Podcasts about Iraq War

Subscribe now to skip the ads and get much more content! Danny and Derek welcome actor Morgan Spector (The Gilded Age, The Plot Against America) to the show for a conversation on politics, Hollywood, and capitalism. They trace his political development from the Iraq War and Obama era to Bernie Sanders and democratic socialism, discuss his documentary The Big Scary “S” Word, and reflect on how Hollywood politics skew liberal but not radical (particularly when it comes to Palestine). They also explore Spector's role as a Gilded Age robber baron, how today's tech oligarchs compare with the 19th century's builders, and the need for a new political vision in the age of financialization, AI, and the climate crisis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Danny and Derek welcome actor Morgan Spector (The Gilded Age, The Plot Against America) to the show for a conversation on politics, Hollywood, and capitalism. They trace his political development from the Iraq War and Obama era to Bernie Sanders and democratic socialism, discuss his documentary The Big Scary “S” Word, and reflect on how Hollywood politics skew liberal but not radical (particularly when it comes to Palestine). They also explore Spector's role as a Gilded Age robber baron, how today's tech oligarchs compare with the 19th century's builders, and the need for a new political vision in the age of financialization, AI, and the climate crisis.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The attack on the USS Stark was really a double tragedy. It happened during the Iraq War, and an Iraqi pilot fired a missile into the side of our missile frigate, the USS Stark. And 37 American sailors died in an awful inferno that followed. Actually, one of the reasons for the tragedy wasn't even so much the missile. It appears now that someone had turned off a vital alarm; one that actually could have alerted the crew in time to respond. Well, there's the double tragedy. The American sailors died, yes. But none of them had to. An attack was underway and the alarm was off. Well, wait a minute! Let's be careful, because you and I might be making that same mistake. I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "The Alarm Inside You." At the moment you committed your life to Christ, God actually activated inside of you this flawless, internal guidance system. He's called the Holy Spirit. The guidance system is described in John 16:8, which says this: "When He comes, He will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment." So the Holy Spirit is this alarm system that lets us know when we're crossing or when we're about to cross God's boundaries. Then in 1 Thessalonians 5:19 we find our word for today from the Word of God. It simply says, "Do not quench the Spirit." Man, this is a blazing warning! It says, "Don't turn off God's alarm!" It could be that knowing what only God knows about you, He is sounding one more alarm in your life through our visit today. This could be an alarm. That's a sobering thought. The Holy Spirit in you has been warning you about the compromises you've been making long before you tuned in today; about those things He's been trying to pull you away from; or that sin that you've been trying to rationalize or justify. He's been making you feel uncomfortable about some of those wrong choices. He knows where they're going to take you. He sees the destruction that's headed right for you, and you don't. He's sounding the alarm. Please listen to God the Holy Spirit! The alarm has been going off as you've been telling less than the truth, or as you've been saying hurtful things in anger and frustration. That alarm's been going off as you've been flirting with that sexual sin, or maybe even as you've committed it; or as you've talked about what you never should have talked about, or you've been watching what you never should have watched, or listening to what you never should have listened to. It could be that you have felt that alarm in the middle of criticizing somebody - backstabbing - and the Holy Spirit is saying inside of you, "Don't do this." He has sounded the alarm, and honestly, you have felt this spiritual heartburn that is trying to pull you the other way. It's a frightening thing that you can actually quench the Holy Spirit and become immune to His warnings. You say, "Oh, that's good! Yeah, I'd actually like to be immune to it." No, it's deadly! When you turn off the warning system of the Holy Spirit; when you quench the Spirit, it will lead you to spiritual death and destruction. Because you will end up going farther than you ever thought you'd go, staying longer than you'd ever thought you'd stay, and paying much more than you ever thought you'd pay. If the missile of sin's destruction is headed your way, I guarantee you, the Holy Spirit's alarm is going off in you now. Turn off the alarm and the price will be too high to pay. Respond to the alarm, and you will be able to get out while you can.

Please enjoy this encore of Career Notes. COO and Co-Founder of Query. AI, Andrew Maloney, shares how the building blocks he learned in the military helped him get where he is today. Coming from a blue collar family with a minimal knowledge of computers, Andrew went into computer operations in the Air Force. While deployed to Oman just after the start of the Iraq War, Andrew said he got his break into security. That's where he learned the components that fit together in order to effectively secure an environment. Andrew's words of wisdom: You've got to keep pushing and you've got to believe in yourself and never sell yourself short. We thank Andrew for sharing his story with us. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Please enjoy this encore of Career Notes. COO and Co-Founder of Query. AI, Andrew Maloney, shares how the building blocks he learned in the military helped him get where he is today. Coming from a blue collar family with a minimal knowledge of computers, Andrew went into computer operations in the Air Force. While deployed to Oman just after the start of the Iraq War, Andrew said he got his break into security. That's where he learned the components that fit together in order to effectively secure an environment. Andrew's words of wisdom: You've got to keep pushing and you've got to believe in yourself and never sell yourself short. We thank Andrew for sharing his story with us. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 597Art Olivier, former mayor of Bellflower and filmmaker, joins the show to discuss his provocative book "Sandy Hooked" and his 9/11 conspiracy thriller "Operation Terror." In this episode, Art shares his journey from political outsider to elected official and delves into the controversial events that have shaped recent American history. He reveals surprising details found in thousands of police reports about the Sandy Hook shooting, highlights inconsistencies in official narratives, and outlines why his works faced media censorship and suppression.The conversation explores everything from governmental and media manipulation to numerological and esoteric theories behind 9/11, the Iraq War, and more. Art discusses intelligence agencies, political corruption, firsthand campaign sabotage, and the patterns he sees repeated in major world events, from missing evidence to orchestrated cover-ups. Whether discussing the symbolism of the Twin Towers, the “dancing Israelis,” or the economics of endless war, Art offers a compelling, skeptical perspective on what's really happening behind the scenes.

For more coverage on the issues that matter to you, download the WMAL app, visit WMAL.com or tune in live on WMAL-FM 105.9 from 9:00am-12:00pm Monday-Friday  To join the conversation, check us out on X @WMAL and @ChrisPlanteShow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dean Karayanis of the New York Sun fills in for Derek. Topics include JB Pritzker and other Democrats on the losing side of denying crime rather than work with President Trump to solve it, Woody Allen on the joy of directing Trump, an illustrative story on the press lamenting that gravediggers were suffering as the Iraq War wound down, Trump Chicken, and more.

  Lawrence Wilkerson and Gary Vogler join us to discuss and answer the question: Who controls US foreign policy in the Middle East—the US or Israel/Zionism? Lawrence Wilkerson is a retired US Army Colonel and former chief of staff to US Secretary of State Colin Powell. Gary Vogler is a retired US oil executive and served as the senior oil advisor to General Jay Gardner and Paul Bremer after the 2003 Iraq War. Vogler is also the author of the very important book, 'Israel, Winner of the 2003 Iraq Oil War: Undue Influence, Deceptions, and the Neocon Energy Agenda'. Special thanks to: ·         Dana Chavarria, production ·         Casey Moore, graphics ·         Michelle Boley, animated intro ·         Mock Orange, music

In Episode 254, Part 3 of the Mike Drop podcast, host Mike Ritland continues his conversation with former Green Beret Mark Gianconia, delving into the complex motivations behind the Iraq War and Mark's post-combat transition. The episode opens with a discussion on the murky intelligence surrounding weapons of mass destruction and the decision to invade Iraq, exploring whether it was a justified response to perceived threats or influenced by ulterior motives. Mark reflects on the chaotic post-invasion landscape, including his role in devastating airstrikes against the Iraqi military, navigating minefields, and managing volatile tribal factions in Tuz. He shares the emotional toll of combat, including feelings of guilt and fear, which led to his decision to leave special operations. Mark's career pivots dramatically as he becomes an instructor for the 18 Fox intelligence course, mastering geospatial intelligence and coding, which propels him into a tech career. He also discusses his book, One Green Beret, a cathartic effort to process his experiences, and his current role in geospatial technology, emphasizing AI as a tool rather than a threat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

JP Dinnell and Lucas Pinckard talk about whether Immersion Camp is worth the investment and how to get alignment to be able to get time to train and decompress.  Get your free training from First In Nutrition: https://www.firstinnutrition.com/jppod More from JP Dinnell: https://www.jpdinnell.com/ 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.

In this gripping second part of Episode 254 of the Mike Drop podcast, host Mike Ritland sits down with former Green Beret Mark Gianconia to explore his extraordinary career in special operations. Unlike many post-9/11 operators, Mark's journey began in Kosovo, working alongside Russian forces in a vastly different operational landscape. Returning just before the 9/11 attacks, Mark shares his visceral reaction to the tragedy and how it propelled his unit into action. This episode takes you deep into his covert missions in Iraq, including the daring Advanced Force Operations (AFO) infil via rental cars from Turkey and the intense Operation Viking Hammer against terrorist strongholds like Ansar al-Islam. Expect raw, firsthand accounts of unconventional warfare, coordination with Kurdish allies, and the chaos of combat in the early days of the Iraq War. From dodging mortar fire to orchestrating airstrikes, Mark's stories offer a vivid window into the high-stakes world of special forces during a pivotal moment in history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Eliot and Eric welcome John Spencer, Chair of Urban Warfare Studies with the Madison Policy Forum and Co-Director of the Urban Warfare Project and author of numerous articles and studies of urban and subterranean warfare. They discuss the unique characteristics of urban warfare, the traditional U.S. military approach to urban warfare as well as historical examples from the U.S.-Mexican War in the 19th Century to more recent examples like the Battle of Aachen in World War II and the Battles of Baghdad, Fallujah, and Sadr City during the Iraq War. Based on Spencer's multiple trips to Israel and Gaza, they also discuss how the Israeli Defense Forces have attempted to deal with the even more difficult urban warfare conditions in Gaza including the more than 400 miles of tunnels that created enormously complicated problems for Israeli forces attempting to destroy Hamas's 24 battalions of some 30 to 40 thousand fighters and the inevitable impact that has on civilian populations. They also discuss the information or cognitive warfare dimension of fighting on urban terrain and the difficulties Israel has had in that regard. Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.

Zbigniew Brzezinski was a key architect of the Soviet Union's demise, which ended the Cold War. A child of Warsaw—the heart of central Europe's bloodlands—Brzezinski turned his fierce resentment at his homeland's razing by Nazi Germany and the Red Army into a lifelong quest for liberty. Born the year that Joseph Stalin consolidated power, and dying a few months into Donald Trump's first presidency, Brzezinski was shaped by and in turn shaped the global power struggles of the twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. As counsel to US presidents from John F. Kennedy to Barack Obama, and chief foreign policy figure of the late 1970s under Jimmy Carter, Brzezinski converted his acclaim as a Sovietologist into Washington power. With Henry Kissinger, his lifelong rival with whom he had a fraught on-off relationship, he personified the new breed of foreign-born scholar who thrived in America's “Cold War University”—and who ousted Washington's gentlemanly class of WASPs who had run US foreign policy for so long.Brzezinski's impact, aided by his unusual friendship with the Polish-born John Paul II, sprang from his knowledge of Moscow's “Achilles heel”—the fact that its nationalities, such as the Ukrainians, and satellite states, including Poland, yearned to shake off Moscow's grip. Neither a hawk nor a dove, Brzezinski was a biting critic of George W. Bush's Iraq War and an early endorser of Obama. Because he went against the DC grain of joining factions, and was on occasion willing to drop Democrats for Republicans, Brzezinski is something of history's orphan. His historic role has been greatly underweighted. In the almost cinematic arc of his life can be found the grand narrative of the American century and great power struggle that followed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/history

In this bonus episode, cohost Jason Christian interviews the independent filmmaker Christopher Jason Bell. Besides being a filmmaker, Bell is a board of director of the streaming co-op MeansTV. Bell's archival doc series about George W. Bush's presidency, Miss Me Yet, can be watched on MeansTV and received praise from numerous outlets such as The Baffler, AV Club, and Filmmaker magazine. His third feature Failed State premiered at Torino Film Festival and is continuing to screen across the world. His newest documentary short, Attention Shoppers, features Abby Martin and can be viewed on MeansTV. His latest narrative short, The Confection, is now playing the festival circuit. In the episode, Christopher elaborates on his filmmaking process, especially making Miss Me Yet and Attention Shoppers, and how he used footage from the YouTube channel Vampire Robot to make the latter. Further, Christpher and Jason reflect on the political climate during the Bush years and today, and the similarities and differences between each era.  If you subscribe to MeansTV, and use the promo code CHRISBELL, you'll get 10% off! On this episode:  Christopher recommends Scott Noble's documentary The Power Principle: Corporate Empire and the Rise of the National Security State (2012), Ian Bell's 2025 documentary WTO/99, Tyler Rubenfeld's short horror film Another Sinking Sun (2023), and the book The Sun Won't Come Out Tomorrow: The Dark History of American Orphanhood, by Kristen Martin.  Jason recommends the podcast Blowback, particular Season One about the Iraq War.  Follow Christopher Jason Christopher Bell on X (formerly Twitter): @UpdateTheGrids.  Follow Jason Christian on X (formerly Twitter): @JasonAChristian.  Like and subscribe to Cold War Cinema, and don't forget to leave us a review! Want to continue the conversation? Drop us a line at any time at coldwarcinemapod@gmail.com. To stay up to date on Cold War Cinema, follow along at coldwarcinema.com, or find us online on Bluesky @coldwarcinema.com or on X at @Cold_War_Cinema. 

Michael Ware witnessed some of the most violent battles in Baghdad; and was kidnapped three times.He was one of the few Western journalists to live full-time in Iraq during the war, embedded with U.S. forces, insurgents, and terrorists. Leaving the war zone and resettling in Brisbane, Michael has had to 'consciously attempt to reclaim his life'.Further informationOriginally broadcast July 2012.Content warning: This interview contains distressing content. Please listen with care.Michael released a film in 2015, Only The Dead, based on more than 250 hours of his personal footage from the front lines. If you need help, you can call Open Arms, 24-hour crisis support for Veterans and their families on 1800 011 046https://www.openarms.gov.au/Or you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14.https://www.lifeline.org.au/This episode was produced by Michelle Ransom-Hughes. The Executive Producer was Pam O'Brien. Carmel Rooney is the Executive Producer of the 20th Anniversary Collection.You can read all about the Conversations origin story on the ABC News website.https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-03/richard-fidler-reflects-on-20-years-of-conversations/105495784This episode of Conversations touches on Saddam Hussein, ISIS, IS, Islamic State, embedding, Australian Defence Force, ADF, Baghdad bad boys and Al-Qaida.To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you'll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.

In this episode of Curing with Sound, we explore how focused ultrasound is being studied as a treatment for depression and anxiety, told through the perspectives of both a leading researcher and a veteran who experienced it firsthand. Noah Philip, MD, is a professor of psychiatry and human behavior at Brown University's Alpert Medical School and a leading expert on focused ultrasound neuromodulation for psychiatric conditions. He discusses his research using low-intensity focused ultrasound to modulate the amygdala for the treatment of depression and anxiety in veterans. Joining him is Nick Marinelli, an Iraq War veteran and Black Hawk mechanic who participated in Dr. Philip's revolutionary clinical trial after struggling with depression and anxiety for over a decade following his deployment. Nick shares his experience receiving focused ultrasound treatments and the immediate improvements he noticed in his daily mood and his ability to be present with his family, particularly during meaningful moments like his daughter's kindergarten graduation. Discussion highlights: Revolutionary Mental Health Technology: Discover how focused ultrasound neuromodulation offers millimeter-scale precision to target deep brain structures like the amygdala. This noninvasive alternative to traditional psychiatric treatments has the potential to transform mental healthcare for treatment-resistant conditions. From Research to Real-World Impact: Hear about Dr. Philip's advocacy efforts, including his 2024 congressional briefing to expand access to focused ultrasound treatments, and the upcoming four-year VA-funded trial aimed at optimizing dosing strategies for clinical implementation across underserved communities. EPISODE TRANSCRIPT ---------------------------- QUESTIONS? Email podcast@fusfoundation.org if you have a question or comment about the show, or if you would you like to connect about future guest appearances.  Email info@fusfoundation.org if you have questions about focused ultrasound or the Foundation.  FUSF SOCIAL MEDIA LinkedIn X Facebook Instagram TikTok YouTube FUSF WEBSITE https://www.fusfoundation.org SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE NEWSLETTER https://www.fusfoundation.org/newsletter-signup/ READ THE LATEST NEWSLETTER https://www.fusfoundation.org/the-foundation/news-media/newsletter/ DOWNLOAD "THE TUMOR" BY JOHN GRISHAM (FREE E-BOOK) https://www.fusfoundation.org/read-the-tumor-by-john-grisham/

Send us a textLucas Lewis transforms his family farm into a free mountain retreat for veterans, giving them space to rest, relax, and reconnect through Project Gallantly Forward. The nonprofit offers cabins, RV hookups, and a peaceful natural setting where veterans can decompress without financial burden.• Founded by Iraq War veteran Lucas Lewis after witnessing veterans struggle with civilian transition• Named to honor the 10th Mountain Division's 171st Cavalry and their motto "Forward"• Provides completely free 3-5 day stays in cabins that sleep families of six• Features a disc golf course, interaction with farm animals, and access to hiking trails• Run by Lucas and his wife Christine, who manages grant writing while working full-time• Future plans include transitional housing for homeless veterans and those recently released from incarceration• Building a 50x30 conference center to accommodate veteran groups and events• Partners with local organizations to offer classes in farming, gardening, and other skills• Annual fundraiser held in December features an "ugly sweater party"If you're a veteran interested in staying at the retreat, visit ProjectGallantlyForward.org to check availability and book your stay. Veterans interested in volunteering or those who wish to donate can also find information on the website.

Scott Horton is the director of the Libertarian Institute, editorial director of Antiwar.com, host of The Scott Horton Show, co-host of Provoked, and for the past three decades a staunch critic of U.S. military interventionism. Thank you for listening ❤ Check out our sponsors: https://lexfridman.com/sponsors/ep478-sc See below for timestamps, and to give feedback, submit questions, contact Lex, etc. CONTACT LEX: Feedback - give feedback to Lex: https://lexfridman.com/survey AMA - submit questions, videos or call-in: https://lexfridman.com/ama Hiring - join our team: https://lexfridman.com/hiring Other - other ways to get in touch: https://lexfridman.com/contact EPISODE LINKS: Supplemental Notes & Corrections: https://lexfridman.com/scott-horton-links-and-notes/ Scott's X: https://x.com/scotthortonshow Scott Horton Show: https://youtube.com/@scotthortonshow Provoked Show: https://youtube.com/@Provoked_Show Scott's Substack: https://scotthortonshow.com/ Scott's Website: https://scotthorton.org/ Scott's Books: https://amzn.to/3T9Qg7y Libertarian Institute: https://libertarianinstitute.org/ Antiwar.com: https://antiwar.com/ SPONSORS: To support this podcast, check out our sponsors & get discounts: Allio Capital: AI-powered investment app that uses global macroeconomic trends. Go to https://alliocapital.com/ Hampton: Community for high-growth founders and CEOs. Go to https://joinhampton.com/lex BetterHelp: Online therapy and counseling. Go to https://betterhelp.com/lex NetSuite: Business management software. Go to http://netsuite.com/lex AG1: All-in-one daily nutrition drink. Go to https://drinkag1.com/lex OUTLINE: (00:00) - Introduction (00:35) - Sponsors, Comments, and Reflections (09:14) - From the Cold War to the War on Terror (1:02:13) - Iraq War 1 (1:30:17) - Bin Laden (2:29:39) - Afghanistan War (2:44:35) - Iraq War 2 (3:10:59) - Military Industrial Complex (3:50:25) - Scott's life story (4:20:15) - Iraq War 2 (continued) (5:11:43) - Syria (6:05:01) - Iraq War 3 (6:17:28) - Somalia (6:22:56) - Iran (7:12:41) - Israel-Palestine (9:02:19) - Cold War 2.0 PODCAST LINKS: - Podcast Website: https://lexfridman.com/podcast - Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2lwqZIr - Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8 - RSS: https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/ - Podcast Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrAXtmErZgOdP_8GztsuKi9nrraNbKKp4 - Clips Channel: https://www.youtube.com/lexclips

In this episode of The Jay Martin Show, Jay sits down with bestselling author and foreign policy expert Scott Horton. Horton takes aim at America's role as a global superpower, arguing that Washington's pursuit of global hegemony has drained U.S. wealth, created blowback, and undermined liberty at home. This is a provocative, unfiltered conversation on empire, debt, and the future of American power Pick up your copy of "Provoked" today: https://a.co/d/8AF3ZeE Follow Scott: https://scotthorton.org/ https://libertarianinstitute.org/scott/ https://x.com/scotthortonshow https://antiwar.com/ https://www.scotthortonshow.com/ Learn to invest alongside the top minds in commodities. Join The Commodity University today. CLICK: https://linkly.link/26yH8 Sign up for my free weekly newsletter at https://2ly.link/211gx Be part of our online investment community: https://cambridgehouse.com https://twitter.com/JayMartinBC https://www.instagram.com/jaymartinbc https://www.facebook.com/TheJayMartinShow https://www.linkedin.com/company/cambridge-house-international 00:00 – America's empire myth vs. global reality 05:30 – Debt, interest payments, and the cost of empire 09:15 – How U.S. hegemony created global competitors 13:40 – What America could be without empire 18:05 – The “dangerous world” argument—myth or reality? 21:45 – Why America is actually secure at home 24:20 – Iraq War lies and the politics of fear 26:00 – State creep: America looking more like China? 33:20 – Taiwan, microchips, and nuclear risk 38:30 – America's loss of moral authority 44:00 – How war undermined America's credibility with China Copyright © 2025 Cambridge House International Inc. All rights reserved.

pWotD Episode 3034: John Bolton Welcome to popular Wiki of the Day, spotlighting Wikipedia's most visited pages, giving you a peek into what the world is curious about today.With 242,355 views on Friday, 22 August 2025 our article of the day is John Bolton.John Robert Bolton (born November 20, 1948) is an American attorney, diplomat, Republican consultant, and political commentator. He served as the 25th United States ambassador to the United Nations from 2005 to 2006, and as the 26th United States national security advisor from 2018 to 2019.Bolton served as a United States assistant attorney general for President Ronald Reagan from 1985 to 1989. He served in the State Department as the assistant secretary of state for international organization affairs from 1989 to 1993, and the under secretary of state for arms control and international security affairs from 2001 to 2005. He was an advocate of the Iraq War as a Director of the Project for the New American Century, which favored going to war with Iraq.He was the U. S. Ambassador to the United Nations from August 2005 to December 2006, as a recess appointee by President George W. Bush. He stepped down at the end of his recess appointment in December 2006 because he was unlikely to win confirmation in the Senate, of which the Democratic Party had control at the time. Bolton later served as National Security Advisor to President Donald Trump from April 2018 to September 2019. He repeatedly called for the termination of the Iran nuclear deal, from which the U. S. withdrew in May 2018. He wrote a best-selling book about his tenure in the Trump administration, The Room Where It Happened, published in 2020.Bolton is widely considered a foreign policy hawk and advocates military action and regime change by the U. S. in Iran, Syria, Libya, Venezuela, Cuba, Yemen, and North Korea. A member of the Republican Party, his political views have been described as American nationalist, conservative, and neoconservative, although Bolton rejects the last term. He is a former senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) and a Fox News Channel commentator. He was a foreign policy adviser to 2012 Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney.This recording reflects the Wikipedia text as of 01:20 UTC on Saturday, 23 August 2025.For the full current version of the article, see John Bolton on Wikipedia.This podcast uses content from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.Visit our archives at wikioftheday.com and subscribe to stay updated on new episodes.Follow us on Mastodon at @wikioftheday@masto.ai.Also check out Curmudgeon's Corner, a current events podcast.Until next time, I'm standard Ivy.

JP Dinnell reflects on 100 episodes of the podcast. He and Lucas unpack how the podcast got started and where it's going. Get your free training from First In Nutrition: https://www.firstinnutrition.com/jppod More from JP Dinnell: https://www.jpdinnell.com/ 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.

Journalist and author Seth Harp returns to the pod to talk about his horrifying and expansive new book The Fort Bragg Cartel. We talk with Seth about America's forever-war machine and the global drug empire it empowers, with a special focus on the case of Delta Force officer William Lavigne, who killed his best friend before turning up dead near Fort Bragg in a still-unsolved murder. We also discuss the rise of JSOC, the third Iraq War and its ongoing ramifications, the US military's ties with the brutal Los Zetas cartel, and the eternal shadow war waged in the name of empire. Buy Seth's book here (and give it 5 stars on Amazon!): https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/730414/the-fort-bragg-cartel-by-seth-harp/ And follow him on X at @sethharpesq

Send us a textStephen Handley served in the Royal Welch Fusiliers, and 1 Royal Welsh. On his second tour of Afghanistan Stephen suffered life changing injuries caused by an IED.Stephen's Instagram: @stephen.handleyIf you're interested in being a guest on the podcast, please contact us on instagram: @veteranstateofmindGeraint's books are available at: www.geraintjonesmedia.com and https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Geraint-Jones/author/B06XTKLWBMSupport the show

Zbigniew Brzezinski was a key architect of the Soviet Union's demise, which ended the Cold War. A child of Warsaw—the heart of central Europe's bloodlands—Brzezinski turned his fierce resentment at his homeland's razing by Nazi Germany and the Red Army into a lifelong quest for liberty. Born the year that Joseph Stalin consolidated power, and dying a few months into Donald Trump's first presidency, Brzezinski was shaped by and in turn shaped the global power struggles of the twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. As counsel to US presidents from John F. Kennedy to Barack Obama, and chief foreign policy figure of the late 1970s under Jimmy Carter, Brzezinski converted his acclaim as a Sovietologist into Washington power. With Henry Kissinger, his lifelong rival with whom he had a fraught on-off relationship, he personified the new breed of foreign-born scholar who thrived in America's “Cold War University”—and who ousted Washington's gentlemanly class of WASPs who had run US foreign policy for so long.Brzezinski's impact, aided by his unusual friendship with the Polish-born John Paul II, sprang from his knowledge of Moscow's “Achilles heel”—the fact that its nationalities, such as the Ukrainians, and satellite states, including Poland, yearned to shake off Moscow's grip. Neither a hawk nor a dove, Brzezinski was a biting critic of George W. Bush's Iraq War and an early endorser of Obama. Because he went against the DC grain of joining factions, and was on occasion willing to drop Democrats for Republicans, Brzezinski is something of history's orphan. His historic role has been greatly underweighted. In the almost cinematic arc of his life can be found the grand narrative of the American century and great power struggle that followed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/american-studies

Faisal Saeed Al Mutar joins The Winston Marshall Show for a powerful conversation on freedom, reform, and the unfinished business of the Middle East. Faisal is an Iraqi refugee who lived through the chaos of Saddam's fall and the U.S. invasion. He recounts his journey from Baghdad to America, and how those experiences shaped his mission to promote secularism, literacy, and critical thinking in the Arab world. He exposes how extremism thrives on ignorance, and why authoritarian regimes—from Iraq to Qatar—use culture, religion, and oil wealth to maintain power.They discuss the failures of U.S. foreign policy, Trump's controversial deals with Gulf states, and the ongoing struggle for genuine reform in a region caught between dictatorship and jihadism. Faisal argues that real change must come from empowering young people with ideas, not weapons.All this—the Iraq War, Qatar's influence, the dangers of authoritarianism, and one man's fight to build a freer Middle East…-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------To see more exclusive content and interviews consider subscribing to my substack here: https://www.winstonmarshall.co.uk/-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA:Substack: https://www.winstonmarshall.co.uk/X: https://twitter.com/mrwinmarshallInsta: https://www.instagram.com/winstonmarshallLinktree: https://linktr.ee/winstonmarshall----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Chapters 00:00 Introduction 04:52 Christopher Hitchens' Influence and the Iraq War17:23 Obama's Foreign Policy and Its Impact on Iraq 28:22 Trump's Foreign Policy and Qatar's Role45:51 Qatar's Influence on American Institutions 52:15 Syria and the Persecution of Minorities1:05:51 Recognition of Palestine as a State 1:29:23 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After his deployment to Helmand Province, Gunnery Sergeant Joe Reyna returns stateside for new assignments. In Part 2 of his interview on the JP Dinnell Podcast Gunny get us caught up to the present and looks to the future of his time with the world's most elite fighting force, the USMC.  Get your free training from First In Nutrition: https://www.firstinnutrition.com/jppod More from JP Dinnell: https://www.jpdinnell.com/ Join the conversation on instagram Gunnery Sergeant Joe Reyna: https://www.instagram.com/gysgt_reyna_usmc 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.

Our throwback August continues as we go way back to Episode 33 with Paul's fascinating conversation with the sole living Medal of Honor Recipient from the Iraq War. It's a hell of a distinction–and a hell of a conversation. Take some time and listen to this timeless talk about war, humanity and the drive to push forward, even after horrific loss. From inside the very cool Classic Car Club in Manhattan. In a raw and powerful conversation, Paul sits down with David Bellavia, the first living Medal of Honor recipient for the Iraq War. David is a man Paul has known for years and a true American hero. But this isn't a conversation about glory and medals; it's a raw, honest discussion about the weight of sacrifice, the nature of heroism, and the deep, often painful, bonds forged in combat. Bellavia, an unapologetic conservative and proud New Yorker, doesn't shy away from the hard truths. He reflects on his time in Iraq, the emotional burden of the Medal of Honor, and the painful division among veterans that "ripped the soul" out of him.  This is a candid discussion about the complexities of a war many Americans want to forget, the burden of being a "courier" for the fallen, and the love and loyalty that truly fuel a soldier's fight. Bellavia's perspective is a crucial reminder that at the end of the day, it's not about politics—it's about the men and women to your left and right. And it's good perspective and inspiration to absorb as we get into the final weeks of summer. And be sure to watch on YouTube and see Paul and David check out some classic cars!  -WATCH video of Paul and David's conversation. -Learn more about Independent Veterans of America and all of the IVA candidates.  -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power.  -Check the hashtag #LookForTheHelpers. And share yours.  -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us. And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch.  -Check out other Righteous podcasts like The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, Uncle Montel - The OG of Weed and B Dorm.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media. Ways to listen: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0F1lzdRbTB0XYen8kyEqXe Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/independent-americans-with-paul-rieckhoff/id1457899667 Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/49a684c3-68e1-4a85-8d93-d95027a8ec64/independent-americans-with-paul-rieckhoff Ways to watch: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@independentamericans Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/IndependentAmericansUS/ Social channels: X/Twitter: https://x.com/indy_americans BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/indyamericans.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IndependentAmericansUS/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lieutenant General Jack Gardner spent 35 years serving in the United States Army, with tours in Europe, Latin America, Asia, Bosnia, Iraq, and multiple locations inside the U.S. LTG Gardner was the commander of the United States Army South, the deputy commander of the United States European Command, and in charge of detainee operations during part of the Iraq War. LTG Gardner joins Adam to share his journey and his best lessons and advice on leadership, leadership development, leading through adversity and change, motivation, and much more.

Tulsi Gabbard just dropped a political NUKE.In a shocking revelation, the former Congresswoman accused James Clapper — former Director of National Intelligence — of “manufacturing intelligence” not once, but TWICE.First with the WMD lie that led to the Iraq War, and then with the Trump-Russia hoax that haunted the U.S. for years.This is not just about Clapper. It's about the entire intelligence apparatus, political corruption, and what else they've lied to the American people about.

Cancelled for trashing Trump?      To advertise on our podcast, please reach out to sales@advertisecast.com or visit https://www.advertisecast.com/TheJeffWardShow

Zbigniew Brzezinski was a key architect of the Soviet Union's demise, which ended the Cold War. A child of Warsaw—the heart of central Europe's bloodlands—Brzezinski turned his fierce resentment at his homeland's razing by Nazi Germany and the Red Army into a lifelong quest for liberty. Born the year that Joseph Stalin consolidated power, and dying a few months into Donald Trump's first presidency, Brzezinski was shaped by and in turn shaped the global power struggles of the twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. As counsel to US presidents from John F. Kennedy to Barack Obama, and chief foreign policy figure of the late 1970s under Jimmy Carter, Brzezinski converted his acclaim as a Sovietologist into Washington power. With Henry Kissinger, his lifelong rival with whom he had a fraught on-off relationship, he personified the new breed of foreign-born scholar who thrived in America's “Cold War University”—and who ousted Washington's gentlemanly class of WASPs who had run US foreign policy for so long.Brzezinski's impact, aided by his unusual friendship with the Polish-born John Paul II, sprang from his knowledge of Moscow's “Achilles heel”—the fact that its nationalities, such as the Ukrainians, and satellite states, including Poland, yearned to shake off Moscow's grip. Neither a hawk nor a dove, Brzezinski was a biting critic of George W. Bush's Iraq War and an early endorser of Obama. Because he went against the DC grain of joining factions, and was on occasion willing to drop Democrats for Republicans, Brzezinski is something of history's orphan. His historic role has been greatly underweighted. In the almost cinematic arc of his life can be found the grand narrative of the American century and great power struggle that followed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Zbigniew Brzezinski was a key architect of the Soviet Union's demise, which ended the Cold War. A child of Warsaw—the heart of central Europe's bloodlands—Brzezinski turned his fierce resentment at his homeland's razing by Nazi Germany and the Red Army into a lifelong quest for liberty. Born the year that Joseph Stalin consolidated power, and dying a few months into Donald Trump's first presidency, Brzezinski was shaped by and in turn shaped the global power struggles of the twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. As counsel to US presidents from John F. Kennedy to Barack Obama, and chief foreign policy figure of the late 1970s under Jimmy Carter, Brzezinski converted his acclaim as a Sovietologist into Washington power. With Henry Kissinger, his lifelong rival with whom he had a fraught on-off relationship, he personified the new breed of foreign-born scholar who thrived in America's “Cold War University”—and who ousted Washington's gentlemanly class of WASPs who had run US foreign policy for so long.Brzezinski's impact, aided by his unusual friendship with the Polish-born John Paul II, sprang from his knowledge of Moscow's “Achilles heel”—the fact that its nationalities, such as the Ukrainians, and satellite states, including Poland, yearned to shake off Moscow's grip. Neither a hawk nor a dove, Brzezinski was a biting critic of George W. Bush's Iraq War and an early endorser of Obama. Because he went against the DC grain of joining factions, and was on occasion willing to drop Democrats for Republicans, Brzezinski is something of history's orphan. His historic role has been greatly underweighted. In the almost cinematic arc of his life can be found the grand narrative of the American century and great power struggle that followed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/world-affairs

Zbigniew Brzezinski was a key architect of the Soviet Union's demise, which ended the Cold War. A child of Warsaw—the heart of central Europe's bloodlands—Brzezinski turned his fierce resentment at his homeland's razing by Nazi Germany and the Red Army into a lifelong quest for liberty. Born the year that Joseph Stalin consolidated power, and dying a few months into Donald Trump's first presidency, Brzezinski was shaped by and in turn shaped the global power struggles of the twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. As counsel to US presidents from John F. Kennedy to Barack Obama, and chief foreign policy figure of the late 1970s under Jimmy Carter, Brzezinski converted his acclaim as a Sovietologist into Washington power. With Henry Kissinger, his lifelong rival with whom he had a fraught on-off relationship, he personified the new breed of foreign-born scholar who thrived in America's “Cold War University”—and who ousted Washington's gentlemanly class of WASPs who had run US foreign policy for so long.Brzezinski's impact, aided by his unusual friendship with the Polish-born John Paul II, sprang from his knowledge of Moscow's “Achilles heel”—the fact that its nationalities, such as the Ukrainians, and satellite states, including Poland, yearned to shake off Moscow's grip. Neither a hawk nor a dove, Brzezinski was a biting critic of George W. Bush's Iraq War and an early endorser of Obama. Because he went against the DC grain of joining factions, and was on occasion willing to drop Democrats for Republicans, Brzezinski is something of history's orphan. His historic role has been greatly underweighted. In the almost cinematic arc of his life can be found the grand narrative of the American century and great power struggle that followed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/biography

Zbigniew Brzezinski was a key architect of the Soviet Union's demise, which ended the Cold War. A child of Warsaw—the heart of central Europe's bloodlands—Brzezinski turned his fierce resentment at his homeland's razing by Nazi Germany and the Red Army into a lifelong quest for liberty. Born the year that Joseph Stalin consolidated power, and dying a few months into Donald Trump's first presidency, Brzezinski was shaped by and in turn shaped the global power struggles of the twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. As counsel to US presidents from John F. Kennedy to Barack Obama, and chief foreign policy figure of the late 1970s under Jimmy Carter, Brzezinski converted his acclaim as a Sovietologist into Washington power. With Henry Kissinger, his lifelong rival with whom he had a fraught on-off relationship, he personified the new breed of foreign-born scholar who thrived in America's “Cold War University”—and who ousted Washington's gentlemanly class of WASPs who had run US foreign policy for so long.Brzezinski's impact, aided by his unusual friendship with the Polish-born John Paul II, sprang from his knowledge of Moscow's “Achilles heel”—the fact that its nationalities, such as the Ukrainians, and satellite states, including Poland, yearned to shake off Moscow's grip. Neither a hawk nor a dove, Brzezinski was a biting critic of George W. Bush's Iraq War and an early endorser of Obama. Because he went against the DC grain of joining factions, and was on occasion willing to drop Democrats for Republicans, Brzezinski is something of history's orphan. His historic role has been greatly underweighted. In the almost cinematic arc of his life can be found the grand narrative of the American century and great power struggle that followed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/national-security

Zbigniew Brzezinski was a key architect of the Soviet Union's demise, which ended the Cold War. A child of Warsaw—the heart of central Europe's bloodlands—Brzezinski turned his fierce resentment at his homeland's razing by Nazi Germany and the Red Army into a lifelong quest for liberty. Born the year that Joseph Stalin consolidated power, and dying a few months into Donald Trump's first presidency, Brzezinski was shaped by and in turn shaped the global power struggles of the twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. As counsel to US presidents from John F. Kennedy to Barack Obama, and chief foreign policy figure of the late 1970s under Jimmy Carter, Brzezinski converted his acclaim as a Sovietologist into Washington power. With Henry Kissinger, his lifelong rival with whom he had a fraught on-off relationship, he personified the new breed of foreign-born scholar who thrived in America's “Cold War University”—and who ousted Washington's gentlemanly class of WASPs who had run US foreign policy for so long.Brzezinski's impact, aided by his unusual friendship with the Polish-born John Paul II, sprang from his knowledge of Moscow's “Achilles heel”—the fact that its nationalities, such as the Ukrainians, and satellite states, including Poland, yearned to shake off Moscow's grip. Neither a hawk nor a dove, Brzezinski was a biting critic of George W. Bush's Iraq War and an early endorser of Obama. Because he went against the DC grain of joining factions, and was on occasion willing to drop Democrats for Republicans, Brzezinski is something of history's orphan. His historic role has been greatly underweighted. In the almost cinematic arc of his life can be found the grand narrative of the American century and great power struggle that followed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zbigniew Brzezinski was a key architect of the Soviet Union's demise, which ended the Cold War. A child of Warsaw—the heart of central Europe's bloodlands—Brzezinski turned his fierce resentment at his homeland's razing by Nazi Germany and the Red Army into a lifelong quest for liberty. Born the year that Joseph Stalin consolidated power, and dying a few months into Donald Trump's first presidency, Brzezinski was shaped by and in turn shaped the global power struggles of the twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. As counsel to US presidents from John F. Kennedy to Barack Obama, and chief foreign policy figure of the late 1970s under Jimmy Carter, Brzezinski converted his acclaim as a Sovietologist into Washington power. With Henry Kissinger, his lifelong rival with whom he had a fraught on-off relationship, he personified the new breed of foreign-born scholar who thrived in America's “Cold War University”—and who ousted Washington's gentlemanly class of WASPs who had run US foreign policy for so long.Brzezinski's impact, aided by his unusual friendship with the Polish-born John Paul II, sprang from his knowledge of Moscow's “Achilles heel”—the fact that its nationalities, such as the Ukrainians, and satellite states, including Poland, yearned to shake off Moscow's grip. Neither a hawk nor a dove, Brzezinski was a biting critic of George W. Bush's Iraq War and an early endorser of Obama. Because he went against the DC grain of joining factions, and was on occasion willing to drop Democrats for Republicans, Brzezinski is something of history's orphan. His historic role has been greatly underweighted. In the almost cinematic arc of his life can be found the grand narrative of the American century and great power struggle that followed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zbigniew Brzezinski was a key architect of the Soviet Union's demise, which ended the Cold War. A child of Warsaw—the heart of central Europe's bloodlands—Brzezinski turned his fierce resentment at his homeland's razing by Nazi Germany and the Red Army into a lifelong quest for liberty. Born the year that Joseph Stalin consolidated power, and dying a few months into Donald Trump's first presidency, Brzezinski was shaped by and in turn shaped the global power struggles of the twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. As counsel to US presidents from John F. Kennedy to Barack Obama, and chief foreign policy figure of the late 1970s under Jimmy Carter, Brzezinski converted his acclaim as a Sovietologist into Washington power. With Henry Kissinger, his lifelong rival with whom he had a fraught on-off relationship, he personified the new breed of foreign-born scholar who thrived in America's “Cold War University”—and who ousted Washington's gentlemanly class of WASPs who had run US foreign policy for so long.Brzezinski's impact, aided by his unusual friendship with the Polish-born John Paul II, sprang from his knowledge of Moscow's “Achilles heel”—the fact that its nationalities, such as the Ukrainians, and satellite states, including Poland, yearned to shake off Moscow's grip. Neither a hawk nor a dove, Brzezinski was a biting critic of George W. Bush's Iraq War and an early endorser of Obama. Because he went against the DC grain of joining factions, and was on occasion willing to drop Democrats for Republicans, Brzezinski is something of history's orphan. His historic role has been greatly underweighted. In the almost cinematic arc of his life can be found the grand narrative of the American century and great power struggle that followed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When JD answered the call to serve his country after 9/11, he couldn't have imagined the battles that lay ahead, not just in Iraq's dangerous terrain but within his own body. This extraordinary conversation takes us through his journey as an Army soldier driving fuel trucks through the early chaos of the Iraq War, his transition to law enforcement where he dangled off a six-story building to save a suicidal man, and his most personal fight: battling stage 4 cancer that attacked his testicle, lungs, and brain.The conversation reveals not just survival, but transformation. JD's cancer battle inspired him to create Thin Blue Ride, a nonprofit that is doing the Lord's work for veterans and first responders battling cancer. His achievements defy medical expectations, from competing in grueling physical competitions to trekking to Everest Base Camp with compromised lung function.Perhaps most powerful are the practical insights JD offers for anyone facing cancer or supporting someone who is. He discusses the importance of early detection, knowing your body, being your own medical advocate, and finding purpose through hardship. His recently published book "Beyond Survival" chronicles this remarkable journey.JD's story forces us to confront uncomfortable statistics, 5,600 Americans diagnosed with cancer daily and over half a million Global War on Terror veterans now living with cancer, while providing resources that could save lives. For veterans, first responders, cancer patients, or anyone seeking inspiration, this episode demonstrates how our greatest challenges can become our most meaningful contributions to others.Visit thinblueride.org to learn more about JD's organization, Thin Blue Ride, or to contact him directly if you're battling cancer or know someone who is. As he reminds us, sometimes the most healing thing we can do is share our story. To donate to our veterans and first responders battling cancer, please CLICK HERE!To follow along on JD's incredible journey visit:Thin Blue Ride Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thinblueride/Thin Blue Ride Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thinblueride/To purchase a copy of his incredible book, "Beyond Survival" CLICK HEREJD's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daige22/Send us a textSupport the showFollow Wild Chaos on Social Media: Apple iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-wild-chaos-podcast/id1732761860Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5KFGZ6uABb1sQlfkE2TIoc?si=8ff748aa4fc64331 ⁠⁠⁠Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildchaospodcastBam's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bambam0069Youtube: https://youtube.com/@wildchaospodTikTok: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@wildchaosshowMeta (Facebook): ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/TheWildChaosPodcast

JP talks about the first and most important law of combat, Cover and Move.  Get your free training from First In Nutrition: https://www.firstinnutrition.com/jppod More from JP Dinnell: https://www.jpdinnell.com/ 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.

In our new episode, we look at Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza's 2025 Iraq War film Warfare (2025). 

Mission: Accomplished. In the final episode of their series on Iraq, the Shuffle Bois turn to how “Hope and Change” Obama would handle the quagmire of Iraq he inherited. They discuss how the Iraq War ended with a whimper rather than a bang. En route, they discuss Obama's relationship with his generals, his propensity towards compromise and management, and the state of Iraq that America left behind. They then turn to discuss the lasting impact of this catastrophic and cataclysmic war on the world.Thank you so much to everyone who has supported us throughout this series!Give Remember Shuffle a follow on Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ And on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@RememberShufflePod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to interact with the show between episodes. It also makes it easier to book guests.  Join the patreon to support the shuffle bois and for an extra episode per month at⁠ ⁠https://www.patreon.com/c/RememberShuffleAnd shout out to Stephen, @tree__dome on IG for the amazing West Wing cover

01:00:29 – Tariff Deadline Arrives, Trump RetreatsThe show opens with “Taco Friday” and notes Trump's tariff deadline against Mexico has come — but he backs down after a “successful” call with President Claudia Scheinbaum. 01:09:14 – Trump Targets India Over Russian Arms DealsTrump threatens 25% tariffs on India for buying Russian military equipment, framing it as a way to push India toward buying U.S. weapons instead. 01:16:32 – “Dark Fleet” as a Pretext for EscalationDiscussion on the so‑called “Dark Fleet” of Russian oil tankers, mocked as a cartoonish villain label being used to justify further confrontation with Russia. 01:29:17 – Violence Against Women No Longer Off‑LimitsAnalysis of a public assault caught on video. The host warns women not to physically intervene in violent situations — societal honor codes no longer offer protection. 01:39:27 – Satire on Race, Robots, and ControlA sarcastic riff imagines a future where race wars help robots take over, ending racism by replacing humans with shiny, chrome‑skinned machines. 01:46:57 – Feminism and the Collapse of Family LoyaltyUsing “Lilo & Stitch” as a metaphor, the host criticizes feminism for prioritizing careers and degrees over family responsibilities. 01:59:53 – Euthanasia Over TreatmentCritique of Western nations like Canada promoting euthanasia instead of care, alongside acknowledgment that over a quarter of the population is now considered mentally ill. 02:15:16 – March Toward a Chinese‑Style InternetWarnings about Australia's push for total digital surveillance “to protect kids” — seen as a model for a global Chinese‑style online control system. 02:29:35 – Fourth Turning & Organ Harvesting in ChinaIntro to the “Fourth Turning” theme, warning about cycles of war and collapse. Includes a chilling aside on China's organ harvesting without anesthesia. 02:37:26 – Trump's Peace Rhetoric vs. RealityCritique of Trump as a “peace president” who, in practice, follows Netanyahu's agenda and risks escalation toward World War III. 02:43:56 – COVID Shots as Depopulation WeaponmRNA vaccines are framed as a depopulation program backed by globalist elites — with Trump, Trudeau, and Johnson accused of pushing them on the public. 02:51:08 – Gina Haspel's Deep State ResumeReview of Gina Haspel's record in torture, Iraq War lies, Russiagate, and possible January 6th involvement — questioning why Trump appointed her CIA Director. 03:27:31 – Spotify's AI Weapons Investment BacklashCoverage of musicians pulling their work from Spotify after revelations its CEO invests heavily in AI-driven weapons and drone technology. Follow the show on Kick and watch live every weekday 9:00am EST – 12:00pm EST https://kick.com/davidknightshow Money should have intrinsic value AND transactional privacy: Go to https://davidknight.gold/ for great deals on physical gold/silverFor 10% off Gerald Celente's prescient Trends Journal, go to https://trendsjournal.com/ and enter the code KNIGHTFind out more about the show and where you can watch it at TheDavidKnightShow.com If you would like to support the show and our family please consider subscribing monthly here: SubscribeStar https://www.subscribestar.com/the-david-knight-showOr you can send a donation throughMail: David Knight POB 994 Kodak, TN 37764Zelle: @DavidKnightShow@protonmail.comCash App at: $davidknightshowBTC to: bc1qkuec29hkuye4xse9unh7nptvu3y9qmv24vanh7Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-david-knight-show--2653468/support.

01:00:29 – Tariff Deadline Arrives, Trump RetreatsThe show opens with “Taco Friday” and notes Trump's tariff deadline against Mexico has come — but he backs down after a “successful” call with President Claudia Scheinbaum. 01:09:14 – Trump Targets India Over Russian Arms DealsTrump threatens 25% tariffs on India for buying Russian military equipment, framing it as a way to push India toward buying U.S. weapons instead. 01:16:32 – “Dark Fleet” as a Pretext for EscalationDiscussion on the so‑called “Dark Fleet” of Russian oil tankers, mocked as a cartoonish villain label being used to justify further confrontation with Russia. 01:29:17 – Violence Against Women No Longer Off‑LimitsAnalysis of a public assault caught on video. The host warns women not to physically intervene in violent situations — societal honor codes no longer offer protection. 01:39:27 – Satire on Race, Robots, and ControlA sarcastic riff imagines a future where race wars help robots take over, ending racism by replacing humans with shiny, chrome‑skinned machines. 01:46:57 – Feminism and the Collapse of Family LoyaltyUsing “Lilo & Stitch” as a metaphor, the host criticizes feminism for prioritizing careers and degrees over family responsibilities. 01:59:53 – Euthanasia Over TreatmentCritique of Western nations like Canada promoting euthanasia instead of care, alongside acknowledgment that over a quarter of the population is now considered mentally ill. 02:15:16 – March Toward a Chinese‑Style InternetWarnings about Australia's push for total digital surveillance “to protect kids” — seen as a model for a global Chinese‑style online control system. 02:29:35 – Fourth Turning & Organ Harvesting in ChinaIntro to the “Fourth Turning” theme, warning about cycles of war and collapse. Includes a chilling aside on China's organ harvesting without anesthesia. 02:37:26 – Trump's Peace Rhetoric vs. RealityCritique of Trump as a “peace president” who, in practice, follows Netanyahu's agenda and risks escalation toward World War III. 02:43:56 – COVID Shots as Depopulation WeaponmRNA vaccines are framed as a depopulation program backed by globalist elites — with Trump, Trudeau, and Johnson accused of pushing them on the public. 02:51:08 – Gina Haspel's Deep State ResumeReview of Gina Haspel's record in torture, Iraq War lies, Russiagate, and possible January 6th involvement — questioning why Trump appointed her CIA Director. 03:27:31 – Spotify's AI Weapons Investment BacklashCoverage of musicians pulling their work from Spotify after revelations its CEO invests heavily in AI-driven weapons and drone technology. Follow the show on Kick and watch live every weekday 9:00am EST – 12:00pm EST https://kick.com/davidknightshow Money should have intrinsic value AND transactional privacy: Go to https://davidknight.gold/ for great deals on physical gold/silverFor 10% off Gerald Celente's prescient Trends Journal, go to https://trendsjournal.com/ and enter the code KNIGHTFind out more about the show and where you can watch it at TheDavidKnightShow.com If you would like to support the show and our family please consider subscribing monthly here: SubscribeStar https://www.subscribestar.com/the-david-knight-showOr you can send a donation throughMail: David Knight POB 994 Kodak, TN 37764Zelle: @DavidKnightShow@protonmail.comCash App at: $davidknightshowBTC to: bc1qkuec29hkuye4xse9unh7nptvu3y9qmv24vanh7Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-real-david-knight-show--5282736/support.

JP Dinnell answers the question "Will AI make Extreme Ownership obsolete?" Get your free training from First In Nutrition: https://www.firstinnutrition.com/jppod More from JP Dinnell: https://www.jpdinnell.com/ 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.

Send us a textDavid Bergstein, Communications Director for Senator Cory Booker, is one of the most accomplished communications professionals working in Democratic politics - working tough campaigns across the country and stints at the DNC, DCCC, and DSCC. In this conversation, we talk his path to politics out of a political family in Portland, OR, why he gravitated to comms, lessons learned on early races, some of his favorite press gimmicks, the difference in working campaigns vs. committees, some of the saviest pols he's worked with, the changing face of political communications & much more.IN THIS EPISODEDavid grows up in a political household in Portland, OR...Oregon's history as a competitive two-party state throughout the 90s and 00s...The Iraq War and a couple of DC internships pull David into the political profession...Why David was a good fit for political comms work...Lessons from David's early campaign work from California US House races to Midwest mayorals...David's 2 rules on what makes for a good political comms staffer...How comms has changed over the 15+ years David has been in the field...Two of David's favorite costume-related comms gimmicks...Is the media run by liberals?The differences in working for a political campaign committee vs. a campaign...Some of the most politically savvy elected officials David has worked around...Inside the DNC comms operation heading into the 2020 presidential election...How David thinks about candidates balancing preparation vs. authenticity...Lessons David learned from multiple bouts of brain cancer and brain surgery...AND aviator sunglasses, Mark Barabak, Ami Bera, big mouths, Marc Caputo, Jimmy Carter, Edward Chapman, Dick Cheney, consumate liars, Jack Conway, Jim Crounse, dancing Bevin-ochios, Fancy Farm, Neil Goldschmidt, Gwen Graham, The Green Frog, Lucinda Guinn, Haliburton, happy warriors, Tom Henry, Xochitl Hinojosa, Paula Hughes, Doug Jones, Vera Katz, Ted Kulongoski, Dawn Laguens, Alex Leary, Little Beirut, Maryland Matt, Patty Mazzei, Mitch McConnell, Jeff Merkley, methane gas, Roy Moore, Mindy Myers, nesting rats, Tom Perez, Rabinowitz/Dorf, Chuck Schumer, Justin Shaw, Gordon Smith, Steve Southerland, Andy Stone, Pat Stranix, Ron Wyden, Fred Yang...& more!

JP Dinnell congratulates  @JockoPodcastOfficial  on episode 500 and tells the stories from his point of view. Plus in a Q&A he breaks down how to create a culture of Extreme Ownership. Get your free training from First In Nutrition: https://www.firstinnutrition.com/jppod More from JP Dinnell: https://www.jpdinnell.com/ 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.

Morgan Lerette didn't grow up dreaming about being a private military contractor. Like a lot of veterans, one thing led to another. He got pulled into Blackwater during the height of the Iraq War, rolling through Baghdad with no real rules of engagement, no clear mission beyond keeping people alive, and making more money than he ever thought possible. In this episode, Morgan talks openly about what contracting was really like. Driving armored SUVs through war zones, making split-second decisions, and dealing with the consequences afterward. He explains how contractors operated alongside the military, why so many signed up, and how the people of Iraq saw it all from their side. We also get into what happened after he left that world. Morgan shares what helped him figure out the next steps after war and contracting, how he finally built a steady life, and what advice he has for vets who are trying to do the same. This is the kind of honest conversation you only get from someone who's actually been there. Timestamps 00:02:00 - From Air National Guard to Blackwater by word of mouth 00:06:00 - Transitioning from contractor back to the Army 00:10:45 - Inside Blackwater culture and the "Guns, Girls, and Greed" mindset 00:19:00 - Why the government keeps using PMCs and the real costs 00:37:30 - Actionable advice for veterans finding their next step Links & Resources Veteran Suicide & Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1 Follow Morgan Lerette on Instagram: https://instagram.com/blackwaterDude1 Follow Morgan Lerette on TikTok: https://tiktok.com/BlackwaterDude1 Follow Morgan Lerette on Twitter/X: https://x.com/blackwaterdude1 Follow Morgan Lerette on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/morgan-lerette-73b01352 Transcript View the transcript for this episode.

It's A STORM OF SPOILERS: A STAR WARS SPECIAL! This week, Dave and Neil take a moment to think about how George Lucas' Star Wars trilogies and the content produced by Disney after its acquisition are in discussion with the American political climate of the 1970s, 80s, 2000s, and mid-2010s. They end by speculating on what Star Wars character aligns with their political journeys and wondering if Grogu has any politics. Subscribe to A Storm of Spoilers in your podcast device or on Spotify! This episode of A Storm of Spoilers is brought to you by Indivisible.  Visit their website at Indivisible.org to get connected, join a local group, or enroll in their trainings on strategic defiance to fight authoritarianism. You can also sign up at indivisible.org/FriendsEverywhere for more info. Find more Da7e and Neil at Da7e And Neil's Pop Culture Adventure  *FORMAT* 00:00 - Welcome and Housekeeping 04:37 - Brought to you by Indivisible! 06:06 - When we say “Star Wars is political” what does that mean? 18:24 - In the Original Trilogy is America the Empire? 24:51 - Is Empire Strikes Back about your father's generation trying to get you to buy in? 30:34 - How much can we read the existence of the Jedi as a cautionary tale? 37:40 - What does Return of the Jedi say if Anakin can be "forgiven" by his son 44:06 - Was Naboo a false flag (yes)? 51:42 - How did Attack of the Clones become about The Iraq War despite being written in 2000? 1:01:18 - Is Darth Vader George Bush? 1:07:50 - The Fandom Menace/Gamergate/MAGA? 1:21:48 - Does Grogu have any politics? 1:29:43 - Which Star Wars character represents your political mindset? (Please note some timecode might slightly change depending on the dynamic ads inserted)

We begin on a positive note by welcoming a “doer,” citizen extraordinaire, Jon Merryman, who couldn't stand the trash, especially old tires, being dumped in his neighborhood. So, he took it upon himself to clean it up and has now expanded his efforts across the country. Then co-president of Public Citizen, Robert Weissman, joins us to explain how spending in the recent bill passed by the Republican controlled Congress prioritizes the Pentagon and deportation enforcement at the expense of the social safety net, essentially trading life for death.Jon Merryman was a software designer at Lockheed Martin, who after retiring found his true calling, cleaning up trash in every county in America.When I first started looking at the environment next to my place of work, one of the things I did uncover was tires. And they were definitely there from the '20s, the '30s, and the '40s, they've been there for decades. And then just after a while, the soil and the erosion just covers them up. And you just discover them, and you realize this has been going on forever.Jon MerrymanNature is innocent. It really doesn't deserve what we've given it. And I feel like someone's got to step up to undo what we've done.Jon MerrymanRobert Weissman is a staunch public interest advocate and activist, as well as an expert on a wide variety of issues ranging from corporate accountability and government transparency to trade and globalization, to economic and regulatory policy. As the Co-President of Public Citizen, he has spearheaded the effort to loosen the chokehold corporations, and the wealthy have over our democracy.The best estimates are that the loss of insurance and measures in this bill will cost 40,000 lives every year. Not once. Every year.Robert Weissman co-president of Public Citizen on the Budget BillPeople understand there's a rigged system. They understand that generally. They understand that with healthcare. But if you (the Democrats) don't name the health insurance companies as an enemy, as a barrier towards moving forward. You don't say United Health; you don't go after a Big Pharma, which is probably the most despised health sector in the economy, people don't think you're serious. And partially it's because you're not.Robert WeissmanNews 7/11/251. This week, the Financial Times published a stunning story showing the Tony Blair Institute – founded by the former New Labour British Prime Minister and Iraq War accomplice Tony Blair – “participated” in a project to “reimagine Gaza as a thriving trading hub.” This project would include a “Trump Riviera” and an “Elon Musk Smart Manufacturing Zone”. To accomplish this, the investors would pay half a million Palestinians to leave Gaza to open the enclave up for development – and that is just the tip of the harebrained iceberg. This scheme would also involve creating “artificial islands off the coast akin to those in Dubai, blockchain-based trade initiatives…and low-tax ‘special economic zones'.” The development of this plot is somewhat shadowy. The FT story names a, “group of Israeli businessmen…including tech investor Liran Tancman and venture capitalist Michael Eisenberg,” who helped establish the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation in February 2025. GHF has been accused of using supposed aid distribution sites as “death traps,” per France 24. Boston Consulting Group, also named in the FT story, strongly disavowed the project, as did the Tony Blair Institute.2. In more positive news related to Gaza, the National Education Association – the largest labor union in the United States – voted this week to sever ties with the Anti-Defamation League. The ADL, once an important group safeguarding the civil rights and wellbeing of American Jews, has completely abandoned its historic mission and has instead devoted its considerable resources to trying to crush the anti-Zionist movement. The NEA passed a resolution stating that the NEA “will not use, endorse, or publicize materials from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), such as its curricular materials or statistics,” because, “Despite its reputation as a civil rights organization, the ADL is not the social justice educational partner it claims to be.” Labor Notes writes that the ADL “has been a ubiquitous presence in U.S. schools for forty years, pushing curriculum, direct programming, and teacher training into K-12 schools and increasingly into universities.” One NEA delegate, Stephen Siegel, said from the assembly floor, “Allowing the ADL to determine what constitutes antisemitism would be like allowing the fossil fuel industry to determine what constitutes climate change.”3. Another major labor story from this week concerns sanitation workers in Philadelphia. According to the Delaware News Journal, AFSCME District Council 33 has reached a deal with the city to raise wages for their 9,000 workers by 9% over three years. The union went on strike July 1st, resulting in, “massive piles of trash piling up on city streets and around trash drop-off sites designated by the city,” and “changes to the city's annual Fourth of July concert with headliner LL Cool J and city native Jazmine Sullivan both dropping out,” in solidarity with the striking workers, per WHYY. The deal reached is a major compromise for the union, which was seeking a 32% total pay increase, but they held off on an extended trash pickup strike equivalent to 1986 strike, which went on for three weeks and left 45,000 tons of rotting garbage in the streets, per ABC.4. Yet another labor story brings us to New York City. ABC7 reports the United Federation of Teachers has endorsed Democratic Socialist – and Democratic Party nominee – Zohran Mamdani for mayor. This report notes “UFT is the city's second largest union…[with] 200,000 members.” Announcing the endorsement, UFT President Michael Mulgrew stated, “This is a real crisis and it's a moment for our city, and our city is starting to speak out very loudly…The voters are saying the same thing, 'enough is enough.' The income gap disparity is above…that which we saw during the Gilded Age." All eyes now turn to District Council 37, which ABC7 notes “endorsed Council speaker Adrienne Adams in the primary and has yet to endorse in the general election.”5. The margin of Mamdani's victory, meanwhile, continues to grow as the Board of Elections updates its ranked choice voting tallies. According to the conservative New York Post, Zohran has “won more votes than any other mayoral candidate in New York City primary election history.” Mamdani can now boast having won over 565,000 votes after 102,000 votes were transferred from other candidates. Not only that, “Mamdani's totals are expected to grow as…a small percent of ballots are still being counted.”6. Meanwhile, scandal-ridden incumbent New York City Mayor Eric Adams has yet another scandal on his hands. The New York Daily News reports, “Four high-ranking former NYPD chiefs are suing Mayor Adams, claiming they were forced to retire from the department after complaining that his ‘unqualified' friends were being placed in prestigious police positions, sometimes after allegedly bribing their way into the jobs.” Former Police Commissioner Edward Caban, who was already forced to resign in disgrace amidst a federal corruption investigation, features prominently in this new lawsuit. Among other things, Caban is alleged to have been “selling promotions” to cops for up to $15,000. Adams is running for reelection as an independent, but trails Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani and disgraced former Governor Andrew Cuomo.7. Turning to the federal government, as the U.S. disinvests in science and technology, a new report published in the Financial Times finds that, “Almost three-quarters of all solar and wind power projects being built globally are in China.” According to the data, gathered by Global Energy Monitor, “China is building 510 gigawatts of utility-scale solar and wind projects… [out of] 689GW under construction globally.” As this report notes, one gigawatt can potentially supply electricity for about one million homes. This report goes on to say that, “China is expected to add at least 246.5GW of solar and 97.7GW of wind this year,” on top of the “1.5 terawatts of solar and wind power capacity up and running as of the end of March.” In the first quarter of 2025, solar and wind accounted for 22.5% of China's total electricity consumption; in 2023, solar and wind accounted for around 14% of electricity consumption in the United States, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.8. Developments this week put two key rules promulgated by the Federal Trade Commission under former Chair Lina Khan in jeopardy. First and worse, NPR reports the Republican-controlled FTC is abandoning a rule which would have banned non-compete clauses in employment contracts. These anti-worker provisions “trap workers and depress wages,” according to Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy, who has introduced legislation to ban them by statute. Perhaps more irritatingly however, Reuters reports the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis has blocked the so-called “click to cancel” rule just days before it was set to take effect. This rule would have, “required retailers, gyms and other businesses to provide cancellation methods for subscriptions, auto-renewals and free trials that convert to paid memberships that are ‘at least as easy to use' as the sign up process.” A coalition of corporate interests sued to block the rule, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and a trade group representing major cable and internet providers such as Charter Communications, Comcast and Cox Communications along with media companies like Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery. Lina Khan decried “Firms…making people jump through endless hoops just to cancel a subscription, trapping Americans in needless bureaucracy and wasting their time & money.”9. In another betrayal of consumers, Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. continues to break promises and speak out of both sides of his mouth. A new report in NPR documents RFK Jr. speaking at a conference in April, where he “spoke about the health effects of exposure to harmful chemicals in our food, air and water…[and] cited recent research on microplastics from researchers in Oregon, finding these tiny particles had shown up in 99% of the seafood they sampled.” Yet Susanne Brander, the author of the study, had gotten word just an hour earlier that “a federal grant she'd relied on to fund her research for years…was being terminated.” Brander is quoted saying "It feels like they are promoting the field while ripping out the foundation." Ripping out the foundation of this research is felt acutely, as “regulators are weakening safeguards that limit pollution and other toxic chemicals.” So Mr. Secretary, which is more important – stopping the proliferation of microplastics or slashing funding for the very scientists studying the issue?10. Finally, in Los Angeles masked federal troops are marauding through the streets on horseback, sowing terror through immigrant communities, per the New York Times. President Trump mobilized approximately 4,000 National Guard members – putting them under federal control – alongside 700 Marines in response to protests against immigration raids in June. As the Times notes, “It has been more than three weeks since the last major demonstration in downtown Los Angeles,” but the federal forces have not been demobilized. While some have dismissed the shows of force as nothing more than stunts designed to fire up the president's base, Gregory Bovino, a Customs and Border Protection chief in Southern California told Fox News “[LA] Better get used to us now, cause this is going to be normal very soon.” As LA Mayor Karen Bass put it, “What I saw…looked like a city under siege, under armed occupation…It's the way a city looks before a coup.”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