Podcasts about saddam

The battlefield changes you, but the real fight might start when you get home. Ben Sykes went from web designer to Marine machine gunner during the invasion of Iraq, living through relentless firefights, surreal moments in Saddam's palaces, and the strange calm of enemy fire becoming routine. But nothing prepared him for the turbulence of reintegration. Restless nights, the crash of losing combat's adrenaline, and the struggle to fit into a world that no longer made sense. In this conversation, Ben opens up about the chemical withdrawal of leaving war, the dangerous paths veterans can fall into, and the hard-earned lessons he wishes he'd known during his transition. Whether you've been in the fight yourself or love someone who has, his story is a brutally honest look at what it takes to reclaim your footing after service. Timestamps: 00:10:40 - Trading Hollywood for the yellow footprints 00:12:50 - First firefight on the road to Baghdad 00:23:10 - Securing Saddam's palace and the gold they never saw 00:28:50 - The chemical withdrawal of coming home 00:37:00 - From homelessness to finding a new mission Links & Resources Veteran Suicide & Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1 Transcript View the transcript for this episode.

10-03-25 - Brady Report - MIX - Saddam Mustache - Military Easter baskets - Meat Mist - 2003/2022 BOSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

10-03-25 - Brady Report - MIX - Saddam Mustache - Military Easter baskets - Meat Mist - 2003/2022 BOSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hi everyone, This year marks my twenty years in comedy, and to celebrate I'm doing a one-off, one-time-only anniversary comedy show called:You'd Think After 20 Years I'd Be Better At This13th November, 6:30pmComedy Republic Theatre, MelbourneIt's twenty years of stand-up crammed into one night—a greatest hits, a worst-of, and some brand new material, all about surviving two decades of comedy, hecklers, pandemics, marriages, divorces, and jokes that should have stayed in the notebook.Tickets are just $25. But if you're a member at patreon.com/samishah, you'll get a special discount code, plus that smug glow of knowing you're keeping this podcast alive and healthy!NEWS WEAKLY – 03rd October, 2025This week on News Weakly:In Manchester, a synagogue attack on Yom Kippur leaves two dead and reignites debates about solidarity, antisemitism, and the perils of bad baby naming.Donald Trump's Gaza ceasefire plan turns out to be less peace deal, more investor pitch, complete with a “Board of Peace” chaired by Tony Blair.At Quantico, Trump and Pete Hegseth summon America's generals for a loyalty test that felt alarmingly like Saddam-lite stagecraft.Greta Thunberg is detained after joining a flotilla trying to break the Gaza blockade, proving she's still willing to put her boat where her mouth is.Saudi Arabia launches the Riyadh Comedy Festival, featuring world-class comedians and world-class hypocrisy.In Australia, Optus blames “human error” for a 000 outage while its parent company Singtel keeps racking up billions without paying tax.Quote of the Week:“When a government points a broad sword inward, it can't help but cut too deep."Support the ShowWant to enjoy News Weakly ad-free? Head over to patreon.com/samishah. Your support keeps the podcast alive, independent, and fuelled by sarcasm.CreditsSami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.For more: http://thesamishah.comTheme music Historic Anticipation by Paul Mottram.This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Iain Dale talks to Nadhim Zahawi about the brutal rule of Saddam Hussein in Iraq. Nadhim spent the first 11 years of his life living under Saddam before his family left Iraq for the UK Buy a signed copy of THE DICTATORS here https://www.politicos.co.uk/products/the-dictators-a-warning-from-history-edited-by-iain-dale-signe-copy-coming-in-2024Buy a signed copy of THE PRIME MINISTERS here https://www.politicos.co.uk/products/the-prime-ministers-edited-by-iain-dale-paperback-coming-on-august-26-2022-signed-copy Buy a signed copy of THE PRESIDENTS here https://www.politicos.co.uk/products/the-presidents-signed-by-iain-dale Buy a signed copy of KINGS & QUEENS here https://www.politicos.co.uk/products/kings-queens-signed-by-iain-dale-coming-in-novemer-2023 Buy a signed copy of THE TAOISEACH here https://www.politicos.co.uk/products/the-irish-taoiseach-ed-iain-dale-coming-31-october-2026

In this episode of  @AfterburnPodcast  host John “Rain” Waters sits down with Bob “Bags” Simeone, a former Navy F/A-18 Hornet pilot who flew combat missions during Operation Desert Storm. From low-level strikes over Iraq to night tanking in icing conditions, Bags shares a raw, often hilarious, and deeply personal account of what it was like to be part of America's return to high-end warfare after Vietnam. They dive into what deployment looked like aboard the USS America in the early ‘90s, the challenges of navigating pre-GPS cockpits, and the chaos of coordinating missions in a pre–Link 16 world. Bags recounts everything from near-diverts over Australia to accidentally bombing a Kuwaiti beach house to make Saddam think an amphibious assault was coming.

It was a simple premise… What if WE wrote our own stories? I mean, we talk so much shit all the time. What if we put our collective money where our proverbial mouthes are? So…We did that - and I couldn't be happier with how it turned out. I want to thank all of my guests on today's episode for bridging the gap between the NEW and the OLD. Some of these guys have been around for a while and it shows. When I knew the first episode was going to be all newbies and the third episode were going to be the oldies, everyone in the gray area fell into a lump. THIS IS THE LUMP IN ALL OF ITS BEAUTIFUL GRAY GLORY.  I love you all. Thank you for being a part of this with me. This is PART TWO of SIX, y'all. LET'S RAISE THE TEMPERATURE A BIT.Wavelength by Tenron Otrin (17:05)Something's Wrong with my Mom by Strawberry Shortcake (1:26:23)The Dog by Mark Rooster (1:51:30)Star Trek The Next Generation: The Quest for Taco Bell by Lanky Lucifer (3:18:30)Saddam's Cool Fanfic by Punxsutawney Trill (3:59:25)Support us on PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/LOTSA_PASTAAND KO-FI: https://ko-fi.com/lotsa_pastaMERCH: www.redbubble.com/people/elcapitanmuerte/portfolioYOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/channel/UCxoqIN-fkfdlmGEjWujypxwSOUNDCLOUD: www.soundcloud.com/lotsa-pasta/(But also available on all major platforms like iTunes, Spotify, Google, Amazon, etc!)FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/LPCaptainDeathFOLLOW ON REDDIT: www.reddit.com/r/LotsaPasta/Featuring wonderful ambient music from our fam in Sweden: CryoChamber, givin' us all the ooky-spooky tunage. Follow: @cryo-chamberThank you!“Mirror Temple (Mirror Magic Mix)“ is not my song. I do not claim ownership. Credit and All rights are reserved by the owners.

Series: Signs & GloryTitle: How Do We Become People of the Towel?Subtitle: Scripture: John 13:1-17Philippians 2:6-8Mark 10:45Bottom line: We become people of the towel when we believe Jesus' love, receive his cleansing, and follow his example.INTRODUCTIONCONTEXTSERMON OUTLINECONCLUSIONNOTESOUTLINESQUESTIONS TO CONSIDER DISCUSSION QUESTIONSMAIN REFERENCES USEDOpening prayer: Lord God, help us grow to be and do like Jesus, while abiding in him and leading others to do the same. INTRODUCTION“In 2003, when the United States invaded Iraq, I sat glued to my television set for days and watched the amazing footage that was broadcast. One scene that stands out in my mind from those days was the jubilant celebration of the Iraqi people as U.S. Marines pulled down a forty-foot statue of Saddam Hussein in Baghdad. The statue was torn from its pedestal and dragged through the streets, and children were shown riding on the head of the statue as if it were a sled. But I also remember the way in which the people of Iraq used their shoes or their sandals to pound against the statue and the posters of Saddam that were still being displayed in Baghdad. The commentators explained that among the Iraqi people, to beat a person or even a person's image with one's shoe is to show the deepest possible form of contempt for that person...The Iraqi people's actions helped me understand the depth of lowliness to which Jesus stooped when He handled His disciples' filthy feet in this ritual of cleansing. We have already discussed the fact that in antiquity, when a rabbi had disciples, they typically acted as his servants. However, they were never required to wash the rabbi's feet; that task was reserved for slaves. But even some slaves were spared this task. Within Israel, if a Jewish person had a Jewish slave, the slave owner was not permitted to require that slave to wash his feet. Only a Gentile slave could be required to perform such a menial task. So the fact that Jesus Himself undertook this task, and that He did it during Holy Week, fills this narrative with theological and ethical significance for us.”John - An Expositional Commentary, R.C. SproulBottom line: We become people of the towel when we believe Jesus' love, receive his cleansing, and follow his example.CONTEXT"Jesus had entered Jerusalem on Sunday, and on Monday had cleansed the temple. Tuesday was a day of conflict as the religious leaders sought to trip Him up and get evidence to arrest Him. These events are recorded in Matthew 21–25. Wednesday was probably a day of rest, but on Thursday He met in the Upper Room with His disciples in order to observe Passover...What was this divinely appointed “hour”? It was the time when He would be glorified through His death, resurrection, and ascension. From the human point of view, it meant suffering; but from the divine point of view, it meant glory."Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 344). Victor Books.OUTLINE (w/ help from Kent Hughes and ChatGPT)I. Believe the Heart of His Love (John 13:1–3)• Jesus loved His own “to the end” — pointing to the cross (Romans 5:8).• His mission has always been loving service: "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Mark 10:45• Application: You cannot serve others well until you rest secure in Jesus' agape love for you.II. Be Washed by His Cleansing (John 13:4–11)• Jesus lays aside His garment and stoops to wash dirty feet — a preview of the cross.• Peter resists, but Jesus insists: “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.”• Only the Servant who came to save (Luke 19:10) can cleanse us fully.• Application: Humble service flows only from hearts first cleansed by Jesus' sacrifice.III. Follow His Example in Humble Service (John 13:12–17)• After washing, He asks: “Do you understand what I have done to you?”• If the Lord and Teacher has washed feet, we must do likewise.• Paul echoes this: “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus… He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:5–8).• Application: Knowing His love and cleansing, we pick up the towel and bless others through ordinary, humble acts of service.⸻"The Upper Room Discourse begins with a dramatic call to follow Christ's example as a servant--to be people of the towel." -Hughes"How do we become people of the towel?We must observe the marvelous example of our foot-washing Lord and Savior and then listen to Jesus' challenge: 'If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.'Perhaps most important, we must have the quality of Jesus' heart. 'Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.'Finally, we become people of the towel by realizing who we are. The power, the impetus, and the grace to wash one another's feet is proportionate not only to how we see Jesus but how we see ourselves. Our Lord saw himself as King of kings, and he washed the disciples' feet. Recovery of a kingly consciousness will hallow and refine our entire lives. We are 'a royal priesthood.' (1 Peter 2:9)" -Hughes"If you know these things, blessed areyou if you do them." John 13:17The Heart of the Servant (13:1-3)"The final sentence gives us his heart: "Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end." The servant's heart is a heart of love. A story about Czar Nicholas I of Russia tells us something of that love. The czar was greatly interested in a young man because he had been friends with the young man's father. When that young man came of age, Czar Nicholas gave him a fine position in the army. He also stationed him in a place of responsibility at one of the great fortresses of Russia. The young man was responsible for the monies and finances of a particular division of the army.The young man did quite well at first, but as time went along, he became quite a gambler. Before long he had gambled his entire fortune away. He borrowed from the treasury and also gambled that away, a few rubles at a time.One day he heard there was going to be an audit of the books the next day. He went to the safe, took out his ledger, and figured out how much money he had, then subtracted the amount he had taken. As he sat at the table, overwhelmed at the astronomical debt, he took out his pen and wrote, "A great debt, who can pay?" Not willing to go through the shame of what would happen the next day, he took out his revolver and covenanted with himself that at the stroke of midnight he would take his life.It was a warm and drowsy night, and as the young man sat at the table, he dozed off. Now, Czar Nicholas had a habit of putting on a common soldier's uniform and visiting some of his outposts. On that very night he came to that particular great fortress, and as he inspected it, he saw a light on in one of the rooms. He knocked on the door, but no one answered. He tried the latch, opened the door, and went in. There was the young man. The czar recognized him immediately. When he saw the note on the table and the ledgers laid out, his first impulse was to wake the young man and arrest him. But, overtaken with a wave of generosity, he instead took the pen that had fallen out of the soldier's hand and wrote one word on the paper, then tiptoed out of the room.About an hour later the young man woke up and reached for his revolver, realizing that it was much after twelve. Then his eyes fell upon his note: "A great debt, who can pay?" He saw immediately that one word had been added -"Nicholas." The young man dropped the gun, ran to the files, thumbed through some correspondence, and found the czar's signature. The note was authentic! The realization struck him —"The czar has been here and knows all my guilt. But he has undertaken my debt, and I will not have to die." The young man trusted in the czar's word, and sure enough, the needed monies came?The czar's love, paying the price for his guilty young friend, was only a faint shadow of the atoning love of Christ. Nicholas's deed was an easy matter for him —as easy as signing his name. But the atoning love of Jesus cost him everything!The tenses at the end of verse 1, "having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end," means that in the whole range of Christ's contact with his disciples he loved them!" -HughesThe Example of the Servant (13:4-11)The Challenge of the Servant (13:12-17)"According to John, the Lord gave the disciples two explanations of his washing of their feet - one while he was engaged in washing them, and the other after he had taken his place with them at the supper table again. The former, as we have seen, is theological in character: the foot-washing symbolizes Jesus' humbling himself to endure the death of the cross and the cleansing efficacy of his death for the believer. The latter, unfolded in verses 12-17, is practical in character: Jesus has washed their feet in order that from his example they may learn to perform similar service one for another.There is no incongruity between the two explanations; it is quite unnecessary to suppose that they must be due to two different authors. The second explanation is very much in line with Luke's account of the conversation which took place between the Lord and the disciples at the Last Supper (Luke 22:24-27), in which he drew their attention to his own example; but in Mark's counterpart to that conversation, which appears in an earlier context (Mark 10:35-45), Jesus' example of lowly service is brought into the closest association with the sacrifice of the cross: if any one of their number wants to be first, he 'must be slave of all' - because 'the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many'. The close association of the two themes in this Johannine context, accordingly, is perfectly natural`..." -FF BruceJudas was an unbeliever (John 6:64–71), so he did not have a “shield of faith” to use to ward off Satan's attacks...Even in His humiliation, our Lord had all things through His Father. He was poor and yet He was rich. Because Jesus knew who He was, where He came from, what He had, and where He was going, He was complete master of the situation. You and I as believers know that we have been born of God, that we are one day going to God, and that in Christ we have all things; therefore, we ought to be able to follow our Lord's example and serve others...What Jesus knew helped determine what Jesus did (John 13:4–5)...The Father had put all things into the Son's hands, yet Jesus picked up a towel and a basin! His humility was not born of poverty, but of riches. He was rich, yet He became poor (2 Cor. 8:9). A Malay proverb says, “The fuller the ear is of rice-grain, the lower it bends.”...Jesus was the Sovereign, yet He took the place of a servant. He had all things in His hands, yet He picked up a towel...It has well been said that humility is not thinking meanly of yourself; it is simply not thinking of yourself at all. True humility grows out of our relationship with the Father.Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 345). Victor Books.Rick Warren used to say, "Humility isn't thinking less of yourself. It's thinking of yourself less."We today, just like the disciples that night, desperately need this lesson on humility. The church is filled with a worldly spirit of competition and criticism as believers vie with one another to see who is the greatest. We are growing in knowledge, but not in grace (see 2 Peter 3:18). “Humility is the only soil in which the graces root,” wrote Andrew Murray. “The lack of humility is the sufficient explanation of every defect and failure.”The word translated “wash” in John 13:5–6, 8, 12, and 14 is nipto and means “to wash a part of the body.” But the word translated “washed” in John 13:10 is louo and means “to bathe all over.” The distinction is important, for Jesus was trying to teach His disciples the importance of a holy walk.When the sinner trusts the Saviour, he is “bathed all over” and his sins are washed away and forgiven (see 1 Cor. 6:9–11; Titus 3:3–7; and Rev. 1:5). “And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more” (Heb. 10:17). However, as the believer walks in this world, it is easy to become defiled. He does not need to be bathed all over again; he simply needs to have that defilement cleansed away. God promises to cleanse us when we confess our sins to Him (1 John 1:9).But why is it so important that we “keep our feet clean”? Because if we are defiled, we cannot have communion with our Lord. “If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with Me” (John 13:8). The word translated “part” is meros, and it carries the meaning here of “participation, having a share in someone or something.” When God “bathes us all over” in salvation, He brings about our union with Christ; and that is a settled relationship that cannot change. (The verb wash in John 13:10 is in the perfect tense. It is settled once and for all.) However, our communion with Christ depends on our keeping ourselves “unspotted from the world” (James 1:27). If we permit unconfessed sin in our lives, we hinder our walk with the Lord; and that is when we need to have our feet washed.Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 346). Victor Books.Referring to Jesus humbling himself and cf. to Philippians 2:5-9, RC Sproul writes, “It was not His deity but His dignity that Jesus laid aside. He emptied Himself of the glory that He enjoyed with His Father from all eternity. He laid aside His prerogatives as the second person of the Trinity. For the sake of His people, He descended from glory to lay down His life.”“That is proper, for Jesus was not instituting a sacrament that was to be repeated on a regular basis among the people of God, and we know that for this reason: the central significance of Jesus' washing of His disciples' feet has to do with baptism, which is the sacrament of the entrance into the new covenant. Baptism signifies many things, but at the very heart of the symbolism of baptism is the idea of cleansing” -R.C. Sproul“He knew who would betray him, but He washed all their feet, even the feet of Judas, but not without the warning that the cleansing He spoke of would not apply to every one of them.”“Those who give themselves in service to others find deep joy in it.”Excerpt FromJohn - An Expositional CommentaryR.C. SproulCONCLUSION"The Upper Room Discourse begins with a dramatic call to follow Christ's example as a servant--to be people of the towel." -HughesHow do we become people of the towel?We must observe the marvelous example of our foot-washing Lord and Savior and then listen to Jesus' challenge: 'If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.'Perhaps most important, we must have gthe quality of Jesus' heart. 'Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.'Finally, we become people of the towel by realizing who we are. The power, the impetus, and the grace to wash one another's feet is proportionate not only to how we see Jesus but how we see ourselves. Our Lord saw himself as King of kings, and he washed the disciples' feet. Recovery of a kingly consciousness will hallow and refine our entire lives. We are 'a royal priesthood.' (1 Peter 2:9)"If you know these things, blessed areyou if you do them." John 13:17This basic truth of Christian living is beautifully illustrated in the Old Testament priesthood. When the priest was consecrated, he was bathed all over (Ex. 29:4), and that experience was never repeated. However, during his daily ministry, he became defiled; so it was necessary that he wash his hands and feet at the brass laver in the courtyard (Ex. 30:18–21). Only then could he enter the holy place and trim the lamps, eat the holy bread, or burn the incense...We can learn an important lesson from Peter: don't question the Lord's will or work, and don't try to change it. He knows what He is doing...John was careful to point out that Peter and Judas were in a different relationship with Jesus. Yes, Jesus washed Judas' feet! But it did Judas no good because he had not been bathed all over. Some people teach that Judas was a saved man who sinned away his salvation, but that is not what Jesus said. Our Lord made it very clear that Judas had never been cleansed from his sins and was an unbeliever (John 6:64–71)...John 13:17 is the key—“If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” The sequence is important: humbleness, holiness, then happiness. Aristotle defined happiness as “good fortune joined to virtue … a life that is both agreeable and secure.” That might do for a philosopher, but it will never do for a Christian believer! Happiness is the by-product of a life that is lived in the will of God. When we humbly serve others, walk in God's paths of holiness, and do what He tells us, then we will enjoy happiness...The servant (slave) is not greater than his master; so, if the master becomes a slave, where does that put the slave? On the same level as the master! By becoming a servant, our Lord did not push us down: He lifted us up! He dignified sacrifice and service. You must keep in mind that the Romans had no use for humility, and the Greeks despised manual labor. Jesus combined these two when He washed the disciples' feet. The world asks, “How many people work for you?” but the Lord asks, “For how many people do you work?" When I was ministering at a conference in Kenya, an African believer shared one of their proverbs with me: “The chief is servant of all.” How true it is that we need leaders who will serve and servants who will lead. G.K. Chesterton said that a really great man is one who makes others feel great, and Jesus did this with His disciples by teaching them to serve...Be sure to keep these lessons in their proper sequence: humbleness, holiness, happiness. Submit to the Father, keep your life clean, and serve others. This is God's formula for true spiritual joy.Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 347). Victor Books.“We can transfer that warning to everyone reading this book. If you are reading this and have not been washed by Christ, you will have no part with Him in the Father's house. Jesus was preparing His disciples for that cleansing that would once and for all deliver them from their sin” -R.C. Sproul“We've already seen Jesus making the point in the final weeks of His life, “Unless you're willing to participate in My humiliation, you have no part in My exaltation.” Our very baptism is a sign not only of our being raised with Christ, but of our being buried with Christ. It is a sign that we join Him in His humiliation so that we may have a part in His glory.”“Jesus told Simon, “He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean” (v. 10a). In the ancient world, when a person took a bath, he was clean until he walked outside in the dust in his bare feet or in open sandals. He could keep the rest of his body relatively clean, but his feet got dirty quickly. That's why there was the ritual of the cleansing of the feet without having to take a complete bath. Jesus told Peter, “When I wash your feet, I make you clean all over.” One touch of the cleansing power of Christ cleanses us from all sin.” -RC SproulIllustration:In 1912, when the Titanic struck the iceberg, there weren't enough lifeboats. Hundreds were left in the freezing Atlantic waters. One survivor later testified that while clinging to debris, she heard a man swimming from person to person, shouting, “Are you saved? Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved!” That man was John Harper, a Scottish pastor. He gave away his life jacket to another passenger, and with his last breaths he pleaded with people to turn to Christ before they slipped under the waves.Connection to Sermon:Like those passengers, every one of us is sinking without Christ. The signs have been given, the call is clear—Jesus is the light of the world, sent not to condemn but to save. His words are life, but they will also be our judge. Don't harden your heart. Step into His light today while there is still time.INVITATIONWhat about you? Peter puts it all in perspective in his first sermon:““Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭36‬-‭39‬ ‭NIV‬‬How do we respond? Answer 2 questions:Take out a card or piece of paper right now. Write down the answer to these questions: What is God saying to me right now?What am I going to do about it? Write this down on a sheet of paper. What I hear you saying, Lord, is ___________________.[my name] is going to believe/do __________________________________________________ as a result.Finally, share this with your Home or Mission group this week when you gather as a testimony about what God is doing in your life. You don't have to get too specific to give him praise.Lord's Supper, 1 Cor 11:23-26 is good passage.Also, say something like, "Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again." (past, present, and future)PrayNOTES"In 1970 I was among 12,300 delegates to Inter-Varsity's Urbana conven-tion, where we heard John Stott give a masterful application of the truth of this passage. He told a story about Samuel Logan Brengle:In 1878 when William Booth's Salvation Army had just been so named, men from all over the world began to enlist. One man, who had once dreamed of himself as a bishop, crossed the Atlantic from America to England to enlist. He was a Methodist minister, Samuel Logan Brengle. And he now turned from a fine pastorate to join Booth's Salvation Army. Brengle later became the Army's first American-born commissioner. But at first Booth accepted his services reluctantly and grudgingly. Booth said to Brengle, "You've been your own boss too long." And in order to instill humility into Brengle, he set him to work cleaning the boots of the other trainees. And Brengle said to himself, "Have I followed my own fancy across the Atlantic in order to black boots?" And then as in a vision he saw Jesus bending over the feet of rough, unlettered fishermen. "Lord," he whispered, "You washed their feet: I will black their boots."If we are to count ourselves as followers of Christ, there must be humble service in our lives. We must be people of the towel." -Hughes"Perhaps as good a commentary as any on our passage is supplied by the following paragraph from the biography of Robert Cleaver Chapman:No task was too lowly for Chapman. Visitors were particularly impressed by his habit of cleaning the boots and shoes of his guests.Indeed, it was on this point he met with most resistance, for those who stayed with him were conscious that despite the simplicity of his house he was a man of good breeding, and when they had heard him minister the Word with gracious authority, they were extremely sensitive about allowing him to perform so menial a task for them. But he was not to be resisted. On one occasion a gentleman, having regard no doubt to his host's gentle birth and high spiritual standing, refused at first to let him take away his boots. 'T insist', was the firm reply. 'In former days it was the practice to wash the saints' feet. Now that this is no longer the custom, I do the nearest thing, and clean their shoes." -FF BruceOUTLINESee aboveQUESTIONS TO CONSIDERWhat do I want them to know? Why do I want them to know it?What do I want them to do?Why do I want them to do it?How do they do this?DISCUSSION QUESTIONSDiscovery Bible Study process: https://www.dbsguide.org/Read the passage together.Retell the story in your own words.Discovery the storyWhat does this story tell me about God?What does this story tell me about people?If this is really true, what should I do?What is God saying to you right now? (Write this down)What are you going to do about it? (Write this down)Who am I going to tell about this?Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcastAlternate Discussion Questions (by Jeff Vanderstelt): Based on this passage:Who is God?What has he done/is he doing/is he going to do?Who am I? (In light of 1 & 2)What do I do? (In light of who I am)How do I do it?Final Questions (Write this down)What is God saying to you right now? What are you going to do about it?MAIN REFERENCES USED“John,” by R. Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word Commentary, Edited by Kent HughesExalting Jesus in John, by Matt Carter & Josh WredbergThe Gospels & Epistles of John, FF BruceJohn, RC SproulJohn, KöstenbergerThe Gospel According to John, DA CarsonLet's Study John, Mark JohnstonThe Light Has Come, Leslie Newbigin (TLHC)The Visual Word, Patrick Schreiner (TVW)“Look at the Book” by John Piper (LATB)“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)Thru The Bible with J. Vernon McGee (TTB)Outline Bible, D Willmington (OB)NIV Study Bible (NIVSB) https://www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/Chronological Life Application Study Bible (NLT)ESV Study Bible (ESVSB) https://www.esv.orgThe Bible Project https://bibleproject.comNicky Gumbel bible reading plan app or via YouVersionClaude.aiChatGPT AIGrok AIPerplexity.aiGoogle Gemini AI

Former Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Director Steve Francis dedicated his life to public service from a young age, rising to the pinnacle of US federal law enforcement.On this episode of TRM Talks, Steve joins Ari to reflect on a career defined by protecting the financial system, empowering agents in the field, and building innovative enforcement programs that span borders and sectors.Steve understood early that almost every crime is a financial crime and every investigation is about following the money. During Steve's tenure at HSI, cryptocurrency became a bigger part of that equation. Recognizing its growing role in transnational crime, Steve prioritized crypto-focused training for agents, built a cadre of blockchain intelligence experts, and championed the use of advanced investigative tools to track and disrupt illicit activity on-chain. That commitment to leveraging technology gave HSI new capabilities to keep pace with rapidly evolving threats.From uncovering Saddam-era money laundering in Iraq to leading operations against counterfeit PPE during the pandemic, Steve's leadership combined operational experience with strategic foresight. Now as Executive Chairman of IP House, he is applying that mission mindset to the private sector, building a 550-person global intelligence and enforcement network in just over a year.The conversation explores lessons in humble, high-impact leadership, the central role of crypto and cyber in modern investigations, how cross-agency collaboration has driven landmark cases, and the future of public-private partnerships. Whether you work in government, tech, or compliance, this is a masterclass in innovation, leadership, and mission-driven work.

What does it take to hold a dictator accountable for decades of atrocities? In this episode, Tim Horgan speaks with Chris Ried, Director of Operations at Mercury SGS and former Regime War Crimes Liaison in post-Saddam Iraq. Drawing on his firsthand experience in building the case against Saddam Hussein, Chris reflects on the challenges of documenting crimes, ensuring a fair trial, and balancing peace with justice. Together, they explore what Saddam's trial revealed about international law, the dangers of “victor's justice,” and how history can shape the pursuit of accountability today.As new atrocities emerge across the globe, this conversation highlights the hard lessons of Iraq, the importance of truth-telling, and the enduring struggle to make justice real—even in the aftermath of brutality.

Faisal Saeed Al Mutar joins The Winston Marshall Show for a powerful conversation on freedom, reform, and the unfinished business of the Middle East. Faisal is an Iraqi refugee who lived through the chaos of Saddam's fall and the U.S. invasion. He recounts his journey from Baghdad to America, and how those experiences shaped his mission to promote secularism, literacy, and critical thinking in the Arab world. He exposes how extremism thrives on ignorance, and why authoritarian regimes—from Iraq to Qatar—use culture, religion, and oil wealth to maintain power.They discuss the failures of U.S. foreign policy, Trump's controversial deals with Gulf states, and the ongoing struggle for genuine reform in a region caught between dictatorship and jihadism. Faisal argues that real change must come from empowering young people with ideas, not weapons.All this—the Iraq War, Qatar's influence, the dangers of authoritarianism, and one man's fight to build a freer Middle East…-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------To see more exclusive content and interviews consider subscribing to my substack here: https://www.winstonmarshall.co.uk/-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA:Substack: https://www.winstonmarshall.co.uk/X: https://twitter.com/mrwinmarshallInsta: https://www.instagram.com/winstonmarshallLinktree: https://linktr.ee/winstonmarshall----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Chapters 00:00 Introduction 04:52 Christopher Hitchens' Influence and the Iraq War17:23 Obama's Foreign Policy and Its Impact on Iraq 28:22 Trump's Foreign Policy and Qatar's Role45:51 Qatar's Influence on American Institutions 52:15 Syria and the Persecution of Minorities1:05:51 Recognition of Palestine as a State 1:29:23 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Turkey and Italy are working more closely on migration, energy and regional influence as they seek to shape Libya's political future. Both see the North African country as a key shared interest and are moving to consolidate their positions in the conflict-torn but energy-rich eastern Mediterranean. Earlier this month, the leaders of Italy, Turkey and Libya's Government of National Accord (GNA) met in a tripartite summit – the latest sign of growing cooperation between the three Mediterranean nations. “Turkey and Italy have both differing interests, but interests in Libya,” explains international relations professor Huseyin Bagcı of Ankara's Middle East Technical University. “Particularly, the migration issue and illegal human trafficking are big problems for Italy, and most of the people are coming from there [Libya], so they try to prevent the flow of migrants. "But for Turkey, it's more economic. And Libya is very much interested in keeping the relations with both countries.” Turkey and Italy consider teaming up to seek new influence in Africa Migration, legitimacy concerns Turkey is the main backer of Libya's GNA and still provides military assistance, which was decisive in defeating the rival eastern-based forces led by strongman Khalifa Haftar. An uneasy ceasefire holds between the two sides. Libya security analyst Aya Burweilla said Turkey is seeking Italy's support to legitimise the Tripoli government, as questions grow over its democratic record. “What it means for the Tripoli regime is very positive. This is a regime that has dodged elections for years," she says. "Their job was to have democratic elections, and one of their ways to make sure they stay in power was to get foreign sponsors, like Turkey... Now, with this rubber stamp from Meloni in Italy, they can keep the status quo going at the expense of Libyans.” Years of civil war and political chaos have turned Libya into a major hub for people smugglers. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, elected on a pledge to curb irregular migration, sees stability in Libya as key to that goal. “The migration issue has become very, very urgent in general for Europe, but of course for Italy too,” says Alessia Chiriatti of the Institute of International Affairs, a think tank in Rome. Trump and Erdogan grow closer as cooperation on Syria deepens Mediterranean ambitions Chiriatti said Meloni's partnership with Turkey in Libya also reflects broader foreign policy goals. “There is another dimension – I think it's directly related to the fact that Italy and Meloni's government want to play a different role in foreign policy in the Mediterranean space," she says. "Italy is starting to see Africa as a possible partner to invest in … But what is important is that Italy is starting to see itself as a new player, both in the Mediterranean space and in Africa, so in this sense, it could have important cooperation with Turkey.” She points out that both Italy and Turkey share a colonial past in Libya. That legacy, combined with the lure of Libya's vast energy reserves, continues to shape their diplomacy. Ending the split between Libya's rival governments is seen as vital for stability. Moscow's reduced military support for Haftar, as it focuses on its war in Ukraine, is viewed in Ankara as an opening. “Russia is nearly out, and what remains are Turkey and Italy,” says Bagcı. He added that Ankara is making overtures to the eastern authorities through Haftar's son Saddam, a senior figure in the Libyan military. “The son of Haftar is coming very often to Ankara, making talks. It's an indication of potential changes... But how the deal will look like I don't know, we will see later. But it's an indication of potential cooperation, definitely.” Turkey steps into EU defence plans as bloc eyes independence from US Shifting alliances Libya was discussed when Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in Cairo on Saturday. Sisi backs Haftar's eastern government. Libya had been a source of tension between Turkey and Egypt, but with relations thawing, both say they will work together on the country's future. Turkey's position in Libya is strengthening, says Burweilla. “Saddam is pro-Turkey – there is a huge difference between son and father – and the younger generation is pro-Turkey,” she says. Such support, Burweilla said, stems from Ankara allowing Libyans to seek sanctuary in Turkey from fighting in 2011, when NATO forces led by France and the United Kingdom militarily intervened against Muammar Gaddafi's regime. “I think the Europeans underestimated the political capital that gave Turkey. Turkey is winning the game in Libya,” Burweilla says. She adds that Ankara's rising influence is also due to a shift in tactics towards the east. “What they [Ankara] realised was that you can't conquer the east of Libya by force; they tried and they failed. And the Turkish regime is very much motivated by business... They don't care about anything else, and they've realised they want to make a business," Burweilla says. They've reached out more to the east, and the east, in turn, has realised that if they don't want to be attacked by Turkey and its mercenaries, they need to make peace with Turkey as well.”

Matt and Bob dive headfirst into the slapstick chaos of The Naked Gun reboot — dissecting Liam Neeson's deadpan transformation from action icon to spoof hero, Lonely Island's layered gag work, and which scenes had them crying with laughter (hint: chili dogs and Starbucks bathrooms are involved). They debate the 80s-style sight gags vs. the sharp 21st-century twists, chart the movie's laugh-per-minute rate, and wonder if we're witnessing the revival of the studio comedy. Then it's over to South Park's summer season, where Mackie joins ICE, Trump gets the Saddam treatment, and the show proves once again it's still fearless (and filthy) after all these years. From the politics of parody to the joy of laughing in a packed theater, this episode is part comedy autopsy, part love letter to the art of not giving a damn.

Send us a textRewind to 7 to 13 August 2005.It's the week the UN got scandalous, Shane Warne made history and a Playboy Mansion reality show somehow counted as TV. Plus: Jessica Simpson washes a car… aggressively. Let's ride.

As suffering and starvation continues unimpeded in Gaza, the chorus of criticism is becoming louder, and not just from abroad. In an unprecedented move, Yuli Novak & Guy Shalev, the executive directors of B'Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights-Israel, two leading Israeli human rights groups, tell Christiane why they believe their government is committing genocide in Gaza. Then former National Institutes of Health chief Francis Collins discusses the chilling impact of science and research cuts on American healthcare under Donald Trump's second term.  Also, as Trump ramps up pressure on Putin's grinding war, Nick Paton Walsh has a special report on one of the country's youngest victims, Tymur, aged ten.  Plus, after recent elections in Japan saw the obscure far-right party, Sanseito, make dramatic gains in the recent election, Christiane discusses whether Trump or tourists are behind the stunning results with Tomohiko Taniguchi, a former advisor to longtime Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Mira Rapp-Hooper, who was a special Asia advisor to President Biden. Thirty-five years since Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait, from her archives, Christiane's report on America's massive military buildup in the Saudi desert ahead of their effort to repel Saddam, and the weary U.S. troops she met there, worried about insufficient supplies and what was yet to come.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

En Libye, la situation politique va-t-elle évoluer ces prochaines semaines ? À l'ouest, le Premier ministre du gouvernement d'union nationale, Abdelhamid Dbeibah, semble en perte de vitesse, suite aux affrontements entre milices qui ont touché Tripoli au mois de mai. Alors qu'à l'est, le maréchal Khalifa Haftar paraît, lui, monter en puissance. La Turquie par exemple, longtemps alliée des autorités de Tripoli, est en train de se rapprocher de lui. Comment expliquer ce probable basculement d'Ankara ? Quelles pourraient en être les conséquences ? Jalel Harchaoui est chercheur associé au Royal United Services Institute de Londres. Il est l'invité de Pierre Firtion. RFI : Est-on à la veille de changements majeurs en Libye ? Jalel Harchaoui : Il n'y a pas de changement spectaculaire. Ça a l'air d'être calme, ça a l'air d'être statique même depuis une demi décennie. En réalité, il y a beaucoup de variables qui évoluent. Il ne faut pas, à mon avis, prêter trop attention à cette impression de calme. Par exemple, il y a notamment l'espèce de pivotage de la part de la Turquie, qui est connue pour avoir soutenu le gouvernement de Tripoli en 2019 et sortir victorieuse de cette intervention en 2020. Depuis, la Turquie est restée enracinée militairement à l'ouest et a tout de suite embrayé sur un effort de séduction, une espèce d'opération de charme vis-à-vis de son ancien ennemi, c'est-à-dire la famille Haftar à l'est. Et ce changement est en train d'accélérer en ce moment, avec des conséquences très néfastes pour la Grèce notamment. Ça veut dire que la Turquie pourrait basculer véritablement dans le camp de l'est dans les prochaines semaines, les prochains mois ? C'est en train de se faire. Si vous regardez par exemple les vols cargo de nature militaire entre la Turquie et Benghazi, vous serez absolument époustouflé par la fréquence des vols militaires. Ce sont des ventes d'armes qui sont en train de se faire. C'est un argument qui est très séducteur aux yeux des Libyens parce que l'industrie d'armement de la Turquie est très appréciée dans la région et dans le monde même. La famille Haftar est en très bonne position, notamment fiscale. Elle a beaucoup, beaucoup, beaucoup d'argent, vraiment des milliards et des milliards de dollars. Donc, le basculement dont vous parlez est en train de se faire, et il est en train de se faire de manière extrêmement fiévreuse, si bien que je m'en inquiète. C'est-à-dire que je trouve que finalement, le calcul de la Turquie, il n'est pas juste limpide, il est aussi naïf. C'est très dangereux parce que les Libyens, c'est leur pays quand même. Quand ils veulent acheter des armes sur les marchés noirs internationaux, ils le font. Ils ont de l'argent sur le côté. Donc, cette idée que la Turquie peut tellement se permettre d'être décontractée par rapport à Tripoli, qu'elle possède soi-disant déjà pour aller fricoter à l'est tout en gardant Tripoli, ça peut très très mal finir cette histoire. Dans ces conditions, le maréchal Haftar pourrait-il être tenté de profiter de l'affaiblissement du gouvernement de l'ouest pour lancer une nouvelle offensive sur Tripoli ? Pas à froid, ça ne se fera pas à froid parce que ce n'est pas possible en termes d'image, en termes de réaction violente de la part de certaines villes qui compte, autres que Tripoli. Je pense notamment à Misrata qui est une ville riche et surtout ultra militarisée, très anti Haftar. En revanche, il y a un scénario qui m'inquiète, ce serait que pour des raisons dues à la paranoïa, assez justifiée finalement du point de vue d'Abdelhamid Dbeibah, qu'il lance la phase deux de la campagne violente qu'il a démarré en mai, parce qu'il y a une phase deux qui est en train de couver, là, elle est en train de fomenter. S'il la lance et qu'il ne réussit pas, c'est-à-dire qu'il ne détruit pas la seule milice qui continue à lui tenir tête à Tripoli, s'il ne la détruit pas en 48 ou 72h, eh bien on aurait une espèce de bourbier urbain dans lequel la famille Haftar interviendra sans doute. Et ça, ça pourrait survenir dans les prochaines semaines, les prochains mois ? Oui, dans les prochaines semaines, parce que l'ONU n'a pas eu de feuille de route précise depuis deux ans à peu près. Et donc elle prépare le dévoilement, si vous voulez, elle va révéler au monde sa nouvelle feuille de route au mois d'août, autour du 15 août à peu près. Et si le langage de cette nouvelle feuille de route inclut des expressions comme nouveau gouvernement unifié à Tripoli, nouveau gouvernement, ça veut dire que dans le plan diplomatique proposé par l'ONU, eh bien, on préconise le départ de la famille de Dbeibah. Eh bien, ça voudra dire que Dbeibah aurait toutes les raisons du monde de lancer son attaque avant pour empêcher ce genre de langage diplomatique. Donc, on assiste à une situation un petit peu comme en avril 2019, parce que, à l'époque, l'envoyé spécial de l'ONU, Ghassan Salamé, était en train de préparer une bonne initiative de paix. Et bien cet argument avait fini par accélérer l'attaque physique, une attaque militaire donc, de la part du maréchal Haftar contre Tripoli. On a le sentiment que le maréchal Haftar travaille son image à l'international. Son fils, Saddam a récemment effectué une tournée diplomatique qui l'a amené notamment aux États-Unis, en Turquie, au Pakistan, en Égypte ou encore en Italie… Oui, c'est le fils le plus actif, le plus ambitieux, le plus audacieux. Le maréchal Haftar a six fils. Au moins six fils. Et Saddam est un des plus jeunes, mais en même temps un des plus voraces. Et donc ce qu'il essaye de faire, c'est s'ériger en tant que successeur presque non controversé avant la mort de son père. Les États étrangers sont contents de lui prêter le flanc, de le flatter, de ne pas le critiquer pour ses nombreuses activités de crime organisé, des choses comme ça, parce qu'on se dit de toute façon, il va sans doute pouvoir s'imposer comme non pas le remplaçant de son père à l'est et au sud, mais il va sans doute, avec le temps, puisqu'il est jeune, parvenir à s'affirmer et s'imposer comme le leader de toute la Libye pour la première fois depuis 2011.

Í framhaldi af síðasta þætti um írönsku byltinguna ræða Andri og Ólafur í dag eitt af mannskæðustu stríðum 20. aldarinnar – stríðið milli Írans og Íraks 1980–1988.Saddam Hussein hóf forsetatíð sína í Írak með því að ráðast inn í Íran haustið 1980 í kjölfar írönsku byltingarinnar og þeirrar upplausnar sem þá ríkti í landinu. Stríðið stóð í átta ár og kostaði hundruð þúsunda mannslífa. Það var háð sem hefðbundið innrásarstríð með stórútgerðum í lofti, á láði og legi, þar sem vopn frá báðum hliðum járntjaldsins flæddu inn á vígvöllinn. Með tímanum harðnaði hernaðurinn, og meðal annars var beitt efnavopnum, barnahermenn sendir í fremstu víglínu og möguleg kjarnavopn komu við sögu.Þótt Saddam næði engum varanlegum landvinningum og landamæri ríkjanna héldust óbreytt hafði stríðið djúp áhrif. Það styrkti íranska byltingarríkið og festi stjórn Khomeini í sessi og Saddam kom fram sem stríðsherra sem veigraði sér ekki við að beita gjöreyðingarvopnum, og það hafði afleiðingar sem við þekkjum vel í nýlegri fortíð.Hlaðvarpið Söguskoðun má nálgast hér:Soguskodun.com | soguskodun@gmail.comEinnig á Facebook og Youtube. Hægt er að styrkja hlaðvarpið með því að bjóða okkur upp á kaffibolla.

Í framhaldi af síðasta þætti um írönsku byltinguna ræða Andri og Ólafur í dag eitt af mannskæðustu stríðum 20. aldarinnar – stríðið milli Írans og Íraks 1980–1988.Saddam Hussein hóf forsetatíð sína í Írak með því að ráðast inn í Íran haustið 1980 í kjölfar írönsku byltingarinnar og þeirrar upplausnar sem þá ríkti í landinu. Stríðið stóð í átta ár og kostaði hundruð þúsunda mannslífa. Það var háð sem hefðbundið innrásarstríð með stórútgerðum í lofti, á láði og legi, þar sem vopn frá báðum hliðum járntjaldsins flæddu inn á vígvöllinn. Með tímanum harðnaði hernaðurinn, og meðal annars var beitt efnavopnum, barnahermenn sendir í fremstu víglínu og möguleg kjarnavopn komu við sögu.Þótt Saddam næði engum varanlegum landvinningum og landamæri ríkjanna héldust óbreytt hafði stríðið djúp áhrif. Það styrkti íranska byltingarríkið og festi stjórn Khomeini í sessi og Saddam kom fram sem stríðsherra sem veigraði sér ekki við að beita gjöreyðingarvopnum, og það hafði afleiðingar sem við þekkjum vel í nýlegri fortíð.13:12 – Byrjun 16:59 – Byltingarstríð19:53 – Ástæður innrásar Saddams31:12 – Vopnabúnaður45:12 – Saddam Hussein51:01 – Innrásin61:53 – Efnavopn og fanatík73:25 – Endalok og afleiðingarHlaðvarpið Söguskoðun má nálgast hér: Soguskodun.com | soguskodun@gmail.comEinnig á Facebook og Youtube. Hægt er að styrkja hlaðvarpið hér. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Who was Saddam Hussein, and was he really a brutal dictator? Today, we discuss and cover one of the most evil dictators that ever lived. We'll talk about Saddam Hussein's childhood, Saddam's family, Saddam's rise to power, all of the wars Saddam was involved in, his crimes against humanity, and other interesting topics. WELCOME TO CAMP!

Send us a textThe bombs fell again on downtown Baghdad. This time in retaliation for the Iraqi Intelligence Agency's attempt to kill former President George H. W. Bush. Bush had gone to Kuwait to celebrate the anniversary of the victory by the United States of liberating the tiny Arab Nation. The Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein thought it was the perfect time to get even with his former nemesis. It would prove to be an enormous mistake on his part. The assassination attempt failed and after discovering that it was indeed sponsored by the government of Iraq, President Bill Clinton was swift in retribution. He ordered airstrikes on Iraq to send a clear message that this type of behaviour would not be tolerated. We would retaliate in a measured and deliberate way, bombing the Intelligence headquarters located in downtown Baghdad. An act that would be witnessed by Iraqis' everywhere. We bombed the portion of the building in charge of this type of intelligence gathering and it served notice to Saddam that we could "reach out and touch someone" if we had to do so.  Questions or comments at , Randalrgw1@aol.com , https://twitter.com/randal_wallace , and http://www.randalwallace.com/Please Leave us a review at wherever you get your podcastsThanks for listening!!

(Rec: 9/1/24) Soaking pots, spending wildly, hiding, making time for fun things, and mafia stuff. Join the Iron Filings Society: https://www.patreon.com/topflighttimemachine and on Apple Podcast Subscriptions Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A listener writes in to ask about Saddam Hussein's connections to intelligence agencies. James answers with a deep dive on Saddam's CIA-backed rise to power and his intelligence agency-engineered double cross and downfall. Don't miss this in-depth exploration of deep state puppets and the role they play on the geopolitical stage in this important edition of Questions For Corbett.

We act like the missiles decide their targets. As if the Hellfire drone strike has free will. But in modern warfare—and in modern narrative warfare—the target isn't a target until someone paints it.Laser-guided munitions don't wake up one day and say, “That guy.” They wait. For a signal. A beam. A blinking beacon hidden under the floorboards. The ordnance doesn't think. It follows.And in our endless info-war of vibes and virality, it's the same. Redditors, TikTok rage reels, MeidasTouch-style echo chambers—those are just the munitions. They're not autonomous. They're reactive. What matters is: Who painted the target?Was it a whisper campaign? A blue-checked influencer who switched lanes? Was it a newsletter, a leak, a leak about a newsletter? Who snuck past the perimeter and aimed the dot?This is the essay.We don't talk enough about the targeting package. The long-range recon patrol who slips behind lines to mark something—someone—as worthy of outrage. Maybe they parachuted in. Maybe they're already embedded. Either way, their job is to illuminate.Then comes the kill chain:Think tank report (intel)Atlantic op-ed (authorization)Twitter thread (delivery)TikTok (warhead)You never even saw the spotter.One day, Trump is the darling of Manhattan media, a beloved caricature. The next, he's worse than Hitler. Bin Laden? Our Cold War asset. Saddam? Our oil-stabilizing friend. Gaddafi? Photographed with Condi Rice's mixtape on his nightstand. Then: all painted. All vaporized.Even Putin was “New Russia” once—mining nickel, flirting with NATO. Now he's an eternal villain, an ex-KGB fascist oligarch. We changed the noun from industrialist to oligarch and thought we'd done analysis.Narrative paints. Facts arrive later.Ask yourself: Why wasn't Obama painted? Or Biden? Or even Bush, in his second term? Naomi Wolf tried in 2007—she practically screamed “authoritarian creep!”—but her dot never caught the beam.Because the paint has to stick. The actor must be ready. The story must allow it.Trump? He welcomed the role. Signed the casting contract. Took the heel heat and ran with it like it was WrestleMania. “Make America Great Again” was a catchphrase, not a policy. It was kayfabe all the way down. He turned politics into wrestling. But who booked the match?It's tempting to believe these men write their own roles. But come on. This is Stanford/Oxbridge season 6: Global Civics. These leaders come out of the same boarding schools, the same land-grant universities, the same think tanks and G20 mixers.Bad actors are cast. Sometimes they audition. Sometimes they're just… available.And when their arc is up? Witness protection, or a tombstone with a question mark. Epstein. Elvis. Tupac. “Is he dead, or just reassigned?”The script demands turnover.You're not going to understand power through a fascism bingo card. Power doesn't yell its name. It whispers. It points. It paints.So stop obsessing over the missiles. The real question is: Who's behind the brush?The Kill Chain of Public NarrativeThe Fickleness of TargetsTarget Painting Is The Real PowerThe Actor Doesn't Write the ScriptRetire the Checklist, Follow the Laser

Grab your lever and pull to kill aliens in an all new LIVE! This week the Boiz are tackling the moral dilemma of the trolley problem. Would Pat kill the best Jurassic movie to preserve the other five? Would Matt murder a friendly dragon to save a necrophiliac? Is running over Jesus allowed since he's meant to die for our sins anyway? Plus, the Muppets meet Saddam. A turkey attacks. Pat's old plastic movie theater cup meets a tragic end. All that and shrimp tacos and it all happens LIVE!

A Personal History of Regime Change, Memory, and the Myth of America the LiberatorI'm against regime change—whether it comes by bombs, drones, NGOs, IMF leverage, or the velvet glove of democracy promotion. I oppose it when it's loud and violent. I oppose it when it's sly and nudged. Be it the softish regime change of Ukraine or the hard ones in Syria (won't work), Libya (yikes), Afghanistan (nope), and Iraq (yikes!), it all feels like one coherent doctrine masquerading as a series of noble mistakes.Remember General Wesley Clark? He said there was a plan to take down seven countries in five years: Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Iran. It wasn't a theory—it was a blueprint. Not for democracy, but for collapse. A strategy of managed entropy. A doctrine of rubbleization.Let me take a stand. Not a shrug. A belief.Saddam Hussein was the hero of the Iraq War. His sons were monsters, his regime brutal—but Iraq was sovereign. It had schools, water, food, borders, pride. And he held it together. With force? Sure. But what else binds together a British-imposed puzzle of tribes and sects?The West loved Saddam in the ‘80s. He was a darling of the CIA. Then we turned. We shattered his country. Turned it into a sandbox of sectarianism, contractor enrichment, and nation-building cosplay. And we call that a lesson. No—it was a murder.Same with Gaddafi. Libya had free education, clean water, infrastructure, a plan for a pan-African currency. So we blew it up. Laughed when he was dragged through the dirt. The result? Slave markets, chaos, warlords. We still call it liberation.Afghanistan? We armed the mujahideen. They were the good guys then. Then we invaded, stayed for twenty years, and left in the night. The Taliban returned before we even finished packing.Yemen. Syria. Venezuela. Cuba. We starve with sanctions, destabilize, demonize. Obedience, not order. Broken states are easier to manage than proud ones.And yes, we provoked the war in Ukraine. We pushed and prodded until Russia, who made clear Ukraine was a red line, reacted. I believe the 2014 Maidan movement was regime change theater. Ukraine isn't sovereign now—it's a proxy battlefield.But here's where belief becomes memory. I lived in Berlin once. I was 37. A 19-year-old Iranian girl was in my German class. She was luminous—black hair, brown eyes, a brilliant smile. She told me stories of rooftop sunbathing in Tehran, dodging morality police. Gave me her Yahoo email. She made Iran real.Until then, Iran to me was just “Death to America.” But she reminded me: Iran is human. Beautiful, joyous, mischief-filled, proud. The demonization is part of the war. First you make a place evil. Then you make it rubble.The devil you know is often better than the devil you invent. The Middle East doesn't need surgery. It needs distance. These are not fragile people. They endure. They adapt. They remember.Every time we try to liberate a country from itself, we make it worse. Our “liberation” is strategy. Business. Empire in a friendlier font.I'm not hedging. I believe we are often the villain. I believe memory—especially memory of joy, of that girl in Berlin—is the antidote to propaganda.This is the record. And I'm keeping it.

Israel thought it could strike Iran and walk away unscathed. It was wrong.In this explosive episode of MintCast, Tehran-based professor Seyed Mohammad Marandi joins Mnar Adley from the heart of a city under Israeli bombardment to deliver a stark message: Israel is not in control—and the tide is turning fast.Marandi says Israel's attacks have only strengthened Iranian unity, while the Trump administration's betrayal has shattered any future for diplomacy. “There is more solidarity now than at any point since Saddam's invasion,” he explains. As the U.S. inches closer to full-scale war, public support at home is collapsing—60% of Americans oppose getting involved.Marandi exposes the West's wishful thinking, the media's imperial spin, and why Israel may be walking into the biggest strategic mistake in its history.

Send us a textRide along as Jason OldeCarrGuy  Carr and John CustomCarNerd Meyer talk about the Iraqi Taxi Debacle. Time for a little history lesson on cars and tariffs. With tariffs so prominent in the news today, the guys take a look back at how GM attempted to sell 25,000 Malibus to Saddam Hussein at a time when the US could not sell to Iraq because of the Chicken Tax. Look it up :)The Get Out N Drive Podcast is Fuel By AMD ~ AMD: More Than MetalVisit the ‪AMD‬​ Garage ~ Your one stop source for high quality body panelsSpeed over to our friends at ‪Racing_Junk‬​For all things Get Out N Drive, cruise on over to the Get Out N Drive website.Be sure to follow GOND on social media!GOND WebsiteIGXFBYouTubeRecording Engineer, Paul MeyerSubscribe to the ‪Str8sixfan‬​ YouTube Channel#classiccars​ #automotive​ #amd #autometaldirect #c10 #restoration #autorestoration #autoparts #restorationparts #truckrestoration #Jasonchandler #podcast #sheetmetal #saddamhussein #tarriffs #cartarriffs #canadiantarriffs #canada #GM #Chevy #ChevyMalibu#tradeschool​#carengines​#WhatDrivesYOUth​#GetOutNDriveFAST​Join our fb group to share pics of how you Get Out N DriveFollow Jason on IGIGFollow Jason on fbSubscribe To the OldeCarrGuy YouTube ChannelFollow John on IGRecording Engineer, Paul MeyerSign Up and Learn more about National Get Out N Drive Day.Music Credit:Licensor's Author Username:LoopsLabLicensee:Get Out N Drive PodcastItem Title:The RockabillyItem URL:https://audiojungle.ne...​Item ID:25802696Purchase Date:2022-09-07 22:37:20​ UTCSupport the show

From Gaddafi's Green Book, to Mao's Little Red Book, to Hitler's Mein Kampf, ideological autocrats have frequently spelled out in plain sight their perverse world views and long-term plans to confront their adversaries and upend global order. Rather than engaging in deep study of the thoughts of Qadhafi, Saddam, the Ayatollahs, or Mao, our leaders have traditionally not taken the statements of our ideological adversaries seriously enough. From Obama, to Biden, and even Trump – leaders in the West have long misunderstood what drives Putin's Russia. They have wondered about Putin's hidden agendas and secret plans, rather than reading his published ones. Putin essentially told us he was going to invade Ukraine in his writings and statements. How is it then, that major leaders throughout the West could be caught off-guard and surprised when he did? There is actually a manifesto of the Russian deep state's ideology – a collection of books called Project Russia. And yet almost no one has heard of it and it is not yet translated into English. It might be the clearest indicator of Putin's ultimate goals. To find out more, Jason is joined by Dave Troy, an investigative journalist covering the intersection of technology and democracy. He is currently the publisher and editor of America 2.0, a news site focused on the future of democracy. Dave also hosts the podcast Dave Troy Presents. Jason and David discuss the continuity of Russian intelligence networks from the Soviet era to the present and the incompatibility of oligarchs and democracy. Plus: they unpack 'Project Russia'-- an ideological framework that outlines strategies for undermining Western democracy, the concept of Russian Cosmism, how these ideas intersect with Silicon Valley futurism, and are shaping the West in unexpected ways. Finally, as they Order the Disorder, David suggests a new coalition of democracies united behind promoting Order and confronting the Deliberate Disorders. Producer: George McDonagh Subscribe to our Substack - https://natoandtheged.substack.com/ Disorder on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@DisorderShow  Show Notes Links: Watch Does Germany need to embrace Nationalism? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIwVwI7mP5E Watch Will German defence spending make Trump happy? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVwZsukFK9g Basic stuff on Project Russia and its origins: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Russia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Institute_for_Strategic_Studies Visit America 2 News - https://america2.news David's Writing in the Washington Spectator https://washingtonspectator.org/category/wide-angle/ David Troy's Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dave-troy-presents/id1610914569 Clarence Streit - Union Now: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Now https://dn790008.ca.archive.org/0/items/in.ernet.dli.2015.262135/2015.262135.Union-Now.pdf Marlene Laruelle - Russian Nationalism: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/oa-mono/10.4324/9780429426773/russian-nationalism-marlene-laruelle Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Update on our week:  The group starts off hot with the question of 100 men vs 1 gorilla.  Who would win?  Andy fills us in on trade wars latest news.  It appears that US has reached an agreement with China.  It appears fabrication is moving to US and India.  Andy also brings up breaking news with another Mexican Navy ship that hits the Brooklyn bridge.  Noel finishes another tv show with season 7 of Castle.  Does this season end well and is Noel watching season 8?  Noel also rewatches Final Destination movie.  Does it make Noel want to watch the new Final Destination Bloodlines movie in the theater?  Also, Noels latest Arrow video 4K movie is Jason goes to Hell.  Daniel also has been watching tv, he watches HBO's House of Saddam.  It is a great docudrama of Iraq war with Saddam and his family.  Daniel loves those documentaries.  He watches another one in Netflix 137 Shots.  It retells the killing of Timothy Russell and Malissa Williams were they are shot by Cleveland police 137 times.  Last item Daniel brings up is the movie Trading Places.  This classic Eddie Murphy movie that has a lot of young actors.   Article for the week: 'Picky eater' with food allergies is told she's 'childish' and 'needs to get over this' https://www.foxnews.com/food-drink/picky-eater-food-allergies-told-shes-childish-needs-get-over-this   Warning: May have Strong Language and Content.   ========== Thank you to everyone who enjoys what we do.  If you like what we do, please spread the word of our show. Email questions or suggestions to ffnquestions@gmail.com ========== Follow us on TWITTER (X) https://twitter.com/FreeFormNetwork Follow us on FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557790516078 ========== Free Form Network and all our podcast are available on many platforms including STITCHER, ANDROID, IPHONE, IPAD, IPOD TOUCH and PODBEAN   IPHONE, IPAD & IPOD TOUCH http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/free-form-network/id995998853 SPOTIFY https://open.spotify.com/show/0QKRhkXDmQ9cxItaiu49Vy IHEART RADIO https://www.iheart.com/podcast/338-free-form-network-94075820/ TUNE IN RADIO http://tunein.com/radio/Free-Form-Network-p784190/ PLAYER FM https://player.fm/series/3326348 TUMBLR https://freeformnetworkpodcast.tumblr.com/ WORDPRESS https://freeformnetwork.wordpress.com/ YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj0LNZRJHyW7sQwM5ZdOCQg DEEZER https://www.deezer.com/us/show/1857582 PODCHASER https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/free-form-network-97539 PODCAST ADDICT https://podplayer.net/?podId=2920676 PANDORA https://www.pandora.com/podcast/free-form-network/PC:53088 AMAZON MUSIC https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/41213756-a9ad-46bc-8d6c-ea2d30bd2fb9/free-form-network LISTEN NOTES https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/free-form-network-free-form-network-ElG1hW2tS3v/ GOOGLE PODCAST https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZGJlYW4uY29tL2ZyZWVmb3JtbmV0d29yay9mZWVkLnhtbA PODBEAN DESKTOP http://freeformnetwork.podbean.com/ PODBEAN MOBILE http://freeformnetwork.podbean.com/mobile   ========== Free Form Radio - Episode 246- 06/01/2025 Hosted by Daniel, Andy and Noel ==========   FREE FORM NETWORK

To celebrate the publication of an important new book Dogwood, A National Guard Unit's War in Iraq, by Dr. Andrew Wiest of the Dale Center for the Study of War and Society, we present this one hour special podcast episode.   In 2003 US and coalition forces unleased Operation Iraqi Freedom to overthrow the regime of Saddam Hussein, expecting an easy victory and a short war.   After a quick seizure of Baghdad, though, the nation of Iraq dissolved into disarray, with an insurgency, led by both Saddam loyalists and foreign jihadists, spiraled out of control.   The deteriorating situation meant that the US would need more forces in Iraq, and quickly, which resulted in the mobilization of National Guard units from all over the country.   As part of that mobilization the 155th Brigade Combat Team from Mississippi would be activated and made ready for war. Their efforts to bring peace to the heart of the insurgency at a remote forward operating base codenamed Dogwood would result in the loss of some of their best and brightest.   This is the story of one such Guardsman, Sergeant First Class Sean Cooley, during his deployment to Iraq in 2005. In this podcast episode, Dr. Andrew Wiest provides in-depth context to the story and we learn of the sacrifice and legacy of this remarkable young man as told by his wife and friends.

Imagine being a 19 year old soldier and you get selected to guard Saddam Hussein during his final months of life. The Army may have plucked this play right out of the Silence of the Lambs movie script: Was "Tucker" their Agent Starling?8 hours a day sitting with, at the time, public enemy number one, a man who committed unspeakable acts, atrocities, and directed many others to do the same, sits in front of a 19 year old American soldier day in and day out for months. Eventually, the two talk. For "Tucker" (Not even close to his real name) it was his reality. I knew this guy for a few years before I ever knew the stories he tells me on this episode. Some may get mad hearing these stories, but remember, human beings build bonds when they are in close quarters. Jokes are shared. Stories of home life are told. Grandfatherly advice is given. Great manipulators groom the eager ear. Dictators contort stories into falsehoods. A caged man can seem less and less of a threat the more words he speaks. "Tucker" opens up about all of it. Many of you will be surprised to learn what the trial and final moments of Saddam's life were like through the eyes of his favorite American guard.

In order to save Ike from those damn Canadians, the boys head off a Christmas Adventure in this somewhat average season finale. Whilst the Wizard Of Oz parody was fine, it just didn't quite live up to the standard set this season.We discuss the real-life capture of Saddam, our favourite Chinese meals, some Wizard Of Oz conspiracies and more.Support the Four Finger Discount Network for EARLY & AD-FREE access to every show we produce, as well as 100 hours of exclusive content! Join the FFD family today at patreon.com/fourfingerdiscountCHAPTERS:18:00 - Favourite Moments22:00 - Trivia31:00 - Cheesy Poofs Shout Outs33:30 - Review Begin

Episode 2240 – Spring 2025's here, and The Goin' Deep Show Episode 2240 is a sloppy, cum-drenched shitshow splattered on your face! Kid A.G. and El Pres are tearing it up—sciatica, scumbags, and Elon's greasy dick choking the planet. Strap in, you dirty fucksticks. Kid's a crippled bitch from batting practice—sciatica's got his hip flaccid as a whiskey-soaked wang. El Pres shoves Rock Tape and Rock Sauce up his ass—“Bengay that shit, you whiny cunt!”  Kid's losing his shit at bitches begging for baseball. “Start your own goddamn league, you fun-sucking sluts! WMLB, Lingerie Bowl—stop cock-teasing our boners!” Clips are a fuckfest—a bike whore goes full psycho, chasing a dog walker with her dripping tantrum. Then a bum roasts a rapper's booger-caked snout and white-ass whip—“Saddam's back, you nasty fuck!” Homeless hell's raging—Geise Street's got a month-dead chick, Columbus bums humping like rabbits. Trump's “great again” plan? Starve the retards—cheers, you tangerine twat! Elon's fucking everything—Musk's F47 drone plane screws the Pentagon, Amtrak's his next cum-dump, and some Tesla dipshit lights himself on fire. Putin and Trump jerk to hockey while bombing grids—$50 vote bribes in Wisconsin make democracy a cum-stained joke. Biden's back? “Suck a dick, you fossilized fuck!” Kid and El Pres scream—military budget's a fat pig, not the weaklings' lifeline, you brain-dead pricks! Hit studio@goingdeepshow.com, slam 8hol.com, and shove this episode up your ass. Listen in. Go Deep.

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"No good deed goes unpunished." Nigel Ely joins the H-Hour podcast to share his incredible journey from SAS veteran to war journalist. He recounts his daring escapades, including acquiring a chunk of Saddam Hussein's statue, navigating the chaos of the Iraq invasion, and the bizarre aftermath back in the UK. The episode also delves into the psychological and social dynamics among Falklands War veterans, the intricacies of military culture, and Nigel's upcoming book projects. A compelling conversation filled with personal anecdotes and profound insights into the life of a soldier and journalist. Follow Nigel via his website https://www.nigelely.com/ and via his Instagram profile: https://www.instagram.com/nigel_ely/ You can also find his book Bring Me The Arse of Saddam at https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bring-Arse-Saddam-Nigel-Ely/dp/0995660506/

"I respect the Argentinians. I can't say I forgive them. It's been 40 odd years and I still can't," This icebreaker is the lead into the full conversation with Nigel, a veteran of 22SAS and 2 Para, who discusses the peculiar journey of Saddam's artifacts, including the challenges of auctioning Saddam Hussein's butter sculpture. He details the interest from major networks like Netflix and Sky for a TV series adaptation and highlights his personal legal troubles related to the artifact under UN sanctions. Nigel also touches on military culture, training hardships, the dynamics within units post-combat tours, and the psychological impact on soldiers. The discussion covers personal encounters with violence during training, interactions with former enemies, and the profound effects of combat on soldiers' mental health. Follow Nigel via his website https://www.nigelely.com/ and via his Instagram profile: https://www.instagram.com/nigel_ely/ You can also find his book Bring Me The Arse of Saddam at https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bring-Arse-Saddam-Nigel-Ely/dp/0995660506/

A touchstone of the despicable, deplorable and degeneration of the time the BTTP crew grew up in. Is South Park the last bastion of equal opportunities offending left in this burnt out burgh we call society? Or is it a relic of a decayed era, now a stain on our more refined culture? Or is it a bit of both? We dive into 1999's South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut to pose these questions and so much more. And to rub Saddam's nipples while he tortures a familiar, muffle-voiced little piggy...

In this conversation, JT & Bryan delve into the complexities of biblical texts, particularly focusing on the Pseudepigrapha and Apocrypha, including 2 Esdras. They discuss the significance of these texts, their prophetic nature, and the reasons behind their exclusion from the canonical Bible. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding these texts in the context of Christian faith and their relevance to the teachings of Jesus. The hosts also explore the historical and theological implications of these writings, emphasizing the continuity of God's message through various scriptures. In this conversation, the speakers delve into the themes of divine judgment, the role of Israel and the Gentiles, signs of the end of the age, and prophecies regarding the millennial kingdom. They explore biblical texts and their implications, discussing the nature of Israel as a people rather than a land, the significance of faith, and the prophetic messages found in both canonical and pseudepigraphal writings. The conversation emphasizes the urgency of understanding these themes in light of current events and spiritual beliefs. In this segment of the conversation, the speakers delve into various biblical interpretations and prophecies, particularly focusing on the Sea of Saddam, signs of the end times, and the nature of divine judgment. They explore the implications of labor and prosperity in contemporary society, Ezra's complaints regarding Israel, and the cyclical nature of time and creation. The discussion transitions into the concept of the Millennial Kingdom and the eventual judgment day, emphasizing the restoration of the earth and the spiritual significance of these events. In this conversation, the speakers delve into various themes surrounding the end times, faith, and the significance of apocryphal texts. They explore the awakening of the world after a period of silence, the signs of the end times, and the relationship between faith and works in salvation. The discussion also touches on the concept of manna from heaven, the Testament of the Twelve Patriarchs, and the importance of understanding both canonical and apocryphal texts. Ultimately, they emphasize the journey of discovery and the centrality of Jesus in understanding scripture and truth.

A couple decades ago, "smart power" was all the rage in U.S. foreign policy discussions, largely in response to the perceived foolishness of the administration of then-U.S. President George W. Bush for having become bogged down in two overseas wars. Advocates of smart power used those failed interventions to point to the limitations of hard-power instruments - like military and economic coercion - for achieving foreign policy goals. The idea of smart power seems especially relevant to foreign policy discussions in what I last week called "the era of great power stupidity." But what exactly is meant by a smart foreign policy? That's not an easy question to answer, and that tells us a lot about the making of foreign policy in general. One place to start would be to identify desirable outcomes and ask whether the policies chosen by decision-makers will achieve them. In the foreign policy realm, peace and prosperity seem like clearly desirable outcomes. So if a government's policies bring about peaceful relations with other countries and make its country wealthier, then they must be smart policies. Right? Not necessarily. Foreign policy choices don't often boil down to "choose war or peace" or "choose prosperity or poverty." Instead, in many instances the "right" foreign policy choice is not obvious. Moreover, peaceful outcomes are not always the result of the situation having been smartly handled. Flukes, even positive ones, happen. Sometimes a policymaker just gets lucky. For instance, while U.S. policymakers attributed the peaceful end of the Cold War to their own astute policies, the collapse of the Soviet Union was largely due to structural factors that were outside the control of even the most skilled policymaker. Rather than specifying desirable outcomes, another way to determine if a foreign policy is smart is to consider the idea of "rationality," which is often invoked by international relations scholars. A simple variant of this idea holds that rational governments do indeed pursue policies that maximize national wealth and citizen wellbeing. But as discussed above, that is a difficult criterion to apply. A slightly more sophisticated version holds that rational governments make use of all available information when setting policies. But of course, no government can possess all possible information, and all governments face limits in their ability to process the information that is available to them. Instead of using rationality to mean simply achieving "good outcomes" or "using all information" when making foreign policy decisions, we can alternatively use it to refer to whether decision-makers pursue a course of action consistent with whatever outcome they want to achieve. Regardless of what that outcome is, does the decision-maker act in a way that maximizes the chances of getting it? For example, take Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision to invade Ukraine. If his goal was to ensure that Kyiv is unable to exercise its full sovereignty and disrupt European security, for now, at least, he has achieved his objective. You can argue that his goal is unreasonable, immoral and even stupid, but that doesn't mean it's not rational. The fact that a foreign policy decision is rational alone doesn't help us determine if it is smart. Here it helps to think again of the circumstances that led to the emergence of "smart power" as a concept: the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003. The Bush administration seemed determined to invade Iraq no matter what Saddam Hussein did, no matter what information was available and no matter what criticism its invasion drew internationally. That now clearly appears to have been foolish. But whether it was necessarily irrational depends on the goal. If the goal was simply to remove Saddam, it was both rational and successful, as the means achieved the desired end. Similarly, if it was to send a message to others that the U.S. cares so much about preventing nuclear proliferation that it will enga...

From radio row at the NFL combine, The Ringer's Danny Heifetz, Craig Horlbeck, and Danny Kelly begin by talking about the biggest story of the day: the Starbucks confrontation between reporters Ian Rapoport and Jordan Schultz that took the sports media world by storm. Then, the guys fantasize about potential trade destinations for Matthew Stafford before discussing this year's draft class, including Abdul Carter's foot injury and the guys' opinions on whether Travis Hunter will successfully be able to play wide receiver and cornerback. The guys also recap their time at St. Elmo Steak House in Indianapolis, where they had an unexpected run-in with Saddam Hussein. CHAPTERS: Greetings from Indy (00:00) Starbucks fight (01:36) Matt Stafford trade talk (11:24) Abdul Carter's injury (22:20) Travis Hunter's two-way prospects (31:06) DK's NFL Draft Guide (39:49) Chiefs franchise tag Trey Smith (53:32) St. Elmo Steak House recap (01:05:30) For The Ringer's complete guide to the 2025 draft, click here. Hosts: Danny Heifetz, Craig Horlbeck, and Danny Kelly Producer: Troy Farkas Additional Production Support: Tucker Tashjian, Dan Comer, Jake Loskutoff, and Nikola Stanjevich Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Serving in Special Forces isn't supposed to be easy. In fact, becoming a Green Beret is rewarding because it's supposed to be hard. If it was easy, anyone could do it; but not everyone can, or should, be considered elite. Retired Sergeant Major John McPhee is one of America's most distinguished and experienced Special Operators. For decades he led America's most lethal units in the Army's elite Delta Force. The self proclaimed Sheriff of Baghdad, John tells it like it is and leaves nothing up to interpretation.The Jedburgh Podcast, the Jedburgh Media Channel and the Green Beret Foundation are proud to announce our partnership with the University of Health and Performance outside of Bentonville, Arkansas. UHP is dedicated to building the world's most elite fitness and nutrition entrepreneurs out of our Veterans. To kick off our partnership, John and Host Fran Racioppi climbed into the back of an armored Humvee to reminisce about the impact of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, what America did right, what we did wrong, and why the counter-terrorism battle is far from over. John also shares his thoughts on the Army today, how to fix recruiting, the Israeli pager war, and why we must never forget that a Special Operator's job is to close with and destroy the enemy.Watch, listen or read our conversation from a vehicle many of us spent too much time in. Don't miss our full Veterans Day coverage from UHP. Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.HIGHLIGHTS0:00 Introduction1:50 Welcome to UHP2:39 Rangers to Green Beret4:00 Special Forces in the 90s5:57 How 9/11 changed Special Forces10:16 Legacy of Afghanistan13:12 Sheriff of Baghdad15:35 Disbanding the Iraqi government18:20 The difference in Syria19:42 Israel-Iran Pager War25:30 Army Recruiting Challenges27:05 Is the Army woke?29:55 Next generation of NCOs32:35 The PTSD debate37:18 Wear yourself out everydayQUOTESWe had no bullets. No money to go train. The Army didn't have a budget. The 90s Special Forces sucked.”“This is where nations go to die. What did we think was going to happen?”“You can't do that. You can't just get rid of the whole army like that.”“We had enough money to buy where Saddam was without ever firing a shot.”“Syria can never be tamed and it will always be a problem for us.”“War is only a failure of politicians and politics.”“We didn't have an Army before WWII. We fielded 6 million men quick. When America gets pissed off, you're done.”“The Army needs to do two things only. Kill the bad guys and break their shit.” “I would tell anybody to try to be the smartest guy in the room because generally the smartest guy in the room is going to be the best Commando.”“I personally don't believe in PTSD. You get stuck in the same chapter of your book.”“Every human being should be taking an hour to two hours a day on themselves.”The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation.The opinions presented on the The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are the opinions of my guests and myself. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Green Beret Foundation and the Green Beret Foundation assumes no liability for their accuracy, nor does Green Beret Foundation endorse any political candidate or any political party.

Join us at Patreon.com/dadmeatpodcast for part 2 of this episode. Support the show and get Huel for 15% off plus a free gift with the code DADMEAT at https://www.huel.com Want a custom Dad Meat episode? Order one and tell us exactly who and what you want us to talk about and it's done. It's a great gift for birthdays, holidays, or just as a treat to yourself. Episodes available in 15, 30, and 60 minute lengths. Grab one now at OnPercs.com/store. See Tim do stand up live: https://linktr.ee/timbutterly See Mike do stand up live: https://linktr.ee/MikeRainey82 Check out Tim's YouTube channel at youtube.com/@TimButterly for live streams and his killer new project, Field Trippin', which you can also support at Patreon.com/TimButterly Order Mike's new book, Delco Dirtball, a wigger crime novel, at OnPercs.com/store It is the funniest book you will read all summer. Go to Patreon.com/lilstinkers for the best murder/Impractical Jokers-themed podcast out there

"I can hear you! The rest of the world hears you. And the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon." - George W Bush, World Trade Center Site, September 14, 2001George W. Bush did not get the presidency he thought he would. He expected to be the tax, entitlement, and education reform guy. Not the war on terror guy.But the deadliest attack in World History will do that to you.Follow along as Bush rides a privileged upbringing to the Texas Governorship, wins the White House after the most controversial election of the past 150 years, then struggles with how to keep Americans safe in the years after 9/11 and how to stave off economic armageddon when the 2008 financial crisis sends the global economy into a free fall.Bibliography1. Bush - Jean Edward Smith2. Obama: The Call of History - Peter Baker3. Destiny and Power: The American Odyssey of George Herbert Walker Bush – Jon MeachamSupport the show

Send us a textToday on The Prather Point LIVE at 2 pm ET on RUMBLE:https://rumble.com/v632rt8-special-the-socom-soldier-who-got-saddam.htmlVERY SPECIAL INTERVIEW LONG IN THE MAKING!YET ANOTHER LEGEND I WAS PRIVILEGED TO WORK WITH!THE REAL-LIFE LAYTON AND ROCHEFORT OF THE IRAQ WAR ON TERRORISM!ERIC MADDOX - SOCOM SOLDIER, IMPECCABLE INTERROGATOR & ENTREPRENEUR EXTRAORDINAIRE! 

Steve Coll's latest book, “The Achilles Trap: Saddam Hussein, the C.I.A., and the Origins of America's Invasion of Iraq,” seeks to explain why Saddam Hussein would put his regime at risk over weapons of mass destruction (WMD) that didn't exist. Saddam ultimately lost his regime, and his life, in part because he saw America as an omniscient puppeteer seeking to dominate the Middle East. The United States put thousands of troops in harm's way in pursuit of a rogue WMD program that turned out to be a fiction. Were these outcomes inevitable?Lawfare Student Contributor Preston Marquis sat down with Coll, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author, to explore this question. “The Achilles Trap” is unique in that it relies on Saddam's secret tapes and archives to unpack twists and turns in the U.S.-Iraq bilateral relationship dating back to the Cold War. The full review is available on the Lawfare website.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/c/trumptrials.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

SERIES 3 EPISODE 36: COUNTDOWN WITH KEITH OLBERMANN A-Block (1:44) SPECIAL COMMENT: White Trash Congressman Clay Higgins (R-Louisiana) has now targeted stochastic terrorism against the legal Haitian migrants in Ohio and elsewhere: "Lol. These Haitians are wild. Eating pets, vudu, nastiest country in the western hemisphere, cults, slapstick gangsters, but damned if they don't feel all sophisticated now, filing charges against our President and VP. All these thugs better get their mind right and their ass out of our country before January 20th." His enabler, Speaker Mike Johnson, has blocked efforts to censure Higgins - the idiot who believes "Ghost Buses" transported somebody to January 6th - and insisted that Higgins prayed over his tweet and then deleted it. This raises the question obvious to everybody but the world's smallest politician: Why didn't Higgins pray BEFORE he virtually dropped the N-word on a bunch of legal residents in Ohio? If at any point between now and the election you stop being angry that Donald Trump and his fellow peddler of cultural heroin JD Vance have let creatures like Clay Higgins crawl out of the woodwork, suck it up. The election of November 5th is as existential for this nation as was the Civil War – and many of the issues are identical. And the results must be. TRUMP ALSO AGAIN ADMITS HE LOST "BY A WHISKER" IN 2020. He apparently forgot he previously used the same analogy, then denied it and said he was being sarcastic, and has now said it again. He also says Iran is trying to kill him because he's trying to restore the furniture industry in North Carolina and "they only kill consequential presidents." This psychopath is PRE-BRAGGING ON HIS OWN POSSIBLE ASSASSINATION. There's extraordinary news out of polling for the Senate race in Nebraska and it IS Jack Smith day and there was a blooper on Fox yesterday so grotesque as to be hilarious. B-Block (20:11) THE WORST PERSONS IN THE WORLD: A brief Nuzzi update featuring my ex-girlfriend's ex-fiancee's because of my ex-friend's sexts' ex-wife. The medalists? Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski threatens Harris voters in Ohio. Jamie Dimon spits on all immigrants, like the grave of his immigrant grandfather. And Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema are too stupid to understand that the Republicans will ban abortion whether the Democrats get rid of the filibuster or not. C-Block (28:40) THINGS I PROMISED NOT TO TELL: 20 years ago Nicolle Wallace was one of the Bush White House thugs trying to kill MSNBC, the Democrats, me - and especially the man who caught Bush lying about Saddam and uranium, Ambassador Joe Wilson. The Bushes were convinced I was on their side in the story, so they kept emailing me talking points, But because Nicolle and the others were too lazy to look up the correct spelling of my name, I never got the emails directly - only forwarded from the people within NBC whom the Bushies knew would carry their water for them.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Education and peace activist Malala Yousafzai became a household name because of her vocal activism around the education of girls in her hometown in Pakistan. In 2012, at only 15 years old, she was shot by members of the Taliban for her work. Malala survived the attack and has since become an internationally known advocate and the youngest person ever to receive a Nobel Peace Prize. Today, Malala continues raising her voice at every turn to draw attention to the plight of girls around the world and to advocate for peace “in every home, every street, every village, every country.” [This episode originally aired March 2021.] About the Narrator Zainab Salbi is best known as an international humanitarian, journalist and author. After decades of working in the shadow of violent conflict, Salbi has emerged as a leading advocate for unity at a time of deepening divides. She is the author of Between Two Worlds - Escape from Tyranny: Growing Up in the Shadow of Saddam, The Other Side of War: Women's Stories of Survival and Hope, If you Knew Me You Would Care, and her latest, Freedom Is an Inside Job: Owning Our Darkness and Our Light to Heal Ourselves and the World. She is also the founder of Women For Women International.  Credits This podcast is a production of Rebel Girls, Inc. It's based on the book series Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls. Executive Producer is Katie Sprenger. This episode was produced, sound designed, and mixed by Isaac Kaplan-Woolner, written by Alexis Stratton and proofread by Ariana Rosas. Original theme music was composed and performed by Elettra Bargiacchi. Special thanks to the whole Rebel Girls team who make this podcast possible. For more, visit www.rebelgirls.com. 

Taking a look into the life of the former dictator of Iraq today, which will of course lead us into at least summarizing the first and second Persian Gulf Wars. How bad of a guy was Saddam? And was the US justified in invading Iraq to take him down?  Watch the Suck on YouTube: https://youtu.be/smgt5ba3rjAMerch 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. And you get the download link for my secret standup album, Feel the Heat.