Podcasts about middle eastern

Newt talks with Yaakov Katz, former editor-in-chief of The Jerusalem Post, about President Trump's decision to deploy B-2 bombers to strike Iranian nuclear facilities, leading to a ceasefire between Israel and Iran. Their discussion examines the implications of these bombings on Middle Eastern geopolitics, Israel's military strategy, and the potential for lasting peace. Katz highlights the historic nature of the U.S. and Israeli military actions, the strategic dismantling of Iran's nuclear capabilities, and the broader impact on regional stability. They also talk about the challenges of achieving regime change in Iran, the role of Sunni Arab states, and the future of Gaza post-conflict. Katz emphasizes the need for a new governing entity in Gaza and the importance of deradicalization for lasting peace.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NYC Democratic mayoral primary. Bombing in Iran. Newsboys' Michael Tait scandal.  Find us on YouTube.     This week, Mike Cosper and Russell Moore discuss the results of the New York City Democratic mayoral primary and the projected win of democratic socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani. Michael Wear joins to discuss the implications for the larger Democratic party. Yossi Klein Halevi and CT's Israel correspondent Jill Nelson join to talk about the United States' bombing of Iran and the possibilities of peace in the region. Lastly, CT's chief operating officer Nicole Martin joins us to discuss former Newsboys member Michael Tait and his history of abuse.        GO DEEPER WITH THE BULLETIN:  Join the conversation at our Substack.  Find us on YouTube.  Rate and review the show in your podcast app of choice.  ABOUT THE GUESTS:   Michael Wear is the founder, president, and CEO of the Center for Christianity and Public Life. Wear is the author of The Spirit of Our Politics: Spiritual Formation and the Renovation of Public Life. He writes for The Atlantic, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Catapult magazine, Christianity Today, and other publications on faith, politics, and culture. Yossi Klein Halevi is a senior fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem. He codirects the Institute's Muslim Leadership Initiative, which teaches emerging young Muslim American leaders about Judaism, Jewish identity, and Israel. He writes for leading op-ed pages in the US, including The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, and is a former contributing editor to The New Republic.  Jill Nelson is Christianity Today's Ukraine and Israel correspondent. She holds a master's in Middle Eastern studies from the University of Texas and began her journalism career as a reporter and anchor in South Dakota. For nearly 20 years, she covered Ukraine and the Middle East for World News Group.  Nicole Martin serves Christianity Today as chief operating officer. She is the author of several books including Nailing It: Why Successful Leadership Demands Suffering and Surrender and Made to Lead: Empowering Women for Ministry. ABOUT THE BULLETIN:  The Bulletin is a twice-weekly politics and current events show from Christianity Today moderated by Clarissa Moll, with senior commentary from Russell Moore (Christianity Today's editor in chief) and Mike Cosper (director, CT Media). Each week, the show explores current events and breaking news and shares a Christian perspective on issues that are shaping our world. We also offer special one-on-one conversations with writers, artists, and thought leaders whose impact on the world brings important significance to a Christian worldview, like Bono, Sharon McMahon, Harrison Scott Key, Frank Bruni, and more.    The Bulletin listeners get 25% off CT. Go to https://orderct.com/THEBULLETIN to learn more.    “The Bulletin” is a production of Christianity Today Producer: Clarissa Moll Associate Producer: Alexa Burke Editing and Mix: TJ Hester Music: Dan Phelps 'Executive Producers: Erik Petrik and Mike Cosper   Senior Producer: Matt Stevens Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on The Officials, Will and Ed unpack one of the most volatile weeks in recent oil market memory, as geopolitical theatre and contractual chaos collide. With crude prices swinging wildly and trust in Middle Eastern supply chains under fire, they dive into:The aggressive $10+ sell-off after Iran's retaliatory strikesWhy the market rallied first - then collapsedWhat the “Trump call” and “China put” mean for price floorsHow a 20% under-delivery from ADNOC has shaken physical marketsWhy traders are facing $10–12 million losses on hedged cargoesThe mechanics of operational tolerance—and how ADNOC may have broken themGrowing fear that IFAD's credibility is at risk (some say it's “dead”)What this means for Murban futures and the broader pricing structure Will and Ed also explore whether this was just a one-off allocation miss - or something more serious that could fracture trust in the Gulf's benchmark systems. 

P.M. Edition for June 26. With a weakened Iran and a strengthened Israel, Middle Eastern countries are re-evaluating their diplomatic ties. We hear from WSJ foreign correspondent Stephen Kalin about whatt his means for the region and its economy. Plus, oil companies are urging President Trump to push back on the European Union's environmental rules. Reporter Collin Eaton discusses the influence that oil companies have in President Trump's second term. And, after more than three decades, Anna Wintour steps down as editor in chief of American Vogue. Alex Ossola hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Truth Be Told with Booker Scott – Fear of a global conflict spurred by bunker-busting bombs proved misplaced as regional proxies clashed without triggering WWIII. A dissenting faction within the Trump base misread strategic strikes against Iranian allies—Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis. Evidenced by surrounding nations' restraint and vital oil routes, America's decisive action reinforced a Middle Eastern coalition and America First...

With the World Bank awarding $150 million to Syria and $250 million to Lebanon in order to help the two Middle Eastern countries infrastructures redevelop after turbulent periods, we discuss what needs to be done to grow their economic confidence. Ed Butler finds out how so-called ticket-pullers are employing teams of people to make millions of dollars through scalping tickets from top UK concerts. And after years of liberalised rules on cannabis, how Thailand may be thinking of cracking down once more on legal weed. The latest business and finance news from around the world, on the BBC.

In this episode of the STR Data Lab, Jamie Lane and co-host Scott Sage discuss short-term rental trends and market performance for the month of May. Jamie shares insights from his personal experiences managing his short-term rental property in the North Georgia Mountains.  The discussion highlights a 6% year-over-year increase in STR listings, a 1% dip in occupancy, a 6% rise in ADR, and a 4.8% growth in RevPAR. They note that while nights booked are slightly down by 0.3%, shorter lead times for bookings are contributing to this trend. The conversation covers the implications of global events on travel and the STR market, including potential impacts on bookings from increased oil prices due to Middle Eastern conflicts. Jamie addresses how the economic landscape, job growth, and consumer confidence are influencing the industry. A key takeaway is that although demand and occupancy are fluctuating, shorter booking windows are becoming the norm.  Scott and Jamie also analyze review scores based on operator size, revealing that smaller operators tend to have higher review scores but larger operators are improving the most year-over-year. They attribute this to both Airbnb's efforts to remove underperforming listings and operators becoming more attentive to review management. The episode concludes with advice for hosts and managers to adapt their pricing and booking strategies based on these trends, encouraging vigilance and real-time market analysis to remain competitive. You don't want to miss this episode! ~~~~ Signup for AirDNA for FREE

If you're looking for business advisory services for your coffee business, email Map It Forward at support@mapitforward.org••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••This is the 4th of a five-part series on the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast with Osamah Alawwam, co-founder of The Roasting House based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.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/tYt8XGBApxg2. Building The Roasting House - https://youtu.be/RuFGBUCSoUw3. The Role Of Specialty Coffee In Brazil - https://youtu.be/ngSV0QKHdkc4. Converting Brazilians to Specialty Coffee Drinkers - https://youtu.be/7j11s2LkjEc5. The Sins of the Past for Brazilian Coffee - https://youtu.be/lCHADKasV3oIn this episode of the series, Lee and Osamah discuss the cultural barriers and challenges faced by business owners in the Middle Eastern specialty coffee industry.They cover difficulties such as initiating customer interactions across genders, the impact of cultural awareness, and the importance of owner involvement in the success of businesses. The episode also touches upon the role of social media in the coffee industry and delves into generational business dynamics and the complexities of entrepreneurship.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

Alex Traiman, CEO of Jewish News Syndicate, joins Sid to discuss the political and military situation in Israel now that the President Trump moderated ceasefire between the Jewish state and Iran. Traiman touches on the precision strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities by President Trump, before he talks about Israel's strategic military actions and the public's perception of Trump in Israel. Traiman highlights the significant military victories against Iranian proxies and the potential future normalization agreements with other Middle Eastern countries.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From NATO this week, it sure sounds like it. Trump was also heralded highly in the Middle Eastern nations of Qatar, UAE and Saudi Arabia a month ago, but is Obama more liked by Europe? How do you define respect?

Over the last two weeks, an online battle has broken out among the New Right over the Israel-Iran conflict and the Trump administration's bombing of an Iranian nuclear facility. Regardless of whether the recent ceasefire between Iran and Israel holds, the events so far have drawn clear dividing lines within the coalition. What does "America First" mean for Middle Eastern policy?Josh Hammer, author of Israel and Civilization, and Sohrab Ahmari, U.S. editor of UnHerd, join Oren to debate the wisdom of Trump's attack, the limits of Jacksonian restrictionist foreign policy, and how to think about the U.S. relationship with Israel. The group unpacks the intricacies of what a post-hegemonic world order actually looks like in the Middle East, and how best to respond to what could come next.Further reading:“Is Israel the Ideal 'America First' Ally?” by Oren Cass

If you're looking for business advisory services for your coffee business, email Map It Forward at support@mapitforward.org••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••This is the 3rd of a five-part series on the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast with Osamah Alawwam, co-founder of The Roasting House based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.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/tYt8XGBApxg2. Building The Roasting House - https://youtu.be/RuFGBUCSoUw3. The Role Of Specialty Coffee In Brazil - https://youtu.be/ngSV0QKHdkc4. Converting Brazilians to Specialty Coffee Drinkers - https://youtu.be/7j11s2LkjEc5. The Sins of the Past for Brazilian Coffee - https://youtu.be/lCHADKasV3oIn this episode of the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast, Lee Safar and Osamah discuss the multifaceted challenges and opportunities within the Middle Eastern business ecosystems. They explore issues like saudiization, the global financial crisis, and the impact of COVID-19 on the coffee industry. Osamah shares insights on how the coffee business can navigate difficulties, adapt to logistical issues, and embrace local talent. Additionally, they highlight the cultural challenges of employing locals in roles such as baristas and the immense professional growth available within the coffee industry. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the dynamics shaping the Middle Eastern coffee scene and valuable lessons on resilience and innovation.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

Dive into the current crisis in Iran with Joseph Daher! Dominic and Joseph discuss the US and Israel's strategic operations, Iran's response and regional implications these might have, the global consequences and international reactions, the potential for an outright regional war, the nuclear ambitions of Iran, regional security and the growing insecurity, the role of global powers and more!Joseph Daher is a Swiss-Syrian academic and activist. He currently teaches at the University of Lausanne (Switzerland), and at the University of Ghent (Belgium) and has been an affiliated professor at the European University Institute(EUI). He has worked with the EUI on the conflict in Syria and the aftermath of the war. Herewith Joseph has published multiple papers, which aimed to produce quality, strategic and accurate reports and analysis of wartime perspectives, challenges, trends and policy options in anticipation of post-conflict stabilisation in Syria.Moreover, Joseph is an expert on Syria, Lebanon, and the Middle East, and has worked for various UN Agencies, NGO's and research centers in consulting and expert mandates to conduct programs, trainings, and research for them. He is the author of three books: Hezbollah: The Political Economy of Lebanon's Party of God, Syria After the Uprising: The Political Economy of State Resilience and Palestine and Marxism . Finally, he is the founder of the blog Syria Freedom Forever. He is also co-founder of the Alliance of Middle Eastern and North African Socialists.The International Risk Podcast is a must-listen for senior executives, board members, and risk advisors. This weekly podcast dives deep into international relations, emerging risks, and strategic opportunities. Hosted by Dominic Bowen, Head of Strategic Advisory at one of Europe's top risk consulting firms, the podcast brings together global experts to share insights and actionable strategies.Dominic's 20+ years of experience managing complex operations in high-risk environments, combined with his role as a public speaker and university lecturer, make him uniquely positioned to guide these conversations. From conflict zones to corporate boardrooms, he explores the risks shaping our world and how organisations can navigate them.The International Risk Podcast – Reducing risk by increasing knowledge.Follow us on LinkedIn  and Instagram for all our great updates.Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly briefs.Tell us what you liked!

Frank's focus during the June episode of Geopolitics was on analyzing the fluid situation in the Middle East following Israel's 12-day war with Iran and the US's decision to bomb Iran's nuclear facilities. Stepping back to the catalyst event for this war, Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu's order to take out Iranian military leaders, Frank believes this decision is more about Netanyahu's political survival than a tactical move to take advantage of a weakened group of Iranian proxies. The Iranian-Israel war also took center stage at the recent G7 Summit hosted by Canadian Prime Minister Carney, an event partially hijacked by President Trump's decision to leave early to address the Middle Eastern unrest. Prior to his departure, Trump did meet with Carney and the two leaders agreed to work out a comprehensive bi-lateral trade and security agreement within 30 days, an announcement that brings with it some skepticism as to what such an agreement will look like and whether Section 899 tax issues will be included. The conversation ends where it always seems to end, with Frank continuing to be more bullish on his beloved Blue Jays than the host. This podcast was recorded on June 24, 2025. Chapter Headings: 03:08 President Trump's Attack on Iran10:28 Political Calculus for Trump's Iran Missive16:00 Netanyahu's Decision to Open Another War Flank with Iran20:03 Trump's G-7 Departure and Relationship with Carney24:46 Evaluating Carney's Decision to Invite India's Moti to G-731:10 The Latest on Section 89935:50 Is Danielle Smith Setting the Bar Too High with BC Pipeline Chatter? For relevant disclosures, visit: tdsecurities.com/ca/en/legal#PodcastDisclosure. To learn more about TD Securities, visit us at tdsecurities.com or follow us on LinkedIn @tdsecurities.

The United States struck Iran's nuclear facilities, entering America into the Middle Eastern conflict. So what happens now? Jesse Kelly gives his take on it all. Mike Cernovich joins the show to warn of a massive propaganda campaign already taking place. Plus, some devastating news for Democrats as Kamala Harris plots her next move. John Phillips joins Jesse to discuss. I'm Right with Jesse Kelly on The First TV | 6-23-25 Beam: Visit https://shopbeam.com/JESSEKELLY and use code JESSEKELLY to get our exclusive discount of up to 40% off. Choq: Visit https://choq.com/jessetv for a 17.76% discount on your CHOQ subscription for lifeFollow The Jesse Kelly Show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheJesseKellyShowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

PREVIEW MIGRATION: Colleague Judy Dempsey in Berlin comments on the Middle Eastern and Central Asian refugees fleeing strike and arriving in Germany without permission. More. 1898 BERLIN

This week we talk about OPEC, the Seven Sisters, and the price of oil.We also discuss fracking, Israel and Iran's ongoing conflict, and energy exports.Recommended Book: Thirteen Ways to Kill Lulabelle Rock by Maud WoolfTranscriptThe global oil market changed substantially in the early 2000s as a pair of innovations—horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing—helped the plateauing US oil and gas market boom, unlocking a bunch of shale oil and gas deposits that were previously either entirely un-utilizable, or too expensive to exploit.This same revolution changed markets elsewhere, too, including places like Western Canada, which also has large shale oil and gas deposits, but the US, and especially the southern US, and even more especially the Permian Basin in Texas, has seen simply staggering boosts to output since those twin-innovations were initially deployed on scale.This has changed all sorts of dynamics, both locally, where these technologies and approaches have been used to tap ever-more fossil fuel sources, and globally, as previous power dynamics related to such resources have been rewired.Case in point, in the second half of the 20th century, OPEC, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, which is a predominantly Middle Eastern oil cartel that was founded by Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela in 1960, was a dominant force in geopolitics, as they collaboratively set global oil prices, and thus, were able to pull the strings connected to elections, war, and economic outcomes in nations around the world.If oil prices suddenly spiked, that could cause an incumbent leader in a country a hemisphere away to lose their next election, and if anyone threatened one of their number, they could conceivably hold back resources from that country until they cooled down.Before OPEC formed and established their position of primacy in global energy exports, the so-called Seven Sisters corporations, which consisted of a bunch of US and European companies that had basically stepped in and took control of global oil rights in the early 20th century, including oil rights across the Middle East, were the loci of power in this space, controlling about 85% of the world's petroleum reserves as of the early 1970s.That same decade, though, a slew of governments that hosted Seven Sisters facilities and reserves nationalized these assets, which in practice made all these reserves and the means of exploiting them the government's property, and in most cases they were then reestablished under new, government-controlled companies, like Saudi Aramco in Saudi Arabia and the National Iranian Oil Company in Iran.In 1973 and 1979, two events in the Middle East—the Yom Kippur War, during which pretty much all of Israel's neighbors launched a surprise attack against Israel, and the Iranian Revolution, when the then-leader of Iran, the Shah, who was liberalizing the country while also being incredibly corrupt, was overthrown by the current government, the militantly Islamist Islamic Republic of Iran—those two events led to significant oil export interruptions that triggered oil shortages globally, because of how dominant this cartel had become.This shortage triggered untold havoc in many nations, especially those that were growing rapidly in the post-WWII, mid-Cold War world, because growth typically requires a whole lot of energy for all the manufacturing, building, traveling around, and for basic, business and individual consumption: keeping the lights on, cooking, and so on.This led to a period of stagflation, and in fact the coining of the term, stagflation, but it also led to a period of heightened efficiency, because nations had to learn how to achieve growth and stability without using so much energy, and it led to a period of all these coming-out-of-stagflation and economic depression nations trying to figure out how to avoid having this happen again.So while OPEC and other oil-rich nations were enjoying a period of relative prosperity, due in part to those elevated energy prices—after the initial downsides of those conflicts and revolutions had calmed, anyway—other parts of the world were making new and more diversified deals, and were looking in their own backyards to try to find more reliable suppliers of energy products.Parts of the US were already major oil producers, if not at the same scale as these Middle Eastern giants in the latter portion of the 20th century, and many non-OPEC producers in the US, alongside those in Norway and Mexico, enjoyed a brief influx of revenue because of those higher oil prices, but they, like those OPEC nations, suffered a downswing when prices stabilized; and during that price collapse, OPEC's influence waned.So in the 1980s, onward, the previous paradigm of higher oil prices led to a surge in production globally, everyone trying to take advantage of those high prices to invest in more development and production assets, and that led to a glut of supply that lowered prices, causing a lot of these newly tapped wells to go under, a lot of cheating by OPEC members, and all of the more established players to make far less per barrel of oil than was previously possible.By 1986, oil prices had dropped by nearly half from their 1970s peak, and though prices spiked again in 1990 in response to Iraq's invasion of fellow OPEC-member Kuwait, that spike only last about nine months, and it was a lot less dramatic than those earlier, 70s-era spikes; though it was still enough to trigger a recession in the US and several other countries, and helped pave the way for investment in those technologies and infrastructure that would eventually lead to the US's shale-oil and gas revolution.What I'd like to talk about today is the precariousness of the global oil and gas market right now, at a moment of significantly heightened tensions, and a renewed shooting conflict, in the Middle East.—As of the day I'm recording this, the Islamic Republic of Iran is still governing Iran, and that's an important point to make as while Israel's official justification for launching a recent series of attacks against Iran's military and nuclear production infrastructure is that they don't want Iran to make a nuclear weapon, it also seems a whole lot like they might be aiming to instigate regime change, as well.Israel and Iran's conflict with each other is long-simmering, and this is arguably just the most recent and extreme salvo in a conflict dating back to at least 2024, but maybe earlier than that, too, all the way back to the late-70s or early 80s, if you string all the previous conflicts together into one deconstructed mega-conflict. If you want to know more about that, listen to last week's episode, where I got deeper into the specifics of their mutual dislike.Today, though, I'd like to focus on an issue that is foundational to pretty much every other geopolitical and economic happening, pretty much always, and that's energy. And more specifically, the availability, accessibility, and price of energy resources like oil and gas.We've reached a point, globally, where about 40% of all electricity is generated by renewables, like solar panels, wind turbines, and hydropower-generating dams.That's a big deal, and while the majority of that supply is coming from China, and while it falls short of where we need to be to avoid the worst-case consequences of human-amplified climate change, that growth is really incredible, and it's beginning to change the nature of some of our conflicts and concerns; many of the current economic issues between the US and China, these days are focused on rare earths, for instance, which are required for things like batteries and other renewables infrastructure.That said, oil and gas still enable the modern economy, and that's true almost everywhere, even today. And while the US changed the nature of the global oil and gas industries by heavily investing in both, and then rewired the global energy market by convincing many of its allies to switch to US-generated oil and gas, rather than relying on supplies from Russia, in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine a few years ago, a whole lot of these resources still come from at-times quite belligerent regimes, and many of these regimes are located in the Middle East, and belong to OPEC.Iran is one such belligerent regime.As of 2025, Iran is the 9th largest producer of oil in the world, and it holds 24% of the Middle East's and about 12% of the world's proven oil reserves—that's the total volume of oil underground that could be pumped at some point. It's got the world's 3rd largest proven crude oil reserves and it exports about 2 million barrels of crude and refined oil every day. It also has the world's second-largest proven natural gas reserves.Iran isn't as reliant on oil and gas exports as some of its neighbors, but it still pulled in about $53 billion in net oil exports each year as of 2023; which is a lot less than what it could be making, as international sanctions have made it difficult for Iran to fully exploit its reserves. But that's still a huge chunk of its total income.This is important to note because Israel's recent series of attacks on Iran, in addition to taking out a lot of their military leaders, weapons manufacturing facilities, and nuclear research facilities, have also targeted Iran's oil and gas production and export capacity, including large gas plants, fuel depots, and oil refineries, some located close to Tehran in the northern part of the country, and some down on its southwestern coast, where a huge portion of Iran's gas is processed.In light of these attacks, Iran's leaders have said they may close the Strait of Hormuz, though which most of their exports pass—and the Strait of Hormuz is the only marine entryway into the Persian Gulf; nearly 20% of all globally consumed oil passes through this 90-mile-wide stretch of water before reaching international markets; it's a pretty vital waterway that Iran partially controls because its passes by its southern coast.Fuel prices already ticked up by about 9% following Israel's initial strikes into Iran this past week, and there's speculation that prices could surge still-higher, especially following US President Trump's decision to strike several Iran nuclear facilities, coming to Israel's aide, as Israel doesn't possess the ‘bunker-buster' bombs necessary to penetrate deep enough into the earth to damage or destroy many of these facilities.As of Monday this week, oil markets are relatively undisrupted, and if any export flows were to be upset, it would probably just be Iran's, and that would mostly hurt China, which is Iran's prime oil customer, as most of the rest of the world won't deal with them due to export sanctions.That said, there's a possibility that Iran will decide to respond to the US coming to Israel's aid not by striking US assets directly, which could pull the US deeper into the conflict, but instead by disrupting global oil and gas prices, which could lead to knock-on effects that would be bad for the US economy, and the US's relationships with other nations.The straightest path to doing this would be to block the Strait of Hormuz, and they could do this by positioning ships and rocket launchers to strike anything passing through it, while also heavily mining the passage itself, and they've apparently got plenty of mines ready to do just that, should they choose that path.This approach has been described by analysts as the strategic equivalent of a suicide bombing, as blocking the Strait would disrupt global oil and gas markets, hurting mostly Asia, as China, India, South Korea, Japan, and other Asian destinations consume something like 80% of the oil that passes through it, but that would still likely raise energy prices globally, which can have a lot of knock-on effects, as we saw during those energy crises I mentioned in the intro.It would hurt Iran itself more than anyone, though, as almost all of their energy products pass through this passage before hitting global markets, and such a move could help outside entities, including the US, justify further involvement in the conflict, where they otherwise might choose to sit it out and let Israel settle its own scores.Such energy market disruption could potentially benefit Russia, which has an energy resource-reliant economy that suffers when oil and gas prices are low, but flourishes when they're high. The Russian government probably isn't thrilled with Israel's renewed attacks on one of its allies, but based on its lack of response to Syria's collapse—the former Syrian government also being an ally of Russia—it's possible they can't or won't do much to directly help Iran right now, but they probably wouldn't complain if they were suddenly able to charge a lot more per barrel of oil, and if customers like China and India were suddenly a lot more reliant on the resources they're producing.Of course, such a move could also enrich US energy companies, though potentially at the expense of the American citizen, and thus at the expense of the Trump administration. Higher fuel prices tend to lead to heightened inflation, and more inflation tends to keep interest rates high, which in turn slows the economy. A lot of numbers could go in the opposite direction from what the Trump administration would like to see, in other words, and that could result in a truly bad outcome for Republicans in 2026, during congressional elections that are already expected to be difficult for the incumbent party.Even beyond the likely staggering human costs of this renewed conflict in the Middle East, then, there are quite a few world-scale concerns at play here, many of which at least touch on, and some of which are nearly completely reliant on, what happens to Iran's oil and gas production assets, and to what degree they decide to use these assets, and the channels through which they pass, in a theoretical asymmetric counterstrike against those who are menacing them.Show Noteshttps://archive.is/20250616111212/https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/an-overview-irans-energy-industry-infrastructure-2025-02-04/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/6/15/which-iranian-oil-and-gas-fields-has-israel-hit-and-why-do-they-matterhttps://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/6/17/mapping-irans-oil-and-gas-sites-and-those-attacked-by-israelhttps://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2025/6/13/oil-markets-are-spooked-as-iran-israel-tensions-escalatehttps://archive.is/20250620143813/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-06-20/eu-abandons-proposal-to-lower-price-cap-on-russian-oil-to-45https://apnews.com/article/russia-economy-recession-ukraine-conflict-9d105fd1ac8c28908839b01f7d300ebdhttps://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/22/business/us-iran-oil.htmlhttps://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvg9r4q99g4ohttps://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/04/clean-energy-electricity-nature-and-climate-stories-this-week/https://archive.is/20250622121310/https://www.ft.com/content/67430fac-2d47-4b3b-9928-920ec640638ahttps://oilprice.com/Energy/Crude-Oil/Oil-Markets-Brace-for-Impact-After-US-Attacks-Iran-Facilities.htmlhttps://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/22/business/energy-environment/iran-oil-gas-markets.htmlhttps://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=65504&utm_medium=PressOpshttps://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/22/business/stocks-us-iran-bombing.htmlhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Oilhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fracking_in_Canadahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fracking_in_the_United_Stateshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petroleum_in_the_United_Stateshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shale_gas_in_the_United_Stateshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yom_Kippur_Warhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iranian_Revolutionhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1970s_energy_crisishttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1990_oil_price_shockhttps://www.strausscenter.org/energy-and-security-project/the-u-s-shale-revolution/https://archive.is/20250416153337/https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/us-crude-oil-output-peak-by-2027-eia-projects-2025-04-15/https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/030415/how-does-price-oil-affect-stock-market.asp This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letsknowthings.substack.com/subscribe

Congressman Mike Lawler calls in to offer a deep dive into complex Middle Eastern geopolitics, focusing on recent military actions and the ensuing and fragile ceasefire between Israel and Iran. Lawler critiques various aspects of international and domestic policies, stating he supports the tactical strikes executed by Israel and the US on Iran's nuclear facilities and criticizes Democrats for their inconsistent stance on military actions. The conversation transitions to local New York politics, where Lawler denounces the current leadership and potential mayoral candidates, expressing strong support for Curtis Sliwa, before the conversation wraps up with Lawler addressing his intentions and strategic considerations around a possible run for New York governor next year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the wake of a decisive US strike on Iran's nuclear weapons facilities, many questions are being asked. Did Donald Trump make the right call? What about the intelligence? Is this the start of US military action in Iran or a one-off? And what are the implications for Gaza, the region, and Iran in the coming months?Kenneth M. Pollack, PhD., is Vice President for Policy at the Middle East Institute. Previously he was a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), where he worked on Middle Eastern political-military affairs, focusing in particular on Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and the Gulf countries. Dr. Pollack has also worked on long-term issues related to Middle Eastern political and military affairs for the Joint Chiefs of Staff when he was a senior research professor at the Institute for National Security Studies at National Defense University.Read the transcript here.Subscribe to our Substack here.

This episode forms part of a new strand of our podcast: Seapower Past and Present which explores seapower as it is understood and practised in the modern world whilst offering a historical perspective on the themes we explore. Each episode is chosen according to a theme or a location – a hotspot in the modern world where seapower has a major influence on geopolitics. So if you enjoy this episode do please seek out others in this strand – you will shortly be able to find episodes on economic warfare, critical national infrastructure, how technology is changing the nature of warfare at sea; and on hugely significant locations in the modern maritime world – the Black Sea, South China Sea, Middle East and Arctic.To make this series come alive we've teamed up with the Royal Navy Strategic Studies Centre. In each episode you will hear from at least one historian and from at least one practitioner, a member of the armed forces who has direct first hand, personal experience of the topic being discussed.For this episode our host Dr Sam Willis is joined by Dr Ziya Meral Senior Associate Fellow of the Royal United Services Institute and lecturer at the International oriental studies. He is an expert on global trends shaping defence and security, climate change and security, Turkey and Middle Eastern countries, and intersection of religion with global affairs. The second guest in this episode is Commander Edward Black of the Royal Navy. He is the First Sea Lord's Visiting Fellow at Royal United Services. As a Mine Clearance Diving Officer Commander Black has served extensively abroad including Operational Tours in Afghanistan and Bahrain; Loan Service with the Royal Navy of Oman; as Defence Attaché in Mali and Deputy Defence Advisor in Kenya. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Marjorie Taylor Greene went ballistic on Donald Trump over the weekend for his decision to bomb Iran, potentially entering the United States in another Middle Eastern conflict based on lies. Greene went on an epic rant about how the US was never attacked by Iran and how there is no real justification for anything that's happening, clearly telling us that Trump is lying without having to use that language. A furious Donald Trump launched a verbal assault on Republican Representative Thomas Massie from Kentucky on Sunday, calling him a "pathetic loser" for opposing him on a few issues. Not long after the verbal attack, it was revealed that Trump has launched a new Super PAC with the sole purpose of funding a primary challenger to Massie in next year's midterm elections. This will be a test to see how much sway Trump actually has.During an interview on Meet The Press over the weekend, Vice President JD Vance attempted to calm Americans' fears about a potential war with Iran by telling us that this was nothing like the lead up to the Iraq War. But his statement didn't leave anyone feeling better, as Vance claimed that the difference was that back then we had leaders who were "dumb." While that may be true, we also have leaders today who are very, very dumb, and Americans know that.A top political analyst believes that White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is about to hit her breaking point after just 5 months on the job. Salon's Amanda Marcotte said that the signs are there that Leavitt is struggling to keep her head above water, and that a breakdown could potentially come at any minute. This is likely going to happen before the end of the year, but that doesn't mean that we'll be free of Leavitt for good. Text and and let us know your thoughts on today's stories!Subscribe to our YouTube channel to stay up to date on all of Farron's content: https://www.youtube.com/FarronBalancedFollow Farron on social media! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FarronBalanced Twitter: https://twitter.com/farronbalanced Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/farronbalanced TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@farronbalanced?lang=en

In this episode, we're diving into Arab cultural customs and traditions — the ones we love, the ones that stress us out, and the ones we're ready to cancel. We love our culture: the food, the family vibes, the hospitality, the random rules no one really explains — but let's be honest, not everything needs to stick around forever.Come hang with us as we figure out which parts of Arab culture we're keeping, and which ones we're letting go.Support the showBecome a supporter of the show: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1786960/supportFollow us on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook @ObnoxiouslyPleasantFollow us on Twitter @TheOP_Podcast

Send us a textWhen American B-2 bombers struck three Iranian nuclear facilities, they didn't just destroy buildings—they dramatically reshaped the Middle Eastern geopolitical landscape. This watershed moment represents America's full entry into the Israel-Iran conflict, moving beyond defensive missile interception to offensive strikes on Iranian soil.The fallout has been swift and multifaceted. President Trump warned Iran against retaliation while simultaneously expressing frustration with Israel for violating a negotiated ceasefire. "I'm not happy with Israel," Trump declared bluntly. "You don't go out in the first hour and just drop everything you have on them." This rare public criticism of Israeli actions reveals the complex dynamics at play as America attempts to navigate its role in this volatile conflict.Perhaps most fascinating is the deep split within Trump's own political base. Traditional hawks celebrate while the more isolationist "America First" wing sounds alarms about mission creep. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene didn't mince words: "Americans all over the world are seriously questioning if this is going to be World War Three." Meanwhile, former advisor Steve Bannon warned of a "bait and switch to please neocon warmongers." This internal struggle mirrors broader questions about America's proper role in Middle Eastern conflicts.The mainstream media's coverage has been particularly troubling. Networks provided almost exclusively pro-war perspectives, with supposed progressives like Van Jones joining neoconservatives in cheerleading military action. This propaganda machine eerily resembles the lead-up to previous Middle Eastern wars, raising the question: Have we learned nothing from our past interventions?Professor Jeffrey Sachs provides essential context by explaining that this moment represents the culmination of Netanyahu's "30-year mission to drag the United States into war with Iran." His analysis, paired with historical perspectives from voices like Noam Chomsky, offers a sobering counterpoint to the media's war drums.As tensions remain high, now is the time to engage critically with America's Middle East policy. What are the true costs of this escalation? And who stands to benefit? Follow the Darrell McLean Show for ongoing analysis that cuts through tribalism to find reasoned common ground. Support the show

In this very frank and open conversation Mohamad Baitie talks about how color reflects cultural heritage, the decolonization of design, and the desire to be seen. This podcast is a look into Middle Eastern aesthetics challenging Western norms and reclaiming visual identity. With a master's Degree in interior architecture, Mohamad Baitie has an expansive knowledge of color, color forecasting, color design and architectural coatings. Mohamad was born in Lebanon and grew up in Accra, Ghana, constantly moving with the family and being exposed to different cultures. His first encounter with color came through a dual interaction, Smarties and Lego. He was constantly amazed by how color shapes objects and defines the way we interact with them. Architecture was his obvious choice, where color, light and shadow are intertwined.Today, with over 22 years of experience in marketing and communication in the paint industry, working for one of the top multinational paint brands as Business Development Director, GLC Paints. He has led the brand identity transformation of GLC Paints and is thoroughly involved in product research and development within the organization. He also took the role of professor of Color at the American University of Cairo, teaching color theory, color practice and color psychology. As part of the CMG organization, through GLC Paints, he attends the yearly global summit on color forecasting and does his own color talks and color workshops within the MENA region.Support the showThank you for listening! Follow us through our website or social media!https://www.thecolorauthority.com/podcasthttps://www.instagram.com/the_color_authority_/https://www.linkedin.com/company/78120219/admin/

Rabbi Gary teaches from several scriptures that reveal prophecies concerning Israel, and the Middle Eastern countries that border Israel. He mentions the covenant that God made with Abraham, detailing the boundaries of the land that He promises to Abraham's descendants. All of today's countries are included: Egypt; Lebanon; Jordan; Assyria; Iraq; and Iran.YouTube: https://youtube.com/live/HRqrBRDG7MASend us a text

In this episode, host Kent Hance discusses recent U.S. military actions against Iran, providing historical context on U.S.-Iran relations and the Iranian revolution. Hance analyzes the effectiveness of a recent bombing operation, contrasts it with the Afghanistan withdrawal, and considers the implications for regional stability and U.S. foreign policy. He also examines Middle Eastern reactions, the importance of operational security, and potential economic effects. The episode blends historical insight with commentary on current events, offering listeners a clear perspective on the complexities of military strategy and diplomacy in the Middle East.

Iran launches missiles at a US airbase in Qatar in response to strikes on its nuclear sites. This leads to airspace shutdowns in many Middle Eastern countries.We examine whether Iran will now close the world's busiest oil shipping channel, the Strait of Hormuz. Plus, Argentina's economy is expanding. Andrew Peach finds out what is driving the growth.

This episode is brought to you by Raw Beverage Trading - Your hospitality supply chain partner. Connect at sale@rawcoffee.ae••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••This is the first of a five-part series on the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast with Osamah Alawwam, co-founder of The Roasting House based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.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/tYt8XGBApxg 2. Building The Roasting House - https://youtu.be/RuFGBUCSoUw 3. The Role Of Specialty Coffee In Brazil - https://youtu.be/ngSV0QKHdkc 4. Converting Brazilians to Specialty Coffee Drinkers - https://youtu.be/7j11s2LkjEc 5. The Sins of the Past for Brazilian Coffee - https://youtu.be/lCHADKasV3oIn this episode, Lee Safar introduces Osamah Alawwam from Roasting House, a significant figure in the Middle Eastern coffee industry. Osamah shares his entrepreneurial journey, discussing how he transitioned from the corporate world to starting his own coffee business in Saudi Arabia. He emphasizes the importance of finding the right financial and intellectual partners, and the challenges he faced in sourcing quality green beans. The conversation also touches on the evolving business landscape in Saudi Arabia and the impact of global geopolitical events on the coffee industry.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

Trump drags the US into a new Middle Eastern war. Brian interviews Senator Tina Smith about her confrontation with Republican Senator Mike Lee after he mocked Democrats who'd been assassinated, NYC comptroller Brad Lander about being arrested by the Trump administration, and Democratic nominee for NJ governor Mikie Sherrill about what she'll do if and when Trump targets her blue state. Support Mikie Sherrill: https://mikiesherrill.com/Support Brad Lander: https://landerfornyc.com/Shop merch: https://briantylercohen.com/shopYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/briantylercohenTwitter: https://twitter.com/briantylercohenFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/briantylercohenInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/briantylercohenPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/briantylercohenNewsletter: https://www.briantylercohen.com/sign-upWritten by Brian Tyler CohenProduced by Sam GraberRecorded in Los Angeles, CASee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Donald Trump has betrayed his promise to be a pro-peace president. Prodded by Washington hawks and the Israeli government, he has green-lit Israel's attack on Iran, which the Untied States might soon join directly. A new Middle Eastern war would be a catastrophe. In order to stop it, Democrats will need to recover the anti-war politics that they adopted in opposition to George W. Bush's Iraq War. I spoke with Matt Duss, vice-president of the Center for International Policy on how popular mobilization can push both Democrats and Republicans in congress to stand up to Trump's war. Matt recently wrote on this topic for Foreign policy. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

US attacks on Iran have ratcheted Middle Eastern tension up enormously, one economist says, and it could hit New Zealanders in the pocket, too. Money correspondent Susan Edmunds spoke to Alexa Cook.

We're back from the Cornfield Resistance with another episode examining the eerie echoes of 2003 as familiar faces dust off their war-hungry talking points for another Middle Eastern adventure. We dive into the fascinating split happening in MAGA-land between isolationists and hawks, plus how certain unrepentant ghouls somehow found their way back onto our screens. There's also a delightful trip through our spam folder and the usual Trump chaos, including his latest "two weeks" promise. Oh, and this week, we survived another tornado siren while recording a podcast with Bob Cesca (linked below) because apparently, natural disasters follow us around.  Recorded live from the Cornfield Resistance, where we remember stuff. Link for this episode:  Driftglass and Blue Gal on The Bob Cesca Show: https://www.bobcesca.com/the-bob-cesca-interview-driftglass-and-blue-gal-day-6-18-25/Stay in Touch! Email: proleftpodcast@gmail.comWebsite: proleftpod.comSupport via Patreon: patreon.com/proleftpodMail: The Professional Left, PO Box 9133, Springfield, Illinois, 62791Support the show

The Islamic Revolution in 1979 created an Iranian-dominated Middle East, and unleashed seemingly endless decades of Islamic terrorism around the world. Iran created a proxy terror network that included Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis and The Palestinian Islamic Jihad. The first crack in the wall appeared in 2020 with the introduction of the Abraham Accords, then the events of October 7th, which all lead us to where we are right now in 2025. A new Middle East is being formed, and Israel is right where the prophets said she would be at the end of the Church Age, at the dawn of Jacob's trouble.“But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.” Daniel 10:21 (KJB)On this episode of the Prophecy News Podcast, the entire world has been on pins and needles these past 7 days, watching the astonishing and often-times horrifying events happening in the Middle East. These events have also been driving a wedge right down the middle of Trump's MAGA Movement, half of whom stand for Israel and the other half do not. Whatever happens by the time this thing is all done, one thing is assured. You will have a very different Middle East, guaranteed. Over in Rome, the Catholic Church has been enjoying the “bump” they have gotten with the election of Pope Leo XIV, and Catholics worldwide are suddenly motivated and energized. Everywhere you look, there is electricity in the air, and that's because we are on the cusp of the revealing of the man of sin who is coming to claim his Middle Eastern kingdom. On this episode, we will show you how very drastically the last days landscape is changing, and where it is all leading. Tick, tock, goes the end times clock.

Over the weekend yet another Middle Eastern powder keg seems to have cooked off fam. On this episode the team breaks down the tactical and strategic employment of Israel's air power to disable the Iranian nuclear program, diving into all those juicy ripple effects and diplomatic complications. Stay safe out there and be an asset!We are still zucked for literallly no good reason, but try to find our socials to support the team. It's like a digital easter egg hunt at this point. Thanks for tuning in.

Death investigators have documented cases where ordinary moments — feeding a pet, mowing grass, eating lunch — transformed into inexplicable tragedies that reveal how quickly the familiar can become fatal.Join the DARKNESS SYNDICATE: https://weirddarkness.com/syndicateABOUT WEIRD DARKNESS: Weird Darkness is a true crime and paranormal podcast narrated by professional award-winning voice actor, Darren Marlar. Seven days per week, Weird Darkness focuses on all thing strange and macabre such as haunted locations, unsolved mysteries, true ghost stories, supernatural manifestations, urban legends, unsolved or cold case murders, conspiracy theories, and more. On Thursdays, this scary stories podcast features horror fiction along with the occasional creepypasta. Weird Darkness has been named one of the “Best 20 Storytellers in Podcasting” by Podcast Business Journal. Listeners have described the show as a cross between “Coast to Coast” with Art Bell, “The Twilight Zone” with Rod Serling, “Unsolved Mysteries” with Robert Stack, and “In Search Of” with Leonard Nimoy.DISCLAIMER: Ads heard during the podcast that are not in my voice are placed by third party agencies outside of my control and should not imply an endorsement by Weird Darkness or myself. *** Stories and content in Weird Darkness can be disturbing for some listeners and intended for mature audiences only. Parental discretion is strongly advised.IN THIS EPISODE: As the crowds gathered for Henry's coronation in August of 1485, an unnamed sickness was already moving through the alleys, quiet and uninvited. Before the crown even touched his head, the dying had already begun. (The English Sweat) *** Long before the word “cryptid' was coined, people were already burying the victims of a thing in the woods that doesn't run, doesn't speak, and doesn't hesitate – it kills, and then it's gone. From the Rockies to the West African forests, the stories don't just describe sightings — they describe actual killings. (When Cryptid Creatures Turn Violent) *** Clinical death was once considered the end, but new data — and what the revived remember — suggest otherwise. Medical researchers studying patients who died and returned to life have documented consistent reports of consciousness surviving clinical death, with experiences that remarkably match biblical descriptions of the afterlife. (What Happens When We Die) *** Researchers studying ancient Middle Eastern texts about fire-based entities called Djinn now believe these beings might actually be plasma-based interdimensional creatures that have been masquerading as everything from UFOs to shadow people. (The Djinn and Aliens) *** Scientists have discovered that the cosmic objects we've been calling black holes might actually be tunnels to other parts of the universe, and we may have been watching doorways to distant worlds without realizing it. (Could Black Holes Be Hidden Doorways?) *** But first… medical examiners and coroners have witnessed some of the most unusual and shocking deaths imaginable, proving that truth can be far stranger than any horror story. (Strangest Deaths)CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)…00:00:00.000 = Lead-In00:01:22.595 = Show Open00:03:58.854 = The Strangest Deaths Ever Recorded00:14:44.455 = The English Sweat00:23:28.410 = When Cryptid Creatures Turn Violent00:30:18.652 = What Happens When We Die?00:39:24.317 = The Djinn00:59:22.775 = Black Holes01:05:53.219 = Show CloseSOURCES AND RESOURCES FROM THE EPISODE…“The Djinn”: https://www.ufoinsight.com/cryptozoology/bizarre-entities/legends-of-the-djinn“What Happens When We Die?”: https://anomalien.com/disappearance-of-pain-exit-from-the-body-and-more-stages-through-which-the-dying-go/, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-14787819/near-death-experience-died-soul.html“Black Holes”: https://arxiv.org/pdf/2502.12646“When Cryptid Creatures Turn Violent”: https://mysteriousuniverse.org/2018/04/the-most-violent-mystery-animals-of-all/“Strangest Deaths Ever Recorded”: https://www.ranker.com/list/coroners-weird-stories/amandasedlakhevener“The English Sweat”: https://creativehistorystories.blogspot.com/2024/06/a-rehearsal-of-hell-mysterious-english.htmlMusic in this episode provided by Midnight Syndicate: https://www.midnightsyndicate.com (used with permission)Theme music provided by Alibi Music=====(Over time links may become invalid, disappear, or have different content. I always make sure to give authors credit for the material I use whenever possible. If I somehow overlooked doing so for a story, or if a credit is incorrect, please let me know and I will rectify it in these show notes immediately. Some links included above may benefit me financially through qualifying purchases.)= = = = ="I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46= = = = =WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2025, Weird Darkness.=====Originally aired: June 18, 2025NOTE: Some of this content may have been created with assistance from AI tools, but it has been reviewed, edited, narrated, produced, and approved by Darren Marlar, creator and host of Weird Darkness — who, despite popular conspiracy theories, is NOT an AI voice. (AI Policy)EPISODE PAGE at WeirdDarkness.com (includes list of sources): https://weirddarkness.com/StrangestDeaths

The panel debates modern propaganda, Middle East power struggles, and Iran's regime change. Pat breaks down pre- and post-1979 conflict data, calls out media bias, and challenges exiled Iranian leaders to step up. A fiery call for truth, leadership, and Middle Eastern accountability.

On this Thursday edition of Sid & Friends in the Morning, President Trump continues to weigh U.S. involvement in the Middle Eastern conflict between Israel & Iran, with our greatest ally in Israel needed American-made bombs to access Iran's strongest and most secure nuclear facility dubbed Fordo. In other news of the day, more Republicans now including Intel head Tulsi Gabbard continue to spew isolationist jargon in opposition of any U.S. involvement in the Middle East, and in sports the Buss family enters into an agreement to sell majority ownership of the Los Angeles Lakers to Mark Walter for a franchise valuation of approximately $10 billion, the highest ever for a U.S. professional sports franchise. Dov Hikind, Frank Morano, Mike Lawler, Curtis Sliwa, Alan Dershowitz, Bill O'Reilly & Gordon Chang join Sid on this Friday-eve installment of Sid & Friends in the Morning. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Author & geopolitics expert Gordon Chang joins the program to discuss China's role in the Middle Eastern conflict between Israel and Iran. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tom Bodrovics welcomes back gold market and finance expert Alasdair Macleod. Together they explore the escalating systemic risks in global gold and silver markets, driven by surging demand for physical delivery. Macleod highlighted the European Central Bank's (ECB) warning about skyrocketing counterparty risks in gold derivatives, emphasizing that COMEX delivery demands have reached unprecedented levels, with an annualized rate of 1,500 tons—far exceeding post-pandemic trends. This surge reflects a growing scramble for physical metal which is exacerbated by delays in delivery fulfillment. Bullion banks, fearing tariffs and supply shortages, inflated futures prices to create arbitrage opportunities, further straining markets. Macleod underscored a critical shift: central banks, once willing to lease gold to stabilize markets, now hesitate to renew leases, fearing irreversible loss of reserves. This trend, compounded by COMEX silver shortages, signals deepening liquidity crises. Demand is driven by sovereign wealth funds, Asian families, and Middle Eastern entities diversifying from the dollar amid geopolitical tensions and long-term currency devaluation fears. The discussion pivoted to the U.S. debt trap, with deficits exceeding 6% of GDP and tepid demand for long-term Treasuries. Macleod compared today's credit bubble and protectionist tariffs to the 1929 crash, warning of a potential debt deflation spiral. He noted China's strategic accumulation of gold and silver, possibly prepping the yuan for gold backing, while avoiding abrupt moves to destabilize Western economies. Amid these risks, Macleod stressed wealth preservation over accumulation, advocating physical gold as a hedge. He cautioned that markets underestimate the looming convergence of fiscal instability, currency crises, and geopolitical shifts, urging vigilance as structural economic fractures deepen. The episode closed with a stark reminder: today's calm belies a gathering storm, mirroring historical precedents where credit excesses and policy missteps fueled systemic collapse. Guest Links:Twitter: https://twitter.com/MacleodFinanceSubstack: https://substack.com/@macleodfinanceWebsite: https://goldmoney.comResearch: https://www.goldmoney.com/research/ Alasdair Macleod is Head of Research for GoldMoney. He is an educator and advocates for sound money thru demystifying finance and economics. His background includes being a stockbroker, banker, and economist. Alasdair started his career as a stockbroker in 1970 on the London Stock Exchange. Within nine years, he had risen to become senior partner of his firm. Subsequently, he held positions at the director level in investment management and worked as a mutual fund manager. Mr. Macleod also worked at a bank in Guernsey as an executive director. For most of his 40 years in the finance industry, he has been demystifying macro-economic events for his investing clients. The accumulation of this experience has convinced him that unsound monetary policies are the most destructive weapon governments use against the common man. Accordingly, his mission is to educate and inform the public in layman's terms what governments do with money and how to protect themselves from the consequences.

A tidal shift is underway in both American culture and foreign policy. In a landmark 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court rules that states can ban gender transition procedures for minors—halting the left's push for medicalized ideology, speech codes, and potential parental disempowerment. At the same time, former President Donald Trump demands Iran's unconditional surrender amid rising Middle Eastern tensions, while the Ayatollah's regime continues to target Israeli civilians. This dual-pronged broadcast dissects the left's cultural overreach and dangerous foreign entanglements, exposing coordinated attacks on parental rights, national security, and constitutional freedoms. With growing conservative momentum among young men, free speech flourishing on alt-tech platforms, and a public hungry for truth, the battle for America's future has never been clearer—or more urgent.

Rabbi Yoshi sits down with Ambassador Gary Grappo, a former U.S. diplomat and expert on Middle Eastern affairs, for an in-depth and urgent conversation about Israel's preemptive strike on Iranian military assets and the ensuing conflict between these countries.Drawing on his extensive diplomatic experience—including his service as U.S. Ambassador to Oman, Chief of Staff to the U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Quartet, and senior postings in Jerusalem, Riyadh, and Baghdad—Ambassador Grappo offers a deeply informed analysis of the current crisis, its historical roots, and the broader implications for diplomacy, regional security, and U.S. foreign policy.Their conversation explores the strategic calculations driving both nations, the risks of further escalation, and the urgent need for clear-eyed diplomacy in one of the most combustible regions in the world. It's a compelling and essential episode for anyone seeking insight into the unfolding conflict and its global repercussions.

Dmitri Alperovitch talks with Israeli Gen Amos Yadlin (Ret.), perhaps the world's only person who has participated in the destruction of three Middle Eastern nuclear weapons programs: first, as an F-16 pilot in 1981 against Iraqi nuclear reactor at Osirak, as Head of Military Intelligence in 2007 against Syrian nuclear reactor Al Kibar, and in various IDF roles for the last nearly 20 years planning the current operation against Iran. 00:00 Introduction 01:29 Strategic Objectives of the Operation Against Iran 07:30 How to Deal With Fordow Enrichment Facility 08:16 Shocking Success 11:20 Danger of Euphoria 14:08 Where Are the Iranian Proxies? 15:40 Threat to the Strait of Hormuz 18:00 Khamenei's Psychological State and Strategic Decisions 20:56 Likelihood of Regime Change 23:38 Implications for the Broader Middle East

SEND ME A TEXT MESSAGE NOWMore madness as Israel and Iran exchange direct military strikes, with Donald Trump recklessly demanding Iran's "unconditional surrender" while hinting at U.S. military assistance. The real danger? A regional conflagration that could draw in multiple Middle Eastern powers and destabilize global oil markets. We need cooler heads and less ego from world leaders before this volatile situation explodes.Domestic troubles abound too. Utah Senator Mike Lee showed his true colors with shocking social media posts!Meanwhile, Social Security faces insolvency faster than thought. The warning signs are clear, yet partisan gridlock prevents solutions.Even disaster response is becoming politicized, with FEMA Administrator Kristi Noem creating dangerous bottlenecks by requiring all emergency funding to route thru her office.Question for you the Wolf Pack Listener.What would America feel if it were a person today? Call our voicemail at 833-399-9653 or email:aworldgonemadpodcast@gmail.com to share your perspective. Together, we can navigate these challenging times and work toward preserving our democracy despite the madness surrounding us.AWorldGoneMadPodcast@gmail.com

On this episode, Liz Wheeler reacts to Tucker Carlson's contentious interview with Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas). Plus, Liz examines President Trump's record on Iran and the U.S.'s involvement in Middle Eastern conflicts. Tune in to find out if Liz thinks Carlson or Cruz won the debate and what will likely happen next in the conflict between Israel and Iran. SPONSORS: PREBORN!: Your tax-deductible donation of twenty-eight dollars sponsors one ultrasound and doubles a baby's chance at life. How many babies can you save? Please donate your best gift today– just dial #250 and say the keyword, “BABY" or go to https://preborn.com/LIZ. AMERICAN HARTFORD GOLD: American Hartford Gold: Tell them I sent you, and they'll give you up to $15,000 dollars of FREE silver on your first order. So call them now! Click here https://offers.americanhartfordgold.com or call 866-996-5172 or text LIZ to 998899. CROWDHEALTH: Get started today for just $99 per month for your first three months. Go to https://JoinCrowdHealth.com and use promo code “LIZ”. CrowdHealth is not insurance. -- Like & subscribe to make sure you don't miss a single video: https://youtube.com/lizwheeler?sub_co... Get the full audio show on all major podcast platforms: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4LhlHfo... iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-th... Subscribe to The Liz Wheeler Show newsletter: https://lizwheeler.com/email Get VIP access to The Liz Wheeler Show on Locals: https://lizwheeler.locals.com/. Stay in touch with Liz on social media: Facebook: / officiallizwheeler Twitter: / liz_wheeler Instagram: / officiallizwheeler Rumble: https://rumble.com/LizWheeler Website: https://lizwheeler.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Patrick DeHaan covers the outlook for gas prices as the national average rises to $3.19. He thinks it will continue to rise over the next week, but notes that this is still lower year-over-year. He also notes that the U.S. infrastructure for refineries was mostly built 50 years ago even as sources have changed over the years: from Canadian heavy to Middle Eastern light. He also looks at distillates, including diesel and jet fuel demand.======== Schwab Network ========Empowering every investor and trader, every market day.Subscribe to the Market Minute newsletter - https://schwabnetwork.com/subscribeDownload the iOS app - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/schwab-network/id1460719185Download the Amazon Fire Tv App - https://www.amazon.com/TD-Ameritrade-Network/dp/B07KRD76C7Watch on Sling - https://watch.sling.com/1/asset/191928615bd8d47686f94682aefaa007/watchWatch on Vizio - https://www.vizio.com/en/watchfreeplus-exploreWatch on DistroTV - https://www.distro.tv/live/schwab-network/Follow us on X – https://twitter.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/schwab-network/About Schwab Network - https://schwabnetwork.com/about

Donald Trump has demanded "a complete give up" from Iran in its conflict with Israel. But will wading into Middle Eastern affairs irk isolationists in his own party?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Lara Spirit and James Marriott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3Tphtmu In this week's Dividend Cafe commentary, Brian Szytel steps in for David to do the usual around the horn market commentary. The episode covers a variety of market updates, including a brief recap of recent fluctuations in major indices such as DOW, S&P, and NASDAQ. Brian discusses the ongoing Middle Eastern conflict between Israel and Iran and its impact on the markets. The episode also touches on oil price movements, sector performance, and the implications of the weakening US dollar. Brian delves into the current state of the housing market, details the recent Fed meeting's outcome on interest rates, and explores the potential effects of the new tax bill. The segment wraps up with a mention of Opportunity Zones and other investment opportunities, encouraging listeners to stay engaged and reach out with questions. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:57 Middle Eastern Geopolitical Tensions 02:25 Energy Market Movements 03:23 Sector Performance and Interest Rates 03:55 US Dollar and Global Economic Insights 06:31 Government Receipts and Spending 07:54 G7 Meeting and Global Trade 10:18 Real Estate Market Analysis 11:35 Federal Reserve and Economic Indicators 12:48 Investment Opportunities and Taxation 14:07 Conclusion and Disclaimers Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

The world watched in shock as Israel launched a surprise attack on Iran last Friday, October 13th – an operation that has dramatically reshaped Middle Eastern geopolitics and exposed a troubling web of deception at the highest levels of government.In this eye-opening episode, Middle East expert Alistair Crooke provides a masterful analysis of what he describes as a "synergistic shock" strategy – a coordinated military operation a year in the making that sought to destabilize Iran through simultaneous attacks on its military command structure, air defenses, and nuclear scientists. The operation, designed to create a profound psychological impact similar to what occurred with Hezbollah following Hassan Nasrallah's assassination, was predicated on the assumption that Iran would collapse into internal chaos.What makes this situation particularly alarming is the revelation of deliberate deception. While Trump publicly declared himself the "President of Peace" and his envoys suggested productive negotiations were underway, behind the scenes a very different scenario was unfolding. As Crooke explains, "The first deception was Witcoff and Trump saying negotiations were making progress... all of that was to prepare for this shock attack." This duplicity reached its most disturbing expression when Trump later boasted, "The people I was dealing with are dead," confirming his knowledge of plans to assassinate the very officials with whom he was supposedly negotiating.The operation's architects severely miscalculated Iran's resilience. Rather than fracturing, Iran quickly restored its air defenses, reestablished command structures, and launched an effective counteroffensive that has exposed significant vulnerabilities in Israel's much-vaunted military capabilities. The strategic paradigm that has governed Middle Eastern politics for decades – built on assumptions of Israeli technical superiority and invulnerability – is now cracking as Iran systematically targets Israeli military infrastructure with increasingly sophisticated missiles.This episode offers crucial insights into how this conflict is reshaping regional power dynamics, the coordinated patterns of Western intelligence services, and the profound damage done to American diplomatic credibility. As the situation continues to evolve, understanding these underlying dynamics becomes essential for anyone seeking to comprehend what may become a transformative moment in international relations.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Congressman Zach Nunn, a combat veteran and former intelligence officer, shares insights on the threats posed by China, particularly in the realm of agricultural espionage, and the recent military actions involving Iran and Israel. Fred Fleitz, former chief of staff for the National Security Council, provides insights into the intelligence and military strategies involved in the recent and significant military action taken by Israel against Iran, which has caught the latter off guard. Fleitz discuss the implications of this attack on Middle Eastern dynamics, the effectiveness of Iran's air defenses, and the potential for future negotiations. Rabbi Yaakov Menken, the Executive Vice President of the Coalition for Jewish Values, discusses the alarming intersection of various protest movements, the rise of anti-Semitism, and the implications for Jewish communities nationwide. Finally, StopAntisemitism COO Elizabeth Coplon slams climate activist Greta Thunberg as a grifter for her flotilla stunt. “It's just an abomination to those who were slain and taken captive and are still held captive by a terrorist organization,” she says.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As protests against ICE arrests spread to new cities, lawmakers consider political risks. An exasperated jury delivers a split verdict at Harvey Weinstein's retrial. And the U.S. empties some Middle Eastern embassies of non-essential personnel amid concerns of attacks from Iran.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices