Podcasts about state department

John J. Sullivan, a former State Department official and U.S. ambassador, says yes: “Our politicians aren't leading — Republicans or Democrats.” He gives a firsthand account of a fateful Biden-Putin encounter, talks about his new book Midnight in Moscow, and predicts what a second Trump term means for Russia, Ukraine, China — and the U.S. SOURCES:John Sullivan, former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State and former U.S. Ambassador to Russia.  RESOURCES:Midnight in Moscow: A Memoir from the Front Lines of Russia's War Against the West, by John Sullivan (2024)."The ‘Deathonomics' Powering Russia's War Machine," by Georgi Kantchev and Matthew Luxmoore (The Wall Street Journal, 2024).War, by Bob Woodward (2024)."On the Record: The U.S. Administration's Actions on Russia," by Alina Polyakova and Filippos Letsas (Brookings, 2019)."Why Economic Sanctions Still Do Not Work," by Robert A. Pape (International Security, 1998). EXTRAS:"The Suddenly Diplomatic Rahm Emanuel," by Freakonomics Radio (2023).

Andy speaks with former State Department senior advisor Bill Muntean about how the vast, frozen continent of Antarctica has become an unexpected theater in great power competition. Bill discusses the delicate balance maintained by the 1959 Antarctic Treaty and how surprise inspections - which he personally leads - help verify Russian and Chinese compliance. As climate change and resource scarcity reshape geopolitics, they explore whether Antarctica's longstanding peace can endure amid rising tensions between global powers.

Scott brought Matthew Hoh on Antiwar Radio to talk about his experience discovering the truth about what Israel is doing to the Palestinians and his recent experience traveling to the border of Gaza. Discussed on the show: “These Last Eight Days in Palestine” (Substack) Matthew Hoh is associate director at the Eisenhower Media Network and formerly worked for the U.S. State Department. Hoh received the Ridenhour Prize Recipient for Truth Telling in 2010. Subscribe to his Substack and follow him on Twitter @MatthewPHoh  This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: Roberts and Robers Brokerage Incorporated; Tom Woods' Liberty Classroom; Libertas Bella; ExpandDesigns.com/Scott. Get Scott's interviews before anyone else! Subscribe to the Substack. Shop Libertarian Institute merch or donate to the show through Patreon, PayPal or Bitcoin: 1DZBZNJrxUhQhEzgDh7k8JXHXRjY Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The U.S. will send an additional $725 million in military aid to Ukraine, the State Department announced on Monday. That's on top of more than $7 billion in weaponry the Biden Administration has already pledged to the country as it battles to stave off more territorial gains by Russia. The increase in aid comes amid fears among U.S. and NATO officials that president-elect Donald Trump will withhold support and force Ukraine to capitulate. We talk about the latest developments in a war that's left hundreds of thousands dead and how a Trump Administration might handle it. Guests: Steven Pifer , affiliate, Center for International Security and Cooperation - Stanford University; former ambassador to Ukraine and a senior director at the National Security Council in the Clinton administration. Greg Myre, national security correspondent, NPR

 Download Episode. Scott brought Matthew Hoh on Antiwar Radio to talk about his experience discovering the truth about what Israel is doing to the Palestinians and his recent experience traveling to the border of Gaza. Discussed on the show: “These Last Eight Days in Palestine” (Substack) Matthew Hoh is associate director at the Eisenhower Media Network and formerly worked for the U.S. State Department. Hoh received the Ridenhour Prize Recipient for Truth Telling in 2010. Subscribe to his Substack and follow him on Twitter @MatthewPHoh  This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: Roberts and Robers Brokerage Incorporated; Tom Woods' Liberty Classroom; Libertas Bella; ExpandDesigns.com/Scott. Get Scott's interviews before anyone else! Subscribe to the Substack. Shop Libertarian Institute merch or donate to the show through Patreon, PayPal or Bitcoin: 1DZBZNJrxUhQhEzgDh7k8JXHXRjY

[SEGMENT 2-1] Pardon Fallout 1 A few comments about Joe Biden from my X feed: Eric Methany: Joe Biden is not your Grandpa. He's not a sympathetic old man. He's a worthless government-leech who has never held a real job; showered with his daughter; used his crack-addicted son to sell the family name abroad; used his influence to strongarm a Ukrainian investigation into his family's corrupt dealings; he opened our border to 9 million illegals; abandoned Americans in Afghanistan; sent your tax dollars to Ukraine while your cost of living skyrockets at home. Miranda Devine: We always knew Joe Biden would pardon his son Hunter, no matter how many times he promised he wouldn't.  So it is fitting that one of the final acts of this mendacious president before leaving office was to break yet another promise to the American people.  The man who weaponized the justice system against Donald Trump now claims his pampered son was “selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted. It is clear that Hunter was treated differently…. singled out only because he is my son.” It's true that Hunter was singled out — for favorable treatment. He and his father were protected by the DOJ, FBI, IRS, State Department and CIA while selling Joe's influence to China, Ukraine, Russia etc. In an amusing twist, the president explained away all his lies to the American people by lying about his lying: “For my entire career I have followed a simple principle: just tell the American people the truth.” Todd Starnes: Biden's DOJ ordered a 75-year-old, pro-life Catholic grandmother to report to prison before Thanksgiving because she prayed outside an abortion clinic. Paulette Harlow was ordered to serve a two-year prison sentence. Meanwhile, President Biden pardoned his son Hunter for crimes he committed or may have committed going back 10 years. This is why the Deep State must be destroyed. Are you paying attention, America? Benny Johnson: Insane to watch the Democrat Party atomize and destroy itself overnight. With Joe Biden's pardon of Hunter the entire game is up. Mask off. Democrats are an elite cabal of parasites who grift off public office to enrich & protect themselves The DNC is a Ponzi scheme It's over Democrats call themselves the party of law and order. Anybody believe this?   Never forget: while Hunter was selling access to “the big guy,” Joe Biden's administration sent SWAT teams to the homes of prolifers; recruited spies in Catholic parishes; treated parents as domestic terrorists; and prosecuted Trump. The most lawless administration in history   Wrap your head around this. President Trump was impeached over wanting to look into the crimes Joe Biden just pardoned Hunter for.   Biden said “I have watched my son being selectively and unfairly prosecuted1”. Can you believe that?  [SEGMENT 2-2] Pardon Fallout 2 [X] SB – Democrats saying no one is above the law [X] SB – Leftist woman wants Biden to pardon everybody [X] SB – The View discussing the pardon Why lie about it I'd stop calling it a lie Similar situation; didn't have a drug problem     Decency was on the ballot. Remember that's what they claimed when Biden won the election. Now, let's get into the Hunter Biden Laptop from Hell. A 630-page dossier documenting 191 sex crimes, 128 drug crimes, and 140 business crimes. And what does Biden do? “Oh, no problem, son. Here's a pardon. Pass the Parmesan!”  [SEGMENT 2-3] Pardon Fallout 3 [X] SB – Scott Jennings on pardon Brain-rotted; LOL Fine with defending it Fine with lying about it He wasn't lying       I know many Americans are outraged at Biden's pardon of Hunter. But the pardons by Biden are just beginning. He must cover EVERYONE in the food chain before he is done. And it will prove beyond a shadow of a doubt how deep the conspiracy goes. I said for months that Kamala Harris might get the job of doing the dirty work Biden now finds himself doing. But she didn't win the election, which would have eliminated the need for pardons. But worse, she didn't do well enough to get the nod to be made president by the cabal. If Harris had earned that right, the cabal would have removed Biden completely—something that should have been done anyway by the 25th Amendment. Instead, they were forced to keep the old fool, and he would have to do his own dirty work. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to “Deep State Unplugged,” where we dissect the swamp one scandal at a time! Today's topic: Presidential pardons—or as Joe Biden calls them, “Get Out of Jail Free Cards.” Now, folks, I know many Americans are hotter than a jalapeño at a Texas barbecue over Biden's pardon of Hunter. But let me tell you—Hunter's just the appetizer in this buffet of immunity. Joe's just warming up his pen! And trust me, the pardon train is leaving the station, packed tighter than Kamala Harris' cackle at a bad punchline. Biden can't stop at Hunter. Oh no, my friends, there's a whole food chain of swamp critters he needs to protect. Who's on the menu? Let's start with:John “Spy Gate” BrennanJames “Perjury Under Oath” ClapperJamie “Constitution? What Constitution?” RaskinAdam “Mr. Impeachment” SchiffThe 51 intel officers who couldn't find the truth with both hands and a flashlightThe Capitol Hill police who moonlighted as “tour guides” on January 6thAnd of course, Fauci and Birx—our favorite duo from the COVID Chronicles.And it's not just these headliners, folks. Biden's working overtime to create a shield big enough to cover the entire DOJ. Yep, blanket immunity, folks—thicker than the fog in San Francisco. And what does this prove? That the conspiracy runs deeper than the Mariana Trench. [Pause for dramatic effect] Here's the thing: Historically, presidents have handed out pardons like Oprah gives out cars. Nixon? Pardon. Clinton? He pardoned his brother, his friends, and his buddy Marc Rich. Heck, Clinton's list was so long, they had to print it in volumes. But Biden? He's taking it to a whole new level. He's not just pardoning cronies; he's pardoning the very machinery of corruption. Now, let's get into the Hunter Biden Laptop from Hell. A 630-page dossier documenting 191 sex crimes, 128 drug crimes, and 140 business crimes. And what does Biden do? “Oh, no problem, son. Here's a pardon. Pass the Parmesan!” But don't be fooled, folks. While Joe plays the “Doting Dad” routine, the puppet masters behind him are plotting like the villains in a Bond movie. These aren't amateurs—they're PhD-level schemers trying to keep the Deep State afloat after Trump's re-election hit them like a wrecking ball. And here's the kicker: Imagine a government where Trump's team—people like Elon Musk with his AI superpowers—start dissecting every bill, every deal, every dirty secret. It's like handing Sherlock Holmes a magnifying glass with Wi-Fi! Meanwhile, Biden's over here waving his pardon pen like a white flag at the Alamo. His message to America? “I gave you the finger once, and I've got nine more where that came from!” [Pause for a breath] But here's the silver lining, my friends: The more brazen they get, the more they expose themselves. Biden pardoning Hunter after swearing he'd never do it? That's not just a lie—it's a neon sign flashing, “I'm guilty, and I know it!” So buckle up, America. The swamp is deep, the conspiracies are wide, and Biden's pen has a lot of ink left. But Trump's team isn't just draining the swamp—they're bringing in industrial pumps. And when it's all said and done, we'll finally see just how dirty the water really is. Thanks for tuning in to “Deep State Unplugged.” Stay sharp, stay skeptical, and stay tuned, because the truth train is just getting started!  [SEGMENT 2-4] Pardon Fallout 4   Seriously, which lie will be the one that finally snaps you? Which rationalization are you using this time? Don't worry; I've prepared a handy list of greatest hits to help jog your memory. Consider the psyops that happened, and that led to this very moment:  Hunter's Laptop? Russian disinformation.The 2020 Election? The fairest and most secure in history.January 6th? An “insurrection” orchestrated by Trump himself.COVID? A death sentence. The vaccine? Flawless! Just ask the myocarditis stats.The Virus? Oh, totally from a fish market in Wuhan. Nothing to see here.The DOJ? You can trust them—they never lie!Inflation? Transitory, remember? Don't mind your grocery bill.Afghanistan? A huge success. Ignore the footage of people clinging to planes.The Border? Secure. Because who doesn't love 10,000 migrants pouring in daily?Biden's Brain Farts? Jetlag. Or a cold. Or was it both?Hunter's Pardon? Never happening... until it did.And let's not forget, for good measure, Trump is Hitler. Because apparently, you can't end a Democratic lie-fest without invoking the guy living rent-free in their heads. So, here we are, folks. Hunter Biden gets a pardon, and Joe gets to play the doting dad while sticking it to justice yet again. Meanwhile, you—dear Democrat listener—get to twist yourself into another logical pretzel to explain why this time, it's different.    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-kevin-jackson-show--2896352/support.

The White House has defended President Joe Biden's decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, stating that politics had tainted Hunter's cases and led to a miscarriage of justice. Both Republicans and some Democrats criticized the president for breaking his earlier promise not to pardon his son.President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Kash Patel as FBI director. Patel, who worked at the Pentagon during the first Trump administration, has vowed to reform the FBI.In Syria, armed terrorists are continuing to fight against Bashar al-Assad's government, which is supported by both Russia and Iran. The U.S. State Department has urged deescalation and the implementation of democratic elections in the country.

Steve Blank is one of Silicon Valley's most persistent hackers. As the pioneer of the Lean Startup movement, Blank has changed how startups are built, how entrepreneurship is taught, how science is commercialized, and how companies and the government innovate. And now, as a Stanford professor, he's focused on hacking contemporary United States diplomacy and warfare. So what does Blank make of Elon Musk's attempts to make the Federal government more efficient? Will the American future be owned by SpaceX rather than NASA? And what does that tell us about the value of the Federal U.S. bureaucracy in the 21st century?Eight-time entrepreneur-turned-educator Steve Blank is credited with launching the Lean Startup movement. He's changed how startups are built, how entrepreneurship is taught, how science is commercialized, and how companies and the government innovate. Recognized as a thought leader on startups and innovation, Steve was named one of the Thinkers50 top management thinkers and recognized by the Harvard Business Review as one of 12 Masters of Innovation. His Harvard Business Review cover story (May 2013) defined the Lean Startup movement. He teaches his Lean LaunchPad class at Stanford, Berkeley, Columbia and NYU, among others; and created the National Science Foundation Innovation Corps that is now the standard for science commercialization in the U.S. His Hacking for Defense class at Stanford is revolutionizing how the U.S. defense and intelligence community deploys innovation with speed and urgency, and its sister class, Hacking for Diplomacy, is doing the same for foreign affairs challenges managed by the U.S. State Department. A prolific writer and speaker, Steve blogs at www.steveblank.com. His articles regularly appear in Forbes, Fortune, The Atlantic and Huffington Post.Named as one of the "100 most connected men" by GQ magazine, Andrew Keen is amongst the world's best known broadcasters and commentators. In addition to presenting KEEN ON, he is the host of the long-running How To Fix Democracy show. He is also the author of four prescient books about digital technology: CULT OF THE AMATEUR, DIGITAL VERTIGO, THE INTERNET IS NOT THE ANSWER and HOW TO FIX THE FUTURE. Andrew lives in San Francisco, is married to Cassandra Knight, Google's VP of Litigation & Discovery, and has two grown children.Keen On is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit keenon.substack.com/subscribe

Carolyn Marie Wilkins is the author of three mystery novels: Death at a Séance, Melody for Murder and Mojo for Murder, all available from Pen-L Publications. She is also the author of Tips for Singing (Hal Leonard Press) and two memoirs: Damn Near White: An African American Family's Journey from Slavery to Bittersweet Success, and They Raised Me Up: A Black Single Mother and the Women Who Inspired Her, available from the University of Missouri Press.Murder At The Wham Bam Club, the first in Carolyn's new Psychics and Soul Food mystery series, is being released by Kensington Publishing in 2025.Carolyn is a Reiki master, a psychic medium and a Professor at Berklee College of Music Online. A graduate of Oberlin Conservatory and the Eastman School of Music, Carolyn has performed with the Pittsburgh Symphony and represented her country as a Jazz Ambassador for the U.S. State Department. An initiated priestess of Yemaya, the African goddess of motherhood, compassion and the ocean, Carolyn holds certificates of completion in mediumship from the JVP School of Mystical Arts, the British mediums Tony Stockwell and Mavis Pittilla. To find out more about Carolyn, visit her website: www.carolynwilkins.com Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/ResonantWisdomServicesInstagram http://www.instagram.com/Jemaya7Website www.CarolynWilkins.com*****************About SinCSisters in Crime (SinC) was founded in 1986 to promote the ongoing advancement, recognition and professional development of women crime writers. Through advocacy, programming and leadership, SinC empowers and supports all crime writers regardless of genre or place on their career trajectory.www.SistersinCrime.orgInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/sincnational/Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/sincnational.bsky.socialThreads: https://www.threads.net/@sincnationalFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/sistersincrimeTikTok:: https://www.tiktok.com/@sincnationalThe SinC Writers' Podcast is produced by Julian Crocamo https://www.juliancrocamo.com/

Sandra Beck of Coach Talk Radio recently sat down with Dr. Andrew Wittman to uncover the truth about willpower, why it often fails us, and how to get the most out of what we have. Dr. Wittman, a renowned motivational keynote speaker and founder of the Mental Toughness Training Center, draws from his diverse experiences as a Marine Corps infantry leader, a State Department security contractor, and a coach for high-performance leaders. His insights challenge the traditional notion of willpower as an unlimited resource, instead offering actionable strategies to harness its potential effectively.illpower is often romanticized as a superhero-like trait that can push us through any challenge. Dr. Wittman debunks this myth by explaining that willpower is a finite resource. Much like a muscle, it can become fatigued after repeated use. “When you rely solely on willpower,” he explains, “you're setting yourself up for failure. It's not a question of strength; it's a question of strategy.” Dr. Wittman highlights several factors that drain willpower: Decision Fatigue: The more decisions you make, the more depleted your mental resources become, leaving you vulnerable to poor choices. Emotional Overload: Stress, anxiety, and frustration erode the mental toughness needed to sustain self-discipline. Lack of Preparation: Without a plan, even the strongest resolve can falter in the face of temptation or unexpected challenges. Strategies to Maximize Mental Toughness Dr. Wittman emphasizes that the key to overcoming the limitations of willpower lies in mental toughness—learning to control your thoughts, feelings, attitudes, and actions, particularly under pressure. Here are some of his core strategies: Automate Decisions: Reduce decision fatigue by creating routines and habits that eliminate unnecessary choices. For example, decide your meal plans or workout schedule in advance so you don't have to rely on willpower in the moment. Reframe Your Perspective: Shift your mindset to see challenges as opportunities for growth rather than obstacles. Dr. Wittman suggests asking yourself, “What can I learn from this situation?” Develop a Clear Vision: A well-defined purpose provides the motivation needed to push through difficulties. He stresses the importance of identifying your “why” to stay focused on long-term goals. Train Your Brain: Through mindfulness, visualization, and mental rehearsal, you can build resilience to stress and prepare yourself for high-pressure situations. Dr. Wittman likens this to combat training: “You don't rise to the occasion; you sink to your level of training.” Create a Support System: Surround yourself with people who share your goals and values. Positive reinforcement from your environment can bolster your resolve when willpower wanes. A special thanks to our sponsor, Monarch Money! Monarch is the top-rated, all-in-one personal finance app that helps you make smarter financial decisions. Get 30% off your first year by visiting MonarchMoney.com/COACH. Don't miss this important conversation with Amanda and Leslie from Mindful Aging. Tune in now! Coach Talk Radio can also be found on Audible, Amazon Music, Amazon Podcasts, Spotify, I Heart Radio, Apple Podcasts, Itunes, Stitcher, Player FM, and Podcast Addict.

Today we're talking with Kathleen Goggin about her career journey in communications, how she used her strengths in writing to navigate various jobs and ultimately ending up writing her own book. Bio: Kathleen (Kate) Goggin is a former federal spokesperson and current certified technical writer. She has consulted for private industry business clients and federal agencies, including the U.S. State Department, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Federal Aviation Administration. She is a member of the Center for Plain Language and the Society for Technical Communication and holds a degree in Communications Consulting from George Mason University. She is the author of 10 Little Rules When Good Jobs Go Bad: Learn, Grow and Reclaim Your Power at Work and in Life. Buy the book: Ingram/Spark https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?o89rcz1JwdeKa5sx4Eeuwgjc8304lU3CmdjEL8AZ3nB Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Little-Rules-When-Good-Jobs/dp/B0DG5RCY7V/ref=monarch_sidesheet_title Barnes & Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/noresults/10-little-rules-when-good-jobs-go-bad-kathleen-goggin/1146287343 Find her on: Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/219188282-10-little-rules-when-good-jobs-go-bad LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/kategoggin/

Episode: 2024.10.48 The Living Full Out show with Nancy Solari inspires listeners to take bold steps in improving the lives of others. Maybe you've wondered how to turn life's hardships into meaningful opportunities to uplift those who follow in your footsteps. Join Nancy as she explores ways to channel personal resilience and purpose into creating lasting positive change for future generations. Our first caller, Hannah, shares her struggles with the fear of aging, fueled by her siblings' negative outlooks. Nancy encourages her to reject those limiting beliefs, pointing out that everyone's life lens is unique. Drawing from her experience living with blindness, Nancy explains how shifting your perspective and seeking resources, like aging podcasts or wellness tips, can help you embrace the beauty of growing older. Tune in to learn how celebrating resilience and prioritizing personal growth can inspire others to do the same.Our inspirational guest, Angela Harrolle, exemplifies living full out by dedicating her life to service and resilience. Raised in rural Minnesota as the eldest of six, Angela developed a strong work ethic early on, juggling multiple jobs to fund her college education. Her adventurous spirit led her to a career as a special agent with the U.S. State Department, where she protected iconic leaders like Colin Powell, Nelson Mandela, and the Dalai Lama. Her life transformed on 9/11 when, during training, she found herself evacuating facilities near the Pentagon—a day that underscored the value of health, safety, and connection.Angela's personal journey took another turn when she tragically lost her husband Bruce, a state trooper and paramedic, during a heroic rescue mission. Despite her grief, Angela chose to honor his legacy by leading the organization that once supported her family during their time of need. Now the CEO of a public safety nonprofit, she champions programs that aid first responders and their families, ensuring that others can thrive even after loss.Tune in to hear Angela's incredible story of perseverance and how she turned personal tragedy into a mission to uplift and inspire others. Her journey reminds us that through purpose and bold actions, we can make life better for those who come behind us.Perhaps you are navigating challenges like aging, loss, or building a meaningful legacy. Try reframing your hardships as opportunities to create positive change for those around you and for future generations. By taking bold steps, embracing resilience, and finding purpose, you can profoundly impact others' lives and truly live full out. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/living-full-out-show--1474350/support.

Andrew, Tom and Carl discuss the origins and history of the Thanksgiving holiday in America. Then, RCP National Correspondent Susan Crabtree and White House correspondent Phil Wegmann join the discussion to talk about the past year in politics and look forward to changes in 2025. Next, RealClear Defense editor David Craig and former State Department official Peter Berkowitz talk about veterans' affairs and foreign policy challenges for the incoming Trump administration. And rounding it out, RCP Senior Copy Editor Cathi Warren joins the fun to talk about what she is thankful for, and to provide an insight into what goes into publishing RealClearPolitics daily.

Steven Hecht, Businessman, Writer, and Film Producer I discussed with Steven Hecht the contribution that the Department of State is making to not only illegal alien influxes from Guatemala but also the migration of children from there into this country for the purposes of their sex trafficking, including what the State Department has done to bring about the election of a communist president in that country and to try to topple an honest attorney general who is trying to disrupt this kind of criminal behavior. George Rasely, Editor of Conservative HQ I spoke with George Rasely about the state of our understanding of not only the seemingly increasingly obvious direct action taken on January 6th by Nancy Pelosi and others on the Hill as well as the FBI to discredit and ultimately not just prosecute to try to terrify supporters of Donald Trump and prevent his future prospects as a leader of the United States of America.  We also discussed the state of congressional budget making and influence, the abiding influence of a communist Chinese asset named Mitch McConnell in complicating, if not actually defeating, President Trump's nominees for senior positions in his next cabinet.

Today on America in the Morning   Threats Against Some Trump Picks Some recent Cabinet picks by President-elect Donald Trump say they are facing harassment in the form of bomb threats and swatting. John Stolnis has the details from Washington.    Latest On The Trump Tariff Threat Donald Trump announced last night that he and Mexico's President have agreed to stop migration through Mexico to the United States. There's global reaction to the President-elect's plan surrounding tariffs, which includes concern from one of the nation's largest investment banks, and also from Mexico, warning they would enact retaliatory tariffs against the US. Correspondent Clayton Neville reports.     Renewed Interest In The JonBenet Ramsey Case After a Netflix documentary looked into the 1996 death of 6-year-old JonBenet Ramsey, the Boulder, Colorado police chief is now speaking out about his department's response to the investigation. Correspondent Haya Panjwani reports.    Diddy Stays In Jail Disgraced music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs will spend Thanksgiving in a prison cell, as a judge cites his actions while behind bars as the reason he was denied bail. Lisa Dwyer reports.   Tesla Truck Crash Kills Three Three people are dead after a Tesla Cybertruck crashed and burst into flames on a California road. Correspondent Jennifer King reports.     Thanksgiving Parade They are expecting rain and storms for the holiday in the Big Apple, but that's not expected to dampen the spirits of people packing the streets for the 98th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade today in New York City. Correspondent Julie Walker reports.     More Additions To The Trump Team President-elect Donald Trump has already put together the people he wants on his Cabinet, and now he has filled out his economic team with two veterans from his first administration. Correspondent Norman Hall reports.    Ohio's New Transgender Law Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has signed a controversial bathroom bill into law, joining 13 other states with similar rules regarding restroom and facilities usage. Jim Roope reports.    Latest In The Middle East The United States-brokered cease-fire agreed to this week in the Middle East took hold with intentions of being permanent. However, as correspondent Clayton Neville reports, both Israel and Lebanon have concerns about the terrorist group Hezbollah not following the letter of the agreement.    Keeping Thanksgiving Civil This Thanksgiving will be one where some at the table might wear their politics on their sleeves, which could lead to not-so-friendly holiday chatter. Correspondent Julie Walker has tips from a therapist on how to keep Thanksgiving conversations civil.    Threats Against The Trump Nominees Several of the people President-elect Donald Trump has picked to be cabinet nominees or for White House positions have received threats in the past 48 hours. America in the Morning's Jeff McKay is following the story.    Trump Dines With Zuckerberg Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg traveled to Mar-a-Lago where he met with President-elect Donald Trump and members of his soon-to-be second administration.      China Releases Three Americans Just in time for Thanksgiving, the State Department is reporting that three Americans who were held in China are now being released. Correspondent Donna Warder reports.     Weinstein Sues NYC Saying he's “living in a Gulag where people are treated like animals,” lawyers for disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein are suing New York City, claiming their client is receiving poor medical care and living in an unhygienic environment.     Finally   Some of us got our Thanksgiving turkeys at the neighborhood supermarket, but others far off the beaten path can't just jump in their car and head down the street so easily.  Lisa Dwyer reports on one woman's efforts to get frozen turkey's to people in very remote areas of Alaska.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There is actually talk of cooperation from the outgoing administration. It's looking like some type of coordinated handover is happening. Here's some inside info on a dirty player within a much larger story. There's plenty of talk about Boris Epshteyn. Let's stick to the truth and cover just the facts. Some think he's a liability because he's involved in dodgy things. The simple approach is much liked by the geniuses. Complexity gives birth to chaos. We're seeing the same tactics to block Trump appointees. The State Department is the most important. Compassion and understanding are needed for the weaknesses of being human. There are major expose's coming. Gaetz may be guilty by proximity. Where are Kamala and Brandon? We are observing a lot of strangeness. Lots of people are hating on Elon. It's about the operations against Trump and the people involved. Enter Epshteyn. Pay for play was like a knockoff Soprano. Your good humanity is never amplified in an artificial environment. Proximity is everything. It's been a color revolution for over two decades. The water is being sucked out of the bay. The P Diddy focus avoided other evidence regarding children. Tina Peters and injustice in Colorado. Things are going to change soon, and for the better. Have some faith and keep up the fight.

Larry C. Johnson is a veteran of the CIA and the State Department's Office of Counter Terrorism. He talks possible cease fire with Israel/Hezbollah, Gaza, Trump's cabinet picks, expectations for the new administration, Russia's new missile, and much more. PLEASE SUBSCRIBE LIKE AND SHARE THIS PODCAST!!!   Video Version of Show Rumble- https://rumble.com/v5ti9ez-coffee-and-a-mike-larry-johnson-trump-needs-to-be-vocal-to-stop-attacks-in-.html?e9s=src_v1_ucp   Follow Me Twitter/X- https://x.com/CoffeeandaMike Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/coffeeandamike/ Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/CoffeeandaMike/ YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/@Coffeeandamike Rumble- https://rumble.com/search/all?q=coffee%20and%20a%20mike Apple Podcasts- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coffee-and-a-mike/id1436799008 Gab- https://gab.com/CoffeeandaMike Locals- https://coffeeandamike.locals.com/ Website- www.coffeeandamike.com Email- info@coffeeandamike.com   Support My Work Venmo- https://www.venmo.com/u/coffeeandamike Patreon- http://patreon.com/coffeeandamike Locals- https://coffeeandamike.locals.com/ Cash App- https://cash.app/$coffeeandamike Mail Check or Money Order- Coffee and a Mike LLC P.O. Box 25383 Scottsdale, AZ 85255-9998   Follow Larry Website- https://sonar21.com/   Sponsors Vaulted/Precious Metals- https://vaulted.blbvux.net/coffeeandamike Independence Ark Natural Farming- https://www.independenceark.com/

The White House announced on Wednesday that three American citizens imprisoned for years in China have been released and are returning to the United States in a deal negotiated by the Biden administration. Mark Swidan, Kai Li, and John Leung had been designated by the U.S. State Department as wrongfully detained. The Thanksgiving holiday rush is in full swing as the TSA expects to screen 18.3 million people at U.S. airports between Tuesday, Nov. 26, and Monday, Dec. 2. An Arctic blast in the Midwest and wet weather in the Eastern United States could disrupt travel over the next several days. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed a bill on Wednesday requiring the use of bathrooms aligning with one's biological sex at birth. The rule applies to bathrooms, locker rooms, and overnight accommodations at public and private schools, colleges, and universities. ⭕️Watch in-depth videos based on Truth & Tradition at Epoch TV

The White House announced on Wednesday that three American citizens imprisoned for years in China have been released and are returning to the United States in a prisoner swap negotiated by the Biden administration. Mark Swidan, Kai Li, and John Leung had been designated by the U.S. State Department as wrongfully detained.The Thanksgiving holiday rush is in full swing as the TSA expects to screen 18.3 million people at U.S. airports between Tuesday, Nov. 26 and Monday, Dec. 2. However, an Arctic blast in the Midwest and wet weather in the Eastern United States could disrupt travel over the next several days.Ohio's Republican Gov. Mike DeWine signed a bill on Wednesday requiring the use of bathrooms aligning with one's biological sex at birth. The rule applies to bathrooms, locker rooms, and overnight accommodation at public and private schools, colleges, and universities.

On today's show, we have Chris Jones, who is the Senior Director at NASDA (National Association of State Departments of Agriculture), where he runs the Farm2Food Accelerator, a 15-week training program built to empower and educate small-scale farmers and food entrepreneurs to become more resilient through food production. The program helps take current agricultural production or locally sourced production to develop a packaged, value-added food or beverage product. We talk about the value of innovation and entrepreneurship, the future of food and agriculture, and how the program will launch the next generation of businesses right from the farm.

On the podcast today we have Juan Flores, Public Health Advisor from the U.S. State Department's U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) program. We'll talk about the latest efforts on the global fight against HIV. And hey, we got some great news for you: HIV transmission rates are further down compared to prior years.

Hello, I'm Brett and I'll be your host for these amazing Old Time Radio Shows :) Dangerous Assignment was a thrilling NBC radio drama that captivated audiences from 1949 to 1953, starring the dynamic Brian Donlevy as the fearless U.S. special agent Steve Mitchell. It was broadcast across a range of media, including a syndicated TV series in 1951–52, and even inspired a reimagined Australian radio version from 1954 to 1956. Both the radio and TV series kept viewers on the edge of their seats with fast-paced plots filled with espionage, deception, and international intrigue. Series Premise: Each episode followed Steve Mitchell, an American agent dispatched by "The Commissioner," the enigmatic head of an unnamed U.S. State Department division. Steve's mission: to travel to exotic locations around the world to foil nefarious plots and uncover dangerous secrets. The show was designed to keep listeners in suspense, opening with a tantalizing scene before the action unfolded. Mitchell, posing as a suave foreign correspondent for an unspecified publication, navigated a maze of lies, betrayal, and violence—always emerging victorious by the end of the episode. Origins and Evolution: Dangerous Assignment was originally conceived as a summer replacement series for NBC in 1949. It quickly gained popularity, and its success led to a full radio series running until 1953. Brian Donlevy, who also narrated the show, brought an intense realism to his portrayal of Steve Mitchell, which contributed to the show's gripping atmosphere. The only other consistent voice on the radio version was Herb Butterfield, who played "The Commissioner." Guest stars included famous actors like Raymond Burr, William Conrad, and Richard Boone, each lending their talents to create a unique cast of characters across the episodes. After the American radio series concluded, Dangerous Assignment continued its journey abroad with a 1954 Australian radio adaptation. This version used remade American scripts and introduced Lloyd Burrell as Steve Mitchell, broadcasting a total of 39 episodes. The 1949 Summer Series: Dangerous Assignment first aired as a seven-week summer series in the summer of 1949, running on Saturdays from 8:30 to 9:00 PM EST. The character of Ruthie, the Commissioner's secretary, was played by Betty Moran, hinting at a possible romantic backstory with Steve Mitchell. The show's first episodes took listeners on adventures to locations like Messina, Sicily, Saigon, and Paris, where Steve investigated everything from stolen relief supplies to millionaire murder conspiracies. The 1950–1953 Radio Run: The show's popularity ensured its return to the airwaves in February 1950, although it faced some scheduling challenges. Over the next few years, Dangerous Assignment moved through various time slots, ultimately running for over 160 episodes. The radio series also attracted major sponsors, including Ford Motor Company, Wheaties, and Anacin, though it was largely supported by NBC itself. The episodes became more formulaic, often starting with Steve Mitchell being assigned a mission—usually involving espionage, sabotage, or international political conflict—followed by thrilling encounters with dangerous enemies. Syndicated Television Version (1951–1952): In 1951, Donlevy adapted the series into a syndicated television show. Rather than relying on a traditional TV network, Donlevy self-financed the production of 39 episodes, selling them individually to local stations across the country. This approach, aided by NBC's distribution assistance, allowed the show to reach a wide audience despite limited network support. Each episode remained faithful to the original radio scripts, with Donlevy reprising his role as Steve Mitchell and Herb Butterfield again playing "The Commissioner." Production Team and Legacy: The television version of Dangerous Assignment employed a talented team behind the scenes, including assistant director William McGarry, production designer George Van Marter, and film editor Edward Schroeder, A.C.E. The show's episodes were often fast-paced, with each story revolving around Mitchell's covert operations in places as diverse as Paris, Berlin, and the African jungle. Among the famous guest stars featured in the TV series were Hugh Beaumont, Paul Frees, and Michael Ansara, who appeared as a variety of different characters throughout the series. Notable episodes included titles like "The Alien Smuggler Story" and "The Atomic Mine Story," where Steve Mitchell faced off against spies, criminals, and saboteurs in a constant battle to protect U.S. interests overseas. The Man Behind the Character: Brian Donlevy: Brian Donlevy, born in Cleveland, Ohio, on February 9, 1901, was known for his tough, no-nonsense persona, both on screen and on the airwaves. With a career that spanned film, radio, and television, Donlevy brought a unique depth to his portrayal of Steve Mitchell. He was a familiar face in 1940s Hollywood, starring in classic films like Beau Geste (1939) and Wake Island (1942), and even earned an Academy Award nomination for his role in Beau Geste. In addition to his success in film, Donlevy was a major figure in the development of Dangerous Assignment, both as the star and as a key producer for the television adaptation. His tough-guy image made him a natural fit for the role of the action-packed American agent, and he remained a popular figure in postwar television, contributing to numerous anthology series like Kraft Theatre and Lux Video Theatre. Conclusion: Dangerous Assignment remains a notable chapter in both radio and television history. The series was a standout example of 1940s and 1950s action-adventure storytelling, blending espionage, drama, and international intrigue. Thanks to Brian Donlevy's magnetic performance, Dangerous Assignment continues to be remembered as a thrilling and influential series that helped set the stage for future espionage-themed shows and films.

News headlines then a talk with Dr. Carol Lieberman MD about the State Department types needing tax funded Shrinks to cope with TDS...also the Menendez case, re-sentencing delayed to the end of January.

TRENDING - Baker Mayfield was grilled by reporters over Sunday's Tommy DeVito celebration dance, Secretary of State Antony Blinken questioned over State Department's post-election therapy sessions for employees, Diddy attorney cites Trump case in bail argument, and the Menendez Brothers resentencing hearing has been rescheduled for January.

State Department holds “therapy sessions” for staffers, DOGE targets work-from-home, climate change chaos, and a big weekend at the box office. Plus, the Message of the Day, MSNBC is finished. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Jim and Greg on 3 Martini Lunch as they break down two bad martinis and a crazy one to kick off the week. They dig into two controversial Trump cabinet picks, a razor-thin GOP House majority, and the State Department's taxpayer-funded therapy sessions after Trump's win.First, they assess Trump's latest cabinet picks, praising Russ Vought for Office of Management and Budget and Dr. Marty Makary for the Food and Drug Administration, while expressing major concerns about Lori Chavez-DeRemer as Secretary of Labor due to her anti-Right to Work stance and Scott Bessent for Treasury, given his ties to George Soros.Next, they analyze the very narrow House Republican majority in the coming Congress, with three races still unresolved and three looming GOP vacancies. They explain why this slim margin leaves little room for defections or other unexpected setbacks over the next two years.Finally, they react to reports of the State Department hosting therapy sessions, including a "cry session," for employees struggling to cope with Trump's victory—on the taxpayers' dime. Jim calls for lefties to gain a little perspective on dealing with election results, while Greg suggests clearing out partisan bureaucrats in supposedly neutral roles.Please visit our great sponsors:Omahahttps://omahasteaks.comVisit OmahaSteaks.com and save 50% sitewide plus get an extra $30 off with promo code 3ML and a $30 reward card when you shop early.  Minimum purchase may apply.  

   It's a little disappointing to have to rely on Mahomes Magic to beat the lowly Panthers but it sure is nice to have when you need it.  Mahomes is really cooking now and that's bad news for everybody else.  The Chiefs scored 30 for the first time this year despite horrendous offensive line play.  It seems like the 10-1 Chiefs are only going to get better as they go.    KU beat up the Colorado Buffaloes on Saturday at Arrowhead while Mizzou and KSU notch victories, too.     Missouri Senator Eric Schmitt backs Pam Bondi for AG in the best possible way on Meet the Press.  And the State Department is using your money to pay for therapists to counsel liberal employees that are having a hard time dealing with Trump's win.  Unbelievable.    Then, our Final Final pays tribute to a game show legend.

Join Jim and Greg on 3 Martini Lunch as they break down two bad martinis and a crazy one to kick off the week. They dig into two controversial Trump cabinet picks, a razor-thin GOP House majority, and the State Department’s taxpayer-funded therapy sessions after Trump's win. First, they assess Trump's latest cabinet picks, praising […]

Donald Trump tells on himself with cabinet picks that herald a Project 2025 agenda; who's behind the well-funded effort to tear down the separation of church and state in America's public school system; and Matt Gaetz's new gig.

Today on the show: Gaetz withdraws, Bondi the new nominee. Political Analyst Bill Crane with the latest. Major escalation in the Russia/Ukraine War. Shannon Kingston from ABC News joins us from The State Department. CBS News Radio Correspondent Robert Berger live in Jerusalem with reaction to the ICC arrest warrants. Plus, it's the Triple Team Traffic Food Drive! 9am-noon on 95.5 WSB.

Today on the show: Gaetz withdraws, Bondi the new nominee. Political Analyst Bill Crane with the latest. Major escalation in the Russia/Ukraine War. Shannon Kingston from ABC News joins us from The State Department. CBS News Radio Correspondent Robert Berger live in Jerusalem with reaction to the ICC arrest warrants. Plus, it's the Triple Team Traffic Food Drive! 9am-noon on 95.5 WSB.

Today on the show: Gaetz withdraws, Bondi the new nominee. Political Analyst Bill Crane with the latest. Major escalation in the Russia/Ukraine War. Shannon Kingston from ABC News joins us from The State Department. CBS News Radio Correspondent Robert Berger live in Jerusalem with reaction to the ICC arrest warrants. Plus, it's the Triple Team Traffic Food Drive! 9am-noon on 95.5 WSB.

Welcome to Mysteries to Die For and this Toe Tag.I am TG Wolff and am here with Jack, my piano player and producer. This is normally a podcast where we combine storytelling with original music to put you at the heart of mystery. Today is a bonus episode we call a Toe Tag. It is the first chapter from a fresh release in the mystery, crime, and thriller genre.Today's featured release is Map of My Escape by Cheryl L. ReedTG Wolff ReviewMap of My Escape is a crime drama novel. Anti-gun activatist Riley Keane has done the unthinkable. In a crisis situation, she shot at two men wrestling. But did she shoot the assailant or her close friend and Chicago police officer Reece Taylor? Either way, she's too hot to stay in her hometown. Now Alderman Finn O'Farrell, Riley's lover, is left to deal with the fallout of threats, accusations, and blackmail. Bottom line: Map of My Escape is for you if you like crime driven drama delivered at a pace to be savored.About Cheryl L. ReedA former staff editor and reporter at the Chicago Sun-Times and other publications, Cheryl L. Reed's stories have won multiple awards, including Harvard's Goldsmith Prize for Investigative Reporting. She has twice been awarded a U.S. Fulbright Scholar fellowship by the State Department, first in Ukraine and then in Central Asia. Reed is the author of the nonfiction book Unveiled: The Hidden Lives of Nuns and the novel Poison Girls, which won the Chicago Writers' Association Book of the Year. She splits her time between Washington, DC and her home near the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia.Partners In Crime Tours represents a network of 300+ bloggers offering tailor-made virtual book tours and marketing options for crime, mystery and thriller writers from around the world. Founded in 2011, PICT offers services for well-established and best-selling authors, as well as those just starting out with their careers. PICT prides itself on its tailored packages with a personal touch from the tour coordinators. For more information, check out their website partnersincrimetours.comJoin us next week for Season 7 Games People Play. We have an adaptation for you from the early part of the 20th century. The game is a maze. The original is The Mystery of the Downs by John Watson and Arthur J. Rees. The name of the adaptation? I'm working on it.

The Department of Veterans Affairs' top IT official told House lawmakers on Wednesday that a larger budget and the ability to pay certain government workers more would improve the agency's cybersecurity posture. Kurt DelBene, the VA's assistant for information and technology and chief information officer, called during a House Veterans Affairs subcommittee hearing for the entire federal government to “take steps to increase the salaries” of tech workers who are classified as GS-2210 under the Office of Personnel Management. The CIO said existing salaries are “too low to be competitive,” even with incentives and benefits, and that the VA continues to face challenges in recruiting and retaining professionals with cyber expertise. The State Department on Wednesday announced a new, government-wide task force focused on content authentication. The group, which includes more than 20 federal agencies, is supposed to streamline the government's international outreach on content authentication, which could help combat technology like deepfakes. The task force is charged with working with foreign governments and partners on developing the technical standards and capacities to detect this category of content, according to a statement shared with FedScoop ahead of the announcement. The Daily Scoop Podcast is available every Monday-Friday afternoon. If you want to hear more of the latest from Washington, subscribe to The Daily Scoop Podcast  on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Spotify and YouTube.

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and Civil Rights Attorney Ryan Kiesel about the State Department of Education buying 532 Trump-endorsed Bibles for nearly $25K, Superintendent Ryan Walters mandating schools show a video of him announcing his Office of Religious Liberty and Patriotism along with him praying for President-elect Trump and a new initiative petition to open the primary election process to everyone.The trio also discusses Governor Stitt's "Operation Guardian" to deport convicted criminals who are also undocumented immigrants and an agreement over the settlement of a class-action lawsuit regarding the mental health treatment of inmates.

On Monday the US warned Turkey against hosting Hamas leadership after reports emerged that some Hamas leaders had moved to Turkey from Qatar, with State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller saying Washington will make it clear to Ankara that there can be no more business as usual with Hamas. Sinan Ciddi, a non-resident senior fellow at FDD and an expert on Turkish politics, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss this latest warning from Washington, and look at how the Hamas issue is likely to impact US-Turkey ties as the Trump administration prepares to take over in January.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:US warns Turkey against hosting Hamas leadersTurkey Shouldn't Celebrate a Donald Trump Victory Just YetGreece faces general strike as workers protest cost of living squeezeShips docked, transport services disrupted as Greeks walk out for higher payGreece to repay chunk of bailout debt early

“Ethnic studies” is an ideological battleground in higher education, and now California is bringing its 1.6 million high school students into the fray. Every one of them must take an ethnic studies course to graduate, starting in the fall of 2025. But what will the course teach them? The State Department of Education's original model curriculum—now candidly dubbed the “Liberated Ethnic Studies Curriculum”—was criticized for its anti-capitalist agenda, embrace of critical-race themes, and alleged antisemitism. Reaction was so intense that Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed the original curricular mandate legislation. A second State Model Curriculum toned down some of the original emphases. The final legislation signed by the governor had a local-option twist: school districts are free to determine the ethnic studies curriculum used in their schools. As a result, the skirmish over ethnic studies can now be replayed district by district. Independent Institute has created what it calls a balanced curriculum for the consideration of districts throughout the state. The “Comparative Cultures Ethnic Studies Curriculum” portrays the full tableau of American ethnic history, dark moments as well as instances of triumph and personal success. It explores contending schools of thought. Animated not by ideology but by balance, this curriculum builds on years of research and pedagogical insight.  This panel will include a survey of California's ethnic studies controversy, and presentation of the "Comparative Cultures Ethnic Studies Curriculum" by its project leader Williamson M. Evers, followed by a panel discussion and Q&A. This program is part of our American Values Series, underwritten by Taube Philanthropies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From Marco Rubio to Elise Stefanik: who are the nominations that President-elect Trump has announced, and what does their selection say about how the administration may take shape? Julie Fishman Rayman, AJC Managing Director of Policy and Political Affairs reviews the names announced thus far, how, if confirmed, they could impact efforts to counter antisemitism, support Israel, and uphold democratic values, and how AJC is advocating to advance these critical issues.  Listen – AJC Podcasts: The Forgotten Exodus: with Hen Mazzig, Einat Admony, and more. People of the Pod:  What the Election Results Mean for Israel and the Jewish People The Jewish Vote in Pennsylvania: What You Need to Know Sinwar Eliminated: What Does This Mean for the 101 Hostages Still Held by Hamas? Go Deeper – AJC Analysis: Explainer: What to Know About President-elect Trump on Antisemitism, Israel, and Iran Policy AJC Briefing — Post-Election Analysis: What to Expect Under the New U.S. Administration | Tuesday, November 19 | 1:30 p.m. Eastern | Register Here Follow People of the Pod on your favorite podcast app, and learn more at AJC.org/PeopleofthePod You can reach us at: peopleofthepod@ajc.org If you've appreciated this episode, please be sure to tell your friends, and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Transcript of Conversation with Julie Fishman Rayman: Manya Brachear Pashman:   President Elect Donald Trump has named and nominated eight of the 24 officials, including his chief of staff, most of whom would make up his cabinet. Returning to discuss the nominees so far and where they stand on AJC missions of fighting antisemitism, defending Israel and safeguarding democracy, is AJC Managing Director of Policy and Political Affairs, Julie Fishman Rayman. Julie, welcome back to People of the Pod. Julie Fishman Rayman:   Thanks for having me, Manya, glad to be here. Manya Brachear Pashman:   So you have worked with some of these nominees, and you know their track record on these issues. First of all, from a 30,000-40,000 foot view, what is your overall take on the slate so far? Julie Fishman Rayman:   I feel like if you had asked me that yesterday, I would have had a totally different answer. And so I imagine even by the time People of the {od airs, my answer maybe would have even changed, so I will answer, but I want everyone, including our listeners, to take it with a grain of salt that I am speaking from a very specific moment in tim while the clock is rapidly changing and the situation is rapidly changing. So I think the initial slate of potential nominees that were announced gave a lot of folks, especially in sort of the foreign policy world, a good deal of comfort, right?  So people like Representative Mike Waltz, people like Senator Marco Rubio, those types of folks. Even Governor Huckabee, are sort of these, these names of traditional conservatives who we say, Oh, they have a record. They have governed. They have a voting record. We know exactly where they stand and what they believe, and that it's not vastly dissimilar from any other previous Republican administration.  Then, of course, there was the news about the potential coming in of Matt Gaetz, representative, Matt Gaetz, a Republican from Florida and Tulsi Gabbard. And I think those names and what they represent put everyone in a bit of a tailspin. Not simply because of who they are, although they come with a lot of really interesting backstory that we can unpack, if you want to, but not just because of who they are, but because they represent a really different part of the Republican Party. A really different part of the right wing world view that had not theretofore been represented in Trump's cabinet picks, definitely less of the traditional conservative mindset and much more in line with a, dare I say, like populist kind of perspective. And so there's tension now that people are trying to sort of understand and unravel. Manya Brachear Pashman:   So let's talk about each individual. And you mentioned Marco Rubio, who is Trump's nominee for Secretary of State, the Florida Senator. He currently serves on the Foreign Relations Committee. He's the top Republican on the Intelligence Committee. And I mean, he and the President Elect seem to agree on America's approach to Iran and Ukraine, but not NATO, right? I mean, where do he and Mr. Trump agree and disagree? Julie Fishman Rayman:   You're asking a question as though we have a full sense of what incoming president, former President Trump believes, which I think is a bit of an assumption. They're certainly deeply aligned on sort of big picture principles as they relate to support for Israel, no question. A tough, tough approach to whether it's an actor like Iran or China, you know, sort of these nefarious global players that seek to disrupt our world order, they're aligned there. There is a potential disconnect on Ukraine. Right? We've heard statements from Senator Rubio recently where you almost see him trying to channel the former president, the president-elect, and say, like, what would Trump say? What would Trump do?  You can like, see the wheels spinning in his mind as he talks about how we have been funding a stalemate and how something needs to change. But I'm not sure that if you put them both in a room and ask them blindfolded, apart from each other, what to do about Ukraine, if you would get the same answer, I think there would probably be a good deal of daylight.  And I think the same could be said about the future of NATO and others. But it all remains to be seen. And then, of course, also will have to be balanced with other forces that are coming into the administration, not least of which Senator JD Vance, colleague of Marco Rubio, who definitely comes with a different sort of world view. Manya Brachear Pashman:   And next on the list, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik of New York, she has been nominated for the role of UN ambassador. We kind of know her as an outspoken supporter of Israel, given her high profile role in the congressional hearings about anti-Israel protests on college campuses after the Hamas terror attacks on October 7. Those hearings actually led to the resignation of a couple of university presidents. How do you foresee that outspoken support playing out in the UN arena, or maybe even in the Trump administration's approach to higher education? Julie Fishman Rayman:   In terms of the UN and antisemitism, there will be a lot of very vocal, very strident affirmations that antisemitism is not something that the US will abide. That same sort of force that Congresswoman Stefanik brought to the Education Committee, she will bring to the UN and she won't take any bones about it, and she's not going to sit down to anybody.  Of that we can be sure what that looks like, though, beyond pontification, beyond promulgations of support for the Jewish community across the globe, remains to be seen. Right? How will she engage in a UN that she certainly will perceive to be at least biased towards Israel and possibly antisemitic at its core. Right? We can make that assumption on her world view.  How will she seek to engage with a system that she presumably views as fundamentally flawed? We know that a Republican House and Senate are already sort of gearing up towards cutting funding of major UN institutions, if not the UN across the board. So what does that mean for her role? What does that mean for the voice that the United States will have and the ability for her very strong voice, to even be at the table, and that's sort of where some of that tension arrives is also, do you get in the room? Do you get the seat at the table? Or are you on the menu? Right? The United States is never going to be on the menu, but are we going to, by virtue of our own sort of principles, going to push our seat back in and stand in the hallway. There's a lot of calculi that she's going to have to make there. In terms of the Department of Education and Congress and how they're dealing with these really important issues that that Congresswoman Stefanik has put at the fore for so long, there's no question that the threat of pulling federal funding that we've heard from the Biden administration repeatedly will be more believed under a future Trump administration. I think there are universities all over the country that already are saying, oh, like, what do we have to do? We don't want to get caught in these crosshairs. What do we need to do to make sure that we are not either under fire with the light shining on us or on the chopping block for federal funding?  So if you're an educational institution that really believes that there is a true threat that you're to your federal funding, you're reconsidering a lot of steps. And if in fact, federal funding is leveraged or cut, I think we have to be really mindful of three things. One, we have to make sure that it doesn't look as though the Jews are behind this crushing blow, because that's scapegoating. And we have to make sure that shuttering these major academic institutions doesn't foreclose the creation, the necessary creation, of future American doctors and engineers and others. And finally, we have to make sure that we're not creating a void in funding that could really easily be filled by foreign actors that are already known to use university funding to advance a particular ideology, to advance their own interests. Manya Brachear Pashman:   I want to go back to another name you mentioned at the top, and that is the Florida congressman, Michael Waltz. He has been named as National Security Advisor to head up the National Security Council, and he has been a huge champion of the Abraham accords. So what can we expect to see from him if he indeed does take this post. Julie Fishman Rayman:   So one of the things that I think is really interesting about, you know, looking back on the last trump administration, while we sort of forecast for the next, is that the National Security Council, this body that Mike Waltz will lead, was always the brain trust for him in the previous administration. Of course, there was the State Department. It was filled, it was supported. But generally, I think he thought of the State Department as a place of a foreign policy bureaucracy, where passports got stamped, that kind of, step by step, day by day, keeping the wheels turning, but not where real change happened.  So if we're, you know, we're talking about Marco Rubio at State, we're talking about Mike Waltz as National Security Advisor, I think we really need to sort of dig into what's Waltz gonna bring. And of course, like, as you said, Manya deeply supportive of Abraham Accords, very hawkish when it comes to China, and very, very embedded in the military establishment himself, right? He's not the DoD pick, but he's a Green Beret vet. He served in Afghanistan, he served in the Middle East. He served in Africa. In addition to being on the foreign affairs committee and Congress, he was on the Armed Services Committee and the Intelligence Committee, if there are, if there's a trifecta of committees that someone could serve on to be as informed and at sort of the pinnacle of information about what's going on in this world, it's those three committees. Ukraine is the big question mark here. He's criticized aid to Ukraine, and has talked about getting Putin to the negotiating table, getting a diplomatic solution, or some sort of settlement to this war. And that I think remains this major looming question for a lot of folks about, as we're looking at these various picks whose voice is going to win here. Or, you know, if we're channeling the last Trump administration again, who's going to be the last person in his ear before he goes and makes a major announcement. Manya Brachear Pashman:   You mentioned DoD. Let's talk about President Elect Trump's DoD pick. Fox News anchor Pete hegseth, he is a retired US Army Major. He served in Iraq and Afghanistan, but a surprising pick to head the Department of Defense.  Julie Fishman Rayman:   It's interesting that you asked that question, because I think for folks who just think of him as a, you know, the guy on the Fox News couch, everyone who I've talked to who really knows Pete Hegseth and really is engaged with him for a long time, they they're not surprised, and they say, Oh, that does make sense. I don't know how much we can anticipate his fox views translating into a DoD cabinet pick. I don't really know how to manage that, right? He's talked about, like the Joint Chiefs, for example, in sort of a disparaging way.  So, he's definitely one of these picks that you know shows the future President's desire to be at the vanguard, right? He wants to shake things up. He wants to keep people on their toes.  Manya Brachear Pashman:   Okay, so now let's move on to some of the names you mentioned that are curious, curious choice. Other curious choices. Former Hawaiian Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, she has been nominated to serve as Trump's chief intelligence advisor, the Director of National Intelligence. That would mean she would be responsible for overseeing 18 spy agencies and keeping the President informed of the nation's international intelligence as anti semitism rises around the world, incidents like what we saw in Amsterdam this past weekend continue to flare up. Do you foresee her prioritizing that kind of news for the president elect? Julie Fishman Rayman:   This is a position that has to be confirmed by the Senate, and it's not, I think, a slam dunk in a lot of ways. She's not always been a Republican. She certainly hasn't always been a Trumpist Republican. She had a major leadership role in the Democratic Party for quite some time. She was the vice chair of the Democratic National Committee, and not rank and file, she resigned from that position to endorse Bernie Sanders in 2016 she supported the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the Iran deal that many Democrats broke with the administration to oppose that. AJC opposed, I think that there's a lot of baggage that she brings, and not personal baggage, but policy baggage that might make it very, very difficult for her to make the step through that confirmation process, and someone very smart said that'll be the test. Maybe I'll give him credit. Josh Kraushauer, the editor of Jewish insider, said this will be the test for how Senate leadership is going to respond to the calls from President Trump. You know, if they're able to just sort of if Senator Thune, in this new role that he has just received is able to push through the nomination of Tulsi Gabbard, then we can expect a lot of confirmations legislation Trump desires to move through the Senate. If she gets a little bit held up. If it's not as easy, then we can anticipate just a little bit more gridlock, as much gridlock as one could expect from one party control of the House, Senate and the White House. But a little bit more of a pushback. It'll be a real test. Manya Brachear Pashman:   She is nominated to be his chief intelligence advisor, and yet she has posted blatantly false propaganda on her social media channels. And people know that, people have called her out for that. Is that concerning? Julie Fishman Rayman:   I think it's deeply concerning whenever anyone puts out blatantly false propaganda, particularly that which emanates from Russia, that is problematic at any level of elected official, appointed official, period. We need to constantly, as a society and as a nation, be on fierce guard against that, because it is real and it is pervasive. I anticipate that, you know, when the confirmation hearings are up, there's going to be a lot of questions about, you know, what has she posted, where is she getting her information, and from whom does she rely on for real, authoritative information that is truthful? Manya Brachear Pashman:   So another name that you mentioned at the top of the conversation, and that is Congressman, well now former Congressman Matt Gaetz from Florida, since he resigned immediately after his nomination for attorney general. He was one of, I think, 21 republicans who voted against the Antisemitism Awareness Act in May, saying he couldn't support a definition of antisemitism that labeled claims of Jews killing Jesus as antisemitic. I think Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel might have had some choice words for him, if he is indeed, if he indeed progresses through this process toward Attorney General, what could we see from him? What can we see, period, of this whole process? Julie Fishman Rayman:   So first off, I just, I want to speak a little bit about it was sort of him in his record, because I think that it's important for our community to to be refreshed about exactly who Matt Gaetz is it there were a number of Republicans who voted against the Antisemitism Awareness Act because they did not think that it was appropriate for there to be a law that says the Jews didn't kill Jesus. This is, of course, like a sort of gross mischaracterization of what the international Holocaust Remembrance Alliance working definition of anti semitism says and purports to do. But he wasn't alone. And it was, it was very interesting to see how this, this sort of trope that I think a lot of us thought was over about the Jews killing Jesus. You know, Nostra Aetate was in the 70s, right? So we thought that this was done and behind us. But to hear, particularly from the evangelical set, that, okay, like, maybe the Jews didn't kill Jesus, or maybe they did.  He also invited a Holocaust denier and a white supremacist to be his guest at the State of the Union later, he said, like, Oh, I didn't really know. But either he got terrible staffing or he knew, and he just didn't want to get caught. He's deeply, deeply scandal ridden, without question. And he, you know, is constantly defending Marjorie Taylor Green, who, you know, compared the COVID mask laws to, you know, the Holocaust and things like that. He called the ADL racist. He is not representative of any stream, really, within the Republican Party. He is emblematic of the most populist of the populace, the most MAGA of the MAGA. So we should remember who he is, first and foremost.  Beyond that, I cannot imagine an America that would confirm him as Attorney General. I'm a congressist by heart. I believe that Congress does the right things, if given enough time to do so, and I cannot believe that they'll let this one go through. So forgive my rant. I think it needs to be said about him. But in terms of, you know, who are we watching, and what do we think is going to happen in the long term? I don't think there's a long term there. Manya Brachear Pashman:   Let's talk about another pick, and that is his pick for Homeland Security, who I don't think is so outlandish, and that is South Dakota Governor Christie gnomes. She could play a really vital role in his immigration the proposal that he's made for the immigration system. She has been a strong ally of AJC in the past.  Julie Fishman Rayman:   Yes, she has. When she signed North South Dakota's bill, um on the international Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, working definition of antisemitism, when she signed into law, AJC was there. She's been outspoken about anti semitism, and has consistently, sort of done, she's done the right things there. That being said, South Dakota has a very small Jewish population. So it's not, the same as if she were the governor of New York or Florida or even California that has major Jewish populations that are constantly calling with various, you know, security needs or something like that. So she's been there when she's needed to be there. Manya Brachear Pashman:   And I know South Dakota is not a border state, but didn't she send army reserves to the border to help Texas Governor Greg Abbott, at one point? Julie Fishman Rayman:   She has. A lot of Republican governors sort of backed Abbott in that way. I think that her crew in the governors, in the Republican Governors Association, etc, will be much aligned with the incoming administration. And of course, you know, that's why she's picked. Manya Brachear Pashman:   We also have the choice of John Ratliff, who Trump has named as a potential CIA director. And you know, technically, CIA director is the person who's nominated as head of intelligence is the CIA director's boss, and so he was the former director or chief intelligence advisor. So in a way, it's kind of a demotion. However, what I've read is President elect Trump believes that the CIA director is actually more important. So what are we looking at here? Are we looking at a smoother confirmation process for the CIA director, perhaps, and are we looking at kind of an elevation of that job?  Julie Fishman Rayman:   I think we can probably assume it's an elevation, and in the same way that we talked about the previous Trump administration prioritizing the National Security Council almost above the State Department, I think we'll see that sort of shift in alignment, the CIA being sort of the new center of gravity, if it wasn't already within the the intelligence community. So I think that we probably will see him playing a much more dominant role. That being said, I think America has always held this deep fascination with CIA directors, FBI directors. They always, because of the really interesting and critical roles they play, they always sort of punch above their weight in terms of, you know, how much are they on TV? How much are people watching what they're saying and what they're doing? So I think that we can absolutely anticipate that. And you know, he has some skeletons in his closet, but I don't think that there's anything that will prohibit or impede his nomination for that role. Manya Brachear Pashman:   And as a religion reporter, I found the naming of former Governor Mike Huckabee as the ambassador, a potential ambassador to Israel, to be very interesting, given that he is an evangelical Christian, a Baptist pastor. Aren't too many non-Jewish ambassadors to Israel. There have been some, but not too many. And I thought that this was a really interesting selection. What can we see or expect to see from that choice? Julie Fishman Rayman:   You know, part of me kind of loves this for America. I think there's, Governor Huckabee has always been a stalwart supporter of Israel, without question, deeply, deeply supportive. There are questions about, what is he going to do with regard to like, the question of settlements or annexation and things like that. And and I think we're going to have to be watching that very, very closely.  But if we're looking sort of at the macro level, the issue of Israel and America has become so polarized and in some ways so toxic, that this reminder that it's not just the Jews that care about Israel, I think, couldn't come at a better time.  I do think that it's really interesting to now have someone going to sit at the embassy that President Trump moved to Jerusalem, who is not representing the Jewish community there, but representing the massive Evangelical community in the United States and even frankly, around the world. Manya Brachear Pashman:   Well, Julie, thank you so much for sharing your perspectives. As these names keep trickling out each day, many things are said, some important, some not so important. So I'm glad I appreciate you kind of focusing our audience on what matters to AJC, what matters to the Jewish community and for those who support Israel. So thank you so much.  Julie Fishman Rayman:   It's been my pleasure and many and if I can just say, as we conclude that the personalities take up a lot of space, they take up a lot of oxygen. But for AJC, we're always singularly focused on the policies, and we'll continue doing what we've been doing already for months, and that's reaching everyone who will have influence in this next administration, to advance our policy perspective, to share our agenda and to talk about what we think needs to form the policy priorities of the next administration.  Manya Brachear Pashman:   Thank you so much, Julie. Julie Fishman Rayman:   Thank you.  

Arbenz is exiled as Guatemala backslides into facsism with the State Departments approval. But the new military government presses too far, igniting a civil war that would tear the country apart for decades to come. United Fruit faces its own obstacles as the 20th century progresses, finding itself subsumed by the twisted economic logic that rewards financial speculation instead of actually producing anything. Get it? Produce?