Podcasts about Middle East

Relations between Jews and Muslims in Morocco have historically been strong unlike elsewhere in North Africa and the Middle East. Although now relatively small, Morocco's vibrant Jewish community is still regarded as an important part of the country's history and culture. In Casablanca there are a number of functioning synagogues, kosher butchers and Jewish schools. More than a million Moroccan Jews now live in Israel and travel freely back and forth between the two countries. So how has the North African country managed to maintain a peaceful harmony while many other nations in the region have failed? And what could unsettle the balance? Mike Lanchin hears from some of the Moroccans from both faiths who have embraced this coexistence.

What do America and Israel share other, other than shared values and a strategic alliance against the forces of tyranny? Try: declarations of independence and a celebration of individual rights that have stood the test of time (nearly 250 years for the US, nearly 80 years for Israel). Peter Berkowitz, the Hoover Institution's Tad and Dianne Taube Senior Fellow and a celebrated constitutional scholar and lecturer, discusses what he witnessed fresh off a visit to the Middle East. Among the topics discussed: Israel at a crossroads in 2026 (peace in Gaza, perhaps another strike against Iran, a national election later this year) and its evolution as a free society versus where America currently stands. Berkowitz also reflects on his participation in the first Trump Administration State Department's Commission on Unalienable Rights, building off what Thomas Jefferson penned back in 1776, plus the “Varieties of Conservatism in America” course he teaches as part of Stanford University's Civics initiative and how it pertains to the competition (1776 and independence vs. 1619 and the introduction of slavery) to influence America's origins to younger generations. Recorded on January 5, 2026. 

Send us a textDownload study notes for this chapter.Download study notes for this entire book.**********Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version ®, NIV ® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used with permission. All rights reserved worldwide.The “NIV”, “New International Version”, “Biblica”, “International Bible Society” and the Biblica Logo are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.  Used with permission.BIBLICA, THE INTERNATIONAL BIBLE SOCIETY, provides God's Word to people through Bible translation & Bible publishing, and Bible engagement in Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and North America. Through its worldwide reach, Biblica engages people with God's Word so that their lives are transformed through a relationship with Jesus Christ.Support the show

Guest: Professor Edward J. Watts. Heraclius defeated the Persian Empire only to lose the Middle East to rising Arab forces, devastating Rome's food and financial supplies. Facing famine and new barbarian threats like the Avars, Romans interpreted these disasters as divine punishment, leading to the religious policy of Iconoclasm to appease God.

The National Security Hour with Brandon Weichert – The raid that removed Nicolás Maduro was tactically brilliant. Anyone saying otherwise is lying—or coping. But the real story isn't the raid itself. It's what it normalized. For the first time in decades, the United States wielded hard power unapologetically in the Western Hemisphere. Not in Europe. Not in the Middle East. At home...

With the global order under increasing strain, 2026 is shaping up to be a tipping point for geopolitics. From political upheaval in the United States to widening conflicts abroad, the risks facing governments, markets, and societies are converging faster—and more forcefully—than at any time in recent memory.To break it all down, journalist Julia Chatterley moderated a wide-ranging conversation with Ian Bremmer, president of Eurasia Group and GZERO Media, and a panel of Eurasia Group experts, to examine the findings of their newly-released Top Risks of 2026 report.One theme dominates the discussion: the United States itself. From an accelerating political revolution at home to a more aggressive projection of power abroad, Washington has become the single biggest driver of global risk. That shift is playing out vividly in the Western Hemisphere, where dramatic developments in Venezuela signal a renewed US willingness to shape political outcomes closer to home.Along with Ian Bremmer, the Eurasia Group panel included Gerald Butts, Vice Chairman; Risa Grais-Targow, Director, Latin America; Cliff Kupchan, Chairman; and Mujtaba (Mij) Rahman, Managing Director, Europe. Their discussion also digs into the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, rising instability among US allies in Europe, intensifying US-China competition, and the growing geopolitical consequences of artificial intelligence—all against the backdrop of a world with fewer guardrails and weaker global leadership.As Bremmer argues, these risks are not isolated. They are symptoms of a deeper transformation: a GZERO world, where power is unconstrained, alliances are fragile, and no single country can—or will—stabilize the international system.Host: Julia ChatterleyGuests: Ian Bremmer, Risa Grais-Targow, Cliff Kupchan, Mujtaba (Mij) Rahman, Gerald Butts Subscribe to the GZERO World with Ian Bremmer Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform, to receive new episodes as soon as they're published. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. US bureau chief Jacob Magid joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode. Magid reports that despite the difficulties, the Trump administration wants to unveil the various components of phase two of the fragile Gaza ceasefire. This includes the technocratic Board of Peace, which currently has six countries on board from Europe and the Middle East. Magid notes that while senior aides to US President Donald Trump are sometimes frustrated with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding Middle East policies, the American leader's strategy is to keep the relationship warm, usually siding with the Israeli prime minister to keep moving forward on the various issues. After years of being stuck with third-generation cellphone service in the West Bank due to Israel's security control, Magid reports, Palestinians will now have access to 4G service. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: US plans to start 2nd phase of Gaza deal before Hamas disarmed, last hostage’s body returned Trump’s effusive praise for PM part of strategy to keep disagreements private — sources Israel grants 4G access to Palestinian West Bank cell companies after war delay Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Pod-Waves. IMAGE: Tents are crammed together in a displaced Palestinians camp along the beach of Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, on Oct. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana, File)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sign up for the Heartland Experience trip: https://serveisrael.com/volunteer/heartland-experience/   Purchase the I Am Israel photo book: https://theisraelguys.store/products/israel-photo-book   Tensions across the Middle East are escalating fast as Iran appears to be losing control at home and global powers quietly reposition. Reports indicate Russia is evacuating their embassy's staff from Israel, while massive protests erupt across Iran with chants of "Death to Khamenei," statues toppled, and entire cities reportedly slipping from regime control for the first time in nearly five decades. As Israel signals it may act preemptively against Iranian threats, U.S. leaders warn that continued repression could trigger dramatic consequences for Tehran. Meanwhile, Iranians themselves are sending shockwaves through the region—chanting "death to Palestine", renaming streets after Trump, and openly defying the regime in the streets.   We cover rising antisemitic incidents abroad, security developments inside Israel, escalating tensions in Judea and Samaria, and major policy shifts from the White House as President Trump withdraws the U.S. from dozens of international bodies and prepares the next phase of his Gaza peace plan.    Follow The Israel Guys on Telegram: https://t.me/theisraelguys  Follow Us On X: https://x.com/theisraelguys  Follow Us On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theisraelguys Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theisraelguys

Send us a textDownload study notes for this chapter.Download study notes for this entire book.**********Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version ®, NIV ® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used with permission. All rights reserved worldwide.The “NIV”, “New International Version”, “Biblica”, “International Bible Society” and the Biblica Logo are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.  Used with permission.BIBLICA, THE INTERNATIONAL BIBLE SOCIETY, provides God's Word to people through Bible translation & Bible publishing, and Bible engagement in Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and North America. Through its worldwide reach, Biblica engages people with God's Word so that their lives are transformed through a relationship with Jesus Christ.Support the show

Once again, Iranians have taken to the streets. Starting in late December, the plummeting value of the national currency, along with the soaring cost of living, were the catalyst for a fresh wave of protest – and one that soon turned political. Although the government has been quick to crack down on the demonstrations, the regime has been dealt some heavy blows in the past year, and analysts are pondering whether this could be the movement that ends the ayatollahs’ reign for good. Haaretz reporter Linda Dayan was joined by Arash Azizi, lecturer at Yale University and author of "What Iranians Want: Women, Life, Freedom" and "The Shadow Commander: Soleimani, the U.S., and Iran's Global Ambitions” to talk about these protests, and what they mean for Iran, for Israel, for the region and for the world. “In some of the previous protests, there was always a mix of hope and anger,” explains Azizi. “This time, there’s a lot more anger, because people know that they want an end to this regime, but they can’t find an easy path… there’s a lot more despondency and desperation.” Azizi explains that one of the key obstacles in realizing this aspiration is Iran’s fractured would-be opposition, including the ousted Shah’s son Reza Pahlavi, who’s found support from some Israeli lawmakers. The protesters “don’t have a disciplined political leadership that you need to bring about that kind of change,” Azizi says. Iran’s developments will likely “have the color of a coup, perhaps even more than a revolution” – and be led by figures currently inside the regime. U.S. President Donald Trump has also warned the Iranian regime against violently repressing the protests. The ouster of Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela – a key Iranian ally – by U.S. forces “was a reminder to the Iranians that Trump is not bluffing, and that he could take action against them,” notes Azizi. “The idea that Trump would assassinate Khamenei, let’s say, with the help of Israel would have been unthinkable a few years ago… now, it’s really a possibility.” Read more: At Least 35 Killed, 1,200 Detained in Iran Protests as Threat of U.S. Intervention Looms Analysis by Zvi Bar'el | Why Trump's Venezuela Playbook Won't Work in Iran Israeli Officials Warn Iran May Strike Across the Middle East to Quell Protests Analysis by Ben Samuels | What Trump's Attack on Venezuela Means for Iran and MAGA Isolationists The Israeli Influence Operation Aiming to Install Reza Pahlavi as Shah of IranSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is Western civilization sleepwalking into a crisis it refuses to name?  In this powerful episode of The StaksCast, Erick Stakelbeck sits down with BlazeTV nationally syndicated host and commentator, Steve Deace, at Turning Point USA's annual AmFest 2025 for a no-holds-barred conversation about the growing Islamic challenge to Western civilization.   Deace breaks down why Islam is fundamentally incompatible with the West, how mass migration is reshaping Europe and America, and why the U.S. must stop exporting Western values abroad — while importing radical ideologies at home.   The conversation also tackles:   - President Trump's Middle East strategy and why it worked - Why Israel serves as a “canary in the coal mine” for the West - Qatar, Hamas, and the danger of Islamic propaganda   This is a must-watch discussion about faith, freedom, geopolitics, and the future of the West. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a candid conversation with Dr. Phil, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the surge in antisemitism, Israel's mission to destroy Hamas and what the future holds for the Middle East.Watch Dr. Phil on Linear (Subscriptions needed):Spectrum/Charter - https://www.spectrum.com/cable-tv/channel-lineup (Search for Envoy TV; Channel may vary by location)Frndly TV - https://watch.frndlytv.com/channel/live/envoy_tvFAST (No subscriptions needed):SamsungTV Plus - Channel 2977 or found in the category Lifestyle & Pop CultureLocal Now - Download the app on your CTV or stream via Web https://localnow.com/channels/envoy-fastVIDAA on Hisense TV's:Watch on Hisense TV's with VIDAA OS or download the VIDAA App:IOS: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/vidaa/id1526408639Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.universal.remote.multi&hl=en_USSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. Political reporter Sam Sokol joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode. After a 14-year-old ultra-Orthodox teenager was killed and three others were injured by a bus ramming into protestors following a mass Haredi rally against IDF conscription, Sokol discusses the chaotic street scene and fires set in the middle of the busy road by young men and teens roaming around Jerusalem's Romema neighborhood on Tuesday night. The rally, which was the initiative of a group of leading ultra-Orthodox rabbis, and connected to the Jerusalem Faction, an extremist ultra-Orthodox group, opened with fiery speeches, reports Sokol, as leading rabbis railed against the government’s draft exemption bill and the Haredi Shas party, which supports it. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: Police set to charge bus driver who ran over Haredi protester with aggravated murder Teenager killed, others injured after bus runs over Haredi protesters in Jerusalem Senior ultra-Orthodox rabbi: Those enforcing Haredi draft are fighting against God Thousands of Haredim protest against conscription in Jerusalem Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Podwaves. IMAGE: Ultra-Orthodox protest against IDF recruitment in Jerusalem, January 6, 2026. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Send us a textDownload study notes for this chapter.Download study notes for this entire book.**********Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version ®, NIV ® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used with permission. All rights reserved worldwide.The “NIV”, “New International Version”, “Biblica”, “International Bible Society” and the Biblica Logo are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.  Used with permission.BIBLICA, THE INTERNATIONAL BIBLE SOCIETY, provides God's Word to people through Bible translation & Bible publishing, and Bible engagement in Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and North America. Through its worldwide reach, Biblica engages people with God's Word so that their lives are transformed through a relationship with Jesus Christ.Support the show

The Duty to be Normal. Iran-born Erica Kasraie, Middle-East expert, human rights activist, and Executive Director of LIVING WATER Productions, joins the show to comment on the lack of information coming out of Iran in the wake of mass protests against the theocratic government of the Islamic Republic. We're joined by John Dombroski, founder and president of Grand Canyon Planning Associates. President Reagan’s adopted son Michael Reagan passed away today. “Homeownership is racist.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Send us a textI am so glad James reached out and I really enjoyed his interview! He served the United States as an A-10 pilot, but as with many guests, I find myself intrigued by the pathway that led him there!!!Deployments to the Middle East, becoming a Red Flag instructor, and he got little personal about how these deployments affected his home life and the steps he had to take to take care of his mental health along the way.He spent some time volunteering with the Tucson Police Department and now helps the South Tucson Police Department with the Arizona Rangers. It isn't surprising, so many of my guests continue to serve others in some capacity even after their careers!Give him a warm welcome to the Choir Practice Squad and turn it up!!! Come see me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/choir.practice.94 or on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/cp_sfaf/

In this podcast episode, Aileen interviews Joan Litman about her book, "Shadows in the Moonlight: Songs of the Middle East."

Is the link between oil and geopolitics starting to diminish? Has climate consensus fractured just as clean energy hits escape velocity? And are batteries, not barrels, becoming the true source of power and security?In the first episode of Season 17 of Cleaning Up, Michael Liebreich and Bryony Worthington unpack a turbulent start to 2026. From shock geopolitical moves in the Americas and riots in the Middle East to the curious calm of a $60 oil price, they explore whether fossil fuels still move the world the way they once did. The conversation ranges from the collapse of climate multilateralism and Europe's energy malaise to the unstoppable rise of electrification, batteries, and system-level clean energy solutions across China, India, Africa, and the “rest of the world.”Leadership Circle:Cleaning Up is supported by the Leadership Circle, and its founding members: Actis, Alcazar Energy, Davidson Kempner, EcoPragma Capital, EDP, Eurelectric, the Gilardini Foundation, KKR, National Grid, Octopus Energy, Quadrature Climate Foundation, SDCL and Wärtsilä. For more information on the Leadership Circle, please visit https://www.cleaningup.live.Discover more:The Electrification Staircase: https://www.watts-next.eu/ Kingsmill Bond on Cleaning Up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2bsoCOznXkArunabha Ghosh on Cleaning Up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMrn-JewoCoRachel Kyte on Cleaning Up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1m2lm2n_EECatch up on Season 16 of Cleaning Up: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLe8ZTD7dMaaDWQkhmAsaQ28p0h3Lw5I6v

In this episode of the Anchor Podcast, Amir Tsarfati sits down with Danny Burmawi, a former Muslim from Jordan and author of the new book, “ISLAM, ISRAEL AND THE WEST: A Former Muslim's Analysis.” Danny shares his powerful journey from a teenager dedicated to defending Islam to becoming a follower of Christ and a voice for truth in the West.Drawing from his personal journey from Islam to Christianity and his work as a cultural commentator, Danny explores the ideological roots of the Middle East conflict, the role of Israel, and the challenges facing Western civilization today. They delve deep into the civilizational conflict facing Western nations today, exploring how an ideological vacuum has allowed anti-Western sentiments and a distorted understanding of Islam to take root.Connect with us on social:Telegram: @beholdisraelchannelInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amir.tsarfati/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beholdisrael/X: https://x.com/beholdisraelYouTube: https://youtube.com/@beholdisrael

Commodities are going nuts right now, with copper now parabolic joining silver on the crazy train. Gold is lagging behind both, which is not a good sign for each's ability to stay on the upside. Meanwhile, at the complete other end of the commodity spectrum is oil, not just in terms of prices but key spreads in Middle East markets. One of those just flipped for the first time in years, signaling growing worries about global demand.  Eurodollar University's Money & Macro Analysis---------------------------------------------What is a Eurodollar University membership? It's where understanding the monetary world isn't a mystery, it's a method.If you're serious about your financial education and want clarity in a world of volatility and massive uncertainty, you're in the right place. Mainstream education has left so many massive gaps on the most foundational concepts, making sense of everything is practically impossible otherwise. With our memberships, we'll fill in everything that you've been missing. Join us: https://web.eurodollar-university.com/eurodollar-vsl-pagehttps://www.eurodollar.universityTwitter: https://twitter.com/JeffSnider_EDU

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. US reporter Luke Tress joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode. Following New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's January 1 inauguration, Tress reviews his rocky start with Jewish groups, after Mamdani revoked the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism, which had been a significant protection against antisemitic acts. While Mamdani committed to keeping an office to combat anti-Semitism, a step applauded by the Jewish groups, says Tress, there is concern about the mayor's decision to revoke the IHRA antisemitism definition and anti-BDS measure Tress also discusses Mamdani's appointment of prominent lawyer Ramzi Kassem, who has supported anti-Israel protest groups as well as trained and provided legal guidance to a long list of anti-Zionist protesters. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: Leading Jewish groups issue warning as Mamdani cuts antisemitism protections on first day Mamdani revokes IHRA antisemitism definition on day 1, amid broad rejection of Adams orders Mamdani nods to Jewish and Palestinian New Yorkers in inaugural speech Mamdani appoints lawyer who coached anti-Israel protesters as NYC’s chief counsel Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Pod-Waves. IMAGE: New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani signs executive orders during a press conference in the neighborhood of Brooklyn in New York, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this explosive episode, Tara breaks down the brutal reality of life under Iran's mullah-led regime, the horrifying treatment of protesters, and how Western money kept that regime alive for years. From secret cash pallets and broken sanctions to the return of hope under Donald Trump, Tara connects the dots between Iran, Venezuela, global terror networks, and America's own national security. With protests reigniting and dictators reportedly preparing exit plans, this episode explains why Iran is shaking again, how sanctions are biting, and why the stakes couldn't be higher — not just for the Middle East, but for the United States itself. This is history, geopolitics, and hard truth — unfiltered. ⚠️

In this episode of One Sharp Sword, Dr. Wayne Pernell sits down with Tariq Malik, the “Reluctant CPA” whose career path spans engineering, chartered accountancy, international finance, and now fractional CFO leadership. Tariq shares his journey from Pakistan to England, Canada, the Middle East, and the U.S.—and the lessons learned while helping organizations navigate financial strategy, succession planning, and sustainable growth. Tariq reveals why most business owners underestimate what they don't know, the dangers of being too owner-dependent, and why bringing in outside expertise (from CFO services to leadership coaching) is essential for scaling. This conversation offers a blend of global perspective, business acumen, and meaningful leadership insight.

Send us a textDownload study notes for this chapter.Download study notes for this entire book.**********Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version ®, NIV ® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used with permission. All rights reserved worldwide.The “NIV”, “New International Version”, “Biblica”, “International Bible Society” and the Biblica Logo are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.  Used with permission.BIBLICA, THE INTERNATIONAL BIBLE SOCIETY, provides God's Word to people through Bible translation & Bible publishing, and Bible engagement in Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and North America. Through its worldwide reach, Biblica engages people with God's Word so that their lives are transformed through a relationship with Jesus Christ.Support the show

The Earth Transformed. An Untold History (Knopf, 2023) is a captivating and informative book that reveals how climate change has been a driving force behind the development and decline of civilizations across the centuries. The author, Peter Frankopan, takes readers on a journey through history, showcasing how natural phenomena such as volcanic eruptions, El Niño, and solar flare activity have shaped the course of human events. Frankopan's extensive research, coupled with his accessible writing style, makes for an engaging read that reframes our understanding of the world and our place in it. One of the strengths of The Earth Transformed is the way in which Frankopan connects seemingly disparate events to highlight the far-reaching impact of climate change. For example, he explains how the Vikings emerged as a result of catastrophic crop failure, and how the collapse of cotton prices due to unusual climate patterns led to regime change in eleventh-century Baghdad. Through such connections, Frankopan demonstrates how past empires that failed to act sustainably were met with catastrophe, providing valuable lessons for our current environmental crisis. Overall, The Earth Transformed is a timely and important book that sheds light on the enduring relationship between humans and the natural world. It challenges readers to reckon with our species' impact on the environment and to consider how we can act sustainably to prevent further harm. Frankopan's interdisciplinary approach, combining historical research with scientific insights, makes for a compelling and thought-provoking read that will leave readers with a new perspective on the world around us. Javier Mejia is an economist at Stanford University who specializes in the intersection of social networks and economic history. His research interests also include entrepreneurship and political economy, with a particular focus on Latin America and the Middle East. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics from Los Andes University. Mejia has previously been a Postdoctoral Associate and Lecturer at New York University-Abu Dhabi and a Visiting Scholar at the University of Bordeaux. He is also a frequent contributor to various news outlets, currently serving as an op-ed columnist for Forbes Magazine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

The crusade movement needed women: their money, their prayer support, their active participation, and their inspiration. Helen J. Nicholson's book Women and the Crusades (Oxford UP, 2023) surveys women's involvement in medieval crusading between the second half of the eleventh century, when Pope Gregory VII first proposed a penitential military expedition to help the Christians of the East, and 1570, when the last crusader state, Cyprus, was captured by the Ottoman Turks. It considers women's actions not only on crusade battlefields but also in recruiting crusaders, supporting crusades through patronage, propaganda, and prayer, and as both defenders and aggressors. It argues that medieval women were deeply involved in the crusades but the roles that they could play and how their contemporaries recorded their deeds were dictated by social convention and cultural expectations. Although its main focus is the women of Latin Christendom, it also looks at the impact of the crusades and crusaders on the Jews of western Europe and the Muslims of the Middle East, and compares relations between Latin Christians and Muslims with relations between Muslims and other Christian groups. Helen J. Nicholson is Professor of Medieval History at Cardiff University, UK. She has published extensively on the crusades, the military orders, and various related subjects, including a translation of a chronicle of the Third Crusade and an edition of the Templar trial proceedings in Britain and Ireland. She has just completed a history of Queen Sybil of Jerusalem (1186-1190). Morteza Hajizadeh is a Ph.D. graduate in English from the University of Auckland in New Zealand. His research interests are Cultural Studies; Critical Theory; Environmental History; Medieval (Intellectual) History; Gothic Studies; 18th and 19th Century British Literature. YouTube channel. Twitter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Click here to send a message. We love to hear from our listeners! Send us a text message and share your feedback What would you learn if you crossed international borders with only a 26-liter backpack and a belief that most people are kind? We sit down with friend Dean Fromm, a Colorado based traveler who's visited 109 countries, to unpack how light gear, slow plans, and open eyes can turn the world into a classroom. From Ecuador's Amazon, where a landslide an innovative act of collective problem-solving, to nights in Beirut under rolling blackouts, Dean shows how generosity often lives where our news cycles don't look.We dig into practicals—e-visas, passports, research routines, and why maps reveal more than roads. Dean chooses regions and builds trips around terrain, history, and the people he meets along the way. He makes the case for the Middle East and Asia as welcoming, life-affirming places, sharing vivid stories from Lebanon, Armenia, and an unforgettable solo entry into Gaza in the mid-90s that led to two days of hospitality from people with very little to spare. It's not a blind faith; it's a risk-aware posture shaped by real mishaps like a fall near Lake Baikal that turned into a lesson on resilience, recovery, and listening to your limits.If you've ever wondered how to travel with intention, Dean's playbook is simple and demanding: pack less, stay longer, talk to strangers, and let maps guide your understanding of why cities exist where they do. Let local food, markets, and music become your syllabus. Say yes when your gut says yes, and keep your boundaries when it doesn't. You'll come home with fewer certainties and a deeper, steadier confidence in people—and in your own ability to navigate the unknown.Enjoy the conversation, then share it with a friend who needs a nudge to book that first trip. Subscribe, leave a review, and tell us: where did a stranger's kindness change your route?Support the show

Iran is in the grip of its most intense unrest in years with protests spreading across the country and Donald Trump vowing that the US will defend Iranian protesters - prompting Tehran to accuse him of psychological warfare. What began in Tehran's bazaar over soaring prices and a collapsing currency has spread across 27 provinces, with inflation above 50% and a government struggling to contain anger over corruption and falling living standards.Human rights groups say dozens have been killed and more than 1000 arrested, as police move into universities and the judiciary warns that any period of concessions is over. So who will back down, the protesters or the regime? And what does this mean for the future of the Islamic Republic of Iran and it's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei?On this episode of The Fourcast, Matt Frei is joined by Professor Ali Ansari, a leading voice on Iran's modern history, and Doctor Sanam Vakil, director of Director, Middle East and North Africa Programme at Chatham house.

The Earth Transformed. An Untold History (Knopf, 2023) is a captivating and informative book that reveals how climate change has been a driving force behind the development and decline of civilizations across the centuries. The author, Peter Frankopan, takes readers on a journey through history, showcasing how natural phenomena such as volcanic eruptions, El Niño, and solar flare activity have shaped the course of human events. Frankopan's extensive research, coupled with his accessible writing style, makes for an engaging read that reframes our understanding of the world and our place in it. One of the strengths of The Earth Transformed is the way in which Frankopan connects seemingly disparate events to highlight the far-reaching impact of climate change. For example, he explains how the Vikings emerged as a result of catastrophic crop failure, and how the collapse of cotton prices due to unusual climate patterns led to regime change in eleventh-century Baghdad. Through such connections, Frankopan demonstrates how past empires that failed to act sustainably were met with catastrophe, providing valuable lessons for our current environmental crisis. Overall, The Earth Transformed is a timely and important book that sheds light on the enduring relationship between humans and the natural world. It challenges readers to reckon with our species' impact on the environment and to consider how we can act sustainably to prevent further harm. Frankopan's interdisciplinary approach, combining historical research with scientific insights, makes for a compelling and thought-provoking read that will leave readers with a new perspective on the world around us. Javier Mejia is an economist at Stanford University who specializes in the intersection of social networks and economic history. His research interests also include entrepreneurship and political economy, with a particular focus on Latin America and the Middle East. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics from Los Andes University. Mejia has previously been a Postdoctoral Associate and Lecturer at New York University-Abu Dhabi and a Visiting Scholar at the University of Bordeaux. He is also a frequent contributor to various news outlets, currently serving as an op-ed columnist for Forbes Magazine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/environmental-studies

Season 2 of On the Balcony continues by looking sideways — exploring frameworks that stretch Adaptive Leadership into new terrain.In this episode, Michael Koehler sits down with Judit Teichert, Managing Director and Partner at KONU Germany. Judit's work is shaped by her background as a licensed psychotherapist trained in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and more than a decade of coaching and facilitation around adaptive leadership and adult development with teams and organizations across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and the U.S.The conversation explores a question that sits quietly underneath so much leadership work: If we already understand the challenge, why is change still so hard?Judit's answer: insight alone isn't enough. We need practice — repeated iterations that build new pathways, not just in our thinking, but in our emotions, behaviors, and relationships. Change requires more than understanding. It requires reps.This episode also spends time with loss — not as something to fix or rush past, but as something that needs to be named, held, and lived through if change is going to last.Stay With What You're LearningEach episode, we send a short reflection and one resource to go deeper — things we don't include in the show.Sign up for the On the Balcony newsletter: konu.org/balconyWhat You'll Explore in This EpisodeThe triangle of change: thinking, feeling, actingHow cognitive behavioral therapy offers multiple entry points into change — and why limiting ourselves to "thinking our way" into new behavior often falls short.Why insight isn't enoughThe gap between understanding a pattern and actually changing it. Why we underestimate how many iterations — how many "reps" — real change requires.Practice as pathway-buildingThe metaphor of building a road through a jungle: the first time you take a new route, everything is unfamiliar and threatening. Only through repetition does a path become a highway.Managing loss in organizationsWhy naming loss is both diagnosis and intervention. How holding space — without rushing to solutions — allows groups to grieve and then reorient on their own terms.The role of ritual and structure in griefWhat we can learn from cultural and religious traditions about allocating time and space for mourning — and why organizations often skip this step.Reframing loss as sacrificeHow, after grief has been processed, framing loss as "in service of something bigger" can restore meaning and commitment.A live example from client workHow one organization combined adaptive leadership diagnosis with CBT-informed skills practice — role-playing difficult conversations repeatedly to build new muscles for candor.Quotes from This Episode"I think sometimes we underestimate how much practice, how many flight hours or reps it takes to actually change." — Judit Teichert"When you take a new route the first time, you're in a deep jungle. You don't know what the next step looks like. That's why it feels so tense and sometimes threatening to do something you've never learned to do before." — Judit Teichert"Paradoxically, one of the strategies to manage loss is not to manage — but to hold." — Judit Teichert"Grief and sadness — their function is to support us to reorient. If we don't take that time, we're clinging to something and we cannot wholeheartedly commit to something new." — Judit Teichert"There's a deep hole in the sidewalk. I walk around it. And there's like the absence of any drama in that sentence. That's one of the biggest changes." — Judit...

Mike Waltz is an American politician, diplomat, author, businessman, and retired U.S. Army Colonel, a combat-decorated Green Beret with 27 years of military service and the first retired Special Forces officer elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Born in Florida, to a family steeped in military tradition as the son and grandson of Navy Chiefs, Waltz graduated from Stanton College Preparatory School in Jacksonville, Florida, before attending Virginia Military Institute (VMI), earning a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors in 1996. Commissioned as an Army lieutenant upon graduation, he excelled by graduating from elite Ranger School and selection for the Green Berets, deploying worldwide on multiple combat tours to Afghanistan (starting in 2000), the Middle East, and Africa, while serving in the Pentagon under Secretaries Rumsfeld and Gates and as a counterterrorism advisor to Vice President Dick Cheney. Waltz served three terms as Republican Congressman from Florida's 6th District (2019–2025), resigning to become National Security Advisor in President Trump's second administration (January–May 2025) before his September 2025 Senate confirmation as the 32nd U.S. Representative to the United Nations, where he currently serves. A successful business owner, he co-founded Metis Solutions, a strategy and intelligence firm that grew to hundreds of employees worldwide and was acquired for $92 million; he authored the bestseller Warrior Diplomat recounting his military and policy experiences, along with Hard Truths on Green Beret leadership, with proceeds benefiting veterans' charities, and he continues media commentary on defense and foreign policy. Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors: Download the DraftKings Sportsbook app and use code SRS to turn $5 into $300 in bonus bets if your bet wins—see full terms and responsible gaming resources at https://dkng.co/audio. Go to https://drinkag1.com/SRS to get their best offer—plus, for a limited time, receive a FREE AG1 duffel bag and FREE AG1 Welcome Kit with your first subscription order (while supplies last). Sign up and get 10% off at https://betterhelp.com/srs. #ad Get 27% off sitewide at https://helixsleep.com/SRS, exclusive for listeners of the Shawn Ryan Show—enter our show name after checkout! Mike Waltz Links: X - https://x.com/michaelgwaltz IG - https://www.instagram.com/michaelgwaltz Warrior Diplomat - https://www.amazon.com/dp/1612346316 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The widely publicized Somali daycare fraud scandal in Minnesota is being deliberately amplified now to stoke outrage while obscuring larger geopolitical moves involving Israel, Somaliland, and the Middle East. As Jimmy points out, the fraud storyis linked to claims that Israeli intelligence, U.S. officials, and Gulf states are coordinating around recognizing Somaliland, building military facilities near the Red Sea, and countering Houthi activity tied to Yemen and Iran.  Jimmy shares past statements from General Wesley Clark, allegations about redirected U.S. aid money, and accusations that elite corruption and pardons for large-scale Medicare fraud receive far less scrutiny. These claims, he says, serve as a "distraction" narrative, suggesting the scandal serves broader strategic interests rather than being an isolated case of domestic fraud. Plus segments on President Trump saying he'll bomb Iran, Alex Jones' recent unhinged attacks on Candace Owens and Tucker Carlson's questions about the FBI's investigation into Charlie Kirk's assassination. Also featuring Stef Zamorano!

- AI Upgrades and New Website Launch (0:09) - Expansion of Science Paper Collection (4:18) - Token System and AI Engine Capabilities (21:02) - Challenges and Future Plans (22:29) - AI Predictions for 2026 (23:12) - Impact of AI on Jobs and Economy (38:13) - Geopolitical Implications of Venezuela Invasion (46:04) - Economic Motives and Legal Justifications (1:19:44) - Potential Consequences and Broader Implications (1:20:07) - Final Thoughts and Future Outlook (1:24:24) - Impact of US-China Tensions on Mineral Resources (1:24:40) - Potential Conflict with Australia and China (1:26:01) - US Intervention in Syria and Middle East (1:28:55) - Impact of US-Israel Relationship on Midterm Elections (1:32:22) - Potential US-Iran Conflict and Missile Capabilities (1:37:48) - Geopolitical Implications of US-China Tensions (2:05:38) - Economic and Humanitarian Costs of US Interventions (2:20:00) - The Role of Antiwar.com in Advocating for Peace (2:23:14) - The Importance of Trade over Warfare (2:23:29) - The Future of Warfare and US-China Relations (2:29:01) For more updates, visit: http://www.brighteon.com/channel/hrreport  NaturalNews videos would not be possible without you, as always we remain passionately dedicated to our mission of educating people all over the world on the subject of natural healing remedies and personal liberty (food freedom, medical freedom, the freedom of speech, etc.). Together, we're helping create a better world, with more honest food labeling, reduced chemical contamination, the avoidance of toxic heavy metals and vastly increased scientific transparency. ▶️ Every dollar you spend at the Health Ranger Store goes toward helping us achieve important science and content goals for humanity: https://www.healthrangerstore.com/ ▶️ Sign Up For Our Newsletter: https://www.naturalnews.com/Readerregistration.html ▶️ Brighteon: https://www.brighteon.com/channels/hrreport ▶️ Join Our Social Network: https://brighteon.social/@HealthRanger ▶️ Check In Stock Products at: https://PrepWithMike.com

Judeo-Christianity is not just shorthand how two religions share an Old Testament text. It is a fundamentally different religion that has bankrupted American evangelicals to support a state in the Middle East that has nothing to do with the Bible, Christ, or true religion.Purchase The Hyphenated Heresy: Judeo-Christianity on Amazon now: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GDJ7MBHLWatch our entire 10-part series with Nick Fuentes ad-free on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/NXRStudios.NXR Studios. New. Christian. Right.

General Jack Keane, a retired 4 star general, the chairman of the Institute for the Study of War and Fox News Senior Strategic Analyst, joined the Guy Benson Show today to discuss the impressive operation by the United States in Venezuela to capture and remove dictator Nicholas Maduro. Gen. Keane and Benson discussed the strategy and planning that went behind such a sizable move, and then Keane and Benson pivoted to how other adversarial counties to the United States might react to the operation, including China, Russia, and Iran. Gen. Keane also addressed the rumors that United States assets are moving throughout the Middle East, and you can listen to the full interview below. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. Political reporter Ariela Karmel and religion and archaeology correspondent Rossella Tercatin join host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode. As the Prime Minister's Office comes under fire for releasing official photos in which images of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's wife, Sara Netanyahu, have been heavily retouched, Karmel discusses the distortion of the historical record and possible breach of important ethical guidelines, and the involvement of the Government Press Office, which is seeking to resolve the issue. A new version of a bill whose purpose is to extend Israeli authority over antiquities and heritage sites in the West Bank, and aims to include Areas A and B — where the Palestinian Authority has civilian control — has the local archaeology world in an uproar, reports Tercatin. The bill aims to extend the powers of the Israel Antiquities Authority, while some archaeologists say the bill would politicize archaeology and create professional problems for them globally. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: Sara Netanyahu touches up official photos of herself, distorting archival record New West Bank antiquity bill seeks to extend Israeli authority over Areas A and B Archaeologists dig in against antiquities bill aiming to deepen Israel’s hold on West Bank Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Pod-Waves. IMAGE: An image distributed by the Prime Minister's Office and apparently manipulated by Sara Netanyahu, showing her, center, and Benjamin Netanyahu at the Shul of Bal Harbour, Florida, on December 31, 2025. (Amos Ben-Gershom / GPO / Sara Netanyahu)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It was Halloween weekend in 1987 when 7-year-old Lauren thought she was headed out for trick-or-treating in Dallas, Texas—cheerleader costume on, pom-poms ready. But her father had a different plan. Within hours, Lauren was on a plane to Amman, Jordan—and by Monday morning, her mother Catherine stood at a pay phone outside her daughter's school, dialing frantically… only to hear the words that would split her world in two: “Yes… Lauren is on that plane.”In this episode of The Miracle Files, you'll hear the chilling true story of an international parental kidnapping that turned into a years-long fight for a child's life. With no cell phones, no clear legal options, and the U.S. government warning her that no American child had ever been recovered from Jordan, Catherine is forced to do the unthinkable: take matters into her own hands. As Lauren adjusts to a foreign country, new language, and a father she no longer recognizes, Catherine is pushed into desperation—and then into faith. A private rescue operation is formed. Former military operatives go off-grid in the Middle East. And after weeks of searching with no leads, one of them prays in the street… …and a school bus pulls up. Lauren is sitting inside, staring back at him. This is Part 1 of a two-part miracle story filled with suspense, impossible odds, and divine timing you have to hear to believe.

THIS IS A BOOK REVIEW OF A BOOK FROM 2006.  NOTHING IS AVAILABLE - INFORMATION & HISTORICAL PURPOSES ONLY.  THIS DOES NOT GLORIFY OR PROMOTE USE OF ANY REGULATED GOODS.~ALL BREEDERS SYNDICATE LINKS: https://linktr.ee/riotseeds~SYNDICATE GEAR (shirts, stickers, beanies etc):https://breeders-syndicate-shop.fourthwall.comSUPPORT the channel or JOIN the Discord community:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/matthewriot

Send us a textDownload study notes for this chapter.Download study notes for this entire book.**********Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version ®, NIV ® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used with permission. All rights reserved worldwide.The “NIV”, “New International Version”, “Biblica”, “International Bible Society” and the Biblica Logo are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.  Used with permission.BIBLICA, THE INTERNATIONAL BIBLE SOCIETY, provides God's Word to people through Bible translation & Bible publishing, and Bible engagement in Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and North America. Through its worldwide reach, Biblica engages people with God's Word so that their lives are transformed through a relationship with Jesus Christ.Support the show

Steve sits down with Asaf Romirowsky, PhD, antisemitism historian and executive director of ASMEA and Scholars for Peace in the Middle East, to discuss NYC Mayor Mamdani's surprising first-day reversal of pro-Israel policies. Dr. Romirowsky explains what this means for the city, the Jewish community, and the broader Middle East landscape, offering a clear, historically grounded perspective on the political and cultural implications.

In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John Pinna speaks with Scott Horton about the underlying motivations and consequences of American foreign policy in the Middle East and beyond. The discussion explores the influence of neoconservative ideologies on the Iraq War, the political motivations of the Bush administration, and the subsequent "redirection" of support toward various factions in the Syrian civil war. Pinna shares his firsthand experiences working with government-funded organizations during the Arab Spring, while Horton provides a critical analysis of the military-industrial complex and the role of manufactured intelligence in driving international conflicts. Their conversation further examines the complex geopolitical landscape involving Israel, Iran, and the Kurdish regions, highlighting the economic undercurrents of oil trade and currency movement that often dictate regional stability and interventionist strategies. Scott Horton is director of the Scott Horton Academy of Foreign Policy and Freedom director of the Libertarian Institute, editorial director of Antiwar.com and host of the Scott Horton Show from ScottHorton.org (https://scotthhorton.org). He is the author of four books. He has conducted more than 6,000 interviews since 2003. He has recently released The Scott Horton Academy of Foreign Policy and Freedom.  Scott lives in Austin, Texas with his wife, Larisa Alexandrovna Horton.

If you have watched any of our Podcasts over the past few weeks, especially the Emergency Broadcast this past Saturday, then you know that things are busting out all over from an end times perspective. Only 4 days old, the new year of 2026 is fixin' to be a barn burner, so what better way to start the first Bible Study of the year than with an end times look at the last days landscape.“And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.” John 14:29 (KJB)On this episode of Rightly Dividing, we take a long hard look at events unfolding in America, South America, Europe and the Middle East to see if we can find some harmony with prophecies of and related to the last days. Spoiler alert – we sure can and you're gonna love what we have found.

Universal is reportedly exploring plans for a theme park in Saudi Arabia, funded through a licensing arrangement backed by a government entity. If it moves forward, the project would place Universal alongside Disney, which recently announced a similar licensing deal in Abu Dhabi—one Disney says will be accretive from day one. Also: Submissions are now being accepted for the 2025 Home Haunter Awards Show.  Read the news here.

A treasury company pioneer, Marco launched the very first altcoin treasury on the Nasdaq. Prior to joining Solmate as CEO he was a partner at Pantera Capital, where he helped to structure some of the industry's best-performing treasuries. A trained attorney, Marco was once dubbed the "Dean of Digital Currency Lawyers" by the Editor-in-Chief of American Banker. He was the Chief Legal Officer at Kraken, one of the world's largest digital asset exchanges, for five years.Prior to Kraken, Marco was the President of Blockchain.com, as well as a Partner at Cooley LLP, where he led the firm's global financial technology team. At Cooley, he invented the SAFT Framework and co-authored the SAFT Project Whitepaper, which became a market standard for crypto capital formation. He was an advisor to the International Monetary Fund and an IMF delegate speaker on financial technology in Asia, Europe and the Middle East.In this conversation, we discuss:- Inventing the SAFT Framework - Stories from being Chief Legal Officer at Kraken - Crypto in Abu Dhabi and UAE - The geographical importance of the UAE - Why Solana - Solana in 2026 - Raising $300 million - Planned Acquisition of RockawayX - The Infrastructure Flywheel Strategy SolmateX: @SolmateWebsite: www.solmate.comLinkedIn: Solmate $SLMTMarco SantoriX: @msantoriESQLinkedIn: Marco Santori---------------------------------------------------------------------------------This episode is brought to you by PrimeXBT.PrimeXBT offers a robust trading system for both beginners and professional traders that demand highly reliable market data and performance. Traders of all experience levels can easily design and customize layouts and widgets to best fit their trading style. PrimeXBT is always offering innovative products and professional trading conditions to all customers.  PrimeXBT is running an exclusive promotion for listeners of the podcast. After making your first deposit, 50% of that first deposit will be credited to your account as a bonus that can be used as additional collateral to open positions. Code: CRYPTONEWS50 This promotion is available for a month after activation. Click the link below: PrimeXBT x CRYPTONEWS50FollowApple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon MusicRSS FeedSee All

One of the most significant and long-lasting outcomes of World War I didn't take place in Europe. It was a reshuffling of the political order in the Arabian Peninsula and the Levant.  During the war, various Arab tribes joined together to free themselves from centuries of Ottoman Rule.  The legacy of the rebellion can still be seen in the map of the Middle East today.  Learn more about the Great Arab Revolt on this episode of Everything Everywhere Daily. Sponsors Quince Go to quince.com/daily for 365-day returns, plus free shipping on your order! Mint Mobile Get your 3-month Unlimited wireless plan for just 15 bucks a month at mintmobile.com/eed Chubbies Get 20% off your purchase at Chubbies with the promo code DAILY at checkout! Aura Frames Exclusive $35 off Carver Mat at https://on.auraframes.com/DAILY. Promo Code DAILY DripDrop Go to dripdrop.com and use promo code EVERYTHING for 20% off your first order. Uncommon Goods Go to uncommongoods.com/DAILY for 15% off! Subscribe to the podcast!  https://everything-everywhere.com/everything-everywhere-daily-podcast/ -------------------------------- Executive Producer: Charles Daniel Associate Producers: Austin Oetken & Cameron Kieffer   Become a supporter on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/everythingeverywhere Discord Server: https://discord.gg/UkRUJFh Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everythingeverywhere/ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/everythingeverywheredaily Twitter: https://twitter.com/everywheretrip Website: https://everything-everywhere.com/  Disce aliquid novi cotidie Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Unleashed! The Political News Hour with Mayor Deb – Mass infiltration dictated by feelings, ignorant of the harms, and void of common sense can destroy a society. Case in point, the United Kingdom has seen unfettered migration from the Middle East. London is more Islamic now than it is Christian. Suicidal empathy is a state where a desire to help others begins to harm oneself...

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. Diaspora affairs reporter Zev Stub and reporter Diana Bletter join host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode. As Spain implements the largest state-level boycott of Israel, Stub reviews elements of the embargo and whether it could set a precedent of similar gestures from other countries. Bletter reports on a recent visit to the northern city of Kiryat Shmona, badly damaged during the year of Hezbollah strikes, and still struggling to revitalize itself. A look at Israel's population numbers shows that more people exited the country in 2024 than entered it, reports Stub. This came even as statistics paint a nuanced picture of rising immigration to the country amid skyrocketing antisemitism globally. Finally, Bletter reports on the resilience and diversity of Israeli science and medical research, including research on coral reefs, and how cancer can help heal ailing hearts. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: With new trade restrictions, Spain looks to trigger EU cascade against Israel Spanish Jews warn map of local Jewish and ‘Zionist’ businesses will lead to violence Half-empty and scarred by war, Kiryat Shmona sees protests – and grassroots rejuvenation More than 69,000 Israelis left Israel in 2025, as population reached 10.18 million In surprising breakthrough, scientists in Israel find cancer may help heal the failing heart Israeli scientists say tiny organisms can revamp their own RNA to survive extreme heat New Israeli research shows coral reefs shape the ebb and flow of local microbial life Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Podwaves. IMAGE: A pro-Palestinian demonstrator holds a banner reading: 'Boycott Israeli apartheid' during a protest in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. (Bernat Armangue/AP Photo)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Ron Paul Institute's Daniel McAdams reviews Venezuela, Ukraine, and the Middle East. Sponsors: Monetary Metals Tom Woods Cruise Guest's Website: Ron Paul Institute Guest's Twitter: @DanielLMcAdams Show notes for Ep. 2723 The Tom Woods Show is produced by Podsworth Media. Check out the Podsworth App: Use code WOODS50 for 50% off your first order at Podsworth.com to clean up your voice recordings, sound like a pro, and also support the Tom Woods Show! My full Podsworth ad read BEFORE & AFTER processing: https://youtu.be/tIlZWkm8Syk

Steve, David, Hannah, Jimmy, Matthew. and Francesco give Ralph a well-deserved break and highlight some of the clips they want to revisit from another challenging, inspiring, fascinating, infuriating, and galvanizing year. Featuring interviews with Chris Hedges, Jon Merryman, Mike German, and more.Featured ClipsDouglas Brinkley — The Legacy of Jimmy Carter (January 11, 2025)Chris Hedges — A Genocide Foretold/ World BEYOND War (March 29, 2025)Peter Beinart — Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza (March 15, 2025)John Bonifaz — Impeach Trump!... Again (August 30, 2025)Mike German — Policing White Supremacy (March 8, 2025)Stephen Witt — The AI Prompt That Could End the World (November 8, 2025)Jon Merryman — Trading Life For Death (July 12, 2025)News 1/2/26* Our top story this week is of course the news that the CIA has conducted a drone strike inside the sovereign borders of Venezuela. CNN reports U.S. Special Operations Forces provided intelligence support for this strike, though spec-ops leadership denies this claim. Unsurprisingly, the CIA itself declined to comment. Earlier this month, self-styled Secretary of War Pete Hegseth compared Venezuelan “narcoterrorists,” to Al-Qaeda, indicating that the U.S. plans to use the same counterterrorism playbook that they deployed in the Middle East in Latin America. This, of course, begs the question of whether the United States is willing to reckon with creating a miniature Iraq or Afghanistan so close to home.* Giving the game away, Mike Pompeo – who served as Trump's Secretary of State from 2018 to 2021, told Fox News that the U.S. “can help rebuild…their oil sector,” and that, following a successful ouster of President Nicolás Maduro, American energy companies like Halliburton and Chevron would be able to “go down to Venezuela, [and] build out an economic capitalist model.” This from CBS Austin. President Trump has certainly not been subtle about his designs on Venezuela's oil, but this naked salivation over handing the country's fossil fuel deposits over to Halliburton is another eerie re-rerun of Iraq.* In more news from Latin America, ABC reports workers in Bolivia have declared a general strike to protest the new neoliberal government's announcement that they would scrap longstanding fuel subsidies in the impoverished nation. The fuel subsidies were first introduced under the Leftist government of Evo Morales nearly twenty years ago and have been maintained ever since; President Rodrigo Paz, who took office in November, marks the first non-leftist government elected in the country since 2006. The strike was called by Bolivia's powerful Central Union of Workers, but so far has largely been led by miners with other sectors, such as transportation workers, appearing more hesitant. When united, organized labor in Bolivia has delivered stunning victories in the past, but it remains to be seen how this strike will unfold.* In more foreign policy news, Israel has become the first country to formally recognize the East African breakaway state of Somaliland. Many question why Israel is making this decision at all and particularly why they are doing so at this moment; speculation abounds about a potential quid pro quo, with Israel extending recognition in exchange for Somaliland agreeing to accept Palestinians pushed out of Gaza. Somalia is currently a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. In a statement with other non-permanent council members Algeria, Guyana and Sierra Leone, Somalia's UN Ambassador Abukar Dahir Osman said Somalia, “unequivocally reject any steps aimed at advancing this objective, including any attempt by Israel to relocate the Palestinian population from Gaza to the northwestern region of Somalia.” This from Reuters.* In more Israel-Palestine news, American Jewish activist Cameron Kasky – a survivor of the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas high school shooting currently running in the primary to succeed Rep. Jerrold Nadler in New York's 12th congressional district – took the unprecedented step of visiting Palestine over the holidays to see the “reality on the ground.” He spent Christmas at a “peace march in Bethlehem calling for an end to the genocide in Gaza,” and issued a statement on the need to “end the settlements that violate international law and stop encouraging New Yorkers to move there,” in a social media post that garnered nearly 2 million views. Kasky is seeking to consolidate progressive support in this crowded primary, which pits him against Kennedy scion Jack Schlossberg, among many others.* Turning to domestic news, lawmakers in the House and Senate are considering their options to force Attorney General Pam Bondi to release the totality of the documents related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Among these are two tools often cited by Ralph Nader and Bruce Fein but rarely invoked by Congress: inherent contempt and impeachment. Per NBC, Representative Thomas Massie said “The quickest way, and…most expeditious way, to get justice for these victims is to bring inherent contempt against Pam Bondi,” with Congressman Ro Khanna adding that the lawmakers are “building a bipartisan coalition, and it would fine Pam Bondi for every day that she's not releasing these documents.” Meanwhile, Newsweek reports Massie polled his followers and over 35,000 responded that Bondi should be impeached. However, no articles of impeachment against Bondi have yet been filed. It remains to be seen whether Congress will actually use the immense power vested in the body by the Constitution, or if these efforts will be stymied by the obsequious leadership of the Republican caucus.* Speaking of political party cowardice, this week the DNC announced that they would block the release of their own “autopsy” of what went wrong in the disastrous 2024 presidential election campaign. Writing in the Guardian, friend of the show Norman Solomon – director of RootsAction, executive director of the Institute for Public Accuracy – excoriated the party leadership for dodging hard questions such as “how much money went to insider consultants and advertising contractors as the Harris campaign managed to spend $1.5bn during the hallowed 107 days of her presidential campaign last year,” and the wisdom of “Harris continuing to toe the Biden line for huge arms shipments to Israel while its military continued to slaughter Palestinian civilians in Gaza.” More bluntly, an anonymous DNC member quoted in this piece said the decision to block the autopsy is, “about protecting people who fucked up.” RootsAction has released their own autopsy, which pulls no punches.* Our next two stories have to do with online gambling. First, in an address to mayors from across Italy this week, Pope Leo XIV denounced the “scourge of gambling,” which has “ruined many families,” and characterized the issue as a form of “loneliness.” He warned of a litany of other forms of loneliness as well, including “mental disorders, depression, cultural and spiritual poverty, and social abandonment,” according to the Catholic News Agency. Pope Leo cited a report from Caritas showing a surge in gambling across Italy, though this phenomenon is by no means constrained to the country. In the U.S., study after study shows Americans engaging in gambling at unprecedented levels. For example, a 2025 National Institutes of Health study showed 61.3% of adults in North America reported gambling within the past 12 months.* Meanwhile, USA Today reports Drake has been hit with a RICO lawsuit for “promoting an illegal online casino while using proceeds from the site to artificially inflate streams of his music.” This lawsuit, which also names streamers Adin Ross and George Nguyen, centers around Stake.us, which, the suit alleges “was created to bypass restrictions after Stake.com was banned from operating everywhere in the U.S.” As this piece explains, Stake claims that it does not allow gambling with real money in order to evade regulations, but in fact uses stand-ins like “Stake Cash” which can be exchanged for real currency. Drake and Ross were “paid to promote the platform by participating in livestreamed gambling with cash ‘surreptitiously' provided by Stake.” In turn, Drake is accused of using the illicit funds to “[deploy] automated bots and streaming farms to artificially inflate play counts of his music across major platforms, such as Spotify,” as part of his feud with fellow rapper Kendrick Lamar. If nothing else, this story shows how ubiquitous online gambling has become, infecting all facets and all levels of popular culture.* Finally, for some good news, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani was sworn in at midnight on New Years Eve. Mamdani took the oath of office in the decommissioned subway station underneath City Hall, in a small ceremony, followed by a large public inauguration on New Years Day. In his Executive Order 01, Mamdani officially rescinded “All Executive Orders issued on or after September 26, 2024,” otherwise known as the date of outgoing Mayor Eric Adams' indictment on charges of corruption. These now-rescinded executive orders included officially adopting the IHRA definition of antisemitism, a definition which includes antizionism, and other pro-Israel actions. That said, Mamdani explicitly stated he will retain an order establishing a Mayor's Office to Combat Antisemitism. Others include an order allowing Immigration and Customs Enforcement to operate on Riker's Island, and a blanket ban on the city's horse carriage industry. The New York Daily News notes “Mamdani has voiced support for banning the industry, but says he first wants to engage in dialogue with the union advocating for carriage drivers.” All in all, this marks the beginning of a new chapter in the history of America's largest city. We wish the city, and the mayor, good luck.This has been Francesco DeSantis, with In Case You Haven't Heard. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe