Podcasts about Iraq

Nick Jones enlisted in the Marine Corps at 18 out of Olathe, Kansas. Mortarman, then scout sniper platoon, then selection and 2nd Marine Raider Battalion, where he came up through element member to element leader. Twelve years, five deployments. On March 8, 2020, his team went into the Qarachogh Mountains in northern Iraq to clear a cave complex and lost their team leader and their team chief. He was shot going back for them and kept fighting until he was pulled off the mountain. Six surgeries and eighteen months later he medically retired as a staff sergeant with a Navy Cross and a Purple Heart. He now runs the Talons Reach Foundation. In 2019 he built a mountain warfare training package for his team in Montana. It got denied. The reason given was that they wouldn't be fighting in the mountains. Ten months later they were. He proposed on top of Lone Peak and told his wife they'd build a family in Montana in ten years. They got there in one. Five years later she broke down on the drive back from Jackson and told him she had no life there. That conversation moved everybody to Wyoming. Talons Reach Foundation: https://www.talonsreachfoundation.org/   Join the Cleared Hot Newsletter: https://www.clearedhotpodcast.com Take the Operator Code Assessment: https://www.theoperatorcode.com   Today's Sponsors:  Black Rifle Coffee:  https://www.blackriflecoffee.com Hexclad:  For a limited time only, our listeners get 10% off your order with our exclusive link. Just head to https://www.hexclad.com/clearedhot

How does a fellow with no attending paycheck yet, and a spouse working as a teacher, build a $600,000 net worth before finishing training? In this Milestones to Millionaire episode, Matthew, a newly minted transplant hepatology and gastroenterology physician, shares how a combination of frugality, consistency, and a few key advantages added up over more than a decade. A former Marine Corps infantryman who deployed twice, including to Iraq and off the Horn of Africa, Matthew used the GI Bill to avoid medical school debt entirely, while his wife's teaching salary supported the family throughout his training. He explains how he started contributing just $50 a month to his kids' 529 plans during medical school and residency, before he was even saving for his own retirement, and how that small, automatic habit grew into roughly $60,000 over more than a decade. Matthew also discusses their approach to budgeting, living well below their means, embracing hand-me-down furniture and garage sales, and navigating their biggest ongoing money disagreement: her love of travel versus his instinct to save and invest. Matthew's advice for anyone starting later or without every advantage: know where your money is going, live on less than you make, and recognize that everyone is building wealth with a different mix of strengths and weaknesses. This podcast is sponsored by Bob Bhayani at Protuity. He is an independent provider of disability insurance planning solutions to the medical community in every state and a long-time white coat investor sponsor. He specializes in working with residents and fellows early in their careers to set up sound financial and insurance strategies. If you need to review your disability insurance coverage or to get this critical insurance in place, contact Bob at https://whitecoatinvestor.com/protuity today by email info@protuity.com or by calling (973) 771-9100. Celebrating your stories of success along the journey to financial freedom! Tune in every Monday to the Milestones to Millionaire Podcast, where we celebrate the financial achievements of our listeners and share practical tips for reaching your own milestones. We want to celebrate your milestones—no matter how big or small—and help inspire others to follow your lead. Every week, these episodes feature one listener who has recently achieved a milestone they are proud of and want to celebrate, and they give any advice they have for those who want to follow their example. Make sure to listen every Monday to be inspired by your fellow white coat investors. Celebrate YOUR Milestone on the Milestones to Millionaire Podcast: https://whitecoatinvestor.com/milestones  Website: https://www.whitecoatinvestor.com  YouTube: https://www.whitecoatinvestor.com/youtube  Student Loan Advice: https://studentloanadvice.com  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thewhitecoatinvestor  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewhitecoatinvestor  Twitter: https://twitter.com/WCInvestor  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewhitecoatinvestor  Subreddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/whitecoatinvestor  Online Courses: https://whitecoatinvestor.teachable.com  Newsletter: https://www.whitecoatinvestor.com/free-monthly-newsletter 

Jameel Jaffer, executive director of the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University, talks about how the post-9/11 wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have re-shaped the First Amendment and press freedom in the United States, and how this is still affecting speech today. Photo: A salesman in an electronics store in Mexico City watches the World Trade Center in New York City collapse September 11, 2001. (Susana Gonzalez/Getty Images) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Plus: The Last Us Troops Leave Iraq. “Who Talks Like That?” The Four-Star General on Trump's Greenland Threats, Davos Humiliation, and ICE Moving Like It's Mosul.  General Barry McCaffrey has seen more war and more national security decision-making than almost anyone alive. A retired four-star, four combat tours, three Purple Hearts, veteran of the National Security Council under three administrations. In this replay, he sits down with Paul Rieckhoff for a no-BS conversation about a moment most Americans still haven't fully absorbed: the U.S. is no longer trusted by its closest allies, our institutions have been hollowed out, and the most trusted institution in American life — the armed forces — is being dragged into domestic politics in ways that should alarm every citizen, regardless of party. McCaffrey walks through the politicization of the military and federal law enforcement, ICE units operating like infantry in Los Angeles, the 11th Airborne on standby for Minneapolis, and what the Insurrection Act would actually mean if Trump pulls that lever. He unpacks Davos, Greenland, the humiliation of our closest allies, and why "NATO is dead" is not hyperbole. He reflects on the quiet exit of the last U.S. troops from Iraq, the political failures that defined the forever wars, and the 60,000 Americans killed and wounded in the war on terror. This is the kind of intelligence-grade analysis independents are starving for — grounded in decades of service, delivered straight. -WATCH full video of this episode here. -Millions of American veterans are being locked out of primary elections in the country they served. See what we're doing to change that. -Visit Kalshi and trade on anything. Use code [INDEPENDENT] to get ten dollars when you trade ten. -Head to cozyearth.com and use the code AMERICANS for an exclusive 20% off. -Join Noble Mobile today and get a $100 bonus when you use code PAUL and stay a member for 2 months! -Join IVA and help us get independent veterans elected to office. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Learn more about American Veterans for Ukraine here. -Remember Independent is an Attitude. -Learn more about The Headstrong Project for Veterans, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and Department of Veterans Affairs resources in your area. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness. It's a show of strength. If you or a loved one are in immediate crisis, dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255. Connect with Independent Americans: Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all podcast platforms Read more at Substack Support ad-free episodes at Patreon  Connect: Instagram  • X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Follow on social: @PaulRieckhoff on X, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky -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.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Houman Z. Emami, a native of Iran (ancient Persia), has a bright academic career in Philosophy and Religion, Holism and Consciousness, with earlier careers in Computer Science, Telecommunications, and a number of educational-institute startups. He has completed undergraduate studies in the above fields, within and without standard academic training, and he continues in his graduate and Ph.D. thesis, “On Intuition, the Heart Faculty, and Theophanies”.Before reaching his eleventh year, Houman had lived through the Iranian revolution of 1979, the Iran and Iraq war of 1981, and the inner-city bombings and atrocities of war. “And that was just the beginning,” he tells us. Miraculous events began as a direct result of these earlier years of awakening and grew in proportion to his yearning. In this way, the dark side of war, and the lesser-known light side of war were made manifest from age five onwards. After several relocations and maturing in both eastern and western cultures before his thirtieth year, Houman had taken part in a relatively successful lifestyle, returned to academia and various spiritual practices thrice, finally taking early retirement in his late twenties, leaving all behind and spending a decade as an independent world-traveler, contemporary monk and spiritual pilgrim. These later awakenings in solitude and on the pilgrim's walk integrated those of his early childhood.At last, returning to worldly life in his late thirties, he continues to impact the world he left behind. Loved ones and relations lovingly refer to him as “scribe,” “pilgrim,” and “scholar.” A “scribe” is one who decodes and deciphers the teachings of the ancient scrolls, which are symbolic representations of transcendent realms made immanent within a simple framework of understanding. A “pilgrim” is one who leaves the mind behind (is a passerby), leads from the heart, “connects the dots,” is a bridge-builder, and a peacemaker. And a “scholar,” from scolere, is one who lives at ease as a student of life, truth, and wisdom. In this respect, he has written:Let the truth of love be & become the love of truth, and the love of truth be & become the truth of love. That means, the soul genuinely desires love and truth, embraced by and swaying this way and that throughout life, in order to teach us that we must love unconditionally but when finding ourselves in the snares of selfish love, we must pursue truth; and we must pursue truth unconditionally but when we find truth become empty tradition and superstition, we must pursue love.In practice, Houman's spiritual invocation consciously began in his early teens, as a result of a near-death experience (NDE)—taking him back to his early childhood visions, and to his native ancestral teachings of the East, Near East, and the Orient. After his near-death experience and remembering his life's calling more fully from age five, Houman recalled all that proceeded from that age in the divine plan, walking them out and remembering them step by step.Years later, these remembrances and awakenings culminated into visionary experiences and embodiments—involving “theophanies,” meaning divine interventions or encounters. Twelve years of practice and integration turned him into an independent spiritual pilgrim in 2003, and he has been traveling the world since. His journey has been one of the most overwhelming stories one might hear.All there is, IS Love for Love IS…

In Part 2 of our conversation with Kyle, he continues sharing his journey from Marine infantry deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan to a difficult battle with alcohol, marriage strain, and identity. Brody and Kyle talk honestly about combat, loss, coming home, and what happens when you try to carry everything on your own.The conversation turns to faith and finding his way back to God through a family health scare, honest friendships, and a renewed life of prayer. Kyle shares how he learned he didn't have to “get right” before coming to God.Today, Kyle and his wife, Jennifer, are helping build a church inside a Marine barracks through Manna Church. We talk about military ministry, staying faithful through hard seasons, and watching young Marines come to faith and carry the mission forward.Part 1: Training Builds. Brotherhood Strengthens. Christ Transforms.Be Strong Men's ConferenceSend us Fan MailPlease leave a review on Apple or Spotify to help improve No Sanity Required and help others grow in their faith. Click here to get our Colossians Bible study.

In this episode, Walter tackles the absolute peak of modern absurdity. We dive into why Poland's Premier refuses to accept illegal immigration, a legendary $4,600 tequila heist at Walmart and why today's college graduates think Amsterdam is in Iraq. Plus, Walter shares how a $14 local yoga class unexpectedly led to him holding movie star Diane Lane's hips, while opinionated callers battle over washing laundry by the cycle of the moon versus spending $20,000 on "coastal chic" dorm room styling.If you want a show that has paragraph structure, penmanship, and zero filter—hit that subscribe button. You'll never have to wonder what the heck is going on here.

Hegseth's War – The Catastrophic Consequences of Maximum LethalityIn this week's solo episode, I examine a ProPublica investigation into Pete Hegseth's tenure as US Defence Secretary – and the catastrophic consequences of his "maximum lethality" doctrine. Here, I want to expand on some of the key themes we discussed.The Civilian Protection ProgrammeThe story begins with a programme called Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response (CHMR). It was a relatively new initiative, adopted after years of heavy civilian tolls in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere. Its mission was to station personnel within major regional commands to develop a picture of life on the ground in combat zones, aiding decision-making on military strikes and helping to avoid or minimise civilian harm.Shortly after taking office, Hegseth polled the nation's top commanders about cutting the programme. He expected them to endorse his view that civilian security was "woke" and out of step with "maximum lethality." Instead, every commander rebuffed him. Nine chose to preserve the programme; two asked to expand it.Hegseth ignored them. He gutted the programme, cutting staff from nearly 200 to around two dozen, and reducing Central Command's team from 16 to one.The ConsequencesThe results were predictable. In Yemen, an air campaign killed 153 civilians and wounded 243 others. In Iran, a US strike on a school killed more than 100 children.Democratic senators and humanitarian groups questioned whether the cuts had contributed to the school tragedy. In a letter to Hegseth, 11 senators said the strike reflected the administration's "broader disregard for the strategic, legal and moral imperatives to minimise civilian harm."But this is not a regime that cares about international law. As I argue in the episode, the extreme right believes that international law has held the US back for years – that it has been fighting with one hand behind its back. The breaking of international law is not a regrettable byproduct of their policies; it is the mission.The "War Department"In a speech last year, Hegseth announced that the "Department of Defense is over" and that the "Department of War" had been restored. He spoke of "peace through strength" and "the warrior ethos." He told his enemies they would be "crushed by violence, precision and the ferocity of the war department." In other words: FAFO.But the reality is very different. The US military is under-resourced and overstretched in the Persian Gulf. It has lost its supply bases. It is facing critical shortages of everything from ammunition to toothpaste. The "maximum lethality" doctrine has produced exactly the opposite of what it promised.Hegseth's PsychologyAs I discussed in my earlier conversation with Jasper Craven, Hegseth is a deeply damaged individual – a product of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, and of the far-right culture war that has consumed the Republican Party. He is living out a violent adolescent fantasy, speaking in the language of Christian fascism and the annihilation of the enemy.But he is also a symptom of a larger problem. Trump surrounds himself with incompetent ideologues because he does not want specialists and experts. He wants people who will tell him what he wants to hear, who will create chaos and distraction while he carries on looting the state. Hegseth is the perfect product of that system.If you'd like to support this work, please consider joining us on Substack. We are migrating from Patreon – details in the show notes.Explaining History helps you understand the 20th Century through critical conversations and expert interviews. We connect the past to the present. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and share.▸ Support the Show & Get Exclusive ContentBecome a Patron: patreon.com/explaininghistory▸ Join the Community & Continue the ConversationFacebook Group: facebook.com/groups/ExplainingHistoryPodcastSubstack: theexplaininghistorypodcast.substack.com▸ Read Articles & Go DeeperWebsite: explaininghistory.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

SPONSORS: 1) MARS MEN: Head to mengotomars.com and for a limited time, our listeners get 50% off for life plus Free Shipping AND 3 Free Gifts. Mars dot com. 2) MOOD: Get 20% off your first order at https://mood.com with code JULIAN. JOIN PATREON FOR EARLY UNCENSORED EPISODE RELEASES: https://www.patreon.com/JulianDorey CLIPPERS DISCORD: https://discord.gg/8QmWEKJ3BT NEWSLETTER: https://juliandoreypodcast.beehiiv.com/get-julians-top-10-books (***TIMESTAMPS in Description Below) ~ Sabbatical (Tommy Beard) is an American travel YouTuber and polyglot known for exploring off-the-beaten-path destinations and immersing himself in local cultures and languages TOMMY'S LINKS - YT: https://www.youtube.com/@UCib80j_q5o_C5XsCA9YsAFg - IG: https://www.instagram.com/sabbatical.tommy/ FOLLOW JULIAN DOREY IG: https://www.instagram.com/julianddorey/ X: https://x.com/juliandorey JULIAN YT CHANNELS - SUBSCRIBE to Julian Dorey Clips YT: https://www.youtube.com/@juliandoreyclips - SUBSCRIBE to Julian Dorey Daily YT: https://www.youtube.com/@JulianDoreyDaily - SUBSCRIBE to Best of JDP: https://www.youtube.com/@bestofJDP ****TIMESTAMPS**** 0:00 - Russian Prison, FSB Sting & 15-Minute Trial 11:31 - Day to Day in Prison & Getting the Footage Out 22:31 - Living in China, COVID & Tanzania 33:00 - Learning Aztec Language & Filming With No Experience 46:35 - Nazi Descendants in Argentina & Colonia Dignidad 57:31 - First Viral Video, Polygamy & Safaris 01:07:50 - Nigeria, Iraq 2025 & Going Viral on National News 01:16:00 - Iraq Now, Holy Site in Samarra & Shia Militants 01:29:31 - Yazidis, Devil Worshippers & The Kurds 01:41:37 - Turkey, Iran War & Three Weeks After October 7th 01:52:30 - Palestine, West Bank & Why It Is Unsolvable 02:02:13 - Eritrea, Horn of Africa & Being Questioned as a Terrorist 02:12:10 - Detained in Wuhan & Ukraine After Russia 02:22:30 - Largest Attack of the War & Unintentional Journalism 02:32:30 - Strait of Hormuz & What He Actually Saw 02:44:03 - Lebanon, Cuba & The World Gets Small 02:52:35 - Tommy's Work CREDITS: - Host, Editor & Producer: Julian Dorey - COO, Producer & Editor: Alessi Allaman - https://www.youtube.com/@UCyLKzv5fKxGmVQg3cMJJzyQ - In-Studio Producer: Joey Deef Julian Dorey Podcast Episode 468 - Tommy Beard Music by Artlist.io Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There is a sentence here from St. Isaac that overturns almost everything we are inclined to think about asceticism: You suppose these things were ordained simply to oblige you to labor. We imagine the vigil primarily as something difficult. Sleep is surrendered. The body is constrained. Psalms are prayed while the world sleeps. Nature protests and the monk remains standing before God. Looked at from the outside, it appears to be an extraordinary act of discipline. But Isaac tells us that if this is all we see, we have not yet understood the vigil. The question is not how much a man can endure for God. The question is what begins to happen within the heart of a man who desires God enough to seek Him in the night. Something is born there. This is why Isaac speaks so fiercely about the following day. The tragedy would not simply be that we failed in some ascetical rule. The tragedy would be that we received something precious and then lived carelessly enough to lose it. Seeking the One Who Has Already Come to Us The night vigil is born from desire. The monk rises because Someone is there. This is what distinguishes Christian asceticism from mere religious exertion. We are not trying to force our way toward an absent God. We are responding to the God who has already drawn near, already called us, already awakened desire within us. The Beloved has come seeking us. And eventually the heart begins seeking Him. There comes a moment in the spiritual life when prayer is no longer adequately described as obligation. The language of duty becomes too small. A man discovers within himself a hunger for silence because silence allows him to hear more clearly. He desires solitude because solitude removes the thousand competing claims upon his attention. He rises in the night because there are hours when the world has become quiet enough for the heart to recognize what it has always desired. Isaac knows this experience. This is why he speaks of Scripture as well. Reading is not merely preparation for prayer or the acquisition of religious knowledge. Scripture “sows” something within the soul. It gathers the scattered mind. It irrigates prayer. It plants the remembrance of God. It makes the understanding subtle enough to perceive things that previously escaped it. Scripture, silence, prayer, vigil—all begin converging upon the one thing necessary. Christ Himself. And once the heart begins to taste this, the whole ordering of life must change. The Day Must Become the Guardian of the Night Here Isaac becomes extraordinarily demanding. What sense is there, he asks, in sowing throughout the night only to scatter the seed during the day? We stand before God in darkness, struggling to gather the mind. Perhaps after a long while the thoughts settle. Something softens. The Name descends more deeply. Scripture opens itself in a way that cannot easily be explained. A stillness appears that we could never manufacture. Then morning comes. And we throw ourselves back into dispersion. Conversation. Curiosity. News. Opinions. Tasks that did not need to be done. Encounters that did not need to occur. Words that did not need to be spoken. The endless grazing of the mind among things. Isaac's question is devastatingly simple: Why would you do this? Why labor through the night to gather what you willingly scatter during the day? This reveals something essential about the monastic heart. Vigil cannot be isolated from the rest of life. There cannot be one life before God and another life afterward. Isaac says that we must place “no wall of separation” between the night and the day. That phrase is astonishing. The stillness of the night is meant to flow into the day. The remembrance of God cultivated in darkness must become the hidden atmosphere in which we move beneath the light of the sun. The silence of the cell must follow us. The Name must remain near. Our encounters, our speech, our work, even the manner in which we allow ourselves to think must begin to be governed by one question: Will this help me remain with the One whom I have found? This is not narrowness. It is love. Love Makes a Man Careful When something becomes precious to us, we become careful around it. This perhaps explains Isaac's asceticism better than almost anything else. The Fathers guard the senses because something precious has been entrusted to the heart. They guard speech because words can disturb what silence has gathered. They flee unnecessary encounters because the mind can quickly become populated by images, arguments, memories, anxieties, and judgments. They restrain curiosity because the heart cannot gaze simultaneously in every direction and remain simple before God. From outside, such a life may appear severe. From within, it is tenderness. A man in love does not experience every renunciation as deprivation. Some things simply become less interesting because something infinitely more beautiful has appeared. This is why the ascetical life is so counterintuitive. We ordinarily construct our days around what must be accomplished and then attempt to fit prayer somewhere within them. Isaac reverses the order. Order the day around what must not be lost. What if the most important thing that happened today occurred while the world was sleeping? What if the deepest work was not something we accomplished but the quiet gathering of the heart before God? What if the purpose of tomorrow were, in part, simply not to lose it? Then discernment changes. We begin asking not merely whether something is sinful, permissible, useful, interesting, or productive. We begin asking whether it preserves the heart's capacity for God. This is a much more demanding question. “You Would Have Embraced Jesus' Bosom” And then Isaac says something almost unbearably beautiful. Had the monk allowed his daytime life to correspond to the meditation of the night, had he placed no division between them, Isaac says that “in a short time you would have embraced Jesus' bosom.” Here the entire meaning of vigil is unveiled. Not achievement. Not spiritual heroism. Not mastery over sleep. The bosom of Jesus. Communion. Intimacy. Rest in the Beloved. Everything else exists for this. We constrain ourselves because we desire freedom from everything that prevents love. We become silent because we desire to hear. We remain awake because we desire to see. We read because we desire the mind of Christ. We guard ourselves because we have discovered something worth guarding. Even the night itself becomes sacramental in this sense. The darkness strips things of their urgency. The machinery of the world slows. The identities we carry during the day become less important. There is less to perform and less to defend. There is simply the creature before the Creator. The beloved before the Beloved. And the Name. Lord Jesus Christ. The New Life Begins in the Night Isaac finally speaks of those who desire “knowledge of the new life.” That is what vigil opens before us. A new life. Not merely a more disciplined version of the old one. Perhaps this is why the call to stillness can become stronger rather than weaker as the spiritual life deepens. The field of vision narrows. Things once regarded as indispensable reveal themselves as secondary. Activities that once seemed important begin to feel strangely weightless. Even good works must find their proper place. Not because love has diminished. Because desire has become concentrated. One thing is necessary. The night teaches this with a clarity the day rarely permits. And so perhaps Isaac's teaching on vigil reaches far beyond the question of how many hours we sleep. He is teaching us how to construct an entire life around the remembrance of God. Receive the night as gift. Read until the mind is gathered. Call upon the Name. Stand before God when nothing seems to be happening. Remain. And when something begins to awaken within you—some tenderness, some compunction, some clarity, some quiet awareness of the One who has been waiting for you—do not rush away from it. Guard it. Carry it into the morning. Let your speech become quieter because of it. Let your choices become simpler. Let unnecessary things fall away. Let the day itself become an extension of the vigil. For the purpose of the vigil was never simply that we should remain awake. It was that we should awaken. And having awakened, that we should refuse to return to sleep. The Fathers went into the night because they had begun to glimpse the astonishing truth hidden beneath all asceticism: God is worth seeking. God is worth waiting for. God is worth arranging an entire life around. And once the heart has begun to discover Him in the silence, wisdom consists largely in learning not to lose during the day what Love has given us in the night. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:21:49 Ambrose Little: It's supposed to make your head hurt.

What happens when the mission ends—but the hardest battle is just beginning? In this powerful episode of The MisFitNation, host Jake welcomes Chief Warrant Officer 4 (Ret.) Michael Carmichael, a retired U.S. Army Green Beret with 26 years of service, including 22 years in Special Forces and 10 combat deployments across Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and the Middle East. After retiring from one of America's most elite military units, Michael faced an enemy he never expected: isolation, loss of purpose, depression, and suicidal thoughts. Instead of surrendering to that battle, he founded Check A Vet, a nonprofit dedicated to preventing veteran suicide through community, accountability, education, and meaningful human connection. Together, Jake and Michael discuss: • Life inside the U.S. Army Special Forces (Green Berets) • The difficult transition from military service to civilian life • PTSD, moral injury, and the invisible wounds of war • Why loneliness is one of the greatest threats facing veterans today • The reality behind veteran suicide statistics • Leadership lessons forged in combat and carried into everyday life • How families, friends, and civilians can recognize warning signs and help • Why simply checking on someone can save a life This episode is an honest conversation about resilience, purpose, service, and hope. Whether you're a veteran, active-duty service member, first responder, military family member, or someone who wants to better understand the challenges facing those who served, this discussion offers insight that could make a lasting impact. If this episode resonates with you, please follow The MisFitNation, leave a five-star review, and share this conversation with someone who needs to hear it. Remember: No veteran should ever fight alone. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's always a good time when Chris Condon and Jacob Phillips find their way back on the show. It's especially grand when they're back to chat about That Texas Blood, and it's even better when they come guns blazing with the new Hell Comes to Allison Ranch relaunch and news of an upcoming television adaptation. FOC for the new series is this upcoming Monday. Get on your Bat-phone, and get your local comic shop on the line. Here's your chance to jump on the That Texas Blood chuckwagon. That Texas Blood: Hell Comes to Allison Ranch begins in 2003. America has just invaded Iraq. Sheriff Joe Bob wants his son to witness the history on TV, but the teen just wants some alone time with his Xbox. An argument is brewing, but then the call comes in. War is on their doorstep; the Allison Ranch, a local institution, is apparently coming under heavy fire. Sheriff Joe Bob and Deputy Wilson investigate. Things get rough. It's been four years since the previous That Texas Blood storyline. While Chris Condon and Jacob Phillips have never been busier, they've been itching to return to the title that solidified their reputation. We discuss what That Texas Bloodoffers them that no other story does. We explore how this series reflects our current moment and how genre tropes guide their characters toward revelation. During our introduction, we also discuss the sudden closing of Meanwhile…Coffee in Herndon, Virginia. It's where we founded our in-person Comic Book Club, which has become a staple in our creative pursuits. We encourage others to form their own Comic Book Clubs, and we announce where the next iteration of our Comic Book Club will meet in September. That Texas Blood: Hell Comes to Allison Ranch will hit shops on September 23rd, courtesy of Image Comics. It's written by Chris Condon, illustrated by Jacob Phillips, with color assists by Pip Martin, and lettered by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou. Follow Chris Condon on Bluesky. Follow Jacob Phillips on Blue Sky and Instagram. Other Relevant Links to This Week's Episode: Subscribe to the Comic Book Couples Counseling YouTube Channel Watch The Stacks, Comic Creators Name Their Favorite Comics Subscribe to the CBCC Newsletter Meanwhile...Coffee Announces its Closure Previously on CBCC: Chris Condon and Jacob Phillips on The Peril of the Brutal Dark Previously on CBCC: Chris Condon and Jacob Phillips on The Enfield Gang Massacre Previously on CBCC: Chris Condon and Jacob Phillips on a Holly Jolly That Texas Blood Previously on CBCC: Matthew Rosenberg on We're Taking Everyone Down With Us Final Round of Plugs (PHEW): Support the Podcast by Joining OUR PATREON COMMUNITY. And, of course, follow Comic Book Couples Counseling on Facebook, on Instagram, and on Bluesky @CBCCPodcast, and you can follow hosts Brad Gullickson @MouthDork & Lisa Gullickson @sidewalksiren. Send us your Words of Affirmation by leaving us a 5-star Review on Apple Podcasts. Continue your conversation with CBCC by hopping over to our website, where we have reviews, essays, and numerous interviews with comic book creators. Podcast logo by Jesse Lonergan and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou. This Week's Sponsors Glinda and the Wicked Witch finally get their romance. Vampire Snow White and Werewolf Belle must fight the evil queen, while exes-to-lovers, Sleeping Beauty and Alice, try to escape a Nightmare version of Wonderland. Kat and Phil at Lifeline Comics have been building a Kickstarter empire with their Mature Fairy Tale Universe for years…did we also mention they are queer? Well, now they are all colliding in a special Big 2-style event. Nothing will be the same. Head to Kickstarter for Fairy Tale Wars #1, which sees the popular series The Beast and Snow, Nightmare in Wonderland, and The Witches of Oz crossover for a first-of-its-kind comics event. I Love Apocalyptic Zombie Misfits! is the wild new original graphic novel from Doug Wagner and Daniel Hillyard, the twisted minds behind Plastic, Vinyl, Plush, and the current hit Image book, Narco. Imagine a post-apocalyptic world where Heaven and Hell are at war, a nerd wakes up trapped in the body of a supernatural slasher, and his only allies include a roller derby angel, a possessed truck...and immortal murder chickens. Critics are already calling it wildly creative, wonderfully weird, and an absolute blast. Back the Kickstarter for an oversized deluxe hardcover, exclusive editions, art prints, and even the Murder Chickens Card Game, available only during the campaign. If you love horror, dark comedy, and comics that break every rule, head to Kickstarter and search I Love Apocalyptic Zombie Misfits! before the campaign disappears! This August, the 2000 AD Sci-Fi Special is here to make it a nuclear Summer! This 48-page Summer Special features five self-contained stories featuring Judge Dredd, Strontium Dog, Judge Death and Stickleback – the King of Crime! Never read 2000 AD before? This is a great way to jump on board and try out The Galaxy's Greatest Comic. With a cover by Liam Sharp and stories from a galaxy of reality-warping creators, this is all-out sci-fi with an anarchic edge. And the best news is? It's available through Lunar – so you'll be able to order it through your LCS! It's the ultimate apocalyptic beach read – so make sure you pick up the 2000 AD Sci-Fi Special this month!

You start pulling on one thread and then the whole thing unravels. Maybe you start with the Iraq war lies. Maybe 9/11. These days for a lot of folks it's Palestine. You keep pulling on that thread, uncovering more and more uncomfortable truths, until eventually you discover that pretty much everything you've been taught about your world was a lie. Reading by Tim Foley.

Janatyn Sayeh and Edmund Fitton-Brown examine Iranian official Ghalibaf's public appearance in Iraq, signaling defiance to the US and Israel before secondary sanctions are revealed. Sayeh explains that Iran views Iraq as its backyard, using it to evade sanctions by blending Iranian oil with Iraqi exports. Under President Trump, US economic scrutiny on Iraq has increased to block this smuggling. While maximum pressure has devalued Iran's currency and caused hyperinflation, Iran aims to overwhelm Washington by utilizing its regional proxy networks across Yemen, Lebanon, and Iraq. The US must view these proxies as Iranian arms rather than local actors. (2)

CONTENTS THE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW, 8-24-2026.OTTAWAConrad Black and co-host Edmund Fitton-Brown discuss the collapse of trade negotiations and subsequent US tariff threats that have sparked a major political crisis in Canada, leading to opposition calls to immediately reconvene Parliament. Black describes a stark contrast in national attitudes, noting that President Trump's rhetoric effectively denies Canada's sovereignty. This perceived affront has deeply united Canadians across party lines, who view the tariffs as an assault on national identity rather than a mere commercial dispute. Black highlights potential Republican electoral fallout in key US Senate races like Maine and Michigan, and suggests a bilateral phone call could resolve the dispute. (1)Janatyn Sayeh and Edmund Fitton-Brown examine Iranian official Ghalibaf's public appearance in Iraq, signaling defiance to the US and Israel before secondary sanctions are revealed. Sayeh explains that Iran views Iraq as its backyard, using it to evade sanctions by blending Iranian oil with Iraqi exports. Under President Trump, US economic scrutiny on Iraq has increased to block this smuggling. While maximum pressure has devalued Iran's currency and caused hyperinflation, Iran aims to overwhelm Washington by utilizing its regional proxy networks across Yemen, Lebanon, and Iraq. The US must view these proxies as Iranian arms rather than local actors. (2)Ernesto Araújo and Alejandro Peña Esclusa, with Edmund Fitton-Brown: In Brazil, falling poll numbers have panicked President Lula, prompting him to call Donald Trump despite years of anti-American rhetoric. Araújo explains this reflects the US's central role in combating South American "narcosocialist" regimes. Meanwhile, in Venezuela, Delcyand Jorge Rodríguez are simulating cooperation with the US while delaying presidential elections to buy time. Peña Esclusa notes that Venezuelan opposition members are negotiating Supreme Court appointments rather than election dates or political prisoners. Both guests will attend Slovenia's Bled Strategic Forum to discuss Latin America's right-wing political shift and potential energy partnerships with Europe. (3)Malcolm Hoenlein and Edmund Fitton-Brown discuss rising security concerns in Israel after incendiary balloons from Gaza were discovered, potentially testing Israel's border preparedness. Concurrently, Turkey is expanding its regional footprint, occupying 5% of Syria and attempting to establish military bases, which Israel countered with airstrikes. In Gaza, Jared Kushner met with Hamas in Cairo, a move that critics argue bolsters the group's status despite declining local support. Meanwhile, the US Treasury has previewed secondary sanctions on Iranian trading partners, including China. Iran's economy is in collapse, with inflation skyrocketing and the currency reaching an all-time low. (4)David Daoud and Edmund Fitton-Brown examine UNIFIL's mandate, which restricts it to acting as an auxiliary to the Lebanese Armed Forces, preventing independent disarmament of Hezbollah. Consequently, Hezbollah operates freely near UN watchtowers and tunnel networks. Daoud argues that while new US Treasury sanctions expanding target parameters to include Iranian violations are positive, they fail to address Hezbollah's deep integration into Lebanon's socio-political fabric. To be effective, the West must treat Hezbollah as a Lebanese entity with sovereign responsibilities, rather than purely an Iranian proxy. True security requires targeting all of Hezbollah's activities, including its social and political wings. (5)Ivana Stradner and Edmund Fitton-Brown analyze Ukrainian President Zelenskyy's visit to Belgrade, which does not signal a split between Serbia and Russia. President Vučić's weapons sales to Ukraine are merely lucrative business deals. Serbia remains highly dependent on Russia, sharing deep intelligence ties and cooperating with the FSB to test crowd-control equipment. Vučić balances these relationships to survive domestic protests sparked by environmental concerns and a severe heatwave. Stradner, recently returning from Israel, reports that Israeli morale remains exceptionally high despite facing a multi-front threat from Iran's proxy network, which Russia continues to exploit through regional propaganda and strategic manipulation. (6)Edmund Fitton-Brown critiques the term "economic D-Day," explaining that Pakistan's mediation in Iran is self-interested, driven by fears of secondary US sanctions. These sanctions have suffocated Iran's economy, reducing oil exports and sparking hyperinflation. Iraq also struggles with contradictory policies, balancing its US alliance with pro-Iranian gestures, such as securing tanker passage through the Strait of Hormuz. In the Red Sea, the Houthis demand tribute from Saudi Arabia to halt attacks on tankers and pipelines. Fitton-Brown warns that paying the Houthis only delays their long-term expansionist goals against Saudi territory and Israel. (7)Samuel Ben-Ur and Edmund Fitton-Brown discuss how, following a temporary lull, Hamas has intensified attacks in Gaza, emboldened by disarmament frameworks proposed by Egyptian, Qatari, and Turkish mediators. Ben-Ur notes Hamas only accepted the deal under the pretense of disarming while intending to survive intact. However, following Jared Kushner's visit, the US aligned with Israel's stance, demanding total disarmament before military withdrawal. Fitton-Brown and Ben-Ur discuss the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (ENCAG), a secular government planned to replace Hamas. Lacking military power, ENCAG's deployment depends on an international stabilization force, though troop commitments remain severely short. (8)Michael Sobolik and Edmund Fitton-Brown examine how Chinese AI company Moonshot bypassed US export controls by "distilling" technology from Anthropic's Claude Opus model to train its own system, Kimi K3. This intellectual property theft threatens American market dominance and national security. Sobolik recommends three policy actions: imposing crushing financial sanctions on violating Chinese firms, closing export control loopholes related to remote cloud access, and banning open CCP models in the United States. He warns that American tech companies prioritizing short-term profits over security risk losing the AI race, mirroring historical patterns of Chinese piracy. (9)John Hardie and Edmund Fitton-Brown outline Russia's military assistance to Iran via the Caspian Sea, a highly secure transit route. This collaboration benefits Moscow by raising energy prices and draining US munition stockpiles like Patriot interceptors, giving Russia a freer hand in Ukraine. Russia provides Iran with tactical intelligence, drone components to resist satellite jamming, and has agreed to deliver shoulder-launched air defense missiles. While Ukraine and Israel have attempted long-range strikes against trade vessels and ports to disrupt this flow, interdiction is difficult because the Caspian Sea operates as a protected, non-transparent Russian-Iranian military lake. (10)Standing corrections applied: Janatyn Sayeh, Ernesto Araújo, Alejandro Peña Esclusa, Delcy Rodríguez (and Jorge Rodríguez), Zelenskyy, Vučić with diacritics, and Kimi K3 (source again had "Kimmy"). One anomaly in the source: segment 7 listed Fitton-Brown as both guest and co-host, so I've formatted it as his solo segment — flag it if there was a second voice in that file.

Edmund Fitton-Brown critiques the term "economic D-Day," explaining that Pakistan's mediation in Iran is self-interested, driven by fears of secondary US sanctions. These sanctions have suffocated Iran's economy, reducing oil exports and sparking hyperinflation. Iraq also struggles with contradictory policies, balancing its US alliance with pro-Iranian gestures, such as securing tanker passage through the Strait of Hormuz. In the Red Sea, the Houthis demand tribute from Saudi Arabia to halt attacks on tankers and pipelines. Fitton-Brown warns that paying the Houthis only delays their long-term expansionist goals against Saudi territory and Israel. (7)

Let's talk about a lesson from Iraq on Trump's economic war on Iran....

Okay, this week's conversation went WAY off-roading.

Sex is one of the few things in life that is available to everyone and is free. But achieving enjoyable sex is not possible for many. Some people are held back by fear, ignorance or culture - others don't know or understand their rights around sex. For years public health campaigns focused on warning people about the downsides of sex - danger, disease and death - but increasingly the work is focused on the reasons people have sex. We're in Brazil where we meet Ana Autoestima. She's a ‘virtual friend' who provides positive advice about sex to women living some of the poorest neighbourhoods in Rio de Janeiro. We also visit Iraq to find out how a project is helping women who've suffered from female genital mutilation or FGM to enjoy their bodies and sexuality. And we'll hear from Kenyan celebrity and musician Kaz Karen Lucas whose mission is to change the way Kenyans think about sex.This programme contains adult themes.People Fixing The World from the BBC is about brilliant solutions to the world's problems. We'd love you to let us know what you think and to hear about your own solutions. You can contact us on WhatsApp by messaging +44 8000 321721 or email peoplefixingtheworld@bbc.co.uk. And please leave us a review on your chosen podcast provider.

Sex is one of the few things in life that is available to everyone and is free. But achieving enjoyable sex is not possible for many. Some people are held back by fear, ignorance or culture - others don't know or understand their rights around sex. For years public health campaigns focused on warning people about the downsides of sex - danger, disease and death - but increasingly the work is focused on the reasons people have sex. We're in Brazil where we meet Ana Autoestima. She's a ‘virtual friend' who provides positive advice about sex to women living some of the poorest neighbourhoods in Rio de Janeiro. We also visit Iraq to find out how a project is helping women who've suffered from female genital mutilation or FGM to enjoy their bodies and sexuality. And we'll hear from Kenyan celebrity and musician Kaz Karen Lucas whose mission is to change the way Kenyans think about sex.Thanks to The Pleasure Project for help in the making of this programme. Research by them, in collaboration with the WHO in 2022 helped show that including pleasure in sexual health interventions significantly increased condom use and sexual health compared to those that did not. Their website is thepleasureproject.org.This programme contains adult themes.People Fixing The World from the BBC is about brilliant solutions to the world's problems. We'd love you to let us know what you think and to hear about your own solutions. You can contact us on WhatsApp by messaging +44 8000 321721 or email peoplefixingtheworld@bbc.co.uk. And please leave us a review on your chosen podcast provider.Presenter: Myra Anubi Producer: Claire Bowes Brazil reporter: Julia Carneiro Editor: Jon Bithrey Sound mix: Gareth Jones

//The Wire//2300Z August 25, 2026// //ROUTINE// //BLUF: CIA DIRECTOR CONDUCTS MYSTERIOUS VISIT TO MOSCOW. AMERICAN TRADE DISPUTE WITH CANADA DETERIORATES AS BOTH SIDES DIG IN AND ANNOUNCE MUTUAL TARIFFS. IRAN STRIKES ANOTHER TANKER IN HORMUZ.// -----BEGIN TEARLINE-----  -International Events-Middle East: Last night Iran struck another tanker vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, which resulted in the vessel being disabled just off the coast of Oman. The vessel has not been identified as of this report, however this is the first tanker vessel struck by Iran in about a week.Russia: This morning unique aviation traffic was observed, centered around a US Air Force C-17 which took off from Riga, Latvia bound for Moscow. The transport aircraft (Callsign REACH4555) took off from Riga, landing in Moscow a few hours later, with both the United States and Russia not acknowledging the movement. Russians in Moscow also reported seeing American vehicles with diplomatic license plates being escorted by Russian police in the vicinity of the Kremlin.Analyst Comment: So far, neither side has confirmed who this aircraft movement was related to, however this appears to be a visit by CIA Director John Ratcliffe, who arrived for confidential talks with President Putin. This visit (particularly conducted in this manner) is highly unusual, and since all sides are ignoring questions about what was discussed, it will be quite interesting to find out what this visit was really about in a few days. The route taken by Ratcliffe's plane into Russia from Latvia was probably a hint regarding what the very short meeting was related to, but this can be interpreted in many different ways which are all speculative. Landing in Riga was not really necessary; the C-17 could have landed directly in Moscow without diverting to Latvia. Russia has been eyeing the targeting of NATO members for supplying Ukraine with munitions for a few months now, and though we have only complete speculation to rely on, it's possible that the visit was related to that. It could also be related to the rapidly escalating strikes on energy infrastructure throughout Russia and Ukraine. Both parties are slugging it out by destroying major petroleum infrastructure which is being made worse by the war in the Middle East, and the CIA Director would be the level of station that would be put on a plane to broker a miniature truce on that front. Whatever it was, it was certainly not without major importance. The last time the chief spy visited the Kremlin was five years ago, when Director Burns visited Russia to warn against invading Ukraine. That visit was largely kept a secret and only disclosed after the fact, whereas this morning's visit was telegraphed to the world to see very visibly.Canada: The trade dispute with the United States continues to deteriorate as both sides intensify hostile rhetoric on the economic front. So far, talks have stalled and both sides appear to be heading toward a return to mutual retaliatory tariffs. Over the past few days President Trump has threatened to impose a 50% tax on all automotive and auto parts imports from Canada, and this morning Canada announced a similar threats of tariffs on American imports.-HomeFront-Nevada: The Hawk Fire continues to demonstrate active fire behavior as weather conditions have allowed the fire's spread over the past 24 hours. As of this morning, almost 90,000 people are either in mandatory evacuation zones, or are in the "get ready" zones, preparing to evacuate. Good progress was made overnight by crews digging handlines, which have prioritized defending residences in Dog Valley. The weather forecast indicates an increase in conditions favorable for fire behavior over the next 24 hours, with the National Interagency Fire Center predicting the potential for the fire to make major runs to the Northeast and Northwest over the next few days.-----END TEARLINE-----Analyst Comments: Within the Middle East, another threat vector bears consideration as the United States and Iran engage in their economic-warfare phase of the conflict. Yesterday, the United States announced the start of this economic campaign, which began with no real solid and tangible tactics being disclosed. More generally, this plan is an economic version of "if you're not with us, you're against us", and is intended to force other nations that have been sitting on the fence, to choose to support the United States (or at least, not support Iran). The issue with this plan, is that Iran has publicly stated many times that they will not be engaging in tit-for-tat economic policies...they will be meeting economic targeting, with kinetic targeting.How serious they are about this, is anyone's guess; they may just be content to let the Americans continue the economic warfare, on the bet that it won't really affect them since they've been sanctioned for half a century already. However, if Iran does decide to use missiles and drones to respond to American economic targeting, this could get ugly.For instance, if the United States somehow seriously hurts their ability to work with Pakistan to export oil through their pipeline, the Iranians might strike a Chevron facility in Iraq. And they probably won't be hitting the storage tanks, but the office trailer where they know Americans are working. They could also hit the American-linked banking headquarters facilities with precision strikes in Dubai, as a message to both parties. Based on the rhetoric that has been flying all around, this would be an example of the next rungs on the escalation ladder that both sides are climbing by the day. Iran limiting their strikes to only valid military targets and petroleum facilities so far during this war, might lend one to have the false assumption that Iran has been striking the most significant targets they could find. In terms of risk management, if the Iranians have indeed been holding back, the only way that the US will find out that their assumptions are wrong, will be Iranian munitions landing at facilities that the US did not expect.Analyst: S2A1 Research: https://publish.obsidian.md/s2underground NomadNet: 5fa68c88be727a0e1a250a75e5e79269 Disclaimer: No LLMs were used in the writing of this report. //END REPORT//

Find us at www.crisisinvesting.com  Find Bill at https://substack.com/@cgpodcast  The U.S. Military Is a Trillion-Dollar Paper Tiger—Drones, Carriers, and Strategic Failure The hosts interview retired U.S. Army officer and military historian Bill Buppert, fellow at the Libertarian Institute and host of the Chasing Ghosts podcast, about U.S. military shortcomings and strategic failures since 1945. Buppert argues the Pentagon fields expensive "exquisite platforms" that are unfit for 21st-century peer conflict, citing lost influence in the Middle East and Africa and recurring defeats or stalemates in Iraq and Afghanistan. He critiques procurement and consolidation after the 1993 "Last Supper," and highlights troubled systems including the Zumwalt, Littoral Combat Ship, Ford-class EMALS, aircraft carriers, and the F-35's low readiness rates. He emphasizes the revolution of cheap FPV/UAV warfare, salvo competition in air defense, depleted munitions stockpiles (including Stingers), limited U.S. homeland missile defense, and vulnerabilities such as container-launched drones. The conversation also covers Ukraine's prospects against Russia, NATO red lines, Iran's terrain and history, and the importance of considering moral injury in war. 00:00 Meet Bill Buppert 01:52 Paper Tiger Pentagon 04:56 Iraq War Blowback 06:24 Rakes and Stupidity 10:22 Bureaucracy and Budgets 12:05 Navy Procurement Fails 14:05 Carrier and EMALS Risks 18:49 Drones Change Warfare 24:13 Defense Industry Monopoly 27:20 Salvo Competition IAMD 31:46 Carriers vs China Math 36:28 F-35 Readiness Disaster 39:56 Homeland Missile Defense Limits 42:58 Smuggled Nukes and Drones 44:22 Homeland Attack Scenarios 46:06 Civil Defense Blind Spot 47:12 Empire Mindset and 9/11 48:25 Bring Policy Home 51:14 Bureaucracy and Defense Waste 53:07 Drones Change Warfare 54:43 Why COIN Fails 56:58 Ukraine Forecast and NATO 59:57 Iran Nukes and Regional Power 01:08:09 Homeschooling and Trades 01:11:29 Iran Terrain and History 01:14:12 Moral Injury and Farewell

CannCon flies solo for Tuesday with Ghost calling in for a meaty geopolitics segment on the Mecca agreement, an Article 5 style defense pact between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey that has now reportedly extended invitations to Iran and Syria. Ghost walks through Turkey's rising role inside NATO, US troops leaving Iraq, and a genuinely surprising revelation about who was actually serving as the back channel into Iran, which flips the widely reported narrative on its head. The back half turns domestic, with the Supreme Court allowing some vote by mail limits ahead of the midterms, a Ninth Circuit immigration ruling, and two brave Michigan township clerks publicly inviting federal officials in to cross check their voter rolls after a whistleblower claim. CannCon closes with a WNBA eligibility story that is equal parts absurd and pointed.

Gaius and Germanicus: On a rainy late summer night in 92 AD Londinium, the hosts convene in their newly expanded wine bar by the River Thames, built so retired centurions of the eighth legion—such as Strabo, who served twenty-seven years—can rest and put their feet up. Gaius apologizes for his tardiness, delayed by a commercial dispute with a Gaulishmerchant demanding extra money for a shipment of Greek wine brought across the choppy English Channel; a poor bargainer, Gaius resolves to pay whatever it takes to secure the wine for the centurions by Sunday, and shares his day planting fragrant sumacs and tall purple-flowered ironweeds as pollinators. From this first-century frame, the hosts turn to the collapse of American strategy: the Persian Empire (modern Iran) no longer fears the American "imperator," as shown by Iran inviting Iraq—a country generously supported by the United States for years—to ship at least five backed-up tankers of oil through the Strait of Hormuzuntouched, and by Pakistani army chief General Munir's travel to Tehran to meet the IRGC. Russia and China are in constant communication with Iran; Germanicus traces Russia's interest to the nineteenth century, the 1908 spheres-of-influence division, and the 1942 invasion, arguing the American "feckless war" has stitched the Eurasian continent together and frozen the US out. Where the post-9/11 US "bestrode the Middle East like a colossus" and Iran sought breathing room through the JCPOA, now Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan court Tehran, the Gulf states seek accommodations in the new order, and the US has been reduced to nothing more than Israel's direct defender. (1)

Ilya Ponomarev is a Russian-Ukrainian politician who was a member of the Russian State Duma from 2007 to 2016. After the 2022 Russian invasion, Ponomarev joined Ukraine's Territorial Defence Forces, and categorically denounced the invasion. While a member of the Russian State Duma, he was the only deputy not to vote in favour of the Russian gay propaganda law and to vote against Russia's annexation of Crimea in March 2014. He is now in exile in Ukraine and is a spokesman with insurgent Russian forces (National Republican Army) fighting on the side of Ukraine. ----------LINKS:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilya_Ponomarev https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002113qhttps://www.fpri.org/contributor/ilya-ponomarev/BOOKS:Does Putin Have to Die? The Story of How Russia Becomes a Democracy after Losing to Ukraine (Hardcover – 19 Jan. 2023)ARTICLES: https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2024/01/19/ilya-ponomaryov-we-have-to-capture-the-kremlin-there-is-no-other-way-a83772 ----------David DeBatto is host of the ‘No Delusion Zone' podcast @NoDelusionZone is a retired U.S. Army Counterintelligence Special Agent, a geopolitical analyst, writer, and podcaster. David is an Iraq war veteran who served as Team Leader of a Tactical Human Intelligence Team (THT) in operations within Iraq and is also a former police officer. David is considered too conservative for the progressive left and too independent minded for the radical right and seeks to challenge political dogma and the naked self-interest of politicians. ----------LINKS:@NoDelusionZone https://www.protectingtherepublic.com/podcasthttps://x.com/ddebattohttps://www.kyivpost.com/authors/743----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Car4Ukrainehttps://car4ukraine.com/en-US/campaignsDzyga's Pawhttps://dzygaspaw.com/projectsSuperhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/----------PLATFORMS:Substack: https://substack.com/@siliconcurtainTwitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSiliconLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqm----------

Table of Contents: Updated Group Prayer–List of Current Event Prayer Points–Part 2 Vatican Bids for Global Authority Listener Comment: Brief words of wisdom after 70 years in ministry–this pastor hits the nail on the head An Army Ranger’s Message to Christian Men: Get Ready Nation’s biggest bank warns of global food ‘crisis’ in 2027–‘Massive Global Food Crises’: JPMorgan Warns That Next Big Event “Won’t be Short-Lived”–Be Ready! Prepare for What’s Coming! Fuel Rationing Spreads As Diesel Rises, Cushing Back Near ‘Tank Bottoms’ Warning of Nationwide Blackout; Nine Substation Failures Collapse ENTIRE Grid, Could Last 18 MONTHS “Economic D-Day”: Trump Announces, “Most Crushing Economic Operation Ever” On Iran, UAE Cuts US Ties US Now Expects Iran War Oil Supply Disruption to Last Until END of 2027–Prices Will Rise BREAKING: Iran warns it is preparing for military operations on US soil following a “new military doctrine tasking IRGC to attack enemy in its soil,” adding Iran will “take operations into enemy territory, into the enemy's lands, and carry out operations far from our own territory,” Iranian Economic Warfare / “Pre-Emptive” Strike Muhammad the Founder of Islam–This is shocking but the truth needs to be told–The Bible says in Ephesians 5:11 & 13: “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.” The 1828 Noah Webster Dictionary defines: “Reprove”: To blame, to convince of a fault, or to make it manifest, to excite a sense of guilt. More Wonderful Satanic Fruit From Islam!! Hellish: Ceuta Mothers Weep In Streets—Muslim Savages Rapes Force Women To Flee–Children's Parks Smeared In the Muslim Invaders Feces Bacha Bazi: The Muslim Abuse of Boys in Afghanistan–American Soldiers Tell What They Saw        Proof The Islamization of the US Military! Unbelievable! American activist is almost killed all because he protested a Muslim only event and exercised his right to free speech–He was only holding up a sign saying “Jesus is King” and a pro deportation sign in Dearborn Michigan– Once again they are coming to Christian countries to dominate and take over–It’s happening in Europe, and now in North America! The Dearborn MI Muslim Mayor and Police Chief Are Both Lying Devils! But That Should Not Surprise Us-As That is All Part of Their Wicked Muslim Death Cult! Muslims in Dearborn, MI carrying firearms and chomping at the bit to start killing the infidels! Once they are in power they protect their own–Dearborn is corrupt and has totally fallen–They are operating under Taqiyyah & Sharia Law! Islamists in Dearborn Have No Idea What They Just Unleashed!! This is not Iraq or Afghanistan, this is Chicago Illinois “They’re declaring that all Jews and all Christians will be removed from this city! — They're chanting “Muhammad is the only one! May Allah be lifted up!”' The enemy is no longer in some far off land, it's not at our gate, he's right here! PDF: Emergency Freedom Alerts 8-24-26 Click Here To Play The Part 1 Audio Source

Iran's 60-day window with the United States has expired — and there is still no diplomatic breakthrough. In today's Israel Daily News, Shana Fuld breaks down the latest developments across Israel, Iran, and the region, including reports that Tehran used the 60-day period to expand missile and drone production and strengthen coordination with its proxy forces in Yemen, Iraq, and Lebanon. The Trump administration is now pushing what it calls an “economic D-Day” against Iran, targeting the country's oil exports, banking system, and foreign trade networks. Iran's currency has fallen to a record low, while tensions continue to rise across the region. Meanwhile, Israel's domestic political battle is intensifying ahead of the October 27 election. Ultra-Orthodox protesters blocked Highway 4 near Bnei Brak following the arrest of a yeshiva student who failed to report for his IDF draft summons. The Haredi draft exemption debate has become one of the defining political issues in Israel, with coalition parties pushing new legislation while critics argue that all Israelis should share the burden of military service. Shana also breaks down Netanyahu's warning to right-wing voters about smaller parties potentially failing to cross the electoral threshold — and why reaching 61 seats is so important for forming a government. Plus, a major historical discovery: Divers have located the wreck of the Altalena, the ship at the center of one of the most painful episodes in Israel's early history. The ship, carrying weapons, fighters, and immigrants, arrived in Israel in 1948 and became the center of a confrontation between David Ben-Gurion's government and Menachem Begin's Irgun. When the IDF opened fire on the ship, Begin ordered his fighters not to retaliate in order to prevent a civil war. Now, decades later, the wreck has been located intact roughly 500 meters underwater off the coast of Tel Aviv. In this episode: • Iran's 60-day U.S. memorandum expires • Trump's new “economic D-Day” sanctions campaign • Iran's collapsing currency • Rising tensions near Saudi Arabia • Israel's Haredi military draft crisis • The fight over new draft exemption legislation • Netanyahu's warning to right-wing voters • Shin Bet chief David Zini and Gadi Eisenkot • Settler violence in the West Bank • International stabilization plans for Gaza • Mansour Abbas and Palestinian statehood • The discovery of the Altalena wreck • Ben-Gurion vs. Menachem Begin • How the Altalena nearly triggered civil war • Israel Daily News updates and how to support independent journalism • The Maccabiah Games and the “Jewish Olympics” Support Israel Daily News: Your support helps us continue producing independent journalism about Israel and the Middle East. Visit israeldailynews.org to make a one-time or monthly contribution. Don't forget to subscribe to Israel Daily News on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and sign up for the Israel Weekly News newsletter for the top stories from Israel each week. Timestamps 00:00 Iran's 60-Day Window Ends With No Deal01:00 Trump's “Economic D-Day” Against Iran02:00 Israel's Haredi Draft Crisis Explodes03:00 The Battle Over Haredi Draft Exemptions04:00 Why the Draft Is a Major Election Issue05:00 Shin Bet Chief Defends Eisenkot Decision06:00 Netanyahu Warns Right-Wing Voters07:00 Settler Violence & Gaza Stabilization Plans08:00 Mansour Abbas & the Gaza Debate09:00 The Altalena Wreck Has Been Found10:00 How the Altalena Clash Began11:00 Menachem Begin's Decision That Changed Israel12:00 Israel Daily News Updates13:00 Rosh Hashanah Gift Recommendations14:00 Upcoming Israel Travel & Holiday Content15:00 The Maccabiah Games: The Jewish Olympics16:00 Sign-Off & Israel Weekly News17:00 Thanks to Our Sponsors & Production Team #Israel #IsraelNews #Iran #IranIsrael #Trump #Netanyahu #IsraelPolitics #IsraeliPolitics #IDF #HarediDraft #DraftCrisis #Knesset #IsraeliElections #MiddleEast #Gaza #Altalena #MenachemBegin #BenGurion #WestBank #IsraelDailyNews #IsraelDailyNewsPodcast #BreakingNews #JewishHistory #Maccabiah Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Marine Corps Sergeant Major Jean-Paul Corville served 22 years in the United States Marine Corps from 1991 to 2013, earning the Bronze Star with Valor and rising to the rank of Sergeant Major.In this episode of Urban Valor, Corville shares Marine Corps boot camp stories, infantry life, combat in Iraq, leadership lessons, disaster response in Japan, and the decision that ultimately changed the course of his career.He talks about growing up shy and overweight in Louisiana, transforming himself through training, choosing the Marines, becoming an 0331 machine gunner, serving at 29 Palms, deploying to Okinawa, becoming a drill instructor, and eventually reaching the highest enlisted levels of Marine Corps leadership.Corville also opens up about combat, loss, mistakes, consequences, and what happened when one decision cost him more than he ever expected.From hilarious Marine Corps stories to some of the darkest moments of his life, this is an unfiltered look at a 22-year military career from someone who lived it at every level.

Your daily news in under three minutes.For more on these stories, please head to https://www.aljazeera.com And connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Welcome to the Energy Newsbeat, where host Stu Turley breaks down the ten most critical energy stories shaping global markets and infrastructure. In this episode, we explore a landscape marked by unprecedented challenges and opportunities: from the alarming vulnerability of the U.S. power grid to coordinated cyberattacks, to Iraq's aggressive push to double oil production and reshape Middle Eastern energy politics. As geopolitical tensions escalate—with Ukraine striking Russian refineries and the U.S. tightening sanctions on Iran—the global energy market faces historic supply constraints, record-high refining margins, and tanker costs that are reshaping fuel prices worldwide. Meanwhile, the explosive growth of AI data centers is creating a power demand crisis that threatens to overwhelm manufacturing capacity for years to come. This episode examines how these interconnected forces—from grid security and sanctions effectiveness to renewable energy policy and oil market dynamics—are fundamentally transforming the energy landscape and what it means for consumers, investors, and national security.1. U.S. Grid Vulnerability & Blackout RiskThe host discusses the critical vulnerability of the U.S. power grid to coordinated attacks on substations. Former FERC chairman John Wellinghoff warned that targeting just nine key substations could cause an 18-month nationwide blackout, potentially affecting millions. The episode emphasizes the importance of backup power systems and preparedness.2. Iraq's Oil Production Expansion & OPEC DynamicsIraq is aggressively pursuing plans to double its oil production capacity to 8-10 million barrels per day, with major oil companies (Chevron, Exxon, BP) securing new contracts. The discussion explores whether OPEC will allow this expansion and how Iraq is building export routes through Turkey to bypass the Strait of Hormuz.3. Sanctions on Iran & Their EffectivenessThe episode covers U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessen's sanctions strategy against Iran, examining whether sanctions are effectively constraining Iran's oil exports. Evidence shows Iran's exports have collapsed from 1.8-2.1 million barrels per day to near zero, though Iran is finding workarounds using land-based truck transport.4. Drone Threats to Oil InfrastructureThe UAE has installed massive metal cage structures over oil storage tanks in Abu Dhabi for anti-drone protection—a response to increasing drone strikes on energy infrastructure in the Ukraine-Russia conflict. This reflects how modern warfare is changing energy security.5. Ukraine's Strikes on Russian RefineriesUkraine has successfully struck major Russian refineries, including the Lukoil refinery in Perm, degrading Russia's refining capacity and military fuel supply. This has significant global oil market implications.6. Diesel Supply Shortages & Crack SpreadsHedge funds are reducing bearish bets on European diesel, signaling expected fuel supply shortages. U.S. crack spreads (the profit margin for refining) have hit record highs at $102 per barrel, driven by tight inventories and high tanker costs—not refinery gouging.7. AI Data Center Power Demand CrisisGE Vernova's gas turbine backlog has hit 116 gigawatts with delivery delays until 2031. The episode explores how AI data centers' massive power appetite is creating a manufacturing bottleneck, forcing companies to "bring your own power" (BYOP) solutions.8. Floating Offshore Wind Farms in BritainThe UK is moving to expensive floating offshore wind farms with 200 new turbines and 300-400 kilometers of cables. The host argues this approach will increase energy costs and require natural gas backup, contradicting net-zero goals.9. Winter Gasoline Waiver & Ethanol PolicyThe Trump administration issued an emergency waiver allowing early transition to winter-grade gasoline to help curb prices. The host advocates for eliminating ethanol mandates, arguing it wastes energy and increases consumer costs.10. Venezuela Oil Rig RestartSchlumberger (SLB) is preparing to restart 15 idle oil rigs in Venezuela to ease drilling bottlenecks, though Venezuela faces energy constraints that complicate operations.Overarching Theme: The podcast emphasizes that global energy markets are tight, oil and gas remain essential long-term, and geopolitical factors (sanctions, conflicts, infrastructure attacks) are reshaping energy supply chains and prices.1.What if 9 Substations were Targeted on the US Grid? Would Jon Wellinghoff's Prediction of an 18-Month US Grid Blackout Happen?2.Will Iraq leave OPEC, or will OPEC allow Iraq to double exports within six years?3.Will Choking Iran's Economy End the War, or Are They Too Resilient?4.UAE Cageing Up Their Oil Storage for Anti-Drone Protection5.Ukraine Hits Lukoil Refinery. How Degraded is the Russian Refinery Capacity?6.Hedge Funds Cut Bearish Bets on European Diesel to Two-Year Low7.GE Vernova's Gas Turbine Backlog Hits 116 GW. What Does This Mean for the AI Market?8.Britain Doubles Down on Wind by Moving to Floating Wind Farms for More Expensive Energy9.US Allows Early Sales of Winter Gasoline to Help Curb Prices10.SLB Prepares to Restart 15 Oil Rigs in VenezuelaA shout-out to Steve Reese and the Reese Energy Consulting group for sponsoring the Podcast https://reeseenergyconsulting.com/.Data2 if you have any business systems, can you trust A? Well, they have the patent on validation. . https://data2.zoholandingpage.com/energyAnd we have WellDatabase rolling, and we use their tools for the Energy News Beat weekly Rig Reports: https://welldatabase.com/

Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) speaks with Joanna Coles about the ongoing war with Iran, warning that the Trump administration risks repeating the mistakes that sent him to Iraq as a young Marine—and could drag thousands more Americans into a conflict with no clear exit. Gallego takes aim at Donald Trump's handling of the military, Pete Hegseth's leadership at the Pentagon, the president's health and judgment, and the security concerns surrounding his inner circle. He also lays out why he believes Democrats could win back voters by focusing on the cost of living, corruption, and the concerns of Latino men who supported Trump but are now turning against his immigration policies. Plus, Gallego makes the case for giving parents more control over their children's social media use, reveals what he's hearing from Republicans about the Pentagon, and gives his most candid answer yet on whether a 2028 presidential run could be in his future. #ad Save 20% Off Honeylove by going to https://honeylove.com/DAILYBEAST! #honeylovepod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin McIlroy is planning a student walkout at his school on March 10. If George W. Bush does not immediately withdraw troops from Iraq then the students will strike and he’ll expect a 100% participation from students whether or a not they believe in the cause. Sign up for a Backstage Pass and enjoy Hours of exclusive content, Phil's new podcast, Classic podcasts, Bobbie Dooley's podcasts, special live streaming events and shows, and oh so very much more…See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Military intelligence expert Michael Pregent join Brian Kilmeade to reveal the administration's new phase of "Operation Economic Fury"—a strategy targeting Iran's shadow oil fleet, regional proxies, and financial lifelines in Iraq and Pakistan. Plus, economist Tiana Lowe Doescher breaks down the $40 trillion national debt crisis, and neuroscientist Jared Horvath exposes why tech in classrooms is failing American students. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The “Illegal” Iran War, His Favorite Wrestler. DJT in the WWE Hall of Fame. Hegseth, Klobachar, The Debt, USS Lincoln, Socialism's Surge, La Casa De MSNBC. And The Indy Senate Candidates On The Cusp Of Doing What He Did. Jesse Ventura returns to Independent Americans and does what only Jesse can do — say the quiet part loud. He rips into an illegal war in Iran that Congress refuses to vote on, a $40 trillion debt Republicans are quietly stacking on the national credit card, and a Trump family that has never once put on the uniform while profiting off defense contracts and the drone industry. He calls the country's slide unmistakable: when federal troops are doing daily law enforcement on American streets, that is the working definition of a third-world nation, and we are living in one. From there Paul and the Governor go wide. They break down the USS Lincoln stranded at sea for nine months, Pete Hegseth treating war like a football pep talk, the rise of a viable independent Senate bench — Bodnar, Bangs, Osborn, Achilles — and Jesse's standing offer to fill Amy Klobuchar's seat if she has the guts to make the ask. Jesse revisits the story of how MSNBC and General Electric paid him for three years to keep him off the air before the Iraq invasion, why money-as-free-speech is a lie, and why every war in his 75 years has been built on lies nobody was ever held accountable for. It is history, hot takes, and a hard shove toward the independent majority — delivered by the man who proved independents can win. -WATCH full video of this episode here. -Millions of American veterans are being locked out of primary elections in the country they served. See what we're doing to change that. -Visit Kalshi and trade on anything. Use code [INDEPENDENT] to get ten dollars when you trade ten. -Head to cozyearth.com and use the code AMERICANS for an exclusive 20% off. -Join Noble Mobile today and get a $100 bonus when you use code PAUL and stay a member for 2 months! -Join IVA and help us get independent veterans elected to office. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Learn more about American Veterans for Ukraine here. -Remember Independent is an Attitude. -Learn more about The Headstrong Project for Veterans, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and Department of Veterans Affairs resources in your area. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness. It's a show of strength. If you or a loved one are in immediate crisis, dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255. Connect with Independent Americans: Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all podcast platforms Read more at Substack Support ad-free episodes at Patreon  Connect: Instagram  • X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Follow on social: @PaulRieckhoff on X, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky -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.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We look at the extraordinary story of Jason Arday, who went from being unable to speak until the age of 11 and unable to read or write until 18 to becoming one of the youngest Black professors ever appointed at Cambridge — and ask what his journey tells us about education, intelligence and the limits we place on children. Today I'm also joined by Christina Tobin and Ben Peterson. Christina explains why she believes America's two-party system is fundamentally broken, what independent candidates are up against, and whether meaningful electoral reform is possible. Then Ben joins me to discuss his journey from serving in Iraq to working with active-duty military personnel, the crisis of isolation and suicide among service members, and why our growing dependence on technology and AI may be exposing a much deeper spiritual problem. Ben Peterson's new book, When Intelligence Isn't Human: https://www.whenintelligenceisnthuman.com/ Get tickets for The Shelter Island Conference, August 26–28, featuring Russell Brand, Christina Tobin, Ron Paul and more: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/united-we-stand-tour-shelter-island-conference-tickets-1998117248478 To get a free audio copy of my book 'How to Become a Christian in 7 Days', you can download it at https://www.russellbrand.com/how-to-become-a-christian-audiobook/ Order my new book 'How to Become Christian in 7 Days' at https://bit.ly/russellbook2 Listen to Jake's new album - https://bit.ly/JakeSmithAlbum If you want to support the show and take care of yourself properly—without turning your bathroom into a laboratory—go to tryreborn.com. It's the Reborn store: supplements, skincare, daily essentials… simple, effective, and made for people who are trying to stay strong while the world does whatever this is. Go check out tryreborn.com and grab what you need   Go to http://polymarket.com to trade on the outcomes of live events from politics, pop culture, to sports and more! Tip creators, not the platform with Rumble Wallet. Get started with Rumble Wallet and use the code BRAND5 to claim $5 in US Stablecoin (USA₮)! Download now: http://wallet.rumble.com/brand  Void where prohibited. No purchase necessary. Offer available to US residents only. Offer not available in New York State. Must be 18+. Offer is available for a limited time and for the first 1000 wallets activated and funded. Restrictions apply. Details and full official rules available at http://rumble.com/promoofficialrules.  This is a paid advertisement for Rumble Wallet. Rumble is compensating me for this ad.  

Being fit isn't enough—you need to be capable. JP Dinnell explains why men should embrace discomfort, build resilience, prioritize recovery, become capable for their families, and lead by example. Relive Health: https://link.relivehealth.com/widget/booking/hRIiQQVgZ4OfOAPiaOWb?am_id=jpdinnell2478 Get your free training from First In Nutrition: https://www.firstinnutrition.com/jppod More from JP Dinnell: https://www.jpdinnell.com/ Therapeutic Recreation Group: https://www.therapeuticrg.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therapeutic_rec_group/ Echelon Front Leadership Assessment: https://tinyurl.com/y3v22car Join the conversation on instagram JP Dinnell: http://instagram.com/jpdinnell/ Lucas Pinckard: https://www.instagram.com/lucaspinckard Bruiser Arms: https://www.instagram.com/bruiserarms Echelon Front: https://echelonfront.com/ Little Cattle Co: http://littlecattle.co On The Path Printing: https://www.instagram.com/onthepathprinting JP Dinnell is a former U.S. Navy SEAL and now a Leadership Instructor, Speaker and Strategic Advisor with Echelon Front, where he serves as Director of Experiential Leadership Training Programs. J.P. is also a pro team athlete and spokesperson for Origin Maine and Jocko Fuel, an American clothing and supplement company. J.P. has a signature Energy Drink flavor "Sour Apple Sniper" with Jocko Fuel. Jeremiah spent nearly a decade in the SEAL Teams with three combat deployments. Sent to the violent terrorist stronghold of Ar Ramadi, Iraq in 2006 with SEAL Team Three's Task Unit Bruiser, J.P. served as point man, machine gunner, and lead sniper for Delta Platoon opposite the American Sniper, Chris Kyle, who was in Charlie Platoon. For his leadership and courage under fire, JP was awarded a Silver Star, 2 Bronze Stars with Valor and the Army Commendation Medal with Valor helping Task Unit Bruiser to become the most highly decorated special operations unit of the Iraq War. He worked closely with SEAL Officers Jocko Willink, his Task Unit Commander, and Leif Babin, and was the driving force on many of the daring combat operations Jocko and Leif wrote about in Extreme Ownership. Upon his return, J.P. again worked directly for Jocko as a training instructor at Naval Special Warfare Group One Training Detachment, where he orchestrated realistic and challenging training scenarios for Special Operations Urban Combat training and Close Quarters Combat training to better prepare SEAL units for the real-world battlefield. He also served as a Combatives Instructor, Marksmanship Instructor and earned his Master Trainer Specialist qualification while helping Jocko rebuild and enhance these training programs into the highly effective platforms they are today. J.P. brings exceptional experience and frontline leadership perspective from the winning mindset and culture of Task Unit Bruiser. 00:00 The Power of Community and Shared Suffering 03:01 Building Resilience Through Adversity 05:54 Creating a Culture of Hardship in Organizations 08:54 The Importance of Balance in Physical Challenges 12:13 Making Hard Things Fun 15:08 The Role of Recovery and Rest in Training 18:05 The Warrior Mindset and Discipline 20:59 Next Steps for Personal Growth and Safety 27:56 The Importance of Physical Capability 29:15 Faith, Fitness, and Leadership 33:37 Setting an Example for Family 34:28 Starting Your Fitness Journey 39:07 Establishing Personal Fitness Standards 48:33 The Duty to Set High Standards

Our featured Archive Hour is from May 2004. Its the time of the Iraq War. Dean Wheeler groped some women at his yoga sessions but asked, why is that such a big deal considering what is happening in Iraq.Sign up for a Backstage Pass and enjoy Hours of exclusive content, Phil's new podcast, Classic podcasts, Bobbie Dooley's podcasts, special live streaming events and shows, and oh so very much more…See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cacao Blisshttps://TryCacaoBliss.com/ToddThis hot drink DOUBLED stem cells in 30 day study (Green tea vs Hot Cacao vs Coffee). Boost anti-aging stem cells for heart health, blood pressure, longevity with Cacao Bliss. Angel Studioshttps://Angel.com/ToddBecome an Angel Guild member to watch Charlie Kirk: American Martyr and help bring more stories of faith, courage, and convocation to audiences around the world.  Absolute Ministrieshttps://AbsoluteMinistries.org/ToddYour gift helps people overcome addiction, find hope and purpose, and experience lasting change through a Christ-centered system of care. Together, we  can support sustainable transformation that goes far beyond temporary sobriety. Alan's Soaphttps://AlansArtisanSoaps.com/Todd The legacy continues for Ian and Alan with Alan's Artisan Soaps “John's Favorites” bundle.  Get one bar of each of John's favorites for only $28.99. Bulwark Capitalhttps://KnowYourRiskPodcast.comBe confident in your portfolio with Bulwark! Schedule your free Know Your Risk Portfolio review. Go to KnowYourRiskPodcast.com today. Renue Healthcarehttps://Renue.Healthcare/ToddYour journey to a better life starts at Renue Healthcare. Visit https://Renue.Healthcare/Todd Bonefroghttps://BonefrogCoffee.comGet the new limited release, The Sisterhood, created to honor the extraordinary women behind the heroes.   Use code TODD at checkout to receive 10% off your first purchase and 15% on subscriptions.LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE at: The Todd Herman Show - Podcast - Apple Podcasts The Todd Herman Show | Podcast on Spotify  WATCH and SUBSCRIBE at:  Todd Herman - The Todd Herman Show - YouTubeHow Jesus Saved This Combat Vet From SuicideJackie Vanover Branch was a US Army Sergeant First Class who spent 3 years in Iraq. He shared his testimony with us and how Jesus saved him from taking his own life.

Donald Trump has vowed an ‘economic D-Day' to crush Iran, amid news that the US military is stealthily getting oil out of the Strait of Hormuz despite Tehran's attacks. Will US jets escorting tankers stop oil prices from rising further?In today's episode of Iran: The Latest, Roland Oliphant talks to Matthew Savill, director of Military Sciences at the UK's Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), to dissect the reality of Iran's diminishing maritime leverage in the war, and how effective economic pressure will be on the Iranian regime. Plus, Britain's diminishing minehunting capabilities in the Middle East, why Iran views the UK as the ‘Little Satan', and what it's like to be attacked by Iranian-backed militias in Iraq. HighlightsDonald Trump vows ‘economic D-Day' to crush IranUS military stealthily getting oil out of the Strait of HormuzCONTRIBUTORS:Roland Oliphant, co-host and chief foreign affairs analyst @RolandOliphantMatthew Savill, RUSI director of Military Sciences, @MTSavillWATCH US ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dkCONTENT REFERENCED:Trump declares ‘economic D-Day' against Iranhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2026/08/20/trump-declares-economic-d-day-iran-sanctions/Winner Best News and Analysis Podcast - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026Nominated Podcast of the Year - Society of Editors News Podcasts Awards 2026Nominated Best News, Politics and Current Affairs - British Podcast Awards 2026The Telegraph, Winner Podcast Publisher of the Year 2026 - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026Audio Producer: David Dargahi Video Producer: Max BowerResearcher and Social Producer: Anna HindmarshStudio Operator: Andy WatsonExecutive Producer: Venetia Rainey ► Sign up to our most popular newsletter, From the Editor. Look forward to receiving free-thinking comment and the day's biggest stories, every morning. telegraph.co.uk/fromtheeditor► EMAIL US: Contact the team on battlelines@telegraph.co.uk► GET THE LATEST HEADLINES: Find all our latest Iran coverage here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/iran-war/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on News from the Crabby Coffee Shop, Kenny and Jay sit down with Jen Merrill. A Minneapolis Police officer, military helicopter pilot, Iraq and Afghanistan veteran, and longtime Third Precinct officer. Jen takes us inside life on the force before, during, and after the George Floyd riots. She shares what it was like working out of the Third Precinct, the same station that became a national flashpoint and was ultimately overrun and burned. Standing on the opposite side of the crowds, the chaos, and the flames consuming parts of the city, she gives access into the behind the curtain workings of the department. From the realities of day-to-day policing in Minneapolis to the intense, personal experience of defending order when large parts of the city were on fire, Jen offers a firsthand account rarely heard in the mainstream. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Independent Veteran For Spokane Prosecutor on: Open Primaries Real World Impact, 60,000 Displaced Neighbors, And What Right Looks Like. Why The Uss Lincoln Story Should Scare Every Veteran. Spokane County spent the primary season choking on wildfire smoke — 800 structures gone, 60,000 people displaced, plumes visible from the parade route — and voters still showed up to the ballot box. In the middle of that devastation, Iraq combat veteran and independent candidate Danny Tarkenton did something the two-party machine insists is impossible: she cracked the top two in a county prosecutor race with no billionaire donor, no party infrastructure, and no partisan jersey. She finished a hair behind the Republican incumbent, advanced to the November general, and proved that Washington's open primary is a working model for what right looks like in American democracy. Paul sits down with Danny to unpack how she did it — walking with her community instead of standing above it, refusing party money so she only answers to the people, and bringing an interdisciplinary background in philosophy, psychology, forensic science, and combat engineering to an office that should never have been partisan in the first place. They dig into the human cost of the wildfires, the toxin exposure her community will be processing for a generation, and the contrast between leaders who acknowledge a crisis and leaders who pretend it isn't happening. It's a movement, not just an election — and it's a preview of what independents can do everywhere the system isn't rigged against them. -WATCH full video of this episode here. -Millions of American veterans are being locked out of primary elections in the country they served. See what we're doing to change that. -Visit Kalshi and trade on anything. Use code [INDEPENDENT] to get ten dollars when you trade ten. -Head to cozyearth.com and use the code AMERICANS for an exclusive 20% off. -Join Noble Mobile today and get a $100 bonus when you use code PAUL and stay a member for 2 months! -Join IVA and help us get independent veterans elected to office. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Learn more about American Veterans for Ukraine here. -Remember Independent is an Attitude. -Learn more about The Headstrong Project for Veterans, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and Department of Veterans Affairs resources in your area. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness. It's a show of strength. If you or a loved one are in immediate crisis, dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255. Connect with Independent Americans: Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all podcast platforms Read more at Substack Support ad-free episodes at Patreon  Connect: Instagram  • X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Follow on social: @PaulRieckhoff on X, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky -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.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

David Sams sits down with Army veteran and Engage Your Destiny founder Ben Peterson for a conversation that moves from the battlefields of Iraq to the front lines of the AI revolution. Ben opens up about the darkest chapter of his life serving as a Chaplain's Assistant — losing seven brothers-in-arms in his first week of deployment, and the years of guilt, addiction, and near-suicidal despair that followed — and how that pain became the foundation for a ministry that has now reached over 300,000 service members. From there, the conversation turns to the topic driving Ben's urgent new book, When Intelligence Isn't Human: Navigating Your Faith in the Age of AI. Ben and David dig into what it means to live faithfully in a world where algorithms are shaping how young people think, feel, and even seek guidance — with sobering data on anxiety, isolation, and a generation increasingly turning to chatbots instead of community, mentors, or God. They talk candidly about the AI arms race with China, the explosion of data centers, the rise of AI companionship, and why Ben believes this moment calls for believers to root themselves deeper in Christ rather than retreat from technology altogether. It's a raw, wide-ranging discussion of sacrifice, redemption, and what it takes to stay grounded when the world is moving faster than we can process. Pre-order Ben's book, When Intelligence Isn't Human. #BenPeterson #WhenIntelligenceIsntHuman #army #ai #keepthefaith # contagiousinfluencer #davidsams #engageyourdestiny  

Jon Herold welcomes back Ghost for a deep geopolitical breakdown, replaying an old clip of Ghost's David's Corridor prediction before diving into the Mecca Accords, a Saudi Arabia and Pakistan and Turkey defense pact he calls bigger than the Abraham Accords, and a web of new oil pipeline deals connecting Iraq, Syria, Turkey, and Iran. Ghost also unpacks a reported Tulsi Gabbard back channel with IRGC leadership, the timing behind Assad's in absentia death sentence, and his theory on where the Syria nuclear material narrative actually originated. Jon separately covers a former Fauci advisor's guilty plea, new US sanctions on ICC officials, a Trump and Canada tariff pause tied to reviving the Keystone pipeline, and a Moderna cancer vaccine breakthrough he views with some skepticism. Sponsor reads, market updates, and a preview of tonight's Power Hour round out a busy Wednesday show.

You've been told the Epstein case is closed. It's not. It's a blueprint - for how blackmail, sex, and power get used to buy silence at the highest levels of American government, and why the people who could stop it never do. Today's guest has spent decades chasing this story further than almost anyone alive, and what he's found doesn't end with one dead man in a Manhattan jail cell. Nick Bryant joins me to talk about the Franklin Scandal, the CIA's fingerprints on decades of cover-ups, why the "uniparty" protects itself no matter who's in office, and what it actually looks like to draw a line in the sand when the people meant to hold power accountable are the ones compromised. If you've ever wondered why nothing changes no matter who you vote for, this conversation is the answer you didn't want but need to hear. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - The Epstein Justice Fight 03:22 - Why Mainstream Media Shut Him Out 06:19 - Nick Bryant's Personal Story 11:27 - Political Division and CIA Blackmail 16:05 - Iraq, Government Lies and No Accountability 24:00 - How Politicians Are Compromised 28:40 - Arrogance, Sex and Greed 35:57 - The Uniparty and Political Corruption 41:35 - The Epstein Cover-Up 45:45 - Sean Combs, Clive Davis and Powerful Networks 49:40 - The "Conspiracy Theorist" Label 52:27 - The Franklin Scandal and Hollywood 56:50 - Bringing the Right and Left Together 59:28 - The Education System Scam 01:00:20 - The Disappearing American Dream 01:03:36 - Inflation, Money Printing and Healthcare 01:05:37 - Why Americans Can't Afford Homes 01:08:48 - Poverty, Food Insecurity and Homelessness 01:10:40 - Homelessness and Cognitive Development 01:19:43 - Drawing the Line 01:20:51 - Fighting for Epstein Justice   Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto. For more information on the Iron Council brotherhood. Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready  

Retired Major Tony Mayne joins the podcast to walk through 12 years in U.S. Special Operations Command, including nine years in the 75th Ranger Regiment's 3rd Battalion, where he took part in the regiment's historic combat parachute assault into Afghanistan after 9/11 and later jumped into Iraq — completing eight combat deployments in support of the Global War on Terror and earning induction into the 2024 Ranger Hall of Fame. We go deep on the night of October 19, 2001, standing in the door of a C-17 as one of the first U.S. Rangers to parachute into Afghanistan, and the fight for Haditha Dam, where his vehicle broke down mid-assault and later got caught in an ambush on both sides of the road. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

LA28 CEO Reynold Hoover was a three-star General who dismantled bombs in Iraq and built entire cities in combat zones in Afghanistan. . .but making sure the 2028 Olympics are the best Games yet might be his biggest challenge. The largest sporting event in the history of the world will be taking place in Los Angeles in less than two years, and he is the person responsible for making sure that Los Angeles continues its legacy as a the ultimate Olympics city, following 1932 and 1984. So will L.A.be ready for the 2028 Olympics? Let's get into it!

With the outbreak of this year's war, Iraq's balancing act between the two antagonists has collapsed, exposing a perilously fragile state By Ghaith Abdul-Ahad. Read by Mo Ayoub The summer issue of the Long Read magazine is out now. Click here to order. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod

Results are in from primary races in six states. How did progressive candidates fare against more moderate Democrats in this run-up to the midterm elections? And President Trump has confirmed he secretly swapped planes as he left a NATO summit in Turkey last month. How unusual was this ruse? Plus, Iraq's new leader wants to disarm the country's Iran-backed militias that have hit U.S. military installations across the region in recent months. How challenging will that be?Want more analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.Today's episode of Up First was edited by Alice Woelfle, Arezou Rezvani, Padma Rama, Rebekah Metzler and Tina Kraja.It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Milton Guevara.Our director is Christopher Thomas.We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. Our technical director is Zac Coleman.And our Supervising Producer is Michael Lipkin.Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show's perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.(0:00) Introduction(01:54) Primary Race Results(05:35) Trump's Plane Swap Ruse(09:48) Disarming Iraq's Iran-Backed MilitiasSee pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

>Join Jocko Underground Full Episodes< Book: Unheard Voices The Fight For Ramadi: A Soldier's Memoir From Combat Outpost Falcon In 2006, Miguel “Pitbull” Santana and his soldiers entered Ramadi, Iraq—a city many believed was already lost. What followed was months of relentless combat, sacrifice, loss, and brotherhood. Miguel joins Jocko to tell the story from the ground: the firefights, the men who saved each other's lives, the leaders who went first, and the bonds that remain unbroken twenty years later. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/jocko-podcast/exclusive-content