Podcasts about october surprises

Craig Unger details his time at Newsweek, where he was hired to lead an investigation into the October Surprise, only to see the magazine eventually publish multiple stories discrediting the entire narrative. Unger describes this shift as a "disgrace" to American journalism, noting that both the media and the House investigation led by Lee Hamiltonparticipated in a "whitewash" of the allegations. Despite congressional findings that the events did not happen, investigative reporter Bob Parry continued the search, eventually discovering a "treasure trove" of documents hidden in an abandoned women's restroom in a House office building. These papers, found under a tampon dispenser, contained 23 gigabytes of evidence that the congressional task force had overlooked. During this period, legendary reporter Seymour Hersh warned Unger that he would be "crushed" if he continued to challenge the powerful national security establishment, a prediction that nearly came true as Unger faced professional ostracization. (4/8)1905

Craig Unger analyzes the specific allegations regarding meetings in Madrid and Paris that formed the core of the October Surprise deal. While alibis were created for both Bill Casey and George H.W. Bush, Unger and reporter Bob Parry found evidence to puncture these claims, such as Casey's supposed presence at an OSS reunion in London that he actually slipped away from. The Madrid meeting with Iranian cleric Mehdi Karrubi in July 1980 is where the parameters for delaying the hostage release were first sketched out. Regarding the Paris meeting, Unger believes the preponderance of evidence suggests Bush was there to provide a high-level "imprimatur" for the deal. The Iranians were desperate for American aircraft parts due to the sudden invasion by Iraq in September 1980, providing the Republicans with significant leverage. Unger contends that delivering arms to a hostile power holding Americans was politically unthinkable, making these secret negotiations a form of treason. (6/8)1903

Craig Unger recounts his 2014 trip to Iran, where he visited the former American embassy, now a museum called the "Den of Spies," showcasing shredded documents laboriously pasted back together by militants. During his visit, Ungersecured a rare interview with Mohsen Rafiqdoost, the former head of Iranian arms procurement, who briefly slipped up by mentioning a meeting with "the Republicans" before quickly correcting himself. Unger also interviewed former Iranian President Abulhassan Bani-Sadr in France, who provided documents describing the October Surprise as a "double coup" that empowered radicals in both the U.S. and Iran while ousting moderates. The sources confirm that the 1953 coup against Mohammad Mossadegh remains a deep-seated grievance in Iran, fueling their desire to undermine American influence. Unger emphasizes that these secret relationships between the Republicans, Iran, and Israel were considered "taboo" because they proved that the 1980 election was subverted through international collusion. (7/8)1904

Craig Unger highlCraig Unger highlights the "suspiciously perfect" timing of the hostage release, which occurred exactly three minutes after Ronald Reagan completed his inaugural address on January 20, 1981. Unger argues it was physically impossible for Reagan to have negotiated this release in the minutes he was in office, suggesting a deal had been finalized long before. Even modern biographers like Max Boot now acknowledge that the evidence for the October Surprise is sufficient to conclude it happened. Unger places this event within a broader historical pattern of Republican election interference, citing Richard Nixon's 1968 use of Anna Chennault to sabotage Vietnam peace talks and Donald Trump's 2016 ties to Russia. By examining Bob Parry's 23-gigabyte archive, Unger believes much more information is still waiting to be discovered in various presidential libraries. He concludes that understanding this history is vital for recognizing the ongoing assault on American democracy through clandestine foreign partnerships. (8/8)

Craig Unger explores the transformation of the 1980 Reagan campaign following the hiring of Bill Casey as campaign manager. Casey, a legendary WWII spy from the OSS, is described as a brilliant but eccentric figure who utilized his extensive international contacts to build a secret intelligence network while the campaign was still underway. This network involved meetings with Israeli agents and South African arms dealers to discuss the ongoing Iranian revolution. Unger details how the Reagan camp feared an "October Surprise"—a pre-election hostage release that would secure Carter's victory—leading Casey to take covert preventative measures. Interestingly, Ronald Reagan himself seemed disconnected from the details of Casey's operations, often merely nodding and smiling because he could not understand Casey's muddled speech. This dynamic allowed Casey to operate with significant autonomy, setting the stage for clandestine maneuvers that Unger argues ultimately subverted the American democratic process. (2/8)1903

Craig Unger recounts the investigative origins of the October Surprise story, which gained mainstream credibility after a 1991 New York Times op-ed by former National Security Council member Gary Sick. Working for Esquire, Ungercollaborated with fellow journalists like Bob Parry to uncover rumors of Republican interference in the hostage crisis. A central figure in their investigation was Ari Ben-Menashe, a rogue Israeli intelligence operative who claimed that Bill Casey met with Iranians in Madrid in July 1980. Ben-Menashe alleged that Casey negotiated a deal to provide Iranwith weapons in exchange for delaying the release of the American hostages until after the election, a clear violation of the Logan Act. Furthermore, Ben-Menashe claimed a follow-up meeting occurred in Paris in October 1980 involving George H.W. Bush to "seal the deal." Unger emphasizes that investigating this world of illegal arms dealers was professionally risky, often leading to accusations of being a "conspiracy nut." (3/8)1904

This is our continuing series pulled from archives going back to 2005. This week, we present a program from 2009 in which we summarized a conspiracy so vast it's come to be known as The Octopus. Originally released October 4, 2009 THE TITLE of tonight's show is a reference to the conspiracy investigated by journalist Danny Casolaro--whose death, despite the official ruling, remains a mystery. Casolaro believed it tied the United States government to the Inslaw case (a software company that accused the Justice Department of stealing its extremely powerful PROMIS case management software), the so-called “October Surprise” theory that Iran had held back the American hostages to help Ronald Reagan win the 1980 presidential election, the collapse of the Bank of Credit and Commerce International, and the Iran-Contra scandal. The scheme was so vast and complex that Casolaro referred to it as “the Octopus.” Casolaro was found dead in a hotel room in Martinsburg, West Virginia in August of 1991, his wrists slashed 10 to 12 times. His death was, of course, ruled a suicide. Casolaro's story might have continued its slow fade into the dusty corners of conspiracy theory folklore, except that charges were filed this week against a Miami-based missionary to Honduras named Jimmy Hughes for the 1981 slayings of Fred Alvarez and two associates in Rancho Mirage, California. It is believed that Alvarez was killed to silence him before he could carry out a threat to expose financial improprieties and other illegal activity on the Cabazon Indian reservation in Riverside County, California. Incredibly, what happened on Cabazon land in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s reaches around the world and into the highest levels of the US government -- part of Casolaro's “Octopus”. Central to the story (especially when he tells it) is the mysterious Michael Riconosciuto, now serving a 20-year sentence for production and distribution of meth. Understanding “the Octopus” is like the old story of the blind men trying to comprehend their first encounter with an elephant: the parts you touch can appear to be completely different and totally unrelated. Running over the outlines of the case in about half an hour, we didn't even mention mainstream media reports -- published prior to 9/11 -- that FBI spy Robert Hanssen sold an upgraded version of PROMIS to Russia, which in turn sold it to Osama bin Laden. It's believed Al Qaeda used the software to penetrate databases and move funds between banks without being detected by US counterterror groups. A PROMIS derivative was also allegedly used by Chinese military intelligence to steal nuclear secrets from the Los Alamos and Sandia national laboratories. So, like the Octopus, the tentacles extending from the modifications made by Michael Riconosciuto at the Cabazon reservation are many and far-reaching. Also: Ireland approves the Lisbon Treaty; President Obama strikes out in Copenhagen; the Ring of Fire heats up; the IMF becomes the world's central bank; and a scam in Montana. Recommended further reading: The Cabazon Nation, Jimmy Hughes, and Riverside County DA Rod Pacheco by Viginia McCulloughThe Octopus Conspiracy: One Woman's Search for Her Father's Killer by Andrew Rice (Wired, Feb. 4, 2011)The Strange Death of Danny Casolaro by Ron Rosenbaum (Vanity Fair, Dec. 1991)Wikipedia entry: Danny CasolaroWikipedia entry: Inslaw (developer of PROMIS software)Wikipedia entry: Edwin P. WilsonThe Last Circle by Carol Marshall (pen name of investigative journalist Cheri Seymour -- link is to free online copy of her unpublished manuscript)Trail of the Octopus: From Beirut to Lockerbie -- Inside the DIA by Lester K. Coleman and Donald Goddard (free online e-book) Sharon's niece, Sarah Sachleben, is fighting stage 4 bowel cancer, and the medical bills are piling up. If you are led to help, please go to GilbertHouse.org/hopeforsarah. Follow us! X (formerly Twitter): @pidradio | @sharonkgilbert | @derekgilbert | @gilberthouse_tvTelegram: t.me/gilberthouse | t.me/sharonsroom | t.me/viewfromthebunkerSubstack: gilberthouse.substack.com | SharonKGilbert.substack.comYouTube: @GilbertHouse | @UnravelingRevelationFacebook.com/pidradio JOIN US IN ISRAEL! We will tour the Holy Land October 11–23, 2026 with an optional three-day extension to Jordan. For more information, log on to GilbertHouse.org/travel. Thank you for making our Build Barn Better project a reality! Our 1,200 square foot pole barn has a new HVAC system, epoxy floor, 100-amp electric service, new windows, insulation, lights, and ceiling fans! If you are so led, you can help out by clicking here: gilberthouse.org/donate. Get our free app! 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SHOW SCHEDULE 3-5-20161895 CARACASRussia Leverages Middle East Conflict to Pressure European Energy Markets Anatol Lieven analyzes how the Middle East conflict strengthens Russia's leverage over Europe while potentially causing internal Iranian anarchy and a massive refugee crisis. (1)Drone Strikes on Energy Infrastructure Threaten European Gas Supply Stability Lieven explores threats to European energy from strikes on the Baku pipeline and proposes sanctions relief to incentivize Russia toward a Ukrainian peace settlement. (2)Constitutional Debates Over Presidential Authority and the War Powers Act John Yu discusses the War Powers Resolution's history and argues that presidents possess inherent constitutional authority to use force abroad without prior congressional consent. (3)Judicial Limits and Political Checks on Presidential War-Making Power John Yu argues that elections, rather than courts or the War Powers Resolution, serve as the primary constitutional check on a president's use of force. (4)Cuba Faces Total Grid Failure Amid Severe National Oil Shortages Evan Ellis describes Cuba's widespread blackouts caused by aging infrastructure and lack of fuel, while the US facilitates humanitarian oil shipments to private entities. (5)Venezuelan Leadership Slow-Rolls Political Transition Despite Economic Openings Evan Ellis details how the Rodriguez administration benefits from eased oil sanctions and mining interests while maintaining repressive control and delaying meaningful democratic transitions. (6)Chinese Influence and Strategic Integration in the Caribbean and Peru Evan Ellis examines China's deep strategic presence in Caribbean infrastructure and the upcoming Peruvian elections, where conservative candidates currently lead in the polls. (7)Regional Security and Trade Shifts in Ecuador, Mercosur, and Argentina Evan Ellis reports on joint US-Ecuadorian military operations against narco-terrorists, the Mercosur-EU trade deal, and Javier Milei's ongoing economic and legal reforms in Argentina. (8)SEG 9 George Downing and the Puritan Vision Dennis Su introduces George Downing, a Harvard graduate who bridged the New England colonies and the English Civil War as a key Puritan figure. (1)SEG 10 Harvard Scholar Turned New Model Army Preacher After excelling at Harvard, Downing traveled to England, becoming a chaplain for Cromwell's New Model Army while exhibiting ruthless traits regarding Caribbean slavery. (2)SEG 11 Cromwell's Spy and the Edinburgh Intrigue Dennis Su explains how George Downing used intelligence and rhetoric to infiltrate the Scottish government, acting as a crucial spy for Oliver Cromwell in 1650. (3)SEG 12 Scoutmaster General and the Birth of Downing Street Downing rose to Scoutmaster General, overseeing Scotland's administration while building a massive fortune through seized properties and the trade of war prisoners. (4)SEG 13 Artificial Intelligence Joins the Battlefront in Iran Experts debate the ethical and strategic implications of using Claude AI for targeting and simulations in the Iran conflict, highlighting concerns over accountability and command. (5)SEG 14 The Fragile Alliance and European War Hesitation The panel discusses why European allies hesitate to join the US in Iran, citing domestic unrest and a significant technological gap between military forces. (6)SEG 15 Bill Casey and the Traitorous October Surprise Craig Unger describes how Bill Casey allegedly hijacked American foreign policy by negotiating with Iran to delay hostage releases, ensuring a Ronald Reagan electoral victory. (7)SEG 16 Uncovering Receipts of Treason in Tehran Unger details his 2014 trip to Tehran, where he obtained receipts and witness testimony regarding illegal arms deals that supported the 1980 October Surprise conspiracy. (8)

Preview for Later Today: Craig Unger investigates the 1980 October Surprise, detailing illegal weapon transfers from Israel to Iran intended to delay hostage releases until after the U.S. election. (5)1940

SEG 15 Bill Casey and the Traitorous October Surprise Craig Ungerdescribes how Bill Casey allegedly hijacked American foreign policy by negotiating with Iran to delay hostage releases, ensuring a Ronald Reagan electoral victory. (7)1979 TEHRAN EMBASSY

SEG 16 Uncovering Receipts of Treason in Tehran Unger details his 2014 trip to Tehran, where he obtained receipts and witness testimony regarding illegal arms deals that supported the 1980 October Surpriseconspiracy. (8)1979

Craig Unger describes Newsweek's dismissal of the October Surprise story and how reporter Bob Parry discovered crucial documents hidden in a House office building bathroom. 4.

As we continue wading through the estuary of 2025/2026/October Surprise 2025, we continue, after our long delay, with our Signature Episode: this one assurance through prayer. We hear Jesus say:"For all these things the nations of the world eagerly seek; but your Father knows that you need these things. "But seek His kingdom, and these things shall be added to you. 32 "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom."Luke 12:30-32The essence of being a baby is crying. If you're a parent, sometimes you go in, and your baby is crying, but they're not wet, not hungry, not hurt, not afraid. So we pick them up, hold them close, talk to them a little bit, and hug them, and their crying stops. Why? Because they need us, they need our presence in that moment. I will say it, once more, "God is a much better parent than we are."If your inner man is giving you some trouble, if your inner man is not experiencing the peace you desire, or maybe you've had at other times, my encouragement is to get into your closet and draw close to your Savior, and talk to him. Our So What?Do we not yet understand that access to the Father is the peace of our walk? Pray, Pray, Pray!Brethren, let's pray for one another."What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more." Robert Murray M'Cheynee Donation link:https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=G9JGGR5W97D64Or go to www.freerangepreacheronprayer.com and use the Donations tab.Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard.www.freerangepreacheronprayer.comfreerangeprayer@gmail.comFacebook - Free Range Preacher MinistriesInstagram: freerangeministriesAll our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.For access to the voice-over services of Richard Durrington, please visit RichardDurrington.com or email him at Durringtonr@gmail.comOur podcast art was designed by @sammmmmmmmm23 on InstagramSeason 008Episode 009

The host of CONSPIRACY! THE SHOW has insights on why people believe wild things and how grifters and media personalities turn paranoia into profit. With questions about his own conspiracy theories: - Was an ad in The New Yorker for a board game a tipoff about Pearl Harbor? - Did the CIA want to kill Reagan? - Why are there bans on lab-produced meat? - Is there proof of The October Surprise? - Do CIA Assassination Manuals exist? - How much does the government lie to us? Watch Mission Implausible on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MissionImplausiblePod

Trusting the Lord as we wrap up our October Surprise, season 7, finish up our Signature episode, and begin Season 8, we hear God, the Almighty, challenge Job's assertion that he will walk into God's presence, “like a prince,” and demand an answer. The Lord, the I AM, instead challenges Job's arm, presence, eminence, dignity, honor, and majesty. If God says, Job has those attributes in His measure, He will “confess to you, That your own right hand can save you.”Christ in His sacrifice shows us that the debt we owed was one we could not pay. Our So What?From a terrible storm, which is the presence of the Almighty. we learnThe humility that says “Not my will, but thine be done” is the most joyous place in all the universe.Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen1 Timothy 1:17Brethren, let's pray for one another. "What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more." Robert Murray M'Cheynee Donation link:https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=G9JGGR5W97D64Alternatively, visit www.freerangepreacheronprayer.com and use the Donations tab.Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard.www.freerangepreacheronprayer.comfreerangeprayer@gmail.comFacebook - Free Range Preacher MinistriesInstagram: freerangeministriesAll our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.For access to the voice-over services of Richard Durrington, please visit RichardDurrington.com or email him at Durringtonr@gmail.comOur podcast art was designed by @sammmmmmmmm23 on InstagramSeason 007Episode 167

BILL CASEY'S SECRET INTELLIGENCE NETWORK AND THE CAMPAIGN TO DEFEAT CARTERColleague Craig Unger. Focusing on the Republican response to the hostage crisis, this segment examines the role of William "Bill" Casey, who took over Ronald Reagan's campaign in early 1980. Unger describes Casey as a brilliant former OSS spy who operated a "secret intelligence network" involving South African arms dealers and Israeli agents to monitor the Carter administration's progress. Casey realized that an "October Surprise"—a last-minute release of hostages by Carter—could cost Reagan the election. To prevent this, Casey allegedly sought to delay their release. Unger notes that while Reagan likely knew the broad strokes of these operations, he may have been insulated from the specific, treasonous details, partly due to Casey's habit of mumbling and the "deniability" inherent in his tradecraft. NUMBER 2

THE ORIGINS OF THE INVESTIGATION AND THE ALLEGATIONS OF ARI BEN-MENASHE Colleague Craig Unger. Unger details how the "October Surprise" investigation began, sparked by a 1991 op-ed from former National Security Council member Gary Sick. Unger, then working with Esquire and later Newsweek, collaborated with investigative reporter Bob Parry to uncover the truth. A key but controversial source was Ari Ben-Menashe, a rogue Israeli intelligence operative who claimed that Bill Casey met with Iranians in Madrid in July 1980 to negotiate a delay in the hostages' release in exchange for arms. Ben-Menashe further alleged that George H.W. Bush traveled to Paris in October 1980 to finalize the deal. Although these sources were often dismissed as disreputable, Unger argues that investigating illegal arms dealing necessitates speaking to operatives within that shadow world, despite the risk to a journalist's career. NUMBER 3

MEDIA SUPPRESSION, POLITICAL WHITEWASHING, AND THE DISCOVERY OF BURIED EVIDENCEColleague Craig Unger. This segment recounts the suppression of the October Surprise story by major media and government institutions. After initially hiring Unger to investigate, Newsweek abruptly pivoted, publishing articles denying the events took place, which Unger calls a "disgrace." A subsequent House investigation led by Lee Hamiltonwas characterized as a "whitewash" that accepted weak alibis for Bill Casey. Investigative legend Seymour Hershwarned Unger that he would be "crushed" for pursuing the story, and indeed, Unger faced lawsuits and professional isolation. However, the investigation was revived when reporter Bob Parry discovered 23 gigabytes of documents hidden in an abandoned ladies' room in the House office building. These documents, found under a tampon dispenser, contained evidence that contradicted the official exonerations of the Reagan campaign. NUMBER 4

INSIDE IRAN: CONFRONTING REVOLUTIONARY FIGURES AND UNCOVERING THE DOUBLE COUPColleague Craig Unger. Unger describes his 2014 trip to Tehran to find Iranian corroboration for the October Surprise. He visited the former US Embassy, now a "Den of Spies" museum documenting the 1953 CIA coup against Mossadegh, which remains a source of deep grievance. Unger secured a rare interview with Mohsen Rafighdoost, a founder of the Revolutionary Guards and Khomeini's driver. During the interview, Rafighdoost slipped, saying "If we met with the Republicans..."—a moment Unger captured on video. Unger also interviewed Abolhassan Banisadr, the ousted first president of the Islamic Republic, in Versailles. Banisadr provided documents confirming the plot, describing it as a "double coup": it removed Carter in the US and allowed hardliners to consolidate power in Iran by undermining moderates like himself. NUMBER 7

THE HOSTAGE RELEASE TIMING AND A LEGACY OF ELECTORAL INTERFERENCE Colleague Craig Unger. The final segment addresses the suspicious timing of the hostage release on January 20, 1981. Unger notes that while Carter stayed up all night negotiating, the hostages were not released until minutes after Ronald Reagan took the oath of office. This precise timing suggests a pre-arranged deal, as Reagan had no presidential authority to negotiate prior to that moment. Unger points out that recent biographers and international sources have increasingly accepted the October Surprise as fact. He concludes by contextualizing this event within a broader history of Republican interference in foreign policy to win elections, drawing parallels to Nixon's sabotage of Vietnam peace talks in 1968 and allegations regarding the Trump campaign and Russia. The files suggest that political treason has been used repeatedly to "steal the White House." NUMBER 8

Welcome to the Free Range Preacher on Prayer podcast, episode 1 of season 8, or the official episode one of season 8.As we welcome the nations of Eswatini, Bangladesh, and Israel to the podcast, we are in an estuary season.God willing, we take the next few weeks to finish our October Surprise, Signature episode started in December, and begin Season Eight. I recently read a letter by Samuel Rutherford and realized he summed up the podcast's purpose more effectively than I ever have.Today's episode is a prayer based on His eloquent exhortation.“Strive to make prayer, and reading, and holy company, and holy conference your delight; and when delight cometh in, ye shall by little and little smell the sweetness of Christ, till at length your soul be over head and ears in Christ's sweetness.”Take, Lord Jesus, these two pennies and help your people draw near to Thee. Thy will be done, in Thy wise, just, merciful, and compassionate person. Father compels us into Thy presence for our good, and we will glorify Thy Holy name forever and ever. Amen.“Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen”1 Timothy 1:17Brethren, let's pray for one another."What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more." Robert Murray M'Cheynee Donation link:https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=G9JGGR5W97D64Or go to www.freerangepreacheronprayer.com and use the Donations tab.Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard.www.freerangepreacheronprayer.comfreerangeprayer@gmail.comFacebook - Free Range Preacher MinistriesInstagram: freerangeministriesAll our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.For access to the voice-over services of Richard Durrington, please visit RichardDurrington.com or email him at Durringtonr@gmail.comOur podcast art was designed by @sammmmmmmmm23 on InstagramSeason 008Episode 008

THE ROAD TO THE WHITE HOUSE: CAMPAIGNS OF 1976 AND 1980 Colleague Max Boot. Discussing the path to the presidency, Boot analyzes Reagan's close 1976 loss to Gerald Ford and his victorious 1980 campaign. He highlights the firing of campaign manager John Sears, Bill Casey's role in the potential "October Surprise" regarding Iranian hostages, and Reagan's decisive debate performance against Jimmy Carter. NUMBER 5 1971 GOVERNOR'S BALL

MEDIA COVER-UPS AND THE LADIES' ROOM DISCOVERY Colleague Craig Unger. Unger recounts how Newsweek and a Congressional investigation suppressed the story, dismissing the "October Surprise" as a myth. Despite warnings from Seymour Hersh, Unger and reporter Bob Parry persisted, eventually discovering a massive cache of discarded evidence hidden inside a House office building restroom, reigniting the investigation into the alleged treason. NUMBER 4

BILL CASEY TAKES COMMAND OF THE REAGAN CAMPAIGN Colleague Craig Unger. Unger details how Ronald Reagan hired former OSS spy Bill Casey as campaign manager. Casey utilized a secret intelligence network involving Israeli agents to monitor the hostage situation, fearing a pre-election release would help Carter. Casey aimed to prevent this "October Surprise" while keeping Reagan largely insulated from specific operational details. NUMBER 2

THE INAUGURATION RELEASE AND A PATTERN OF TREASON Colleague Craig Unger. Unger highlights the suspicious timing of the hostage release minutes after Reagan's inauguration, arguing a secret deal was undeniable. He connects this to a pattern of Republican interference in foreign policy for electoral gain, linking the "October Surprise" to Nixon's Vietnam sabotage and recent allegations involving Trump and Russia. NUMBER 8

Craig Unger discusses Den of Spies, investigating the "October Surprise"—hostages released minutes after Reagan's inauguration. The timing suggests the Reagan campaign made a secret deal with Iran. No facts have been challenged since publication. He views this as a Republican pattern of using adversarial nations to intervene in elections. Guest: Craig Unger. 1866 Retry

Craig Unger investigates the "October Surprise" following the 1979 seizure of 52 American hostages in Tehran. Iran's revolution overthrew the Shah, installed by the US in 1953, creating an anti-American Islamic Republic. The failed Desert One rescue mission on April 24, 1980, killed eight Americans and shocked the Carter administration, effectively ending his re-election prospects. Carter's weak position was exacerbated by his contentious relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin following the Camp David Accords. Candidate Ronald Reagan and his soon-to-be campaign head, Bill Casey, observed the developing crisis. Guest: Craig Unger. 1850 TEHRAN

Craig Unger explores rumors of an "October Surprise"—a Republican deal to delay the hostages' release—which gained credence when former NSC official Gary Sick published an op-ed. Unger spoke to rogue Israeli operative Ari Ben Mashi, who alleged Bill Casey met with Iranians in Madrid in July 1980. Ben Mashi claimed Casey violated the Logan Act and an arms embargo by offering weapons in exchange for a delay in the hostage release until after the election. Ben Mashi also alleged Vice Presidential nominee George H.W. Bush attended a subsequent meeting in Paris in October 1980 to finalize the agreement. Unger's published findings in Esquire led him to join Newsweek to continue the investigation. Guest: Craig Unger.

Craig Unger describes his high-profile investigation at Newsweek, which surprisingly resulted in three articles denying the October Surprise occurred, a result Unger called a great disgrace in the history of American journalism. The subsequent Congressional investigation, led by Lee Hamilton, was dismissed by Unger as a complete whitewash that accepted weak alibis for Bill Casey. Unger was warned by investigative legend Seymour Hersh that he would be crushed if he continued his pursuit. Unger's colleague, Bob Perry, later found a massive archive of 23 gigabytes of documents containing secrets relevant to the investigation, abandoned in cardboard boxes in a former ladies' room under a tampon dispenser in a House office building. Guest: Craig Unger.

Craig Unger confirms the Madrid meeting in July 1980, where Bill Casey met with Iranian cleric Mehdi Karoubi, establishing the parameters of the October Surprise by asking Karoubi to delay the hostage release until after the presidential election. The alleged Paris meeting in October involving George H.W. Bush is harder to prove, though investigative work punctured Bush's alibis. Iran was motivated by desperation for American military spare parts, especially after Iraq invaded in September 1980. Unger believes the overall preponderance of evidence suggests the Paris meeting occurred, intended to secure the deal with the highest possible authority. Guest: Craig Unger.

Craig Unger describes his 2014 visit to Iran's "Den of Spies" embassy museum, where he interviewed Moshen Rafi Duce, Iran's arms procurement head, who seemingly made an accidental admission about meeting "the Republicans." Former Iranian president Abolhassan Banisadr confirmed the October Surprise was a double coup d'état, destabilizing both the US and moderate Iranian elements. The timing of the hostage release confirms a prior deal: they were freed only three minutes after Ronald Reagan took the oath of office on January 20, 1981. This event, Unger concludes, fits a pattern of Republican reliance on adversarial nations to intervene in US elections. Guest: Craig Unger. Retry

Jon Herold closes out October with a sharp and entertaining Halloween edition of The Daily Herold. Between jokes about scary clown masks and government shutdowns, Jon breaks down Trump's fiery Truth Social post calling for the “nuclear option” to end the filibuster, and what that means for the ongoing shutdown showdown. He explores Trump's Asia tour victories, new trade deals, and a record-breaking government standoff while weaving in chat banter and audience insights. The episode shifts into deep analysis of the Arctic Frost investigation, where newly unearthed FBI documents reveal a 2020 “October Surprise” attempt to link Trump's campaign to gambling transactions, timed suspiciously alongside the Hunter Biden laptop cover-up. Jon connects the dots between election interference, the deep state's survival tactics, and the long game of Trump's agenda, all with his signature wit, candor, and community energy.

Episode 4893: Kash's October Surprise; Beating Soros In Texas

There have been plenty of October Surprises in this campaign season.   Now the latest surprise is about redistricting. Politics analyst Jeff Schapiro and Michael Pope recap the week in politics and state government.

On today's Quick Start podcast: NEWS: A new Pew survey shows a stunning reversal — more Americans now believe religion is gaining influence in public life, the highest in 15 years. FOCUS STORY: Gov. Gavin Newsom signs a controversial bill connecting students with an LGBTQ+ mental health hotline — critics warn it may expose minors to unsafe online spaces. MAIN THING: Is Hamas regrouping? CBN's Raj Nair speaks with IDF Major Elliot Chodoff on what's next in the Middle East. LAST THING: Matthew 24:35 — “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” PRAY WITH US! Faithwire.substack.com SHOW LINKS Faith in Culture: https://cbn.com/news/faith-culture Heaven Meets Earth PODCAST: https://cbn.com/lp/heaven-meets-earth NEWSMAKERS POD: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/newsmakers/id1724061454 Navigating Trump 2.0: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/navigating-trump-2-0/id1691121630

No longer will I make the claim to catch up. The Lord has something else in mind, obviously. But we will crack on with our October Surprise and see what other surprises are in store!Today, we look at God, our Trainer. We know the battlefield terms are:"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, 4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ," 2 Corinthians 10:3-5We know Jesus is our example.And we know the Holy Spirit is our practical Trainer."But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. John 16:13Our So What?Our affections and the content of our communion with God change as we meditate on our mission and our Trainer. How?Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen1 Timothy 1:17Brethren, let's pray for one another. "What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more." Robert Murray M'Cheynee Donation link:https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=G9JGGR5W97D64Alternatively, visit www.freerangepreacheronprayer.com and use the Donations tab.Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard.www.freerangepreacheronprayer.comfreerangeprayer@gmail.comFacebook - Free Range Preacher MinistriesInstagram: freerangeministriesAll our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.For access to the voice-over services of Richard Durrington, please visit RichardDurrington.com or email him at Durringtonr@gmail.comOur podcast art was designed by @sammmmmmmmm23 on InstagramSeason 007Episode 148

Sheila is joined by SUPER GUESTS Alex Newman https://libertysentinel.org and Marc Morano https://www.climatedepot.com for a fast paced BOMBSHELL yet deep dive into what's coming this fall!Sheila's content is viewer supported.SHEILA WEBSITE: https://sheilazilinsky.comHOW TO GIVE: https://sheilazilinsky.com/givingVenmo https://venmo.com/u/SheilaZilinskyCash app https://cash.app/$SheilaZilinskyZelle sheila@sheilazilinsky.comPayPal https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/sheil...Patreon   / sheilazilinsky  OTHER WAYS TO LISTEN : https://sheilazilinsky.com/listen/FOLLOW SHEILA:Telegram: https://t.me/realsheilazX formerly Twitter:   / realsheilaz  Facebook:   / realsheilaz  Instagram:   / sheilazilinsky  Substack: https://sheilazilinsky.substack.com©2025 by Sheila Zilinsky. All Rights Reserved. Do not reproduce this video in whole or in part to any channel or other platform without permission.

Season Seven, October 2025, October 1: Who is the King of Glory? Breathlessly, Richard introduces us to October Surprise 2025, when we ask, "Who is this King of Glory?" And "Who is this Son of Man?” (Worth a listen for the introduction alone!)"Who is the King of glory? The LORD is strong and mighty, The LORD mighty in battle. 9 Lift up your heads, O gates, And lift them up, O ancient doors, That the King of glory may come in! 10 Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah."Psalm 24:8-10"My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism."James 2:1"With it we bless our Lord and Father; and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God."James 3:9"Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. 6 And there are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons."1 Corinthians 12:4The King of Glory is Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit, as marvelously and mysteriously as that is. Our So What?We contemplate: Who has the King of Glory revealed himself to be Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and:How does that change my conversation with him? Brethren, let's pray for one another. "What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more." Robert Murray M'Cheynee Donation link:https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=G9JGGR5W97D64Alternatively, visit www.freerangepreacheronprayer.com and use the Donations tab.Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard.www.freerangepreacheronprayer.comfreerangeprayer@gmail.comFacebook - Free Range Preacher MinistriesInstagram: freerangeministriesAll our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.For access to the voice-over services of Richard Durrington, please visit RichardDurrington.com or email him at Durringtonr@gmail.comOur podcast art was designed by @sammmmmmmmm23 on InstagramSeason 007Episode 136

HEADLINE: The October Surprise: Bill Casey, Rogue Spies, and the Secret Deal to Delay Hostage Release AUTHOR:Craig Unger SUMMARY: Author Craig Unger discusses his book, Den of Spies, detailing the alleged 1980 October Surprise where Bill Casey, leading the Reagan campaign, made an illegal deal with Iran to delay releasing 52 American hostages until after the election, thereby ensuring Jimmy Carter's defeat. Casey's network used arms dealers like Ari Ben-Menashe and involved Israeli intelligence.

HEADLINE: Desert One Tragedy and the Geopolitics that Set the Stage for the October Surprise AUTHOR: Craig Unger SUMMARY: Craig Unger details the tragic failure of the April 1980 Desert One rescue attempt for 52 American hostages held by Iranian militants, resulting in eight American deaths. This failure, occurring during an election year, virtually guaranteed Jimmy Carter's inability to recover and made the hostage crisis the central issue of the 1980 presidential campaign against Ronald Reagan.

HEADLINE: Uncovering the October Surprise: From Rogue Sources to Documents in an Abandoned RestroomAUTHOR: Craig Unger SUMMARY: Investigative reporter Craig Unger pursued the October Surprise story, initially utilizing controversial sources like rogue Israeli operative Ari Ben-Menashe. Although establishment reports largely dismissed the claims, colleague Bob Parry discovered a massive archive of abandoned documents in a Congressional office building restroom, containing secrets supporting the October Surprise narrative.

HEADLINE: Confirmed Meetings: Casey in Madrid and the Question of Bush in Paris AUTHOR: Craig UngerSUMMARY: Craig Unger reports strong evidence that Bill Casey met with Iranian cleric Karoubi in Madrid in late July 1980 to set the parameters of the October Surprise deal, specifically demanding the delay of hostage release. While George H.W. Bush's alleged 1980 Paris meeting to "seal the deal" remains unproved, his alibis have been punctured.

FILE 7 PREVIEW: HEADLINE: Vast Archives and New Confirming Information Support October Surprise ClaimsAUTHOR: Craig Unger SUMMARY: Craig Unger received new confirming information from Portugal and noted that massive archives, including Bob Parry's 23 gigabytes of data, remain largely unexamined by investigators.

FILE 8 PREVIEW: HEADLINE: October Surprise Fits Pattern of Republican Assaults on Democracy AUTHOR:Craig Unger SUMMARY: Craig Unger views the October Surprise as part of a consistent Republican pattern of relying on adversarial foreign countries, spanning from 1968's Nixon maneuvers to Donald Trump. Retry

PREVIEW: HEADLINE: Bill Casey: Mysterious Campaign Manager and Super Spy at the Center of the October Surprise GUEST NAME: Craig Unger SUMMARY: Author Craig Unger introduces Bill Casey, the mysterious, non-transparent Reagan campaign manager and former OSS spy, who built a secret intelligence network and is central to the disputed story of the 1980 October Surprise deal over the hostages. BOLDFACE NAMES: John Batchelor, Craig Unger, Bill Casey, Ronald Reagan 1945 WILD BILL DONOVAN OF THE OSS IN CHINA.

PREVIEW: HEADLINE: October Surprise Author Reports New Confirming Information from Portugal GUEST NAME: Craig Unger SUMMARY: Author Craig Unger continues to receive information confirming his reporting on the 1980 October Surprise, where Bill Casey, leading the Reagan campaign, allegedly arranged for the Iranian regime to delay the release of the American hostages before the election of President Carter. BOLDFACE NAMES: John Batchelor, Craig Unger, Bill Casey, Ronald Reagan, Carter 1944 STORK CLUB

The explosive inside story of the October Surprise conspiracy, a stunning act of treason that changed American history. New York Times bestselling author Craig Unger reveals his thirty-year investigation into the secret collusion between Ronald Reagan's 1980 presidential campaign and Iran, raising urgent questions about what happens when foreign meddling in our elections goes unpunished and what gets remembered when the political price for treason is victory.It was a tinderbox of an accusation. In April 1991, the New York Times ran an op-ed alleging that Ronald Reagan's 1980 presidential campaign had conspired with the Iranian government to delay the release of 52 American hostages until after the 1980 election. The Iranian hostage crisis was President Jimmy Carter's largest political vulnerability, and his lack of success freeing them ultimately sealed his fate at the ballot box. In return for keeping Americans in captivity until Reagan assumed the oath of office, the Republicans had secretly funneled arms to Iran. Treasonous and illegal, the operation—planned and executed by Reagan's campaign manager Bill Casey—amounted to a shadow foreign policy run by private citizens that ensured Reagan's victory.Investigative journalist Craig Unger was one of the first reporters covering the October Surprise—initially for Esquire and then Newsweek—and while attempting to unravel the mystery, he was fired, sued, and ostracized by the Washington press corps, as a counter narrative took hold: The October Surprise was a hoax. Though Unger later recovered his name and became a bestselling author on Republican abuses of power, the October Surprise remained his white whale, the project he—as well as legendary investigative journalist, the late Robert Parry—worked on late at night and between assignments.In Den of Spies, Unger reveals the definitive story of the October Surprise, going inside his three-decade reporting odyssey, along with Parry's never-before-seen archives, and sharing startling truths about what really happened in 1980. The result is a real-life political thriller filled with double agents, CIA operatives, slippery politicians, KGB documents, wealthy Republicans, and dogged journalists. A timely and provocative history that presages our Trump-era political scandals, Den of Spies demonstrates the stakes of allowing the politics of the moment to obscure the writing of our history.https://amzn.to/4ohW3GhBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-opperman-report--1198501/support.

Den of Spies: Reagan, Carter, and the Secret History of the Treason That Stole the White House Craig Unger The explosive inside story of the October Surprise conspiracy, a stunning act of treason that changed American history. New York Times bestselling author Craig Unger reveals his thirty-year investigation into the secret collusion between Ronald Reagan's 1980 presidential campaign and Iran, raising urgent questions about what happens when foreign meddling in our elections goes unpunished and what gets remembered when the political price for treason is victory.It was a tinderbox of an accusation. In April 1991, the New York Times ran an op-ed alleging that Ronald Reagan's 1980 presidential campaign had conspired with the Iranian government to delay the release of 52 American hostages until after the 1980 election. The Iranian hostage crisis was President Jimmy Carter's largest political vulnerability, and his lack of success freeing them ultimately sealed his fate at the ballot box. In return for keeping Americans in captivity until Reagan assumed the oath of office, the Republicans had secretly funneled arms to Iran. Treasonous and illegal, the operation—planned and executed by Reagan's campaign manager Bill Casey—amounted to a shadow foreign policy run by private citizens that ensured Reagan's victory.Investigative journalist Craig Unger was one of the first reporters covering the October Surprise—initially for Esquire and then Newsweek—and while attempting to unravel the mystery, he was fired, sued, and ostracized by the Washington prehttps://amzn.to/4o97NLjBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-opperman-report--1198501/support.

Was aspiring investigative journalist Danny Casolaro murdered in his Sheraton hotel room in Martinsburg, West Virginia on August 10th, 1991 because he was very close to exposing a conspiracy involving CIA, DOJ, and Whitehouse players involved in numerous murderous, illegal arms deals, espionage and more as truth? Are there shadowy power players in the highest ranking levels of government who won't hesitate to have anyone who threatens to expose their nefarious wheelings and dealings killed? Merch and more: www.badmagicproductions.com Timesuck Discord! https://discord.gg/tqzH89vWant to join the Cult of the Curious PrivateFacebook Group? Go directly to Facebook and search for "Cult of the Curious" to locate whatever happens to be our most current page :)For all merch-related questions/problems: store@badmagicproductions.com (copy and paste)Please rate and subscribe on Apple Podcasts and elsewhere and follow the suck on social media!! @timesuckpodcast on IG and http://www.facebook.com/timesuckpodcastWanna become a Space Lizard? Click here: https://www.patreon.com/timesuckpodcast.Sign up through Patreon, and for $5 a month, you get access to the entire Secret Suck catalog (295 episodes) PLUS the entire catalog of Timesuck, AD FREE. You'll also get 20% off of all regular Timesuck merch PLUS access to exclusive Space Lizard merch.

Right on cue, Jeffrey Goldberg of The Atlantic unleashes another anti-Trump smear; Republicans rack up excellent early voting numbers, defying media expectations; and Liz Cheney plays the useful idiot. Click here to join the member-exclusive portion of my show: https://bit.ly/3WDjgHE Ep.2071 - - - DailyWire+: Matt Walsh's hit documentary “Am I Racist?” is coming to DailyWire+ on October 28th! Head to https://amiracist.com to become a member today. Make The Daily Wire your hub for election coverage and tune in November 5th for live, real-time poll results and analysis! Join now at https://dailywire.com/subscribe Get your Ben Shapiro merch here: https://bit.ly/3TAu2cw - - - Today's Sponsors: ExpressVPN - Get 3 Months FREE of ExpressVPN: https://expressvpn.com/ben PureTalk - Get one year free of DW+ Insider: https://www.PureTalk.com/Shapiro Tecovas - Get 10% off when you sign up for email and texts: https://tecovas.com/shapiro Policygenius - Get your free life insurance quote & see how much you could save: http://policygenius.com/SHAPIRO Coign - Learn more about America's first credit card for conservatives at https://coign.com today! Kars4Kids - Donate your old car today at https://www.Kars4Kids.org/ben - - - Socials: Follow on Twitter: https://bit.ly/3cXUn53 Follow on Instagram: https://bit.ly/3QtuibJ Follow on Facebook: https://bit.ly/3TTirqd Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3RPyBiB