Podcasts about Iraq

2. The Loss of Sacrifice and the Shadow of the Pacific War The debaters contrast the modern era with the Pacific War (1941-1945), noting that Pearl Harbor provided an immediate, unifying rationale for total war. During that time, there was no doubt regarding the mission to defeat Japan and Germany, and the nation embraced a spirit of sacrifice. Germanicus points to the film *They Were Expendable* as an artifact of a time when martyrdom bound the people together in a shared national identity. Today, however, he argues that the sacred narrative has been "hollowed out" and corrupted by leaders who use it for manipulation. Modern Americans, described as increasingly narcissistic, have lost the memory of what it means to be part of something larger than themselves. Furthermore, the U.S. has transitioned into a society that prefers striking from afar via technology rather than engaging in "boots on the ground" combat. This leads to a dangerous disconnect: while the leadership feels "in command pushing buttons," they are oblivious to the fact that they may be losing the war, repeating the failures of Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Without a clear U.S. war aim, the military appears to be merely executing an Israeli mission to degrade Iran, leaving the American public without a sense of purpose or a defined end to the hostilities. (3)1944 OKINAWA

As Iran's retaliation hit American allies throughout the Middle East this week, David Remnick was joined by two New Yorker writers with decades of experience reporting from the region. Robin Wright has reported from Iran extensively, and she met with Ali Khamenei before he became the Supreme Leader of Iran; Dexter Filkins covered the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and he has been reporting on the Pentagon and military readiness. Filkins and Wright discuss the possibilities for future leadership in Iran; the Administration's chaotic statements in regard to its goals and time frame; and the economic impact of the war, which is already being felt around the globe. The Political Scene draws on the reporting and analysis found in The New Yorker for lively conversations about the big questions in American politics. Join the magazine's writers and editors as they put into context the latest news—about elections, the economy, the White House, the Supreme Court, and much more. New episodes are available three times a week. Tune in to The Political Scene wherever you get your podcasts.  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

What kind of a reaction should you expect when you show appreciation for an officer helping you get your vehicle unstuck in Iraq? Is it possible for Sailors to hit shore leave and everything goes well?  Find out, the answers to these questions and more on this weeks "sode" of The Cammo Comedy Show Podcast!If you have any funny military stories of your own that you would like to share, drop us a line at:stories@cammocomedy.com  or  Leave a voicemail at (531) 222-6146  Sadly, the voicemail will only record in 2 minute blocksWe are here to make you laugh, but behind this there is the imbedded philosophy of, "No One Left Behind." Sadly, 22 vets per day commit suicide, approximately 67,500 vets are homeless and thousands struggle with everyday life after service.  What we hope to accomplish is providing a fun place to gather that will have a similar feel to the conversations that happen at the VFW or American Legion between vets.  Since the latest generations of vets are not really going to these places anymore, we are making it happen online.  We believe that the sense of community will help some who struggle, while providing stories about the good times that we can all laugh at!An additional part of this show is capturing the oral history of the military over the past few decades, so if you happen to know a veteran who served during WW2, Korean War or Vietnam eras, we would love to hear from them.  Obviously, we want to hear stories from all eras, but we have special respect for the older generations. Our Sponsors #SponsorsPatriot MobileGet one free month of service when you make the switch to Patriot Mobile and use Promo Code "WOLF"   https://patriotmobile.com/partners/wolfPatriot Mobile donates a portion of every dollar earned to organizations that fight for causes you care about.Patriot Mobile has exceptional 4G & 5G nationwide coverage and uses all the same towers the main carriers use. Patriot Mobile offers a Contract Buy-Out. This offer allows new customers to buy out a current device from their departing carrier and receive up to $500 per device applied as a credit on their phone bill. Jasehttps://jase.com/Promo Code WolfProof Wallethttps://carryproof.com/Promo Code- CammoComedyDTS Maphttps://dtsmap.com/

This episode of Transition Drill Podcast explores the long road from uncertainty to elite service for veterans and first responders navigating identity, leadership, and life after high-stakes careers.Retired Navy SEAL Chief David Swarts shares the realities of becoming a SEAL, the cost of leadership during wartime deployments, and what it takes to rebuild purpose after the job changes you.David Swarts grew up outside Cleveland, Ohio, in a working class household shaped by divorce, independence, and a lot of self-direction. College wasn't on his radar. Cars, restaurant work, and construction jobs were. But the environment around him began pulling people toward drugs and trouble, and he knew he needed a way out.That decision led him into the Navy in 1999, where he initially served as an aircraft mechanic attached to a carrier air wing. While working in naval aviation and deploying at sea, the desire to become a SEAL never left him. After completing his initial service commitment, he earned the opportunity to attend BUD/S and entered training during the height of the post-9/11 operational tempo.Swarts describes the intensity of that pipeline, including surviving Hell Week, setbacks in second phase, and the long road through advanced training. After graduating and completing the Special Forces (18 Delta) medic course, he reported to SEAL Team 10 during the most active years of the war in Iraq. He also served with Teams 2 and 5.From combat deployments in places like Fallujah and Afghanistan, to leadership roles within platoons, and an assignment to TRADET, Swarts experienced the relentless cycle of training, deployment, and responsibility that defines life in the teams. He reflects on mentorship, the culture of young SEAL platoons, and how leadership evolves from being one of the guys to becoming responsible for the team.The conversation also explores moments that reshaped his perspective. Becoming a father while deploying. Navigating the pressure of leadership as an LPO. And dealing with accusations of war crimes, twice, and investigations that followed combat operations overseas.Through it all, Swarts offers a candid look at growth inside the SEAL teams, the mistakes that shape him, as well as leaders, and the realities that come with dedicating your life to service.CONNECT WITH THE PODCAST:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulpantani/WEBSITE: https://www.transitiondrillpodcast.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulpantani/SIGN-UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER:https://transitiondrillpodcast.com/home#aboutQUESTIONS OR COMMENTS:paul@transitiondrillpodcast.comSPONSORS:GRND CollectiveGet 15% off your purchaseLink: https://thegrndcollective.com/Promo Code: TRANSITION15Blue Line RoastingGet 10% off your purchaseLink: https://bluelineroasting.comPromocode: Transition10Frontline OpticsGet 10% off your purchaseLink: https://frontlineoptics.comPromocode: Transition10

Chris Cuomo brings together key moments from this week's Cuomo Mornings on SiriusXM, featuring conversations with former National Security Adviser John Bolton and Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY), along with calls from listeners reacting to America's growing conflict with Iran.Bolton lays out why he believes regime change in Tehran is the only viable path to eliminating Iran's nuclear threat and explains where he thinks the Trump administration's political strategy has fallen short. Cuomo presses him on the risks of a power vacuum, the role of Kurdish groups inside Iran, and whether the U.S. has prepared for what comes after the regime.Lawler defends the administration's decision to strike Iran, arguing the regime posed an untenable threat and that the president acted within his authority. Cuomo challenges him on congressional oversight, the risk of another long war in the Middle East, and what lawmakers were actually told in classified briefings.Callers also weigh in on the war, from veterans concerned about another Iraq-style conflict to listeners debating whether regime change is the right goal and what the real strategy should be moving forward. Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos now, by going to https://Ethos.com/CUOMO Go to https://quince.com/cuomo for free shipping and 365-day returns on quality essentials, now available in Canada.Save more than 50% on term life insurance at https://selectquote.com/chrisc.#news #politics #iran #trump #cuomo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today, we look at the extent to which the lessons learned from the Iraq war has shaped the UK's response to the war in Iran.Keir Starmer has taken a position somewhere between full support of Donald Trump's actions, and direct criticism of them.In a post on Truth Social, the US president criticised the UK for being less than 100% supportive, saying ‘we will remember' and "We don't need people that join Wars after we've already won!"On Friday, former Labour Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair told a private event that the UK should have backed the strikes from the beginning.But is Keir Starmer's decision making being guided by some of the failures of the 2003 Iraq war, which Blair led the UK into?You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers.You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscordGet in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXdNewscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenters were Laura Kuenssberg and Paddy O'Connell. It was made by Chris Flynn with Chloe Scannapieco. The social producer was Joe Wilkinson. The technical producer was Phil Bull. The weekend series producer is Chris Flynn. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Who were Jesus' favorite Old Testament heroes? If you guessed Moses, you'd be right—Jesus mentioned him 25 times. But number two might surprise you. Abraham, referenced 17 times, appears in Jesus' teaching nearly as often. Why did Jesus love talking about this man? Because Abraham shows us a relationship with God that doesn't start with our searching for Him, but with His grace finding us. Three thousand years before Jesus walked the earth, God spoke to a 75-year-old idol worshiper living in present-day Iraq and gave one command: “Go.” Abraham didn't know where he was going, why he was going, or what would happen when he got there. But he knew who was telling him to go, and that was enough. Every time you trust God's word and obey His will, you discover what Abraham learned—that when you walk with God, He shows you things you could never see standing still. Learn the three steps that take you from where you are to where God wants you to be.

If you listened to our full episode on the Gary Farris murder earlier this week, you got the whole story. The life, the marriage, the murder, the trial, the verdict. But this episode isn't a recap. This is The Redacted Report, and we're going deep into the lesser-known, verified details that most people never heard about.We break down how a three-hundred-pound man was reduced to just thirty-three pounds of remains on that burn pile, and what that destruction meant for the forensic team trying to build a murder case. We dig into the crime scene details that flew under the radar, including the smell of citronella and tire marks found near the smoldering pile, the nine separate DNA swab points collected from a Kubota tractor, and the fact that despite blood being found throughout the house, not a single drop was recovered at the burn pile itself.We cover the revolver a former daughter-in-law said Melody once showed her inside a basement credenza drawer, and the stunning moment mid-trial when a cousin called the sheriff's office to report a thirty-eight Special missing from her home after watching testimony on Court TV.We get into Scott Farris blaming his mother within thirteen minutes of law enforcement arriving, his six separate 911 calls on Melody in the year between the murder and the arrest, and the paramedic who recalled Scott telling her he knew what a burned body looked like from his service in Iraq. We explore the secret beach trip Gary was planning without Melody's knowledge, Gary's own legal assistant testifying that the couple's marriage was visibly crumbling from the outside, and the revelation that Rusty Barton was dating another woman in Tennessee while carrying on his affair with Melody. We also cover the gunshot-decibel test investigators conducted by firing a thirty-eight caliber pistol at a mannequin, a juror's chilling theory that Melody marched Gary to the burn pile at gunpoint, and the fact that Gary Farris didn't receive a proper memorial until seven years after his death.Every detail in this episode is sourced from trial testimony, court records, and verified press reporting. No fiction. No speculation. Just the facts they left out of the headlines.If you're drawn to real criminal investigations, cold cases, and the details that don't always make it into the official report, make sure you're following The Guilty Files wherever you listen.Turn on automatic downloads so you never miss an episode — because each case unfolds in two parts, and the truth is rarely found in just one.If you value careful analysis, real law enforcement insight, and true crime without the sensationalism, consider leaving a five-star rating and written review.It helps more than you know and allows us to keep bringing these case files to light.Until next time —The facts matter.The details matter.And the truth is often redacted.

More than a week after the killing of Ayatollah Khamenei, Iran's clerics choose a new supreme leader. Tehran is covered in black smoke, as US-Israeli strikes continue. More attacks in the Gulf and Lebanon. Kurdish forces in Iraq prepare to cross border to fight the Iranian regime. Also: Figures for small boat crossings down so far this year, and pitch invasion at Celtic-Rangers match in Glasgow.

Send a textWelcome everyone, to the conclusion of my interview with Professor and El Paso County Sheriff's Department Investigator Jennifer Bucholtz. Jennifer Bucholtz is a former U.S. Army Counterintelligence Agent, and a decorated veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. She holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Northern Arizona University, a master's degree in criminal justice from the City University of New York's John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and a master's degree in forensic science from National University. Ms. Bucholtz has an extensive background in U.S. military and Department of Defense counterintelligence operations. Ms. Bucholtz is currently an adjunct faculty member at AMU and teaches courses in criminal justice and forensic sciences. Additionally, she is a cold case investigator for her local sheriff's office, host of AMU's investigative podcast “Break The Case,” and founder of the 501(c)3 nonprofit, Break The Case. Please enjoy this eye-opening and fascinating interview with someone who has done so many incredible things and continues to serve her community.  In today's episode, we discuss:·      Meeting Lt. Joe Kenda. ·      Why is she so interested in cold cases?·      The Steven Avery case.·      The Rebecca Gould murder. Was her killer a serial killer? All the missteps of the original detectives and how she overcame those errors. ·      Why does she still communicate with her murderer?·      Her company, Break The Case.org.·      The Debbie Sue Williamson case.·      What is her criteria for taking a case?·      Forensic and investigative science has never been better. Why are clearances not keeping up with the science? ·      What's in the future of cold cases? DNA keeps getting better, and perhaps using AI as a tool, not a replacement for humans. All of this and more on today's episode of the Cops and Writers podcast.Visit Break the Case!Visit the Cops & Writers Website!Check out my newest book! Police Stories: The Rookie Years - True Crime, Chaos & Life as a Big City Cop!My first week as a rookie cop, I had to decide whether to pull the trigger on a man running at me with a butcher knife. He'd just killed his brother over the last hot dog.That was my introduction to policing in Milwaukee.From Wall Street Journal-featured author Patrick O'Donnell comes a memoir of rookie years on Milwaukee's streets.Support the show

The Iranian president, Masoud Pezeshkian, has said Iran will stop striking its neighbours as long as no attacks originate from them; he's apologised for Tehran's attacks on those countries in the past week. President Trump has referred to that apology in a post on social media, saying "this promise was only made because of the relentless U.S. and Israeli attack". He added that today Tehran "will be hit very hard." Israel is continuing to pound Lebanon, saying it's targetting strongholds of the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah; Ghanaian UN peacekeepers have been wounded in a missile attack. Also, we hear from northern Iraq, where Kurdish Iranian opposition groups have been coming under attack. And we talk to an international journalist based in the Iranian capital Tehran. The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

Ralph welcomes sociologist and historian Behrooz Ghamari-Tabrizi to discuss the United States' war of aggression on Iran.Behrooz Ghamari-Tabrizi is an Iranian-born American historian and sociologist. He is a Research Fellow at the Center for Place, Culture, and Politics at the CUNY Graduate Center. He was the Chair of the Department of Near Eastern Studies and Director of the Sharmin and Bijan Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Iran and Persian Gulf Studies at Princeton University. He is the author of four books on different aspects and historical context of the Iranian revolution of 1979 and its aftermath.The only countries that I see that are in constant violation of international law is the United States and Israel. And frankly, I am speechless, although I'm speaking, but I am speechless—in what universe can this war be justified as self-defense? You listened to Secretary Rubio's speech in Munich where he laments 400 years of colonial rule being lost to this international law and laws of fighting wars because they want to go back to the way things were in the 18th and 19th century. This is a naked expansionist, extortionist administration here, and that's the only reason they have launched this war, and there is absolutely no justification for it.Behrooz Ghamari-TabriziFor years and years, the Israelis have been assassinating Iranian scientists. They were sabotaging Iranian industries. And actually, the Iranian government showed tremendous restraint in responding to these Israeli provocations because they didn't want to create the situation in which we find ourselves today. But then at the end of the day, calling Iran the aggressor here I think is a total ignorance of history and the context in which this war has started.Behrooz Ghamari-TabriziAll these things are not to suggest that the Iranian government in any form or shape is a democratic and just state. But the question here is about the sovereignty of the Iranian state. And the only inheritance of the revolution that has been kept throughout these forty-odd years was the question of sovereignty. Because that was one of the demands of the revolution. The question of social justice was thrown out of the window after the revolution. The question of civil liberties was thrown out of the window after the revolution. The only thing that is left is Iranian sovereignty. And according to every single intelligence study, what Iranians do outside their borders is a defensive posture. Iran does not have an expansionist agenda.Behrooz Ghamari-TabriziNews 3/6/26* Last week, Bill and Hillary Clinton testified before the House Oversight Committee on their respective relationships with financier and sexual predator, Jeffrey Epstein. Hillary Clinton, in a deposition described as contentious, maintained that she had virtually zero connections with Epstein, stating at one point “I am so tired of answering that question,” per PBS. Former President Bill Clinton meanwhile, tried to downplay his relationship with Epstein, describing it as “cordial,” and claiming that he had come to an arrangement with Epstein where the financier provided his private jet for humanitarian trips in exchange for Clinton discussing politics and economics with him. The committee pressed Clinton on this point, noting that Epstein visited the White House numerous times during Clinton's presidency and that there are photos of the two men shaking hands. Clinton told lawmakers he “did not recall those interactions.” These answers leave much to be desired.* Meanwhile, another Epstein associate occupies the Oval Office today – Donald Trump – and on February 26th the Wall Street Journal reported that the Department of Justice, under the stewardship of Attorney General Pam Bondi, has been withholding interviews with a woman who accused President Donald Trump of sexual assault back in the 1980s. As the Journal writes, the suppression of this interview “raises new questions about the Justice Department's handling of the Epstein files release and the pages that have been kept private.” The Journal adds that “Trump officials initially opposed the release of the files and then fumbled their response, including inconsistent redactions that exposed dozens of Epstein victims and initially kept some prominent men's names hidden.” However, on March 5th, POLITICO reported that the FBI has now published a trio of FBI interviews with the woman who accused the president of sexually assaulting her in collusion with Jeffrey Epstein. Trump and his allies categorically deny any wrongdoing on the part of the president, with White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt calling the allegations “completely baseless…backed by zero credible evidence, from a sadly disturbed woman who has an extensive criminal history.” This story also highlights what is sure to be the next flashpoint in this saga: on Wednesday, a House committee voted to subpoena Attorney General Pam Bondi to testify about her handling of the Epstein files.* Turning to media news, last week we covered how Paramount-Skydance, led by the Ellison family and backed by the Trump administration, outmaneuvered Netflix to close a deal acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery – including CNN. Throughout this process, many have raised the alarm that if the Ellisons were to get their hands on CNN, they would turn it over to their ideological attack dog, Bari Weiss, as they did with CBS News. Variety is now echoing those concerns, reporting that “It's expected that Weiss will have a big role in steering CNN.” Just what exactly this role will be remains to be seen, but given her tenure as editor-in-chief of CBS News, there is much cause for concern.* In related news, Variety reports Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav has filed to sell 4,004,149 shares – over $114 million worth of stock – in the company following the announcement of the sale to Paramount, including Paramount's eye-popping offer of $31 per share. Zaslav retains additional stock and options which he could cash out as the deal moves forward. Curiously, even as the Trump administration backed the Paramount buyout over the Netflix deal, the president himself continues to bank on the fiscal stability of the streaming giant, with the Hollywood Reporter documenting that Trump bought between $600,000 and $1.25 million worth of Netflix debt in January, adding to the $500,000 to $1 million in Netflix bonds that he purchased in December. This story notes that while the Netflix-Warner deal fell through, Netflix walked away with a $2.8 billion “break-up fee,” and an investment grade credit rating, unlike both WBD and Paramount.* Looking at domestic politics, this week primaries were held in Texas and North Carolina which yielded the nomination of James Talarico in Texas, beating out Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett for the Democratic nod, and the razor thin victory of incumbent Valerie Foushee over her progressive challenger Nida Allam in the Durham-Chapel Hill region. But many more primary battles lay ahead, perhaps the most interesting of which is unfolding in Maine, where the Bernie Sanders-backed veteran-turned-oysterman Graham Platner is duking it out with Chuck Schumer's preferred candidate, outgoing Governor Janet Mills. Platner, despite damaging stories, has continued to draw massive crowds and enjoys a huge polling advantage. Last week, Platner's allies, led by United Autoworkers President Shawn Fain, staged a sort of intervention with Schumer, with Fain lambasting the “shortcomings” in Democratic leaders' approach to the 2026 midterms, “particularly their failure to adequately listen to working-class voters.” Michael Monahan, a high-level official in the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, also sent a letter to the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee strongly urging the DSCC to “refrain from intervening further in [the Maine] primary.” A mid-February independent poll found Platner with a 38-point lead over Mills among likely Democratic primary voters, yet the party continues to back Mills to the hilt. This from NBC.* Our remaining stories this week concern foreign affairs. First, in South Africa, it seems the forces of the Left are looking to pool their support by entering into a political alliance. According to TimesLIVE, a prominent South African online newspaper, the country's largest standalone Left party, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has convened with the South African Communist Party (SACP) to discuss such an electoral pact. The SACP has long participated in a tripartite alliance with the African National Congress party (ANC), which has ruled South Africa since the end of Apartheid, but recently announced they would contest elections independently. The EFF and SACP emphasized that their priorities align on the “deep crises confronting South Africa: de-industrialisation, austerity-driven fiscal consolidation, collapsing energy security, mass unemployment, and extreme poverty.”* In another major political realignment, the Green Party of England and Wales is surging as the Labour Party, under the centrist leadership of Prime Minister Keir Starmer, continues to lose ground to the Nigel Farage-led far right party, Reform UK. The rise of the Green Party has been bubbling for some time, as progressive voters feel betrayed by Labour and the momentum behind Jeremy Corbyn's “Your Party” has fizzled, but the first major test occurred recently in the Labour stronghold riding of Groton and Denton in Greater Manchester. According to the BBC, this marks the first ever win for the Greens in a by-election, with 34-year-old plumber Hannah Spencer becoming the party's first ever MP in northern England. Reform ran second, with Labour dropping by 25% into third place. Moreover, Zeteo reports the Greens have leapfrogged ahead of Labour in national polling, second only to Reform and has become the single most popular party among voters under 50. For the past five months, the Greens have been led by self-described “eco-populist” Zack Polanski, and have espoused policies including giving councils the power to control rents, extending free school meals to all children, and imposing a new ‘wealth tax' on assets above £10m.* In Congress, Representative Ro Khanna has introduced the West Bank Human Rights Resolution to Condemn Israeli Settlement Expansion. This resolution is described as utilizing far more specific language to condemn “Israeli settler violence and referencing potential sanctions tools while also calling for a review of US policies that may indirectly subsidise settlement activity,” per the Middle East Eye. In part, this resolution is a response to the Israeli government's February 8th approval of “sweeping changes to land registration and civil control in Areas A and B of the West Bank, which Palestinians say breach the Oslo Accords and advance de facto annexation.” This resolution was drafted in conjunction with Cameron Kasky, the survivor of the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting who has become a leading activist on rights for Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. In a statement upon the introduction of this resolution, Kasky wrote “this is a necessary measure for Democrats and Republicans to unite behind the upholding of international law. Democrats and Republicans can agree that U.S. taxpayer money being used to subsidize the violation of international law is an outrage.”* Our final two stories concern the U.S. attacks on Iran. First, a bizarre sequence of conflicting claims between the U.S. and Spain have left many observers puzzled. First, on March 3rd, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez addressed the Iberian nation, saying “Very often great wars start with a chain of events spiralling out of control due to miscalculations, technical failures, and unforeseen circumstances. Therefore, we must learn from history and cannot play Russian roulette with the fate of millions.” Sánchez warned of “repeating the mistakes of the past,” and drew a comparison with the invasion of Iraq, concluding his government's position is “No to war,” per CNBC. More pointedly, the Spanish government prevented two jointly operated bases in its territory from being used in the strikes on Iran. Trump responded on the 4th by vowing to cut off all trade with Madrid, saying “Spain has been terrible…We don't want anything to do with Spain.” Then, on March 5th, Karoline Leavitt told the press that “With respect to Spain, I think they heard the president's message yesterday loud and clear, and it's my understanding, over the past several hours, they've agreed to cooperate with the U.S. military.” Yet, the Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares immediately responded that “The Spanish government's position on the war in the Middle East ... and the use of our bases has not changed at all.” This also from CNBC. Trump's threat to cut off trade with Spain would be difficult to follow through on, given that the 27 nations in the European Union negotiate trade agreements collectively,* Finally, far from assuaging concerns about the attacks on Iran leading to blowback, the Hill reports that, when asked during a phone call with Time magazine about whether Americans should be worried about a potential strike on the homeland, Trump replied, “I guess.” Trump went on to say “We think about it all the time. We plan for it. But yeah…we expect some things…some people will die. When you go to war, some people will die.” Stunningly, despite Trump openly declaring that we are at war with Iran sans congressional authorization and even casually admitting Americans could be killed on home soil, the feckless Congress has voted down War Powers resolutions in the House and Senate. In the upper house, the bill introduced by Democratic Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia, failed 47-53, with Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky crossing party lines to support it while Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania crossed party lines to vote nay, per the AP. A similar measure in the House, introduced by Reps. Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie – the duo behind the Epstein Files Transparency Act and other war powers resolutions including on Venezuela – failed by a vote of 212-219. In addition to Massie, Republican Rep. Warren Davison of Ohio voted in favor of the resolution, while four House Democrats voted nay, per Axios. Again the question is presented to us, if this won't shock Congress to action, what will?This has been Francesco DeSantis, with In Case You Haven't Heard. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

Scott interviews Matthew Hoh about an article he just wrote debunking the old lie, that is being pushed once again, that the Iranian government helped kill hundreds of American soldiers by supplying critical parts for armor-piercing roadside IEDs. He and Scott also discuss how insane Trump's decision to attack Iran is. Discussed on the show: “They Are Still Lying About Iraq” (Antiwar.com) The Occupation: War and Resistance in Iraq by Patrick Cockburn “Iraq War II, Part 10: Soda Straws and EFPs” (Substack) Matthew Hoh is associate director at the Eisenhower Media Network and formerly worked for the U.S. State Department. Hoh received the Ridenhour Prize Recipient for Truth Telling in 2010. Subscribe to his Substack and follow him on Twitter @MatthewPHoh Audio cleaned up with the Podsworth app: https://podsworth.com Use code HORTON50 for 50% off your first order at Podsworth.com to clean up your voice recordings, sound like a pro, and also support the Scott Horton Show! For more on Scott's work: Check out The Libertarian Institute: https://www.libertarianinstitute.org Check out Scott's other show, Provoked, with Darryl Cooper https://youtube.com/@Provoked_Show Read Scott's books: Provoked: How Washington Started the New Cold War with Russia and the Catastrophe in Ukraine https://amzn.to/47jMtg7 (The audiobook of Provoked is being published in sections at https://scotthortonshow.com) Enough Already: Time to End the War on Terrorism: https://amzn.to/3tgMCdw Fool's Errand: Time to End the War in Afghanistan https://amzn.to/3HRufs0 Follow Scott on X @scotthortonshow And check out Scott's full interview archives: https://scotthorton.org/all-interviews This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: Roberts and Roberts Brokerage Incorporated https://rrbi.co Moon Does Artisan Coffee https://scotthorton.org/coffee; Tom Woods' Liberty Classroom https://www.libertyclassroom.com/dap/a/?a=1616 and Dissident Media https://dissidentmedia.com You can also support Scott's work by making a one-time or recurring donation at https://scotthorton.org/donate/https://scotthortonshow.com or https://patreon.com/scotthortonshow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The U.S. has hit hundreds of targets in Iran since the launch of Operation Epic Fury on Feb. 28, and President Donald Trump says the U.S. will not accept anything less than “unconditional surrender” from Iran. While recent polling shows significant support for the operation, some Americans fear another “forever war” in the Middle East.   Fear over an extended conflict with Iran and its proxies, such as Hezbollah, is driven, at least in part, by the words “regime change,” Natalie Ecanow, a senior research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, explains.   “Obviously, we would like to see regime change as an outcome of the current American and Israeli operation in Iran. As far as I know, and as far as I understand, that is not a stated objective of our campaign,” Ecanow says.   U.S. actions in Iran, according to the White House, remain focused on eliminating the nuclear and missile threat Iran poses to the U.S. and its allies, a mission that reasonably falls in line with Trump's “America First” agenda.   “We can throw the door open to regime change. We can support regime change, but we're not going in and doing the regime change ourselves,” Ecanow says on the “Problematic Women” podcast. “I think that's a very important distinction to be made when it comes to that argument … about dragging us into another ‘forever war,' doing another Iraq, etc. It's really important to understand that the objectives of Operation Epic Fury are mostly military. They don't really have to do with changing domestic politics in Iran.”   Ecanow joins the show to discuss the nuclear threat Iran has posed to the United States and breaks down the reasons why she believes the operation is in line with the “America First” agenda.   Also on today's show, we discuss the feminist movement's response, or lack of response, to the Iranian regime, which, as the European Union reports, has been responsible for the deaths of more women than any other nation in the world. Trump Says Iran Must 'Unconditionally Surrender' to US President Donald Trump says the only deal he will accept with Iran is “unconditionally surrender” to the United States.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As America and Israel's conflict with Iran spills out into the region and beyond, Christiane gets perspective from around the world with a range of guests. U.S. Democratic Senator, Chris Murphy, who sits on the foreign relations committee is up first with a furious response to the roll out of this war and the lack of clear objectives. Then from inside Iran, Christiane hears from human rights activist Mehdi Mahmoudian, who co-write the Oscar-nominated drama 'It Was Just an Accident' and was until recently, a political prisoner of the regime. And with the Gulf region under fire, Christiane speaks to Saudi Arabia's Prince Turki al-Faisal, the country's former director of intelligence. Plus with America's allies increasingly walking a tightrope, Christiane hears from Britain's former spymaster, John Sawers, after President Trump criticised Prime Minister Starmer's initial response. And, with many Americans hearing echoes of Iraq, a lookback at Christiane's reporting from Baghdad just after the fall of Saddam Hussein. Air date: March 7, 2026   Guests:  Senator Chris Murphy Former Saudi Intelligence Chief, Prince Turki al-Faisal  Former MI6 Chief, John Sawers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Stijn Schmitz welcomes Martin Armstrong to the show. Martin Armstrong is CEO & Chairman of Armstrong Economics Ltd. In this wide-ranging interview, Armstrong provides deep insights into global geopolitical and economic dynamics, focusing on current international tensions, monetary systems, and future economic trends. Armstrong argues that the current geopolitical landscape is far more complex than many analysts understand, particularly regarding conflicts in the Middle East and potential global tensions. He emphasizes that the neoconservative movement has significantly influenced US foreign policy, often without fully comprehending the long-term consequences of their actions. He specifically critiques interventions in Iraq, Iran, and other regions, suggesting that these actions frequently create more instability than they resolve. Regarding the global monetary system, Armstrong believes significant changes are coming. He suggests that gold is increasingly being viewed as a neutral asset by countries like China, who are accumulating it as a hedge against potential conflicts. While he doesn’t anticipate a traditional gold standard, he sees gold playing a crucial role in international trade settlements, potentially rising to $10,000 by 2032. Armstrong is particularly critical of current government debt strategies, predicting a potential sovereign debt crisis. He argues that governments historically default through various mechanisms, including war, currency devaluation, or simply refusing to honor previous debt. The United States’ reserve currency status, he explains, stems not just from government policy but from its robust consumer economy and deep financial markets. Looking forward, Armstrong sees continued geopolitical uncertainty, rising oil prices, and potential conflicts, particularly involving Russia and China. He warns that sanctions and current diplomatic strategies are counterproductive and that true global peace requires economic integration rather than isolation. Timestamps: 00:00:00 – Introduction 00:01:05 – Decade-Long Economic Trends 00:02:29 – Neocon Endless Wars 00:03:42 – Sovereign Debt Crisis 00:04:17 – Gold’s Rise Factors 00:04:53 – Forecasting Model History 00:08:51 – Pre-War Capital Flows 00:09:57 – Middle East Religious Risks 00:21:00 – Short-Term Oil Outlook 00:22:57 – Gold’s Geopolitical Role 00:30:46 – US Dollar Future 00:37:28 – Sovereign Default Mechanics 00:44:25 – Concluding Thoughts Guest Links: Website: https://armstrongeconomics.com X: https://x.com/strongeconomics Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/martin.armstrong.167 Amazon Book: https://tinyurl.com/ybtrslr9 Martin Armstrong is the Owner and Researcher for the website Armstrong Economics. He is the former chairman of Princeton Economics International Ltd. He is best known for his economic predictions based on the Economic Confidence Model, which he developed. At age 13, Armstrong began working at a coin and stamp dealership in Pennsauken, New Jersey. After buying a bag of rare Canadian pennies, he became a millionaire in 1965 at the age of 15. He continued to work on weekends through high school, finding the real-world exciting, for this was the beginning of the collapse of the gold standard. Martin became captivated by this shocking revelation that there were not just booms and busts, but also peaks and valleys that would last centuries. Armstrong progressed from gold coin investments to following commodity prices for precious metals. In 1973, he began publishing commodity market predictions as a hobby, and in 1983 Armstrong began accepting paid subscriptions for a forecast newsletter. “In Armstrong’s view of the world where boom-bust cycles occur like clockwork every 8.6 years, what matters is his record as a forecaster. He called Russia’s financial collapse in 1998, using a model that also pointed to a peak just before the Japanese stock market crashed in 1989. These days, as the European sovereign-debt crisis roils markets worldwide, he reminds readers of his October 1997 prediction that the creation of the euro “will merely transform currency speculation into bond speculation,” leading to the system’s eventual collapse.” His Website Armstrong Economics offers a unique perspective intended to educate the public and organizations on the global economic and political environment’s underlying trends. Their mission is to research historical cyclical trends.

Once again, a crisis in the Middle East has the U.S. appealing for military help from the stateless Kurds, this time as boots-on-the-ground proxies in Iran. Affecting any desire to contribute is the memory of letdowns after vital roles played in Iraq and Syria. Also in today's stories: why Kristi Noem lost President Trump's trust; how war in Iran adds to existing strains on U.S. employment; and contributor Murr Brewster shares her enduring love of libraries. Join the Monitor's Stephanie Hanes for today's news.

 Download Audio. Scott interviews Matthew Hoh about an article he just wrote debunking the old lie, that is being pushed once again, that the Iranian government helped kill hundreds of American soldiers by supplying critical parts for armor-piercing roadside IEDs. He and Scott also discuss how insane Trump's decision to attack Iran is. Discussed on the show: “They Are Still Lying About Iraq” (Antiwar.com) The Occupation: War and Resistance in Iraq by Patrick Cockburn “Iraq War II, Part 10: Soda Straws and EFPs” (Substack) Matthew Hoh is associate director at the Eisenhower Media Network and formerly worked for the U.S. State Department. Hoh received the Ridenhour Prize Recipient for Truth Telling in 2010. Subscribe to his Substack and follow him on Twitter @MatthewPHoh Audio cleaned up with the Podsworth app: https://podsworth.com Use code HORTON50 for 50% off your first order at Podsworth.com to clean up your voice recordings, sound like a pro, and also support the Scott Horton Show! For more on Scott’s work: Check out The Libertarian Institute: https://www.libertarianinstitute.org Check out Scott’s other show, Provoked, with Darryl Cooper https://youtube.com/@Provoked_Show Read Scott’s books: Provoked: How Washington Started the New Cold War with Russia and the Catastrophe in Ukraine https://amzn.to/47jMtg7 (The audiobook of Provoked is being published in sections at https://scotthortonshow.com) Enough Already: Time to End the War on Terrorism: https://amzn.to/3tgMCdw Fool's Errand: Time to End the War in Afghanistan https://amzn.to/3HRufs0 Follow Scott on X @scotthortonshow And check out Scott's full interview archives: https://scotthorton.org/all-interviews This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: Roberts and Roberts Brokerage Incorporated https://rrbi.co Moon Does Artisan Coffee https://scotthorton.org/coffee; Tom Woods' Liberty Classroom https://www.libertyclassroom.com/dap/a/?a=1616 and Dissident Media https://dissidentmedia.com You can also support Scott's work by making a one-time or recurring donation at https://scotthorton.org/donate/https://scotthortonshow.com or https://patreon.com/scotthortonshow

SummaryClayton Cuteri traces the full chain of events that led to the current U.S. war with Iran, starting with Britain's control of Iranian oil in 1901 through Operation Ajax in 1953, the hostage crisis, the Iran-Iraq war, Clinton-era sanctions, and the JCPOA nuclear deal that was working until Trump withdrew in 2018. Clayton lays out exactly how this single decision triggered Iran's nuclear escalation, Israel's Operation Rising Lion, the assassination of Ayatollah Khamenei, and a war that has killed over 1,300 Iranians and 165 schoolgirls in a precision airstrike. Clayton exposes the real motivations behind the war: the petrodollar system and Iran's financial independence from the IMF and Western banking. He reveals the pattern connecting Iraq, Libya, Venezuela, and now Iran as countries targeted after abandoning the U.S. dollar for oil trade. The episode closes with a powerful spiritual framework connecting Israel's past-based thinking, Trump's future-based fear, and the only real solution: present-moment consciousness.BONUS: Clayton discusses some Indigo Education knowledge.Clayton's NewsletterJoin HereClayton's Social Media LinkTree | Instagram | X (Twitter) | YouTube | Rumble | FaceBookTimecodes 00:00 - Intro 01:53 - How Britain Stole Iran's Oil06:00 - The Original Sin: Operation Ajax11:00 - The Hostage Crisis and Reagan18:00 - The JCPOA Deal That Was Working24:00 - Operation Rising Lion and the War30:00 - 165 Schoolgirls Killed in a Precision Strike37:00 - The Petrodollar Pattern They Hide43:00 - Iran vs. the IMF and World Bank53:00 - The Spiritual Framework: Past, Future & PresentIntro/Outro Music Producer: Don Kin Instagram | Spotify Super grateful for this guy ^Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/traveling-to-consciousness-with-clayton-cuteri--6765271/support.Listen to the Podcast AD-FREE HERE for $4.95/monSign Up for my Newsletter HEREALL Indigo Education Podcasts HEREMy Book: The Secret Teachings of Jesus HEREOfficial Traveling to Consciousness Website HERE

It's been a busy first year for the US Defense Secretary. From signal chat controversies to Operation Epic Fury, Pete Hegseth has been making headlines. Born in Minneapolis in 1980, Hegseth had what could be described as an ‘All-American' upbringing. A basketball player at school he continued playing during his University career at Princeton where he majored in Politics. He also enrolled in the ROTC (reserve officers' training corps) which turned out to be a career defining decision. After stints in Iraq and Afghanistan, Hegseth returned home and began his career on the political side lines - heading up two veterans charities. But his campaigning job dried up after a whistle blower report alleged he was drunk and abusive at work. Next he moved to Fox News where he caught the eye of President Trump, a notorious consumer of the right wing network. This was the beginning of Hegseth's meteoric rise to power.His confirmation for Defense Secretary hearing saw him answer questions about sexual assault allegations and claims he didn't have enough experience for the job. But Hegseth successfully defended himself and was soon installed at the Pentagon. Mark Coles explores how he got there. Production Team: Presenter: Mark Coles Producers: Annabel Deas and Katie Solleveld Production Coordinators: Maria Ogundele and Gemma Ashman Sound: Neil Churchill Editor: Justine LangArchive: BBC Fox US Army Christ Church

In Part 3 of Episode 281 of the Mike Drop Podcast, I sit down with Mark Grdovic to talk about what happened after the Iraq invasion—getting pulled out of theater sooner than expected, taking those lessons back to train the next generation of Special Forces, and landing in one of the most unique jobs in the military: running the President's Emergency Operations Center at the White House. We also get into leadership behind the scenes during Hurricane Katrina, the realities of retirement after decades in uniform, and Mark's perspective on service, war, and what you really take with you when it's all over. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As Iran's retaliation hit American allies throughout the Middle East this week, David Remnick was joined by two New Yorker writers with decades of experience reporting from the region. Robin Wright has reported from Iran extensively, and she met with Ali Khamenei before he became the Supreme Leader of Iran; Dexter Filkins covered the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and he has been reporting on the Pentagon and military readiness. Filkins and Wright discuss the possibilities for future leadership in Iran; the Administration's chaotic statements in regard to its goals and time frame; and the economic impact of the war, which is already being felt around the globe.    Further reading: “What Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Meant to Iran, and What Comes Next,” by Robin Wright "How Marco Rubio Went from “Little Marco” to Trump's Foreign-Policy Enabler,” by Dexter Filkins “The Forever War,” by Dexter Filkins   New episodes of The New Yorker Radio Hour drop every Tuesday and Friday. Join host David Remnick as he discusses the latest in politics, news, and current events in conversation with political leaders, newsmakers, innovators, New Yorker staff writers, authors, actors, and musicians.

FULL STREAM### March 3: European Instability and Widening Conflict (5)1638 PERSIAHeadline: Europe Faces Energy Panic as Middle East War Intensifies(6)Summary: On the second day of the conflict, the focus shifts to Europe's lack of readiness for the resulting 50% spike in natural gas prices and rising inflation. Judy Dempsey highlights the "discombobulated" leadership within the EU and NATO as they struggle to coordinate a response. While French President Macron proposes a shared nuclear umbrella, German Chancellor Scholz meets with President Trump to seek clarity on war aims. Domestically, US polls indicate a lack of public support for the war, with only 27% of voters favoring the intervention. The Afghanistan-Pakistanconflict remains intense as Pakistan targets abandoned US equipment and militant camps. In Iraq, Iranian-backed militias have launched at least 16 drone attacks against US bases, though Baghdad remains relatively quiet as Iran attempts to maintain its political hooks in the Iraqi government. (7)Guest(s): Judy Dempsey (Carnegie Endowment for International Peace), Bill Roggio (Foundation for the Defense of Democracies). (8)

In this episode of Straight White American Jesus, Brad Onishi and Dan Miller break down the Trump administration's military action against Iran and the political and religious rhetoric surrounding the conflict. They examine the contradictions in Republican messaging, with some officials describing the action as a war while others insist it is not. Brad and Dan also discuss the lack of a clear public justification similar to what preceded previous conflicts like Iraq and Afghanistan, the internal divisions within the MAGA coalition over foreign intervention, and the growing criticism coming from prominent conservative voices. The conversation also explores how Christian nationalist rhetoric is being used to frame the conflict, with several political and religious leaders describing the situation in explicitly religious terms or invoking biblical responsibility toward Israel. Brad and Dan contrast these narratives with dissenting voices within conservative and Catholic circles who oppose military escalation. The episode also turns to the Texas primary results, including James Talarico winning the Democratic Senate nomination, record Democratic turnout, and the high profile Republican runoff between John Cornyn and Ken Paxton. Together, these developments highlight ongoing fractures within the Republican coalition and shifting political dynamics heading into the next election cycle. Subscribe for $3.65: ⁠https://axismundi.supercast.com/⁠ Subscribe to our free newsletter: ⁠https://swaj.substack.com/⁠ Order American Caesar by Brad Onishi: ⁠https://static.macmillan.com/static/essentials/american-caesar-9781250427922/⁠ Donate to SWAJ: https://axismundi.supercast.com/donations/new Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At 1:15 in the morning on February 28, more than 200 Israeli Air Force jets took off from bases across the region, bound for Iran. They were soon joined by American B-2 and B-1 bombers and the full weight of U.S. air and naval power in the Middle East. Not long after in Tehran, the Iranian supreme leader was dead, along with dozens of the seniormost figures in his government. Operations Epic Fury and Roaring Lion had begun. Five days later, the Iranian missile arsenal is measurably degraded, the regime is in a succession crisis, Hizballah has entered the war from Lebanon, Kurdish forces have crossed the border from Iraq, a U.S. submarine has sunk an Iranian frigate in the Indian Ocean, and the Strait of Hormuz has effectively been closed to tanker traffic. The Middle East is in a different place than it was a week ago. On March 4, Mosaic's editor Jonathan Silver convened two trusted experts to discuss the context and strategic underpinning of these events: the theory of the campaign, what comes next inside Iran, and what this moment means for American power and the American right. Those experts were Michael Doran, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, and the former CIA director and secretary of state Mike Pompeo. The conversation, broadcast live over Zoom for members of the Tikvah community, is this week's podcast. This week's episode of the Tikvah Podcast is generously sponsored by Julie Goldberg-Botvin in honor of the IDF and all the brave soldiers who are defending our country and the Jewish people all over the world. If you are interested in sponsoring an episode of the Tikvah Podcast, we invite you to join the Tikvah Ideas Circle. Visit tikvah.org/circle to learn more and join.  

So if you turn on Fox News or any of the other Neo Con run mainstream media you'll see the usual cavalcade of voices who led us into war in Iraq and Afghanistan for 20 years. Giving views a one sided view of what's actually happening in the war in Iran. For instance here's warmonger Condoleezza Rice explaining that Iran started this war, we're just finishing it. 

Trump Demands Total Surrender From Iran As US Prepares To Launch Ground Invasion From Iraq! Oil Prices Skyrocket 11% As Analysts Warn It Could DOUBLE In Weeks!  Plus, DOJ Releases New Epstein Docs Alleging Trump's Sexual Assault Of A Minor

The US and Israel are bombing schools and hospitals in Iran. This is not an accident. War Secretary Pete Hegseth admitted they want to unleash as much "death and destruction" as possible. Their goal is total collapse of Iran's state and society. Ben Norton explains. VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dAY9J6aAr0 Topics 0:00 (CLIP) US secretary of war on Iran 0:27 Schools & hospitals bombed in Iran 2:14 US-Israeli war violates international law 3:45 Iran was NOT preparing to attack USA 4:30 (CLIP) IAEA chief on nuclear weapons 4:53 Trump admin boasts of "unfair fight" 5:22 (CLIP) "Punching them while they're down" 5:49 Sadistic rhetoric 6:18 (CLIP) "Death and destruction... all day" 6:49 Operation Epic Epstein Fury 7:39 (CLIP) Comparing Iran to Iraq invasion 8:09 Pete Hegseth, extremist "crusader" 9:09 US military promotes "holy war" 9:42 Anti-woke? Pro-war crimes 10:47 (CLIP) Hegseth promotes war crimes 11:40 US torpedoes Iranian ship near India 12:32 The cruelty is the point 13:12 What is goal of USA & Israel? 13:43 Ali Khamenei 14:10 "Decapitation" of Iranian leaders 15:45 USA & Israel want state collapse 16:57 Israeli admits: it seeks chaos 19:48 Imperialist war of extermination 20:47 Outro

Pastors' Point of View Ep. 398 with Dr. Andy Woods“Prophecy Update”Islam manipulating hate crime laws to criminalize criticism while Babylon rises again. Iraq's Al-Fah canal project transforms ancient Babylon into a maritime trade hub—exactly as Scripture predicted. The stage is set for end-times fulfillment. Are you ready?

The US-Israeli war with Iran is spiraling into a regional catastrophe, and the number of dead is rising quickly. While President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and the war hawks in their cabinets are responsible for this illegal war, they are not the only ones with blood on their hands. TRNN Editor-in-Chief Maximillian Alvarez speaks with Abby Martin, host of The Empire Files, and Adam Johnson, co-host of Citations Needed, about how Western media and American politicians in the Democratic "opposition" have helped manufacture the conditions for war with Iran. Guests:Abby Martin is an independent journalist, filmmaker, and host of The Empire Files. She is the director of the 2019 documentary Gaza Fights for Freedom and the 2026 documentary Earth's Greatest Enemy. Adam Johnson is a writer, media critic, co-host of the podcast Citations Needed, and a columnist for TRNN.  Credits:Post-Production: Cameron GranadinoBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-real-news-podcast--2952221/support.Help us continue producing radically independent news and in-depth analysis by following us and becoming a monthly sustainer.Follow us on:Bluesky: @therealnews.comFacebook: The Real News NetworkTwitter: @TheRealNewsYouTube: @therealnewsInstagram: @therealnewsnetworkBecome a member and join the Supporters Club for The Real News Podcast today!

Stijn Schmitz welcomes Douglas MacGregor to the show. Douglas is a retired U.S. Army Colonel and Decorated Combat Veteran. In this in-depth discussion, MacGregor provides a critical analysis of the current geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, particularly focusing on the conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. MacGregor argues that the current military strategy against Iran is fundamentally flawed, with no clear purpose or achievable end state. He suggests that the United States and Israel are attempting to destabilize Iran, but this approach is unlikely to succeed. The colonel emphasizes that Iran’s primary goal is simply to survive, while the U.S. would need to completely conquer the nation – an impossible task given Iran’s size and resilience. The conversation delves into the broader economic implications of the conflict, particularly its impact on global oil markets and supply chains. MacGregor predicts significant economic disruption, with oil prices potentially exceeding $100 per barrel and widespread increases in commodity prices. He highlights the critical importance of resource sovereignty, emphasizing the need for nations to control their fuel, food, fertilizer, and defense supply chains. A key theme of the discussion is the potential acceleration of de-dollarization and the emergence of a new global financial system. MacGregor suggests that the United States and Israel are essentially “fighting against the future” by resisting these inevitable economic shifts. He points to the growing influence of BRICS nations and the increasing interest in alternative currency systems, potentially backed by gold or a basket of precious metals. MacGregor concludes with a stark warning about the destructive nature of current geopolitical strategies, arguing that these “pointless wars” are counterproductive and potentially catastrophic. He calls for more measured, strategic approaches to international relations and economic development, emphasizing the need for stability, long-term planning, and cooperation between governments and private sectors. Timestamps: 00:00:00 – Introduction 00:00:56 – Middle East Assessment 00:01:32 – Strategic Goals Discussion 00:02:55 – Oil Dependency Impacts 00:04:52 – Global Economic Shutdown 00:07:28 – Logistics and Escalation 00:09:01 – Lack of Planning 00:11:32 – Israel’s Internal Problems 00:13:00 – Oil Markets Analysis 00:16:16 – Conflict Motivations Explored 00:20:05 – Emerging Alliances Support 00:26:27 – Reshoring Supply Chains 00:39:12 – Gold Currency Future 00:42:04 – Concluding Thoughts Guest Links: Website: https://douglasmacgregor.com X: https://x.com/DougAMacgregor YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@douglasmacgregorTV Articles: https://breakingdefense.com/author/doug-macgregor/ Substack: https://substack.com/@coloneldoug Douglas Macgregor is a decorated combat veteran, an author of five books, a PhD, and a defense and foreign policy consultant. Macgregor was commissioned in the Regular Army in 1976 after 1 year at VMI and 4 years at West Point. In 2004, Macgregor retired with the rank of Colonel. In 2020, the President appointed Macgregor to serve as Senior Advisor to the Secretary of Defense, a post he held until President Trump left office. He holds an MA in comparative politics and a PhD in international relations from the University of Virginia. Macgregor is widely known inside the U.S., Europe, Israel, Russia, China and Korea for both his leadership in the Battle of 73 Easting, the U.S. Army's largest tank battle since World War II, and for his ground breaking books on military transformation: Breaking the Phalanx (Praeger, 1997) and Transformation under Fire (Praeger, 2003). Macgregor's recommendations for change in Force Design and “integrated all arms-all effects” operations have profoundly influenced force development in Israel, Russia and China. In 2010, Macgregor traveled to Seoul, Korea to advise the ROK Ministry of Defense on force design. In 2019, Transformation under Fire was selected by Lt. Gen. Aviv Kohavi, Chief of the Israeli Defense Force (IDF), as the intellectual basis for IDF transformation. His fifth book, Margin of Victory: Five Battles that Changed the Face of Modern War from Naval Institute Press is available in Chinese, as well as, English and will soon appear in Hebrew. In 28 years of service Macgregor taught in the Department of Social Sciences at West Point, commanded the 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry, and served as the Director of the Joint Operations Center at SHAPE during the 1999 Kosovo Air Campaign for which he was awarded the Defense Superior Service medal. In January 2002, at Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld's insistence the USCENTCOM Commander listened to Colonel Macgregor's concept for the offensive to seize Baghdad. The plan was largely adopted, but assumed no occupation of Iraq by U.S. Forces. Macgregor has also testified as an expert witness before the Senate and House Armed Services Committees and appeared as a defense analyst on Fox News, CNN, BBC, Sky News and public radio. He is fluent in German.

JP Dinnell answers questions from Reddit.  Get your free training from First In Nutrition: https://www.firstinnutrition.com/jppod More from JP Dinnell: https://www.jpdinnell.com/ Therapeutic Recreation Group: https://www.therapeuticrg.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therapeutic_rec_group/ Echelon Front Leadership Assessment: https://tinyurl.com/y3v22car Join the conversation on instagram JP Dinnell: http://instagram.com/jpdinnell/ Lucas Pinckard: https://www.instagram.com/lucaspinckard Bruiser Arms: https://www.instagram.com/bruiserarms Echelon Front: https://echelonfront.com/ Little Cattle Co: http://littlecattle.co On The Path Printing: https://www.instagram.com/onthepathprinting JP Dinnell is a former U.S. Navy SEAL and now a Leadership Instructor, Speaker and Strategic Advisor with Echelon Front, where he serves as Director of Experiential Leadership Training Programs. J.P. is also a pro team athlete and spokesperson for Origin Maine and Jocko Fuel, an American clothing and supplement company. J.P. has a signature Energy Drink flavor "Sour Apple Sniper" with Jocko Fuel. Jeremiah spent nearly a decade in the SEAL Teams with three combat deployments. Sent to the violent terrorist stronghold of Ar Ramadi, Iraq in 2006 with SEAL Team Three's Task Unit Bruiser, J.P. served as point man, machine gunner, and lead sniper for Delta Platoon opposite the American Sniper, Chris Kyle, who was in Charlie Platoon. For his leadership and courage under fire, JP was awarded a Silver Star, 2 Bronze Stars with Valor and the Army Commendation Medal with Valor helping Task Unit Bruiser to become the most highly decorated special operations unit of the Iraq War. He worked closely with SEAL Officers Jocko Willink, his Task Unit Commander, and Leif Babin, and was the driving force on many of the daring combat operations Jocko and Leif wrote about in Extreme Ownership. Upon his return, J.P. again worked directly for Jocko as a training instructor at Naval Special Warfare Group One Training Detachment, where he orchestrated realistic and challenging training scenarios for Special Operations Urban Combat training and Close Quarters Combat training to better prepare SEAL units for the real-world battlefield. He also served as a Combatives Instructor, Marksmanship Instructor and earned his Master Trainer Specialist qualification while helping Jocko rebuild and enhance these training programs into the highly effective platforms they are today. J.P. brings exceptional experience and frontline leadership perspective from the winning mindset and culture of Task Unit Bruiser. 00:00:00 Intro 00:09:29 How To Detach 00:13:54 When To Detach 00:15:29 Balancing Detachment and Engagement  00:18:32 JP's Speech Impediment 00:22:14 How to Prepare for Presentations 00:30:20 How Do You Know When You're Ready 00:35:15 Leading a Disillusioned and Burned Out Team 00:41:15 Knowing Your People 00:44:48 Managing in the Age of AI 00:46:40 Most Impactful Book 00:51:40 Gi vs No-Gi Training 00:53:38 Self Defense vs Sport Jiu-Jitsu 01:05:39 Final Thoughts

The brother of a Nobel Peace Prize winner detained in Iran says there's no escape for those trapped in prisons -- and he's afraid of what the regime will do to them in the fog of war. A Nova Scotia father says provincial cuts to programs for people with disabilities, like the one his daughter uses, are a real punch in the gut -- and he's not sure how families like his will cope. We'll pay tribute to Yanar Mohammed, who was killed by gunmen in Baghdad this week -- after decades of fighting for equality and safety for women in Iraq.A Canadian man has been held in ICE detention for the past four months; his brother says his family wants him back home -- but first, they just want him to go before a judge. A curator of old movies tells us about finding a lost gem by a true pioneer of silent film -- and the man who gave him that lost gem tells us just how close he came to chucking it in a dumpster. A Las Vegas casino magnate lays his cards on the table: he wants Canadians who are avoiding travel to the U.S. back at his blackjack tables and slot machines -- and he's willing to take a gamble of his own to get us there. As It Happens, the Thursday edition. Radio that's not sure it'll visit -- but won't roulette out.

War rarely begins with a single decision; it grows from motives, misreads, and momentum. We sit down with Colonel Lawrence Wilkerson to map how a promised era of “no new wars” gave way to a high-stakes confrontation with Iran that could redraw the strategic landscape. He unpacks an unsettling mix of incentives—profit for well-connected investors, donor appeasement, and domestic distraction—that, layered atop alliance politics with Israel, pushed Washington onto an escalation ladder with few exit ramps. We walk through the hard realities of deterrence, from Netanyahu's saber-rattling and nuclear ambiguity to the very real prospect of great-power entanglement. If a nuclear-armed state strikes a non-nuclear Iran, global norms shatter and condemnation surges, while Russia and China, already tightening ties to Tehran, weigh their leverage. Wilkerson explains why even “limited” nuclear use becomes a civilization-scale risk once the United States, Russia, and China—each with thousands of advanced warheads—are forced into a confrontational posture. That alone should demand humility and restraint. Beyond headlines about missiles and speeches, the logistics are grim. Iran's layered strategy of cheap drones and rockets is designed to drain expensive Patriot and naval interceptors, opening windows for heavier strikes. Maritime chokepoints—Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb—become economic pressure valves, where selective disruption could upend oil flows, food shipments, and global trade. Quiet diesel-electric submarines operating in the acoustically favorable North Arabian Sea complicate any escort mission and raise the chance of a sudden, costly loss. And talk of U.S. ground forces? A recipe for a grinding, urban-and-mountain war that repeats the most painful lessons of Iraq and Afghanistan. We close on the long tail: how mass casualties, perceived impunity, and widening fronts unify otherwise divided communities, supercharge extremist recruitment, and tempt desperate states toward nuclear proliferation. Power isn't just force; it's legitimacy, alliances, and foresight. If we want stability, we have to rebuild credibility with clear aims, disciplined strategy, and diplomacy that matches the stakes. If this conversation moved you, subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review with your biggest question about de-escalation—we'll tackle it in a future show.

*This podcast has been updated to include details on February's jobs report, and on Trump's recent demand that Iran unconditionally surrender.  President Donald Trump fires Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in the biggest staffing shake‑up of his second term. In an exclusive interview with Reuters, Trump says the U.S. should have a role in choosing Iran's next Supreme Leader and urges Kurdish forces in Iraq to carry out attacks inside Iran. And, China unveils a new five‑year plan focused on high‑tech self‑reliance. Listen to the Morning Bid podcast ⁠⁠here⁠⁠. Sign up for the Reuters Econ World newsletter ⁠⁠here⁠⁠. Listen to the Reuters Econ World podcast ⁠⁠here⁠⁠. Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement for information on our privacy and data protection practices. You may also visit megaphone.fm/adchoices to opt out of targeted advertising. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Conflicting reports have circulated in recent days about Iranian Kurdish groups possibly being armed by the US to launch a ground offensive in Iran. Many of these factions have long been exiled to the Kurdistan region of Iraq near Iran's north-western border and have felt oppressed by the regime. The US-Israeli war has already killed many of Tehran's top political and military leaders, presenting the opposition Kurdish groups with a window of opportunity, if they do decide to take action. But the question is, would Washington back them and with what guarantees? Defence secretary Pete Hegseth said Washington's objectives are not centred on arming any particular group. But President Donald Trump said a Kurdish ground offensive would be “wonderful” without confirming whether or not the US would support it. In this episode of Beyond the Headlines, guest host Ban Barkawi looks at the possibility and risks of Iranian Kurds entering the conflict. We hear from The National's correspondent Lizzie Porter and HA Hellyer, Senior Associate Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies.

Mike takes to the lectern as he guides us through the crushing beauty of Denmark's destruction of Uruguay. There's also Gordon Strachan's struggles with advertising boards, iconic branding of World Cups, Belgium get back on track while France and the USSR warm down into the knockouts. Iraq v Belgium - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liOXMZwJkF8 West Germany v Scotland - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dr3WW3pjpXs Denmark v Uruguay - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdI0DbGGbJw&t=4s Hungary v France - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gt0pBAeQuC0 USSR v Canada - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Faxr6OSiGC4 If you want weekly exclusive bonus shows, join our Nessun Dorma community chat, want your episodes without ads and a couple of days earlier or just want to support the podcast, then head over to ⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast⁠⁠⁠ where you can subscribe for only $3.99 a month (less than 75p a week!). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Meet my friends, Clay Travis and Buck Sexton! If you love Verdict, the Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show might also be in your audio wheelhouse. Politics, news analysis, and some pop culture and comedy thrown in too. Here’s a sample episode recapping four takeaways. Give the guys a listen and then follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Conflict Accelerates Tech Clay Travis and Buck Sexton discuss the geopolitical consequences of the ongoing conflict. They examine the paralysis of international shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, rising global oil prices, and how extended military engagement could impact U.S. domestic politics—especially with Democrats preparing to tie gas‑price volatility to Trump’s foreign‑policy strategy ahead of the 2026 midterms. They also discuss the administration’s unprecedented stance that President Trump intends to influence the selection of Iran’s next leader following the assassination of the Ayatollah, raising questions about regime change, constitutional monarchy possibilities, and whether Iran’s military factions might accept a U.S.-favored successor. The hosts then explore historical parallels, comparing modern drone‑ and intelligence-driven warfare to conflicts such as the Gulf War and the 2003 Iraq invasion, suggesting that advances in technology have made “boots on the ground” less essential. This leads to a broader conversation about whether internal Iranian opposition could rise up without military backing and why genuine regime change is impossible unless parts of Iran’s armed forces defect. Trump's Texas Tactics Clay and Buck analyze the fallout from the Texas primary and the growing expectation that President Trump will endorse a candidate in the Texas Senate race. They emphasize how critical the Texas seat is to preserving the GOP’s narrow Senate majority and outline the broader 2026 Senate landscape—highlighting difficult Republican battles in Maine and North Carolina, as well as opportunities in Georgia. The hosts examine how a Trump endorsement, whether for John Cornyn or Ken Paxton, signals a deliberate effort to maintain Senate control ahead of potential Supreme Court vacancies. A major portion of the hour is devoted to the explosive controversy surrounding Democratic candidate James Talarico, whose far‑left ideological positions, past tweets, and public comments have become a focal point of criticism. Clay and Buck dissect his rhetoric comparing himself to biblical figures, his claims about “white skin” being a societal contagion, and his promotion of Dr. Fauci memorabilia—framing Talarico as a deeply out‑of‑touch progressive misaligned with Texas voters. They compare him to figures like Jasmine Crockett and Beto O’Rourke, arguing that Democrats continue to misjudge which candidates appeal to mainstream Texans. They also break down the Republican strategic calculus, suggesting that Trump may back Cornyn to avoid draining resources needed for more competitive races across the country. Kristi Noem is Fired President Trump has fired DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, marking the first removal of a cabinet secretary in this administration. Clay and Buck react in real time as Fox News reports the termination and the appointment of Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma as the new acting head of the Department of Homeland Security. They recount the scandals that contributed to Noem’s downfall—including reports of inappropriate spending, allegations about personal relationships, and a controversial $200 million DHS ad campaign featuring her—describing widespread bipartisan dissatisfaction after her congressional hearing. The hosts speculate on what the leadership change means for border security, immigration policy, and future DHS operations. Nerding Out with Ryan Political data analyst Ryan Girdusky, host of It’s a Numbers Game, to break down the dramatic firing of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, who was removed just minutes before stepping onstage at an event in Nashville. The hosts analyze President Trump’s official announcement elevating Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma to DHS Secretary, noting that Noem’s reassignment to “Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas” signals a clear demotion. The hour digs into the controversies that precipitated her removal—especially the explosive $200 million DHS ad campaign featuring Noem, allegations that she misled Congress, and her attempt to shift blame to President Trump. Girdusky adds further context about long‑simmering internal frustrations over Noem’s self‑promotion, image‑driven leadership style, and political alliances, all of which contributed to her rapid downfall. The conversation then pivots to the 2026 Senate landscape, with a heavy focus on the Texas Senate race. Girdusky breaks down why the Trump team appears intent on securing Texas early, explaining that Republicans must lock down states like Texas, Ohio, Iowa, Alaska, and Montana to maintain Senate control. He critiques Ken Paxton’s underwhelming primary performance and praises John Cornyn’s unexpectedly strong showing, attributing it to disciplined campaigning. The hosts revisit the Democratic nominee James Talarico, highlighting the avalanche of far‑left statements and viral clips that portray him as deeply out of step with Texas voters—comments about abolishing prisons, describing “whiteness” as a moral failing, redefining Christianity through progressive ideology, and advocating extreme abortion policies. Clay, Buck, and Girdusky conclude that Talarico is even more radical than Jasmine Crockett, predicting he will crater in a statewide general election. They emphasize that Democrats are misreading Texas by nominating a candidate shaped by progressive online culture rather than real‑world Texas sensibilities. Make sure you never miss a second of the show by subscribing to the Clay Travis & Buck Sexton show podcast wherever you get your podcasts! ihr.fm/3InlkL8 For the latest updates from Clay and Buck: https://www.clayandbuck.com/ Connect with Clay Travis and Buck Sexton on Social Media: X - https://x.com/clayandbuck FB - https://www.facebook.com/ClayandBuck/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/clayandbuck/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/clayandbuck Rumble - https://rumble.com/c/ClayandBuck TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@clayandbuckYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VerdictwithTedCruzSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Part 2 of Episode 281 of the Mike Drop Podcast, I sit down with Special Forces veteran Mark Grecovich to break down the planning and execution behind Operation Viking Hammer. We get into working with Kurdish forces, the complications with Turkey backing out, and how Green Berets adapted on the fly to launch a high-risk mission against an Al-Qaeda–affiliated group in the mountains of northern Iraq. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In episode 2017, Jack and Miles are joined by comedian, co-host of Lady to Lady, and founder of Burn This Records, Brandi Posey, to discuss… Trump’s War On Iran Is A Success (In Terms Of Distracting From The Epstein Files), The U.S. Military Is Being Told To Bomb Iran Because Jesus Could Come Back Any Minute, Ace Ventura’s “Butt-Birth Rhino” Is Up For Sale and more! Trump wants to distract Americans from scandals at home with a diversionary war Epstein and the politics of distraction “What Difference Does It Make If It’s True?”: The Oral History of Wag the Dog Analyst says interest in Epstein files plummeted after war on Iran launched There Are 47,635 Epstein Files Offline for Review, DOJ Says US troops were told war on Iran was ‘all part of God’s divine plan’, watchdog alleges Why are the US and Israel framing the ongoing conflict as a religious war? Pete Hegseth’s Crusade to Turn the Military into a Christian Weapon How Christianity shaped the experience and memories of World War I RELIGIOUS LEADERS TELL OF WORRY ON ARMAGEDDON VIEW ASCRIBED TO REAGAN Citing Faith, Bush Defends War Actions New UK records reveal Bush viewed Iraq war as a ‘crusade' George Bush: 'God told me to end the tyranny in Iraq' Ace Ventura' Jim CarreyButt Birth Mechanical Rhino For $ale Planet Hollywood Collection: Ace Ventura's (Jim Carrey) Oversized Mechanical "Butt Birth" Rhino That time I was birthed out of a rhino like Ace Ventura! Movie Pop-Up Wonderland Debuts in Houston as First of Its Kind — Inside Movietopia LISTEN: IGNORED by Boko YoutSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The progress we enjoy today, now under threat, was built by people who chose to turn despair into action, to do something instead of nothing. In these final days of winter, it's up to each of us to build an American spring. Call the Congressional switchboard 202-224-3121 and demand that your reps fight for the full release of the Epstein files, justice for every survivor and those killed, and accountability for every predator and enabler. And tell them to stop another forever war in the Middle East before it unleashes yet another Pandora's box, like George W. Bush's Iraq invasion gave rise to ISIS.  For this week's bonus show, we're publishing the recording of this past Monday's salon early. It was an in-depth conversation during an extra-tense time, and we hope you'll find a moment to listen to it, and to take extra care with yourselves. None of this is easy, but we're keeping our eyes on the prize, planting seeds of change for a better world.  We begin by reminding ourselves: yes, it's possible. And we are the ones being called to do it. Thank you for being here, and for staying in the fight with us. We could not make Gaslit Nation without you. We'll see you at Monday's salon at 4pm. For our Patreon supporters, the link, along with the recording, has already been published for you.  Join our community of listeners and get bonus shows, ad free listening, group chats with other listeners, ways to shape the show, invites to exclusive events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Discounted annual memberships are available. Become a Democracy Defender at Patreon.com/Gaslit

In Episode 467 of Hidden Forces, Demetri Kofinas speaks with Bruno Maçães — geopolitical strategist, former Minister of European Affairs for Portugal, and author of World Builders — about the Iran War, what it reveals about the Trump administration's strategic logic, and how the decision to initiate what may prove to be the most expansive American-led war in the Middle East since the 2003 invasion of Iraq is reshaping the global order. Kofinas and Maçães examine the competing explanations for why the campaign was launched when it was — from the argument that Washington was drawn into the conflict by Israel, to the question of whether Trump's own instincts and political calculations were the decisive factor — including a close reading of Secretary of State Marco Rubio's public comments about the role Israel played in precipitating American military involvement. They also discuss what Washington and Tel Aviv's strategic visions may be for the post-conflict order, the fractures emerging within Trump's own political base, and how early battlefield developments are already complicating the administration's attempts to construct a coherent narrative around the war. The conversation closes with a broader assessment of where this conflict fits within Bruno's framework of world building and American decline — how the United States appears to be abandoning soft power in favor of unbridled military force, what that shift signals to capitals around the world, and why Beijing may be the most important audience of all for everything that is now unfolding. Subscribe to our premium content—including our premium feed, episode transcripts, and Intelligence Reports—by visiting HiddenForces.io/subscribe. If you'd like to join the conversation and become a member of the Hidden Forces Genius community—with benefits like Q&A calls with guests, exclusive research and analysis, in-person events, and dinners—you can also sign up on our subscriber page at HiddenForces.io/subscribe. If you enjoyed today's episode of Hidden Forces, please support the show by: Subscribing on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Spotify, Stitcher, SoundCloud, CastBox, or via our RSS Feed Writing us a review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify Join our mailing list at https://hiddenforces.io/newsletter/ Producer & Host: Demetri Kofinas Editor & Engineer: Stylianos Nicolaou Subscribe and support the podcast at https://hiddenforces.io. Join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at @hiddenforcespod Follow Demetri on Twitter at @Kofinas Episode Recorded on 03/04/2026

In Episode 466 of Hidden Forces, Demetri Kofinas speaks with Joshua Landis, professor of Middle East Studies and director of the Center for Middle East Studies at the University of Oklahoma, about the US-Israel war against Iran, what it reveals about American strategy in the region, and why the absence of a clear theory of victory raises the specter of yet another catastrophic regime-change war in the Middle East. Kofinas and Landis examine the competing narratives surrounding the conflict — from the argument that the Trump administration was dragged into war by Israel, to the theory that Washington concluded Iran would never voluntarily relinquish its nuclear program, to speculation that the campaign is part of a broader grand strategy aimed at neutralizing a Chinese forward base in the Middle East ahead of Trump's summit with Xi Jinping. They also discuss why Iran's regime is far more institutionalized and resilient than the Arab governments the United States has previously sought to topple, the historical lessons of America's last four regime-change wars — Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and Libya — and why the pattern of civil war, refugee crises, and strategic blowback that followed each of those interventions is likely to repeat itself in a country of over 90 million people. The conversation closes with an examination of the broader regional realignment now underway, including the emerging Turkey-Saudi axis taking shape in response to Israeli dominance, the dangerous irony of simultaneously abandoning the Syrian Kurds while attempting to arm the Kurds of northern Iran, and the most plausible optimistic and pessimistic scenarios for how this conflict ultimately resolves. Subscribe to our premium content—including our premium feed, episode transcripts, and Intelligence Reports—by visiting HiddenForces.io/subscribe. If you'd like to join the conversation and become a member of the Hidden Forces Genius community—with benefits like Q&A calls with guests, exclusive research and analysis, in-person events, and dinners—you can also sign up on our subscriber page at HiddenForces.io/subscribe. If you enjoyed today's episode of Hidden Forces, please support the show by: Subscribing on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Spotify, Stitcher, SoundCloud, CastBox, or via our RSS Feed Writing us a review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify Join our mailing list at https://hiddenforces.io/newsletter/ Producer & Host: Demetri Kofinas Editor & Engineer: Stylianos Nicolaou Subscribe and support the podcast at https://hiddenforces.io. Join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at @hiddenforcespod Follow Demetri on Twitter at @Kofinas Episode Recorded on 03/04/2026

Drawing on his long experience covering the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Dexter Filkins, New Yorker staff writer and author of The Forever War (Knopf Doubleday, 2008), talks about the United States' objectives in the war with Iran. (Photo by Brendan SMIALOWSKI / AFP via Getty Images)

Daniel Davis joined the show for a quick rundown on the war Trump just launched on Iran. He and Scott talk about what's happened so far and where things may go from here. Discussed on the show: Daniel Davis / Deep Dive Daniel Davis did multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan during his time in the army. He is a Senior Fellow at Defense Priorities and is the author of the reports “Dereliction of Duty II: Senior Military Leaders' Loss of Integrity Wounds Afghan War Effort” and “Go Big or Go Deep: An Analysis of Strategy Options on Afghanistan.” Find him on Twitter @DanielLDavis1and subscribe to his YouTube Channel.  Audio cleaned up with the Podsworth app: https://podsworth.com Use code HORTON50 for 50% off your first order at Podsworth.com to clean up your voice recordings, sound like a pro, and also support the Scott Horton Show! For more on Scott's work: Check out The Libertarian Institute: https://www.libertarianinstitute.org Check out Scott's other show, Provoked, with Darryl Cooper https://youtube.com/@Provoked_Show Read Scott's books: Provoked: How Washington Started the New Cold War with Russia and the Catastrophe in Ukraine https://amzn.to/47jMtg7 (The audiobook of Provoked is being published in sections at https://scotthortonshow.com) Enough Already: Time to End the War on Terrorism: https://amzn.to/3tgMCdw Fool's Errand: Time to End the War in Afghanistan https://amzn.to/3HRufs0 Follow Scott on X @scotthortonshow And check out Scott's full interview archives: https://scotthorton.org/all-interviews This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: Roberts and Roberts Brokerage Incorporated https://rrbi.co Moon Does Artisan Coffee https://scotthorton.org/coffee; Tom Woods' Liberty Classroom https://www.libertyclassroom.com/dap/a/?a=1616 and Dissident Media https://dissidentmedia.com You can also support Scott's work by making a one-time or recurring donation at https://scotthorton.org/donate/https://scotthortonshow.com or https://patreon.com/scotthortonshow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Follow Glenn Greenwald's writing and other journalism at Substack, where you can become a member: https://greenwald.substack.com/ All videos now available as a podcast! Find full episodes here: https://linktr.ee/systemupdate_   Follow Glenn:  Twitter: https://twitter.com/ggreenwald Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glenn.11.greenwald/   Follow System Update:  Twitter: https://twitter.com/SystemUpdate_ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/systemupdate__/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@systemupdate__ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/systemupdate.tv/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/systemupdate/  

Intense waves of airstrikes have hit dozens of military positions, frontier posts and police stations along northern parts of Iran's border with Iraq in what appears to be preparation by the US and Israel for a new front in their war. Iran has warned ‘separatist groups' in this region against joining the widening conflict and launched strikes against Iraq-based Kurdish groups it described as ‘opposed to the revolution'. Could the involvement of these militant groups increase the risk of a civil war in Iran if the regime collapses? Nosheen Iqbal speaks to deputy head of international news Devika Bhat – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

The U.S. Continues to Resort to Force at Growing Cost in a Region of Diminishing Importance | How Do Iranians Feel About Being Bombed to Become Free as Their Government Increasingly Oppresses Them | A Highly Decorated Former CIA Officer Who Operated Against Iran in Iraq and Lebanon Explains What a Disaster Trump Has Blundered Into backgroundbriefing.org/donate twitter.com/ianmastersmedia bsky.app/profile/ianmastersmedia.bsky.social facebook.com/ianmastersmedia linktr.ee/backgroundbriefing

Meet my friends, Clay Travis and Buck Sexton! If you love Verdict, the Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show might also be in your audio wheelhouse. Politics, news analysis, and some pop culture and comedy thrown in too. Here’s a sample episode recapping four takeaways. Give the guys a listen and then follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. How Does This End? The escalating conflict with Iran. Clay and Buck break down a major report from Fox News’ Trey Yingst, who reveals that Israel struck a gathering of Iran’s Supreme Council while they were choosing a new Supreme Leader—an unprecedented intelligence and operational blow. Clay and Buck analyze the implications of U.S.–Israeli air superiority, expressing the view that Iran’s leadership is increasingly vulnerable and unable to protect even top officials. They discuss the likelihood of the U.S. and Israel shaping Iran’s future leadership, referencing historic parallels such as the Northern Alliance in Afghanistan and Venezuela’s post‑Maduro transition. The conversation deepens as they react to President Trump’s warnings that failure to act against Iran’s nuclear program could have led to a “nuclear war,” followed by explosive comments from negotiator Steve Witkoff, who recounts Iran bragging about possessing enough enriched uranium for 11 nuclear bombs. Clay and Buck examine how these revelations accelerated U.S. action and what a post‑strike political landscape may look like inside Iran. Texas Primary Day! Clay Travis and Buck Sexton interview with Congressman Wesley Hunt, a leading candidate in the Texas Senate primary. Hunt lays out his case for next‑generation conservative leadership, citing his West Point background, combat service as an Apache pilot, support for term limits, and strong alignment with President Trump. He sharply criticizes what he calls the “soft bigotry of low expectations” from liberal politicians, slams Gavin Newsom’s recent comments, and emphasizes his commitment to cultural clarity on issues like gender, family values, and assimilation. Hunt also discusses Iran, calling Trump’s actions “peace through strength” and asserting that strategic force prevents greater conflict. Sen. Markwayne Mullin An extended interview featuring Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma, who discusses the unfolding U.S.–Israel military campaign against Iran. Senator Mullin emphasizes that this is not another Iraq or Afghanistan but a direct confrontation with a regime that has targeted Americans for 47 years. He explains why President Trump’s strategy differs from previous administrations and outlines the intelligence behind striking Iranian leadership, including revelations that Iran claimed to possess enough enriched uranium for 11 nuclear bombs. Mullin argues that Trump’s approach—eliminating threats rather than delaying action—is both historically rare and strategically necessary. Clay and Buck then explore how these operations intersect with the America First doctrine. Senator Mullin responds to skeptical constituents by explaining why actions in Venezuela, Cuba, and Iran directly impact U.S. national security, from drug trafficking to global energy markets. He details how a nuclear‑armed Iran could destabilize world shipping lanes, spike oil prices, endanger U.S. allies, and ultimately threaten the American homeland. The conversation also touches on congressional issues including the SAVE Act and the challenges of overcoming a Senate filibuster. In a lighter turn, the hosts dive into a humorous discussion about physical fitness on Capitol Hill, reacting to viral footage of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth bench‑pressing 315 pounds. Senator Mullin, known for his own extreme fitness feats, compares strength metrics across members of Congress and discusses why physical conditioning boosts confidence, mental health, and leadership. Clay Buys a Tesla In a lighter cultural shift, Clay and Buck riff on generational habits, restaurant drink trends, and Costco culture—highlighted by Buck’s wife humorously blaming his Pellegrino obsession for her bulk‑shopping trips. This segues into a forward‑looking discussion on the future of autonomous driving, sparked by Clay’s firsthand experience with Tesla’s self-driving technology. They predict that self‑driving cars will become the global standard within a generation, reducing accidents, lowering insurance costs, ending drunk driving, and transforming how Americans view car ownership and transportation. Make sure you never miss a second of the show by subscribing to the Clay Travis & Buck Sexton show podcast wherever you get your podcasts! ihr.fm/3InlkL8 For the latest updates from Clay and Buck: https://www.clayandbuck.com/ Connect with Clay Travis and Buck Sexton on Social Media: X - https://x.com/clayandbuck FB - https://www.facebook.com/ClayandBuck/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/clayandbuck/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/clayandbuck Rumble - https://rumble.com/c/ClayandBuck TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@clayandbuck YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VerdictwithTedCruzSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.