Podcasts about Russia

In this episode of John Solomon Reports, host John Solomon uncovers explosive revelations stemming from newly released documents that shed light on the FBI's controversial investigation into Donald Trump following the 2016 election. Solomon discusses the implications of the FBI's decision to open an investigation named "Oxford, comma," which treated Trump as an agent of Russia after he fired James Comey, despite substantial evidence indicating no collusion.As Solomon walks listeners through the timeline of events leading up to the initiation of the special counsel investigation by Rod Rosenstein, he highlights the critical role that key figures, including Andrew McCabe and James Baker, played in this unfolding drama. The episode emphasizes the importance of understanding how these actions could potentially violate civil rights and civil liberties, raising questions about accountability within the FBI.In the latter part of the show, Solomon welcomes Senator Rand Paul, who discusses the upcoming vote to hold Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress for refusing to testify. Paul shares insights into his ongoing efforts to address the failures of public health leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, while Dr. Peter McCullough, a prominent voice in the medical community, weighs in with critical perspectives on Fauci's handling of the crisis. Finally, Dr. Kurt Miceli dives deep into the challenges facing the American Medical Association, and how focus on ideology is impacting patient care and what reforms could bring it back to its core mission.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Russia's economy once seemed remarkably resilient in the face of international sanctions. But in recent months, a growing number of indicators suggest that Russia's war economy is coming under strains not seen since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022. The budget deficit, which had remained relatively stable, is beginning to balloon. Inflation is accelerating. Labor shortages are widespread. And banks are being compelled to offer preferential loans to military industries, crowding out lending to the civilian economy. Is Russia's economy finally approaching a breaking point? And what might that mean for Vladimir Putin's grip on power and his ability to sustain the war? I'm joined today by Charles Lichfield, director of economic foresight and analysis and the C. Boyden Gray Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council's GeoEconomics Center. He is the author of a new report showing how recent developments have intensified some of the Russian economy's underlying structural weaknesses. In our conversation, he explains why Russia's economy is beginning to crack after four years of war in Ukraine—and what those cracks could mean for the future of the war.

//The Wire//2300Z August 5, 2026// //ROUTINE// //BLUF: ALLEGED DRONE ATTACK REPORTED TARGETING UKRAINIAN AIRCRAFT AT GERMAN AIRPORT. MERCHANT SUNK IN THE SOUTHERN RED SEA IN DRONE BOAT ATTACK. MAN ARRESTED IN CALIFORNIA AHEAD OF PRESIDENT TRUMP'S VISIT TO GOLF CLUB YESTERDAY.// -----BEGIN TEARLINE------International Events-Red Sea/HOA: This morning one merchant vessel reported being struck by an Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) near the Bab el Mandeb Strait. The UKMTO reported the vessel as being sunk during the attack. The incident occurred so quickly that the UKMTO was not notified during the attack, and the ship sank almost immediately after the incident.Analyst Comment: If the Houthis are now using USVs during this phase of operations, this war just got a lot more serious. The Houthis have demonstrated this capability in the past (such as the war with the United States last year), but have refrained from using this tactic so far during this campaign. Sinking a vessel using a USV is a new step toward closing the Bab el Mandeb, and the response from insurance companies will be an indicator to monitor, as this chokepoint becomes a warzone once again.Germany: This morning a series of possible explosive drone attacks was reported at Leipzig/Halle Airport. Just before midnight, one quadcopter-type drone was observed operating over the airport, prompting drone procedures to be enacted and aircraft grounded. During this response, a search of the airport resulted in the discovery of a second quadcopter lying on the tarmac near a Ukrainian cargo plane. This drone appeared to contain an explosive charge, though no contact detonation apparatus was visible in the provided photos of this device. After this incident was concluded and flight operations resumed, a DHL cargo aircraft collided with a third drone (of unknown type) upon takeoff from this airport, which resulted in the aircraft declaring an emergency and diverting to another airport due to the damage to the airframe.-HomeFront-USA: Around the nation cyberattacks on critical infrastructure continue. Over the past few days, water utilities in a total of 12x states have been affected by malign actors since last month. After the large-scale cyberattacks which resulted in dozens of water districts being locked out of their systems in Minnesota, many more states have reported similar incidents. Georgia is the latest state affected by cyberattacks, and this afternoon New Jersey also reported two water districts being targeted, both of which had to cut access to unspecified computer systems and switch to operating manually.Analyst Comment: As with most infrastructure attacks, these incidents are usually not immediately disclosed to the public unless the public would find out about it anyway, so the timing of all of these cyberattacks is not really known. The Minnesota attacks last week were publicized immediately due to the immediate impact to the public, and now that more eyes are on the issue (and various federal agencies have issued warnings of more attacks), more lower-level municipalities are disclosing that they had similar breaches over the past two weeks.As far as the malign actors behind these cyberattacks, it could be anyone. It does not take a nationstate level actor to breach a system that was using the default passwords or wasn't secured properly in the first place, but the targeting of a nation's water supply indicates the motive is probably in the military realm. No ransomware or demands have been noted, and no hacking group has claimed credit yet. These attacks were meant to directly take services offline, ruling out financial motives for the time being.California: Yesterday the DoJ announced the arrest of an individual tied to a possible security breach at the Trump National Golf Club in Los Angeles. The press release states that Jeanine John Taele was observed conducting surveillance by the initial Secret Service advance team that was sent to the Golf Club ahead of President Trump's visit. Taele was observed wearing an earpiece and taking photos of the security practices at the club, which drew the eye of the USSS. The suspect departed the facility and transited to his home, where he was apprehended by the Secret Service. During a search of his belongings agents found a few firearms, a pair of binoculars, and a generic badge used by security guards. Additionally, authorities discovered several notebooks containing "concerning statements" at his residence.Analyst Comment: The press release left enough ambiguity to make it difficult to determine what actually happened here: This could be extremely serious, or just some idiot who got too curious. The mention of the earpiece is an important detail, because depending on what that earpiece was, this could be a big deal. The way the release is written, this could easily have been a bluetooth headset as is customarily displayed by those who prefer the rather garish utilitarianism of wearing at all times. Or, this could have been a more substantial security threat that expands beyond just one person. If this individual was acting suspiciously, taking photos of security equipment, speaking into a "radio signal device" with an earpiece, and had vaguely described manifesto-esque notebooks at his residence...this was probably way more serious than just some guy walking around.-----END TEARLINE-----Analyst Comments: The drone incident in Germany will be heavily scrutinized as this is a major escalation which can be interpreted in many different ways. First off all, it must be noted that the one extremely blurry photo of one drone may or may not actually show an explosive charge. What looks like an explosive charge could also be the battery pack, it's hard to tell based on the photo. If there were explosives onboard, it would have been a very small charge and not the flying artillery shells that have become common during the war.At the wavetop level, it is hard to believe that a nation-state level actor which has undeniably mastered the art of conducting attacks with sUAS platforms in war...would fail. If Russia was behind this attack, and really intended to target Ukrainian aircraft on the ground in Germany, a 100% failure rate using multiple explosive drones is extraordinarily unlikely. As a result, it's possible that this was either a false-flag attack intended to blame Russia, or it was Russia sending a message to NATO. Conducting a drone attack, but deliberately leaving the detonator disconnected so that the debris is found and forensic analysis of the explosives leads to a Russian factory, would be a classic Russian message...that's their style perfectly. This is the Kremlin's version of "per my last email", and proves two very serious ideas: NATO's aircraft are vulnerable on their home turf, and Russia already has clandestine forces located near NATO airports poised and waiting to eliminate NATO aircraft before they ever get off the ground. That message is more valuable than taking out one Ukrainian transport plane.However, this whole saga could also be the Ukrainians trying to expand the war, continuing the trend that has been expanding for some time. Since the very start, Zelenskyy has been trying to draw the whole world into their war, and has conducted attacks involving other European nations (such as Monaco and Turkey), which have served as an attempt to bring other nations in to the war to fight the Russians for them. From the Ukrainian perspective this makes sense, and every nation on earth fighting such a nasty war would also use trickery in a similar manner. But for the DHL pilots who almost died and other collateral damage over the years, this is hardly reassuring.The truth will probably be indirectly told in the mainstream media, by what rhetoric is being pushed. If this incident is downplayed and memory-holed, it probably was the Russians. If the mainstream media sources in NATO countries start an information campaign to spin this in their favor, the chances of this being a fake attack go up. For everyone who does not have the ability to forensically analyze the devices themselves, the true culprit might never be known. All the while the new Cold War becomes increasingly more hot, every single day.Analyst: S2A1 Research: https://publish.obsidian.md/s2underground NomadNet: 5fa68c88be727a0e1a250a75e5e79269 Disclaimer: No LLMs were used in the writing of this report. //END REPORT//

Get familiar! It's coming your way. PLUS, Kenneth Abramowitz, founder of savethewest.com and author of The Multifront War: Defending America From Political Islam, China, Russia, Pandemics, and Racial Strife, talks to Shaun about how long schools have been culturally attacked leading to young people voting in Democratic Socialists and how the forces of good need to become better at fighting the forces of evil. And Scott 'The Cow Guy' Shellady, host of Cow Guy Close on RFD-TV, talks to Shaun about the danger of Democrats expousing Socialist views to regain power, how the United States is helping prop up Japan, and another Middle East disaster is waiting to happen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bleary-eyed, scrambled, and in need of a second overpriced venti black coffee, Jonah Goldberg speaks with Brendan Simms, a Cambridge Don-guy who wears fancy belts, about his new book, Return of the Great Powers, which discusses how the Russia-Ukraine war sparked how the Russia-Ukraine War prompted the West to act, China's potential defeat if Russia loses, Trump as a mob boss, and technology as a driver of cultural change.  Show Notes: —Brendan Simms: Return of the Great Powers —Brendan Simms: Donald Trump: The Making of a Worldview —Francis Fukuyama: The End of History and the Last Man —Simms' About Page The Remnant is a production of ⁠The Dispatch⁠, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a nonpartisan perspective. To access all of The Dispatch's offerings—including the Saturday Ruminant, audio versions of all our articles and newsletters, and Jonah's twice-weekly G-File—⁠click here⁠. Instructions on how to set up your members-only feed can be found here, and if you'd like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member ⁠by clicking here⁠.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Laura Loomer may not have an official position in the White House (or anywhere?) but she nevertheless does have the president's ear—and newfound affinity for Ukraine and its war against Russia.Guest: Ken Bensinger, media and politics reporter for the New York Times.Want more What Next? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to get access wherever you listen.Podcast production by Rob Gunther, Evan Campbell, Madeline Thames-Ducharme and Patrick Fort.Paige Osburn is the senior supervising producer of What Next and What Next TBD. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Russia has again attacked the Ukrainian capital Kyiv with ballistic missiles, killing at least one person and injuring more than 20. Earlier President Zelensky shared video on social media of a drone hunting down a man in the southern city of Kherson, saying it showed an instance of a "safari" attack against civilians. Also: while diplomatic efforts continue to re-open the Strait of Hormuz, an Indian merchant ship is sunk in the Red Sea after being hit by a projectile. Conservationists in Kenya cast doubt on official explanations that 15 dead elephants were accidentally poisoned by farmers' pesticides. The US revokes the visa of Brazil's ambassador to Washington as diplomatic tensions between the two countries escalate. A group of British teenage girls who say they experience extreme misogyny at school have sent a campaign film to the British Prime Minister calling for change. Gianni Infantino has summoned FIFA's senior leaders to a meeting in Morocco on Wednesday. And reviving old franchises puts the video game developer Atari back in profit after more than a decade in the doldrums.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 Photo: Smoke rises in Kyiv during a Russian missile strike on August 1st. Credit: Reuters

America's oligarchs are selling the country for parts. What happens when the people finally reach a breaking point? This week, Gaslit Nation is joined by Casey Michel, author of the new book United States of Oligarchy, for a chilling, and ultimately empowering, look at how extreme wealth, floods of money from our foreign adversaries, and decades of dismantled anti-corruption laws brought American democracy to the brink. Michel is a longtime investigator of kleptocracy and authoritarian influence sanctioned by Russia. His new book examines how America's wealthiest people have allied themselves with dictators while weakening democracy at home as major law firms and media jump aboard the gravy train.  At the center of our conversation is oligarchy poster child Jared Kushner and his extraordinary record of failing upward: from buying and hollowing out the once-revered New York Observer, to the disastrous $1.8 billion purchase of the ominous 666 Fifth Avenue, to the billions in foreign sovereign wealth invested in his private-equity firm after his years shaping American foreign policy–a grift he continues today as our shadow Secretary of State.  Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund invested $2 billion in Kushner's Affinity Partners shortly after he left the White House, even after the fund's own advisers reportedly raised serious concerns about the firm. Kushner had cultivated a close relationship with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), who killed dissident and Washington Post writer Jamal Khashoggi. Kushner even reportedly passed on sensitive intel about Khashoggi to MBS.  Casey explains how corporations accumulated political power, how post-Watergate anti-corruption reforms were dismantled, and why today's concentration of wealth makes the original Gilded Age look quaint. Most importantly, we discuss the reforms that could break oligarchic power and how ordinary people can take back the country from the Epstein Class. Listen or watch now for a clear-eyed guide to who bought America, how they did it, and how we take it back. In this week's bonus show, our conversation continues with the practical question: How do we smash an oligarchy? Casey examines the pressure building beneath America's kleptocratic system, the reforms still available to us, and what history tells us happens when ruling elites refuse to change. Despair is what oligarchs want. Build your resilience, find your voice, find your power with Andrea's upcoming book, A Reasonable Guide for Unreasonable Women: 20 Steps to Find Your Purpose and Power in a World on Fire, out November 10. Join Gaslit Nation on Patreon or Substack for the complete bonus conversation, ad-free episodes, invitations to our Monday Salons, and more. Thank you to everyone who makes our independent journalism possible. We could not make Gaslit Nation without you. EVENTS AT GASLIT NATION: Gaslit Nation Salons take place Mondays 4pm ET over Zoom and are recorded and shared on Patreon.com/Gaslit and GaslitNation.Substack.com for our community New! There's now a California Signal Group for Gaslit Nation listeners to find each other and connect in that state. Join on Patreon or Substack! The Gaslit Nation Outreach Committee discusses how to talk to the MAGA cult: Join on Patreon or Substack! Minnesota Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other: Join on Patreon or Substack! Vermont Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other: Join on Patreon or Substack! Arizona-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to connect. Join on Patreon or Substack! Indiana-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to join. Join on Patreon or Substack! Florida-based listeners are going strong meeting in person. Be sure to join their Signal group. Join on Patreon or Substack! As always, keep it kind in our chat groups, extend grace and assume good faith. A culture of care is how we build a better world. 

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

Gregory Copley, Publisher of Defense & Foreign Affairs, analyzes global efforts to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, noting that Russia and China are seeking alternative trade corridors to undermine Washington's strategic influence. He suggests China is using current tensions to project American impotence before high-level diplomatic visits. Copley also discusses the "war on food" in the Black Sea, where blockades are forcing a diversification of global supplies. Turning to Ethiopia, he describes a brutal civil conflict involving ethnic factions and the use of Turkish drones against civilian targets. He concludes with the success of King Charles III at the Commonwealth Games. (5)1897 ETHIOPIA

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

Julia Ioffe left the USSR as a child and came back as an adult journalist to find that the confident, credentialed women she remembered from her Soviet childhood had largely been supplanted by those chasing marriage and domesticity instead. That disorienting reversal is the engine of her book Motherland, a National Book Award finalist that reconstructs modern Russian history almost entirely through its women. Her account, drawn from her own family's history as well as the archives, keeps returning to one plain observation: Soviet policy pushed women into the workforce, the medical schools, and even into combat, while asking so little of men that low expectations became self-fulfilling—and Russia is still living with the results. Julia joined Tyler to discuss why so many of Russia's great constructivist painters were women, why the tsarist government established women's medical courses in 1872, changing attitudes towards abortion and birth control in the 20th century, why the Soviet regime turned prudish, how Khrushchev's plan to "replace the dead" institutionalized single motherhood, Russian superwomen, why Jewish men were a prized commodity amid rampant antisemitism, the cultural significance of flowers, why a few Russian names still dominate, why Russian women think Western feminists have their priorities backwards, how gender attitudes and autocracy feed into each other, three underrated Russian novels, what she wants to write about next, and more. Read a full transcript enhanced with helpful links, or watch the full video on YouTube.  Recorded April 7th, 2026. Other ways to connect Follow us on X and Instagram Follow Tyler on X Follow Julia on X Sign up for our newsletter Join our Discord Email us: cowenconvos@mercatus.gmu.edu Learn more about Conversations with Tyler and other Mercatus Center podcasts here. Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Intro 00:06:38 - Bolshevik feminism 00:08:41 - Birth control, abortion, and prudery 00:14:48 - The Russian mating market 00:23:06 - Russian superwomen 00:32:02 - The importance of flowers 00:37:35 - Common Russian names 00:39:51 - Russian vs. American feminism 00:44:23 - Gender attitudes and Russian politics 00:49:54 - Russian novels 00:54:33 - Outro Photo credit: Max Avdeev

President Trump says the Strait of Hormuz will open soon, but is his purported deal a capitulation that would allow Iran to control a vital waterway? Kate B. Odell interviews Rear Admiral (Ret.) Mark Montgomery about his new book "Axis of Aggressors," and Iran's larger cooperation with China, Russia and North Korea.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Laura Loomer may not have an official position in the White House (or anywhere?) but she nevertheless does have the president's ear—and newfound affinity for Ukraine and its war against Russia.Guest: Ken Bensinger, media and politics reporter for the New York Times.Want more What Next? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to get access wherever you listen.Podcast production by Rob Gunther, Evan Campbell, Madeline Thames-Ducharme and Patrick Fort.Paige Osburn is the senior supervising producer of What Next and What Next TBD. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Scott interviews Jeff Deist about the significance of Ron Paul, who Deist used to work for, as well as Murray Rothbard. They then discuss the challenges and opportunities that the movement both men helped create and lead faces going forward. Discussed on the show: The Great Deformation: The Corruption of Capitalism in America by David A. Stockman Rothbard at 100 “Appreciating Rothbard's Political Genius” (The Property and Freedom Society) I Hate Max Lerner by Murray Rothbard Jeff Deist is General Counsel of Monetary Metals. He previously worked as President of the Mises Institute, where he serves as a writer, public speaker, and advocate for property, markets, and civil society and as a longtime advisor and chief of staff to Congressman Ron Paul, for whom he wrote hundreds of articles and speeches. Follow him on X @jeffdeist.  Sign up for the Scott Horton Academy of Foreign Policy and Freedom at scotthortonacademy.com For more on Scott's work: Check out The Libertarian Institute: https://www.libertarianinstitute.org Check out Scott's other show, Provoked, with Darryl Cooper https://youtube.com/@Provoked_Show Read Scott's books: Provoked: How Washington Started the New Cold War with Russia and the Catastrophe in Ukraine https://amzn.to/43D82oY (The audiobook of Provoked is being published in sections at https://scotthortonshow.com) Enough Already: Time to End the War on Terrorism: https://amzn.to/4eMQblu Fool's Errand: Time to End the War in Afghanistan https://amzn.to/4a5fKvx Follow Scott on X @scotthortonshow And check out Scott's full interview archives: https://scotthorton.org/all-interviews This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: Tax Attorney Matt Sercely https://agoristtaxadvice.com; Moon Does Artisan Coffee https://scotthorton.org/coffee; Tom Woods' Liberty Classroom https://www.libertyclassroom.com/dap/a/?a=1616 and Dissident Media https://dissidentmedia.com; Expat Money https://expatmoney.com/scott; and Crowdhealth https://www.joincrowdhealth.com/ (use promocode Horton) You can also support Scott's work by making a one-time or recurring donation at https://scotthorton.org/donate/https://scotthortonshow.com or https://patreon.com/scotthortonshow Audio cleaned up with the Podsworth app: https://podsworth.com Use code HORTON50 for 50% off your first order at Podsworth.com to clean up your voice recordings, sound like a pro, and also support the Scott Horton Show! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At least 17 people were killed and more than 40 injured in another round of deadly Russian strikes on the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv. Volodymyr Zelenskyy has pleaded for more air defence weapons, saying ballistic missile interceptors ‘could have saved the lives of those killed today'. For months, Ukraine has been warning about shortages after Donald Trump backtracked on his promise to let Ukraine manufacture missiles locally. In response to the attack, the EU's Ursula von der Leyen said ‘Russia must pay' – but will it? Lucy Hough talks to the Guardian's Russia affairs correspondent, Pjotr Sauer. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Laura Loomer may not have an official position in the White House (or anywhere?) but she nevertheless does have the president's ear—and newfound affinity for Ukraine and its war against Russia.Guest: Ken Bensinger, media and politics reporter for the New York Times.Want more What Next? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to get access wherever you listen.Podcast production by Rob Gunther, Evan Campbell, Madeline Thames-Ducharme and Patrick Fort.Paige Osburn is the senior supervising producer of What Next and What Next TBD. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gilbert Doctorow : Russia On a RampageSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

There was another reported attempt on Trump's life at his California golf course. The President denies the U.S. is running low on weapons. Men's Wearhouse plans to open 500 new stores. Young people may be shifting from meeting online to meeting in person. Mark takes your calls! Mark interviews Gossip columnist Rob Shuter. Mark talks with Rob about Rosie O'Donnell possibly returning to The View for its 30th anniversary. Barbara Walters had to fight to keep the show on early on. Rob also shares updates on Carson Daly and the latest with Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift, whose wedding apparently didn't go as planned.

//The Wire//2300Z August 4, 2026// //ROUTINE// //BLUF: IRANIAN ATTACKS CONTINUE IN KUWAIT AND STRAIT OF HORMUZ. TURKISH MERCHANTS STRUCK BY UKRAINIAN DRONES IN BLACK SEA. WILDFIRE RESPONSE CONTINUES IN PACIFIC NORTHWEST AS ARSON REMAINS A CONCERN.// -----BEGIN TEARLINE------International Events-Middle East: This morning Iranian attacks continued in the Strait of Hormuz, targeting more vessels which have attempted to transit via the unauthorized southern route. Around the region, Iranian forces targeted American installations in Kuwait overnight, with locals reporting large fires allegedly in the vicinity of Camp Buehring. Analyst Comment: This is the first round of strikes that was not explicitly tied to the tit-for-tat American strikes, and this is one of the few times the Iranians have launched an attack during this war, that was not purely retaliatory. This is the latest indicator that the Iranians are becoming increasingly less likely to allow the United States to conduct strikes, and then let the markets cool off by the time the opening bell rings. Conducting strikes on their own terms and timing, is likely a tactic Iran will continue to exercise while the United States tries to buy more time to figure out how to win the war.Europe: The war in Ukraine has remained hot on multiple fronts as attacks on merchant shipping in the Black Sea continue to involve more third-party nations. This morning, Ukrainian drones targeted the M/V NADEZHDA (IMO: 7702657) just off the coast of Novorossiysk. This vessel is a Roll-on, Roll-Off (RoRo) vehicle transportation vessel, and was owned and operated by Turkey, with a mostly Turkish crew. In addition to this strike, another vessel was also struck in the same general area. The M/V YASAR (IMO: 9276341), a smaller regional containership was struck at roughly the same time as the NADEZHDA. Both vessels had recently departed port Novorossiysk before being struck.Analyst Comment: So far, Turkish authorities have played their hand very carefully, and there haven't been any public statements indicating how serious they are treating these strikes. The Turks have called on both Ukraine and Russia to ensure safe navigation in the Black Sea, which is exactly the kind of milquetoast statement that would be expected for a NATO member which also buys a lot of Russian military hardware. Nevertheless, this duality of defense is only going to last for so long, especially if this war expands to include the deaths of Turkish civilians onboard Turkish civilian ships.-HomeFront-Pacific Northwest: Wildfire concerns remain paramount as disaster recovery efforts continue in Washington state. Spokane is the biggest urban interface affected by the wildfires, and many suburbs and surrounding towns have burned completely to the ground. The National Interagency Fire Center status report for this morning stated that the three main wildfires burning in the Spokane area are still zero-percent contained, though major gains were made in combatting two of the fires threatening local homes in the suburbs. So far, most of the firefighting efforts have prioritized immediate risk to life within the residential areas of the city, in addition to aiding evacuation efforts for much of the population.-----END TEARLINE-----Analyst Comments: In eastern Washington, weather is going to play a factor over the next few days and the region at large is not out of the woods just yet. The National Weather Service Fire weather update from this morning indicated light and variable winds forecasted for tonight, increasing tomorrow. Temperatures today were a bit cooler, but temps are expected to rise (and humidity expected to drop) ever further tomorrow, as winds begin to rise. This afternoon's weather forecast continued to indicate increasing winds of over 20mph are likely throughout central and eastern Washington on Friday and Saturday. As a result, fire behavior conditions can change quickly, and increased situational awareness is vital while the crisis continues. This is especially important considering the origin of the fires. At least one arrest has been made due to at least some of these fires being arson, and the risk of continued malign action is likely while these weather patterns continue.Analyst: S2A1 Research: https://publish.obsidian.md/s2underground NomadNet: 5fa68c88be727a0e1a250a75e5e79269 Disclaimer: No LLMs were used in the writing of this report. //END REPORT//

China is racing ahead in electrification, while the US turns its back on green energy in favour of a new era of fossil fuel machismo. An alignment between the three major petrostates – the US, Saudi Arabia and Russia – no longer looks implausible. The outlines of a new Cold War are becoming visible, one which will be determined by a novel mixture of ideology, critical technologies, supply chains and control of energy flows. How will these geopolitical dynamics play out – and what will it mean for global warming? Adam Tooze is the Kathryn and Shelby Cullom Davis Professor of History and director of the European Institute at Columbia University. A columnist at Foreign Policy and a regular contributor to the LRB, he also writes Chartbook, a newsletter on economics, geopolitics and history. His books include ‘Crashed: How a Decade of Financial Crises Changed the World' and ‘Shutdown: How Covid Shook the World's Economy'. Adam Tooze's LRB Autumn Lecture was delivered at the New School, NYC on 27 October 2025 From the LRB Subscribe to the LRB: ⁠⁠https://lrb.me/subslrbpod Close Readings podcast: ⁠https://lrb.me/crlrbpod⁠ LRB Audiobooks: ⁠https://lrb.me/audiobookslrbpod⁠ Bags, binders and more at the LRB Store: ⁠https://lrb.me/storelrbpod⁠ Get in touch: podcasts@lrb.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michael is joined by Glenn Corn, former CIA Chief of Station and foreign policy expert with over 34 years of experience across the U.S. intelligence, defense, and diplomatic communities. Returning from his latest trip to Ukraine, Glenn offers a candid, on-the-ground operational update on how Kyiv's military is reshaping the battlefield through mid-range FPV drone strikes, integrated AI battle management systems, and deep-strike campaigns targeting Russian oil refineries and supply lines. He also analyzes internal socio-political frictions within Russia as Moscow struggles to manage mounting casualties and economic strain.  

While Mike is on a field trip leaning about PTSD service dogs, Tyler is joined by Erik from Two Cops One Donut Podcast to break down a corrupt FBI agent. PLUS- are we running out of missiles to fight Iran? Is Russia committing war crimes with drones? Join the 99% App!! https://www.theantiheroapp.com/signin Join us on Patreon! https://patreon.com/TheAntiheroBroadcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink Check out our sponsors!! Elevated Silence (promo code "ANTIHERO15" for 15% off!) https://elevatedsilence.com Venjenz (promo code "ANTIHERO" for 15% off!) https://venjenz.com/ Crave Creatine Gummies (promo code ANTIHERO15 for 15% off!!) https://trycrave.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we had the pleasure of hosting Corey Rosenbusch for a wide-ranging discussion on the fertilizer industry, global energy markets, and the geopolitical forces increasingly shaping both. Corey is the President and CEO of The Fertilizer Institute (TFI), headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. Corey joined TFI in 2020 after serving as President and CEO of the Global Cold Chain Alliance. He currently serves as Chair of the Texas A&M University Agricultural Leadership, Education & Communication Department Advisory Board and the Association Leadership Group. We were thrilled to host Corey to better understand the connections between fertilizer, natural gas, food security, and global supply chains. In our conversation, Corey provides a comprehensive overview of the global fertilizer industry and its critical connection to energy markets. He explains how natural gas serves as the essential feedstock for nitrogen fertilizer production, outlines the distinct dynamics of nitrogen, phosphate, potash, and sulfur markets, and discusses why fertilizer has become increasingly intertwined with global geopolitics, food security, and national security. We examine how disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz affected global flows of urea, ammonia, phosphate, and sulfur, why export restrictions from China and Russia have reshaped global trade, and how government subsidies, tariffs, and state-owned enterprises continue to influence fertilizer pricing and availability. Corey highlights the concentration of global fertilizer production and exports across a handful of countries and explains how those supply chains have become increasingly vulnerable to geopolitical disruption. Corey shares why current fertilizer market conditions differ from the 2022 Russia-Ukraine disruption, how weak farm economics and higher input costs are impacting U.S. growers, and why fertilizer prices are ultimately driven by global supply and demand rather than local production. We discuss the outlook for fertilizer demand, key Farm Bill provisions, including E15 and biostimulants, the competitiveness of U.S. fertilizer manufacturing, and why expanding domestic production, streamlining permitting, and maintaining access to affordable natural gas will be critical to strengthening both U.S. food security and energy security. We learned a great deal from Corey and greatly enjoyed the discussion. To start the show, Mike Bradley noted the day's market trifecta: lower bond yields, lower oil prices, and higher equity markets. The 10-year Treasury yield was trading between 4.60% and 4.65%, well below last week's high of ~4.75%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) was up approximately 1,000 points, driven largely by significant share price gains in Caterpillar and Goldman Sachs. These two stocks alone accounted for roughly 500 points of the DJIA's gain. He highlighted several companies scheduled to report second-quarter earnings results this week, including AMD, Disney, Eli Lilly, and SpaceX. On the oil market front, he noted that WTI crude oil prices had fallen roughly $9/bbl to ~$75-$76/bbl so far this week following a temporary pause in U.S. military strikes on Iran. While U.S. strikes are on hold for now, military action could resume at any point, contributing to heightened oil price volatility. Despite WTI declining more than 10% this week, the energy sector was down only ~1.5%. Investor focus last week was primarily on second-quarter earnings results from the U.S. integrated oil majors, Chevron and ExxonMobil, as well as refiners, with management teams indicating that global refining margins remain structurally tight. He highlighted BP's new CEO's comment that it would be "prudent" to stop thinking of BP as a traditional Big Oil supermajor and instead compete within its own weight class. He concluded by highlighting President Trump's remarks about to Chevron's and ExxonMobil's record-setting quarterly results. President Trump argued that these companies were making too much money and should return more of their profits to the public and lower retail prices. Chevron and ExxonMobil generated average second-quarter profit margins in the mid-to-high teens and have generally reported high single-digit to low-double-digit profit margins over the past three years. By comparison, large-cap tech companies reported average second-quarter profit margins of ~40% and have averaged ~45% to 50% profit margins over the last three years. Jeff Tillery added his perspective on the outlook for U.S. natural gas demand, noting that forecasts call for roughly 20 bcfd of cumulative demand growth over the next five years. While significant, he emphasized that this largely represents a continuation of trends already underway. U.S. natural gas demand increased by nearly 20 bcfd over the past five years, driven primarily by LNG exports, and he expects exports to remain the primary driver of growth going forward. While he remains constructive on the long-term natural gas demand outlook, he emphasized that the next phase is more evolutionary than transformational. 

Jon Herold spends most of Hump Day walking through newly declassified documents revealing a previously unknown FBI investigation, codenamed "Oxford comma," opened into Trump for allegedly acting as a Russian agent just seven days after he fired James Comey. He builds out a detailed timeline connecting Comey's leaked memos, the appointment of Special Counsel Robert Mueller, and internal FBI texts suggesting agents knew the Russia collusion theory had already been debunked before the investigation began. Jon also floats a lighthearted personal theory tying the case's codename to an edited Trump tweet from the same period. Other quick hits include Kash Patel's new FBI partnerships with China and Russia on transnational crime, a dismissed Oath Keepers case, Cuba regime change reporting, and an odd new AI safety incident involving Anthropic's Mythos model. Sponsor reads and a preview of tonight's Power Hour with Burning Bright round out a dense Wednesday show.

The war with Iran is putting renewed attention on a critical national security question: does America's defense industrial base have the capacity and resilience needed for a larger conflict with China or Russia? Defense expert Dr. Seth Jones joins Rep. Crenshaw to discuss why America struggles to build weapons fast enough and what policies could strengthen our military edge. They also discuss lessons from the war in Ukraine, the most likely scenarios as China ramps up pressure on Taiwan, and the number one threat to the homeland that most people are ignoring: drone attacks.   Seth G. Jones is president of the Defense and Security Department and Harold Brown Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Find his work at https://www.csis.org/.

For decades, the Soviet Union's top-secret testing site Kapustin Yar didn't appear on any maps. It was so top-secret, the government relocated an entire town just to make sure none of its residents ever discovered it.But in the aftermath of the Cold War, stories began to emerge about what the Soviets had really been up to in that remote, arid stretch of land in southern Russia…From rumours of crashed UFOs to underground labs conducting bonkers alien autopsies, this is the highly-classified ShortHand. --Patreon - Ad-free & Bonus EpisodesYouTube - Full-length Video EpisodesTikTok / Instagram

This is The Briefing, a daily analysis of news and events from a Christian worldview.Part I (00:12 – 10:59)Russia and Ukraine, the U.S. and Iran: Updates on the Major Conflicts on the World Scene Right NowPolitical Turmoil Will Not Derail Killer Robot Program, Ousted Minister Says by The New York Times (Andrew E. Kramer)Part II (10:59 – 17:48) Chaos in Ceuta: Sudden Influx of Moroccan Migrants to Spain Raises Massive Immigration and Open Borders IssuesPart III (17:48 – 24:05)An Islamic Terrorist Attack on Berlin Pride Event: This is a Tragedy, and It's Compounded by the Fact That Germany Knew of This Young Man's Islamic ExtremismBerlin Pride Event Attacker Killed in Police Shootout, Officials Say by The New York Times (Jim Tankersley)German Authorities Knew of Pride Attacker's Extremism in Months Before Attack by The New York Times (Adam Goldman, Jim Tankersley, and Philip Kaleta)Part IV (24:05 – 27:33)Immigration and ISIS Threats on the U.S. Side of the Atlantic: Court Considers Deporting Mother of ISIS TerroristU.S. Revives Obscure Court in Bid to Deport Afghan Woman by The New York Times (Alan Feuer and Adam Sella)Sign up to receive The Briefing in your inbox every weekday morning.Follow Dr. Mohler:X | Instagram | Facebook | YouTubeFor more information on The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, go to sbts.edu.For more information on Boyce College, just go to BoyceCollege.com.To write Dr. Mohler or submit a question for The Mailbox, go here.

Some countries are susceptible to believing that with the right military strategy, they can accomplish their goals with a quick war. It's called the "Short War Illusion," and as the term suggests, it rarely works out as planned. That includes the two major conflicts currently underway in Ukraine and Iran. And it could include a potential conflict in Taiwan.On today's podcast, Executive Editor Natalie Orpett speaks with Dara Massicot, Senior Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment's Russia & Eurasia Program; Ariane Tabatabai, Vice President at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and a contributing editor at Lawfare, and Julia Curlee, Lawfare Public Service Fellow and 25-year veteran of the CIA. They discuss how the short war illusion is playing out today and how it could play out in a future conflict between China and Taiwan—a topic Julia considered in her recent piece in Lawfare, “The Short-War Illusion: What Iran Teaches Beijing About Taiwan.”To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two republican holdouts reverse course on President Trump's Attorney General pick. Ukraine and Russia trade deadly drone attacks. And experts say a FEMA flood map ‘misunderstanding' has left millions without insurance.  AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Russia says a Ukrainian drone has killed seven people, including three children, on a beach near the Russian Black Sea resort of Gelendzhik. The regional governor accused Ukraine of a deliberate strike on civilians, while Russia's foreign ministry called it an act of terrorism. There was no immediate comment from Ukraine. Both countries have always denied deliberately targeting civilians. Also: Iran insists no peace talks are happening, but Donald Trump insists they are; meanwhile another cargo vessel is reportedly struck in the Strait of Hormuz. We have an exclusive BBC report from Pakistani-administered Kashmir, where deadly clashes with protestors have been taking place. How Myanmar's efforts to end its diplomatic isolation could be boosted by the release of photos of the detained former leader, Aung San Suu Kyi. At least 18 people are reported to have been killed in attacks by gunmen in northwestern Nigeria. Teachers in Argentina are on strike over pay and job cuts. And we meet the Gazans still working in tech - despite living in tents.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 Photo: Map showing Russia, Black Sea, Ukraine and Gelendzhik Credit: BBC

Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg, David French, and Mike Nelson to discuss the possible entrance of Russia and China into the Iran war and the possibility of unintentional escalation. The Agenda: —The War That Could Swallow the World —Water system cyberattacks —Putin and Xi's calculations —The Taiwan implication —U.S. munitions stockpiles —Trump's madman theory —NWYT: Trump's golf titleThe Dispatch Podcast is a production of ⁠The Dispatch⁠, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a nonpartisan perspective. To access all of The Dispatch's offerings—including audio versions of all our articles and newsletters—⁠click here⁠. If you'd like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member ⁠by clicking here⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Before Ivan was the Terrible, he was a young tsar who had tried and failed to destroy the last fragments of Genghis Khan’s Empire in the Volga River Valley. In October of 1552, the 22-year-old Ivan stood outside the walls of a city that had raided, humiliated, and enslaved Russians for over a century. The Kazan Khanate, successor state to the Golden Horde and one of the wealthiest trading cities on the Volga, had already repulsed two of Ivan's previous campaigns — both times thanks as much to the Russian weather as to Tatar arms. But this time was different. Ivan had spent two years building a prefabricated fortress hundreds of miles upstream and floating it downriver, creating Russia's first standing professional infantry corps, recruiting an engineer whose identity remains disputed to this day, and stockpiling enough gunpowder to blow the city's gates apart simultaneously at dawn. When 48 barrels detonated on the morning of October 2nd, the walls of Kazan came down — and with them, the last major Tatar khanate on Russia's eastern frontier Today’s guest is Mark Galeotti, author of Siege of Kazan 1552: Ivan the Terrible Breaks the Kazan Khanate, to walk us through one of the most consequential — and most misunderstood — battles in Russian history. We'll talk about why the siege was as much an intervention in a Tatar civil war as an act of Russian imperialism, how the Muscovite army that showed up in 1552 was fundamentally different from the feudal cavalry force that had failed twice before, and what really happened inside Kazan's walls when the assault nearly collapsed into looting and disaster before Ivan was physically dragged onto his horse and led to the banner. We'll also look at what came after the victory — the four-year guerrilla war Ivan didn't plan for, the rapid conquest of Astrakhan, and how the fall of Kazan set Moscow on a collision course with the Ottoman Empire that would define Eurasian geopolitics for the next two hundred years.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

SCHEDULE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW 8-3-20261705Husain Haqqani: Iran is openly boasting that it uses diplomatic pauses to reconstitute its military arsenal for future attacks on energy infrastructure. Ambassador Haqqani critiques the current US approach as a haphazard war lacking a clear end-state or ground strategy, which causes deep anxiety among Gulf allies. While GCC states such as the UAE have successfully fended off missile barrages, they feel Washington has not provided the military commitment necessary for long-term protection. Consequently, China is emerging as a winner in the conflict, gaining respect through silence while the US appears as a helpless giant unable to achieve an honorable peace. (1)Ernesto Araújo and Alejandro Peña Esclusa: The inauguration of Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella marks a pivotal shift toward the "Shield of the Americas" initiative to combat drug trafficking and organized crime. Unlike his predecessor, Gustavo Petro, the new administration seeks close cooperation with the US to dismantle narco-socialist structures. Meanwhile, Venezuela remains in crisis seven months after the detention of Nicolás Maduro, with the Rodríguez family still wielding significant power. The US is attempting to facilitate negotiations with the opposition, yet critics argue the current transition model fails the population. Regionally, Brazilian President Lula da Silva faces increasing isolation as his neighbors shift toward conservative, security-focused governance. (2)Malcolm Hoenlein: Recent reports reveal the existence of Iranian-backed assassination cells such as the Foxtrot group, which recruits European criminals to target Jewish and Israeli figures. In the Levant, the IDF continues to discover unprecedented tunnel complexes in Lebanon and Gaza, some so vast they require dedicated cement factories to seal. These reinforced, air-conditioned structures demonstrate a massive diversion of humanitarian funds toward military infrastructure. While a pilot zone plan aims to restore Lebanese sovereign authority, Hezbollah's refusal to disarm remains the primary obstacle. Similarly, in Gaza, Hamas is reportedly distributing rifles to operatives to circumvent disarmament agreements while demanding an Israeli withdrawal. (3)General Blaine Holt and Gordon Chang: Concerns are rising regarding the flow of Chinese and Russian aid to Iran, which includes potential shipments of anti-aircraft missiles. While some interpret President Trump's reserved stance as weakness, General Holt suggests it may be a strategic gambit to exploit internal CCP factional infighting. Within the Party, a reformer named Hu Chunhua is reportedly rising as a potential rival to Xi Jinping. However, experts warn that provocative Chinese actions in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait require a steel-with-steel confrontation. Critics argue that the US must eventually humiliate the Chinese leadership through economic and espionage crackdowns to project true force. (4)Andrew Collier and Gordon Chang: China's banking system faces a time bomb with an estimated $7.7 trillion in unreported bad loans, largely due to government-backed entities rolling over debt to mask insolvency. The property market remains a crater, and while manufacturing and tech sectors such as EVs are growing, they represent only a fraction of the GDP once provided by real estate. Xi Jinping resists bazooka stimulus programs, preferring state-led investment in high tech over consumer-driven growth. This has resulted in a K-shaped economy in which wealthy urbanites thrive while rural citizens face declining property values and job insecurity. Ultimately, China risks a multi-decade slump similar to Japan's lost decades. (5)David Daoud: A recent drone attack on an IDF vehicle near the Ali Taher Ridge highlights the fragility of the current ceasefire in Lebanon. The IDF maintains control over the ridge's surface, yet Hezbollah continues to operate within a vast underground tunnel network. Despite diplomatic efforts, Iran has boasted that ceasefires are used primarily to rearm and redeploy its proxies. Hezbollah's regeneration efforts, including weapons shipments through Syria and recruitment via the IRGC's Imam Hussein division, reportedly outpace Israeli interdiction. While the Lebanese government denies these activities, evidence suggests Hezbollah remains a significant fighting force south of the Litani River. (6)Edmund Fitton-Brown: The Houthis have launched a blockade against Saudi shipping in the Red Sea, targeting energy routes critical to global markets. In response, Saudi Arabia has formed a fourteen-nation defense coalition to protect the Bab el-Mandeb, notably excluding the UAE and Oman. While the Houthis maintain some autonomy, they are heavily dependent on Iranian technical assistance and resupply. Iran has used regional pauses to restock its arsenal and now threatens Saudi infrastructure, including desalination plants and pipelines. Experts believe the US remains the elephant in the room, but a lack of consistent policy from Washington emboldens the Houthis to continue their aggressive psychological warfare. (7)Samuel Ben-Ur: President Trump has announced a tentative Hamas deal involving a phased disarmament and the transition of governance to a National Committee. However, the plan faces significant hurdles, as Israel demands the complete destruction of terror infrastructure before any withdrawal. Hamas seeks to retain small arms, potentially leading to a Hezbollah-style shadow governance. This diplomatic friction coincides with a tight Israeli election between Benjamin Netanyahu and Gadi Eisenkot. Netanyahu faces criticism for allowing US interests to dictate Israeli policy, particularly regarding Iran's ballistic missile threat. Voters are increasingly focused on national security autonomy and the domestic cost of living ahead of the October polls. (8)Janatan Sayeh: The Iranian regime has dramatically escalated its internal reign of terror, with executions increasing by over 100 percent in some regions. Revolutionary courts, led by brutal judges such as Mohammad Reza Tavakoli, use public hangings and floggings to desensitize and intimidate the population. These courts specifically target young dissidents, journalists, and even musicians for offending the supreme leader or waging war against God. Washington is criticized for failing to invoke human rights sanctions since January, even as other Western nations act. The surge in executions often coincides with diplomatic negotiations, serving as the regime's deliberate internal priority to liquidate all political dissent. (9)John Hardie: President Zelenskyy has proposed a plan to use Elon Musk's Starlink network to bypass the need for scarce Patriot interceptors, enabling deep strikes against Russian missile launchers. Starlink provides the low latency required for controlling drones beyond the radio horizon, though SpaceX currently restricts its use in certain territories. Simultaneously, Russia has implemented a crippling blockade of Odessa, targeting port infrastructure and civilian vessels with new Banderol cruise missiles. This offensive has brought agricultural and metal exports to a near standstill, threatening global food security and Ukraine's hard currency earnings. Without a maritime corridor, Ukraine faces its toughest winter challenge of the war. (10)Two names to confirm: the CCP reformer rendered in the raw as "Huchen Hua" — I set it as Hu Chunhua; and the revolutionary court judge given as "Muhammad Raza Takav Tavakoli" — I set it as Mohammad Reza Tavakoli. Also still open from earlier batches: Lorenzo Fiato or Fiori.

John Hardie: President Zelenskyy has proposed a plan to use Elon Musk's Starlink network to bypass the need for scarce Patriot interceptors, enabling deep strikes against Russian missile launchers. Starlink provides the low latency required for controlling drones beyond the radio horizon, though SpaceX currently restricts its use in certain territories. Simultaneously, Russia has implemented a crippling blockade of Odessa, targeting port infrastructure and civilian vessels with new Banderol cruise missiles. This offensive has brought agricultural and metal exports to a near standstill, threatening global food security and Ukraine's hard currency earnings. Without a maritime corridor, Ukraine faces its toughest winter challenge of the war. (10)1856 BLACK SEA

Ukraine steps up its attacks on Russia - with strikes on logistics warehouses and other infrastructure overnight. Officials say at least five people have been killed and 10 more injured.Also on the programme: European Union interior ministers hold an emergency meeting to discuss last week's influx from Morocco of up to 70,000 migrants into the tiny Spanish territory of Ceuta; and the musical that uses humour to raise awareness about the chronic women's health condition endometriosis.(Photo: A drone view shows the site where houses were heavily damaged by a Russian drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Mykolaiv, Ukraine in this handout picture released August 4, 2026. Press service of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Mykolaiv region/Handout via REUTERS)

This week we talk about Melilla, hybrid warfare, and migration.We also discuss Morocco, civil conflict, and immigration politics.Recommended Book: Playground by Richard PowersTranscriptCeuta is a Spanish-owned territory located in northwestern Africa, along the top of Morocco. It's small—about seven square miles—and is unusual because it is a city owned by a European Union member state that isn't located on the European continent; it's bordered by Morocco and the Mediterranean, and is located at the entrance of the Strait of Gibraltar, which is the strait that separates the Mediterranean Sea from the Atlantic Ocean.Ceuta is one of two territories that Spain still holds in Africa, the other being a smaller, just 4.7 square mile city called Melilla, which is located further west but still along the Mediterranean coast, bordered by the sea on one side, and by Morocco on the other.Spain has held both of these territories for hundreds of years: Ceuta since 1580 and Melilla since 1497, so it's actually held them far longer than Morocco has been an independent state, in 1956. The populations of these territories, just over 85,000 people in each, also heavily identify as Spanish, despite many residents having Moroccan ancestry, so theres a cultural component here, too.That said, Morocco officially claims both areas as their own, considering them to be occupied territories, a bit like the Crimean peninsula has been militarily held by Russia since 2014, but it's still claimed by Ukraine as an occupied territory. So the Moroccan government isn't thrilled about having these small chunks of land, autonomous cities that are technically part of Spain, right there in the midst of their own territory. But these cities have been part of Spain for so long, and the residents are all Spanish citizens, with the same rights and sense of culture as the rest of Spain and Europe, that simply handing them over to Morocco has never seemed terribly feasible or desirable to the Spanish government, despite neither territory providing much strategic or economic value to Spain. So they remain a point of contention between these two governments.They've also served as migration hot-spots in recent decades, because they are the only two European territories that border an African country. And this is important because, in some cases, under some governments and in accordance with some laws, if you can make it across a border and into another country, you might be able to enter the system and eventually become a citizen, maybe claiming asylum or maybe getting slotted into some other path to citizenship. Or failing that, there's a chance you might be able to just fade into the background, working and living in that country, despite not legally being there.What I'd like to talk about today is a recent surge in migrants crossing the border from Morocco into Ceuta, and the larger state of play, migration-wise, globally right now.—On the last day of July, 2026, an estimated 50-60 thousand African migrants illegally crossed from Morocco into Ceuta, some of them swimming to bypass the 20-foot-high border fences, others climbing those fences, or piling into overflowing boats, arriving in Ceuta en masse and overwhelming the guards who tried to stop them, though generally just trying to run past them, not attacking the guards—this wasn't an attack, it was a rush to get into Spanish territory.Eventually the guards were reinforced by police and the Spanish military, and they started to push the waves of migrants back using water cannons and tear gas. But despite the less-lethal crowd control methods that were applied, at least 67 people, that's the number as of the day I'm recording this at least, it's been updated many times over the past few days, 67 people died as a result of stampedes, either headed inland or back into the sea, away from the gas and water cannons, or they drowned while trying to cross over the water.By the following day, the wave of migrants had become just a trickle, mostly a few stragglers who tried to swim to Ceuta, and who were swiftly returned to Morocco by local law enforcement. Almost everyone else who illegally crossed the border also returned to Morocco moved on by police or of their own volition, and though, again, this wasn't some kind of violent incursion, to get a sense of the scale of this wave of humanity, Ceuta only has about 85,000 people living there, and this wave of migrants was about 60,000 people strong. So the locals mostly closed up all their shops and locked their doors, the people who arrived found themselves unable to get food or water, and law enforcement told them they need to leave, so most did. As of the day I'm recording this there are still several hundred migrants hiding in the nearby hills and lounging on the beach, exhausted and still hopeful they'll be able to enter the asylum system—many of them saying they fled conflicts further south, like the ongoing civil war in Sudan, and so anything, even starving on the beach in Ceuda, is better than going back.This isn't the first time Ceuta has faced this kind of humanitarian crisis; back in 2021, the Moroccan government stopped enforcing its border controls and around 8000 people crossed from Morocco into Ceuta over the course of just two days. That was sparked by the Spanish government's decision to allow the head of a militant group in Western Sahara, a breakaway portion of Morocco that the Moroccan government claimed in 1975, but which itself still claims independence with some international support, they let that militant leader into Spain for medical treatment, and Morocco allowed thousands of migrants to flow across the border as punishment.This more recent crisis is much larger, and the cause isn't clear at this point. Spanish officials have said that Moroccan security forces were working alongside Spanish forces to keep people from crossing the border, so it seems unlikely this was stoked by the Moroccan government, and claims that this wave of people were motivated by an ongoing effort by the Spanish government to grant amnesty to immigrants who don't currently have residency permits, but who can prove they've been living in the country for at least 5 months and arrived before January 1 of 2026 also seems unlikely, as those arriving in this wave obviously wouldn't be part of that amnesty.There's a chance that this surge was triggered by a Spanish court ruling that was intentionally misconstrued by migrant smugglers in order to gin up more business. A bunch of social media posts claimed that this ruling said migrants who arrived via sea couldn't be immediately deported, not without due process, but those who arrived via land or by climbing border fences, could—crossing a physical barrier was the big no-no, according to this misinformation, so people who swam or crossed in boats would stand a better chance of being able to stick around and eventually become Spanish citizens.This was pure misinformation, but there's a chance it played a role in sparking this large migrant wave. And many of the people who were interviewed, those who tried to cross and were sent back, have echoed the sentiments of other migrants who have attempted these sorts of crossings at borders elsewhere around the world: essentially, things are very bad, worse than you can possibly imagine, in the country they've left, and the only option seems to be getting away as fast as possible, even taking chances that might kill them, because that's still better than staying.These waves of mass migration often result in humanitarian crises because people are hurt or killed by border security forces, are hurt or killed by being trampled or drowning, or they're hurt or killed while making the journey through dangerous areas, like the infamous Darién Gap that stretches through mountains and rainforests along the border between Colombia and Panama, and which spans the only gap in the Pan-American Highway, which connects Central and South America.Spanish authorities have said they'll be building even higher fences in Ceuta following this recent mass incursion, will string a floating buoy fence along the waters where people are crossing, and will be upping security, though like in most other popular border areas, security is already significant: tall fences, barbed wire, security cameras everywhere—these are not vulnerable spots, they're just not capable of handling 60,000 motivated people all at once.This episode in Ceuta is not happening in a vacuum.The Spanish prime minister has established a pro-immigration stance, positioning the country as a modern melting pot, which is part of why that aforementioned effort to give about half a million undocumented legal immigrants legal status is happening to begin with. Many countries right now are adopting anti-immigration stances as new technologies and changing demographics ripple through the economy, and mostly conservative, in some cases far-right conservative political movements frame those changes as the consequence of allowing too many foreigners into the country; these bad things aren't happening because of technology or economics or demographics, they claim, it's happening because there are too many people who are different from us crossing our borders and living here. Which for some, is a compelling rallying cry.Consequently, migrants are positioned as big bad enemies in many parts of the world, used to flog support for anti-immigrant parties, and to decry opposing governments. That has forced many pro-immigration governments to temper their stances, even to the point that formerly pro-immigration Europe has become a lot less so in recent years.Migrants are also used as pawns in hybrid warfare efforts. Morocco's previous decision to allow thousands of migrants to surge across the Spanish border in response to Spain's government doing something they didn't like is a tame version of this. More aggressive versions have been conducted by Russia against Finland and other neighboring NATO nations, the Russian military bussing migrants from elsewhere to their opponents' borders, intentionally creating a humanitarian and security crisis, while also putting pressure on centrist and left-leaning governments by providing ammunition for far-right and other more authoritarian governments throughout the region, who can then cry foul on how that migrant surge is handled. This tends to create more allies for Russia in the region, but it also keeps these neighboring countries busy, forcing them to tighten their borders and become more insular, which then leaves Russia freer to exercise its will throughout the region.It's also worth remember here that most migrants are leaving horrible situations at home, meaning war, famine, severe and persistent drought, in some cases they're trying to avoid having their children kidnapped and made into child soldiers while all of the women are sexually assaulted as part of the ongoing war.The number of people fleeing such conditions, who are currently on the run, their homes no longer safely habitable, is massive. There are an estimated 304 million migrants globally right now, which, if that population of people were their own country, would be the fourth most populous in the world, just after the United States.And this population is expected to just keep growing as global climate change continues to mess with previous water cycle and weather norms, and as all those earlier mentioned variables continue to mess with economics and technology and leadership and everything else, creating more violence and fear and famine and so on.This was a significant migrant wave in Ceuta, in other words, but it's just one example of something that's happening all over the place right now, and which will likely continue to happen, perhaps at even greater scales and with more regularity.Show Noteshttps://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/what-to-know-about-the-spanish-enclave-of-ceuta-as-migrant-arrivals-from-morocco-spikehttps://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/7/30/spanish-enclave-of-ceuta-raises-alarm-as-thousands-cross-morocco-borderhttps://www.aljazeera.com/features/2026/7/31/spain-deploys-military-to-ceuta-after-migrant-surge-what-we-knowhttps://abcnews.com/International/57-dead-after-thousands-migrants-cross-ceuta-officials/story?id=135254045https://www.cnn.com/2026/07/31/europe/spain-ceuta-migrants-intlhttps://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2026/07/31/most-migrants-who-crossed-into-ceuta-have-returned-to-morocco-as-death-toll-rises-to-34/https://www.npr.org/2026/07/31/g-s1-136507/morocco-spain-migrationhttps://feeds.bbci.co.uk/news/world-africa-14114627https://www.britannica.com/place/Ceutahttps://edition.cnn.com/travel/ceuta-spain-north-africahttps://theconversation.com/ceuta-claves-para-entender-el-laberinto-de-una-crisis-migratoria-permanente-288843https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/6/2/western-sahara-independence-leader-brahim-ghali-back-in-algeriahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021_Morocco%E2%80%93Spain_border_incidenthttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/30/world/europe/ceuta-spain-morocco-migrants.htmlhttps://apnews.com/article/migration-spain-ceuta-morocco-d76c6dc9d2da828907a1c04e1d482bbehttps://apnews.com/article/migrants-spain-ceuta-morocco-d564354dd54e92debf43ce5fe22299f9https://apnews.com/article/spain-migration-ceuta-morocco-facts-50baa964ecfb07a2d19223d7ec375b91https://apnews.com/article/spain-morocco-immigration-european-union-8f023984a310276c619929102b4f909ahttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/02/world/europe/europe-migrants-ceuta.htmlhttp://nytimes.com/2026/08/02/world/europe/ceuta-spain-morocco-migrant-holdouts-beach.htmlhttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/02/world/europe/spain-ceuta-far-right.htmlhttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/01/world/europe/spain-ceuta-migrants-morocco-border.html This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letsknowthings.substack.com/subscribe

Erick argues the United States is losing to Iran by choice, driven by an isolationist wing embedded around President Trump and Vice President JD Vance that wants a “tripartite” world carved up with Russia and China, even as war-torn Ukraine outbuilds all of NATO with 5 million drones a year while America cannot manufacture a […]

Last week, Bret sat down with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for an in-depth assessment of the current state of the war in Ukraine. In the conversation, President Zelenskyy opens up about what "winning" looks like on the ground, the rapid rise of military tech partnerships with the U.S., and why Ukraine urgently needs a "winter package" of anti-ballistic defenses. He highlights his concerns about Russia's involvement in Iran's attacks on Middle Eastern countries and its impact on U.S. support for Ukraine.  This interview took place on Tuesday, 07/28, and originally aired on Special Report. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Novo Nordisk's CEO checks in on his first year at the helm, and Russia is quietly assembling a "shadow fleet" of ships to circumvent EU sanctions. Plus, we take a deep dive into a historic joint intervention in Japan's currency.Mentioned in this podcast:‘Arrogance kills': Novo chief injects risk-taking into Ozempic-makerAstraZeneca investors raise concerns over mega-merger talksRussia expands shadow LNG fleet ahead of EU banTeam America: Yen policeJapan vows further yen intervention with US if neededListen to Unhedged on Apple Podcasts, Pocket Casts or Spotify.Want to get in touch? Email us at podcasts@ft.comNote: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts The FT News Briefing is produced by Victoria Craig, Sonja Hutson, Saffeya Ahmed and Katya Kumkova. Our editor is Marc Filippino. Our show is mixed by Sam Giovinco and Alex Higgins. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello, Peter Barber and David da Silva. Our intern is Cole van Miltenburg. Special thanks to Nisha Patel. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Flo Phillips is the FT's global head of audio. The show's theme music is by Metaphor Music. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Geography, German Success in Russia, Economies, and much more in this listener question episodes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(August 04, 2026) Why is the U.S. running so low on weapons? Smuggling gasoline into Mexico earns cartels millions. Not married and need car insurance? You can get dinged for that in California.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why are we still "kicking the hornet's nest"? The last time Mark Labberton interviewed Daniel Zoughbie (UC Berkeley/UCSF) for his expertise on international diplomacy in the Middle East, there was not yet an Iran war. Regardless of your geographical distance, this war is imminently important as it escalates and impacts not just Iran but the entire Middle East and the entire world economy. "War is really supposed to be a last resort." Taking seriously both the significance and validity of Israel as a nation and the need for appropriate and just treatment of all Jews, Christians, and Muslims during a time of rising anti-Semitism and Islamophobia, this conversation comes at a volatile moment, pregnant with violence and chaos in American foreign policy. Starting the timeline at the 2018 US exit from the "Iran nuclear deal" (the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) Zoughbie discusses a variety of interconnected issues, including the role of Middle Eastern geography such as the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandab ("Gate of Tears"), the proliferation cascade a Saudi Arabian nuclear program could set off, and the difference between tactical brilliance and strategic vision. Together, they also consider hopes for improvement, looking at Gerald Ford's unpopular but effective ultimatum that forced Egypt and Israel to talk; the Olmert-Abbas negotiations that almost reached a two-state solution; the role of Christianity in politics; the danger of national pride; wisdom from antiquity in Herodotus, Croesus, and Cyrus the Great; and a definition of greatness that has nothing to do with force. Episode Highlights Regarding the term "an unnecessary war": "I think the word 'unnecessary' is absolutely the appropriate term, and I might just add another term: unjust. War is really supposed to be a last resort." "Iran has discovered not only that they have this nuclear program, which is incredibly powerful, but they've discovered that they have this power to shut off world's economy [through The Strait of Hormuz]." "Exiting [the JCPOA—Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action] was a really, really big blunder because we did not have anything else to fall back on. The Iranians pointed to this and said, 'Look, we can't trust your word.'" "I feel like the current atmosphere in Washington is really about 'me, mine, and more.' And for us to really have a change in our foreign policy ... we really need to think beyond ourselves as a country." "We'll always try to turn every problem into a nail, right? And we'll use our hammer to deal with that problem. And that's exactly why we're in this mess in the first place." "Greatness is not about testosterone shots. It's about being able to show mercy. It's about being able to see the humanity in others, even your enemy, and ultimately what I would call Herodotus's paradox, which is that the mightiest of the mighty turns an enemy into a friend." About Daniel Zoughbie Daniel E. Zoughbie is a complex-systems scientist, diplomatic historian, and expert on presidential decision-making. He is associate project scientist at the UCSF/UCB Center for Global Health Delivery, Diplomacy, and Economics; principal investigator of Berkeley's Middle East and North Africa Diplomacy, Development, and Defense Initiative; and a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council's MENA Futures Lab. He wrote Kicking the Hornet's Nest: U.S. Foreign Policy in the Middle East from Truman to Trump and Indecision Points. He founded Microclinic International, whose model has reached refugee and low-income communities across four continents, and studied at Oxford as a Marshall and Weidenfeld Scholar. Helpful Links and Resources Kicking the Hornet's Nest, Zoughbie's 2025 book on twelve presidents and the Middle East https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Kicking-the-Hornets-Nest/Daniel-E-Zoughbie/9781668085226 "Toxic Foreign Policy and Citizen Diplomacy," Zoughbie's first Conversing conversation: https://comment.org/podcasts/toxic-foreign-policy-and-citizen-diplomacy/ "The Lesson Trump Can Take From Herodotus' Paradox" https://www.theamericanconservative.com/the-lesson-trump-can-take-from-herodotus-paradox/ UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which endorsed the JCPOA https://main.un.org/securitycouncil/en/content/2231/background "World Oil Transit Chokepoints," the US Energy Information Administration on Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandab https://www.eia.gov/international/content/analysis/special_topics/World_Oil_Transit_Chokepoints/ Gerald R. Ford's 1977 Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary commencement address, quoted at length in this episode https://www.christianitytoday.com/2006/12/gerald-r-ford-lessons-from-presidency/ Herodotus, The Histories, Book 1, where Croesus consults the Oracle and Cyrus spares him https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.01.0126:book%3D1 American University of Beirut, Zoughbie's standing example of citizen diplomacy https://aub.edu.lb/ Show Notes The 2018 exit from the Iran Nuclear Deal (the JCPOA, or Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) as the origin point of the current war P5+1: US, UK, Russia, China, France, plus Germany What the deal never covered: missiles, proxies, regional behavior Nuclear non-proliferation In the wake of the US bombing of Iran: enrichment stockpiles, IAEA detections, inspectors no longer on the ground An unnecessary and unjust war How to work backward from the real goals of American national security Proliferation cascade risk: Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt Leverage the US still holds through China, Russia, India, and Pakistan The Saudi nuclear offer, walked back a day later over Israeli recognition Strait of Hormuz geography: 21 miles wide, shipping lanes two miles each The Red Sea, the Houthis, and the Bab el-Mandab ("The Gate of Tears") Israel's tactical brilliance and strategic blindness Mossad's mottos, drawn from Proverbs, and the danger of self-deception 1967 revisited: not a short war but a nuclear near-miss Gerald Ford as counterexample: the ultimatum that opened Egypt-Israel talks Gerald Ford's 1977 Gordon-Conwell address and his oath on the book of Proverbs Hubris: ancient and current Testosterone shots, lethality, and the inverse of humility Pastors and power in the Oval Office Reinhold Niebuhr, Karl Barth, and Christian nationalism Herodotus, Croesus, and Cyrus: mercy as the measure of greatness The path to Tehran runs through Jerusalem The Olmert-Abbas negotiations as a known formula Citizen diplomacy and the American University of Beirut What listeners can do, including welcoming Middle Eastern neighbors #Conversing #MarkLabberton #DanielZoughbie #IranWar #ForeignPolicy #StraitOfHormuz #NuclearProliferation #MiddleEast #Diplomacy #FaithAndPolitics Production Credits Conversing is produced and distributed in partnership with Comment magazine and Fuller Seminary.

It has been nearly four and a half years since the Russian intervention into Ukraine instigated by the United States and other Western nations. Ukraine, through its alliances with terrorist organizations on the African continent and in Syria, and now through its attack on an Iranian civilian ship, is demonstrating that it is a tool of Western imperialism. Clearing the FOG speaks with Phil Wilayto of the Odessa Solidarity Campaign about the long history of Ukraine's far right white supremacy elements, the 2014 US-backed coup and the West's efforts to prolong the war on Russia to serve their imperialist interests. For more information, visit PopularResistance.org.

Why would the world's largest country risk everything to destroy a smaller neighbor?What is it about Ukraine that poses a greater threat to Vladimir Putin than any army?Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and The Atlantic writer Anne Applebaum has spent decades studying Russia, Ukraine, and authoritarian regimes. She argues that the war is being fought over far more than territory and that the outcome will reshape democracy, military power, and global politics.She discusses:● What Putin was really trying to prevent when he invaded Ukraine● Why nearly everyone underestimated the Ukrainian people● How architects, engineers, and entrepreneurs began reinventing modern warfare● What drones have revealed about the future of war● The first warning sign that a democracy is beginning to fail● How modern propaganda works without persuading anyone● Why leaders often become dramatically richer as democracy weakensThe maps don't tell the whole story of this war.Anne Applebaum explains what's actually at stake, why Putin hasn't achieved what he expected, and what Ukraine may reveal about the hidden strengths of democracy.

A man who was convicted of manslaughter for killing his father in 2010 was arrested on suspicion of first-degree arson in connection to the largest of the three fires burning near Spokane, Washington. Firefighters say hundreds of structures have been destroyed so far. Kris Van Cleave has more.A drone hit a packed beach in southern Russia on Monday on the Black Sea coast. Russian officials say seven people were killed and dozens were injured. Holly Williams reports.The Michigan Department of Health confirms two people have died after contracting cyclosporiasis. The department said both individuals "had significant underlying health conditions that may have been impacted by cyclosporiasis and dehydration." Carter Evans reports.Last month, a 16-year-old lifeguard rescued 10-year-old Nathaniel Rai, who was struggling in a rip current off Santa Cruz, California. Rai and his father spoke to "CBS Mornings" about how the terrifying situation unfolded and their gratitude for the teen lifeguard who stepped in to help.One day after announcing she'll step back from the spotlight after her tour ends, Ariana Grande spoke directly to fans at Monday night's show in Chicago. The singer said the decision was her own and "was made from a thoughtful and empowered place."Dr. Elizabeth Hale, a clinical associate professor of dermatology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, speaks to "CBS Mornings" about summer skincare routines, if there are any products to avoid and ways to prevent sunburn.A new report from Zelle found 76% of Gen Z have fronted money for a group expense and were never fully repaid. Elaine Swann, an etiquette expert, shares how to have money conversations with friends if you're splitting expenses.Tony Award-winning producer Jordan Roth talks about starring in the "The Shards" and describes what it was like to go from behind the scenes on Broadway to making his major on-screen acting debut.

People dealing with new, glaring, massive changes happening right where they live. Visit thisamericanlife.org/lifepartners to sign up for our premium subscription.(00:00:00) Prologue: Rick Cole, a city councilmember in Pasadena, CA, talks to Ira about how he responded to a surprise nighttime military exercise in his neighborhood this June – complete with helicopters, gunfire, and flash bangs. (5 minutes)(00:05:30) Act One: A doctor trained as a midwife tells the eye-popping story of how she and others came together to save a baby during a birth that suddenly went wrong, in a part of rural Maine where the local labor and delivery unit had closed less than a month before. (26 minutes)(00:34:17) Act Two: Producer Valerie Kipnis never felt inside the jokes and stories her family would tell about growing up in the Soviet Union, until she saw this year's Oscar-winning documentary, Mr. Nobody Against Putin. The film follows the changes unfolding in one school as Russia rolled out a nationwide propaganda push after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Valerie interviewed the young teacher at the center of the documentary and learned things that never made it into the film. (21 minutes)Transcripts are available at thisamericanlife.org / This American Life privacy policy. / Learn more about sponsor message choices.

Episode 2009  Brought to you by our incredible sponsor: Better Help - Visit Betterhelp.com/HARDFACTOR  and join the 6 million people globally who have spoken with Better Help therapists  00:00:00 Timestamps 00:02:15 Pat is dealing with an issue at his neighborhood park 00:10:50 Telegram owner Pavel Durov is being targeted by Russia for not giving up customers  00:14:20 China sends a police drown to yell at you to get out of the water at night  00:16:10 South Korea's dopamine site trend is fake shopping and fake deliveries  00:21:30 Australian Parliament Member wants all kids to stop going online and start shooting  00:26:30 Man punches kids playing tag on a Carnival Cruise in the face and stomach 00:35:00 Man arrested for boobytrapping lawn to pop kids bike tires  00:40:50 Ozempic is eliminating the gay bear community 00:42:10 Police officers dressing up like shrubbery to catch people driving on their phones For more head over to patreon.com/hardfactor for weekly bonus episodes and most importantly HAGFD! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Pakistani Taliban has claimed responsibility for a suicide bomb attack that killed at least 14 people - including six policemen - in the Swat Valley, north of the capital Islamabad. Also: President Trump says new negotiations will begin on Monday with Iran on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ending Tehran's nuclear ambitions. Two helicopters collided in Greece while trying to douse the wildfires raging across the mainland and some of the islands. One crew made an emergency landing and survived, but the other crew were killed. We have a special report from Sierra Leone about one of Europe's most wanted drug dealers. Security officials in Russia say an explosion that killed three people at a restaurant in Moscow was an act of terrorism. Seventy-two people drowned when tens of thousands of migrants surged into the Spanish territory of Ceuta from Morocco last Thursday. The American pop star and actress, Ariana Grande is withdrawing from public appearances and won't appear in an upcoming musical production in London. Scientists say they've found evidence that Ice Age people were more likely to kill female woolly mammoths than male ones. And New Zealander Sophie Woods sets a new record for the Via Alpina, which is one of the world's toughest athletic challenges.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 Photo: Rescue workers evacuate an injured victim following the suicide bombing in Mingora, Swat, Pakistan. Credit: EPA/Shutterstock