's Convoy Strategy Isn't Working 09:15 - The Navy's Readiness Dilemma 09:59 - Blockade vs. Convoy 12:08 - Why the U.S. Must Take More Risk at Sea 14:10 - America's Munitions Problem 15:05 - The Weapons Shortages Shaping the War 16:29 - America's Drone Defense Gap 21:11 - The Electronic Warfare Deficit 23:13 - The Red Sea and the Houthi Threat 26:15 - How Iran and Ukraine Are Connected 30:37 - Russia's Options for Escalation 35:04 - Is a Long Blockade Better Than Escalation? This episode of School of War is brought to you by Maven Smart System, the builder platform for the American warfighter, fielded across the force and live on the frontline today. Learn more at palantir.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After the United States put a pause on strikes against Iran, President Donald Trump said that he is prepared to order resumption of “strong military action” against Tehran if negotiations fail, warning they have little time to reach a deal. Benjamin Netanyahu's Washington visit this week could determine whether Israel joins renewed strikes as the Iran war enters a two-day diplomatic pause. Meanwhile, Iran issued a second warning to Ukraine following what Tehran said was an attack on a vessel in the Caspian Sea. FOX's Eben Brown speaks with Behnam Ben Taleblu, Iran Program Senior Director and Senior Fellow at the Foundation for the defense of Democracies, who says President Trump still has all options on the table but should focus on what a future Iran would look like. Click Here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To Follow 'The FOX News Rundown: Evening Edition' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After the United States put a pause on strikes against Iran, President Donald Trump said that he is prepared to order resumption of “strong military action” against Tehran if negotiations fail, warning they have little time to reach a deal. Benjamin Netanyahu's Washington visit this week could determine whether Israel joins renewed strikes as the Iran war enters a two-day diplomatic pause. Meanwhile, Iran issued a second warning to Ukraine following what Tehran said was an attack on a vessel in the Caspian Sea. FOX's Eben Brown speaks with Behnam Ben Taleblu, Iran Program Senior Director and Senior Fellow at the Foundation for the defense of Democracies, who says President Trump still has all options on the table but should focus on what a future Iran would look like. Click Here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To Follow 'The FOX News Rundown: Evening Edition' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After the United States put a pause on strikes against Iran, President Donald Trump said that he is prepared to order resumption of “strong military action” against Tehran if negotiations fail, warning they have little time to reach a deal. Benjamin Netanyahu's Washington visit this week could determine whether Israel joins renewed strikes as the Iran war enters a two-day diplomatic pause. Meanwhile, Iran issued a second warning to Ukraine following what Tehran said was an attack on a vessel in the Caspian Sea. FOX's Eben Brown speaks with Behnam Ben Taleblu, Iran Program Senior Director and Senior Fellow at the Foundation for the defense of Democracies, who says President Trump still has all options on the table but should focus on what a future Iran would look like. Click Here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To Follow 'The FOX News Rundown: Evening Edition' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of The PDB Situation Report: The war with Iran is expanding as the Houthis move into the fight, threatening Red Sea shipping and raising the risk of a much wider regional conflict. We're joined by Jonathan Schanzer of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies to discuss what happens next. We take you inside Russia, where fuel shortages and relentless Ukrainian drone strikes are making the war increasingly difficult for ordinary Russians to ignore. Konstantin Samoilov of the YouTube channel Inside Russia joins us with firsthand insight into how the conflict is reshaping daily life inside the country. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President's Daily Brief by visiting https://PDBPremium.com. Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief. YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief Poncho Outdoors: Gear up for summer with Poncho and grab $10 off plus free shipping at https://ponchooutdoors.com/PDB Acre Gold: Turn your pocket change into physical 24-karat gold and enter to win a limited-edition Hot Wheels gold bar at https://GetAcreGold.com/PDB Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

0:30 - Brandon Gill questions ABA President Michelle Behnke on implicit bias 10:58 - Ella Frei, 17-year-old, New Richmond, WI on trans bathroom policy 28:26 - Where is Darren Bailey? 45:20 - Sports & Politics 01:02:41 - Foundation for Defense of Democracies' Richard Goldberg on what comes next with Iran: "Stay focused. No nuclear weapons. Open the Strait." He says it can be frustrating, but Admiral Cooper has a plan and a target set—let him finish it and then grade the outcome. Follow Richard on X @rich_goldberg 01:22:12 - Animal Stories 01:34:55 - Eliot Wilson, contributing editor at Defence On The Brink and senior fellow for national security at the Coalition for Global Prosperity, on Britain's new PM Andy Burnham 01:50:33 - Ammon Blair, senior fellow at the Texas Public Policy Foundation: Illegal labor isn’t farming’s future. It’s Big Ag’s crutch. Follow Ammon on X @AmmonSBlairSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Retired Rear Admiral Mark Montgomery, Sr. Fellow at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, joins us from Kyiv with a direct assessment: Ukraine is not losing, its military is adapting fast, and its drone and long-range strike campaigns are hurting Russia. But Kyiv is uneasy after President Zelenskyy fired popular Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, sparking protests, then removed the senior military leader Fedorov had been feuding with just days later. Montgomery says Russia will exploit the turmoil, but Ukraine's military and society are still not breaking.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Josh opens the show by discussing the Democratic Party's dramatic shift to the left and the growing threats to long-standing American institutions. He explains how even bedrocks of our constitutional system, including the U.S. Senate, could be targeted if some members of the Democratic Socialists of America get their way. Josh breaks down why this is just the latest radical idea coming from the left and what it could mean for the country, moving forward. Josh then turns to the president's prime-time address on election integrity and explains why Congress must pass the SAVE America Act immediately. He argues that protecting American elections will require more than speeches and promises—it will take concrete action to ensure that only legal votes are counted. Max Meizlish of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies joins the show to discuss how the United States can tighten the financial pressure on Iran. They examine what can be done to restrict Iranian exports, cut off key sources of revenue, and weaken the regime's ability to fund its ongoing war efforts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the U.S. and Iran battle for control of the Strait of Hormuz, Nick Schifrin discusses the latest developments with Alan Eyre and Miad Maleki. Eyre was part of the Obama administration's negotiating team for the Iran nuclear deal and is now at the Middle East Institute. Maleki was born and raised in Iran and is now at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

President Donald Trump has U-turned on his threat to charge cargo ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz as much as 20% - but the US and Iran have continued trading strikes as Trump has told the US Congress that war has resumed. So, can the US gain the upper hand? Will more US bombs and bullets really help? And has this whole episode proven that the memorandum of understanding, which was meant to end the conflict, was destined to fail.In this episode of The Fourcast Indicators, presenter Krishnan Guru-Murthy and Defence and Intelligence Analyst, Mark Urban are joined by former US Navy Rear Admiral Mark Montgomery, who is now a senior fellow at The Foundation for Defence of Democracies.

Josh opens the show with the latest developments in Iran following U.S. strikes earlier this week. He explains why the agreement between the United States and Iran now appears to be effectively dead, what prompted President Trump to authorize military action, and what the strikes could mean for the region moving forward. Later, Rich Goldberg, Senior Advisor at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, joins the show to break down the latest developments in Iran, assess the strategic implications of the U.S. response, and discuss what comes next for both Washington and Tehran. Finally, Josh examines a new study on the economic costs of illegal immigration, discussing what the findings could mean for public policy and why he believes border security and immigration enforcement should remain central issues on the campaign trail.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Washington Watch Reporter Mary Stackhouse reports on the NATO Summit, Iran, and the latest scandal surrounding Graham Platner. Dr. David Adesnik, Vice President of Research at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, shares what to anticipate from

Preview for Later Today: Janatyn Sayeh of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies details Iranian threats against US and Israeli leadership. He warns that Tehran's rhetoric regarding "accountability" for the Supreme Leader'sdeath signals potential transnational assassination plots. (4)1904 PERSIAN GULF

In this episode of The PDB Situation Report: Ukraine is tightening the noose around Crimea while Russian civilians grapple with growing fuel shortages at home. Retired Lt. General Ben Hodges joins us to explain what this new phase of the war could mean—and whether mounting pressure inside Russia is beginning to change the strategic picture. The U.S. and Iran have wrapped another round of indirect talks, but the biggest disputes remain unresolved. Behnam Ben Taleblu of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies joins us to break down where negotiations stand, what's still dividing both sides, and what comes next. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President's Daily Brief by visiting https://PDBPremium.com. Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief. YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief Fox One: Sign up at https://fox.com to watch The PDB show and more on-demand with FOX One. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Hafta, Manisha Pande, Raman Kirpal, Anand Vardhan and Rinchen Norbu are joined by historian Ramachandra Guha. Check out previous Hafta recommendations, references, songs and letters. Produced by Amit Pandey with production assistance from Sourav.Sound by Anil Kumar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week's episode, Israel Policy Forum Policy Advisor and Tel Aviv-based journalist Neri Zilber hosts David Daoud, senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. They discuss the recent U.S.-brokered agreement between Israel and Lebanon, the chances of the deal actually leading to Hezbollah's disarmament and Israel's withdrawal from south Lebanon, the ability of the Lebanese army to fulfill its obligations, the reaction inside Lebanon to the agreement, why Netanyahu touted it as a "historic achievement," whether peace can be achieved between the two countries, and more. Support the showFollow us on Instagram, Twitter/X, and Bluesky, and subscribe to our email list here.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone concerned about the direction of the country and the threat of socialism. The speaker takes a deep dive into the world of politics, discussing the rise of socialist candidates in Colorado and the implications of their policies. From the Democrats' endorsement of candidates who refuse to defend the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights to the Iranian regime's desperate attempts to maintain control over the Strait of Hormuz, this episode covers it all.The speaker shares a fascinating story about a Colorado candidate who claims to be a moderate but speaks and acts like a socialist, highlighting the blurred lines between the two parties. They also discuss the Iranian regime's tactics, including their extortionate toll on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, which is essentially a form of piracy. The speaker argues that this behavior is a sign of desperation, as the Iranian economy is in free fall and the regime is losing its grip on power.The conversation also touches on the importance of understanding the experts' views on the situation, with the speaker citing the Institute for the Study of War and the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies as sources. They highlight the differences between the two camps of experts, with some arguing that the Iranian regime's tactics are a sign of desperation and others suggesting that they may be rebuilding their strategy.If you're concerned about the direction of the country and the threat of socialism, or if you're interested in understanding the complexities of international politics, this episode is a must-listen. The speaker's unique perspective and in-depth analysis make for a fascinating and informative discussion that will leave you thinking long after the episode ends.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

