Podcasts about North Korea

Today's Headlines: Russia is having a great week. It's sharing satellite imagery, intelligence, and drone technology with Iran, sending a tanker of 700,000 barrels of crude to Cuba in direct defiance of the U.S. blockade, and watching oil approach $110 a barrel. Israel assassinated Iran's intelligence minister, Iran's new Supreme Leader vowed revenge, and the IDF is still running wide-scale strikes across Iran and southern Lebanon. The Fed announced no interest rate cuts this month — or likely this year — because starting a war with no plan tends to complicate things. Gas nationally jumped nearly a dollar a gallon in under four weeks, wholesale food prices hit their biggest spike in a year, and that's before oil prices fully filter through to grocery shelves. Trump's solution is to quietly waive sanctions on Venezuelan, Russian, and Iranian oil — the sanctions he spent years bragging about. On Capitol Hill, Tulsi Gabbard testified at the Worldwide Threats Hearing and managed to both defend the war and confirm that Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, and Pakistan are jointly developing nuclear missile systems targeting the U.S. homeland — apparently without noticing the tension there. She declined to confirm Russia is arming Iran, even as it's actively happening. Markwayne Mullin's DHS confirmation hearing got contentious, with Rand Paul making clear he's a no. The Fed held rates steady and basically told Trump to stop asking. In a bombshell report, the New York Times published allegations from more than 60 sources — including civil rights icon and UFW co-founder Dolores Huerta — that labor hero Cesar Chavez groomed and sexually abused girls as young as 12 within the movement. Huerta, now 95, said the abuse led to the birth of two children she placed for adoption, and that she stayed silent for 60 years knowing she would be pushed out of the movement she helped build. Her statement is devastating and worth reading in full. And Meta shut down Horizon Worlds — its virtual reality social network that almost no one used and that cost the company a reported $77 billion. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: Bloomberg: Cuba's Worst Fuel Crisis in Decades May Get Relief From Russia WSJ: Russia Is Sharing Satellite Imagery and Drone Technology With Iran  CNBC: Israel says it has killed Iran's intelligence minister in third assassination in two days NBC News: Tulsi Gabbard in spotlight after top official resigns in protest over Iran war The Hill: CIA director confirms Iran seeking intelligence support from Russia, China NBC News: Live updates: Senators clash with Trump's homeland security pick; intel officials testify on top threats CNBC: The Fed issues its latest interest rate decision Wednesday. Here's what to expect WSJ: Oil Rises After Israel Strikes Iran Gas Field and Tehran Hits Qatar Fuel Hub AP News: US wholesale prices rose by a surprisingly hot 3.4% last month, the most in a year AP News: US eases Venezuela oil sanctions as Trump seeks to boost world oil supply during Iran war NYT: Cesar Chavez, a Civil Rights Icon, Is Accused of Abusing Girls for Years NYT: Dolores Huerta Issues Statement on Cesar Chavez Sexual Abuse Allegations CNBC:  Meta is shutting down VR social platform Horizon Worlds in further pivot away from the metaverse  Subscribe to the Betches News Room and join the Morning Announcements group chat. Go to: ⁠⁠⁠betchesnews.substack.com Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kim Jong Un was re-elected as North Korea's leader, Trump's counterterrorism chief quit over the Iran war, Rep. Markwayne Mullin might not be the best pick to run DHS, and cousins can still marry each other in Florida. Friend of the show Edward Norton stops by with no project to promote, just a poem in his back pocket. Hear this extended cut of Stephen's interview with Edward Norton including a performance of a section from Walt Whitman's “Crossing Brooklyn Ferry.” To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Description In this episode the hosts react to a flurry of political confrontations on Capitol Hill, including Senator Mark Wayne Mullen's DHS nomination hearing and a heated exchange with Senator Rand Paul. They review Tulsi Gabbard's testimony that she was sent by President Trump to observe FBI activity in Fulton County, and debate the intelligence community's role, election security concerns, and allegations about foreign voting and investigatory actions. The show also covers infighting within GOP-aligned networks, commentary about figures like Roger Stone, Tucker Carlson, and General Flynn, and the influence of Q-related accounts and online narratives. On foreign policy, the hosts discuss recent U.S. operations in Iran and the intelligence community's annual threat assessment, touching on regional security, cyber threats, and strategic competition with China, Russia, North Korea and others. Additional segments look at personnel changes, resignations, social media reactions, and the program's perspective on MAGA movement dynamics and audience engagement.

The political drama is heating up as tensions explode inside the GOP. Joe Kent's sudden resignation sends shockwaves through conservative circles, while Candace Owens sparks major backlash after defending Kent and criticizing Trump.We break down the growing divide within MAGA, including reactions from Ben Shapiro, Michael Knowles, and others as the debate over loyalty, foreign policy, and messaging intensifies.Meanwhile, Trump takes aim at NATO, new polling shows strong MAGA support for military action, and Marco Rubio weighs in on Cuba. On Capitol Hill, Democrats and Republicans clash over funding, TSA warnings raise security concerns, and fears of airport shutdowns loom.Plus: North Korea's latest “election,” rumors about Netanyahu debunked, media spin surrounding the White House leaks, and the latest cultural chaos from TikTok to reality TV.Is this the start of a larger fracture on the right? Or just another moment of political infighting?SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS TO SUPPORT OUR SHOW!Backyard Butchers: Lock in under $10/meal while beef prices climb at https://BackyardButchers.com/Chicks Code CHICKS auto-applies for 30% off first order + 2 free 10-oz ribeyes + free shipping!Achieve better sleep this spring with REM Sleep from Healthycell.  Go to https://Healthycell.com/Chicks with code CHICKS20—no pile of pills needed.Get up to 43% off, free shipping, and a free rechargeable frother with code CHICKS at MUDWTR — at https://MUDWTR.com/Chicks Don't forget to let them know we sent you!Register for Bulwark Capital's free “Cutting Through Market Noise” live webinar April 2nd, 3:30pm Pacific and get your free Know Your Risk Portfolio Review. Visit https://KnowYourRiskPodcast.comSubscribe and stay tuned for new episodes every weekday!Follow us here for more daily clips, updates, and commentary:YoutubeFacebookInstagramTikTokXLocalsMore InfoWebsite

Author & Geopolitics Expert Gordon Chang joins Sid to discuss the Iran conflict and rising oil prices are financially benefiting Russia and could tilt the Russia-Ukraine war of attrition in Moscow's favor, despite Chang saying Ukraine currently has battlefield initiative. Chang argues the U.S. should seize Russian “dark ships” and stop Iranian oil transits through the Strait of Hormuz to cut funding for Russia and Iran. He says the conflicts are interconnected in a broader global struggle against Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea, and claims China is aiding Iran with intelligence and weapons, making it inappropriate for President Trump to visit Beijing, a trip Trump postponed. Chang supports Trump's actions against Iran, citing Iran's enriched uranium and missile capabilities, and disputes outgoing counterterrorism director Joe Kent's claim of no imminent threat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, NK News Data Correspondent Anton Sokolin opens the episode with a roundup of recent developments on the Korean Peninsula, including the resumption of China-North Korea passenger rail service and plans to restart flights. He also touches on the DPRK's weekend test of multiple launch rocket systems, as well as how Russian media is portraying the North's involvement in the Ukraine war.  missile launches, such as the tests of long-range multiple launch rocket systems, as well as the regime's growing ties with Russia, including how the DPRK's involvement in the Ukraine war is being portrayed by Russian media. In the second half of the episode, Peter Ward discusses his latest research on North Korea's legal system and expanding crackdowns on a range of “unsocialist activities.” He explains how the regime balances enforcement and tolerance in the economic sphere while tightening control over information and ideology. The interview also explores broader trends under leader Kim Jong Un, including shifts in elite politics, the evolution of North Korea's nuclear strategy and the outcome of the recent Ninth Party Congress. Peter Ward is a research fellow at the Sejong Institute. His work focuses on North Korean politics, the economy and society. He has a Ph.D. from the University of Vienna. About the podcast: The North Korea News Podcast is a weekly podcast hosted by Jacco Zwetsloot exclusively for NK News, covering all things DPRK — from news to extended interviews with leading experts and analysts in the field, along with insight from our very own journalists.

It's been a few days since we last looked at the Persian Gulf crisis, and events are racing forward at such a pace that the only sensible approach is to take a step back and examine the deeper patterns. Behind the headlines about Trump's impulsive decision-making lies a far more consequential story: the moment when a medium-sized power with cheap drones and missiles can hold the world's energy supplies hostage, and the world's sole superpower finds itself with no good options.I begin with the decision-making in Washington—or rather, the absence of it. Trump, advised by Netanyahu and a handful of Fox News personalities, appears to have launched this war on a whim, assuming he could create "media noise" with no thought to an exit strategy. Military planners who understand the region have been overruled. The system of American governance has decayed to the point where a single egotistical hustler can launch the country into a no-win scenario.Why no-win? Because Iran has been preparing for this moment for years. Its arsenal of drones, rockets, missiles, mines, and attack boats makes the safe navigation of the Straits of Hormuz virtually impossible. The idea of an international naval flotilla—Trump's proposed solution—is laughable. You would have to maintain it forever, and Iran would interpret any passage not agreeable to them as a hostile act.I draw a historical parallel: the Dardanelles campaign of 1915. The reason the Allies landed at Gallipoli was because the first attempt to sail through the straits ended in disaster, with British and French ships sunk by shore-based fortifications. The Straits of Hormuz will become exactly that kind of killing zone. It doesn't matter how big your navy is. How many capital ships is America willing to sacrifice for a war Trump started on a whim? How many American lives before the outcry sweeps him from office?The asymmetry of war is changing. Cheap, mass-produced drones—with motorcycle engines and mobile phones for guidance—can overwhelm anti-missile systems like Patriot and THAAD. Aircraft carriers, the symbol of American power for eighty years, may no longer be the tools for enforcing world order that they once were. China has been signalling this for years with its spectacular drone displays over Beijing: "Imagine what we can do if we attach something to them."Then there are the geopolitical consequences. Europe will rapidly rapproche with Russia to access cheap hydrocarbons. The Ukraine war will likely be settled in Russia's favour. The push for renewables will gain a new argument: national security, liberation from Trump's whims. Rachel Reeves, the British Chancellor, has already signalled where the wind is blowing, choosing Ursula von der Leyen over Trump when asked.The special relationship is dying. Suez was a humiliation; this is worse. The British political class is finally waking up to the reality that clinging to America's coat-tails no longer offers protection—only entanglement in unwinnable wars.And then there's Israel. Nuclear-armed, increasingly isolated, and with an American public whose support has reached an all-time low. If America withdraws from the Gulf, what sense does it make to support Israel as Iran's key enemy? But Israel has always reserved the right to act unilaterally. The situation between Iran and Israel is the one that will continue, long after the current crisis resolves—if it resolves.I end with two possible futures: a quick resolution where Trump claims an illusory victory and moves on, or a protracted conflict that drags the world into an endless energy crisis. Either way, the lesson of North Korea has been learned: the only protection against American aggression is a nuclear weapon. Iran will never sign another enrichment treaty.Explaining History helps you understand the 20th Century through critical conversations and expert interviews. We connect the past to the present. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and share.▸ Support the Show & Get Exclusive ContentBecome a Patron: patreon.com/explaininghistory▸ Join the Community & Continue the ConversationFacebook Group: facebook.com/groups/ExplainingHistoryPodcastSubstack: theexplaininghistorypodcast.substack.com▸ Read Articles & Go DeeperWebsite: explaininghistory.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Barry has published his memoir Hey now, I am your host, Ric Gazarian. This is a special episode with Barry Hoffner. Barry is a former guest on Counting Countries and I encourage you to listen to this episode to hear his entire story. I followed Barry on IG and then connected with him over a call. Barry is an accomplished traveler but what I noted was his impressive philanthropic work in West Africa. In fact, I was so impressed I invited Barry to be a keynote speaker at the ETF in Bangkok in 2024. His story of giving back needed to be shared. Belonging To The World (affiliate) is his memoir which was published on March 3. This link will bring you to the Kindle version on Amazon. I have read this book, and I highly recommend it. The book traces Barry's life from work to travel to family. And he shared a horrific tragedy as he loses his wife in a shocking accident in Botswana. Barry turns to travel to deal with his immense grief. This is a fantastic book whether you are into extreme travel or to witness one man's resilience in the face of grief. Please remember the next Extraordinary Travel Festival will be on October 22-25 in 2026. You can join the event and use code BANGKOK. I am excited to share a new keynote speaker, Eunhee Park. She is an extraordinary traveler but not in the traditional sense of what we are familiar with in our community. Eunhee was born in North Korea, and she embarked on a dangerous journey as she escaped DPRK at the risk of losing everything as she made her way to freedom. She will share her journey with us at the ETF. Consider joining our Instagram and Facebook groups and signing up for the ETF newsletter. Any questions, please let me know. I was in Bangkok while Barry was in Hawaii for this recording. Please listen in and enjoy. Thank you to my Patrons - you rock!! … Bisa Myles, Ted Nims, Adam Hickman, Steph Rowe, Simen Flotvik Mathisen, Ed Hotchkiss, Barry Hoffner, Katelyn Jarvis, Philippe Izedian, Gin Liutkeviciute, Sunir Joshi, Carole Southam, Sonia Zimmermann, Justine, Per Flisberg, Jorge Serpa, Sam Williams, Scott Day, Dana Mahoutchian, Mihai Dascalu, Ryan Knott, Zipping Around The World Podcast, and Shawn McDonough. Be the first on your block to sport official Counting Countries apparel! And now you can listen to Counting Countries on Spotify! And Alexa! Subscribe on Apple Podcasts today! And write a review! More about Erik Futtrup Counting Countries: Instagram And check out Thor Pedersen: The Impossible Journey (Amazon US Kindle (affiliate)): https://amzn.to/46pRuDi Other book options: Thor Pedersen | Instagram, Facebook, TikTok | Linktree About Counting Countries Counting Countries is the only podcast to bring you the stories from the dedicated few who've spent their lives on the singular quest of traveling to every country in the world. Less people have traveled to every country in the world than have been to outer space. Theme music for this podcast is Demeter's Dance, written, performed, and provided by Mundi. About GlobalGaz Ric Gazarian is the host of Counting Countries. He is the author of three books: Hit The Road: India, 7000 KM To Go, and Photos From Chernobyl. He is the producer of two travel documentaries: Hit The Road: India and Hit The Road: Cambodia. Ric is also on his own quest to visit every country in the world. You can see where he has traveled so far and keep up with his journey at GlobalGaz.com How Many Countries Are There? Well… that depends on who you ask! The United Nations states that there are 193 member states. The British Foreign and Commonwealth office states that there are 226 countries and territories. The Traveler's Century Club states that there are 329 sovereign nations, territories, enclaves, and islands. The Nomad Mania divides the world into 1301 regions. The Most Traveled Person states that there are 1500 unique parts of the world. SISO says there are 3,978 places in the world. And the video that explains it all! Me? My goal is the 193 countries that are recognized by the UN, but I am sure I will visit some other places along the way. An analysis of these lists and who is the best traveled by Kolja Spori. Disclaimer: There are affiliates in this post. Erik Futtrup Counting Countries

North Korea fired what appeared to be around ten missiles into the Sea of Japan as America and South Korea carried out joint military exercises, which they claim are defensive Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to What Matters Now, a weekly podcast exploring key issues currently shaping Israel and the Jewish World, with host Amanda Borschel-Dan speaking with Bret Stephens, a The New York Times columnist and the editor-in-chief of Sapir magazine. Recent polling indicates that only roughly half of Americans support the US-Israel war against Iran's Islamist regime. Stephens weighs in on why the current conflict can be both "Trump's war" and a just war. Far from feeling that Israel dragged the US into this war, he says that for the first time in recent history, the US has a partner with whom to wage a war. "This war is different, not because it's a war for Israel. It's a war with Israel," says Stephens. But is the American public capable of internalizing the Iranian regime as an existential threat? In answer, Stephens asks whether a patient with stage II cancer should be advised to wait to treat it until it develops into stage IV. "Thank goodness we're acting now rather than just waiting on events," says Stephens. Assessing today's global dynamics and the authoritarian axis of Iran, Russia, North Korea and China, he turns to the 1930s, when the world was experiencing a series of conflicts that eventually led to World War II. He warns there is no Hollywood ending in sight. And so this week, we ask Bret Stephens, what matters now. What Matters Now podcasts are available for download on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Gabriella Jacobs and edited by Ari Schlacht. IMAGE: New York Times columnist Bret Stephens (YouTube screenshot) / Beirut, Lebanon, March 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1. No Endless War or Ground Occupation Strong emphasis that this is not Iraq or Afghanistan: No large ground invasion No nation-building No long-term occupation Military strategy described as rapid, overwhelming, air-dominant action. Confidence that U.S. casualties will be minimal and duration short. 2. Military Action Against Iran Is Justified as Self-Defense The conflict is framed as a response to 47 years of Iranian aggression, including: Sponsorship of terrorism Killing nearly a thousand Americans Attempted assassinations of U.S. officials Iran is described as an irrational, theocratic death cult, making deterrence unreliable. Nuclear capability in Iran is portrayed as an existential threat to U.S. cities. 3. This Is “America First,” Not a War for Israel Repeated rejection of claims that the war is driven by Israel or Jewish influence. Such claims are labeled dishonest, antisemitic, and propaganda. The stated motivation: protecting American lives and national security. 4. Gas Prices Are a Short-Term Political Weapon Gas price increases are framed as temporary and expected due to Middle East conflict. Democrats are accused of exploiting gas prices the same way they previously focused on egg prices. The speaker argues prices are still lower than under Biden, despite rising from recent lows. Long-term expectation: Iran’s collapse would lower global gas prices. 5. Strong Leadership vs. Weak Appeasement Trump is decisive and feared by adversaries. Obama and Biden are criticized for appeasement and failed nuclear deals. Past diplomatic failures (North Korea, Iran nuclear deal) are cited as evidence diplomacy failed. 6. Harsh Criticism of Tucker Carlson and Isolationists Tucker Carlson is accused of: Spreading anti-American propaganda Echoing Islamist narratives Undermining U.S. troops His statements about unconditional surrender and nuclear escalation are called: False Dangerous Morally grotesque Isolationist conservatives are grouped with progressive Democrats as a shared threat to U.S. foreign policy. 7. Iranian Regime Change Is Seen as Necessary The appointment of a new Iranian leader (son of the former Ayatollah) is rejected. Any continuation of clerical Islamist rule is deemed unacceptable. Regime collapse is framed as the only path to lasting security. 8. Deterrence Fails with Religious Extremism Comparison between North Korea and Iran: North Korea: dangerous but rational Iran: irrational due to religious ideology Argument: Traditional nuclear deterrence does not work with actors who glorify martyrdom. 9. Public Opinion Depends on Duration and Casualties Acknowledgment that support would collapse if: War drags on for years U.S. casualties rise significantly Confidence expressed that this outcome is “near zero.” 10. Closing Shift to Religion and AI Ends with an unexpected, uplifting segment: An AI-generated Christian apologetic is quoted at length. The response argues Christianity is intellectually compelling, historically grounded, and uniquely truthful. Used to: Provide hope amid global uncertainty Reinforce moral clarity and worldview coherence Please Hit Subscribe to this podcast Right Now. Also Please Subscribe to the 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson and The Ben Ferguson Show Podcast Wherever You get You're Podcasts. And don't forget to follow the show on Social Media so you never miss a moment! Thanks for Listening YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VerdictwithTedCruz/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/verdictwithtedcruz X: https://x.com/tedcruz X: https://x.com/benfergusonshowYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VerdictwithTedCruzSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"God, where are You working in aviation that I can participate?" Throughout his life, Steve Russell, CEO and President of Jungle Aviation and Relay Service (better known as JAARS) has asked the Lord what He had in store next. That pattern continued when he earned his pilot's license; he wondered how the Lord would use that new skill to open doors for Kingdom impact. Little did he know God would use it to move him toward leadership in a global missions effort! Long before Russell arrived at JAARS, God was giving him experiences to prepare him for this season of service. Steve will share how the Lord led him from ministry as a youth pastor to the military, including leading a U.S. Army unit involved in the capture of Saddam Hussein in Iraq. Later, God moved him into government service, including in the State of Oklahoma and the U.S. House of Representatives. Now, at JAARS, he leads a worldwide mission working to facilitate delivery of God's Word into the hardest-to-reach places in the world.  Steve will also explain JAARS' history and its historic connection to Wycliffe Bible Translators. Hear how you can pray for JAARS' pilots, mechanics, and technicians, and other aspects of the ministry of JAARS. Also check out their podcast, Uncharted.  The VOM App for your smartphone or tablet will help you pray daily for persecuted Christians in nations like North Korea, Nigeria, Iran, and Bangladesh, as well as provide free access to e-books, audiobooks, video content, and feature films. Download the VOM App for your iOS or Android device today.

This week we start by looking at Rocket Man’s latest missile launch, and why China lets him stay around, followed by more thoughts on China and Iran, and then China’s attempts to hack Starlink. Lastly, this week’s Pray for China cities includes a ton of stories and memories. Welcome to China Compass on the Fight Laugh Feast network! I'm your China travel guide in exile, Missionary Ben. Follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I share a new Chinese city or county to pray for every single day. Feel free to write anytime: chinacompass@privacyport.com. All my books, substack, patreon, and everything else can be easily found at PrayGiveGo.us! The Autobiography of John G. Paton (JohnGPaton.com) Borden of Yale: The Millionaire Missionary (BordenofYale.com) Unbeaten: Arrested, Interrogated, and Deported from China (Unbeaten.vip) North Korea Launches Missiles Towards Japan https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/10-launches-raise-alarm-all-about-north-korea-ballistic-missile-firings-towards-the-sea-of-japan-101773476107021.html Xi Torn Between Iran and US https://asia.nikkei.com/editor-s-picks/china-up-close/analysis-xi-torn-between-long-ties-with-khameneis-and-us-relations Starlink Creates Hurdles In China’s Plans to Someday Overwhelm Taiwan https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/starlinks-role-in-ukraine-war-set-the-chinese-thinking-about-hurdles-to-its-possible-seizure-of Now let's take a look at this coming week's Pray for China (PrayforChina.us) cities… https://chinacall.substack.com/p/pray-for-china-mar-15-21-2026 Thank you for listening! Subscribe + leave a review on your preferred podcast platform! If you’d like to support our China ministry, that, and everything else can be found @ PrayGiveGo.us. Luke 10, vs 2: the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few, so let's ask the Lord for more!

This is a special edition of the New York Institute for the Humanities' Vault podcast. On October 10, 2025, NYU's Journalism Institute hosted a day-long conference titled Podcast Intellectuals: Producing Original Scholarship with Audio. Over the course of three panels, scholars, podcasters, and journalists discuss how academics might employ the techniques of narrative audio as part of their research. In this third, and final, panel, Robert Boynton moderates a conversation which asks, “Can podcasts save the university?” In it, Joy Connolly, Barry Lam, and Dr. Aurora Hutchinson discuss what role podcasts might play in the university's system of hiring, promotion and tenure.  Robert S. Boynton is the director of the Literary Reportage program, and associate director of NYU's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute. He is author of The Invitation Only Zone: The True Story of North Korea' s Abduction Project, and The New New Journalism. Joy Connolly is president of the American Council of Learned Societies and a scholar of ancient Roman political thought and literature. At ACLS, she has led initiatives such as Doctoral Futures to broaden the scope and reach of humanistic inquiry. She is the author of The State of Speech and The Life of Roman Republicanism, and is completing a new book called All the World' s Pasts. Professor Barry Lam earned a Ph.D. in Philosophy from Princeton, taught at Vassar, and recently moved to UC Riverside. He is the host and executive producer of Hi-Phi Nation, a story-driven podcast about philosophy, at Slate magazine. He is also an Associate Director of the Marc Sanders Foundation, which promotes excellence in philosophy and public philosophy. Dr Lauren Arora Hutchinson, previously a BBC journalist, is an award-winning audio storyteller, an academic, and the inaugural director of the Dracopoulos-Bloomberg iDeas Lab, a studio and incubator for world class stories at the intersection of science, ethics, medicine and public health, at the Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics. Lauren's immersive audio work has premiered at IDFA and the Venice Film Festival. She has a PhD in History of Science with a focus on Oral History, and was a Wellcome Trust Imperial Media Fellow. She is the host of the signal award winning podcast playing god? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

This is a special edition of the New York Institute for the Humanities' Vault podcast. On October 10, 2025, NYU's Journalism Institute hosted a day-long conference titled Podcast Intellectuals: Producing Original Scholarship with Audio. Over the course of three panels, scholars, podcasters, and journalists discuss how academics might employ the techniques of narrative audio as part of their research. In this third, and final, panel, Robert Boynton moderates a conversation which asks, “Can podcasts save the university?” In it, Joy Connolly, Barry Lam, and Dr. Aurora Hutchinson discuss what role podcasts might play in the university's system of hiring, promotion and tenure.  Robert S. Boynton is the director of the Literary Reportage program, and associate director of NYU's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute. He is author of The Invitation Only Zone: The True Story of North Korea' s Abduction Project, and The New New Journalism. Joy Connolly is president of the American Council of Learned Societies and a scholar of ancient Roman political thought and literature. At ACLS, she has led initiatives such as Doctoral Futures to broaden the scope and reach of humanistic inquiry. She is the author of The State of Speech and The Life of Roman Republicanism, and is completing a new book called All the World' s Pasts. Professor Barry Lam earned a Ph.D. in Philosophy from Princeton, taught at Vassar, and recently moved to UC Riverside. He is the host and executive producer of Hi-Phi Nation, a story-driven podcast about philosophy, at Slate magazine. He is also an Associate Director of the Marc Sanders Foundation, which promotes excellence in philosophy and public philosophy. Dr Lauren Arora Hutchinson, previously a BBC journalist, is an award-winning audio storyteller, an academic, and the inaugural director of the Dracopoulos-Bloomberg iDeas Lab, a studio and incubator for world class stories at the intersection of science, ethics, medicine and public health, at the Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics. Lauren's immersive audio work has premiered at IDFA and the Venice Film Festival. She has a PhD in History of Science with a focus on Oral History, and was a Wellcome Trust Imperial Media Fellow. She is the host of the signal award winning podcast playing god? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we start by looking at Rocket Man’s latest missile launch, and why China lets him stay around, followed by more thoughts on China and Iran, and then China’s attempts to hack Starlink. Lastly, this week’s Pray for China cities includes a ton of stories and memories. Welcome to China Compass on the Fight Laugh Feast network! I'm your China travel guide in exile, Missionary Ben. Follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I share a new Chinese city or county to pray for every single day. Feel free to write anytime: chinacompass@privacyport.com. All my books, substack, patreon, and everything else can be easily found at PrayGiveGo.us! The Autobiography of John G. Paton (JohnGPaton.com) Borden of Yale: The Millionaire Missionary (BordenofYale.com) Unbeaten: Arrested, Interrogated, and Deported from China (Unbeaten.vip) North Korea Launches Missiles Towards Japan https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/10-launches-raise-alarm-all-about-north-korea-ballistic-missile-firings-towards-the-sea-of-japan-101773476107021.html Xi Torn Between Iran and US https://asia.nikkei.com/editor-s-picks/china-up-close/analysis-xi-torn-between-long-ties-with-khameneis-and-us-relations Starlink Creates Hurdles In China’s Plans to Someday Overwhelm Taiwan https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/starlinks-role-in-ukraine-war-set-the-chinese-thinking-about-hurdles-to-its-possible-seizure-of Now let's take a look at this coming week's Pray for China (PrayforChina.us) cities… https://chinacall.substack.com/p/pray-for-china-mar-15-21-2026 Thank you for listening! Subscribe + leave a review on your preferred podcast platform! If you’d like to support our China ministry, that, and everything else can be found @ PrayGiveGo.us. Luke 10, vs 2: the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few, so let's ask the Lord for more!

ESPN's The Far Post is breaking down the Matildas' 2-1 win over North Korea. Join Anna Harrington, Angela Christian-Wilkes, Marissa Lordanic, and Sam Lewis as we chat about the weird game, Alanna Kennedy's golden boot-worthy campaign, praise Mackenzie Arnold and Kaitlyn Torpey, and discuss if Hayley Raso and Steph Catley should be included for the semifinal. We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which this podcast was recorded and produced on: the Whadjuk Nyoongar and the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation.   Follow The Far Post on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠espn.com.au⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or download the ESPN App. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this fascinating interview with nuclear expert Ankit Panda we discuss the escalating conflict following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran and its implications for global nuclear deterrence. He argues that Iran's strategy appears aimed at regionalizing the conflict across the Gulf to generate diplomatic pressure, while questioning the credibility of claims about Iran's imminent nuclear weapons capability. We discussed:How the succession to Ayatollah Khamenei's more hardline son could alter Iran's longstanding restraint on both missile ranges and nuclear weaponization.The troubling lessons other nations (particularly U.S. adversaries like North Korea) may draw from Iran's fate (nuclear weapons provide the ultimate deterrent against regime change). How both adversarial and allied proliferation dynamics are re-surging in ways unseen since the Cold War, with countries from Seoul to Stockholm reconsidering their nuclear postures. Panda critiques last year's bombing campaign as ultimately counterproductive to nonproliferation goals, leaving 400 kilograms of highly enriched uranium unaccounted for and eliminating IAEA verification continuity. Despite the current trajectory, Panda maintains that any sustainable resolution to Iran's nuclear program will require diplomatic engagement—though achieving that will prove extraordinarily difficult given how recent events have validated North Korea's narrative about the risks of cooperation with the West.Bio: Ankit Panda is the Stanton Senior Fellow in the Nuclear Policy Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, where he focuses on nuclear strategy, escalation, missiles and missile defense, space security, and US alliances. He is the author of Kim Jong Un and the Bomb: Survival and Deterrence in North Korea and Indo-Pacific Missile Arsenals: Avoiding Spirals and Mitigating Risks, and his forthcoming book is The New Nuclear Age: At the Precipice of Armageddon. His work has appeared in outlets including the New York Times, the Economist, the Washington Post, Foreign Affairs, and the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, and he serves as editor-at-large at The Diplomat, where he hosts the Asia Geopolitics podcast.

Darrell Castle talks about the fact, proven over centuries, that war is easy to start but hard to get out of and if one gets out, the continuing effects exist long into the future. Transcription / Notes THE SHELF LIFE OF THE IRANIAN WAR Hello, this is Darrell Castle with today's Castle Report. This is Friday the 13th day of March in the year of our Lord 2026. Once again my beat is war and Friday the 13th seems like a good day to talk about something so unpleasant. I will be talking about the fact, proven over centuries, that war is easy to start but hard to get out of and if one gets out the continuing effects exist long into the future. Yes, this is Friday the 13th once again and we are only two days from the Ides of March which was the date of Julius Ceasar's assassination on 15 March 44 BC. He was born in 100 BC so by my rough calculations that would make him 2126 years old today. Why talk about Ceasar more than 2000 years after his death, because he has been the gold standard for leaders who became emperors since then. Emperors in Rome, for example, continued to be called Ceasar after his death and today we ask as did Shakespear, upon what meat doth this our Ceasar feed that he has grown so strong. Our Ceasar today has certainly grown strong. But I submit that his meat is money and especially oil. Reports say that the U.S. has borrowed more than $50 billion per month for the last 5 months and that this war is costing in excess of $1 billion per day. The more important problem is oil and how much does it cost. The price of oil at the pump for the American consumer is what will determine if the U.S. can stay at war indefinitely or will have to declare victory and come home. It's really hard to just come home when you have demanded unconditional surrender in an undeclared war. Gas prices have accelerated but there are still a few desperation moves to temporarily moderate them. For the average American rising gas prices mean lowered standard of living because the real effect is similar to a cut in pay. The employer doesn't increase wages because it costs more to get to work so you have a lower standard of living and lowered optimism. Oil effects virtually everything price wise because everything has to be made or harvested and transported and that drives up the cost of living for each American. Iran is a major source of oil for the world or at least it was. Iran was a major supplier of oil to China with about 45% of China's 11 million barrels per day of imports passing through the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. That Strait is now closed by Iranian mines and anti-ship missiles. The administration has made it clear that the Iranian navy and air force are no more so this closing is a little hard to understand. Reports stated that the U.S. Navy sank 10 or 11 mine layers earlier this week so my question is why not sink them before they laid the mines. The end of Iranian oil has created opportunities for others to step up production which I imagine has made Russia and Vladimir Putin quite happy. The world price of oil is rising rapidly which puts money into Rusia for domestic use and to prosecute the Ukrainian war. Trump is very aware of the effect of rising oil prices on his poll numbers and on the upcoming mid-term elections so he has taken steps to alleviate it. He and Mr. Putin had what was described as a very good call on the 9th and Russia has been freed from sanctions to sell its oil on the world market. It will be a little higher in price for China than the cheap Iranian oil but nevertheless it will help. Trump is also freeing up several million barrels from the strategic petroleum reserve something he criticized Biden for doing to help his poll numbers. China has to be hurting from all this war and oil strangulation because reports are that about 90% of Chinese oil came from Venezuela, Iran and Russia and now only Russia is left. Perhaps telling China that it will no longer get energy from the Western Hemisphere or from U.S. allies is the point of the war. That is just speculation on my part but with the attack on the cartels in collaboration with other South and Latin American countries it makes sense. Rising energy prices will be hard for China's export driven economy to absorb because it makes all their exports less affordable worldwide. Trump is scheduled to travel to China later this month to meet with Xi Jinping so we'll see how that goes. So, as the title of this Castle Report suggests the U.S. and Israel need to end the war before prices in the U.S. rise so much they effect public support for the administration. There are many events from war that can be hidden or censored from the public but it is hard to hide price increases at the pump. Casualties can be hidden to a certain extent for example getting real casualty figures has been close to impossible so far. We learned this week that at least 8 Americans and today 4 crewmen in a refueling tanker died so 12 are now dead and about 150 wounded. Some of those are gravely wounded with brain injuries and burns and may not recover. Those numbers have been censored but they leak out so accurate or not, we can't be certain. The other thing that is easier to censor from Americans is damage to infrastructure and casualty figures from others targeted because they host Americans. The U.S. bases and embassies in several of the Gulf States including Saudi Arabia have been seriously damaged by missile and drone attacks. In addition, the attacks have hit infrastructure and civilians which have nothing to do with Americans. These problems are much harder to solve because no one seems to know who is currently in charge in Iran. The Supreme Leader is dead and his son was appointed in his place. He might be dead or wounded but for some reason he seems to no longer be in charge. The very religious and new Islamic supreme leader apparently owns about $140 million of prime real estate in London's billionaire row. Does he control the military, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps or (IRGC) and if not who does. There are indications that no one does and the IRGC is acting on orders of individual officers. That would explain why the new leader apologizes to the Arab states which Iran attacked and said it was a mistake which would not be repeated. The attacks continued after his apology as if it had not been made. The U.S. cost of living and that of the world for that matter is why the Strait of Hormuz seems likely to be the deciding point of the length of U.S. involvement. A war of conquest with a ground invasion of Iran would probably be long, bloody, and very expensive and therefore can't happen. Oh, wait I'm sorry I mean it can't happen if there are rational, non-insane people making the decisions. The key to the war, then, is the battle to keep the Strait open and with it the flow of oil. Air power can probably destroy the IRGC and that should make it somewhat easier, but we have known since the end of World War ll that air power alone will not make determined people give up their homeland. The options then seem to me to be destroy the IRGC very quickly, which may or may not be possible, somehow get a new regime into power which can control them and which also may not be possible, or just fight it out however long it takes in the Strait. I guess some combination of all three is also possible. I am certain that Trump wants out of this mess, but I doubt if the Israelis do.  He held a meeting this week with the heads of various defense firms and told them to ramp up production of missiles both cruise and Patriot air defense missiles so the U.S. is running low. The Iranians answer by making 100,000 suicide drones at $20,000 each instead of the multi-million missiles to attempt to shoot them down. The Iranian tactic seems to be the rope-a-dope whereby the U.S. fires all its missiles then the Kamikaze drones counterattack. People tried to warn Trump but apparently he wasn't listening or had bad advisers as well. My own view, and this is pure speculation on my part, is that Trump believes that World Warlll has already started but it is a cold war right now pitting many forces against each other. We have what Reagan called the axis of evil consisting of China, Russia, Venezuela, Iran and North Korea. Two of those are gone and the rest are nuclear armed. Trump is apparently trying to cozy up to Putin which I imagine makes Xi a little nervous. Then we have the forces of the European global elite as managed by the World Economic Forum and its great reset of global bureaucracy and its unelected world government. Opposing those we have the American way of individual nation states living in freedom so that seems like the battle to me. In conclusion, I remember the wise words of a man I once heard say that if I am proud of anything about my life I am proudest of my humility. Well, I echo that now and admit that I know very little firsthand just what logic and research produce so I use my best guess powered by some experience. I know from history that the Middle East contains a lot of people with long memories. Apparently they are still settling disputes that happened over 1000 years ago. Finally, folks, children don't start wars they just die in them. It is a terrible thing to go to war and this one seems especially brutal. It appears that this attack was unprovoked and that makes it even sadder. I pray that it ends soon. At least that's the way I see it, Until next time folks, This is Darell Castle, Thanks for listening.

1897 ENTRY OF THE KING OF PERSIAThe following individuals joined the discussion to analyze the current geopolitical and economic landscape: (1)*   Gordon Chang, Columnist and co-host *   Peter Huessy, President of Geostrategic Analysis and Fellow at the National Institute for Deterrent Studies *   Alan Tonelson, Manufacturing and trade expert who blogs at *Reality Check* *   Rebecca Grant, Vice President of the Lexington Institute (2)### Summary of Geopolitical Instability and Global Consequences (3)Global Economic "Tsunami" and Resource Shortages The potential closure or instability of the Strait of Hormuz poses a threat far beyond the price of oil, described by participants as a looming economic "tsunami". Critical shortages are building for products like fertilizer (urea), sulfur, and petroleum products used in high-end manufacturing. Sulfur is particularly vital as it is required to process the copper used in semiconductors and high-end electronics. While the U.S. may be self-sufficient in fertilizer, the heavy technology-dependent economies of East Asia, including Taiwan, face significant risks to their semiconductor production if these supply chains are severed. Recent reports indicate this threat is immediate, with three cargo ships, including a bulk carrier from Bangkok, recently hit by projectiles in the Strait. (4)China as a Hostile Trade Partner and Provocateur China is characterized as a "hostile trade partner" and an "enemy combatant" that wages proxy wars through Russia in Ukraine and Iran in the Middle East. Experts note that Iran's military capabilities are heavily supported by China, which provides supersonic missiles and the semiconductors found in Iranian drones. Furthermore, Iran's nuclear program is described as a subset of the North Korean program, which was historically promoted by China to keep the U.S. pinned down. Domestically, China continues to ignore promises to stop the flow of fentanyl precursors, with participants noting that leader Xi Jinping has now "dishonored" four such promises to U.S. presidents. (5)U.S. Navy Operational Limits The U.S. Navy is currently facing significant strain, described as being "tightly squeezed" regarding its aircraft carrier fleet. The USS Gerald R. Ford has seen its deployment extended to 11 months, performing continuous combat operations in the Mediterranean and Caribbean. Similarly, the USS Nimitz, which was scheduled for decommissioning, has had its service extended to participate in Southern Command exercises. Although these carriers possess "layered defense" systems capable of neutralizing Chinese supersonic missiles and drones, the Navy lacks a sufficient number of ships to maintain these global commitments indefinitely; while law requires 11 carriers, experts argue the current global challenge requires 15. (6)The "Brothers of Mayhem" Alliance The participants argue that China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea act as a coordinated group of "brothers of mayhem". This alliance is not merely fighting over territory or reputation but is engaged in a fundamental contest over "what kind of world we're going to live in". While the West seeks to maintain the status quo and open trade routes, this opposing bloc utilizes economic warfare, proxy conflicts, and the threat of nuclear escalation—such as China's hinted "first-strike" nuclear posture—to challenge Western hegemony. (7)

After nearly two decades in legal limbo, Sydney fashion designer Katie Perry has emerged victorious in a high-stakes trademark battle against global pop star Katy Perry. What began with a cease-and-desist letter in ended this week in the High Court, marking a definitive win for the small business owner who refused to back down. We sit down with the designer to discuss the emotional toll of a near 17-year "David and Goliath" fight and what this landmark ruling means for Australian entrepreneurs standing up to global giants. And in headlines today, All Australian non essential officials have been told to leave Israel & the UAE; The families of the Bondi terror attack vctims are concerned the royal commission will become a farce; The bodies of two backpackers have been found in floodwater in Qld; The Matildas face North Korea in the Asian Cup quarter finals in Perth tonight; Aussie Winter Paralympians service dogs steal the spotlight THE END BITS Support independent women's media Check out The Quicky Instagram here GET IN TOUCHShare your story, feedback, or dilemma! Send us a voice note or email us at thequicky@mamamia.com.au CREDITS Hosts: Taylah Strano & Claire Murphy Guest: Katie Perry, Australian fashion designer Audio Producer: Lu Hill Group Executive Producer: Ilaria BrophyBecome a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The BBC hears from Iranian residents about life under bombardment, as the US says its military campaign is a "resounding success" - and ahead of schedule. Tehran accuses its enemies of targeting civilians. We also hear from one of the world's biggest shipping companies about how it's unwilling to risk its employees and vessels by sailing through the Strait of Hormuz. In other news, passenger trains are set to resume between China and North Korea. And why some people think it's important to distinguish between books written by humans and AI.The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

1. Guests Gordon Chang and Peter Huessy discuss how Middle Eastconflict causes commodity shortages for China. They explore nuclear threatsfrom Iran and North Korea, noting China's role in promoting global proliferation. (1)1904 PEKING FRUITS

SHOW SCHEDULE 3-10-20261953 MOSSADEQH TRIAL TEHRAN### 1. Elizabeth Peek: Global Oil Resilience and AI Elizabeth Peak analyzes the global oil market's resilience, highlighting high US production and predicting short-term price volatility. She also explains how AI is rapidly improving corporate productivity, which she believes will drive stock market gains.,, (1)### 2. Elizabeth Peek: California's Economic Exodus Elizabeth Peak critiques Governor Gavin Newsom's management of California, citing high taxes and burdensome climate regulations. She notes a "steady exodus" of businesses and people to states like Texas and Florida due to extreme unaffordability. (2)### 3. Judy Dempsey: European Divisions and Energy Costs Judy Dempsey examines how the Iran conflict has divided European leaders. She highlights the immediate domestic impact of rising energy costs, noting that global oil prices act as a direct tax on families and inflation.,, (3)### 4. Judy Dempsey: German Political Shifts Judy Dempsey discusses the surprising resilience of the Green Party in a German economic powerhouse. While the Greens won pragmatically, she warns about the alarming rise of the far-right AfD party in upcoming Eastern elections. (4)### 5. Joseph Sternberg: Keir Starmer's Indecision Joseph Sternberg describes Prime Minister Keir Starmer as a "reluctant warrior" struggling with military readiness. He critiques Starmer's legalistic indecision and the lack of a credible economic growth plan to fund promised increases in defense.,, (5)### 6. Joseph Sternberg: Rise of the British Greens Joseph Sternberg explores the British Green Party's emergence as a socialist alternative to Labor. He explains how aggressive renewable energy targets have left the UK vulnerable to high prices and less resilient during international conflicts.,, (6)### 7. Mariam Waba: Egypt's Economic and Refugee Crisis Mariam Waba reports on Egypt's massive domestic fuel hikes amid regional turmoil. She analyzes President Sisi's challenge in managing multiple crises, including Muslim Brotherhood threats, military dominance of the economy, and nine million Sudanese refugees.,,, (7)### 8. Max Meizlish: Hezbollah's Illicit Financial Networks Max Meizlish exposes Al-Qard al-Hassan, Hezbollah's unregulated bank, as a hub for money laundering and gold smuggling. He urges the US Treasury to better resource investigators to track illicit funds used for funding terrorist activities.,,, (8)### 9. Joseph Sternberg: Starmer's Leadership Challenges Joseph Sternberg reiterates that Keir Starmer remains in a "state of total confusion" regarding Britain's role in the Iran conflict. He notes that Starmer's inability to unite his party undermines the country's strategic military standing.,, (9)### 10. Joseph Sternberg: Fragmentation of British Politics Joseph Sternberg analyzes the realignment of British politics, highlighting the Green Party's success with a socialist platform. He explains that while bi-elections show fragmentation, the UK's electoral system makes it difficult for small parties.,, (10)### 11. Daniel Mahoney: The Legacy of Norman Podhoretz Professor Daniel Mahoney honors Norman Podhoretz as a "man of letters" who defended high culture. He details Podhoretz's journey to neoconservatism and his fearless opposition to the cultural radicalism and nihilism of the 1960s., (11)### 12. Daniel Mahoney: Warnings of Rising Anti-Semitism Daniel Mahoney reflects on Podhoretz's warnings regarding rising anti-Semitism and "western self-hatred." He critiques the resurgence of anti-Semitic rhetoric in modern podcast culture and pleads for the defense of the Western inheritance and Israel., (12)### 13. Bud Weinstein: AI Data Centers and Electricity Bud Weinstein addresses the "half-truth" that AI data centers are causing electricity price hikes. He argues that grid congestion, lack of transmission investment, and regulatory issues—not AI—are the primary culprits for rising consumer bills., (13)### 14. Bud Weinstein: The Necessity of Coal and Petroleum Bud Weinstein stresses an "all of the above" energy strategy, noting that petroleum and coal remain vital for grid reliability during winter emergencies. He critiques the premature closing of coal plants as a driver of higher costs.,, (14)### 15. Bruce Bechtol: Iran-North Korea Missile Partnership Professor Bruce Bechtol details the strategic partnership between Iran and North Korea. He warns that North Korea has proliferated ICBM technology to Iran, providing them with systems capable of reaching the entire continental United States.,, (15)### 16. Bruce Bechtol: The Iranian Missile Arsenal Bruce Bechtol analyzes Iran's arsenal of North Korean-engineered missiles, including modified Scuds and Nodongs. He explains the challenge of locating mobile underground launchers and notes that North Korean technicians likely remain on the ground in Tehran.,,, (16)

### 15. Bruce Bechtol: Iran-North Korea Missile Partnership Professor Bruce Bechtol details the strategic partnership between Iran and North Korea. He warns that North Korea has proliferated ICBM technology to Iran, providing them with systems capable of reaching the entire continental United States.,, (15)1950 US VERSUS NORTH KOREA

Today's Headlines: The Pentagon finally broke out the spreadsheet: 140 U.S. troops wounded in the Iran war, 8 seriously, 108 back on duty. On the diplomatic side, Russia — yes, Russia — proposed a UN ceasefire resolution, because apparently Putin has opinions about attacking civilian infrastructure now. North Korea's Kim Jong Un called the strikes "illegal," which is a bold choice of words from a guy who just test-fired nuclear-capable cruise missiles for fun. The Trump administration quietly asked Israel to lay off Iran's oil infrastructure. Turns out when you're eyeing post-war economic arrangements, blowing up the oil fields isn't what you want. In “let's make things worse” news, Senator Lindsey Graham hit Fox News with a "FREE CUBA" hat and ominous promises that Cuba's "liberation" is coming, then swapped it for a "Make Iran Great Again" hat. Separately, Trump's DOJ has been quietly hunting for criminal charges against Cuba's top leaders since February — because why not? Meanwhile, the FBI has lost 300 counterterrorism agents since January, 45 fired, with sources warning the country is now "dangerously exposed." Cool. Meanwhile, New Mexico authorities are searching Jeffrey Epstein's Zorro Ranch after allegations that two girls may be buried there. The ranch is now owned by a Republican ex-Texas state senator running for comptroller, whose son works in the Trump administration.  Anthropic has filed two lawsuits against the Pentagon after being designated a supply chain risk in what it calls ideological retaliation. That designation has never been used against an American company before. On the Ticketmaster front: the DOJ settled its antitrust case, but most of the 40 states involved aren't buying it. A federal judge is telling them to accept or negotiate by the end of this week. Finally, the special election for Marjorie Taylor Greene's Georgia seat ended without a winner. The April 7 runoff will pit Trump-endorsed Republican Clay Fuller against Democrat Shawn Harris — a cattle farmer and retired brigadier general who actually out-performed the Trump pick. In MTG's own district. Interesting. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: Axios: 140 US service members injured in Iran war Axios: Scoop: U.S. asks Israel to halt strikes on Iran's energy infrastructure AP News: Live updates: US says 140 troops wounded in Iran war with no end in sight AP News: Russia seeks UN resolution urging all parties in Iran war to immediately halt military activities ABC News 4: 'We're marching through the world;' Graham continues push for more US intervention abroad MS Now: DOJ running quiet operation in Miami to hunt for charges on Cuban leaders, per sources MS Now: DOJ losing experienced counterterrorism minds at a critical time, say current and former officials CNN: New Mexico authorities search Zorro Ranch formerly owned by Epstein NYT: Anthropic Sues Department of Defense Over ‘Supply Chain Risk' Label AP News: Judge urges states to settle Live Nation claims after US strikes deal but states say no chance AP News: Trump-backed Fuller and Democrat Harris move to Georgia runoff to succeed Marjorie Taylor Greene Subscribe to the Betches News Room and join the Morning Announcements group chat. Go to: ⁠⁠⁠betchesnews.substack.com Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

NK News Lead Correspondent Shreyas Reddy and Database Center for North Korean Human Rights (NKDB) Executive Director Hanna Song join this week's episode of the NK News Podcast.  The news roundup begins with the sudden cancellation of the Pyongyang International Marathon, before turning to Seoul's move to adopt a new term for North Korean-born residents in the South, and the Unification Ministry's renewed push for a peace declaration and a broader “peace regime.” In the latter part of the episode, Hanna delves into NKDB's newly released report “The Machinery Behind the Forced Repatriation of North Koreans in China,” and explains why forced repatriation remains one of the most persistent human rights concerns facing North Korean escapees. About the podcast: The North Korea News Podcast is a weekly podcast hosted by Jacco Zwetsloot exclusively for NK News, covering all things DPRK — from news to extended interviews with leading experts and analysts in the field, along with insight from our very own journalists.

Hour 1 for 3/11/26 Drew welcomes Wilson Beaver from Heritage to discuss the state of America's military stockpile (12:20) and China's military readiness (19:16). Then, Dr. Robert Royal discusses if it's every moral to kill dictators or other evil leaders (31:06). Topics/calls: we're all loved by God (34:59), a 50-year war with Iran (36:14), prudential judgements (39:29), North Korea (42:12), Marines in Lebanon (45:03), and issues with the war in Iran (47:02). Link: https://www.thecatholicthing.org/author/robert-royal/ https://www.heritage.org/staff/wilson-beaver https://x.com/WilsonCBeaver

North Korea cancels Pyongyang Marathon for 'some reasons', Nude burglar targets Fairfax, Va neighborhood, Cow gallstones are more valuable than gold? Canadian official rescue 23 people who floated away on ice sheet

North Korea cancels Pyongyang Marathon for 'some reasons', Nude burglar targets Fairfax, Va neighborhood, Cow gallstones are more valuable than gold? Canadian official rescue 23 people who floated away on ice sheet See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode with Rachel Minyoung Lee examines the evolving risk landscape surrounding North Korea, moving beyond headlines focused solely on nuclear escalation to explore the country's broader strategic behaviour. We discuss how Pyongyang balances military signalling with pragmatic decision making, why weapons tests and military exercises are often calibrated rather than impulsive, and how sanctions, limited trade, and economic constraints shape the regime's choices. The conversation also explores the role of domestic stability, regime survival, and external pressure in shaping North Korea's actions, and why the timing of diplomatic or military moves is often driven by opportunity rather than ideology alone. Together, we consider what the North Korean case reveals about risk perception, strategic signalling, and the limits of international pressure in managing one of the world's most opaque security challenges.Rachel Minyoung Lee is a Senior Fellow with the Stimson Center's Korea Program and 38 North, and co-chair of the North Korea Economic Forum at George Washington University's Institute for Korean Studies. She previously served for two decades as a North Korea collection expert and analyst with the United States government's Open Source Enterprise, where she specialised in analysing North Korean media and leadership messaging. She later led engagement initiatives at the Open Nuclear Network in Vienna and served as a Visiting Fellow at the East-West Center in Hawaii. Her work focuses on North Korean strategic messaging, regime behaviour, and the political economy of the Korean Peninsula.The International Risk Podcast brings you conversations with global experts, frontline practitioners, and senior decision-makers who are shaping how we understand and respond to international risk. From geopolitical volatility and organised crime, to cybersecurity threats and hybrid warfare, each episode explores the forces transforming our world and what smart leaders must do to navigate them. Whether you're a board member, policymaker, or risk professional, The International Risk Podcast delivers actionable insights, sharp analysis, and real-world stories that matter.The International Risk Podcast is sponsored by Conducttr, a realistic crisis exercise platform. Conducttr offers crisis exercising software for corporates, consultants, humanitarian, and defence & security clients. Visit Conducttr to learn more.Dominic Bowen is the host of The International Risk Podcast and Europe's leading expert on international risk and crisis management. As Head of Strategic Advisory and Partner at one of Europe's leading risk management consulting firms, Dominic advises CEOs, boards, and senior executives across the continent on how to prepare for uncertainty and act with intent. He has spent decades working in war zones, advising multinational companies, and supporting Europe's business leaders. Dominic is the go-to business advisor for leaders navigating risk, crisis, and strategy; trusted for his clarity, calmness under pressure, and ability to turn volatility into competitive advantage. DomTell us what you liked!The SafeWork Advantage PodcastMost workplaces react to violence—SafeWork Advantage shows employers how to prevent it.Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

International passenger trains connecting China and North Korea will begin operating in both directions on Thursday. The services will link the Chinese capital Beijing and the border city of Dandong with the North Korean capital Pyongyang.

Send a text Kim Jong Il allows a few families to say hello, goodbye, highlighting the ongoing NK tragedy. That was 2007. And is there a huge stream of traffic there in 2026?

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

We explore whether expectations of a swift popular uprising inside Iran are proving to be unfounded. Plus: why China and North Korea are resuming their train service after a six-year suspension. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Iranian women's soccer players are granted humanitarian visas to stay in Australia; Turkey warns Iran as NATO intercepts a second ballistic missile in its airspace; and in sport, Matildas to play North Korea in the Asian Cup quarter finals...

Send a text Mini train ride allowed by Kim Jong Il. That was 2007. I wonder if son "Un" has any such excusrions planned for 2026?

We've noticed that whenever the news is bad for Donald Trump, Karoline Leavitt dials up the cultlike obsequiousness to 11. She just let out a strange rant basically declaring that Iran will have entered into “unconditional surrender,” as Trump wants, whenever he says it has. In another odd moment, she dismissed widespread MAGA criticism of Trump's war by essentially declaring that MAGA is whatever Trump says it is. The two displays really went full North Korea in other ways, too. And that's no accident:  an average of high quality surveys now shows that support for his Iran war is at an abysmal 38 percent, perhaps the lowest initial support for a war ever. Another analysis finds that Trump's net approval on immigration has dropped by 20 points since last year. And his economic numbers are awful. We talked to Salon's Amanda Marcotte, a skilled decoder of MAGA. We discuss how this presidency is in trouble on multiple fronts and the role of cultlike praise in managing the base at such difficult moments. We also ponder how his physical decline, and the prospect of a world without Trump, is hovering in the background of all of it.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jason Hartman and Michael Zuber discuss the economic impact of a hypothetical war with Iran and its effect on real estate. They predict that while rising oil prices and geopolitical conflict initially cause demand destruction and recessionary fears, the Federal Reserve will ultimately intervene by lowering interest rates. This monetary easing is expected to create a lucrative window for property investors to acquire assets from motivated sellers before prices rise again. Beyond economics, they offer bold political predictions regarding the liberation of foreign nations under the Trump administration's strategies. They conclude that long-term success in property ownership depends on controlling emotions and holding assets long enough for market cycles to turn favorable. This May, become an Empowered Investor. Join Jason and his team as they empower you to gain control of your financial future and create wealth. Get your tickets at https://EmpoweredInvestorLive.com/ today!   #RealEstateInvesting #MarketVolatility #OilPrices #InterestRates #DemandDestruction #EconomicRecession #IncomeProperty #CentralPlanning #DemographicCliff #MotivatedSellers #Geopolitics #InvestmentStrategy Key Takeaways: 0:00 Iran and free countries 4:08 War and Housing 13:30 US, UK, China, Cuba and North Korea 18:58 Iran and the coming recession   Follow Jason on TWITTER, INSTAGRAM & LINKEDIN Twitter.com/JasonHartmanROI Instagram.com/jasonhartman1/ Linkedin.com/in/jasonhartmaninvestor/ Call our Investment Counselors at: 1-800-HARTMAN (US) or visit: https://www.jasonhartman.com/ Free Class:  Easily get up to $250,000 in funding for real estate, business or anything else: http://JasonHartman.com/Fund CYA Protect Your Assets, Save Taxes & Estate Planning: http://JasonHartman.com/Protect Get wholesale real estate deals for investment or build a great business – Free Course: https://www.jasonhartman.com/deals Special Offer from Ron LeGrand: https://JasonHartman.com/Ron Free Mini-Book on Pandemic Investing: https://www.PandemicInvesting.com

What happened at the party congress and why does it matter?It may have flown under the radar for some, but in the latest episode of The Diplomat's Asia Geopolitics podcast Ankit Panda (@nktpnd) and Katie Putz (@LadyPutz) dive deep into North Korea's 9th Party Congress, its internal and external implications, and the country's geopolitical strategies under Kim Jong Un's leadership. Plus, Ankit outlines what weapons North Korea is looking for focus on You can subscribe to The Diplomat's Asia Geopolitics podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify; and watch the episode on YouTube.If you like the podcast and have suggestions for content, please leave a review and rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Ideas or questions? You can contact the hosts Panda and Putz.

A North Korean defector risks everything to escape one of the world's most brutal regimes. Crawling through darkness, crossing rivers, hiding across China, and surviving jungles and traffickers, Toohyun travels nearly 3,000 miles in search of freedom. But his journey nearly ends in a detention center where illness pushes him to the brink of death—until a desperate, first-time prayer changes everything. After surviving the impossible, Toohyun begins a new mission: rescuing the wife he left behind. What follows is another dangerous escape, months of uncertainty, and a reunion that proves the power of faith, courage, and hope. Read more about this story in the book: A Necessary Lie: Escape for Freedom and Love  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------If you're a fan of true crime but crave a dose of inspiration instead of tales of darkness, The Miracle Files is your perfect alternative. With the same storytelling intensity as true crime podcasts, The Miracle Files delves into the details of each miraculous story, exploring the people and circumstances that turned these moments into something unforgettable. Whether you believe in divine intervention or human perseverance, this podcast will leave you feeling uplifted and amazed.Website: www.themiraclefiles.comPodcast/RSS: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-miracle-files/id1714203488Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_miracle_files_podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.phpid=100093613416005&mibextid=LQQJ4dTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@the.miracle.files?_t=8rB5ooQd482&_r=1Subscribe now so you don't miss a single episode!

Guest: Allie Mellen, Principal Analyst @ Forrester, author of "Code War: How Nations Hack, Spy, and Shape the Digital Battlefield" Topics: Your book focuses on the US, China, and Russia. When you were planning the book did you also want to cover players like Israel, Iran, and North Korea? Most of our listeners are migrating to or operating heavily in the cloud. As nations refine their "digital battlefield" strategies, does the "shared responsibility model" actually hold up against a nation-state actor? How does a company's detection strategy need to change when the adversary isn't a teenager looking for a ransom, but a state-funded group whose goal might be long-term persistence or subtle data manipulation? How should people allocate their resources to defending against both of these threats?  How afraid are you of a "bad guy with AI" scenarios? Mild anxiety or apocalyptic fears?  Do you see AI primarily helping "Tier 2" nations close the capability gap with the "Big Three," or does it just further cement the dominance of the nations that own the underlying compute and models? You've spent a lot of time as an analyst looking at how enterprises buy and run security tech. For a CISO at (say) mid-tier logistics company, should 'nation-state cyberattacks' even be on their threat model? Or is worrying about the spies just a form of security theater when they haven't even solved basic credential theft yet? Resource: Video version "Code War: How Nations Hack, Spy, and Shape the Digital Battlefield" by Allie Mellen Allie Mellen substack The source for the original "air defense on the roof" argument (2008) EP255 Separating Hype from Hazard: The Truth About Autonomous AI Hacking EP256 Rewiring Democracy & Hacking Trust: Bruce Schneier on the AI Offense-Defense Balance EP156 Living Off the Land and Attacking Critical Infrastructure: Mandiant Incident Deep Dive "Disrupting the first reported AI-orchestrated cyber espionage campaign" report

We've noticed that whenever the news is bad for Donald Trump, Karoline Leavitt dials up the cultlike obsequiousness to 11. She just let out a strange rant basically declaring that Iran will have entered into “unconditional surrender,” as Trump wants, whenever he says it has. In another odd moment, she dismissed widespread MAGA criticism of Trump's war by essentially declaring that MAGA is whatever Trump says it is. The two displays really went full North Korea in other ways, too. And that's no accident:  an average of high quality surveys now shows that support for his Iran war is at an abysmal 38 percent, perhaps the lowest initial support for a war ever. Another analysis finds that Trump's net approval on immigration has dropped by 20 points since last year. And his economic numbers are awful. We talked to Salon's Amanda Marcotte, a skilled decoder of MAGA. We discuss how this presidency is in trouble on multiple fronts and the role of cultlike praise in managing the base at such difficult moments. We also ponder how his physical decline, and the prospect of a world without Trump, is hovering in the background of all of it. Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We've noticed that whenever the news is bad for Donald Trump, Karoline Leavitt dials up the cultlike obsequiousness to 11. She just let out a strange rant basically declaring that Iran will have entered into “unconditional surrender,” as Trump wants, whenever he says it has. In another odd moment, she dismissed widespread MAGA criticism of Trump's war by essentially declaring that MAGA is whatever Trump says it is. The two displays really went full North Korea in other ways, too. And that's no accident:  an average of high quality surveys now shows that support for his Iran war is at an abysmal 38 percent, perhaps the lowest initial support for a war ever. Another analysis finds that Trump's net approval on immigration has dropped by 20 points since last year. And his economic numbers are awful. We talked to Salon's Amanda Marcotte, a skilled decoder of MAGA. We discuss how this presidency is in trouble on multiple fronts and the role of cultlike praise in managing the base at such difficult moments. We also ponder how his physical decline, and the prospect of a world without Trump, is hovering in the background of all of it.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

*Please note that there may be some disturbing or triggering material discussed in this episode.* Charles Ryu escaped North Korea for the first time when he was a teenager. We talk about propaganda, watching Will Smith on a black-and-white TV, and what kind of courage it takes to survive a labor camp, interrogation, and crossing the border into China.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1. Operation Epic Fury – Day 3 The U.S. and Israel continue coordinated strikes on Iranian military targets. Iranian missiles, drones, and aircraft have been intercepted across the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean. 2. Netanyahu Rejects Claims of Dragging U.S. Into War Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu states it’s “ridiculous” to claim Israel pushed the U.S. into war. Praises Trump as a strong leader acting independently based on American interests. Emphasizes Iran’s threat as “50 North Koreas” and committed to America’s destruction. 3. U.S. Intelligence: Imminent Threat Secretary of State Marco Rubio says Iranian attacks on U.S. assets were imminent. Intelligence indicated Iran planned retaliation if Israel struck its missile program. U.S. wants to prevent Iran from rebuilding missile or drone capabilities. 4. Saudi Arabia Involved Saudi Defense Ministry reports intercepting and destroying eight Iranian drones. Two drones struck the U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia, causing a fire but no injuries. 5. Vice President JD Vance: “No Multi-Year War” Says Trump will not allow another Iraq/Afghanistan‑style conflict. Emphasizes a clear objective: Iran must not gain or rebuild nuclear capabilities. Claims this mission avoids the “mission creep” of past wars. 6. Netanyahu Describes Trump’s Longstanding Focus on Iran Says Trump identified Iran’s nuclear ambitions as a “clear and present danger.” Describes joint U.S.-Israeli operations (“Midnight Hammer” and “Rising Line”) targeting missile sites. States negotiations failed, leaving military action as the only option. 7. Pentagon Statement by Pete Hegseth Addresses U.S. service members directly in a highly motivational speech. Frames the conflict as a generational turning point since 1979. Emphasizes: “Peace through strength” Lethality and unity of purpose Confidence in the President’s leadership Promises no endless wars and praises America’s military capability. Please Hit Subscribe to this podcast Right Now. Also Please Subscribe to the The Ben Ferguson Show Podcast and Verdict with Ted Cruz Wherever You get You're Podcasts. And don't forget to follow the show on Social Media so you never miss a moment! Thanks for Listening X: https://x.com/benfergusonshowYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VerdictwithTedCruzSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

GPS jamming hits the Strait of Hormuz. An Iran linked threat actor uses AI to target Iraqi government officials. Hacktivists leak thousands of DHS contract records. A Hawaii cancer center suffers a data breach. Google patches over a hundred Android vulnerabilities. A new report tallies the scale of third party breaches. An MS-Agent AI framework flaw allows full system compromise. On today's Threat Vector segment, Evan Gordenker, Director of AI Security and DPRK Operations at Unit 42, joins David Moulton to unpack North Korea's hiring scams. Tire tech turns tattletale.  Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Miss an episode? Sign-up for our daily intelligence roundup, Daily Briefing, and you'll never miss a beat. And be sure to follow CyberWire Daily on LinkedIn. CyberWire Guest North Korea has turned your hiring pipeline into a revenue machine. And most organizations have no idea. Evan Gordenker, Director of AI Security and DPRK Operations at Unit 42, joins David Moulton on today's Threat Vector segment to unpack how this operation actually works. Listen to their full conversation to get more detail and catch new episodes of Threat Vector every Thursday on your favorite podcast app. Selected Reading Attacks on GPS Spike Amid US and Israeli War on Iran (WIRED) Amazon: Drone strikes damaged AWS data centers in Middle East (Bleeping Computer) Iranian Cyber Threat Actor Targets Iraqi Government Officials in AI-Powered Campaign (Infosecurity Magazine) Hacktivists claim to have hacked Homeland Security to release ICE contract data (TechCrunch) UH Cancer Center data breach affects nearly 1.2 million people (Bleeping Computer) Android gets patches for Qualcomm zero-day exploited in attacks (Bleeping Computer) Chrome Gemini panel became privilege escalator for rogue extensions (The Register) Huge “Shadow Layer” of Organizations Hit by Supply Chain Attacks (Infosecurity Magazine) Vulnerability in MS-Agent AI Framework Can Allow Full System Compromise (SecurityWeek) Researchers Uncover Method to Track Cars via Tire Sensors (SecurityWeek) Share your feedback. What do you think about CyberWire Daily? Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts with us by completing our brief listener survey. Thank you for helping us continue to improve our show. Want to hear your company in the show? N2K CyberWire helps you reach the industry's most influential leaders and operators, while building visibility, authority, and connectivity across the cybersecurity community. Learn more at sponsor.thecyberwire.com. The CyberWire is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Friday's Mark Levin Show, based solely on President's Trump's recent public statements and tone, it sounds like he has already decided to act against the Iranian regime—possibly even issuing the order—and is waiting for the right moment. Reported diplomatic moves, such as the Secretary of State's trip to Israel and upcoming negotiations, may be head fakes. Trump has repeatedly given Iran ample chances to negotiate a deal but that the regime has foolishly refused, and Trump genuinely prefers not to act militarily.  Later, Heritage Foundation's Robert Greenway calls in and explains that Iran has failed to adapt to dealing with a different, more resolute President under Trump, who has been consistent and leaves Iran with far less negotiating room. Iran has negotiated itself out of any viable deal, cannot be trusted as a partner due to repeated violations of the Obama-era agreement, and ideological refusal to honor commitments.  Afterward, Rep Chip Roy calls in and praises the Trump's current use of peace through strength — demonstrating military force and pressure — to confront the tyrannical, anti-Israel, anti-American, terror-sponsoring regime of Iran after 47 years. Roy warns against repeating North Korea's nuclearization through hesitation, urges firmness against new nuclear states, and calls for vigilance against the global march of Islam and Muslim Brotherhood influence undermining Judeo-Christian and Western values. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on the Mark Levin Show, the Woke Reich isolationists in the Trump administration who are leaking confidential if not classified discussions with the President respecting options against Iran are committing crimes. They must be found and prosecuted. DOJ should ask the FBI to launch an investigation into the sources of these leaks. Then, lots of Democrats are boycotting the State of the Union address. The truth is they'd be more comfortable sitting in UN seats listening to some Marxist or Islamist dictator spewing hate about our country. This is a party that accepts no traditions or customs. The Democrat Party is radical and intent on destroying the economy, citizenship, and national sovereignty. They want to dismantle the American system through policies like open borders, no deportations, treating illegal aliens as citizens, and eliminating voter ID. No more fan dancing around with Iran. They have no intention of honoring agreements and is reconstituting its nuclear program with help from allies like China, Russia, and North Korea. There is overwhelming U.S. military superiority in the region. This is not about endless wars or interventionism but confronting a clear, existential threat. Leaving this weakened regime in place betrays future generations, as it will never abandon its nuclear ambitions aimed at America. Enough is enough—it is time to act decisively. The moment is now. Later, propaganda, siding with Iran and Putin against America while pretending patriotism. Why aren't top Republicans throughout Washington calling out Carlson. They need to stop whispering about him and speak openly and publicly. The same goes for too many in the media, some of which promote him and some of which field his leaks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On Wednesday's Mark Levin Show, no more fan dancing around with Iran. They have no intention of honoring agreements and is reconstituting its nuclear program with help from allies like China, Russia, and North Korea.  There is overwhelming U.S. military superiority in the region. This is not about endless wars or interventionism but confronting a clear, existential threat. Leaving this weakened regime in place betrays future generations, as it will never abandon its nuclear ambitions aimed at America. Enough is enough—it is time to act decisively. The moment is now. Also, President Trump's State of the Union speech was suburb. He hit a lot of core, important topics for Americans. Democrats refused to stand when Trump asked – do you stand with Americans or illegal aliens? Later, Democrats are accusing Trump of trying to rig the election. How? Because he wants voter ID? Because he wants clean voter rolls? Afterward, Biden's FBI subpoenaed the phone records of Kash Patel and Susie Wiles in 2022 and 2023, when both were private citizens, as part of Special Counsel Jack Smith phony investigation into Trump.  This is outrageous and alarming. Finally, Gordon Chang calls in and discusses China's supply of advanced weaponry to Iran, including hypersonic anti-ship cruise missiles, advanced radars, integrated command systems, and anti-air missiles. He warns that these capabilities, particularly the untested hypersonic missiles, pose a grave threat to U.S. naval forces in the region currently deployed off Iran. Chang argues that the U.S. must strike and remove the Iranian regime quickly—before these missiles are fully deployed—to avoid potentially catastrophic losses. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices