Podcasts about Gulf states

STREAMING MAKING OF THE JBS, 6-30-20261903The provided transcript features a dialogue between John Batchelor and Thaddeus McCotter regarding the geopolitical and domestic landscape in mid-2026. Their discussion highlights a shift in global power, noting how the Gulf States and Iran increasingly act independently of American influence. Domestically, the conversation centers on the Republican party's strategies and internal divisions ahead of the upcoming midterm elections. The narrative then shifts to an interview with Anne Stevenson-Yang, who describes the surreal reality of China's "ghost cities" and the economic failures of its housing boom. She provides vivid anecdotes about abandoned developments being repurposed as isolated residences for mistresses and students. Ultimately, the sources illustrate a world defined by persistent international conflict and the unintended consequences of ambitious state-led engineering.

Trump lost more than the war with Iran. U.S. media tends to look at things through a bilateral or ethnocentric lens of winners and losers. The bigger story is how Trump singlehandedly altered the calculus for multiple nation states, and fundamentally shifted historic alliances. Israel stands to lose the most and is increasingly isolated now that Iran and its proxies are triumphant. But this also has enormous implications for the Gulf States who have to renegotiate their relationship with Tehran. Whether there are any actual payouts in this agreement is icing on Iran’s liquidity cake as entry to market oil prices and flows alone will amount to a huge windfall. In three short months Trump weakened the position of U.S. allies and strengthened Iran and its allies. Resources CNBC: Pres. Trump: MOU is not final, if I don’t like agreement we will go back to dropping bombs AL-MONITOR: Analysis-Gulf recalibrates as Iran emerges intact from war Al Jazeera: Will a US-Iran deal unlock $300bn in investment fund for Tehran? Middle East Eye: US-Iran deal leaves Israel isolated and Netanyahu exposed Brookings: The end of the American way of war? Media Bias Fact Check: Shafaq News – Bias and Credibility Shafaq News: Two powers, one grid: The geopolitical siege of Iraq’s economy Frontline: Qassem Soleimani’s Complex Legacy in Iraq Alcon Intel: Iran Proxy Network Post-War: Reconstitution & Threat U.S. EIA: Country Analysis Brief: Iran Tehran Dispatch: Iran Quietly Expands Oil Sales to Asia, Bypassing Western Sanctions UNFTR Resources Video: Trump Weakened U.S. Allies While Strengthening Iran. Essay: We Lost More Than This War. -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook, Bluesky, and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com. Become a member at unftr.com/memberships. Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations. Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility.Support the show: https://www.unftr.com/membershipsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The other administration keeps the teenager grounded until the report card improves.And here's the part that really makes Leftists uncomfortable.The officials involved openly credited not just Trump's current term but his first term as well.Remember all those sanctions Democrats hated?Remember all those pressure campaigns they called reckless?Remember all the experts who assured us maximum pressure wouldn't work?Funny thing about pressure.Sometimes it works.Especially when the alternative is allowing a regime to keep funding terrorism while pretending they're interested in peaceful coexistence.The briefing described the negotiations as fruitful because of the degradation of Iran's economy and the scattering of its government.Read that again.The very conditions Democrats criticized were the conditions that produced the leverage.It's the geopolitical equivalent of complaining that a diet isn't working while standing on a scale showing you've lost fifty pounds.One official even joked that the nuclear portion was easier than expected because Iran now needs American technical expertise to clean up the mess.That may be my favorite sentence in the entire briefing.For decades Iran's leadership chanted "Death to America."Now they're apparently calling customer support."Hello, yes, we'd like help with the radioactive dust."That is not exactly the image of a conquering superpower.And perhaps the funniest part is watching the same people who spent years insisting Trump was a reckless warmonger now complain that he negotiated from a position of strength.Which one is it?If he's incompetent, why did Iran sign?If he's reckless, why is there a deal?If he had no leverage, why are the Gulf States celebrating?The administration says regional partners largely support the agreement because they viewed previous arrangements as empowering Iran to be a bad actor.Translation:The people who actually live near Iran preferred pressure to appeasement.Shocking.Apparently geography still matters.And while all this is happening, Democrats are left holding the world's most expensive collection of bad predictions.They predicted Trump would start World War III.They predicted economic catastrophe.They predicted diplomatic isolation.Instead, Iran is signing agreements that basically amount to:"We promise to behave."The same regime that spent nearly half a century telling the world it would never bend is now sitting at a negotiating table asking what it must do to regain access to markets.That's not victory.That's surrender with paperwork.And that's why the Left is struggling so hard to explain what just happened.Their entire narrative required Trump to fail.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The MOU's opening term demands an immediate end to all military operations including in Lebanon, a war Israel is fighting against Hezbollah, an Iranian proxy. Israel was not part of the negotiations, is not a signatory, and is not named. That first sentence effectively legitimizes Hezbollah. Iran retains joint control of the Strait of Hormuz with Oman. The U.S. commits to lifting every category of sanctions: UN Security Council resolutions, IAEA Board of Governors resolutions, and all unilateral U.S. primary and secondary sanctions. Iran receives $100 billion in unfrozen assets with no spending restrictions and a $300 billion reconstruction fund guaranteed by the United States, also with no restrictions. Nothing in the text prevents Iran from directing that money to Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, or ballistic missile development. On the nuclear question, Hawk notes that no intelligence agency on the planet assessed Iran as close to a nuclear weapon before this war, and Tulsi Gabbard testified before Congress that Iran had not rebuilt the infrastructure destroyed last June. The two concessions Iran actually makes, reopening the Strait of Hormuz and a pledge not to pursue nuclear weapons, describe conditions that already existed before the war started. The contrast with Obama's JCPOA is direct. Obama froze all sanctions, secured a ten-year framework, fired no missiles, lost no American lives, and released $1.7 billion that was already Iranian money owed from a 1977 arms deal. Trump spent $100 billion on the war, got 14 to 15 Americans killed, sent gas and grocery prices surging, nearly triggered a global recession, and is handing Iran $400 billion with no conditions. Iran proved its regime can survive a full U.S. and Israeli military assault. Gulf states now know the U.S. cannot protect them. Israel is more isolated than at any point in modern history. SUPPORT & CONNECT WITH HAWK- Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mdg650hawk - Hawk's Merch Store: https://hawkmerchstore.com - Connect on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mdg650hawk7thacct - Connect on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hawkeyewhackamole - Connect on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/mdg650hawk.bsky.social - Connect on Substack: https://mdg650hawk.substack.com - Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hawkpodcasts - Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mdg650hawk - Connect on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/mdg650hawk ALL HAWK PODCASTS INFO- Additional Content Available Here: https://www.hawkpodcasts.comhttps://www.youtube.com/@hawkpodcasts- Listen to Hawk Podcasts On Your Favorite Platform:Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3RWeJfyApple Podcasts: https://apple.co/422GDuLYouTube: https://youtube.com/@hawkpodcastsiHeartRadio: https://ihr.fm/47vVBdPPandora: https://bit.ly/48COaTB

With Eric on vacation, Eliot welcomes Kenneth Pollack, VP for Policy at the Middle East Institute, to the show. Ken outlines MEI's mission before providing analysis on the current state of the Iran war. They discuss the difficulty of ending a conflict when both sides believe they are winning, and whether we are on the cusp of significant concessions or escalation. They explore whether the war was a good idea badly executed or a bad idea badly executed. The pair also speculate about what a successfully prosecuted war effort would have looked like before turning to the likely trajectory of the Iranian regime in the future. Ken explains the broader implications of the war for the Gulf States, Israel, China, Russia, and Turkey before closing with a conversation about why the United States cares about the region and why it presents such an enduring challenge.Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.

Recorded at the Battle of Ideas festival 2025 on Saturday 18 October at Church House and the Abbey Centre, Westminster. ORIGINAL INTRODUCTION The past year has seen a flurry of announcements about military investment in Western countries. Following Trump's re-election, and his blunt demand that European countries invest more in their militaries, the EU announced €800 million of funds for defence in a package called ReArm Europe (later renamed Readiness 2030 after backlash that the package sounded too militaristic). NATO members then agreed to bump defence spending to five per cent of GDP – although some, like Spain, secured opt-outs, and members will be able to count certain infrastructure spending towards the target. Aside from Trump, the calalyst has been Russia's invasion of Ukraine and a more uncertain and dangerous geopolitical situation around the world. From clashes between India and Pakistan to continuing war in Gaza, threats from China about Taiwan, instability in the Balkans and rising tensions in South America – few deny the world is a more unstable place than it was a decade ago. The question is how Western countries should respond. Many suggest that the new period of rearmament is a necessary corrective to a longstanding vacation from geopolitical realities. In recent decades, weapons stockpiles have shrunk, armed forces have been reduced and industrial capacity has declined – to the point where few Western countries except America or Poland could sustain a serious conflict, or even a minor one. While Western states have let military spending fall down the list of priorities, newly emboldened countries like China, Turkey, the Gulf States and India have grown their armed forces. But others worry this new talk of militarism risks fanning the embers it is supposed to contain. Some joke that it could be dangerous for Germany, which has spent the postwar years being told to constrain its military, to now be encouraged to spend hundreds of billions of euros on its armed forces. Newly furnished militaries could be like Chekov's Gun – just waiting to go off. Others point to the loss of progress on arms-reduction treaties, or the dangerous rhetoric of civilisational competition. Burgeoning social-welfare commitments, skyrocketing energy prices, decades of infrastructure decay, and a lack of critical raw materials make rearmament more difficult than simply declaring a new target. But perhaps the most biting criticism is the gap between these new military ambitions and the reality at home. Western countries cannot defend their borders against illegal migration, let alone foreign adversaries. Young people profess less and less desire to identify with their country, let alone fight for it. And whatever the talk of strategic adversaries, Western countries are still dependent on Russia, China and other competitors for basic and crucial goods, from oil to batteries. Should the new talk of military rearmament be welcomed, feared or perhaps even ridiculed? When the countries comprising the West seems to be in constant tension over Ukraine, free speech or attitudes to Chinese investment, is there even a West to speak of? Is it high time to get serious about the military and prepare for war? Or do we need to cool off? SPEAKERS Dr Tim Black books and essays editor, spiked Mary Dejevsky former foreign correspondent in Moscow, Paris and Washington; special correspondent in China; writer and broadcaster Virginie Joron French member of the European Parliament, Patriots for Europe Group Tim Scott executive director, The Freedom Association Charlie Winstanley author, Bricking it: The UK Housing Crisis and the Failure of Policy; public affairs & social policy development professional CHAIR Jacob Reynolds head of policy, MCC Brussels; associate fellow, Academy of Ideas

Washington Post columnist and Fox News contributor Marc Thiessen joins Brian Kilmeade to break down why a potential weekend ceasefire deal with Iran could be a disastrous lifeline for the regime. Thiessen sounds the alarm on Trump's "deal addiction," arguing that stopping the conflict now leaves the Iranian military on the 20-yard line with a $300 billion reconstruction fund to rebuild their forces. Instead of giving in to panic from the Gulf States, Thiessen details why the U.S. must finish the job and completely crush the regime. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

AP correspondent Ben Thomas reports President Trump is claiming the U.S. has been sneaking oil out through the Strait of Hormuz.

AP correspondent Karen Chammas reports on a second day of U.S. strikes on Iran.

AP correspondent Ben Thomas reports the U.S. and Iran began a new round of strikes on Thursday.

The wars unleashed by October 7th have left the Middle East deeply fractured—Iran battered and defiant, Gaza destroyed, Israel militarized, the Gulf insecure and divided. And an even bigger disruption lies just ahead: the oil revenues that built the modern Arab world will halve by 2050, forcing countries to redesign themselves.  Marwan Muasher—a former foreign minister of Jordan and now a VP at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace—joins The World Unpacked to make sense of a region in flux. He explains why Washington should get tougher on Israel, Gulf countries may already have peaked in power, and the end of oil could be a good thing.  Like and subscribe to our channel: https://bit.ly/38sljlH  Find the episode transcript and streaming audio, and get the show direct to your inbox, here: https://carnegieendowment.org/podcasts/the-world-unpacked/in-the-new-middle-east-no-one-is-in-charge  Host: Follow Jon on X: https://x.com/JonKBateman  Guest: Marwan Muasher: https://x.com/MarwanMuasher

The Gulf countries are spending “enormous amounts of money to try to mask the economic consequences of the Iran war from their population,” Gregg Carlstrom, The Economist’s Middle East correspondent, said on the Haaretz Podcast. Carlstrom, speaking from Dubai, explained that with the Strait of Hormuz blocked by Iran, Gulf states are flying in consumer goods, food and medicine normally imported by ship “at a huge expense” so their citizens don’t experience shortages or empty shelves in stores. However, he warned, by the end of the summer, if the security situation remains precarious and the Strait remains blocked – and especially if active warfare with Iran is renewed – the economic toll will be impossible to avoid, and these countries will worry about their many expat residents packing up and leaving. In a conversation with Haaretz Podcast host Allison Kaplan Sommer, Carlstrom described a “roller coaster” of changing attitudes in the Gulf States regarding the ongoing U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict. Initially, in March, he said, when the fighting was at its peak, leaders of most of the Gulf countries were “quietly urging the Trump administration to keep fighting until the Iranian regime was overthrown or severely weakened.” By now, he said, the U.S. president “really has lost the support he had in the Gulf,” as leaders unanimously tell Trump that “this needs to end.” The same leaders, he said, are harboring “anger at Israel” for what they see as its “major role in pushing America into this war.” As a result, he said, he is skeptical of an expansion of the Abraham Accords, as promised by Trump, in the near future. On the podcast, Carlstrom also discusses the expanding confrontation between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the failed negotiations to end it due to what he sees as the “poor job” Lebanon is doing managing its relationship with the United States. Read more: Israeli Plans for Beirut Strike Place Strain on U.S.-Iran Diplomacy How Israel's Adventures in Lebanon Are Giving Iran a Second Chance Report: Satellite Images Show Iran Clearing Entrances to Missile Facilities Buried in Strikes A 'Stupid, Futile Waste of Lives': The Empty Triumph of Israel's Latest Conquest in Lebanon Report: UAE Carried Out Dozens of Strikes on Iran in Coordination With Israel and U.S.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Journalist and author Chris Hedges joins Jimmy to argue that the US and Israel have suffered a "humiliating defeat" in the Iran war, with Iran now the dominant power in the Middle East, exerting a stranglehold on 20% of seaborne oil and natural gas, and that the war has accelerated the terminal decline of the American empire. He notes that Trump launched the war against the advice of his own intelligence chiefs and military advisers, based on a fantasy sold to him by Netanyahu that regime change would be quick and easy—and that the Gulf States were not consulted, their air defenses were stripped to prioritize Israel, and they now realize US bases are "magnets" for attack rather than protection.  Hedges warns that the key issue is the dollar: if China, Russia, and Iran succeed in breaking the dollar's hegemony as the world's reserve currency, the US will be unable to sell Treasury bonds, leading to an instant contraction and the collapse of the empire. He concludes that Trump is little more than a figurehead surrounded by sycophants who are eviscerating the administrative state, and that unlike previous Republican presidents who were reined in by establishment figures, Trump's second-term team is deliberately accelerating the implosion. Plus segments on Trump's latest threat to bomb a longtime Middle East ally and AI proving more costly for corporations than using human employees. Also featuring Garland Nixon and Stef Zamorano!

Throughout this week, President Trump repeatedly called for 6 Arab States to join the Abraham Accords, stating it was mandatory. The US administration repeatedly insisted Iran will not get a nuclear weapon to destroy Israel with, which is in keeping with Bible Prophecy. The US is pushing to have the Gulf Nations join Israel in creating an unprecedented age of peace and prosperity in the region.  This is what the Bible indicates will ultimately be achieved:  Iran will survive to fight again, the Gulf States will form an alliance with the Merchant Powers of Tarshish, and peace will come to the region with the associated prosperity.  

Disregard the US, European, Iraqi, and Gulf states' rejection of Iran's insistence that it will control the Strait of Hormuz no matter what. The fact of the matter is that Middle Eastern states are factoring in permanent Iranian control into their longer-term thinking about shaping the region's post-war balance of power and security architecture, even though they may not admit as much publicly. Already, the public US, European, and Gulf state consensus rejecting Iran's imposition of fees on ships transiting the Strait appears to be fracturing.

Elder Leslie D. Louis was born to missionary parents from India on the island of Ceylon (today known as Sri Lanka) where he spent most of his boyhood days. He holds a B.A. degree in religion from Southern Missionary College (1973), along with an M.A. in education from Andrews University (1982). He has served in five conferences in North America including Florida, Ohio, Kentucky-Tennessee, Gulf States, and Carolina.The past fifty years of his service for the Seventh-day Adventist church include that of being a classroom teacher, elementary school and academy principal, superintendent of education, pastor, vice president of a conference and currently as the president of the Carolina Conference.Elder Louis was elected to serve as the 37th president of the Carolina Conference of Seventh-day Adventists in 2011, was re-elected in 2016 for a second term and again in 2022 for his third term ending in August 2027.Leslie is married to Carole who is truly the love of his life. They met while they were both students at Southern Missionary College and will be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary in December 2023. They have two adult children: Christopher and Catherine and three treasured granddaughters: Isla, Rosalind, and Eloise.Leslie enjoys traveling, photography, camping, biking, and reading as his leisure activities. He has had the opportunity to travel and visit countries in six of the world's seven continents. Preaching and sharing Christ through the truths of God's Word by evangelism, prayer and witnessing are the greatest passions of his heart.

With Ayatollah Khamenei's demise occurring hours into the war, the West anticipated a collapse of the Iranian regime and a popular uprising that never came to be. Is a ‘memorandum of understanding' the only thing preventing total escalation in the region? In this episode of One Decision, former MI6 Chief Sir Richard Dearlove and co-host journalist Kate McCann sit down with John Raine, Senior Adviser for Geopolitical Due Diligence for the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), to analyze the ripple effects of the war in Iran and what it will take to stabilize the Middle East. What is keeping a comprehensive peace deal off the table? How did Western intelligence miscalculate the IRGC's resilience? And where does this leave the rest of the Middle East? We also break down China's pledge to support Cuba's sovereignty, the 75th anniversary of the Cambridge Five espionage scandal, and the latest in the war in Ukraine, including China's role in training Russian soldiers and the opening of a museum in North Korea that memorializes the North Korean losses in the war.   In this episode: 1:07 – Iran, Israel & Trump: The Middle East Crisis Explained 2:52 – Cuba, China, and US Spheres of Influence 6:23 – Cambridge Five: Cold War Spy Scandal Revisited 9:51 – Russia, North Korea, and Ukraine War Shifting 13:26 – Iran War: MOU vs. Formal Peace Deal Explained 16:55 – Why a Comprehensive Iran Deal Remains Out of Reach 22:41 – IRGC Resilience: How Iran's Regime Survived 29:08 – Who Has Influence Over Iran's IRGC? 33:51 – Israel's Military Objectives and Netanyahu's Agenda 39:36 – Gulf States' Vulnerability and Abraham Accords Future 45:26 – How Does the Iran Conflict End? Three Scenarios 49:47 – Sir Richard and Kate Discussion Hosted by Sir Richard Dearlove (former MI6 Chief) and journalist Kate McCann (Political Editor at Times Radio). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Subscribe to Inside Call me Back. ____ Subscribe to Ark News Daily ____ If Trump signs an interim deal with Iran, what leverage is left to dismantle Iran's nuclear program? As reports swirl around a possible U.S.-Iran agreement, Dan  sits down with Nadav Eyal and Mark Dubowitz to sort through what's actually on the table — and what could unravel next. The conversation centers around the core dilemmas facing Washington, Jerusalem, and the Gulf: whether this moment represents strategic containment of Iran or the beginning of a slow retreat from the leverage created by the war. They debate the risks of a “Hormuz for Hormuz” deal, the future of Iran's nuclear stockpile, the limits of economic pressure, and whether the military gains can survive a prolonged diplomatic pause. Hovering over the entire conversation is a deeper question: after months of escalation, what would victory look like now? In this episode: - What's Actually in the Emerging U.S.-Iran Deal - The “Hormuz for Hormuz” Tradeoff - Iran's Uranium Stockpile - Could Trump Sustain Military and Economic Pressure? - The Gulf States' Interests - Hezbollah, Lebanon, and the Axis of Resistance - What Israelis Think of The Deal - Will This Be Remembered as a Turning Point — or the Moment the West Blinked? More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media? Check out our careers page for new openings. Explore Israel Votes Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What's Your Number? Watch Call me Back on YouTube Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | Dan Dan Senor & Saul Singer's book, The Genius of Israel Get in touch Credits: Ilan Benatar, Brittany Cohen, Ava Weiner, Martin Huergo, Mariangeles Burgos, and Yuval Semo

We discuss new diplomatic efforts to resolve the US-Iran war and Pakistan’s attempts at mediation. Plus: political turmoil in Turkey, a flick through the international papers and highlights from the 79th Cannes Film Festival.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are the mainstream media and left-wing politicians weaponizing legal terms against Israel? In this segment, Brian Kilmeade sits down with U.S. District Court Judge Roy K. Altman, author of Israel on Trial. Judge Altman breaks down the strict legal definitions of "genocide" and "apartheid," pointing to high-level military reports that thoroughly debunk these accusations. He also exposes how Israel's advanced defense technology benefits the U.S. military and details a massive, historic shift in public opinion taking place within Lebanon and the Gulf States. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. US bureau chief Jacob Magid joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode. As negotiations falter, again, between Iran and the US, and the Gulf States express wariness about renewing war, Magid discusses the two sides' current positions on terms to permanently end the war. Among other demands, Iran is seeking guarantees that hostilities will not resume and, in return, would reopen the Strait of Hormuz. It also continues to seek deferring negotiations over its rogue nuclear program — a stance President Donald Trump has thus far rejected. In the meantime, Magid reports, the Board of Peace is getting nowhere regarding Hamas's disarmament. The terror group feels emboldened by Iran's ability to withstand US demands, says Magid, and is tightening its grip in the Gaza Strip. Initial results from last weekend's elections for Fatah’s Central Committee show that PA President Mahmoud Abbas was elected to the panel, reports Magid, as well as his son, millionaire Yasser Abbas. Supporters of exiled prominent Palestinian Mohammed Dahlan were not permitted to participate in the elections, throwing the entire process into question. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: Trump says US attack on Iran called off after Gulf assurances that deal now possible US-Iran talks stalled after Tehran tried skirting up-front nuke concessions — officials US thought Iran war would hasten Gaza’s demilitarization. Instead, Hamas is emboldened Board of Peace envoy: Hamas tightening its grip on Gaza, taxing those with nothing left US mulls asking Israel to provide PA tax funds for Trump’s Gaza plan — sources Early results in Fatah leadership vote show Abbas’s son, intelligence chief elected Backers of Abbas rival excluded from Fatah confab, despite Egypt’s push for inclusivity Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Ari Schlacht. IMAGE: US bureau chief Jacob Magid joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's Daily Briefing (ToI)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Iran now controls the Strait of Hormuz. They have access to 30 of their 33 missile launching sites along the Persian Gulf coastline. They have tens of thousands of drones, mobile missile launchers moved inland, and have already struck a Qatari natural gas facility that will take years to repair. The American military umbrella that once protected Gulf State energy infrastructure has been exposed as ineffective. Hawk walks through Kagan's full argument, including what a post-American world order looks like when China and Russia emerge stronger, when Gulf States and European nations begin normalizing relations with Iran, and when America's weapons stockpiles are critically depleted after six weeks of nonstop bombing with no clear strategic objective from the start. Fox News analyst and retired Army General Jack Keane says the U.S. is preparing to return to full-scale combat operations. Trump has reportedly asked the intelligence community to assess what it would look like to simply declare victory and leave. The U.S. has also just rejected Iran's latest peace deal. The nuclear question is real. Israel has the Samson Option. Trump is backed into a corner. Neither Trump nor Netanyahu has shown restraint when losing. SUPPORT & CONNECT WITH HAWK- Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mdg650hawk - Hawk's Merch Store: https://hawkmerchstore.com - Connect on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mdg650hawk7thacct - Connect on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hawkeyewhackamole - Connect on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/mdg650hawk.bsky.social - Connect on Substack: https://mdg650hawk.substack.com - Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hawkpodcasts - Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mdg650hawk - Connect on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/mdg650hawk ALL HAWK PODCASTS INFO- Additional Content Available Here: https://www.hawkpodcasts.comhttps://www.youtube.com/@hawkpodcasts- Listen to Hawk Podcasts On Your Favorite Platform:Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3RWeJfyApple Podcasts: https://apple.co/422GDuLYouTube: https://youtube.com/@hawkpodcastsiHeartRadio: https://ihr.fm/47vVBdPPandora: https://bit.ly/48COaTB

Israel & U.S. ready for renewed strikes on Iran, but Gulf States ask U.S. to hold off. Analysis: Rachel O'Donoghue from Honest Reporting. Exclusive intv w/ Israel's special envoy to Christians George Deek. Warning from Iranian artist Hooman Khalili.

Israel & U.S. ready for renewed strikes on Iran, but Gulf States ask U.S. to hold off. Analysis: Rachel O'Donoghue from Honest Reporting. Exclusive intv w/ Israel's special envoy to Christians George Deek. Warning from Iranian artist Hooman Khalili.

Israel & U.S. ready for renewed strikes on Iran, but Gulf States ask U.S. to hold off. Analysis: Rachel O'Donoghue from Honest Reporting. Exclusive intv w/ Israel's special envoy to Christians George Deek. Warning from Iranian artist Hooman Khalili.

Israel & U.S. ready for renewed strikes on Iran, but Gulf States ask U.S. to hold off. Analysis: Rachel O'Donoghue from Honest Reporting. Exclusive intv w/ Israel's special envoy to Christians George Deek. Warning from Iranian artist Hooman Khalili.

In this situational briefing, Yaakov Lappin, In-House Analyst at The MirYam Institute, explains the paradox of Israel's growing strategic strength amidst a deteriorating global information war.Over the past 30 months, Israel has achieved historic strategic victories, working with the U.S. to systematically decimate the Iranian axis—including its nuclear programs, Hamas, and Hezbollah. By operationalizing new defense alliances, Israel now serves as a regional "insurance policy" for Gulf states against Iranian fundamentalism. However, Israel is simultaneously losing the global information battle because jihadist adversaries deliberately embed their rocket launchers and invasion bases inside hospitals, schools, and residential areas to manipulate the international narrative.Support the showThe MirYam Institute. Israel's Future in Israel's Hands.Subscribe to our podcast: https://podfollow.com/1493910771Follow The MirYam Institute X: https://bit.ly/3jkeUyxFollow Benjamin Anthony X: https://bit.ly/3hZeOe9Like Benjamin Anthony Facebook: https://bit.ly/333Ct93Like The MirYam Institute Facebook: https://bit.ly/2SarHI3Follow Benjamin Anthony Instagram: https://bit.ly/30m6uPGFollow The MirYam Institute Instagram: https://bit.ly/3l5fvED

This week's show features stories from Radio Deutsche-Welle, NHK Japan, Radio Havana Cuba, and France 24. http://youthspeaksout.net/swr260515.mp3 (29:00) From GERMANY- An interview with Giorgio Cafiero, founder of Gulf State Analytics. Both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates carried out retaliatory attacks on Iran. Neither Gulf State was in favor of the US and Israeli war on Iran, and were bombed because of US military bases on their land. The UAE struck an Iranian refinery and has in the past bombed Libya and Yemen. The expert says that Saudi Arabia wants to reestablish peaceful relations with Iran, and that the UAE in more aligned with the hawkish policies of Israel. The Gulf States do not trust the actions or leadership of the Trump administration. From JAPAN- The Iranian Foreign Minister is trying to drum up international support at a BRICS summit in New Delhi. Japan had a second oil tanker pass through the Strait of Hormuz. The Japanese government is subsidizing fuel prices to prevent the citizens and truckers from economic hardship. Japanese satellite imagery indicates a large oil spill off the coast of Kharg Island, creating a significant ecological disaster. A CNN analysis shows a serious uptick in US military surveillance along the coast of Cuba. From CUBA- Mexican President Sheinbaum announced the departure of another ship carrying aid to Cuba and vowed ongoing support. Hondurasgate is a series of leaked audio files allegedly exposing US and Israeli interference in a plot with Honduras to destabilize left-leaning Mexico, Brazil, and Colombia. Brazilian Gaza activist Thiago Avila returned home from an Israeli prison. The Israeli military issued new evacuation orders for residents of Southern Lebanon. The Shell Oil company has reported its highest profits in years. From FRANCE- 3 press reviews- the first is the French press on Trump meeting with the Chinese president. Then the UK press on PM Starmer who is facing challenges to his Labour leadership. Then the Guardian on a secret UN mission to preserve Palestinian history by gathering up archives and artwork. Available in 3 forms- (new) HIGHEST QUALITY (160kb)(33MB), broadcast quality (13MB), and quickdownload or streaming form (6MB) (28:59) Links at outfarpress.com/shortwave.shtml PODCAST!!!- https://feed.podbean.com/outFarpress/feed.xml (160kb Highest Quality) Website Page- < http://www.outfarpress.com/shortwave.shtml ¡FurthuR! Dan Roberts "All over the place, from the popular culture to the propaganda system, there is constant pressure to make people feel that they are helpless, that the only role they can have is to ratify decisions and to consume." --Noam Chomsky Dan Roberts Shortwave Report- www.outfarpress.com YouthSpeaksOut!- www.youthspeaksout.net

Mohammad Hassan, former Ethiopian diplomat, veteran communist and a friend of Eritrean independence speaks at our Southall Seminar on Sudan. Professor Hassan gives a weekly TV political education class and current affairs program that is broadcast to the entire Horn of Africa, and for Amharic speakers can be enjoyed here: / @zementvzewdushow3 He gives a background to the geopolitics of Sudan, talks about its rich resources and history and notes that it has all the resources to be a prosperous country: land, water, oil, gold, people! It was the biggest country in Africa. The people were prosperous before it was colonised. It could feed the world - Why should they suffer? Above all, leadership and vision decide everything! The crime of Khruschevite revisionism limited the scope of action and vision of the Sudanese and Middle Eastern communist movement. They lost the will and ability to fight for independence and to take the wealth and organise society for our liberation. Cde Hassan notes also the role of French imperialism in slaughtering 10,000 Arabic teachers in order to make the “Pygmi” language of French the lingua franca of their African Empire. Which it remains to this day. The Abraham accords are only signed by Bahrain and the Emirates. Those tiny states are sectarian extensions of imperialism, and along with Israel are designed to police the entire region. To that end they have embarked on a program of “port” imperialism, to control the strategic waterway of the Red Sea and its African and Arabian coastline. In this way they can dominate not only the key trading routes of the world, but the adjoining nations access to those key waterways - it is this that is responsible for the ills of the region. ------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe! Donate! Join us in building a bright future for humanity! www.thecommunists.org www.lalkar.org www.redyouth.org Telegram: t.me/thecommunists Twitter: twitter.com/cpgbml Soundcloud: @proletarianradio Rumble: rumble.com/c/theCommunists Odysee: odysee.com/@proletariantv:2 Facebook: www.facebook.com/cpgbml Online Shop: https://shop.thecommunists.org/ Education Program: https://thecommunists.org/education-programme/ Each one teach one! www.londonworker.org/education-programme/ Join the struggle www.thecommunists.org/join/ Donate: www.thecommunists.org/donate/

In this episode of Policy Chats, Ambassador Ronald Neumann joins host Dori Pham and Liam Burley to discuss diplomacy in conflict environments. Drawing on his experience as U.S. Ambassador to Algeria, Bahrain, and Afghanistan, he explains how effective diplomacy relies on trust, patience, local knowledge, and credibility.The conversation covers diplomatic leadership in unstable regions, the relationship between military action and political strategy, and current U.S. foreign policy challenges involving Iran, Gulf security, and regional alliances.The episode concludes with reflections on post-escalation diplomacy, trust-building, and how foreign policy is shaped in Washington.Topics Covered- Diplomacy in conflict environments and regions shaped by instability- The importance of trust, credibility, and personal relationships in diplomacy- Why diplomats must understand local politics, factions, and networks- The limits of conducting diplomacy through email, phone calls, or virtual meetings- Lessons from Afghanistan on the relationship between military action and political strategy- The risks of using force without a clear political framework- U.S.-Iran tensions, negotiation challenges, and defining realistic political goals- The role of Gulf States and shifting regional security concernsConcerns about U.S. credibility and the rise of alternative partnerships with countries like China

As Trump Desperately Tries to Make a Deal With Iran, Will Israel Be the Spoiler? | Pressure on Trump From the Saudis and Gulf States to Make a Deal With Iran | Russia's Descent Into Madness and Murder Under Putin backgroundbriefing.org/donate twitter.com/ianmastersmedia bsky.app/profile/ianmastersmedia.bsky.social linktr.ee/backgroundbriefing

Colonel Douglas Macgregor joins the show to tell Jimmy that a new phase of the Iran war is "definitely going to happen" within days, as Iran has "instructed everybody to go below ground and hide out" and the US is bombing empty buildings — to which Iran would respond asymmetrically by destroying Gulf States' power grids and desalination plants, causing mass migration and a global depression.  He notes that after Trump's "Project Freedom" failed when Iran attacked a French-owned cargo ship attempting the US-designated route, Trump suspended the operation and is now threatening a "much higher level and intensity" of bombing if Iran doesn't agree to terms. Meanwhile, Jimmy points out that Marco Rubio's statement that the goal is to get the strait "back to the way it was" means the US had to start a war so we could go back to the way things were before we started the war. Macgregor argues that Trump's advisers are too afraid to tell him the truth because "he blows up" and "doesn't like facts that get in the way of his preferences," and that the Navy has already been forced to retreat 300-400 miles offshore because Iran's hypersonic missiles make close-in naval power impossible. He concludes that even if a deal is signed, US credibility is destroyed and "we're not going to recover from this very quickly," with a recession already underway that could turn into a decade-long depression if bombing resumes. Plus segments on mass layoffs at Ben Shapiro's Daily Wire, Putin making a major move to crush the Petrodollar and Marco Rubio begging the Chinese to save the global economy. Also featuring Stef Zamorano, Kurt Metzger and Neil Oliver!

Tickets to our May 20th Munk Debate on Foreign Wars taking place in Toronto and featuring Mike Pompeo, Victoria Nuland, John Mearsheimer and Stephen Walt, are now on sale. Visit https://munkdebates.com/debates/foreign-wars-debate/ to purchase tickets. Trump's pause on escorting ships through the Strait of Hormuz has less to do with pressure from Iran and more to do with pressure from Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile the U.S. has not done anything to protect the UAE which is under sustained attack from Iran. What happened to the US security guarantee to the Gulf States? In the second half of the show Rudyard and Janice turn to two previous Munk Debaters - Louise Arbour and Nigel Farage - who were in the news this week for different reasons. Nigel had a great night in Britain with his Reform Party trouncing Labour in local council elections. The rise of populism in Britain, on both the left and right, is due to the failure of governance and the political ineptness of their Prime Minister Keir Starmer. In Canada former Supreme Court justice Louise Arbour was appointed as the country's new Governor General. Why is Ottawa unwilling—or incapable—of promoting talent beyond the Laurentian elite circle? And is it time for the Boomer careerists to step aside, bow out, and make room for a younger generation to inhabit these institutions? Become a Munk Donor ($50 annually) to get 72-hour advanced access to the full length editions of Friday Focus. Go to www.munkdebates.com to sign up.

We're joined by former U.S. diplomat Josef Burton to examine modern Pahlavism: an online, diaspora-driven movement built around nostalgia for Iran's deposed Pahlavi dynasty and the imagined restoration of Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi. What was once a marginal exile politics of royalist uncles, former regime officials, and anti–Islamic Republic hawks has, in the past decade, been transformed into a bizarre right-populist scene. It's part monarchist revival, part regime-change lobby, part “Make Iran Great Again” fandom. Josef traces how this movement emerged from the trauma and politics of the Iranian diaspora, then accelerated through Persian-language satellite TV, social media influencers, think tanks, bot campaigns, and the broader ecosystem of neoconservative, Israeli, Gulf State, and MAGA-aligned regime-change politics. Pahlavism presents itself as the authentic voice of Iranians, but often functions more like an astroturfed culture-war identity: anti-regime, pro-Western intervention, aggressively nostalgic for a whitewashed “Iran before the revolution,” and hostile toward Iranian dissidents who favor diplomacy, pluralism, or any future not centered on the Pahlavi name. The movement has started to resemble a QAnon-style political subculture: very online, retribution-focused, conspiratorial, obsessed with hidden agents and imminent deliverance, and convinced that posting, doxxing, street theater, and displays of loyalty are forms of revolutionary action. But unlike QAnon, modern Pahlavism's fantasy of “the storm” has been tied to real intelligence networks, real lobbying money, and real military escalation. When the long-promised war finally arrived and failed to produce a restored monarchy, the movement was left to cope with betrayal, humiliation, factional infighting, and increasingly bizarre displays of royalist devotion. Josef Burton on Twitter https://x.com/pinstripebungle “Shah's infamous Savak deputy chief participates in LA protest” by MEE correspondent in Tehran https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/iran-shah-infamous-savak-deputy-us-protest-press-review “The Problem of Iran Expertise in Washington” by Negar Razavi https://www.jadaliyya.com/Details/39946 “The Iranian Diaspora Is Fracturing Over Trump's War” by Keyvan Golsorkhi https://www.thenation.com/article/world/iran-diaspora-war-trump-israel/ “I'll Burn You Alive” by Daniel Bock https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/04/22/iran-diaspora-harassment-00092598 “How Iranian monarchist networks built ties to Europe's far-right” by Nima Ghadakpour https://www.theamargi.com/posts/how-iranian-monarchist-networks-built-ties-to-europes-far-right “Waiting for Day Zero” by Will Alden https://archive.is/20260427011144/https://www.nybooks.com/online/2026/04/22/waiting-for-day-zero-los-angeles-iranians/ Subscribe for $5 a month to get all the premium episodes: www.patreon.com/qaa Check out our new podcast series network Cursed Media! All episodes of Spectral Voyager Season 2 are now streaming! Binge the entirety of Truly Tradly Deeply by Annie Kelly and Megan Kelly as well as Science in Transition by Liv Agar and Spencer Barrows: cursedmedia.net Produced by Liv Agar & Corey Klotz. Theme by Nick Sena. Additional music by Pontus Berghe. Theme Vocals by THEY/LIVE (instagram.com/theyylivve / sptfy.com/QrDm). Cover Art by Pedro Correa: (pedrocorrea.com) qaapodcast.com QAA was known as the QAnon Anonymous podcast.

As the US naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz continues, and a US ground invasion of Iran seems imminent, Iran has now responded by striking US-allied countries in the region. Will Trump continue this profoundly unpopular war that is upending the global economy? Will it spiral out of control?Brian Becker is joined by Professor Mohammad Marandi, an expert on American studies who teaches at the University of Tehran.Join the The Socialist Program community at http://www.patreon.com/thesocialistprogram to get exclusive content and help keep this show on the air.

Abandon Ship! Topics: midterm elections, Spring thaw in US economic data, Strait of Hormuz oil rationing timeline, AI and data center update, Gulf State pipe dream, Congressional redistricting and Mythos update Summary: Despite improving US leading indicators and economic/stock market resilience, GOP House members are abandoning ship at a record pace. The midterm challenges for the GOP include declining blue-collar employment, soaring ACA premiums, a surge in commodity prices, rising inflation expectations and some unorthodox choices at the Department of Justice. Watch the video

Darrell Castle provides some options to end the war that Washington is currently fighting against Iran. Transcription / Notes OPTIONS TO END THE WAR AGAINST IRAN Hello this is Darrell Castle with today's Castle Report. This is Friday the 1st day of May in this the year of our Lord 2026. Yes today is May Day but my beat once again is war. This time I am looking for options to end the war that Washington is currently fighting against Iran. Donald Trump began the U.S./Israel war against Iran apparently because he wanted to deny Iran the chance to build its own nuclear weapon. That was at least the stated reason for starting the war. Suppose you are Iran and the U.S, demands that you dismantle and cease your nuclear weapons development program. Would you have any reason to comply with that demand considering what has happened to other countries in the Middle East. Acquiring nuclear weapons might be the only way left to prevent becoming a victim of a regime change war. Think about it like this for a moment. Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Iran, Venezuela, Russia and North Korea have all been demonized by the U.S. in one way or another this century. The only two that remain uninvaded, Russia and North Korea have nuclear weapons and the others do not. The leaders of those countries who do not have nuclear weapons are dead or locked in prison. I ask myself if the United States would be threatened if Iran were allowed to develop nuclear weapons and my conclusion is that it would not. Israel would be threatened because a nuclear armed Iran would serve as a blocking force to the expansion of Israel and Netanyahu's plans for greater Israel. If Iran had nuclear weapons Operation Epic Fury would not have happened or at least logic tells me. Why then, other than Bibi's influence, did Donald Trump launch this war. He must have been told and must have believed that the Iranian government would collapse and flee in the face of overwhelming U.S. and Israeli air attacks. If he believed that then he must not be a student of history because that theory has never worked throughout the history of air power. It worked in World War II as part of a combined arms attack that involved millions of troops fighting around the world in ground combat. Later wars like Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan it was assumed that air power and destruction from the air would make the difference but it did not. If a belief that Iran could be forced or persuaded to surrender or agree to U.S./Israeli demands as a result of destruction from the air was the cause of the attacks then obviously that was a false conclusion. Perhaps senior U.S. military leadership were and are students of military history and they warned the president that the strategy would fail and that explains in part why so many have been relieved. I admit that I have no inside information that leads me to that conclusion just logic and history. Having said all that what are the options Trump has in front of him right now. Here are a few that come to my mind but I'm sure there are others I just can't think of right now. First, he could just pack up and come home ala Ron Paul's advice to come home and mind your own business. That would mark the end of the unipolar world and an admission that the empire stage of American history is ending and what results it would leave in the Middle East are anyone's guess. Second, he could just continue the blockade and the air war in the hope that it would finally work. Third, he could launch a ground invasion of Iran like the other wars the U.S. has fought recently in which air power proved unable to force surrender. Invading Iran with ground troops would be different from the other multi decade wars because I doubt that it could be done with minimal U.S. casualties. Iran is a much bigger country with very different terrain across the country. It might even require a general mobilization of the American population with a draft and a conversion to war time production. It would most likely involve tens of thousands of casualties with many of our best young people coming home in boxes. In other words that would be one of the stupidest things an American president could possibly do, but they often do things that seem stupid to me. Fourth, he could resort to the weapons he is trying to prevent Iran from acquiring. He could tell the Iranians that unless they comply with his demands he will use tactical nuclear weapons to destroy their known nuclear and missile sites. He could threaten to increase the intensity and frequency of the attacks until they complied. The results of the fourth option would be so catastrophic that I don't even need to talk about them. It would forever remove from America the belief that we were once a moral and religious people. Fifth, he could reach a negotiated settlement and to that end Iran offered a suggestion which was quickly rejected but only in part. Iran suggested that the blockade would be lifted and the Strait would be open for free commerce. That would obviously leave Iran in a position to close it anytime the nuclear negotiations did not go their way. The question of nuclear enrichment would be deferred until some day in the future when the sides would start talking again. A lot of people would have accepted the settlement offer except that Trump knows what it really means. It would revert the conflict to status quo as if the war had not been fought except for the fact that Iran's infrastructure along with much of its leadership are gone. The other message the settlement will send is if we close the Strait you cannot force it open with air power or your navy. That message was not one Donald Trump was willing to accept so he said; what part of no nuclear weapons did you not understand. For now, the war continues and the blockade continues. It appears that the blockade is far more effective than air power proved to be. The blockade is hurting Iran economically to the point they want relief from it so perhaps soon they will relent and the president's ego could be salved with victory. He admitted when he announced that the settlement was rejected that the blockade was more effective than the bombing. “They are choking like a stuffed pig and it is going to get worse for them.” Perhaps the analogy of a stuffed pig is not the proper one to use with the Mullahs but that is Donald Trumps style not mine. He went on to say that they want to settle. They don't want me to keep the blockade but I don't want to lift the blockade because I don't want them to have a nuclear weapon. Iran had to do their tough talk as well saying it would engage in “unprecedented military action.” U.S. Central Command Admiral Brad Cooper said “Right now there are 41 tankers with 69 million barrels of oil that the Iranian regime can't sell. That's an estimated $6billion-plus from which Iran's leadership cannot financially benefit. The blockade is highly effective and U.S. forces remain fully committed to total enforcement.” The Pentagon's accounting office announced this week that so far the war has cost about $25 billion in taxpayer money. When I hear that I raise an eyebrow because I have a good idea what it costs to maintain a carrier battlegroup at sea and in-flight operations. I know what it costs to keep a carrier-based aircraft in combat mode let alone a massive B-52 or one of the stealth bombers. Tens of thousands of troops deployed with some 32thousand at least, bombs and missiles dropped on Iran. I just don't think all that can be done for $25 billion. The money is one thing but the war has cost at least 15 American lives and about 400 wounded although casualty figures have been very hard to come by. Let's not forget the billions of dollars reportedly incurred in damage from Iranian missiles to U.S. bases across the entire region. Damage assessment in the Gulf States and in Israel to U.S. property has been almost impossible to obtain accurately so why lie about the $25 billion. If that department lies each year about the trillions that go unaccounted for by the GAO or Government Accounting Office I suppose it's not a stretch for them to lie about the cost of war. So, I will assume that the Iranians are politically astute enough to know how this war is affecting U.S. politics. It is terribly unpopular and is a threat to control of the House and Senate. In addition, I spoke to a gentleman the other day who had recently been in Ireland. He said that in the U.S, terms of measurement gasoline was running about $12.50 per gallon and heating oil was unaffordable for most people. That condition probably exists across Europe and would probably make Iran have confidence to just hang on because political pressure will force Trump's hand. Time will tell if that works or not. Finally, folks, according to UNICEF about 1800 Iranian children have been killed or wounded by the war on Iran. I don't know if that number is accurate but if the accurate number is more than zero it's too many. However, as you are painfully aware my opinion is that this war is a stupid waste of lives and resources and should end as soon as possible. Having said that the men and women fighting it are my brothers and sisters and I stand with them always. At least that's the way I see it, Until next time folks, This is Darrell Castle, Thanks for listening.

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PREVIEW FOR LATER: Ahmad Sharawi details Iranian attacks in the Gulf targeting energy and civilian infrastructure, particularly in the UAE. Gulf states are rapidly bolstering defenses using Ukrainian air defense systems and knowledge. Despite these efforts, Iran is expected to maintain its strategy of targeting critical infrastructure in future conflict phases.1909 ARABIA

On this week's episode of The RV Atlas Podcast, we are reviewing one of the best state park campgrounds in the country. Our friend Allie Kreuz returns to the show […] The post An Epic Family RV Trip to Gulf State Park in Alabama with Allie Kreuz appeared first on The RV Atlas.

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Lazar Focus. Each Friday, join host diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman for a deep dive into what's behind the news that spins the globe. The shorthand term "Gulf states" doesn't describe a monolith. The Arab states along the Persian Gulf -- Saudi Arabia, Oman, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain -- all have unique internal dynamics, and approach their relationships with both Israel and Iran in different ways. Yet they do share a common threat -- the Shiite regional heavyweight just across the water, Iran. Placing a priority on stability and prosperity, the Gulf states have sought to prevent a war between the US and Iran. And if that war did break out, they hoped to secure immunity from Iranian attacks by maintaining diplomatic channels with the Islamic Republic and by showing that they were working for a ceasefire. That effort failed spectacularly. All the Gulf states were targeted by Iran, and the UAE was the country hardest hit by Iran in the war that began on February 28. The war made the countries look weak, as none of them hit back, nor were they able to put together a unified diplomatic initiative to end the war. Moran Zaga, expert on the Gulf states at the University of Haifa and at MIND Israel, explains how each of the countries is rethinking its approach to the Iran threat, and whether they are open to deeper ties with Israel. For now, she says, they are facing new and pressing challenges that threaten their economic well-being -- the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the possibility that the Houthis will shut down the approaches to the Red Sea, and Iran's insistence that it should decide who gets to enter the Persian Gulf. Lazar Focus can be found on all podcast platforms. This episode was produced by Gabriella Jacobs and video edited by Ari Schlacht.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Episode 476 of Hidden Forces, Demetri Kofinas speaks with Marvin Barth, founder of Thematic Markets and former head of FX and EM macro research at Barclays, and Chief Economist for International Affairs at the US Treasury about the ongoing US-Israeli military campaign against Iran and its implications for the global economy, global security, and the future of American military, economic, and financial power. The first hour begins with an update on the status of Operation Epic Fury, how the evolution of the conflict has aligned with Marvin's initial expectations, and the analytical framework he uses to assess US strategic objectives and the incentives that inform the decision-making of its principal agents—most notably the President himself. They draw historical analogies to previous Middle Eastern conflicts, assess risks to maritime security and global trade, and examine the evolving incentive structures of the US, Israel, the Gulf States, Saudi Arabia, and China. The conversation also explores the broader geopolitical implications of the conflict, including the fracturing of the post-war liberal order, Europe's precarious position, and the possibility of a far-reaching strategic realignment that could reshape America's alliances and its role as the world's dominant maritime and economic power. The second hour opens with a psychological portrait of Donald Trump—his reliance on inductive reasoning, his strategic use of misdirection, his narcissism, and what Marvin describes as a genuine ambition to secure his place among history's greatest presidents. They discuss how the skills that made Trump successful in business and on the campaign trail may fall short of what is required to navigate international crises and lead America through this Fourth Turning, and how an unpopular war is eroding his political base and risks turning him into a lame duck president before he reaches the midpoint of his second term. The episode concludes with a discussion of markets and the economy, including Europe's energy vulnerabilities, Marvin's bearish views on gold, and his innovation-cycle framework, which he believes explains why the US dollar remains near all-time highs on a real, effective basis despite widespread predictions of decline. Subscribe to our premium content—including our premium feed, episode transcripts, and Intelligence Reports—by visiting HiddenForces.io/subscribe. If you'd like to join the conversation and become a member of the Hidden Forces Genius community—with benefits like Q&A calls with guests, exclusive research and analysis, in-person events, and dinners—you can also sign up on our subscriber page at HiddenForces.io/subscribe. If you enjoyed today's episode of Hidden Forces, please support the show by: Subscribing on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Spotify, Stitcher, SoundCloud, CastBox, or via our RSS Feed Writing us a review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify Join our mailing list at https://hiddenforces.io/newsletter/ Producer & Host: Demetri Kofinas Editor & Engineer: Stylianos Nicolaou Subscribe and support the podcast at https://hiddenforces.io. Join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at @hiddenforcespod Follow Demetri on Twitter at @Kofinas Episode Recorded on 04/14/2026

6. Regional Realignments and the Houthi Threat. Malcolm Hoenlein warns the Gulf States face extreme vulnerability as Iran threatens their infrastructure. The Houthis remain a strategic reserve capable of closing the Bab al-Mandeb, while Europe continues to marginalize itself by staying on the sidelines.1979 TEHRAN

SCHEDULE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW, 4-13-2026.1979 WOMEN PROEST IN TEHRAN The Brewing Blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. Bill Roggio discusses the potential US naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz following failed talks in Islamabad. US demands include opening the strait, ending nuclear programs, and stopping proxy attacks against Middle Eastern neighbors.2. The Resilience of Iranian Surrogates. Bill Roggio analyzes the continued strength of Iranian proxies like Hezbollah and the Houthis. Despite military pressure, these groups remain active, with the Houthis potentially held in reserve to threaten critical global shipping lanes.3. The Internal Struggle of the Iranian People. JANATYN SAYEH discusses the regime's brutal internal crackdown, noting over a thousand executions in 2026. The Iranian people feel abandoned by the current ceasefire, fearing the regime will survive without significant systemic change.4. Identifying Iran's Hardline Five-Man Leadership. Jonathan Schanzer outlines Iran's core leadership, including Ghalibaf and Vahidi, who possess deep ties to internal repression and international terror. These veterans represent an institutional commitment to the revolution, making significant concessions unlikely.5. Holocaust Remembrance and the Iranian Ideology. Malcolm Hoenlein reflects on Yom HaShoah and rising global anti-Semitism. He discusses how Iran's radical ideology drives its leaders to claim victory despite heavy military losses, refusing to compromise on their nuclear and proxy ambitions.6. Regional Realignments and the Houthi Threat. Malcolm Hoenlein warns the Gulf States face extreme vulnerability as Iran threatens their infrastructure. The Houthis remain a strategic reserve capable of closing the Bab al-Mandeb, while Europe continues to marginalize itself by staying on the sidelines.7. Operation Roaring Lion and Strikes on Beirut. David Daoud details the IDF's Operation Eternal Darkness, which targeted 100 Hezbollah sites in under ten minutes. The strikes hit densely populated areas of Beirut, causing massive displacement and raising questions about tactical objectives.8. Hezbollah's Inseparable Link to the Iranian Regime. David Daoud explains that Hezbollah is an essential extension of Iran's regional power, not a disposable proxy. Iran will likely fight to preserve the group, as Hezbollah's survival is critical to its revolutionary goals.9. Peru's Shift to the Right. Alejandro Peña Esclusa reports on Peru's election, where right-wing candidates Kiko Fujimori and Rafael Lopez Aliaga are leading. This trend suggests a continental shift away from the pink tide and toward pro-Western governments.10. Political Stagnation and Repression in Venezuela. Alejandro Peña Esclusa reports that the Rodriguez brothers maintain control in Venezuela by focusing on economic compliance while delaying political transitions. Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado faces threats of imprisonment, hindering hopes for free elections and a democratic transition.11. Escalation and Extortion in the Straits. Edmund Fitton-Brown discusses the US Navy's mission to counter Iranian extortion and clear mines in the Strait of Hormuz. Trump's big-stick strategy aims for a deal but risks a resumption of war.12. Viktor Orbán's Defeat and the European Center. Edmund Fitton-Brown analyzes the ousting of Hungary's Viktor Orbán by Peter Magyar as a victory for traditional democracy. This shift removes a major obstacle to EU aid for Ukraine and disrupts Vladimir Putin's influence.13. Ukraine's Easter Standoff and Prisoner Exchanges. John Hardy reports on Russian ceasefire violations during Orthodox Easter and significant prisoner exchanges. The removal of Viktor Orbán in Hungary is expected to unblock vital EU financial loans for the Ukrainian government.14. Iraqi Militias as Iran's Strategic Reserve. Ahmed Sharari discusses how Iraqi militias are fundraising to support Iran and Hezbollah. These groups serve as a strategic reserve for the Iranian regime, demonstrating their readiness to sacrifice resources for the revolution.15. Canada's Pivot Toward China. Conrad Black analyzes Prime Minister Mark Carney's efforts to strengthen trade with China amidst shifting relations with the US. While resource-rich Canada seeks new markets, political mistrust of China's undemocratic regime remains high.16. The Russian Mob and Political Kompromat. Craig Unger explores Viktor Orbán's long-standing ties to the Russian mafia and the FSB. He argues that both Orbán and Donald Trump have functioned as assets for Russian intelligence due to financial entanglements.

6. Iranian Threats to Gulf State Infrastructure Guest: Akmed Scharawi and Bill Roggio Summary: Iran is threatening "crushing" attacks on Gulf desalination plants and oil fields. Experts analyze the vulnerability of regional air defenses and Iran's strategy of targeting civilian infrastructure to pressure the United States and its allies.,, (6)1810 SHAH OF PERSIA

The Pentagon is currently preparing plans for a weeks-long ground operation in Iran, including a raid on Kharg Island—where 90% of Iran's crude oil exports are processed—despite military experts warning that 50,000 troops are nowhere near enough for a decisive victory in a country of 93 million people with rugged terrain and a formidable military.  Jimmy notes that even experts admit any ground incursion would lead to heavy casualties, political backlash, and prolonged conflict, while Iran has been preparing for this invasion for decades. He points out that Iran is already winning the war: it has seized control of the Strait of Hormuz, is charging $2 million tolls per tanker, and has achieved its long-sought goal of getting U.S. oil sanctions lifted—something diplomacy could never accomplish. He warns that if the U.S. attacks Kharg Island, Iran will retaliate by destroying oil infrastructure across the Gulf States, triggering a global depression and food crisis. Plus segments on Marco Rubio's admission that Iran will control the Strait of Hormuz after the war ends, reports emerging that the bullet that killed Charlie Kirk doesn't match the gun allegedly used by Tyler Robinson, and the Israeli army sitting out a ground invasion of Iran. Also featuring Jeffrey Sachs, Stef Zamorano and Mike MacRae. And a phone call from JD Vance!

In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin: First up—the war with Iran could be expanding, as new reporting suggests the United Arab Emirates is preparing to join the fight and help force open the Strait of Hormuz. Later in the show—North Korean hackers slip malicious code into software used by thousands of U.S. companies, in what could become a major crypto heist. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President's Daily Brief by visiting https://PDBPremium.com. Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief. YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief Superpower: Stop guessing about your health—get $20 off Superpower at https://superpower.com/pdb with code PDB. Sundays for Dogs: Upgrade your dog's food without the hassle—try Sundays for Dogs and get 50% off your first order at https://sundaysfordogs.com/PDB50or use code PDB50 at checkout Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wednesday, March 25th, 2026 Today, Minnesota has sued the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice for access to the evidence in the Pretti, Good and Sosa-Celis cases; the Pentagon is sending another 3,000 troops to the Middle East as Gulf States edge toward joining the fight; Trump is now open to a deal to fund TSA without funding ICE; the Senate has confirmed Markwayne Mullin as Secretary of DHS; the Trump administration is paying France $1B to kill wind farms; Bill Cosby has lost a civil trial and faces a $59M judgment; and Allison and Dana deliver your Good News. Thank You, MINT MOBILE Make the switch! MINTMOBILE.com/DAILYBEANS Thank You, Fast Growing Trees Get 20% off your first purchase  FastGrowingTrees.com/dailybeans →We are ending the $3 Daily Beans only subscription effective March 30th. If you are subscribed at $3 before March 30th, you can keep your $3 subscription for as long as you like without any changes. Guest: Michael IsikoffSpyTalk Podcast - MSW MediaSpyTalk on SubstackRussian Roulette by Michael Isikoff & David Corn | Hachette Book Group@misikoff - Bluesky   The Latest:Minnesota SUES the Trump Administration for Access to EVIDENCE in the Pretti, Good, and Sosa-Celis Cases StoriesPentagon prepares to send another 3,000 troops to Middle East | POLITICO Trump Administration to Pay $1 Billion to Energy Giant to Cancel Wind Farms | The New York Times GOP senators see path to ending DHS shutdown after Trump meeting | POLITICO Senate confirms Markwayne Mullin to be DHS secretary, replacing Kristi Noem | NBC News NEW: Minnesota SUES the Trump Administration for Access to EVIDENCE in the Pretti, Good, and Sosa-Celis Cases | Muellershewrote.com Bill Cosby Loses Sex Assault Lawsuit and Faces a $59 Million Judgment | The New York TimesGood Trouble If you were not able to attend the virtual trainings offered by NoKings or would like a refresher on what was covered. The NoKings Youtube channel has you covered. No Kings - YouTube channel has posted their Trainings and Tips for attendees and Hosts.  Know Your Rights: Protest Rights and Safety Practices | YoutubeTips for No Kings Attendees | Youtube Find your event atNoKings.org and No Kings on Mobilize →NoKings March 28th →2026 Primary Election Calendar: All the Dates Ahead of Midterms →Public Comment Period Open: White House Ballroom Proposal →Standwithminnesota.com →Tell Congress Ice out Now | Indivisible →Defund ICE | 5Calls →Congress: Divest From ICE and CBP | ACLU →ICE List  →iceout.org →2026 Trans Girl Scouts To Order Cookies From! | Erin in the Morning Good NewsNo Kings 5 Calls Americans of Conscience Checklist →Share your Good News & Good Trouble - The Daily Beans →Beans Talk audio -beans-talk.simplecast.com Subscribe to the MSW YouTube Channel - MSW Media - YouTube Our Donation Links Pathways to Citizenship link to MATCH Allison's Donationhttps://crm.bloomerang.co/HostedDonation?ApiKey=pub_86ff5236-dd26-11ec-b5ee-066e3d38bc77&WidgetId=6388736 Allison is donating $20K to It Gets Better and inviting you to help match her donations. Your support makes this work possible, Daily Beans fam. Donate to It Gets Better / The Daily Beans Fundraiser Join Dana and The Daily Beans with a MATCHED Donation http://onecau.se/_ekes71 More Donation LinksNational Security Counselors - Donate

Episode 5215: War Expands To The Gulf States; MSM Is Losing Grasp On Their Audience