0:30 - Chicago teens testify about takeovers — ‘How can we better make adults our role models?’ 11:53 - Trump Stuns Republicans With Whirlwind Day of Frustration and Finger-Pointing 27:24 - The Socialist Democrats of America 49:13 - Trump meeting with NATO SecGen Mark Rutte: Iran was very near getting nukes, G7 backed degarding nuke program 01:00:24 - Bill Roggio is a senior fellow at the Foundation for the Defence of Democracies and editor of FDD’s Long War Journal. He joined Dan Proft with reaction to the ongoing negotiations with Iran 01:25:26 - Gary Sinise is an actor, director, bass player, founder of the Gary Sinise Foundation and author of Grateful American: A Journey from Self to Service. He joined Dan Proft to talk about his upcoming Rockin’ For Our Vets concert at Cantigny Park 01:35:23 - Juan David Rojas covers Latin America and global Hispanidad for UnHerd. He joined Dan Proft with reaction to the election results in Colombia 01:54:31 - Josh Blackman holds the Centennial Chair of Constitutional Law at the South Texas College of Law Houston and is a contributing editor to Civitas OutlookSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Preview for Later Today: Guest: Samuel Ben-Ur. Samuel Ben-Ur, from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, identifies Hamas as being sustained by funding and political cover from Qatar and Turkey. He questions their roles as mediators while providing terror groups shelter.1922 GAZA GREAT MOSQUE

In this episode of The PDB Situation Report: Just days after the United States and Iran signed a framework agreement, the first round of follow-on negotiations has been called off following a deadly exchange of attacks between Israel and Hezbollah. We speak with Jonathan Schanzer of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies about what the latest violence means for the future of the deal and whether the agreement can survive renewed regional tensions. Later in the show—the battle over AI data centers is becoming a major flashpoint across America, raising questions about energy, infrastructure, and national competitiveness. Investigative journalist Joshua Philipp joins us to discuss whether China may be helping fuel opposition to these projects and what's at stake in the race for AI dominance. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President's Daily Brief by visiting https://PDBPremium.com. Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief. YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief Fox One: Sign up at https://fox.comto watch The PDB show and more on-demand with FOX One. Cardiff: Get fast business funding without bank delays—apply in minutes with Cardiff and access up to $500,000 in same‑day funding at https://Cardiff.co/PDB  Hexclad: Find your forever cookware @hexclad and get 10% off at https://hexclad.com/PDB ! #hexcladpartner #sponsored Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

0:30 - Teen takeovers in Chicago 16:37 - Iran 44:54 - Remembering Tom Dreesen: Dan’s interview with Tom from 11/7/25 01:18:05 - Professor at George Mason University Scalia Law School and senior fellow at the Heritage Foundation, Eugene Kontorovich, weighs in on the Memorandum of Understanding, saying “It strengthens Iran, there is no other way to put it.” Follow Professor Kontorovich on X @EVKontorovich 01:36:35 - University of Chicago law professor emeritus Richard Epstein discusses his legal battles over the Obama Presidential Center, saying, “If you’re 100% right in a case against the government, you have a 50% chance of winning.” Check out Richard’s newest book The Myth of Birthright Citizenship 01:53:54 - Manhattan Institute researcher Neetu Arnold discusses grade inflation and why schools may need new ways to separate exceptional students from the pack. 02:07:32 - Hussain Abdul-Hussain, research fellow at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, on the Iran peace deal and Trading Away Lebanon: Washington’s Bargains at Beirut’s Expense. Hussain is also the author of The Arab Case for IsraelSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The world got some official details of the U.S.-Iran Memorandum of Understanding, a 14-point text leaked to regional media. The memorandum has plans for immediate waivers on Iranian oil exports, a framework for at least $300 billion in reconstruction and economic development, and a 60-day negotiation period aimed at securing a final agreement on Iran's nuclear program. President Trump also shared his thoughts on the deal with reporters at the G7 Summit. FOX's Eben Brown speaks with Behnam Ben Taleblu, senior director of the Iran Program at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, who says there is a concern about which faction of the government in Tehran the deal was made with. Click Here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To Follow 'The FOX News Rundown: Evening Edition' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices