Podcasts about Syrian civil war

Conflicted returns with another episode in our series on the Syrian Civil War, welcoming a new guest onto the show to tell us about her experiences of living life under ISIS in the city of Raqqa – Rania Ali. Rania tells us about her experiences growing up in Raqqa, and the city's rich history - a place of conflict throughout the centuries. As the Arab Spring protests began, Rania became involved, and she details the secretive nature of organizing protests under a repressive regime. She tells us about the development of the conflict in Syria, the impact of the Free Syrian Army's liberation of the city in 2013, telling us about her family's exodus from Raqqa, and the devastation upon their return. But a key memory for Rania in the conflict was the rise of ISIS. She tells us about the resilience and courage of her community, particularly the women who organized protests and resisted the extremist regime, despite the grave risks involved. We hear about her harrowing experiences living during the ISIS caliphate, the threats she faced, and her eventual escape from the city, alongside the thrilling and tragic stories of her friends. New Conflicted Season 5 episodes will be coming every two weeks, but if you want to have your Conflicted fix every single week, then you'll have to join our Conflicted Community. Subscribers will get bonus episodes every other week, and can also join our Conflicted Community chatroom, where you can interact with fellow dearest listeners, discuss episodes past and future, get exclusive messages from Thomas and Aimen, ask future Q&A questions and so much more. All the information you need to sign up to the Conflicted Community is on this link: https://conflicted.supportingcast.fm/  Conflicted is proudly made by Message Heard, a full-stack podcast production agency which uses its extensive expertise to make its own shows such as Conflicted, shows for commissioners such as the BBC, Spotify and Al Jazeera, and powerfully effective podcasts for other companies too. If you'd like to find out how we can help get your organisation's message heard, visit messageheard.com or drop an email to hello@messageheard.com! Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MHconflicted And Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MHconflicted Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

All Hell Is Breaking Loose! Marco Rubio Says Syrian Civil War Two Weeks Away, DOJ Indictments Of Democrats Have Begun, Elon Musk Destroys Bill Gates, Federal Reserve Trying To Crash US Economy, SCOTUS Rules In Favor Of Trump's Mass Deportations

This week on Conflicted we are drawing our narrative arc on Syria to a close with our second episode with filmmaker and political activist, Matar Ismaeel. Last time Matar told us about his experiences filming protests in 2011 as the Syrian revolution began, being tortured in Assad's prisons, and witnessing firsthand the brutal siege of Southern Damascus. This episode Matar finishes his remarkable story with us - from recounting how Friends of his were radicalised by a ISIS to the battles he witnessed between opposition forces, Assad's forces and Islamist forces—especially ISIS.  Finally, Matar recounts the decision to evacuate Southern Damascus and gives his reflections on the future of Syria now the Assad regime has been toppled. He even invites Conflicted to join them in their celebrations - well deserved after all this time. New Conflicted Season 5 episodes will be coming every two weeks, but if you want to have your Conflicted fix every single week, then you'll have to join our Conflicted Community. Subscribers will get bonus episodes every other week, and can also join our Conflicted Community chatroom, where you can interact with fellow dearest listeners, discuss episodes past and future, get exclusive messages from Thomas and Aimen, ask future Q&A questions and so much more. All the information you need to sign up to the Conflicted Community is on this link: https://conflicted.supportingcast.fm/  Conflicted is proudly made by Message Heard, a full-stack podcast production agency which uses its extensive expertise to make its own shows such as Conflicted, shows for commissioners such as the BBC, Spotify and Al Jazeera, and powerfully effective podcasts for other companies too. If you'd like to find out how we can help get your organisation's message heard, visit messageheard.com or drop an email to hello@messageheard.com! Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MHconflicted  And Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MHconflicted Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In Chapter 13 of The Book of Trump, Ghost turns his focus to one of the most misunderstood figures in modern geopolitics: Bashar al-Assad, the “Lion of Damascus.” This epic solo deep dive traces Assad's rise from London-trained eye surgeon to defiant Syrian leader, revealing how Western-backed regime change efforts, globalist proxy wars, and pipeline politics converged to ignite the Syrian Civil War. Ghost connects the dots between U.S. and Israeli-backed jihadi proxies, the CIA-funded White Helmets, and the 5C infrastructure vision Assad proposed to create economic unity across the Middle East, before the Arab Spring was weaponized to destroy it. With receipts endorsed by General Flynn, Ghost breaks down the propaganda, chemical weapons psyops, and false flags used to justify toppling Assad, exposing the international coalition that fueled ISIS and Al-Qaeda's rise in the region. Weaving together history from Lawrence of Arabia to the Sykes-Picot betrayal and the current-day gas wars between Qatar and Iran, this episode places Syria at the heart of a global struggle for sovereignty. It's not just Assad they want gone, it's anyone defying the uniparty's monopoly on power. A must-listen for those ready to challenge the mainstream narrative and rediscover the truth behind the war on Syria.

Conflicted returns with another episode in our series on the Syrian Civil War, this time with a new contributor, who begins today a two episode arc where we'll be looking at the Siege of Southern Damascus… Thomas Small has invited on Matar Ismaeel, a documentary filmmaker and political activist from Masyaf, Syria. Now back in his homeland after years of exile, Matar speaks to us from Masyaf itself, relaying an extraordinary story of resilience and courage in the Syrian capital. Matar tells us about his family's political background, and his early involvement in documenting protests on his digital camera in 2011. He recounts the dangers he faced as a media activist, including arrests and torture in Syrian prisons. Matar's commitment to the revolution led him to southern Damascus, where he witnessed the brutal siege by the Assad regime and the rise of jihadist groups, including ISIS. The conversation highlights the complexities of the conflict, the humanitarian crisis, and the personal toll of war. New Conflicted Season 5 episodes will be coming every two weeks, but if you want to have your Conflicted fix every single week, then you'll have to join our Conflicted Community. Subscribers will get bonus episodes every other week, and can also join our Conflicted Community chatroom, where you can interact with fellow dearest listeners, discuss episodes past and future, get exclusive messages from Thomas and Aimen, ask future Q&A questions and so much more. All the information you need to sign up to the Conflicted Community is on this link: https://conflicted.supportingcast.fm/  Conflicted is proudly made by Message Heard, a full-stack podcast production agency which uses its extensive expertise to make its own shows such as Conflicted, shows for commissioners such as the BBC, Spotify and Al Jazeera, and powerfully effective podcasts for other companies too. If you'd like to find out how we can help get your organisation's message heard, visit messageheard.com or drop an email to hello@messageheard.com! Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MHconflicted And Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MHconflicted Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bilal Abdul Kareem, born Darrell Lamont Phelps in 1970 in New York, is an American-born journalist and war correspondent known for his coverage of the Syrian Civil War. He initially gained recognition for his work with CNN and has been associated with other major news networks like the BBC and Channel 4. Kareem converted to Islam and has a background that spans from acting and stand-up comedy to activism, particularly focusing on AIDS awareness in his earlier years. His journalistic career took a significant turn when he began documenting the Syrian conflict in 2012, where he founded his own media outlet, On the Ground News (OGN). Kareem's work has often placed him in proximity to insurgent groups, earning him both praise for his courage and criticism for perceived biases.  His reporting style has been noted for providing a unique perspective from within rebel-held territories, often focusing on the lives of civilians and fighters. Kareem has claimed to have survived multiple drone strikes, alleging that he was placed on a U.S. "kill list" due to his reporting, which led him to file a lawsuit against the U.S. government. This case was dismissed citing state secrets privilege.  His work continues to focus on the humanitarian aspects of conflicts, often putting him at personal risk but also earning him a following among those interested in grassroots journalism from conflict zones.  

Conflicted brings to an end our three part series with Ronnie Hamada, a Syrian Kurdish civilian, whose experience of the Civil War has been thrilling us over the past few episodes...  Thomas and Ronnie open with the impact of the Battle of Aleppo on the Kurdish province of Afrin, highlighting the rise of jihadist groups and the challenges faced by the Kurdish community. Ronnie also shares his harrowing experiences living under siege in Afrin, describing dire conditions, economic lockdowns and food shortages, and the desperate measures he and his family took to survive. Ronnie then recounts his journey fleeing to Turkey, as well as the broader humanitarian crisis in Syria and the role of NGOs in providing aid amidst the chaos.  In a final conversation which helps explain the complex dynamics of the Syrian Civil War in the country's north, the pair describe growing tensions between the YPG and the Assad regime, Turkey's military operations against Kurdish forces, and the aftermath of multiple Turkish operations in Syrian land, reflecting on what it has all meant got the future of Kurdish autonomy in Syria.  New Conflicted Season 5 episodes will be coming every two weeks, but if you want to have your Conflicted fix every single week, then you'll have to join our Conflicted Community. Subscribers will get bonus episodes every other week, and can also join our Conflicted Community chatroom, where you can interact with fellow dearest listeners, discuss episodes past and future, get exclusive messages from Thomas and Aimen, ask future Q&A questions and so much more. All the information you need to sign up to the Conflicted Community is on this link: https://conflicted.supportingcast.fm/  Conflicted is proudly made by Message Heard, a full-stack podcast production agency which uses its extensive expertise to make its own shows such as Conflicted, shows for commissioners such as the BBC, Spotify and Al Jazeera, and powerfully effective podcasts for other companies too. If you'd like to find out how we can help get your organisation's message heard, visit messageheard.com or drop an email to hello@messageheard.com! Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MHconflicted And Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MHconflicted Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Diplomatic Hell Hole.Book 3 in 18 parts, By FinalStand. Listen to the ► Podcast at Explicit Novels."Are we in the right place?" the stranger worried."I'm afraid so. Anais, you need to leave.""Not until you tell me what is going on here," she sizzled."She's not here to have sex, if that's what you worried about," I retorted. "Wait, are you here to have sex with me?""I barely know you.""That rarely stops me," I muttered."He's a master of bedroom antics," Pamela praised me. "He's pretty much at a loss at doing anything else.""Thanks Grandma," I griped."Your welcome, Grandson.""We, are here to meet someone," the stranger hedged."You came to the right place," Pamela preempted me. "He's definitely someone.""Fine, redo. I'm Cáel Nyilas," (deep breathe), "NOHIO, HCIESI-NDI, U HAUL, Magyarorszag es Erdely Hercege plus a bunch of other honorifics that have yet to be confirmed. I am single-handedly bringing back medievalism to the center of Europe and the Near East. The woman to my left is Pamela Pale, and she really is my bodyguard. The woman to my right is Sgt. Anais Saint-Amour, RCMP, my ex-lover and the person that needs to leave   right now.""I'm not sure I should leave at this moment," Anais shifted possessively. I had to recall earlier this morning, the part where we'd broken up by mutual consent. Yep. That had really happened. I had thought I was whittling down my current list of paramours. Why do the Goddesses hate me so?"Told you, she can't give up that cock," Pamela whispered."As you can see, I have limited control of my life," I told the strange woman. "I know you are here to meet somebody who isn't me. Now you know who I am. Who are you and your companions?""I'm Ms. Quincy.""Sorry; I'm on a first name basis with everyone I meet," I interrupted."What's your rank, Honey?" Pamela added."What makes you think,?""She doesn't think. That's what makes her so dangerous." I explained."Hey now," Pamela faux-complained."Okay. She's a fledgling telepath, or medium," I shrugged."Captain, Zelda Quincy.""In case you are mesmerized by her tits," Pamela tapped me, "she's packing some serious hardware.""One of those personal defense gizmos?" I leaned Pamela's way."Close, but no cigar. She's my kind of girl, big 'bang-bang', back-up at the small of her back and knife in her boot.""What!" Zelda gulped."She's his knife-fighting instructor," Anais answered drolly."Are you Special Forces?" Zelda regarded my mentor."Nah, I got kicked out for a consistent failure to observe even the loosest Rules Of Engagement. I'm a free-spirit.""Oh, you're a sniper," Zelda nodded."I like this one," Pamela smiled."Ah, thank you." Then, over her shoulder, "I think we are in the right place." Zelda entered the room, followed by a Hispanic panther of a man (kind of like a tanned, slightly shorter Chaz without the cool accent) wearing a long coat, and a Subcontinent-cast woman who looked at everyone as if she expected us to sprout fangs, or start quoting the Koran any second now. She obviously was a brain seconded to this mission very much against her will.The fourth person had that cagey 'when my lips move, I'm lying' look while seemingly unhappy with her current assignment. The heavy implication was that the lady was a career diplomat. Considering our current company and who we were talking to, she was State Department. She was in her late 30's or early 40's and giving off the sensation she had devoted so much to her career that she was starting to wonder if that was all that life had to offer.The fifth member was a military man clearly uncomfortable about what he was doing here, thus not a spook. His off-the-rack suit wasn't terrible, so he expected to socialize somewhat while performing his duties. He also looked like a man who expected other people to speak half-truths and obfuscated lies as easily as they breathed. Numbers three, four and five were dressed for the weather and unarmed.All of this meant they were good at what they did, though they probably didn't know the particulars of what was expected of them. They had their marching orders. Those orders were about to be made irrelevant in the company they would be keeping. The latter weren't the 'doing it by rote' kind of people they would normally be dealing with."I bet you she's a doctor," I murmured to Pamela, "she's with State and he's some sort of Foreign Service type.""I bet the first guy is Air Force," she countered."Like one of those Para-rescue guys?""No. More like one of those Battlefield Air Operations guys, I'm guessing," she corrected me."That guy?" I nodded to the final guy. "Pentagon wonk?""More likely he's one of those embassy guys. I'm going to take an educated leap here, Office of Military Cooperation, Mongolia?""That is pretty clever of you. Kazakhstan. Major Justin Colbert.""I bet some people in the White House, Pentagon and Langley are disappointed with you right now," I reasoned. His jaw grew tight."Don't worry, Major," Pamela grinned. "We consider that a good thing. We don't like the people in charge and have a low opinion of their opinion on just about everything, including their habit of blaming the blameless for their government's fuck ups.""Who are these people?" the first man whispered to Quincy."She's a telepath." That was Zelda"She's a psychic-medium." That was Anais."She can see through time." That was me. "Nice to meet you. Who are you?""Chris Diaz. Lieutenant Colonel, USAF.""Dr. Saira Yamin," the second woman introduced herself. "Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies. Are you the man from Johnston Island?""Why yes, yes I am," I beamed."The APCSS is in Waikiki, Hawaii," Pamela educated me. "Your arrival probably cost her some prime surfing time.""I was more interested in the fact that he survived a plane crash in a Category Four Cyclone," she admitted."Mother Nature hates me. No matter how hard I try, she refuses to kill me," I confessed. "My suffering is an endless source of amusement to that bitch.""That, that wasn't the helpful answer I was looking for," she stammered."So, Lt. Colonel Chris Diaz, you must be with JSOC, I have a deep and abiding respect for you guys. If you need something, just ask," I greeted him. "Captain Zelda, you are not with JSOC.""She's with the DCS ~ that is the Defense Clandestine Service," Pamela kept going. "Zelda, you love being in your uniform, you're proud, yet happy with the concept of dying in an unmarked grave for Constitution and Country. You are too old to have been in the first female class at Ranger School, so that means no 'in the field' JSOC for you. You've gotten around that stone wall by joining the US Defense Department's own little pack of killers.""Also, you felt it was necessary to bring a Benelli M4-11707. That's a close-in action shotgun, but a bit over-kill considering the paper-thin walls in this building. That tells me you are used to being in the kinds of places where such a tool is a necessity. Or in other words, since you think you are meeting a band of terrorists, you brought along your favorite toy.""Your personal weapon is a SIG Sauer P229R DAK in .357 which is a new weapon still under trial by the US Army and Air Force. Your boot dagger is ceramic so it will pass a cursory exam, or scan. You hate the idea of being trapped on a public aircraft weaponless. You have also given up killing power for a proper balance for throwing. I like a forward-thinking gal.""Air Force ~ you've recently come back from Asia, most likely Tibet. It shows in your breathing brought about by a close call with Altitude Sickness. The only reason for an Air Force guy to be here is because he's familiar with the Khanate military and you are not US Army, or Marine Corp Special Forces. I know the type.""You went with the MP5K in the standard 9mm, so you are more interested in sending bullets down range than looking into someone's face as you kill them. You may be a 'light' Colonel, which means you are almost somebody. What your higher-ups haven't appreciated is that our guests will respect you because they are like that ~ remembering past friends and comrades in arms. Of greater importance, you have Cáel's gratitude which will count for more than you currently believe."I pledged then and there to be as good as Pamela at determining that kind of stuff before I died. She had assured me it was as much a matter of psychology as eagle-eyed perception. People were often a type that gravitated to various forms of destruction, be they old school, or going for the latest gadget."I told you all that firepower was excessive," State softly chastised her associates (what they really were, not the underlings she saw them as)."So, you appeared to have forgotten to tell us your name," I regarded the State lass."Nisha Desai Biswal. I'm with the government.""Oh, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, I've examined your website," I told her. It clearly pissed her off somewhat that I so swiftly disregarded her crude attempt at subtle manipulation."Hey. I've got some real enemies at State, so it pays to know who might be the next suit trying to cock me over," I explained. I had to prioritize. It would take some serious effort to convince Zelda to have a MFF three-way straight out the gate and she was definitely the hotter number."Major, you came here unarmed," Pamela noted. "That won't do. They expect you to be armed because you are a warrior, damn it. Cáel get him one of your Glock 22's.""Gotcha," I nodded. I went to my room, tipped away the false back to my closet (that Havenstone had installed recently so Odette wouldn't accidently fire off one of my weapons) and retrieved one of my spare Glocks, but not the one with the laser sight. Such over-the-top fancy gear would be inappropriate. I only gave him one mag. If he couldn't get the job done with 15 rounds, he wouldn't have a chance to reload.Mind you, I took two in a twin-rig shoulder holster and four 22 round magazines, because I tend to shoot two-handed which doesn't exactly give you a bullseye every time. I returned to our crowded living room, handed the Major his weaponry, and then directed the US group to the far side of the room (towards Timothy's bedroom. Saira and Nisha took the couch.Because this tiny space wasn't crowded enough, there was a knock at the door. I checked. It was Juanita, oh yeah, my real bodyguard."Listen up everybody," I announced to the room. "This is my other bodyguard, my official one. Her names is Juanita Leya Antonio Garza, she's from the Dominican Republic via Buenos Aires and she is armed, so don't freak out." I opened the door."What is going on?" Juanita hissed."I'm having a private meeting with a few heavily armed friends. The other side to this party hasn't arrived yet. Why don't you come in?" She came in."Why didn't you warn me?" she whispered her complaint."Long night, worse wake-up, needed to do some soul-searching. Pamela was looking after me, then this came up and I forgot. I apologize," I lowered my head in shame. Juanita was only trying to do the job she'd been entrusted with and by not thinking of her, I was making that so much harder.I made the introductions, first names only."Juanita, Anais, Pamela; please slip into the kitchenette," I suggested.Anais "Why?"Juanita "Where are you going to be?"Pamela "Sure. I'm starving. I'm going to raid the fridge.""Anais, because I need my faction in one place. Juanita, I will be refereeing this meeting, so I will have to remain in the living room, roughly six feet from you." It was really a small apartment. "Pamela, if it is edible, it isn't mine and you'll have to replace it."Great Caesar's Ghost! No wonder Big Wigs had their personal assistants handle this pre-meeting crap. I was on my last two fucking nerves and one of those was already stressed and tender. And the real reason for being here hadn't even arrived yet."Why am I in your faction?" Anais mulled over threateningly."Because you haven't walked out that door. There are going to be three sides to this meeting, not three plus Anais. That is the way it is going to be. Now, are you going to behave, or are Juanita and Pamela going to toss you out?""You are threatening me!""Finally catching on to that, aren't you, Sweetie?" Pamela chimed in."I'm only staying because I believe you are in trouble," Anais grumped."Why is she (Anais) here?" Nisha inquired heatedly. "This is supposed to be a very, very private encounter.""I know Anais. I don't know you. I trust Anais with my well-being despite the fact she has numerous reasons to distrust me. She's staying because she is a straight arrow. That's good enough for me.""But is she going to keep her mouth shut about what happens here today?" Nisha pressed."Anais, this is a clandestine meeting that isn't going to be recorded by anybody so, barring a crime being committed, you can never discuss this with anyone who isn't already in the room. Agreed?"Pause."I agree," she nodded. I really was going to have to fuck her again. Not today. Well, maybe not today; I had to keep my options open. Her investigator mind was going into overdrive. Give it a week and she'd be knocking on my door late one night. Inquisitive, truth-hungry dames are like that, trust me. Then it would be 'bask in my genius' sex. It had been a while since I'd experienced that, with Lady Yum-Yum.There was another knock at the door. I checked before Juanita could do the checking for me, in case someone was going to shoot me through the door. Fuck it. I was going to talk to Timothy about moving. Him, me and Odette. I couldn't give those two up. It was Kazak bookends. I opened up and invited them in. It turned out they had names besides Bookends #1 and #2, Nuro and Roman.Nuro (I think) checked out the rooms while Roman (I was pretty sure) kept an eye on my guests. I made introductions, first names only and specifying who was with who. Technically, they could trust my side because I was the Great Khan's brother and thus my servants were his servants. Technically.Iskender came next followed by OT. A woman I didn't know (sadly, not OT's daughter) came in behind him while the other two quintuplets stayed in the hallway. Iskender and I hugged."Ulı Khaan s yikti ağası," he smiled. That was 'Prince-something'. My Kazak was a bit rusty. He then whispered into my ear. "OT bows to you first. His title is Hongtaiji." What?"Ulı Khaan s yikti ağası," OT bowed."Hongtaiji Oyuun T m rbaatar," I bowed back. I remembered I had to rise first. It was an etiquette thing. In retrospect, Iskender had stretched the bounds of tradition by hugging me, his titular superior. "Welcome to my humble abode.""I thank you for your hospitality," he 'grinned'. His face wasn't made for that gesture so that faint gesture came across as rather unnatural.My mind finally finished translating what Iskender and OT had called me. It wasn't 'prince'. It was 'beloved brother of the Great Khan'. Mother fucker!"Wait," Justin, the military attach  guy muttered, "we are here to meet this guy?" indicating me."What do you mean?" Saira questioned."The title Mr. Nyilas was identified with means 'beloved brother of the Great Khaan'," he explained. "The Kazakhs don't go tossing honorifics like that around. This guy," again pointing at me, "is a really important somebody.""Thanks for dropping this grenade in my lap, OT," I joked. "I'll get you for this, and your little yak too.""Odette is going to be so miffed that she missed this," Pamela chuckled."Mr. Nyilas," Zelda began."Please, call me Cáel. It is how I roll.""Cáel, can I ask you a stupid question?""Go right ahead," Pamela snorted. "Cáel does stupid real well. It is a critical part of his skill set. It makes him adorable instead of annoying. Trust me, you'll learn that soon enough."Too much 'trust me' was flying around in a room where nobody trusted anybody."Thanks for that encouragement, Teach," I grumbled. "Ask away, Captain Zelda.""Why are you playing this game with us?""I wasn't. Until thirty seconds ago I was sure I was here totally as a spectator," I gripped. "My buddy," the word dripped with sarcasm, "Temujin likes dumping these kinds of surprises on me.""Did you mean what Ms. Pale said about you feeling you owed me?" Chris asked."Absolutely.""We need help defusing this Thailand crisis before a shooting war begins.""What do you suggest?""We want the Khanate to back down," Chris stated firmly."I thought we had agreed that I would spearhead this delegation," Nisha reminded Chris."I think the situation had evolved and we need a different approach," Chris insisted."You should listen to the Lieutenant Colonel," I advised. "He knows a whole lot more about what is going on than you do.""Why don't you explain it to us?" she began her weevil-ling."You are engaging in linguistic niceties with men who have bled together, Ms. Biswal," I instructed. "Not that Chris and I have bled on the same battlefield, we have shed blood in the same cause; and that cause has been bringing our two nations, the Khanate and the US, together. The Khanate owes Chris for his efforts on our behalf and we pay our debts.""How so?" Nisha asked."National Security stuff," I evaded. "If you don't know, you shouldn't know and you probably don't want to know. Suffice it to say, the Khanate is willing to listen to Lt. Colonel Diaz's request as a friend.""But he doesn't speak for the United States Government," she corrected."Why not?" I riposted. "He's dealt with the Khanate longer than you have. He has a clue about the mindset of their rank and file.""But does he know their leadership?" she persisted."I don't know. Chris, do you think you have a handle on me?""Are you really capable of talking for the Khanate government?" Nisha preempted Chris. What she left unsaid was 'are you culpable in their atrocities?'"Let's find out," I then looked over my shoulder. "Hongtaiji Oyuun T m rbaatar, will my words and wishes reach my brother's ear?""That is why I am here," he replied."Don't you have the authority to speak for your leader?" she grilled OT. Nisha was relentless trying to stay in the limelight. "Aren't you a diplomat?""There is no need to insult the man," Pamela snidely commented."I am one of many voices that provide information to the Great Khan. I am not his brother. Cáel Nyilas is and has already proved his familial affection by proposing Operation Funhouse and brought whole nations as gifts," OT schooled her. "He is gifted with both tactical and strategic insight as well as sharing the Great Khan's love for his people and his hopes for their eventual freedom.""I didn't think you were a soldier," Zelda looked me over."Oh no," I wove off that insinuation. "I've never been a real soldier and am unworthy of that distinction. I know quite a few who have earned that title and they scare the crap out of me. I mean, they go looking for trouble. In my case, trouble comes looking for me. I'm damn lucky to still be alive and that's the damn truth.""Bullshit," Pamela coughed."What was that, Artemisia?" I winked at her."Bitch," she laughed "My men have become women, and my women men. At least you didn't call me Cassandra.""Well, she's Greek (a deadly insult to all Amazons), but you could be her Evil Twin because everyone believes whatever you say.""Can we get down to business?" Chris inquired."Damn," Pamela shook her head. "They haven't been paying attention.""What does that mean?" Zelda griped."Iskender, you know what I'm talking about, don't you?" I asked."Not a clue, Exalted One," he stood there like a stone statue. Note, the Khanate contingent really were standing there like the Altai Mountains, doing nothing. You had to carefully examine them to see that they did indeed breathe and blink."Use small words," Pamela advised."You really are a rude misanthrope," Anais told Pamela."Do you know what's going on?" Pamela volleyed."No.""Then sit back and watch how the madness works," she snickered. "It is all you, Cáel.""Okay. One; how did Artemisia escape the battle of Salamis?" I began. Nothing."Oh," Justin nodded. "She rammed an allied ship to make the pursuing Athenians think she was an ally. What does that have to do with our current predicament?""Achieve your ends by using violence as a distraction," I sighed. "The Khanate will invade Thailand in," I looked to OT, "tomorrow?" He nodded."How does that help us?" Nisha complained."Second example, Cassandra. She saw the truth through all illusions and falsehoods and no one believed her. Now, reverse that."Pause."We are waiting," Saira finally joined the conversation. I could hear those little microprocessors inside her noggin firing electrons at light speed."We fight a phony war. The Khanate and their buddies invade in a lightning campaign that appears to be successful. Shit like attacking the opposition where they ain't. Things that look epic on CNN where some retired colonel, no offense...""None taken," Chris responded."Where some colonel talks about seizing resources, severed supply lines and encirclement. We, the Khanate, bomb shit like bridges and supply dumps, things with no civilians to get killed. On the downside, to make this work the Khanate needs to put some level of force into Bangkok.""That will get civilians killed," Nisha reminded me, unnecessarily."Civilians are getting killed right now by their own government. This time they will get a chance to strike back," I stated firmly. "The Thai protestors aren't cowards. They are just grossly outgunned. We can change that.""How does that help the United States?" Nisha queried."The US gets to come in and save the day," I sighed. "The US can t get there until the day after, so you don't look bad about letting the first 24 hours of brutality happen.""Oh," Zelda blinked."The US gets to end the fighting that the Khanate has no desire to continue. The US brings peace, while whomever takes over owes the Khanate. Both sides look good. Both sides claim victory. The President gets a second Nobel Peace Prize (psychic, aren't I?). The US gathers some regional allies like Malaysia, the ROC and the Philippines along with our Marines to ensure free and fair elections. The Khanate isn't seen to be backing down against the Titan of Western Civilization. They are working with them to bring about a better world.""Win-win," Saira nodded in agreement."The Khanate is still an autocratic tyranny," Nisha commented."As opposed to the People's Republic's oligarchical tyranny?" Chris countered."Agreed," Saira said. "I now think we should work with the Khanate to bring stability to Central Asia which which was impossible while those member nations were being squeezed between Russia, Europe, China and India.""What are you a doctor of?" I asked."I specialize in 'failed states', among other things," Saira grinned."This could still turn into one bloody cluster-fuck," Zelda mused."My peopled don't have the resources to devastate Thailand," OT finally spoke. "If you, the US, agrees to intervene on our timetable, you will have our thanks, off the record, of course.""How do we know this isn't some ruse to allow the Khanate to overthrow Thailand's existing government?" Justin questioned."You have my word," I replied. No one said anything for several heartbeats."Really?" Nisha balked."Mr. Nyilas, Cáel, do you give me the Great Khan's word?" Chris studied me intently."Without reservation," I answered. "For what you have done for us and more, the Great Khan will honor this deal. We and the Thai's will do the bleeding. You will get your accolades. We avoid a pointless clashing of forces, which is why we are all here today.""I will give you my written recommendation in a few hours," Saira told Nisha.Chris stepped forward to shake my hand. He was an alpha-type alright. I gave as good as I got. His eyes bore into mine, looking for a faltering of will."What did you do in Romania?""I got a lot of good men killed.""Okay.""Okay?" Nisha squawked. "A handshake, a pat on the back and the deals done? Since when did our democratic republic do business this way? He admitted he got men killed in Romania. What is to say this won't be Romania writ large?""Ms. Biswal, he told the truth. He got good men killed and he isn't happy about it. I would be worried if he claimed one bit of glory from that episode. He didn't.""Nisha," I took a deep breathe, "When you unleash men with weapons, nothing is assured. Maybe the Thai government will see the hate coming their way and back down. Maybe the people will resist the intrusion. Maybe the Khanate's forces will get slaughtered at the starting line. It isn't like they have enough time to deploy enough forces to win a protracted war.""What happens if the Khanate decides it won't go?" she continued."Then they get destroyed on the ground in a war of attrition," Chris answered for me. "He's right. They can't bring enough in the time allotted to completely overwhelm the roughly 120,000 members of the Royal Thai Army that have remained loyal to the regime.""In three days they will be out of fuel, shells, rockets and bullets. It is logistics, Ms. Biswal," Zelda piled it on. "The Khanate war-fighting systems are not NATO compatible. That means they can't simply capture more material as they penetrate the frontiers. If they overstay their welcome, we can launch missile strikes against their fuel depots. The combat devolves back to World War I and that's a style of war they can't afford to fight.""What about stopping the Khanate from invading in the first place?" Nisha wouldn't give up."Had the US acknowledged the Khanate, none of this would have happened, Ms. Biswal," I became snappish. "Neither superpower talked to the other until other commitments had been made.""If you think you can come in and start dictating Khanate policy, you are dreadfully mistaken. The US doesn't have the power, or the resolve," I glared at her. "Don't try convincing the Khanate that isn't the case. We know better.""You don't know what the US is capable of," she snapped back."Abandoning Iraq with a fractured pseudo-democratic process? Abandoning Afghanistan without destroying the Taliban? The Syrian Civil War? The Donbass Crisis? The collapse of Libya? Boko Haram? Somalia? Yemen? Exactly how has the US's power and resolve solved any of those issues?" I countered."Ms. Biswal," OT spoke again. "We are willing to create a desert and call it 'Peace'. Our enemies know that. Your unwillingness to do so is neither a strength nor a weakness. It is a hallmark of your society in the same way that 'Total War' is a hallmark of ours. We are more than willing to leave you to manage the Peace. Let us manage the War against the forces opposed to civilized discourse.""As ugly and disagreeable as it is, we are willing to keep creating pyramids of skulls on every street corner until either they learn their lesson, or we kill them all. Let us do that and you will have your global stability and reap the economic benefits and accolades of Pax Americana. We are not your enemy. We are precisely the ally you need to keep the peace and we will do that, if you let us.""To allow barbarism is to become barbarians," Saira mused."That is complete fiction," I scoffed. "The United States didn't become communist because it allied with the Soviet Union in World War II. Truman didn't become Stalin. The enemy of my enemy is my friend is older than recorded history.""It is the Carrot and the Stick on a Global basis," Justin agreed. "Listen to the gentle words of the West, or you will end up feeling the wrath of the East.""As long as the Khanate accepts the limitations of is role," Saira added, "this might work. Please understand there will be factions in the Western Democracies who will not accept that status quo. It is not in the nature of our societies to stifle dissent.""Is it possible to get any political concessions from the Khanate's leadership?" Justin requested. "A pledge to hold some level of democratic elections? A Constitution with some strong provisions to protect individual rights and liberties would be nice.""Justin, in case your bosses missed it, the Khanate is still at a state of war with the PRC," I shook my head. "With their limited experience with democratic government throughout most of the Khanate's territories, that would be madness.""With limited concessions to the Imperial State, we have not interfered with the politics of Albania, Armenia, Georgia and Turkey. We are never going to become a Western-style democracy. We have had limited rule by consensus long before White Men arrived in the Western Hemisphere," OT informed them."Discounting the Irish Monks, Vikings and Knights Templar," Pamela interjected."If you say so," OT gave a minuscule bow to Pamela. "Long before your nation was anything more than the scribbled history of a long-faded Greek city-state, we had meritocracies, oligarchies of senior statesmen & warriors, thinkers and religious leaders, and we had codified judicial moral equality into the political arena. We have a far superior record of religious and minority freedom, of genuine multi-culturalism plus a deeper understanding of the arts and crafts as a means of uniting disparate peoples. We find your claims of cultural superiority to be childish.""Oh, snap," I snickered. "You get'em, OT.""I bet the boys in Foggy Bottom felt that pimp-slap," Pamela agreed."I bet the bronzed skull of some Harvard dean just fell off its pedestal.""They are called 'busts'," Anais groaned. "With a name like that, how could you forget it?""So true," I concurred. "All this responsibility must have clouded my normally hedonistic vocabulary.""That doesn't change the fact that you have employed biological warfare and genocide in this current day and age," Justin pointed out."Tell that to our Native Americans," I snorted. "They are easy to find. They live in trailer parks in whatever blasted Hell Hole we stuck them in, or in their casinos where they are buying back their country, one rube at a time. Ask them if they've gotten over it.""We don't claim to be perfect," Justin insisted."No, we merely claim to have the only correct form of government, economic policy and schools of philosophical, political, scientific and educational thought," I pointed out."We definitely should revive ethical utilitarianism," Pamela slapped a fist into her palm. "Oh, and the guillotine. Work houses for orphans and grist mills for the disabled, and A Modest Proposal for those chronically unemployed and terminally homeless, yes, and,""Pamela, what is it with you today?" I snickered."It is nearly sunset,""Ah, and you haven't killed anyone yet.""You know how cranky I get when I don't get my daily dose of homicide.""Are you two done?" Anais frowned. She did that a lot around me."And you don't hand out Mini-Uzi's to your preschoolers," Pamela glowered. "What is wrong with you people?"Pause, waiting for that punch line that was never coming. See, it was more difficult to sense Pamela was an immediate threat to your health if you thought she was completely off her rocker."Hmm, well, on that note, ladies and gentlemen, I believe we have a deal. Chris and Justin, I will leave you with my loyal Iskender to work out the gory details. Who wants to grab dinner?" I inquired."Are you serious?" Nashi gasped."Oh yeah. I had the Russian invasion of Manchuria figured out in this amount of time and Manchuria is way bigger than Thailand." Was it? I didn't know. Geography was not one of those subjects which gets you laid."What do you have in mind?" Zelda inquired."Whatever you want."{1 am, Sunday, August 31st ~ 8 Days to go}"How did I end up in bed with you?" Zelda sighed happily, her body splayed halfway over mine and her head resting on my chest, listening to my heartbeat."You aren't the first girl to ask me that question."On the other side, Anais moaned in her sleep. Yeah, she was over me. Abso-fucking-lutely. If you recall, she'd try anything once. I convinced her the military babes were totally different than that Goth chick we'd blown the mind of back in Montreal.Zelda was with me because I had caught her in a lie. She claimed to be a lesbian when I first hit on her. She was adamant. I destroyed her with incontrovertible evidence.A) She hadn't scoped out Anais when she came in. A glance didn't count and Anais oozed sexy when she was angry, which was most of the time.B) She hadn't scoped out Juanita's figure when said worthy went to the kitchenette. I look for such things and Juanita has thighs to die for.C) When I told her she had a wicked sense of humor, she blushed. Honestly, lesbians rarely care about strange men complimenting their personalities.D) Then I double-downed by asking her if she preferred a shower, or bath. She said shower (because that's the butch thing to say). When I asked her 'when was the last time she'd had a bubble bath', she blushed again. Lesbians don't like it when a man imagines them naked. Straight chicks, unless you are a creepy, stalker guy, like it when men fantasize about them swathed in bubbles, thus semi-clothed, thus not creepy.E) In a final and fatal act of evasion, she asked a grumpy Anais what she liked about me. Anais was blunt."He can fucking hammer you all night, sneak in a romantic quickie in the shower, cook you a delicious breakfast then give you another round of mind-numbing intercourse up against the wall before you have to go to work. And still find the time and energy to fuck your neighbor."Woot!"So, this happens to you often?" she mused, it was a trap. She really wanted to know if I was an egotistical scumbag who took advantage of every woman I came across. At the same time, she wanted to know if I considered her a 'whoe' ~ a woman who gives up the goodies for free."Do you mean 'am I taking advantage of you'?" I replied."That is not what I asked," she persisted. That meant 'yes'."Let me see," I laid back and looked up at the ceiling. "I have a fiancée, six women I am close enough to to spend quality time with, a fuck-buddy who is a sweet girl and trusts me too much and a passel of ex-girlfriends who have found my infidelity to be reprehensible.""Six women?" she frowned."Four co-workers (Rhada, Oneida, Yasmin and Buffy), the girlfriend of a co-worker who dumped her in a very public fashion (Brooke) and that woman's friend (Libra). She was the wing-chick who was stuck with me on a quadruple-date and was underwhelmed with me when we first met."I didn't count my 'hook-ups' and I wasn't sure how to qualify Nicole."Ex's?""'No' is not a word in common usage in my vocabulary. I've dated a best friend's girl, a mother, sister and aunt of the same girlfriend, basically, I'm either highly immoral, incredibly loose, or a letch.""Don't you take responsibility for any of those, relationships?""Hell yeah," I tilted her chin up so that we could make eye-contact. "I've never blamed a woman for taking out her frustrations on my flesh, ran away from a screaming fit (Big Lie!), or blamed them for any failing in our relationship. It is always my fault because I can't stay loyal.""That's depressing," Zelda moped."Don't get me wrong. I don't find fault in any of the women I have spent time with. That is my problem, I find women fascinating; never boring, or bland. Quite frankly, it is a gift that I don't regret having. I may be a fuck-up, but I'm a fuck-up who will give you the very best attention.""Full of yourself, much?" her attitude shifted. I had short-circuited her fears; I was a cheater, I confessed to it without shame because I was inexorably drawn to her beauty, personality and charm. With Anais around, I couldn't claim to be solely enchanted with Zelda, so I had to think quickly on my feet. After all, Zelda was energetic and had great stamina."I promised you pleasure," I countered. "Did I deliver?""Yes, you are full of yourself," she slapped my stomach. I wasn't full of myself. I was a confident sex machine."Thank you.""Huh?""Wonderful sex, taking a chance with me, agreeing to a three-way, being awake after," I looked at the bed-table clock, "six hours.""I run five miles a day," she bragged."I try to have ten hours of sex a day," I teased. Zelda slapped my stomach again. Anais stirred."Do any women like you, for any reason beyond your cock?""I'm considered loyal where sex is not concerned, reliable and brave," I offered."What happened in Romania?""Have you ever been in combat?""I've been in violent confrontations, but not a true firefight," she admitted."Hmm,""Is it something that you can't relate?" she asked."No. You are a soldier so you probably know more about combat than I do. It was, not chaotic at all. I never lost perspective of what was going on despite the bullets flying around. The Romanian Captain in charge knew his stuff, directed his company well and all I had to do was figure out where the terrorist leader was.""What happened?" she perked up."I am here talking with you and he's in a morgue in Bucharest.""Oh," She wanted more."I have to live with the knowledge that I set all of that in motion, Zelda. I convinced the Romanians that they had to confront that terror group before they moved on to their next target, me.""I knew they would come after me and my friends, no matter where we were. Which would have ended up as a blood bath in some urban center. So I felt compelled to strike first. Based on information I provided, the Romanian Army sent two battalions, the 22nd and 24th, of the 6th Mountain Troops Brigade into battle.""It was a massacre," I remembered sadly."But you won," she tried to comfort me."Of the four companies involved in the battle, the Romanians suffered nearly two hundred dead and wounded. I hardly consider it anything other than a massacre. Yes, we won. Only three of the terrorists escaped. Their leader died. I don't think I've ever felt so hollow in my life," I finished."Forty percent losses, that is horrific," she crawled on top of me."The kicker is the Romanians sent some men of the 24th to hunt me down when I was kidnapped. A squad was in the group that rescued me and my companion from Johnston Island. I thought they would never want to deal with me ever again.""Don't be so hard on yourself. If they thought well enough of you to send their men out to rescue you, then you must have done right by them.""Chaz said something like that too," I felt sheepish and sleepy."Chaz? Who is she?"Honest to God, one day I want to find a girl who thinks I'm talking about another girl and asks if we can have a three-way, instead of trying to compare herself to this unknown person. Wait... I already had someone like that. Her name was Odette."Chaz is Color Sergeant Charles 'Chaz' Tomorrow of Her Majesty's SSR," I corrected her assumption."SSR? Those are some tough people. How do you know him?""Black Bag directives from the National Security Council, sworn to secrecy upon penalty of death, pinky-promise kind of stuff," I grinned. Maybe I wasn't all that sleepy after all."You really are a Man of Mystery," Zelda purred. She had truly exceptional stamina. "Maybe I can convince you to talk.""Maybe I can find another use for my tongue," I countered and off we went. Somewhere along the process, Anais woke up and joined in.It wasn't all fun and games. Anais' parting words were "You are a pig," then she sauntered out of my room and out of my life. Had she remembered to take her Serge with her, I would have bought the act. As it was,"Is she always so volatile?" Zelda remarked."Volatile? That's not her being volatile. That's Anais being affectionate. Volatile usually is accompanied by thrown objects and bodily harm," I sighed happily. Meeting her one more time couldn't be all that bad, could it? Zelda looked hungry so I shoved that thought to the back of my mind and got to work.That was the highlight of my Sunday. Zelda had to fly back to Washington D.C. and I had to go to work with JIKIT. It seemed that the Khanate and the US military were heading for a showdown. I unloaded all my Saturday's activities to the team and we got to work, no recriminations. I was the Khan's spiritual brother and sometimes that meant I had to do him favors.I asked Addison when she thought he would return the favor. She laughed, then smiled and told me that wasn't how it worked. He was a world leader now and I was merely his kooky kinsman that he would keep throwing problems at until one day I broke. Then it would be some other poor saps turn.Then she told me she was kidding and clearly the Great Khan thought the world of me. I chose to believe the second lie because it made me feel better, and it was promising to be a long weekend/start of the week.Note: Geopolitical DevelopmentsWhat follows are snippets of the Battle for Thailand that takes place late in the night of September 1stand continued into the early morning of September 3rd. If this does not interest you, you can rejoin Cáel's exploits in four pages)On the eve of battle, the Royal Thai High Command had decided to strip all but one armored unit from the 2nd Army in order to give the First Army's offensive against the rebels more of a punch. It's decision to strip the tank battalions from both their infantry divisions as well as the armored and one of the two mechanized regiments would prove to be disastrous. It was as if the leadership of the Royal Thai military were idiots.The least economically valuable part of the country was the northeast which the 2nd Army warded. They had severely underestimated the airlift capacity of the Khanate as well as the willingness of Laos and Cambodia to both use their armed forces in an invasion as well as their willingness to let Vietnamese troops cross their countries.That thinking had led the Thai military to adopt a 'forward defense' strategy, the desire to fight the enemy at the borders, as opposed to having stronger formations deeper within the country. Considering the relative weakness of the Cambodian and Laotian militaries, that policy had made sense:- The baseline Laotian and Cambodian tank was the T-54/55, a 1950's Soviet relic. The normal anti-tank capabilities in all Thai infantry formations was more than equal to such a threat.-Neither country had an air force worth worrying about.In contrast, the Khanate's primary tanks, the T-90SM and T-95 were resistant to most of what the Thai Army could throw at them, at least from the front. The seven hundred combat aircraft the Khanate and the Vietnamese were able to field was an equal catastrophe for the Thais. It greatly compensated for the relative small numbers of invaders.Finally, there was a fundamental misunderstanding of what the Alliance's goals were. Military logic dictated the destruction of Thailand's mobile force followed by the capture of Bangkok. As long as the Thai regime held the capital, it would remain the legitimate power in the country.Due to the altering political landscape, the Alliance's only option was to make the government 'look bad'. The loss of peripheral provinces, while of negligible immediate strategic value, looked great on the maps the world-wide media would be showing to their audiences. It would appear that the Thai army had failed to defend their country. That would (hopefully) make the Thai Third Army look like the legitimate authority in Thailand.That was the plan anyway, and you know what they say about battle plans and the enemy, right? H-hour was 4 am, September 1st.The commander of the Zuun stood up and waited to be recognized. The staff officer from the Yunnan Command pointed at him."Sir, why are we doing this? I am not afraid to fight for the Great Khan, but this action seems to be suicidal. We will be far behind enemy's lines while our offensive force will be grossly under-equipped.""You will have to rely on our ability to supply you by air.""We only have supplies for two days of operations. What happens then?""We rely on the Americans to come and save us," the senior officer responded bitterly."Allah save us from allies," the young commander muttered. What else could he do?He was part of the 2nd Mountain Sultan Mehmet Tumen which had just arrived in Yunnan to replace the exhausted 1st Mountain Abu al-Ghazi Bahadur Tumen. His men were from Turkey, inexperienced in combat and using new equipment they were not familiar with. They would be working with a unit he had never worked with before, the 1st Airmobile Tauekel Khan Tumen, Kazaks, who would be seizing the small airport his men needed to land in.From there, they were to 'run amok'. That was the technical term for racing south down a highway in Central Thailand, attacking the headquarters of the 3rd Cavalry Division, an armored unit. Once that was accomplished, they were to attack the local police precinct. Provided they were still alive after that, they were to return to the air strip to resupply then they were to 'spread chaos' until they were finally hunted down by the vastly larger Thai division his 100 men would be fighting.Of course, there was the plan for the rebel Royal Thai Third Army to force their way through the larger frontline forces of the loyalist Royal Thai First Army and come to his rescue. How would the Thai troops respond when ordered to fight their fellow Thais? No one was sure. If there was any hope in this mission, it was the knowledge that several other Zuuns had the exact same mission in other areas of Thailand.  It was H-hour minus twenty-two.It was 11 o'clock in the evening when the general in charge of the Royal Thai 9th Infantry Division was woken up. The Marines were leaving. That was correct; the three Royal Thai regiments were heading west to Sattahip Naval Base, because they had been ordered to by the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy. It didn't take a rocket scientist to realize why this was going on.Seven hours earlier, the Royal Thai Army had seized all the Air Force bases in the 1st and 2nd Army districts as well as ordering the 4th Army to do the same thing (The Royal Thai Air Force had been trying to remain neutral in the upcoming civil war).Undoubtedly the navy had decided to make their assets less 'hijack-able'. A few phone calls later confirmed that most of the Navy had set sail for parts unknown and the naval air units at Ban Sattahip Air Base (U-Tapao International Airport) had also departed either out to sea, or to ports and bases in the South.He made a personal appeal to the commander of Marine Forces to no avail. They wanted no part of the upcoming struggle and advised the general to do the same. The general had other problems. The Royal Thai Marines were the frontline forces facing the southern border with Cambodia. He quickly reorganized his regiments, sending them to take the old Marine strongpoints to await further orders. Stopping the Marines never entered his mind.That was a bloodletting he wanted no part of. The last thing he did was inform his superiors, thus avoiding any stupid orders to the contrary. Suddenly the nebulous movements along the Cambodian border developed a haunting significance. He wondered how much longer he had before something happened.  It was H-hour minus five.At midnight a loyalist commander of a company of mechanized infantry in the 2nd Cavalry's 11th Battle Group (named after their axis of advance, Highway 11) decided to send a motorized section of his command forward to the advance position his battalion was to occupy come sunrise. Either later in the day, or tomorrow morning, the forces loyal to the regime would launch a coordinated assault against the rebels main supply center at Phitsanulok.He had a cot set up in his communications hut and had just nodded off when the radio squawked to life. His lieutenant in charge of the advance made a hurried report. They had encountered serious opposition in a confusing night action, then he went silent. The captain immediately swung into action. He put the rest of his men on alert, then contacted the neighboring Tank Battalion. He needed some armored support. He made a similar call to the attached artillery component.The Tank Battalions night officer quickly put a platoon of light tanks at his disposal. The artillery were ready for any fire mission he sent their way. Before the armor could arrive, the company commander found himself being called to the carpet by the Duty Officer at the 3rd Cavalry (two regiments of the 2nd Cav. had been attached to the 3rd's command) over his 'offensive' action and the relief mission was called off. What had happened to the patrol of 20 Royal Thai soldiers? He was ordered to wait until sunrise to find out.Little did anyone know, these were the first combat casualties of the upcoming rebel offensive. His patrol had stumbled across a battalion of mechanized troops arriving at their jump off point for the attack that was less than six hours from beginning. Neither the commander of the 11th Battle Group, the 3rd Cavalry Division, or First Army was informed that the enemy had already advanced twenty kilometers south of where they were supposed to be.  

This week on Conflicted, Ronnie Hamada is back with Thomas to describe his experiences as a Kurdish civilian during the Syrian Civil War, as we continue our retrospective on that most complex of conflicts. And this week, after setting up some Kurdish history last time, Ronnie takes us through what it was like to live through the Arab Spring protests as a university student, where he saw his classmates attacked by Assad backed thugs, and as violence increased around him by the day. In a gripping conversation, Ronnie recounts some harrowing experiences, detailing a terrifying robbery at an internet cafe, the escalating violence in Aleppo, and the eventual decision to flee to Afrin. He shares the impact of the war on civilians, the rise of the PYD and YPG, and his family's efforts to navigate the chaos.  New Conflicted Season 5 episodes will be coming every two weeks, but if you want to have your Conflicted fix every single week, then you'll have to join our Conflicted Community. Subscribers will get bonus episodes every other week, and can also join our Conflicted Community chatroom, where you can interact with fellow dearest listeners, discuss episodes past and future, get exclusive messages from Thomas and Aimen, ask future Q&A questions and so much more. All the information you need to sign up to the Conflicted Community is on this link: https://conflicted.supportingcast.fm/  Conflicted is proudly made by Message Heard, a full-stack podcast production agency which uses its extensive expertise to make its own shows such as Conflicted, shows for commissioners such as the BBC, Spotify and Al Jazeera, and powerfully effective podcasts for other companies too. If you'd like to find out how we can help get your organisation's message heard, visit messageheard.com or drop an email to hello@messageheard.com! Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MHconflicted And Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MHconflicted Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

//The Wire//1900Z March 10, 2025////ROUTINE////BLUF: CHAOS CONTINUES IN SYRIA. MAJOR SHIP COLLISION IN NORTH SEA.// -----BEGIN TEARLINE------International Events-North Sea: Early this morning a serious vessel collision was reported between two large cargo vessels. The M/V STENA IMMACULATE was lying at anchor when she was struck by the M/V SOLONG this morning. The collision resulted in a large and uncontrolled fire, which caused the crews of both vessels to abandon ship. Various Coast Guard forces carried out large-scale rescue operations throughout the day, recovering approximately 32x mariners from their liferafts by this afternoon.AC: At the moment, the status of the recovered crew members is unknown. It also isn't clear as to if either vessel is sinking, due to the fires preventing an assessment of watertight integrity. The STENA IMMACULATE is a US-flagged tanker vessel that was in these waters reportedly to resupply a US Navy vessel with aviation fuel. Per AIS ship tracking data, the SOLONG was very likely at fault, directly colliding with the STENA's port side directly amidships, without deviating from course or attempting to slow down. Consequently, this incident will very likely be subject to a thorough investigation to determine if this collision was intentional.Syria: The violence of the past few days has greatly expanded, and now encompasses many different factions. Most of the fighting has been reported in the northwestern regions of Syria, from Latakia to Baniyas.-HomeFront-USA: This morning Twitter/X suffered a large scale outage. Elon Musk stated that the reason for the outage was related to a large-scale cyberattack.Washington: Attacks on Tesla vehicle dealerships continue with assailants conducting an arson attack in Seattle. Overnight, several Tesla vehicles were set on fire in a storage lot on the corner of 2nd Ave and Spokane Street.-----END TEARLINE-----Analyst Comments: At the moment it is too soon to tell if a civil war has begun in Syria, however the violence over the past week has been exceptionally disturbing. What originally began as retaliatory massacres of former members of the Assad regime, has transitioned into what most would consider to be ethnic cleansing operations. Christians have been a primary target for many groups, which have formed killing squads specifically with the goal of targeting Christian communities. Other (comparatively moderate) Muslim factions have also been targeted, with the Alawite ethnic group continually suffering massacres as well.Tragically, Syria is not unfamiliar with this development, as the long and weary Syrian Civil War of recent memory resulted in similar levels of factional violence. However, in this case, there is no somewhat stable regime to exert some sort of control over some parts of the nation. In short, those who thought Assad was a madman have not met Mohammad al-Julani, Syria's new leader who climbed to notoriety not via family aristocracy...but by hopping from militant group to militant group (and gaining warlord status along the way).Analyst: S2A1Research: https://publish.obsidian.md/s2underground//END REPORT//

This week on Conflicted, we begin in earnest our retrospective on the Syrian Civil War, where we will be inviting actual Syrians from a multitude of different perspectives, to tell us about their experiences of the war.  After setting the scene with our old friend Wassim Nasr last time, over our upcoming episodes, we'll be creating a kind of narrative history for you, our listeners, as we make sense of this most complex of conflicts from as many angles as we can. In this episode, Thomas invites on Syrian Kurd Ronnie Hamada to delve into the complexities of the Syrian Civil War, focusing on the Kurdish experience and setting the scene with their historical identity.  Ronnie has been working in data and analysis of conflicts in Syria and the wider Middle East for the past 10 years, working alongside journalists and NGOs to map conflicts and combat misinformation, and his story of life under siege in Aleppo and Afrin is an extraordinary one… They explore the historical context of Kurdish nationalism, the impact of Arab nationalism, and the political dynamics within Kurdish communities in Syria. Ronnie shares his personal story and insights, highlighting the challenges faced by Kurds, including statelessness and cultural repression and the intricate dynamics of Kurdish identity and politics in Syria, particularly in the context of the Arab Spring. New Conflicted Season 5 episodes will be coming every two weeks, but if you want to have your Conflicted fix every single week, then you'll have to join our Conflicted Community. Subscribers will get bonus episodes every other week, and can also join our Conflicted Community chatroom, where you can interact with fellow dearest listeners, discuss episodes past and future, get exclusive messages from Thomas and Aimen, ask future Q&A questions and so much more. All the information you need to sign up to the Conflicted Community is on this link: https://conflicted.supportingcast.fm/  Conflicted is proudly made by Message Heard, a full-stack podcast production agency which uses its extensive expertise to make its own shows such as Conflicted, shows for commissioners such as the BBC, Spotify and Al Jazeera, and powerfully effective podcasts for other companies too. If you'd like to find out how we can help get your organisation's message heard, visit messageheard.com or drop an email to hello@messageheard.com! Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MHconflicted And Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MHconflicted Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Conflicted takes on… the Syrian Civil War.  In the wake of the fall of Assad, with the Syrian Civil War over, at least for the moment, Conflicted is bringing you a bit of a retrospective. In the coming episodes, we'll be inviting Syrians and other people who experienced the conflict, from a multitude of different perspectives, onto the show to tell us about their experiences of the war. In doing so, we want to create a kind of narrative history as we make sense of this most complex of conflicts from as many angles as we can. In our first episode, we have an old friend of the show Wassim Nasr, a journalist for France24, who Conflicted Community members will remember from when we spoke to him about his incredible reporting from the Sahel Region of Africa. But Wassim's reporting on Syria is equally enlightening, with some of the greatest access you will see anywhere. He has been on the ground in Syria throughout the conflict, and was in fact one of the first Western journalists to meet with Ahmed Al-Sharaa, now the country's interim president, after Assad's fall.  In this episode, we're setting up some crucial context for the Syrian Civil War through the surprising rise of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), providing a nuanced understanding of their evolution from an Al-Qaeda affiliate to a pragmatic political force that ultimately took control of the country. And then to top it all off, we'll hear all about Wassim's two meetings with Al-Sharaa… New Conflicted Season 5 episodes will be coming every two weeks, but if you want to have your Conflicted fix every single week, then you'll have to join our Conflicted Community. Subscribers will get bonus episodes every other week, and can also join our Conflicted Community chatroom, where you can interact with fellow dearest listeners, discuss episodes past and future, get exclusive messages from Thomas and Aimen, ask future Q&A questions and so much more. All the information you need to sign up to the Conflicted Community is on this link: https://conflicted.supportingcast.fm/  Conflicted is proudly made by Message Heard, a full-stack podcast production agency which uses its extensive expertise to make its own shows such as Conflicted, shows for commissioners such as the BBC, Spotify and Al Jazeera, and powerfully effective podcasts for other companies too. If you'd like to find out how we can help get your organisation's message heard, visit messageheard.com or drop an email to hello@messageheard.com! Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MHconflicted And Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MHconflicted Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From April 9, 2016: This week on the podcast, we welcome Eric Schwartz, the Dean of the Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota. Schwartz previously served as U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees, and Migration. In our conversation, he sketches the key aspects of U.S. refugee policy, explaining how it both protects the security of the United States and at times undermines its ability to accept refugees. Schwartz, who believes the United States has an interest in alleviating the Syrian refugee crisis, outlines what a coherent refugee policy would look like, and argues that the reforms must go beyond simply accepting more refugees.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.

In this episode... 00:01:24 - Combat Update 00:08:27 - Ukraine does two high-profile assassinations of Russian officers. The Jailor of Olenivka and the General of Conspiracy Theorists 00:21:19 - Russian shipwrecks show the dangers of their off-the-books "shadow fleet" 00:27:39 - US pressures Ukraine to lower mobilization age, which Ukraine rejects 00:43:52 - Ukraine is moving forward with legislation that would allow multiple citizenships 00:54:39 - Updates on Romanian elections controversy 01:04:17 - Update on Georgian protests 01:10:58 - The Syrian Civil War comes to a close as Assad flees for Moscow Twitter Anthony: @Bartaway Romeo: @VagrantJourno Ukraine Without Hype: @HypeUkraine Other Social Media http://youtube.com/@UkraineWithoutHype http://tiktok.com/@ukrainewithouthype http://instagram.com/ukrainewithouthype/ Patreon https://www.patreon.com/UkraineWithoutHype Resources and Charities https://linktr.ee/ukrainewithouthype Music Shchedryk - Carol of the Bells (Traditional)

Last week marked a historic turning point in Syria. Rebel forces seized control of the nation, toppling the regime of Bashar al-Assad and ending his family's brutal 50-year stranglehold on power. For decades, the Assad dynasty ruled through unimaginable violence—launching chemical attacks on civilians, silencing dissent with mass imprisonment and torture, and presiding over a civil war that killed an estimated 600,000 people and drove 13 million into exile. In cities across the world, jubilant Syrians have celebrated the regime's downfall, having deemed it to be one of the world's most oppressive dictatorships. But not everyone is celebrating. Or at least, some people are saying there is reason for caution. That's because the coalition of rebel forces taking control of Syria now is led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, a militant Islamist organization which originated as an offshoot of al-Qaeda. Its leader is a Saudi-born Syrian who calls himself Abu Mohammad al-Jolani. A 21-year-old al-Jolani left Syria for Iraq in 2003 to join al-Qaeda and fight against America. There, he was captured by the U.S. and put into Bucca jail, which housed some of the most notorious al-Qaeda prisoners. But since emerging on the world stage in the last week, al-Jolani has indicated that he is a reformed man, leading a moderated organization. He insists his al-Qaeda days and their methods—the detentions and torture and forced conversions—are over, and HTS is not going to persecute religious and ethnic minorities. But is it… true?  Few people in the West might know that answer as well as journalist Theo Padnos. In October 2012, Padnos ventured from Turkey into Syria to report on the Syrian Civil War. There, he was captured by HTS (then known as Jabhat al-Nusra) and held captive for nearly two years.  Throughout his captivity, Padnos endured relentless torture at the hands of his captors. He was savagely beaten until unconscious, given electric shocks, and forced into severe stress positions for hours at a time. All of this is to say nothing of the psychological torment inflicted on him. Today, he joins Michael Moynihan to discuss his harrowing experience, the psychology of jihadists, and what the future of Syria will look like under the leadership of his former captors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you like learning about the current news and improving your English for your next English conversation, this English lesson is for you. While watching a news report about Israel, Türkiye, and the U.S. bombing the newly-freed country of Syria and hearing a tragic story of Syria's past, you will learn English phrasal verbs, English idioms,, and other advanced English vocabulary that can really stump English learners.

Dan is joined by the Defence Editor for The Economist, Shashank Joshi, to explore the origins of the brutal Syrian civil war that has left the country in ruin and with an uncertain future. They unravel the complex political and cultural history of the region to explain why we're seeing turmoil today and what sense it could give us about what might happen now that the Assad regime has fallen.Written by Dan Snow, produced by Mariana Des Forges and edited by Max CarreySign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.  

Darrell Castle tries to make sense of the Syrian Civil War which has been raging sometimes hot and sometimes cold for many years. Transcription / Notes: THE NEO-OTTOMAN EMPIRE Hello, this is Darrell Castle with today's Castle Report. This is Friday the 13th day of December in the year of our Lord 2024. I will be talking about the Syrian Civil War which has been raging sometimes hot and sometimes cold for many years. It's very difficult to make sense out of something that makes no sense, but I will try to do so. This is the Christmas season here in the Castle household and therefore it is the last Friday that I will be able to bring the Castle Report this year. I will join you again, God willing, on Friday, January 3, 2025. Enjoy the holidays with those you love and by all means celebrate Christmas. The title of this report indicates that I am taking the position that Turkey won the Syrian Civil War because the fall and removal of strong man Bashar al Assad paves the way for strong man Recep Tayyip Erdogan to emerge and reap the benefits of the demise of the Assad family's hold over Syria which has lasted for some 60 years. Erdogan came to power in Turkey in 2014 and my position is that he imagines himself to be the return of Suleiman the Magnificent who ruled the Ottoman Empire in the 1500's when it was at the peak of its power. The Ottoman Empire served as the connection between the Middle east and Europe for some 600 years. The Ottoman Empire, sometimes referred to as the Turkish Empire, ruled the Middle East until it was defeated and dissolved with the British and American victory in World War l. The destruction of the Ottoman Empire led to the power vacuum that has existed, at least to some degree, until today. Great Britain created the nations of the Middle east after its victory by simply drawing lines on the sand and making a map with those lines as separate countries which were really just a collection of Nomadic Tribes. I believe Erdogan came to power in Turkey with a dream of returning his country to the greatness it once had and he is currently going about the business of rebuilding the Ottoman Empire under Turkish control. His rebuilding uses overt war as we have recently seen, but it also operates through diplomacy and even subterfuge which he used to gain acceptance into NATO. Yes, that's right, this Muslim country of Turkey, whose culture, religion, and way of life is completely averse to those of the West is a full-fledged NATO member. A close member of Erdogan's inner circle of advisors recently said in a public interview that the goal of the Erdogan administration is the destruction of Western Civilization. The NATO alliance should remove Turkey because of that, but the problem is that the NATO charter has no provision for involuntarily removing a member or kicking someone out. A majority of NATO members may want Turkey out but the alliance is pretty woke right now and must think this is a woke world, so they try to read the tea leaves and apparently that requires more fear of being labeled Islamophobic than it does having an enemy nation in its midst. Erdogan, in the meantime, apparently seeks to Islamize Europe through Muslim immigration. He has, in essence, held Europe hostage and demanded money to prevent refugees from traveling upward from Syria through Turkey into Europe. The Europeans have paid the ransom in the past but right now one out of every 20 Syrians in the world resides in Germany thanks to Erdogan and the policies of former Chancellor Angela Merkel. I could go on with this Neo-Ottoman story all day but to sum it up a little he is putting together a collection of Sunni nations in opposition to the Shiites that have ruled Syria in the past by way of Iran and to some extent Iraq. This is a coalition against Iran in other words, which brings me to how this played out in the war. I imagine that right now the leaders in Iran are feeling regret that they allowed their p...

ANOTHER EMERGENCY EPISODE Things are, as ever, moving at lightning speed in the Middle East, as last weekend on December 8th, Bashar al-Assad and his Syrian regime fell. After 13 years of civil war, and more than 50 years of his family's rule, in an extraordinary turn of events rebel groups from the south and the north marched on Damascus. Assad has fled to Moscow; the future for Syria is unclear. It's one of the most momentous events in modern Middle Eastern history, so this week Thomas invited one of the world's leading experts on the Syrian Civil War onto the show to help make sense of it (and he's a dear listener to Conflicted himself!) – Aaron Zelin. Aaron is the Gloria and Ken Levy Fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, a Visiting Research Scholar in the Department of Politics at Brandeis University, the founder of the hugely acclaimed website Jihadology, and the author of the really excellent book Your Sons Are At Your Service: Tunisia's Missionaries of Jihad. Many listeners will no doubt have also been glued to his social media feeds over the past week, for updates and analysis, as he brought his incredible insight in real time as Assad's regime melted away. Thomas and Aaron discuss the incredible events over the weekend, before looking ahead to what the future might hold for Syria's minority communities – from the Kurds to the Alawites – and how this new regime will affect the always fascinating geopolitics of the region. To listen to the full episode, you'll need to subscribe to the Conflicted Community. And don't forget, subscribers can also join our Conflicted Community chatroom, where you can interact with fellow dearest listeners, discuss episodes past and future, get exclusive messages from Thomas and Aimen, ask future Q&A questions and so much more. All the information you need to sign up is on this link: https://conflicted.supportingcast.fm/  Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MHconflicted And Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MHconflicted Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ed Morrissey, Managing Editor at Hot Air, and host of the Ed Morrissey Podcast, joins Seth to discuss President Biden's absence from the national scene, the Syrian opposition's recent victory in the Syrian Civil War, UnitedHealthcare shooting suspect Luigi Mangione, and more!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, we get into the complexities of the Syrian Civil War with recurring guest Brace Belden, a volunteer soldier who fought alongside the Kurdish YPG forces. Brace shares his firsthand experiences from the frontlines, shedding light on the motivations that led him to join the conflict, the challenges of fighting in a foreign land, and the human stories often overlooked in mainstream narratives. Plus, we get into the college football playoff ranking, new Jay Z and Diddy news and the UnitedHealthCare CEO. (00:02:23) College Football (00:05:53) Jay Z & Diddy (00:12:50) Syrian Civil War (ft. Brace Belden) (01:07:30) UnitedHealthCare CEOYou can find every episode of this show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube. Prime Members can listen ad-free on Amazon Music. For more, visit barstool.link/macrodosing

Join us for a special MidEast Update live from CONNECT with Amir! Gain fresh insights as Amir explores the prophetic and modern significance of Syria and Damascus, from their biblical roots to the rise of the Assad regime and Shia influence. He'll also uncover the dynamics of Julani and his organization, offering a comprehensive perspective on the region. Amir will also answer's your questions in the last portion of the update. Don't miss this opportunity to deepen your understanding of these critical events!Syria, Damascus, Hafez Al-Assad, Syrian Civil War, ISIS, Iran, Israel, Turkey, Bible Prophecy, Chemical Weapons, Middle East Update, Israel's Defense, Nuclear Conflict, Israeli Air Force, Biblical Significance, Christian Faith, Future of Damascus, Middle East PoliticsConnect with us on social:Telegram: @beholdisraelchannelInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amir.tsarfati/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beholdisrael/X: https://x.com/beholdisraelYouTube: https://youtube.com/@beholdisrael

Deposed Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad was never someone to reason with. Comparison between Assad's replacement, rebel leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani, and the West's embrace of the Ayatollah Khomeini in 1979 ahead of the disastrous Iranian Revolution. Brandon Weichert, geopolitical analyst and best-selling author of "A Disaster of Our Own Making: How the West Lost Ukraine" and other books, on whether Syria will become a better place in the wake of the Syrian opposition's victory in the Syrian Civil War.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

13 years after the Syrian Civil War began, and with Assad now removed from power, people in the country are finally able to ask questions about the atrocities that took place in that time and what became of their loved ones. We speak to two women, cousins, who are searching for a male relative who disappeared into the Assad regime's prison complex. We also ask about the risk of an ISIS resurgence amid the uncertainty of Syria's political transition."Completely unjust and an insult to the intelligence of the American people", the words shouted out by the man charged with murdering the CEO of UnitedHealthcare as he was escorted into court.And have we misunderstood Munch? The Norwegian painter known for works like The Scream had a more sociable side, which we explore with one of his biographers, whose godmother became one of his subjects.

You're Listening to Parallax Views https://parallaxviews.podbean.com/ Support the Show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/parallaxviews Recording Date: 12-08-24 On this edition of Parallax Views, Bashar al-Assad has fled Syria as the country's rebels have taken over the capital, Damascus. Assad has been President of Syria since 2000. His toppling at the hands of Syrian rebels, most notably Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham led by Abu Mohammed al-Golani, represents a historic moment both for Syria, which has been ravaged by a civil war since March 2011, and the wider Middle East. What does this mean for all the various players in the region such as Iran, Turkey, the U.S., Russia, the Kurds, Islamic State, and, perhaps most importantly, Syria itself? In order to answer some of these questions, journalist, scholar, and frequent Parallax Views guest James M. Dorsey returned to the program to unpack this historic moment. We'll discuss the potential scenarios for Syria's future, the question of HTS and its relationship to ultra-conservative Sunni Islam, jihadism, the winners and losers in this moment of Syria's history, the Syrian Civil War, Obama's record in Syria, U.S. President-elect Trump's comments that the U.S. should not get involved in Syria going forward, and much, much more!

In this episode of The President's Daily Brief:     First, senior members of the incoming Trump administration have begun holding high level talks with leaders from Kyiv, seeking to narrow large differences in their visions for how to bring the war in Ukraine to a close ahead of Trump's return to the White House in January. Later in the show, Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants have declared their intention to fight against rebel insurgents in Syria on behalf of the Assad regime, as Israel warns that the regime's defenses are at risk of collapse. Plus, authorities in the U.K. have taken down a sprawling billion-dollar Russian money-laundering network used by foreign spies and Russian elites seeking to bypass international sanctions. In our 'Back of the Brief' segment, a tragic update out of Israel, as a long awaited probe by the Israeli Defense Forces has found that six hostages whose bodies were recovered from Gaza in August were likely killed by their Hamas guards back in February as Israeli forces closed in. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President's Daily Brief by visiting PDBPremium.com. Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief.     YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief  Patriot Gold: Call 1-888-870-5457 for a free investor guide. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brandon Weichert, geopolitical analyst and best-selling author of "A Disaster of Our Own Making: How the West Lost Ukraine" and other books, on the battle to confirm President-elect Trumps nominee for Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, the Syrian rebels' offensive in the Syrian Civil War, South Korean President Yoon's decision to declare martial law, and the growing pandemonium of the world prior to Trump's inauguration in January.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join Brian McCall and Murray Rundus as they discuss this week's storiesSubscribe to the paper: https://simplecirc.com/subscribe/17820213The South Korean Martial Law SituationHunter Biden PardonedThe Syrian Civil War explodesLocals United Healthcare CEO MurderedDon't miss the extra story! Become a supporter at: https://catholicfamilynews.locals.com• Angelico Press: https://angelicopress.com/catholicfamilynews• Sophia Institute Press: https://sophiainstitute.com/product-category/books/ref/63/• TAN Books: https://tanbooks.com/?rfsn=7859550.9cf541Follow us on Rumble! https://rumble.com/c/c-390435#catholic #CFN #christianityCozen O'Connor Public Strategies - The Beltway BriefingListen for of-the-moment insider insights, framed by the rapidly changing social and... Ask Me Anything - EP. 6 "Therapy, Medication + Mental Health"The podcast where we answer IT ALL! Watch or Stream on Youtube and all streaming platformsListen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Syrian anti-government insurgents claim they have entered the city of Hama — a major Syrian government stronghold.This continues their momentum over the last week, when they also seized Syria's second largest city, Aleppo. Since the war started in 2011, half a million people have been killed and many millions of others displaced.The Syrian Civil War has been locked in a stalemate for years. Now, rebel forces are gaining ground against the oppressive regime of Bashar al-Assad. Will the group ultimately end his control over the country?For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.Email us at considerthis@npr.org.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

It's an EmMajority Report Thursday! She speaks with John Carl Baker, director of programs at Ploughshares, to discuss the ongoing political unrest in South Korea. Then, she speaks with Giorgio Cafiero, CEO of Gulf State Analytics & adjunct assistant professor at Georgetown University, to discuss the recent developments in Syria after rebel forces entered Aleppo. First, Emma runs through updates on the search for the UnitedHealthcare CEO's killer, SCOTUS' oral arguments on Tennessee's ban on trans care for minors, Memphis Police discrimination, Trump's elite-led cabinet, questions about Tulsi Gabbard's loyalties, Pete Hegseth's myriad embarrassments, Israel's genocide in Gaza, Trump's legal woes, and the future of Democratic leadership, before parsing a little deeper through yesterday's oral arguments for US v. Skrmetti in front of the Supreme Court, and the fear that they might uphold Tennessee's violently transphobic policy. John Carl Baker then joins, diving right into a step-by-step breakdown of how South Korean President Yoon's attempt (and failure) to declare and enforce martial law last Tuesday developed, beginning with his declaration and assembling of soldiers and police around the National Assembly, through the rampant protests to allow legislatures to enter the assembly to vote down Yoon's attempted coup, and to the overwhelming 190-0 (in an assembly of 300) veto of the President's martial law. After briefly touching on the limited vocal support for Yoon from among his conservative allies, Baker steps back to explore the history of South Korea's conservative ties to dictatorship, beginning with Japan's brutal 30-year occupation of Korea through the end of the Second World War – an occupation bolstered by cooperation and support from conservative, capitalist, and right-wing Koreans – and through the sequential regimes of Chon Doo-hwan and Park Chung-hee from the 1960s-80s, with Park Geun-hye (daughter of Chung-hee) even rising to the Presidency just a decade ago only to be impeached over her corrupt practices, also unpacking the continued prevalence of authoritarian strains within the South Korean right over the last century. He and Emma then look at the non-coup-related failures of Yoon's regime that created both his overwhelming unpopularity and the strong opposition he sought to undermine via coup, wrapping up the interview by unpacking the role of the US in backing Yoon's regime, and what the ideal future of US-Korean relations would look like to the Korean electorate. Professor Giorgio Cafiero then joins, first running through updates on the recent sweeping offensives by Syrian rebels, successfully taking both Aleppo and Hama from the Assad regime, before taking a sharp step back as he walks us through the evolution of the 13-year Civil War, beginning with the Arab spring and spurring the intervention of myriad regional and international actors, through the 2015 intensification of conflict at the hand of increased Russian support for Assad and Iranian-backed groups, and to the lull in tensions that started in 2020, only to break this past week. After parsing through the more specific history of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and the deep and complex ties between the Syrian and Iranian regimes, Emma and Professor Cafiero tackle the prevalent role of external conflicts in how the impact of these Syrian Rebel conquests will unfold, with Iran's involvement in Hezbollah's conflict with Israel and Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine giving two major parties conflicting interests. Cafiero expands on the precarious state of the Syrian state at this moment, looking both at what that means for a potential (however brief) lull in conflict and for the future of the Syrian government, before wrapping up with the ongoing role of Israeli relations in shaping Middle Eastern politics. And in the Fun Half: Emma is joined by Brandon Sutton and Matt Binder as they listen to Eddie from Fort Worth's Stetson Kennedy recommendations, talk with Gary from North Carolina about the divide between Trump voters and down-ballot GOP voters, and admire Jane Fonda's performance on Bill Maher. Meg from Seattle unpacks the harrowing and life-threatening impacts of repressive reproductive care, and Megyn Kelly aids in the attempted resuscitation of Pete Hegseth's potential career, plus, your calls and IM! Follow John on Twitter here: https://x.com/johncarlbaker Check out Ploughshares here: https://ploughshares.org/ Follow Giorgio on Twitter here: https://x.com/GiorgioCafiero Check out Gulf State Analytics here: https://gulfstateanalytics.com/ Become a member at JoinTheMajorityReport.com: https://fans.fm/majority/join Follow us on TikTok here!: https://www.tiktok.com/@majorityreportfm Check us out on Twitch here!: https://www.twitch.tv/themajorityreport Find our Rumble stream here!: https://rumble.com/user/majorityreport Check out our alt YouTube channel here!: https://www.youtube.com/majorityreportlive Join Sam on the Nation Magazine Cruise! 7 days in December 2024!!: https://nationcruise.com/mr/ Check out StrikeAid here!; https://strikeaid.com/ Gift a Majority Report subscription here: https://fans.fm/majority/gift Subscribe to the ESVN YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/esvnshow Subscribe to the AMQuickie newsletter here: https://am-quickie.ghost.io/ Join the Majority Report Discord! http://majoritydiscord.com/ Get all your MR merch at our store: https://shop.majorityreportradio.com/ Get the free Majority Report App!: http://majority.fm/app Go to https://JustCoffee.coop and use coupon code majority to get 20% off your purchase! 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PREVIEW: SYRIA/TURKEY Colleague Sinan Ciddi of FDD identifies the limits of President Erdogan's deft support for the reignited Syrian civil war. More on Turkey tonight. 1920 French Mandate Syria

The Syrian Civil War has reignited, with rebel forces pushing farther into President Bashar al-Assad's territory. Scott Peterson looks at how Iran can help the Syrian president amidst a host of other regional issues. Also in today's package, the powerful and intimate nature of radio to handle Malawian taboos, 2024 being both The Year of Elections and the Bonfire of the Incumbents, and a construction company's next generation modular construction method. Join the Monitor's Clay Collins and Stephen Humphries for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

With wars raging in Israel and Lebanon, no one was watching neighbouring Syria. Until an alliance of rebel forces launched an astonishing offensive a week ago, sweeping the north and taking the prized city of Aleppo. But who are they, who backs them, and why now?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestoryHost: Manveen Rana.Guest: Mark Urban, Writer and Columnist, The Sunday Times.Clips: Channel 4 News, SkyNews, ABC News, The Telegraph.Image credit: Getty Images.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Don't call it a comeback! Four years after the last embers appeared to have been snuffed out, this week, the Syrian Civil War shocked fans by announcing it's getting the band back together. Is the world's most confusing conflict about to get explicable? Not entirely. We'll be explaining why the situation in Aleppo is not something you'll brush up on soon.Meanwhile… The fireworks guns have been a great special effects innovation. Madam President is certainly giving a hammy turn of character acting. But the script is stale. The dialogue is dreary. Frankly, the franchise is dying. Is this the last of the colour revolutions? Finally, The French can't pass a budget. The Prime Minister is about to resign. The President himself is running around the middle east gladhanding potential bond buyers. Two and a half months on from his bold gambit, things are looking positively pre-revolutionary in the Elysee Palace. Macron has kicked the can down the road – now the can is kicking back. This is a Premium Episode. Available through Patreon to subscribers. Subscribing is quick and easy. Go to Patreon.com. Search Multipolarity. Pay $5 or £5 or €5 a month. Get this episode - and many more.

Foreign correspondent Ruth Michaelson explains how President Bashar al-Assad's government lost Aleppo, Syria's second-biggest city, and who the Islamist militants are who have taken control there Because of industrial action taking place by members of the National Union of Journalists at the Guardian and Observer this week, you may notice some disruption to the availability of new episodes in your Guardian podcast feeds in the coming days. All the work on this episode was done before the strike action began. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

EMERGENCY EPISODE In another hugely dramatic turn in the Middle East, the Syrian civil war has reignited. On November 27th 2024, Abu Mohammad al-Julani's HTS reconquered huge swathes of the North West of the country, including the key city of Aleppo. Conflicted is here with an emergency explainer episode to try and decipher exactly what has gone on in Syria over the past week, and indeed the past decade, to give you the context you need to understand it. Thomas and Aimen are going back to a country that has felt dormant and out of the news for years, but where conflict has now reignited. We'll go back to the emergence of Julani as a force initially within Al-Qaeda, tracing his history to explain the complicated dynamics at play in Syria's civil war – we'll discuss the Nusra Front, its transformation into HTS and break with Al-Qaeda, plus more background on everyone from the Kurds to the assortment of other rebel groups, to Hezbollah, Iran and more… And now, with a temperamental ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel in force, we'll examine just how Julani took his chance to seize key areas from the weakened Assad regime.  But what are the larger geopolitical forces at play? How will regional powers respond? And does this spell the end for Assad? New Conflicted episodes will be coming every two weeks, but if you want to have your Conflicted fix every single week, then you'll have to join our Conflicted Community. Subscribers will get bonus episodes every other week, and can also join our Conflicted Community chatroom, where you can interact with fellow dearest listeners, discuss episodes past and future, get exclusive messages from Thomas and Aimen, ask future Q&A questions and so much more. All the information you need to sign up to the Conflicted Community is on this link: https://conflicted.supportingcast.fm/  Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MHconflicted And Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MHconflicted Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lawfare Foreign Policy Editor and Georgetown professor Daniel Byman sits down with Charles Lister, Director of Syria and Countering Terrorism & Extremism Programs at the Middle East Institute for an update on the Syrian opposition taking Aleppo and the prospects for the civil war going forward. They discuss the status of the Syrian conflict; the nature of the key group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham; why conflict happened now; and what might happen going forward.You can watch a video version of their conversation here.To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/c/trumptrials.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

0:00 - Intro 6:40 - Jolani and HTS 16:33 - Why did the Rebels Act Now? 30:30 - Will the Rebels Unite? 34:30 - Was the revolution worth it? 46:25 - Will this offensive cause problems for Gaza? 59:15 - Are Syrians Hopeful? 1:06:20 - Are the secret police still active?  1:10:10 - Reconstruction Bilal Abdul Kareem, born Darrell Lamont Phelps in 1970 in New York, is an American-born journalist and war correspondent known for his coverage of the Syrian Civil War. He initially gained recognition for his work with CNN and has been associated with other major news networks like the BBC and Channel 4. Kareem converted to Islam and has a background that spans from acting and stand-up comedy to activism, particularly focusing on AIDS awareness in his earlier years. His journalistic career took a significant turn when he began documenting the Syrian conflict in 2012, where he founded his own media outlet, On the Ground News (OGN). Kareem's work has often placed him in proximity to insurgent groups, earning him both praise for his courage and criticism for perceived biases.  His reporting style has been noted for providing a unique perspective from within rebel-held territories, often focusing on the lives of civilians and fighters. Kareem has claimed to have survived multiple drone strikes, alleging that he was placed on a U.S. "kill list" due to his reporting, which led him to file a lawsuit against the U.S. government. This case was dismissed citing state secrets privilege. In August 2020, he was arrested by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an al-Qaeda offshoot in northern Idlib, Syria, on charges of incitement and working with groups that harm public security, but was released after six months. His work continues to focus on the humanitarian aspects of conflicts, often putting him at personal risk but also earning him a following among those interested in grassroots journalism from conflict zones. YOUR GIFTS SUPPORT THE MAD MAMLUKS PODCAST: Please support us on https://Patreon.com/themadmamluks You can also support us on through PayPal VISIT OUR SOCIALS FOR MORE DISCUSSIONS: Twitter https://twitter.com/TheMadMamluks Instagram https://www.instagram.com/themadmamluks/ Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@themadmamluks SIM: https://twitter.com/ImranMuneerTMM MORT: https://www.tiktok.com/@morttmm  

This week, Erin Flanagan and Jake Shropshire run through some updates in US politics, including how President Joe Biden pardoned his son Hunter Biden, and some of Donald Trump's incoming appointments, some of whom helped write Project 2025. Then they discuss the ongoing situation in Syria with the resparking of the Syrian Civil War and involvement by Russia and Iran to push back opposition forces around Aleppo, and how it all relates to Hamas, Israel, and the situation in Gaza. Finally, they break down the recent 2024 Irish Elections, what the exit polls said, how Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael did, and how Michael Martin may become taoiseach.Then, in the Have You Heard rundown of the week's biggest news, they break down how French Prime Minister Michel Barnier is likely to be ousted by the far right and the left in the French parliament and who French President Emmanuel Macron could pick in his place, Israel attacking Lebanon in violation of last week's ceasefire and Israel's claim that Hezbollah hasn't retreated, the UK voting to approve assisted dying for terminally ill patients who have a short life expectancy, how South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol just declared martial law and accusing opposition parties of colluding with North Korea, and Belgium making history as the first country to allow sex workers to sign employment contracts which will allow them access to social benefits denied to them for decades. Sources for…Joe Biden Pardoning Hunter Biden:The AP - Biden pardons his son Hunter despite previous pledges not toBBC - White House defends Biden as Republicans and Democrats criticise pardon for HunterDonald Trump and Project 2025:The AP - After Trump's Project 2025 denials, he is tapping its authors and influencers for key rolesCBS News - See the list of Trump Cabinet picks and more White House appointments so farThe Bulwark Podcast - Bill Kristol and Elaina Plott Calabro: A Sordid LotOngoing Syrian Civil War:CNN - What's Happening in Syria? A Simple GuideAl Jazeera - Syria Tracker: Maps and ChartsBBC - More Russian strikes as Syrian rebels advance after taking AleppoReliefWeb - Escalation of hostilities in Syria - Flash update #1 (December 2nd, 2024)2024 Irish Elections:BBC - Fianna Fáil emerges as largest party in Irish electionThe Guardian - Ireland Election 2024: Full ResultsFrance 24 - Greens, far-right among big losers in Irish voteHave You Heard Headlines:Le Monde - French PM forces social security budget bill through, exposing his government to a no-confidence voteCNN - Israel threatens to ‘go deeper' into Lebanon as strikes strain ceasefireBBC - What is assisted dying and how could the law change?Washington Post - South Korean president says he will lift martial law after protestsNPR - Belgium becomes first country to give sex workers robust labor rights and protections

Extended interview with Associated Press reporter Kareem Chehayeb on the latest news from Syria and President-elect Donald Trump's pick of Lebanese-born billionaire Massad Boulos to serve as his new adviser on Arab and Middle Eastern affairs. Boulos is the father-in-law of Trump's daughter Tiffany.

#AL QAEDA: #ISIS: SYRIA: Colleague Bill Roggio of FDD profiles the leader of the jihadist alliance, Abu Mohammed al-Julani, who claims to have captured Aleppo in the renewed Syrian civil war. More later. 1898 Damascus

A daily non-partisan, conversational breakdown of today's top news and breaking news stories This Week's Sponsors: – Boll & Branch – Shop the Cyber Event for 25% at bollandbranch.com/monews.  – Aura Picture Frames $45 off best-selling Carver Mat frames. Promo Code: MONEWS   – Factor Meals – Ready-to-eat, chef-prepared delivered meals | 50% Off | CODE: monews50  – Shopify – $1 per-month trial Code: monews Headlines: – Welcome to Mo News (00:00) – Trump Announces Controversial New FBI Director (04:40) – Trump Nominates In-Laws For Key Diplomatic Posts (13:15) – Canadian Prime Minister Meets With Trump Amid Tariff Tension (17:00) – President Biden Pardons His Son After Previous Denials (20:00) – Syrian Rebel Groups Take Control Of Major Syrian City After 13 Years of Civil War (22:50) – Ukrainian President Urges NATO To Let His Country In To End War (32:15) – U.S. Suspends Strategic Partnership With Georgia (The Country) (34:30) – Cyber Monday Sales Set To Hit Records (35:50) – Weekend Storms Threaten Holiday Travel And Football (39:00) – University of Michigan Beats Rival Ohio State, Leading To Brawl On Field (39:45) – Weekend Box Office Numbers: ‘Moana 2,' ‘Wicked,' and ‘Gladiator II' (40:40) – On This Day In History (43:10) — Mosheh Oinounou (@mosheh) is an Emmy and Murrow award-winning journalist. He has 20 years of experience at networks including Fox News, Bloomberg Television and CBS News, where he was the executive producer of the CBS Evening News and launched the network's 24 hour news channel. He founded the @mosheh Instagram news account in 2020 and the Mo News podcast and newsletter in 2022. Jill Wagner (@jillrwagner) is an Emmy and Murrow award- winning journalist. She's currently the Managing Editor of the Mo News newsletter and previously worked as a reporter for CBS News, Cheddar News, and News 12. She also co-founded the Need2Know newsletter, and has made it a goal to drop a Seinfeld reference into every Mo News podcast. Follow Mo News on all platforms: Website: www.mo.news Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mosheh/ Daily Newsletter: https://www.mo.news/newsletter Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@monews Twitter: https://twitter.com/mosheh TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mosheh Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MoshehNews Snapchat: https://t.snapchat.com/pO9xpLY9

Extended interview with Associated Press reporter Kareem Chehayeb on the latest news from Syria and President-elect Donald Trump's pick of Lebanese-born billionaire Massad Boulos to serve as his new adviser on Arab and Middle Eastern affairs. Boulos is the father-in-law of Trump's daughter Tiffany.

This is an excerpt from my podcast This Week in Geopolitics. I record new episodes every Monday so give me a follow if you would like to see more! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/haisean/support

Opposition fighters have launched a surprise offensive into Syria, taking control of President Assad's official residence. Plus: Joe Biden pardons his son Hunter. With Michael Walker and Ash Sarkar.

How He Survived: Abducted, Held Captive, and Tortured in Syria. In today's interconnected world, social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Apple Podcasts have brought global conflicts closer to our screens. Through photos, podcasts, and news stories, we gain a glimpse into the harsh realities faced by those in war zones. But behind these images and headlines are often individuals who risk their lives to bring us these stories. One such individual is Jonathan Alpeyrie, a renowned war photographer who was abducted, held captive, and tortured in Syria for 81 days. His survival story is not only a testament to his resilience but also sheds light on the perilous world of conflict reporting. The interview with Jonathan Alpeyrie is available as a free podcast on the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show website, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and most major podcast platforms.   Jonathan Alpeyrie, a war photographer, was abducted and held captive for 81 days in Syria in 2013. His story is a powerful example of survival in the face of unimaginable hardship. After being betrayed by his fixer while covering the Syrian Civil War, Alpeyrie was handed over to Syrian rebels, shifting from documenting conflict to becoming a victim of it. Check out the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Newsbreak, Medium and most all social media platforms. Surviving Torture and Captivity. How He Survived: Abducted, Held Captive, and Tortured in Syria. During his time in captivity, Alpeyrie endured beatings, psychological torture, and mock executions. Blindfolded and handcuffed, he had no contact with the outside world. Each day was a fight for survival, and Alpeyrie used his wits to stay alive, mimicking the behavior of his captors, praying with them, and even teaching them how to swim. He recalls how his captors alternated between kindness and cruelty, a tactic designed to break his will. Listen to this interview as a free podcast on our website, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and most major podcast platforms. Despite the harrowing conditions, Alpeyrie found strength through a dormant faith, using it as a source of resilience to endure the physical and emotional torture. His ability to adapt to the unpredictable behavior of his captors ultimately helped him survive. Keep informed by following the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, MeWe, Pinterest, Newsbreak, Medium and other social media platforms. Rescue and Life After Captivity After 81 days, Alpeyrie was released when a businessman with ties to the Syrian regime paid a $500,000 ransom. Although his ordeal had ended, the psychological scars remained. It took months for him to recover from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and adjust to life outside captivity. Remarkably, just a year later, Alpeyrie returned to the frontlines, covering the war in Ukraine. The discussion is available as a free podcast on the Law Enforcement Talk Radio how and Podcast website, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and most major podcast platforms. His experience in Syria forced him to reevaluate the dangers of his profession. As a photojournalist, Alpeyrie had always been driven to capture the truth of war. However, his time as a captive made him reconsider the risks involved in pursuing that mission. Sharing His Story. How He Survived: Abducted, Held Captive, and Tortured in Syria. Alpeyrie's survival story resonates with audiences across social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and podcast interviews on platforms such as Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Newsbreak. His experiences are also documented in his book, *The Shattered Lens: A War Photographer's True Story of Captivity and Survival in Syria*. Through his story, Alpeyrie highlights the very real dangers that journalists face while covering conflicts. We cover his journey in platforms like Medium and Newsbreak. Now, Alpeyrie continues to focus on photography. His latest project is a photography book about World War II veterans. Despite the trauma he endured, his passion for capturing history through his lens remains strong. Stay in the know by following the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, MeWe, Pinterest, Newsbreak, Medium and other social media platforms. The Legacy of a Survivor. How He Survived: Abducted, Held Captive, and Tortured in Syria. Jonathan Alpeyrie's ordeal in Syria is a reminder of the risks taken by journalists in conflict zones. Behind every photo or news story from war-torn areas is an individual who has put their life on the line. Alpeyrie's survival is a testament to human resilience, and his work continues to shine a light on the often unseen realities of war. How He Survived: Abducted, Held Captive, and Tortured in Syria. The interview is available as a free podcast on the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show website, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and most major podcast platforms. His story serves as a tribute to the bravery of journalists, who risk everything to document events that would otherwise remain hidden from the world. As we continue to consume news through social media, podcasts, and other platforms, we must remember the courage of those who bring these stories to light. Breakfast With Champions in the Clubhouse Social Audio App a solution for Loneliness? It has helped countless people and might help you too. Best of all Breakfast With Champions and the Clubhouse Social Audio app are both free. Loneliness has become a significant public health concern in the United States, affecting millions across all age groups. The sense of isolation and disconnection can have serious consequences for both physical and mental well-being. Connect and make new friends from around the world daily in the Breakfast With Champions Rooms in the Clubhouse App, get more details on their website, www.TheBWCInfo.com Learn useable tips and strategies to increase your Facebook Success with John Jay Wiley. Both free and paid content are available on this Patreon page. Background song Hurricane is used with permission from the band Dark Horse Flyer Find a wide variety of great podcasts online at The Podcast Zone Facebook Page, look for the one with the bright green logo. Be sure to check out our website. Get your daily dose of Motivation, Education and Inspiration in the Breakfast With Champions Rooms In The Clubhouse app, both are free. Be sure to follow us on MeWe, X, Instagram, Facebook,Pinterest, Linkedin and other social media platforms for the latest episodes and news. Get the latest news articles, without all the bias and spin, from the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast on the Newsbreak app, which is free. Listen to this for free in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, our website or most major podcast platforms. How He Survived: Abducted, Held Captive, and Tortured in Syria. Attributions ABC News CBS News Daily BeastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's Friday, September 27th, A.D. 2024. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 125 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com. I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Adam McManus Small but committed church in Syria Although the Syrian Civil War has faded from the headlines after 13 years, the conflict continues — and a smaller yet more committed church remains, reports International Christian Concern. A United Nations commission recently stated that the war is intensifying as war crimes and fears of a larger regional conflict mount.  Although the Christian population in Syria has dwindled, those who remain are insistent on seeing God's kingdom advance in their homeland. At the start of the conflict, Syria was solidly 8% Christian. Today, only 2% remain.   A Christian in Syria recently told a publication called Le Monde, “The older generation has died out, and the younger ones have rebuilt their lives elsewhere. Most of them have sold their homes.” The count of Christians affiliated with established denominations in Syria has dropped from approximately 2.5 million before the civil war to about 500,000 in 2023. In Matthew 13:31, Jesus talked about how even the small faith of a few people could be transformed, in God's economy, into something spectacular. “The kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.” Hurricane Helene slams Florida with 140 mph winds At 11:10 p.m. Eastern last night, the eye of Hurricane Helene made landfall southwest of Perry, Florida along the Gulf Coast, as a dangerous Category 4 storm with 140-mph winds, reports AccuWeather. The risk to lives and property will remain extreme as Helene plows inland with hurricane-force winds sparking widespread power outages into Georgia that can last for an extended period of time. Additionally, Helene could cause a flooding disaster as it unloads more than a foot of rain in the mountains of North Carolina, South Carolina, and northern Georgia. AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter warned, “Some communities may be cut off with no way to enter or exit for days if there is damage to infrastructure such as bridges and roadways.” In partnership with local churches, Samaritan's Purse will need volunteers to help homeowners in Jesus' Name. You can sign up to be notified to be a volunteer and you can make a donation to help Floridians hit by Hurricane Helene through special links in our transcript today at www.TheWorldview.com. Lila Rose to Trump: “Stand for life” Leading pro-life activist Lila Rose is not backing down in the face of intense condemnation for criticizing Donald Trump's retreat from his former pro-life position, reports LifeSiteNews.com. She reiterated that her purpose is not to depress pro-life voter turnout, but to encourage Trump to change course. Rose is founder and leader of the pro-life group Live Action which produces original investigations into the abortion industry, educational resources on prenatal development, and daily pro-life news and commentary. Since Trump began opposing further federal action on abortion last year and criticizing state pro-life laws, Rose has been one of his sharpest critics among national pro-life leaders. In an August 27th podcast, Rose recalled the “electricity” of Trump addressing the 2020 March for Life as president. Here is what inspired her at the time. TRUMP: “It is my profound honor to be the first president in history to attend the March for Life. (cheers) We're here for a very simple reason, to defend the right of every child, born and unborn, to fulfill their God-given potential. (cheers) “For 47 years, Americans of all backgrounds have traveled from across the country to stand for life. And today, as President of the United States, I am truly proud to stand with you! (cheers) “All of us here today understand an eternal truth: Every child is a precious and sacred gift from God. (cheers) Together, we must protect, cherish, and defend the dignity and the sanctity of every human life. (cheers) When we see the image of a baby in the womb, we glimpse the majesty of God's creation.” Lila Rose said President Trump spoke clearly in 2020 about how the preborn “cannot speak for themselves” and even asked Congress to send him a late-term abortion ban to sign. TRUMP: “To defend the dignity of every person, I am asking Congress to pass legislation to prohibit the late-term abortion of children who can feel pain in the mother's womb.” (cheers) In her August 27th podcast, she urged him to return to that same conviction. ROSE: “President Trump, stand for life. President Trump, if you want the pro-life vote, fight for life. The pro-life vote is not owned. The pro-life vote is earned. And you don't earn the pro-life vote by throwing it under the bus, by listening to whatever pollsters are lying to you and throwing the babies under the bus. “You earn the pro-life vote, and I would say the respect even of the middle moderates, by getting up there and saying, ‘I'm going to fight for what I believe in, for what is good and true. I'm going to fight for the lives of children. “So, what President Trump should say specifically is what he's said in the past: ‘I will fight for life. I will fight for babies. They have no one to defend themselves. They have no one to speak for them. I will help speak for them.' “That he will sign any pro-life legislation that crosses his desk as president, including the pro-life legislation that he used to ask Congress for back in the day. And he should say that he will fight against the abortion expansion of the Democrats. He will fight against the abortion industry that is hell bent on killing and taking innocent human life.” New York City Mayor Eric Adams indicted for bribes And finally, New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been indicted for taking bribes — including $123,000 in free flights and other ritzy perks — from foreign nationals in exchange for favors, reports the New York Post. The historic five-count indictment — the first against a sitting New York City mayor — details an alleged decade-long pattern of corruption by Adams that includes fraudulently obtaining $10 million in public campaign funds. The revelations came after the mayor was indicted by a grand jury on conspiracy, wire fraud, and bribery charges amid the long-running federal probe. In the sprawling indictment, prosecutors laid bare an alleged scheme that helped Adams underwrite his 2021 mayoral campaign while showering him with free hotel rooms, flights on Turkey's national airline, and meals at high-end restaurants. In exchange, the indictment charges that Adams allegedly pressured Big Apple officials to waive inspections and push through approval for the Turkish Consulate in Manhattan. In response, Mayor Adams made this comment at a press conference. ADAMS: “It's an unfortunate day and it's a painful day. It's a day where we will finally reveal why for ten months I have gone through this. I look forward to defending myself.” Democratic Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tweeted, “I do not see how Mayor Adams can continue governing New York City. The flood of resignations and vacancies are threatening government function. Nonstop investigations will make it impossible to recruit and retain a qualified administration. For the good of the city, he should resign." 1 Thessalonians 5:22 says, “Abstain from all appearance of evil." Close And that's The Worldview on this Friday, September 27th, in the year of our Lord 2024. Subscribe by Amazon Music or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

Featuring Abdel Razzaq Takriti, this is the second of what has become a three-part epilogue to Thawra (Revolution), The Dig's series on Arab radicalism in the 20th century. This episode takes us from the disastrous Oslo Accords through the 2000 Camp David Summit and the eruption of the Second Palestinian Intifada. Then the 9/11 attacks, the War on Terror, the US destruction of Iraq, the Arab Spring, the Syrian Civil War, and the rise of Islamic State. A century of Western imperialism had undermined Arab revolutionary movements and governments; the new millennium brought two decades of US-led war that destroyed the Arab state system. Atop its wreckage was the explosion of sectarian violence and murderous authoritarianism across the Arab East. Hope still resides in the power of popular renewal.Support The Dig at Patreon.com/TheDigBuy Visualizing Palestine at haymarketbooks.org Buy Exit Wounds at UCPress.edu Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Featuring Abdel Razzaq Takriti, this is the second of what has become a three-part epilogue to Thawra (Revolution), our series on Arab radicalism in the 20th century. This episode takes us from the disastrous Oslo Accords through the 2000 Camp David Summit and the eruption of the Second Palestinian Intifada. Then the 9/11 attacks, the War on Terror, the US destruction of Iraq, the Arab Spring, the Syrian Civil War, and the rise of Islamic State. A century of Western imperialism had undermined Arab revolutionary movements and governments; the new millennium brought two decades of US-led war that destroyed the Arab state system. Atop its wreckage was the explosion of sectarian violence and murderous authoritarianism across the Arab East. Hope still resides in the power of popular renewal. Support The Dig at Patreon.com/TheDig Buy Visualizing Palestine at haymarketbooks.org Buy Exit Wounds at UCPress.edu

Many of the most brutal cases took place in Aleppo between 2011 and 2013. Also: hundreds of people are reported to have died during this year's Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia as temperatures in Mecca exceeded fifty degrees, and scientists shed light on why some people do not get Covid-19.