Podcasts about Saudi

In this edition of The World According to Irina Tsukerman, the bi-weekly geopolitical series on The KAJ Masterclass LIVE, host Khudania Ajay (KAJ) examines a rapidly shifting global order as new alliances form and old ones fracture with Irina Tsukerman, a US-based national security and human rights lawyer, renowned geopolitical analyst, and Editor-in-Chief of The Washington Outsider. Together, they explore the Iran-Oman agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the Saudi-Pakistan-Turkey Makkah Joint Defense Agreement reshaping Middle East security, the mega Rafale fighter jet deal between India and France, why the US and Europe are hesitating on Ukraine's Patriot missile requests, Japan's new defense white paper sparking Chinese outrage, and the strategic implications of Taiwan's Han Kuang war games.=========================================About KAJ Masterclass MediaKAJ Masterclass Media is home to a video-first, live-first, editoriallyindependent conversation ecosystem exploring leadership, business, AI, careers,health, creativity, and the evolving human experience through thoughtful,unscripted conversations grounded in lived experience, clarity, and real-worldinsight.This show is part of the KAJ Masterclass ecosystem, which includes The KAJMasterclass LIVE, The Author's Voice with KAJ, and a growing collection ofeditorially independent conversation platforms.Every conversation is designed to leave you with something meaningful to thinkabout, understand, or apply.

In this segment Jimmy points out how dramatically Iran has shifted the strategic balance in the Middle East — now the Islamic Republic is tying the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to even more onerous demands, including complete U.S. withdrawal from the Persian Gulf, hundreds of billions in compensation, sanctions relief, and an end to all attacks. The discussion portrays the escalating attacks on tankers, Saudi oil infrastructure, Yemen, Iraq, Lebanon, and other regional targets as evidence that the conflict is spreading and that the United States faces growing pressure over energy markets and military resources.  Jimmy also argue that Israel could further escalate the conflict by expanding operations in the West Bank and that broader regional tensions make a simple U.S.-Iran agreement increasingly difficult. He concludes by portraying the situation as a major strategic setback for Donald Trump and warning that even if oil could be re-routed away from the Strait of Hormuz, that would do nothing about fertilizer, helium, uranium, and other critical commodity supplies. Plus segments on TPUSA producer Blake Neff's shocking tweet unwittingly exposing how the organization benefits from Charlie Kirk's assassination and an interview with Dr. Pierre Kory and his attorney Richard Jaffe about a major legal victory for medical freedom. Also featuring Stef Zamorano!

Jonathan Schanzer discusses the opaque leadership within Iran, noting the Supreme Leader's prolonged absence and the IRGC's tightening grip on power. The regime appears sclerotic, relying on aging loyalists while forcing the U.S. to remain engaged in regional conflicts to strain its economy. Simultaneously, the Houthis have escalated maritime attacks in the Red Sea and on Saudi infrastructure, effectively opening a new front in the conflict. This escalation exploits fractures between Arab states like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, who remain in competition rather than forming a unified front against Iranian proxy networks. (2)

TABLE OF CONTENTS, JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW, 8-11-2-26Mary Kissel discusses North Korea's transformation into a critical military supplier for Russia's war in Ukraine, providing ballistic missiles and thousands of combat troops. This collaboration integrates Pyongyang into an "axis of tyranny" alongside Moscow, Beijing, and Tehran to challenge the West and NATO. Kissel notes that the Kim regime's involvement stems from a desire for cash, a need to demonstrate missile capabilities, and a shared goal of weakening U.S.global influence. This development highlights the long-term failure of U.S. diplomacy to prevent North Korean nuclear proliferation and serves as a warning regarding Iran. (1)Jonathan Schanzer addresses the mysterious absence of Iran's Supreme Leader and the resulting tightening grip of the IRGC on the government. The regime is characterized as sclerotic, relying on aging hardliners with "blood on their hands" to maintain power. Meanwhile, the Houthis have escalated attacks in the Red Sea, targeting Saudi infrastructure and shipping ports like Mocha and Jazan. Schanzer argues this is a strategic move by Iran to shut down trade on both sides of the Arabian Peninsula, exploiting a lack of unity between competitive regional powers like Saudi Arabia and the UAE. (2)Liz Peek analyzes the surprisingly vigorous U.S. economy, where consumer spending and small business optimism remain high despite elevated oil prices and stagnant job growth. While the Fed weighs interest rate hikes to curb inflation, a "wealth effect" from the stock market continues to buoy the economy. Politically, Peek highlights a "civil war" within the Democratic Party, where "revolutionary" candidates aligned with the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) are challenging the establishment in key swing states like Michigan and Wisconsin. These far-left candidates struggle with electability among moderate voters in general elections. (3)Joseph Sternberg observes that the current midterm cycle has become an "election about nothing," with both parties failing to articulate clear policy agendas. He argues that Congress has outsourced its constitutional authority to the executive branch and regulatory agencies, losing the habit of legislating. This vacuum is being filled by "celebrity influencers" from the MAGA and DSA factions who prioritize social media attention over governing. Consequently, critical issues like Social Security reform and fiscal reality are being ignored until an inevitable crisis forces congressional action. (4)Gregory Copley evaluates the new "Mecca Joint Defense Agreement" between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan, which aims to counter Iranian influence despite mutual distrust among the members. The discussion also explores the massive transformation of global trade routes, including China's "Ice Silk Road" through the Arctic and Russia's International North-South Transport Corridor. Copley notes that these routes aim to bypass vulnerable maritime choke points like the Suez Canal and the Strait of Hormuz. Finally, he provides a report on King Charles III's summer activities and public engagements in Scotland. (5)Veronique de Rugy critiques the Trump administration's shift toward "socialism on the right," evidenced by the government taking ownership stakes in private companies like Intel. Often justified by national security, these interventions mirror European state-owned enterprise models that historically burden taxpayers and distort market competition. De Rugy argues that such moves make private companies hostage to government dictates, such as labor or diversity requirements. By adopting policies championed by far-left senators like Bernie Sanders, the administration risks damaging long-term economic efficiency and creating a "state enterprise" system similar to China's. (6)Ahmad Sharawi explains that Russia has secured its military foothold in Syria through a new memorandum of understanding with the Al-Shara government. Russia will maintain access to vital maritime and aerial bases for its operations in the Mediterranean and Africa, while Syria remains dependent on Russian grain and energy. Sharawi notes that the U.S. appears to be losing diplomatic leverage by removing sanctions without obtaining counterterrorism concessions or progress in neutralizing ISIS. The new Syrian administration is successfully playing major powers against each other to maintain domestic stability and maximize international benefits. (7)Samuel Ben-Ur and Bill Roggio discuss the "Board of Peace" plan for post-war Gaza, which proposes a civilian Palestinian government overseen by international forces. A significant impasse remains: Israel refuses to withdraw until Hamas is disarmed, while Hamas has endorsed the plan, likely hoping its allies—Turkey and Qatar—will oversee the verification process. The discussion reveals that Gaza's tunnel network is more extensive than previously believed, with only 40–50% cleared after years of war. One proposed solution to prevent Hamas from regrouping is filling the remaining tunnels with cement. (8)Thaddeus McCotter analyzes the Michigan Senate race between Mike Rogers and Abdul El-Sayed, a Rhodes Scholar supported by the far-left DSA. El-Sayed's primary victory over the Democratic establishment highlights the growing influence of "woke" ideology in college towns. While El-Sayed attempts to pivot to the center for the general election, his lack of a public voting record makes his true agenda difficult to pin down. McCotter suggests the race will test whether voters will reject the "Jacobin" manifestations of cancel culture and extreme progressive policies in favor of a more traditional candidate. (9)All nine files this time, with Gregory Copley in place at (5).

The Iran war takes another dangerous turn as the Houthis reportedly attack a Saudi Arabian ship, raising new fears about the security of one of the world's most important energy corridors. Meanwhile, the Trump administration is painting a rosy picture of oil flowing out of the region—but the numbers may tell a very different story. We break down what's actually happening with oil shipments, why the situation remains so fragile, and what it could mean for Americans at the pump. Plus, new polling is flashing warning signs for Republicans as Democrats continue to surge. Is the political tide turning even faster than expected? We dig into the latest numbers, what's driving the shift, and what it could mean heading into the midterms. All that and more on the morning edition of The Rush Hour Podcast.

//The Wire//1800Z August 12, 2026// //ROUTINE// //BLUF: OIL CRISIS CONTINUES TO DETERIORATE AS STRATEGIC PETROLEUM RESERVE DROPS BELOW 300 MILLION BARRELS. WAR IN MIDDLE EAST REMAINS COMPLICATED, SHIPPING REMAINS STAGNANT. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESULTS IN MURDERS AT DAYCARE IN MINNESOTA.// -----BEGIN TEARLINE------International Events-Middle East: Around the region the war remains as before, with no major strikes being reported overnight. The war between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia has continued to increase in complexity following the Houthi strikes on the Jazan refinery last week. Saudi Arabia has stepped up efforts to fund and supply the official Yemeni government, which was outcast by the Houthis capturing and holding the capital city years ago. Analyst Comment: For the past decade, the Saudis have tried to undermine the Houthi control of Yemen by funding the exiled government forces which still control pockets of influence around the country. A few days ago, a strike was reported in the city of Mocha in Yemen, which was originally reported as being of Saudi origin. Turns out, it was the Houthis themselves striking the sector of the city that still remains in government control, targeting a collection of Saudi advisors which were working with the Yemeni government.-HomeFront-Washington D.C. - This morning a suspicious device was discovered in the vicinity of the Engine Company 20 fire station. One device comprised of a thermos container with wires wrapped around it was discovered by authorities, prompting a lockdown of the area. EOD responded to the scene and stated that the device was not a threat.Minnesota: This morning a stabbing attack was reported at a child care facility in Hopkins. Local authorities state that two adults and one child were stabbed at Brown Bear Childcare, a private residence converted to a daycare. All three individuals are reported deceased. Throughout the day, official sources have indicated that this was a domestic violence incident between the owners of the daycare, which resulted in one of the adults murdering the other, before murdering their child, and then themselves. The attack was witnessed by six other children, as well as a parent who had arrived at the residence to drop off their child.Analyst Comment: This attack took place at 236 Tyler Ave North. The business itself is registered with the state and has an active childcare license, with no violations or concerns being readily available online. Reviews are very positive, and the business appeared to be a small and wholesome daycare run out of a private residence. Prior to the murders this morning, this address had been listed on a local garage sale page. The listing claiming that the daycare had been scheduled to close at the end of the month, but how (or if) this fits in is unclear at the moment. As a result, this horrifically brutal attack is very out of the ordinary for Hopkins, and further analysis will be required to determine why this happened.-----END TEARLINE-----Analyst Comments: Concerning the impact of the Gulf War on global energy markets, the situation is still desperate. Oil transits through Hormuz are very minimal, with the NAVCENT-run reporting sources no longer publicly disclosing all of the Iranian strikes on tanker vessels. Many observers visually seeing a burning hull on the horizon, or crude oil washing ashore, is about as "confirmed" as it can get, and over the past few weeks several strikes have taken place that have not been reported by the UKMTO. In terms of what this is doing to the oil markets, Hormuz is back to very minimal oil flows. The constant Houthi targeting down in the Red Sea region has also resulted in the Saudi's cutting production at many oil terminals and processing facilities, and the Omanis are quietly trying to export more oil from their terminals which bypass the Strait...efforts which get derailed when a tanker gets struck by a drone/cruise missle.Where we go from here is hard to say, but the situation has been slow to develop. If a person is watching a car crash in slow motion, and it takes 6 months for the impact, people get bored. This appears to be what's happened as this war has dragged on for almost half a year. This has resulted in complacency, even though the overall situation is incredibly serious. The United States has continued to drain the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) at a breakneck pace, to the point that we are approaching the physical limits of how much oil can be withdrawn from storage. This oil is not really being processed within the US, but rather sold on the international market so as to keep the price of oil artificially low globally. Last week, the SPR dropped to 298.7 million barrels of oil in storage, all total. This is the first time that the SPR has dipped this low since the 1980's, when the demand was 20-30% lower than it is today. More broadly, this is also a major milestone in terms of how close we're getting to tank bottom. There is debate regarding how low the SPR can be drawn down. A common figure over the years has been that the US can theoretically drain the SPR down to 70 million barrels. There is also a legal floor as well, with 42 USC § 6241 mandating that the SPR cannot be drawn below 252 million barrels for national security reasons. Of course, this is a law that can be reliably ignored by both the White House and Congress itself, but it is a number to work from...and we're getting close to it.Last year the Government Accountability Office conducted a large-scale study on the SPR, which found that due to infrastructure degradation over the years, the entire system can only pump out a fraction of what it was previously capable of. The report did not explicitly state the magic number of how low we can go, but the report did state that regardless of where the bottom of the tank actually is, we can only pump it out at a rate that is 61% of what it was designed for. This means that not only are our tanks scraping bottom, but we are also limited in how fast we can drain what's left. Like a broken record, the story has constantly repeated since the war began...demand remains the same, but supply is down. The basics of that fact can only be concealed, manipulated, and talked-down for so long before supply itself runs out. As the SPR cruises past the 300 million barrel milestone, more motivation is stacking up to re-enter the diplomatic phase once again, before the energy crisis gets much worse.Analyst: S2A1 Research: https://publish.obsidian.md/s2underground NomadNet: 5fa68c88be727a0e1a250a75e5e79269 Disclaimer: No LLMs were used in the writing of this report. //END REPORT//

Saudi Funding for Everything | Ep 1250 | Crazy Town Podcast

Pivot! We'll be back in two weeks with Part 1 of our Aphra coverage, but today we'll delve into our early hours with Bit Reactor's Star Wars: Zero Company. It's seemingly an excellent debut for the studio, marred only by the sale of EA to Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and a pair of private equity company's, including one run by Trump son-in-law and general ghoul Jared Kushner.  Enjoy us talking about the tactics, the blorbos, and the question of these nightmare contexts.  Show Notes Video game maker EA bought by Saudi-led group for $55bn No Games for Genocide   Hosted by Rob Zacny (robzacny.bsky.social) Featuring Alicia Acampora (ali-online.bsky.social), Austin Walker (austinwalker.bsky.social), and Natalie Watson (nataliewatson.bsky.social) Produced by Michael Hermes Music by Jack de Quidt (notquitereal.bsky.social Cover art by Xeecee (xeecee.bsky.social)

