Podcasts about Lebanon

Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on September 18, 2024. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed. Lebanon is reeling after two days of coordinated attacks attributed to Israel that detonated thousands of pagers belonging to Hezbollah. The simultaneous explosions – in indiscriminate locations across the country – left deaths and thousands of injuries in their wake. Does this unprecedented attack signal a new reality? In this episode: Justin Salhani (@JustinSalhani), Al Jazeera Journalist Episode credits: This episode was updated by Sarí el-Khalili. The original production team was Ashish Malhotra, Marcos Bartolomé, Khaled Soltan, Chloe K. Li, Phillip Lanos, Hagir Saleh, Shraddha Joshi, Duha Mosaad, Cole van Miltenburg, and our host Malika Bilal. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our engagement producers are Adam Abou-Gad and Vienna Maglio. Aya Elmileik is lead of audience engagement. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer, and Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

In the past month, Israel has bombed Palestine, Yemen, Syria and Lebanon, but its attack on Hamas officials in Qatar this week was most unexpected. And it hit a nerve. Arab leaders immediately expressed solidarity with their Gulf neighbour and condemned what they said was a breach of Qatar's sovereignty. In the coming days they will meet at an emergency regional summit to discuss the attack. But analysts say a military response is not an option. Qatar has been a major mediator in Gaza ceasefire talks, but it is also a strategic US ally and home to the biggest American military base in the region. US President Donald Trump said he was not “thrilled” about the strike but has yet to take any action against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. But what fallout could this have for Qatar and the Gulf states, and how will it test their relationship with western allies? In this episode of Beyond the Headlines, host Nada AlTaher speaks to Hasan AlHasan, senior fellow for Middle East policy at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, and Hussein Ibish, resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington and a columnist for The National.

WILL ISRAEL'S STRIKE ON HAMAS IN DOHA AFFECT THE ABRAHAM PEACE ACCORDS?HEADLINE 1: The Pentagon approved a new security assistance package for Lebanon.HEADLINE 2: Speaking of Hezbollah, guess who busted a Hezbollah cell? The Syrian army.HEADLINE 3: The Treasury Department rolled out fresh sanctions targeting Houthi financial networks.--FDD Senior Research Analyst Natalie Ecanow, filling in for Jonathan Schanzer, provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Hussain Abdul-Hussain, an FDD research fellow who specializes in the Gulf region and Yemen. Learn more at: https://fdd.org/fddmorningbrief--Featured FDD Articles:"Turkey Could Be Next in Israel's Cross-hairs After Qatar. The Consequences? Catastrophic" - Sinan Ciddi, Haaretz"Baghdad Has an Opportunity To Counter Illicit Iranian Activity in Iraq. Will the Government Take It?" - Bridget Toomey, FDD Policy Brief"From Playground to Classroom: The Spread of Antisemitism in K-12 Schools" - Brandy Shufutinsky, Congressional Testimony

This week, Israel bombed Hamas leadership in Qatar in a brazen attack within the Arab state. This is a two year genocide in Gaza, moves to annex the West Bank, a 12 day war with Iran, a two month war in Lebanon, and attacks on Tunis, Yemen and Syria. In this encore episode from 2020, we offered personal recollections, talked about the larger historical context in which it occurred, considered the consequences of the attacks–prolonged Mid-East wars and heightened repression at home, discussed the way the attacks and wars were manipulated for “patriotic” reasons, and talked about how it effects the U.S., in the era of (2020) Trump.-------------------------------------------------------------------Outro- "Green and Red Blues" by Moody

Eric and Eliot welcome Yaakov Katz, former Editor-in-Chief of the Jerusalem Post and co-author of While Israel Slept: How Hamas Surprised the Most Powerful Military in the Middle East. They discuss Israel's persistent misjudgments of Hamas and lack of preparedness for October 7, highlighting the impact of Israel's 2005 withdrawal from Gaza and the absence of on-the-ground intelligence that blinded Israel to Hamas's plans. They also note the ongoing traumatic impact on the IDF, the danger of overlearning lessons from October 7, Israel's shortcomings in telling its own story, and the contrast between Israel's failures in Gaza and its successes in Lebanon and in the 12-Day War with Iran. While Israel Slept: How Hamas Surprised the Most Powerful Military in the Middle East: https://a.co/d/iT0D7QD Shadow Strike: Inside Israel's Secret Mission to Eliminate Syrian Nuclear Power: https://a.co/d/62dAcdi Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.

Do you ever feel frustrated with your life? Do your wonder where God is in the middle of your mess? Well, there is no book in the whole Bible like the book of Philippians that will help you find joy no matter what you're going through. In this podcast season we will get to know the apostle Paul and his secret for joy as reflected in his writing of the letter to Philippians. This guy was unstoppable. His love for the Lord and his enthusiasm for life are contagious, but trust me, his journey wasn't easy… So grab your headphones, settle in, and listen in. I promise this podcast will inspire, encourage, and elevate your joy meter. ABOUT: Lina AbuJamra is a Pediatric ER doctor, now practicing telemedicine, and the founder of Living With Power Ministries. Known for her bold faith and down-to-earth honesty, she's passionate (and allegedly funny) about helping people connect biblical truth to everyday life. Whether through teaching, writing, or podcasting, Lina brings hope to those wrestling with life's hardest questions. When she's not speaking or creating content, she's providing medical and humanitarian aid in crisis zones like Lebanon and Uganda. Learn more about her at LivingWithPower.org. Follow on Insta: linaabujamra Follow on Facebook: Lina Abujamra

Makram Ayache's play “The Green Line” blends together two queer storylines in Lebanon — one taking place in 2018, and the other in 1978 during the Lebanon Civil War. Makram wrote the play as a way to explore what it means to be a queer Lebanese Canadian. A new production will be staged in Toronto later this month at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. Ahead of that, Makram sits down with guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about “The Green Line,” how it was informed by his own travels to Lebanon and what he learned about grief from his younger self.

From Hamas hideouts in Qatar to drone strikes deep in Yemen and Russian threats against NATO, the geopolitical tensions are boiling over.In this explosive episode of MidEast & Beyond, Amir Tsarfati and Pastor Barry Stagner unpack the dramatic release of Elizabeth Tsurkov, the deadly terror attack in Jerusalem, and Israel's massive precision response in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria.They also break down Qatar's role in sheltering Hamas leaders, the ICC's hypocrisy, and the global media's warped narrative. Plus: the growing push for Israeli sovereignty over Judea and Samaria, Russian drone attacks on Poland, and how today's chaos aligns with Bible prophecy.Connect with us on social:Telegram: @beholdisraelchannelInstagramFacebookXYouTube

It's Wednesday, September 10th, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark Australia outlaws certain prayers Christian Daily reports that the attorney general of New South Wales, Australia reaffirmed a ban on certain kinds of prayers last week.  The southeastern state of Australia enacted a ban on conversion practices earlier this year. The law prohibits “performing a ritual, such as an exorcism or prayer-based practice to change or suppress someone's sexual orientation or gender identity.” Lyle Shelton is the national director of the Family First Australia political party. He wrote online, “Some prayers are now illegal in New South Wales. If a mum, dad, pastor, or friend prays with someone who asks for help to follow God's Word, they could face sanction.” Shelton called for people to pray as the early church did in Acts 4:29. The verse says, “Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word.” Israel carried out a strike on Hamas leaders in Qatar yesterday.  Israel carried out a strike on Hamas leaders in Qatar yesterday.  Hamas said the attack killed five members but did not kill the negotiating delegation. The delegation was meeting in Qatar's capital of Doha to consider a U.S. proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza. It appears to be the first time Israel carried out an attack in Qatar. However, it's not Israel's first strike outside its borders recently. Israel carried out strikes on Hamas leaders in Lebanon and Iran last year.  10,000 Brits march for life About 10,000 Brits participated in the March for Life United Kingdom on Saturday.  The event started with church and prayer services followed by the march and speeches from pro-life leaders. Carla Lockhart, Chair of the Pro-Life Parliamentary Group, addressed the crowd. SPEAKER: “Ladies and gentlemen, young people, boys and girls, what a privilege it is to stand before you today in the streets of London. “I traveled from Northern Ireland this morning to stand in solidarity with you, fellow campaigners, who speak up for life. “Friends, today's theme is human rights for all humans. Then surely this simple truth must be the foundation upon which we build. The most basic human right is the right to life.” Isabel Vaughan-Spruce, the co-director of March for Life, spoke at the event. She had previously faced arrest for praying silently outside an abortion mill.  Vaughan-Spruce reflected on the success of the march. She said, “Whilst the center of London seemed to have erupted in chaos on Saturday, with police desperately trying to control various protests and arresting hundreds of people, the pro-life crowd exemplified the peace and joy of those who are confident that that their cause is just, and their hope is rooted in something greater than politics.” Trump announces protection of prayer in public schools In the United States, President Donald Trump addressed the Religious Liberty Commission at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C. on Monday. Trump announced that the Department of Education will soon issue new guidance protecting the right to prayer in public schools. Listen to comments from President Trump. TRUMP: “When faith gets weaker, our country seems to get weaker. When faith gets stronger, as it is right now, we're having a very good period of time, after some rough years. “Under the Trump administration, we're defending our rights and restoring our identity as a nation under God. We are one nation under God, and we always will be.” (applause) Psalm 33:12 says, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people He has chosen as His own inheritance.” Florida first state to end vaccine requirements Florida announced plans last week to become the first state to end vaccine requirements. Not just COVID vaccine requirements, but all vaccine requirements. Listen to comments from Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo. LADAPO: “Your body is a gift from God. What you put into your body, (applause) what you put into your body, is because of your relationship with your body and your God. I don't have that right. Government does not have that right!” The plan includes ending all vaccine mandates for school-aged children.  Americans having fewer children And finally, Gallup released a new survey on Americans' ideal family size. On average, U.S. adults think 2.7 is the ideal number of children for a family to have. That's down from 3.6 in the 1950s. Meanwhile, the actual U.S. birth rate is at an all-time low of 1.6 births per woman. That's down from 3.7 in the 1950s. The replacement rate is generally defined as 2 children per woman.  The survey notes, “Men, U.S. adults who attend religious services weekly or monthly, Republicans, people of color, and men under age 50 are significantly more likely than their counterparts to prefer three or more children.” Psalm 127:3 says, “Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Wednesday, September 10th, in the year of our Lord 2025. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  Plus, you can get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

“I'm Lebanese. I grew up in Lebanon during the Civil War, and I came to the United States as a graduate student with the intention of going back. I never wanted to stay here. I really thought that my life would happen in Beirut, in a city that I loved and hated in the healthiest of ways. My investments, both literary and intellectual, were rooted there. I came here as a graduate student and joined the PhD program, and then the events continued to unfold there, making life more and more of a risk, building a life in a place like Lebanon. The most important counterpoint in my life was meeting my partner, Ahmad Almallah, who is Palestinian. So immediately, my life became the life of a Palestinian by association.Of course, the past two years—almost two years—have been surreal. I sometimes don't believe that we're going through what we're going through because, as security concerns have become something we think about at home, when we walk from home to campus or my office, I'm constantly anxious to open my mail because often there are things that will require a lot of energy, time, emotion, and are emotionally taxing. There's a lot of rage now in many aspects of my life, but all that aside, my personal experience—both professional and personal, and at home, familial—are not exceptional. Many other people are experiencing intimidation, silencing, and feeling cornered, censored, and oppressed just because they took a stand—a very decent, normal, basic human stand against genocide.”In this episode on Speaking Out of Place podcast Professor David Palumbo-Liu talks with Huda Fakhreddine, writer, translator, and scholar of Arabic literature. Among the many topics they touch upon are the challenges of teaching Arabic literature, especially Palestinian literature, in a time of genocide, when universities, professional organizations, and political groups militate against any honest discussion of these topics, and punish those who do. They talk about the notion of belonging and the importance of being able to choose what to belong to, and what not to. Huda speaks of the freedom found in living in Arabic, and explains what that means to her. She also reads in Arabic and English Nima Hasan's stunning and wrenchingly beautiful poem, “Old Song.”Huda J. Fakhreddine is a writer, translator, and Associate Professor of Arabic Literature at the University of Pennsylvania. She is the author of Metapoesis in the Arabic Tradition (Brill, 2015) and The Arabic Prose Poem: Poetic Theory and Practice (Edinburgh University Press, 2021), and the co-editor of The Routledge Handbook of Arabic Poetry (Routledge, 2023). Among her translations are The Sky That Denied Me: Selections from Jawdat Fakhreddine (University of Texas Press, 2020), The Universe, All at Once: Selections from Salim Barakat (Seagull Books, 2024), and Palestinian: Four Poems by Ibrahim Nasrallah (World Poetry Books, 2024). Her creative work includes a book of creative non-fiction titled Zaman saghīr taḥt shams thāniya (A Brief Time under a Different Sun), Dar al-Nahda, Beirut, 2019 and the forthcoming Wa min thamma al-ālam (And then the World), Manshūrāt Marfa', Beirut, 2025. Her translations of Arabic poems have appeared in Protean, Lithub, Words Without Borders, Nimrod, ArabLit Quarterly, Asymptote, and Middle Eastern Literatures, among many others. She is co-editor of Middle Eastern Literatures and section editor of the Encyclopedia of Islam.www.palumbo-liu.comhttps://speakingoutofplace.comBluesky @palumboliu.bsky.socialInstagram @speaking_out_of_place

WHAT LIES AHEAD FOR LEBANON?HEADLINE 1: Qatar isn't the only target for the Israel in the last 48 hours — Syria was hit, too. HEADLINE 2: Israel ordered the full evacuation of Gaza City.HEADLINE 3: Tensions are soaring between Israel and Spain.--FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Ambassador Edward Gabriel, president and CEO of the American Task Force on Lebanon.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief--Featured FDD Articles:"Building the Future U.S. Cyber Force" - RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery and Dr. Erica Lonergan, FDD Monograph"China's money launderers are bankrolling America's fentanyl epidemic" - Max Meizlish and Elaine Dezenski, The Hill"Why Israel Shouldn't Celebrate Lebanon's Promise to Disarm Hezbollah Just Yet" - David Daoud, Haaretz"Hamas' Chief Negotiator Is a Terrorist, Not a Peacemaker" - Jonathan Schanzer and Ahmad Sharawi, The Dispatch

Today's HeadlinesGen Z continues anti-government protests in NepalSchools remain shuttered as tensions continue in LebanonGod's sovereignty seen in shipping containers

In an age where truth is smothered by political agendas and mainstream silence, today's episode tears through the deception with unrelenting clarity. We start by exposing the tragic murder of Iryna Zarutska, a devoted mother and immigrant, killed on Charlotte's light rail. While corporate media buries her story, voices like Elon Musk and Rep. Randy Fine are sounding the alarm, calling out judges and prosecutors who allow dangerous criminals to walk free. We'll unravel this injustice, confront the double standards, and pose the critical question: what if the victim and perpetrator were reversed? Next, we sit down for an exclusive, in-depth interview with Dr. George Nasr, Associate Professor of Engineering at Notre-Dame University in Lebanon and former technical advisor to Canada's National Research Council. A leading authority on hydrostrategy, Dr. Nasr reveals how control over water and energy—particularly Israel's focus on the Hasbani River and offshore gas fields—is reshaping warfare and geopolitics. His expert analysis of Israel's AI-driven military tactics and the 2024 Lebanon War offers a rare glimpse into the resource wars redefining the Middle East. This is a conversation you can't afford to miss. We wrap with a powerful call to action for every patriot who values justice. Tina Peters, a Gold Star Mom, courageous grandmother and election integrity advocate, languishes in prison for challenging a corrupt system. We're launching a Fax Blast to Congress, demanding her freedom and exposing the chilling precedent her persecution sets. Blending urgent reporting, unparalleled expertise, and bold activism, this episode is an urgent Summons. Get ready—this is Joe Untamed.  

Mark and Jonathan talk to Issam about the state of Christianity in Lebanon.

This week, Roqayah and Kumars share some life updates and break down the latest developments in Lebanon as the government ramps up its campaign to disarm the Lebanese resistance and Israel's deadly violations of the November 2024 ceasefire with Hezbollah exceed the 4000 mark. They also discuss the relationship between Harekat Amal and Hezbollah as factions of the Lebanese resistance, the separation of powers in Lebanon's model of governance, the military's detention of journalist Laith Marouf, and more before previewing a clip from Kumars's interview on The Colony Archive with friend of the show Navid Zarrinnal.  Check out The Colony Archive on YouTube to watch Kumars's full interview as well as a freshly-released bonus segment. If you want to support the show and receive access to tons of bonus content, including Roqayah's new weekly column “Last Week in Lebanon,” you can subscribe on our Patreon for as little as $5 a month. Also, don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the show on Apple Podcasts. We can't do this show without your support!!!

//The Wire//1500Z September 9, 2025////PRIORITY////BLUF: ISRAELI FORCES BOMB QATAR TO KILL HAMAS LEADERSHIP WHICH ARRIVED FOR PEACE TALKS. NEPALI GOVERNMENT OVERTHROWN AS PM RESIGNS AND PARLIAMENT BURNS. BLACKOUTS REPORTED IN BERLIN DUE TO TERRORIST ATTACKS ON ELECTRICAL GRID.// -----BEGIN TEARLINE------International Events-Germany: This morning power outages were reported throughout Berlin, as multiple insurgent groups conduct coordinated attacks on electrical infrastructure around the city. Local authorities state that two separate transmission towers were set on fire by malign actors, and several cable cutting attacks may have also been undertaken (though that is uncertain at this time).Analyst Comment: Right now no definitive confirmation on who conducted these attacks, but historically these types of attacks are conducted by ecoterrorists, which have conducted arson attacks (and cable-cuttings) on electrical infrastructure around Europe for some time now. Middle East: This morning Israeli forces conducted strikes in Doha, widening the war to now include engaging in hostilities in Qatar. Israeli officials have confirmed that they carried out a strike on Khalil al-Hayya, the Hamas leader in charge of the delegation sent to conduct peace talks in Doha. The American Embassy has issued a shelter-in-place order for American citizens throughout the country.Analyst Comment: This is a big deal. It's one thing to bomb Gaza, Lebanon, or Syria, but it's a major escalation to bomb a nation with serious power throughout the region. Bombing the country that is currently mediating the war they are fighting also effectively eliminates any chance of peace.Nepal: Overnight the Nepalese government was overthrown in chaos after widespread demonstrations broke out regarding corruption issues in government. In the span of just a few hours, these demonstrations expanded to include demonstrators breaching the Parliamentary compound, which resulted in security forces opening fire on the crowds, killing 19x people. A few minutes after these shootings, more demonstrators stormed the Parliament building and set it on fire. Most of the residences of high ranking government officials were also breached and burned. Several high-level Ministers were severely beaten, including the Finance Minister, who was observed being dragged through the streets. One of Nepal's former PM's was also beaten severely, but for now is still alive. Current Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli has resigned and was able to escape Kathmandu via helicopter. Most of the government has resigned, and many cabinet ministers remain unaccounted for. Flights out of Kathmandu Airport have been halted due to the unrest, so flights out of the country will be unavailable for some time.-----END TEARLINE-----Analyst Comments: The events in Nepal bear the hallmarks of non-organic regime change, though for what purpose (and by whom) remains unclear at the moment. These demonstrations did not spring up out of nowhere, they were organized by Hami Nepal, an NGO that is so new that their own website is not yet finished. This organization appears to mostly be active in earthquake disaster relief, so organizing a political protest is not within their missionset as described on their website.Analyst: S2A1Research: https://publish.obsidian.md/s2underground//END REPORT//

People matter more than position, and leadership starts with taking care of others. Doing that right means a million acts. SUMMARY Those are lessons Lt. Col. Steven “Meathead” Mount '08 shares with listeners in the Season 4 premier of Long Blue Leadership. For Col. Mount, becoming a pilot was a major milestone, but becoming a husband and father had the biggest impact. Don't wait, listen today and become a better leader tomorrow.   SHARE THIS PODCAST FACEBOOK  |  LINKEDIN   COL. MOUNT'S TOP LEADERSHIP TAKEAWAYS Adoption shaped my understanding of support and love. Leadership is about lifting others to achieve their best. Mentorship plays a crucial role in personal and professional growth. Balancing family and career is a continuous challenge. It's important to have tough conversations as a leader. Resilience is key to overcoming setbacks in life and career. Listening more than talking is essential for effective leadership. Recognizing the importance of support systems can enhance leadership effectiveness. Leadership is defined by consistent, everyday actions. The military community thrives on teamwork and mutual support.   CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to Leadership Lessons 06:43 The Impact of Adoption on Leadership 14:53 Navigating Challenges at the Academy 22:49 Career Path and Opportunities in Aviation 33:31 Balancing Family and Military Career 44:18 Continuous Improvement as a Leader     ABOUT COL. MOUNT BIO Lt. Col. Steven “Meathead” Mount is a decorated officer in the United States Air Force with a career marked by leadership, operational excellence, and a deep commitment to mentoring the next generation. A command pilot with thousands of flight hours, he has served in a variety of demanding roles across multiple aircraft and theaters, bringing a wealth of experience in both combat and peacetime operations. Beyond the cockpit, Lt. Col. Mount is widely recognized for his ability to lead diverse teams through complex challenges, foster innovation, and develop leaders at every level. His career reflects not only technical expertise but also a people-first leadership philosophy that emphasizes accountability, resilience, and service. Known by his call sign “Meathead,” he brings both humility and humor to the serious business of leading Airmen. His story is one of dedication to mission and country, but also of shaping culture, inspiring others, and leaving a lasting impact on the Air Force community.   CONNECT WITH THE LONG BLUE LEADERSHIP PODCAST NETWORK TEAM Send your feedback or nominate a guest: socialmedia@usafa.org Ted Robertson | Producer and Editor:  Ted.Robertson@USAFA.org    Ryan Hall | Director:  Ryan.Hall@USAFA.org  Bryan Grossman | Copy Editor:  Bryan.Grossman@USAFA.org Wyatt Hornsby | Executive Producer:  Wyatt.Hornsby@USAFA.org      ALL PAST LBL EPISODES  |  ALL LBLPN PRODUCTIONS AVAILABLE ON ALL MAJOR PODCAST PLATFORMS     TRANSCRIPT SPEAKERS Guest, Lt. Col. Steven Mount '08  |  Host, Lt. Col. Naviere Walkewicz '99   Naviere Walkewicz Welcome to the first episode of Season 4 of Long Blue Leadership, the podcast where we share insights on leadership through the lives and experiences of Air Force Academy graduates. I'm Naviere Walkewicz, Class of '99. We're kicking off this season with a story that shows how our earliest experiences can shape the kind of leaders we become. Lt. Col. Steve Mount, Class of 2008, call sign “Meathead,” didn't fully realize that truth until later in life. Adopted as an infant, he came to understand that love and support aren't guaranteed. They're gifts. Over his 17-year career, Col. Mount has flown missions across a wide range of aircraft, from the C-130 to special operations to the U-2. And today, he's in command. But through every stage, one belief has stayed with him: People succeed not only through their own efforts, but because someone believed in them. In this conversation, we'll talk about how those early lessons have shaped criminal mom's approach to leading airmen, mentoring the next generation of pilots, balancing mission and family and building teams that are rooted in trust. His story is a powerful reminder that leadership isn't about the me game, it's about lifting others so they can achieve their best. So what better way to start our new season? Col. Mount, welcome to Long Blue Leadership. Lt. Col. Steven Mount Thank you so much, ma'am for having me. I really do appreciate this opportunity to at least try to share some of my stories, experiences and honestly, if anything touches base with those who listen in and resonates, that's why I'm glad to be here. Naviere Walkewicz Well, let's start right with a way for them to connect with you. You mentioned your call sign is Meathead. Let's start there. Lt. Col. Steven Mount OK, I'll do my best to tell the story as quickly as I can. And the fun thing about being a pilot — but also I think this plays true in any type of storytelling environment — is, you know, only 10% of the story has to be true when it comes to your call signs. So to start… Oh my gosh— I know there's some friends out there who are going to laugh at this, especially of mine. Going through pilot training… The last part of the pilot training, when I was in the T-1s, when you get to that last part, you know, after you've gone through all the ups and downs, you kind of celebrate a little bit more. And that's what I've done. I had gone out with a couple of my rugby brothers that I played with at the Academy, and we'd gone out to just a country, a little country dance hall, and, you know, we're just enjoying and celebrating. And one of my rugby brothers introduced me to one of his friends through his wife, and this individual, who I didn't know much about at the time, had said— I said, “Yeah, I'm starting T-1s here and all that good stuff. And I immediately, immediately — especially in the celebratory mood I was in — thought, “Oh, this is another awesome student that's coming through. Like, hey, let me start giving you the tidbits. Let me start laying out what to expect.” And that's how I treated this individual for the rest of that evening. You know, we're dancing and having fun and just talking it up. And it was a good evening. It was really good evening. Come Monday morning, I get the word I'm flying with this new instructor in the T- 1s. And I had no idea who this individual was. I did not recognize the name at all. And I asked our flight schedule, like, “Who's this?” Is like, “Oh, it's a new person coming in. I think you're one of his first flights back in the T-1s training wise.” And I was like, “Well, OK, I'm ready to go.” And I sit down, and then this instructor sits down right across from me, and it's a major and sure enough, it's this, the person I thought was a student at the Texas dance, the country dance hall that we were at.   Naviere Walkewicz Oh boy!   Lt. Col. Steven Mount He looks me up and down. Oh, it was one of those moments of shock, of like, “What do I… Where do I go from here?” And he looks me up and down, he goes, and he laughs, and he goes, “Man, you are just such a meathead.” And so that's where it started. And call signs and nicknames— sometimes, some people like, wanna try change it throughout their careers and try to like, “No, that's not who I am. I don't want that to define me.” So as I'm leaving pilot training at Laughlin Air Force Base, Del Rio, I'm heading towards my first assignment in Tucson, Arizona for the EC-130 and I'm like, “OK, here we go. I'm gonna start fresh. I'm not that meathead that went through the Academy playing rugby. I'm not that meathead in pilot training to I just like to have fun. Just like to have fun. I do my own thing, and I'm gonna start fresh.” And I get out, and one of the very first meetings I had in the new squadron was with the DO, Lt. Col. Reimer. He sits down with me, and he says, “Come on in, because I'm in blues. He goes, come on in. Sit down. And then he's just quiet. I'm like, this is interesting. He looks me up and down and goes, “Yeah, you definitely look like a meathead.” And I'm like, “Whoa.” So sure enough, the major that I flew with was really good friends and had flown with this squadron, told this DO about me, and the DO got through his spiel, introduced me to my first flight commander before I deployed in Afghanistan, and goes, “Hey, this is Meathead. Take care of him. He's a good one.” I was like, “No, no, everyone, please, let's stop.” And then throughout the years, things kept happening that just reinforced the call sign, Meathead. I got into U-2s, me and a buddy, also pilots. We popped both tires on a T-38 at Long Beach Airport, and we closed down the airport for about five hours. It was on the local news. Not happy about that. And then there were multiple times where I tried to, like, get rid of the Meathead persona, the callsign, but I think it was finally solidified on a CNN interview on one of my U-2 deployments, where the lady interviewing us goes, “OK, we can't use your real name. So what name should we use? And before I could even say anything, one of my buddies just pops up and goes, “ It's Meathead.CNN lady, use Meathead.” And I was like, “OK.” And then international news in that interview, I am Capt. Meathead. And I never got away from the call sign, Meathead.   Naviere Walkewicz We are gonna find that clip of Capt. Meathead.   Lt. Col. Steven Mount It is out there, just U-2… I think the article under CNN: “U-2 spy plane carries out the mission against terrorist organizations.” You know, not that I didn't remember what it was called.   Naviere Walkewicz Well, I would say you heard it here first, but you didn't. You heard it maybe, if you heard it in the U-2 world or what have you. But we're gonna find it again. And so we're gonna resurrect here first, but we're so glad you're here. Yes, yes, this is awesome. And you know, I think one of the things I really enjoyed in our early conversation, and what we're gonna share today is how you kind of look back and you are very grateful and thankful for the upbringing you have. And so let's kind of go back to the fact, you know, not a lot of our guests share kind of their background, and the fact that you share that you were adopted. What did that kind of, what role did that play in your life? And, you know, was it insignificant? Or, you know, what did you glean from that? Lt. Col. Steven Mount Yeah, I really appreciate that question. And honestly, I really appreciate you giving the opportunity to kind of share that. It has played a huge role in my life. Adopted 11 months. And what it did for me is set the foundation of the family. It may not necessarily be one you have, it's the one who who's there for you, who supports you, who loves you. And then, honestly, the other part about being adopted, which I kind of— there were struggles, like, it wasn't perfect, but there were struggles in my mind where I wanted to show that those who adopted me, I wanted to show them that I could be more and thank them, you know, on a daily basis, for everything they had done for me, supporting me. So that drove me, that motivated me to get into the Academy, or even— back up, even like, do well in high school, get into the Academy, become a pilot. All of that was the basis of— I want to show that in a weird way, I want to show that your investment was worth it. You know, you found me, you gave me the love and support. So I'm going to give back to you by showing you what you were able to, you know, give a second chance, small, little child. And then the— but the other side of that, and I don't know how many of those who are adopted, who feel like this sometimes. Can't be the only one, but I can at least convey it here. There's a sense of, you know, “Why? Why was I adopted?” You know, what really happened in the sense that those who biologically brought me into this world, was I not worthy enough? Was I just a bad situation. And so there's that part I keep motivational wise to be like, “Well, I'm going to show them what they're missing out on.” And I know that's more of the negative kind of side of the whole internal conflict of being adopted. But I would be lying if I didn't say that that was part of the drive that kept me going throughout those years.   Naviere Walkewicz Something that came to my mind when you were saying that was, you know— when did you find out? And how old were you to kind of start having those, those thoughts and questions, you know, not only why, but how do I show that I am worthy?   Lt. Col. Steven Mount Yes, so my mother and father did an amazing job of, I remember, I can't remember the name of this particular book, but there was a book that she had given me that she read to me, and that, throughout the years, as I she utilized, helped me start reading and whatnot. And the basis of the book was, you know, cartoon with a little bit of words, is, “You were not purchased, you know, you were not bought at a store. You know you were, you were brought in and chosen and to be a part of a family.” So she, she wanted to have this idea that I always knew, that was adopted. She never wanted to surprise me, or she never wanted to be like, one day, like, “Hey, just so you know…” She did an awesome job of leading into that, Hey, you were adopted. But don't look at it as this, ‘We went to the store and we picked out the one we liked.' It's more of a, ‘We wanted you in our family.' And that's where it started.” It started, “We wanted a bigger family.” Whether they were, at the time, not able to grow or have themselves, they decided that, “We still want to grow a family. So let's look through adoption as a means.” So she had that book, I remember that book, and then the other book, which I still love to this day, and I got a copy for my kids, I Love You Forever, and how she would read that book to me every single night with the words, “…and I love you forever, like you for always. As long as you're living, my baby, you'll be.” That showed me that it didn't matter where I came from. This was my mom, you know, this was my family. So she did a really good job laying that foundation for me, for who I've become to be.   Naviere Walkewicz So would you put your parents in that bucket of inspirational leaders for you that have shaped you? And are there others?   Lt. Col. Steven Mount One-hundred percent. Like I said, the foundational piece of being that inspirational leader, to me in the sense of working on it all the time, right? It's not simple but accepting people for who they are. Where they're at in life. Accept them for their faults, accept them for the things that they don't like about themselves, but just accepting them and giving them the support, giving them the love that they need to show them, that they can do anything, I like to think for the most part, I'm an example of that because of what my parents did for me.   Naviere Walkewicz So, as a young boy, and you talked a little bit about this, you wanted to prove to them. So Was that something you feel over time, you continue to develop this desire to show your worth? And where have you seen that show up I guess even throughout your going— maybe even at the Academy, how has that kind of formed you as a leader individually?   Lt. Col. Steven Mount Yes, yes. So the showing the worth, the showing the value, or paying it back and showing my parents, once again, I use the word “investment” like it was good— I was good investment. Like I was a good return on investment. But it's helped when I've gone through those struggles, when I've gone— because the first time I put in for the Academy and… back up just a little bit. My dad likes to tell a story that I even told my fifth-grade teacher that she was, you know, “What do you want to do?” I was like, “I'm gonna be a pilot.” I said nothing else. Like, I want to be pilot. I want to fly. And then I had had an awesome mentor whose son, at the time, was going through the process of the Academy, sophomore year in high school, and she helped me with that. Good ol' Mrs. Williams, amazing. When I first initially applied for the Academy, I did not get it. I got a “Sorry, you are not competitive at this time.” Here starts some of those moments in your life to where, like, “OK. How can I bounce back? Do I accept the rejection, or do I find another means?” And even when that happened, that first time, my parents, they were like, “It's OK, it's OK. You don't need to…” They were always like, “You don't need to prove anything else. We love you, regardless.” I was like, “No, I need to prove this.” So I found other means, and I was, I will say, blessed in the sense that at that time, my running back coach for the high school reached out to the Academy. This happened early my senior year, and reached out and was like, “Hey, we have, I have someone who I think might do well for your program.” And then, sure enough, I got invited to come out for a football recruiting visit and I sat down with Fisher Deberry, and he just goes, “Would you like to play for this program?” And once again, I was like, “Wait a minute. No, no. I already got rejected. You know, I already gotten the…” But obviously I was going through my head, but all I said was, “Yes, sir, I would love to play for this program. I'd love to go the Academy.” And he made it happen. And I got recruited, and I got the invite to come out, to go the United States Air Force Academy. Wow. And once again, that only happened because my parents, they said, “Hey, we don't care what happens. We love you. Support you. You make the decision and we're here behind you.” And then I had a coach who was like, “I got you. I've seen what you do. I support this.” And went out on a limb for me. And then, in a sense, I guess Fisher DeBerry was also like, “I'm taking this football recruit, I hope he makes it through the Academy. So the love and support is, was there throughout.   Naviere Walkewicz What a path, I mean, that is quite unique. And, yeah, that's something to just kind of sit in a little bit, right? You know, the path of to your point, it just comes from support. And obviously you have to do the things to make sure that when the opportunity presents itself, you're ready to take that step, but what an incredible story of those who have supported you. Let's talk about a little bit before we kind of get into I think, what I think is the next real moment in your life — when you talk about becoming a father in your family. But while you're at the Academy, I'm just curious what more you learned about yourself as a leader, because you no longer had to prove to your parents that you were worthy of their investment, right? Like this is investment, right? Like this is a new season of your life. What did that look like for you as a leader?   Lt. Col. Steven Mount The challenges and the experiences I had the Academy — and I know I talked about this in one of my interviews previously with the foundation — was that I had to I went through my sophomore year and the rigors of academics, of the military side, of sports. It was taking this toll. I will say this many times. I'll continue to say I'm not the smartest crayon in the shed.   Naviere Walkewicz Wait, did you say crayon in the shed?   Lt. Col. Steven Mount I did. A little mixture of the sharpest tool in the box, exactly. I love it! I'm glad someone caught it. That's perfect! But yes, hard work was probably the foundation of what the Academy taught me was you persevere by hard work. You do the day in; you do the day out. You get after it. Because I was not getting after it after sophomore year. My GPA was not the best, and I had to approach my sophomore year, which very fortunate, because I had done my best to put in the time with the football program. But obviously I was losing ground in the academic side and that came back to almost biting, in the sense that I could have failed out. So I had had one of those— Once again, my father being an amazing mentor himself, whether he knows it or not. And I talked to him, and I said, “Dad, I think I have to quit football. I don't think I can continue with this, the rigors of all of this with the Academy.” And he goes, “Well, what was your dream?” I was like, “My dream was to fly.” He goes, “Well, did you go there to play football? Or did you go there to fly?” And that was an easy answer. But then I was thinking about all those coaches and mentors and those who helped me get to where I was, and I never really quit at something, and that's what it felt like. It really felt like I was quitting. I was quitting my teammates. I was quitting my coaches. And that weighs heavy on your soul, for all those out there who just are struggling, like, “Should I continue?” But my dad was right. My priorities weren't to become a football player, because I wasn't gonna be. I wasn't going to be. I wasn't going to become, you know, some — who can I name drop? — Chad Hall, you know, going to the NFL, doing amazing things. I wasn't going to be out there starting on, maybe third if they still have fourth string… maybe fourth string. So my dad helped me with those priorities by, once again, just being supportive. He never said one way or the other. He said, “What do you want to do?” And so I had that hard conversation with him, and went down to the Field House, and I said, “I apologize. I have to quit so I can concentrate on what I want to do for my dreams.” And once we had that was hard, that was very difficult. So that was one of the challenges at the Academy presented, and how I bounced back from that was you always go two ways. You always go into the woe is me and you know, just kind of beat yourself up and just hold on to that, that pride and ego being shattered. Or you can find a community, a support group, that will be there with you. And I found that almost immediately with my rugby brothers. They're just like me. They're like, “Hey, we just like to hang out at our own little table at Mitchell Hall. We like to just come out, play the sport, do what you love to do, athletic wise, and you'll have some more free time, obviously, for academics.” Not that I'd utilize that correctly still, but that's what it took to get me through those next couple years, that and my amazing roommates. I think all of us Academy grads and those who are going through right now, a support of a good roommate is huge. I that, uh, I appreciate the question, because now it's just dawning on me how much I just really appreciate my roommates at the Academy for their support as well. Very similar to my parents, it's like, “Hey, I don't care what you do, but I'm here to support you, love you regardless.” So I got a lot of that the Academy, and that's what helped get me through.   Naviere Walkewicz That's amazing. I think there's a couple of things I want to dig into a little bit. The first one is, you know, I think deciding to have that tough conversation where, one, you felt like you're already prideful, and you're having to, I'm putting in air quotes, “quit.” Can you talk about how you approached that, other than, I know you went and did it. But I think sometimes one of the most challenging things we can do as leaders is have a tough conversation when it involves us either stepping back or taking a step down from what seems to be the trajectory of what's next. And so I'm just— if you could just share a little bit more about that, I think that would be helpful.   Lt. Col. Steven Mount So, and I just want to clarify: As leaders, we have to recognize and we have to have the courage to have the tough conversations, because that wouldn't be the first time that I'd have to make a decision in that regard, or have the tough conversations to where it was gonna affect me personally or those around me. You deal with it understanding, one, give yourself a little bit of grace. Give yourself a little bit of grace in the sense that whatever tough decision you have to make, you're not alone. And I imagine you might not always be the first person who had either to make that decision or was going through something like that. I was not the only one going through something at that time like that. I didn't know that. And so I've had other conversations where others were like, “Yeah, I also, you know how to make that type of call to not play anymore or give up something, because my priority was this...” You know, what was driving me to succeed was something else, and that followed me well throughout my career, because I've had many, many tough conversations. I've had the tough talk as a leader. I've had to tell someone that, “I'm sorry, your dreams to become a pilot…” It's not going to happen because of their performance. I've had conversations on how to get through those tough moments and said how to get on the other side. And I know it's like a broken record, but it just comes through with the support of being there for that individual or being there to guide them to the next step. And I had that. I had that when I made that tough decision. I had someone want to give myself grace. Two, I realized I was not alone. And three, I had the support to get from this side of that tough decision bridge to the other side. And because that support was there, I learned that, and I learned to pass that on from all my leadership opportunities, to be like, “Let me be the one who guides you over this bridge. It's not gonna be fun. There's gonna be parts are gonna hurt. It's gonna be painful. But I will be next to you to get to the other side, to where we can get back to a good place. We get back to what really matters and get back to succeed in maybe another sense.” So the tough convos as leaders, you have to have those tough convos. Do not shy away from them. They're gonna happen, whether you like it or not.   Naviere Walkewicz I'm really glad you shared it that way, because I think it created a pathway to how to approach it, to your point. You know, it they're not comfortable, they're not designed to be that way. But if you start it with, you know, being that support in mind, and how to get someone, even if you're giving the worst news, the worst news where, “This was your dream, you're not gonna be able to do it because of this. And here's now where we're at, and how can I help you succeed through that?” I think that's what a wonderful lesson you just shared. And so I want to dive now into your career, because you had a really broad career, one that's not a traditional path, and I want to understand why it looked that way. So C-130, EC-130, Special Ops, you— talk a little bit about how you navigated that and what was the driving reasons behind that navigation?   Lt. Col. Steven Mount Yes, ma'am. So something you said earlier, which I really liked, I really love to try to convey to those around me, and actually, I've gone through some of these conversations over the last month and a half with younger instructor pilots. Luck is just the crossroad of opportunity and being prepared, and I'm pretty sure someone super smarter than me said that. I barely remembered. But the opportunities that present themselves to me for what I wanted to do, for my goals in the Air Force. So thankfully, even getting through pilot training, that was, in itself, amazing, transformational. Getting those wings, right? Getting those wings because pilot training, just like my Academy career, I had some ups and downs and some challenges but was able to get through because the sense of me becoming a pilot was first and foremost to fly. I want to be up there in the sky. I want to rush past the clouds. I want to touch the highest point I can. I want to be a pilot's pilot. And then right behind that was I want to accomplish the mission for whatever platform or whatever weapon system I'm given, aircraft wise. So those are my two biggest priorities. And that helped me understand that I had some failures of pilot training when I got to my first assignment, EC-130s. But that was perfect for me. That was— I never knew that. I never knew that in pilot training, that the EC-130 would fulfill me in that sense of my sense of purpose as much as it did. And I'm and getting out there, like said, four or five deployments to Afghanistan, as well as multiple TDYs. I was doing the mission, and I was happy, because I was— that's exactly what I wanted to do. That's exactly what young Meathead Mount was built for. But there were parts of me that still wanted to do more. Like, I felt like I could do more. I could be— I could help out more. I could— it's just itching, or not itching, but just burning in the back. It's like, “Hey, you are built for so much more. You can do more. Let's look for those opportunities.” So, funny enough, the first opportunity I had at that time, or I thought I had, was I reached out to— it's no longer around — but the 6th Special Operations Squadron at Duke Field. It was a combat aviation advisory mission. These individuals got to travel the world. I got to learn languages. Literally, they were sent to school to learn languages, to embed with other nations, to build those relationships, to be on the ground but still flying multiple different aircraft. I was like, “That's awesome. That sounds like me. That sounds like something I can do, and I can bring value to the table, and all the above.” So I put in my application; it was immediately rejected. In their eyes, I did not have the experience yet. I did not have what they were looking for, understandable. So here I am in another situation to where, like, “OK, well, what do I— is there any other means or ways that I can continue to fulfill my purpose as a pilot and get after the mission? Because that's what I really wanted to do, get after mission, whatever that looks like. I thought the sticks was an opportunity. They had said no to me, that's fine. And then I had an amazing friend reach out. He goes, “Hey, I heard you're getting a little long winded out there at EC-130s. You should put an application in for the U-2.” And I was like, “What are you talking about? I have no jet experience, other than the T-1. I don't have that background to be that type of caliber pilot.” He goes, “Nope, nope. They're looking for good guys and girls. They're looking for those who are motivated to do the mission. And if you could fly, you can fly, if you can't, well, you know, they'll figure that out, and they'll send you home.” And I was like, “OK.” And so I submitted for the U-2, put my application in, they call me out, and it's a two-week interview. The first week they have you in service dress, and you meet all the leadership, and you meet all the other pilots, and just have conversations. That's all, they just wanna get to know you. You know, “What's your true motivation for being here?” And I explained it, just like I've explained to you: “I wanna fly. I wanna do the mission. I wanna be a pilot's pilot. I wanna do all the cool stuff.” And they go, “OK.” Well, week two, they put you in U-2, a two-seater. They have two-seater trainers. They put you in a U-2. They give you all the weekend prior to study, and they say, “Cool, let's see what you got.” And they have an instructor, he instructs, he does his best to give you tidbits on how to safely land the U-2. And you have three days. You have two training flights and then a sort of assessment evaluation flight on that third day, and oh my gosh, did I ever humble myself as a pilot when I realized how horrible I truly was. I felt like I could not land the U-2 safely. I felt like I was messing everything up. I felt like— as soon as we got done with that third day of flying, and we got back into the squadron, and I remember the IP just being like, and then, you know, walks away because they have to talk to the squadron commanders. They have to go talk to the other leadership there. And once again, I find myself like, “OK, I 100% failed. I mean, I gave it my best. I gave it everything I had. But, you know, here I am gonna fall short again.” And they do this. And I realized this afterwards, that they do this, they do that like wait game, you know, they keep you in suspense for a reason. And I waited, it felt like hours and hours and hours. I imagine it probably might only be like hour, hour and a half. And a squadron commander called me in. He goes, “Yeah, the IP definitely didn't like some of this, some of these, these type of landings, some of this airmanship you're showing. I didn't really like this. But overall, he says you're a nice enough guy, so do you want the job?” And I was like, “Whoa.” And it blew my mind. And that was awesome. That was awesome because once again, leading up to that moment, it was the support of my friend who reached out. It was the support of my wife being like, “Yeah, I think you can do this.” And I had even called, my parents were like, “I had this opportunity to fly this really unique aircraft. It's going to be challenging. What do y'all think?” They're like, “Hey, we love you. Go get it.” And I was like, no other words of advice, no other like, inspiring — you know, my dad, a Florida farm man, was just like, “No, I think he'll do fine. We love you and just let us know how it goes.” I was like, man, I'm really missing out in motivational speeches. But you know what? The sentiment is there, and that's all I need. So I got that position, did a few years with the U-2. And then towards the end of the U-2 career, I got word from another friend saying the 6th Special Operations Squadron is growing. “We are looking for readily qualified and experienced people.”   Naviere Walkewicz And this is the one that rejected you.   Lt. Col. Steven Mount Yes, ma'am, I got rejected last time. He goes, “It's OK. Put in another application. You know, you're a little more experienced now, you've got a little bit more under your belt.” And I said, “OK,” and I put in an application, it got rejected again, and here I am, like, “What is going on?” My buddy reached out to me—   Naviere Walkewicz Your name is blacklisted in that group across the board. Like, “Oh, there's that Mount guy. Cross it out.”   Lt. Col. Steven Mount But I think that ended up being somewhat of a blessing. It was like, “Wow, This guy is motivated to come out here.” Because they had seen the last application years ago. They'd seen this one. And I think the word finally got around that's like, “Hey, he's actually really motivated to come try out, at least for this mission.” And so once again, from good mentors, they're like, “Go ahead, try it out. Put the application in one more time, see what happens.” I did, got picked up for assessment selection. It's another week, week and a half interview. They challenge you mentally, they challenge you physically. They put you in situations to see how you react. I don't wanna give too much away for that process, even though, you know, unfortunately that process is not there anymore. But after that grueling week, they once again, here I am in front of another squadron commander, and here they are opening my life in front of them, and they're saying, “Well, we don't like this. We definitely don't like this. Tell us a little more about this,” you know. And that was about an hour interview, sit down, and it's not just the squadron commander. It was leadership — four or five individuals. It was an Army lieutenant colonel's flight doc behind them, you know, kind of doing that very watching, waiting, assessing, and another one of the situations, I'm like, oh, “Here we go. I don't think it's gonna happen.” But then at the end of that interview, they sit down, squadron commander stands up and goes, “Welcome to the 6th.” And the only things I can think of — and I know a lot of listeners or viewers out there do the same thing, and I tell this to my young when they get their wings, I tell them this as well — think of that first person, or persons, that when something amazing happens to you, you immediately reach out to them and you tell them, “Thank you for the support, thank you for the love, thank you for believing in me when others didn't.” And that's exactly what I did after that one. I called my wife, and I called my parents. I said, “It happened. We got it. I got it,” you know, because it wasn't just me, and I know those experiences going from one mission to the next, and those setbacks have— I get to share these stories all the time with these young instructor pilots that I'm with, as well as students, because I get to utilize it as a leadership tool to be like, “Don't give up on yourself. That's first and foremost. And then even if you believe you might give up on yourself, trust me, there's someone like me or your family members or your squadmates, they won't give up on you. And just remember that.” And that's why I get to share these stories throughout my career, of like, “Hey, I failed at this. Look where I'm at now, because I had the support and because I kept going, Hey, I failed at this. Look how it played out. I'm here.” So a lot of my transition from different platforms and different experiences has helped shape that leadership side of me to say, simply put, “It's OK to fail, all right?” I mean, you're never going to succeed if you have this tried and failed a couple times, right? So, right,   Naviere Walkewicz Wow. Well, I want to go into— because you've mentioned this a couple times. We've talked about your parents, but you know, to have a career that's successful and to navigate that, you talked about your wife. So I'm curious if you can share with listeners who have to maybe the word is not choose between. But how do you navigate the importance of your marriage and that relationship with your profession, and trying to succeed in that trajectory, whatever that trajectory is for you. So maybe you can talk a little bit about how that, how that worked throughout all of those transitions.   Lt. Col. Steven Mount Oh, OK. I usually do better at this from a better half nearby, which she is, in a sense. She's trying to work out and give me her working space right now, which I love. I'm gonna start with this. It's not easy. It is work. It is reps, the day in, the day out. It's not easy. I don't believe I've ever had a convo with someone when they're trying to balance the work and family life to where it's like, “Oh, that was easy, you know, I just do this and they do this, and we're good to go.” No, it is constant conflict of schedules. It is sharing what's going on. It's the ups and downs. So I'd like to start with that: It's not easy. And if anyone ever tells you it is easy, please ask them how they're doing it, and then spread their wise words of wisdom to all of us. Because that's probably the first thing: It's not easy. Once you recognize that you can get past understanding like, “OK, I'm not alone in this, that this is not easy, and I can start talking and sharing my experiences and seeing from those who seem to have it together. What are they doing to make it work? So I start there. It's not easy. Second, you have to be a team. I think there's a lot of us that think that, and my wife definitely did initially, and that was on me, that she thought that my career was the most important, that what I did and how I executed the mission and where I was going, that that was the No. 1 priority. And I found it that's not the case. I found that's not the case, because, sure, when we didn't have kids yet, and we were in Tucson, it's a little easier, because I would go on my deployments, and she would go to the job, she would go to work, and she had and she supported that, because I was out there, you know, fighting the good fight, accomplishing a mission, doing everything the Air Force needed me to do. And that's what she knew was important for me. So she supported that through and throughout, and she supported it to where I imagined, to the sense of she didn't feel like she could speak to say things that maybe I would like in the sense of me doing my mission, or coming home from Afghanistan with some of my experiences. Ahe felt that maybe sometimes, that she didn't have a word to convey to like, “Hey, this really scared me.” Or, “Hey, when you were gone, I saw the news and I was frightened. And you know, when I saw this happen, I just wanted to reach out to you, and I just want to make sure you're OK.” And she never felt initially like that she could convey those feelings, because it might affect me. It might affect my, you know, mentality while being overseas and down range. So she held that in, she held it in. She kept strong. She put on the “I'm here to support you” and I feel bad, you know, thinking back on that, that I should have given her the space to like, “Tell me what you're feeling. Tell me what you're going through. I don't want you to, I don't want you to struggle in silence. If you know you see something or there's something that scares you, let me know.” And unfortunately, I didn't learn that lesson until way, way later in my career, because she'd always kept that strength in and even when we started having kids, she still did. I kick myself all the time now that— we got to California, in the U-2s, we had an incident down range to where they needed me to bump up my deployment out there, to get out there to take care of the situation. And I'd asked, I was like, “Well, how much sooner do you need me?” Because we had just had our first son. You know, the dynamic's changing. The family dynamic is changing, and especially with your first born. And they said, “We need you to leave in about a week.” Here I was once again. And I know we have kind of kind of mentioned that I was I was in the mean mentality I was in. I was gonna be a pilot's pilot. I was gonna get the mission done. I was going to do everything I could to prove myself, and if my country needs me to be out there in a week to take care of this mission, that my family and my wife will understand. And that was that was not the way I should look at it. It really wasn't. But because I was not seeing her as a teammate, and she held it in — and thank goodness we had her mother-in-law. We had some family come out and support with a new baby. But I could tell that was one of the first times to where looking back on it now that maybe I could have said, “Can you find someone else?” You know, maybe I should have what I'm doing, hopefully you're doing now and teaching others. You have to balance that family with mission and the prioritize what is truly important at that moment. And that's something I failed to do at that time. It would happen again later on, but thankfully— so when I got to the 6th Special Operations Squadron, and at this time, especially after we had our second child in California, the wife had mentioned more. She started coming out of the shell like, “Hey, I do need you a little bit more now. I need you, and I need to be able to express and convey what I do and don't like.” And I was listening, but I was not listening the way she needed me to listen. I was not being that teammate on my side. So I heard, “Hey, I just need more support with the family. So whatever career decision we make next, let's align that.” And I was in my head, I was like, “Yes, you're absolutely right.” That's why the 6th Special Operations Squadron, when I got that interview and I picked up, it was so important, because I had family in that area, and family could get to us easier. So I was thinking, “Awesome. I have the support system for you there. I got the assignment. You're going to be taken care of.” I can tell that's not yet what she was wanting. And I will credit good old Col. Valentino. I was spinning up to go to Lebanon with the team, and we're about to have our third child. And here I was once again, like, “Yep, gotta get back to the mission. Gotta show my value. Gotta get in there, do it.” And the wife understands. We have two kids already. We're gonna have a third. So we've already had two. We kind of know how this goes. We're good to go. But I could tell, once again, looking back, everything's— that she wasn't happy, but she was ready to put up that wall again, to be like, “OK, I have to support him. Have to support what he does, and I have to, because that's what the military is asking me. That's what this new community…” And then Col Valentino, he came down. He goes, “Hey, are you about to have another child?” And I was like, “Yes, sir.” He goes, “When?” And I gave him the date. And he goes, “Your deployment date is like, a month after that.” I was like, “Yes, sir. This is our third child. We'll be good to go. I have the support system for the wife now, and she'll be taken care of. Good to go.” And he goes, “No, you're staying home. I don't need you.” He goes, “Did you want to ask me if there's anyone else wants to go so you can be there for your wife and your family?” And that blew my mind, that just, I don't know. It came out of nowhere for someone in a leadership role to say, “No, I'm not gonna send you on this deployment. I want you to be there with your family.” And that held in tight, and from then on, everything changed, and how I led and how I would push the mission. But I wouldn't do it to the extent of, could I not help someone balance their family life with their mission? And that took too long for me to realize. So what I say to everyone out there, it's not easy, but you come home from a long day and you're mentally exhausted and the mission is not going good, or you're getting ready for deployment, take a moment, sit down and just talk with your teammate at home. You have to look at it as teammates. They are your partner. They will be just like I mentioned before. They will be your support system through thick and thin, because they've probably seen you at your worst, and they want you to be at your best. But you can't do that unless you take care of that home front and treat them as your teammate. Because I am still, to this day, trying my best to become the man that I hope that she sees in me and that she wants me to be one day, but I had to fail in seeing it back then so that could see it now. And I think that's one of these things I want to convey. Not easy, and they have to be your teammates.   Naviere Walkewicz Thank you for sharing that. And I think to have a leader that showed you that, which is, now you've imprinted that in your leadership style. You're thinking about the airmen that you come across and how to help them navigate some of those tough choices, but doing it with a, you know, a bigger view of not just the mission, but, like, how do you fit in that with your family? I think that's so powerful, and I'm really glad you shared that, because I know that some of our listeners and our viewers, that's gonna resonate with them as well, because they're gonna remember a time when, “Wow, I didn't even ask if I didn't have to go, or if I didn't have to do this, just because I'm so used to jumping when you say, jump,” right? And I think sometimes it's OK. It's OK. Just a question, like, I'm willing and ready to jump. I just want to make sure is someone else able to do it too because of these reasons, right? So I love that you share that.   Lt. Col. Steven Mount And those leaders have to know their people enough in that regard to also know because ultimately, when you get the mission, then yes, that's what we signed up for, yes. But those leaders know their people, and they know what situation they're in. For example, there's a few times in Special Operations to where we're going on another deployment. But we knew our people, and we knew that some did not have the balance at home, and things were not looking the best they could. “Hey, we can help you out. We can give you all the resources you need. We don't need you on this deployment.” But that takes good leaders, recognizing and taking care of their people and understanding that these individuals cannot be effective down range or where they go if their home life is not taken care of. So, I know that is something that's been talked about for all my leadership training for all the years, but actually applying it is going to start with our future leaders coming up to realize, know your people, know where you can take care of them so that they can take care of the mission.   Naviere Walkewicz That's right. That's right. So this has been incredible. I think the underlying lesson that you shared with us is, obviously having belief in yourself and doing the work and proving your worth, so to speak. But I think it's also recognizing that support network. So if I may ask, you, I have two questions. The first one is, what are you doing to be a better leader every day? Yourself, like, what is something you are actually doing to be a better leader?   Lt. Col. Steven Mount Oh my gosh. Well, I'm recognizing I know I'm not doing it right. Knowing that I'm about taking command already has the underlying nervousness and anxiety, and I realized taking command, why I have these emotions is because I'm afraid to fail, which that makes sense. That makes sense to any logical human being out there. That's like, yeah, I get that. But I have to realize, in that same token, it's OK to fail. It's OK to make mistakes. It's OK that some days you go in there, you're not gonna get it all right. This last year as a director of operations, I've walked out of that building, and there's days been like I didn't accomplish anything. I've messed things up. I didn't do this right. Why am I here? They could have found someone better. And then there were days where, like, yes, I did it, right? I got something accomplished. And on those days, I realized it's because I was taking care of the people and people's needs. And once again, when that happened, they were able to take care of the mission. And that's one of the things that every day I go into work and I ask myself, “Who can I help out? Who needs the motivational kick? Who needs someone to just talk with them? Who needs to share their story?” Because that's what leaders, ultimately, are. We take care of the people. And if I can go in there and just help one person every single day, I would like to think that that's a small success. So that's one thing I'm constantly working on. And it is an effort. It's not easy. It's not easy because you are taking so much and leaders, I don't care what level you're on, all the way from your very first flight command, all the way to your mission command, aircraft commander, all the way to where I am now. You're going to take a lot on your shoulders. You're going to bear, you know, the burden of others, pains, their grief, their successes, their failures. So I guess that's also answer that question. Get ready for that. OK? Because a good leader will do that. They will bear they will help hold the weight. They will support those who need it the most. And we got to do it day in, day out, the reps they have to. So I think I answered the first question, I apologize, was it was.   Naviere Walkewicz The second question is coming. So you're good, you're good. OK. What's something that you know now after having your 17-plus years in the in the military, but also just your life experience — but what's something you know now that you would share with a leader to kind of shorten that timeframe of, like learning those painful things to be better, right? So what would be something you'd share?   Lt. Col. Steven Mount Something I'd share to close that learning gap? Because once again, my call sign is Meathead— I learned lessons the hard way. Do your best to listen more than you talk. Do your best to just take the experiences of others, talk to others, but just listen. Just hear them. Just hear them. I believe that a lot of the things that I could have prevented may have already been told to me, or may have already been, you know, mentored to me, but I just didn't listen. Maybe they said something and “I was like, well, that doesn't jive with being cool or being a pilot, so I'm not gonna listen to that.” I'm pretty sure all of these lessons that hopefully either conveying or passing on, in a sense, I think I learned them early on. I just, I just didn't listen. So for all the leaders out there, do your best to listen, listen more than you talk. It will be wonders. Naviere Walkewicz Oh my gosh, that's just outstanding. And I what I really appreciate about that is, you know, you talked about how you're doing things to get better every day, but even just in the moment, you recognize like that's such an important piece of that is taking the time to listen and reflect so that you can actually really pick up on those cues, maybe, that someone needs your support. So yes, well, this has been incredible. As we wrap up today's episode, I keep coming back to something you said, which was all someone needs to do is just support you. Yeah. So here's the takeaway, leadership is found in how we show up for our people and how we believe in them, and how we remind them that they are capable for more than what they think they are. The question we can always ask ourselves today is, who needs me to believe in them right now? And you actually said that really well. So Col. Mount, I just want to thank you for joining us for this episode of Long Blue Leadership. Is there anything else you want to leave with our listeners today? Lt. Col. Steven Mount Yes. I don't think I'll ever be that leader that does one great act, and everyone's like, that's a great leader. I don't think I'll ever be that leader that gives like, one great speech, like, that's it. He nailed it. He's a great leader. No, if I'm gonna leave something with all of those you know at the Academy and the leaders in the Air Force now — which, by the way, thanks all of you. Me too, man, thank you for your service. You have no idea how much the world needs us right now, so you get out there and see it. So sorry. That was an aside. But thank you to everyone who's at the Academy now, who have served, whose families have served and will continue to serve. But one thing I'll leave to all those young leaders: Your leadership is defined by the acts, the million acts every day, not just by one act, not just by, like I said, not just by one amazing thing that you do. It's defined on you being there, and a million acts per day over a lifetime of your career, of showing up, showing that you care. That's huge, showing that you're fair and consistent. And they will see that your people will see that that those million acts day in day out, of how you treat them, and how you present yourself as a leader. And they will watch. They will watch, and if they can see that you care, and if they can see that you are doing those million acts day in, day out, and you're in there and you're in the grind and you're in the mud with them, they will give you everything, they will, and it's amazing to see, it really is, but that starts with you as the leader. So yeah, that's it, it's those million acts every day of a lifetime career that shows that you're a leader.   Naviere Walkewicz Well, we are so glad that you're out there leading and influencing so many. We're grateful for all of your years and more that you will do. Thank you so much.   Lt. Col. Steven Mount Thank you so much for the opportunity. I really, really enjoyed this. Thank you.   Naviere Walkewicz Good. Thank you for joining us for this edition of Long Blue Leadership. The podcast drops every two weeks on Tuesdays and is available on all your favorite podcast apps. Send your comments and guest ideas to us at socialmedia@usafa.org, and listen to past episodes at longblueleadership.org.   KEYWORDS Leadership, Resilience, Mentorship, Adoption / Family Foundation, Support Network, Perseverance, Tough Conversations, Mission & Family Balance, Trust, Listening       The Long Blue Line Podcast Network is presented by the U.S. Air Force Academy Association & Foundation      

Israel has officially begun what we pray is the final, all-out offensive to crush Hamas, free our hostages, and restore Jewish security in our land. From Gaza to Lebanon, Syria to the halls of London's parliament, the truth is clear: victory will come only through strength, sovereignty, and faith in Hashem. Yes, there is an update about England in this video war update as well.Join Our Whatsapp Channel: https://chat.whatsapp.com/GkavRznXy731nxxRyptCMvFollow us on Twitter: https://x.com/AviAbelowJoin our Telegram Channel: https://t.me/aviabelowpulseFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pulse_of_israel/?hl=enPulse of Israel on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IsraelVideoNetworkVisit Our Website - https://pulseofisrael.com/Donate to Pulse of Israel: https://pulseofisrael.com/boost-this-video/

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 103-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 24,650 on turnover of 7.2-billion N-T. The market closed at a new high on Monday - with buying focused on the semiconductor sector as investors remain upbeat about global demand ahead of the opening tomorrow of SEMICON Taiwan. VP highlights need to bolster defense as new patrol cutter delivered Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim is underscoring the importance of strengthening national defense in the pursuit of peace and prosperity. Hsiao made the comment while overseeing (監督) the delivery to the Coast Guard Administration of the fourth 1,000-tonne class patrol cutter. Speaking at a handover ceremony at C-S-B-S's Keelung shipyard for the vessel - which has been named the "Hualien" - Hsiao underlined the importance of a modernized Coast Guard fleet amid geopolitical uncertainties. Hsiao also christened the fifth 1,000-tonne patrol cutter the "Penghu," at the ceremony. That vessel will be delivered to the Coast Guard Administration at a later date. Germany debuts at SEMICON Taiwan for stronger chip ties with Taipei And,Germany will be setting up its first ever national pavilion at SEMICON Taiwan - when the event opens tomorrow in Taipei. Semiconductor investment expert at Germany Trade & Invest, Martin Mayer says his country is looking to raise its profile (形象) and strengthen semiconductor ties with Taiwan as global chip demand accelerates. According to Mayer, Taiwan is seen as a crucial (至關重要的) partner in developing Germany's semiconductor ecosystem … … and Germany's first ever appearance at at the international semiconductor exhibition in Taipei is intended to "show presence" and signal its commitment to semiconductors, while building trust with Taiwanese companies, government and industry associations. Israel Strikes on Lebanon Kills Hezbollah Members Israel has launched airstrikes on the outskirts of northeastern Lebanon, killing five people, including four Hezbollah members. An Israeli military spokesperson said the air forces targeted Hezbollah positions and infrastructure. This comes as global pressure mounts to disarm (解除武裝) the Lebanese militant group. Since a U.S.-brokered ceasefire ended a war between Hezbollah and Israel in November, Israel has struck southern Lebanon almost daily, targeting the group. The Lebanese government has recently backed a plan to gradually disarm Hezbollah, which the group opposes. Hezbollah has not fired at Israel since November. It maintains it no longer has an armed presence south of the Litani River, but refuses to discuss disarmament until Israel stops its attacks and withdraws from five hilltop points that it captured during the war. US Supreme Court rules LA immigration raids are legal The Supreme Court has cleared the way for the Trump Administration's immigration agents to resume what critics call indiscriminate sweeps in Los Angeles. The unsigned ruling lifted a lower-court order that had blocked (封鎖，阻止) stops based on race, language, or type of work. Ira Spitzer reports That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. －－－－以下為 SoundOn 動態廣告－－－－ 中國信託聯手統一集團推出uniopen聯名信用卡 2025年12月31日前消費享最高11%回饋 完成指定任務加碼每月免費跨行轉帳10次，ATM存領外幣各1次免手續費 了解詳情> https://sofm.pse.is/84pk5e 謹慎理財 信用至上 -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

For review:1. A drone launched by Yemen's Houthi rebels evaded Israeli air defenses and smashed into the Ramon Airport terminal in southern Israel on Sunday. The unmanned aerial vehicle struck the passenger terminal at the airport north of Eilat, causing damage, according to airport authorities.2. President Trump Warns Hamas to Accept Terms for Hostage - Ceasefire Deal.According to the reported proposal, Hamas would release all 48 hostages, living and dead, on day one, while Israel would release hundreds of Palestinian terrorists with blood on their hands, and thousands of other prisoners.In addition, the IDF would call off its conquest of Gaza City and would remain outside the city, according to the report.The two sides would engage in talks over the end of the war under the personal oversight of President Trump, and the ceasefire would continue as long as negotiations last.3. Lebanon's cabinet on Friday welcomed a plan by the Army that would disarm Hezbollah and said the military would begin executing it, without setting a timeframe for implementation and cautioning that the Army had limited capabilities. But it said continued Israeli military operations in Lebanon would hamper the Army's progress. 4.  President Zelensky Responds to Russian President Putin: "He can come to Kyiv."5. China said Saturday that its military monitored the passage of Australian and Canadian warships through the Taiwan Strait, criticizing their presence in the sensitive waterway as “causing trouble.”6. Marines from the 3rd Marine Division trained with the Navy/Marine Corps Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) in recent weeks after the system arrived July 10 in Japan, the Marine Corps said. 7. The Air Force and Sierra Nevada Corporation have started flight tests on the service's next-generation “doomsday plane.”Flight tests for the E-4C Survivable Airborne Operations Control, or SAOC, are being held at the Aviation Innovation and Technology Center in Dayton, Ohio, the company said in a Wednesday release.

Original air date: September 25, 2024 Escalating to de-escalate might not be Israel's goal in Lebanon after all. But as strikes between Israel and Hezbollah continue to intensify, we have to wonder — what is Israel's goal? Rosa Brooks, Kori Schake, and Ed Luce join David Rothkopf to examine the situation in the Middle East, discuss the results from UNGA, predict the outcome of the Vice Presidential debate, and more. Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In November 2022, Benjamin Netanyahu returned to power in Israel after winning his sixth election. Propped up by a bloc of far-right and ultra-religious parties, Netanyahu's government is seen by many as the most extreme in Israeli history. But he is also a remarkably successful politician: he first won power in 1996 and is Israel's longest-serving prime minister. In September 2025 Anshel Pfeffer, one of the world's foremost experts on the Israeli Prime Minister came to Intelligence Squared for the third instalment of our Age of the Strongman series. Pfeffer drew from his forthcoming book 'No King In Israel: The Jewish State Confronts its Demons' to shed light on Netanyahu's bold vision for reshaping the Middle East, his cosy relationship with Donald Trump, his battles to silence the Israeli judiciary and his ongoing expansion of settlements in the West Bank. Pfeffer also explained the monumental shifts in Israeli politics that have taken place after October 7 and the wars in Gaza and Lebanon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Original air date: September 25, 2024 Escalating to de-escalate might not be Israel's goal in Lebanon after all. But as strikes between Israel and Hezbollah continue to intensify, we have to wonder — what is Israel's goal? Rosa Brooks, Kori Schake, and Ed Luce join David Rothkopf to examine the situation in the Middle East, discuss the results from UNGA, predict the outcome of the Vice Presidential debate, and more. Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Psalm 50:14  I. Day of Trouble      II. What gets in the way      III. Remember-Call on Me      IV. Put it into practice      V. Zechariah 10: 8-12      I will whistle for them and gather them, For I will redeem them; And they shall increase as they once increased.      9 “I will sow them among the peoples, And they shall remember Me in far countries; They shall live, together with their children, And they shall return.      10 I will also bring them back from the land of Egypt, And gather them from Assyria. I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon, Until no more room is found for them.      11 He shall pass through the sea with affliction, And strike the waves of the sea: All the depths of the River shall dry up. Then the pride of Assyria shall be brought down, And the scepter of Egypt shall depart.      12 “So I will strengthen them in the Lord, And they shall walk up and down in His name,” Says the Lord.Watch this episode on YouTube here:https://youtu.be/r27NrV8h0KI

Study Passage: Isaiah 40Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. 2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the LORD's hand double for all her sins. 3 A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 4 Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. 5 And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” 6 A voice says, “Cry!” And I said, “What shall I cry?” All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field. 7 The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the LORD blows on it; surely the people are grass. 8 The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. 9 Go on up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good news; lift it up, fear not; say to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God!” 10 Behold, the Lord GOD comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. 11 He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young. 12 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand and marked off the heavens with a span, enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure and weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance? 13 Who has measured the Spirit of the LORD, or what man shows him his counsel? 14 Whom did he consult, and who made him understand? Who taught him the path of justice, and taught him knowledge, and showed him the way of understanding? 15 Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket, and are accounted as the dust on the scales; behold, he takes up the coastlands like fine dust. 16 Lebanon would not suffice for fuel, nor are its beasts enough for a burnt offering. 17 All the nations are as nothing before him, they are accounted by him as less than nothing and emptiness. 18 To whom then will you liken God, or what likeness compare with him? 19 An idol! A craftsman casts it, and a goldsmith overlays it with gold and casts for it silver chains. 20 He who is too impoverished for an offering chooses wood that will not rot; he seeks out a skillful craftsman to set up an idol that will not move. 21 Do you not know? Do you not hear? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth? 22 It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to dwell in; 23 who brings princes to nothing, and makes the rulers of the earth as emptiness. 24 Scarcely are they planted, scarcely sown, scarcely has their stem taken root in the earth, when he blows on them, and they wither, and the tempest carries them off like stubble. 25 To whom then will you compare me, that I should be like him? says the Holy One. 26 Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name; by the greatness of his might and because he is strong in power, not one is missing. 27 Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the LORD, and my right is disregarded by my God”? 28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. 29 He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. 30 Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; 31 but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

This week we speak with businessman Bahaa Hariri, the eldest son of Lebanon's former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. Twenty years after his father's assassination, and three years after his younger brother quit politics, he says he's ready to return and revive his family's legacy. But can someone who has spent much of his life abroad speak for a nation in collapse? Is Lebanon really looking for another Hariri? Or has it already moved on under new leadership? And what does he make of the recent political change both in Lebanon and beyond?

In November 2022, Benjamin Netanyahu returned to power in Israel after winning his sixth election. Propped up by a bloc of far-right and ultra-religious parties, Netanyahu's government is seen by many as the most extreme in Israeli history. But he is also a remarkably successful politician: he first won power in 1996 and is Israel's longest-serving prime minister. In September 2025 Anshel Pfeffer, one of the world's foremost experts on the Israeli Prime Minister came to Intelligence Squared for the third instalment of our Age of the Strongman series. Pfeffer drew from his forthcoming book 'No King In Israel: The Jewish State Confronts its Demons' to shed light on Netanyahu's bold vision for reshaping the Middle East, his cosy relationship with Donald Trump, his battles to silence the Israeli judiciary and his ongoing expansion of settlements in the West Bank. Pfeffer also explained the monumental shifts in Israeli politics that have taken place after October 7 and the wars in Gaza and Lebanon. --- This is the first instalment of a two-part episode. If you'd like to become a Member and get access to all our full ad free conversations, plus all of our Members-only content, just visit intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more. For £4.99 per month you'll also receive: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared episodes, wherever you get your podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series - 15% discount on livestreams and in-person tickets for all Intelligence Squared events  ...  Or Subscribe on Apple for £4.99: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series … Already a subscriber? Thank you for supporting our mission to foster honest debate and compelling conversations! Visit intelligencesquared.com to explore all your benefits including ad-free podcasts, exclusive bonus content and early access. … Subscribe to our newsletter here to hear about our latest events, discounts and much more. https://www.intelligencesquared.com/newsletter-signup/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Both parties agree in principle that health policy should be driven by facts and science, not by politics. But translating science into policy involves human judgments. And an uproar this week around vaccines shows rising tension over public health. Also: today's stories, including how some Latin Americans are embracing U.S. intervention amid record violence; whether current laws designed to stop potential gun violence by people deemed a threat to themselves or others could have prevented a recent shooting in Minnesota; and how Lebanon's government is facing a new test in disarming a weakened Hezbollah. Join the Monitor's Kendra Nordin Beato for today's news.

The Holy Bible discusses the cedars of Lebanon some 70 times. God wants you to grow spiritually like the king of all trees: the mighty cedar of Lebanon.

The Holy Bible discusses the cedars of Lebanon some 70 times. God wants you to grow spiritually like the king of all trees: the mighty cedar of Lebanon.

In this episode of the Protector Culture Podcast, Jimmy Graham is joined by longtime friend and Able Shepherd teammate, Pony Anderson. The two swap stories from the early days of the Able Shepherd program and dive into the roots of reality-based simulation training. From lessons learned in the field to the evolution of tactics that shaped the curriculum, this conversation offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at the mindset and mission that built a movement. Don't miss this trip down memory lane with two protectors who helped set the standard. Who's Jimmy Graham? Jimmy spent over 15 years in the US Navy SEAL Teams earning the rank of Chief Petty Officer (E7). During that time, he earned certifications as a Sniper, Joint Tactical Air Controller, Range Safety Officer for Live Fire, Dynamic Movement and Master Training Specialist. He also served for 7 years as an Operator and Lead Instructor for an Elite Federal Government Protective Detail for High-Risk and Critical environments, to include; Kirkuk, Iraq, Kabul, Afghanistan, Beirut, Lebanon and Benghazi, Libya. During this time he earned his certification for Federal Firearms Instructor, Simunition Scenario Qualified Instructor and Certified Skills Facilitator. Jimmy has trained law enforcement on the Federal, State, and Local levels as well as Fire Department, EMS and Dispatch personnel. His passion is to train communities across the nation in order to enhance their level of readiness in response to active shooter situations. Make sure you subscribe and stay tuned to everything we are doing. Want to get more training? - https://ableshepherd.com/ Need support? https://able-nation.org/ Follow us on: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ableshepherd Instagram - ​​https://www.instagram.com/ableshepherd/ Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@ableshepherd

The Holy Bible discusses the cedars of Lebanon some seventy times. Understand why God wants you to grow spiritually like the king of all trees—the mighty cedar of Lebanon.

It's a state news heavy week with an impeachment trial in London, retirements in Somerset and Lebanon, and yet another candidate in the 6th District. Also, the NFL is back and KPW returns to our gambling roots with picks from Tres and Jared.

This conversation delves into the complex geopolitical landscape of the Middle East, focusing on the ongoing conflict in Gaza, Israel's military strategies, the political dynamics in Lebanon, the economic crisis in Iran, and the governance issues faced by the Palestinian Authority. The speakers discuss the implications of these factors on regional stability and international relations, emphasizing the challenges and potential paths forward.We want to hear from YOU! If you would like to submit a question or comment for further discussion, please email us at: questions@abideministries.com.

Jenna Jones, Founder and program director at Belamour Dance Leadership Academy in Lebanon, TN, has an extended back ground in the performing arts and classical ballet. She created her academy in 2022 and shares about the choices she has made in terms of leadership, management, and dance training to shape a unique program. We talk about difficult decisions, the dynamic pathways a career in dance and ministry can take, and committing to integrity at every step in the process without compromise. Learn more about Jenna and Belamour Dance Leadership Academy.You can learn more about dance education and career planning for dancers at theballerinatist.com.

In this episode of A2 THE SHOW, we sit down with Don Rob — writer, interviewer, and documentary creator with a decade of experience in leadership, business, and creative ventures. From helping build a multimillion-dollar startup to guiding global teams and managing top YouTube creators, Don has mastered the art of clarity and direction. Together, we dive into Lebanon's relationship-driven culture, the balance of humor and sensitivity across societies, and the transformative power of forgiveness, gratitude, and self-awareness. We also unpack how masculinity, emotional expression, and cultural challenges shape both personal growth and community.

In this special bonus episode, Grace from the excellent REDRUM Podcast joins me as we discuss a story from Torquay in the south-west of England.Rosemary Windle and Maurece Smith, both 71, both had business interests in the Middle East and when they saw a local business operating with contacts in Lebanon they made contact with the owner. A decision which would ultimately cost them their lives...Join me for my usual weekly episode on Tuesday.1, Listen to other episodes of the REDRUM podcast, by following these links:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/redrum-true-crime/id1515905584 Apple PodcastsSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1FCoeRZQeDkEJ5i8bGuFpy2, To find out more about my UK True Crime Podcast, check out my website below:https://uktruecrime.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to the podcast! Today we're talking about a tension every Christian feels—fitting into the culture around us versus surrendering fully to God. So how do we do it? How do we resist the pressure to redefine sin, truth, and love on culture's terms? And how do we surrender to God in a way that impacts, changes, and redeems the world around us? That's the conversation we're diving into today.   ABOUT: Lina AbuJamra is a Pediatric ER doctor, now practicing telemedicine, and the founder of Living With Power Ministries. Known for her bold faith and down-to-earth honesty, she's passionate (and allegedly funny) about helping people connect biblical truth to everyday life. Whether through teaching, writing, or podcasting, Lina brings hope to those wrestling with life's hardest questions. When she's not speaking or creating content, she's providing medical and humanitarian aid in crisis zones like Lebanon and Uganda. Learn more about her at LivingWithPower.org. Follow on Insta: linaabujamra Follow on Facebook: Lina Abujamra

Hezbollah is under pressure to lay down its arms, as part of a US-backed plan. Lebanon’s government has asked the army to draft a proposal by the end of the year. Facing continued Israeli strikes and the aftermath of the assassination of much of its leadership, including Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah refuses to disarm, calling the effort a trap. With no trust and no guarantees, where will Lebanon go from here? In this episode: Ali Harb (@Harbpeace), Al Jazeera journalist Episode credits: This episode was produced by Sarí el-Khalili, Tamara Khandaker, and Tracie Hunte, with Manny Panaretos, Phillip Lanos, Melanie Marich, Farhan Rafid, Kisaa Zehra, and our guest host, Kevin Hirten. It was edited by Noor Wazwaz. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

As the Sumud Flotilla sails to break the siege against starving children and as Israel's “Operation Gideon's Chariots II” sweeps through Gaza in an attempt to push its remaining survivors into an already-built concentration camp to the south, Laith Marouf, from Free Palestine TV, delivers some much-needed optimism from Lebanon: the empire's most potent weapon, divide-et-impera, is losing its potency. Solidarity amongst previously embattled factions and with Palestine is crystallizing with fury among the people of Lebanon, despite Mahmoud Abbas begging Lebanon to turn against its Palestinian refugee population and after decades of effective psy-ops from western governments. https://globalsumudflotilla.org/Ji Darwishhttps://www.instagram.com/jedi.darwish.pnn?igsh=M2cycDlqZzQ3bnc3https://www.FreePalestine.VideoX: https://x.com/TVFreePalestineTG: https://t.me/freepalestinetvInsta: / https://www.instagram.com/free.palestine.tv?igsh=NjU2bGJpMW5yMnFn Substack: https://substack.com/@freepalestinetvRU: https://rumble.com/user/FreePalestineTV #lebanon #middleeast #history #veterans #divideandconquer #mahmoudabbas

GAZA AND YEMEN: Jonathan Schanzer: Jonathan Schanzer reports on Israel's challenging but successful operation in Gaza City, which has neutralized key Hamas leaders and recovered hostages, significantly weakening the group, with only ten senior leaders remaining. He critically notes Qatar's role as a major patron of Hamas, not acting in good faith during hostage negotiations. Shanzer also highlights Israel's "remarkable operation" in Yemen, demonstrating enhanced intelligence capabilities against Houthi leadership, severely impacting the Iran-backed group. In Lebanon, efforts to disarm Palestinian camps and Hezbollah present a "generational opportunity" for the state to restore sovereignty. 1950 GAZA BEERSHEBA

LEBANON AND SYRIA: Jonathan Schanzer: Jonathan Schanzer reports on Israel's challenging but successful operation in Gaza City, which has neutralized key Hamas leaders and recovered hostages, significantly weakening the group, with only ten senior leaders remaining. He critically notes Qatar's role as a major patron of Hamas, not acting in good faith during hostage negotiations. Shanzer also highlights Israel's "remarkable operation" in Yemen, demonstrating enhanced intelligence capabilities against Houthi leadership, severely impacting the Iran-backed group. In Lebanon, efforts to disarm Palestinian camps and Hezbollah present a "generational opportunity" for the state to restore sovereignty. 1898 LEBANON

CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW SCHEDULE  9-2-2025 GOOD EVENING: The show begins in the markets, watching Fed Chairman Jerome Powell prepare for the September 16-17 Open Market meeting. 1840 BANK OF LONDON FIRST HOUR 9-915 #MARKETS:   LIZ PEEK THE HILL. FOX NEWS AND FOX BUSINESS: Elizabeth Peek: Elizabeth Peek examines the persistent tension between the White House and the Federal Reserve, observing that Chairman Jay Powell's actions are often perceived as politically motivated. She attributes high inflation during the Biden years to belated rate hikes and points to a "bound up housing market" due to past low mortgage rates and current high rates, making housing unaffordable. Peek highlights the underestimated, rapid impact of AI, noting its widespread adoption (700 million weekly ChatGPT users) indicates genuine, impactful companies rather than a bubble. She also supports Trump's proposal for addressing homelessness via dedicated facilities. 915-930 CONTINUED #MARKETS:   LIZ PEEK THE HILL. FOX NEWS AND FOX BUSINESS Elizabeth Peek: Elizabeth Peek examines the persistent tension between the White House and the Federal Reserve, observing that Chairman Jay Powell's actions are often perceived as politically motivated. She attributes high inflation during the Biden years to belated rate hikes and points to a "bound up housing market" due to past low mortgage rates and current high rates, making housing unaffordable. Peek highlights the underestimated, rapid impact of AI, noting its widespread adoption (700 million weekly ChatGPT users) indicates genuine, impactful companies rather than a bubble. She also supports Trump's proposal for addressing homelessness via dedicated facilities. 930-945 EU: JUDY DEMPSEY, SENIOR SCHOLAR, CARNEGIE ENDOWMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL PEACE IN BERLIN. Judy Dempsey: Judy Dempsey analyzes Europe's political instability, including a wobbly French government facing a potential no-confidence vote and President Macron's struggles with reforms, while the far-right National Rally prepares for snap elections. Germany's Chancellor Merz also faces domestic opposition to reforms balancing social welfare and defense spending. Dempsey warns about the rise of anti-Ukraine, pro-Russian, Eurosceptic populist parties across Europe, which pose a significant challenge to regional stability and Washington's foreign policy, despite calls for a European-centric military force. 945-1000 CONTINUED; EU: JUDY DEMPSEY, SENIOR SCHOLAR, CARNEGIE ENDOWMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL PEACE IN BERLIN. Judy Dempsey: Judy Dempsey analyzes Europe's political instability, including a wobbly French government facing a potential no-confidence vote and President Macron's struggles with reforms, while the far-right National Rally prepares for snap elections. Germany's Chancellor Merz also faces domestic opposition to reforms balancing social welfare and defense spending. Dempsey warns about the rise of anti-Ukraine, pro-Russian, Eurosceptic populist parties across Europe, which pose a significant challenge to regional stability and Washington's foreign policy, despite calls for a European-centric military force. SECOND HOUR 10-1015 #STATETHINKING: @MARYKISSEL FORMER SENIOR ADVISER TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE. EXECUTIVE VP STEPHENS INC. Mary Kissel: Mary Kissel critiques China's military parade, labeling Xi Jinping's claim of sole WWII victory a "complete fiction" aimed at promoting a "new world order" and expanding influence. She expresses concern over India's presence at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, viewing it as a potential move towards neutrality that could undermine US efforts to counter China's regional militarization. Kissel also attributes the rise of Eurosceptic, pro-Russian populist parties in Europe to the failure of mainstream political parties to adequately address citizens' economic realities, leading to cynicism and a challenge to US policy. 1015-1030 CONTINUED: Mary Kissel: Mary Kissel critiques China's military parade, labeling Xi Jinping's claim of sole WWII victory a "complete fiction" aimed at promoting a "new world order" and expanding influence. She expresses concern over India's presence at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, viewing it as a potential move towards neutrality that could undermine US efforts to counter China's regional militarization. Kissel also attributes the rise of Eurosceptic, pro-Russian populist parties in Europe to the failure of mainstream political parties to adequately address citizens' economic realities, leading to cynicism and a challenge to US policy. 1030-1045 GAZA AND YEMEN: Jonathan Schanzer: Jonathan Schanzer reports on Israel's challenging but successful operation in Gaza City, which has neutralized key Hamas leaders and recovered hostages, significantly weakening the group, with only ten senior leaders remaining. He critically notes Qatar's role as a major patron of Hamas, not acting in good faith during hostage negotiations. Shanzer also highlights Israel's "remarkable operation" in Yemen, demonstrating enhanced intelligence capabilities against Houthi leadership, severely impacting the Iran-backed group. In Lebanon, efforts to disarm Palestinian camps and Hezbollah present a "generational opportunity" for the state to restore sovereignty. 1045-1100 LEBANON AND SYRIA: Jonathan Schanzer: Jonathan Schanzer reports on Israel's challenging but successful operation in Gaza City, which has neutralized key Hamas leaders and recovered hostages, significantly weakening the group, with only ten senior leaders remaining. He critically notes Qatar's role as a major patron of Hamas, not acting in good faith during hostage negotiations. Shanzer also highlights Israel's "remarkable operation" in Yemen, demonstrating enhanced intelligence capabilities against Houthi leadership, severely impacting the Iran-backed group. In Lebanon, efforts to disarm Palestinian camps and Hezbollah present a "generational opportunity" for the state to restore sovereignty. THIRD HOUR 1100-1115 #LONDONCALLING:  @JOSEPHSTERNBERG @WSJOPINION Joseph Sternberg: discusses the alarming speculation that the UK and France might require IMF bailouts due to their enormous debt piles and fiscal deficits, and a political inability to implement austerity measures. He notes the UK is exhibiting "precrisis" signs with a weakening pound and rising long-term borrowing costs, reflecting a loss of investor confidence in its economic growth. Sternberg concludes that these major economies are too large for a traditional IMF bailout, implying they must address their fiscal challenges internally to avoid a financial crisis. 1115-1130 CONTINUED: #LONDONCALLING:  @JOSEPHSTERNBERG @WSJOPINION Joseph Sternberg: Joseph Sternberg discusses the alarming speculation that the UK and France might require IMF bailouts due to their enormous debt piles and fiscal deficits, and a political inability to implement austerity measures. He notes the UK is exhibiting "precrisis" signs with a weakening pound and rising long-term borrowing costs, reflecting a loss of investor confidence in its economic growth. Sternberg concludes that these major economies are too large for a traditional IMF bailout, implying they must address their fiscal challenges internally to avoid a financial crisis. 1130-1145 Professor John Cochrane: Professor John Cochrane addresses the fervent debate over the Federal Reserve's independence, with critics from both political extremes advocating for more accountability. He points to the Fed's expanded activities since 2008, including "subsidizing Wall Street," and alleged missteps that contributed to inflation and a problematic housing market. Cochrane argues for a more limited Fed, focused strictly on inflation, to preserve its independence and public trust, suggesting that its broadened scope jeopardizes its core mission and credibility. 1145-1200 CONTINUED:Professor John Cochrane: Professor John Cochrane addresses the fervent debate over the Federal Reserve's independence, with critics from both political extremes advocating for more accountability. He points to the Fed's expanded activities since 2008, including "subsidizing Wall Street," and alleged missteps that contributed to inflation and a problematic housing market. Cochrane argues for a more limited Fed, focused strictly on inflation, to preserve its independence and public trust, suggesting that its broadened scope jeopardizes its core mission and credibility.. FOURTH HOUR 12-1215 GREGORY COPLEY, DEFENSE & FOREIGN AFFAIRS     Gregory Copley: Gregory Copley discusses China's military parade, calling its claim of sole WWII victory a "breathtaking fiction" meant to boost the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) collapsing credibility amidst widespread anti-CCP protests and a disrupted military. He highlights India's strategic aim for dominance in Central and South Asia, leading to its presence at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, but not the parade. Copley also notes Europe's fiscal crises, exemplified by France and the UK, which face speculation of IMF bailouts due to political unwillingness to implement spending cuts and a growing reliance on the US for defense. 1215-1230 continued; Gregory Copley: Gregory Copley discusses China's military parade, calling its claim of sole WWII victory a "breathtaking fiction" meant to boost the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) collapsing credibility amidst widespread anti-CCP protests and a disrupted military. He highlights India's strategic aim for dominance in Central and South Asia, leading to its presence at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, but not the parade. Copley also notes Europe's fiscal crises, exemplified by France and the UK, which face speculation of IMF bailouts due to political unwillingness to implement spending cuts and a growing reliance on the US for defense. 1230-1245 CONTINUED Gregory Copley: Gregory Copley discusses China's military parade, calling its claim of sole WWII victory a "breathtaking fiction" meant to boost the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) collapsing credibility amidst widespread anti-CCP protests and a disrupted military. He highlights India's strategic aim for dominance in Central and South Asia, leading to its presence at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, but not the parade. Copley also notes Europe's fiscal crises, exemplified by France and the UK, which face speculation of IMF bailouts due to political unwillingness to implement spending cuts and a growing reliance on the US for defense. 1245-100 AM CONTINUED: Gregory Copley: Gregory Copley discusses China's military parade, calling its claim of sole WWII victory a "breathtaking fiction" meant to boost the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) collapsing credibility amidst widespread anti-CCP protests and a disrupted military. He highlights India's strategic aim for dominance in Central and South Asia, leading to its presence at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, but not the parade. Copley also notes Europe's fiscal crises, exemplified by France and the UK, which face speculation of IMF bailouts due to political unwillingness to implement spending cuts and a growing reliance on the US for defense. R

Another revisited Conflicted Community episode for you this week, as we gear up for a new season of Conflicted. This time we bring you the FULL episode of Thomas' conversation with Eugene Rogan, who back in 2024 told us about his latest book, 'The Damascus Events'. Enjoy... -- The 1860 ‘Damascus Events' saw Syrian Christians murdered by their Sunni Muslim neighbours in a brutal genocidal moment that reshaped the late Ottoman Empire. It's an example of how previously harmonious communities can descend into brutal violence in a very short time span. But in the Ottoman Empire's response to the violence, it's also an example of how hostile communities can be brought back from the brink. To learn more about this fascinating historical episode and its resonances today, Conflicted welcomes Eugene Rogan to our community! Eugene is a Professor of Modern Middle Eastern History and a Fellow of St. Anthony's College at the University of Oxford. His recent book, ‘The Damascus Events: The 1860 Massacre and the Destruction of the Old Ottoman World' is available now at all good bookshops and is very much recommended for the Conflicted Community as a must read to learn more about the late Ottoman Empire. Thomas and Eugene discuss his incredible book, how late Ottoman reforms and war in Lebanon caused the crisis, how Ottoman leaders brought the communities back together after the terror, and what we can learn from this episode when looking at the conflicts occuring in the Middle East today. Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MHconflicted And Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MHconflicted Learn more about your ad choices. Visit ⁠megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr. Amy Fallas is a PhD in History at UC Santa Barbara. She holds an MA in History from Yale and her research examines religious difference, charitable networks, and historical memory in the Middle East. Her work has been supported by the American Research Center in Egypt, the American Society for Church History, the Orthodox Christian Studies Center among others. She is the Associate Editor of the Arab Studies Journal and serves on the steering committees of the History of Christianity and Middle Eastern Christianity units of the American Academy of Religion. Her scholarship appears in History Compass and Islam and Christian–Muslim Relations and her essays are published in the Washington Post, Jadaliyya, Mada Masr, the Revealer, Sojourners and more. On this episode, we mostly discuss her article Brothers in the Resistance, research in Lebanon about connections between Latin America and the Middle East, titled Hermanos fi al-Muqawama, She is based in Beirut. Visit Sacred Writes: https://www.sacred-writes.org/carpenter-cohort-2025-jan Visit Amy Fallas: https://www.amyfallas.com/  

Your daily news in under three minutes. At Al Jazeera Podcasts, we want to hear from you, our listeners. So, please head to https://www.aljazeera.com/survey and tell us your thoughts about this show and other Al Jazeera podcasts. It only takes a few minutes! Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

The Lebanese government approved a U.S. plan to disarm Hezbollah, the group whose military wing was recognized by previous governments as a parallel security structure to Lebanon’s armed forces. The agreement calls for Hezbollah’s disarmament by the end of the year, in return for Israel’s withdrawal and cessation of hostilities. Special correspondent Simona Foltyn reports from Beirut. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

What's it like to live on the frontlines of biblical prophecy and modern warfare? In this gripping conversation, we are joined by Dan Eshed, a third-generation Israeli and IDF soldier who shares firsthand what life is like just an hour from Gaza.  From serving in Gaza and Lebanon to navigating the heartbreak of hostages, Dan reveals the deeply human and spiritual layers of Israel's ongoing fight for survival. They discuss the challenges of distinguishing civilians from Hamas operatives, the global misunderstanding of Zionism, and the raw tension between justice, mercy, and truth.  Dan's insights are both sobering and hopeful as he describes how solidarity, biblical identity, and divine calling shape Israel's unshakable resilience - even under fire. If you want to understand Israel beyond the headlines - from a biblical, historical, and personal lens - this episode will challenge and inspire you. Key Takeaways: Zionism isn't political - it's biblical. Dan unpacks what Zionism really means and how opposition to it often masks anti-Semitism. War on multiple fronts. Hear how Israel is balancing battles in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria while remaining a beacon of life and light. Tourism as mission. Dan shares why bringing believers to Israel is more than sightseeing - it's spiritual transformation. Media bias and spiritual warfare. The battle Israel faces is not just physical but deeply spiritual, with truth often lost in global narratives. Chapter Markers: 00:00 – Intro + meeting Dan Eshed 01:14 – Why the pomegranate matters in Israel 03:05 – Life after the 12-Day War 06:00 – The October 7 attacks + national solidarity 10:15 – Can Israel ever have peace? 14:44 – Human rights, Hamas, and military orders 19:00 – IDF and the spiritual side of the war 23:00 – Anti-Zionism vs. anti-Semitism 27:00 – Dan's family legacy & the birth of Immanuel Tours 31:54 – When will tourism return to Israel? 34:45 – Where to learn more + final reflections Visit thejewishroad.com to explore more. Learn about Dan's work and plan your trip to Israel at immanuel-tours.com.

Beau, Stelios, and Firas discuss how remigration is inevitable, the Australian marches against mass migration, and Lebanon's lessons about diversity. Islander #4 is out! Buy it here

In this episode of The President's Daily Brief: President Trump sparks heated debate with his proposal to allow 600,000 Chinese students to study in the United States. Frank Gaffney of the Institute for the American Future joins us to break it down. Is Hezbollah finally down for the count? Lebanon is floating a plan to persuade the militant group to disarm, while Israel signals it might pull its forces back. We'll get analysis from David Daoud of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President's Daily Brief by visiting PDBPremium.com.Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief.YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief Jacked Up Fitness: Get the all-new Shake Weight by Jacked Up Fitness at https://JackedUpShakeWeight.comCBDistillery: Visit https://CBDistillery.com and use promo code PDB for 25% off your entire order!Stash Financial: Don't Let your money sit around. Go to https://get.stash.com/PDB to see how you can receive $25 towards your first stock purchase. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices