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FILE 5. OPERATION BARBAROSSA AND THE DEFENSE OF MOSCOW. GUEST AUTHOR SEAN MCMEEKIN. McMeekin challenges the narrative that Stalin suffered a nervous breakdown during the 1941 German invasion, noting the dictator remained active despite the shock. The segment details how Stalin's decision to stay in Moscow stiffened morale and reveals that Stalin possessed, but did not share, intelligence regarding Japan's impending attacks on Western powers,.

An interesting immigration statistical comparison between Trump in 2025 and Obama in 2012.Citing the limited resources available for immigration enforcement and the impossibility of deporting 11 million undocumented people, the Obama administration sought to prioritize the use of the agency's enforcement personnel, detention space, and removal assets. Noting that ICE could only remove an estimated 400,000 undocumented immigrants a year at most, representing less than 4% of the undocumented population in the U.S. during that time, the administration sought to channel limited resources towards more urgent threats. In a set of 2010 and 2011 memoranda from then-U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director John Morton, the Obama administration created three categories of undocumented immigrants that would be prioritized for arrest and deportation. The first priority consisted of undocumented immigrants who posed a threat to national security or public safety, including those engaged in or suspected of terrorism or espionage, those convicted of a crime or possessing outstanding criminal warrants, or those who participated in organized criminal gang activity. Within this priority category, ICE would draw distinctions based on the severity of convictions: level 1 offenders were convicted of aggravated felonies, level 2 offenders were convicted of any felony, and level 3 offenders were convicted of a misdemeanor.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

PREVIEW FOR LATER TODAY: INDIA'S STALLED REFORMS Guest: Sadanand Dhume (Wall Street Journal) Dhume discusses disappointment with Prime Minister Modi's cautious third term, noting India's growth remains hindered by socialist-era labor laws. Although Modi raised worker thresholds, the textile industry lost competitiveness to Bangladesh and Vietnam. The political challenge of enacting business-friendly reforms without electoral consequences remains unsolved.1930 BOMBAY

An interesting immigration statistical comparison between Trump in 2025 and Obama in 2012.Citing the limited resources available for immigration enforcement and the impossibility of deporting 11 million undocumented people, the Obama administration sought to prioritize the use of the agency's enforcement personnel, detention space, and removal assets. Noting that ICE could only remove an estimated 400,000 undocumented immigrants a year at most, representing less than 4% of the undocumented population in the U.S. during that time, the administration sought to channel limited resources towards more urgent threats. In a set of 2010 and 2011 memoranda from then-U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director John Morton, the Obama administration created three categories of undocumented immigrants that would be prioritized for arrest and deportation. The first priority consisted of undocumented immigrants who posed a threat to national security or public safety, including those engaged in or suspected of terrorism or espionage, those convicted of a crime or possessing outstanding criminal warrants, or those who participated in organized criminal gang activity. Within this priority category, ICE would draw distinctions based on the severity of convictions: level 1 offenders were convicted of aggravated felonies, level 2 offenders were convicted of any felony, and level 3 offenders were convicted of a misdemeanor.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

GUEST: Jim Fanell. SUMMARY: Fanell criticizes the UK's plan to transfer the Chagos Islands to Mauritius due to Chinese influence concerns. He highlights the strategic necessity of the Diego Garcia base for US bombers and carriers, noting that President Trump's opposition to the deal is bolstering critics within the UK government.1901

GUEST: Charles Burton. SUMMARY: Burton analyzes Prime Minister Mark Carney's ambitious goal to double Canada's non-US trade within a decade to offset American trade difficulties. He argues this pivot to China is unlikely to succeed, noting that Canada's current trade with China is less than 5%, compared to roughly 67% with the United States.1910 OTTAWA

HEADLINE: Strategic Vulnerabilities and the Path to a 456-Ship Fleet GUEST AUTHOR: Jerry HendrixSUMMARY: Hendrix identifies critical economic vulnerabilities in China and Russia, noting that both regimes rely heavily on sea lanes for energy and food, making them susceptible to naval interdiction. To maintain deterrence, he proposes a future fleet of 456 ships. This expansion relies on a pivot to unmanned surface vessels to control costs and the addition of 60 frigates for global presence. Hendrix also warns that the Navy must urgently replace retiring guided-missile submarines and expand the logistics force, as combatant ships cannot operate effectively without a robust train of supply vessels.1888 NAVAL GUN

PREVIEW FOR LATER TODAY Guest: Professor Richard Carwardine. Carwardine argues Lincoln's first fast day in 1861 was successful, noting the President subsequently called additional fast days. Lincoln utilized these events and open-door meetings with denominational leaders to connect with religious groups, learn from them, and prepare public sentiment for major decisions like emancipation.1861 LINCOLN'S GENERALS

Ricardo Gómez-Carrera, a research economist at the World Inequality Lab and co-editor of the 2026 World Inequality Report, discusses his research on the benefits of early schooling and how early human capital investment closes the “inequality gap” and the effects of such research within current Mexican educational policy. Focusing on the finding of this year's World Inequality Report, Gómez-Carrera elaborates on the increasing wealth disparities on a global scale such that wealth is becoming even more concentrated, as demonstrated by the fact that the top 10% earn 53% of the global income, “the top 10% own three-quarters of global wealth, while the bottom half holds only 2%,” and, for the top .001%, the distribution of wealth growth is as high as 8% per year. Gómez-Carrera argues that if we don't address inequality, only the privileged will have rights, opportunities, assets, and control over politics. Ultimately, even if 90% or 99% of the population are paying their taxes and contributing to society, the top 1% maintain a disproportionate influence over politics and access to opportunities, which in turn influences the decisions that ensure they maintain their privilege. While power, as Gómez-Carrera clarifies, is becoming more and more concentrated in fewer and fewer hands, the negative effects of such power, such as ecological damage, will be felt disproportionately by the poor, as they are more vulnerable to the impacts of global warming, despite their contributing less to this damage. Examining one of the more surprising aspects of the 2016 World Inequality Report, he notes how the top .001% increased in their charitable donations since 1960, a gesture which moves the wealthy beyond strictly economic realms of power. Noting how the economic patterns suggest a rising top-end inequality, Gómez-Carrera claims that this not only translates into ideological capture and unequal influence over philanthropy and politics, but it invariably translates into public policy, law, campaigning, and, invariably, political choices, or lack thereof. Get full access to Savage Minds at savageminds.substack.com/subscribe

On this week's episode of History From The Backpages, Collin analyzes the 1944 supernatural horror film The Uninvited, directed by Lewis Allen and starring Ray Milland, Gail Russell, Donald Crisp, and Ruth Hussey. Noting the film's iconic song Stella By Starlight, which was later covered by Frank Sinatra, Charlie Parker, and Miles Davis.

AUSTRALIA RETAINS ASHES VICTORY AS ENGLAND'S BAZBALL STRATEGY FAILS Colleague Jeremy Zakis. Zakis discusses Australia's humble celebration after winning the 2026 Ashes series 4-1, noting that England'saggressive "Bazball" strategy was deemed fundamentally flawed by cricket chiefs. While Australia's bowling remains a focus for improvement, captain Pat Cummins has recovered from injury to continue leading the team.1937

ECONOMIC LIBERTY AND THE LABOR MARKET IN THE AGE OF AI Colleague Kevin Frazier. Kevin Frazier explores how AI is reshaping the economy, noting that liberal arts graduates may be better positioned than STEM majors to handle new information synthesis. He advises legislators to focus on job creation and a fluid labor market rather than trying to protect obsolete professions through regulation. NUMBER 11October 1957

In this episode we're joined by Todd Pooser, author of A Systems Approach to Public Administration and Social Equity and founder of The Virtual Commonwealth. Listen in to hear the scientific justification for the foundations of our work to create an equitable and sustainable society. Job seekers may use these frameworks as they evaluate the work and the approach of potential employers. As we aim to solve intractable problems we need more than opinion, we have scientific models, derived from living systems, that can guide us. Todd uses General Systems Theory to answer this big question: What's the elegant solution that solves all of our inextricably entwined problems?To discover the solution we need to recognize our interdependence and interconnectedness. Then we have 2 sets of 3 rules to follow. 3 Rules of Systems-Based EthicsHuman Health and Environmental Health are One and the SameThere is No Such Thing As ThemIt's Bigger than Physical Things. We have non-material needs. 3 Rules of a Systems-Based Social Contract Establish a Physical Steady StateCreate central mandates while preserving the individual's right to chooseReconcile Price and CostWe use a discussion of Congestion Pricing as a policy that reconciles price and cost. Noting that there is a 0% chance of political systems creating the ideal situation, Todd introduces The Virtual Commonwealth which is a model for collective action where individuals form investing and purchasing communities because throwing our financial weight behind our beliefs is as critical as our voting weight is to our democracy.About the Guest:Todd Pooser is the founder and CEO of the Virtual Commonwealth. Todd's book, A Systems Approach to Public Administration and Social Equity, uses cross-disciplinary science to formulate “The Plan” – a series of social policies that if enacted, will enable humanity to live in the best possible world given the conditions of our existence. The Virtual Commonwealth is the commercial application of the concepts advanced in the book, which has been published by Emerald Publishing as part of a series on sustainability and social equity. As COO of an Ad Tech startup, Todd has raised $9M from both public companies and high net worth individuals.

He then showed a video of "delusional" Trump signing the bipartisan Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act -- which allows schools nationwide to sell whole and 2 percent milk, reversing Obama-era rules that limited sales to fat-free and low-fat milk. It's actually a legal definition -- whole milk -- and it's whole with a 'w' for those of you that have a problem," the Republican leader explained during the now-viral clip. Noting that Trump had appeared to fall asleep as his staffers waxed on the merits of milk, Kimmel added, "So then after a nice glass of warm milk that was on his desk for five days, it was time for a little nap."Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The Futility of Canadian-Chinese Trade DiplomacyPREVIEW FOR LATER: GUEST CHARLES BURTON. Charles Burton critiques Mark Carney's trade mission to Beijing, noting it mirrors past failures. Despite attempts to ignore human rights to boost trade, historical precedent shows Canada's market share declined under similar strategies. This mission aims to offset tariff uncertainties and Trump-era trade pressures.1945 US NAVY HUANGPU RIVER, SHANGHAI

PREVIEW FOR LATER TODAY Guest: Brandon Weichert. Weichert analyzes how Iranian turmoil affects Shaheddrone production, noting that Russia has already moved toward domestic manufacturing. He suggests that the disruption of Starlink in Iran is not accidental but reflects Russia and China testing anti-Starlink weapon systems, using the Iranian conflict as a strategic testing ground.

VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY AND THE EVOLUTION OF UKRAINIAN IDENTITY Colleague Professor Eugene Finkel. Finkel profiles Volodymyr Zelenskyy, noting his background as a Russian-speaking Jewish media entrepreneur and comedian who built a career in Moscow. Zelenskyy's rise illustrates a shift in Ukrainian identity from ethnic definitions to a civic nationalism based on loyalty to the state. Elected as an outsider to replace failed politicians, Zelenskyy initially hoped his background and communication skills would allow him to negotiate peace with Putin. His presidency challenged Russian propaganda painting Ukrainian nationalists as extremists, representing instead a diverse, modern nation unified by political commitment rather than language. NUMBER 61900 LVIV

THE CHUTE SHOW AND HUMAN SPACEFLIGHT Colleague Eric Berger. Berger discusses the Commercial Crew Program, noting that while Boeing's participation legitimized the effort for Congress, SpaceX ultimately led the way. The development of the Crew Dragon involved the "Chute Show," a team camping in the desert to iteratively test parachutes. Despite the "smooth" public image of NASA missions, Berger points out the inherent risks, such as launching near tornadoes during the first crewed attempt. The segment culminates in the success of the "Block 5" Falcon 9, an optimized rocket designed for rapid turnaround, with individual boosters now capable of flying up to 20 times. NUMBER 71920 THUVIA MAID OF MARS

On todays Zero Limits Podcast host Matty Morris chats with Adam Smith 2nd Commando Regiment and Victoria Police Special Operations Group Adam joined the military in 2005 first kicking off his career as an infantry solider at the 2nd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment. During his time there he deployed twice to Timor Leste.In 2008 he attempted and completed selection for the 2nd Commando Regiment also completing his reinforcement cycle training to receive his green beret. He deployed on numerous occasions on SOTG to Afghanistan and to Iraq. After an extensive career within the special forces Adam did a lateral transfer to the Victorian Police however after the academy he went straight to the Special Operations Group. Noting post military discharge he remained with the 1st Commando Regiment a reserve special forces unit in Melbourne.Send us a text however note we cannot reply through these means. Please message the instagram or email if you are wanting a response. Support the showWebsite - www.zerolimitspodcast.comInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/zero.limits.podcast/?hl=enHost - Matty Morris www.instagram.com/matty.m.morrisSponsors Instagram - @gatorzaustralia www.gatorzaustralia.com15% Discount Code - ZERO15(former/current military & first responders 20% discount to order please email orders@gatorzaustralia.com.au Instagram - @3zeroscoffee 3 Zeros Coffee - www.3zeroscoffee.com.au 10% Discount Code - 3ZLimits Instagram - @getsome_au GetSome Jocko Fuel - www.getsome.com.au 10% Discount Code - ZEROLIMITS

Guest: Joseph Sternberg. Sternberg analyzes the recent U.S. invasion of Venezuela, noting that while the event disrupted predictions, its global significance ultimately depends on the subsequent U.S. decisions regarding regime support and governance in Caracas. Turning to domestic politics, Sternberg predicts the 2026 midterms will be unusually significant as both parties face internal identity crises, with Democrats torn between centrist and socialist wings and Republicans struggling to define their future path as the Trump era eventually concludes.1900 Venezuela

PREVIEW FOR LATER TONIGHT Guest: Elizabeth Peek. Peek discusses the massive potential of Venezuelan oil reserves, which dwarf Saudi Arabia's, noting that rising global energy demand makes them a major prize for U.S.companies. Despite the political risks inherent in South America, she argues the industry must utilize Venezuela'sresources to meet insatiable energy needs.1898 CARACAS

THE FINAL ASHES TEST IN SYDNEY AND THE FUTURE OF TEST CRICKET Colleague Jeremy Zakis. Jeremy Zakis discusses the final Ashes test in Sydney, noting that heavy storms threaten to wash out the match, potentially handing England a "moral victory" if they perform well before the rain hits. He observes that Englandsurprised him by employing a hybrid strategy—mixing conservative play with their aggressive "Bazball" style—which allowed them to accelerate strategically. Conversely, Zakis notes that Australia stuck to a conservative tempo and failed to counter England's aggression quickly enough, causing their run rate to lag. He views this final game as a glimpse into the future of test cricket, anticipating Australia might test younger players or T20-style tactics.

RAVENS BEFRIEND DALLAS AND DISPLACE THE COCKATOOS Colleague Jeremy Zakis. Zakis updates the backyard wildlife saga, noting the arrival of intelligent Ravens that have befriended his dog, Dallas. Unlike the aggressive Cockatoos that damaged a neighbor's roof, the Ravens displayed strategic dominance by organizedly displacing the Cockatoos from a pine tree. Zakis describes the Ravens' "surgical" approach, using vocal harassment and gradual escalation rather than brute force to claim the territory. He observes that while the Cockatoos still lurk, the Ravens have established control. Additionally, he counts at least five Magpie families in the area, with several actively visiting his property to interact with Dallas.

PREVIEW FOR LATER TONIGHT THE SLOW REHABILITATION OF XI ZHONGXUN Colleague Joseph Torigian. Torigian details the slow rehabilitation of Xi Zhongxun, noting it took years after his release to fully return to work. He explains this delay occurred because Xi was persecuted by Mao personally. The Party moved cautiously to avoid signaling a sudden directional shift that might suggest the political system was collapsing. 1910 MAO

MCNAMARA'S ACADEMIC BRILLIANCE AND PERSONAL DRIVE Colleague William Taubman. Taubmandetails McNamara's academic brilliance, noting his induction into Phi Beta Kappa at Berkeley and his status as the top student at Harvard Business School, where he sought to combine business with public service. His drive was shaped by a cold father and a mother who pushed him relentlessly to excel, while his wife Margie provided the emotional warmth and cheerfulness his own personality lacked. Despite his intellect, a 1939 trip to Europe, where he witnessed Hitlerspeak, left him surprisingly unaware of the imminent outbreak of war. NUMBER 2 1910

HOMER'S NARRATIVE CHOICES AND ORAL TRADITION Colleague Professor Emily Wilson. Wilsondiscusses the "Homeric Question," noting that oral stories existed for centuries before the alphabet arrived in the 8th century BCE. She highlights the Iliad's sophisticated narrative structure, which omits famous events like the Apple of Discord and the Trojan Horse to focus intensely on a specific period of the war. The conversation compares the Iliad'sfocus on Greek infighting with Virgil's Aeneid, noting the distinct goals of each epic tradition. NUMBER 2 500 AD ALEXANDRIA

ETRUSCANS AND THE WOMEN OF EARLY ROME Colleague Daisy Dunn. Dunn discusses the Etruscans, noting their advanced dentistry and the shock Greeks felt at Etruscan men and women dining together openly. Transitioning to Rome, they recount the violent founding myth of the Rape of the Sabine Women. The segment details the tragedy of Lucretia, whose rape and subsequent suicide led Brutus to overthrow the monarchy and establish the Roman Republic, making her a paragon of virtue. NUMBER 11 1600 RAPE OF THE SABINE WOMEN

INDIGENOUS FIRE MANAGEMENT AND THE HISTORY OF AUSTRALIAN WILDFIRES Colleague Danielle Clode. In this interview, Danielle Clode discusses the historical context of Australian wildfires, noting that early European explorers like Captain Cook frequently observed fires along the coast, which they often viewed merely as signs of habitation. Clode explains that Indigenous Australians practiced "fire stick farming" for over 60,000 years, using fire as a sophisticated tool for hunting, signaling, and vegetation management—a nuance missed by early settlers who used fire indiscriminately to clear land. The segment highlights the difference between indigenous land management, which created park-like forests, and the catastrophic fires that have occurred since colonization, such as the "Black Thursday" fires of 1851. NUMBER 1

 FROM REVOLUTION TO QUANTUM TUNNELING Colleague Professor Paul Halpern. This segment introduces the parallel early lives of physicists George Gamow and Fred Hoyle. Halpern describes Gamow's youth in revolutionary Russia, noting the irony that his father once taught Leon Trotsky. Gamow studied under Alexander Friedmann, who applied general relativity to an expanding universe model likened to a balloon. Following Friedmann'suntimely death, Gamow pivoted to quantum physics, discovering quantum tunneling—a process vital for stellar fusion. The discussion covers Gamow's motorcycle adventures at the Niels Bohr Institute and his eventual escape from the Soviet Union to avoid Marxist-Leninist political intrusion into science. NUMBER 1 1942

 THE LEGACY OF THE GREAT COMMUNICATOR Colleague Max Boot. Boot reflects on Reagan's legacy, noting his "genial and aloof" personality rooted in childhood trauma. He discusses the superficial nature of Reagan's diaries, his economic record aided by Paul Volcker, and his unassuming nature, exemplified by a story about an uncomfortable chair he refused to complain about. NUMBER 8 1927

THE AENEID'S PLOT AND HOMERIC INFLUENCES Colleagues Scott McGill and Susanna Wright. McGill and Wright summarize the plot, from Troy's destruction to the war in Italy. They analyze Virgil's dialogue with Homer, noting how the poem's opening words invoke both the Iliad's warfare and the Odyssey's wanderings. They also highlight the terrifying, visual nature of Virgil's depiction of the underworld. NUMBER 11

PREVIEW STATE DEPARTMENT CHALLENGES WITH PANAMA AND CCP INTERFERENCE Colleague Mary Kissel. Mary Kissel evaluates the State Department under Secretary Rubio, noting fewer negative leaks but significant challenges regarding Panama. She details how the CCP disrupts agreements by constantly renegotiating, suggesting that high-level US intervention is now required to counter Chinese influence and finalize deals in the region. 1910 CANAL ZONE

PREVIEW Guest: Tom Modly Summary: Former Acting Navy Secretary Modly advocates spinning the Navy off from the Pentagon to improve its standing. He highlights the dangerous disparity in industrial power, noting that China'sshipbuilding capacity is nearly 250 times greater than the United States and is better positioned to convert commercial assets for wartime use. 1911 MAINE IN HAVANA HARBOR

  THE SCANDAL'S LEGACY AND POST-CIVIL WAR DIVORCE Colleague Barbara Weisberg. Weisbergdiscusses the scandal's legacy, noting that divorce rates spiked significantly after the Civil War, though the guilty party was legally forbidden to remarry. She explains that this public trial shattered the privacy of the elite, proving to the public that the upper classes were deeply flawed. NUMBER 8

AUSTRALIA DOMINATES ENGLAND IN THE ASHES CRICKET SERIES Colleague Jeremy Zakis. Zakisanalyzes the Ashes series, noting England's poor performance and failure to execute their aggressive "Bazball" strategy effectively. Conversely, Australia's consistent, conservative playing style has fatigued the English team, leading to early victories. Captain Pat Cummins has returned to the field as the final matches proceed in Sydney and Melbourne. 1884

TRADE SEMINARS, HEALTH INSPECTIONS, AND A PROPER DESK Colleague Oliver Darkshire. The guest describes attending a trade seminar in York, noting that booksellers are typically reclusive rather than social. He recounts a health and safety inspection that left the official in a "fugue state" due to the shop's conditions. Finally, Oliver celebrates eventually receiving a desk he fits under. NUMBER 4 1896 iIRELAND

APPRENTICESHIP AT HENRY SOTHERAN'S ANTIQUARIAN BOOKSHOP Colleague Oliver Darkshire. Darkshire describes his apprenticeship at Henry Sotheran's, noting the shop's silent atmosphere and his odd interview regarding trombone playing. He details the "higgledy-piggledy" layout where buildings merge and his assignment to a tiny desk, suitable for a "Victorian gentle woman," positioned as the "first line of defense." NUMBER 2 1940 london tube

CHINA'S CHIP THEFT AND AI WARFARE RISKS Colleague Brandon Weichert, The National Interest. Weichert discusses China's attempts to upgrade older ASML machines and reverse-engineer chips to bypass sanctions. They also review 2025 lessons, noting that AI in military war games tends to escalate conflicts aggressively toward nuclear options, warning that China may fuse AI with its nuclear command systems. NUMBER 2

CHINA'S CHIP THEFT AND AI WARFARE RISKS Colleague Brandon Weichert, The National Interest. Weichert discusses China's attempts to upgrade older ASML machines and reverse-engineer chips to bypass sanctions. They also review 2025 lessons, noting that AI in military war games tends to escalate conflicts aggressively toward nuclear options, warning that China may fuse AI with its nuclear command systems. NUMBER 2

PREVIEW ROCKET LAB OUTPERFORMS RUSSIA IN LAUNCH NUMBERS Colleague Bob Zimmerman. Bob Zimmerman highlights Rocket Lab's success, noting the private company is outperforming Russia in launch numbers. He describes a recent mission deploying "pizza pie" shaped satellites for the Space Force. These flat discs allow efficient packing and aerodynamic testing in lower orbits, showcasing the effectiveness of commercial space innovation.1950

PREVIEW Guest: Michael Bernstam Summary: Michael Bernstam analyzes declining oil prices, noting a global glut that has pushed prices under $60 per barrel. He explains that because Russia loses roughly $2.7 billion for every $10 price drop and sells at a deep discount, current revenues are insufficient to sustain its budget or war effort. 1914

David Shedd explains how China's Ministry of State Security operates as a massive intelligence entity combining the functions of the CIA, FBI, and NSA. He traces this economic espionage to Deng Xiaoping's 1984 strategy, noting that Chinese officers view theft as repayment for past Western oppression. 1906 PEKING NORTHSIDE

Rick Fisher analyzes the emerging race to build AI data centers in low Earth orbit, noting advantages like natural cooling and zero real estate costs. While Elon Musk's Starlink positions the US well, Fisher warns that China has detailed plans to use space-based data centers to support expansion into the solar system. 1942

Turkel outlines his collaboration with US leaders, including Matt Pottinger and Nancy Pelosi, to secure sanctions and a formal genocide designation. He highlights the bipartisan consensus against Beijing's abuses, noting that his effective advocacy on the US Commission on International Religious Freedom led China to sanction him personally 1967 RED GUARD

Judy Dempsey examines fears that Russia will shift military forces to the NATO border if a Ukraine peace deal is reached. She discusses reported US pressure on Kyiv to surrender the Donbas, noting that both Ukraine and the EUoppose such concessions due to sovereignty concerns and lack of security guarantees. 1781 GERMAN SEA

Gregory Copley. Gregory Copley discusses King Charles's recent video regarding his cancer, noting the King implied success with early detection and a reduction in future treatments. Dismissing social media panic, Copley explains the King remains in command and is more likely to die with the disease than of it.

PREVIEW: Russia Retains Initiative but Exaggerates Gains in Ukraine: Colleague John Hardie evaluates the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, noting that while Russia retains the initiative, it consistently exaggerates its territorial gains, explaining that despite Ukrainian infantry shortages, their use of drones and counterattacks has prevented Russia from achieving a major operational breakthrough or capitalizing fully on its material advantages. 1941 GERMAN OCCUPATION

Queensland Girl Bitten by Snake Now Fundraising for Rescue Helicopter: Colleague Jeremy Zakis recounts the survival of Joanna Lamb, a ten-year-old Queensland girl bitten by a deadly Eastern Brown snake, noting that after being saved by an air ambulance, she is now selling cows to fund a permanent rescue helicopter for her remote community to ensure others have access to life-saving care.

Thunderstorms Extinguish Fires but Spark New Wildfire Risks: Colleague Jeremy Zakis describes spectacular thunderstorms moving from the Blue Mountains to the coast, characterized by intense lightning and heavy rain, noting that while recent downpours extinguished previous fires, fresh lightning strikes combined with forecast heat and wind create a renewed risk for dangerous wildfires in the coming weeks.

La Scala's Season Opening and Milan's Christmas Atmosphere: Colleague Lorenzo Fiori describes attending the season opening at La Scala, featuring a dramatic Russian opera that audiences connected to current geopolitical tensions, also noting the festive Christmas atmosphere in Milan and Prime Minister Meloni's continued, albeit non-military, support for Ukraine. 1957