Podcasts about fdd

It's day four of Operation Epic Fury. So... what's the strategy?Bill Roggio is joined by FDD military analyst Cameron McMillan to assess the objectives of the campaign, the forces now deployed across the region, and why destroying Iran's weapons before they launch them may be the only way to protect American forces.

Hugh has the experts. He's joined by Senate Intel Chairman Tom Cotton, Rear Adm. Mark C. Montgomery (USN, Ret.), N12 News' Amit Segal, Eli Lake of The Free Press, AEI senior fellow Danielle Pletka, FDD's Richard Goldberg, Bethany Mandel, and Salena Zito.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From franchising fitness empires to developing the next generation of athletes — Pat Rigsby has seen it all, and he's not done yet. In this episode, Pat joins Eric to break down what's actually shifting in the fitness and sports performance industry in 2025, why the gap between "trainer who pays rent" and real business owner has never been wider, and what two decades of franchising experience taught him before launching Athletes Accelerated. Pat pulls no punches on what it really takes to franchise a concept (hint: it's a legal marriage, not a passive income play), why the youth sports market is one of the most recession-resistant businesses you can build, and how he and partners Doug Sperling and Graham Wilkerson spent over a year stress-testing a model before ever filing an FDD. If you're a sports performance gym owner grinding through 14-hour days while missing your own kid's games, this one hits different. Takeaways:  

With Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei killed following a joint United States–Israel military operation inside Iran, the political and strategic landscape has shifted dramatically. What comes next? Jian sits down with: Shayan Samii - U.S. national security analyst and strategic communications expert. Behnam Ben Taleblu - Senior Director of the Iran Program at FDD and specialist on Iran's security apparatus. They discuss: Whether this is a genuine turning point If celebration is appropriate for long-suffering Iranians based on the death of Khamenei, but despite there being a long way to go Whether Washington and Jerusalem have a real “day after” plan The risk of a clerical power vacuum The role of Prince Reza Pahlavi and the opposition The regime's regional retaliation The episode opens with an essay from Jian outlining 4 reasons a free Iran could transform global security, economics, migration patterns, and the Middle East's long-term trajectory. This episode is supported by: Stellar Law - stellarlaw.ca Avoca Chocolates - avocachocolates.com Follow Jian on Instagram @JianGhomeshi Meezoon basheen.

0:30 - Trump announcement on Saturday of combat operations in Iran 39:54 - Iranian FM Abbas Araghachi on This Week goes full Black Knight: merely a flesh wound 01:02:40 - David Daoud, senior fellow at FDD focused on Lebanon and Hezbollah, says there are few causes in recent history as righteous as crippling the regime in Iran. Keep updated with David on X @DavidADaoud 01:20:27 - Steven Bucci of The Heritage Foundation argues that once Operation Epic Fury concludes, the likelihood of the mullahs remaining in power is low. 01:39:11 - Christopher Whalen, chairman of Whalen Global Advisors LLC & editor for The Institutional Risk Analyst, on escaping New York and the commercial real estate crash. Check out Chris’ most recent book Inflated: Money, Debt and the American Dream – 2nd Edition 01:57:32 - Joe Abraham, Angel Dad to Katie Abraham: They Tried to Ignore Us — But We Will Not Be Silent. Follow Joe on substack @angeldadjoeabraham 02:12:53 - Clinton Epstein DepositionsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Earlier this week, President Trump said of Iran's rulers: “I will never allow the world's number one sponsor of terror — which they are, by far — to have a nuclear weapon." He also noted that the regime massacred “at least 32,000” unarmed civilian protestors in January and has previously “killed and maimed thousands of American service members.” On Friday, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee told his embassy staff they might want to take a little trip abroad. And the US State Department is advising American citizens that it's best not to visit Israel right now. Host Cliff May asks FDD's Reuel Marc Gerecht and Behnam Ben Taleblu: What happens next?

Mark Dubowitz, CEO of FDD, joins the show to bring us up to speed on the rapidly developing full-scale conflict between the United States-Israel and Iran. ▪️ Times 01:19 Iranian leaders targeted  04:48 10/7 roots  07:39 Ambitious war aims   12:41 Scope 15:59 Regime change 20:11 Iranian response 23:42 Playing with fire 28:13 Partnership Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack

Earlier this week, President Trump said of Iran's rulers: “I will never allow the world's number one sponsor of terror — which they are, by far — to have a nuclear weapon." He also noted that the regime massacred “at least 32,000” unarmed civilian protestors in January and has previously “killed and maimed thousands of American service members.” On Friday, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee told his embassy staff they might want to take a little trip abroad. And the US State Department is advising American citizens that it's best not to visit Israel right now. Host Cliff May asks FDD's Reuel Marc Gerecht and Behnam Ben Taleblu: What happens next?

Last Friday, the Supreme Court ruled that the President is not authorized to impose tariffs, affirming that Congress alone has the power to tax. Entrepreneur and pastor Mark Franco joins Russell, Mike, and Clarissa to discuss the future of tariffs. Then, President Trump suggests that he would launch a strike on Iran if they do not back down from their nuclear weapons program. Jonathan Schanzer stops by to share about Iranian protests and possible regime change. Finally, President Trump's annual State of the Union address lasted a record breaking 1 hour and 48 minutes. Mike, Clarissa and Harvest Prude recap the highlights. REFERENCED IN THE EPISODE: Trump's SOTU Heralded a Revival. The Data Is Mixed. - Harvest Prude ABOUT THE GUESTS: Mark Franco is the president and CEO at MXD Process, a company that oversees the manufacturing and supply of industrial process equipment, and serves as the managing partner at Soterra Capital. Prior to that, he was the principal at Franconia Enterprises and president at Unified Manufacturing and Design, LLC. Mark is a pastor at Sojourn Community Church. Jonathan Schanzer is senior vice president for research at Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), and he is also on the leadership team of FDD's Center on Economic and Financial Power. He previously worked as a terrorism finance analyst at the US Department of the Treasury. Schanzer has appeared on CNN, Fox News, Al-Arabiya, and Al-Jazeera. Harvest Prude is Christianity Today's national political correspondent and a congressional reporter based in Washington, DC. She is a former reporter for The Dispatch and World, having served there as political reporter for their Washington bureau. GO DEEPER WITH THE BULLETIN: Join the conversation at our Substack. Find us on YouTube. Rate and review the show in your podcast app of choice. ABOUT THE BULLETIN: The Bulletin is a twice-weekly politics and current events show from Christianity Today moderated by Clarissa Moll, with senior commentary from Russell Moore (Christianity Today's editor-at-large and columnist) and Mike Cosper (senior contributor). Each week, the show explores current events and breaking news and shares a Christian perspective on issues that are shaping our world. We also offer special one-on-one conversations with writers, artists, and thought leaders whose impact on the world brings important significance to a Christian worldview, like Bono, Sharon McMahon, Harrison Scott Key, Frank Bruni, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Grab our breakdown of the 5 Low-Cost Businesses That Make $1 Million: https://www.franchiseempire.com/lowcost?utm_source=FEMarch012026Buying a franchise isn't something you rush into, and it's definitely not right for everyone. In this episode of the Zero to Profitable Franchise Podcast, we break down how our team evaluates whether someone is actually a good fit for franchising before they ever invest. We talk about time commitment, personality, coachability, capital, and motivation, plus the red flags we see when someone is moving for the wrong reasons. If you're considering a franchise in 2026 and want an honest framework to decide whether this path makes sense for you, this episode will help you think clearly before taking the next step.------------------Considering Investing In A Franchise?

Behnam Ben Taleblu is senior director of the Foundation For Defense of Democracy's Iran Program, and a senior fellow specializing in Iranian security and political issues.We ask this noted scholar the burning questions of the day like, “Do you lose weight on Ramadan?” and “What's it like to have a fatwa on your head?”We also discuss the potential for an American (and Israeli?) strike on Iran, the incredible resilience of Iranian society, how Ayatollah Khamenei is playing us all, where Behnam is more hawkish than his Israeli colleagues.Follow Behnam on X and check out his writing at the FDD.Happy Purim, Ramadan and Nowruz to all!Also:* No one has done a better job at secularizing Iranian society than the Islamic republic itself.* What is Iran?* We're all from Malta now.* Is Ramadan intermittent fasting?* I'm sorry I can't come to your event, the Iranianss are after me.* Where is Hezbollah now?* Iranian society deserves a collective Nobel Peace Prize.* Bumbling idiot or 7D chess player?* The knife and the handshake.* The JCPOA created this mess.* This is a war of choice, and Iran chose it.* Khamenei needs to thank Trump, instead he's leaving him on “read”.* Tucker Carlson didn't like the Ben Gurion Airport McDonald's.* No one and everyone has a right to exist.* Benham has a favorite Hamentaschen flavor.* Persian food with a Shmear.* Kebab and Chinese This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit askajew.substack.com/subscribe

Preview for later today: David Daoud of the FDD joins us to report that the IDF is deploying silent quadcopters along the Israel-Lebanon border to drop stun grenades and issue warnings, targeting suspicious individuals and potentially Hezbollah-linked structures.1836 BEIRUT

Behnam Ben Taleblu, Senior Director (Iran Program) and Senior Fellow at FDD, joins the show to talk about the build-up of American military power in the Middle East and what it might mean for Iran and the Iranian regime. ▪️ Times 02:04 U.S. build-up 05:46 Timing  11:08 “Decisive and different”   24:41 Iranian retaliation 30:03 Targets 35:25 Ideology of the Supreme Leader  41:36 A Trump JCPOA 45:46 Regime change by air Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack

Want to own a franchise that makes WAY more than this Subway? Grab my breakdown of the 5 Low-Cost Businesses That Make $1 Million: https://www.franchiseempire.com/lowcost?utm_source=TJjan242026What does owning a Subway franchise really look like? In this video, we break down a real store's full financials, sales, labor, rent, royalties, and profit, during a low-performing month when the owner was out of the country. This is a raw look at what it takes to run a food franchise like Subway and why small numbers can cause big problems.------------------Considering Investing In A Franchise?

Grab our breakdown of the 5 Low-Cost Businesses That Make $1 Million: https://www.franchiseempire.com/lowcost?utm_source=TJfeb212026Is owning a tool truck actually a smart business in 2026? In this video, I break down how the Snap-on Tools business model works, how much it costs to start, what franchisees are making, and the real pros and cons of a mobile tool business. This is not your typical franchise. There are no royalties, no marketing fees, and they even offer in-house financing. But there's a catch: when you sell physical products, your margins are very different than service businesses. If you're looking for a mobile business opportunity under $250K-$500K and want to know whether this is a real path to replacing your income, this breakdown will help you think clearly before making a move. Comment below - would you run a tool truck?------------------Considering Investing In A Franchise?

Budget Blinds might sound boring, but this home service franchise is quietly generating serious revenue. In this video, we break down how much it costs to start a Budget Blinds franchise, what franchisees are actually making, how the royalty model is changing in 2026, and whether this is truly a good investment. I've personally looked into buying a resale myself, and I know multiple owners in the system. If you're looking for a low-cost franchise that isn't flashy but has real numbers behind it, this breakdown will help you decide if this “boring” business could actually build wealth. Comment below if you would ever own a business like this. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Free Resources to Get You Started!Download our list of 42 High Performing (and profitable) Franchises: https://www.franchiseempire.com/42hpf?utm_source=TJfeb222026Download our FREE StarterKit: The Zero to Profitable Franchise in Less Than 12 Months Guide:  https://www.franchiseempire.com/o-ztpf-guide?utm_source=TJfeb222026

AN ANCIENT CITY'S MODERN DIVIDE HEADLINE 1: Iran and Russia held joint naval exercises in and around the Gulf of Oman.HEADLINE 2: The European Union officially designated the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization.HEADLINE 3: Israel carried out a large counterterrorism operation in the town of Hebron this week.---FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Yishai Fleisher, who serves as the international spokesperson for the Jewish Community of Hebron.Learn more at: fdd.org/fddmorningbrief---Featured FDD Pieces:"Europe Looks to Israeli Tech to Defend Tanks" - Brad Bowman and Justin Leopold-Cohen, Real Clear Defense"Free Jimmy Lai!" - Cliff May, The Washington Times"Ukraine, four years in" - LinkedIn Newsletter: This Week at FDD

This week on the Franchise Your Business webinar series, we are joined by Meredith and Ken from EntrePartner Law Firm.Meredith founded EntrePartner to provide entrepreneurs with practical, actionable legal advice at predictable costs. She has guided franchise clients through critical growth stages, including serving as General Counsel for Anytime Fitness during its rapid domestic and international expansion.Ken Hall brings experience from big firm law and his own entrepreneurial ventures, including running a franchise. He helps franchisors establish, grow, and operate their systems, offering real-world solutions that go beyond legal advice.In this webinar, they share practical tips for FDD renewal, including how to maximize your FDD season and manage the process efficiently, helping you stay ahead in your franchise growth.This was a live recording on February 19, 2026 at approximately 1 PM Eastern USA.Ready to talk about franchising your business or help with your franchise efforts? Book a complimentary consultation with one of our consultants: https://bigskyfranchiseteam.com/consultation-routing/#callSubscribe to our other podcast: Multiply Your Success: https://www.multiplyyoursuccesspodcast.com/Subscribe to our other podcast: Franchise Your Business: https://open.spotify.com/show/7Ff8rTBR1Oykv4dIOOBdhnLearn more about our guests:https://entrepartnerlaw.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/meredithbauer/https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenhall/https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepartner-law-firm-pllc/This episode is powered by Big Sky Franchise Team. Big Sky Franchise Team is consistently recognized as one of the best franchise consulting firms in the United States, helping business owners franchise their businesses through a proven 3-Step franchise process rooted in ethical principles, hands-on guidance, and customized deliverables. If you are ready to talk about franchising your business you can schedule your free, no-obligation, franchise consultation online at: https://bigskyfranchiseteam.com/. The information provided in this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered financial, legal, or professional advice. Always consult with a qualified professional before making any business decisions. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host, Big Sky Franchise Team, or our affiliates. Additionally, this podcast may feature sponsors or advertisers, but any mention of products or services does not constitute an endorsement. Please do your own research before making any purchasing or business decisions. References to external data sources, studies, statistics, or other third-party content are not claimed as our own unless explicitly stated. We do our best to provide proper credit and citation where due. If we unintentionally fail to cite or credit a source, please let us know, and we'll gladly...

Grab my breakdown of the 5 Low-Cost Businesses That Make $1 Million: https://www.franchiseempire.com/lowcost?utm_source=TJJan102026Everyone thinks Chick-fil-A is the dream franchise… $10K to start, $9M+ in average sales, and people lining up out the door. But here's the truth: Owning a Chick-fil-A is nothing like owning a real business.In this video, I'm breaking down 5 reasons why I wouldn't buy a Chick-fil-A in 2026, even though I eat there 3x a week. This isn't hate. It's just what most people don't realize until it's too late.  If you're serious about building wealth through franchising, you need to understand how this game actually works.

Crunch Fitness went bankrupt in 2009 and today it's valued at over $1.5 billion. So what changed? In this video, I break down the real numbers behind the Crunch Fitness franchise model, including startup costs, royalties, membership data, cash operating profit, and what the FDD actually reveals about how much these gyms make. We'll look at sales by performance tier, rent costs, equipment financing, churn risk, and whether this is truly one of the most profitable gym business models in 2026. If you're thinking about buying a fitness franchise like Crunch or Planet Fitness, this breakdown will help you understand the real risk and real upside before you invest.---------------------------------------------------Considering Investing In A Franchise?

In its latest report on the state of global jihad, the UN reveals that al-Qaeda is expanding — and one critical fact the report doesn't mention: al-Qaeda's leader is based in Iran.Bill Roggio is joined by his FDD colleague Edmund Fitton-Brown — who previously oversaw the UN's sanctions and monitoring team that produces these assessments — to unpack what the report gets right, what it misses, and why al-Qaeda — not ISIS — remains the most dangerous long-term jihadist threat facing the West.

FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Reuel Marc Gerecht, a former CIA Iranian-targets officer and current FDD resident scholar.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief

“God is great. Death to America. Death to Israel. Curse on the Jews. Victory to Islam.”The Houthi slogan isn't just a chant — it's a worldview. To understand who they are and what they want, Cliff is joined by former British ambassador to Yemen and FDD senior fellow Edmund Fitton-Brown, who gained firsthand experience dealing with senior Houthi leaders while serving as ambassador.

Download our list of 42 High Performing (and profitable) Franchises: https://www.franchiseempire.com/42hpf?utm_source=FEfeb082026Baskin-Robbins is one of the most recognizable franchise brands in the world, but how much does it actually cost to open one, and do the numbers make sense for franchise owners today? In this video, I break down the Baskin-Robbins franchise startup costs, royalty and marketing fees, and real franchisee sales data so you can see how this brand performs from an investment standpoint. We'll walk through average unit volumes, top and bottom performers, and why food franchises like this often require scale to generate meaningful cash flow. If you're considering buying a franchise in 2026 and want a clear, numbers-driven look at whether Baskin-Robbins is a good investment, this breakdown will help you make a smarter decision.------------------Considering Investing In A Franchise?

“God is great. Death to America. Death to Israel. Curse on the Jews. Victory to Islam.”The Houthi slogan isn't just a chant — it's a worldview. To understand who they are and what they want, Cliff is joined by former British ambassador to Yemen and FDD senior fellow Edmund Fitton-Brown, who gained firsthand experience dealing with senior Houthi leaders while serving as ambassador.

Today marked the expiration of the last remaining nuclear arms control treaty between Washington and Moscow: the 'New START' treaty. It was an agreement, signed under President Obama, between the United States and Russia which limited the number of weapons each country could deploy on their missiles, bombers and submarines. In a 'Truth Social' post, President Trump said that the U.S. should pursue a new agreement rather than extend the 15-year-old 'New START' treaty. FOX's Eben Brown speaks with Andrea Stricker, deputy director of the Foundation of the Defense of Democracies' Nonproliferation Program and a FDD research fellow, who says the key to a new arms deal must include more nuclear armed countries like China. Click Here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To Follow 'The FOX News Rundown: Evening Edition' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today marked the expiration of the last remaining nuclear arms control treaty between Washington and Moscow: the 'New START' treaty. It was an agreement, signed under President Obama, between the United States and Russia which limited the number of weapons each country could deploy on their missiles, bombers and submarines. In a 'Truth Social' post, President Trump said that the U.S. should pursue a new agreement rather than extend the 15-year-old 'New START' treaty. FOX's Eben Brown speaks with Andrea Stricker, deputy director of the Foundation of the Defense of Democracies' Nonproliferation Program and a FDD research fellow, who says the key to a new arms deal must include more nuclear armed countries like China. Click Here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To Follow 'The FOX News Rundown: Evening Edition' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today marked the expiration of the last remaining nuclear arms control treaty between Washington and Moscow: the 'New START' treaty. It was an agreement, signed under President Obama, between the United States and Russia which limited the number of weapons each country could deploy on their missiles, bombers and submarines. In a 'Truth Social' post, President Trump said that the U.S. should pursue a new agreement rather than extend the 15-year-old 'New START' treaty. FOX's Eben Brown speaks with Andrea Stricker, deputy director of the Foundation of the Defense of Democracies' Nonproliferation Program and a FDD research fellow, who says the key to a new arms deal must include more nuclear armed countries like China. Click Here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To Follow 'The FOX News Rundown: Evening Edition' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

IsraelCast host Steven Shalowitz speaks with Jonathan Schanzer, executive director of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, about what FDD calls the "axis of aggressors" — China, Russia, and Iran — and how Iran's internal turmoil could reshape the Middle East. Schanzer describes Iran's long-running protest cycle, severe economic collapse, and the regime's vulnerability after major Israeli and U.S. strikes, then outlines three possible U.S. paths: renewed diplomacy, degrading Iran's military capabilities, or pursuing full regime decapitation. They discuss whether Iran's military will fire on its own people, and the regime's reliance on proxy forces. Schanzer explains Iran's global networks, including links through Venezuela and Hezbollah's illicit finance routes, and argues Iran's "axis of resistance" is unusually weakened. The conversation also covers shifting regional power dynamics, Saudi Arabia and the Abraham Accords (including Indonesia), concerns about Egypt and Jordan, and confusion over President Trump's "Board of Peace." They close on the value of history, anti-Semitism's recurring patterns, and Schanzer's book on Gaza as a warning sign.

One month into the uprising in Iran, the regime is still killing.With the internet shut down, foreign militias unleashed on civilians, and reports of more than 30,000 dead, Tehran is waging a war on its own people.FDD's Janatan Sayeh joins Bill to share what he's hearing directly from inside Iran, why this is no longer “just protests,” and what it will take to finally break the Islamic Republic's grip on power.

Help Persecuted Christians TODAY: https://csi-usa.org/ Christian Solidarity International On today's Quick Start podcast: NEWS: Border Czar Tom Homan issues a blunt warning that escalating anti-ICE rhetoric is fueling real-world violence, insisting threats and obstruction against federal agents must stop before more people get hurt. FOCUS: A mysterious wave of heretical billboards in Los Angeles sparks outrage — and one vigilante response — raising questions about who's behind them and what they believe. MAIN THING: Nearly three-quarters of Christians murdered for their faith last year were killed in one country: Nigeria. Now, the Trump administration says it's stepping in. CBN's Raj Nair breaks down what's changing with FDD analyst Mariam Wahba — and why it matters. LAST THING: “There is none holy like the Lord… there is no rock like our God.” — 1 Samuel 2:2 PRAY WITH US! Faithwire.substack.com SHOW LINKS Faith in Culture: https://cbn.com/news/faith-culture Heaven Meets Earth PODCAST: https://cbn.com/lp/heaven-meets-earth NEWSMAKERS POD: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/newsmakers/id1724061454 Navigating Trump 2.0: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/navigating-trump-2-0/id1691121630

Ivana Stradner of FDD explains why President Putin abandons his Iran ally, analyzing Russia's shifting calculations as Moscow reassesses the costs and benefits of its partnership with Tehran amid changing circumstances.1866 COTSWOLDS

Download our list of 42 High Performing (and profitable) Franchises: https://www.franchiseempire.com/42hpf?utm_source=podcastEveryone wants passive income, but most people have no idea what it really takes to make a semi-absentee franchise work. In this episode, we break down exactly how to set up your franchise to succeed if you can't be full-time from day one. You'll hear real strategies from our own team, the mistakes we've seen others make, and how to think like a top-performing owner.------------------Considering Investing In A Franchise?

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.stateoftelaviv.comWe were fortunate to speak yesterday with Lt. Col. (Res.), senior fellow at FDD and regular on State of Tel Aviv and Beyond, Jonathan Conricus- who is catching his breath between speaking tours and consulting abroad. On Monday afternoon, moments after the news came that the remains of Ran Gvili had been identified in the Gaza Strip and were being return…

IS VENEZUELA CHINA'S REALITY CHECK? HEADLINE 1: Israel banned 29 Turkish individuals from entering the country.HEADLINE 2: Iran is reportedly turning to cryptocurrency to resuscitate its economy.HEADLINE 3: The Treasury Department slapped sanctions on a network of nonprofits tied to Hamas.HEADLINE 4: Israel is still schwacking Hezbollah in Lebanon.-- FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Craig Singleton, senior director of FDD's China Program.Learn more at: fdd.org/fddmorningbrief-- Featured FDD Pieces: "Over the Barrel of a Gun: Syria's Deal With the SDF" - Ahmad Sharawi, Real Clear World"The mission behind Trump's Board of Peace is simple — and critics keep getting it wrong" - Jonathan Schanzer, New York Post"Assessing the China-Russia Threat Nexus in Technology and Information Warfare" - Craig Singleton, David Shedd, Ivana Stradner, and William Evanina, FDD Event

Much more on Substack!Iran, Lebanon and Syria, Oh My!Hussain Abdul-Hussain is a fellow at the The Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), hailing from Beirut via Baghdad and all the way to Washington DC. We talk about how he learned Hebrew by chatting with Israeli soldiers on the lebanese border, why he was wrong about the new leader of Syria, and why peace with Israel can only help the Arab and Muslim world.Follow Hussain on X and keep up with his work at the FDD!Also:* Does everyone in Lebanon hate us? Only 3 out of 4 people.* Seeing Israel beyond the F-16s, through AM radio and pop culture.* The most dangerous thing Hussain ever did - read an Israeli newspaper on the Columbia campus.* Holding our breath for Iran.* But don't hold your breath for Syria.* Some advice for dealing with idiots.* Coming soon - Hussain's book, The Arab Case For Israel!* The are only three Christians left in Baalbek, Lebanon - and that's bad for Muslims.* The uselessness of the UN Peacekeeping Force.* Can Israeli and Saudi Arabia make it work?* Bring in George Clooney!* Our $7,000 aren't a match for Qatari money. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit askajew.substack.com/subscribe

HEADLINE 1: Israel began demolishing UNRWA's headquarters in East Jerusalem.HEADLINE 2:  U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack, who also serves as Trump's Syria envoy, thinks that things are going well in Damascus. HEADLINE 3: The IDF began a sweeping counterterrorism operation in the West Bank city of Hebron.--FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Israeli American journalist Emily Schrader.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/--Featured FDD Pieces:"Persian Puzzles" - FDD's Foreign Podicy"As Iran's uprising intensifies, Israel cannot afford to sit this one out" - Saeed Ghasseminejad and Navid Mohebbi, Ynetnews"Canada's Bet on Beijing Puts USMCA at Risk" - Elaine Dezenski and Susan Soh

If you want to own a business without wasting years figuring it out, this episode explains why franchising is the fastest on-ramp to ownership in 2026. We break down the economic tailwinds driving franchise growth, why the job market + AI shift is pushing more professionals toward control and asset-building, and why service-based franchises(home services, senior care, essential B2B) are scaling fast.Stay until the end — I share a few brands expanding in 2026 that could fit your goals and budget, plus how to evaluate “fit” the right way.

This week, protests continued against the Iranian government with the death count rising to more than 3,000, according to Iranian health officials. Jonathan Schanzer joins Mike, Russell, and Clarissa to discuss why this is such an important moment for the Iranian people and for peace in the Middle East. On Sunday, the Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell released a video responding to grand jury subpoenas regarding renovation costs for federal buildings. Charlie Sykes explains the backdrop of the DOJ's investigation and what this could mean for the economy. Then, Christine Emba stops by for a discussion about Grok, Elon Musk's AI chatbot, which has begun granting a large number of user requests to undress images posted by other people.  REFERENCED IN THE EPISODE: -Updates on X's policies regarding Grok's image generation. ABOUT THE GUESTS:  Jonathan Schanzer is senior vice president for research at Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), and he is also on the leadership team of FDD's Center on Economic and Financial Power. He previously worked as a terrorism finance analyst at the US Department of the Treasury. Schanzer has appeared on CNN, Fox News, Al-Arabiya, and Al-Jazeera. Charles J. Sykes is a political commentator who hosted a conservative talk show in Wisconsin for 23 years. He was the former editor-in-chief of The Bulwark, and is currently an MSNBC contributor. Sykes has written for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Politico, Salon, USA Today, National Review, The Weekly Standard, and has appeared on the Today Show, ABC, NBC, Fox News, CNN, PBS, and the BBC. Christine Emba is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, where her work focuses on gender and sexuality, feminism, masculinity, youth culture, and social norms. She is concurrently a contributing writer at The New York Times, and previously was a staff writer at The Atlantic, a columnist and editor at The Washington Post. She is the author of Rethinking Sex: A Provocation.  GO DEEPER WITH THE BULLETIN:  -Join the conversation at our Substack.  -Find us on YouTube.  -Rate and review the show in your podcast app of choice.  ABOUT THE BULLETIN:  The Bulletin is a twice-weekly politics and current events show from Christianity Today moderated by Clarissa Moll, with senior commentary from Russell Moore (Christianity Today's editor-at-large and columnist) and Mike Cosper (senior contributor). Each week, the show explores current events and breaking news and shares a Christian perspective on issues that are shaping our world. We also offer special one-on-one conversations with writers, artists, and thought leaders whose impact on the world brings important significance to a Christian worldview, like Bono, Sharon McMahon, Harrison Scott Key, Frank Bruni, and more.    The Bulletin listeners get 25% off CT. Go to https://orderct.com/THEBULLETIN to learn more.    “The Bulletin” is a production of Christianity Today  Producer: Clarissa Moll  Associate Producer: Alexa Burke  Editing and Mix: Kevin Morris Graphic Design: Rick Szuecs Music: Dan Phelps  Executive Producer: Erik Petrik  Senior Producer: Matt Stevens Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

THE NEW SYRIA AND ISRAEL'S SECURITYHEADLINE 1: Argentina is going after the Muslim Brotherhood.HEADLINE 2: The U.S. Treasury Department rolled out a new sanctions package in support of the Iranian people. HEADLINE 3: It's official. Phase two of the Gaza ceasefire has begun.HEADLINE 4: Things are still going boom in Lebanon.--FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with FDD Senior Advisor Jonathan Hessen.Learn more at: fdd.org/fddmorningbrief-- FDD Featured Pieces: "The quiet way AI normalizes foreign influence" - Leah Siskind, Cyberscoop"Egypt Sentences Christian Researcher Under Blasphemy Law, Underscoring a Recurrent Breach in U.S.-Egypt Relations" - Mariam Wahba, FDD"Made in China, Paid by Seniors: Stopping the Surge of International Scams" - Nathan Picarsic, U.S. Senate Testimony

In corporate development and finance, the excitement of an acquisition often masks the underlying risks. Financial Due Diligence (FDD) is the structured investigation into a company's total financial health. It is the crucial "forensic" step that moves a deal from celebration to investigation, determining whether a transaction is a winning strategy or a multi-billion dollar mistake.The 5 Pillars of Financial Due DiligenceTo assess risk and validate value, finance teams focus on five critical areas in the financial data room:1. Quality of Earnings (QoE)This is the bedrock of FDD. It separates "accounting profits" from repeatable, sustainable core performance. Teams look for Normalization Adjustments, stripping away one-time legal settlements or non-market salaries to find the true Adjusted EBITDA.2. Revenue and Customer AnalysisHigh revenue numbers can be deceiving. Analysts dig into:Customer Concentration Risk: If one customer accounts for 40% of revenue, the valuation must be discounted due to instability.Churn Rates: Understanding why customers leave and how long they stay.Revenue Quality: Differentiating between recurring contracts and one-time projects.3. Working Capital and Cash Flow HealthThis pillar determines if paper profits convert to usable cash. Red flags include:Accounts Receivable Aging: Customers paying slower and slower, masking potential bad debt.Inventory Turnover: Massive buildups that suck cash out of the business without guaranteed future sales.4. Debt and Off-Balance Sheet ItemsLurking "landmines" can blow up deal economics. Analysts search for:Pending litigation or unknown tax exposures.Underfunded pension liabilities.Environmental cleanup costs.5. Forecast AssessmentEvery target company presents a "conservative" growth story. FDD stress-tests these assumptions by modeling the unit economics (e.g., Customer Acquisition Cost vs. Lifetime Value) and building conservative "downside" scenarios.The Role of FP&A: The Bridge to IntegrationIf you are in FP&A, your role is pivotal. You are the bridge between historical numbers and the forward-looking plan. Your team must:Tear apart growth claims: If a company claims 20% growth, what is the required hiring plan and CapEx?Scrutinize Synergies: Cost synergies (office closures) are reliable; revenue synergies (cross-selling) are highly speculative and should be heavily discounted in models.Final Strategic ThoughtFDD is not a box-checking exercise; it is the firewall that protects shareholder value. Master it by prioritizing the Quality of Earnings and never letting deal enthusiasm override forensic investigation.

In this episode of The Fractional CMO Show, Casey tackles the brutal reality every fractional CMO faces: prospects just don't care about what you're offering.    Casey shares a war story about losing a private jet deal the moment he confused "FOB" with "FBO" - instantly revealing himself as an outsider faking expertise. The prospect literally laughed in his face. Most fractional CMOs show up talking about "marketing that isn't working" instead of understanding the CEO whose marriage is crumbling from late nights, or the franchisor terrified about what their FDD will reveal.    The truth? You don't know your audience well enough. Experienced executives don't hire generalists claiming to help "B2B SaaS" or "healthcare." Learn the pains. Speak the language. Become a student of one specific industry instead of pretending you can help everyone. Key Topics Covered: -Know your audience deeply: Become fluent in their language and visceral pains, not surface-level problems  -The FOB vs FBO lesson: One wrong acronym cost Casey a private jet client - proving he was an outsider faking expertise  -Real pains business owners face: Crumbling marriages from late nights, embarrassing FDD reports, losing first-to-market position, burnt out from bad consulting advice  -"B2B SaaS" isn't a niche: Go specific enough that you know when companies get funding, what software they use, and speak the insider language  -Nobody knows who you are: Stop waiting for inbound - go talk to strangers, build real relationships, announce yourself as the specialist  -Business owners spend aggressively: They don't want to save money, they want speed - and they'll pay for the right person  -Bridge the awareness gap: Prospects know something's broken but don't know a fractional CMO exists as the solution

FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Behnam Ben Taleblu, senior director of FDD's Iran Program.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief

Fear of failure holds more people back from entrepreneurship than anything else, and most don't even realize it. In this episode, I break down how fear shows up in business decisions, how to reframe failure, and what it actually costs you to delay taking action. Whether you're thinking about buying a franchise, starting a business, or expanding one you already own, this episode will shift your mindset and help you identify what's really keeping you stuck. Because at the end of the day, failure isn't something to avoid; it's a necessary step on the path to success.-----------------Considering Investing In A Franchise?

Grab our breakdown of the 5 Low-Cost Businesses That Make $1 Million: https://www.franchiseempire.com/lowcost?utm_source=FEJan112026Pet Supplies Plus is one of the largest pet store franchises in the U.S, but is it actually a smart investment in 2026? In this video, we break down everything you need to know before buying: the real startup costs, how much their stores make on average, what franchisees are paying in royalties and marketing fees, and whether the sales-to-investment ratio actually adds up. We also cover the brand's history, ownership changes, and how they compare to other retail franchises. If you're looking at pet franchises or evaluating brick-and-mortar opportunities, watch this before investing.------------------Considering Investing In A Franchise?