Podcasts about Pentagon

Plus: His Crazy Car Accident, Comic Books, Letters From Prison, Hegseth, Hampshire College Closing and More! Comedians are under attack. The MAGA machine has pushed Stephen Colbert off the air, gone after Jimmy Kimmel, and skipped a comedian at the White House Correspondents Dinner for the first time in memory. That's not an accident — it's the playbook of every authoritarian regime that ever feared a punchline. Paul Rieckhoff sits down with his old college friend, beloved comedian and actor Eugene Mirman — Bob's Burgers, Flight of the Conchords, and the new special Here Comes the Whimsy — for a candid, funny, and unexpectedly moving conversation about what it means to make people laugh while the rigged two-party system burns and Trump and the executive branch goes all gas, no brakes. Eugene, a refugee from a genuinely authoritarian country, doesn't sugarcoat it: Trump's instincts are fascist, the cruelty is the point, and the use of state power to threaten billion-dollar companies into firing comedians is straight out of the thug-regime handbook. But he also refuses nihilism — America, he argues, is too big and too used to freedom to be wholly silenced, and that's exactly why the work of comedians, podcasters, and independent voices matters right now. Along the way the two cover Eugene's harrowing New Hampshire car crash and rescue, the absurd unqualified men running the Pentagon and the VP's office, comic books as hopeful dystopia, and why the angry middle should keep laughing — and keep showing up. Eugene Mirman is one of the most respected comedic voices of his generation. A refugee from the former Soviet Union, he is best known as the voice of Gene Belcher on Bob's Burgers and as the landlord on Flight of the Conchords, and was a regular on Adult Swim's Delocated. He co-founded the Pretty Good Friends comedy company in the basement of Brooklyn's Union Hall, has opened for The Shins, Modest Mouse, Yo La Tengo, Gogol Bordello, and Cake, and was named best New York City comedian by The Village Voice. A graduate of Hampshire College — where he designed his own major in comedy and delivered a one-hour stand-up set as his thesis — his latest special is Here Comes the Whimsy. -WATCH full video of this episode here. -Watch/hear Eugene Mirman's hilarious new special album: Here Comes the Whimsy. -Check out Eugene's Pretty Good Friends.  -Ditch your expensive carrier and support Independent Americans! Make the switch to Noble Mobile. -Join IVA and stand up to Trump's Forever Wars. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Learn more about American Veterans for Ukraine here. -Remember Independent is an Attitude. -Learn more about The Headstrong Project for Veterans, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and Department of Veterans Affairs resources in your area. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness. It's a show of strength. If you or a loved one are in immediate crisis, dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255. Connect with Independent Americans: Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all podcast platforms Read more at Substack Support ad-free episodes at Patreon  Connect: Instagram  • X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Follow on social: @PaulRieckhoff on X, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In our news wrap Friday, Trump says he's raising tariffs next week on cars and trucks from the EU, the Pentagon says it has made deals with seven major tech companies to use their AI tools, a former Miami congressman with ties to Rubio was convicted of secretly lobbying for Venezuela, and events have been taking place around the world to mark May Day, also known as International Workers' Day. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The president is briefed by top Pentagon officials on new military options in Iran as Iran mocks Pete Hegseth and polls show the war is unpopular. Plus, the price of gas soars and inflation hits its highest rate in three years.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Pentagon estimates the war with Iran has already cost 25 billion dollars as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended the cost of the war in a hearing before the House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday.Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell says he will remain on the central bank's board after his term ends next month to shield the agency from political pressure.The Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that the Voting Rights Act only prohibits congressional maps intentionally drawn to discriminate based on race, a decision that could make it much harder to challenge aggressive Republican-led redistricting efforts.Want more analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.Today's episode of Up First was edited by Andrew Sussman, Rafael Nam, Ben Swasey, Mohamad ElBardicy, and Ally Schweitzer.It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas.Our director is Christopher Thomas.We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange.And our deputy Executive Producer is Kelley Dickens.(0:00) Introduction (02:18) Hegseth Defends Iran War(06:07) Powell Stays On As Fed Chair(09:55) SCOTUS Voting Rights CaseSee pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Today, the fear of hacking into our government's sensitive digital information is one of the country's top national security priorities. However, what if the largest U.S. government hack in history wasn't perpetrated by a foreign adversary, but a regular guy with his home computer in London? Gary McKinnon, using off-the-shelf, legal software, was able to hack dozens of Government computers, some even located in the Pentagon. His goal: to spread his political message of anti-imperialism and search for evidence of extraterrestrial life. But what followed his hacks was a decade in which he feared extradition and a life behind bars in the United States. Still, the question remains: what did he find?AuraFrames: The perfect gift https://auraframes.com/milehigher to save $25 on a Carver Mat frame! Use code MILEHIGHER at checkout!Casper: The sleep that you deserve https://casper.com and save up to 20% on mattresses!ZocDoc: Take the stress out of appointments https://zocdoc.com/milehigher catch up on those checkups!MintMobile: Save on your phone bill https://mintmobile.com/milehigher to get started for the best in unlimited plans!Intro 0:00Gary's Early Life 13:53Not Like the other Kids 23:24The Death of the Living Spaces 30:10Learning to Hack 39:46Fuel on the Fire 52:16Breaking into the Government Computers 1:07:25Simpler than it Should Have Been 1:23:04Legal Troubles 1:33:00The End? 1:43:22Final Thoughts & Outro 1:54:18Mile Higher Media website: https://milehigher.com/ Higher Hope Foundation: https://www.higherhope.org/ Mile Higher Merch: milehighermerch.comCheck out our other podcasts!The Sesh https://bit.ly/3Mtoz4XLights Out https://bit.ly/3n3GaoePlanet Sleep https://linktr.ee/planetsleepJoin our official FB group! https://bit.ly/3kQbAxgMHP YouTube: http://bit.ly/2qaDWGfAre You Subscribed On Apple Podcast & Spotify?!Support MHP by leaving a rating or review on Apple Podcast :) https://apple.co/2H4kh58MHP Topic Request Form: https://forms.gle/gUeTEzL9QEh4Hqz88You can follow us on all the things: @milehigherpodInstagram: http://www.instagram.com/milehigherpodYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MileHigherHosts:Kendall: @kendallraeonytIG: http://instagram.com/kendallraeonytYT: https://www.youtube.com/c/kendallsplaceJosh: @milehigherjoshIG: http://www.instagram.com/milehigherjoshProducers:Janelle: @janelle_fields_IG: https://www.instagram.com/janelle_fields_/Ian: @ifarmeIG: https://www.instagram.com/ifarme/Tom: @cinematomgrapherIG: https://www.instagram.com/cinematomgrapher/Podcast sponsor inquiries: adops@audioboom.com✉ Send Us Mail ✉Kendall Rae & Josh Thomas 8547 E Arapahoe Rd Ste J # 233Greenwood Village, CO 80112Music By: Mile Higher BoysYT: https://bit.ly/2Q7N5QOSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0F4ik...Sources: https://pastebin.com/Gkwcn9DYThe creator hosts a documentary series for educational purposes (EDSA). These include authoritative sources such as interviews, newspaper articles, and TV news reporting meant to educate and memorialize notable cases in our history. Videos come with an editorial and artistic value.

On tonight's Nightcap: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faces questions from Congress for the first time since the Iran War, and gives the first public estimate of how much the war has cost. Then, the Supreme Court deals a blow to the Voting Rights Act, striking down a Louisiana congressional map. Plus, the Federal Reserve holds rates steady, but the decision comes with the highest level of dissent in 30 years. David Rohde, Alex Wagner, David Gura, and Joel Payne join The 11th Hour this Wednesday night. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week, Scott sat down with his Lawfare colleagues Executive Editor Natalie Orpett and Contributing Editors Ariane Tabatabai and Joel Braunold, to talk through the week's big national security news stories, including:“The Art of the Heel.” As it approaches the 60-day mark, the war of Iran appears to have entered the “war of attrition” stage. The Strait of Hormuz remains closed by both Iran and the United States, as each side waits to see if the other will capitulate first. President Trump recently called off peace talks in Islamabad, in part because of purported internal disarray on the part of Iran—a perhaps unsurprising consequence of a two-month campaign of regime change. Meanwhile, the White House appears to have successfully pushed for and and then extended a ceasefire in the related theater of Lebanon, but it is already under strain from ongoing Israeli strikes and Hezbollah's ensuing refusal to disarm. What should we make of this new equilibrium? And does it suggest that there is any way out of the current morass in the near future?“Royally Falked.” King Charles is in the United States this week for the first state visit by a British monarch since Queen Elizabeth in 2007. But the Trump administration's latest round of antics toward the United Kingdom and other NATO allies may overshadow the trip. Over the weekend, Reuters reported that an internal Pentagon email suggested that the administration should explore withdrawing U.S. recognition of British control over the Falkland Islands and suspending Spain from NATO due to their refusal to join U.S.-Israeli combat operations against Iran. Other consequences may yet be in the offing. How seriously should we take these threats from the Pentagon? And how close are we to a permanent rupture in the United States's preeminent alliance?“Ballroom Blitz.” On Saturday night, President Trump was the target of a third assassination attempt since the 2024 campaign. This time, a California teacher plotted to target Trump and his senior advisers at the annual White House Correspondents' Association Dinner. In response, the administration quickly blamed Democrats for the heated, sometimes violent rhetoric they use in criticizing Trump and focused its attention on pressuring a federal court to end a civil case challenging the construction of the new White House ballroom, citing security concerns. What were some of our thoughts about this past weekend's events?In object lessons, Ari is taking control of the narrative with Split Fiction for the Switch 2. Natalie is taking herself out for a treat to Boulangerie Saint Georges near Eastern Market. Scott is taking a break from his own podcast to appreciate Iran: The Latest from The Telegraph. And Joel is taking a lesson from the NFL draft that may delight both sportsball and non-sportsball fans alike.To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wednesday on the News Hour, a Supreme Court decision weakens the Voting Rights Act. Hegseth and other Pentagon officials face congressional scrutiny for the first time since the start of the Iran war. What's still stopping Congress from agreeing on Homeland Security funding. Plus, Judy Woodruff examines how Americans are celebrating the nation's 250th anniversary in their local communities. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Join Jim and Greg for the Thursday 3 Martini Lunch as they react to Nazi tattoo guy Graham Platner effectively clinching the Democratic U.S. Senate nomination in Maine, a powerful new campaign ad from Los Angeles mayoral candiate Spencer Pratt, a possibile rift in the Trump administration over the war in Iran, and a strange new poll in the California governor's race.First, Jim and Greg break down Gov. Janet Mills dropping out of the Maine U.S. Senate race, a move that all but hands the nomination to Platner. They revisit the disturbing controversies tied to Platner and highlight how aggressively Mills had previously criticized him.Next, they applaud Pratt's new ad in the LA mayor's race. It establishes a stark contrast with failed incumbent Karen Bass, but can Bass be defeated in such a deep blue area.Then, they react to a report from The Atlantic suggesting that aides to Vice President JD Vance are concerned that Donald Trump may not be receiving accurate information from the Pentagon regarding the Iran conflict and the state of U.S. missile stockpiles.Finally, they tear apart a new poll on the California governor's race over it's bizarre descriptions of the candidates.Please visit our great sponsors:Pocket HoseFor a limited time, get two free gifts—a 360° rotating pocket pivot and a thumb drive nozzle—when you buy the Pocket Hose Ballistic; just text MARTINI to 64000, message and data rates may apply.Fast Growing TreesBetter plants, better growing, and an extra 20% off with code MARTINI at https://FastGrowingTrees.com/Martini for a limited time; terms and conditions may apply.OneSkinTarget the visible signs of aging with OneSking's OS-01 Peptide.  For a limited time, try OneSkin with 15% off using code 3ML at https://Oneskin.co/3MLNew episodes every weekday. 

Coast Guard Bases Losing Power Due to Shutdown. Fed's Powell Refuses to Leave. Voting Rights Act Slammed by SCOTUS. Mills Suspends Senate Campaign in Maine. Navy FB Player Lives the Dream with Steelers.  The rain has cleared and we can see what the Iran war actually cost. In this solo episode, Paul Rieckhoff breaks down the brutal arithmetic: $25 billion spent. 13 American soldiers killed. Hundreds wounded. Oil at $125 a barrel and gas at $4.30 a gallon — up 27 cents in a week. The Strait of Hormuz still not secured. The Iranian regime still in power. The enriched uranium still unaccounted for. After yesterday's testimony from Secretary Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Caine, the spin is gone — and the Pentagon wants $1.5 trillion more. Paul lays out why working Americans are paying the price for a war their leaders can't honestly defend. Paul also takes apart Trump's state dinner for King Charles — 10 American billionaires, six Fox News hosts, zero Democrats — and calls out Trump, Hegseth, and Vance for siding with Putin while Zelensky and Macron call it like it is. There's hope in the mix too: a powerful breakdown of Heidenreich's path from the Naval Academy to a Marine Corps commission to the NFL draft, the kind of leadership that gives this country a future. Plus a look ahead at tomorrow's guest, comedian Eugene Mirman, after yesterday's conversation with Idaho Army veteran Todd Achilles. The show is now daily and just hit #15 on the charts. Independent is an attitude. Stay vigilant. -WATCH full video of this episode here. -Ditch your expensive carrier and support Independent Americans! Make the switch to Noble Mobile. -Join IVA and stand up to Trump's Forever Wars. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Learn more about American Veterans for Ukraine here. -Get some of Maine's finest gear - check out Loyal Citizen. -Remember Independent is an Attitude. -Learn more about The Headstrong Project for Veterans, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and Department of Veterans Affairs resources in your area. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness. It's a show of strength. If you or a loved one are in immediate crisis, dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255. Connect with Independent Americans: Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all podcast platforms Read more at Substack Support ad-free episodes at Patreon  Connect: Instagram  • X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Follow on social: @PaulRieckhoff on X, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

While we celebrate the US military's accomplishments over the first forty days of the Iran conflict, a less desirable outcome has been the significant expenditure of munitions and reallocation of critical resources to the region. In Last Rounds? Status of Key Munitions at the Iran War Ceasefire, Colonel (Ret.) Mark Cancian and associate Chris Park crunch the numbers on the seven most heavily used munitions. Rest assured, there's enough left to cover any scenario with Tehran, but a future conflict with China in the Western Pacific highlights inadequate Pentagon inventories. Much like Ukraine before it, this conflict exposes the fragility of America's defense industrial base, making urgent, creative solutions from what Cancian and Park call the "primordial soup of R&D" essential. So, is Washington finally ready to take that lesson seriously?Mark Cancian (Colonel, USMCR, ret.) is a senior adviser with the CSIS Defense and Security Department. He joined CSIS in April 2015 from the Office of Management and Budget, where he spent more than seven years as chief of the Force Structure and Investment Division, working on issues such as Department of Defense budget strategy, war funding, and procurement programs, as well as nuclear weapons development and nonproliferation activities in the Department of Energy. Previously, he worked on force structure and acquisition issues in the Office of the Secretary of Defense and ran research and executive programs at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government.Chris H. Park is a research associate for the Arleigh A. Burke Chair in Strategy at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).Read the transcript here.Read the report here.Subscribe to our Substack here.

Are you ready for a world where true personal computing is under threat? This week's candid conversation with Framework CEO Nirav Patel tackles why owning your own AI hardware matters more than ever—and what's at risk if we don't. Alphabet tops Q1 estimates on strong Google Cloud growth Is OpenAI Falling Further Behind in the A.I. Race? OpenAI Releases 'Spud' GPT-5.5 Model OpenAI Breaks Free From Exclusive AI Pact With Microsoft Google signs classified AI deal with the Pentagon for 'any lawful government purpose' Elon Musk appeared more petty than prepared OpenAI Set to Redefine Smartphones; MediaTek, Qualcomm & Luxshare Key to Its AI Agent Phone Why Manus has become a crucial prize in the global AI race - Fast Company Australia unveils a 2.25% levy on Meta, Google, and TikTok The Man Behind AlphaGo Thinks AI Is Taking the Wrong Path Amateur armed with ChatGPT 'vibe-maths' a 60-year-old problem Introducing talkie: a 13B vintage language model from 1930 Cursor-Opus agent snuffs out startup's production database OpenAI Really Wants Codex to Shut Up About Goblins Now we know who paid $100,000 to unlock a Sam Altman podcast interview Study Finds A Third of New Websites are AI-Generated The Bloomberg Terminal Is Getting an AI Makeover, Like It or Not Generative AI vegetarianism To buy this Bay Area home, you'll need Anthropic equity | TechCrunch * Chloe vs. History Jack Dorsey-backed Vine reboot Divine launches to the public | TechCrunch noscroll Felvidek Amazon's AI product podcasts 64″D Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber Timmy's rescue Hosts: Leo Laporte, Jeff Jarvis, and Paris Martineau Guest: Nirav Patel Download or subscribe to Intelligent Machines at https://twit.tv/shows/intelligent-machines. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: scribe.how/machines outsystems.com/twit zscaler.com/security

Alphabet, Google's parent company, has reportedly signed a deal allowing the Pentagon use of its AI for classified purposes. It's just one of many recent deals between Silicon Valley tech companies and the US military. Meanwhile, tech company Palantir says future AI warfare is inevitable and is calling on big tech bosses to "participate in the defence of the nation". Danny Fortson and Katie Prescott discuss this cultural shift, and whether AI is actually making us safer or enabling the rise of the ‘Big Brother' state. Plus, Julian Cracknell, CTO of defence company BAE Systems, talks about the future of defence and killer robots. Get in touch: techpod@thetimes.co.ukProducer: Marnie DukeExecutive Producer: Priyanka DeladiaImage: Getty Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sponsor Link:To check out our special NordVPN deal with big savings and 4 extra months free, visit nordvpn.com/spacenutsNuclear Space Policies, SETI from the Moon, and the Hubble Tension In this riveting episode of Space Nuts, hosts Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson delve into a range of fascinating topics that are shaping the future of space exploration. From the Pentagon's new nuclear energy policy for space missions to the exciting potential of searching for extraterrestrial intelligence from the far side of the Moon, this episode is packed with insights that will leave you pondering the cosmos.Episode Highlights:- Nuclear Energy in Space: Andrew and Fred Watson discuss the recent directive from the Pentagon to NASA for the development of nuclear power stations in space, exploring the implications for lunar and orbital power supply systems. They examine the benefits and challenges of using nuclear energy in space, addressing public concerns and the potential for collaboration among government agencies.- SETI from the Far Side of the Moon: The hosts explore the advantages of conducting the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) from the Moon's far side, where Earthly radio noise is absent. They discuss the capabilities of China's Chang'e 4 mission and its low-frequency radio spectrometer, which is attempting to detect technosignatures that could indicate the presence of alien life.- The Hubble Tension Debate: Andrew and Fred Watson unpack the ongoing debate surrounding the Hubble constant, highlighting the discrepancies between measurements obtained through different methods. They discuss new research that aims to refine our understanding of the universe's expansion rate and its implications for our grasp of dark matter and dark energy.For more Space Nuts, including our continuously updating newsfeed and to listen to all our episodes, visit our website. Follow us on social media at SpaceNutsPod on Facebook, Instagram, and more. We love engaging with our community, so be sure to drop us a message or comment on your favourite platform.If you'd like to help support Space Nuts and join our growing family of insiders for commercial-free episodes and more, visit spacenutspodcast.com/about.Stay curious, keep looking up, and join us next time for more stellar insights and cosmic wonders. Until then, clear skies and happy stargazing.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/space-nuts-astronomy-insights-cosmic-discoveries--2631155/support.

The US-Iran ceasefire is holding, but the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, the global economy is teetering on the edge of disaster, and America's precision weapons stockpile is badly depleted after repeated conflicts with Iran, with experts warning that it could have grave consequences for US readiness in the event of a conflict with China. Meanwhile, King Charles becomes the first British king to address Congress as the UK tries to use a royal charm offensive to paper over major differences on Iran, Mali's military government teeters on collapse after coordinated terrorist attacks rock the country and drive out Russian mercenaries, and the CIA's covert operations in Mexico blow up into a sovereignty crisis for President Sheinbaum. Also covered: more US foreign policy corruption (fun!) after Eric Trump lands a $24 million Pentagon contract and a member of US special forces is arrested for betting on military operations in Venezuela. Then Ben talks with Federica Vinci and Nick Antipov of Democracy Hub about their Anti-Authoritarian Toolkit that provides strategies to defeat autocrats worldwide.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast, episode title, and episode date.For Friends of the Pod, the guys answer questions about North Korea's nukes, what other parts of the world we should be keeping an eye on, and the latest scandal engulfing the New England Patriots.Preorder Ben's book All We Say: The Battle for American Identity: A History in 15 Speeches  and subscribe to his Substack here.

Trump's Justice Department targets former FBI Director James Comey a second time after he's indicted for alleged threats against the President. Then, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth prepares to go before Congress to make a case for the Pentagon's $1.5 trillion budget request. Plus, a stunning move from the UAE as it annouces plans to leave OPEC. What this could mean for the global energy crisis triggered by war in Iran. Carol Leonnig, Jeff Mason, Leigh Ann Caldwell, Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling, Max Chafkin, Brendan Greeley, Charlie Sykes, and Teddy Schleifer join The 11th Hour this Tuesday night. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

P.M. Edition for April 29. In an unusual move, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said today that he plans to stay on the Fed's board after his term as chair ends next month. WSJ economics reporter Matt Grossman explains Powell's reasoning, and what divisions within the central bank could mean for interest rates. Plus a Supreme Court decision today limits how states use voters' race to draw voting districts. James Romoser, who covers the Supreme Court for the Journal, says that could lead to a loss of Democratic seats in some states. And the Pentagon gives its first precise estimate for how much the Iran war has cost the military so far: $25 billion. Alex Ossola hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Send us Fan MailPeaches is back with the April 29 Daily Drop—and yeah… this one's stacked.Three U.S. aircraft carriers sitting in the Middle East (first time since 2003), a full-on blockade choking Iran's economy, and now they're suddenly like “hey… maybe we should reopen the Strait of Hormuz?” No kidding. Meanwhile, the Coast Guard just offloaded $19 MILLION worth of cocaine (casual Tuesday), the Army's got leaders catching prison time, and the Pentagon is out here casually trying to rename itself again—for only $52.5M.Oh—and we're doubling fighter fleets, adding lasers to helicopters, and launching missiles out of cargo planes now. Totally normal.Peaches keeps it blunt: the scale is getting bigger, the tech is getting weirder, and if you're not paying attention… you're already behind.⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 Let's Go—Daily Drop 01:00 Rangers Win Again (Even After Screwing Up) 03:00 Drill Sergeants—Straight to Prison?! 05:00 Army Going Hybrid with Vehicles 07:00 Navy Future Plans—Alpha Troops? 09:00 USS Nimitz Move & New Sub Online 11:00 Drone Tankers Are Here 13:00 Fire on USS Zumwalt 15:00 Second Carrier Joins Iran Blockade 17:00 Marine Corps Goes All-In on Drones 19:00 Air Force Recruiting Still Crushing 21:00 F-35, F-15EX Expansion Plans 23:00 KC-46 vs KC-135 Reality 25:00 Bombers Staying Longer 27:00 Cargo Planes Launching Missiles?! 29:00 Helicopters Getting LASERS 31:00 Space Force Golden Dome Timeline 33:00 $19M Coke Bust 35:00 Pentagon Wants New Name (Again) 37:00 Trump Expands Iran Blockade 39:00 THREE Carriers in the Fight 41:00 Final Thought—Things Are Scaling

In this episode: States like New Mexico are successfully pushing back against ICE by passing laws that end local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement—creating real roadblocks for Trump's mass deportation machine. Also, what Pentagon's $1.5 trillion budget could actually fund if diverted from endless war for less than one year of military spending. Plus, legendary peace activist and Code Pink co-founder Medea Benjamin joins the show to discuss the latest on Iran, Cuba, Venezuela, Gaza, and why the U.S. media refuses to mourn the journalists Israel has killed. All that and more! My comedy news show, Unredacted Tonight, airs every Thursday at 7pm ET/4pm PT. My livestreams are on Mon and Fri at 3pm ET/Noon PT and Wednesday at 8pm ET/5pm PT. I am one of the most censored comedians in America. Thanks for the support!

Hegseth Struggles In The Hot Seat. Their King Is Better Than Our Wanna Be King. Dept Of War Name Change = $125m. Stabbing In Jewish Area In London. Idaho is in play. That's not spin from a party operative — that's the read on a state where 60% of voters identify as independent or independent-leaning, where a sitting senator is the fourth oldest and seventh richest in the chamber, and where a farm kid turned tank commander turned tech executive is running neck and neck with him among informed voters. Todd Achilles is the first 2026 endorsement from Independent Veterans of America, and on this episode of Independent Americans he lays out the no-BS case for why the rigged two-party system is finally cracking in places nobody expected. Paul Rieckhoff and Achilles get into the receipts: Jim Risch voting against the PACT Act and the CHIPS Act, a Senate Foreign Relations chair holding zero hearings on Iran or Cuba while the Pentagon books $25 billion in war costs and asks for a $1.5 trillion budget, and a $50 to $125 million bill just to rename the Department of Defense. They also dig into the human side — house parties with thirty-somethings who can't afford healthcare, 100+ town halls across all 44 Idaho counties, and a volunteer army built in an old restaurant turned campaign HQ. If you're in the angry middle and you've been waiting for proof that an independent veteran can actually win, this is your briefing. -WATCH full video of this episode here. -Support independent veteran Todd Achille's campaign for senate in Idaho. -Ditch your expensive carrier and support Independent Americans! Make the switch to Noble Mobile. -Join IVA and stand up to Trump's Forever Wars. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Learn more about American Veterans for Ukraine here. -Get some of Maine's finest gear - check out Loyal Citizen. -Remember Independent is an Attitude. -Learn more about The Headstrong Project for Veterans, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and Department of Veterans Affairs resources in your area. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness. It's a show of strength. If you or a loved one are in immediate crisis, dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255. Connect with Independent Americans: Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all podcast platforms Read more at Substack Support ad-free episodes at Patreon  Connect: Instagram  • X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Follow on social: @PaulRieckhoff on X, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The British government has for the first time formally acknowledged that a woman abused by the late owner of the luxury London department store, Harrods, was a victim of modern slavery. Rachael Louw was trafficked by the Egyptian businessman, Mohamed al-Fayed, and his brother Salah.Also on the programme, former US officials criticise the Pentagon for not releasing more information about the US attack in Iran that hit a school, and why temperatures are rising faster in Europe than any other part of the world. (Photo: Mohamed Al Fayed, Owner and Chairman of Harrods department store from 1985-2010)

For the first time since the U.S. went to war with Iran, Defense Secretary Hegseth faced sharp questions on Wednesday from Congress. During the hearing, the Pentagon revealed that the war so far has cost $25 billion. The fighting is on hold, but the military maintains its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Nick Schifrin reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Dynamic airline ticket pricing, Blackhawk helicopter altitude instrumentation, a U.S. Government equity position in Spirit Airlines, the NTSB preliminary report on the fatal LGA accident, capacity cuts at airports, AI-enabled ATC, the Digital Tower Technology Coalition, and SpaceX Starlink in-motion aviation plans. Aviation News JetBlue sued over claims it uses customers' personal data to set ticket prices Airline executives have told Congress that personal data is not used to dynamically set ticket prices. However, a complaint has been filed in federal court alleging that JetBlue uses “trackers” and shares data with third parties to dynamically set prices. This stems from an exchange on X where a passenger complained about a ticket price increase and JetBlue responded by saying the passenger should try “clearing your cache and cookies or booking with an incognito window.” JetBlue later stated that the response was incorrect and added that “fares can change at any moment as seats are purchased or as inventory is adjusted based on demand”. Army aviation chief: D.C. crash ‘wasn't about' outdated Black Hawk cockpit At a media briefing on Bell's MV-75 tiltrotor, The Air Current asked the commanding general of Army Aviation, Maj. Gen. Clair Gill, whether last year's fatal midair collision between a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet changed the Army's thinking about fielding the Black Hawk's partial replacement. Gill answered, “No, it's completely unrelated.” The MV-75 will have “a more advanced cockpit, but the D.C. crash really wasn't about whether or not it was an advanced cockpit or not.” This implied that faulty altimeters and outdated avionics in the accident helicopter did not substantially contribute to the crash. The NTSB found that altitude exceedances on the Washington, D.C., helicopter routes were likely exacerbated by inaccurate altimeters on older UH-60L “Lima” Black Hawks, including the one involved in the crash. Possible Spirit rescue fuels new fears about government involvement in business The Federal government is considering an equity deal to keep Spirit Airlines afloat. Under the proposal, the airline would receive $500 million, providing additional liquidity as Spirit works to emerge from bankruptcy. The U.S. government could own up to 90% of the airline, according to sources. Reportedly, the government would charge Spirit a reasonable interest rate and move to the top of the debtor list. CBS News says, “The loan would be protected by Spirit assets that would exceed the government’s costs, and would provide taxpayers with a warrant — the right to own 90% of the company after it emerges from bankruptcy.” Also, “The Pentagon would use Spirit’s excess capacity for transporting troops, military cargo, or other missions. The airline would then likely be sold to another carrier.” See:  Spirit Airlines nears deal with Trump administration for $500 million rescue package White House mulls using Defense Production Act in Spirit Airlines takeover Ted Cruz pours cold water on Trump administration plan to bail out Spirit Airlines: TERRIBLE idea’ NTSB Report LGA Air Canada Incident [PDF] On March 22, 2026, Jazz Aviation LP flight 646 (operating as Air Canada flight 8646), a CRJ-900, was substantially damaged after it collided with Rescue 35 (R35), an Oshkosh Striker 1500 aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) vehicle, while landing on runway 4 at LaGuardia Airport. The captain and first officer were fatally injured.  Of the 2 flight attendants, 72 passengers, and 2 crew of the ARFF vehicle, 39 were transported to local hospitals with 6 serious injuries reported. The airplane was a Part 129 scheduled flight from Montréal–Trudeau International Airport (YUL), Montreal, Quebec, to LGA. A review of the ASDE-X system data by the FAA determined that the system did not generate an aural or visual alert on the ASDE-X displays in the LGA ATC tower to warn controllers of the potential runway conflict. FAA orders Chicago O’Hare International Airport to cut over 300 planned flights daily between May and October The FAA is ordering flight reductions at Chicago O’Hare International Airport over the summer travel season. 3,080 daily flights were scheduled for peak summer days in 2026. Now O’Hare flights will be restricted to 2,708 per day from May 17 to Oct. 24. This change is motivated by capacity and operational delay concerns. The FAA said it intends to bring in more air traffic controllers, speed up controller training, reduce delays by optimizing routes and airspace, and increase communication between the agency, the airport, and airlines during high-risk periods. FAA quietly developing AI enabled air traffic management system The Strategic Management of Airspace Routing Trajectories (SMART) is an artificial intelligence-powered software tool designed for air traffic management. People familiar with the project say it could fundamentally change how the U.S. airspace system operates. Palantir, Thales, and Airspace Intelligence (ASI) are competing on the initiative. Operational start could be as early as later this year. The system could enable the FAA to plan for bottlenecks and anticipate schedule conflicts before an aircraft even leaves the ground. This contrasts with today’s human-centric, reactive ATC structure. Digital Tower Technology Coalition Pushing Remote ATC The Digital Tower Technology Coalition “is an alliance of stakeholders advocating for the FAA's implementation of the digital tower program, as outlined in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024. By leveraging U.S. airports, regional partners, air traffic controllers, original equipment manufacturers, and federal partners, our coalition seeks to ensure an efficient and transparent process while strengthening U.S. global competitiveness in cutting-edge aviation technology.” See the Press Release: Introducing the Digital Tower Technology Coalition, Representing Bold Commitment to Innovation in Effort to Modernize U.S. Aviation [PDF] SpaceX Cuts Starlink Aviation Prices – New GA Plans Start at $200/Month When SpaceX imposed a 100 mph speed cap on all non-aviation plans, general aviation pilots were forced to switch to more expensive aviation-specific tiers. That generated an outcry from the flying community, including a petition with over 9,500 signatures. GA pilots had been using Starlink Roam for $50 per month with a 100GB data cap. Now SpaceX has made some changes to its in-motion aviation plans. Aviation 300MPH is renamed General Aviation Local 50GB, the price is lowered to $200 per month (from $250), and the monthly data limit is increased to 50GB (from 20GB). Additional data can be purchased in 50GB blocks for $25 (from $10 per GB). The Aviation 450 MPH plan is now General Aviation Global 50GB, which is still $1,000 per month, but the monthly data cap has been increased to 50GB (from 20GB). Additional data can be purchased in 50GB blocks for $100 (from $50 per GB). Mentioned Swiss cheesemakers allowed to artificially make holes in Emmental cheese Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, and Rob Mark.

Plus: Spotify added first quarter subscribers, but its outlook underwhelmed investors. And the FDA wants to use AI to speed up drug trials. Danny Lewis hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we talk about the Strait of Hormuz, oil, and Russia.We also discuss Patriot missiles, expensive weapons, and peer rivals.Recommended Book: Tiny Experiments by Anne-Laure Le CunffTranscriptDuring 2025 and early 2026, about 20 million barrels of crude oil and other petroleum products was shipped through the Strait of Hormuz every day. That's about a quarter of the world's total seaborne oil, and essentially all of that oil, and gas, and those other energy products that pass through this strait are from Middle Eastern suppliers like Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, and Iran.Beginning at the tail-end of February 2026, however, the Iranian military has shut down the Strait by threatening to take out or capture any vessels that attempt to pass through it. This has had the practical effect of initially reducing tanker traffic through the Strait by about 70%, but in recent weeks traffic has dropped to nearly zero. As of April 2026, about 2,000 ships are stranded in the area as a result of this closure.As a result of this shutdown, though, other energy product suppliers have seen demand for their oil and gas and the like increase, and that's led to higher prices for these products.Russia, for instance, which doesn't rely on the Strait to get its oil and gas out to its customers, has seen its oil tax revenue double in April, and the price of one grade of oil that it sells increased by 73% from February, alone.That's a big windfall for Russia, which has had trouble selling its oil and gas at a significant profit, due in part to heavy sanctions that have resulted from its invasion of Ukraine. It's continued to sell to countries like China and India, but those customers have been able to pay lower prices due to the lessened demand for what Russia is selling.This increased demand has thus goosed profits for Russia at a moment in which it could really use those sorts of profits—its economy is not doing terribly well, again because of its invasion of Ukraine, which has also not been going terribly well—so while inflation caused by this gas price-spike has been near-universally not great for much of the world, because energy cost increases tend to increase the price of just about everything, Russia's government, at least, has been pretty happy with the shutdown of the Strait, and would probably love to see it continue.Another moderate benefactor of this shutdown has been the United States government. The US is the number one exporter of liquified natural gas, and one of the top exporters of oil and petroleum products. US export numbers are poised to hit new records with the closure of the Strait, too, because, just like with Russia, fewer products of this kind available on the global market means those who have such products to sell can charge higher prices for them.There's a good chance this disruption, even if it ended today, for good, will have permanently rewired at least some of the global petroleum industry, as companies and countries that have been left in the lurch have adjusted their risks analyses and determined that it makes more sense to buy from different suppliers, to sell to different customers, or, in some cases, to use fewer of these products and invest more enthusiastically in renewables, like solar and wind—so while the US and Russia and a few other players are somewhat pleased with how things are going, oil and gas price-wise at least, long term this could actually harm them, the most, as more of their customers decide to stop paying irregular prices for what they're selling and to opt for less turbulent solar and wind power, instead.What I'd like to talk about today is another knock-on effect of the war in Iran that could have significant international, possibly even military implications.—Since Trump first stepped into office, winning the US presidency back in 2016, allies have openly wondered whether the US could be relied upon as a military ally, should push come to shove.Trump has repeated said that he thinks NATO is a rip-off for the US, as the US has long provided the vast majority of funding and weapons for the alliance, and he's pushed European NATO members to step up their own investment, lest he decide to just led Russia or whomever else attack them; he's openly speculated that he might do exactly that.As a result of the US's pivot away from happily playing the role of world police and invasion deterrent, European governments have been hastily putting together contingency plans that don't include the US: if Russia turns its attention away from Ukraine and starts attacking the Baltics or Poland, they want to be ready, and they don't want to have to rely on the unreliable Trump administration for their survival.Other governments that have long assumed they would be protected, at least in part, by the overwhelming force of the US military, have also been rethinking things, based on Trump's stated, if not always practiced, isolationism.Taiwan, for instance, which is persistently menaced by China, which considers Taiwan to be a rebel asset that it will someday reclaim, has also been investing in its own defenses, no longer certain that the US will step up and help them out at their moment of greatest need, despite historical assumptions.Adding to that uncertainty, though, is the increasingly depleted state of the US military following its attack on Iran, which began in earnest in late February of this year.Since February, the US has expended around 1,100 long-range stealth cruise missiles, more than a thousand Tomahawk cruise missiles, more than 1,200 Patriot interceptor missiles, and more than a thousand Precision Strike and ATACMS ground-base missiles.For context, those Patriot missiles cost $4 million apiece, and again, 1,200 of them have been used since February, and the US military only buys about 100 Tomahawks a year, so the military has spent 10-years worth of them already during this new conflict in Iran. And those 1,100 stealth cruise missiles were built for a potential war with China, but now they're gone.This rapid depletion of armaments, weapons that take a long time to make and which are very expensive to procure, has required that stockpiles from elsewhere around the world be quickly packed up and shipped to the Middle East; and while the majority of what's been fired so far by the US have been missiles, these shipments include all sorts of bombs, vehicles, and personnel equipment like guns and bullets, too, because they have to be ready for anything.The military has also redirected assets, like missile systems and carrier strike groups, from other theaters, like the Pacific Ocean, to the Middle East, which leaves allies, like Taiwan and South Korea, less well-defended against potential incursions.The US has refused to release any estimates as to the cost of the attack on Iran so far, but a pair of independent groups have estimated that price tag to be somewhere between $28 and $35 billion, which is about a billion dollars a day.What's more, it's estimated that it will take about six years just to get armament stores back up to where they were in February, before this attack; it's not just costly, it also takes a long time to produce that many missiles and rockets. And notably, a lot of these weapons were already considered to be in short supply before this conflict, at levels not suitable for a full-on shootout with an enemy like China, according to military experts. So six years plus whatever would be necessary to get up to more suitable levels.This shortfall is partly the result of how the US military deals with defense contractors, and there are efforts by new military startups to remedy this sort of situation, making manufacturing a lot more nimble, while also shifting to cheaper weapons, like drones and inexpensive interceptors, to replace the pricy, conventional ones that the country has long relied on.This expanded production hasn't begun in earnest, though, and conventional military hardware suppliers have been slow to spin up new production because new funding hasn't yet been confirmed by the Pentagon.So the US military is currently low on the weapons it would need to defend its allies in Europe or the South China Sea against attacks by rival, near-peer nations, at a moment in which such nations are making big moves, like China's persistent expansion into the South China Sea, and Russia's adventurism in Ukraine.What's more, these stockpiles are unlikely to be resupplied any time soon, the capacity to produce what's needed simply doesn't exist, not in the US, anyway, and next-step options, like mass-scale drone production, also haven't kicked off in earnest, yet, and might not arrive for another 5 or 10 years.This already precarious moment has been made all the more precarious by the US government's decision to attack Iran, then, and that decision still hasn't been fully explained, the actual end-goal unknown. Consequently, there also doesn't seem to be a clear end-point to aim and plan for.Show Noteshttps://www.wsj.com/politics/national-security/iran-war-complicates-contingency-plans-to-defend-taiwan-some-u-s-officials-say-4384f7c1http://nytimes.com/2026/04/16/world/middleeast/iran-war-cost-congress.htmlhttps://www.aei.org/foreign-and-defense-policy/epic-fury-costs-as-of-the-april-8-cease-fire/https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/23/us/politics/iran-war-cost-military.htmlhttps://gulfnews.com/world/mena/is-the-iran-war-depleting-us-weapons-too-fast-1.500517800https://www.moneycontrol.com/world/iran-war-drains-us-munitions-raises-taiwan-defence-concerns-report-article-13898019.htmlhttps://www.cbsnews.com/news/us-rearms-iran-ceasefire-advanced-munitions-supplies/https://www.ft.com/content/1a5a2502-a45a-40c1-af6f-b30ecc34bacbhttps://archive.is/20260424042150/https://www.ft.com/content/1a5a2502-a45a-40c1-af6f-b30ecc34bacbhttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/24/world/europe/europe-defense-nato-trump-eu.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2026/04/23/aircraft-carrier-bush-iran/https://archive.md/T9tD1https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2026-03-31/trump-s-iran-war-is-accelerating-the-global-energy-transitionhttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/apr/18/fossil-fuel-trump-green-revolution-us-iran-renewable-energyhttps://www.axios.com/2026/04/24/trump-oil-export-ceiling-iran-strait-hormuz 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

The repeal of the military's flu vaccine mandate by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth might seem like a minor policy shift, but it opens a window into a much larger movement reshaping American politics, religion, and public health. In this episode, we unpack how vaccine hesitancy—once a fringe concern—has merged with evangelical Christian nationalism, “medical freedom” rhetoric, and the post-COVID backlash to government authority. What looks like a simple choice about a seasonal shot is, in reality, part of a decades-long effort to reframe public health as a matter of individual liberty, religious conviction, and resistance to institutional power. Joined by Dr. Kira Ganga Keefer, an expert on religion and vaccine hesitancy, we explore how this coalition formed, why “mandates” have become the central battleground, and how movements like MAHA and figures like RFK Jr. have accelerated these trends. The conversation also digs into the cultural and theological currents underneath it all—from wellness spirituality and distrust of biomedicine to performances of masculinity and competing ideas of bodily autonomy. The result is a revealing look at how a single Pentagon policy decision reflects a much broader transformation in American life. Unvaccinated Under God: https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691224664/unvaccinated-under-god?srsltid=AfmBOorYs5jhjmrT_gLbENztNw8pi4t5zgyZ2hc-0BEimx6VccCHznqi Subscribe for $3.65:⁠ ⁠https://axismundi.supercast.com/⁠⁠ Subscribe to our free newsletter:⁠ ⁠https://swaj.substack.com/⁠⁠ Order American Caesar by Brad Onishi:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://static.macmillan.com/static/essentials/american-caesar-9781250427922/⁠⁠ Donate to SWAJ: ⁠https://axismundi.supercast.com/donations/new Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From the corridors of the White House to the launch pads of NASA, we welcome space journalist and The Endless Void host, Kristin Fisher, for a sweeping conversation that bridges space exploration, UFOs, and the deeper questions of human existence. Born into a family of NASA astronauts, Kristin shares her remarkable journey from political journalism to becoming one of today's leading voices covering space and UAPs. Ryan and Kristin dive deep into the historic Artemis II mission, what it means for the future of human spaceflight, and the emotional (and very real) risks astronauts face every time they leave Earth. Kristin also recounts her firsthand experiences at major space events, her coverage of congressional UFO hearings, and what it was like questioning top Pentagon officials about the ongoing push for UAP disclosure. From David Grusch's explosive claims and the mystery of crash retrieval programs to Avi Loeb's interstellar theories and the growing conversation around consciousness in space, this episode explores the intersection of science, secrecy, and the unknown. Are we on the verge of real disclosure? What is the government actually hiding? And how do we begin to reconcile the possibility that we are not alone? Subscribe to The Endless Void w/ Kristin Fisher: https://www.youtube.com/@Kristin-Fisher Use promo code: SOMEWHERE15 for 15% OFF Anomalous Cards: https://www.letsgetanomalous.com/ Send us a Voicemail with questions, comments, or topic suggestions: https://www.speakpipe.com/SomewhereSkiesPod Use promo code: SOMEWHERE15 for 15% OFF Anomalous Cards: https://www.letsgetanomalous.com/ Send us a Voicemail with questions, comments, or topic suggestions: https://www.speakpipe.com/SomewhereSkiesPod Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/somewhereskies ByMeACoffee: http://www.buymeacoffee.com/UFxzyzHOaQ PayPal: sprague51@hotmail.com Substack: https://ryansprague.substack.com/ All Socials and Books: https://linktr.ee/somewhereskiespod Email: ryan.sprague51@gmail.com Email: SuzanneSomewhereintheSkies@gmail.com SpectreVision Radio: https://www.spectrevision.com/podcasts Opening Theme Song by Septembryo Closing Song by Per Kiilstofte Copyright © 2026 Ryan Sprague. All rights reserved. #Space #SpaceNews #NASA #Artemis #Artemis2 #UFOs #UAP #UFOHearing #AviLoeb #3IATLAS #Aliens #Astronauts #Unexplained #TheEndlessVoid #KristinFisher #SpaceX #WhiteHouse #Paranormal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trump is secretly shipping 1,100 Afghan refugees to the Congo. His DOJ just indicted the Southern Poverty Law Center. Trump extends the Hezbollah-Israel ceasefire and claims he can make a deal with Iran "immediately," while the Pentagon reveals the U.S. has burned through nearly half its precision missiles, THAADs, Patriots, and Tomahawks. Lebanon and Israel hold direct talks in Washington; Hezbollah says they won't honor any agreement. David also covers: • The world's largest condom maker raising prices 30% because of the Iran war ("I call five billion condoms a good weekend") • UK bans smoking for anyone born after 2009 • RFK Jr. blocking a CDC study showing COVID vaccines cut ER visits in half • The full Afghanistan betrayal: interpreters who risked everything for America now being shipped to the Democratic Republic of Congo by Trump • Southern Poverty Law Center indicted by Trump's DOJ right after they labeled Turning Point USA a far-right extremist group tied to hate groups • Trump reading the Old Testament in the Oval Office (not the Jesus parts) • Pete Hegseth's Pentagon purge, Hung Cao's Christian nationalist comments, Kash Patel's drinking scandals, and Lindsey Graham's alleged drinking problem • MAGA's "heritage American" obsession vs. Kash Patel, Vivek Ramaswamy, and Usha Vance's birthright citizenship • 2026 midterm outlook: Congress at 10% approval, massive gerrymandering wars in Virginia, California, Texas, and a looming Supreme Court Voting Rights Act case Dark humor, zero filter, three hours of unvarnished truth. Subscribe, like, and drop a comment: What story pissed you off the most this week?

Howie Kurtz on the security failures surrounding a third assassination attempt on President Trump at the Washington Hilton, the Justice Department's decision to drop its criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, and the firing of the Stars and Stripes ombudsman amid allegations of Pentagon interference with editorial independence.As Howie puts it: "In an instant, the 2,000 journalists there went from covering this thing... to being not only eyewitnesses, but potential victims of this crazed gunman." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What does it actually take to get new technology into thehands of warfighters—and why is it still so hard?In this episode, Mike sits down with the co-founders ofDcode, Meagan Metzger and Meg Vorland, to unpack the reality behind defense innovation, acquisition reform, and the flow of capital into the sector. Dcode operates at a unique intersection—working withstartups, investors, and the Pentagon—giving them a rare, inside-out view of how the system really works.We break down why most acquisition reform efforts fallshort, whether recent policy changes are hitting the right targets, and what conventional wisdom in defense innovation is simply wrong.If you're trying to understand how defense actually getsbuilt, funded, and fielded—this is the inside baseball.Links• Sign up for the newsletter⁠! • Support us on ⁠Patreon⁠! • Dcode website• Dcode Capital portfolio• Dcode LinkedIn• Meagan Metzger LinkedIn• Meg Vorland LinkedIn• CTRL + ALT + DEFENSE podcast---- Follow us on...• LinkedIn• Instagram⁠• ⁠X⁠• ⁠Facebook⁠• ⁠Website⁠ ---- 00:0000:44 intro01:19 Dcode origin story04:55 founders, funders, and fighters09:27 acquisition reform12:32 risk vs the no-monster15:58 buying speed vs rigor16:44 contracting officer shortage17:55 bigger worse contracts21:04 defense catalyst21:57 leadership and training23:05 the bigger picture25:33 budget line-item consolidation28:16 pass a budget30:41 investing in companies36:05 misconceptions38:28 colors and fallout39:33 conflicts of interest41:03 RAIC41:30 30042:12 pilot programs46:42 fielding47:29 magic wand48:49 crystal ball50:19 outro

00:00:00 – Show intro and Saturday setup 00:03:50 – Book box winner and library purge talk 00:08:37 – Used bookstore marginalia and missing scientist setup 00:13:24 – Chinese scientist deaths mirror U.S. disappearances 00:18:05 – Espionage, elite cabal, and time-travel theories 00:22:58 – Missing scientist map and UFO correlation hunt 00:27:43 – 4chan World War III prophecy begins 00:32:12 – Pacific war, Russia's move, and European collapse 00:36:53 – U.S. civil war and southern invasion scenario 00:41:45 – Fake alien invasion and FEMA camp endgame 00:46:37 – Mystery seed packets return in Delaware 00:51:31 – AI clone hides son's death from elderly mother 01:00:57 – Sony robot beats elite table tennis player 01:04:42 – Bill Maher tax rant and spending critique 01:09:33 – Pentagon wants massive drone warfare budget 01:09:33 – Digital ID tied to vaccines, subsidies, and access 01:14:25 – Phone lines open and Forrest Gump AI image bit 01:19:22 – Caller revisits scientist deaths and China theories 01:24:20 – Disney World prices hit absurd levels 01:38:56 – Tokyo workers told to wear shorts for energy savings 01:43:56 – Prego launches mealtime conversation recorder 01:48:48 – Google Cloud user hit with huge AI API bill 01:52:56 – Gemini API keys expose wider security risks 01:54:40 – House painting disaster and show wrap-up Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research ▀▄▀▄▀ CONTACT LINKS ▀▄▀▄▀ ► Website: http://obdmpod.com ► Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/obdmpod ► Full Videos at Odysee: https://odysee.com/@obdm:0 ► Twitter: https://twitter.com/obdmpod ► Instagram: obdmpod ► Email: ourbigdumbmouth at gmail ► RSS: http://ourbigdumbmouth.libsyn.com/rss ► iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/our-big-dumb-mouth/id261189509?mt=2  

AI Kills 10% of Jobs at META. Pentagon Fires Stars and Stripes' Ombudsman. GTFO ICE. Prince Harry Goes to Ukraine—Trump Craps on Him. Friday Football: Draft Weekend. Corruption is the top topic, and it's bleeding into the ranks. A Fort Bragg special forces sergeant just got indicted for using classified intel to bet $400,000 on Polymarket about the Maduro operation. The acting secretary of culture war, Pete Hegseth, is leaking on Signal, firing 21 generals, and floating "no quarter" from the Pentagon podium. Three carrier strike groups are now stacked in the Middle East. NATO allies are being threatened with suspension. And Trump is openly contemplating federal troops in Chicago, New York, and beyond. This is what a sucking chest wound looks like — and the bleeding isn't stopping. Paul sits down with author, filmmaker, and combat journalist Sebastian Junger for a no-BS conversation about the question every American needs to be asking: will the military follow illegal orders? They walk through the murky chain — from a tactical nuke on Tehran to American troops on the streets of Cincinnati — and land on the real circuit breakers that remain: Chairman Dan Cain, the 21 fired generals, and an Angry Middle that still trusts the 82nd Airborne more than it trusts ICE. Plus the GTFO ICE campaign, the firing of the Stars and Stripes ombudsman, the 20,000 abducted Ukrainian children, and why removing Hegseth is the winnable fight right now. -WATCH full video of this episode here. -Ditch your expensive carrier and support Independent Americans! Make the switch to Noble Mobile. -Join IVA and stand up to Trump's Forever Wars. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Learn more about American Veterans for Ukraine here. -Get some of Maine's finest gear - check out Loyal Citizen. -Remember Independent is an Attitude. -Learn more about The Headstrong Project for Veterans, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and Department of Veterans Affairs resources in your area. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness. It's a show of strength. If you or a loved one are in immediate crisis, dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255. Connect with Independent Americans: Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all podcast platforms Read more at Substack Support ad-free episodes at Patreon  Connect: Instagram  • X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Follow on social: @PaulRieckhoff on X, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today, we look at a report that suggests the US could review its position on Britain's claim to the Falkland Islands.An internal Pentagon email reported by Reuters suggested the US was considering options to punish Nato allies it believed had failed to support its war on Iran.The options discussed also included seeking Spain's suspension from Nato over its opposition to the war. BBC News has not been able to review the email.In this special episode, five of the Newscast gang are together for a special programme from the BBC's Maida Vale Studios in London as part of Cast Fest.Adam, Chris, Laura, Paddy, and Henry also discuss whether the King's visit to the US next week could smooth things over.You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers.You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscordGet in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXdNewscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenters were Adam Fleming, Chris Mason, Laura Kuenssberg, Paddy O'Connell and Henry Zeffman. It was made by Chris Flynn with Kris Jalowiecki. The social producer was Grace Braddock. The technical producer was Robbie Hayward. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Defense reporter Briana Reilly breaks down the Defense Department's record-breaking $1.5 trillion FY2027 spending request. This story was featured in The Readback, our weekend digest featuring the best of Punchbowl News this week. Want more in-depth daily coverage from Congress? Subscribe to our free Punchbowl News AM newsletter at punchbowl.news. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A third United States aircraft carrier arrives in the Middle East and now 15,000 troops are in the region. Plus, Jaqueline Smith joins to discuss how she was fired suddenly after speaking out against Pentagon overreach. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

April 23, 2026; 8pm: Tonight, Congressional Republicans start to break with Donald Trump as the president eases into lame duck mode. Then, the latest on Trump's Iran mess. Plus, the stunning new reporting on Kash Patel's FBI investigation into a New York Times reporter. And the Trump Family grift happening right out in the open. Want more of Chris? Download and follow his podcast, “Why Is This Happening? The Chris Hayes podcast” wherever you get your podcasts.To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Seth takes a closer look at Republicans fuming over Donald Trump's failed gerrymandering strategy, which could cost them their jobs in November.Then, Jorma Taccone talks about seriously injuring himself after falling off a ladder, the inspiration behind his movie "Over Your Dead Body," and the unfortunate Finnish translation of his name.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A leaked Pentagon email reportedly outlines options to punish allies over a perceived lack of support for the Iran war. The email also suggested reviewing the US position on the UK's claim to the Falklands islands in the south Atlantic, which are also claimed by Argentina. We get reaction from Spain. Also on the programme: representatives from dozens of countries are gathering in Colombia to discuss moving away from fossil fuels; and as the ceasefire in Lebanon is extended for another three weeks, we talk to one family who've just returned to their flat in Beirut.(Credit: Reuters)

//The Wire//2300Z April 23, 2026// //ROUTINE// //BLUF: USA INTERCEPTS IRANIAN TANKER IN INDIAN OCEAN. CEASEFIRE IN LEBANON EXTENDED. US SECRETARY OF THE NAVY DEPARTS POSITION.// -----BEGIN TEARLINE-----  -International Events-Lebanon: This afternoon President Trump stated that the ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel will be extended for another three weeks, while the diplomatic efforts with the Iranians continue.Persian Gulf: Following the Iranian targeting/boarding operations yesterday, nobody has attempted to transit the Strait of Hormuz. American efforts to conduct resupply and rearming operations throughout the region continue, as the Strait remains closed and no timeline for peace talks being conveyed by either side.Analyst Comment: Major shipping giants are planning for the Strait to be closed for some time. Maersk, the Danish shipping giant, stated that the Strait remains "firmly closed" due to the war. Which, although fairly obvious at this point, has been a very important realization for a major shipping company to acknowledge as the global economy begins settling in for the long haul.Indian Ocean: Overnight the Pentagon announced the maritime interdiction of the M/T MAJESTIC X off the coast of Sri Lanka, continuing the interception of Iranian-linked vessels exporting oil during the ceasefire. This vessel had been on the sanctions list for a many years, and was classified as a stateless vessel as she was using a falsified registration.-HomeFront-Louisiana: This afternoon a shooting was reported at the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge. Local authorities state that the initial investigation indicates this was a case of mutual combat between two groups, which engaged in a small arms skirmish in the food court after an argument. A total of 10x people were wounded during the attack, and as of this report a total of 3x shooters remain at large following the engagement.-----END TEARLINE-----Analyst Comments: In Washington, last night Secretary of the Navy John Phelan departed his position, effective immediately. His deputy, Hung Cao, has stepped in to the role while a replacement is in the works. The reason for his departure has not been confirmed by official sources yet, and officially it is not clear as to if he resigned or was fired. Media speculation and "off the record" conversations among the press pool at the Pentagon has largely theorized that he was fired due to personality clashes with SECWAR Hegseth. Whatever the true reason for this departure, the head of the Navy leaving his position with no turnover or transition process at a time when the US Navy is engaged in a kinetic war, is not a sign indicative of stability at the upper echelons of command. Especially considering the military head of the Army, Gen. George, was also fired from his job as Army Chief of Staff and forced to retire two weeks ago.Analyst: S2A1 Research: https://publish.obsidian.md/s2underground Disclaimer: No LLMs were used in the writing of this report. //END REPORT//

//The Wire//2300Z April 24, 2026// //ROUTINE// //BLUF: BUILDUP OF AMERICAN FORCES IN MIDDLE EAST REACHES RECORD LEVELS. KUWAITI BORDER CHECKPOINTS HIT BY FPV DRONES. ARREST MADE REGARDING MOLOTOV ATTACK IN LOUISIANA.// -----BEGIN TEARLINE-----  -International Events-Middle East: Overnight Kuwaiti forces reported two FPV drone strikes on border crossing checkpoints with Iraq. No casualties were reported as a result of the attack.Analyst Comment: The statement provided by the Kuwaiti Army did not specifically disclose which border crossings were targeted, however there are only two crossing points in total: one main crossing on the northern border, and a smaller outpost on the western border. The interesting detail in the notice is the disclosure that these attacks were conducted by fiber-optically-guided FPV drones, and both of these sites were too far away from each other for these attacks to have been conducted by the same team.-HomeFront-Louisiana: This morning one individual was arrested following the firebombing of a Tesla Service Center two weeks ago. John Michael Hinkhouse was arrested for throwing a Molotov device at the entrance to the facility, which resulted in fire damaging the front of the building. Hinkhouse was located after security cameras tracked him back to his residence after the attack.Washington D.C. - Two incidents involving city busses have taken place over the past 24 hours. Yesterday, a bus caught fire in the 9th Street Tunnel, resulting in the tunnel being shut down for many hours. The cause of the fire remains unknown. This morning, two city busses collided with each other head-on in the Pentagon's south parking lot, resulting in a total of 23x people being injured.Analyst Comment: Currently there are no indications that either incident was nefarious in any way, however it's worth paying attention to during periods of heightened terrorism risk, just in case other incidents pop up later.-----END TEARLINE-----Analyst Comments: Concerning strategic movement in the Middle East, American cargo flights continue unabated, along with the forward deployment of even more fighter aircraft. Last night another squadron of F/A-18's arrived at Al Dhafra Airbase in the UAE, and the USS GEORGE H.W. BUSH (CVN 77) arrived in the Indian Ocean following her long journey around Africa. Another Expeditionary Sea Base (ESB), the USS MIGUEL KIETH (ESB 5) is also projected to be approaching the operational area, after having transited the Strait of Malacca and should be arriving on station soon (though it is not clear as to if she is expected to take part in this operation).This brings a total of 3x aircraft carriers, 2x Expeditionary Sea Bases, and 1x amphibious assault ship (a total of 6 "flat tops") for whatever operations are planned. Of note, CENTCOM has provided press materials that imply that the BUSH is not replacing the LINCOLN or the damaged FORD but will serve independently as a third strike group throughout the region. This buildup has become even more substantial than the 4+ months of lead-up to this war breaking out, with even more naval assets being transferred from the Pacific to supplement the forces already in theater. As a reminder, at least one Brigade Combat Team (BCT) from the 82nd Airborne is still in the region. Considering all of these developments, the grand question remains: Does the US plan to reignite the war? This remains an unknown, and it's impossible to know what secret decisions have been made at the upper echelons of government. What is certain, is that a large-scale rearmament and resupply operation has been ongoing since the ceasefire went into effect, and enough resources are on station to conduct large scale operations if that is the chosen course of action. Not only is the war not over, but there are now vastly more resources i

Iran seized two cargo ships in the Strait of Hormuz as both the U.S. and Iran claim control of the waterway. The White House insists the ceasefire, which Iran has not officially acknowledged, is holding. In Lebanon, a journalist was killed in an Israeli strike even as Israel and Lebanon meet in Washington today to extend their truce. The Secretary of the Navy is out with no explanation, the latest in more than 30 high-level departures at the Pentagon under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as the war in Iran enters its eighth week. And with the midterms are six months away, President Trump's approval rating on the economy has dropped to 30 percent, the Iran war is two weeks past his own deadline, and his tariffs were struck down by the Supreme Court.Want more analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.Today's episode of Up First was edited by Ruth Sherlock, Andrew Sussman, Rebekah Metzler, Mohamad ElBardicy, and Lindsay Totty.It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas.Our director is Christopher Thomas.We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange.And our deputy Executive Producer is Kelley Dickens.(0:00) Introduction(02:00) Tension In Two Ceasefires(05:18) Navy Secretary Out(09:05) Trump's Slumping ApprovalSee pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Nicolle Wallace covers how there are signs that a select group of insiders are cashing in on the war in Iran while people worldwide are struggling to pay for gas and keep up with the economic strain. Later, Nicolle covers the latest departure from the Pentagon. In the middle of a U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz, Hegseth decided it was the perfect time to fire Secretary of the Navy, John Phelan.  For more, follow us on Instagram @deadlinewh To listen to this show and other MS NOW podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. For more from Nicolle, follow and download her podcast, “The Best People with Nicolle Wallace,” wherever you get your podcasts.To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

If you thought the government couldn't get any more surreal, think again. Stephanie Miller unpacks the legal gymnastics of Cash Patel as he faces down "excessive drinking" allegations with a quarter-billion-dollar lawsuit that The Atlantic seems more than happy to fight. But the real "magic" is happening at the Navy. Why was Secretary John Phelan escorted out under the cover of darkness? And is the incoming Hung Cho really bringing hexes to a gunfight? Stephanie navigates the crumbling structure of U.S. military leadership and the ongoing volatile situation in the Middle East with the cynicism and wit the moment deserves. It's the news you need, minus the boring bits. With guests Dr. Redlener & Dana Goldberg!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A.M. Edition for April 23. Tesla shares have slipped off-hours despite surprising Wall Street with better revenues - and rising car sales. WSJ's Becky Peterson says investors are worried about the price tag for Elon Musk's AI plans, including the new Optimus robot. Plus, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has fired Navy Secretary John Phelan in the latest shakeup at the Pentagon. And Senators approve a budget plan to fund DHS, which will hand ICE and Border Control an additional $70 billion, despite Democratic opposition. Luke Vargas hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald ordered the Navy to destroy any vessels laying mines in the Strait. Why wasn't this a policy all along? More reporting on the Pentagon's coverup of Iran War casualties. Elon stops buy to talk about White House firings. RFK Jr's ridiculous testimony before the Senate Health Committee and Finance Committee yesterday. The Gerrymander War Update. Virginia Judge blocks gerrymander – for now. Half of House Oversight Republicans support pardon for Ghislaine Maxwell? The Trumps aren't even hiding the grift any more. More details on the Ballroom construction contracts. Greg Gutfeld stops by. With Jody Hamilton, David Ferguson, music by Astral Summer, Matt Jaffe, and more! Brought to you by Russ Rybicki, SharePower Responsible Investing. Support our new sponsor and get free shipping at Quince.com/bob!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bestselling rhetorician Jay Heinrichs shows just how powerful and fun this ancient art can be.— YOU'LL LEARN — 1) How shifting tenses can ease tensions2) A huge tip from Donald Trump about speaking in 12-second periods3) The essential steps of making a persuasive argumentSubscribe or visit AwesomeAtYourJob.com/ep69 for clickable versions of the links below. — ABOUT JAY — Jay Heinrichs is the author of the bestselling book, Thank You for Arguing: What Aristotle, Lincoln, and Homer Simpson Can Teach Us About the Art of Persuasion. His book, Word Hero, teaches how to craft memorable content. Combining tested tools of classical rhetoric with modern neuroscience, Jay has given presentations, workshops, and consults around the world. Jay has served clients including Southwest Airlines, NASA, the Pentagon, Walmart, Ogilvy UK, Mindshare, the National Association of Realtors, Harvard, Dartmouth, University of Virginia, Beachbody, and Kaiser Permanente.He maintains one of the leading language websites, Figarospeech.com, along with Arguelab.com. With more than 30 years in publishing as a writer, editor, and executive, Jay has written for several dozen publications, from The New York Times Magazine to Reader's Digest.• Book: Thank You for Arguing• Website: ArgueLab.com• Website: JayHeinrichs.com• Profile: Bloomberg Business— RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW — • Study: Gottman Marriage Research• Book: Moby-Dick: or, The Whale by Herman Melville— THANK YOU SPONSORS! — • Keepsake Voices. Get mom something special and save about $100 with keepsakevoices.com/pete• Narwhal. Treat your home to spotless, fresh floors with us.narwhal.com/pete.• Monarch.com. Get 50% off your first year on with the code AWESOME.• Gusto. Get three months free when you run your first payroll with gusto.com/AWESOME• Shopify. Sign up for your $1/month trial at Shopify.com/better• Vanguard. Give your clients consistent results year in and year out with vanguard.com/AUDIOSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

COL. Douglas Macgregor: The Pentagon's Terrible War PlanningSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Paris Marx is joined by Karl Bode to discuss how tech journalists coupled with corporate interests are irresponsibly boosting the profile of tech CEOs, further damaging public trust in institutional journalism and highlighting the need for publicly funded media organizations. Karl Bode is a freelance reporter and writes The Fine Print newsletter. Tech Won't Save Us offers a critical perspective on tech, its worldview, and wider society with the goal of inspiring people to demand better tech and a better world. Support the show on Patreon. The podcast is made in partnership with The Nation. Production is by Kyla Hewson. Also mentioned in this episode: Karl wrote about how the press mythologizes tech CEOs. The New Yorker published a brutal article on Sam Altman's compulsive lying to get ahead. OpenAI's Pentagon deal led to a large user migration. Shout out to Karen Hao's book Empire of AI Allbirds, the shoe company, is now entering the AI space. Here is the latest on the attacks on Sam Altman's home. Meta has been found to amplify hate and contribute to genocide, something that is an ongoing concern with the platform. And we can't forget about attempts to force their ‘Free Basics' internet on India.

The Pentagon has spent years building AI tools to help identify targets, speed up battlefield decisions, and make war more “efficient.” What started as an effort to analyze drone footage has grown into something bigger and much more unsettling. Sean talks with Bloomberg's Katrina Manson about Project Maven, the Defense Department's long-running push to bring AI into warfighting. They discuss how these systems actually work, what “human in the loop” really means, why autonomy is no longer some far-off sci-fi scenario, and what happens when the speed and scale of machine decision-making collide with the fog of war.  Host: Sean Illing (@seanilling)  Guest: Katrina Manson (@KatrinaManson) We would love to hear from you. To tell us what you thought of this episode, email us at thegrayarea@vox.com or leave us a voicemail at 1-800-214-5749. Your comments and questions help us make a better show. And you can watch new episodes of The Gray Area on YouTube. New episodes drop every Monday and Friday. Listen to The Gray Area ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices