Podcasts about Tehran

In this episode of The President's Daily Brief: A leaked document from inside Russia's own Defense Ministry reveals staggering battlefield losses in Ukraine and raises new questions about Moscow's ability to sustain the war. President Trump says he's “sort of made a decision” on supplying long-range Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine—even as the Kremlin ramps up its warnings and threatens retaliation if the plan moves forward. Israel's Shin Bet says it has foiled an Iranian weapons smuggling plot into the West Bank—the latest sign of Tehran's continued efforts to arm and fund anti-Israel militants. And in today's Back of the Brief—a Florida man is arrested for allegedly starting California's deadly Palisades Fire, which killed twelve people earlier this year. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President's Daily Brief by visiting https://PDBPremium.com.Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief.YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief American Financing: Call American Financing today to find out how customers are saving an avg of $800/mo. NMLS 182334, https://nmlsconsumeraccess.org. APR for rates in the 5s start at 6.327% for well qualified borrowers. Call 866-885-1881 for details about credit costs and terms. Visit http://www.AmericanFinancing.net/PDBLean: Visit https://TakeLean.com & use code PDB for 20% off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tate Modern continues to explore the histories of Modern art beyond the European and North American canons that were once its focus. This week it opened the exhibition Nigerian Modernism, and The Art Newspaper's digital editor, Alexander Morrison, speaks to the show's co-curator, Osei Bonsu, and to one of the 50 artists in the exhibition, Jimoh Buraimoh. Before the 12-day war between Israel and Iran in June of this year, the art scene in the Iranian capital, Tehran, was thriving. Sarvy Geranpayeh, one of our correspondents for the Middle East, travelled to Tehran for The Art Newspaper and tells Ben Luke how the art world has responded in the aftermath of the conflict. And this episode's Work of the Week is Cakes (1963) by Wayne Thiebaud, a painting in the National Gallery of Art in Washington that has travelled to the Courtauld Gallery in London for Wayne Thiebaud: American Still Life, the first UK museum exhibition of his art. We visit the show and speak to Barnaby Wright, its co-curator.Nigerian Modernism, Tate Modern, London, until 10 May 2026.Wayne Thiebaud. American Still Life, Courtauld Gallery, London, 10 October-18 January 2026.LAST CHANCE student subscription offer: stay connected to the art world from your first lecture to your final dissertation with a three-year student subscription to The Art Newspaper for just £99/$112/€105. Gift, quarterly and annual subscriptions are also available.https://www.theartnewspaper.com/subscriptions-student?offer=4c1120ea-bc15-4cb3-97bc-178560692a9c Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Conflicted, host Thomas Small is joined by Alex Vatanka, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute and a leading scholar of Iranian domestic and foreign policy. Together, they explore the profound impact of the recent 12-Day War between Iran, Israel, and the United States on the Islamic Republic. As an Iranian who has studied the regime for decades, Alex offers a vital look into the power struggles between revolutionary ideology and Iranian nationalism that are now at play in Tehran. Thomas and Alex discuss the main events of the war, the strategic decisions made by all sides, and the unexpected conclusion that has left Iran in a precarious position. They delve into how the conflict's strategic and economic fallout - from widespread internet blackouts to the regime's military and technological limitations - has humiliated the ruling elite and exposed their vulnerability. The conversation also explores how the war has intensified internal debates, with pragmatic and moderate voices now pushing for political reform and a change in Iran's foreign policy. The episode offers a sobering, yet essential, look at a regime that must now confront its own failures and decide whether to change course or risk total collapse. You can find Alex on X @AlexVatanka 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/  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/MHconflictedLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Iran's Strategy, Setbacks for Hezbollah, and the Chinese Economic Lifeline Guest: Jonathan Sayah Jonathan Sayah discusses US efforts to bolster the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) with $230 million, intending to empower the national identity over sectarian militias like Hezbollah. Iran consistently seeks to arm its proxies, but Hezbollah is currently on its back foot, having lost leadership, money, and the Syria corridor due to Israeli attacks and the new regime in Syria. A peace deal in Gaza would significantly weaken Iran, as stability does not favor the Islamic Republic, which thrives by exploiting regional instability. The morale of the Islamic Republic has crumbled due to external defeats and internal incompetence (failing infrastructure, high inflation). Furthermore, Iran relies heavily on China to purchase oil, utilizing a money-laundering network to evade US sanctions, securing an economic lifeline for the regime in return for natural resources and infrastructure projects. 18666 TEHRAN

Eric welcomes historian Tim Bouverie, author of Allies at War: How the Struggles Between the Allied Powers Shaped the War and the World, to Shield of the Republic. They discuss Tim's fascinating account of the interplay among personalities and larger forces during the Second World War. They touch on Anglo-French relations and the role of Charles de Gaulle, Britain's failed efforts to bring Turkey into the war as an ally, as well as the diplomacy of FDR, Churchill, and Stalin at the wartime conferences at Tehran and Yalta. They discuss the relative success of British and American diplomacy during World War II as well as lessons from the record of wartime diplomacy for alliance management and coalition maintenance today. Allies at War: How the Struggles Between the Allied Powers Shaped the War and the World: https://a.co/d/caX7je6 Appeasement: Chamberlain, Hitler, Churchill, and the Road to War: https://a.co/d/6cPWr7G Tickets to Bulwark Live in DC (10/8) with Sarah, Tim and JVL are on sale now at https://TheBulwark.com/events Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.

Wednesday, October 1st, 2025Today, Secretary of Defense Pete Kegseth told a room full of flag officers to ignore the laws of engagement; Donald Trump says he wants a shutdown so he can “get rid of a lot of Democrat things;” Reagan appointed Judge Young issued an excoriating ruling against the Trump administration in a First Amendment case comparing ICE to the KKK; Oregon mayors condemn Trump's deployment of the National Guard to Portland; a judge rebukes Kari Lake in court alleging contempt; the Trump regime has deported a planeload of Iranians after a deal with Tehran; Kilmar Abrego's lawyers file a reply to the government's response to his Habeas petition before Judge Xinis; a judge orders Trump to preserve $233M in FEMA funding ahead of a potential shutdown; and Allison and Dana deliver your Good News.Guest: Guest: Adam KlasfeldAll Rise NewsAll Rise News - Bluesky, @klasfeldreports.com - BlueSky, @KlasfeldReports - TwitterJudge sounds alarm in ruling denouncing Trump's targeting student protesters | All Rise NewsStoriesTrump Tells Generals the Military Will Be Used to Fight ‘Enemy Within' | Wall Street JournalOregon mayors condemn Trump's plan to send troops to Portland | POLITICOU.S. Deports Planeload of Iranians After Deal With Tehran, Officials Say | The New York TimesJudge orders Trump administration to preserve $233M in FEMA grants it attempted to pull from blue states | POLITICOGood Trouble“Oklahoma has the shortest signature gathering window at 90 days and we must collect a minimum of 173,000 valid signatures, which in reality means we need to get about 300,000 voters to sign our petitions in that 90-day time.  If any of the Leguminati in Oklahoma(or elsewhere) want to help spread the word, and they want to find out when and where to sign the petition to get State Question 836 on the ballot, here is the link: ” Vote Yes 836 - Oklahoma**OCTOBER 18 - NoKings.org, Leave some notes around town to spread the word.**California needs your help | Proposition 50 Vote YES !! Yes On Prop 50 | Special Election Phone Banks - mobilize.us**Help ensure safety of public servants. Hold RFK Jr accountable by signing the letter: savehhs.org, @firedbutfighting.bsky.social on Bluesky**SIGN THE STATEMENT OF SOLIDARITY for the FEMA Katrina Declaration.**How to Organize a Bearing Witness Standout**Fire Kilmeade - foxfeedback@foxnews.com, Submit a request – Fox News**Indiana teacher snitch portal - Eyes on Education**Find Your Representative | house.gov, Contacting U.S. SenatorsFrom The Good NewsVote Yes 836 - OklahomaJuvenile Healing to Wellness Courts Fact Sheet Purpose Area 8The Deathless One | Book by Emma Hamm | Official Publisher Page | Simon & SchusterPizza LuceFOX 25's Wendy Suares questions State Supt. Ryan Walters after he announced his resignation - YouTubePatrons Sponsoring Patrons - The Daily Beans(Mark your calendar for November 14th, 2025 - Chicago, Illinois - Dana)Our Donation LinksNational Security Counselors - DonateMSW Media, Blue Wave California Victory Fund | ActBlueWhistleblowerAid.org/beansFederal workers - email AG at fedoath@pm.me and let me know what you're going to do, or just vent. I'm always here to listen. Find Upcoming Actions 50501 Movement, No Kings.org, Indivisible.orgDr. Allison Gill - Substack, BlueSky , TikTok, IG, TwitterDana Goldberg - BlueSky, Twitter, IG, facebook, danagoldberg.comMore from MSW Media - Shows - MSW Media, Cleanup On Aisle 45 pod, The Breakdown | SubstackReminder - you can see the pod pics if you become a Patron. The good news pics are at the bottom of the show notes of each Patreon episode! That's just one of the perks of subscribing! patreon.com/muellershewrote Our Donation LinksNational Security Counselors - DonateMSW Media, Blue Wave California Victory Fund | ActBlueWhistleblowerAid.org/beansFederal workers - feel free to email AG at fedoath@pm.me and let me know what you're going to do, or just vent. I'm always here to listen. Find Upcoming Actions 50501 Movement, No Kings.org, Indivisible.orgDr. Allison Gill - Substack, BlueSky , TikTok, IG, TwitterDana Goldberg - BlueSky, Twitter, IG, facebook, danagoldberg.comCheck out more from MSW Media - Shows - MSW Media, Cleanup On Aisle 45 pod, The Breakdown | SubstackShare your Good News or Good TroubleMSW Good News and Good TroubleHave some good news; a confession; or a correction to share?Good News & Confessions - The Daily Beanshttps://www.dailybeanspod.com/confessional/ Listener Survey:http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=shortFollow the Podcast on Apple:The Daily Beans on Apple PodcastsWant to support the show and get it ad-free and early?The Daily Beans | SupercastThe Daily Beans & Mueller, She Wrote | PatreonThe Daily Beans | Apple Podcasts Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

⚠️ The Middle East is in the RED ZONE. Tensions between Iran and Israel are rising again, bringing the region closer to the brink of war. At sea, the Freedom Flotilla sails toward Gaza — and tonight we're joined live from aboard the vessel as it nears its destination. Meanwhile, Trump is pushing his “Gaza peace plan” — but will it succeed, or is it doomed from the start?

Join host Samuel Goldsmith for a flavourful journey as he sits down with acclaimed chef and bestselling author Sabrina Ghayour. In this episode, Sabrina shares her passion for modern Middle Eastern cuisine, the stories behind her signature dishes, and the cultural influences that have shaped her culinary career. Discover the secrets to bringing vibrant spices and bold flavours into your own kitchen, and hear Sabrina's insights on food, family, and the art of hospitality. Whether you're a seasoned cook or just starting out, this conversation will inspire you to explore new tastes and traditions. Tune in for delicious inspiration and a fresh perspective on the world of food. Sabrina Ghayour is an award-winning British-Iranian chef, food writer and Sunday Times bestselling author, celebrated for her vibrant take on Middle Eastern and Persian cuisine. Born in Tehran and raised in London, she built her reputation hosting popular supper clubs that showcased her bold, accessible style of cooking. Known as the “Golden Girl of Persian cookery,” Sabrina has authored acclaimed books including Persiana, Sirocco, Feasts, Bazaar and Flavour. Persiana Easy, her most recent book, is out now. Sabrina's recipes champion fresh ingredients, big flavours and the joy of sharing food. Through her writing and media appearances, she has inspired home cooks worldwide to explore the richness of Middle Eastern food. Subscribers to the Good Food app via the App Store get the show ad-free, plus regular bonus content. Download the Good Food app to get started. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of The President's Daily Brief: Europe reels from a wave of unidentified drones that shut down airports, hovered over military bases, and even breached the airspace above a Finnish hydroelectric plant. The United Nations reinstates sanctions and an arms embargo on Iran over its nuclear program, prompting a furious response from Tehran. President Trump orders the deployment of U.S. troops to Portland, Oregon, following ongoing unrest and disputes over federal enforcement. And in today's Back of the Brief—a familiar name returns to the spotlight as former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair is reportedly in talks to lead a transitional authority in Gaza. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President's Daily Brief by visiting https://PDBPremium.com.Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief.YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief TriTails Premium Beef: Reclaim dinner from the jaws of school-year chaos Visit https://trybeef.com/PDB.Birch Gold: Text PDB to 989898 and get your free info kit on gold Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, Martha, Les, Morgan, and Jess discuss the snapback of sanctions on Iran, nearly a decade after the JCPOA was signed. Despite Russian and Iranian attempts to block the move, pre-deal sanctions have been restored with support from Germany, France, and the UK. Tehran denounced the action as illegal and recalled its ambassadors, even as Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian sought to downplay the impact. Washington and the EU piled on with additional sanctions, raising the question: will renewed pressure shift Tehran's behavior, or are we back where we were in 2015?If U.S. strikes on Iran's nuclear program were truly successful, why are sanctions still needed? And while sanctions have, at times, seemed to slow Iran's nuclear ambitions, they haven't stopped Tehran outright. What's the broader strategy here? Can sanctions be more than a stopgap measure or will Iran's nuclear program and alignment with Russia continue to advance despite international pressure?Check out these sources which informed our experts' opinions: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crme84w3n23o @marthamillerdc@morganlroach@NotTVJessJones@lestermunsonLike what we're doing here? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. And don't forget to follow @faultlines_pod and @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/30jQ2Ew5yW8 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Iran is once again under pressure for its nuclear programme. The UN has reimposed sanctions that were lifted under the 2015 nuclear deal. Tehran insists its programme is peaceful, but Western countries say it's not. So, what's next in this long-standing crisis? And does diplomacy still stand a chance? In this episode: Ellie Geranmayeh, Senior Policy Fellow, European Council on Foreign Relations. Mark Fitzpatrick, Associate Fellow, International Institute for Strategic Studies. Marzie Khalilian, Iranian Political Analyst. Host: Nick Clark Connect with us:@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

In this episode of Parallax Views w/ J.G. Michael, I speak with renowned foreign policy expert Vali Nasr about his book Iran's Grand Strategy: A Political History. We examine the historical roots of Iran's political and strategic thinking, from the Persian Empire to the modern Islamic Republic, and explore how ideology, geopolitics, and domestic politics shape Iran's approach to the world. Nasr explains how Iran perceives the United States and its foreign policy, and how this perception informs Tehran's dealings with the U.S., its own diplomacy, and its long-term strategy. He also offers a reassessment of the 1953 Iranian coup d'état, arguing that while the U.S. supported it, the coup itself emerged organically from Iranian political dynamics. And yes, we will discuss the issue of Iran and its nuclear program, including what the strike against Fordow nuclear site entails for Iran.

Born into a well-educated and well-off Syrian family, Ahmed al-Sharaa – also known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammad al-Julani – joined Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's organization, al-Qaeda in Iraq, after the U.S. invasion of that country in 2003. Following the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011, he established al-Qaeda's branch in Syria: Jabhat al-Nusra. In 2016, he severed ties with al-Qaeda, and al-Nusra evolved into Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS — the force that in 2024 toppled Bashar al-Assad's Tehran-backed regime.Today, the former terrorist is the interim president of Syria. With the U.S. bounty on his head gone, he last week became the first ex-al-Qaeda member to address the UN General Assembly – in a suit and tie, no less.The U.S., the Turks, the Saudis, the Qataris, the Israelis, and others want to influence him. FDD's David Adesnik and Ahmad Sharawi join host Cliff May to discuss.

Curious about indie publishing? Physician Paria Hassouri shares her debut journey to self-publish Harvesting Rosewater, centering a woman's midlife awakening.If you've ever been interested in the independent publishing process, you're not alone. Today's revealing conversation with Paria Hassouri, a pediatrician, whose self-published debut, Harvesting Rosewater, recently hit bookstores, takes readers inside her remarkable publishing process. Discover how Paria balances medicine and storytelling in today's under-the-radar debut feature, which centers on a physician's midlife awakening that I guarantee you will not be able to put down.In our illuminating conversation, we explore:Independent Publishing Adventures- Paria opens up about her unique indie publishing path, sharing how she navigated editing, securing book blurbs, and the creative freedom that comes with going her own way—plus the surprises that made the process both challenging and rewarding.Uncovering Autofiction Elements From Paria's Life- Drawing on her own childhood in Iran during the Islamic Revolution, Paria shares personal memories and reflections from this challenging period in her young life in her story. She shares how blending real-life experiences with fiction has allowed her to explore her own identity, belonging, and what she hopes readers will take away from her book.The Women's Life Freedom Movement- We explore how themes of women's rights and resistance shaped this story, offering readers deeper insight into lives under restrictive systems and the tragedy that sparked the movement.

Born into a well-educated and well-off Syrian family, Ahmed al-Sharaa – also known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammad al-Julani – joined Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's organization, al-Qaeda in Iraq, after the U.S. invasion of that country in 2003. Following the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011, he established al-Qaeda's branch in Syria: Jabhat al-Nusra. In 2016, he severed ties with al-Qaeda, and al-Nusra evolved into Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS — the force that in 2024 toppled Bashar al-Assad's Tehran-backed regime.Today, the former terrorist is the interim president of Syria. With the U.S. bounty on his head gone, he last week became the first ex-al-Qaeda member to address the UN General Assembly – in a suit and tie, no less.The U.S., the Turks, the Saudis, the Qataris, the Israelis, and others want to influence him. FDD's David Adesnik and Ahmad Sharawi join host Cliff May to discuss.

In this episode of The President's Daily Brief: Ukraine continues to pound Russia's oil refineries, sparking fuel shortages across the country and leaving Moscow scrambling to respond. Iran fears another war with Israel and is racing to rebuild its missile factories—but experts say Tehran still can't produce the solid fuel needed to power them. The Trump administration says two million illegal immigrants are already out of the country, either deported or self-deported in just eight months. And in today's Back of the Brief—the Trump administration slaps a terrorist label on one of Central America's most violent gangs. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President's Daily Brief by visiting https://PDBPremium.com.Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief.YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybriefBirch Gold: Text PDB to 989898 and get your free info kit on gold Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 390: Shabnam Tolouei — Art Without Borders On this edition of Roqe, Jian Ghomeshi welcomes Iranian-French actress, playwright, and director Shabnam Tolouei. In a conversation spanning both English and Persian, Shabnam reflects on her new short film One Thousand and One Hundred, her journey from Tehran to Paris and now the U.S., and her decades of work amplifying women's voices and minority experiences through theatre and film. The interview explores exile, faith, censorship, and the inner negotiations of an artist who refuses to stop creating. Along the way, Jian and Shabnam also discuss Autumn Dance, Dust-Flower-Flame, and her collaborations with Shirin Neshat and Sepideh Farsi. This episode also features an update on the upcoming Roqe Live 5 event on October 2nd at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts. Brought to you by iWelcome.

On this episode of Rich Valdes America at Night, Alireza Jafarzadeh, Deputy Director of the Washington office of the National Council of Resistance of Iran and whistleblower who first exposed Iran's nuclear program, breaks down the latest UN sanctions against Iran and the order for Tehran to pay 9/11 victims. Then, Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL, 19th District) joins Rich to cover the DC CRIMES Act, Rep. Rashida Tlaib's rhetoric, the issue of illegal alien truckers, and the ongoing fallout from the Charlie Kirk case. Later, Art Del Cueto discusses the Dallas ICE shooting, the dangers ICE agents face nationwide, and how heated rhetoric from the left may be fueling violent acts. Plus, Rich takes your calls and delivers the latest news across America. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you're anything like us, you're a sucker for a good spy show: Homeland, Tehran, Fauda, The Bureau. We're fascinated by the life of spies—the secret meetings in Beirut cafés, the wigs and false identities, the double and triple lives, always one step away from exposure, risking everything for their country. Most of the time, those TV characters are pure fiction and the stories are the stuff of Hollywood. But our guest's new book, The Sword of Freedom, reads just like one of those fantastical thrillers—except every word of it is true. Yossi Cohen—the former director of Mossad, Israel's intelligence agency—spent most of his 38-year spy career in the shadows. He was known only by a letter: Y, or sometimes “The Model,” apparently for his looks. He was, as he writes, “a ghost, never to be seen and unable to be heard. I was invisible, a breath of wind in human form.” Cohen operated under dozens of different identities in some of the most dangerous places for an Israeli, and he personally orchestrated some of the most daring operations in Israel's history: stealing half a ton of Iran's most secret nuclear documents from a warehouse in Tehran; assassinating Iran's top nuclear scientist using an AI-powered machine gun operated remotely via satellite; setting the stage for the pager attack that crippled Hezbollah last year; creating secret relationships with Arab leaders—relationships that changed the direction of the Middle East. If you look online, you'll hear that Mossad has been behind everything from tsunamis to floods to political assassinations of famous Americans. So we could think of no one better to answer the question of what Mossad actually does—and to address the endless conspiracies that swirl around Israel's version of the CIA—than Cohen.  Today, we talk about all of that. It's a rare glimpse inside Mossad, inside the world of real espionage—and a conversation with a man who helped shape history from the shadows, and who clearly is considering a run for prime minister. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

HEADLINE: Iran's Nuclear Standoff Continues; Tehran Seeks Russian Help and New Iraq Smuggling Routes to Support Proxies GUEST NAME: Jonathan Sayah SUMMARY: Jonathan Sayah analyzes Iran's difficult juncture with the IAEA regarding nuclear transparency and reconstitution fears, noting Russian aid and Iranian efforts to sustain proxies via new smuggling routes through Iraq.

HEADLINE: Iran's Nuclear Standoff Continues; Tehran Seeks Russian Help and New Iraq Smuggling Routes to Support Proxies GUEST NAME: Jonathan Sayah SUMMARY: Jonathan Sayah analyzes Iran's difficult juncture with the IAEA regarding nuclear transparency and reconstitution fears, noting Russian aid and Iranian efforts to sustain proxies via new smuggling routes through Iraq. 1870 TEHRAN

The former head of the Israeli Mossad spy agency, Yossi Cohen, joins Mo News for a rare, candid interview about Israel's security challenges and the region's shifting landscape. Cohen led the agency from 2016 to 2021, overseeing the theft of Iran's nuclear archive, covert operations that damaged Tehran's missile and nuclear programs, and back-channel negotiations that paved the way for the Abraham Accords. He is the author of a new book, The Sword of Freedom, discussing his career and the state of the region. Now out of government and weighing political ambitions, he reflects on his tenure and the lessons of the past two years. We discuss: The state of Israel's fight with Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran after the 12-Day War — and how much damage was done to Iran's military and psychological capacity. The October 7 intelligence failure and why Israel missed warnings about Hamas. The damage to Israel's reputation, with rising anti-Israel sentiment, accusations of war crimes and surging antisemitism worldwide. Behind-the-scenes negotiations with Arab leaders, Saudi Arabia's potential as Israel's most influential partner, and the future of a Palestinian state. His view of Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Trump— and when he thinks the war in Gaza will end. Why Mossad is blamed in so many conspiracy theories — like Jeffrey Epstein and the death of Charlie Kirk. Thanks To Our Sponsors:  – ⁠LMNT⁠ - Free Sample Pack with any LMNT drink mix purchase –⁠ Industrious⁠ - Coworking office. 50% off day pass | Promo Code: MONEWS50 – Surfshark - 4 additional months of Surfshark VPN | Code: MONEWS – Leesa – 25% off mattress, plus extra $50 off | Promo Code: MONEWS – Factor Meals – 50% your first box plus free shipping | Promo Code: monews50off – Monarch Money - 50% off your first year | Promo Code: MONEWS

Audiovisual ➡️ fanlink.tv/Y0UTUBE Tracklisting ➡️ soon.. We're proud to present Afrooz with her evocative "Skeleton Kiss". Much like the cocktail from Vancouver's Keefer Bar - smoky, fruity, and tart - this mix balances sweetness with a lingering shadow. Born in Vancouver and raised between there and Tehran, Afrooz is an Iranian DJ and visual artist whose home has always been the dance floor. Her sound isn't bound by genre but guided by rhythm and storytelling, shaped by more than a decade of immersion in rave culture. This journey opens with Khosrow Shakibayi's recital of Forough Farrokhzad's poem Ali Kuchike (Little Ali), setting the tone for a mix that lives in the tension between dreams and reality. As in the poem, where a luminous fish symbolizes beauty and longing yet is dismissed as impractical, Afrooz's selections capture melancholy while holding space for playfulness, curiosity, and wonder. Trippy, gritty, and deeply immersive, her sound is best suited for those who dance with their eyes closed and let the waves take over. The set closes again with the music of Fardin Ameri, a foundational figure in Iran's Minimal scene and a key inspiration for Afrooz. His collaboration with A Blade of Grass ties the journey together, offering both reverence and release — a final Skeleton Kiss that lingers long after the last beat. Cheers! The bartenders Afrooz @afroooz www.instagram.com/afrooz.dj Schirmchendrink @schirmchendrink www.facebook.com/schirmchendrink www.instagram.com/schirmchendrink

PREVIEW: GUEST: Jonathan Sayah SUMMARY: John Batchelor speaks with Jonathan Sayah of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD)about Iran reorganizing its reach to resupply Lebanese Hezbollah after losing the Syria corridor. Iran is using Iraq and newly discovered Iranian units in Syria to continue funding proxies, demonstrating that Iranian influence has not totally reached an impasse. The discussion also reveals that Iran leveraged the chaos in Syria to develop a very particular unit used for operations in Europe. 1870 TEHRAN

In 2007, Tim Weiner published the book Legacy of Ashes. It was a history of the CIA from its founding to the early 2000s. As a university student in Italy, I bought the book as soon as it came out. The second non-fiction book I ever bought in English. The book was riveting. It kickstarted my interest in the CIA and covert operations. Now, Tim Weiner has published a sequel to Legacy of Ashes. His new book is called The Mission: the CIA in the 21st Century (Mariner Books, 2025). It is a gripping and revelatory history of the from the late 1990s to the present. It ranges from 9/11 through the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq to today's battles with Russia and China--and with the President of the United States.  At the turn of the century, the Central Intelligence Agency was in crisis. The end of the Cold War had robbed the agency of its mission. More than thirty overseas stations and bases had been shuttered, and scores that remained had been severely cut back. Many countries where surveillance was once deemed crucial went uncovered. Essential intelligence wasn't being collected. At the dawn of the information age, the CIA's officers and analysts worked with outmoded technology, struggling to distinguish the clear signals of significant facts from the cacophony of background noise.  Then came September 11th, 2001. After the attacks, the CIA transformed itself into a lethal paramilitary force, running secret prisons and brutal interrogations, mounting deadly drone attacks, and all but abandoning its core missions of espionage and counterespionage. The consequences were grave: the deaths of scores of its recruited foreign agents, the theft of its personnel files by Chinese spies, the penetration of its computer networks by Russian intelligence and American hackers, and the tragedies of Afghanistan and Iraq. A new generation of spies now must fight the hardest targets--Moscow, Beijing, Tehran--while confronting a president who has attacked the CIA as a subversive force.  The book reveals how the agency fought to rebuild the espionage powers it lost during the war on terror--and finally succeeded in penetrating the Kremlin. The key message of the book is that the CIA must reclaim its original mission: know thy enemies. This is made even more difficult by the attacks on the intelligence community deployed by the second Trump presidency, from unqualified senior officials to loyalty tests. The fate of the free world hangs in the balance. The Mission includes exclusive on-the-record interviews with six former CIA directors, the top spymaster, thirteen station chiefs, and scores of top operations officers who served undercover for decades and have never spoken to a journalist before. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

In 2007, Tim Weiner published the book Legacy of Ashes. It was a history of the CIA from its founding to the early 2000s. As a university student in Italy, I bought the book as soon as it came out. The second non-fiction book I ever bought in English. The book was riveting. It kickstarted my interest in the CIA and covert operations. Now, Tim Weiner has published a sequel to Legacy of Ashes. His new book is called The Mission: the CIA in the 21st Century (Mariner Books, 2025). It is a gripping and revelatory history of the from the late 1990s to the present. It ranges from 9/11 through the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq to today's battles with Russia and China--and with the President of the United States.  At the turn of the century, the Central Intelligence Agency was in crisis. The end of the Cold War had robbed the agency of its mission. More than thirty overseas stations and bases had been shuttered, and scores that remained had been severely cut back. Many countries where surveillance was once deemed crucial went uncovered. Essential intelligence wasn't being collected. At the dawn of the information age, the CIA's officers and analysts worked with outmoded technology, struggling to distinguish the clear signals of significant facts from the cacophony of background noise.  Then came September 11th, 2001. After the attacks, the CIA transformed itself into a lethal paramilitary force, running secret prisons and brutal interrogations, mounting deadly drone attacks, and all but abandoning its core missions of espionage and counterespionage. The consequences were grave: the deaths of scores of its recruited foreign agents, the theft of its personnel files by Chinese spies, the penetration of its computer networks by Russian intelligence and American hackers, and the tragedies of Afghanistan and Iraq. A new generation of spies now must fight the hardest targets--Moscow, Beijing, Tehran--while confronting a president who has attacked the CIA as a subversive force.  The book reveals how the agency fought to rebuild the espionage powers it lost during the war on terror--and finally succeeded in penetrating the Kremlin. The key message of the book is that the CIA must reclaim its original mission: know thy enemies. This is made even more difficult by the attacks on the intelligence community deployed by the second Trump presidency, from unqualified senior officials to loyalty tests. The fate of the free world hangs in the balance. The Mission includes exclusive on-the-record interviews with six former CIA directors, the top spymaster, thirteen station chiefs, and scores of top operations officers who served undercover for decades and have never spoken to a journalist before. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/political-science

In 2007, Tim Weiner published the book Legacy of Ashes. It was a history of the CIA from its founding to the early 2000s. As a university student in Italy, I bought the book as soon as it came out. The second non-fiction book I ever bought in English. The book was riveting. It kickstarted my interest in the CIA and covert operations. Now, Tim Weiner has published a sequel to Legacy of Ashes. His new book is called The Mission: the CIA in the 21st Century (Mariner Books, 2025). It is a gripping and revelatory history of the from the late 1990s to the present. It ranges from 9/11 through the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq to today's battles with Russia and China--and with the President of the United States.  At the turn of the century, the Central Intelligence Agency was in crisis. The end of the Cold War had robbed the agency of its mission. More than thirty overseas stations and bases had been shuttered, and scores that remained had been severely cut back. Many countries where surveillance was once deemed crucial went uncovered. Essential intelligence wasn't being collected. At the dawn of the information age, the CIA's officers and analysts worked with outmoded technology, struggling to distinguish the clear signals of significant facts from the cacophony of background noise.  Then came September 11th, 2001. After the attacks, the CIA transformed itself into a lethal paramilitary force, running secret prisons and brutal interrogations, mounting deadly drone attacks, and all but abandoning its core missions of espionage and counterespionage. The consequences were grave: the deaths of scores of its recruited foreign agents, the theft of its personnel files by Chinese spies, the penetration of its computer networks by Russian intelligence and American hackers, and the tragedies of Afghanistan and Iraq. A new generation of spies now must fight the hardest targets--Moscow, Beijing, Tehran--while confronting a president who has attacked the CIA as a subversive force.  The book reveals how the agency fought to rebuild the espionage powers it lost during the war on terror--and finally succeeded in penetrating the Kremlin. The key message of the book is that the CIA must reclaim its original mission: know thy enemies. This is made even more difficult by the attacks on the intelligence community deployed by the second Trump presidency, from unqualified senior officials to loyalty tests. The fate of the free world hangs in the balance. The Mission includes exclusive on-the-record interviews with six former CIA directors, the top spymaster, thirteen station chiefs, and scores of top operations officers who served undercover for decades and have never spoken to a journalist before. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/world-affairs

In 2007, Tim Weiner published the book Legacy of Ashes. It was a history of the CIA from its founding to the early 2000s. As a university student in Italy, I bought the book as soon as it came out. The second non-fiction book I ever bought in English. The book was riveting. It kickstarted my interest in the CIA and covert operations. Now, Tim Weiner has published a sequel to Legacy of Ashes. His new book is called The Mission: the CIA in the 21st Century (Mariner Books, 2025). It is a gripping and revelatory history of the from the late 1990s to the present. It ranges from 9/11 through the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq to today's battles with Russia and China--and with the President of the United States.  At the turn of the century, the Central Intelligence Agency was in crisis. The end of the Cold War had robbed the agency of its mission. More than thirty overseas stations and bases had been shuttered, and scores that remained had been severely cut back. Many countries where surveillance was once deemed crucial went uncovered. Essential intelligence wasn't being collected. At the dawn of the information age, the CIA's officers and analysts worked with outmoded technology, struggling to distinguish the clear signals of significant facts from the cacophony of background noise.  Then came September 11th, 2001. After the attacks, the CIA transformed itself into a lethal paramilitary force, running secret prisons and brutal interrogations, mounting deadly drone attacks, and all but abandoning its core missions of espionage and counterespionage. The consequences were grave: the deaths of scores of its recruited foreign agents, the theft of its personnel files by Chinese spies, the penetration of its computer networks by Russian intelligence and American hackers, and the tragedies of Afghanistan and Iraq. A new generation of spies now must fight the hardest targets--Moscow, Beijing, Tehran--while confronting a president who has attacked the CIA as a subversive force.  The book reveals how the agency fought to rebuild the espionage powers it lost during the war on terror--and finally succeeded in penetrating the Kremlin. The key message of the book is that the CIA must reclaim its original mission: know thy enemies. This is made even more difficult by the attacks on the intelligence community deployed by the second Trump presidency, from unqualified senior officials to loyalty tests. The fate of the free world hangs in the balance. The Mission includes exclusive on-the-record interviews with six former CIA directors, the top spymaster, thirteen station chiefs, and scores of top operations officers who served undercover for decades and have never spoken to a journalist before. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/american-studies

In 2007, Tim Weiner published the book Legacy of Ashes. It was a history of the CIA from its founding to the early 2000s. As a university student in Italy, I bought the book as soon as it came out. The second non-fiction book I ever bought in English. The book was riveting. It kickstarted my interest in the CIA and covert operations. Now, Tim Weiner has published a sequel to Legacy of Ashes. His new book is called The Mission: the CIA in the 21st Century (Mariner Books, 2025). It is a gripping and revelatory history of the from the late 1990s to the present. It ranges from 9/11 through the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq to today's battles with Russia and China--and with the President of the United States.  At the turn of the century, the Central Intelligence Agency was in crisis. The end of the Cold War had robbed the agency of its mission. More than thirty overseas stations and bases had been shuttered, and scores that remained had been severely cut back. Many countries where surveillance was once deemed crucial went uncovered. Essential intelligence wasn't being collected. At the dawn of the information age, the CIA's officers and analysts worked with outmoded technology, struggling to distinguish the clear signals of significant facts from the cacophony of background noise.  Then came September 11th, 2001. After the attacks, the CIA transformed itself into a lethal paramilitary force, running secret prisons and brutal interrogations, mounting deadly drone attacks, and all but abandoning its core missions of espionage and counterespionage. The consequences were grave: the deaths of scores of its recruited foreign agents, the theft of its personnel files by Chinese spies, the penetration of its computer networks by Russian intelligence and American hackers, and the tragedies of Afghanistan and Iraq. A new generation of spies now must fight the hardest targets--Moscow, Beijing, Tehran--while confronting a president who has attacked the CIA as a subversive force.  The book reveals how the agency fought to rebuild the espionage powers it lost during the war on terror--and finally succeeded in penetrating the Kremlin. The key message of the book is that the CIA must reclaim its original mission: know thy enemies. This is made even more difficult by the attacks on the intelligence community deployed by the second Trump presidency, from unqualified senior officials to loyalty tests. The fate of the free world hangs in the balance. The Mission includes exclusive on-the-record interviews with six former CIA directors, the top spymaster, thirteen station chiefs, and scores of top operations officers who served undercover for decades and have never spoken to a journalist before. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/national-security

In 2007, Tim Weiner published the book Legacy of Ashes. It was a history of the CIA from its founding to the early 2000s. As a university student in Italy, I bought the book as soon as it came out. The second non-fiction book I ever bought in English. The book was riveting. It kickstarted my interest in the CIA and covert operations. Now, Tim Weiner has published a sequel to Legacy of Ashes. His new book is called The Mission: the CIA in the 21st Century (Mariner Books, 2025). It is a gripping and revelatory history of the from the late 1990s to the present. It ranges from 9/11 through the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq to today's battles with Russia and China--and with the President of the United States.  At the turn of the century, the Central Intelligence Agency was in crisis. The end of the Cold War had robbed the agency of its mission. More than thirty overseas stations and bases had been shuttered, and scores that remained had been severely cut back. Many countries where surveillance was once deemed crucial went uncovered. Essential intelligence wasn't being collected. At the dawn of the information age, the CIA's officers and analysts worked with outmoded technology, struggling to distinguish the clear signals of significant facts from the cacophony of background noise.  Then came September 11th, 2001. After the attacks, the CIA transformed itself into a lethal paramilitary force, running secret prisons and brutal interrogations, mounting deadly drone attacks, and all but abandoning its core missions of espionage and counterespionage. The consequences were grave: the deaths of scores of its recruited foreign agents, the theft of its personnel files by Chinese spies, the penetration of its computer networks by Russian intelligence and American hackers, and the tragedies of Afghanistan and Iraq. A new generation of spies now must fight the hardest targets--Moscow, Beijing, Tehran--while confronting a president who has attacked the CIA as a subversive force.  The book reveals how the agency fought to rebuild the espionage powers it lost during the war on terror--and finally succeeded in penetrating the Kremlin. The key message of the book is that the CIA must reclaim its original mission: know thy enemies. This is made even more difficult by the attacks on the intelligence community deployed by the second Trump presidency, from unqualified senior officials to loyalty tests. The fate of the free world hangs in the balance. The Mission includes exclusive on-the-record interviews with six former CIA directors, the top spymaster, thirteen station chiefs, and scores of top operations officers who served undercover for decades and have never spoken to a journalist before. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/politics-and-polemics

In 2007, Tim Weiner published the book Legacy of Ashes. It was a history of the CIA from its founding to the early 2000s. As a university student in Italy, I bought the book as soon as it came out. The second non-fiction book I ever bought in English. The book was riveting. It kickstarted my interest in the CIA and covert operations. Now, Tim Weiner has published a sequel to Legacy of Ashes. His new book is called The Mission: the CIA in the 21st Century (Mariner Books, 2025). It is a gripping and revelatory history of the from the late 1990s to the present. It ranges from 9/11 through the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq to today's battles with Russia and China--and with the President of the United States.  At the turn of the century, the Central Intelligence Agency was in crisis. The end of the Cold War had robbed the agency of its mission. More than thirty overseas stations and bases had been shuttered, and scores that remained had been severely cut back. Many countries where surveillance was once deemed crucial went uncovered. Essential intelligence wasn't being collected. At the dawn of the information age, the CIA's officers and analysts worked with outmoded technology, struggling to distinguish the clear signals of significant facts from the cacophony of background noise.  Then came September 11th, 2001. After the attacks, the CIA transformed itself into a lethal paramilitary force, running secret prisons and brutal interrogations, mounting deadly drone attacks, and all but abandoning its core missions of espionage and counterespionage. The consequences were grave: the deaths of scores of its recruited foreign agents, the theft of its personnel files by Chinese spies, the penetration of its computer networks by Russian intelligence and American hackers, and the tragedies of Afghanistan and Iraq. A new generation of spies now must fight the hardest targets--Moscow, Beijing, Tehran--while confronting a president who has attacked the CIA as a subversive force.  The book reveals how the agency fought to rebuild the espionage powers it lost during the war on terror--and finally succeeded in penetrating the Kremlin. The key message of the book is that the CIA must reclaim its original mission: know thy enemies. This is made even more difficult by the attacks on the intelligence community deployed by the second Trump presidency, from unqualified senior officials to loyalty tests. The fate of the free world hangs in the balance. The Mission includes exclusive on-the-record interviews with six former CIA directors, the top spymaster, thirteen station chiefs, and scores of top operations officers who served undercover for decades and have never spoken to a journalist before. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

HEADLINE: Iran's Nuclear Enrichment Debate and the Saudi-Pakistan Weapons Deal GUEST NAME: Henry Sokolski SUMMARY: Henry Sokolski analyzes Iran's claim of an NPT right to enrichment. He also warns about a new, unacknowledged arrangement potentially giving Saudi Arabia access to Pakistan's nuclear arsenal. 1850 TEHRAN

HEADLINE: Interpretations of the Non-Proliferation Treaty and Iran's Nuclear Program GUEST NAME: Henry Sokolski SUMMARY: Henry Sokolski discusses his article questioning Iran's interpretation of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). The debate centers on whether a country suspected of being a weapons maker has the right to enrich uranium, given the NPT's language concerning "peaceful" use. Iran claims Article 4 permits any activity claimed to be civilian. 1852 TEHRAN

In this episode of The President's Daily Brief: Israel's Prime Minister admits the country is increasingly cut off from the world and warns it may need to transform into a self-reliant “super-Sparta” to survive. Fresh U.S. sanctions spark a sharp warning from Tehran, with Iran saying America could face a “crushing” military response. A suspect is in custody after what officials are calling a targeted terrorist attack on the FBI's Pittsburgh office. And in today's Back of the Brief—we're learning more about the proposed TikTok deal, with a U.S.-led group of tech giants poised to take control of the app's American operations. 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/@presidentsdailybriefStash Financial: Don't Let your money sit around. Go to https://get.stash.com/PDB to see how you can receive $25 towards your first stock purchase.Birch Gold: Text PDB to 989898 and get your free info kit on gold Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Send us a textAuthor Nick Berg stops by to talk about the concept of autofiction, how it offers different opportunities than memoir, and how you can tell the truth through fiction.▬Swing by Nick's website:https://www.pnberg.com/Grab a copy of Shadows of Tehran:https://www.pnberg.com/book-shadows-of-tehran/Follow Nick on his socials:@shadowsoftehran | Linktreehttps://www.youtube.com/@ShadowsOfTehran-z1f/videos Nick Berg - SoftServe | LinkedIn

Donate (no account necessary) | Subscribe (account required) Join Bryan Dean Wright, former CIA Operations Officer, as he dives into today's top stories shaping America and the world. In this episode of The Wright Report, we cover the arrest of Charlie Kirk's assassin and the ideological forces behind the murder, plus global updates from Iran, Israel, Ukraine, Poland, and Nepal. From the tragedy in Utah to AI choosing world leaders, today's brief brings the facts you need to understand America's crossroads at home and abroad.   Charlie Kirk Assassin Arrested: Utah officials confirmed 22-year-old Tyler Robinson confessed to family and friends after FBI photos, his car, and his leftist ideology tied him to the crime. His boyfriend, Lance “Luna” Twiggs, is cooperating with investigators, raising questions about extremist networks in Utah. Erika Kirk vowed Turning Point USA will continue, declaring, “You have no idea the fire that you have ignited within this wife… We will never surrender.” Polls now show 24% of very liberal Democrats say they take joy in political killings - 20% are unsure if they should.   Political Divide Over Violence: Republicans launch a special committee to probe leftist violence, while Democrats dismiss ideology as a motive. Senator Brian Schatz argued, “What f'ing difference does it make if this murderer was left or right.” Utah's Governor Cox blamed the internet, while Illinois' Governor Pritzker pointed at Trump. Bryan warns, “We live in a revolution. Their revolution. And if you disagree with them, you're to be targeted.”   Iran's Nuclear Program Weakened but Not Dead: Israeli intel confirms Trump's strikes crippled Tehran's enrichment capacity for years, though knowledge and equipment remain. Israel's defenses, however, are drained and need time to recover, meaning future operations will likely be covert.   Israel Rules Out Palestinian State: Prime Minister Netanyahu announced, “There will never be a Palestinian state. This place is ours.” Trump's administration is weighing a U.S.-run Gaza plan that would pay Palestinians to leave, though it has already been rejected by Arab powers.   Russian Drones Probe NATO Airspace: Dozens of Russian drones crossed into Poland and Romania, triggering NATO alerts. Trump suggested it was a mistake, but Poland's president insisted, “We know it wasn't.” Zelenskyy pressed NATO to shoot intruding drones down next time.   AI Picks New Leaders in Nepal and Beyond: After protests toppled Nepal's communist PM, students asked ChatGPT to name a successor. The AI chose former Chief Justice Sushila Karki, now sworn in as interim prime minister. Asked who should lead America, ChatGPT named Michelle Obama and Cory Booker, dismissing JD Vance as “too polarizing.” Bryan warns, “Seems like something we should watch… since AI is choosing our leaders now.”   "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." - John 8:32     Keywords: Charlie Kirk assassination arrest Tyler Robinson, Lance Luna Twiggs trans extremist, Erika Kirk Turning Point vow, YouGov poll political violence Democrats, Senator Brian Schatz internet quote, Governor Spencer Cox internet blame, Governor JB Pritzker Trump blame, Iran nuclear program Israeli intel, Netanyahu no Palestinian state quote, Trump Gaza US-run plan, Russian drones Poland Romania NATO, Zelenskyy NATO shoot down drones, Nepal protests ChatGPT prime minister Sushila Karki, ChatGPT Michelle Obama Cory Booker JD Vance AI bias

Haruki Murakami (b. 1949) is one of the rare writers who combines literary admiration with widespread appeal. Host Jacke Wilson is joined by lifelong Murakami fan Mike Palindrome to discuss what makes his novels so compelling, so mysterious, and so popular. Works discussed include The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, Norwegian Wood, Kafka on the Shore, and many others. Special Bonus Quiz: Can you tell the difference between famous quotes by Murakami and YA novelist John Green? PLUS Jacke takes a look at the #17 Greatest Book of All Time, To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee. Note: The Haruki Murakami episode, which has been unavailable for several years, was originally released on April 1, 2018. Join Jacke on a trip through literary England (signup open through the end of September)! The History of Literature Podcast Tour is happening in May 2026! Act now to join Jacke and fellow literature fans on an eight-day journey through literary England in partnership with ⁠John Shors Travel⁠. Scheduled stops include The Charles Dickens Museum, Dr. Johnson's house, Jane Austen's Bath, Tolkien's Oxford, Shakespeare's Globe Theater, and more. Find out more by emailing jackewilsonauthor@gmail.com or masahiko@johnshorstravel.com, or by contacting us through our website ⁠historyofliterature.com⁠. Or visit the ⁠History of Literature Podcast Tour itinerary⁠ at ⁠John Shors Travel⁠. The music in this episode is by Gabriel Ruiz-Bernal. Learn more at ⁠gabrielruizbernal.com. Help support the show at ⁠patreon.com/literature ⁠or ⁠historyofliterature.com/donate ⁠. The History of Literature Podcast is a member of Lit Hub Radio and the Podglomerate Network. Learn more at ⁠thepodglomerate.com/historyofliterature. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the 24th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks, Cliff May sits down with Amb. Edmund Fitton-Brown, former British ambassador to Yemen and UN terrorism monitor, now a senior fellow at FDD, to assess what we've learned — and failed to learn — about global jihad.From Hamas leaders living lavishly in Qatar, the Houthis' missile attacks, al Qaeda's quiet alliance with Tehran's rulers, and the West's waning influence in Africa to the Taliban's return to Kabul and the UN's support for Hamas, Cliff and Edmund warn that the Long War Against the West is far from a conclusion.

Andrea Stricker Iran's Nuclear Program Targeted, Verification Crisis Ensues Andrea Stricker discusses Israel and USstrikes on Iran's nuclear facilities like Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan, destroying centrifuges and weaponization capabilities. The IAEA cannot verify Iran's nuclear material locations after inspectors were expelled. Iran's 60% enriched uranium poses a proliferation risk, leading to anticipated UN sanctions. The strikes prevented JCPOA-allowed centrifuge surges.1045-1100 1870 TEHRAN

CONTINUED Andrea Stricker Iran's Nuclear Program Targeted, Verification Crisis Ensues Andrea Stricker discusses Israel and USstrikes on Iran's nuclear facilities like Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan, destroying centrifuges and weaponization capabilities. The IAEA cannot verify Iran's nuclear material locations after inspectors were expelled. Iran's 60% enriched uranium poses a proliferation risk, leading to anticipated UN sanctions. The strikes prevented JCPOA-allowed centrifuge surges.1890 TEHRAN

SHOW SCHEDULE 9-8-25 CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN BATCHELOR GOOD EVENING: The show begins in Yemen, asking what is to be done with the pirate Houthis? 1993 YEMEN FIRST HOUR 9-915 Bridget Toomey, Bill Raggio. Israel Strikes Houthis in Yemen Amidst Renewed Conflict and US Policy Flaws. Israel has intensified strikes against Houthis in Yemen, assassinating 12 government members in August. A previous USdeal enabling continued Houthi attacks on Israel is criticized. The Iranian proxy retaliated with new attacks and detained UN personnel. International response to Red Sea aggression is stalled, complicated by the Israeli conflict and geopolitical interests.915-930 CONTINUED Bridget Toomey, Bill Raggio. Israel Strikes Houthis in Yemen Amidst Renewed Conflict and US Policy Flaws. Israel has intensified strikes against Houthis in Yemen, assassinating 12 government members in August. A previous USdeal enabling continued Houthi attacks on Israel is criticized. The Iranian proxy retaliated with new attacks and detained UN personnel. International response to Red Sea aggression is stalled, complicated by the Israeli conflict and geopolitical interests.930-945 David Daoud. Jerusalem Terror Attack Highlights Persistent West Bank Threats and Gaza War Dynamics. A Jerusalem bus attack by West Bank Palestinians killed six, reflecting persistent terror and security gaps. Israel'sGaza City incursion proceeds slowly, impacted by depleted resources and international opposition. Israel may use the invasion threat for Hamas concessions. President Trump supports Israel's operations but urges the war's end, impacting Israel's image.945-1000 CONTINUED David Daoud. Jerusalem Terror Attack Highlights Persistent West Bank Threats and Gaza War Dynamics. A Jerusalem bus attack by West Bank Palestinians killed six, reflecting persistent terror and security gaps. Israel'sGaza City incursion proceeds slowly, impacted by depleted resources and international opposition. Israel may use the invasion threat for Hamas concessions. President Trump supports Israel's operations but urges the war's end, impacting Israel's image. SECOND HOUR 10-1015 Malcolm Hoenlein. Jerusalem Terror Attack and Gaza Offensive Amidst Global Geopolitical Shifts.A Jerusalem bus terror attack killed six; Gaza offensive targets Hamas infrastructure amidst propaganda. UAEcondemned the attack. France's government fell, impacting Macron's Palestinian state push. Iraq probes Iranian oil smuggling, and Iran established UK sleeper cells. A controversial anti-American Detroit conference, with Congresswoman Tlaib, occurred. Public support for Israel remains strong. 1015-1030 CONTINUED  Malcolm Hoenlein. Jerusalem Terror Attack and Gaza Offensive Amidst Global Geopolitical Shifts. A Jerusalem bus terror attack killed six; Gaza offensive targets Hamas infrastructure amidst propaganda. UAEcondemned the attack. France's government fell, impacting Macron's Palestinian state push. Iraq probes Iranian oil smuggling, and Iran established UK sleeper cells. A controversial anti-American Detroit conference, with Congresswoman Tlaib, occurred. Public support for Israel remains strong.1030-1045 JANATYN SAYEH. Israel Amplifies Anti-Regime Messaging in Iran Amidst Shadow War and Rearmament Concerns. Iran anticipates war as Israel targets nuclear sites and supports the Iranian opposition, projecting a prosperous post-regime future. Tehran now sees Israel, not US, as the primary regime-change threat. China provides economic support, but Iran's proxies face rearmament challenges. Uncertainty on Iran's nuclear material and enrichment capacity fuels potential Israeli attacks. 1045-1100 CONTINUED JANATYN SAYEH. Israel Amplifies Anti-Regime Messaging in Iran Amidst Shadow War and Rearmament Concerns. Iran anticipates war as Israel targets nuclear sites and supports the Iranian opposition, projecting a prosperous post-regime future. Tehran now sees Israel, not US, as the primary regime-change threat. China provides economic support, but Iran's proxies face rearmament challenges. Uncertainty on Iran's nuclear material and enrichment capacity fuels potential Israeli attacks. THIRD HOUR 1100-1115 John HardIe. Russia Intensifies Ukraine Barrage; Trump Faces Pressure for Stronger Sanctions. Russia launched a massive drone and missile attack on Ukraine, signaling Putin's refusal to negotiate. President Trumpfaces pressure to implement tougher sanctions on Russian oil revenue. Ukraine faces infantry shortages and porous lines but is improving air defenses. Russian advances are slow, struggling to exploit Ukrainian vulnerabilities on the battlefield.1115-1130 CONTINUED  John HardIe. Russia Intensifies Ukraine Barrage; Trump Faces Pressure for Stronger Sanctions. Russia launched a massive drone and missile attack on Ukraine, signaling Putin's refusal to negotiate. President Trumpfaces pressure to implement tougher sanctions on Russian oil revenue. Ukraine faces infantry shortages and porous lines but is improving air defenses. Russian advances are slow, struggling to exploit Ukrainian vulnerabilities on the battlefield. 1130-1145 Ernesto Araújo, Alejandro Peña Esclusa. US Escalates Anti-Drug Operations in Venezuela; Brazil Shows Support for Trump Against Lula. President Trump enacted a military doctrine targeting Venezuelan drug cartels, including a boat strike, with Venezuelans hoping for liberation from Maduro. In Brazil, public support for Trump and Bolsonaro signals desire for US alliance against Lula's government. Trump threatens tariffs if Bolsonaro is jailed.1145-1200 CONTINUED Ernesto Araújo, Alejandro Peña Esclusa. US Escalates Anti-Drug Operations in Venezuela; Brazil Shows Support for Trump Against Lula. President Trump enacted a military doctrine targeting Venezuelan drug cartels, including a boat strike, with Venezuelans hoping for liberation from Maduro. In Brazil, public support for Trump and Bolsonaro signals desire for US alliance against Lula's government. Trump threatens tariffs if Bolsonaro is jailed. FOURTH HOUR 12-1215  Alan Tonelson. Mexico Considers Tariffs on China Amidst US Pressure and Manufacturing Shifts. Mexico considers tariffs on China to protect local industry, aligning with Trump 2.0's North American trade strategy. China's export-driven model faces global pushback. US manufacturing capital spending rises despite job uncertainty. A Hyundai plant in Georgia controversially employed South Koreans lacking proper papers, challenging the Inflation Reduction Act's American job goals.1215-1230 CONTINUED  Alan Tonelson. Mexico Considers Tariffs on China Amidst US Pressure and Manufacturing Shifts. Mexico considers tariffs on China to protect local industry, aligning with Trump 2.0's North American trade strategy. China's export-driven model faces global pushback. US manufacturing capital spending rises despite job uncertainty. A Hyundai plant in Georgia controversially employed South Koreans lacking proper papers, challenging the Inflation Reduction Act's American job goals.1230-1245 Kelly Currie. Indonesia Navigates Geopolitical Tensions and Domestic Instability Amidst Cabinet Shuffle. Indonesian President Prabowo attended a Chinese parade, balancing China's investment with other alliances amidst domestic protests. Indonesia grapples with persistent corruption, police brutality, and deep-seated societal tensions. A cabinet reshuffle, replacing Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati, risks economic instability despite growth promises. Indonesia seeks US balance against China.1245-100 AM Michael Sobolik. China's Biowarfare Ambitions Threaten US Dominance and Global Health. China's Communist Party develops biowarfare, including ethnic-specific genetic attacks, to achieve strategic dominance over the US. China aims to divert US biotech innovation and control future vaccine distribution, leveraging lessons from COVID-19. US vaccine hesitancy and decreased investment in cutting-edge technology leave it dangerously exposed to future biothreats.

JANATYN SAYEH. Israel Amplifies Anti-Regime Messaging in Iran Amidst Shadow War and Rearmament Concerns. Iran anticipates war as Israel targets nuclear sites and supports the Iranian opposition, projecting a prosperous post-regime future. Tehran now sees Israel, not US, as the primary regime-change threat. China provides economic support, but Iran's proxies face rearmament challenges. Uncertainty on Iran's nuclear material and enrichment capacity fuels potential Israeli attacks. 1850 TEHRAN

CONTINUED JANATYN SAYEH. Israel Amplifies Anti-Regime Messaging in Iran Amidst Shadow War and Rearmament Concerns. Iran anticipates war as Israel targets nuclear sites and supports the Iranian opposition, projecting a prosperous post-regime future. Tehran now sees Israel, not US, as the primary regime-change threat. China provides economic support, but Iran's proxies face rearmament challenges. Uncertainty on Iran's nuclear material and enrichment capacity fuels potential Israeli attacks. 1890S TEHRAN

PREVIEW:  Janatyn Sayeh: Iran seeks rearmament, pursuing defense systems from Russia via Belarus and hoping for more from China, despite impending UN sanctions and effectiveness doubts. More later. 1870 TEHRAN

Guest Name: Mohsen Sazagara MALCOLM HOENLEIN @CONF_OF_PRES @MHOENLEIN1 • Affiliation: Democracy activist from Iran • Summary: Mohsen Sazagara confirms Iran's rearmament efforts, fueled by its leadership's belief in success against Israel and continued anti-US policies. Iran is seeking arms from Russia (via Belarus) and China (via North Korea), though Russia is reportedly less generous than expected. The speaker notes growing internal opposition within Iran and a high probability of another military conflict with Israel, especially concerning nuclear development or air defense rebuilding. 1898 TEHRAN

John Batchelor 09-03 segment 15.mp3 Guest: Janatyn Sayeh from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Iran's Nuclear Dilemma and Regional Threats Janatyn Sayeh discusses the looming snapback mechanism of the 2015 JCPOA, which could reinstate UN sanctions on Iran if it fails to comply with demands. Iran's non-compliance has its currency hitting new lows, yet Tehran threatens regional war and exiting the NPT if sanctions return. Sayeh notes Iran seeks rearmament, primarily from China, with Belarus and North Korea acting as potential intermediaries for Russian weapons. 1852 TEHRAN

SHOW SCHEDULE  9-3-25 CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN BATCHELOR GOOD EVENING: The show begins in Beijing, watching the trio of Xi, Putin and Kim review the display of offensive weapons and offensive battalions. FIRST HOUR 9-915 John Batchelor 09-03 segment 1.mp3 Guest: Colonel Jeff McCausland, United States Army retired artilleryman, CBS News, Dickinson College visiting professor, and Diamond 6 Leadership and Strategy CEO. Global Geopolitics and Military Displays Colonel Jeff McCausland discusses a Beijing military parade featuring Xi Jinping, Kim Jong-un, and Vladimir Putin, interpreting it as a message of strength and innovation, not peace, while downplaying the US role in WWII. He also covers the static battle lines in Ukraine, European proposals for a military force, and US involvement in Middle East conflicts in Yemen and Gaza, noting a tactical agreement with the Houthis. 915-930 : John Batchelor 09-03 segment 2.mp3 Guest: Colonel Jeff McCausland, United States Army retired artilleryman, CBS News, Dickinson College visiting professor, and Diamond 6 Leadership and Strategy CEO. Pentagon's Evolving Mission and Global Order Colonel Jeff McCausland discusses the new national military strategy emphasizing homeland defense as the primary mission for the Department of Defense, shifting from an international "cop on the beat" role to a domestic one. This is reflected in increased border forces and Caribbean operations. McCausland also touches on China's ambition to establish a new global order, returning to its perceived historical position as a superpower, utilizing organizations like BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.930-945 John Batchelor 09-03 segment 3.mp3 Guest: John Cochrane at the Hoover Institution. Federal Reserve Independence and Financial Regulation John Cochrane explores the complex debate on whether financial regulation should be integrated with or separated from monetary policy and less independent of Congress. He raises concerns about the Fed's independence, its failure to foresee the Silicon Valley Bank collapse, and the "too big to fail" phenomenon. Cochrane also discusses the risks of the Fed monetizing debt, its stance on stablecoins, and how its actions influence fiscal policy. 945-1000 John Batchelor 09-03 segment 4.mp3 Guest: John Cochrane of the Hoover Institution. Reforming the Federal Reserve's Role John Cochrane addresses proposals to reorganize the Federal Reserve, questioning whether it should become more political or have its scope narrowed to monetary policy, his preferred option. He criticizes the Fed'spandemic response, specifically its decision to print trillions of dollars for deficits, which he argues was a choice leading to the 2022 inflation. Cochrane also examines the wisdom of Quantitative Easing (QE), suggesting it had limited economic impact but expanded the Fed's political influence. SECOND HOUR 10-1015 John Batchelor 09-03 segment 5.mp3 Guests: Gordon Chang and General Blaine Holt, US Air Force General, retired. China's Historical Revisionism and Autocratic Alliances Gordon Chang and General Blaine Holtdiscuss China's military parade, led by Xi Jinping, which falsely claims Chinese victory over Japan in WWII, omitting the US and Allied contributions. Holt views the parade as theater for a crumbling Belt and Road Initiative, not a united front. They note India's absence from the parade due to animosity with China. Despite appearances, Putin and Kim Jong-un also have underlying animosity towards Xi Jinping, making their alliance one of expediency, not unity.1015-1030 John Batchelor 09-03 segment 6.mp3 Guests: Gordon Chang and Peter Huessy, President of Geostrategic Analysis, a fellow at the National Institute for Deterrent Studies. China's Nuclear Ambitions and Arms Control Challenges Peter Huessy describes China's nuclear weapons as tools for coercion and hegemonic goals, a stark contrast to the US view of deterrence. He notes China's rapid nuclear buildup, exceeding Soviet Union rates during the Cold War. Huessy and Gordon Chang discuss the imminent expiration of the New Start treaty with Russia and the absence of arms control talks with China, which has historically aided proliferation. This signals a "brave new world" with zero legal restraint on nuclear weapons.1030-1045 : John Batchelor 09-03 segment 7.mp3 Guests: Gordon Chang and Captain James Fanell, United States Navy retired, intelligence officer for the Seventh Fleet and for the Indo-Pacific Theater. Pacific Tensions: Philippines, China, and US Naval Strategy Captain James Fanell and Gordon Chang analyze China's strategic ambition to subjugate the Philippines, building militarized islands in the South China Sea. Fanell highlights Scarborough Shoal as a critical "cork in the bottle," potentially used by China as a military base. He notes the Philippines' new forward operating base with anti-ship missiles in the Bashi Channel as a counter. Fanell suggests a reinvigorated US Navymorale and a shift in the Pentagon's approach to deter China.1045-1100 John Batchelor 09-03 segment 8.mp3 Guests: Gordon Chang and Rebecca Grant, Vice President of the Lexington Institute. Venezuela, Guyana, and US Deterrence in the Caribbean Rebecca Grant discusses Guyana'sburgeoning oil wealth and Venezuela's threatening territorial claims under Maduro, who also opposes democracy. She and Gordon Chang analyze a significant US Navy presence off Venezuela's coast, including destroyers and a Marine Expeditionary Unit, as a strong deterrent against Maduro's actions and his alliances with Russia and China. Grantindicates improving morale and combat readiness within the US Navy, emphasizing its vital role in global operations. THIRD HOUR John Batchelor 09-03 segment 9.mp3 Guest: Brett Arends of Market Watch (Return on Investment). Bond Market Anxiety and Federal Reserve Pressures Brett Arends explains the bond market's current unhappiness stems from unsustainable national debt and uncertainty surrounding President Trump's tariffs. He clarifies that the Fedcontrols short-term rates, while the bond market sets long-term rates. Arends warns that Trump's pressure on the Fed to cut short-term rates could paradoxically cause long-term rates, including mortgage rates, to rise, hurting the economy and exacerbating market nervousness. He emphasizes the need for fiscal sustainability. 1100-1115 : John Batchelor 09-03 segment 9.mp3 Guest: Brett Arends of Market Watch (Return on Investment). Bond Market Anxiety and Federal Reserve Pressures Brett Arends explains the bond market's current unhappiness stems from unsustainable national debt and uncertainty surrounding President Trump's tariffs. He clarifies that the Fedcontrols short-term rates, while the bond market sets long-term rates. Arends warns that Trump's pressure on the Fed to cut short-term rates could paradoxically cause long-term rates, including mortgage rates, to rise, hurting the economy and exacerbating market nervousness. He emphasizes the need for fiscal sustainability. 1115-1130 John Batchelor 09-03 segment 10.mp3 Guest: Brett Arends of Market Watch. Addressing Bond Market Turmoil Brett Arends explains that the troubled bond market stems from unsustainable national debt and recent court rulings questioning President Trump's tariffs. He advises Donald Trump to support Federal Reserve independence, abandon attacks on Jerome Powell and Lisa Cook, and work with Congress on tariffs to ensure fiscal sustainability and calm market anxieties. Arends notes that gold's all-time high reflects a lack of market confidence.1130-1145 John Batchelor 09-03 segment 11.mp3 Guest: Bob Zimmerman who keeps the website Behind the Black. New Discoveries in Space and Planetary Science Bob Zimmerman highlights new solar research using the European Space Agency's Solar Orbiter probe, improving predictions of solar events that impact Earth's technology. He discusses the uniqueness of stars, Juice's Venus flyby en route to Jupiter, and Mars' chaotic mantle structure. Zimmermanemphasizes Mars' ample near-surface ice, making it attractive for colonization, and presents an exoplanet found in an accretion disc, challenging planetary formation theories.1145-1200 John Batchelor 09-03 segment 12.mp3 Guest: Bob Zimmerman who keeps the website Behind the Black. NASA Unionization and SpaceX Milestones Bob Zimmerman addresses the recent executive order by President Trumpeliminating unions at NASA and other agencies, arguing that government unions are inefficient and costly. He then praises SpaceX's achievements, including a Falcon 9 first stage completing its 30th flight—a new reuse record. Zimmerman notes SpaceX is significantly reducing launch costs and enabling new space technologies like Starlink, also mentioning the reuse of a Starship super heavy booster. FOURTH HOUR 12-1215 John Batchelor 09-03 segment 13.mp3 Guest: Simon Constable writing for The Wall Street Journal and other distinguished publications. European Politics, Commodities, and Digital Identity Debates Simon Constable reports on pleasant weather in the South of France and seasonal produce. He reviews commodity prices, noting gold's all-time high, coffee's surge, and orange juice's decline. Constable discusses political crises in France, with President Macronfacing a no-confidence vote, and the UK, where Keir Starmer struggles with spending cuts and migration. He advocates for digital national ID cards as the only reasonable solution to migration.1215-1230 : John Batchelor 09-03 segment 14.mp3 Guest: Simon Constable writing for The Wall Street Journal and other distinguished publications. The Rise of AI in Romance Simon Constable shares surprising polling data from the Kinsey Institute on romantic engagement with AI. He reveals that 16% of single adult Americans romantically interact with AI, with Gen Z being the most likely cohort at 33%. Furthermore, 44% of single Americans dating AI believe emotional support from an AI partner is superior to human support, highlighting a stark generational shift in romantic relationships.1230-1245 John Batchelor 09-03 segment 15.mp3 Guest: Janatyn Sayeh from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Iran's Nuclear Dilemma and Regional Threats Janatyn Sayeh discusses the looming snapback mechanism of the 2015 JCPOA, which could reinstate UN sanctions on Iran if it fails to comply with demands. Iran's non-compliance has its currency hitting new lows, yet Tehran threatens regional war and exiting the NPT if sanctions return. Sayeh notes Iran seeks rearmament, primarily from China, with Belarus and North Korea acting as potential intermediaries for Russian weapons.1245-100 AM John Batchelor 09-03 segment 16.mp3 Guest: Ivana Stradner from the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies. Autocracy and Protests in the Western Balkans Ivana Stradner reports on mass protests in Belgrade demanding snap elections following a fatal accident and criticizing President Alexander Vučić's autocratic regime, which she likens to "Belarus 2.0". Vučić is accused of corruption and suppressing free media, while fostering close military and economic ties with China and Russia to maintain power and "blackmail" the West. Stradner expresses concern over the repression against Serbian people.

In this episode of The President's Daily Brief:   President Trump unleashes on Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, and Kim Jong Un, accusing the trio of “conspiring against America” after their show of unity in Beijing this week. The U.N. is urging Tehran to strike a deal on inspections, warning that vital knowledge about Iran's nuclear program is already slipping away. A free speech fight erupts in the U.K. after comedian Graham Linehan is arrested over social media posts criticizing trans activists. And in today's Back of the Brief—a hot mic captures a bizarre conversation between Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, where the two leaders ponder human immortality.   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   CBDistillery: Visit https://CBDistillery.com and use promo code PDB for 25% off your entire order!   Birch Gold: Text PDB to 989898 and get your free info kit on gold Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PREVIEW: IRAN: Colleague Janatyn Sayeh of FDD comments on Tehran's plan to rearm for more warfare. More. 1891