//The Wire//1700Z August 11, 2026// //ROUTINE// //BLUF: DETAILS EMERGE REGARDING LAST MONTH'S SECURITY INCIDENT INVOLVING AIR FORCE ONE. MULTIPLE OIL SPILLS CONTINUE TO SPREAD AROUND PERSIAN GULF AND ARABIAN SEA.// -----BEGIN TEARLINE------International Events-Middle East: Overnight the targeting of merchant shipping continued, with both Iranian and American strikes on commercial vessels. Iran struck an oil tanker sometime over the past 24 hours, which resulted in an oil spill which washed up on the shores of Qeshm island this morning. In the Gulf of Oman, the United States struck a different merchant vessel for violating the American blockade.Analyst Comment: Similarly, a separate oil spill has continued to expand in Omani waters, after unclear circumstances (i.e. some sort of attack) led to an explosion onboard the M/T CAROLINE BEZENGI two months ago. Since that time, this vessel has been adrift until she ran aground in an Omani nature preserve. This morning Oman announced that the subsequent oil spill now covers roughly 150 square miles.Red Sea/HOA: The Houthis struck another vessel in the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait last night.Analyst Comment: Locals claim this vessel was the M/V TIHAMAH a smaller regional containership that the Houthis had suspected of carrying out weapons shipments from Saudi Arabia, to the Saudi-backed Yemeni government. If this is true, this would not be surprising, but every ship that gets struck in this Strait increases apprehension among commercial shipping companies.-----END TEARLINE-----Analyst Comments: Overnight, more details were released regarding the security incident affecting Air Force One during President Trump's visit to Turkey last month. At the time, a brief scandal emerged after President Trump switched from the newer Air Force One to the older airframe, due to an unidentified security incident of some kind. More specifically, the threat involved the newer Air Force One airframe allegedly not having sufficient missile defense systems, due to having been pressed into service too quickly for the appropriate countermeasures to be installed.However yesterday, more of the truth came out. President Trump actually pulled a double-switch. Instead of boarding the older legacy Air Force One, the Secret Service used a catering van to covertly move the President to an Air Force C-32A (one of the administrative backups that frequently accompanies AF1). From there, both aircraft flew to the United Kingdom (with President Trump's actual aircraft flying completely blacked out and not emitting any radio signals), where the President transitioned back to the newer Air Force 1 airframe for the trip back to the United States.Many people who are not familiar with the world of counterterrorism may think this is a super cool, James Bond-like operation that fooled those pesky journalists. However, this incident proves that a clear and present danger to the President existed, and was significant enough to warrant extreme measures. At the time, the White House claimed that the switch to a different plane was conducted out of an abundance of caution. Now, we find out that he was actually secretly switched to a third plane, and smuggled into that plane in a catering van. From the perspective of executive security, placing the principle in unorthodox situations like this to ensure security is a last-ditch method...a tactic that is utilized when the danger isreal enough to outweigh any inconvenience to the protectee. The Secret Service resorting to cramming the President in the back of a catering van is a tactic that has been used in the past, but only under extreme circumstances. Bill Clinton allegedly used this trick top avoid the press during the Monica Lewinsky scandal, and Joe Biden was also suspected of having used this tactic when he had trouble climbing the AF1 staircase a few years ago. As it stands, President Trump's use of this technique is one of the first public uses for security reasons. Perhaps the most entertaining aspect to the story is that President Trump left the media on the plane that was threatened with being shot down. Most of these journalists, even in retrospect, don't seem to realize that they were they were bait.More broadly, this incident is yet another peek behind the curtain regarding the shocking levels of security that President Trump is now surrounded by. A few days ago President Trump was spotted playing golf mere feet away from an Avenger Surface-to-Air Missile defense system, which had been set up near the fairway of Trump's golf course in Bedminster while the President played a few rounds. Similarly, a few months ago, the President quietly began having Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft holding station near him at all times, just in case enemy fighter jets or cruise missiles enter the airspace.To be sure, this security is very likely necessary, but therein lies the problem: If the President now requires a SAM system to be parked mere feet away from him during an ad hoc trip that only takes a few hours...this is indicative of how serious the threats are within the homeland. Even the notoriously paranoid Vladimir Putin, who got his start in the KGB and who's bedroom in the Kremlin has been targeted (so far unsuccessfully) by Ukrainian drones, doesn't travel around with an AWACS aircraft at all times. This is also very unlikely to be a case of President Trump himself being scared, and fortifying his surroundings as his predecessor did. President Trump is not a military man, and he would not have known to ask for a SAM system, and it's highly unlikely that Trump even knows that an AWACS follows him around everywhere now.Unfortunately, all of these extremely substantial security practices are probably not an overreaction, but likely a response to legitimate and very specific threats. What's more, the security practices that we visibly observe are not the countermeasures that would be effective against the standard lone-wolf terrorist or the standard variety of screeching lunatic who might want to target the President. These countermeasures are only for countering nationstate-level threats. In Turkey, for instance, the only entities that could have targeted President Trump's plane are national-level actors. Similarly, the use of an Avenger SAM system implies that the threat might be so quick to materialize, that the standard Combat Air Patrol that is mere minutes away...might not be fast enough of a response. If any other President had been observed chipping the ball onto the green with a SAM system parked in the rough just off the fairway...the American people would be panic buying cases of water and digging a bunker in their back yard by now.But because a level of tension that surpasses the height of the Cold War has become normalized, the general population barely notices. As long as Netflix works and Doritos are on store shelves, the fact that the United States government has rapidly increased steps to prepare for major, nationstate-level attacks within the homeland will continue to go unnoticed by most.Analyst: S2A1 Research: https://publish.obsidian.md/s2underground NomadNet: 5fa68c88be727a0e1a250a75e5e79269 Disclaimer: No LLMs were used in the writing of this report. //END REPORT//

Josh and Will sit down with Dr. Syed A.H. Zaidi, a scholar of Islamic philosophy, theology, and intellectual history, for a wide-ranging conversation about his personal journey from New York political operative to academic, and what that journey reveals about faith, identity, and politics in America today. Dr. Zaidi traces his path from a politically connected Pakistani-American family in New York, through years working for prominent (and often controversial) Democratic politicians, to a late-in-life pivot toward the study of Islamic philosophy and Sufism. From there, the conversation opens into a broader discussion of what Islam actually teaches, how Sunni and Shia traditions differ, the history of Islamophobia in the U.S., the influence of Saudi-funded Wahhabism on global Islam, and how Muslim Americans navigate hot-button political issues like same-sex marriage ballot measures. The episode closes with a sober reflection on the state of American political life — and a shared hope that today's polarization is a passing phase rather than a permanent condition.Guest BioDr. Syed A.H. Zaidi is a core lecturer in Islamic Studies at Butler University, where his research focuses on Islamic Neoplatonism, Shia thought, Sufism, and the relationship between philosophy and religious revelation. He earned his PhD in Islamic Civilizations from Emory University and is currently working on books examining the Brethren of Purity and the development of Hermetic thought from late antiquity through the medieval Islamic world. He also directs the Muslim Studies Endowment at Butler University.

On this episode of the Plug N Play Podcast, Henry breaks down the now completed EA leveraged buyout with Saudi Arabia. How will EA get out of this financial pickle? We also go over the new GTA 6 exclusive showing being behind a Netflix paywall. Is this too far or just far enough in our capitalist society? Impressions this week are on Neva, the beautiful game about fighting black blobs with a wolf, and one of the best reviewed game of last year. And Big Walk, one of the best reviewed games of THIS year and an interesting co-op adventure. Do either of these live up to the hype? Tune in to find out!Feel free to send us a question at plugnplaypodcast1@gmail.com for a chance to have it read out on the show!Get 10% off your order of DUBBY energy drinks with code PLUGNPLAY! Link here: https://www.dubby.gg/discount/PLUGNPLAY?ref=lcphqeeoX/Twitter: https://x.com/PlugNPlayPod1Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/plugnplaypod1/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@plugnplay397Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7dE5501VjBjk9XbQdxvIG3Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/kh/podcast/plug-n-play-podcast-video-game-news-and-reviews/id1725685950YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0kfqx6YQ5xqXRfaKRO8wJwLinktree: https://linktr.ee/plugnplaypodcastTimestamps:0:00 - Intro16:04 - Comment Corner28:37 - EA officially Saudi owned41:52 - GTA 6 Exclusive look on NetflixImpressions:56:14 - Neva1:05:30 - Big Walk

There was a maritime incident reported in Bab al-Mandab, with Fars reporting that a Saudi ship was reportedly targeted by the Yemeni army.Separately, the UKMTO has received a report of an incident involving a tanker and military forces in the Gulf of Oman.RBA maintained rates as expected and kept a hawkish tone, but trimmed its CPI forecasts; AUD saw mild pressure.US equity futures are muted while European bourses fall on higher energy prices (Brent +2.2%).Fixed income benchmarks fall but on low volumes ahead of US CPI on Wednesday.Looking ahead, highlights include US ADP Employment Change Weekly, Existing Home Sales (Jul), Supply from the US, Earnings from Supermicro & CoreWeave.Read the full report covering Equities, Forex, Fixed Income, Commodites and more on Newsquawk

At least 111 people are killed as a 7.4 magnitude earthquake hits Colombia, Netanyahu rejects a Trump-backed Gaza peace plan, Trump changes the U.S. child vaccine schedule, alleged Irish crime boss Kinahan is charged after extradition, seven people are killed as the Houthis strike a Yemen port and a Saudi refinery, a U.K. charity is investigated over alleged Hamas financing links, UEFA, CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation accuse Gianni Infantino of a "fundamental breach of trust," Typhoon Dolphin slams China as 1 million people are evacuated, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services propose new scrutiny of food additives and ingredients, CRISPR gene editing produces the world's first hypoallergenic dogs. Sources: Verity.News

THIS WEEK: Tiddly and Danfinity are back from GenCon 2026 and share stories about new games they found, D&D One-Shot shenanigans, and their shared love for dice. We also discuss the latest friend slop sensation, Big Walk: do we like it? is it fun with friends? are their walkie-talkies? All this and the gaming news of the week in this episode of Need A Rez!| SOURCES |Aftermath - Game Devs Start Worker Hardship Fund For Laid Off Colleagues by Nicole Carpenter: https://aftermath.site/uvw-cwa-game-worker-hardship-fund-itch-io/GameIndystry.biz - Devolver Digital intends to go private by Alex Forbes - Calvin: https://www.gamesindustry.biz/devolver-digital-intends-to-go-privateKotaku - Sony Is Slapping Warning Labels On PS5s About Its Discless Future by Lewis Parker: https://kotaku.com/ps5-playstation-5-discs-physical-digital-sony-sticker-label-warning-2000722144BBC - The Sims and EA FC maker Electronic Arts sells for $55bn to Saudi-led group by Laura Cress: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjejyl34345oNeed a Rez is a weekly podcast covering the latest news and reviews in the world of video games. Hosted by Danfinity, EpicDan22, BonafideHiro, Eseipha, Samikat and Tiddly. New episodes go live every Monday on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.Watch live every Sunday at 6:30 PM ET on Twitch: https://twitch.tv/needarezpodSubscribe on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@NeedARezPodVisit our website: https://needarez.comListen and subscribe wherever you get podcasts.Ratings and reviews make a real difference for independent shows:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/51utOpaycri2x7WotgVlFX?si=3e44fadce31945d0Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/need-a-rez/id1638939545PocketCasts: https://pca.st/iczgzkt1RSS: https://media.rss.com/need-a-rez/feed.xmlFollow Danfinity: https://danfinity.ggFollow Tiddly: https://bsky.app/profile/tiddly.bsky.socialThe 'Need A Rez' Theme was written and produced by Andrew Gomez. Find his work here: https://linktr.ee/andrewj_gomez

A look at why Abqaiq — the linchpin of Saudi Arabia's oil-processing infrastructure — is the most consequential target in the Houthis' escalating campaign. I trace how the U.S. has moved from conditional support to a direct stake in the Kingdom's security, why Abqaiq functions as Saudi Arabia's most critical processing point, and how Red Sea escalation is reshaping Saudi countermoves. I close on the delicate balance of restraint and military buildup, and the risk that a knock-out strike at Abqaiq could pull the region into a wider war.

In this episode of The President's Daily Brief: Iran unveils a sweeping list of demands for reopening the Strait of Hormuz—conditions so maximalist that the Trump administration is almost certain to reject them. Iran-backed Houthi militants attack a major Saudi refinery just days after Riyadh signs a new defense pact with Turkey and Pakistan. The Pentagon orders defense contractors to accelerate weapons production as the war with Iran depletes America's supply of critical munitions. Israel confirms the existence of a secret mission to hunt down every terrorist who participated in the October 7 massacre. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President's Daily Brief by visiting https://PDBPremium.com. Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief. YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief Brunt Workwear: Get $10 off at BRUNT with code PDB at https://www.bruntworkwear.com/PDBand enter THE BRUNT POTTY OF GOLD SWEEPSTAKES for your chance to win $50,000. No purchase necessary. Ends 9/18/26. Official rules apply. #Bruntpod HomeServe: Protect your home systems from expensive repairs with https://HomeServe.com/dailybriefand get 50% off your first year of coverage. Cardiff: Get fast business funding without bank delays—apply in minutes with Cardiff and access up to $500,000 in same‑day funding at https://Cardiff.co/PDB Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trump Organization lawyer turned Middle East envoy, Jason Greenblatt talks with Martin Smith about the relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia.

//The Wire//1700Z August 10, 2026// //ROUTINE// //BLUF: MAJOR EARTHQUAKE STRIKES COLOMBIA. WAR CONTINUES IN MIDDLE EAST. BRITISH MOD ALLEGEDLY INVESTIGATING VULNERABILITIES WITH NEWLY-PURCHASED DRONE BOAT FLEET.// -----BEGIN TEARLINE------International Events-Middle East: The situation continues as before, with routine strikes being carried out over the weekend. Iran has continued to strike merchant shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, with daily targeting efforts being reported for about a week. Overnight, a tanker vessel was struck in the Strait, with the resulting fire being visible from land.Red Sea/HOA: The Houthis have been active over the past few days, conducting low-level strikes against the Saudi staging areas along the border region with Yemen. More significantly, the Houthis have also struck the Jazan refinery again, with the Saudis targeting the port of Mocha in Yemen.France: As wildfires have continued to spread around the nation, French authorities have announced the arrest of over 420x individuals on charges of arson, at least 166x of which are individuals claiming to be minors who admitted to deliberately starting fires.United Kingdom: This morning the Telegraph published a leak from within the Ministry of Defense, pertaining to the new K3 Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs) that have been purchased by the Royal Marines. The leak alleges that some components within the drone boat fleet are made in China, and actually "phone home" to data centers back in China. The Ministry of Defense has denied any security vulnerabilities, but an emergency audit has been announced to investigate the matter.Analyst Comment: Having a foreign adversary contribute to any part of the production chain for highly secret and cutting-edge military technology is a suboptimal decision.-----END TEARLINE-----Analyst Comments: This morning an earthquake with an estimated magnitude of 7.4 was reported in the western districts of Colombia, which resulted in infrastructure damage throughout the region. The city of Cali was hardest hit, with many structures collapsing or otherwise suffering major damage. So far, roughly 20x fatalities have been reported outright, but the true scale of the damage will take some time to determine due to the remote nature of many affected villages. There is not a lot of information on how bad the damage is, and most of what has circulated are videos showing the damage, or other first hand reports. At the time of this report, this is a developing story, and details are likely to change as more information becomes available.Analyst: S2A1 Research: https://publish.obsidian.md/s2underground NomadNet: 5fa68c88be727a0e1a250a75e5e79269 Disclaimer: No LLMs were used in the writing of this report. //END REPORT//

Iran doubled down on keeping the Strait of Hormuz closed until the U.S. meets a sweeping list of demands. President Trump scoffed at those conditions, especially paying reparations to Iran for damages caused by five months of U.S.-Israeli bombardments. The impasse comes as war appears closer in Yemen between a Saudi-backed coalition and Iran-backed Houthi rebels. Nick Schifrin reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

First livestream on YouTube pod....

The Houthis in Yemen say they've carried out a drone attack on a Saudi refinery on the Red Sea coast. The Iranian-backed group's military spokesman said the strike on the Aramco refinery in Jazan was in response to Saudi incursions into north-west Yemen.Also in the programme: Israel accused of weaponising archaeology at ancient West Bank sites; Iran lays out a list of demands for the US to fulfill, even as it says talks on reopening the Strait of Hormuz are making progress; and a Ukrainian singer on preserving folk songs of her homeland and promoting Ukrainian culture.(Photo: Houthi soldiers. Credit: EPA)

We get cursed by time zones this week but we prevail through RAM shortages, the fall of Electronic Arts, and possibly our digital dystopia future! We give our thoughts on Game Freak's Beast of Reincarnation, JP goes all in on his time with the Wardogs closed alpha and then Maximilian joins us to talk about the rocky release of Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls and finally our time with the co-op puzzle game: Big Walk! 0:00 - Intro1:00 - Time zones3:50 - RAM is gone for 20279:50 - Netflix secures GTA6 reveal18:30 - Final Fantasy XIV on Switch 219:50 - EA completes Saudi investment merger24:50 - Blizzard on top at Microsoft26:20 - LilyPichu voices new Overwatch character29:00 - Take-Two CEO excited for cloud gaming future36:40 - Beast of Reincarnation56:00 - Wardogs closed alpha1:46:40 - Maximillian joins us!1:47:00 - Duskbloods beta1:49:40 - Marvel Tokon launches2:40:50 - Big Walk3:01:05 - Shoutouts See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your daily news in under three minutes.For more on these stories, please head to https://www.aljazeera.com And connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Israel says it rejects U.S. President Donald Trump's Board of Peace's 15-point plan for Gaza. Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis stike a Saudi Aramco refinery. Hunter Biden says his father Joe's cancer has spread. Plus, songs by Taylor Swift have been removed from the White House and Trump campaign social accounts. Watch the latest On Assignment: ⁠Chasing Ebola⁠ Listen to the Morning Bid podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠. Sign up for the Reuters Econ World newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠. Listen to the Reuters Econ World podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠. Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement for information on our privacy and data protection practices. You may also visit megaphone.fm/adchoices to opt out of targeted advertising. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ask a question for the ask me anything episode here: https://www.speakpipe.com/send7or send an email to podcast@send7.orgWorld news in 7 minutes.  Monday 10th August 2026.Today: Mexico resit. Costa Rica protests. US Attorney General, birthright. Canada fires. Israel no Gaza peace. Saudi, Pakistan, Turkiye pact. Japan Nintendo up. Spain Ceuta bodies. DRC ferry test. Denmark oral defence. Serbia Zelensky. Iceland, Spain solar eclipse.With Stephen DevincenziBecome a SEND7 supporter!Ad-free listeningBonus quiz episode every FridayDaily transcripts (written by us, not AI!)Vocabulary listsWednesday worksheetsAsk questions in Ask Me Anything episodes10% of our profit goes to Effective Altruism charities.You can become a supporter at send7.supercast.comFor more information about SEND7 visit send7.org/contact or send an email to podcast@send7.org

In this episode of The Smashi Business Show, we look at Iran's talks with Oman over a temporary maritime route through the Strait of Hormuz, while Tehran sets conditions for reopening the waterway. We also cover a fire at Aramco's Jazan refinery and the latest attacks affecting Saudi energy infrastructure. Finally, we look at Syria's new $100 million World Bank grant and its plans to secure more development funding for key sectors.

Donate (no account necessary) | Subscribe (account required) Join Bryan Dean Wright, former CIA Operations Officer, as he dives into today's top stories shaping America and the world. In this Friday Headline Brief of The Wright Report, Bryan breaks down President Trump's new executive orders cracking down on birth tourism and narrowing who qualifies for automatic birthright citizenship. Bryan covers a Chinese Communist Party member funneling hundreds of thousands of dollars to Democrat candidates, FBI Director Kash Patel's controversial new law enforcement partnerships with China and Russia, and fresh evidence that OpenAI gamed the H1B visa system to sideline American workers. He also breaks down why Communist Democrats are dominating primary races nationwide, fueled largely by young, college-town voters. Plus, Bryan covers expanding intelligence-sharing between the US and Ukraine, imminent Houthi drone attacks threatening Saudi oil infrastructure, growing concerns over America's depleted missile stockpiles, Stanford's creation of AI-designed synthetic viruses, and a historic mega El Niño poised to scramble global food supplies this winter. "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." - John 8:32   Keywords: Wright Report, Bryan Dean Wright, birthright citizenship, birth tourism, Trump executive order, Kash Patel, FBI, China, H1B visa, OpenAI, Abdul El-Sayed, filibuster, Ukraine, Zelenskyy, Houthis, Red Sea, missile stockpile, El Nino

The Middle East may still be a powder keg but that doesn't stop fresh news from taking place elsewhere. For example, here are some highlights from the first quarter hour of the broadcast: --Iran warns its Gulf neighbors of retaliation if the U.S. launches fresh strikes against it. --Former Vice-President Mike Pence has urged both American and Israeli military forces to finish the job. --Iran's Islamic regime has accelerated the execution of protesters in what human rights activists describe as a calculated campaign to terrorize the population and to prevent another nationwide uprising. --Iranian authorities have executed at least 26 people in cases connected to the January protests as of July 28th. --Iran is reporting that they are in the final stages of drafting a joint statement on a proposed navigation corridor with Oman through the Strait of Hormuz. --President Trump insisted Thursday that the U.S. has ample military firepower and that he wants to prosecute leakers who told the media that supplies are running short. --Germany has delivered the largest submarine built since WWII to the Israeli Navy. --Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have signed a joint defense agreement. --Yemen's Houthis say they launched a missile strike on a Saudi oil tanker amid the Red Sea blockade. --Anti-Semitic incidents in the UK have risen 21% in the first 6 months of 2026 compared to the same period last year. --Jordan has called an emergency meeting of Muslim foreign ministers regarding the imminent threat of an Israeli takeover of the Temple Mount.

Washington Watch Reporter Mary Stackhouse on the questionable confirmation of Attorney General nominee Todd Blanche, the executive orders signed by President Trump regarding birthright citizenship, and the joint defense agreement by Pakistan, Saudi

Look Forward breaks down Abdul El-Sayed's hugely contentious primary win in Michigan's Democratic Senate race, a victory for the progressive wing that raises the question of whether centrist Democrats will actually rally behind him or quietly work against their own nominee. Trump is furious at Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth aka "Whiskey Pete" over a missile shortage exposed by the ongoing Iran war, with the military burning through stockpiles faster than they can be replaced.In a stunning diplomatic snub, Iran and Oman are negotiating the future of the Strait of Hormuz entirely without US involvement  after Trump spent months treating the region as America's little playground. Medicare Part D subsidies are conveniently set to expire right after the midterms, a timing decision that speaks for itself. Trump is pursuing a nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia despite the kingdom's well-documented terror financing history. Trump Media plans to paywall its API access for Wall Street traders to legalize insider trading.A rare bipartisan housing act became law even though Trump refused to sign it. FCC officials accepted major gifts from Paramount amid merger approval. Trump's own teleprompter operator got caught insider trading on prediction markets. Trump is furious the DOJ dropped a vandalism indictment tied to his Reflecting Pool disaster, and Alabama's favorite MENSA student Tommy Tuberville considers a 30-foot wall around the state to stop immigrants if he's elected governor.Look Forward is a weekly progressive political podcast covering U.S. politics, government policy, Democratic strategy, elections, voting rights, Supreme Court rulings, and political news. Featuring progressive commentary, political analysis, and unapologetic opinions on the fight for democracy. Hosted by Jay and Brad. A TNP Studios production. New episodes weekly on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major platforms. For more TNP Studios content, check out The Nerdpocalypse (movie & TV news), Black on Black Cinema (Black film reviews), and Dense Pixels (video game news).

Kevin covers and discusses the following stories: the U.S. Labor Department reported Initial Jobless Claims, additionally, their Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the 2nd Quarter U.S. Nonfarm Productivity Report: Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) released the Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey; the U.S. Senate introduced the Staged Accident Fraud Prevention Act and a couple of States have enacted or will be enacting their own similar measures and hiring investigators; oil prices react to developments in the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea and Yemen's Houthis attacking "Saudi deployments"; Kevin has the details, digs into the data, puts the information into historical perspective, offers his insights and opinions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BS Section and House Keeping Discord Server geekoholics.com/discord/ Hosts – Dayne, Rico Whatcha Been Playing? Dave the Diver Halo: Campaign Evolved Beast of Reincarnation News: Cross Platform / PC / Misc Electronic Arts completes its acquisition deal, is now officially owned by Saudi Arabia's PIF EA could be set for 'mass layoffs' as it aims to cut costs following Saudi acquisition Marvel Rivals' next update will reduce the game's install size by up to 40 GB Ubisoft's NFT RPG Champions Tactics is shutting down Assassin's Creed Valhalla director makes sudden return to Ubisoft, and will lead the series moving forward PlayStation Sony says they are not seeing an impact on their business from the disc removal backlash Sony is reportedly putting warning labels on PS5s about decision to ditch discs Xbox Microsoft wants Helix to play Every Xbox game ever made Xbox Europe and UK Price increase finally revealed PSA's: Epic Games Store Freebies: Beacon Pines, We Were Here Together Free 4 All Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra Spider-Man Brand New Day The Odyssey Intro/Outro Music: Geeky Beat – @johnsbernardo Help support the show: – Subscribe to our Twitch channel http://twitch.tv/geekoholics – Please review the show (bit.ly/geekoholics) on Apple Music, Apple Podcasts and to share with your friends. Reviews help us reach more listeners, and the feedback helps us to produce a better show. Join our Discord server: CLICK HERE

This week, Scott sat down with his colleagues Lawfare Executive Editor Natalie Orpett, Lawfare Public Service Fellow Julia Curlee, and Lawfare Contributing Editor and Vice President of Research, Security and Defense at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs Ariane Tabatabai, to talk through the week's big national security news stories, including:“Lateral Thinking.” Five months into Operation Epic Fury, the U.S.-Iran war has flared back to life—and, more importantly, spread outward. Over the past two weeks, the fighting has jumped to new countries, actors, and domains in a textbook case of “horizontal escalation”: U.S. and Saudi jets opened a new front by striking Iranian-backed militias inside Iraq; Iran-aligned forces battered Kuwait's water and power infrastructure and Saudi oil facilities, with the Houthis apparently firing from Iraqi soil; and a wave of Iran-linked cyberattacks hit water utilities here at home. Then last Friday, President Trump threatened what he called the biggest attack since World War II—before abruptly calling it off, with talks over reopening the Strait of Hormuz now said to be back on. What does this expanding aperture mean for the future of the Iran War?“Squatter's Rights.” The intelligence community has a new leader—sort of. On July 28, the Senate confirmed Jay Clayton, the former SEC chair and Trump's U.S. attorney in Manhattan, as Director of National Intelligence on a 51-47 party-line vote, ending the rocky acting tenure of housing chief Bill Pulte. But in a nearly unheard-of move, the White House left Clayton unsworn for a week while Pulte stayed on—using the extra days to run a fifth round of purges at an agency he'd already cut nearly in half—before Clayton was finally sworn in this Monday. The saga has reignited the fight over Section 702 surveillance authorities, which have now lapsed, and raised pointed legal questions about whether Pulte had any authority to keep acting at all. Where does the ODNI go from here, and what does it mean for U.S. national security?“Weiss Guys.” A sprawling New York Times investigation published over the weekend pulls back the curtain on how Paul, Weiss—the first elite law firm to cut a deal with the Trump administration back in early 2025 to escape a punishing executive order—actually made that fateful decision. The reporting details how then-chairman Brad Karp enlisted Patriots owner Robert Kraft to reach Trump, agreed to $40 million in pro bono work and to drop the firm's DEI policies, and was blindsided when Trump spun the deal his own way online. It lands after a wave of star litigators fled the firm, Karp's own ouster over his ties to Jeffrey Epstein, and fresh revelations about the quiet, multimillion-dollar exit of the firm's first openly transgender partner. What has this capitulation (if that's what to call it) cost Paul, Weiss? And what lessons should other law firms—and the legal community as a whole—draw?In object lessons, Ari has a message for competitive spouses: build something together and try Cozy Stickerville. Julia has a message for Secretary Hegseth with her 1950's CIA poster: “ We Are Looking for a Few Good Women.” Scott has a message for the makers of By Jove to bring back a childhood classic. And Natalie has a message for litigators navigating uncertain waters: she sees you and appreciates you.To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Scott sat down with his colleagues Lawfare Executive Editor Natalie Orpett, Lawfare Public Service Fellow Julia Curlee, and Lawfare Contributing Editor and Vice President of Research, Security and Defense at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs Ariane Tabatabai, to talk through the week's big national security news stories, including:“Lateral Thinking.” Five months into Operation Epic Fury, the U.S.-Iran war has flared back to life—and, more importantly, spread outward. Over the past two weeks, the fighting has jumped to new countries, actors, and domains in a textbook case of “horizontal escalation”: U.S. and Saudi jets opened a new front by striking Iranian-backed militias inside Iraq; Iran-aligned forces battered Kuwait's water and power infrastructure and Saudi oil facilities, with the Houthis apparently firing from Iraqi soil; and a wave of Iran-linked cyberattacks hit water utilities here at home. Then last Friday, President Trump threatened what he called the biggest attack since World War II—before abruptly calling it off, with talks over reopening the Strait of Hormuz now said to be back on. What does this expanding aperture mean for the future of the Iran War?“Squatter's Rights.” The intelligence community has a new leader—sort of. On July 28, the Senate confirmed Jay Clayton, the former SEC chair and Trump's U.S. attorney in Manhattan, as Director of National Intelligence on a 51-47 party-line vote, ending the rocky acting tenure of housing chief Bill Pulte. But in a nearly unheard-of move, the White House left Clayton unsworn for a week while Pulte stayed on—using the extra days to run a fifth round of purges at an agency he'd already cut nearly in half—before Clayton was finally sworn in this Monday. The saga has reignited the fight over Section 702 surveillance authorities, which have now lapsed, and raised pointed legal questions about whether Pulte had any authority to keep acting at all. Where does the ODNI go from here, and what does it mean for U.S. national security?“Weiss Guys.” A sprawling New York Times investigation published over the weekend pulls back the curtain on how Paul, Weiss—the first elite law firm to cut a deal with the Trump administration back in early 2025 to escape a punishing executive order—actually made that fateful decision. The reporting details how then-chairman Brad Karp enlisted Patriots owner Robert Kraft to reach Trump, agreed to $40 million in pro bono work and to drop the firm's DEI policies, and was blindsided when Trump spun the deal his own way online. It lands after a wave of star litigators fled the firm, Karp's own ouster over his ties to Jeffrey Epstein, and fresh revelations about the quiet, multimillion-dollar exit of the firm's first openly transgender partner. What has this capitulation (if that's what to call it) cost Paul, Weiss? And what lessons should other law firms—and the legal community as a whole—draw?In object lessons, Ari has a message for competitive spouses: build something together and try Cozy Stickerville. Julia has a message for Secretary Hegseth with her 1950's CIA poster: “ We Are Looking for a Few Good Women.” Scott has a message for the makers of By Jove to bring back a childhood classic. And Natalie has a message for litigators navigating uncertain waters: she sees you and appreciates you.To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EA misses quarterly bookings estimates ahead of Saudi-backed buyout. Disney agrees to let TikTokers use its characters in videos, and gene-edited puppies will melt your heart... but won't give you allergies. Helicopter parenting is extending into the workplace, with employers reporting that more parents are helping manage their adult children's careers. Hollywood's entering its AI era & for the first time in Billboard Hot 100 history, country songs occupy all five of the chart's top five spots. Submit your password guess! https://forms.gle/4EdBi3X8N4eMnBd56Come to our August trivia! https://mbdtrivianight-august2026.splashthat.com/Grab tickets to our Performance Revue show! https://www.morningbrew.com/events/brew-performance-revue-2026?utm_campaign=performance_revue_2026&utm_source=mbdSubscribe to Morning Brew Daily for more of the news you need to start your day. Share the show with a friend, and leave us a review on your favorite podcast app.Listen to Morning Brew Daily Here:⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.swap.fm/l/mbd-note⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

00:00:00 – Solo-show setup and missing cohosts 00:04:54 – Giant UFOs cross the moon 00:14:14 – Bigelow urges Trump to confirm nonhuman presence 00:23:57 – Corporate gatekeepers control alien technology 00:28:53 – Skinwalker Ranch guards face spirit attacks 00:33:51 – Remote viewer explains alien space travel 00:41:30 – Congress backs Morocco's Spanish territorial claims 00:41:30 – Hebrew searches deepen Charlie Kirk suspicions 00:46:31 – Andrew Wilson challenges Candace Owens to debate 00:51:10 – Saudi-led investors buy Electronic Arts 00:51:10 – GPS jamming blamed for a fatal crash 00:55:53 – Earth's magnetic field may bias decisions 01:05:37 – Callers debate the Project Anchor gravity hoax 01:14:45 – Callers trade alternative-history channels 01:19:33 – Star Nation News maps galactic power shifts 01:24:20 – Alien-species sourcing faces scrutiny 01:28:19 – Show wrap and live-band plans Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research ▀▄▀▄▀ CONTACT LINKS ▀▄▀▄▀ ► Phone: 614-388-9109 ► Skype: ourbigdumbmouth ► Website: http://obdmpod.com ► Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/obdmpod ► Full Videos at Odysee: https://odysee.com/@obdm:0 ► Twitter: https://twitter.com/obdmpod ► Instagram: obdmpod ► Email: ourbigdumbmouth at gmail ► RSS: http://ourbigdumbmouth.libsyn.com/rss ► iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/our-big-dumb-mouth/id261189509?mt=2  

Follow The Trophy Room Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PSTrophyroom Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/2PglU1a Discord: https://discord.gg/wPNp3kC Follow Our Friends: Twitter: x.com/tylermiller2496 Bluesky: bsky.app/profile/tyle... YouTube: www.youtube.com/@TheComfySpot Blog: thecomfyspot.blog This week on The Trophy Room, we break down Sony's latest response to the backlash surrounding its decision to discontinue physical PlayStation game discs beginning in 2028. Despite weeks of criticism and online protests, Sony says it isn't seeing any impact on its business and plans to continue moving forward with its digital strategy. We also discuss reports that Dave Bautista is in talks to play Kratos in Amazon's God of War series following Ryan Hurst's exit, additional casting changes, and what this means for the adaptation moving forward. Plus, we cover reports that EA could be preparing for another wave of mass layoffs following its Saudi-backed acquisition and discuss what it means for the future of the publisher and the industry.

Matt Slayer sits down with Canadian comedian Simon King for a fast, filthy, and surprisingly thoughtful ride through comedy, chaos, politics, and the weird machinery of modern life. What starts with jokes about OF, The Hub, comedy specials, AI-written eulogies, and s***ide hotline telethons quickly turns into a sharp, darkly funny conversation about what it means to be a working comic in a world run by algorithms, bots, and questionable incentives. Simon talks about touring in the U.S. as a Canadian, the strange instability of modern America, border anxiety, and why Canada's relationship with the States has shifted from neighborly familiarity to genuine concern. He and Matt dig into the realities of comedy today: crowd work clips, viral fame, bought followers, club economics, content pressure, and why Simon prefers “artisan small batch” audiences who actually know what they came to see. Along the way, Matt and Simon riff on stolen art, Lenin's body, mutton, corporate gigs, Saudi money, guns, masculinity, generational change, and whether humanity has any shot at making it another hundred years. It's an episode full of grim punchlines, honest self-reflection, and the kind of unruly tangents that make And Now We Drink feel less like an interview and more like eavesdropping on two funny people trying to make sense of a burning world. Cover your shame in our wares. New Merch! anwd.net/merch The Patreon is full of exclusive content and directly supports the show. patreon.com/mattslayer Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Matt Slayer sits down with Canadian comedian Simon King for a fast, filthy, and surprisingly thoughtful ride through comedy, chaos, politics, and the weird machinery of modern life. What starts with jokes about OF, The Hub, comedy specials, AI-written eulogies, and s***ide hotline telethons quickly turns into a sharp, darkly funny conversation about what it means to be a working comic in a world run by algorithms, bots, and questionable incentives. Simon talks about touring in the U.S. as a Canadian, the strange instability of modern America, border anxiety, and why Canada's relationship with the States has shifted from neighborly familiarity to genuine concern. He and Matt dig into the realities of comedy today: crowd work clips, viral fame, bought followers, club economics, content pressure, and why Simon prefers “artisan small batch” audiences who actually know what they came to see. Along the way, Matt and Simon riff on stolen art, Lenin's body, mutton, corporate gigs, Saudi money, guns, masculinity, generational change, and whether humanity has any shot at making it another hundred years. It's an episode full of grim punchlines, honest self-reflection, and the kind of unruly tangents that make And Now We Drink feel less like an interview and more like eavesdropping on two funny people trying to make sense of a burning world. Cover your shame in our wares. New Merch! anwd.net/merch The Patreon is full of exclusive content and directly supports the show. patreon.com/mattslayer Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Matt Slayer sits down with Canadian comedian Simon King for a fast, filthy, and surprisingly thoughtful ride through comedy, chaos, politics, and the weird machinery of modern life. What starts with jokes about OF, The Hub, comedy specials, AI-written eulogies, and s***ide hotline telethons quickly turns into a sharp, darkly funny conversation about what it means to be a working comic in a world run by algorithms, bots, and questionable incentives. Simon talks about touring in the U.S. as a Canadian, the strange instability of modern America, border anxiety, and why Canada's relationship with the States has shifted from neighborly familiarity to genuine concern. He and Matt dig into the realities of comedy today: crowd work clips, viral fame, bought followers, club economics, content pressure, and why Simon prefers “artisan small batch” audiences who actually know what they came to see. Along the way, Matt and Simon riff on stolen art, Lenin's body, mutton, corporate gigs, Saudi money, guns, masculinity, generational change, and whether humanity has any shot at making it another hundred years. It's an episode full of grim punchlines, honest self-reflection, and the kind of unruly tangents that make And Now We Drink feel less like an interview and more like eavesdropping on two funny people trying to make sense of a burning world. Cover your shame in our wares. New Merch! anwd.net/merch The Patreon is full of exclusive content and directly supports the show. patreon.com/mattslayer Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Can an American man really find a traditional wife in Saudi Arabia?In this fascinating conversation, a married Saudi woman answers questions many Western men have been asking for years. She discusses Saudi marriage culture, family approval, dowries (mahr), whether women accept polygyny, and what life is actually like for women in the Kingdom.She also reveals:* Why most foreign men struggle to marry Saudi women.* Whether Saudi wives really accept second wives.* The role parents play in choosing a husband.* Why money, love, and faith all matter.* The biggest myths Western men believe about Saudi Arabia.Whether you agree or disagree, this discussion offers a firsthand perspective that challenges common assumptions about relationships, culture, and marriage.Would you move to Saudi Arabia for a traditional marriage? Let us know in the comments.⸻

Krystal and Emily discuss Abdul wins in Michigan, Houthis attack Saudi ship, US bails out Japan. To become a Breaking Points Premium Member and watch/listen to the show AD FREE, uncut and 1 hour early visit: www.breakingpoints.com Merch Store: https://shop.breakingpoints.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this segment Jimmy argues that the United States has lost leverage in its conflict with Iran, claiming President Trump backed away from additional military strikes because of military, economic, and strategic constraints — including pleas from Gulf State allies that Iran is poised to wipe them out. He cites a recent interview with former CIA analyst Larry Johnson, who contends Iran has greater negotiating leverage, that U.S. missile stockpiles are limited, and that Iran is negotiating shipping arrangements with Oman rather than directly with the United States.  The discussion criticizes statements by Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, alleging the U.S. has repeatedly broken agreements while portraying Iran as the party violating deals. Jimmy also speculates about broader geopolitical consequences, including potential impacts on the Strait of Hormuz, global energy markets, and U.S. foreign policy toward Iran. Plus segments on Alan Dershowitz ripping into New York Jews for voting for Zohran Mamdani, evidence proving Fauci knew the mRNA shots were harmful to pregnant women and fetuses and Trump administration officials declaring war on anyone they decide to label "leftist terrorists." Also featuring Stef Zamorano, Garland Nixon and Kit Cabello!

Andrea Stricker, Deputy Director at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, outlines the proliferation risks associated with a proposed US-Saudi nuclear cooperation agreement. She expresses concern over uranium enrichment on Saudi soil, which could enable a nuclear weapons pathway. Stricker warns that granting enrichment rights would destroy the "gold standard" for non-proliferation and likely trigger a nuclear arms race involving Turkey and Egypt. Although President Trump has added caveats regarding the Abraham Accords, Saudi Arabia has threatened to turn to China for technology. Stricker notes the deal faces a difficult 90-day congressional review starting in September. (7)1956 SEMINOLE (13.6 KT)

SCHEDULE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW.  8-4-2026.1900 ST. LAWRENCEColonel Jeff McCausland, United States Army (Retired), discusses the critical depletion of United States missile stockpiles, particularly Patriot and THAAD systems, due to the intensifying war with Iran. He notes that these shortages might force a transition toward piloted bombing missions using heavy aircraft like the B-2 and B-52 for deep penetration. Regarding the Strait of Hormuz, McCausland highlights that Iran's ability to deploy sea mines and drones makes military reopening difficult. Turning to Ukraine, he predicts Vladimir Putin will escalate through mobilization rather than negotiation as both sides increasingly target food supplies in the Black Sea. (1)Judy Dempsey, Senior Scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, describes a Europe struggling with record heat, wildfires, and critically low river levels that are hampering nuclear power and agriculture. She argues these patterns reflect a deteriorating climate requiring a global response. The conversation shifts to a massive migration incident where 60,000 young men attempted to enter a Spanish exclave from Morocco. Dempsey explains that this surge is being exploited by far-right parties across Europe, such as the AfD in Germany, who capitalize on voter dissatisfaction. She notes that despite bilateral labor agreements, the political fallout is fueling nationalism. (2)Joseph Sternberg, Editorial Board Member of the Wall Street Journal, examines the release of Dr. Anthony Fauci's pandemic-era diaries, which reveal a dichotomy between his private doubts and public pronouncements regarding COVID-19's origins. Sternberg suggests Fauci became pathologically obsessed with his media coverage, positioning himself as an antagonist to Donald Trump to maintain his "star" status. The discussion also covers the growing influence of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). Sternberg notes that young voters, disillusioned by the economy, are increasingly drawn to the DSA's radical, government-led solutions. He questions whether this movement can succeed in purple states. (3)Jonathan Schanzer, Executive Director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, discusses the alarming shortage of US defensive munitions needed to intercept Iranian threats. He notes that Iran, coached by Russia and China, is exploiting this crisis to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed and drive up energy prices. Schanzer also addresses the significant weakening of Hezbollah after sustained Israeli operations and the complexities of disarming Hamas in Gaza. He highlights that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu faces a political tightrope balancing military goals with international pressure. Finally, he observes the unraveling of Chinese-brokered agreements as Houthi threats against Saudi Arabia resurface. (4)Gregory Copley, Publisher of Defense & Foreign Affairs, analyzes global efforts to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, noting that Russia and China are seeking alternative trade corridors to undermine Washington's strategic influence. He suggests China is using current tensions to project American impotence before high-level diplomatic visits. Copley also discusses the "war on food" in the Black Sea, where blockades are forcing a diversification of global supplies. Turning to Ethiopia, he describes a brutal civil conflict involving ethnic factions and the use of Turkish drones against civilian targets. He concludes with the success of King Charles III at the Commonwealth Games. (5)Bill Roggio and Bridget Toomey of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies discuss the Houthis' re-entry into the regional war by declaring a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea. Roggio criticizes the Trumpadministration's lack of a forceful military response, arguing that two US destroyers are insufficient to secure vital waterways. Toomey explains that the Houthis use these attacks to re-establish domestic norms and pressure the global oil market. They note that while the Houthis operate independently, their actions align with Iranian goals to use control over maritime chokepoints as a strategic "nuclear weapon." (6)Andrea Stricker, Deputy Director at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, outlines the proliferation risks associated with a proposed US-Saudi nuclear cooperation agreement. She expresses concern over uranium enrichment on Saudi soil, which could enable a nuclear weapons pathway. Stricker warns that granting enrichment rights would destroy the "gold standard" for non-proliferation and likely trigger a nuclear arms race involving Turkey and Egypt. Although President Trump has added caveats regarding the Abraham Accords, Saudi Arabia has threatened to turn to China for technology. Stricker notes the deal faces a difficult 90-day congressional review starting in September. (7)Conrad Black, distinguished biographer and National Post columnist, discusses the "aberrant" trade tensions between the US and Canada following the imposition of tariffs based on allegations of forced labor in Chinese imports. Black argues these tariffs are a legal workaround for the Trump administration to bypass the Supreme Court by declaring a national emergency. He characterizes the policy as arbitrary and offensive, noting it has dampened cross-border tourism and led to retaliatory tariffs on items like hockey sticks. Despite the current friction, Black remains optimistic that the dispute will be resolved through negotiation because he believes President Trump fundamentally likes Canada. (8)

Edmund Fitton-Brown: The Houthis have launched a blockade against Saudi shipping in the Red Sea, targeting energy routes critical to global markets. In response, Saudi Arabia has formed a fourteen-nation defense coalition to protect the Bab el-Mandeb, notably excluding the UAE and Oman. While the Houthis maintain some autonomy, they are heavily dependent on Iranian technical assistance and resupply. Iran has used regional pauses to restock its arsenal and now threatens Saudi infrastructure, including desalination plants and pipelines. Experts believe the US remains the elephant in the room, but a lack of consistent policy from Washington emboldens the Houthis to continue their aggressive psychological warfare. (7)1962 YEMEN

SCHEDULE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW 8-3-20261705Husain Haqqani: Iran is openly boasting that it uses diplomatic pauses to reconstitute its military arsenal for future attacks on energy infrastructure. Ambassador Haqqani critiques the current US approach as a haphazard war lacking a clear end-state or ground strategy, which causes deep anxiety among Gulf allies. While GCC states such as the UAE have successfully fended off missile barrages, they feel Washington has not provided the military commitment necessary for long-term protection. Consequently, China is emerging as a winner in the conflict, gaining respect through silence while the US appears as a helpless giant unable to achieve an honorable peace. (1)Ernesto Araújo and Alejandro Peña Esclusa: The inauguration of Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella marks a pivotal shift toward the "Shield of the Americas" initiative to combat drug trafficking and organized crime. Unlike his predecessor, Gustavo Petro, the new administration seeks close cooperation with the US to dismantle narco-socialist structures. Meanwhile, Venezuela remains in crisis seven months after the detention of Nicolás Maduro, with the Rodríguez family still wielding significant power. The US is attempting to facilitate negotiations with the opposition, yet critics argue the current transition model fails the population. Regionally, Brazilian President Lula da Silva faces increasing isolation as his neighbors shift toward conservative, security-focused governance. (2)Malcolm Hoenlein: Recent reports reveal the existence of Iranian-backed assassination cells such as the Foxtrot group, which recruits European criminals to target Jewish and Israeli figures. In the Levant, the IDF continues to discover unprecedented tunnel complexes in Lebanon and Gaza, some so vast they require dedicated cement factories to seal. These reinforced, air-conditioned structures demonstrate a massive diversion of humanitarian funds toward military infrastructure. While a pilot zone plan aims to restore Lebanese sovereign authority, Hezbollah's refusal to disarm remains the primary obstacle. Similarly, in Gaza, Hamas is reportedly distributing rifles to operatives to circumvent disarmament agreements while demanding an Israeli withdrawal. (3)General Blaine Holt and Gordon Chang: Concerns are rising regarding the flow of Chinese and Russian aid to Iran, which includes potential shipments of anti-aircraft missiles. While some interpret President Trump's reserved stance as weakness, General Holt suggests it may be a strategic gambit to exploit internal CCP factional infighting. Within the Party, a reformer named Hu Chunhua is reportedly rising as a potential rival to Xi Jinping. However, experts warn that provocative Chinese actions in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait require a steel-with-steel confrontation. Critics argue that the US must eventually humiliate the Chinese leadership through economic and espionage crackdowns to project true force. (4)Andrew Collier and Gordon Chang: China's banking system faces a time bomb with an estimated $7.7 trillion in unreported bad loans, largely due to government-backed entities rolling over debt to mask insolvency. The property market remains a crater, and while manufacturing and tech sectors such as EVs are growing, they represent only a fraction of the GDP once provided by real estate. Xi Jinping resists bazooka stimulus programs, preferring state-led investment in high tech over consumer-driven growth. This has resulted in a K-shaped economy in which wealthy urbanites thrive while rural citizens face declining property values and job insecurity. Ultimately, China risks a multi-decade slump similar to Japan's lost decades. (5)David Daoud: A recent drone attack on an IDF vehicle near the Ali Taher Ridge highlights the fragility of the current ceasefire in Lebanon. The IDF maintains control over the ridge's surface, yet Hezbollah continues to operate within a vast underground tunnel network. Despite diplomatic efforts, Iran has boasted that ceasefires are used primarily to rearm and redeploy its proxies. Hezbollah's regeneration efforts, including weapons shipments through Syria and recruitment via the IRGC's Imam Hussein division, reportedly outpace Israeli interdiction. While the Lebanese government denies these activities, evidence suggests Hezbollah remains a significant fighting force south of the Litani River. (6)Edmund Fitton-Brown: The Houthis have launched a blockade against Saudi shipping in the Red Sea, targeting energy routes critical to global markets. In response, Saudi Arabia has formed a fourteen-nation defense coalition to protect the Bab el-Mandeb, notably excluding the UAE and Oman. While the Houthis maintain some autonomy, they are heavily dependent on Iranian technical assistance and resupply. Iran has used regional pauses to restock its arsenal and now threatens Saudi infrastructure, including desalination plants and pipelines. Experts believe the US remains the elephant in the room, but a lack of consistent policy from Washington emboldens the Houthis to continue their aggressive psychological warfare. (7)Samuel Ben-Ur: President Trump has announced a tentative Hamas deal involving a phased disarmament and the transition of governance to a National Committee. However, the plan faces significant hurdles, as Israel demands the complete destruction of terror infrastructure before any withdrawal. Hamas seeks to retain small arms, potentially leading to a Hezbollah-style shadow governance. This diplomatic friction coincides with a tight Israeli election between Benjamin Netanyahu and Gadi Eisenkot. Netanyahu faces criticism for allowing US interests to dictate Israeli policy, particularly regarding Iran's ballistic missile threat. Voters are increasingly focused on national security autonomy and the domestic cost of living ahead of the October polls. (8)Janatan Sayeh: The Iranian regime has dramatically escalated its internal reign of terror, with executions increasing by over 100 percent in some regions. Revolutionary courts, led by brutal judges such as Mohammad Reza Tavakoli, use public hangings and floggings to desensitize and intimidate the population. These courts specifically target young dissidents, journalists, and even musicians for offending the supreme leader or waging war against God. Washington is criticized for failing to invoke human rights sanctions since January, even as other Western nations act. The surge in executions often coincides with diplomatic negotiations, serving as the regime's deliberate internal priority to liquidate all political dissent. (9)John Hardie: President Zelenskyy has proposed a plan to use Elon Musk's Starlink network to bypass the need for scarce Patriot interceptors, enabling deep strikes against Russian missile launchers. Starlink provides the low latency required for controlling drones beyond the radio horizon, though SpaceX currently restricts its use in certain territories. Simultaneously, Russia has implemented a crippling blockade of Odessa, targeting port infrastructure and civilian vessels with new Banderol cruise missiles. This offensive has brought agricultural and metal exports to a near standstill, threatening global food security and Ukraine's hard currency earnings. Without a maritime corridor, Ukraine faces its toughest winter challenge of the war. (10)Two names to confirm: the CCP reformer rendered in the raw as "Huchen Hua" — I set it as Hu Chunhua; and the revolutionary court judge given as "Muhammad Raza Takav Tavakoli" — I set it as Mohammad Reza Tavakoli. Also still open from earlier batches: Lorenzo Fiato or Fiori.

A.M. Edition for Aug 3. President Trump's latest walkback came just hours after saying he was prepared to launch the biggest attack since World War II, and as Gulf countries grow frustrated over a lack of a clear U.S. strategy to end the war. Plus, the Japanese Yen rises after Washington and Tokyo launch their first joint intervention in a generation after the currency fell to a 40-year low against the dollar. WSJ Tokyo bureau chief Jason Douglas breaks down the worries that drove Washington to get involved. And California's Democratic Party endorses the state's proposed billionaire tax. Luke Vargas hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Donate (no account necessary) | Subscribe (account required) Visit Masa Chips - Use Code Wright for 25% off your first order!  Join Bryan Dean Wright, former CIA Operations Officer, as he dives into today's top stories shaping America and the world. In this Monday Headline Brief of The Wright Report, Bryan breaks down President Trump's decision to postpone a planned massive offensive against Iran after Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince threatened to cut off US access to Saudi bases. Bryan lays out why Arab nations are unwilling to fight the IRGC despite the escalating threat, growing fears that Iran could have nuclear warheads within five years, and a wave of Iranian cyber attacks hitting US water utilities. He also covers a mass Muslim migrant crossing into Spain's enclave of Ceuta that Bryan says was quietly orchestrated by Morocco's king. Plus, Bryan covers Elon Musk's massive new investment to boost GOP midterm chances, a growing New Jersey noncitizen voter registration scandal, fresh reporting on Democratic Socialists' ties to the Chinese Communist Party, and Mayor Mamdani's stumbling rollout of free NYC buses and a controversial second-home tax. "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." - John 8:32   Keywords: Wright Report, Bryan Dean Wright, Iran war, Saudi Arabia, MBS, Strait of Hormuz, Ceuta, Morocco, Spain, Elon Musk, midterms, New Jersey voter fraud, DSA, China, Zohran Mamdani, George Soros