Podcasts about Islamabad

No 3 em 1 desta sexta-feira (12), o destaque foi que o presidente Donald Trump quebrou a tradição de chefes de Estado e não vai no jogo de estreia da seleção dos Estados Unidos na Copa do Mundo de 2026 contra o Paraguai. A Casa Branca alega "agenda apertada" em meio à escalada de conflitos severos e tensões diplomáticas no Oriente Médio, que exigem atenção integral do republicano. Reportagem: Eliseu Caetano. O presidente do Tribunal Superior Eleitoral, ministro Kassio Nunes Marques, extinguiu a ação de aliados do presidente Lula (PT) que tentavam barrar o filme "Dark Horse". Em defesa, Nunes Marques afirma que os representantes da ação não são candidatos à eleição de 2026. Reportagem: Elieseu Caetano. A Polícia Federal rejeitou oficialmente a segunda proposta de delação premiada do banqueiro Daniel Vorcaro, ex-dono do Banco Master, por falta de fatos novos e provas consistentes. Diante do impasse na negociação, as autoridades pediram que o investigado deixe a carceragem da Superintendência da PF e retorne ao Complexo Penitenciário da Papuda. Reportagem: Janaína Camelo. O presidente do Novo, Eduardo Ribeiro (NOVO-SC), rechaçou qualquer possibilidade de o ex-governador Romeu Zema (NOVO-MG) recuar para compor uma chapa como vice-presidente em 2026. No debate, analistas avaliam que Romeu Zema é o candidato para enfrentar a campanha de reeleição do presidente Lula (PT-SP). Reportagem: Ricardo Costa. O ministro da Fazenda, Dario Durigan, acendeu o sinal de alerta sobre o avanço de "pautas-bomba" no Congresso Nacional, impulsionadas pelo clima eleitoral. O pacote de propostas em tramitação pode gerar um impacto fiscal bilionário aos cofres públicos. Reportagem: Beatriz Souza. O ministro das Relações Exteriores do Irã, Abbas Araqchi, afirmou que o Memorando de Entendimento de Islamabad para selar a paz com os Estados Unidos nunca esteve tão próximo de ser finalizado. A declaração busca trazer transparência ao processo internacional, em meio às intensas negociações mediadas pelo Paquistão que envolvem a gestão do governo de Donald Trump. O senador Camilo Santana (PT-CE) manifestou apoio à classificação das facções criminosas PCC e Comando Vermelho como organizações terroristas, divergindo do posicionamento oficial adotado pelo governo do presidente Lula. O parlamentar afirmou ter levado sua discordância diretamente ao chefe do Executivo e ressaltou que o enfrentamento ao crime organizado deve ficar acima de disputas partidárias. O presidente do Supremo Tribunal Federal, ministro Luiz Edson Fachin, divulgou nota oficial para defender a Corte e rebater a Justiça da Itália, que apontou falta de imparcialidade de Alexandre de Moraes no processo de Carla Zambelli (PL-SP). Fachin assegurou que o julgamento seguiu o devido processo legal e a Constituição. Reportagem: Janaína Camelo. O senador e pré-candidato à Presidência Flávio Bolsonaro (PL-RJ) convocou seus apoiadores a vestirem a tradicional amarelinha, batizando-a de "camisa do Bolsonaro" durante a Copa do Mundo. A movimentação acirra o cabo de guerra simbólico com o presidente Lula (PT), que defende a retomada das cores nacionais pela esquerda. Reportagem: Misael Mainetti. Tudo isso e muito mais você acompanha no 3 em 1. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Der weitere Verlauf der Verhandlungen zwischen den USA und dem Iran könnte nicht in Islamabad, sondern in Wien entschieden werden. Denn in der österreichischen Hauptstadt befindet sich der Sitz der Internationalen Atomenergie-Agentur (IAEA). Auf dem Juni-Treffen seines Gouverneursrats beschloss dieser erneut eine Resolution, die von vielen als „anti-iranisch“ bezeichnet wurde. Von Dieter Reinisch (Wien).Dieser BeitragWeiterlesen

These are the top headlines from Arab News, the Middle East's leading English-language daily, at 6pm GMT. - @POTUS says he would not unfreeze #Iran's assets before peace deal is done - #Pakistan interior minister meets Iranian FM as Islamabad steps up US-Iran mediation - #Israel strikes #Beirut southern suburbs after #Hezbollah launches projectiles - Frankly Speaking: US media slammed for showing Iran as victor of war - #US draft resolution at @iaeaorg demands Iran open up on sites, uranium stocks Check out the latest updates on https://arabnews.com

Mahnoor Jamil prihaja iz pakistanske prestolnice Islamabad, že nekaj mesecev pa je pri nas mlada raziskovalka na Inštitutu Jožef Štefan. Ukvarja se s kibernetsko varnostjo in umetno inteligenco. Pravi, da se v Ljubljani počuti kot doma, čeprav pogreša družino in prijatelje, pa tudi začimbe. Pri nas uporabljamo včasih zgolj dve, sol in poper, v Pakistanu pa za posamezno jed kombinacijo tudi petnajstih začimb. Opaža, da je zato postala občutljivejša za pekoče okuse, ko se je nazadnje vrnila v domači Islamabad, se ji je vse zdelo pretirano pekoče. Bližnji so ji rekli, da se je poevropila!

He crossed one of the hottest deserts on Earth at 16 because his faith left him with no legal way out, then landed in San Francisco with $75 and barely any English. That's where Payam Zamani's story starts, and it quickly becomes a masterclass in resilience, immigration, and what it really takes to build a life when the stakes are real.We talk through Payam's early years growing up Baha'i in Iran, the constant pressure and discrimination, and the moment he realises survival means leaving everything behind. From Pakistan to the US Embassy in Islamabad, he describes his first direct experience of human rights and why the United States still represents “hope to the world”, even while wrestling with its contradictions. It's an unfiltered conversation about gratitude, complexity, and refusing to let hardship become an excuse.From there we move into entrepreneurship and the Silicon Valley ecosystem: why contract law matters, why failure is treated as experience, and why venture capital and reinvestment create momentum that's hard to copy elsewhere. Payam shares how he and his brother built AutoWeb.com, an early internet pioneer in online car buying, and how that journey leads to a public company valued at around $1.2bn. We also dig into the darker side of capitalism: greed, excessive materialism, and the hollow feeling that can follow “winning”.Finally, Payam lays out his idea of spiritual capitalism: building companies that serve people, changing hearts not just rules, and aiming for a coherent life where work and values cannot be separated. If you care about startups, leadership, immigrant success, purpose-led business, or building wealth without losing yourself, you'll get a lot from this one. Subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave us a review with your biggest takeaway.

Healthcare systems are under pressure almost everywhere, but the strain is especially visible in lower-resource settings where demand is rising faster than infrastructure. In Pakistan, that pressure is playing out across a system that has to serve more than 250 million people with limited public investment. Public health spending remains below 1% of GDP, making the need for smarter, more scalable healthcare delivery increasingly urgent. That is why major projects like the Jinnah Medical Complex are drawing attention as potential models for what the next phase of healthcare reform could look like.That raises the real question at the center of this episode: can a major new medical complex help transform healthcare delivery in Pakistan, or will lasting progress depend on broader system design far beyond a single hospital?Welcome to I Don't Care. In the latest episode, Dr. Kevin Stevenson speaks with Dr. Muhammad Faheem Anwar, Chief Operating Officer of the Jinnah Medical Complex & Research Center, about the future of Pakistani healthcare. Their conversation explores the structural realities of Pakistan's healthcare system, the ambitions behind the Jinnah Medical Complex in Islamabad, and the larger issues of digital health, oncology, workforce retention, prevention, and primary care reform.Key takeaways from the conversation…Pakistan's healthcare system is not simply underdeveloped. It is highly uneven, with world-class care in some institutions but fragmented access and high out-of-pocket costs for much of the population.The Jinnah Medical Complex is being positioned not just as a large hospital, but as a replicable model for operational discipline, clinician training, digital health, and internationally benchmarked public sector care.The biggest long-term opportunity in Pakistan may not be tertiary expansion alone, but building a stronger primary care foundation, better data systems, and a more sustainable care delivery model.Dr. Muhammad Faheem Anwar is a healthcare operations and public health leader with more than 20 years of experience overseeing large multispecialty hospitals across Pakistan and the Gulf region, with deep expertise in hospital commissioning, operational readiness, governance, digital health integration, and health system strengthening. He currently serves as Chief Operating Officer of the Jinnah Medical Complex & Research Center, where he is leading the operationalization of a 1,460-bed quaternary care hospital, following senior leadership roles at The Indus Hospital, Central Park Teaching Hospital, Punjab Health Facilities Management Company, and the Punjab Information Technology Board. His career highlights include improving operational efficiency at scale, advancing quality and patient safety systems, leading HMIS implementation, and advising on health system reform, climate resilience, and performance improvement in low- and middle-income country settings.

Lucien (recording from Riyadh, mid-apartment move) and Hanna (in London, riding out an unlikely heat wave) open Episode 70 (!) catching up with each other. Between Arsenal's recent win of the Premier League title for the first time in 22 years, and the Seattle Seahawks winning the Super Bowl, it is the year of Championship Hanaa. She lives within earshot of the Emirates Stadium in Islington, her son knows every chant and every stat, and the neighborhood has been in full kit ever since. Hanna is also headed to Miami this summer for a World Cup match, though she'd have preferred the Egypt v. Iran fixture in Seattle — her kids are still in school. And the wins keep on coming: On June 3rd, she'll be co-hosting the 7th edition of the Middle East Sports Investment Forum in London. Before the main segment, the hosts share a piece of listener feedback that landed: a message on LinkedIn, from a listener who said The Twenty30 "was one of the most valuable sources of information they had when deciding whether to accept a job offer in Riyadh." That's the whole point of the show, and the hosts don't take it lightly.  Then, Lucien does a deep dive on Riyadh Air. Lucien frames it personally first: he's taken six flights in the last six weeks, lives an hour and a half from Dulles in D.C., and values a direct flight more than almost anything else in travel. Saudia currently holds the only nonstop service from Washington and New York into Riyadh, which should make it the obvious choice — except that Saudia's in-flight internet on long-haul routes is essentially non-functional. He's been routing through Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Dubai instead, noting that all three of those hubs have been noticeably quiet during the conflict. Every time he boards, the thought is the same: where is Riyadh Air? The answer is: closer than it looks. Riyadh Air received its GACA operating approval in February 2025 and operated its first flight — an invite-only Riyadh to London Heathrow service using a wet-leased Oman Air 787-9 — in April 2025. The commercial launch has been held up not by Riyadh Air but by Boeing. Seven fully built Riyadh Air 787-9s are currently sitting at Boeing's Charleston, South Carolina factory awaiting certification, with an eighth still on the final assembly line. The first A321neo delivery is expected in Q4 2026, with the 787 Dreamliners to follow. In January 2026, Riyadh Air locked in Neo Space Group as its WiFi provider for the A321neo fleet — Skywaves connectivity, up to 300 Mbps, free for Sphere loyalty members — layered on top of an existing Viasat contract for the 787 fleet that was signed in April 2025. The internet situation, in other words, is going to be the opposite of Saudia's. Qatar Airways already has Starlink and Lucien describes it as faster than his home connection. That's the bar -- let all airlines seek to best it! The initial network was leaked via Airport Coordination Limited and shows 15 destinations: Amman, Bangkok, Cairo, Dubai, Islamabad, Jakarta, Jeddah, Kuala Lumpur, Lahore, London Heathrow, Madrid, Manchester, Manila, Mumbai, and Paris. Washington, DC is not on the list :( Three of those routes — Madrid, Manchester, and Jakarta — would be nonstop firsts from Riyadh. Jeddah, Madrid, and Manchester were officially confirmed via Riyadh Air's social media on April 20th. In early May, the airline formally applied to the US Department of Transportation for a foreign air carrier permit with a request for expedited clearance — so DC may not be far behind. On May 19th, public ticket sales opened for the daily Riyadh to London Heathrow service launching July 1st. The aircraft will have four classes: Business Elite (four first-class suites on the first aircraft), Business (24 seats), Premium Economy (39 seats), and Economy. Hanaa flags premium economy as the sleeper feature. Qatar Airways doesn't offer it. British Airways isn't flying to Saudi at the moment. For families, or for anyone who can't justify business class on a personal trip, it fills a genuine gap. Lucien agrees — he's a last-minute booker and business class prices close to departure get punishing.  On the competitive landscape: Singapore Airlines announced four-times-weekly nonstop service from Singapore to Riyadh on the A350-900, scheduled to start June 2nd before being delayed by the conflict. That announcement read like a signal — Singapore Airlines effectively saying it wasn't going to let Riyadh Air own the premium international corridor into Saudi unchallenged. European carriers largely exited during the hostilities; Lufthansa pulled Lucien off a connecting flight in late January, rerouting him through London and adding a full day to his journey. British Airways still isn't flying to Saudi. The supply contraction has pushed prices up significantly on what routes remain. Riyadh Air stepping into this environment — with new aircraft, working internet, and routes that don't yet exist nonstop from Riyadh — is well-positioned (if it can seize the timing of this moment).  The workforce story is its own headline. Riyadh Air has received two million (two million!) applications across its hiring portals.  The hosts close the segment by zooming out. Airlines are structurally brutal businesses. What gives Riyadh Air a real edge, at least at launch, is route exclusivity and limited competition into Riyadh. As long as pricing is in range, travelers choose the direct. That simple fact, combined with Vision 2030's tourism and modernity goals, makes Riyadh Air something bigger than just an airline. King Khalid International Airport remained one of the most operationally open airports in the region during the conflict. The infrastructure is there. The aircraft are nearly there. Riyadh Air is coming. The episode wraps with a brief detour into domestic flying in Saudi — the Riyadh to Jeddah corridor, the high proportion of passengers in Ihram performing Umrah year-round, and genuine praise for Saudia's cabin crew and their quietly impressive ability to reshuffle seating at boarding so that women aren't seated next to unrelated men. Seamless, fast, and genuinely underappreciated. The one criticism of Saudia that neither host will let go: the internet!

Chinese President Xi Jinping has held talks with his Serbian counterpart, who has visited the Great Wall and Tian'anmen Square, during his first state visit to China (01:01). President Xi also met with the Pakistani prime minister and said Pakistan is a priority in China's neighborhood diplomacy while commending Islamabad's mediation efforts in the Middle East (31:41). And China's Shenzhou-23 astronauts, including a crew member from Hong Kong, are inside the Tiangong Space Station (14:29).

For many young footballers, wearing the national jersey remains a distant dream. But for Melbourne-based teenager Ahmed Faraz Gulzari, that dream became reality at an exceptionally young age. In this SBS Urdu podcast conversation, Gulzari shares how his football journey began in Melbourne and eventually led him to represent Pakistan on the international stage. His story is one of talent, hard work and persistence — moving from local Australian grounds to wearing Pakistan's green national colours. - رفتار، جذبہ، اور خوابوں کی ایک ایسی کہانی جو میلبورن کی گراؤنڈز سے نکل کر پاکستان کی جرسی تک پہنچی۔ آج ہمارے ساتھ ہیں ایک ایسا نوجوان فٹبالر جنہوں نے بہت کم عمر میں وہ کارنامہ انجام دیا جو بہت سے کھلاڑی برسوں میں بھی نہیں کر پاتے — پاکستان کی قومی فٹبال ٹیم کی نمائندگی۔ ہم بات کر رہے ہیں فراز گلزاری کی — پاکستان کے اُن چند، اور ممکنہ طور پر سب سے کم عمر کھلاڑیوں میں سے ایک جنہوں نے انٹرنیشنل لیول پر سبز ہلالی پرچم کو پہن کر میدان میں قدم رکھا۔

Pakistan deployed 8,000 troops and fighter jets to Saudi Arabia to reassure its ally. Husain Haqqani and Bill Roggionote that while mediating the Iran war, Islamabad leverages this military presence to avoid direct involvement in the regional conflict. (1/16)1950S CASTRO

SCHEDULE JBS 5-18-26.1962 ALGERIA Pakistan deployed 8,000 troops and fighter jets to Saudi Arabia to reassure its ally. Husain Haqqani and Bill Roggionote that while mediating the Iran war, Islamabad leverages this military presence to avoid direct involvement in the regional conflict. (1/16)Husain Haqqani and Bill Roggio observe that Washington is currently distracted by domestic politics and upcoming midterms, pushing the Iran war to secondary headlines. Global leadership has eroded due to partisan squabbling over issues like high gas prices. (2/16)Bill Roggio and Samuel Bener report that Israeli strikes killed Izz al-Din al-Haddad, the last original planner of the October 7 massacre remaining in Gaza. His elimination signals a pressure campaign against Hamas as they refuse to disarm during the ceasefire. (3/16)Bill Roggio and Bridget Toomey report that Iraq's new government remains incomplete with nine ministries vacant due to sectarian disputes. Washington refuses to cooperate if these posts are filled by members of Iran-backed, US-designated terrorist militia groups. (4/16)Malcolm Hoenlein criticizes The New York Times for publishing an opinion piece echoing propaganda against Israelalongside a report on Hamas atrocities. Critics suggest this timing was intended to undermine Israeli investigative findings. (5/16)Malcolm Hoenlein reports that Iran launched a digital insurance platform to bypass maritime sanctions and generate revenue in the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, Hezbollah refuses to disarm in Lebanon despite ongoing diplomatic negotiations held in Washington. (6/16)Alan Tonelson argues the Beijing summit achieved little, noting no shifts in Taiwan policy or tariffs. Tonelson and Gordon Chang emphasize China's economic distress, manufacturing overcapacity, and strategic reliance on rare earth minerals. (8/16)Alejandro Peña Esclusa and Ernesto Araújo discuss Raul Castro's potential indictment and regional shifts toward the right. They highlight the extradition of Alex Saab as a significant blow to Maduro. (9/16)Alejandro Peña Esclusa attributes Bolivia's turmoil to Cuban influence and Evo Morales's ties to drug trafficking. Ernesto Araújo views Bolivia as a critical "bellwether" for the criminal socialist project in Latin America. (10/16)Edmund Fitton-Brown discusses the Strait of Hormuz closure and the potential for military escalation if negotiations fail. He critiques European passivity and notes China's interest in reopening the vital waterway. Bill Roggio joins the conversation. (11/16)Edmund Fitton-Brown critiques a New York Times report on Israeli violence as poorly sourced and timed to distract from Hamas's sexual violence. He warns about shifts in American media coverage. Bill Roggio joins the conversation. (12/16)John Hardie examines the escalation of drone strikes between Ukraine and Russia, including attacks on Moscow'sinfrastructure. He notes the pressure on Russian air defenses and the stalemate in the Donbas region. Bill Roggio joins the conversation. (13/16)Joe Truzman details how Iran and its proxy, Kata'ib Hezbollah, outsource low-tech attacks against Jewish targets in Europe. He also discusses Israel's ongoing pursuit of justice for October 7th victims. Bill Roggio joins the conversation. (14/16)Sophie McDowall explains how terrorist groups use music on platforms like SoundCloud to radicalize new listeners. She details how artists bypass content moderation using coded language and nasheeds featuring battlefield audio. (15/16)Sophie McDowall explores the complex difficulty of balancing free speech rights with moderating radicalist audio content. She identifies Islamic art bands with ties to Hamas that use music to oppose coexistence. (16/16)

In this episode of The President's Daily Brief: President Trump says he's pausing a planned military strike on Iran as Gulf leaders push for continued negotiations, even while the White House warns Tehran that future talks may happen “through bombs.” Pakistan reportedly deploys fighter jets and thousands of troops to Saudi Arabia, despite U.S. officials claiming Islamabad also helped protect Iranian military aircraft during the war. Plus, new claims from a former Kremlin insider suggest Russian elites may finally be envisioning a future without Vladimir Putin. And in today's Back of the Brief—Israel says it has finally eliminated Hamas's elusive military commander known as “The Ghost,” a figure who reportedly survived years of assassination attempts inside Gaza. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President's Daily Brief by visiting https://PDBPremium.com. Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief.  YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief Nobl Travel: NOBL gives you real travel peace of mind — security, design, and convenience all in one. Head to https://NOBLTravel.com for 46% off your entire order! #NOBL #ad Fabletics: Get 70–80% off your first Fabletics order and $15 scrub sets at https://Fabletics.com/pdb when you sign up as a new VIP! Tax Relief Advocates: End your tax nightmare today by visiting us online at https://TRA.comor call 800-583-6515 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Australia's war on tobacco has backfired spectacularly, and the consequences have become deadly. In this episode of I Catch Killers, former ABF and AFP detective Rohan Pike takes us deeper into the self-inflicted tobacco wars and its consequences - including the booming unregulated vape industry, with almost all vapes sold in Australia now illegal. Rohan also tells us about serving as an AFP officer in Islamabad in the aftermath of 9/11, his role in the high-profile Jihad Jack case, and leading Australia's first ever foreign bribery investigation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Depuis plusieurs mois, le Moyen-Orient est entré dans une phase de recomposition stratégique majeure. L'offensive israélo-américaine contre l'Iran a profondément bouleversé les équilibres régionaux : tensions dans le Golfe, fermeture du détroit d'Ormuz, frappes croisées, fragilité des cessez-le-feu et retour d'une logique de confrontation directe entre puissances régionales. Derrière cette guerre très médiatisée, une autre crise, moins visible en Europe, s'aggrave rapidement : celle qui oppose le Pakistan et l'Afghanistan taliban. La situation serait proche d'une « open war », une guerre ouverte, entre Islamabad et Kaboul. Les affrontements frontaliers se multiplient, les frappes aériennes aussi, tandis que le Pakistan accuse les talibans afghans d'abriter les combattants du Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, le TTP, responsable d'attentats meurtriers sur le territoire pakistanais. Au même moment, paradoxe apparent, Islamabad tente de se présenter comme médiateur entre Washington et Téhéran. Soutenu discrètement par l'Arabie saoudite, proche des États-Unis mais obligé de ménager l'Iran voisin, le Pakistan cherche à transformer une extrême vulnérabilité intérieure en opportunité diplomatique, sous l'œil observateur de New Delhi qui, de son côté, développe des liens croissants avec Kaboul, dans une logique d'encerclement régional de son rival historique. Derrière les crises du Moyen-Orient se dessine une nouvelle bataille d'influence sud-asiatique, entre Inde, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Chine et monarchies du Golfe. Assiste-t-on à une régionalisation du conflit moyen-oriental jusqu'aux portes de l'Asie du Sud ? Le risque d'un embrasement régional généralisé est-il aujourd'hui sous-estimé ? Invités : Olivier Weber, écrivain et grand reporter. Des Anges et des ogres qui vient de paraître chez Calmann-Lévy Jean-Luc Racine, directeur de recherche émérite au CNRS, chercheur senior au think tank Asia Centre

For the first time in nearly five decades, U.S. and Iranian officials are sitting face-to-face while conflict still rages, an extraordinary shift from backchannel diplomacy to direct negotiation under pressure. Inside a fortified Islamabad summit, Vice President JD Vance and Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf are attempting to stabilize a crisis defined by three volatile fronts: a fractured ceasefire in Lebanon, a near-total shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz, and active military brinkmanship at sea. With 9.1 million barrels of oil effectively removed from global supply and insurance markets paralyzing trade, the stakes extend far beyond geopolitics into everyday economic reality. A narrow diplomatic window is emerging, centered on creative frameworks to reopen shipping lanes and extend the ceasefire. The outcome will hinge on whether both sides can translate tactical leverage into a fragile but functional path forward before time and mistrust close the door. Jack Russo Managing Partner Jrusso@computerlaw.com www.computerlaw.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackrusso "Every Entrepreneur Imagines a Better World"®️  

Joining me today is Hrvoje Morić, here to discuss the global power transition that appears to be taking place. We discuss his recent article, "Multipolarity As World Government 3.0 & Its Pied Pipers," and the possibility that the multipolar world order that is being presented as the solution to the current reality is nothing more than a coordinated transition—a controlled demolition if you will—away from a dying globalist unipolar order, and into the new globalist multipolar order. We also discuss how this may have happened more than once in the past, what we can learn from this, and what we may be able to do about to today.  !function(r,u,m,b,l,e){r._Rumble=b,r[b]||(r[b]=function(){(r[b]._=r[b]._||[]).push(arguments);if(r[b]._.length==1){l=u.createElement(m),e=u.getElementsByTagName(m)[0],l.async=1,l.src="https://rumble.com/embedJS/u2q643"+(arguments[1].video?'.'+arguments[1].video:'')+"/?url="+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+"&args="+encodeURIComponent(JSON.stringify([].slice.apply(arguments))),e.parentNode.insertBefore(l,e)}})}(window, document, "script", "Rumble");   Rumble("play", {"video":"v77ec5u","div":"rumble_v77ec5u"}); Source Links: (21) Geopolitics & Empire (@Geopolitics_Emp) / X Geopolitics & Empire Geopolitics & Empire | Substack New Tab Multipolarity As World Government 3.0 & Its Pied Pipers A United States of Europe? on JSTOR The Network State Coup And The Engineered Transition To "Tech Zionism" (26) David Icke on X: "The China Scam Deception - you are being scammed on a monumental level by calls getting louder all the time for a 'multi-polar world'. This is code for moving the global power centre eastwards to China and eventually into a world government overseeing 'hemisphere superstates' - https://t.co/DBAevPWvLq" / X (26) David Icke on X: "This is exactly what I have been saying the plan has been for decades - to move global power eastwards out of the US and the West to China and connected countries - including Iran. Trump was installed precisely so his narcissistic arrested development could be used to create the" / X (26) Greg Reese on X: "The New World Order https://t.co/HieeIGWIeG" / X New Tab Efrat Fenigson: Escaping the Algorithm in the New Financial World Order (25) Geopolitics & Empire on X: ""Smart Lockdowns" in Pakistan. "Traders highlighted that heightened security measures, including checkpoints and movement restrictions across Rawalpindi and Islamabad over the past two weeks, have significantly disrupted daily business. Many warned that continued curbs are" / X Christian Westbrook: Finding Peace Amidst the Omnicrisis & Planetary Grid Buildout Hantavirus cluster linked to cruise ship travel, Multi-country Health warning issued for half a million people as lung-penetrating toxins fill the air: 'Stay indoors' | Daily Mail Online (26) greg on X: "It's time https://t.co/hM9qYKBKhM" / X New Tab James Corbett Interview - Trump's Great Reset Or Great Blunder? (26) The Last American Vagabond on X: "As anyone paying attention say coming before Trump even opened his mouth to lie about a deal again." / X New Tab (26) Linda Mamoun on X: "Imagine seeing this op ed in any Western newspaper. https://t.co/Grq6J8v5wA" / X Trump & The Zionist/Globalist Technocrats Are Building Your New Society Whether You Like It Or Not The Technocratic Dark State - Second Edition – THE PAPERCUT Iain Davis Interview - The Technocratic Dark State & The Network State Agenda Co-opting Freedom: The Bitcoin Sleight Of Hand & The New AI Control Structure Pronomos Capital & The Rapid Transition To A Techno-Feudal State Gaza's "Board Of Peace" Seeks To Reimagine The International Order As Mexico's Biometric ID Draws Closer, Implementation Remains Uncertain Mexico's Central Bank, BIS, and BlackRock Discuss Phasing Out Cash and Future of Digital Money     Bitcoin Donations Are Appreciated: www.thelastamericanvagabond.com/bitcoin-donation (3FSozj9gQ1UniHvEiRmkPnXzHSVMc68U9f)

Iran is expected to respond tomorrow regarding the U.S. proposal to end the war. The one-page memorandum would declare an end to the conflict and trigger a 30-day period resolving nuclear demands, unfreezing of Iranian assets and negotiating security in the Strait of Hormuz, one person familiar told CNN. We'll go live to Islamabad, Pakistan, where this could all come together, or fall apart, in the days ahead. Plus, remembering CNN founder Ted Turner, who died today at the age of 87.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pakistan cannot match India economically and militarily. The Iran model is tailor-made for it. Islamabad will invest in select technologies to match or even better India. ----more---- https://theprint.in/opinion/operation-sindoor-2-pakistan-learning-iran/2924525/

This week, Scott sat down with his Lawfare colleagues Executive Editor Natalie Orpett and Contributing Editors Ariane Tabatabai and Joel Braunold, to talk through the week's big national security news stories, including:“The Art of the Heel.” As it approaches the 60-day mark, the war of Iran appears to have entered the “war of attrition” stage. The Strait of Hormuz remains closed by both Iran and the United States, as each side waits to see if the other will capitulate first. President Trump recently called off peace talks in Islamabad, in part because of purported internal disarray on the part of Iran—a perhaps unsurprising consequence of a two-month campaign of regime change. Meanwhile, the White House appears to have successfully pushed for and and then extended a ceasefire in the related theater of Lebanon, but it is already under strain from ongoing Israeli strikes and Hezbollah's ensuing refusal to disarm. What should we make of this new equilibrium? And does it suggest that there is any way out of the current morass in the near future?“Royally Falked.” King Charles is in the United States this week for the first state visit by a British monarch since Queen Elizabeth in 2007. But the Trump administration's latest round of antics toward the United Kingdom and other NATO allies may overshadow the trip. Over the weekend, Reuters reported that an internal Pentagon email suggested that the administration should explore withdrawing U.S. recognition of British control over the Falkland Islands and suspending Spain from NATO due to their refusal to join U.S.-Israeli combat operations against Iran. Other consequences may yet be in the offing. How seriously should we take these threats from the Pentagon? And how close are we to a permanent rupture in the United States's preeminent alliance?“Ballroom Blitz.” On Saturday night, President Trump was the target of a third assassination attempt since the 2024 campaign. This time, a California teacher plotted to target Trump and his senior advisers at the annual White House Correspondents' Association Dinner. In response, the administration quickly blamed Democrats for the heated, sometimes violent rhetoric they use in criticizing Trump and focused its attention on pressuring a federal court to end a civil case challenging the construction of the new White House ballroom, citing security concerns. What were some of our thoughts about this past weekend's events?In object lessons, Ari is taking control of the narrative with Split Fiction for the Switch 2. Natalie is taking herself out for a treat to Boulangerie Saint Georges near Eastern Market. Scott is taking a break from his own podcast to appreciate Iran: The Latest from The Telegraph. And Joel is taking a lesson from the NFL draft that may delight both sportsball and non-sportsball fans alike.To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Scott sat down with his Lawfare colleagues Executive Editor Natalie Orpett and Contributing Editors Ariane Tabatabai and Joel Braunold, to talk through the week's big national security news stories, including:“The Art of the Heel.” As it approaches the 60-day mark, the war of Iran appears to have entered the “war of attrition” stage. The Strait of Hormuz remains closed by both Iran and the United States, as each side waits to see if the other will capitulate first. President Trump recently called off peace talks in Islamabad, in part because of purported internal disarray on the part of Iran—a perhaps unsurprising consequence of a two-month campaign of regime change. Meanwhile, the White House appears to have successfully pushed for and and then extended a ceasefire in the related theater of Lebanon, but it is already under strain from ongoing Israeli strikes and Hezbollah's ensuing refusal to disarm. What should we make of this new equilibrium? And does it suggest that there is any way out of the current morass in the near future?“Royally Falked.” King Charles is in the United States this week for the first state visit by a British monarch since Queen Elizabeth in 2007. But the Trump administration's latest round of antics toward the United Kingdom and other NATO allies may overshadow the trip. Over the weekend, Reuters reported that an internal Pentagon email suggested that the administration should explore withdrawing U.S. recognition of British control over the Falkland Islands and suspending Spain from NATO due to their refusal to join U.S.-Israeli combat operations against Iran. Other consequences may yet be in the offing. How seriously should we take these threats from the Pentagon? And how close are we to a permanent rupture in the United States's preeminent alliance?“Ballroom Blitz.” On Saturday night, President Trump was the target of a third assassination attempt since the 2024 campaign. This time, a California teacher plotted to target Trump and his senior advisers at the annual White House Correspondents' Association Dinner. In response, the administration quickly blamed Democrats for the heated, sometimes violent rhetoric they use in criticizing Trump and focused its attention on pressuring a federal court to end a civil case challenging the construction of the new White House ballroom, citing security concerns. What were some of our thoughts about this past weekend's events?In object lessons, Ari is taking control of the narrative with Split Fiction for the Switch 2. Natalie is taking herself out for a treat to Boulangerie Saint Georges near Eastern Market. Scott is taking a break from his own podcast to appreciate Iran: The Latest from The Telegraph. And Joel is taking a lesson from the NFL draft that may delight both sportsball and non-sportsball fans alike.To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff were supposed to fly to Islamabad, Pakistan, this week to negotiate an end to the Iran war. Yet once again, the Trump administration couldn't follow through on its promises. But let's back up. Why is Ivanka Trump's husband involved in these talks in the first place? To find out, we spoke with Judd Legum. He's the author of Popular Information, an independent newsletter dedicated to accountability journalism.And in headlines, the man accused of attempting to assassinate Trump is charged, Republicans continue to push for Trump's $400 million ballroom, and King Charles flies to D.C. for a tea and beehive tour.Show Notes: Check out Judd's newsletter – https://popular.info/ Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

11. Headline: Stalled Diplomacy and the Strategic Value of International Waterways Guest: Edmund Fitton-Brown Summary: President Trump canceled high-level meetings in Islamabad, citing fragmented Iranian leadership. Iran has offered to reopen the Straits of Hormuz in exchange for nuclear concessions, but experts argue this would be an American retreat and suggest maintaining the economic blockade instead. 111962 YEMEN

SHOW SCHEDULE  THE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW, 4-27-26.1993 YEMEN1. Headline: The Iran War on Pause: Diplomacy and Asymmetric Strategy Guest: Bill Roggio Summary: John Batchelor and Bill Roggio discuss the current pause in the Iran war, characterized by President Trump's decision to halt negotiations. While Iran's conventional military has suffered significant damage, concerns remain regarding its asymmetric warfare capabilities and its strategy to outlast the United States through "asymmetric diplomacy". 12. Headline: Saturday Night Assassination Attempt and the Danger of Misinformation Guest: Bill RoggioSummary: Batchelor and Roggio reflect on an assassination attempt by an American citizen at a Washington ballroom. They warn against the rapid spread of conspiracy theories following violent events, noting how misinformation has become mainstream. They emphasize that political violence is unacceptable and requires careful, factual reporting. 23. Headline: Escalating Negotiations: The Straits of Hormuz and Nuclear Files Guest: Jonathan Sayeh Summary:The discussion centers on the fragmented leadership in Tehran and whether negotiations will cover all fronts or remain separate. Iran is increasingly emboldened, using its control over the Straits of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb as powerful leverage against the United States and global economy. 34. Headline: Life Under Siege: Economic Pressure and Regime Stability in Iran Guest: Jonathan Sayeh Summary:Jonathan Sayeh describes the dire conditions inside Iran, where a U.S. Navy blockade is freezing the economy and threatening food security. Despite significant infrastructure damage, the regime's political leadership remains intact, focusing on reorganizing security forces and increasing internal repression to maintain control over the population. 45. Headline: The Houthi Wildcard: Maritime Chokepoints and Strategic Leverage Guest: Bridget ToomeySummary: Bridget Toomey explains how the Houthis use the Bab el-Mandeb as a maritime chokehold to influence the international economy. Reports suggest the Houthis have explored charging illegal tolls of up to $2 million per ship for transit through the Red Sea using cryptocurrency. 56. Headline: Humanitarian Crisis in Yemen and Iraqi Militia Aggression Guest: Bridget Toomey Summary: The UN has largely been pushed out of Houthi-controlled territory due to the illegal detention of 73 local staff members. Meanwhile, in Iraq, the U.S. has designated several militia commanders involved in attacks against energy infrastructure and American personnel in the region. 67. Headline: Canadian Diplomacy: The Tug-of-War Between the U.S. and China Guest: Charles Burton Summary:Experts discuss the potential for long-term concessions to China in exchange for short-term trade benefits during an upcoming Trump-Xi meeting. Canada faces internal pressure to diversify trade toward China, despite concerns about espionage and foreign interference in its political and economic sectors. 78. Headline: Typhoon Recovery and Systemic Corruption in the Northern Marianas Guest: Cleo Paskal Summary:A super typhoon has devastated the Northern Mariana Islands, leaving residents without water or electricity. However, there are significant concerns that federal relief funds will be misused due to a history of unaccounted-for billions and local officials with ties to Chinese casinos. 89. Headline: The Fragile Ceasefire: IDF Operations and Hezbollah's Defiance Guest: David Daoud Summary:Despite a ceasefire agreement, the IDF has resumed strikes in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley following continued Hezbollahfire. Hezbollah is reportedly exploiting U.S.-imposed constraints on Israel to claim a "victory image," while the Lebanese government remains ineffective in disarming the terror group. 910. Headline: Political Pressure in Israel: Security Zones and Self-Defense Guest: David Daoud Summary: David Daoud explains that the Lebanon ceasefire allows Israel to exercise self-defense against imminent Hezbollah attacks. Within Israel, there is significant political pressure from northern residents who feel abandoned by the ceasefire, arguing that it allows Hezbollah to regroup and metastasize across the border. 1011. Headline: Stalled Diplomacy and the Strategic Value of International Waterways Guest: Edmund Fitton-Brown Summary: President Trump canceled high-level meetings in Islamabad, citing fragmented Iranian leadership. Iran has offered to reopen the Straits of Hormuz in exchange for nuclear concessions, but experts argue this would be an American retreat and suggest maintaining the economic blockade instead. 1112. Headline: Coordinated Threats: The Houthis, Iran, and Global Hunger Guest: Edmund Fitton-BrownSummary: The Houthis and Iran appear to use coordinated messaging to threaten strategic waterways, spooking global oil markets. Furthermore, the ongoing blockade risks creating a global famine due to fertilizer shortages, though the U.S.remains firm against Iranian "blackmail" using humanitarian crises. 1213. Headline: Russia's Drone Expansion: Recruitment Loopholes and Remote Warfare Guest: John HardieSummary: Russia is aggressively expanding its Unmanned Systems Forces, targeting 165,000 personnel by year's end. A recruitment drive at Alabuga Polytech offers high pay and conscription exemptions to workers producing Iranian-designed Geran-2 drones, promising service in the rear to minimize personal risk. 1314. Headline: Syria's Reconstruction: The State Sponsor of Terrorism Designation Guest: Ahmad SharawiSummary: President Al-Shara is seeking over $200 billion for reconstruction, but Syria's designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism (SST) prevents significant investment. The U.S. maintains the SST status as leverage to demand the removal of foreign jihadists integrated into the Syrian army. 1415. Headline: Regional Disputes and Political Sabotage in Latin America Guests: Ernesto Araujo and Alejandro Pinusa Summary: Argentina is calling for renewed negotiations over the Falkland Islands, a matter that remains a sensitive national symbol. Meanwhile, the Maduro regime in Venezuela is accused of sabotaging the political transition by refusing to release political prisoners or permit the return of exiled leaders. 1516. Headline: Electoral Turmoil: Allegations of Fraud in Peru and Brazil Guests: Alejandro Pinusa and Ernesto Araujo Summary: Allegations of electoral fraud in Peru have surfaced after voting centers in right-wing strongholds remained closed. Analysts warn this is a rehearsal for the upcoming Brazilian elections, where Flavio Bolsonaro is gaining ground against Lula da Silva despite efforts to censor information. 16

Thomas expresses his growing conviction that President Trump has utterly mishandled the Iran War, while Aimen describes: how the final, fatal phase of the Islamabad peace talks was a utter humiliation for Trump; what's going on inside the heads of GCC leaders regarding the White House's leadership; and the Islamic Republic's new delay tactics. Join the Conflicted Community here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://conflicted.supportingcast.fm/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find us on X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/MHconflicted⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ And Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/MHconflicted⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ And Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/conflictedpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠megaphone.fm/adchoices⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Conflicted is a Message Heard production. Executive Producers: Jake Warren & Max Warren. Produced and edited by Thomas Small. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed, with a US naval blockade still in place. Around 3,000 Iran-bound containers are stranded in Pakistan as costs rise and Washington’s signals shift. Iran is pushing diplomacy from Moscow to Islamabad. Can talks to end the US-Israel war still move forward? In this episode: Osama Bin Javaid (@osamabinjavaid), Al Jazeera Correspondent Episode credits: This episode was produced by David Enders and Chloe K. Li with Catherine Nouhan, Tuleen Barakat, Sarí el-Khalili, and our guest host, Kevin Hirten. It was edited by Tamara Khandaker and Sarí el-Khalili. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhemm. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

A person is in custody after shots fired at event with President Trump. He praised the secret service operative who'd intercepted him. The US president and the first lady were unharmed. Also with Mr Trump was the US Vice-President, JD Vance, the Defence Secretary, Pete Hegseth, and other members of the president's cabinet. In other news, the latest hopes for a new round of talks between Iran and the US have faded after Donald Trump cancelled a planned trip by US negotiators to Islamabad shortly after the Iranian foreign minister left the Pakistani capital. The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, orders army to "vigorously attack" Hezbollah in Lebanon. Colombia says rebels are responsible for highway bombing which killed 14 people. Forty years since the worst nuclear disaster in history, we hear from the then Moscow bureau chief for the Reuters news agency. He was one of the first reporters to get close to Chernobyl after the accident. The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, red twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

US and Iran delegations are travelling to Pakistan for further peace talks - but there might not be a direct meeting between the two sides. We ask our world affairs editor about the likelihood of progress in Islamabad, and what a deal to end the war might look like. Also: the key suspect in Syria's notorious Tadamon massacre, Amjad Youssef, is arrested; Gazans battle disease-carrying rats in displacement camps; we hear from the Israeli man detained for wearing a kippah embroidered with the Palestinian flag; an interview with a Jeffrey Epstein survivor; a film review of Michael Jackson's controversial new biopic; and could a hairdryer have helped rig a $34,000 bet?The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

Iranian foreign minister Arras Araghchi is in Islamabad today to discuss peace between his country and the US. Donald Trump's foreign policy advisors Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff are travelling to Pakistan's capital later to do the same. The Iranian foreign ministry, however, has said no direct talks with the US are planned. The BBC's Pakistan correspondent gives us the latest.Also in the programme: Explosions and gunfire in Mali as armed groups launch coordinated attacks.(Photo: Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, 17th February 2026. Credit: Reuters/Pierre Albouy TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)

President Donald Trump is giving Iran a short window to unify behind an offer for peace in the Middle East after negotiations between Tehran and Washington recently broke down — or the ceasefire he extended Tuesday ends.Donald Trump's labor secretary, Lori Chavez-DeRemer, is leaving the agency amidst accusations of misconduct. She's now the third cabinet member to leave during the second Trump administration.Elsewhere, Virginia voters approved a new congressional map on Tuesday that could help Democrats pick up seats in the House during the midterms later this year. But a state judge blocked the map from being certified just a day after its passage.And, in global news, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is expected to arrive in Islamabad, Pakistan, tonight for another round of peace talks with the U.S.A top Trump administration envoy floated the idea to FIFA this week to replace Iran with Italy at this summer's World Cup. The swap was likely suggested as an effort to repair ties between President Donald Trump and Italy Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni amid rumors they've fallen out over the presidents attack on Pope Leo XIV.The Trump administration is reportedly in talks with the Democratic Republic of Congo to send as many as eleven hundred Afghan refugees there, including more than 400 children.We cover the most important stories from around the world in the News Roundup.Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.See 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

President Trump dispatches Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner to Islamabad, Pakistan for talks with Iranian officials. Former Trump White House attorney Ty Cobb reacts to the Department of Justice dropping its investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Rep. María Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.) joins Meet the Press NOW to discuss DHS funding, immigration reform and the possibility of redistricting in Florida. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner will head to Islamabad, Pakistan, on Saturday for another round of negotiations with Iran, and Vice President JD Vance “is on standby” and could potentially join them there. What does this mean for JD's future? A ceasefire deal in which JD is involved is HUGE for his political career why would he be shut out?Sponsor:My PillowWww.MyPillow.com/johnSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

3. Jonathan Schanzer reports on tenuous ceasefire negotiations in Islamabad led by JD Vance. While the US maintains an oil blockade, Iran's leadership remains fragmented over potential nuclear and missile concessions. Schanzer believes the US holds a medium-term advantage through sustained economic pressure on the Islamic Republic. 31880

SCHEDULE THE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW, 4-21-26. 1932 OTTAWA PARLIAMENT HILL1. Elizabeth Peek analyzes Kevin Warsh's nomination for Federal Reserve Chairman. The primary tension involves balancing Trump's demand for lower interest rates with Warsh's reputation as an inflation hawk. Warsh aims to reform Fed communications and reduce market noise while protecting the economy from rising inflation. 12. Elizabeth Peek discusses the Democratic Party's interest in Mamdani, comparing him to a younger, male version of AOC. She critiques his fiscal policies and progressive stance on Israel. Peek argues that while he appeals to urban blue states, his platform may fail to resonate with voters elsewhere. 23. Jonathan Schanzer reports on tenuous ceasefire negotiations in Islamabad led by JD Vance. While the US maintains an oil blockade, Iran's leadership remains fragmented over potential nuclear and missile concessions. Schanzer believes the US holds a medium-term advantage through sustained economic pressure on the Islamic Republic. 34. Jonathan Schanzer analyzes historic direct talks between Israel and Lebanon regarding border disputes. The Lebanese government seeks peace, but the survival of Hezbollah remains a major obstacle. Schanzer argues that true stability requires the full dismantlement of the Iranian-backed group through military or diplomatic means. 45. Mary Kissel critiques the State Department's bureaucratic inefficiency while managing multiple global crises. She discusses the unconventional diplomacy of Jared Kushner and JD Vance. Kissel warns that the Iran conflict is complex and may require months of sustained economic and military pressure to reach a resolution. 56. Mary Kissel highlights Ukraine's fear of losing Western attention to the Middle East. She notes Ukraine's emerging defense exports but criticizes US oil sanctions waivers for Russia. Kissel also addresses the Progressive Alliance in Barcelona, which advocates for a "no borders" new world order. 67. Joseph Sternberg discusses JD Vance's disappointment after Victor Orbán lost the Hungarian election. He also previews UK local elections where Nigel Farage's Reform UK party is gaining ground. Sternberg warns that local governance issues like potholes could eventually alienate Farage's core base of new voters. 78. Joseph Sternberg details the scandal surrounding Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the appointment of Lord Mandelson. Allegations involve Mandelson's ties to Jeffrey Epstein and failed vetting processes. Despite widespread unpopularity, Starmer remains in power because the Labor Party lacks a viable alternative leader to take control. 89. Gregory Copley describes the intractable situation in the Strait of Hormuz as ceasefire deadlines loom. He identifies IRGC leader Ahmed Vahidi as a hardliner who will not negotiate. Copley argues that only decisive military action against IRGC leadership can resolve the conflict and secure international waters. 910. Gregory Copley discusses a new geopolitical block involving Turkey, Syria, and Ukraine. This coalition, coordinated by Erdoğan, seeks to position Turkey as a central energy and food hub. The alliance serves as a regional power block potentially opposing the interests of the United States and Israel. 1011. Gregory Copley explores the evolution of nation-states and modern imperialism since the Treaty of Westphalia. He argues that almost all modern states are products of empire. Copley warns that globalist "no borders" movements are utopianist and ignore the geographic realities of sovereign security and survival. 1112. Gregory Copley details King Charles III's upcoming visit to the United States to honor its 250th anniversary. The King serves as a peacemaker, attempting to heal the rift between the US and the UK's Labor government. His presence aims to bolster Trump's international standing and calm tensions. 1213. Joe Truzman identifies Ashab al-Yamin, an Iranian front group conducting arson and IED attacks across Europe. These low-sophistication strikes target Jewish and Western institutions to distance Tehran from direct blame. Authorities struggle to respond as the group recruits petty criminals through the internet to execute missions. 1314. Sinan Ciddi examines Erdoğan's hostility toward Israel, which intensified after 2009. While Turkey maintains lucrative trade, Erdoğan uses anti-Israel rhetoric to secure domestic support. Turkey's material support for Hamas and Hezbollah undermines its credibility as a potential mediator for regional peace in the Middle East. 1415. John Hardie explains Ukraine's innovative drone technology, including long-distance interceptors operated via Starlink. Drones cause approximately 80% of Russian casualties and protect pilots by moving them from the front lines. However, Ukraine still faces a severe manpower shortage that drones cannot fully resolve on their own. 1516. Ahmad Sharawi outlines the first phase of the Iran-Gulf conflict, where Tehran targeted energy infrastructure and airports in nine Arab states. These asymmetrical attacks aimed to destroy regional stability and economic confidence. Proximity left the UAE and Kuwait particularly vulnerable to these Iranian-led strikes. 16

Today's Headlines: Florida Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick resigned ahead of her expected expulsion vote — apparently getting kicked out by your colleagues is a bridge too far even for someone who funneled FEMA money into her own campaign — and all eyes are now on whether Revenge Porn Cory Mills follows suit. On the Iran beat, Trump blinked again and extended the ceasefire at the last minute after mediators in Pakistan asked him to hold off, while JD Vance's peace trip to Islamabad was postponed indefinitely. Elsewhere in war news, Pete Hegseth announced the military will no longer require troops to get the flu vaccine, citing "medical autonomy," because apparently that's where we are. In the financial crimes corner, the BBC published an analysis finding the Trump administration is likely engaged in insider trading tied to major political events — multiple traders won millions of dollars just before Trump made market-moving announcements. Meanwhile, Trump's preferred Fed Chair replacement Kevin Warsh told his confirmation hearing that Fed independence "means everything" to him, which is exactly what someone who doesn't mean it would say. In other financial ethics news, an investigation found the Noems were carrying up to $3.25 million in debt while Bryon Noem was sending tens of thousands to fetish models, which Kristi claims blindsided her. The Gates Foundation is cutting 500 jobs because Bill Gates hung out with Jeffrey Epstein, but on a brighter note, the House Oversight Committee and FBI are both investigating the 11 suspiciously dead and missing nuclear scientists — reassuring, except the FBI is run by Kash Patel. In genuinely good news, two new pancreatic cancer drugs showed remarkable results in early trials, with one mRNA vaccine keeping most responsive patients alive for six years. And finally, Virginia voters approved a new congressional map that could net Democrats four additional House seats ahead of the November midterms — possibly the last effective redistricting before the election. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: WaPo: House Democrat resigns ahead of possible expulsion vote over alleged financial crimes NYT: Iran War Live Updates: Uncertainty Surrounds U.S.-Iran Talks as Cease-Fire Nears End Axios: Vance's Pakistan trip postponed indefinitely as Iran boycotts peace talks AP News: Flu vaccine no longer mandated for US troops, Hegseth says BBC: The insider trading suspicions looming over Trump's presidency WSJ: Kevin Warsh Hearing: Trump's Nominee Pressed on Disclosures, Fed Independence — Live Updates Atlanta Blackstar: ‘Should Be in Prison!': Kristi Noem Dragged Into Another Public Embarrassment as Report Exposes Jaw-Dropping Debt Tied to Her Husband — and Now Everyone's Asking the Same Questions WSJ: Gates Foundation to Cut 20% of Staff, Review Epstein Ties CNN: At least 10 scientists tied to sensitive US research have died or disappeared in recent years, sparking federal investigation WSJ: New Drugs for Pancreatic Cancer Show Remarkable Promise for Deadly Disease NYT: Election Live Updates: Virginia Passes New Map, Lifting Democrats' Midterm Chances Subscribe to the Betches News Room and join the Morning Announcements group chat. Go to: betchesnews.substack.com Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fred Kaplan, Slate's War Stories columnist and the author of many nonfiction books and his latest, a novel, A Capital Calamity (Miniver Press, 2024), talks about Iran's military capabilities even as President Trump extended the ceasefire, plus offers his analysis of President Trump's unconventional negotiating tactics. Photo: A man reads a newspaper with a front page article referring to anticipated US-Iran peace talks, at a stall in Islamabad on April 22, 2026. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked US President Donald Trump for extending a ceasefire with Iran and indefinitely pushing back the end of the two week truce, with Tehran silent on the decision early on April 22. (by Asif HASSAN / AFP via Getty Images)

The US-Iran ceasefire deal is set to end on Wednesday but Donald Trump says he does not want to extend the deadline. The US President believes the US is in a very strong negotiating position. Iran has not yet confirmed if it will attend peace talks in Islamabad. The US vice-president J D Vance, who will lead the American team, is reportedly yet to leave Washington. Also: the British prime minister Keir Starmer comes under intense pressure over his role in the appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador, fuelling doubts about whether he can survive as prime minister; Japan says it will scrap the weapons export rules that it's had in place since the end of the Second World War so it can sell lethal arms to its allies; and a group of women in Spain target the lingering symptoms of breast cancer treatment with the help of archery.The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

The Fog of Peace and the Strait of Hormuz: The US and Iran are currently in a "fog of peace," where a ceasefire is complicated by a US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Tensions escalated after the US seized an Iranian cargo ship attempting to run the blockade. Negotiations in Islamabad face a massive diplomatic chasm regarding nuclear and missile programs. Bill Roggio (1)1519

SCHEDULE THE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW, 4-20-26.1689 ARABIAN PENINSULAThe Fog of Peace and the Strait of Hormuz: The US and Iran are currently in a "fog of peace," where a ceasefire is complicated by a US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Tensions escalated after the US seized an Iranian cargo ship attempting to run the blockade. Negotiations in Islamabad face a massive diplomatic chasm regarding nuclear and missile programs. Bill Roggio (1)The Persistence of Iranian Proxies: Iran has not "turned off" proxies like Hezbollah and Hamas, despite ongoing ceasefire talks. Bill Roggio argues that assassinating leaders is ineffective, as Hezbollah maintains significant power and a plurality in the Lebanese parliament. These groups continue to operate independently to provoke Israel and the surrounding neighborhood. Bill Roggio (2)Navigating Iran's Fractured Leadership: Iran's leadership is currently a faceless structure of five major figures, following the supreme leader's absence. This complicates diplomacy because no single person has decisive say. The regime remains paranoid about appearing weak and is unlikely to make concessions on its nuclear or ballistic missile programs. Jonathan Sayeh (3)Internal Unrest and Chemical WMD Threats: Iran is attempting to incorporate its proxies into diplomatic deals with Washington. Internally, the regime faces unrest in Baluch majority areas and economic grievances. There are alarming reports that the regime has developed aerosolized fentanyl, a chemical weapon intended to suppress domestic protesters with lethal force. Jonathan Sayeh (4)Memorial Day and Iran's Economic Ruin: Israel observes Memorial Day for 27,000 fallen soldiers amid a seven-sided war. In Iran, the economy is collapsing as the IRGC takes control. Despite heavy bombing, the IRGC has reportedly reawakened its missile arsenal to 70% capacity, utilizing underground storage to protect launchers from past Israeli and US strikes. Malcolm Hoenlein (5)Global Terror Cells and the Isaac Accords: Iranian-backed terror cells were discovered in Azerbaijan, the UAE, and Europe targeting synagogues and government facilities. Meanwhile, the "Isaac Accords" between Israel and Argentina, led by Javier Milei, seek to deepen ties in Latin America. Additionally, Turkey is proposing new rail links to bypass strategic maritime choke points. Malcolm Hoenlein (6)The Anti-American Shift in South Korea: South Korea's administration is described as an illegitimate, pro-North Korean regime. President Lee Jae-myung has allegedly bribed North Korea and moved to disarm South Koreansoldiers. Experts suggest the US should utilize UN Central Command to restore legitimate leadership and prevent the alliance from further deteriorating. Morse Tan (7)Defense Partnerships in Southeast Asia: The US and Indonesia have formed a major defense partnership, providing a critical counterweight to Chinese influence. Indonesia is seeking private capital for high-tech and extractive projects. Security remains a concern as Chinese drones have been found in Indonesian waters and fishing fleets frequently violate maritime boundaries. Charles Ortell (8)Toughening the Non-Proliferation Treaty: Henry Sokolski argues the NPT needs updating to deny states the "right" to make nuclear fuel. He highlights that the Bushehr reactor contains spent fuel rods capable of producing 200 plutonium bombs. He recommends that Saudi Arabia or other Gulf states pay to return this dangerous material to Russia. Henry Sokolski (9)Weaponizing Space and the Golden Dome: The IRGC used a commercial satellite to target US bases, resulting in an attack in Kuwait. The Pentagon is struggling with jamming and shutter control issues regarding commercial systems like Starlink. Oversight is requested for the "Golden Dome" defense program due to its high costs and limited information sharing. Henry Sokolski (10)Election Fraud and Global Progressivism: Peru faces a crisis over alleged electoral fraud following irregularities in the presidential count. In Barcelona, a "Global Progressivism" meeting led by Pedro Sanchez gathered leftist leaders to counter the "global right." Critics argue these leftist movements are increasingly intertwined with organized crime and drug trafficking. Alejandro Peña Esclusa and Ernesto Araújo (11)The Rise of Flavio Bolsonaro and Venezuela's Fate: Flavio Bolsonaro is leading polls in Brazil, representing a hope for clean governance against Lula's corruption-prone administration. Meanwhile, the Venezuelan regime has halted compliance with political reforms, making it dangerous for Maria Corina Machado to return. Brazil remains the "big one" for the region's political balance. Alejandro Peña Esclusa and Ernesto Araújo (12)The Restrictive Ceasefire in Lebanon: A new ceasefire in Lebanon is highly restrictive, limiting Israeli self-defense to "imminent" or "ongoing" attacks. President Trump reportedly strong-armed Israel into this stand-down to facilitate maritime negotiations with Iran. Consequently, Hezbollah is expected to use this period to regenerate its forces and rebuild its infrastructure. David Daoud (13)Hezbollah's Victory Narrative and Bint Jbeil: Hezbollah continues to attack Israeli convoys and refuses to surrender its arsenal, claiming the ceasefire as a victory. The town of Bint Jbeil remains a critical symbolic and military prize for the group. The Lebanese government shows no determination to disarm Hezbollah or enforce sovereignty in the southern region. David Daoud (14)The Blockade of the Strait of Hormuz: The Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed as a standoff persists between the US blockade and Iranian vessels. While Iran has the patience for a long conflict, the US is pressured by midterm elections and oil prices. Gulf states, particularly Saudi Arabia, are increasingly hawkish, urging the US to finish the job. Edmund Fitton Brown (15)Iran's Agile Diplomacy and the Five Files: Iran is "moving the goalposts" by linking the Lebanon ceasefire to maritime negotiations. Success requires progress on five files: the Strait, nuclear program, ballistic missiles, proxies, and human rights. Some Gulf autocracies may prefer a weakened Iran over a successful democratic regime change that could threaten their own prestige. Edmund Fitton Brown (16)

STREAMING MAKING OF THE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW, FEATURING BILL ROGGIO AND JANATYN SAYEH, 4-20-26.  1688 PERSIA GULFThe Levant and Eurasia are currently gripped by what analysts describe as the "fog of peace," a state where a ceasefire is technically in place but characterized by profound distrust and a lack of transparency. While the conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran originally centered on Iran's nuclear weapons program, the focus has shifted toward an intractable struggle over the Strait of Hormuz.The Strait has become a primary flashpoint of "open/closed" chaos, likened to a "Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd" hunting season metaphor. The US has established a naval blockade, recently using a destroyer's main gun to disable the engine room of an Iranian cargo ship that attempted to run the blockade. Iran counters this by creating confusion, such as firing on an Indian tanker that reportedly had clearance from the IRGC to pass, a tactic designed to make international shipping reconsider the route entirely.Diplomatically, the situation is stalled. Planned talks in Islamabad between US representatives and the Islamic Republicare not moving forward. This deadlock is exacerbated by a structural shift in Iranian leadership. Following the assassination of the Supreme Leader and other top officials, decision-making has fallen to a five-man council of dedicated revolutionaries. These individuals, often categorized as "hardliners" rather than "pragmatists," view compromise under pressure as a sign of weakness and are wary of suffering the same fate as Muammar Gaddafi. This new leadership is believed to be radical and intractable, with many members rising from the younger, hardcore ranks of the regime.Internally, the regime is employing brutal measures to maintain control. There are chilling reports that Iran has developed aerosol fentanyl — a chemical weapon capable of killing large populations — and may have experimentally used it against domestic protesters as early as 2022. The regime's fear of internal unrest is further evidenced by the deployment of checkpoints staffed by non-Iranian proxies to suppress a population demoralized by economic exasperation and a perceived lack of external backing. Precursors for these chemical experiments are reportedly provided by China.The geopolitical timeline appears to favor Tehran. Iranian leaders believe they can "run out the clock" on the Trumpadministration. The US faces significant domestic constraints, including low presidential poll numbers and the impending 2026 midterm elections, which could return the House of Representatives to Democratic control and trigger a return to the "age of impeachment." Additionally, Russia and China have strategic incentives to keep the Islamic Republic afloat, viewing the conflict as a test of whether their partner can withstand prolonged US and Israeli military pressure. Consequently, the "fog of peace" remains thick, with both sides acting on distrust rather than a genuine path toward a treaty.

Today's Headlines: Kash Patel responded to bombshell reporting about his drinking and incompetence by filing a $250 million defamation suit against The Atlantic — can't wait for discovery then, Kash. Meanwhile, Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer became the third Trump Cabinet member to resign in just a few months, notable mostly because all three have been women while the actual disasters remain firmly in place. On the foreign policy beat, the Iran ceasefire expires tomorrow at 8pm with Trump calling renewal "highly unlikely," JD Vance and crew headed to Islamabad anyway, and oil prices already on the rise. Back home, the House Ethics Committee is mulling expulsion votes for two Florida representatives — one facing sexual misconduct and illegal contract charges, the other caught steering COVID relief funds to her own campaign. In economic news, the Trump administration quietly launched a portal for the 330,000 businesses that overpaid on illegal tariffs to apply for refunds, with no apparent plan for the ones that already went under because of them. Over in Silicon Valley, Amazon invested another $5 billion into Anthropic while California simultaneously filed an antitrust suit against Amazon using the company's own emails as evidence, and Apple tapped 25-year veteran John Ternus as its next CEO, a man described as competent and affable, which feels like a low bar that is nonetheless refreshing. And finally, a bankruptcy judge is the only thing standing between The Onion and its dream of owning Infowars — which would be the most perfect ending to the Alex Jones saga anyone could have written. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: CNN: FBI director Kash Patel files $250 million defamation lawsuit against The Atlantic WaPo: Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer will resign amid misconduct allegations The Hill: Ethics panel reveals it's conducted 20 sexual misconduct investigations into lawmakers since 2017 Politico: House Ethics panel issues rare statement committing to helping secure a sexual harassment-free workplace - Live Updates Axios: House barrels toward rare double expulsion votes WaPo: Iran talks on shaky footing after U.S. seizure of ship in Strait of Hormuz AP News: Oil prices rise and US stocks give back a bit of their record-breaking rally Politico: Hungary must arrest Netanyahu if he visits, Magyar says Wired: The Weird, Twisting Tale of How China Spied on Alysa Liu and Her Dad Axios: What to know about tariff refund site that launches Monday Mashable: Amazon colluded to make competitors raise prices, California lawsuit says WSJ: Anthropic, Amazon Tighten Bond in $5 Billion Investment and Computing Deal WSJ: Tim Cook to Step Down as Apple Names New CEO Mother Jones: The Onion Says It Has Again Struck a Deal to Take Over Infowars Subscribe to the Betches News Room and join the Morning Announcements group chat. Go to: betchesnews.substack.com Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the DSR Daily for Tuesday, we discuss the resignation of the Labor Secretary, JD Vance back en route to Islamabad for ceasefire talks, a critical special election in Virginia, and more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MeidasTouch host Ben Meiselas reports on Donald Trump panicking as Iran rejects his ultimatum, with the ceasefire deadline approaching and Trump already scrambling to send his team to Islamabad to negotiate despite Iran saying it won't engage while the U.S. blockade continues. Meiselas breaks down what Trump is telling U.S. media versus what Iranian leaders are saying to their own press, providing the clips and receipts so you can decide for yourself what's really happening. Get 20% off your purchase at https://FastGrowingTrees.com using the code MEIDAS at checkout. Visit https://meidasplus.com for more! Visit https://meidasplus.com for more! Remember to subscribe to ALL the MeidasTouch Network Podcasts: MeidasTouch: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/meidastouch-podcast Legal AF: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/legal-af MissTrial: https://meidasnews.com/tag/miss-trial The PoliticsGirl Podcast: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-politicsgirl-podcast Cult Conversations: The Influence Continuum with Dr. Steve Hassan: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-influence-continuum-with-dr-steven-hassan The Weekend Show: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-weekend-show The Ken Harbaugh Show: https://meidasnews.com/tag/the-ken-harbaugh-show Majority 54: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/majority-54 On Democracy with FP Wellman: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/on-democracy-with-fpwellman Uncovered: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/maga-uncovered Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nicolle Wallace covers the latest from the war in Iran. A U.S. delegation is poised to travel to Islamabad, Pakistan for peace talks with Iranian officials with JD Vance as the leader of that group, according to Trump. Later, candidate for Congress, Jack Schlossberg, joins Nicolle to discuss the future of the Democratic party and the new generation of politicians. For more, follow us on Instagram @deadlinewh To listen to this show and other MS NOW podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. For more from Nicolle, follow and download her podcast, “The Best People with Nicolle Wallace,” wherever you get your podcasts.To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Trump warns Iran to accept a “fair and reasonable” peace deal or face strikes on every power plant and bridge, as JD Vance heads to Islamabad for high‑stakes ceasefire talks and Iran tests the limits of the blockade and nuclear red lines.

Iranian sources tell CNN a new round of peace talks with U.S. negotiators is expected to take place on Monday in Islamabad, Pakistan. We talk it over with U.S. Army Lieutenant General Karen Gibson, who previously served as director of intelligence for U.S. Central Command and Ryan Crocker, former U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Syria, Lebanon, and Kuwait. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We start with the U.S.-Israel war with Iran — a war that President Donald Trump said would end in two to three weeks. Now, in its seventh week, the Pentagon is sending 10,000 more troops to the Middle East to pressure Iran into making a peace deal.On Sunday, Trump posted a long rant on Truth Social calling Pope Leo XIV “weak on crime, and terrible for foreign policy.” Then, later that night, Trump posted an AI-generated photo that appeared to depict him as Jesus Christ.Rep. Eric Swalwell was a front-runner for the seat of California governor just weeks ago. Now, he's out of the race and out of Congress after numerous sexual assault allegations were leveled against him.And, in global news, Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz completely open to commercial vessels. This move is expected to lessen severity of the growing global energy crisis and bring the possibility of a peace agreement between Iran and the U.S. closer to becoming a reality.New reporting from Axios indicates that U.S. and Iranian negotiators made progress in new peace talks on Tuesday. On Thursday, Pakistan's foreign ministry said a second round of talks between the U.S. and Iran will be held in Islamabad. But no date has been announced yet.And it's the dawn of a new era in Hungary this week. For the first time in 16 years, Viktor Orbán will no longer lead the nation from Budapest, having lost the election for his position as prime minister to conservative rival Peter Magyar.We cover the most important stories from around the world in the News Roundup.Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.See 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

In this episode of the MeidasTouch Podcast, Ben, Brett, and Jordy break down Trump's new naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz after the collapse of peace talks in Islamabad, as Trump attempts to further wall off the Strait to open it. They examine Trump's unhinged public feud with Pope Leo XIV, including his attacks on the pontiff calling him weak on crime and his post of an image portraying himself as Jesus Christ. The episode also covers Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's sharp rebuke of U.S. policy, declaring an end to Canada's heavy military spending favoritism toward America and promoting stronger independent trade ties, and more of the international fallout from Trump's failed leadership. Subscribe to Meidas+ at https://meidasplus.com Get Meidas Merch: https://store.meidastouch.com Deals from our sponsors!  Fair Harbor: Go to https://FairHarborClothing.com and use promo code: MEIDAS20 for 20% OFF your full-priced order Done with Debt: Visit https://DoneWithDebt.com and talk to a strategist for FREE. Smalls: For a limited time only, get 60% OFF plus FREE SHIPPING on your first order when you head to https://Smalls.com/MEIDAS Miracle Made: Upgrade your sleep with Miracle Made! Go to https://TryMiracle.com/meidas and use the code: MEIDAS to claim your FREE 3 PIECE TOWEL SET and SAVE over 40% OFF. IQBar: Get 20% OFF all IQBAR products. Text TRUTH to 64000. Remember to subscribe to ALL the MeidasTouch Network Podcasts: MeidasTouch: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/meidastouch-podcast Legal AF: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/legal-af MissTrial: https://meidasnews.com/tag/miss-trial The PoliticsGirl Podcast: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-politicsgirl-podcast Cult Conversations: The Influence Continuum with Dr. Steve Hassan: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-influence-continuum-with-dr-steven-hassan The Weekend Show: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-weekend-show Burn the Boats: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/burn-the-boats Majority 54: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/majority-54 On Democracy with FP Wellman: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/on-democracy-with-fpwellman Uncovered: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/maga-uncovered Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vice President JD Vance just dropped the bad news — after an intense 21-hour face-to-face negotiation at the luxury Serena Hotel in Islamabad, the United States and Iran have failed to reach a peace agreement to end the six-week war that has rocked the Middle East. The high-stakes talks, the first direct high-level meetings between the two nations in over a decade, broke down when Iran refused to give a firm commitment to abandon its nuclear weapons ambitions. Iran, in turn, demanded full control of the Strait of Hormuz, the right to continue uranium enrichment, no limits on ballistic missiles, and war reparations. With the fragile two-week cease-fire now hanging by a thread, the risk of renewed fighting is rising fast. Vance called it the U.S.'s "final and best offer" — will this lead to escalation or more rounds of diplomacy?What do you think happens next? Drop your thoughts below

Episode 5291: Talks For Peace Begin In Islamabad; Finding A Permanent Solution For Diego Garcia

The MAGA media revolt over Iran is in full swing and Trump posts a nearly 500-word screed declaring "I no longer care" — before attacking each critic in obsessive detail. Meanwhile, the ceasefire hangs by a thread as it becomes clear that Trump has no idea what's in it, calls to invoke the 25th Amendment grow louder, JD Vance heads to Islamabad to negotiate with the Iranians, and Melania Trump makes a baffling appearance to defend herself against Epstein allegations that no one was asking about. Then, former White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel stops by to talk about Iran and his widely rumored ambitions for 2028.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.