Podcasts about Middle East

SEASON 4 EPISODE 40: COUNTDOWN WITH KEITH OLBERMANN A-Block (2:30) SPECIAL COMMENT: Trump’s losing streak has hit 27 days. His LATEST losing streak. MAGA knows it. The Head of the Republican National Committee knows it. The Wall Street Journal knows it. The Indiana GOP knows it. The Ukrainians know it. Anybody who saw his pathetic credit-grabbing disinformational tweet Saturday night after the Brown shooting knows it. His own economists know it. The terrorists know it. Even TRUMP knows it. Since the house passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act on November 19th Trump has been SINKING. In quicksand. SINKING. And not more than one or two of his more insane more desperate colleagues even getting close enough to hand him a rope, for fear of being pulled down with him. They are beginning to blame him. “We are facing almost certain defeat,” says the purulent face of the RNC Joe Gruters, about the midterms. Then, “this is an absolute disaster.” Then “There’s no sugarcoating it. This is a pending looming disaster headed our way.” Then, I think quoting me quoting the late football owner Al Davis, “the chances are Republicans will go down and will go down HARD.” Just lose, baby. And boy, has he been losing. On affordability. In the Miami election. In the Georgia state house election. On affordability. On telling you to buy your daughter only two dolls. In Indiana. About Somalia. In his "peace" deal in the Middle East. In Thailand. In Syria. In Ukraine. About ObamaCare. About Alina Habba. About Kilmar Abrego Garcia. About the National Guard troops in L.A. And mostly about Epstein. Those four photos show nothing and would normally would therefore MEAN nothing. But they form a reminder that Trump tried to stop you from SEEING photos of him with Epstein. That THOSE photos weren’t PART of the tranche in the files, doesn’t matter. It only raises a kind of instinctive speculation about how much WORSE those OTHER Epstein-Trump photos are. It keeps the Epstein story alive when Trump COULD HAVE killed it, weeks ago, months ago. But he knew better. And now we get an endless scandal that only has to promise shocks to self-perpetuate. Trump used to win with those. Now he's losing. Because he's Donald Trump. Donald - with 47 L's. B-Block (30:30) THE WORST PERSONS IN THE WORLD: Anna Paulina Luna, member of the U.S. Congress and top Russian influencer? Governor Josh Shapiro is so stuck on bipartisanship he's bothsides-ing political violence (including the day the fascists firebombed his family). And Howard Lutnick with the greatest self-contradiction of the year. C-Block (38:00) THINGS I PROMISED NOT TO TELL: A tragic event on the streets of New York 65 years ago led to me winding up in the authorized biography of the creator of Willy Wonka, Roald Dahl. He was a complicated and controversial figure but he did great things too - like encourage any kid he interacted with. Including me! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Send us a textPeaches goes full America-First-energy breaking down the 2025 National Security Strategy — AKA 33 pages of political chest-thumping turned into a spicy Ones Ready rant. Forget the bureaucratic fluff: border security, nukes, China, DEI dumpster-fires, NATO freeloading — Peaches calls it exactly how every warfighter wishes they could say it in briefings. If you think you're informed because you skim headlines on social… think again. Grab a snack and prepare to get smarter (and maybe a little pissed).⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – “You're Stuck With Me Today” Solo Peaches Chaos 01:25 – Tactical promo: buy gear before it breaks 04:00 – NSS 2025 drops: why you should care 06:30 – America First… again. And again. 09:25 – Trump's peace receipts: sorry haters 11:45 – Borders aren't a suggestion 14:00 – Tech dominance: AI needs electricity too 17:20 – “Soft power” is just America being awesome 20:05 – Peace through strength or just flex harder 24:10 – No more DEI participation trophies 26:50 – Tariffs: cry harder Europe 32:15 – China steals ideas… poorly 37:40 – Space lasers, underwater secrets, nuclear everything 41:15 – Europe spiraling, Africa mining, Middle East noping out 47:00 – 2022 vs 2025 NSS: who wore it better? 54:00 – Final message: Know the strategy or get blindsided

What an absolutely insane and disturbing weekend in the news. Tara unpacks the chaos surrounding a deadly university shooting, a major FBI embarrassment, and deeply troubling revelations about terrorism, immigration failures, and cultural clashes across the West. From a botched geolocation arrest at Brown University to shocking admissions about unvetted refugees, this episode pulls no punches. This is not just a news recap — it's a warning

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

BEST OF: With a reportedly historical peace agreement made in the Middle East war has been averted and the world will finally be a harmonious place to live for all people. Sure, if you believe in the framing of that narrative. Reality is much different. The so-called “peace” deal was only agreed upon for two major reason: one, the President had to ensure Israel would not break it, because this is all they have ever done to such agreements; and two, because Jared Kushner was the architect, the same guy who wants to build, with Trump, a resort in Gaza. At home it was Stephen Miller who is credited as the architect of a militarized police state, the same guy behind White House policy who said the President is now operating with “plenary authority,” total authoritarian rule. How naive are we? Within hours of the peace announcement, Israel was claiming its enemies were simply regrouping and that soon an American city may be in the crosshairs of a nuclear attack from Iran. This is just days after we were told that terrorists were going to dress like the Village People and bomb hospitals in the US. Since the President has been labeled a “savior” and “messiah” of the Jewish people by Mariam Adelson, it appears the plan is set. The peace will not last long and will be violated in a way that triggers a larger war. The nihilists will be unleashed, Christianity and Islam will go to war, and the Jewish state will fulfill their Talmudic prophecy about the antichrist; about non-Jews becoming servants of Jews. The push for Armageddon optics is so obvious and yet Christians tend to go along with it because what it implies for their own belief. The notion that America should invest only in Israel, ban other religions, and create a Judeo-Christian theocracy is a growing cancer. In this way, it appears that Jesus himself is the reason for the treason. Otherwise, one does not need Jesus or Christianity to have a safe, clean, high-trust, advanced society. When Jesus is weaponized, he becomes a destructive tool of conquest and control. *The is the FREE archive, which includes advertisements. If you want an ad-free experience, you can subscribe below.WEBSITEFREE ARCHIVE (w. ads)SUBSCRIPTION ARCHIVE-X / TWITTERFACEBOOKINSTAGRAMYOUTUBERUMBLE-BUY ME A COFFEECashApp: $rdgable PAYPAL: rdgable1991@gmail.comRyan's Books: https://thesecretteachings.info - EMAIL: rdgable@yahoo.com / rdgable1991@gmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-secret-teachings--5328407/support.

Middle East correspondent Jacob Brown talks to Lisa Owen about the reaction in Israel to the fatal terror attack on the Jewish community at Bondi Beach.

In this episode, Dominic Bowen and Hesham Youssef discuss the growing tensions between Egypt and Israel, the fragile state of regional diplomacy, and the pressures placed on long-standing agreements such as the Camp David Accords. Find out more about why Egypt views forced displacement from Gaza as an existential red line, how humanitarian access has become a major point of contention, and the shifting political dynamics inside Israel that are influencing regional instability. The conversation also addresses the role of the United States and Europe in shaping (or failing to shape) constructive pathways toward peace, as well as Egypt's mediation efforts across repeated Gaza conflicts. Finally, they explore the broader humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the future of Palestinian governance, and the personal diplomatic experiences that have shaped Ambassador Youssef's understanding of what is still possible in the Middle East.Hesham Youssef is an Egyptian career diplomat and conflict-resolution expert with over three decades of experience in Middle Eastern diplomacy. He has served in senior roles at the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and as a Senior Fellow at the United States Institute of Peace. Currently a Senior Advisor at the European Institute of Peace, Youssef specializes in humanitarian affairs, Arab-Israeli relations, and institutional reform in the Arab world. His career reflects a lifelong commitment to dialogue, peacebuilding, and multilateral diplomacy across the Islamic world.The International Risk Podcast brings you conversations with global experts, frontline practitioners, and senior decision-makers who are shaping how we understand and respond to international risk. From geopolitical volatility and organised crime to cybersecurity threats and hybrid warfare, each episode explores the forces transforming our world and what smart leaders must do to navigate them. Whether you're a board member, policymaker, or risk professional, The International Risk Podcast delivers actionable insights, sharp analysis, and real-world stories that matter.Dominic Bowen is the host of The International Risk Podcast and Europe's leading expert on international risk and crisis management. As Head of Strategic Advisory and Partner at one of Europe's leading risk management consulting firms, Dominic advises CEOs, boards, and senior executives across the continent on how to prepare for uncertainty and act with intent. He has spent decades working in war zones, advising multinational companies, and supporting Europe's business leaders. Dominic is the go-to business advisor for leaders navigating risk, crisis, and strategy; trusted for his clarity, calmness under pressure, and ability to turn volatility into competitive advantage. Dominic equips today's business leaders with the insight and confidence to lead through disruption and deliver sustained strategic advantage.The International Risk Podcast – Reducing risk by increasing knowledge. Follow us on LinkedIn and Subscribe for all our updates!Tell us what you liked!Tell us what you liked!

Welcome to the one hundred and sixty-fourth episode of the #ExpatChat podcast and our final episode for 2025. In this end of 2025 wrap up, Atlas Wealth Group Managing Directors Brett Evans and James Ridley reflect on the key events that shaped the year and what Australian expats should be aware of heading into 2026. Brett and James discuss the impact of ongoing geopolitical tensions involving Trump, and why 2026 may see markets shift from broad macroeconomic themes to a greater focus on company performance. They also explore Australia's productivity challenges, the role of technology in closing the gap, and expectations for a more stable global market environment. The episode addresses misinformation around proposed tax legislation, and looks ahead to the May 2026 Australian Federal Budget, due to potential policy changes flagged by the Prime Minister. Brett and James also share that 2026 will be a big year for Atlas Wealth Group, with several new initiatives planned and an expanded presence across more cities globally to better support Australian expats. The discussion concludes with news of the launch of The Expat's Handbook, the first book by Atlas Wealth Group's Founder and Managing Director, Brett Evans, along with a reminder of the firm's Christmas office closure. Tune in for a clear, practical end of 2025 wrap up to help Australian expats start 2026 informed and prepared. Links discussed in this episode: • The Expat's Handbook available for pre-order - https://www.amazon.com/Expats-Handbook-Brett-Evans/dp/1394414544 • Upcoming Seminars & Webinars – atlaswealth.com/events • Facebook Group – Join the Australian Expat Financial Forum: facebook.com/groups/AustralianExpatFinancialForum • Ask Atlas – Submit your questions for the podcast: atlaswealth.com/news-media/austra…ian-expat-podcast • Expat Mortgage Podcast – atlaswealth.com/news-media/austra…-mortgage-podcast • Weekly Recap Podcast – atlaswealth.com/news-media/atlas-…kly-recap-podcast If you enjoy the content, let us know by giving the episode a thumbs up and subscribing. Feel free to share your feedback or questions in the comments below. About Atlas Wealth Group: Atlas Wealth Group was established to meet the growing demand from Australian expats for professional financial guidance. We specialise in providing tax, financial planning, wealth management, and mortgage services to Australian expats around the world. Whether you're based in Asia, the Middle East, Europe, or the Americas, our team has the expertise to help you manage your global financial journey. To learn more, visit www.atlaswealth.com Connect with us: Facebook: www.facebook.com/atlaswealthmgmt LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/atlas-wealth-management Twitter: www.twitter.com/atlaswealthmgmt Instagram: www.instagram.com/atlaswealthgroup Youtube: www.youtube.com/atlaswealthmgmt

In our final episode of 2025, Christian Nolting, the Private Bank's Global Chief Investment Officer, sounds an optimistic note for markets in the New Year. “We've now seen three very good years” in markets, Christian says. “I think in ‘26, there might be some more volatility coming up. But overall, I would say the macroeconomic backdrop is a positive one.”The Federal Reserve just delivered a rate cut, and the market is expecting more in 2026, Christian says. But in the week ahead, markets will be alert to the delayed US jobs data. The official numbers “will be very important for the US because there was some weakness in the labour market.”For more investing insights, please visit wealth.db.com.In Europe, Middle East and Africa as well as in Asia Pacific this material is considered marketing material, but this is not the case in the U.S. No assurance can be given that any forecast or target can be achieved. Forecasts are based on assumptions, estimates, opinions and hypothetical models which may prove to be incorrect. Past performance is not indicative of future returns.Performance refers to a nominal value based on price gains/losses and does not take into account inflation. Inflation will have a negative impact on the purchasing power of this nominal monetary value. Depending on the current level of inflation, this may lead to a real loss in value, even if the nominal performance of the investment is positive. Investments come with risk. The value of an investment can fall as well as rise and you might not get back the amount originally invested at any point in time. Your capital may be at risk.The services described in this podcast are provided by Deutsche Bank AG or by its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in accordance with appropriate local legislation and regulation. Deutsche Bank AG is subject to comprehensive supervision by the European Central Bank (“ECB”), by Germany's Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) and by Germany's central bank (“Deutsche Bundesbank”). Brokerage services in the United States are offered through Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., a broker-dealer and registered investment adviser, which conducts investment banking and securities activities in the United States.Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. is a member of FINRA, NYSE and SIPC. Lending and banking services in the United States are offered through Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, member FDIC, and other members of the Deutsche Bank Group.The products, services, information and/or materials referred to within this podcast may not be available for residents of certain jurisdictions. © 2025 Deutsche Bank AG and/or its subsidiaries. All rights reserved. This podcast may not be used, reproduced, copied or modified without the written consent of Deutsche Bank AG. 030620 030121

As we approach the end of 2025, we take a look back at what happened around the world in Trump's first year back in office. We're joined by two of the best foreign policy writers we know: Franklin Foer and Anne Applebaum from The Atlantic!  We discuss the EIGHT wars and conflicts that Trump has single handedly ended, while also examining the ongoing conflicts in The Middle East, Ukraine, Venezuela, and more. Anne and Frank explain why Trump's Middle East peace plan isn't holding up and why we all should have been skeptical of it from the start. We also look at why the administration's plan for peace between Russia and Ukraine looks like it was written by the Russians themselves. And, of course, we discuss Trump's blatant corruption in both of those theatres. Anne also shares her heartbreaking firsthand account of what the USAID cuts have done to the rest of the world. It highlights the shortsightedness of the entire first year of Trump's second term. READ Franklin's work in The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/author/franklin-foer/ READ Anne's work in The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/author/anne-applebaum/ Check out our sponsor Ollie for premium dog food! Go to https://www.ollie.com/franken and use code FRANKEN to get 60% off your first box. 

Raymond Ibrahim is an American author, historian, and Middle East specialist known for his works on Islam and the West. | We use Ground News to escape the echo chamber and stay fully informed. Go to https://ground.news/triggernometry to save 40% on the Ground News unlimited access Vantage plan. Triggernometry is proudly independent. Thanks to the sponsors below for making that possible: - Monarch, the all-in-one financial tool. Get 50% Off with CODE: TRIGGER at https://www.monarchmoney.com - Take Hillsdale College's online courses for free at https://hillsdale.edu/trigger - Ready to disconnect from Big Tech? Secure your privacy with the UP Phone by Unplugged. Visit https://unplugged.com/triggernometry and use TRIGGERNOMETRY for $20 off your case. Join our exclusive TRIGGERnometry community on Substack! https://triggernometry.substack.com/ OR Support TRIGGERnometry Here: Bitcoin: bc1qm6vvhduc6s3rvy8u76sllmrfpynfv94qw8p8d5 Shop Merch here - https://www.triggerpod.co.uk/shop/ Advertise on TRIGGERnometry: marketing@triggerpod.co.uk Find TRIGGERnometry on Social Media: https://twitter.com/triggerpod https://www.facebook.com/triggerpod/ https://www.instagram.com/triggerpod/ About TRIGGERnometry: Stand-up comedians Konstantin Kisin (@konstantinkisin) and Francis Foster (@francisjfoster) make sense of politics, economics, free speech, AI, drug policy and WW3 with the help of presidential advisors, renowned economists, award-winning journalists, controversial writers, leading scientists and notorious comedians. 00:00 - Introduction 01:15 - How Did Islam Begin? 13:21 - The Story Of Muhammad 22:14 - Who Was Muhammad's Successor? 33:53 - The Islamic Golden Age 39:32 - What Was Life Like For Non-Muslims Under Muslim Rule? 45:39 - The Turks And The First Crusade 55:51 - Were The Crusades Successful? 01:02:06 - What Role Did Jews Play? 01:08:58 - How Did Islam Go From All-Conquering To Complete Collapse Of Its Dominance? 01:26:18 - The State Of The West And Where Are Things Heading? 01:42:50 - How Do We Move Forward? 01:48:59 - Is Islam Compatible With The West? 01:52:52 - What Policies Should The UK Put In Place To Deal With Islam? 01:59:30 - What's The One Thing We're Not Talking About That We Really Should Be? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A tight breakdown of Time's “Architects of AI” cover, who made the cut, and why the framing misses several crucial players. The episode argues that beyond chipmakers, model labs, and politicians, AI's true architects also include China, major capital allocators, the Middle East, enterprise operators, and cultural translators who turn AI into real-world impact.Brought to you by:KPMG – Discover how AI is transforming possibility into reality. Tune into the new KPMG 'You Can with AI' podcast and unlock insights that will inform smarter decisions inside your enterprise. Listen now and start shaping your future with every episode. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kpmg.us/AIpodcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rovo - Unleash the potential of your team with AI-powered Search, Chat and Agents - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://rovo.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AssemblyAI - The best way to build Voice AI apps - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.assemblyai.com/brief⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LandfallIP - AI to Navigate the Patent Process - https://landfallip.com/Blitzy.com - Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://blitzy.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to build enterprise software in days, not months Robots & Pencils - Cloud-native AI solutions that power results ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://robotsandpencils.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Agent Readiness Audit from Superintelligent - Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://besuper.ai/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠to request your company's agent readiness score.The AI Daily Brief helps you understand the most important news and discussions in AI. Subscribe to the podcast version of The AI Daily Brief wherever you listen: https://pod.link/1680633614Interested in sponsoring the show? sponsors@aidailybrief.ai

Does it prophecy the Maccabean Wars? The Messianic Wars? The current situation in Syria and the Middle East?

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. Diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman and environmental reporter Sue Surkes join host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode. Following the IDF strike that killed top Hamas commander Raad Saad in Gaza City, Berman reviews the obstacles for Israel and Hamas in moving toward the second phase of the broader ceasefire. He discusses how Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump will need to find a way to agree on the thorny and fundamental issue of how to get Hamas to disarm. As the IDF postponed a planned airstrike on Hezbollah infrastructure in Lebanon, Berman reports on the ongoing issue of needing Hezbollah to disarm, the Lebanese Army's efforts to work to accomplish that, and Israel's dissatisfaction with Lebanon's progress. After the Water Authority began channeling desalinated water to the Sea of Galilee, the first ever attempt anywhere in the world to top up a freshwater lake with processed seawater, Surkes reports on hopes that it will raise the level of the sea by half a centimeter a year. Surkes also discusses the new facility for the National Sea Turtle Rescue Center, featuring the world’s only sea turtle breeding program, helping protect and preserve these creatures that have existed on the planet for 330 million years. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: US State Department said to ask 70 countries to contribute to Gaza stabilization force Report: Israel agrees to US demand to pay for massive Gaza rubble-clearing operation Beirut has been warned of possible Israeli offensive against Hezbollah — Lebanese FM Scientists tracking impact as desalinated water flows into Sea of Galilee for first time 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: Palestinians inspect a car belonging to Hamas commander Raad Saad after it was hit in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City, on December 13, 2025. (Fathi Ibrahim/Flash90)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Derek Champagne talks with Marvin Alballi, a globally recognized leader in the food and beverage industry, acclaimed for authoring the world's highest-rated restaurant and F&B book, Restaurant Excellence: The Ultimate Guide to Success in the Food and Beverage Industry, available on Amazon. His book was purchased by top hotel and restaurant companies and endorsed by global chefs and CEOs.A recipient of the prestigious Fortune 500 Brinker International “Operator of the Year” award, Alballi has established a reputation as a transformative force in hospitality, with a proven record of turning around struggling businesses and driving sustained growth.With extensive experience across luxury, lifestyle, upscale, mainstream F&B and the restaurant franchise industry segments, Aballi has worked in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. His career includes consulting for celebrity chefs, Michelin-starred restaurants, and award-winning establishments, including MENA's 50 Best #1 restaurant. In addition, Marvin Alballi has consulted for global, local brands, and franchises such as Orfali Bros, Boston Market, Café D'Arte, Famoso Pizzeria, The Great Harvest Bread Company, Peaceful Restaurants, Wing Stop, and Fusion Ceviche.A sought-after keynote speaker, Alballi has been featured at leading conferences and platforms such as Bloomberg Intelligence (NYC), The Future Hospitality Summit, HSMAI, Breaking Travel News, The Fast Food & Café Convention, Dubai Restaurant Week, and the CET World Series convention on CX and Marketing. They are also a regular guest on Dubai Eye Radio's Helen Farmer Show and have spoken for and guided several organizations including Couqley Restaurants, Paramount Hotels, Adyen, Radisson Dubai, Orfali Bros, and Crowne Plaza Muscat.His insights and thought leadership have been showcased on international podcasts including Bloomberg, The Chef JPK, GotLanded (New York), Polaris (Dubai), and TwentyOne06.In addition to creating the groundbreaking Twelve-Point Program (TPP)—the industry's most effective F&B and restaurant performance management system, Alballi has become a trusted authority on brand reputation, guest experience, profitability, marketing, and restaurant economics. His expertise lies in crafting strategic, long-term business solutions that deliver measurable results and elevate operational excellence.A Canadian citizen, Alballi continues to influence the global F&B landscape by driving innovation, quality, and sustainable growth. Alballi currently leads 26 countries and territories at Hilton Asia Pacific with more than 1,100 restaurants and bars in the Asia Pacific region.Marvin's new book, Hospitality Excellence, is available on Amazon (as of February 2026). Business Leadership Series Intro and Outro music provided by Just Off Turner: https://music.apple.com/za/album/the-long-walk-back/268386576

Conversations on Groong - December 14, 2025In this episode of Conversations on Groong, we examine how Venezuela's vast oil reserves have become entangled in global conflict. The discussion links US pressure on Caracas to efforts to drive down oil prices, weaken Russia's war effort in Ukraine, and limit Iran's regional power amid rising fears of a wider war. We also explore how a revived Venezuelan oil sector could disrupt OPEC+, reshape Middle East politics, and alter the balance of power across today's conflict zones.Topics:Venezuela's oil and US pressureTrump, oil prices, and OPEC+Middle East fallout from cheap oilUkraine war and Iran conflict stakesGuest: Harry IstepanianHosts:Hovik ManucharyanAsbed BedrossianEpisode 495 | Recorded: December 11, 2025SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/495VIDEO: https://youtu.be/g0bH2EFA3GU#Venezuela #OilPolitics #Geopolitics #USForeignPolicy #EnergyWarsSubscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong

Dive into the true story behind one of the most consequential decisions in modern diplomacy — the U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Based on the book Because It's Just and Right: The Untold Back-Story of the US Recognition of Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel and Moving the US Embassy to Jerusalem by Leonard Grunstein & Farley Weiss, this video explores:

Looking backwards to go forwards: what rowing taught me about big tech and what big tech taught me about rowing with Matt Brittin. Timestamps 01:00 From schoolboy to the Olympics - from a family of ball sport heros. Matt was inspired by Martin Cross to row to a high level - he was his school teacher. Later he was President of his university club where he led the introduction of professional coaching. 04:00 Rowing teaches skills Matt was running Google in Africa, Middle East and Europe for the past 10 years - he tells a lot of anecdotes about rowing. Steve Gunn (a harsh coach) taught how to take responsibility for what you are doing. Are you a piece of sh*t on the end of the oar? When the mindset is right but the self-appraisal was not. The things Matt learned at rowing were the human things - more useful than Business School, Consultancies and University. I wouldn't be where I am in the business world without the rowing lessons. 08:30 Act like an owner The unique side of rowing is that when I'm seat racing, I'm against you. When we are in the crew, I'm with you. Act like an owner at Google - take responsibility for what you're doing and win as a team. We collaborate hard - and sometimes a collaborative competitiveness gives a better outcome. 11:00 High Pressure Situations The start line of a Henley Royal Regatta final is where Matt felt the most intense pressure. Take confidence from the feeling of nerves and the adrenaline surge - this is a sign you are ready for a big performance. Get the attention off yourself - focus on the process is helpful. Know there is someone there who wants you to succeed. 14:45 Henley Royal Regatta Progress Matt is a Henley steward - he marks the progress over recent years. Sir Steve Redgrave asked Matt to help the committee to plan a 10 year strategy. It looks unchanging yet it's always evolving. Three new womens quad scull events were announced - near parity in Open events and Womens events. Since 2015 every race has been on YouTube live and on demand. You Win or You Learn. 20:00 Returning to Rowing It has been a joy and a recalibration too. The gains as you come back are lovely - rediscovering the joy. A lot is about remembering the feelings. How to balance training and travelling for work. How you manage your time at work is important. Matt blocks his diary to take kids to school twice a week - the most important time of the week. He does the same for rowing training. The discipline when traveling of visiting the hotel gym. The more senior you get the more important it is to show up refreshed and feeling great - in good shape. Leaders need to be in the moment and to have time for staff. Matt is planning to mentor people in business, improve his sculling, rowing strength training this year. Masters rowing is "running up the down escalator". It doesn't have to be the same each year - unlike younger rowing years. Choose something fun to plan for your future rowing.

GET HEIRLOOM SEEDS & NON GMO SURVIVAL FOOD HERE: https://heavensharvest.com/ USE Code WAM to save 25% plus free shipping! GET YOUR WAV WATCH HERE: https://buy.wavwatch.com/WAM Use Code WAM to save $100 and purchase amazing healing frequency technology! BUY TICKETS HERE! https://anarchapulco.com/ Use Code WAM & Save 10%! BUY GOLD HERE: https://firstnationalbullion.com/schedule-consult/ Avoid CBDCs! HELP SUPPORT US AS WE DOCUMENT HISTORY HERE: https://gogetfunding.com/help-keep-wam-alive/# Josh Sigurdson reports on announcements made by President Donald Trump where he claims land strikes in Venezuela are starting. Following the takeover of a massive oil tanker off of Venezuela, the war with Venezuela is escalating quickly as Trump says that land strikes are already happening. We are witnessing a new Iraq in the Middle East. In order to attack, the blame has been placed on cartels that were armed and funded by the CIA in the first place. The pretext is the drug trafficking reaching the United States as well as Nicolas Maduro. Overthrowing Maduro who of course is a terrible dictator an insanely dangerous move that could lead to millions of deaths. Of course the narrative also claims that Hezbollah is training on Margarita Island off of Venezuela. The propaganda is absurd. However, it seems to be working. The Pentagon and President Trump both claim they could strike Mexico and Colombia at any point now. The US has revoked visas of over 50 Mexican politicians and continues to plan attacks on city centers throughout Latin America. Stay tuned for more from WAM! Get Your SUPER-SUPPLIMENTS HERE: https://vni.life/wam Use Code WAM15 & Save 15%! Life changing formulas you can't find anywhere else! Get local, healthy, pasture raised meat delivered to your door here: https://wildpastures.com/promos/save-20-for-life/bonus15?oid=6&affid=321 USE THE LINK & get 20% off for life and $15 off your first box! DITCH YOUR DOCTOR! https://www.livelongerformula.com/wam Get a natural health practitioner and work with Christian Yordanov! Mention WAM and get a FREE masterclass! You will ALSO get a FREE metabolic function assessment! GET YOUR APRICOT SEEDS at the life-saving Richardson Nutritional Center HERE: https://rncstore.com/r?id=bg8qc1 Use code JOSH to save money! SIGN UP FOR HOMESTEADING COURSES NOW: https://freedomfarmers.com/link/17150/ Get Prepared & Start The Move Towards Real Independence With Curtis Stone's Courses! GET YOUR FREEDOM KELLY KETTLE KIT HERE: https://patriotprepared.com/shop/freedom-kettle/ Use Code WAM and enjoy many solutions for the outdoors in the face of the impending reset! PayPal: ancientwonderstelevision@gmail.com FIND OUR CoinTree page here: https://cointr.ee/joshsigurdson PURCHASE MERECHANDISE HERE: https://world-alternative-media.creator-spring.com/ JOIN US on SubscribeStar here: https://www.subscribestar.com/world-alternative-media For subscriber only content! Pledge here! Just a dollar a month can help us alive! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=2652072&ty=h&u=2652072 BITCOIN ADDRESS: 18d1WEnYYhBRgZVbeyLr6UfiJhrQygcgNU World Alternative Media 2025

Jewish Diaspora Report - Episode 182  On this episode of the Jewish Diaspora Report, Host Mike Jordan discusses recent events in Australia and Canada that have seen attacks on Jewish populations and restrictions on their religious freedoms in relation to the same issues facing the Jewish people of Israel during the time of the Greek Oppression face by the Maccabees. Explore these challenging issues and join the Jewish Diaspora Report for future episodes on issues of Politics, Culture, Current Events and more!   Check us out on Instagram @jdr.podcastSend us a textSupport the show

These days, having a child out of wedlock is pretty much a valid lifestyle choice in many cultures. I'm not saying that it's right, just that that's how it's perceived. But back in Jesus' day … man it was a huge scandal. Seriously.   A MISCONCEPTION Well, here we are hurtling towards Christmas. You know, it's interesting when you look at the candy cane – you know that simple little cane with the white and then the three small stripes and then the big stripe – and we think of it as a candy cane, but the confectioner who first created it, didn't create it as a candy cane. He created it as a "J" for Jesus and the white was there to symbolise the holiness of God and the three small stripes were there to symbolise the stripes on His back when He was beaten and the one thick stripe, the red stripe was there to symbolise the blood of Jesus. Isn't it funny how we take symbols to do with Christmas and a whole bunch of other things and we change their meaning – we re-interpret them – and I think it's really true of this thing that we call Christmas. You know, as I look at my four years studying at Bible College, the most profound thing that I learned was this – that theologians, and I can class myself as one of those – we love to take the stories of God in the Bible and snip them up and put them in little piles which we call doctrines. You know, the doctrine of the Trinity; the doctrine of original sin; the doctrine of the incarnation and so we think, "WOW, you know, I've sorted out God; I've got Him is little piles; I have a systematic theology and now I understand God." Well, in a sense that's good, because it's good to know what we believe and why we believe it and look at the whole council of God in His Word. But you know something, if that's all we do, I think maybe, we missed the point because God's chosen way of revealing Himself to us is mostly through stories. Stories throughout history of His engagement with His chosen people, Israel, and then in the New Testament, stories of His new promise; stories of His grace as the church grew out of a revelation of God through Jesus Christ. God speaks to us through His story in history and to me that's the most profound insight that I got after four years of Bible College. And no where is that more true than in Jesus. John in his Gospel calls Jesus the Word, "In the beginning was the Word." Jesus is God talking to us saying, "This is what I'm like." Jesus is a message in a bottle. And Jesus is unique – He is the only person in history, as the Son of God, who could have chosen the place, the time and the circumstances of His birth. Let's just think about that for a minute. It's true isn't it? If Jesus is who He says He is – the Son of God – He is the only person in history that could have chosen the circumstances of His birth. Well, if that's true; if it was a deliberate choice, what is God saying to us about Himself through the manner in which Jesus came into the world, through this story that we now call Christmas. See, it's not some neat doctrine; it's not some neat theology of the incarnation. We learn about Christmas through the stories in Matthew and Mark and Luke and John and I guess, in a sense, many of us know them backwards. But Matthew begins, after the great, long genealogy that we looked at the other week – Matthew now begins with this story – if you've got a Bible, grab it, open it – we are going to Matthew, chapter 1, beginning at verse 18. It says this: "Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way." So in other words, here's the story. "When His mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband, Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he decided to do that, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, don't be afraid to take Mary as your wife for the child conceived in her is from God the Holy Spirit. She will bear you a son and you are to name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." All this took place to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: "look the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son and they shall name Him Emmanuel, which means "God is with us". When Joseph awoke from the sleep he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him. He took her as his wife but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a Son and he named Him Jesus." So here's Mary, pregnant from the Holy Spirit. How? Well, Luke tells us the angel appeared to her and said, "Fear not!" Have you ever seen a Christmas card with "Fear not!" plastered across the front? Not really! So how to you think Mary felt? She gets spoken to by an angel; she gets told not to be afraid, "you're going to be pregnant because God the Holy Spirit is going to make you pregnant." Now how do you think it went when Mary told Joseph? Here's this single teenage girl from this place called Nazareth; Nowheresville and she wanders in with her belly swollen and she says to her fiancee, "Well, Joe, it's like this – I didn't sleep with anyone – God did this!" WOW! Would you believe her? Joseph didn't – he planned to dismiss her quietly because this was a society where getting pregnant out of wedlock was a disgraceful thing. I mean, the Hebrew law commanded the women who were caught in adultery be stoned to death so the social context was that it wasn't a life style choice; it was something that you stoned someone to death for. But Joseph has a dream. Remember he doesn't have a New Testament; he doesn't know how it's going to turn out. He has this subjective thing called a dream and even if it were true, what incredible pain. How many times would Mary have gone over the angel's words? How many times do you think Joseph would be second guessing his dream? How breathtakingly reckless was God to allow the whole future of humanity to hang on the responses of these two poorly educated, hapless, rural teenagers? I mean, we know Him as Lord, the Christ, the Son of God but His parents and family friends; Mary's little illegitimate baby; the bastard; the stigma. Yet that's what Jesus chose for Himself. That's why I've called this message, "The Illegitimate God". You and I, we read this story of Christmas with a sense of wander and awe and we know how it ended. Then, back then and there? Well, for them it was a scandal; it was a fantasy; it was, "Is God really doing this?"   SOME VISITORS So here we are looking at this story of Christmas – firstly, the way that this baby was conceived – the sense of scandal that would have followed Him around when He was a little child – but then He was born into this brutal, political climate. Let's read on the story; this space and time and situation that God chose for His Son to be born into. We are going to pick it up in Matthew, chapter 2, beginning at verse 1: In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem asking, "Where is this child that has been born the King of the Jews, because we observed His star at it's rising and we have come to pay homage." When King Herod heard this, he was frightened and all Jerusalem with him. And calling together all the chief priests and the scribes and the people, he enquired of them, 'where the Messiah was to be born?' And they told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it has been written by the prophet, "And you Bethlehem in the land of Judea, are by no means the least amongst the rulers of Judea, for from you shall come a ruler who is to be the Shepherd of His people, Israel." And the story goes on that Herod secretly called for the wise men and he told them, "Go and find this Jesus and come and tell me", because he wanted to kill Jesus. We look at the politics of Palestine and Israel today – the mess – there seems to be no solution – they just keep shooting each other and blowing each other up. Back then it wasn't much different! You had a brutal Roman empire and the Roman Emperor ruled over a whole bunch of countries including this little country called Israel. And under him you had a despot; an Herodian King. And then this Herodian dynasty – we know about Herod – they were sort of half breeds and they were illegitimate and they were in cahoots with the Romans – together they oppressed the people. The religious leaders were part of all that and there was this sense of hopelessness amongst the people. It was every bit as messy then as it is today. And into this malaise is born Jesus, the Son of God and then these wise men – these Magi (a Magi was an astrologer; a sooth sayer). All of this was forbidden in the Old Testament – people who worshipped the stars were to be stoned to death. And they came from where? From the East; from Babylon – eighty kilometres south of what today is Baghdad. And remember, Babylon was a place of horror and evil for first century Israelites because that's where in 587 and 586 BC they were exiled into slavery. So God invites the Magi; these astrologers from hell to come to the birth of His Son and to worship Him. If you and I were God would we have invited them? I don't think so. And yet God doesn't just invite them but how does He go and get them from Babylon to Bethlehem? Does He send them a prophet? Does He send them John the Baptist? Does He send them a letter? Does He send them the Scriptures? He doesn't do any of those, He sends them a star. You see, God chooses a symbol that they can understand and follow and brings them to worship this child. Babylon who once destroyed the temple and exiled the chosen people is now worshipping the true God. God may well have hated their sin but He loved them much more that He hated their sin. And then one night in a dream – if you flick over the page to Matthew, chapter 2, beginning at verse 13 – Joseph has another dream, it says this: Now after the Magi had left, an angel of the Lord appears to Joseph in a dream and says: "Get up and take this child and His mother and flee to Egypt and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child and destroy Him. So Joseph got up, took the child and His mother by night and went to Egypt and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord, through the prophet: "Out of Egypt I have called My Son." See, here we go again – Joseph is having another dream – this subjective thing. It's not like he sits down and he reads the New Testament; he reads the Old Testament and God speaks to him through His Word. No, God spoke to Joseph through a dream and so Joseph and Mary and Jesus all became refugees. They had no rights; they had no land; they had no possessions; they were fleeing for their lives. There are thirty two point nine million refugees in the world today. That's grown by almost fifty percent in just twelve months. Jesus, the Son of God becomes a refugee. How long? What would they live on? Where would they live? Where would they go? Would they be safe? They had to endure hardship for the first few years of His little life. Would you or I, if we were God, have put our son through this? And you read on in Matthew, chapter 2, verses 16 to 18. "When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men. This massacre of the infants – have you ever seen a Christmas card about the massacre of the infants? See, we turn Christmas into this little pantomime, but the birth of Jesus into this world; the time when God stepped into this world and became man was a brutal time; it was a tough time and it was the time God chose for His Son. I mean, today we see suicide bombers in the Middle East and the shelling of targets and the shooting by snipers – imagine if you added to that the slaughter of all the children under two in and around Bethlehem – you don't see that on a Christmas card do you? What was God thinking by sending His Son into such a mess?   SO WHAT DO WE LEARN ABOUT GOD? And then of course, after they returned from Egypt, Jesus and His family moved to Nazareth – you can read it in Matthew, chapter 2, beginning at verse 19. When Herod died, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, "Get up and take the child and His mother and go to the land of Israel for those who are seeking the child's life are now dead. So Joseph got up, took the child and His mother and he went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea, in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there and after being warned in a dream, he went to the district of Galilee. There he made his home in a town called Nazareth so that what had been spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled: "He will be called a Nazarene." God allowed, indeed, constructed the circumstances so that the Son of God would grow up in the backblocks of nowhere – in Nazareth. Does anything good come out of Nazareth? And He became a carpenter; not the King; not the head of theology at Jerusalem seminary; not the chief grand whatever in the synagogue or the temple – a lowly carpenter. So what do we learn about God? If God chose the circumstances into which Jesus would be born; if He chose these two young teenagers; if He chose the stable in Bethlehem; if He chose Herod and the persecution and the flight, what does that tells us about God? If Jesus came to reveal God to us, what do we learn about God from the first Christmas? When you read through the Old Testament about God you see His sovereignty; His power; His hugeness; His transcendence. Isaiah says: To whom will you compare Me? Who is My equal," says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes and see who created all these stars. See, God is great. Here at Christmas we see this greatness reduced to the size of the single fertilised egg – not even visible to the human eye. Born in the stable with the stench of cow dung and urine on the floor, hunted down, a refugee, the massacre of these infants around Him and then slinking back to Nazareth to eek out an ignominious existence as a carpenter, relying on two uneducated teenage bumpkins for safety and nurture – with always the hint of scandal – Mary's little illegitimate child. Well may God be great but hang on a minute, when you look at Christmas, my God is also small. My God is also humble. If you look at this theological doctrine of incarnation, Jesus the Son of God and the Son of Man – He's different to us yet He's the same as us. But if we really ask ourselves the question, we would mostly conclude that Jesus was fundamentally different from you and me. But like Luther, I believe that if we are even to begin to understand what God is saying in Jesus, we have to draw the conclusion that Jesus is God, deep graven into the flesh. Like the candy cane – on the one hand, white and pure and blameless and different, but with a red stripe; with the blood, suffering like us, He lived, He suffered, He cried, He struggled, like us. That's the point of Christmas; that's the point of Jesus being born into these brutal circumstances, in such humble surrounds. This is God saying, "Jesus is like us". We can have the best doctrine of the incarnation and completely miss the point. God is humble. He shows us that in a profound way at Christmas. He chose the time. He chose the circumstances. He chose the stable and the animals in it. He connects with us. That's why Jesus says later in Matthew, chapter 11, verse 28: Come to Me all you who are weary and carrying heavy burdens and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me for I am gentle and humble of heart and you will find rest in your souls." And later in John, chapter 16, verse 33: "I've said these things to you that in Me you might have peace for in this world you will have tribulations but be of good cheer for I have overcome the world." What a contradiction! God, the sovereign God who created all the universe through Jesus, all things that were created were, in fact, created. And yet He calls Himself humble; He makes Himself low at Christmas time. But then everything about Jesus is a contradiction. On the one hand He's the Lion of Judah; on the other hand He's the Lamb of God. When I look at the Christmas story – just the way it is, just plain and simple – look at the circumstances that Jesus was born into, you know what I see? I see something that rings true; I see an authenticity; I see a Jesus who comes humbly into this world and then says, "Come to Me because I'm gentle, I'm humble of heart." I see a Jesus who was prepared to be a refugee; who is prepared to be under threat of death. It's an amazing thing, Christmas and you know, if we just look at it as a pantomime; if we just sing the wonderful little songs and still look at it as children, I think we miss the point. God chose an amazing time for Jesus to be born and we look at Christmas by knowing how it all ended up. We've read the whole New Testament; we have the benefit of knowing that He died and rose again and the church grew up out of that and two thousand years on, you know, we are living the life. So we look back at Christmas through a whole bunch of history and stuff that those people, at that time, simply didn't have. Philip Yancey sums it up this way – I love what he says. This is what he writes: "He is the image of the invisible God; the first born over all creation," an apostle would later write, "He is before all things and in Him all things hold together," But the few eye witnesses on Christmas night saw none of those things. They saw an infant struggling to work never before used lungs. It's the story of a God who steps out of heaven, powerful, transcendent, able to choose anything He wants – He chooses Mary and Joseph; He chooses a stable; He chooses for His Son to become a refugee; He chooses for His Son to grow up in Nazareth as a carpenter. God speaks to us through this Christmas story. God went to extraordinary lengths to say this: "I am humble of heart. I have come to be one of you. I have come to walk in your shoes, in your skin, to experience all the things that you experience." It's the message of Christmas. A God who reaches out in the most amazing way; in the most startling way; in a way that we would never have done if we were God – and speaks to us His love and His desire to have a relationship with us. That is what Christmas is about.

"Malicious Harassment" Hosts: Darren Weeks, Vicky Davis Website for the show: https://governamerica.com Vicky's website: https://thetechnocratictyranny.com COMPLETE SHOW NOTES AND CREDITS AT: https://governamerica.com/radio/radio-archives/22646-govern-america-december-13-2025-malicious-harassment Listen LIVE every Saturday at 11AM Eastern or 8AM Pacific at http://governamerica.net or on your favorite app. Global Warming narrative falls apart as doomsday predictions fail and bogus studies are retracted. Trump moves to defund solar and wind projects. Radiation shield fails at Chernobyl nuclear power plant due to Ukraine-Russia war — another U.S. foreign policy failure. Trump releases U.S. National Security Strategy 2025. In the second hour, Mary Tocco joins us to talk about vaccines and natural health. In the final hour, investigative journalist and activist Casey Whalen checks in with information about the 50 States, One Israel delegation and its ramifications on freedom of speech.

If you read an article or watch a news show about the Middle East, Palestine, or Israel, what they are experiencing these days, though really hard, is not new. We could grab those stories, change some names and dates, and read what was happening over almost 3000 years ago. The only solution to the heartache…

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Send us a textA concrete-walled hospital, two open wards, and a handful of nurses training students to shoulder the work—our story begins there, in late-1970s Gaza, where medicine, faith, and friendship intersected with daily need. Carlotta shares how a verse in Luke moved her from homebody to journeyman nurse, and how routine dawn rounds gave way to something bigger: home health across packed refugee camps, conversations over wound care, and a classroom that doubled as a laboratory for courage.We pull back the curtain on a Christmas Eve few imagine. As part of Israel's lone Christian choir, Carlotta sang carols in Bethlehem at 11:30 pm, under searchlights and the watch of soldiers on rooftops. The square buzzed, the wind cut hard, and yet the message held steady: hope can speak over noise. That season stretched further with a Perry Como recording near Jerusalem's walls, a surreal bridge between Western audiences and the stone and stories of the Holy Land.The heartbeat of the episode lands in the quiet weeks that followed: a small Bible study that grew, two Greek Orthodox students discipled deeply, and then a surprise—22 Muslim students professed faith over several months. One young woman described a dream of blood like rain, recognized as Christ's forgiveness, sealing a change that shaped her life. We reflect on safety, politics, and the complex mix of admiration and suspicion toward America at the time, while holding fast to the ordinary aims we all share: to work, to care for family, to find meaning that lasts.Our path to long-term overseas service closed with a glaucoma diagnosis at 23, but that detour opened decades of short-term missions, community work, crisis pregnancy centers, and church planting at home. If this story resonates, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review—then tell us which moment stayed with you after the credits rolled.Support the showhttps://www.jacksonfamilyministry.comhttps://bobslone.com/home/podcast-production/

Daniel E. Zoughbie ...  is an entrepreneur, complex-systems scientist, diplomatic historian, and expert on presidential decision-making.  

How do you build a powerful business network when you're starting with no members, no brand, and no shortcuts? In this Mentor Moment, Trevor McFarlane, founder and CEO of EMIR, shares how he built one of the Middle East's most influential private CEO networks — starting with a single event, a lot of nerve, and an obsession with trust and curation. Trevor explains why optics matter, how credibility compounds over time, and why protecting the integrity of a network is far more valuable than short-term revenue.

I greet you in Jesus' precious name! It is Saturday morning, the 13th of December, 2025, and this is your friend, Angus Buchan, with a thought for today. We start in the Gospel of John 11:17:”So when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb four days.” We are talking here about Jesus' friend, Lazarus. He had already been buried for four days. In the Middle East, in the early days, when somebody died, they had to bury him the very same day, because of the heat in the Middle East, the body starts to decay. Lazarus had already been buried for four days. Remember Mary and Martha? ”Oh Lord, if only you had been here on time you could have healed him.” Of course we know what happened. Yes, Jesus prayed and Lazarus came out of the tomb. I have been to Israel, I have been to the place where the tomb is, and I've actually climbed down into that very tomb where Lazarus lay and the Lord called him out and he was instantly resurrected. Folks, death has lost it's sting. I'm talking to somebody today who's afraid to die, if you know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Saviour, you have nothing to fear. If we look at 1 Corinthians 15:55, the Bible says: “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” There is no victory for the devil. I want to say to you that if you are walking with the Lord as your Personal Saviour and your Best Friend and you are having communion with Him every day, then you've got nothing to fear. Paul said in Philippians 1:21: ”For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” In other words, what we always say here, tongue in cheek, you cannot frighten a Christian with heaven, can you? No, no! If we live, we live for Christ, if we die we go home to heaven, and I want to reassure somebody that is very afraid of death. You don't have to be afraid of death. It's a continuation of the life that you are living. It's only going to be so much sweeter and so much more full of love and peace. So if you are living in the Spirit, if your everyday affairs concern the Lord, whether you're driving a vehicle, whether you're building something, whatever you might be doing, if the Lord is constantly with you, when you die, that's just going to continue. There is no big jump, no big movement, no, a continuation of a simplistic life lived in the Spirit of God.Jesus bless you and have a wonderful day.Goodbye.

In Habakkuk 3 the prophecy becomes a confident psalm of trust in the Almighty and a prophecy of Yahweh's future judgments at the time of the setting up of Christ's kingdom. It was through this psalm that the writer J. W. Thirtle was able to unravel the structure of the superscripts and subscripts in the Psalms. The expression, "upon Shigionoth" is an instruction as to the musical director of this psalm. Psalms are prayers and this chapter is a Psalm. The report that the prophet heard was of the "wonders" (Hebrew "pala" miracles) which God did on his triumphal march before His people through the wilderness, in the days of the exodus from Egypt onwards to their inheritance in the Promised Land (see Numbers 10verses29-36; Deuteronomy 32verses1-14; Psalm 68). However, although the Psalm is based on events which had happened it is also prophetic - the future tense is often used. Eloah" (the mighty one, speaking of the Lord Jesus Christ coming in His Father's might) WILL come from the south (Teman) - the arena of operation when El (God the Father) via angelic ministration. And He will precede His people. The events of the Exodus occurred 900 years before the prophet's vision. These future events, under Christ, will soon occur when the Middle East is inundated by the great northern army. God's mighty arm and Almighty power will be unleashed on the oppressor and He, Yahweh, will be known and exalted in the earth (Ezekiel 38 and 39; Joel 3 - particularly verse 17). The measuring for judgment is a common Bible metaphor. The ancient nations, represented by the hills, were brought low (humbled). The rivers - the invading nations in particular - experienced the Almighty's wrath. But, as with Pharaoh's chariots (Exodus 14 and 15) these instruments of war are proven vain and useless when they are overwhelmed by Yahweh's salvation chariots (Psalm 68verses18-21). The sun and the moon will stand still in their place echoing the victory of Joshua over the Canaanites, in the land of their inheritance (Joshua 10). The 'head' (Rosh) of the wicked is to be crushed (v13). The sharp victory arrows shall pierce the hearts of the King's enemies (Psalm 45verses5). The whirlwind of Yahweh will scatter His enemies before Him, like the chaff before the wind (v14). And the enemy is trampled underfoot (Exodus 15). This awesome and majestic power of his Sovereign leaves the prophet trembling. The Psalm of Habakkuk concludes from verses 17-19 with precisely the reverse mood to the mood of despondency at its beginning. The prophet has had his fears answered and calmed by his Almighty Sovereign. And so, he now he patiently awaits the salvation of Yahweh - as one of the LORD's just ones, living by faith. Despite all current appearances, our King is of Zion - meaning "exultation". This is the city of our spiritual birth (Psalms 48; 84; 87). The fig and olive trees (are symbols of Israel) will not flourish. Today our God stills the storms that rage in our minds and will soon do so throughout the entire world (2 Samuel 23verses1-4verses Psalm 18; Psalm 46; Isaiah 26verses1-4). Our hope and trust in our Almighty Deliverer is sure and steadfast.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit andrewsullivan.substack.comShadi is a Washington Post columnist and a senior fellow at Georgetown University's Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding. He runs a substack with Damir Marusic called Wisdom of Crowds, and his new book is The Case for American Power. It's the third time Shadi has been on the Dishcast. We hashed out the National Security Strategy and the future of US leadership in the world, if any.For two clips of our convo — on Bush's idealism leading to anarchy in Iraq, and whether Trump's amorality is stabilizing the Middle East — head to our YouTube page.Other topics: Shadi raised with a mixed identity (American/Muslim/Arab); both parents from Egypt where he spent summers; the reinvention of immigrants; the peace and prosperity of the ‘90s; our innocence shattered on 9/11; external and internal jihad; religion in public life; the Koran; blasphemy laws in the UK; Charles Taylor and the loss of enchantment; political cults like MAGA and SJW; Deneen and other post-liberals; Obama's realism in the Mideast; the Arab Spring; Islam's tension with liberalism; how Israel undermined Obama; the settlements; Gaza; Muslim views of women and gays in the West; the US intervening in Bosnia, Kosovo, and the Persian Gulf; oikophobia; elites opening up China and creating a rival; Taiwan; Russia after the USSR; the invasion of Georgia and Crimea; the Syrian war and refugee crisis; the war in Ukraine; Vance in Munich; and Trump's pressure on NATO to arm itself.Browse the Dishcast archive for an episode you might enjoy. Coming up: Simon Rogoff on the narcissism of pols and celebrities (from Diddy to Churchill to Trump), Laura Field on the intellectuals of Trumpism, Arthur Brooks on the science of happiness, Vivek Ramaswamy on the right's future, and Jason Willick on trade and conservatism. Please send any guest recs, dissents, and other comments to dish@andrewsullivan.com.

What was Sherrone Moore thinking? The U of M Coach lost his job going after the young lady. I survived war torn Kuwait, and Doha. BARELY! My knees are fun, the gifts we get that we don't expect, and staying positive always!   Plus jokes. Hannah back next week. Listen and subscribe wherever you stream of watch on and sub on youtube  https://youtu.be/N-mXocKT4Gs @newbergpod 

Is the growth of sovereign wealth funds, especially in the Middle East, transforming geopolitics? Jared Cohen, co-head of the Goldman Sachs Global Institute, sat down with FP's Ravi Agrawal to discuss why sovereign funds are so pivotal today.  Note: This discussion is part of a series of episodes brought to you by the Goldman Sachs Global Institute.  Jared Cohen and George Lee: The New Wealth of Nations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Within a single generation, regions that had been central to early Christian Jerusalem, Syria, Egypt, and the cultural centers of the Byzantine world—were destroyed by a rapidly growing Islamic empire. The scale and speed of this transformation reshaped the landscape of the Middle East and altered the trajectory of Christian history, forever.
The ideology driving early Islamic conquests created long-term patterns that continue to influence global conflict, religious freedom, population pressures, and geopolitical tensions today. The expansion of Islamic political power has repeatedly degraded societies, challenged Christian communities, and produced cultures incompatible with today's world. By connecting the past to the present, this analysis helps illuminate why the events of the 7th century continue to haunt governments, politics, and the spiritual arena defining our time.
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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

This episode is brought to you by Belco's upcoming 2-day Roaster's Camp in Ethiopia and Colombia in 2026. Don't miss this great opportunity to go to origin.Connect with Alex Fremond from Belco on WhatsApp here: https://wa.me/33645956797 or email a.fremond@belco.fr••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••This is the 5th of a five-part podcast series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Osamah Alawwam, co-founder of The Roasting House based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This series first aired on the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast.In this series, Osamah and Lee explore the challenges of running a business in the Middle East.The 5 episodes in this series are:1. A Coffee Entrepreneur in Saudi Arabia - https://youtu.be/G79Fxr6_e_Y2. Building The Roasting House - https://youtu.be/hguVnGWvqqs3. The Role Of Specialty Coffee In Brazil - https://youtu.be/YvOu0uolUq04. Converting Brazilians to Specialty Coffee Drinkers - https://youtu.be/aEH2HGWlx-c5. The Sins of the Past for Brazilian Coffee - https://youtu.be/iqIUZjNWv98In this final episode of the podcast series, Lee and Osamah discuss the critical challenges and opportunities faced by the coffee industry, particularly in the Middle East.They address the alarming forecast that coffee may disappear by 2050 due to climate change and geopolitical issues. They speak about the significant decrease in coffee production, the urgent need for sustainable agricultural practices, and the role of innovative methods like co-fermentation in improving coffee quality. The conversation also covers initiatives in Saudi Arabia to grow resilient coffee varieties and the potential for regenerative agriculture. Osamah shares his hopes for the future and emphasizes the importance of solving the root causes threatening coffee production.Connect with Osamah Alawwam and The Roasting House here:https://www.instagram.com/roastinghousesa/https://www.instagram.com/oalawwam/https://www.linkedin.com/in/oalawwam/••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••Connect with Map It Forward here: Website | Instagram | Mailing list

Journalist and author William J. Kole joins me to unpack the deep and often hidden ties between white evangelicalism, politics, fear, and America's gun culture. Drawing from his new book In Guns We Trust, Bill shares how his own ministry collided with concealed weapons, why fear has shaped so much of the church's response to gun violence, and how Christian nationalism and the idolizing of the Second Amendment have influenced our national crisis. We talk about the shift from historic Christian nonviolence to the embrace of firearms, the political power that keeps common-sense reforms stalled, and what other countries have done to reduce mass shootings. We also explore why “thoughts and prayers” aren't enough and what a truly pro-life ethic demands of us today. If you long to break cycles of violence and return to the nonviolent way of Jesus, this is an essential and challenging conversation.William J. Kole is a veteran journalist and a former foreign correspondent who has reported from North America, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. As Vienna bureau chief for The Associated Press, he wrote extensively on the nexus of crime, the weapons trade, arms trafficking and terrorism across Eastern Europe.His evangelical credentials are as extensive as his journalistic ones: He's a former lay missionary for the Assemblies of God, a worship leader at evangelical churches in Europe and around his native New England, and served as board president of Dorcas USA, an international Christian relief and development agency.Kole was AP's New England bureau chief when a gunman armed with a military-style assault rifle massacred 20 first-graders and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. Earlier in his career, he was a lead writer on the car crash that killed Britain's Princess Diana, and he also covered the arrest of former Yugoslav strongman Slobodan Milosevic, the death of Pope John Paul II, and Kosovo's independence. His many awards include one from the Society of American Business Editors & Writers for an investigation into the exploitation of undocumented immigrants by the Walmart retail chain.Kole, who speaks French, Dutch and German, studied journalism at Boston University and was a journalism fellow at Columbia University in New York and the National Press Foundation in Washington, D.C. Now an editor for Axios, he lives in Providence, R.I., and Paris.Bill's Book:In Guns We TrustBill's Recommendation:Jesus and John WayneConnect with Joshua: jjohnson@shiftingculturepodcast.comGo to www.shiftingculturepodcast.com to interact and donate. Every donation helps to produce more podcasts for you to enjoy.Follow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Threads, Bluesky or YouTubeConsider Giving to the podcast and to the ministry that my wife and I do around the world. Just click on the support the show link belowFind the Presence Over Power collection at www.shiftingculturepodcast.com/store Get Your Sidekick Support the show

From algorithmic incentives to progressive posturing, this episode explores how anti-Semitism has become a feature—not a bug—of influencer culture. Zoe Booth speaks with Corey Walker, a Washington, D.C.-based reporter focusing on the Middle East and global terror groups, about audience capture, the anti-Western project of the modern Left, and why Israel represents values worth conserving. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The conversation explores the complex dynamics of the Middle East, focusing on Israel's position regarding the two-state solution, the role of Saudi Arabia in the peace process, and the implications of U.S. foreign policy. The speakers discuss the historical context of Israeli-Palestinian relations, the potential for economic ties to foster peace, and the impact of tourism on cultural exchange. They also touch on the evolving landscape of regional alliances and the significance of the Abraham Accords.We want to hear from YOU! If you would like to submit a question or comment for further discussion, please email us at: questions@abideministries.com.

In this Part 2 episode, geopolitical analyst Jason Baidya breaks down the major global events, covert operations, and political shifts of the 1960s that reshaped the world. Jason begins with the critical political atmosphere of the early 60s, exploring Operation Gladio, Operation Gibraltar, the Vietnam War, and the hidden power dynamics that influenced global decision-making. He explains how the decade's conflicts, social movements, and “social fracture” changed societies across continents. We also dive into the early technology era—from floppy disks to emerging information control—before exploring the shifting relationship between the United States and China. Jason provides insight into the 1966 global political landscape, including the 6 Day War, Yom Kippur War, and the expansion of US bases in the Middle East. The conversation continues with major *map shifts, how borders evolved, and how travel shaped culture and geopolitics. Jason then unpacks the geopolitical environment of South Asia, the first mission of RAW, Arab world influence, democratic changes, and the drastic transformation of global politics after 9/11. If you're interested in Cold War operations, South Asian geopolitics, or the hidden power plays behind world events, this episode delivers a clear, engaging breakdown of the forces shaping modern history. GET CONNECTED WITH : Jason Baidya Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/jason.baidya.5/ Twitter - https://x.com/JasonDBaidya  

This episode is brought to you by Belco's upcoming 2-day Roaster's Camp in Ethiopia and Colombia in 2026. Don't miss this great opportunity to go to origin.Connect with Alex Fremond from Belco on WhatsApp here: https://wa.me/33645956797 or email a.fremond@belco.fr••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••This is the 5th of a five-part podcast series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward with Osamah Alawwam, co-founder of The Roasting House based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This series first aired on the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast.In this series, Osamah and Lee explore the challenges of running a business in the Middle East.The 5 episodes in this series are:1. A Coffee Entrepreneur in Saudi Arabia - https://youtu.be/G79Fxr6_e_Y2. Building The Roasting House - https://youtu.be/hguVnGWvqqs3. The Role Of Specialty Coffee In Brazil - https://youtu.be/YvOu0uolUq04. Converting Brazilians to Specialty Coffee Drinkers - https://youtu.be/aEH2HGWlx-c5. The Sins of the Past for Brazilian Coffee - https://youtu.be/iqIUZjNWv98In this final episode of the podcast series, Lee and Osamah discuss the critical challenges and opportunities faced by the coffee industry, particularly in the Middle East.They address the alarming forecast that coffee may disappear by 2050 due to climate change and geopolitical issues. They speak about the significant decrease in coffee production, the urgent need for sustainable agricultural practices, and the role of innovative methods like co-fermentation in improving coffee quality. The conversation also covers initiatives in Saudi Arabia to grow resilient coffee varieties and the potential for regenerative agriculture. Osamah shares his hopes for the future and emphasizes the importance of solving the root causes threatening coffee production.Connect with Osamah Alawwam and The Roasting House here:https://www.instagram.com/roastinghousesa/https://www.instagram.com/oalawwam/https://www.linkedin.com/in/oalawwam/••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••Connect with Map It Forward here: Website | Instagram | Mailing list

Around the world, more and more communities are finding that climate change isn't only about rising temperatures or shifting weather patterns, but for many communities, the first signs of climate change appear in far more everyday pressures: a harvest that doesn't come in, a water source that no longer lasts the season, a job that disappears because the land or sea can no longer sustain it. And where pressures stack up, especially in places where institutions are weak, where inequalities run deep or where people feel excluded, climate pressure can widen fault lines and expose new vulnerabilities and present new risks.Today, we explore how climate stress becomes violence, and why understanding this nexus between violence and climate stress matters for governments, business, communities and for all of us thinking about future security threats.To do that, we are joined by Peter Schwartzstein, an award-winning British-American environmental journalist and researcher. He has reported on the conflict-climate nexus across 30+ countries in the Middle East, Africa, and beyond, writing for National Geographic, The New York Times, Foreign Affairs, BBC, Bloomberg, and Foreign Policy. He is a fellow at the Center for Climate and Security, as well as the Stimson Center's Environmental Security Program.The International Risk Podcast brings you conversations with global experts, frontline practitioners, and senior decision-makers who are shaping how we understand and respond to international risk. From geopolitical volatility and organised crime, to cybersecurity threats and hybrid warfare, each episode explores the forces transforming our world and what smart leaders must do to navigate them. Whether you're a board member, policymaker, or risk professional, The International Risk Podcast delivers actionable insights, sharp analysis, and real-world stories that matter.Dominic Bowen is the host of The International Risk Podcast and Europe's leading expert on international risk and crisis management. As Head of Strategic Advisory and Partner at one of Europe's leading risk management consulting firms, Dominic advises CEOs, boards, and senior executives across the continent on how to prepare for uncertainty and act with intent. He has spent decades working in war zones, advising multinational companies, and supporting Europe's business leaders. Dominic is the go-to business advisor for leaders navigating risk, crisis, and strategy; trusted for his clarity, calmness under pressure, and ability to turn volatility into competitive advantage. Dominic equips today's business leaders with the insight and confidence to lead through disruption and deliver sustained strategic advantage.Tell us what you liked!

 Dr Rima Ghose Chowdhury | President & CHRO, CSR Leader, Datamatics Dr. Rima holds a Bachelor's degree in Pharmaceutical Technology and a Ph.D. in Leadership from DY Patil University. Trained in Gallup Strengths Coaching in the UK, she has received numerous HR Excellence Awards, including ‘India's Greatest CHRO 2023-24 by Asia One and '50 Most Influential HR Tech Leaders' at the World HRD Congress. As President & Global CHRO, CSR Leader, Dr Rima Ghose Chowdhury leads Datamatics People agenda globally, with operations in the US, India, the Middle East, Europe, and the Philippines. A firm believer in the balance of Hi-Tech and Hi-Touch culture, Dr Rima is an active proponent of AI (Artificial Intelligence) in the workplace, and is also a workplace social systems designer focusing on holistic Wellbeing of her staff.Dr Rima leads various Transformational Leadership Programs at Datamatics, bringing breakthrough performance amongst senior leaders and high performers in the organization. She is also the creator of the Datamatics Diversity Charter (DDC), with initiatives like (Wo)Mentoring, ‘Coffee Cake Candid Chats', and ‘Welcome Back' to promote dialogue for an inclusive workplace that nurtures differences. A seasoned HR leader and Practitioner with over twenty-five years of experience in Corporate and Academia, Dr. Rima has been instrumental in building Technology and Leadership capabilities in enterprises like IBM, Sony Pictures, and Quinnox. In the past, she held the position of Professor and Head of Department – HR, at a reputed B-school in Mumbai, with an additional responsibility of leading and facilitating Management course delivery for the Indian Defence forces. Dr. Rima has been an International Mentor for Middlesex University London, and is also a trained Trainer by Sony Pictures, UK on Energy Project, a flagship intervention of Sony Group to promote wellbeing for staff. As a Trainer and Facilitator, she has delivered over 5,000 person-hours of training in Leadership masterclass, HR Analytics, Enhancing Personal Effectiveness & Mentoring.She has received numerous HR Excellence Awards, including ‘Global Women in Leadership' Awards by the Global Council for the Promotion of International Trade (GCPIT), Confederation of Indian Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (CIMSME), India's Greatest CHRO 2023-24 list by Asia One, '50 Most Influential HR Tech Leaders', at World HRD Congress. 

PREVIEW — Andrea Stricker — Nuclear Safeguards Framework for Saudi Arabia's Reactor Acquisition. Strickeroutlines essential precautions and international safeguard mechanisms necessary to prevent nuclear proliferation resulting from Saudi Arabia's acquisition of advanced nuclear power plant technology and fuel cycle capabilities. Strickerrecommends permanent International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguard protocols and comprehensive additional verification arrangements covering all present and future Saudi nuclear facilities, ensuring Riyadh cannot unilaterally eject IAEA inspectors or rescind international safeguard commitments if the Kingdom subsequently pursues uranium enrichment or nuclear fuel reprocessing activities for weapons development. Stricker emphasizes that binding safeguard protocols are essential to preventing Saudi acquisition of weapons-grade nuclear material and maintaining nonproliferation regime integrity in the Middle East.

The National Security Hour with Brandon Weichert – Washington's wars reshape the Middle East through calculated instability, empowering extremists while dismantling states once seen as threats. From Camp Bucca to Syria's battlefields, policies framed as liberation instead fuel chaos. As foreign actors profit and ideologues pull strings, Americans confront a strategy that endangers security while masking itself as global stewardship...

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. As the fourth and final report of the Columbia University antisemitism task force is released, it focuses on what happened in the college's classrooms, says Tress, addressing the discrimination against Jews and Israelis throughout the months of protests, and finding the balance between free speech and academic freedom. Tress discusses two related situations at two California colleges, as a livestreamed class of a prominent academic and activist at Cal State showed her coaching students to oppose a state bill meant to combat antisemitism in local schools. He also mentions a legal settlement at the University of California at Berkeley regarding a visiting Israeli lecturer who sued the school after being disinvited to lecture due to her nationality. Ahead of mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani's taking office, Tress discusses that liberal Democrat Brad Lander is running for state office with Mamdani's backing, as progressive Democrats look to Mamdani's victory. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: Jewish students singled out, scapegoated: Columbia releases final antisemitism report Cal State investigating professor seen coaching class to oppose antisemitism bill In legal settlement, UC Berkeley acknowledges discriminating against Israeli prof Herzog, in NYC, calls Mamdani’s rhetoric about Israel ‘outrageous,’ ‘anti-American’ Prominent NY rabbi: Mamdani understood Jewish community fissures better than we did NYC’s Lander announces run for Congress with Mamdani’s endorsement 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: A pro-Israel protester outside Columbia University in Manhattan, April 22, 2024. (Luke Tress)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join host Manya Brachear Pashman for a powerful conversation about Red Alert, the Critics Choice Award-nominated Paramount+ docu-series that confronts the October 7 Hamas massacre with unflinching honesty. Producer Lawrence Bender (Pulp Fiction, Good Will Hunting) shares why this project couldn't wait—launched in real time to push back against denial, disinformation, and a world struggling to absorb the scale of the tragedy. Bender reflects on the courage and trauma of the ordinary Israelis whose stories anchor the series, including survivors like Batsheva Olami, whose resilience changed the production team forever. Hear how filming during an active war shaped the storytelling, the emotional toll on everyone involved, and why capturing these true accounts is essential to ensuring October 7 is neither minimized nor forgotten. Key Resources: AJC.org/Donate: Please consider supporting AJC's work with a year-end gift today. Right now, your gift will be matched, dollar-for-dollar, making double the impact. Every gift matters. Every dollar makes a difference in the fight for a strong and secure Jewish future. Listen – AJC Podcasts: Architects of Peace The Forgotten Exodus People of the Pod Follow People of the Pod on your favorite podcast app, and learn more at AJC.org/PeopleofthePod You can reach us at: peopleofthepod@ajc.org If you've appreciated this episode, please be sure to tell your friends, and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Transcript of the Interview: [Clip from Red Alert] Manya Brachear Pashman:   Academy Award nominated film producer Lawrence Bender has quite a repertoire for both feature films and documentaries: Pulp Fiction, Inglorious Bastards, Good Will Hunting and Inconvenient Truth. In fact, his works have earned 36 Academy Award nominations.  His most recent TV miniseries is a more personal project on the second anniversary of the October 7 Hamas terror attacks on Israel, Paramount Plus began streaming a four episode series called red alert about the attack on festival goers, innocent passers by and families waking up to terrorists inside their Israeli homes that day, a tragedy that many of us, either on this podcast or listening have watched with overwhelming grief for the last two years. Lawrence is with us now to talk about how he grappled with this attack on Israel and the rise of antisemitism that followed.  Lawrence, welcome to People of the Pod. Lawrence Bender:   Thank you, Manya, it's good to be here.  Manya Brachear Pashman:   So that clip that we played at the top of this episode, it's one of the few clips in English. Most of the dialog in this show is in Hebrew with subtitles. But that scene is a woman, Bathsheba and her two daughters. They're walking across a field trying to return home, and her son has been taken. Her husband is gone. This series weaves together her story and three or four other ordinary civilians fighting for their lives on October 7, 2023. You know, as someone personally who's been immersed in this subject matter for two years, to be honest, I had to muster the energy to watch this, and I'm so glad that I did. But why are, I mean, as we're still waiting for the last hostage to be returned, why was it important for this show to air now? Lawrence Bender:   Well, thank you so much for doing this with me, and thank you for playing that clip. I have to tell you first, I love that clip. I love that scene because one of the things about the show and the stories that we portrayed is that even with the horrific things that happened on that day, people still were able to fight back. People were still able to be strong. A mother with her daughter and her infant stood in the face of a terrorist and stood him down in real life, this happened.  Now, not everybody was so fortunate, and her husband Ohad was not fortunate, and her son was taken hostage, as you mentioned, but it does show her personal power in this horrific situation. And I just thought, you know, this woman is a real hero. I've spent a lot of time with her, Batsheva Olami, she's really an extraordinary human in all ways. So thank you for playing that clip.  So in terms of the show, I felt on October 8, it's just amazing how quickly, before Israel did anything, the entire world quickly turned against the very people who were the victims and having spent subsequently, a lot of time with people on the set, because, as you mentioned, this show was about real people, and those real people spent a lot of time on the set with us. And the very people that were traumatized, felt isolated, they felt alone, and they're the very ones that need to be loved, that need to be hugged, they need to be supported. Anyway, I just felt like I needed to do something fast to try to show the world what really happened. AndRed Alert is the result of that. Manya Brachear Pashman:   Do you fear that the world has already moved on? Lawrence Bender:   Oh, that's a good question. It feels like we've passed a tipping point, actually, in terms of Jew hatred and anti-Israel and antisemitism. Even as we are now trying to have a peace process, right, that somehow we are stumbling forward, and if that's going to happen, people need to understand why we're here and why we're here happened on October 7. And if you watch the show, hopefully you're pulled into the show, and you have a, you know, you have an emotional journey, and then you understand, oh, this really happened. And you understand that's the truth. And only when you really understand the truth of October 7 do I really think that you can really get some sort of peace. Manya Brachear Pashman:   So is this different from other historical events? You know, a lot of movies and television shows commemorate historical events, like the Holocaust, for example, but they happen years later. They're made years later. I kind of call it the never forget genre. But is October 7 unique in that it's not a question of whether people will forget or move on. It's a question of whether they believe that this present is actually true. Lawrence Bender:   That's right, there's the deniers. There's people that just don't know. There's people that forgot, maybe you know, there are people who I know that I had to explain. Like, you know, it's interesting. As an example, when you see the show and you see all these Hamas terrorists invading the kibbutz, and Ohad says to her, his wife, Bathsheva, he whispers in her ear, I just saw about 20 terrorists, and someone said to me, who's not unintelligent, I didn't realize there are that many. I didn't realize that. And if you're not really paying attention, maybe you don't really know. And look, they're the haters, haters which are never going to change. But I think there's a large group of people that just don't really understand, and they're the ones that I feel we have a shot at showing this to and having a conversation with. Manya Brachear Pashman:   In fact, are you actually introducing or experimenting with a new genre of truth or facts in the face of fiction. Lawrence Bender:   I guess that's true. I mean, this just happened. And some people ask over this last, you know, when I released, and we were paramount, released the show. You know, I've been asked a question, is it too soon? And my answer is, I feel like it's not soon enough. And I felt like immediately I needed to work on something, and this is the result of that. For me, personally, there are many collaborators of people on this show that incredible Israeli partners, my American partners. I mean, there's a lot of amazing people that came together to work on this, to make this show, but we really felt like time was of the essence, because the world was shifting so quickly, we wanted this to get out there, to show the world what really happened. Manya Brachear Pashman:   One of the reasons I'm pressing you on this, this was not a fiction film. This was based in reality. You said you met Bathsheba, the actors prepared for their roles by meeting with the very real people who they were portraying in this show whose stories they were recreating. I'm curious what some of the takeaways were for you, for your colleagues, from your encounters with these victims, with these survivors, and did anything about the production ever change after they got involved? Lawrence Bender:   It was truly a life changing experience for myself, but really for everyone involved, of course, myself and my partner, Kevin Brown and Jordana Rubin, and we were basically the only non Israelis that were full time producing the show. And everyone else was a citizen of the country. Everyone else, you know, was affected dramatically, everything but from like our key grips brother ran the kibbutz Raim, where we filmed that area that was a kibbutz overrun by terrorists, right? His brother survived. So it was really like every single person at some point, you know, we call it triggered, but it really happened quite often where you have a scene and people just have to stop for a second and take a moment, whether it's an actor finishing a scene or a crew member, you know, partaking in the making of the scene. But lots of things happen. I'll tell you one story which was, you know, quite interesting. We're working at the Nova festival scene, and one of the actors, Moran, her niece, was on vacation in Greece, and her niece told her, if a red headed police woman shows up on the set, she's the one who saved my life. And indeed, her name was Bat, she showed up, and we said, we need you to meet somebody. And we FaceTimed Moran's niece with Bat, and the young lady she's like in her early 20s, said, You're the one who saved my life. You're the one I was hiding by your feet while you were firing. And we asked, Did you remember the people that you saved? And she said, I really only remember the people I didn't save. You really felt the pain that she is still at that point a year and a half later, this is. In April, May, suffering from what she went through. RPG hit nearby her. She went flying through the air. She had had half reconstructive surgery, on and on and on. It was obviously an extremely traumatic day for her to you know, a moment where there's a woman on the set whose daughter was murdered, and someone on my crew, actually, Mya Fisher, has said, you know, there's someone here I want to introduce you to. It's after lunch. And I spent some time with her, and I asked her, you know, like, how do you go? Fine, I can't, you know, I can't imagine losing my son in this way. It's just unimaginable. And I asked her, do you have a rabbi? What do you do to survive?  And it was a very difficult emotional exchange. And sometime later, she had sort of retold that encounter to somebody else on the set who came to me and said, you know that woman you're talking to. She told me what happened, you know this conversation? And she said, You know this Hollywood producer came all the way from California, she doesn't know me, from Adam, and sat down with me for an hour to hear my story, and it clearly meant a lot to her. And again, you realize that the very people who are traumatized directly are not getting the love, are so isolated and people are against them, and it made me feel even more determined to tell these stories for the world to understand.  Every day we had these type of difficult, emotional and to be honest, I was extremely honored every time I met someone. I spent every Saturday night at Hostage Square because we were making the show, I got to spend time backstage with all the families who had loved ones in the tunnels. There was a deep dive into this. Now, I have to tell you, on the other hand, the filming while a war is still going on is quite it's like things you don't have to think about normally, right? So, as an example, we were in a town and we're shooting a shootout. We're filming a shootout between the IDF actors and the Hamas actor. They're actors. I keep saying they're actors, right? Because they are actors. But the mayor and the chief of police in the town were extremely worried, because they look real, right? They look like real people. And unfortunately, the cemetery is littered with people who have been murdered and killed by the Hamas. And all the other men who are there, they have guns, they carry, and if something's happening, they're going to run towards the problem. So he's worried, what if someone walks by, or someone's up in a building. He looks down and they see an actor who looks like Hamas, they are going to shoot him. So we literally had speakers every 10 yards, like all up and down the street, and every like 15-20 minutes, saying, don't worry, in Hebrew, of course, this is a movie, everything's okay. We had a drone up in the air, never coming down, on a tether with a police officer. They're a full big screen watching case someone walks down the street.  We dressed up the Hamas actors as they're walking from the holding area to the area where they're filming, we put them in these kind of white hazmat-like suits so that they couldn't confuse them, and when they got done filming, we put them right back in these hazmat white suits and brought them back to the holding area. We all had to dress up, and we had to wear these very, very light blue shirts the entire crew, so nobody looked like anything but a crew member. It was something, right?  Manya Brachear Pashman:   I did not even think about that. I mean, I knew that you had filmed on location in Israel, and I knew you had filmed during the war. In fact, I was going to explain to listeners who don't know Red Alert is what Israelis call the sirens and the phone alerts when there are rockets being fired upon Israel and they have time to seek shelter. I was going to ask you if you had been there during a red alert and had to seek shelter, but I didn't even think about the possibility of people confusing the filming with actual war activity. I imagine you were there during a red alert, and did have to seek shelter, yes? Lawrence Bender:   so there's different types of alerts in the south. We did shoot in the guys called the Gaza envelope. We shot within less than a mile away from the Gaza border. So a scene that comes soon after the one that you showed. They're resting under a tree, and we are in the Gaza envelope. And this is a scene where they're running from the Hamas. They're running, they're bare feet, and they're out of breath, and they stop under this tree that's hot, and so forth. And you can hear, just a mile away, the war going on in Gaza. Hear the bombs and everything, and we weren't worried about we're going to be attacked, but it was eerie hearing a war go on, and we're filming a scene where they're running from that war, right?  So it was dramatic every week or so still at that point, the Hamas would lob a missile bomb into southern Israel and an alert would go off. You have 15 seconds to. Get into. So we had to bring these portable concrete safe rooms with us so that crew, at any given moment can run quickly into one of these concrete things. We couldn't always do it. So there's always this conversation, and by the way, it costs a lot of money, so everything you're always carrying these things. There's a lot of planning that went on. But I have to tell you, as an American showing up in Israel for the first time after October 7, I wasn't used to these alarms going off, so we were fortunate that while we were filming in the south, no missiles were lobbed at us. However, my first day there, I'm in a meeting on the eighth floor. It was a Friday morning. I got in there on a Thursday evening, 10 o'clock in the morning, the alarm goes up. I mean, just like that, right? And it's loud.  And you have these buzzers. Everyone's phone is buzzing, not like the Amber Alerts we have, like, really buzzing loud. And everyone stops and looks at me, and they apologize to me. They apologize and they go, Oh, we're really sorry, but it's an alert. We have to go into a safe room. Oh, don't worry, it's just from the Houthis. It takes eight minutes to get here. Now it's an intercontinental ballistic missile. These are real big missiles. They can really do bad damage. Don't worry, the Iron Dome usually gets them. It's really okay. So we go, you know, we go into and they pick up their danish and their coffee, and of course, I take out my cell phone and I'm videotaping. And then we go in there, and when it's off, we go back to the meeting. The meeting starts as if it never happened. And then they stop, and they go, Oh, how was that for you? And then I just didn't realize, what with the emotion that was going on because we're not used to having missiles shot at us. It's not normal. And I started to bubble up with emotion, and I had to, like, stop myself, I didn't want to cry in front of all these people that I barely knew. So I had to suppress my feelings. Like, don't worry, it's okay. You're having a normal reaction, right? And that happened quite often while I was there.  Now, you do get used to it. And the last night I was there, I was having dinner outside, tables outside, you know, in restaurants everywhere. So we're having a typical outside dinner, and they're handing the fish, and the alarm goes off, and we go, let's eat. And we don't go into the restaurant where they're called maamads. You don't go into the safe room. So that's kind of the quote, unquote normal life. Now you imagine here in the United States we get a missile from Mexico or Canada or wherever. No one's going to put up with that. That's just insane. It's insane what people in Israel have to go through. Manya Brachear Pashman:   it really is. But it's interesting that you've kind of adopted the nonchalance that your colleagues had at the very beginning of the trip, and wow, certainly no apologies. I want to know if there's a missile headed my way. Thank you. It does sound like October 7 changed you personally. And I'd like to know as a progressive Jew, on what level did it change you as a human being. I mean, how did it change you the most? Lawrence Bender:   I've been an active Jewish person for maybe 20, somewhere, 2025, years. I went to Israel My first time. I was ready. As far as I'm concerned. I was too old already to go for the first time. It was like 2003 I went with the Israeli policy forum, and we met with a lot of people there, and we ended up going to Ramallah, met with Abu Mazen, we went to Cairo and met with the president there, Barak, and met with a lot of people in Israel and so forth. And I've been involved one way or another for quite a while. But of course, October 7 was dramatic. Of course, I was safe in my house in Los Angeles, but I still watched in horror. And of course, October 8, it's just hard to understand what happened. It was the latent antisemitism, Jew hatred, that sits there. I still don't quite understand that.  It feels like antisemitism never went away, but it was underneath, and it just gave a good excuse to come out, and now the world is where it is. So yeah, for me, I became much more active than I was before. It became much more important to me, my Jewishness, my relationship to Israel. I want to protect Israel as much as I have that power to you know, whatever my ability is, like a lot of people, I know it's become a really important part of my existence, and it's like a new chapter in my life. I'm absolutely looking for more Jewish or Israeli projects. You know, I'm looking to do as much as possible in this area. Manya Brachear Pashman:   A number of your colleagues in Hollywood have proposed boycotting Israeli film festivals, institutions, projects, they're going the opposite direction that you are. And I'm curious if you had difficulty finding an American network to air this series, and what do you say when you confront colleagues who do want to boycott and are hostile toward Israel? Lawrence Bender:   You know, there's different groups of people. They're the true haters. I don't think that you can ever even have a conversation with them. There are people who just don't understand, and there's people you can and there are people who you know they're trying to be good people. They're trying to understand, like, What don't you understand about women being brutally raped and murdered? It's a little hard for me to understand that, actually. But there are a lot of good people who just are either confused or got too much of the wrong message.  But the one thing I would say straight up is, let's take an analogy. You know, there's very few people that I know that you see on TV, on any news show, that is very empathetic with the regime in Iran as an example, right? That means a brutal regime. If you're a liberal or if you're a conservative, there's very few people who support that regime here in this country, right? But they don't boycott their filmmakers, right? They actually give their filmmakers Academy Awards. So why is that with Israel? I feel like there's something very misguided here in Hollywood. Now, we got really lucky when it came to distribution. I just have to say, because we were supposed to go out to sell the show like it was fully financed from equity and from Keshet, who's the local Israeli. This is the biggest network in Israel, by the way. It's the biggest drama in Israel in the last decade. It really performed well there. But now we're going to go sell it here in the United States and the rest of the world, and it's early September, which is our deadline to do that, and Israel bombs Qatar, and then this boycott letter is signed. And I have to tell the investors. You know, it's like, this is not a good time. We cannot go sell. We're just gonna fail, and there's no second chances.  And you know, I was getting into dramatic arguments with my investors because they really felt strong. You got to be like that character in your show, the police officer is going to save his wife and you know, nothing's going to stop you. And I said, Yes, I'm with you. I developed that character I know in the Middle East arguments. I was at Skip Brittenham's memorial. Skip is like this beautiful man who was like the Mount Rushmore of lawyers here in LA. He's just a great human and one of those guys that wants to make deals, not just take everything and have the other guy get nothing. He was just like a he's just a real mensch, right? And well, loved anyway. Unfortunately, he passed, but I was at his memorial, and I ran into David Ellison. Now, I know David a little bit, not well, but I know him a little bit, and I also know that, you know, he loves Israel, from what I've read and so forth. And so I went up to him and said, Hey, man, we talked. I said, you got to know what I'm doing. And it probably got three words out of my mouth, and you can see him go, I'd love to see this. This sounds amazing, and sounds like it's exactly the timing we need.  And we sent him the material, and he watched every episode himself, and then he gave it to Cindy Holland, who runs paramount, plus his main person. And you know, they said, we do this. We want this. It would be an honor to be your partner in this is actually quite humbling. And it was an incredible moment for us to have David Ellison, Cindy Holland, say, hey. You know, we want this now. Then they said, We need to drop it. We want to drop all the episodes on October 7? Well, by the time they got those episodes, it was like two weeks to go before October 7, or a couple days before, because we couldn't give it to them in the midnight before October 7, obviously. And they had pretty much final picture edit, but we had temporary sound, temporary music, temporary effects, and so we had to work double triple shifts to get it done. But of course, we did. Manya Brachear Pashman:   This actually reminds me of a conversation I had with playwright, screenwriter, Oren softy for the Forgotten Exodus, which is a podcast series we did about Jews from the Middle East. He spoke about his father's side of the family, which hails from Aleppo, Syria, and he shared a lot of his frustrations with the modern anti Israel movement and sentiments in Hollywood, the protests which he's been trying to combat in theater and on the stage. And he actually said that investors had pulled out of a film project about Israel when tensions flared. So it's interesting to hear your investors took the opposite approach, but he told me in our conversations, he told me that being Jewish is about stepping up. That's how he sees it. It's about stepping up. And I'm curious if that rings true to you, and do you feel like this series and your plans to do more, is that your way of stepping up? Lawrence Bender:   Hmm, that's beautiful, and I'm so glad to hear you recount that story with him. I'd love to talk to him about that I feel like, without really understanding that it's built into me genetically, right? My grandparents, far as you go back, my family is Jewish, right? From Romania, from Hungary, from Minsk Belarus. So it's the way that you're brought up as a Jew. It's just always been a part of our lives, and we're pretty much taught that that's part of being Jewish, right? So, you know, I've always felt like it's important for me.  Now I tell you, you know, it's interesting, and I think about as we're talking so in the 90s, when I was getting started, and I was actually doing pretty well this one year, I had Good Will Hunting and Jackie Brown and a price above Rubens, those three movies, and things were going well, but I felt like something was missing in my life. And then we screened Good Will Hunting and Camp David in 1998 and it was an amazing moment. And that was like one of these light bulb moments for me. You know, I met the President and Mrs. Clinton and Madeleine Albright, Secretary of State, and Secretary of Defense, Sandy Berger and the Chief of Staff and Senate Majority Leader, and on and on, right? They're all there.    And it was Matt Damon, Ban Affleck, Gus Van Zant, Robin Williams, et cetera, et cetera, right? And I felt like these guys are making a difference, and that's what was missing in my life. And so since 1998 I've been always looking for ways that I'm and that's that's that becomes like a more of a fulfilling way of living right for myself. So yes, I would answer that. That's a long way to get to yes. Manya Brachear Pashman:   Wow, Camp David, that's awesome. Lawrence, thank you so much for joining us and for talking about the impetus behind this series. I encourage everyone to take some time, brace yourself emotionally, but do sit down and watch Red Alert. It is really quite worthwhile. Thank you so much. Lawrence Bender: Thank you. Manya Brachear Pashman:   If you missed last week's episode, be sure to tune in for my conversation with AJC colleague, Dr Alexandra Herzog, the granddaughter of Chaim Herzog, Israel's Irish born sixth president. She shared how an attempt by Dublin officials to strip her grandfather's name from a community park illustrates how criticism of Israel can veer into an effort to erase Jewish memory. As I mentioned in my conversation with Lawrence, it took some degree of wherewithal to watch Red Alert, as we've spent the last two years on this podcast speaking with the families of hostages, former hostages themselves, and survivors of the October 7 massacre. I've wanted nothing more than to make sure their voices are heard. We end this week's episode with the voice of Orna Neutra, the mother of Omer Neutra. Orna recently spoke at the AJC Long Island meeting, shortly after the return of her son's remains more than two years after his death, followed by a word from AJC Long Island Director Eric Post. Orna Neutra: When Omer was taken, our world collapsed. But something else happened too. People stood up. People showed up. And many of you here showed up. This community, the broader Long Island Jewish community, AJC, our friends, colleagues, neighbors, complete strangers, carried us. You wrote, you marched, you advocated, you pressured you called you consoled and refused to let the world look away. To our personal friends and honorees here tonight, Veronica, Laurie, and Michael, your leadership has not been symbolic. It has been practical, steady and deeply felt by our family.  Like you said, Veronica, on the first days when we were barely understanding what was going on, you connected us to Senator Schumer's office, and Michael, you helped us write a letter to the White House on October 8, and that was the first sign from hostage families that the White House received. We know that Secretary Blinken had the letter in his hands on October 8, indicating that Omer was probably a hostage.  And AJC as an organization, beyond your many actions and advocacy, I want to specifically acknowledge your DC team. It was mentioned here tonight, throughout our many, many, many visits to Capitol Hill, AJC professionals were instrumental. They arranged meetings, they walked us through endless hallways, opened doors, prepared us and stood beside us, and they're still doing that for us, and we will see them this week. Always professional, with purpose and humanity, and we will never forget that. Over these two years, we learned something essential: that when Jewish families are in danger, the responsibility belongs to all of us, across movements, across generations, across continents. This work is the work that AJC does every day. This is the work that everyone here in this room understands. Eric Post:  Since the horrors of October 7, AJC has been empowering leaders around the world to take action against antisemitism and stand with Israel. But we cannot succeed alone. Please consider supporting AJC's work with a year-end gift today. Right now, your gift will be matched, dollar-for-dollar, making double the impact.  Every gift matters. Every dollar makes a difference in the fight for a strong and secure Jewish future. Donate at AJC.org/donate – that's www - dot - AJC - dot org  slash donate.

On Tuesday's Mark Levin Show, there are many men and women who were crucial in America's founding whose names you probably never heard of before. Have you heard of William Samuel Johnson, Richard Bassett, or Jacob Broom? Did you know the Constitutional Convention was attended by 55 or 70 appointed delegates and only 39 of 55 signed the Constitution. Why? Some disagreed and thought it gave too much power to the central government. There are a lot of tremendous patriots, like Haym Salomon, who get no mention and they gave up everything for America. This is why Americans get angry when certain podcaster trash America or promote Middle East monarchies. Also, the FBI director signed two memoranda of understanding for sharing training and intelligence, providing Qatar with sophisticated U.S. military equipment and a facility on an Idaho air base—unprecedented for such a nation. Some will say ‘other countries have this with America' but ​not ​a ​country ​that ​was ​involved ​in ​9/11 and ​October ​7th. Later, the Democrats and their media think they've found a word and an issue in affordability. The Trump economy is already strong and certainly compared to the Biden disaster the president inherited. He has already driven inflation way down. Middle class incomes are up. Gasoline prices have dropped significantly. His entire focus has been on peace and prosperity -- that is, peace abroad and prosperity at home. If the Democrats want to campaign on affordability, bring it on. The bigger problem may well be the Woke Reich, who have made clear their intention to sabotage the GOP. If we lose the midterms, it will undoubtedly be due in significant part to them. Finally, we go live to Trump's speech in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We have chef & Instagram sensation John Gregory-Smith on the podcast this week! John brought round the most delicious monkfish curry and beef coconut rice from his brand new traybake cookbook, and mum made a gorgeous pear and chocolate tart for pud. We laughed non-stop with John - he told us about training to cook with Gordon Ramsey, his absolute love of Christmas, how to make the perfect festive gravy, eating his way round the Middle East, the ultimate kitchen gadgets, when Delia Smith introduced him to pesto, and why East 17 play a very important part in his family's Christmas traditions! Thank you for the most delicious lunch John, that recipe is absolutely going straight on the regular meal list! John's brand new cook book ‘The Greatest Traybake Cookbook ever' is released on the 29th January, and available to pre-order now! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam Yenser is a stand-up comedian. He's currently on tour with dates at The Emmaus Theatre in Pennsylvania on Dec 26 and Caesar's Republic in Lake Tahoe, CA from Jan 2–4. Check out his YouTube show The Cancelled News, and follow him on Instagram @adamyenser and on X @cleancomedian69.Macey Isaacs is a stand-up comedian. Her special Half Sister is available now exclusively at drybarcomedy.com. Find more at maceyisaacs.com and follow her on Instagram @maceyisaacs.IN THE NEWS: A Cinnabon worker in Wisconsin was fired after video surfaced of her hurling racist slurs at two customers, prompting swift backlash and a public statement from the company condemning the incident. Ben Stiller, Simu Liu, Alec Baldwin, and others are rallying around Paul Dano after Quentin Tarantino slammed him as the “weakest male actor” and a “non-entity” in There Will Be Blood, sparking a wider debate about harsh director criticism. Meanwhile, Bill Maher and Ana Kasparian got into a fiery on-air clash over Islam and the Middle East, with Maher pressing her to name a Muslim-majority city she'd rather live in than Tel Aviv as they battled over religion, culture, and blame.Get it on!Subscribe to The Adam Carolla Show on Substack: https://adamcarolla.substack.com/FOR MORE WITH ADAM YENSER:TOUR: Dec 26 - The Emmaus Theatre - PA Jan 2-4 - Caesar's Republic - Lake Tahoe CA YOUTUBE SHOW: The Cancelled NewsINSTAGRAM: @adamyenser TWITTER: @cleancomedian69 FOR MORE WITH MACEY ISAACS:SPECIAL: Half SisterAvailable Now exclusively on Dry BarINSTAGRAM: @maceyisaacsWEBSITE: maceyisaacs.comFOR MORE WITH JASON “MAYHEM” MILLER: INSTAGRAM & TWITTER: @mayhemmillerWEBSITE: www.mayhemnow.comLIVE SHOWS: December 11 - Fort Lauderdale, FLDecember 12 - Miami, FL (2 shows)December 13 - Miami, FL (2 shows)December 14 - Fort Lauderdale, FLThank you for supporting our sponsors:BetOnline​Exclusive $35 off Carver Mat at https://on.auraframes.com/CAROLLA. Promo Code CAROLLALive Better Longer with BUBS Naturals. For A limited time get 20% Off your entire order with code Adam at Bubsnaturals.comHomes.comForThePeople.com/Adamoreillyauto.com/ADAMpluto.tvSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.