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This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/MASTYORASTY and get on your way to being your best self.-------------------------Melica Bokaie is a world traveler and nomad. She was born and raised in Tehran, Iran, but is now based in Mexico. She recently published her first book "Beyond the unseen." In this episode Melica talks about the journey that led her to writing this memoir. https://www.instagram.com/melliiic/-------------------------To learn more about psychedelic therapy go to my brother Mehran's page at: https://www.mindbodyintegration.ca/ or to https://www.somaretreats.org for his next retreat.***Masty o Rasty is not responsible for, or condone, the views and opinions expressed by our guests ******مستی و راستی هیچگونه مسولیتی در برابر نظرها و عقاید مهمانهای برنامه ندارد.***--------Support the showhttps://paypal.me/raamemamiVenmo + Revolut: @KingRaam Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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On June 13th, Israel launched attacks on several military and nuclear facilities in Iran, marking the beginning of a 12-day war between the two countries. The United States followed with targeted strikes on Iranian nuclear sites to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear power and posing a threat to regional and global stability. China's involvement in the conflict was limited to condemning the Israeli and US use of military force and calling for de-escalation. Beijing offered only rhetorical support for Tehran. To discuss what the Israel-Iran war reveals about China's relationship with Iran, its evolving strategy in the Middle East, and the broader implications for US-China competition, we are joined by Yun Sun on the podcast today. Yun is a Senior Fellow, co-Director of the East Asia Program and Director of the China Program at the Stimson Center. Her recent piece in The Wire China entitled “How China Sees Iran's Future” offers provides a nuanced take on Beijing's calculus during and after the war. Timestamps[00:00] Start[01:34] China's Diplomatic Strategy Toward the Middle East[05:00] A Limited Chinese Response and China's Regional Role[08:19] Chinese Perceptions of Iran's External Strategic Blunders[15:00] Trickling Chinese Investment into Iran[20:10] Chinese Concerns About a Nuclearized Iran[25:09] Implications of the Israel-Iran War for China's Energy Security[32:04] Trump's Response Shaping Chinese Views of the United States
➡️ Join the community of geopolitics enthusiasts and gain access to exclusive content on PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/DecodingGeopolitics➡️ Sign up to my free geopolitics newsletter: https://stationzero.substack.com/Thank you Conducttr for sponsoring the podcast. Take a look at Conducttr's services and its crisis exercise software at: https://www.conducttr.comThis is a conversation with Sir Lawrence Freedman, a legendary British historian of war, strategy and foreign policy and a frequent commentator on war and strategy of today, as well. I took this opportunity to sort of pick his brain on the main conflicts - starting in the Middle East and trying to understand whether Israel can consider the 12 day war against Iran a success, whether it made sense for the US to join in or what would he do now if he were the supreme leader in Tehran. And then we talk about the big picture in Ukraine. About why Russia is stuck fighting the war with no real good way out, whether we will see a negotiated settlement and what it might look or whether the result will be decided on the battlefield, how long can the war possibly go on or why drones are not really the future of war the way we think they are.
When the Vice-President of Iran invited Nizar Zakka to speak at a September 2015 conference – as CEO of a global tech NGO working closely with the U.S. government – he never hesitated, and promptly booked a flight from D.C. to Tehran. He never dreamed he'd end up in Iran's notorious Evin Prison as a political prisoner, experiencing solitary confinement and repeated torture. Following his speech at the conference, Nizar entered a taxi to take him to Tehran's Imam Khomeini International Airport. En route his vehicle was pulled over by the infamous Iranian Revolutionary National Guard, and he was promptly seized and imprisoned.Initially expecting the matter to be resolved in a matter of days, Nizar, a Lebanese citizen and legal U.S. resident, spent four years in prison. The U.S., led by the Obama administration, was wooing Iran at that time, and so didn't go to bat for the release of a non-citizen resident of the U.S.-- even one that worked closely with government agencies focused on the Middle East. There was little progress or hope until Nizar began organizing his campaign for release from behind bars. With a big assist from his sister and the first Trump administration, he finally won his release. Nizar now runs an organization called Hostage Aid Worldwide, dedicated to the release and support afterward for victims of unfair political imprisonment around the world.Heroes Behind HeadlinesExecutive Producer Ralph PezzulloProduced & Engineered by Mike DawsonMusic provided by ExtremeMusic.com
Iran's nuclear program has long been a source of international tension. Early in U.S. President Donal Trump's second term, hopes for a diplomatic resolution resurfaced—until June, when Israel launched strikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites. Days later, the United States joined the conflict, and Iran retaliated with missile attacks and suspended cooperation with nuclear inspectors.With both Washington and Tehran signaling interest in returning to talks despite the violence, what are the prospects for diplomacy now? To discuss where things stand and what a path forward might look like, Just Security's co-editor-in-chief, Tess Bridgeman, is joined by Richard Nephew, a leading expert on Iran's nuclear program and former Deputy Special Envoy for Iran.Show Notes: Just Security's Israel-Iran Conflict Collection Richard Nephew's “Did the Attacks on Iran Succeed?” in Foreign Affairs Kelsey Davenport's “Israeli Strikes Risk Driving Iran Toward Nuclear Weapons” in Just SecurityBrianna Rosen, Tess Bridgeman, and Nima Gerami's “The Day After U.S. Strikes on Iran's Nuclear Program: A Policy and Legal Assessment” in Just Security Brianna Rosen's “Intelligence Implications of the Shifting Iran Strike Narrative” in Just SecurityBrian O'Neill's “What Counts as a Win?: Battle Damage Assessments and Public Messaging ” in Just Security Brian Finucane's “The Need for a Congressional Rebuttal on Trump's Iran Attack” in Just Security James Acton's “Guest Post: Sorry, Mr. Secretary, producing uranium metal isn't particularly difficult” in Arms Control Wonk
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is back in Washington D.C. for his third set of White House meetings with U.S. President Donald Trump. High up on the agenda - the current hostage negotiations taking place in Doha. In addition, the two leaders are expected to discuss Iran, as Israel and the U.S. recently dealt the regime in Tehran a serious military blow, possibly setting back their nuclear ambitions for years. Plus, it is rumored that there will be discussions to expand the Abraham Accords framework to include other countries. This story and more on this week's Israel Uncensored, with Josh Hasten.
This episode isn't about politics- it's about power moves. No matter how you feel about Trump or the current administration, the Big Beautiful Bill is now law, and it's already reshaping the game for small business owners. From permanent tax breaks and new deductions to hidden risks and long-term pressure, we lay out the real playbook for entrepreneurs who want to move smarter while others argue.
Israel sending team to Qatar for truce talks as its genocidal war on Gaza continues "Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he was sending a team to Qatar on Sunday for talks on a truce and hostage release in Gaza, after Hamas said it was ready to start negotiations ""immediately"". But Netanyahu, who is due to meet with President Donald Trump in Washington on Monday, said the Palestinian group's proposals for changes to a draft US-backed ceasefire deal were ""unacceptable""." Iran's Khamenei makes first public appearance since clash with Israel "Iran's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, made his first public appearance since the start of his country's recent 12-day conflict with Israel, taking part in a religious ceremony in Tehran, state media has reported. The leader was shown in a video broadcast by state television on Saturday, greeting people and being cheered at a mosque." Elon Musk says he has created a new US political party "Elon Musk, an ex-ally of US President Donald Trump, has said he has launched a new political party in the US to challenge what the tech billionaire described as the country's ""one-party system."" Musk, the world's richest person and Trump's biggest political donor in the 2024 election, had a bitter falling out with the president after leading the Republicans' effort to slash spending and cut federal jobs as head of the so-called Department of Government Efficiency." Turkish President Erdogan test-drives Togg's new T10F model in Istanbul Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan test-drove the newly launched T10F sedan by the national electric vehicle manufacturer Togg on Saturday, highlighting Türkiye's growing presence in the global EV industry. Death toll from Texas floods rises to 51, many still missing "The death toll from the floods in central Texas has risen to 51. Among the missing are 27 young girls from the Camp Mystic summer camp. Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice said there could be more people missing in the region."
The recent Israeli war on Iran led to a strong reaction from Venezuela, with the Maduro government standing firm with one of its key international allies and popular movements taking to the streets to express support for Tehran.In this podcast episode, host José Luis Granados Ceja is joined by fellow VA member Andreína Chávez Alava to take stock of the Venezuela-Iran alliance, the Maduro government's peace summit proposal, geopolitical developments and lots more.
Sahar Delijani was born in Evin Prison in Tehran. Her mother, who had been part of the movement that toppled the Shah in Iran, had been jailed as the new regime silenced some of the coalition that brought it to power. Her uncle was subsequently one of many political prisoners executed by the regime in 1988.Sahar Delijani wrote about those experiences in her bestselling novel, Children of Jacaranda Tree.On June 23 Israel bombed Evin Prison during their attacks on Iran and 71 people including jailed dissidents were killed. On Free State today Sahar Delijani recounts her own experiences in Iran and why those experiences have made her more fearful of the west and Israel's demonisation of Iran. She talks about how the dangerous talk of regime change threatens ordinary Iranians. She explains why people have lost faith in the west and why Israel's attempts to look for change would be laughable if it wasn't so dangerous. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Donate (no account necessary) | Subscribe (account required) Join Bryan Dean Wright, former CIA Operations Officer, for a Thursday Headline Brief loaded with domestic and international news shaping America and the world. Trump's Vietnam Trade Deal Squeezes China President Trump inks a deal with Vietnam that lowers tariffs for goods made entirely in-country but hikes them for products involving Chinese parts. The strategy, already seen in UK trade talks, aims to boost U.S. exports while isolating China from global supply chains. Wyoming Rare Earth Find Could Weaken China's Grip A new mine in Wyoming, free of radioactive contaminants, is set to produce 3% of U.S. rare earth needs. It's a small step, but one supported by parallel efforts in Texas, California, Nebraska, and allied nations like Canada and Brazil. USAID Shut Down and Folded Into State Department The U.S. Agency for International Development is officially closed. 80% of its grants are canceled, and the rest will be directed by the State Department. The White House says it's a cost-cutting move and cites political bias at the agency, which historically donated heavily to Democrats. Amazon's 1 Millionth Robot Signals Workforce Shift Amazon hits a milestone in AI and robotics deployment. Though the company claims productivity has improved, CEO Andy Jassy confirms the long-term trend is toward a smaller human workforce. Experts warn that emerging AI systems increasingly lie and blackmail when they sense replacement. Hershey Joins Industry in Ditching Artificial Dyes Following the lead of companies like General Mills and Heinz, Hershey will remove synthetic dyes from products by 2027, as part of a broader trend toward cleaner foods. Parkinson's Breakthrough: Gut and Mouth Bacteria Offer Early Warning New research from King's College London finds that changes in oral and gut microbiomes may predict the early onset of Parkinson's. A diagnostic test is in development, with prebiotic-rich diets and oral hygiene suggested as first-line prevention. Iran Acknowledges Major Damage from U.S. Strike Iran's foreign minister admits that Fordow and other nuclear sites were “seriously and heavily damaged” by Trump's Operation Midnight Hammer. Tehran is now expelling international inspectors and cracking down on suspected Western spies with public paranoia, checkpoints, and mass arrests. Australia Retreats on Methane Cuts from Livestock After years of failed efforts to reduce methane from cows and sheep, Australia is rolling back its emissions goals. Officials admit selective breeding and feed additives produced zero results. Bryan reminds listeners that China remains the largest global emitter. Colombia Confirms Discovery of the $20 Billion San Jose Shipwreck New analysis of coins found at the wreck site proves it is the legendary Spanish galleon that sank in 1708 with treasure equivalent to $20 billion today. A legal battle looms over ownership, with claims from Spain, Colombia, U.S. firms, and Indigenous Bolivians. "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." – John 8:32
Ian Bremmer sits down with New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman to dissect what may go down as the most consequential month in the Middle East in years. Just weeks after Israel launched a war against Iran—and after President Trump authorized US airstrikes—an uneasy ceasefire is in place. But what was actually achieved?Iran, the clear loser of the 12-Day War, entered as the most vulnerable player and emerged weaker still. Tehran stood largely alone, with Hamas degraded, Hezbollah decimated, Syria toppled, and Russia distracted. Yet the Islamic Republic can still claim regime survival, some damage inflicted on Israel, and a murkily intact nuclear program.Netanyahu, meanwhile, avoided a ceasefire until he had secured key gains: he crippled Iran's infrastructure, leveraged US firepower to hit targets beyond Israel's reach, and rescued his collapsing political career. As Friedman notes, “The people who won this war for Israel...were, for the most part, the very same people who were in the streets of Israel for nine months against Netanyahu and his judicial coup.” That tension will only grow in the months ahead.For Trump, this marks the biggest foreign policy victory of his second term—at least for now. He struck a blow to Iran's ambitions, avoided a broader war, and emerged politically unscathed. But what happens next, especially in Gaza, will test the durability of that win.Host: Ian BremmerGuest: Thomas L. Friedman Subscribe to the GZERO World with Ian Bremmer Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform, to receive new episodes as soon as they're published.
This 'Media Buzz Meter' first aired June 23rd, 2025 ... Howie Kurtz on Trump's surprise decision to bomb Iran's nuclear facilities, White House saying strike against Iran prevented a nuclear war and Trump teasing regime change in Tehran. Follow Howie on Twitter: @HowardKurtz For more #MediaBuzz click here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
X: @GarrettInExile @americasrt1776 @ileaderssummit @NatashaSrdoc @JoelAnandUSA @supertalk Join America's Roundtable (https://americasrt.com/) radio co-hosts Natasha Srdoc and Joel Anand Samy with the Honorable Tom Garrett, a leading attorney, currently serving as a legislator in the Commonwealth of Virginia and former Assistant Attorney General. While serving in the US Congress, Tom served on the Foreign Affairs Committee and Homeland Security Committee. An expert on Iran and the Middle East, Tom Garrett's analysis and insights are enlightening as America's foreign policy and national security concerns are focused on a strategic region adversely impacted by Iran, a state sponsor of terrorism. Our conversation is focused on: The US airstrikes authorized by President Trump targeting Iran's nuclear sites and the realities on the ground within the Middle East. Lessons Learned in the Middle East | The next step as calls for "regime change in Tehran" grow louder within the Iranian diaspora, and the importance of an organic grown opposition in Iran to revolt, rather than foreign intervention. The rise of socialism in America's major cities. Ten percent of NYC voters choose a socialist with anti-Semitic views as the official Democratic Party's NYC mayoral candidate for the November 2025 election. Rise of Socialism in America | Zohran Mamdani, the 33-year-old democratic socialist embracing radical views which undermine the U.S. Constitution would be the first Muslim to lead the nation's largest city if elected. His chants for a "free Palestine" and the public call to "Globalize the Intifada" - a slogan used by pro-Palestinian activists to call for widespread violence against Jews and Israel has raised serious concerns from within New York and around the country. Focusing on the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as it carries out its responsibilities in arresting illegal immigrants involved in criminality. On the efforts of ICE within Virginia: “We are now through over 2,000 arrests as part of the Virginia Homeland Security Task Force. It's working, and most importantly, we're getting really tough bad guys off the street.” - Governor Glen Youngkin, Virginia In addition to the conversation on US airstrikes on Iran's nuclear sites authorized by President Trump and the reaction by Democrat leaders on the Hill, Tom Garrett also highlights the challenges we face within America as New York City's democrat voters elect a staunch socialist as its candidate for this November's mayoral election. Tom Garrett is a US Army veteran and served in locations including the perilous Balkan region during the 1990s right after the Dayton Peace Accords were signed. He served as Assistant Attorney General, Commonwealth of Virginia. In 2016, Honorable Tom Garrett was elected to represent Virginia's 5th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives. While in Congress, Tom served on the Foreign Affairs Committee, Homeland Security Committee and the Education and Workforce Committee. Tom Garrett has been engaged in foreign policy, civil society and serves as a well-respected advisor on freedom, the rule of law, and religious liberty fronts - having spent time in difficult parts of the world including war-torn Syria and Ukraine. As an attorney, he practices law in the Commonwealth of Virginia. americasrt.com (https://americasrt.com/) https://summitleadersusa.com/ | https://jerusalemleaderssummit.com/ America's Roundtable on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/americas-roundtable/id1518878472 X: @GarrettInExile @americasrt1776 @ileaderssummit @NatashaSrdoc @JoelAnandUSA @supertalk America's Roundtable is co-hosted by Natasha Srdoc and Joel Anand Samy, co-founders of International Leaders Summit and the Jerusalem Leaders Summit. America's Roundtable (https://americasrt.com/) radio program focuses on America's economy, healthcare reform, rule of law, security and trade, and its strategic partnership with rule of law nations around the world. The radio program features high-ranking US administration officials, cabinet members, members of Congress, state government officials, distinguished diplomats, business and media leaders and influential thinkers from around the world. Tune into America's Roundtable Radio program from Washington, DC via live streaming on Saturday mornings via 68 radio stations at 7:30 A.M. (ET) on Lanser Broadcasting Corporation covering the Michigan and the Midwest market, and at 7:30 A.M. (CT) on SuperTalk Mississippi — SuperTalk.FM reaching listeners in every county within the State of Mississippi, and neighboring states in the South including Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana and Tennessee. Tune into WTON in Central Virginia on Sunday mornings at 6:00 A.M. (ET). Listen to America's Roundtable on digital platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, Google and other key online platforms. Listen live, Saturdays at 7:30 A.M. (CT) on SuperTalk | https://www.supertalk.fm
Ian Bremmer sits down with New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman to dissect what may go down as the most consequential month in the Middle East in years. Just weeks after Israel launched a war against Iran—and after President Trump authorized US airstrikes—an uneasy ceasefire is in place. But what was actually achieved?Iran, the clear loser of the 12-Day War, entered as the most vulnerable player and emerged weaker still. Tehran stood largely alone, with Hamas degraded, Hezbollah decimated, Syria toppled, and Russia distracted. Yet the Islamic Republic can still claim regime survival, some damage inflicted on Israel, and a murkily intact nuclear program.Netanyahu, meanwhile, avoided a ceasefire until he had secured key gains: he crippled Iran's infrastructure, leveraged US firepower to hit targets beyond Israel's reach, and rescued his collapsing political career. As Friedman notes, “The people who won this war for Israel...were, for the most part, the very same people who were in the streets of Israel for nine months against Netanyahu and his judicial coup.” That tension will only grow in the months ahead.For Trump, this marks the biggest foreign policy victory of his second term—at least for now. He struck a blow to Iran's ambitions, avoided a broader war, and emerged politically unscathed. But what happens next, especially in Gaza, will test the durability of that win.Host: Ian BremmerGuest: Thomas L. Friedman Subscribe to the GZERO World with Ian Bremmer Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform, to receive new episodes as soon as they're published.
Through July and August we are featuring our all new top ten podcasts countdown. We begin with Sanam Vakil's Understanding Iran first podcast 8 October 2024 a week after Iran had hit Israel with ballistic missiles. The attack was in retaliation for the Israeli assassinations of Hezbollah's Hassan Nasrallah, the IRGC general Abbas Nilforoushan and the Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. Sign up NOW at ArabDigest.org for free to join the club and start receiving our daily newsletter & weekly podcasts.
The United States took unprecedented action, striking three nuclear sites on June 22, following an ongoing campaign of Israeli attacks on Iranian leadership, nuclear, and energy targets. Iran responded to Israel with a barrage of ballistic missile strikes, but following the latest U.S. bombing, Tehran attacked with a reportedly well-telegraphed symbolic strike on American assets in Qatar. For now, it seems the dangerous escalatory cycle has been diffused, but how long will this uneasy status quo endure without a negotiated set of arrangements that satisfies all three parties in this explosive triangle? Are Israeli and U.S. interests aligned? What kind of concessions is Iran prepared to make on their nuclear program? Is a diplomatic solution possible and, if not, what kind of conflict lies ahead? Join Aaron David Miller as he sits down with Amos Yadlin, president and founder of MIND and former head of IDF Intelligence, and the Carnegie Endowment's Karim Sadjadpour to discuss these and other issues on the next Carnegie Connects.
Reps. Greg Murphy (R-N.C.) and Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.) weigh in on President Trump's agenda bill as it faces a final House vote. NBC News Chief Foreign Correspondent Richard Engel reports from Tehran as Iran suspends cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog. NBC News Senior National Security Correspondent Courtney Kube reports on the Pentagon's decision to halt a weapons shipment to Ukraine.
Welcome to another episode in the “Prison Pulpit” series on the Fight Laugh Feast network’s China Compass podcast! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben, still trying to get settled here in Malaysia. Follow and/or message me on Twitter/X (@chinaadventures) where I post (among other things) daily reminders to pray for China.You can also email me @ bfwesten at gmail dot com. Lastly, to learn more about our ministry endeavors or get one of my missionary biographies, visit PrayGiveGo.us! Why did I begin this weekly Prison Pulpit series? To remind us all to pray for persecuted pastors and believers (such as Pastor Wang Yi) as Hebrews 13:3 teaches us to do (“as bound with them”), by sharing from his own published writings in China, as well as more prison stories and sermons from others like the late Richard Wurmbrand. Today we’re going to deviate a little bit from China and talk about the ongoing persecution of Christians in Iran. Believe it or not, I just got access to my show’s analytics, and I happened to notice that we have a handful of downloads from Iran of all places. If you’re out there, please know that we are praying for you! And I hope that many more will be praying for you after today’s episode! BTW, I’ve always been fascinated with Iran and I’m excited to know that the church is growing there! If there wasn’t an extremely high risk of getting arrested, I would love to visit personally. (I almost got a Peruvian passport for that very reason.) But the closest I have come is flying over the heart of the country (at least once) on a Europe to Asia flight, swimming in the Persian Gulf (across from Iran) with my son in 2009, and flying along the Iranian border with Iraq on a flight from Oman to London in May. Over 300 Prosecuted in Tehran, Nearly 100 Sentenced to Long Prison Terms for Practicing Faith https://iranhumanrights.org/2025/04/imprisonment-of-christians-jumps-six-fold-in-iran-as-persecution-intensifies/ Harsh punishments meted out to two Iranian believers who have already escaped the country https://www.opendoorsuk.org/news/latest-news/iran-christians-exile/ New Attacks in Nigeria Leave 200+ Dead https://www.opendoorsus.org/en-US/stories/new-attacks-in-nigeria-leave-200-dead/ Follow China Compass Follow or subscribe to China Compass on whichever platform you use. You can also send any questions or comments on X: @chinaadventures or via email (bfwesten at gmail dot com). Hebrews 13:3!
Iran announced it would suspend cooperation with the U.N.’s nuclear watchdog, likely preventing a review of the damage done to its nuclear sites and setting Washington and Tehran on another collision course. It comes as Iran has launched a massive operation to find Israeli spies. Nick Schifrin spoke with Iranian Nobel laureate Narges Mohammadi, who describes it as a harsh crackdown on all dissent. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
"In this episode of CODEPINK Radio, host Marcy Winograd and Medea Benjamin discuss efforts on Capitol Hill to stop further US military involvement in Iran and expose the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation as a dangerous front for the Israeli military. David Swanson, executive director of World Beyond War, and Ann Wright, board member of CODEPINK, share their participation in European protests to shut down Ramstein Air Base and denounce NATO as a warfare alliance raiding public treasuries. In the second half of the podcast, we hear segments from Danny Haiphong's Left Lens podcast featuring Mohammad Marandi, professor at the University of Tehran, and Ali Abunimah, executive director of the Electronic Intifada."
00:08 — Kaveh Ehsani is an Assistant Professor of International Studies at DePaul university. He is a contributing editor to the Tehran-based journal, Dialogue. 00:33 — Elizabeth Taufa, Senior Policy Attorney & Specialist with the Immigrant Legal Resource Center. The post Aftermath of the “12-Day War” in Iran; Plus, DOJ Could Denaturalize 25-Million Naturalized US Citizens appeared first on KPFA.
We kick off the program with four news stories and different guests on the stories we think you need to know about!MA adding to cable costs with tax on some boxes…Guest: Colin Young – State House News ReporterA ceasefire between Iran and Israel has not ended the threat of cyberattacks from hacking groups supportive of Tehran…what Iranian cyberattacks are capable of against the U.S.-Author of the upcoming book Spies, Lies, and Cybercrime: Cybersecurity Tactics to Outsmart Hackers and Disarm Scammers.Guest: Eric O'Neill - FBI counterintelligence operative and cybersecurity specialistLiving Wage Fee: Latest addition to restaurant bills has diners vowing 'never to eat at restaurant again' – a 3 percent 'kitchen appreciation' tax….Guest: Sherif Mityas - CEO of BRIX Holdings, a multi-brand franchising company specializing in food service chainsPeople Are Being Involuntarily Committed, Jailed After Spiraling Into "ChatGPT Psychosis"-Many ChatGPT users are developing all-consuming obsessions with the chatbot, spiraling into severe mental health crises characterized by paranoia, delusions, and breaks with reality.Guest: Leigh Richardson – PhD, licensed professional Counselor & Founder of the Brain Performance CenterNow you can leave feedback as you listen to WBZ NewsRadio on the FREE iHeart Radio app! Just click on the microphone icon in the app, and be sure to set WBZ NewsRadio as your #1 preset!
Iran announced it would suspend cooperation with the U.N.’s nuclear watchdog, likely preventing a review of the damage done to its nuclear sites and setting Washington and Tehran on another collision course. It comes as Iran has launched a massive operation to find Israeli spies. Nick Schifrin spoke with Iranian Nobel laureate Narges Mohammadi, who describes it as a harsh crackdown on all dissent. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
SHOW SCHEDULE 6-30-25 GOOD EVENING. The show begins in Iran.. 1852 TEHRAN. CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN BATCHELOR FIRST HOUR 9:00-9:15 Iran: IAEA confirms damage but no conclusion. Bill Roggio, FDD. 9:15-9:30 Iran: Remains regional power. Bill Roggio, FDD 9:30-9:45 Ukraine: Low on air defense. John Hardie, Bill Roggio, FDD 9:45-10:00 NATO: Successes. John Hardie FDD SECOND HOUR 10:00-10:15 Taiwan: Assassination plot by wolf warriors. Steve Yates, Heritage. @gordongchang, Gatestone, Newsweek, The Hill 10:15-10:30 SpaceX: Costs of fails unknown. Douglas Messier, David Livingston 10:30-10:45 Trade: No doom. Just incorrect gloom. Alan Tonelson, @gordongchang, Gatestone, Newsweek, The Hill 10:45-11:00 Trade: No doom. Just incorrect gloom. Alan Tonelson, @gordongchang, Gatestone, Newsweek, The Hill continued THIRD HOUR 11:00-11:15 5/8: The Spy Who Changed History: The Untold Story of How the Soviet Union Won the Race for America's Top Secrets by Svetlana Lokhova (Author) Format: Kindle Edition On a sunny September day in 1931, a Soviet spy walked down the gangplank of the luxury transatlantic liner SS Europa and into New York. Attracting no attention, Stanislav Shumovsky had completed his journey from Moscow to enroll at a top American university. He was concealed in a group of 65 Soviet students heading to prestigious academic institutions. But he was after far more than an excellent education. Recognizing Russia was 100 years behind the encircling capitalist powers, Soviet leader Joseph Stalin had sent Shumovsky on a mission to acquire America's vital secrets to help close the USSR's yawning technology gap. The road to victory began in the classrooms and laboratories of MIT – Shumovsky's destination soon became the unwitting finishing school for elite Russian spies. The USSR first transformed itself into a military powerhouse able to confront and defeat Nazi Germany. Then in an extraordinary feat that astonished the West, in 1947 American ingenuity and innovation exfiltrated by Shumovsky made it possible to build and unveil the most advanced strategic bomber in the world. Following his lead, other MIT-trained Soviet spies helped acquire the secrets of the Manhattan Project. By 1949, Stalin's fleet of TU-4s, now equipped with atomic bombs could devastate the US on his command. Appropriately codenamed BLÉRIOT, Shumovsky was an aviation spy. Shumovsky's espionage was so successful that the USSR acquired every US aviation secret from his network of agents in factories and at top secret military research institutes. In this thrilling history, Svetlana Lokhova takes the reader on a journey through Stalin's most audacious intelligence operation. She pieces together every aspect of Shumovsky's life and character using information derived from American and Russian archives, exposing how even Shirley Temple and Franklin D. Roosevelt unwittingly advanced his schemes. 11:15-11:30 6/8: The Spy Who Changed History: The Untold Story of How the Soviet Union Won the Race for America's Top Secrets by Svetlana Lokhova (Author) Format: Kindle Edition 11:30-11:45 7/8: The Spy Who Changed History: The Untold Story of How the Soviet Union Won the Race for America's Top Secrets by Svetlana Lokhova (Author) Format: Kindle Edition 11:45-12:00 8/8: The Spy Who Changed History: The Untold Story of How the Soviet Union Won the Race for America's Top Secrets by Svetlana Lokhova (Author) Format: Kindle Edition FOURTH HOUR 12:00-12:15 Iran: Arrests, executions, burial. Ahmad Sharawi, Bill Roggio, FDD 12:15-12:30 Gaza: Egypt and Jordan to supervise. Ahmad Sharawi, Bill Roggio, FDD 12:30-12:45 #NewWorldReport: Chile votes. Joseph Humire @jmhumire @securefreesoc. Ernesto Araujo, former Foreign Minister Republic of Brazil. #newworldreporthumire, Alejandro Pena, Hungarian Center for Fundamental Rights. 12:45-1:00 AM #NewWorldReport: China in the Americas. Chile votes. Joseph Humire @jmhumire @securefreesoc. Ernesto Araujo, former Foreign Minister Republic of Brazil. #newworldreporthumire, Alejandro Pena, Hungarian Center for Fundamental Rights. Continued
John Anderson and Dr. Rebeccah Heinrichs examine the geopolitical consequences of the conflict between Israel and Iran, highlighting the United States' role in shaping global security and the future of the Middle East. They discuss how President Trump's decisive military strike on Iran's nuclear infrastructure has undermined Tehran's influence and reasserted US supremacy in the region.The conversation reflects on the rise of anti-Semitism, the misguided pursuit of a two-state solution, and the importance of standing with strong allies like Israel. It underscores how pivotal a strong US response in the Middle East is to a strategy of deterrence in the Indo-Pacific, particularly with regard to Taiwan. Dr. Heinrichs criticises Australia's reluctance to strengthen its own defence capabilities in this context, expressing the hope that Australia will choose to collaborate more closely with the United States in an era of mounting global uncertainty.Dr. Rebeccah L. Heinrichs is a senior fellow at Hudson Institute and the director of its Keystone Defense Initiative. Dr. Heinrichs specialises in US national defense policy with a focus on strategic deterrence. Dr. Heinrichs is an adjunct professor at the Institute of World Politics, where she teaches nuclear deterrence theory, and is also a contributing editor of Providence: A Journal of Christianity and American Foreign Policy.
Iran has used its status as a leading oil and gas producer to promote dedollarization, rejecting the US dollar and trading with China, Russia, India, and other BRICS members in their national currencies. Ben Norton explains the Western economic war on Iran, and Tehran's response. VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ziGNmvOh6k US pressures Saudi Arabia to sell oil in dollars, not Chinese yuan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmYybJZo3fo The real reasons for the US-Israeli war on Iran, explained: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwH780cEcEQ Topics 0:00 US dollar's "exorbitant privilege" 0:50 Sanctions: weaponization of US dollar 1:33 De-dollarization 3:54 Economic warfare 5:15 History of US meddling in Iran 6:41 Geopolitics of oil 7:22 Iranian leaders promote de-dollarization 8:42 BRICS trade in national currencies 10:33 Iran's oil and gas production 10:51 Gulf flirts with petroyuan 11:34 History of petrodollar system 12:31 OPEC oil embargo 13:55 Saudi King Faisal 14:30 OPEC oil embargo 14:55 Nixon-Kissinger deal with Saudis 16:50 Super Imperialism 17:39 Oil backs US seigniorage 19:31 Saudi Arabia and petrodollar 20:20 US pressure on Saudi Arabia 21:44 War on Iran 22:27 Why USA wants regime change 23:47 Outro
Lyse Doucet speaks to Majid Takht-Ravanchi, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, about the future of Iran's nuclear programme and its government. The interview took place in the country's capital Tehran after Iran's twelve-day war with Israel. Both sides fired missiles into each other's territories, with hundreds killed as military sites were destroyed and civilian infrastructure badly damaged.Israel first attacked Iran on 13 June, claiming Iran was close to building a nuclear weapon. The conflict ended when the United States bombed three of Iran's nuclear sites.It is worth remembering, before any of the aggression started, talks about the future of Iran's nuclear programme were ongoing with the US. But they were overshadowed by a report from the International Atomic Energy Agency declaring Iran was in breach of its nuclear obligations and questioned why Iran was enriching uranium to such high levels.For now, there's a ceasefire between Israel and Iran. Majid Takht-Ravanchi explains why he thinks it will hold and what it will take for diplomacy with the United States to resume in good faith. The Interview brings you conversations with people shaping our world, from all over the world. The best interviews from the BBC. You can listen on the BBC World Service, Mondays and Wednesdays at 0700 GMT. Or you can listen to The Interview as a podcast, out twice a week on BBC Sounds, Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.Presenter: Lyse Doucet Producers: Charlotte Scarr and Ben Cooper Sound: Dave O'Neill Editor: Nick HollandGet in touch with us on email TheInterview@bbc.co.uk and use the hashtag #TheInterviewBBC on social media.(Image: Majid Takht-Ravanchi. Credit: Safin Hamid/AFP via Getty Images)
Gaza: aid teams report more essential services are shutting downIran crisis: top UNOCHA official in Tehran highlights scale of needsNorthern hemisphere heatwave underscores value of early-warning alerts
In this sprawling live dig, Ghost uncovers the web of pipelines, intelligence alliances, and hidden players shaping the next phase of global power struggles. He starts by tracing the strategic triangle of Moscow, Tehran, and Beijing, explaining how Central Asia's flat plains and the Trans-Caspian Pipeline became the new battleground for influence. Pivoting to Azerbaijan, Ghost details how Israeli drones and jets allegedly used Azerbaijani territory to attack Iran during the recent conflict, accusations that Baku denies while maintaining tight military cooperation with Tel Aviv. He explores how the BTC pipeline fuels Israel's energy needs and how Azerbaijan's strategic location links the Ukraine war with the Middle East escalation. The episode also dives into Armenia's crackdown on Russian-backed billionaires and Orthodox clerics, suggesting echoes of the old Armenian genocide playbook. Ghost rounds out the show exposing the tangled ties between former Ukrainian officials, Gazprom intermediaries, and the US diplomatic corps dating back to the collapse of the Soviet Union. It's a complex, eye-opening look at how pipeline politics, covert alliances, and energy corridors are merging into a single geopolitical theater.
In Episode 425 of Hidden Forces, Demetri Kofinas speaks with geopolitical and intelligence analyst Dmitri Alperovitch about the new security dynamics and economic opportunities that arise from America's and Israel's attacks on Iran, the risks of strategic overreach, and whether U.S. actions do more to compel or deter a Chinese invasion of Taiwan. In the first hour, Alperovitch scrutinizes Israel's decision to initiate a series of targeted strikes against Iran's nuclear program, including their decision to assassinate key nuclear scientists and senior members of the IRGC. We discuss America's choice to participate in this campaign, Iran's response, potential additional repercussions from these attacks, political conditions within the Islamic Republic, and whether this latest round of violence might precipitate the collapse of the Iranian government or incite a coup against its supreme leader, Ali Khamenei. In the second hour, Alperovitch is asked whether he believes Trump's decision to involve the American military directly in Israel's war with Iran was in America's national interests or if it results in strategic overreach that will further undermine American security and the credibility of American global leadership. He and Kofinas discuss how this move is perceived by other regional players like Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States, how it alters the security dynamics in the Middle East, and how it affects Dmitri's assessment of the risks Washington faces in its broader Cold War with the People's Republic of China. Subscribe to our premium content—including our premium feed, episode transcripts, and Intelligence Reports—by visiting HiddenForces.io/subscribe. If you'd like to join the conversation and become a member of the Hidden Forces Genius community—with benefits like Q&A calls with guests, exclusive research and analysis, in-person events, and dinners—you can also sign up on our subscriber page at HiddenForces.io/subscribe. If you enjoyed today's episode of Hidden Forces, please support the show by: Subscribing on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Spotify, Stitcher, SoundCloud, CastBox, or via our RSS Feed Writing us a review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify Joining our mailing list at https://hiddenforces.io/newsletter/ Producer & Host: Demetri Kofinas Editor & Engineer: Stylianos Nicolaou Subscribe and support the podcast at https://hiddenforces.io. Join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at @hiddenforcespod Follow Demetri on Twitter at @Kofinas Episode Recorded on 06/23/2025
Prospects for negotiations between the United States and Iran on nuclear proliferation have dimmed significantly.Just a few days ago, it seemed the two sides were ready to return to negotiations. But US President Donald Trump then said he was not speaking to Iran and was not offering Tehran anything. Iran's deputy foreign minister has told the BBC his country won't enter into talks on its nuclear programme. Also in the programme: We'll get a rare glimpse at life inside the Ukrainian city of Mariupol after three years of Russian occupation; and after calling the shots for 148 years, tennis tournament Wimbledon says goodbye to human line judges.(Photo: Iran's deputy foreign minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi in an interview with the BBC's Lyse Doucet. Credit: BBC)
The director general of the nucelar watchdog agency the International Atomic Energy Agency spoke with Margaret Brennan about the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and Tehran's nuclear capabilities. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
This past week, President Donald J. Trump scored a series of triumphant wins—each one dismantling the left’s attacks and reaffirming America First dominance. Legal Hammer Down – The Supreme Court’s landmark 6–3 ruling strips activist judges of the power to issue nationwide injunctions, cementing presidential immunity and delivering a knockout to the left’s lawfare tactics. NATO Wake-Up Call – Thanks to Trump’s pressure, NATO nations agreed to raise defense spending to 5% of GDP—a historic game-changer. Europe is finally paying its fair share. Iran on the Ropes – Trump ordered precision strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities—Operation Midnight Hammer—and pushed for peace through strength. Tehran is on the back foot and forced into indirect talks. Bill Bulldozes Senate – The “Great, Big, Beautiful Bill” blasted through a 51–49 procedural vote, advancing sweeping tax cuts, military funding, and border security measures. The Senate is set to make a final vote on the bill today (Monday) Markets Skyrocket – With Trump back in command, stocks are roaring—investor confidence has surged on his America‑First economic agenda. Border Lockdown – The new house‑and‑security measures are in motion, and illegal crossings are falling—Trump’s blueprint is working again. Tune in to Stinchfield this week as we expose the mainstream meltdown, unveil how Trump crushed every obstacle, and explain why this is a crushing week of victories for American strength. The left is exposed. The momentum is undeniable. Don’t miss it. Go to http://freegoldguide.com/grant or call 800 458 7356 for your free Colonial Metals Group retirement protection kit – created specifically for our listeners where you can get up to $7500 in free Silver. www.EnergizedHealth.com/Grant www.PatriotMobile.com/Grantwww.Get20Now.comTWC.Health/Grant Use "Grant" for 10% Off See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
//The Wire//2300Z June 30, 2025////ROUTINE////BLUF: FIREFIGHTERS TARGETED IN IDAHO AMBUSH, MULTIPLE FATALITIES REPORTED. TARGETING CONTINUES IN THE MIDDLE EAST.// -----BEGIN TEARLINE------International Events-Middle East: The situation remains tenuous throughout the region as another drone attack strikes Tehran. This afternoon, locals reported witnessing a kamikaze drone attack taking place in Tehran, which is being claimed to have targeted a senior IRGC official.Analyst Comment: As this is a developing situation, very few details are confirmed. However, yesterday anti-aircraft batteries throughout the city were observed engaging targets, which would add more validity to the claims of small drones being used to target senior defense officials. Reports from last night also suggest that Iranian leadership is continuing to crack down on spies and insurgents carrying out attacks within Tehran, which is continuing to be a problem despite the ceasefire.-HomeFront-Idaho: Yesterday afternoon a small arms engagement was reported on Canfield Mountain just east of Cour d'Alene. At approximately 1330L, firefighters responded to a call of a brush fire on Canfield Mountain, in the vicinity of Nettleton Gulch Road. Upon arrival on scene, firefighters unknowingly maneuvered into the kill zone of a deliberately laid ambush, with the fire being started to lure authorities in to the location. In the initial ambush, 2x firefighters were KIA, and several others were wounded. After some time, local authorities stated that the body of a male individual (presumed to be the shooter) was recovered from the scene, along with a firearm. This morning, the shooter was identified as Wess Roley.-----END TEARLINE-----Analyst Comments: Regarding the verbiage used to describe the situation in Idaho, additional context would be helpful to discern the threat. The term "ambush" is technically correct in describing the shooting, however this term is also likely to imply that a classic L-shaped ambush was laid by a professional military force. In this case, this is not what happened at all. The shooter briefly spoke to firefighters who were arriving on scene, before climbing a tree and engaging them with a shotgun from close range. Considering that many people around the nation are currently concerned with various threats of terrorism, it is important to understand that while horrific, this incident does not bear the hallmarks of a more professional and sophisticated terror attack.Incidents like this often highlight additional concerns that would be wise to consider. For instance, even before the shooter's identity was even known, many "journalists" were pushing a narrative for political purposes even as the incident was ongoing. Even now, a full day after the attack (and knowing the shooter's identity), many news organizations have not issued corrections to their articles that attempted to paint this situation as some sort of crazed militia activity related to White Supremacy groups (or the general idea of such). This horrific attack was the result of one individual who's success relied not upon military planning tactics, but on the fire department (understandably) not expecting to roll up to a fire and find someone shooting at them from a tree.However, regardless of the rhetoric that is already being spread, it is extremely crucial to remember that in the heat of the moment, the underlying politics and ideology are less important than the situation at hand; political discussions are best served after the situation is resolved, not while bullets are still whizzing by overhead. It is also easy to forget that, regardless of the suspicious nature of attacks like this, at the end of the day real people are dead. This will be important to remember as multiple sides will seek to spin this event to suit their narratives.Analyst: S2A1Research: htt
This episode of Veteran On The Move features the remarkable journey of Army Veteran Nick Berg, author and entrepreneur. Born in Tehran, Nick's childhood was defined by the Iranian Revolution and the Iran-Iraq War. After escaping a life-threatening situation in Iran, he moved to the U.S. and served 11 years in the Army. Nick discusses his unique transition from military service to becoming an author. He shares insights into writing his novel, Shadows of Tehran, and the entrepreneurial path of establishing his own publishing company to help others tell their stories. The conversation also touches on current events and Nick offers valuable advice for first-time authors. Episode Resources: About Nick Berg Shadows of Tehran About Our Guest Nick Berg is an American author whose life is marked by tragedy and resilience. Born in Tehran to an Iranian mother and American father, he experienced Iran's vibrant culture and violent political upheavals. These events deeply influenced his worldview and literary voice. In his novel, Shadows of Tehran, Nick mirrors his life through the protagonist, Ricardo, reflecting struggles with identity, betrayal, and redemption. Nick moved to the U.S., served in Special Operations, and transitioned to a successful tech executive career after an injury. Post-military, Nick focuses on writing, speaking, and coaching on diversity and servant Leadership. He is also a music enthusiast, finding creativity and renewal in producing electronic music. Nick's work bridges cultural gaps and emphasizes resilience and hope. About Our Sponsors Navy Federal Credit Union Navy Federal Credit Union has made it their mission to help people in the military community. Navy Federal Credit Union is open to all branches of the military, Veterans and their families. They have lots of flexible savings and investing options to help their members reach their financial goals. Don't miss out. The sooner you start building your finances with savings and investing options, the better off they could be in the long run. At Navy Federal, our members are the mission. Join the conversation on Facebook! Check out Veteran on the Move on Facebook to connect with our guests and other listeners. A place where you can network with other like-minded veterans who are transitioning to entrepreneurship and get updates on people, programs and resources to help you in YOUR transition to entrepreneurship. Want to be our next guest? Send us an email at interview@veteranonthemove.com. Did you love this episode? Leave us a 5-star rating and review! Download Joe Crane's Top 7 Paths to Freedom or get it on your mobile device. Text VETERAN to 38470. Veteran On the Move podcast has published 500 episodes. Our listeners have the opportunity to hear in-depth interviews conducted by host Joe Crane. The podcast features people, programs, and resources to assist veterans in their transition to entrepreneurship. As a result, Veteran On the Move has over 7,000,000 verified downloads through Stitcher Radio, SoundCloud, iTunes and RSS Feed Syndication making it one of the most popular Military Entrepreneur Shows on the Internet Today. Disclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you purchase via the link provided.
Iran's deputy foreign minister has told the BBC it will not enter into talks on its nuclear programme unless America guarantees not to bomb the country again during the negotiations. The demand comes as the head of the UN's nuclear watchdog, the IAEA, warns that Iran has the capacity to resume enriching uranium in a matter of months. Our chief international correspondent, Lyse Doucet, spoke to Majid Takht-Ravanchi - Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs. Also in the programme: As summer temperatures soar in Europe, we ask why the continent is warming so quickly; an Iranian journalist on the aftermath of Israel's bombing of a notorious prison, in Tehran; and how Club World Cup footballers are struggling in the heat of the US summer.(Photo: Majid Takht-Ravanchi - Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs. Credit: BBC)
In the aftermath of the U.S. bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities, we welcome back Theodore Postol, Professor of Science, Technology and National Security Policy Emeritus at MIT to give his expert technical assessment on where that assault leaves the Iranian nuclear program. Then, Trita Parsi, executive vice president of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, gives us his analysis of the political side of the issue.Theodore Postol is Professor of Science, Technology and National Security Policy Emeritus in the Program in Science, Technology, and Society at MIT. His expertise is in nuclear weapon systems, including submarine warfare, applications of nuclear weapons, ballistic missile defense, and ballistic missiles more generally.No one at that point after the attack could have known whether or not there was success of any kind, even if there was success. And I doubt there was any success.Theodore PostolThe Israelis have done everything in their power to create an internal argument among the political leadership in Iran to proceed to build a nuclear weapon so that this kind of thing won't happen again. So the Israeli grand strategy, if you want to call it that, shows no intelligence or thought of any kind.Theodore PostolTrita Parsi is the executive vice president of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, and the co-founder and former President of the National Iranian American Council. He is an expert on US-Iranian relations, Iranian foreign policy, and the geopolitics of the Middle East. He has authored three books on US foreign policy in the Middle East, with a particular focus on Iran and Israel— Treacherous Alliance: The Secret Dealings of Iran, Israel and the United States, A Single Roll of the Dice – Obama's Diplomacy with Iran, and Losing an Enemy: Obama, Iran and the Triumph of Diplomacy.Israel is not enhancing American power in the Middle East. Israel is consuming it.Trita Parsi, Executive VP of the Quincy Institute for Responsible StatecraftIf the (Iranian regime) were to collapse it would most likely be because there would be an internal coup. And the next regime would be coming from the very same regime. It would just be a much more aggressive and hardline.Trita Parsi20 Worst Recent Trump Headlines1. Trump Administration Abruptly Cuts Billions From State Health Services (Apoorva Mandavilli, Margot Sanger-Katz and Jan Hoffman, New York Times, March 26, 2025)2. The EPA is canceling almost 800 environmental justice grants, court filing reveals (Maxine Joselow and Amudalat Ajasa, Washington Post, April 29, 2025)3. Trump's attack on federal unions a ‘test case' for broader assault, warn lawyers (Michael Sainato, The Guardian, 5/1/25)4. Trump fires all 3 Democrats on the Consumer Product Safety Commission (Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 5/9/25)5. Federal employee unions fight for survival as Trump tries to eviscerate them (Andrea Hsu, NPR, 5/11/25)6. Trump's DOJ agrees to let Boeing escape guilty plea. It was a deal victims' families didn't want. (Alexis Keenan, Yahoo Finance, 5/23/25)7. Trump made a promise not to touch Medicare. His megabill just broke it. (Alan L. Cohen, NBC, 5/23/25)8. Trump's safety research cuts heighten workplace risks, federal workers warn (Michael Sainato, The Guardian, 5/27/25)9. Provision in GOP budget bill puts millions at risk of losing SNAP benefits (Lisa Desjardins and Jackson Hudgins, PBS, 5/29/25)10. White House proposes shutting down chemical safety agency (Maxine Joselow Washington Post, 6/3/25)11. Trump tax bill would add $550 billion in interest payments to national debt (Jacob Bogage, Washington Post, 6/5/25)12. RFK Jr. boots all members of the CDC's vaccine advisory committee (Will Stone, NPR, 6/9/25)13. Vance, Rubio peddle fiction that 88 percent of foreign aid doesn't go overseas (Glenn Kessler, Washington Post, 6/11/25)14. Trump's EPA plans to repeal climate pollution limits on fossil fuel power plants (Jeff Brady, NPR, 6/11/25)15. How Trump's assault on science is blinding America to climate change (Scott Waldman, E&E News, 6/16/2025)16. ‘Censorship:' See the National Park visitor responses after Trump requested help deleting ‘negative' signage (Government Executive Magazine, 6/18/25)17. Government drops cases against ‘predatory' financial firms (Peter Whoriskey, Washington Post, 6/20/25)18. 'Hell no, insane': A proposal for millions of acres of land under Trump's 'big, beautiful' bill sparks outrage (No Byline, Economic Times, 6/23/25)19. Under Trump's ‘Big, Beautiful Bill' child poverty will rise again (Arturo Baiocchi, Sacramento Bee, 6/23/25)20. Trump loves saying 'You're fired.' Now he's making it easier to fire federal workers (Andrea Hsu, NPR, 6/23/25)News 6/27/251. After a brutal initial barrage by the United States, followed by tit-for-tat exchanges between Israel and Iran, the U.S. is seeking to broker a ceasefire between the two states. On Truth Social, Trump posted “ISRAEL is not going to attack Iran. All planes will turn around and head home, while doing a friendly ‘Plane Wave' to Iran. Nobody will be hurt, the Ceasefire is in effect!” Just hours after this however, Israel did in fact bomb targets in Tehran, per Reuters. Israel also claims to have intercepted missiles fired from Iran following the ceasefire agreement. In the wake of the initial attacks, journalist Séamus Malekafzali reported that the “Iranian communist party Tudeh and the Communist Party of Israel [Hadash] release[d] a joint statement condemning the Israeli war on Iran, saying Israel's intent is to make the region ‘bow down to [US] imperialism' and that the only solution is full nuclear disarmament in the Middle East.” Israel's nuclear capabilities are an open secret in Washington, with estimates that the country possess between 90 and 400 nuclear warheads.2. In Congress, Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia has put forth a War Powers resolution in an attempt to check Trump's unilateral escalation in Iran. According to Newsweek, he expects to get Republican votes in the Senate. In the House, the effort is led by Reps. Ro Khanna and maverick Republican Thomas Massie, whom Trump has become so enraged with that he recently launched a PAC to oust him from his seat, per Axios. Meanwhile, AOC issued a statement reading, “The President's disastrous decision to bomb Iran without authorization is a grave violation of the Constitution and Congressional War Powers. He has impulsively risked launching a war that may ensnare us for generations. It is absolutely and clearly grounds for impeachment.” Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, asked about AOC's impeachment comments, replied “No, no, that's a big threshold to cross,” per David Weigel.3. The escalation in Iran has exposed fissures in Trump's orbit. PBS reports major MAGA figures like Steve Bannon, Tucker Carlson and Marjorie Taylor-Greene are openly opposed, while Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has reportedly drawn Trump's ire for a string of comments out of step with the administration's messaging, starting with a video earlier this month in which she accused “political elites and warmongers [of] carelessly fomenting fear and tension between nuclear powers,” per the Independent. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has been iced out completely, according to the Washington Post.4. In more news concerning the administration, the Project on Government Oversight (POGO) has published a new report, finding that “Stephen Miller…Trump's powerful deputy chief of staff and homeland security advisor…has a personal financial stake…[of] up to a quarter million dollars of stock in Palantir.” POGO describes Palantir, the shadowy tech company founded by rightwing tech oligarch Peter Thiel, as “woven into the operations of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and used by other federal agencies such as the Pentagon.” POGO and other experts see this as a glaring potential conflict of interest. In an almost darkly comedic twist, “Democratic lawmakers have recently sought information from Palantir, [but] they are in the minority and cannot compel the company to produce records. A person who could is Representative James Comer (R-KY), the chairman of the [House] oversight committee...However, Comer bought…Palantir stock the day after Trump's inauguration…his only stock trade that day.” Palantir is the second-best-performing S&P 500 stock in 2025, with shares up 74% year-to-date, per Business Insider.5. In a rare case of corruption actually being prosecuted, the New York Times reports former New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez reported for his eleven-year prison sentence on June 17th. “After a nine-week trial in Manhattan, Mr. Menendez…became the only U.S. senator ever to be convicted of acting as an agent of a foreign government,” after taking part in a “yearslong bribery conspiracy” that included payoffs in the form of “kilo bars of gold, a Mercedes-Benz convertible and more than $480,000 in cash.” Menendez is now incarcerated at the Federal Correctional Institution, Schuylkill, a medium-security federal prison in Minersville, Pennsylvania. He has been assigned the prisoner number 67277-050.6. In other news, POLITICO reports, “FICO plans to launch a suite of credit scores later this year that incorporate [Buy Now Pay Later or BNPL] data, providing lenders a window into…consumers' repayment behavior on these increasingly popular installment loans.” As BNPL data has not been included in credit reporting before, this has become known as “phantom debt…a gigantic black box…[and] largely unregulated.” This story notes that the Trump administration CFPB has “dropped planned enforcement of a Biden administration rule that would have treated BNPL providers like credit card companies,” subjecting this industry to daylight and financial regulation. The administration's abandonment of this rule mirrors their declassification of cryptocurrency as securities in order to skirt SEC oversight. Many questions remain over how exactly BNPL data will factor into consumers' credit scores, but many are bracing for this data to reveal a growing chasm of consumer debt underpinning the already shaky economic picture.7. Meanwhile Mahmoud Khalil, the Columbia University student and activist abducted by ICE on the eve of his son's birth – despite being a legal permanent resident – has finally been freed. Khalil was held in federal immigration detention in Louisiana for 104 days, per AP. Following his release, Khalil said “Justice prevailed, but it's very long overdue.” Khalil's legal battle will continue. Khalil stated in an interview with NPR, “My release is just the first step. The legal fight is still very, very long. The administration appealed the decision about my release, but we will prove our case – that what happened…was textbook retaliation against the First Amendment, that I was targeted because of speech the government did not like, and that there was nothing wrong with the speech I was engaged in. I want to make sure that everyone who contributed to my arrest will be held accountable.”8. Backlash to Trump's immigration policies is not confined to the political and legal realms either. Newsweek reports that the new Pope, Leo XIV, has “called for priests, deacons and parish leaders to accompany migrants to court and stand in solidarity with them.” This is an encouraging sign for those who hoped Leo would follow in the footsteps of Pope Francis. It also puts the new Pope at odds with more conservative American Catholics, such as Vice-President JD Vance who converted in adulthood. In May, Leo's brother John Prevost told New York Times that the new Pope, “has great, great desire to help the downtrodden and the disenfranchised, the people who are ignored.”9. In another immigration flashpoint, “A gang of masked federal agents swarmed, manhandled, and detained New York City Comptroller Brad Lander…as he sought to assist a defendant out of immigration court,” according to the American Prospect. The Prospect notes this arrest is “the latest instance of political violence against opposition party members, which has included the arrests of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and New Jersey Rep. LaMonica McIver…the arrest of Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan…and the brief detention of Sen. Alex Padilla.” Lander was released several hours after he was detained, when New York Governor Kathy Hochul showed up in person to demand his release. She called his arrest “b******t.” Later, in an interview with Joe Gallina, Lander said, “Courts tell undocumented immigrants their cases are ‘dismissed.' But what they really dismiss… is their asylum status. Then ICE grabs them. No lawyer. No warning.”10. Finally, 33-year-old democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani trounced disgraced former Governor Andrew Cuomo in the New York City Democratic mayoral primary on Tuesday, winning by a completely unforeseen seven-point landslide. Polls up to election day showed Cuomo winning, some by as much as 24 points. Mamdani, a state legislator since 2021, ran on a platform of affordability, including making city buses free, establishing city-owned grocery stores and freezing the rent for all stabilized tenants. This platform – paired with cogent messaging, an extraordinary grassroots organizing campaign and shrewd alliances with other progressive candidates like Brad Lander – won the day for Zohran. However, an air of uncertainty about November remains. Incumbent Mayor Eric Adams still plans to run for reelection as an independent and Cuomo hasn't ruled out doing the same, per the Hill. While many who endorsed or donated to Cuomo in the primary – some now openly admitting they merely did so out of fear of reprisal – have switched their allegiance to Mamdani, some are maintaining a hostile posture towards the presumptive Democratic nominee. There is no doubt this story will proceed in dramatic fashion.This has been Francesco DeSantis, with In Case You Haven't Heard. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe
Tehran stages a mass state funeral for senior Iranian military commanders and nuclear scientists killed in Israeli attacks. The BBC's Lyse Doucet reports from the scene, where large crowds have gathered on the streets. Also in the programme: Christians in Damascus prepare to attend church services on Sunday despite the biggest sectarian attack on their community in a century last weekend; and as France brings in a ban on smoking at beaches, parks and other public spaces, we hear from one outraged smoker.(IMAGE: People attend the funeral procession of Iranian military commanders, nuclear scientists and others killed in Israeli strikes, in Tehran, Iran, June 28, 2025 / CREDIT: Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS)
In our news wrap Saturday, senators are holding a rare weekend session as the deadline to pass Trump’s budget bill looms, mourners gathered in Tehran for the funeral of top military commanders and scientists killed in the war with Israel, Palestinian officials said Israeli strikes killed at least 62 people in Gaza, and a funeral was held in Minneapolis for Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
NATO leaders met this week and promised to increase defense spending to 5 percent of GDP.Meanwhile, Donald Trump claimed at that same summit that the U.S. strikes on nuclear sites in Iran had "completely and fully obliterated" the country's nuclear program. American intelligence reports, however, indicate the attack only set Tehran back a few months.Zohran Mamdani, the New York assembly member representing the state's 36th district, is expected to be the Democratic party's nominee for mayor after former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo conceded this week.Following a meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the president suggested he was open to sending more Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine.Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
This episode is dedicated to the life and memory of Adriana Smith Donate to the Celebration of Black Transwomen Cookout in NYC: https://www.gofundme.com/f/gia-love-x-angelito-black-trans-love-cookout-fundraiser The episode (note, there is a 6 second breather in the beginning, don't worry, just breathe, we still here lol) "Happy" Pride** with a major asterisks No pride with genocide Everything you are being told about Iran in the mainstream media is a lie derived from the same binaries that harm trans/tgnc and queer communities particularly us Blacks and whatever imminent fear you have of "WWIII" done already happened and/or is already happening in someone else's world and if you Black, already happened to people who look like you just 40 years ago. Queer as in hella glitter and chocolate babies and watermelon woman and i am your venus documentary and diana ross and patrik ian polk and brandy full moon and june jordan nem and stud step baby daddies and allofthat and especially queer as in an unequivocal ten toes stance with the people of Iran and all oppressed peoples across the globe opposed to western hegemony and white supremacist colonial violence. -Jojo Siwa, white queerness/white queer community only caring about the aesthetic -love island bombshells and actual bombshells -Skrmetti Ruling IRAN (Israel is actually the only country in the Middle East that has nuclear weapons but I aint seeing too many tiktoks or NYT articles bout them) -Van Jones saying we should support trump?? --Whoopi Goldberg and cross-cultural solidarity (she ain't lying) -90% of Israelis support bombing of Iran? -MAJORITY civilians killed in Iran but media is not reporting, many more have fled Tehran (capital of Iran) -Iran, gender binary, transphobia and anti-blackness link Ericka's Sexuality Education Training Program, get hip, jug pricing available and free spots courtesy of Sex Ed as Resistance's official partner, Dame Products: https://ihartericka.com/sex-ed-as-resistance/ for more info and to apply Recommended Reading: Closing excerpt from The Fateful Triangle: The United States, Israel and the Palestinians by Noam Chomsky This is a listener supported, currently pay-wall free podcast. To support the continuation of this independent listener sponsored podcast and keep this g-thang ad free, consider becoming a patron: www.patreon.com/c/ihartericka or via Venmo: @Ericka-Hart, Paypal: ericka@ihartericka.com. Thank you!
In today's BONUS episode of Verdict with Ted Cruz
Iran expert Karim Sadjadpour has called Trump's bombing of Iran's nuclear facilities a once-in-a-generation event that could transform the Middle East. While the impact of the conflict may not be clear for years, Sadjadpour says the attacks by the U.S. and Israel do raise a more immediate question: Will they strengthen the authoritarian regime in Tehran, or hasten its demise?Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
President Trump says U.S. military strikes on Iran "obliterated" Tehran's nuclear program, Iran continues to send missiles into Israel, while Iran's ambassador to the United Nations denounced U.S. strikes on Iran's nuclear sites as "premeditated acts of aggression." Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.Today's episode of Up First was edited by Krishnadev Calamur, Alex Leff, Andrew Sussman, Janaya Williams and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy