Podcasts about houthis

Donate (no account necessary) | Subscribe (account required) Join Bryan Dean Wright, former CIA Operations Officer, as he covers today's top stories shaping America and the world. In this episode of The Wright Report, Bryan reports that hopes for an Iran peace deal are fading fast, with the IRGC now threatening to open a new war front in the Red Sea alongside the Houthis and a leaked, expletive-laced phone call between President Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu revealing the worst rift between the two leaders in over a year. Bryan walks through Iran's escalating attacks on commercial ships, the strategic stakes of a potential Red Sea closure for Saudi oil exports, and uses the case of arrested IRGC terrorist Mohammad al-Saadi to argue that Trump's blind spot is trying to negotiate in good faith with religious fanatics who view this as an existential war. He lays out a clear path forward: a televised tactical retreat where Trump turns Europe, Asia, and the Arab states into the foil and puts America First, then pivots to a wave of Democrat judges rolling back Trump policies on the "86-47" assassination phrase, transgender troops, the anti-weaponization fund, the Kennedy Center renaming, and the green card abroad rule. Plus, Bryan closes with genuinely good news: US manufacturing just hit a four-year high under Trump's Triple B bill, General Dynamics is finally restarting 155 artillery shell production in Texas, and the Pentagon's new $1 billion Drone Dominance contest is recruiting backyard tinkerers and former drone racing champions to out-build America's adversaries. "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." - John 8:32   Keywords: Bryan Dean Wright, The Wright Report, Iran peace talks collapse, IRGC Red Sea threat, Houthis Bab al-Mandab, Saudi oil pipeline, Sariska Five ship attack, Strait of Hormuz blockade, Trump Netanyahu phone call, Israel Lebanon incursion, Hezbollah ceasefire, Mohammad al-Saadi IRGC terrorist, taqiyya Islamist threat, America First Iran exit, Judge Randolph Moss, 86-47 assassination phrase, James Comey, Accountability Now USA, transgender troops ruling, Pentagon trans policy, Judge Leonie Brinkema, anti-weaponization fund, Kennedy Center renaming, Judge Chris Cooper, green card policy reversal, sanctuary cities, Soros DAs, Judge Dugan Milwaukee, US manufacturing four-year high, Triple B bill, General Dynamics 155 shells, Mesquite Texas plant, Marines Madis System, anti-drone Humvee, Stinger missiles, Drone Dominance contest, Pentagon small drones

//The Wire//2300Z May 29, 2026// //ROUTINE// //BLUF: PROBABLE RUSSIAN DRONE IMPACTS APARTMENT BUILDING IN ROMANIA. HOUTHIS SHOOT DOWN AMERICAN DRONE OVER YEMEN. WHITE HOUSE ANNOUNCES ALLEGED LIFTING OF THE AMERICAN BLOCKADE IN MIDDLE EAST.// -----BEGIN TEARLINE------International Events-Middle East: This morning, President Trump made several statements in a post on his Truth Social account. Most importantly, he stated that the American blockade of the Strait of Hormuz will be lifted. Secondly, the chief American bargaining demands regarding a settlement to the Iran war are now the re-opening of the Strait by the Iranians, the removal of the mines, and also the promise that they won't develop nuclear weapons, among other details.Analyst Comment: Much like previous statements, a short post on social media is not exactly the most clear format to convey all of the nuts and bolts of a potential peace deal, and it is precisely these smaller details which have derailed any agreement thus far. Time will tell how the Iranians react to this news, but if the lifting of the American blockade is indeed true (and immediate, without being contingent on some other unspoken detail), this could be the early indications of the U.S. attempting to walk away from this conflict. As always, it takes two to tango, and the Iranians are unlikely to immediately react to these claims, after being burned on the diplomatic front so many times.Yemen: This morning Houthi forces shot down another American MQ-9 drone in the vicinity of Marib. This is the second such drone platform shot down in Yemen this month.Romania: Last night, an apartment building in Galați was struck by an unidentified munition, resulting in a fire breaking out on the upper stories of the building. The strike resulted in two residents of the building being wounded, and the Romanian Ministry of Defense has confirmed that the munition was a drone of Russian origin.-----END TEARLINE-----Analyst Comments: The summer fighting season in Ukraine is clearly starting to cause more problems and instability for the European continent, as demonstrated by last night's drone incident in Romania. Right now, a major Russian offensive is underway in Odessa, and fighting along most of the fronts has picked up over the past few weeks. As such, it's not a stretch to surmise that this was a drone-off-course situation as hundreds of drones were used by Russia to attack targets along the southwestern front of the war. However, this is not the first time that Romania has dealt with supposedly "off-course" drones from the war. Drone incursions in Romania have been reported several times before, with the Russian ambassador even being summoned to explain this behavior in September of last year. Additionally, Ukraine has made good use of long-range drones as well, with a total of three tanker vessels reportedly being targeted in the Black Sea just off the coast of Turkey on the same night. As these vessels are a part of Russia's shadow-fleet of sanctioned vessels, these drones were almost certainly Ukrainian, as Ukraine seeks to prevent Russia from capitalizing on the oil shock crisis currently inflating global oil prices. Bottom line, drones are filling the skies by all sides, and as technology improves collateral damage in warfare becomes much more costly, all the while the stakes increase around the world.Analyst: S2A1 Research: https://publish.obsidian.md/s2underground Disclaimer: No LLMs were used in the writing of this report. //END REPORT//

Donate (no account necessary) | Subscribe (account required) Join Bryan Dean Wright, former CIA Operations Officer, as he covers today's top stories shaping America and the world. In this episode of The Wright Report, Bryan unpacks President Trump's surprise threat to bomb Oman over a brewing scheme with Iran to charge tolls on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Bryan breaks down the escalating chess match in the Middle East, including fresh Iranian drone attacks on commercial vessels, Trump's strategy to strip Tehran of its midterm election leverage, and the White House's plan to recognize Somaliland as a wedge against Saudi Arabia and the Houthis. He then pivots to a wave of domestic immigration reforms, from a new executive order pushing banks to flag illegal aliens, to a return of the pre-1960s rule requiring green card applicants to wait abroad, to the proposed "Cranky Flier" program targeting international flights into sanctuary cities. The WSJ's reporting on shoddy new home construction tied to unqualified foreign labor adds a sharp twist to the labor debate. Plus, Ken Paxton's primary win over John Cornyn in Texas raises the question of whether Trump will turn his war chest on RINO Republicans, and Bryan closes with promising medical news on pancreatic cancer, why a father's weight before conception shapes his child's metabolic health, and what scientists just learned about the brain's two washing systems during deep sleep. "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." - John 8:32   Keywords: Bryan Dean Wright, The Wright Report, Trump Oman threat, Strait of Hormuz, Iran drone attack, IRGC, Iran ceasefire, midterm elections, Somaliland recognition, Houthis, Saudi Arabia, Abraham Accords, MBS, UAE, immigration reform, illegal immigration, bank executive order, green card policy, sanctuary cities, DHS, Markwayne Mullin, Cranky Flier program, construction industry lawsuits, D.R. Horton, Lennar, John Cornyn, Ken Paxton, Texas Senate race, James Talarico, John Thune, RINO Republicans, Save America Act, pancreatic cancer treatment, paricalcitol, vitamin D analog, father obesity fertility, glymphatic system, deep sleep brain health, Alzheimer's prevention

It took the Houthis at least a month to enter the Iran conflict in late March and early April and the Yemeni rebels have been largely restrained since a Pakistan-brokered truce began last month. But they haven't exactly been idle either. A new report from Conflict Armament Research (CAR) found the Houthis have been expanding their arsenal, mainly through illicit shipments of what are thought to be more advanced weapons from Iran-linked arms supply networks. At the same time, the group has threatened to launch more attacks if the US and Israel resume their military campaign in Iran, causing fears such escalation could also choke off international shipping in the Bab Al Mandeb Strait. In this episode of Beyond the Headlines, host Nada AlTaher examines the risks that come with the Houthis' expanding weaponry and the role the group could play next in, and beyond, the Iran conflict. She speaks to Rob Hunter-Perkins, one of the CAR report's authors, and Jovan Ilijev, from the Terrorism Research and Analysis Consortium.

Jon Herold and Chris Paul open on the morning after Thomas Massie's primary loss with APAC already out celebrating publicly, naming Massie and MTG as the two "detractors" they replaced with pro-Israel voices. The guys break down what Trump's 37 and 0 endorsement record actually means in a fraudulent election system: not that Trump picks winners, but that endorsements are narrative disruption tools in a scripted storytelling war. John Podhoretz drops a stunning clip openly declaring that Jewish money will be deployed against antisemitic candidates as a matter of communal survival, and Chris Paul walks through why what he described, said by any other ethnic group, would end careers instantly. Trump's "He'll do whatever I want" Netanyahu quote drops alongside news of a tense call over a Qatar and Pakistan drafted Iran peace memo. Chris Paul reframes the Taliban, Houthis, Hezbollah, and Hamas as potentially legitimate people's governance authorities rather than terrorist groups, connecting it to Syria, Venezuela, and the Doha agreement pattern. Spencer Pratt's viral LA mayoral AI ads get a full breakdown. The show closes on Trump's DOJ anti-weaponization fund, a $1.776 billion settlement where the DOJ officially acknowledges the "unlawful raid of Mar-a-Lago."

VOV1 - Tư lệnh Bộ Chỉ huy Trung tâm Mỹ (CENTCOM), Brad Cooper cho biết, chiến dịch quân sự của Mỹ nhằm vào Iran đã làm suy yếu nghiêm trọng khả năng của Tehran trong việc tổ chức hoặc hỗ trợ các cuộc tấn công quy mô lớn nhằm vào đồng minh Israel.Phát biểu tại phiên điều trần trước Ủy ban Quân vụ Hạ viện Mỹ ngày 20/5, Tư lệnh Bộ chỉ huy Trung tâm Mỹ Đô đốc Brad Cooper cho biết, chiến dịch “Cuồng nộ” cùng các đợt không kích trước đó nhằm vào hạ tầng hạt nhân và quân sự của Iran đã đẩy lùi đáng kể năng lực chiến tranh của Tehran. Theo ông Cooper, các chiến dịch quân sự của Mỹ đã làm gián đoạn mạng lưới cung cấp vũ khí kéo dài nhiều thập niên của Iran cho các lực lượng đồng minh trong khu vực như Hamas, Hezbollah và lực lượng Houthi tại Yemen.Tư lệnh CENTCOM nhận định điều này đã làm giảm đáng kể nguy cơ xảy ra thêm một cuộc tấn công tương tự vụ Hamas tiến hành nhằm vào Israel ngày 7/10/2023. Đô đốc Cooper cho biết, khoảng 85% năng lực sản xuất tên lửa đạn đạo và máy bay không người lái của Iran đã bị phá hủy. Ông nói, chiến dịch của Mỹ đã đánh trúng “ba trụ cột đe dọa và cưỡng ép” của Tehran, gồm chương trình hạt nhân, hệ thống tên lửa và máy bay không người lái, cùng mạng lưới các lực lượng ủy nhiệm trong khu vực.Theo bản điều trần bằng văn bản, quân đội Mỹ đã thực hiện hơn 10.200 phi vụ và khoảng 13.500 cuộc tấn công nhằm vào các mục tiêu liên quan tới năng lực triển khai ảnh hưởng quân sự của Iran. Trong số đó, hơn 1.450 cuộc tấn công nhằm trực tiếp vào các cơ sở sản xuất vũ khí, khiến năng lực chế tạo và tích trữ tên lửa cùng máy bay không người lái tầm xa của Tehran bị đẩy lùi nhiều năm.Tuy nhiên, phát biểu tại phiên điều trần, nghị sĩ Dân chủ Adam Smith cho rằng, bất chấp những thiệt hại quân sự, cuộc chiến hiện vẫn là “một thảm họa chiến lược”. Ông Adam Smith nhận định, chính quyền Iran vẫn chưa sụp đổ và thậm chí đang trở nên cứng rắn hơn kể từ khi chiến tranh bắt đầu. Nghị sĩ này cũng cảnh báo về các tác động kinh tế toàn cầu, đặc biệt là nguy cơ gián đoạn nguồn cung năng lượng do Iran phong tỏa eo biển Hormuz.Quang Trung/VOV-WashingtonCác tòa nhà bị phá hủy sau cuộc không kích tại Tehran, Iran, ngày 13/6/2025 (Ảnh: THX/TTXVN)

Turkey's role in Somalia is under growing scrutiny, with the East African country embroiled in controversy over elections and Israel stepping up efforts to challenge Turkey in the region. Over the last two years Turkey has ramped up its economic and military presence in Somalia, building on decades of development. The East African country is home to Turkey's largest overseas military base and this year it bolstered its military presence, deploying F16 fighter jets and tanks. Turkey is also constructing a space port for its rapidly advancing missile programme, and the two countries have signed agreements to exploit potentially vast energy reserves. But the deepening partnership is proving increasingly controversial, says Omar Mahmood of the International Crisis Group. While five or 10 years ago there would have been "quite high praise" for Turkey's role, that's changed over the last two years. "Some of these [Turkish] contracts and projects have tipped into [a much] greater scale and that has raised questions" he noted. Turkey boosts Mali defence ties after separatist and jihadist attacks Election dispute A looming constitutional crisis is adding to the scrutiny of Turkey's role in Somalia. The Somali government is insisting it has one year left of its electoral mandate, while the opposition claims elections should be held in May. "The core issue is that the political elite are infighting about the system,” explains Mahmood. “So anytime that happens, those who are against the government wind up complaining and then also looking at who is supporting the Somali government." Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's authorisation of $30 million in cash aid to the Somali government, which coincided with an April visit to Istanbul by his Somali counterpart, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, drew criticism from both the Somali and Turkish opposition. Famine looms in Somalia amid drought, dwindling aid and Middle East war “Turkey providing cash aid to the Somali government sparked the debate,” said African studies professor Elem Eyrice Tepeciklioglu, of the Social Sciences University of Ankara. “It seems some people think Turkey supports the ruling government, and provides support to the ruling government because they benefit from the relationship.” Ankara has strongly refuted accusations of interference in Somali politics. However, it could be paying the price for being too focused on Mogadishu in the past, given the diverse nature of Somalia's regions. “Turkey has started to learn from its mistakes,” said Tepeciklioglu. “They have started to increase their involvement with different states, with different regions, and have started to increase their engagement with local people as well.” Rivalry in the region Turkey is also facing a growing challenge in the region from Israel, which in April appointed an ambassador to Somaliland – becoming the first country to recognise the breakaway republic, which seceded from Somalia in 1991. “It's been useful probably for [Israel] to assert themselves against Turkey in an area where Turkey has firmly planted its flag,” said Norman Ricklefs of geopolitical consultancy, the NAMEA Group. Israeli-Turkish relations remain strained over Ankara's support of Hamas and Israel's war against Gaza and Lebanon. The Israeli government has indicated it is considering a military presence in Somaliland, to counter the threat posed by the Houthis in Yemen.  “I don't think we're at that stage yet,” said Ricklefs. "But any Israeli military presence in Somaliland is going to raise angst amongst the neighbours – Somalia, Egypt, Turkey and potentially Saudi Arabia. Obviously, it's going to be destabilising.” The risky calculations behind Israel's recognition of Somaliland The Horn of Africa could be a potential new flashpoint if Israel deploys military assets in Somaliland, agrees international relations professor Serhat Guvenc of Istanbul's Kadir Has University. "The potential for conflict between Israel and Turkey is really high, because they're pursuing diametrically opposed objectives. If relations further deteriorate, then we may see tensions running high between the two countries because they would be in almost physical contact. Their military assets may run the risk of having dangerous encounters with each other." Israeli-Turkish rivalry in the region threatens to exacerbate existing tensions in an already volatile area. For Turkey, which has invested more than €1 billion in development in Somalia over the past decade, and is also eyeing major financial returns from its energy exploration in Somalian waters, the stakes are high.

For review:1. CIA Director Ratcliffe met with counterparts from Cuba's Ministry of the Interior on Thursday during a high-level visit to the island nation amid "complex bilateral relations" between the long-time adversaries.2. President Donald Trump says he has not yet decided whether a major sale of US arms to Taiwan can move forward following his three-day visit to China. 3. Israel said that it had targeted Izz al-Din al-Haddad, the Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip and the head of the terror group's military wing, in an airstrike in Gaza City on Friday.  A senior Israeli security official told reporters that were “initial indications” that Haddad was killed.  The IDF has not yet officially commented on the strike.4. US President Donald Trump counted “the military decimation of Iran” among his administration's accomplishments in a social media post on Thursday, adding, “to be continued!”The phrase, included in a lengthy Truth Social Post suggested he may resume the war against Iran after he returns from his trip to China on Friday. 5. US President Donald Trump said Friday that he would accept a 20-year suspension of the uranium enrichment at the heart of Iran's rogue nuclear program if Tehran gave a “real” guarantee, in an apparent shift from his previous demand that Iran permanently halt its program and his pledge to ensure Iran can never attain nuclear weapons.6. US CENTCOM CDR Admiral Brad Cooper appears at SASC Hearing. Admiral Cooper:- US has the military power to permanently reopen the Strait of Hormuz.- Iran's ability to threaten its neighbors and US interests has been dramatically reduced by US bombings, and Tehran's defense industry has been set back by 90%.- Iran was no longer able to transfer arms and other resources to its main allies in the region: Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen and Hamas in Gaza. “Those transfer paths and methods have been cut off.”7. The United States on Friday announced a 45-day extension of a porous ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, even as the Iran-backed terror group continued to clash with IDF soldiers and launch missiles and drones into Israeli territory.8. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah party on Thursday began a three-day conference to elect its highest leadership body for the first time in 10 years.

Trump and Xi convene in Beijing for their seventh face-to-face meeting, the U.S. Senate blocks another War Powers resolution to limit Trump's military campaign in Iran, U.K. Health Secretary Wes Streeting resigns, the White House unveils its 2026 counterterrorism strategy, Yemen and the Houthis agree to their largest prisoner swap deal in a decade, the U.K. leads the G7 with 0.3% economic growth in March, protests erupt across Havana amid a 22-hour blackout, U.S. drug overdose deaths fall 14%, Carney announces plans to double Canada's electricity grid capacity by 2050, and a study finds evidence that Neanderthals may have performed dentistry 59,000 years ago. Sources: Verity.News

In this episode of ROPESCAST, Ksenia Svetlova sits down with Dr. Sanam Vakil, Director of the Middle East and North Africa program at Chatham House, who offers an interesting perspective on the shifting strategic landscape of the region.The discussion centers on Iran's proxies and the evolving dynamics of relations between Tehran and Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Hamas. Dr. Vakil explains how these groups have institutionalized themselves as both political, military and social forces.She paints a rather complicated picture of what has happened since the beginning of the Iran war, illustrating why a purely military approach to defeating these groups often fails to address the underlying regional reality.A significant portion of the conversation interrogates the decision-making process within the current U.S. administration. Dr. Vakil analyzes what she describes as a “hollowing out” of regional expertise in Washington and cautions against the dangerous allure of seeking “easy wins” against the Islamic Republic—a regime that operates on a strategic calculus built over decades of survival.The episode concludes with a look at the Palestinian arena and the influence of the war in Iran on it.Chapters:00:00 – Welcome to ROPESCAST02:13 – “Did Anyone Expect This War?”03:50 – How October 7 Reshaped the Middle East05:02 – Israel's Miscalculation on Iran06:32 – How Iran Built the “Axis of Resistance”09:45 – Why Hezbollah & Hamas Can't Be Defeated Militarily15:27 – After Soleimani: The Axis Reinvents Itself21:37 – Washington's Iran Expertise “Hollowed Out”26:31 – A New Middle East Security Order?34:44 – “The Real War Was Disinformation39:15 – Can This Conflict End Through Negotiation?

In today's episode of Trending Middle East, analysis reviewed by The National shows nearly 100,000 civilian structures in southern Lebanon have been destroyed or damaged by Israel's campaign of "wanton destruction", with legal experts warning it could amount to a war crime. We also look at an investigation into Houthi weapons networks in Yemen, where advanced missiles and drones linked to Iranian supply systems have been found. Meanwhile, Iran warns it is prepared to respond to any new US attack, while President Donald Trump says the fragile ceasefire is on “massive life support”. In Abu Dhabi, authorities launch Dh55 billion ($14.97 billion) worth of infrastructure and development projects across transport, health care and education. And international health authorities are responding to a hantavirus outbreak linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship after passengers tested positive after travelling on to several countries. Trending Middle East is AI-assisted, using original reporting published in The National and curated and edited by humans.

In this explosive "60 Minutes" interview, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pulls no punches: The war with Iran achieved major victories, but the mission isn't complete. Highly enriched uranium remains, enrichment sites must be dismantled, and Iran's terrorist proxies like Hezbollah continue threatening Israel. President Trump and Israel are working in lockstep to secure real peace through strength — not the weak Obama-Biden-style appeasement that got us here. We also cover:  First batch of the UFO files have been released.  Is Hantavirus something to be concerned about?  Is the Ukraine war coming to an end? New gold-plated Trump statue.  Netanyahu makes it clear: Weakening or toppling the Iranian regime could collapse Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis for good. This is leadership that puts security first — exactly what Americans expect from strong conservative allies. Like if you stand with Israel and strong leadership! Comment below: Should the U.S. support Israel finishing the job in Iran? Subscribe and turn on notifications for more no-nonsense analysis on national security, America First foreign policy, and exposing liberal media bias. 00:00 Pat Gray UNLEASHED! 00:14 New Pat Gray BINGO! Sheet 04:58 Another Proposal from Iran 07:07 Chris Wright on Iran's Economy 08:24 Trump on Iran's Nuclear Stockpiles 09:35 Netanyahu on Iran's Nuclear Stockpiles 11:19 Netanyahu on China Helping Iran 12:54 Netanyahu on Israel's Defense Budget 17:39 UFO Files RELEASED! 19:15 Peter Doocy on Release of UFO Files 21:13 Dr. Michio Kaku on Release of UFO Files 24:56 Lauren Boebert on Release of UFO Files 31:57 Tim Burchett Talks about Aliens with Joe Rogan 39:15 Fat Five 46:56 1991 UFO Footage 50:11 Box Office Numbers 52:39 Michael Jackson Discussion 55:35 Hantavirus Update 59:16 Early GOP Polling Data 1:05:10 AI-Generated Spencer Pratt Ad 1:08:52 Anti Spencer Pratt Ad 1:12:07 Trump: 3-Day Ceasefire between Russia & Ukraine 1:13:09 Trump Visiting China This Week 1:13:29 Trump's Gold-Plated Statue 1:21:57 Trump on Vaccines in the U.S. 1:23:47 Bret Weinstein Talks about COVID-19 Shots with Joe Rogan 1:28:54 Transgender Athletes Continue to Dominate against Women! 1:33:00 Wes Moore Asked about Trans Issues Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever seen one of my favorite movies, Groundhog Day? I feel like that right now as we are trying to report on the global energy crisis, and daily it is the Strait is open, ....closed,,, open,,, closed, .... Dolphins ,,, wow. 1. Iran-U.S. Military Escalation in the Strait of HormuzThe podcast opens with coverage of Iran seizing an oil tanker and attacking U.S. forces in the Strait of Hormuz. Three U.S. Navy destroyers (Truxin, Rafael, and Mason) were transiting the strait when Iranian forces fired missiles, drones, and deployed small boats. The host also mentions a large oil slick near Karg Island, suggesting Iran may be deliberately releasing millions of barrels of oil into the Persian Sea—creating an ecological disaster.2. Iran's Rail Corridor to ChinaDiscussion of the Xi'an to Tehran rail corridor as an alternative to maritime blockades. Cargo train frequency has surged from one per week to one every 3-4 days since April, with freight rates climbing around 40%. However, the host notes this won't significantly replace oil exports since it would take 7,000-8,000 tankers to equal a single VLCC (very large crude carrier).3. Venezuela's Economic and Infrastructure CrisisMultiple stories cover Venezuela's failing electrical grid, which is operating well below capacity and causing widespread blackouts. The host discusses Venezuela's exploitation by China (being forced to sell oil at deep discounts while buying overpriced goods) and rehabilitation costs estimated at $15 billion over three years.4. Venezuela's Stranded Natural Gas DevelopmentShell is exploring development of Venezuela's offshore natural gas resources (Dragon Gas Field with 4.2-4.5 trillion cubic feet) to be routed through Trinidad and Tobago's infrastructure, potentially under OFAC sanctions relief programs.5. Nuclear Energy RevivalConstellation Energy is restarting the Three Mile Island nuclear plant to meet booming AI-powered electricity demand. The host advocates for restarting other nuclear facilities, particularly in California.6. BP's Strategic Pivot Away from Clean EnergyBP is selling stakes in UK carbon capture projects, signaling a return to focus on core oil and gas operations. The host notes this reflects a broader pullback by major oil companies from clean energy spending.7. Virginia's Carbon Market (RGGI)Criticism of Virginia's participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative as a "wealth transfer" that will increase utility bills for ratepayers, comparing it unfavorably to California's bullet train project.8. Critical Minerals Independence from ChinaCrucial Metals Corp has secured approval to acquire a 70% stake in Greenland's Tan Breeze rare earth deposit, featuring low radioactive elements and representing a significant step toward reducing U.S. dependence on Chinese critical minerals.9. Cheniere Energy's Financial CollapseCheniere Energy reported a shocking $3.5 billion net loss in Q1, swinging from a $335 million profit year-over-year, causing shares to plunge 10%.10. Geopolitical Strategy and ControlsThe host concludes with commentary on the need for "Venezuelan-style controls" on Iran to prevent funding of groups like the Houthis, arguing that without such controls, the Iranian IRGC will continue destabilizing activities.1.Iran Seizes Oil Tanker and Attacks US Forces in Strait of Hormuz: Escalation Threatens Fragile Ceasefire and Global Oil Flows2.How Effective is the Iran Back Door Rail Line to China?3.Venezuela's Faulty Power Grid May Set Back Economic Comeback4.Will Venezuela Export Stranded Gas through Trinidad?5.Three Mile Island Nuclear Plant Set to Restart Amid Booming AI Power Demand6.BP to Sell Stakes in UK Carbon Capture Projects, Getting Back to Basics7.Virginia's Carbon Market is a Wealth Transfer the Democrats are Trying to Hide8.US Secures Greenland Critical Minerals9.Cheniere Sags on Surprise $3.5 Billion LossCheck out the Energy News Beat SubStack https://theenergynewsbeat.substack.com/A shout-out to Steve Reese and the Reese Energy Consulting group for sponsoring the Podcast https://reeseenergyconsulting.com/.Data2 if you have any business systems, can you trust A? Well, they have the patent on validation. . https://data2.zoholandingpage.com/energyAnd we have WellDatabase rolling in as a new sponsor. https://welldatabase.com/

Piracy is rising again near Somalia. Since April 20, at least three ships have been hijacked off Somali waters and one near the Yemeni coast. A sailor’s voice note from a seized vessel has spread online. As the Iran war shakes the region, is it fueling attacks on key shipping routes? In this episode: Mohamed Gabobe (@Mohamed_Gabobe), Journalist Episode credits: This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolomé and Sarí el-Khalili with Spencer Cline, Tuleen Barakat, Catherine Nouhan, and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Tamara Khandaker. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. This episode was mixed by Rick Rush. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

In this episode, we host Edmund Fitton-Brown to explore how Iran projects power beyond its borders through proxies, criminal networks, intelligence services, and deniable operations. Drawing on his experience as a former British Ambassador to Yemen and former senior United Nations expert on ISIS, al-Qaeda and the Taliban, Edmund explains why Iran's external operations cannot be understood simply through the language of “sleeper cells” or conventional state espionage.We discuss why Iran's threat model is increasingly hybrid, asymmetric, and difficult to categorise. From the Houthis' role in the Red Sea and Hezbollah's weakened but still significant position in Lebanon, to alleged Iranian-backed plots in the UK, the use of organised criminals, the evolving relationship between Iran and al-Qaeda, and the wider breakdown of international counterterrorism cooperation after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, this conversation offers a timely guide to how state-backed coercion, terrorism, proxy warfare, and organised crime now overlap.Edmund Fitton-Brown is a former British diplomat and counterterrorism specialist. He joined the UK Foreign Service in 1984 and served in several Middle Eastern and European postings, including as British Ambassador to Yemen from 2015 to 2017. He later joined the United Nations Security Council Sanctions Monitoring Team, becoming Coordinator in 2018 and leading work on sanctions and global threat assessment relating to ISIS, al-Qaeda and the Taliban until 2022. He is currently a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a Senior Advisor at the Counter Extremism Project, a RUSI Senior Associate Fellow, and co-host of the CounterPod podcast. His work focuses on Iran, terrorism, proxy warfare, Middle East security and the state-backed threats that blur the boundaries between intelligence activity, organised crime and political violence. The International Risk Podcast brings you conversations with global experts, frontline practitioners, and senior decision-makers who are shaping how we understand and respond to international risk. From geopolitical instability and organised crime to cybersecurity threats and hybrid warfare, each episode explores the forces transforming our world and what smart leaders must do to navigate them. Whether you're a board member, policymaker, or risk professional, The International Risk Podcast delivers actionable insights, sharp analysis, and real-world stories that matter.The International Risk Podcast is sponsored by Conducttr, a realistic crisis exercise platform. Conducttr offers crisis exercising software for corporates, consultants, humanitarian, and defence & security clients. Visit Conducttr to learn more.Dominic Bowen is the host of The International Risk Podcast and Europe's leading expert on international risk and crisis management. As Head of Strategic Advisory and Partner at one of Europe's leading risk management consulting firms, Dominic advises CEOs, boards, and senior executives across the continent on how to prepare for uncertainty and act with intent. He has spent decades working in war zones, advising multinational companies, and supporting Europe's business leaders. Dominic is the go-to business advisor for leaders navigating risk, crisis, and strategy; trusted for his clarity, calmness under pressure, and ability to turn volatility into competitive advantage. Dominic equips today's business leaders with the insight and confidence to lead through disruption and deliver sustained strategic advantage.Subscribe for all our updates! Tell us what Tell us what you liked!

5. Headline: The Houthi Wildcard: Maritime Chokepoints and Strategic Leverage Guest: Bridget ToomeySummary: Bridget Toomey explains how the Houthis use the Bab el-Mandeb as a maritime chokehold to influence the international economy. Reports suggest the Houthis have explored charging illegal tolls of up to $2 million per ship for transit through the Red Sea using cryptocurrency. 51949 YEMEN

6. Headline: Humanitarian Crisis in Yemen and Iraqi Militia Aggression Guest: Bridget Toomey Summary: The UN has largely been pushed out of Houthi-controlled territory due to the illegal detention of 73 local staff members. Meanwhile, in Iraq, the U.S. has designated several militia commanders involved in attacks against energy infrastructure and American personnel in the region. 61958 YEMEN

12. Headline: Coordinated Threats: The Houthis, Iran, and Global Hunger Guest: Edmund Fitton-BrownSummary: The Houthis and Iran appear to use coordinated messaging to threaten strategic waterways, spooking global oil markets. Furthermore, the ongoing blockade risks creating a global famine due to fertilizer shortages, though the U.S.remains firm against Iranian "blackmail" using humanitarian crises. 121962 YEMEN

SHOW SCHEDULE  THE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW, 4-27-26.1993 YEMEN1. Headline: The Iran War on Pause: Diplomacy and Asymmetric Strategy Guest: Bill Roggio Summary: John Batchelor and Bill Roggio discuss the current pause in the Iran war, characterized by President Trump's decision to halt negotiations. While Iran's conventional military has suffered significant damage, concerns remain regarding its asymmetric warfare capabilities and its strategy to outlast the United States through "asymmetric diplomacy". 12. Headline: Saturday Night Assassination Attempt and the Danger of Misinformation Guest: Bill RoggioSummary: Batchelor and Roggio reflect on an assassination attempt by an American citizen at a Washington ballroom. They warn against the rapid spread of conspiracy theories following violent events, noting how misinformation has become mainstream. They emphasize that political violence is unacceptable and requires careful, factual reporting. 23. Headline: Escalating Negotiations: The Straits of Hormuz and Nuclear Files Guest: Jonathan Sayeh Summary:The discussion centers on the fragmented leadership in Tehran and whether negotiations will cover all fronts or remain separate. Iran is increasingly emboldened, using its control over the Straits of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb as powerful leverage against the United States and global economy. 34. Headline: Life Under Siege: Economic Pressure and Regime Stability in Iran Guest: Jonathan Sayeh Summary:Jonathan Sayeh describes the dire conditions inside Iran, where a U.S. Navy blockade is freezing the economy and threatening food security. Despite significant infrastructure damage, the regime's political leadership remains intact, focusing on reorganizing security forces and increasing internal repression to maintain control over the population. 45. Headline: The Houthi Wildcard: Maritime Chokepoints and Strategic Leverage Guest: Bridget ToomeySummary: Bridget Toomey explains how the Houthis use the Bab el-Mandeb as a maritime chokehold to influence the international economy. Reports suggest the Houthis have explored charging illegal tolls of up to $2 million per ship for transit through the Red Sea using cryptocurrency. 56. Headline: Humanitarian Crisis in Yemen and Iraqi Militia Aggression Guest: Bridget Toomey Summary: The UN has largely been pushed out of Houthi-controlled territory due to the illegal detention of 73 local staff members. Meanwhile, in Iraq, the U.S. has designated several militia commanders involved in attacks against energy infrastructure and American personnel in the region. 67. Headline: Canadian Diplomacy: The Tug-of-War Between the U.S. and China Guest: Charles Burton Summary:Experts discuss the potential for long-term concessions to China in exchange for short-term trade benefits during an upcoming Trump-Xi meeting. Canada faces internal pressure to diversify trade toward China, despite concerns about espionage and foreign interference in its political and economic sectors. 78. Headline: Typhoon Recovery and Systemic Corruption in the Northern Marianas Guest: Cleo Paskal Summary:A super typhoon has devastated the Northern Mariana Islands, leaving residents without water or electricity. However, there are significant concerns that federal relief funds will be misused due to a history of unaccounted-for billions and local officials with ties to Chinese casinos. 89. Headline: The Fragile Ceasefire: IDF Operations and Hezbollah's Defiance Guest: David Daoud Summary:Despite a ceasefire agreement, the IDF has resumed strikes in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley following continued Hezbollahfire. Hezbollah is reportedly exploiting U.S.-imposed constraints on Israel to claim a "victory image," while the Lebanese government remains ineffective in disarming the terror group. 910. Headline: Political Pressure in Israel: Security Zones and Self-Defense Guest: David Daoud Summary: David Daoud explains that the Lebanon ceasefire allows Israel to exercise self-defense against imminent Hezbollah attacks. Within Israel, there is significant political pressure from northern residents who feel abandoned by the ceasefire, arguing that it allows Hezbollah to regroup and metastasize across the border. 1011. Headline: Stalled Diplomacy and the Strategic Value of International Waterways Guest: Edmund Fitton-Brown Summary: President Trump canceled high-level meetings in Islamabad, citing fragmented Iranian leadership. Iran has offered to reopen the Straits of Hormuz in exchange for nuclear concessions, but experts argue this would be an American retreat and suggest maintaining the economic blockade instead. 1112. Headline: Coordinated Threats: The Houthis, Iran, and Global Hunger Guest: Edmund Fitton-BrownSummary: The Houthis and Iran appear to use coordinated messaging to threaten strategic waterways, spooking global oil markets. Furthermore, the ongoing blockade risks creating a global famine due to fertilizer shortages, though the U.S.remains firm against Iranian "blackmail" using humanitarian crises. 1213. Headline: Russia's Drone Expansion: Recruitment Loopholes and Remote Warfare Guest: John HardieSummary: Russia is aggressively expanding its Unmanned Systems Forces, targeting 165,000 personnel by year's end. A recruitment drive at Alabuga Polytech offers high pay and conscription exemptions to workers producing Iranian-designed Geran-2 drones, promising service in the rear to minimize personal risk. 1314. Headline: Syria's Reconstruction: The State Sponsor of Terrorism Designation Guest: Ahmad SharawiSummary: President Al-Shara is seeking over $200 billion for reconstruction, but Syria's designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism (SST) prevents significant investment. The U.S. maintains the SST status as leverage to demand the removal of foreign jihadists integrated into the Syrian army. 1415. Headline: Regional Disputes and Political Sabotage in Latin America Guests: Ernesto Araujo and Alejandro Pinusa Summary: Argentina is calling for renewed negotiations over the Falkland Islands, a matter that remains a sensitive national symbol. Meanwhile, the Maduro regime in Venezuela is accused of sabotaging the political transition by refusing to release political prisoners or permit the return of exiled leaders. 1516. Headline: Electoral Turmoil: Allegations of Fraud in Peru and Brazil Guests: Alejandro Pinusa and Ernesto Araujo Summary: Allegations of electoral fraud in Peru have surfaced after voting centers in right-wing strongholds remained closed. Analysts warn this is a rehearsal for the upcoming Brazilian elections, where Flavio Bolsonaro is gaining ground against Lula da Silva despite efforts to censor information. 16

Unleashed: The Political News Hour with Nate Cain – It's a “death cult” ideology of Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and the IRGC, contrasted with the aspirations of ordinary Iranians and other regional populations, and warned that propaganda from Tehran, Beijing, and elements of the American left has infected even parts of the right. Cain urged conservatives to reject this narrative and stand firmly...

In this episode, military expert Edward Jones breaks down the complex geopolitical realities of the Strait of Hormuz with host Walter Sterling. They explore the surprising strategic role of Larak, a tiny island acting as a mere channel marker for ships navigating the Gulf. Edward untangles the web of Iranian leadership, explaining how the extremist IRGC and its Quds Force are truly pulling the strings behind regional proxy groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis. Finally, they dive into why Iran's grand ambitions for Middle Eastern dominance are rapidly crumbling due to US blockades, halted oil production, and a severe lack of funds, leaving the regime with perhaps only "two months" to survive. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Editor's Note: This is our 500th episode. Thank you for being part of this journey, we wouldn't be here without you. Your loyalty and engagement have turned a project into a community. Here's to the next 500 episodes. Modern warfare transcends tactical victories; it targets the adversary's "will." Sean Heidgerken joins host Tom Spahr to discuss the Army's newest capability: Theater Information Advantage Detachments, or TIADs. These specialized units integrate experts in cyber, intelligence, psychological operations, public affairs, electronic warfare, civil affairs, and information operations to influence foreign actors and protect friendly information systems. Heidgerken, the commander of the 1st TIAD in the Indo-Pacific, explains that these organizations break traditional military silos by organizing into cross-functional teams. Whether exposing corruption through media or leveraging emerging AI to sense the environment, the TIAD mission is to ensure the Joint Force maintains an advantage in the gray zone of competition. The operations, whether it be psychological operations, electronic warfare, or cyber, have been siloed in those sub-staff sections… which inherently builds a lack of synchronization and coordination across those activities. Sean Heidgerken is a colonel and an Information Operations Officer who has served over 30 years in the U.S. Army. He has deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom four times, supported Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq and Syria, supported the evacuation from Afghanistan in 2021, and conducted operations to support Ukraine during the Russian invasion in 2022, as well as operations against the Houthis in Yemen in 2023, and most recently in Operation Midnight Hammer against Iranian nuclear sites in June 2025. He is the commander of the 1st Theater Information Advantage Detachment (TIAD) in the Indo-Pacific theater. Photo Credit: Generated by Gemini

Preview for Later Today: Edmund Fitton-Brown compares the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb maritime choke points. He notes the Red Sea's accessibility via the Suez Canal and the varying capabilities of regional threats like the Houthis. (2)1869 SUEZ CANAL

On Friday's Mark Levin Show, President Trump believes a deal with Iran is close and has announced that the Strait of Hormuz is open. However, the Iranian regime consists of terrorists who think long-term beyond election cycles. The U.S. maintains strong military and economic pressure on Iran, with forces positioned in the region, and should not ease this grip. Also, forty Democrats voted against allowing the sale of specialized military bulldozers to Israel, while every Republican, including Sen Rand Paul, voted in favor. These bulldozers are used solely to clear minefields and save lives, particularly those of IDF soldiers, and were a significant part of the package Israel sought to purchase. Voting no effectively does the work of Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis by blocking defensive tools that do not kill anyone.  Later, James Carville stated that if Democrats win the presidency and both houses of Congress, they should on day one make D.C. and Puerto Rico states and expand the Supreme Court to 13 justices. Democrats like Carville want to destroy our republic for their benefit. Finally, Buck Sexton calls in to discuss his new book, Manufacturing Delusion: How the Left Uses Brainwashing, Indoctrination, and Propaganda Against You.  He explains that after breaking down individuals through menticide, brainwashing, thought reform, and Pavlovian conditioning, the next phase is "identity construction." This process, achieved largely through propaganda, rebuilds people with a new, manufactured group identity that makes them operate as a single programmable entity serving the designers of the belief system. It strips away rationality, critical thinking, individual identity, and natural resistance to lies, rendering the new identity impervious to facts or evidence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

STREAM MAKING OF THE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW, FEATURING JIM MCTAGUE, ANATOL LIEVEN,  4-16-2026.1880 FRENCH IRONCLAD MAGENTA.The current global landscape is defined by a profound disconnect between market optimism and geopolitical instability. While the S&P 500 and NASDAQ have recently seen "rally mode," this "bullishness" is described as "irrational exuberance" in the face of ongoing violence in Eurasia. Jim McTague argues that the market is in a bubble, predicting a 30% downside retreat before the end of May as "black swans" like the conflict in the Middle East begin to frighten investors.A primary catalyst for this potential economic "stampede" is the disruption of critical energy corridors, specifically the Strait of Hormuz and Baba Mandeb. Saudi Arabia, which previously encouraged military pressure on Iran, has recently signaled a desire for the U.S. to "back off" as it realizes its own oil pipelines to the Red Sea are vulnerable to Houthi violence. If these waterways remain shut down, oil revenues for Gulf states—which rely on these routes for 70% to 90% of their income—will collapse, likely triggering a global recession.Simultaneously, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being used by major corporations as a "convenient excuse" for significant layoffs, even as it remains a "primitive tool" prone to frequent errors. While 30% of the general public expects large-scale job losses, institutional investors view these cuts as strategic cost-cutting rather than a broader labor market warning. The fear of AI-driven displacement is particularly acute among younger generations, leading some to predict a future defined by either "demagogues" exploiting unemployment or a new era of forced leisure. Currently, AI functions more as a "drawing partner" or administrative assistant that still requires a human "editor and proofreader" to manage its "hallucinations" and mistakes.In Europe, the political tide may be turning following a resounding rebuke of Victor Orban in the Hungarian elections. The victory of Peter Magyar is seen as "good news" for Ukraine, as it removes a major block to a 90-billion-euro EU loan package. However, European economies remain fragile, with governments in Germany and France heavily subsidizing gas prices to prevent political upheaval from far-right parties like the AFD.Finally, the international order is under strain as China's patience with the U.S. and Israel wears thin due to the economic damage caused by the Iran conflict. Similarly, the "special relationship" between the UK and the US is facing a "national humiliation" as King Charles prepares to visit a Washington administration that has been openly insulting to British leadership. Amidst this 21st-century chaos, the sources recall the 17th-century painter Johannes Vermeer, whose work emerged from a similar era of religious war to promote a "liberal tradition" of tolerance that remains the foundation of modern society.

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.

Stew breaks down the news of the day, including Trump's failed “blockade” of the Strait of Hormuz. A sanctioned Chinese oil tanker sailed straight through 16 US warships like they weren't even there. The blockade collapsed instantly. America has no jurisdiction over Chinese ships or the Strait, and the whole world just saw the central banking cabal's “sanctions” are a joke. China, Iran, and the Houthis beat America again. Bishop Joseph Pfeiffer joins me to rip apart the blasphemous Trump-as-Jesus image and expose the straight-up spiritual warfare behind this Talmudic mass-murder machine steamrolling Gaza and Iran while American blood and treasure is sacrificed on the altar of Greater Israel. This April only: $3 off your first month on Locals ✝️ A reminder of the 3rd day and the power of resurrection. Join here:

One week after claims of an "Iranian victory", with Tehran supposedly leveraging the Strait of Hormuz and outmaneuvering Donald Trump, the narrative has shifted. U.S. and allied naval forces have applied sustained pressure, effectively constraining Iranian shipping and energy exports, all without deploying ground troops. With these constraints in mind and the cards in Washington's hands, the real deal making begins. But, apart from the challenge of the nuclear “dust,” the missile program, and terrorism, the regime will continue to pose a threat to its own people. With time on America's side, should a grand strategy consider how to best empower the Iranian people?Miad Maleki is a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) and a U.S. Air Force veteran. He previously worked as Associate Director for the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Global Targeting at the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), where he played a central role in architecting the Treasury Department's sanctions campaigns against the Iranian regime and its extensive network of proxy groups, including Hezbollah, Hamas, Iraqi Shiite militias, and the Houthis. Mr. Maleki also served as the assistant director for counterterrorism, nonproliferation, and Middle East sanctions and as OFAC's chief and senior sanctions coordinator for Iran and the Middle East.Read the transcript here.Subscribe to our Substack here.

A shocking report claims China may have played a direct role in attacks on U.S. forces—by providing satellite targeting to Iran and its proxies. Tara breaks down what this means for U.S. national security, the broader conflict in the Middle East, and why this story didn't get the attention it deserved. Plus: fallout in Washington as Democrats push to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, raising questions about political priorities during a global crisis. ⚡ EPISODE SUMMARY This episode centers on explosive allegations that China provided satellite intelligence to Iran, enabling missile strikes on U.S. bases that killed American service members and injured hundreds more. Tara frames the development as a major escalation—arguing it signals a deeper alignment between China and Iran and a shift toward proxy-style conflict involving the U.S. The conversation expands to include: Prior incidents involving Houthi attacks in the Red Sea The strategic importance of global shipping routes Rising geopolitical tension involving China and Iran Political backlash in Washington, including impeachment efforts targeting Pete Hegseth The episode ultimately questions whether the U.S. is already in a form of indirect conflict—and whether leadership is treating it with the urgency it requires.

STREAMING MAKING OF THE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW, FEATURING BILL ROGGIO AND JANATYN SAYEH, MONDAY 4-13-20261742 GULFThe conflict with Iran has entered a critical phase as the U.S. prepares a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz starting April 13, 2026, following failed negotiations in Islamabad. President Trump has ordered the Navy to interdict ships that pay "taxes" to Iran—often collected via cryptocurrency—to traverse the waterway. This move is seen as part of a "mission creep" that has shifted from initial strikes on infrastructure to a broader operation to shut down Iranian maritime operations.The administration has issued three primary demands for ending the conflict: the permanent reopening of the Strait, the surrender of all 60% enriched fissile material, and the cessation of support for proxies such as Hezbollah and the Houthis. Experts indicate these demands are likely non-negotiable for Tehran, which views concessions as a sign of weakness and believes it has gained leverage by absorbing recent military strikes.Despite 50 days of warfare and the targeted killing of many high-ranking officials, the IRGC and its surrogates like Hezbollah remain resilient. Leadership vacancies are quickly filled by a "deep bench" of subordinates, and the regime maintains its internal grip through extreme brutality. In early 2026 alone, the regime has carried out over 1,000 executions, largely targeting political dissidents.The current Iranian leadership—including Ahmad Vahidi, a veteran linked to decades of international terrorism, and Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf—represents a "pirates crew" of hardliners who have been in power since the revolution. Because the political core remains intact, analysts dispute claims of "regime change," characterizing the current situation as a "fragile truce" rather than a lasting peace.

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. 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

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 Houthispotentially held in reserve to threaten critical global shipping lanes.1979 TEHRAN

FDD Senior Fellow Edmund Fitton-Brown joins Bill to assess the current state of the Iran War. From the dual blockade in the Strait of Hormuz to the failed peace negotiations, they consider: why did Pakistan step up as mediator? Can Tehran stretch the Houthis for even more leverage in the Red Sea? Has the war pushed the Gulf States closer together?

SEASON 4 EPISODE 78: COUNTDOWN WITH KEITH OLBERMANN A-Block (2:30) BREAKING: Trump attacks and threatens Pope Leo in insane online rant, criticizing him for being opposed to Nuclear Weapons. Then in an in-person interview upon his return to Joint Base Andrews tonight insists Pope Leo was wrong to SUPPORT Nuclear Weapons. Trump then posts an image of himself dressed in Jesus-like attire apparently healing a hospital patient. No comment yet from the world's 1,200,000,000 Catholics. (8:30) SPECIAL COMMENT: I know, I know, lots of stuff just happened: Orban topples in Hungary, Vance beclowns himself there and in talks with Iran, Trump basically ends the ceasefire and threatens war against EVERY country in the world if they send a ship through the strait of Hormuz, the Houthis are trying to blockade the OTHER shipping bottle-neck there, Trump caught staring at cleavage at the cage fighting in Miami, Swalwell self-defenestrating. But I'll stick to this: The Melania Trump speech about Epstein was the single most important public statement by anybody connected to Trump in the last decade. She, personally, out of nowhere, moved the Epstein story back to center stage. A month of world-shaking cataclysm by her husband to bury the Epstein story and HIS COVER-UP OF IT and in 535 words she undid all that. And the thing that will keep this story alive for months: NONE of her words were in defense of her husband. She never said WE are innocent. She said I am innocent. She said it TWENTY FOUR TIMES. Her speech could’ve been only FIVE words long. Five words that may end the Trump presidency: I’M not taking the fall. PLUS: No, Swalwell isn't the victim and the allegations aren't anonymous and this isn't a Roger Stone set-up. He just knew there was a story, the way in 2017 I knew there was a story that would end up getting Matt Lauer fired from NBC and I knew it six days before Lauer knew it. That "B" follows "A" does not mean "A" caused "B." B-Block (42:00) THE WORST PERSONS IN THE WORLD: Chuck Todd blames Trump's pardons on Biden because Chuck Todd Disease. The Financial Times with one of the great corrections of our time. The banner if not the roof falls in on Gov. Shapiro. And what exactly are Kalshi, pro golf, and golfer Bryson deChambeau trying to sell in a commercial that ends with deChambeau evidently moving to a crashed UFO to beat an injured extraterrestrial to death with some golf clubs? C-Block (56:00) THINGS I PROMISED NOT TO TELL: My greatest sports record fell last night. It was 21 years and two months between episodes of ESPN's SportsCenter that I anchored. My old friend Rich Eisen has now made it 23 years. A good time to describe the Rip Van Winkle effect, and the bizarre stories about my goin' back to Bristol, Bristol, Bristol, in 2005, 2013, and 2018.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

PREVIEW FOR LATER TONIGHT: Bridget Toomey evaluates the Houthi threat in the Red Sea, noting their continued ambitions and lack of trustworthiness. She explains how the group reserves the right to escalate based on Tehran's regional interests. (6)1933 YEMEN

In Episode 474 of Hidden Forces, Demetri Kofinas speaks with commodity economist and energy market analyst Rory Johnston — founder of CommodityContext.com and host of the Oil Ground Up Podcast — about the mechanics and cascading consequences of the Strait of Hormuz closure, now entering its second month, and what the two most plausible resolution scenarios mean for energy prices, regional security, and the global economy. Recorded as part of an ongoing short-form series tracking the US and Israeli military campaign against Iran, the episode examines why the full physical impact of the supply disruption is only now reaching end markets across Asia, Europe, and North America, how the oil market is fracturing across both time and space, and why middle distillates — things like diesel and jet fuel — have become the epicenter of the crisis. Rory and Demetri also discuss how importing nations and companies are responding through emergency reserve releases, demand rationing, and accelerated behavioral changes. The conversation then turns to the long-term structural consequences of the shock — what it means for electrification and alternative energy adoption in Asia, for strategic stockpiling and supply chain resilience, and for non-OPEC production capacity across the US shale patch, Guyana, Canada, Brazil, and Argentina. They close by examining the geopolitical dimensions of the crisis, including the role of the Houthis, the risk of a secondary closure of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and the possibility that Trump — having set off an open-ended conflict — may ultimately abandon long-standing US security commitments to the Gulf States, leaving the region in chaos. 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 04/01/2026

3. Jonathan Schanzer explains Israel's military objectives against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. He details the threat of Iranian-backed Houthi attacks on maritime trade and Egypt's potential forced entry into the conflict. (3)1930 ARABIA

c1. Judy Dempsey discusses the rising popularity of Germany's AfD party, its anti-American stance, and growing pro-Russian sentiment driven by energy concerns, alongside public distrust regarding the conduct of the war in Ukraine. With Thaddeus McCotter.(1)2. Judy Dempsey analyzes strained transatlantic relations following President Trump's remarks on energy independence. She also highlights the significance of Hungary's upcoming election for regional populist movements and the European Union's future.  cc(2)3. Jonathan Schanzer explains Israel's military objectives against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. He details the threat of Iranian-backed Houthi attacks on maritime trade and Egypt's potential forced entry into the conflict. (3)4. Jonathan Schanzer details Iran's strategy of survival amidst U.S. and Israeli decapitation strikes. He discusses the global economic impact of the Strait of Hormuz closure and diplomatic friction caused by European allies' reluctance. (4)5. Mary Kissel discusses shifting global alliances, noting stronger ties with Gulf partners while European relations fray. She highlights Ukraine's savvy outreach for energy and defense support from Saudi Arabia and the UAE. (5)6. Mary Kissel examines a possible leadership transition in Cuba involving Marco Rubio and Raul Castro's grandson. She discusses the regime's fear following U.S. actions in Venezuela and the complexities of negotiating transitions. (6)7. Joseph Sternberg critiques the Federal Reserve's tendency to "overtalk." He argues that excessive public forecasting and the confusing "dot plot" mislead markets and obscure the economic reality of ongoing global conflicts. (7)8. Joseph Sternberg discusses Prime Minister Keir Starmer's indecisive response to President Trump's "get your own oil" remark, highlighting Britain's military limitations and the public's deep anxiety over rising energy prices and deficits. (8)9. Gregory Copley argues that NATO is entering a new era of disorder, suggesting European states should pursue independent security interests and potentially restore energy trade with Russia as U.S. leadership becomes increasingly abrasive. (9)10. Gregory Copley reports the U.S. has virtually eliminated the Iranian Navy. He assesses global energy markets, noting stable oil prices despite insurance companies' risk-aversion nearly bankrupting regional states like Egypt. (10)11. Gregory Copley critiques the removal of hereditary peers from the House of Lords, arguing the chamber has become a politicized "rubber stamp" for the Prime Minister rather than an independent house of review. (11)12. Gregory Copley previews King Charles III's state visit to Washington, emphasizing its role in preserving the strategic alliance and common purpose between English-speaking nations despite political tensions between the Trump administration and London. (12)13. Cleo Paskal highlights China's efforts to undermine U.S. relationships in the Central Pacific through corruption. She details new U.S. strategies to support local governments in Palau and the Marianas against illegal CCP activities. (13)14. Cleo Paskal discusses the critical role of the Diego Garcia military base and the legal risks involved in transferring the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius, which could complicate U.S. nuclear policy and regional security. (14)15. Bob Zimmerman contrasts NASA's risky Artemis 2 mission with SpaceX's successful reusable rocket program. He also reports on a secretive medical emergency on the ISS and China's deep commitment to its space program. (15)16. Bob Zimmerman warns that political pressure is compromising safety for the Artemis 2 moon mission. He also reflects on Voyager 2's historic images of Neptune and Hubble's observations of active black hole galaxies. (16)

SHOW SCHEDULE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW, 3-30-26.1926, HA'IL ARABIA1. Pakistan Acts as Intermediary in Ongoing Iran-Israel Conflict GUEST: Bill Roggio, Ambassador Husain Haqqani SUMMARY: Pakistan acts as a conduit for messages between Washington and Tehran. While communication exists, neither side has offered a second negotiating position, and Iran continues to demonstrate strategic control over the Strait of Hormuz.,, John Batchelor and his guests discuss the stagnant global situation, noting that while missiles fly in the Iran war and a Russian tanker heads for Cuba, Pakistan remains a key intermediary. Ambassador Haqqani explains that Pakistan's relationships with both the U.S. and Iran allow for message delivery, though Iran has not formally accepted a mediation role. Bill Roggio notes that Iran is showing its control by selectively allowing ships through the Strait of Hormuz, while the Trump administration faces mounting domestic disapproval and a 60-day War Powers Act deadline. (1)2. The Ineffectiveness of the U.S. Hammer Strategy Against Iran GUEST: Husain Haqqani, Bill Roggio SUMMARY: This segment critiques the U.S. "hammer" strategy, comparing it to Vietnam's failure of absolute power. Iran's ability to endure pain and its control of vital shipping lanes are seen as its true strategic "nuclear weapons.",, Ambassador Haqqani argues that dropping thousands of bombs is a simplistic notion of power that fails against asymmetric warfare, much like the U.S. experience in Vietnam. He notes that Iran's capacity to endure pain is greater than assumed and its real "nuclear weapon" is the ability to shut down the Strait of Hormuz,. Bill Roggio agrees, stating that without an active Iranian resistance or helpful adjacent countries to host one, the U.S. is further from a resolution than when the war began,,. (2)3. Iranian Regime Employs Human Shields and Nightly Terror Raids GUEST: Bill Roggio, Jonathan Sia SUMMARY: Jonathan Sia details the Iranian regime's use of schools and hospitals as human shields to deter strikes. Security forces conduct nightly terror raids to prevent domestic uprisings while the Supreme Leader's status remains uncertain.,,, As war fatigue sets in, the Iranian regime is embedding personnel in sports stadiums, hospitals, and residential areas to create a "rally around the flag" effect. Jonathan Sia describes "nightly terror raids" where forces fire on buildings to suppress potential rebellion, noting that officials fear internal uprisings more than foreign bombardment,. Furthermore, the whereabouts of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei are unknown, allowing the IRGC to operate with less oversight while "pragmatist" officials maintain the same hardline policies as their predecessors,. (3)4. The Search for Armed Resistance and the Iranian Diaspora's Role GUEST: Bill Roggio, Jonathan Sia SUMMARY: This file explores the role of the Iranian diaspora and Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi in a potential transition. Analysts evaluate potential bases for armed resistance, identifying Kurdish and Baluch populations as key entry points.,, Jonathan Sia explains that the diaspora is no longer disconnected from those inside Iran, with Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi serving as a unifying figure for a "day after" scenario and sanctions relief. While historical resistance groups like the MEK lack internal legitimacy, Sia identifies the Kurdish and Baluch populations as potential bases for an armed movement against the regime. Notably, the Baluch group Jaish al-Adl focuses its attacks on armed personnel rather than civilians, indicating a more nationalist mindset that could serve as an entry point for internal change,. (4)5. The Strategic Importance of the Litani River Buffer Zone in Lebanon GUEST: Bill Roggio, David Daoud SUMMARY: David Daoud explains the IDF's offensive to establish a 40km buffer zone up to the Litani River. This strategy aims to protect northern Israel from short-range rockets and prevent future ground invasions by Hezbollah., The IDF is pushing to move Hezbollah back to the Litani River, a 40km distance that effectively puts short-range rockets out of reach of northern Israeli communities. David Daoud highlights that Hezbollah's Al-Manar TV acts as a military auxiliary to demoralize the Israeli public, emphasizing the need for permanent fortifications to protect displaced citizens,. Meanwhile, the UNIFIL peacekeeping mission is in a drawdown phase, having been largely ineffective due to a mandate that required following the lead of the Lebanese Armed Forces. (5)6. Lebanon Declares Iranian Ambassador Designate Persona Non Grata GUEST: Bill Roggio, David Daoud SUMMARY: Lebanon has declared the Iranian ambassador designate persona non grata for interfering in domestic affairs and coordinating with Hezbollah. This rare assertion of sovereignty highlights Tehran's long-standing disregard for Lebanese government authority during the war., The Lebanese foreign ministry expelled ambassador designate Shibani for injecting himself into domestic issues and holding unauthorized meetings with Hezbollah to coordinate military activities. Despite the order, Iran has signaled its intent to disregard the decision, further demonstrating its historical treatment of Lebanon as a tool for its own regional interests,. David Daoud views this diplomatic rift as a "living breathing testament" to Iranian arrogance and its disregard for Lebanese sovereignty in service of the "Resistance" axis,. (6)7. The Surge of Iranian-Linked Front Groups and Terror in Europe GUEST: Bill Roggio, Joe Truzman SUMMARY: Joe Truzman investigates a string of firebombings against Jewish institutions in Europe by a suspected Iranian front group. Analysts believe these "cutouts" are designed to hide Tehran's direct involvement in orchestrating international violence.,, A new group called Asabat al-Yamin has claimed responsibility for firebombing ambulances and attacking Jewish sites in London and Europe. Joe Truzman and Bill Roggio suspect this is a made-up Iranian front group created to provide Tehran with plausible deniability while escalating terror across the continent,. They argue that the term "lone wolf" is often misapplied to individuals who are actually inspired or directed by radical online networks, as seen in a recent attack in Austin, Texas,. (7)8. Houthis Launch Measured Missile and Drone Attacks Against Israel GUEST: Bill Roggio, Bridget Tumi SUMMARY: The Houthis have entered the Iran war by launching drone and missile attacks on Israel. This "measured" approach signals support for the axis of resistance while attempting to avoid an overwhelming American military retaliation., Bridget Tumi reports that the Houthis officially joined the conflict after one month, targeting Israel to show solidarity with Lebanon and Gaza,. This strategy is calculated to avoid a major U.S. response, as closing the Bab el-Mandeb Strait—which carries 10-15% of global oil—would provoke international intervention. Despite previous air campaigns, the Houthis retain significant military capabilities, including Iranian-supplied cruise and ballistic missiles, and see themselves as the vanguards of the broader Muslim cause,,. (8)9. Trump Reverses Cuba Oil Blockade Amid Venezuelan Transition GUEST: Ernesto Araujo, Alejandro Peña Esclusa SUMMARY: President Trump has reversed course by allowing a Russian oil tanker to reach Cuba during its energy crisis. Simultaneously, a political transition unfolds in Venezuela as Nicolas Maduro faces trial in a New York court.,, Trump's decision to lift the blockade on Russian oil for Cuba comes as the island faces a desperate energy shortage without Venezuelan support,. Alejandro Peña Esclusa notes that in Venezuela, a de facto transition is occurring while Maduro remains in New York for his trial, creating an "absolute absence" of the presidency. Ernesto Araujo warns that any successful Cuban transition must dismantle the "Latin KGB" intelligence network that has historically exported anti-American sentiment and organized crime throughout the region. (9)10. Flavio Bolsonaro Emerges as Leading Contender Against Lula GUEST: Ernesto Araujo, Alejandro Peña Esclusa SUMMARY: Flavio Bolsonaro has emerged as a top presidential contender, tying President Lula in polls. Lula's administration is currently plagued by massive corruption scandals involving $20 billion in social security fraud and money laundering.,, Flavio Bolsonaro, the son of the former president, is now leading or tied with Lula in the polls by presenting himself as a "soft version" of his father's anti-corruption agenda. Meanwhile, Lula faces a $20 billion social security scandal involving his son, Lulinha, and an investigation into "Master Bank" for alleged money laundering. Although the Supreme Court has blocked some congressional probes, analysts anticipate a plea bargain from a jailed banker could further implicate Lula and his family in these multibillion-dollar schemes,. (10)11. Houthi De Facto Governance and Strategic Influence in Yemen GUEST: Bill Roggio, Edmund Fitton-Brown SUMMARY: Former Ambassador Edmund Fitton-Brown analyzes the Houthis' de facto rule over most of Yemen. While part of the Iranian axis, they maintain strategic autonomy and pursue extreme territorial claims against Saudi Arabia, including Mecca.,, The Houthis are the de facto rulers of the majority of Yemen's population, controlling the central bank, port of Hodeidah, and government ministries,. Edmund Fitton-Brown explains that while they are part of the Iranian axis, they possess an autonomous Yemeni agenda and historic aspirations of "greatness". Negotiations remain difficult because the Houthis maintain extreme territorial claims on Saudi Arabia's holy cities, leading Fitton-Brown to suggest that only defeating the Islamic Republic can truly neutralize the Houthi threat. (11)12. The "Art of the Deal" and Conflicting Reports on Iran Negotiations GUEST: Bill Roggio, Edmund Fitton-Brown SUMMARY: This segment explores conflicting reports of U.S.-Iran negotiations and Iranian "non-negotiables," such as regime survival. Meanwhile, NATO signals support for keeping the Strait of Hormuz open under international law.,,, Although Trump claims progress on an Iran deal, both sides are hiding their bottom lines, with hardline Iranian official Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf possibly involved in secret talks,. Iranian non-negotiables include regime survival and maintaining their regional proxy networks in Iraq, Yemen, and Lebanon. At the same time, NATO Secretary General Rutte has indicated that the coalition is united in its support for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing that closing international waters is a violation of international law. (12)13. Russia Supplies Upgraded Drones to Iran as Cooperation Deepens GUEST: Bill Roggio, John Hardy SUMMARY: Russia has begun supplying upgraded Iranian-designed drones back to Tehran, completing a "full circle" of technology sharing. In response, Ukraine is deploying counter-drone experts to help defend Arab nations from Iranian attacks.,, Russia is reportedly shipping modified Shahed-136 drones—featuring improved airframes and jamming-resistant antennas—to Iran via the Caspian Sea or Azerbaijan,. John Hardy explains that this cooperation allows Russia to benefit from higher oil prices while depleting Western air defense munitions. Conversely, Ukraine has sent hundreds of counter-drone experts to the Middle East to help Gulf states defend against these Iranian systems, hoping to trade their expertise for Patriot missile stocks. (13)14. Iranian Drone Harassment and Economic Impacts on Arab States GUEST: Bill Roggio, Ahmed Sharari SUMMARY: Ahmed Sharari reports on the daily Iranian drone and missile strikes targeting Arab energy facilities and air bases. These attacks seek to inflict economic damage and pressure these nations to oppose the war.,, Iran is conducting daily strikes against Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Kuwait to increase economic pressure and force these nations to call for an end to the war,. Ahmed Sharari notes that while the volume of attacks has decreased, their accuracy has increased, as evidenced by recent strikes on Prince Sultan Air Base. The persistent threat has caused expatriates to leave Dubai, damaging the region's reputation for stability, while the asymmetric cost of defense makes intercepting $20,000 drones with $3 million missiles unsustainable,. (14)15. General Blaine Holt Defends the A-10 Warthog and Casualties Report GUEST: Gordon Chang, General Blaine Holt SUMMARY: Retired General Blaine Holt defends the deployment of the A-10 "Warthog" for close air support in the Iran conflict. He also addresses reports that Russian satellite intelligence is being used to target U.S. bases.,, General Blaine Holt addresses allegations that Russian satellite imagery assisted Iranian attacks on U.S. bases, though he maintains that Iran has its own local targeting capabilities,. He argues that the A-10 Warthog is a "formidable close air support weapon" essential for protecting ground forces and cannot be replaced by the F-35,. Holt also notes that the Iranian regime's use of schools and hospitals as human shields indicates they are in "life support mode" as the U.S. targets their remaining infrastructure,. (15)16. China Navigates Trade Dependencies and Energy Security During War GUEST: Gordon Chang, Andrew Collier SUMMARY: Andrew Collier analyzes China's economic situation, highlighting its 15% industrial profit increase and massive strategic oil reserves. Despite these strengths, China remains vulnerable to global trade downturns and the ongoing property market collapse.,, China saw a 15% rise in industrial profits in early 2026, which may be attributed to global stocking of goods before the war,. The country is prepared for energy shocks with the world's largest strategic oil reserve, estimated to cover 140 days of imports,. However, Andrew Collier warns that China is extremely trade-dependent and faces growing international opposition to its tech exports, while its domestic property market is not expected to hit a bottom until at least 2027,,. (16)

STREAMING THE MAKING OF THE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW, 3-30-20361930 CAVALIERS DE ARABIEThis transcript from the John Batchelor Show provides a multifaceted analysis of a hypothetical global conflict centered on a war with Iran in March 2026. Experts Bill Roggio, Husain Haqqani, and Jonathan Sayeh discuss the strategic stalemate and economic fallout, specifically highlighting the sharp rise in American fuel prices. The dialogue covers a vast geopolitical landscape, including a U.S. policy reversal toward Cuba, drone warfare in Ukraine, and the entry of Houthi rebels into the naval theater. Analysts emphasize the asymmetric nature of the fighting, noting that the Iranian regime aims to win simply by enduring military strikes. Furthermore, the participants critique the Trump administration's lack of a clear exit strategy and the humanitarian impact on Iranian civilians caught between government suppression and foreign bombardment. The discussion concludes by evaluating the potential for internal resistance and the complexities of finding a credible diplomatic mediator. (1)

11. Houthi De Facto Governance and Strategic Influence in Yemen GUEST: Bill Roggio, Edmund Fitton-Brown SUMMARY: Former Ambassador Edmund Fitton-Brownanalyzes the Houthis' de facto rule over most of Yemen. While part of the Iranian axis, they maintain strategic autonomy and pursue extreme territorial claims against Saudi Arabia, including Mecca.,, The Houthis are the de facto rulers of the majority of Yemen's population, controlling the central bank, port of Hodeidah, and government ministries,. Edmund Fitton-Brown explains that while they are part of the Iranian axis, they possess an autonomous Yemeni agenda and historic aspirations of "greatness". Negotiations remain difficult because the Houthis maintain extreme territorial claims on Saudi Arabia's holy cities, leading Fitton-Brown to suggest that only defeating the Islamic Republic can truly neutralize the Houthi threat. (11)1900 AL HARAM MOSQUE MECCA

8. Houthis Launch Measured Missile and Drone Attacks Against Israel GUEST: Bill Roggio, Bridget Tumi SUMMARY: The Houthishave entered the Iran war by launching drone and missile attacks on Israel. This "measured" approach signals support for the axis of resistance while attempting to avoid an overwhelming American military retaliation., Bridget Tumi reports that the Houthis officially joined the conflict after one month, targeting Israel to show solidarity with Lebanon and Gaza,. This strategy is calculated to avoid a major U.S. response, as closing the Bab el-Mandeb Strait—which carries 10-15% of global oil—would provoke international intervention. Despite previous air campaigns, the Houthis retain significant military capabilities, including Iranian-supplied cruise and ballistic missiles, and see themselves as the vanguards of the broader Muslim cause,,. (8)1838 MT. SINAI

The Iran conflict is escalating with little prospect of an end in sight. Our correspondent explains why a US ground invasion is likely. In an ongoing history series, we look at how America's attitude to migrants changed as it got richer. And “Project Hail Mary” is a sci-fi film drawing wide audiences.Guests and host:Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondentAnnie Crabill, a news editor in New YorkAlexandra Suich Bass, Culture editorRosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”Jason Palmer, co-host of “The intelligence”Topics covered: Iran, Houthis, geopolitics, oilAmerica, migration, colonialism“Project Hail Mary”, sci-fiListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The President's Daily Brief: First up—new reporting reveals the Pentagon is preparing for weeks of possible ground operations inside Iran, as U.S. troops continue to surge into the region. We'll break down what these plans could involve—and what it means for the next phase of the war. Later in the show—U.S. forces take a significant blow, as an Iranian strike wounds a dozen American troops and damages key aircraft at a Saudi air base. Plus—the Houthis enter the fight, launching their first attack on Israel since the war began. And in today's Back of the Brief—North Korea tests a new missile engine, boosting its ability to strike the U.S. mainland. 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 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. Superpower: Stop guessing about your health—get $20 off Superpower at https://superpower.com/pdb with code PDB. Ethos Life Insurance: Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at: https://ethos.com/PDB Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Houthis in Yemen have carried out a second missile and drone attack on Israel, and have warned they'll keep conducting strikes in the coming days. Earlier on Saturday the Iranian-backed group launched its first attack since the US and Israel began their war on Iran a month ago. Also, thousands of protests against the Trump administration have been taking place in every major city in the US, including New York, Washington DC, and Los Angeles. The organisers said the marches were a call to action against the war on Iran and President Trump's immigration policies. There have also been large protests against far-right movements in cities across Europe. In Ethiopia some non-essential government workers have been put on leave as the country struggles with a fuel shortage, linked to supply disruptions caused by the conflict in the Middle East. An investigation is launched into the multinational beauty retailer Sephora and the US company Benefit Cosmetics, amid claims they promoted skincare products, including anti-ageing creams to girls as young as ten, using online influencers to reach them. And, the Swiss food giant Nestle, says a truck carrying more than 400,000 Kit Kat bars has gone missing. The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

MeidasTouch host Ben Meiselas reports on Donald Trump crashing out on Saturday as the war takes another disaster turn with the Houthis joining the war and with the crown jewel of the US Air Force, its E-3 Sentry AWACS, being damaged in a Iranian strike in Saudi Arabia. Visit https://meidasplus.com for more! MeidasTouch relies on SnapStream to record, watch, monitor, and clip the news. Get a FREE TRIAL of SnapStream by clicking here: https://go.snapstream.com/affiliate/meidastouch/meidasnews?utm_campaign=4490308-affiliate2025&utm_content=customerpartner Support the MeidasTouch Network: https://patreon.com/meidastouch Add the MeidasTouch Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-meidastouch-podcast/id1510240831 Buy MeidasTouch Merch: https://store.meidastouch.com Follow MeidasTouch on Twitter: https://twitter.com/meidastouch Follow MeidasTouch on Facebook: https://facebook.com/meidastouch Follow MeidasTouch on Instagram: https://instagram.com/meidastouch Follow MeidasTouch on TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@meidastouch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MeidasTouch host Ben Meiselas reports on Donald Trump panicking on the news that the Houthis of Yemen have officially joined the war and have started attacking Israel and Meiselas discusses the major consequences of the Houthi's now joining the war. Remember to subscribe to ALL the MeidasTouch Network Podcasts: MeidasTouch: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/meidastouch-podcast Legal AF: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/legal-af MissTrial: https://meidasnews.com/tag/miss-trial The PoliticsGirl Podcast: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-politicsgirl-podcast Cult Conversations: The Influence Continuum with Dr. Steve Hassan: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-influence-continuum-with-dr-steven-hassan The Weekend Show: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-weekend-show The Ken Harbaugh Show: https://meidasnews.com/tag/the-ken-harbaugh-show Majority 54: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/majority-54 On Democracy with FP Wellman: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/on-democracy-with-fpwellman Uncovered: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/maga-uncovered Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Protests, missiles, and a regime on the ropes — Iran is at a turning point. Ryan McBeth explains the forces driving one of the world's most complex crises.Welcome to what we're calling our "Out of the Loop" episodes, where we dig a little deeper into fascinating current events that may only register as a blip on the media's news cycle and have conversations with the people who find themselves immersed in them.Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1297On This Episode of Out of the Loop:Iran is an ancient civilization stretching back 5,000 years — but most Americans only know the post-1979 version, which is like judging Rome entirely by the fall of its empire and missing the aqueducts, art, and architecture that came before.The 1953 CIA-backed coup that toppled Iran's democratically elected government planted the seeds for the 1979 Islamic Revolution — a theocratic regime that crushed dissent, built a proxy empire through Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis, and turned the IRGC into its enforcer.Iran's proxy strategy is devastatingly cheap and effective — rather than build a navy, they fund groups like the Houthis to launch missiles based on Iranian targeting intel, giving Tehran plausible deniability while disrupting global shipping and oil markets.AI-generated war footage and disinformation are rapidly becoming a frontline weapon — fake videos of captured soldiers and fabricated attacks spread faster than fact-checkers can respond, and producing convincing deepfakes now costs as little as $12 per video.Despite decades of repression, Iranian citizens continue to protest and push for change — and experts suggest that if the regime falls, Iran's strong collective national identity makes a Libya-style collapse unlikely, offering real hope for a democratic future.And much more!Connect with Jordan on Twitter, on Instagram, and on YouTube. If you have something you'd like us to tackle here on an Out of the Loop episode, drop Jordan a line at jordan@jordanharbinger.com and let him know!Connect with Ryan McBeth at his website, Twitter, Instagram, and on YouTube. If you'd like to stay on top of what's happening in the world, subscribe to Ryan's Substack!And if you're still game to support us, please leave a review here — even one sentence helps! Sign up for Six-Minute Networking — our free networking and relationship development mini course — at jordanharbinger.com/course!Subscribe to our once-a-week Wee Bit Wiser newsletter today and start filling your Wednesdays with wisdom!Do you even Reddit, bro? Join us at r/JordanHarbinger!This Episode Is Brought To You By Our Fine Sponsors: Bombas: Go to bombas.com/jordan to get 20% off your first orderGusto: Three months of free payroll: gusto.com/jordanSimpliSafe Home Security: 50% off + 1st month free: simplisafe.com/jordanThe President's Daily Brief: Listen here or wherever you find fine podcasts!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

1. The State of the Iran Conflict The U.S. is in week two of a war with Iran, claiming major military success Iran’s missile and drone capabilities have been nearly eliminated. Iran’s navy has been almost entirely destroyed. The U.S. is using overwhelming force, rapid strikes, and no gradual escalation. 2. U.S. Objectives (as framed in the discussion) The stated goals of “Operation Epic Fury”: Destroy Iran's missile stockpiles, launchers, and weapons manufacturing. Destroy Iran’s navy. Permanently prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. 3. Justification for War Iran has been at war with the U.S. for 47 years, funding terrorism (Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthis). Iran attempted to assassinate former President Trump and other U.S. officials (Bolton, O’Brien, etc.). This war is described as “America-first,” not about Israel, and responds to direct threats against Americans. 4. Political Framing & Criticism of Opponents Democrats are: Confused in their messaging. Trying to politicize gas prices. Accusing Trump of being manipulated by Israel. Media personalities (notably Tucker Carlson) are heavily criticized for: Alleged pro‑Islamist, anti‑Israel, anti‑American rhetoric. Being amplified by foreign adversaries (Iran, Russia, Muslim Brotherhood). 5. Foreign Influence Qatar is: Funding U.S. universities with $6.6 billion. Supporting Hamas. Influencing American academic and political spheres. 6. Economic Effects Gas prices have risen during the conflict. The increase is temporary. Prices are still much lower than under Biden. If Iran’s regime collapses, oil prices may drop significantly. 7. Vision of the Endgame The conflict will be short, decisive, and not like Iraq or Afghanistan. Expectations: No long-term occupation. No large-scale troop deployment. Focused destruction of hostile infrastructure. Confidence that the Iranian regime might collapse, leading to a more stable region without prolonged war. Please Hit Subscribe to this podcast Right Now. Also Please Subscribe to the 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson and The Ben Ferguson Show Podcast Wherever You get You're Podcasts. And don't forget to follow the show on Social Media so you never miss a moment! Thanks for Listening YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VerdictwithTedCruz/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/verdictwithtedcruz X: https://x.com/tedcruz X: https://x.com/benfergusonshow YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VerdictwithTedCruzSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.