Podcasts about tensions

Abdul-Ahad explores the Sunni insurgency, tensions between nationalists and foreign jihadis, and the humiliation of occupation that fueled resistance and further sectarian violence in Iraq. 3.

Tensions between the U.S. and Iran are rising — and the markets are reacting.In this episode, we break down what it could mean for oil prices, energy and defense stocks, gold, the U.S. dollar, and the broader stock market. Is this just headline volatility… or something bigger?More importantly — how should traders respond?Don't miss our upcoming workshop https://training.tieronetrading.com/income-trader-3-day-workshop63847604Your Trading Coach - Akil

Dana Bash hosts a special edition of State of the Union after the US and Israel launch sweeping strikes on Iran, targeting its nuclear program and weapons systems and killing Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior officials, as President Trump vows bombing will continue “as long as necessary.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In today's story, OP insists on turning back to his wife's mom's house to grab her forgotten wedding ring. Tensions rise quickly as his wife questions if it was really worth the hassle. Now OP is wondering - was he overreacting or just looking out for his marriage?0:00 Intro0:20 Story 14:09 Story 1 Update 15:08 Story 1 Comments / OP's Replies9:56 Story 1 Update 214:00 Story 1 Comments / OP's Replies16:43 Story 219:58 Story 2 Comments / OP's Replies22:54 Story 2 Update25:08 Story 2 Comments / OP's Reply#redditupdate #redditrelationship #redditpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Current Tensions

Fluent Fiction - Catalan: From Tensions to Triumph: A Family's Unplanned Journey Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ca/episode/2026-02-28-08-38-20-ca Story Transcript:Ca: El cotxe familiar avançava lentament per l'autopista, travessant el paisatge gris de l'hivern.En: The family car was moving slowly along the highway, traversing the gray winter landscape.Ca: El cel era clar, però l'aire estava gelat.En: The sky was clear, but the air was freezing.Ca: Martí mirava per la finestra, la cara premsada contra el vidre.En: Martí looked out the window, his face pressed against the glass.Ca: Somiava amb la llibertat que desitjava tant.En: He dreamed of the freedom he so greatly desired.Ca: Volia demostrar a la seva família que podia ser responsable i madur.En: He wanted to prove to his family that he could be responsible and mature.Ca: Laia, asseguda al seient del copilot, mirava el mapa al mòbil.En: Laia, sitting in the passenger seat, was looking at the map on her phone.Ca: Sempre era la peacemaker de la família, intentant mantenir l'harmonia entre Martí i la seva mare, Eulàlia.En: She was always the peacemaker of the family, trying to maintain harmony between Martí and his mother, Eulàlia.Ca: Eulàlia, amb els seus cabells arrissats i la seva forma imprevisible de ser, conduïa mentre taral·lejava una cançó que sonava a la ràdio.En: Eulàlia, with her curly hair and unpredictable nature, was driving while humming a song playing on the radio.Ca: El seu destí era el Park Güell, a Barcelona, un lloc de bellesa sorprenent creat per Gaudí.En: Their destination was Park Güell, in Barcelona, a place of surprising beauty created by Gaudí.Ca: Les formes ondulants i els colors vius dels mosaics prometien un dia ple de descobertes.En: The undulating shapes and vibrant colors of the mosaics promised a day full of discoveries.Ca: "Ara, girem a la dreta aquí", va dir Laia, però Eulàlia va seguir recte, immersa en els seus pensaments.En: "Now, turn right here," said Laia, but Eulàlia went straight, lost in her thoughts.Ca: Martí va fer una ganyota i va murmurar: "Mare, escolta almenys!En: Martí grimaced and murmured, "Mom, at least listen!"Ca: "El viatge continuava amb alts i baixos.En: The journey continued with ups and downs.Ca: Cada decisió impulsiva de la mare feia que Martí es posés nerviós.En: Each impulsive decision by the mother made Martí nervous.Ca: Volia demostrar la seva validesa, així que va decidir prendre el comandament de la navegació: "Deixa'm el mapa, mare.En: He wanted to prove his worth, so he decided to take charge of the navigation: "Let me have the map, mom.Ca: Jo puc guiar-nos.En: I can guide us."Ca: "Al principi, Eulàlia no estava convençuda, però finalment va acceptar.En: At first, Eulàlia wasn't convinced, but she eventually relented.Ca: Martí va examinar el mapa amb atenció, sentint-se responsable.En: Martí carefully examined the map, feeling responsible.Ca: A punt d'arribar a Barcelona, el motor del cotxe va fer un soroll estrany i es va aturar de sobte.En: Just about to arrive in Barcelona, the car engine made a strange noise and suddenly stopped.Ca: Tots van callar.En: Everyone fell silent.Ca: Eulàlia va exclamar: "Oh no, el cotxe!En: Eulàlia exclaimed, "Oh no, the car!"Ca: "Un silenci tens es va instal·lar.En: A tense silence ensued.Ca: Martí se sentia impotent.En: Martí felt powerless.Ca: Laia va baixar del cotxe i va anar cap al capó.En: Laia got out of the car and went towards the hood.Ca: En aquell moment, totes les tensions acumulades van explotar.En: In that moment, all the accumulated tensions exploded.Ca: Martí va deixar anar: "Mai arribem enlloc sense problemes, sempre pel teu impuls!En: Martí blurted out, "We never get anywhere without problems, always because of your impulse!"Ca: " Eulàlia es va defensar, mentre Laia intentava calmar la situació.En: Eulàlia defended herself, while Laia tried to calm the situation.Ca: Aquest enfrontament sembla no tenir final fins que Martí va agafar una respiració profunda i va dir: "Som una família, hem de treballar junts.En: This confrontation seemed endless until Martí took a deep breath and said, "We're a family, we have to work together."Ca: "Laia, amb el manual del cotxe a la mà, va suggerir què podrien fer.En: Laia, with the car manual in hand, suggested what they could do.Ca: Junts van buscar la causa del problema i, després d'una estona, van aconseguir reparar el cotxe.En: Together they looked for the cause of the problem and, after a while, managed to repair the car.Ca: Vermuts i entre riures, van tornar a pujar al cotxe, aquesta vegada amb una nova comprensió.En: With snacks and laughter, they got back into the car, this time with a newfound understanding.Ca: Quan finalment van arribar al Park Güell, Martí es va adonar que el veritable viatge era aquest aprenentatge compartit.En: When they finally arrived at Park Güell, Martí realized that the true journey was this shared learning.Ca: La família es va unir més que mai, i Martí va entendre el valor de les peculiaritats de cadascú.En: The family was closer than ever, and Martí understood the value of everyone's peculiarities.Ca: Al final, va descobrir que la llibertat també es troba en saber treballar en equip, i a acceptar els altres tal com són.En: In the end, he discovered that freedom is also found in knowing how to work as a team and accepting others as they are.Ca: Amb el sol de darrera hora de la tarda banyant-los, van somriure, sabent que sempre tindrien aquestes aventures per compartir.En: With the late afternoon sun bathing them, they smiled, knowing they would always have these adventures to share. Vocabulary Words:family car: el cotxe familiarfreezing: gelatglass: el vidredesire: desitjarresponsible: responsablepeacemaker: la peacemakerhumming: taral·lejantradio: la ràdiodestination: el destíundulating: ondulantsmosaics: els mosaicsgrimaced: va fer una ganyotamurmured: va murmurarimpulsive: impulsivanervous: nerviósguide: guiaconvinced: convençudacarefully: amb atencióengine: el motorhood: el capótensions: les tensionspowerless: impotentconfrontation: enfrontamenttense silence: un silenci tensmanual: el manualrepair: repararsnacks: vermutslaughter: entre riuresshared learning: aprenentatge compartitpeculiarities: les peculiaritats

Tensions in the trial of Colin Gray were at all-time high in the courtroom. The dramatic video that caused someone to cut the television feed. The latest developments in the search for Nancy Guthrie. Why investigators believe multiple may be behind the abduction. And, on the CBS Evening News' "The Good Stuff", meet the kid who lost his collection of Pokémon cards but found out just how compassionate people can be. 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

Join OANDA Senior Market Analysts & podcast guest Nick Syiek (TraderNick) as they review the latest market news and moves. MarketPulse provides up-to-the-minute analysis on forex, commodities and indices from around the world. MarketPulse is an award-winning news site that delivers round-the-clock commentary on a wide range of asset classes, as well as in-depth insights into the major economic trends and events that impact the markets. The content produced on this site is for general information purposes only and should not be construed to be advice, invitation, inducement, offer, recommendation or solicitation for investment or disinvestment in any financial instrument. Opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and not necessarily those of OANDA or any of its affiliates, officers or directors. If you would like to reproduce or redistribute any of the content found on MarketPulse, please access the RSS feed or contact us at info@marketpulse.com. © 2023 OANDA Business Information & Services Inc

Lee Hardman, Senior Currency Analyst, and Seiko Kataoka‑Fisher, Director in Japanese Customer Sales for EMEA in London, explore why speculation over the Bank of Japan's upcoming policy shifts has triggered a fresh wave of yen weakness. They also examine how escalating tensions between Iran and the United States could shape the performance of the US dollar in the weeks ahead.

In the aftermath of their battle with the Ape Lord the party has yet to heal. Tensions send heroes on their own paths with only the guidance of the other forces in the Beastlands, and each other, to guide them.---Our show contains fantasy violence (and the occasional foul language), treat us like a PG-13 program!---Thank you to our friends at Burnt Cook Book Party! Check them out here:www.BCBParty.comEpisode One "Kill Santa": https://shows.acast.com/bcbparty/episodes/bcbpresents-kill-santa-episode-1Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/bcbpartyBluesky: @BCBparty.bsky.socialTumblr: @BCBpartyDani enamel pins available now! Order yours while supplies last:https://crowdmade.com/collections/rolling-with-difficultyRolling with Difficulty Patreon:patreon.com/rollingwithdifficultyRolling with Difficulty Discord:https://discord.gg/8c9e4xhUKyMerch:https://crowdmade.com/collections/rolling-with-difficultyContact the Pod:rollwithdifficulty@gmail.comRSS Feed: https://rollingwithdifficultypod.transistor.fm/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/RollingwithDifficultyInstagram: @rollwithdifficultyBlueSky: @rollwithdifficulty.bsky.socialTik Tok: @rollwithdifficultyCast:Dungeon Master - Austin FunkBlueSky: @atthefunk.bsky.socialThe Set's Journal of Faerun: https://www.dmsguild.com/product/345568/The-Sets-Journal-of-Faerun-Vol-1?term=the+setKatya -  Sophia RicciardiBlueSky: @sophiekay.bsky.socialInstagram: @_sophie_kayMoviestruck: https://moviestruck.transistor.fm/Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/moviestruckTrystine - OSP RedBlueSky: @overlysarcastic.bsky.socialInstagram: @overly.sarcastic.productionsOverly Sarcastic Productions: https://www.youtube.com/c/OverlySarcasticProductionsChannel/Kireek - NoirBlueSky: @noirgalaxies.bsky.socialInstagram: @noirgalaxiesGarou -  WallyBlueSky: @wallydraws.bsky.socialInstagram: @stuckinspacePortfolio: https://ghost_astronaut.artstation.com/Want to send us snail mail? Use this Address:Austin Funk1314 5th AvePO Box # 1163Bay Shore NY 11706Character Art by @stuckinspaceBackground Art by @tanukimi.sMusic by: Dominic Ricciardihttps://soundcloud.com/dominicricciardimusicFeatured Tracks:Hunting Party ThemeWhen Will the Beast Land?Big Downtime ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Our Global Commodities Strategist Martijn Rats discusses the geopolitical drivers behind the recent spike in oil prices and outlines four Iran scenarios.Read more insights from Morgan Stanley.----- Transcript -----Welcome to Thoughts on the Market. I'm Martijn Rats, Morgan Stanley's Global Commodities Strategist.Today – what's fueling the latest oil market rally.It's Thursday, February 26th, at 3pm in London.What happens when oil prices jump, even though there's no actual shortage of oil? That's the situation we're in right now. Tensions between the U.S. and Iran have escalated again. Naturally, markets are paying attention.Over the past week, Brent crude rose about $3 to around $72 per barrel. WTI climbed into the mid-$60s. Shipping costs surged. And traders have started paying a premium for protection against a sudden oil spike – the levels we haven't seen since the early days of the Ukrainian invasion.But here's the key point: there's no clear evidence that global oil supply has tightened. Exports are still flowing. Tankers are still moving. And some near-term indicators of physical tightness have actually softened. When oil is truly scarce, buyers scramble for immediate barrels and short-term prices spike relative to future delivery. Instead, those spreads have narrowed, and physical premiums have eased.This isn't a supply shock. It's a risk premium. In simple terms, investors are buying insurance. So what could happen next? We see four broad scenarios.Before I outline them though, here's something we do not see as a core case: a prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Roughly 15 million barrels per day of crude and another 5 million of refined product moves through that corridor. A sustained shutdown would be enormously disruptive. But we think the probability is very low.Now coming back to our four scenarios. The first is straightforward. A negotiated settlement; conflict is avoided. Iranian exports continue and shipping lanes remain open. In that scenario, what unwinds is the geopolitical risk premium – which we estimate at roughly $7 to $9 per barrel. If that fades, Brent could drift back to the low-to-mid $60s, similar to past episodes where prices spiked on fear and then retraced once supply proves unaffected.Second, we could see short-lived frictions – shipping delays, higher insurance costs, temporary logistical issues. That might remove a few hundred thousand barrels per day for, say, a few weeks.. Prices could briefly spike into the $75–80 range. But balancing forces would kick in relatively quickly. For example, China has been building inventories at a steady pace. At higher prices, that stockbuilding would likely slow, helping offset temporary disruptions. That points to some further upside in prices – but then normalization.The third scenario is more serious, but still contained: localized export losses of perhaps 1 to 1.5 million barrels per day for a month or two. Prices would stay elevated longer, but spare capacity and demand adjustments could eventually stabilize the market.Now our last scenario is the more serious and considers a potential shipping shock. The real risk here isn't wells shutting down – it's shipping disruption. Global trade of crude oil depends on efficient tanker movement. If transit times were extended even modestly, effective shipping capacity could fall sharply, creating what amounts to a temporary tightening of about 2 to 3 million barrels per day – or about 6 percent of global seaborne supply. That is a logistics shock, not a production outage – but it would push prices toward early-2022-type levels, at least briefly.Now let's zoom out. Beyond geopolitics, the fundamentals look weak. OPEC+ supply is rising, and our forecasts show a sizable surplus building in 2026. Even if some of that oil ends up in China's stockpiles, a lot would still likely flow into core OECD inventories. Historically, when the market looks like this, prices tend to fall, not rise.Which brings us back to the central point. Oil isn't rallying because the world has run out of barrels. It's rallying because markets are pricing geopolitical risk. And unless that risk turns into actual, sustained disruption, insurance premiums tend to expire.Thank you for listening. If you enjoy the show, please leave us a review wherever you listen and share Thoughts on the Market with a friend or colleague today.This podcast references jurisdiction(s) or person(s) which may be the subject of economic sanctions. Readers are solely responsible for ensuring that their investment activities are carried out in compliance with applicable laws.

We are officially in the phase of a campaign where decency gets tossed aside and the opposition research file is emptied directly into a 30-second spot.One local ad targeting Cook County Commissioner Samantha Steele opens with footage from her DUI arrest and the now-infamous line, “I'm an elected official.” The ad's structure is ruthlessly efficient. Lead with the footage. Transition from self-importance to alleged abuse of power. Tie it together with a tagline about rules not applying to her. On the nasty scale, it earns high marks. It is disciplined, rhythmic, and unforgiving.Then there is the Texas Senate Republican primary, where the National Republican Senatorial Committee and Sen. John Cornyn are going directly at Attorney General Ken Paxton. Divorce. Allegations of infidelity. Wealth accumulation during scandal. Even insinuations about cultural issues designed to rile the base. It is the kind of ad that signals panic or confidence. Sometimes both.Politics Politics Politics is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Contrast that with Paxton's softer spot featuring his daughter speaking about him as a grandfather. It is the standard counterpunch to a scandal narrative: humanize, slow down, soften the edges. When campaigns spend that kind of money on family-centered messaging, it usually means they are trying to cover something sharp underneath.The larger point is simple. As we approach primary day, the gloves are off.Tariffs, Courts, and the $133 Billion QuestionBeyond campaign warfare, the Trump administration is wrestling with the fallout from the Supreme Court striking down its sweeping tariff regime. Roughly $133 billion in collected duties now sit in limbo.Officials are reportedly exploring ways to discourage refund claims, stretch out litigation, or even reimpose tariffs under new legal authorities. Trade lawyers argue the government previously committed to repayment with interest and that courts will scrutinize any attempt to sidestep that obligation.This is less about ideology and more about arithmetic. If companies want their money back, they are likely to get it. The administration may find voluntary compliance from firms seeking goodwill, but legally, the leverage is limited. This is the bargaining phase after a judicial loss.The Epstein Depositions BeginHillary Clinton was deposed behind closed doors in Washington as part of the House Oversight Committee's work on the Epstein files. She maintained that she had no knowledge of wrongdoing involving Jeffrey Epstein or Ghislaine Maxwell.Democrats are pushing for a full, unedited transcript release to prevent selective leaks from shaping the narrative. Tensions flared when Rep. Lauren Boebert leaked an image of Clinton during the deposition, briefly halting proceedings.Next comes Bill Clinton. For those with long political memories, that sense of history repeating itself is unavoidable. Whether anything explosive emerges remains to be seen, but the optics alone ensure sustained attention.Transactional Politics in Real TimePerhaps the most revealing political maneuver of the week came from New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani. In an unscheduled trip to Washington, he reportedly presented President Trump with specific names of detained individuals and requested their release. One Columbia-affiliated detainee was subsequently freed.The broader lesson is something I have observed for years. With Trump, flattery and direct engagement can yield tangible results. Politics is transactional. If you give him a headline he likes or a symbolic win, you may get policy movement in return. Mamdani appears to understand that dynamic.Chapters00:00:00 - Intro00:03:27 - Nasty Political Ads00:10:52 - Interview with Kevin Ryan00:51:33 - Update00:51:47 - Tariffs00:53:13 - Clintons00:54:57 - Mamdani and Trump00:59:13 - Interview with Kevin Ryan, con't01:38:33 - Wrap-up This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.politicspoliticspolitics.com/subscribe

Tensions are rising in New York City as controversial remarks about a snowball incident spark outrage from law enforcement and political leaders. Critics say it's more than just “kids throwing snowballs” — while supporters argue it's being overblown.Meanwhile, former Governor Andrew Cuomo and NYC Mayor Eric Adams weigh in, adding fuel to the debate over public safety, policing, and voter sentiment in the city.At the same time, a potential 2028 Democratic showdown may already be brewing. California Governor Gavin Newsom takes aim at Kamala Harris, referencing her past connection to Willie Brown. Is this the beginning of a 2028 power struggle?With national ambitions in play and political alliances shifting, the battle lines may already be forming.

durée : 00:05:22 - La Revue de presse internationale - par : Catherine Duthu - Tokyo prévoit de déployer des missiles sol-air sur une île japonaise proche de Taïwan d'ici 2031, alors que les autorités nippones multiplient les mises en garde au sujet des ambitions militaires de la Chine dans la région. En représailles, Pékin multiplie les sanctions économiques contre Tokyo.

Cuban authorities say a Florida-registered speedboat entered Cuban waters and fired on a patrol, wounding its commander.

Preview for later today: Steve Yates outlines China's efforts to undermine US interests globally, including its involvement in the Ukraine war, Middle East tensions, and influence across the Americas.

Tensions rise as Discovery Mountain debates a tech-free challenge—can the town unplug without unraveling?

High Timeline Living Website:https://www.hightimelineliving.com/Readings with Kristinhttps://kristiraeastrology.wixsite.com/blogFun Astrology YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/@funastrologypodcastBuy Thomas a Coffee!https://www.buymeacoffee.com/funastrologyThank you!Join the Fun Astrology Lucky Stars Club Here!Old Soul / New Soul Podcast - Back Episodes:https://www.buzzsprout.com/2190199https://www.youtube.com/@OldSoulNewSoulAstrologyPodcast

Your daily news in under three minutes. At Al Jazeera Podcasts, we want to hear from you, our listeners. So, please head to https://www.aljazeera.com/survey and tell us your thoughts about this show and other Al Jazeera podcasts. It only takes a few minutes! Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

The TNI-UK team of BISON, LimpStar & The JoeKer look back at TNA iMPACT & the other major talking points from the last week of TNA Wrestling. Featuring: - TNA Original AJ Styles to be inducted to the WWE Hall of Fame. Frankie Kazarian, Abyss & The Good Brothers make appearances on RAW. - Full card for the next live TNA iMPACT on March 5th announced. - Trey Miguel redesigns & defends the TNA International Championship against NXT's Stacks. - Tensions explode between Mance Warner & AJ Francis. - Mickie James called out by Ash By Elegance, the two set to clash this week. - The Guitar Case Casket Match between Elijah & Mustafa Ali tears the house down! - Steve Maclin returns to TNA this Thursday to "State his case" on recent events with Mike Santana. - With the news on AJ Styles dominating the headlines, those joining us live tonight, shout out the most Phenomenal memories you have of Styles in TNA! All of this plus a look into the news and rumors surrounding TNA Wrestling, this week's Xplosion as well as a look towards this week's episode of TNA iMPACT WRESTLING! MERCHANDISE (Support the TNI FAMILY): #BISONBYDESIGN Primal Power Gym Wear & TNI-UK Shirts available at http://www.bbdwear.co.uk Pro Wrestling Tees: www.prowrestlingtees.com/totalnonstopimpact Spreadshop Merchandise: Featuring Caps, Hoodies, Mugs, & MORE! total-nonstop-impact.myspreadshop.com CONNECT WITH TOTAL NONSTOP IMPACT: Social Media: Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/WETALKIMPACT Twitch - https://www.twitch.tv/TotalNonstopIMPACT Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/WETALKIMPACT Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/WETALKIMPACT TNI-UK Bison's Twitter - https://twitter.com/LordBison45 JoeKer's Twitter - https://twitter.com/JOKEmptySpace Steve's Twitter - https://twitter.com/simplysteve311 Craig's Twitter - https://x.com/NetworkStooge Bison's TikTok - https://tiktok.com/@bisonbydesign Craig's TikTok - https://tiktok.com/@limpstaruk TNI-US Jaybone's Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/jaybone5150 William's Twitter - https://twitter.com/williammgardner Streaming Audio: Apple iTunes - https://apple.co/2NpzbqF Stitcher Radio - https://bit.ly/2DjPznT Google Play - https://tinyurl.com/ybh29sfp TuneIn Radio - https://bit.ly/2NreA57 iHeart Radio: https://ihr.fm/laugeb Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2B1zBeL Soundcloud - https://soundcloud.com/user-625858195 Pandora - https://pandora.app.link/07JHdVjfc9 Twitch: twitch.tv/totalnonstopimpact Connect with us now on our Discord: https://discord.com/invite/WrrUyJF Step #IntoTheVoid JoeKer's YouTube - https://youtube.com/channel/UCddtM170Glce-NagWJZgupw or search @joekerwildeDBJ87 Join our TNI-UK Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/totalnonstopimpactuk #TNAWRESTLINGDAZN #TNAWRESTLING #TNAREVOLUTION #TNAonAMC #TOTALNONSTOPIMPACT #TNIUK #IMPACTED #WeAreIMPACTED #WednesdayNightIMPACTED #TNITRIBE #TNIArmy #NXT #WWE #NXTNA #TNAMC #AJSTYLES

Victoria Coates, VP of the Heritage Foundation & Former Deputy National Security Advisor, joins the program to discuss the ongoing cartel tensions in Mexico, before she expands on the other top foreign policy headlines in the news today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey BillOReilly.com Premium and Concierge Members, welcome to the No Spin News for Monday, February 23, 2026. Stand Up for Your Country.  Talking Points Memo: Olympic hockey victory boosts morale in our divided country, Kash Patel faces a bit of backlash over beer with the players post-game. Stephen A. Smith provides insight on Disney's political influence and the men's vs. women's Olympic hockey team's reactions to Trump's invitation to the State of the Union address. The latest on the Supreme Court's decision against Trump's tariffs. Senior Fellow at the Center for International Policy, Sina Toossi enters the No Spin Zone to analyze the escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran. Cartels light Puerta Vallarta ablaze after the murder of “El Mencho”, their leader. Final Thought: Bill is filling in for Chris Cuomo on News Nation at 8pm on March 4th, and he's bringing back the O'Reilly Factor! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Elizabeth Peak, columnist for The Hill and Fox News, discusses AI's disruptive potential on Wall Street, emphasizing the need for human oversight while exploring broader market anxieties including trade tariffs and geopolitical tensions. 1.1941

War Room Massie Drops Redacted Epstein Names On House Floor, U.S. F-22 Stealth Fighters Deployed to Southern Israel Amid Iran Tensions, PLUS Trump SOTU to Focus On Economy & Middle Class

War Room Massie Drops Redacted Epstein Names On House Floor, U.S. F-22 Stealth Fighters Deployed to Southern Israel Amid Iran Tensions, PLUS Trump SOTU to Focus On Economy & Middle Class

Your daily news in under three minutes. At Al Jazeera Podcasts, we want to hear from you, our listeners. So, please head to https://www.aljazeera.com/survey and tell us your thoughts about this show and other Al Jazeera podcasts. It only takes a few minutes! Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Marc Cox interviews Congressman Jason Smith, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, about the upcoming State of the Union, partisan divides, and the stalled SAVE Act in the Senate. Smith outlines the accomplishments of the Trump administration, criticizes Democratic tactics during past addresses, and expresses frustration over the lack of bipartisan recognition for American achievements. The conversation also touches on controversial guest invitations, ceremonial gestures in the House, and expectations for tonight's speech, highlighting the political theater surrounding major national events. Hashtags: #JasonSmith #StateOfTheUnion #SAVEAct #Congress #MarcCoxMorningShow #PartisanPolitics

Nineteen people have died after a packed bus heading from the resort city of Pokhara to Kathmandu plunged off the Prithvi highway and crashed on the banks of the Trishuli river. Listen to the latest weekly update from Nepal, including communal tensions in Gaur that led to a curfew, authorities asking health institutions to report injuries from Gen Z protests and Nepal's seven-wicket win over Scotland in the ongoing men's T20 World Cup. - पोखराबाट काठमाण्डू जाँदै गरेको बस दुर्घटना हुँदा १९ जनाको मृत्यु भएको छ। बस सडकबाट तल खसेर त्रिशूली नदीको किनारमा पुगेको बताइएको छ। यस लगायत, गौर नगरपालिमा साम्प्रदायिक तनाव सुरु भएर ठुलो आकार लिँदै गएपछि त्यसलाई रोक्न जिल्ला प्रशासन कार्यालयद्वारा कर्फ्यु आदेश, जेन-जी प्रदर्शनका क्रममा घाइते भएकाहरूको विवरण तत्काल उपलब्ध गराउन सरकारको स्वास्थ्य संस्थाहरूलाई निर्देशन र जारी टी२० विश्वकप अन्तर्गत गत मङ्गलवार आफ्नो अन्तिम खेलमा नेपालले स्कटल्यान्डलाई सात विकेटले पराजित गरेको लगायत गत सात दिनका नेपालका प्रमुख समाचारहरू सुन्नुहोस्।

Tensions between the US and Iran are once again escalating, as President Trump has threatened military strikes if Iran refuses to accede to its demands. Iran has responded with warnings that any US strikes will lead to all-out war in the region. The Iran nuclear talks come as the Iranian government faces the biggest challenge to its survival since 1979. Last month, a protest about the rising costs of living exploded into a nationwide uprising. The response was a brutal crackdown which killed thousands of people. Having returned from a reporting trip to the capital Tehran, the BBC's Chief International Correspondent, Lyse Doucet, gives us a rare insight into how Iranians are dealing with the aftermath of last month's protests, continuing economic hardship, and the prospect of a US attack. Producers: Aron Keller, Viv Jones and Sam Chantarasak Executive producer: James Shield Mix: Travis Evans Senior news editor: China CollinsPhoto: Iranians walking in Tehran. Credit: Abedin Taherkenareh/EPA/Shutterstock

Last time we spoke about General Zhukov's arrival to the Nomohan incident. The Kwantung Army's inexperienced 23rd Division, under General Komatsubara, suffered heavy losses in failed offensives, including Colonel Yamagata's assault and the annihilation of Lieutenant Colonel Azuma's detachment, resulting in around 500 Japanese casualties. Tensions within the Japanese command intensified as Kwantung defied Tokyo's restraint, issuing aggressive orders like 1488 and launching a June 27 air raid on Soviet bases, destroying dozens of aircraft and securing temporary air superiority. This provoked Moscow's fury and rebukes from Emperor Hirohito. On June 1, Georgy Zhukov, a rising Red Army tactician and tank expert, was summoned from Minsk. Arriving June 5, he assessed the 57th Corps as inadequate, relieved Commander Feklenko, and took charge of the redesignated 1st Army Group. Reinforcements included mechanized brigades, tanks, and aircraft. Japanese intelligence misread Soviet supply convoys as retreats, underestimating Zhukov's 12,500 troops against their 15,000. By July, both sides poised for a massive clash, fueled by miscalculations and gekokujo defiance.   #190 Zhukov Unleashes Tanks at Nomohan Welcome to the Fall and Rise of China Podcast, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about the history of Asia? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on history of asia and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel where I cover the history of China and Japan from the 19th century until the end of the Pacific War. At 4:00 a.m. on July 1, 15,000 heavily laden Japanese troops began marching to their final assembly and jump-off points. The sun rose at 4:00 a.m. and set at 9:00 p.m. that day, but the Japanese advance went undetected by Soviet/MPR commanders, partly because the June 27 air raid had temporarily cleared Soviet reconnaissance from the skies. On the night of July 1, Komatsubara launched the first phase. The 23rd Division, with the Yasuoka Detachment, converged on Fui Heights, east of the Halha River, about eleven miles north of its confluence with the Holsten. The term "heights" is misleading here; a Japanese infantry colonel described Fui as a "raised pancake" roughly one to one-and-a-half miles across, about thirty to forty feet higher than the surrounding terrain. For reasons not fully explained, the small Soviet force stationed on the heights was withdrawn during the day on July 1, and that night Fui Heights was occupied by Komatsubara's forces almost unopposed. This caused little stir at Zhukov's headquarters. Komatsubara bided his time on July 2.   On the night of July 2–3, the Japanese achieved a brilliant tactical success. A battalion of the 71st Infantry Regiment silently crossed the Halha River on a moonless night and landed unopposed on the west bank opposite Fui Heights. Recent rains had swollen the river to 100–150 yards wide and six feet deep, making crossing difficult for men, horses, or vehicles. Combat engineers swiftly laid a pontoon bridge, completing it by 6:30 a.m. on July 3. The main body of Komatsubara's 71st and 72nd Infantry Regiments (23rd Division) and the 26th Regiment (7th Division) began a slow, arduous crossing. The pontoon bridge, less than eight feet wide, was a bottleneck, allowing only one truck at a time. The attackers could not cross with armored vehicles, but they did bring across their regimental artillery, 18 x 37-mm antitank guns, 12 x 75-mm mountain guns, 8 x 75-mm field guns, and 4 x 120-mm howitzers, disassembled, packed on pack animals, and reassembled on the west bank. The crossing took the entire day, and the Japanese were fortunate to go without interception. The Halha crossing was commanded personally by General Komatsubara and was supported by a small Kwantung Army contingent, including General Yano (deputy chief of staff), Colonel Hattori, and Major Tsuji from the Operations Section. Despite the big air raid having alerted Zhukov, the initial Japanese moves from July 1–3 achieved complete tactical surprise, aided by Tsuji's bold plan. The first indication of the major offensive came when General Yasuoka's tanks attacked predawn on July 3. Yasuoka suspected Soviet troops south of him attempting to retreat across the Halha to the west bank, and he ordered his tanks to attack immediately, with infantry not yet in position. The night's low clouds, no moon, and low visibility—along with a passing thunderstorm lighting the sky—made the scene dramatic. Seventy Japanese tanks roared forward, supported by infantry and artillery, and the Soviet 149th Infantry Regiment found itself overwhelmed. Zhukov, hearing of Yasuoka's assault but unaware that Komatsubara had crossed the Halha, ordered his armor to move northeast to Bain Tsagan to confront the initiative. There, Soviet armor clashed with Japanese forces in a chaotic, largely uncoordinated engagement. The Soviet counterattacks, supported by heavy artillery, halted much of the Japanese momentum, and by late afternoon Japanese infantry had to dig in west of the Halha. The crossing had been accomplished without Soviet reconnaissance detecting it in time, but Zhukov's counterattacks, the limits of Japanese armored mobility across the pontoon, and the heat and exhaustion of the troops constrained the Japanese effort. By the afternoon of July 3, Zhukov's forces were pressing hard, and the Japanese momentum began to stall. Yasuoka's tanks, supported by a lack of infantry and the fatigue and losses suffered by the infantry, could not close the gap to link with Komatsubara's forces. The Type 89 tanks, designed for infantry support, were ill-suited to penetrating Soviet armor, especially when faced with BT-5/BT-7 tanks and strong anti-tank guns. The Type 95 light tanks were faster but lightly armored, and suffered heavily from Soviet fire and air attacks. Infantry on the western bank struggled to catch up with tanks, shot through by Soviet artillery and armor, while the 64th Regiment could not keep pace with the tanks due to the infantry's lack of motorized transport. By late afternoon, Yasuoka's advance stalled far short of the river junction and the Soviet bridge. The infantry dug in to withstand Soviet bombardment, and the Japanese tank regiments withdrew to their jump-off points by nightfall. The Japanese suffered heavy losses in tanks, though some were recovered and repaired; by July 9, KwAHQ decided to withdraw its two tank regiments from the theater. Armor would play no further role in the Nomonhan conflict. The Soviets, by contrast, sustained heavier tank losses but began to replenish with new models. The July offensive, for Kwantung Army, proved a failure. Part of the failure stemmed from a difficult blend of terrain and logistics. Unusually heavy rains in late June had transformed the dirt roads between Hailar and Nomonhan into a mud-filled quagmire. Japanese truck transport, already limited, was so hampered by these conditions that combat effectiveness suffered significantly. Colonel Yamagata's 64th Infantry Regiment, proceeding on foot, could not keep pace with or support General Yasuoka's tanks on July 3–4. Komatsubara's infantry on the west bank of the Halha ran short of ammunition, food, and water. As in the May 28 battle, the main cause of the Kwantung Army's July offensive failure was wholly inadequate military intelligence. Once again, the enemy's strength had been seriously underestimated. Moreover, a troubling realization was dawning at KwAHQ and in the field: the intelligence error was not merely quantitative but qualitative. The Soviets were not only more numerous but also far more potent than anticipated. The attacking Japanese forces initially held a slight numerical edge and enjoyed tactical surprise, but the Red Army fought tenaciously, and the weight of Soviet firepower proved decisive. Japan, hampered by a relative lack of raw materials and industrial capacity, could not match the great powers in the quantitative production of military materiel. Consequently, Japanese military leaders traditionally emphasized the spiritual superiority of Japan's armed forces in doctrine and training, often underestimating the importance of material factors, including firepower. This was especially true of the army that had carried the tactic of the massed bayonet charge into World War II. This "spiritual" combat doctrine arose from necessity; admitting material superiority would have implied defeat. Japan's earlier victories in the Sino-Japanese War, Russo-Japanese War, the Manchurian incident, and the China War, along with legendary medieval victories over the Mongol hordes, seemed to confirm the transcendent importance of fighting spirit. Only within such a doctrine could the Imperial Japanese Army muster inner strength and confidence to face formidable enemies. This was especially evident against Soviet Russia, whose vast geography, population, and resources loomed large. Yet what of its spirit? The Japanese military dismissed Bolshevism as a base, materialist philosophy utterly lacking spiritual power. Consequently, the Red Army was presumed to have low morale and weak fighting effectiveness. Stalin's purges only reinforced this belief. Kwantung Army's recent experiences at Nomonhan undermined this outlook. Among ordinary soldiers and officers alike, from the 23rd Division Staff to KwAHQ—grim questions formed: Had Soviet materiel and firepower proven superior to Japanese fighting spirit? If not, did the enemy possess a fighting spirit comparable to their own? To some in Kwantung Army, these questions were grotesque and almost unthinkable. To others, the implications were too painful to face. Perhaps May and July's combat results were an aberration caused by the 23rd Division's inexperience. Nevertheless, a belief took hold at KwAHQ that this situation required radical rectification. Zhukov's 1st Army Headquarters, evaluating recent events, was not immune to self-criticism and concern for the future. The enemy's success in transporting nearly 10,000 men across the Halha without detection—despite heightened Soviet alert after the June 27 air raid—revealed a level of carelessness and lack of foresight at Zhukov's level. Zhukov, however, did not fully capitalize on Komatsubara's precarious position on July 4–5. Conversely, Zhukov and his troops reacted calmly in the crisis's early hours. Although surprised and outnumbered, Zhukov immediately recognized that "our trump cards were the armored detachments, and we decided to use them immediately." He acted decisively, and the rapid deployment of armor proved pivotal. Some criticized the uncoordinated and clumsy Soviet assault on Komatsubara's infantry on July 3, but the Japanese were only a few hours' march from the river junction and the Soviet bridge. By hurling tanks at Komatsubara's advance with insufficient infantry support, Mikhail Yakovlev (11th Tank Brigade) and A. L. Lesovoi (7th Mechanized Brigade) incurred heavy losses. Nonetheless, they halted the Japanese southward advance, forcing Komatsubara onto the defensive, from which he never regained momentum. Zhukov did not flinch from heavy casualties to achieve his objectives. He later told General Dwight D. Eisenhower that if the enemy faced a minefield, their infantry attacked as if it did not exist, treating personnel mine losses as equal to those that would have occurred if the Germans defended the area with strong troops rather than minefields. Zhukov admitted losing 120 tanks and armored cars that day—a high price, but necessary to avert defeat. Years later, Zhukov defended his Nomonhan tactics, arguing he knew his armor would suffer heavy losses, but that was the only way to prevent the Japanese from seizing the bridge at the river confluence. Had Komatsubara's forces advanced unchecked for another two or three hours, they might have fought through to the Soviet bridge and linked with the Yasuoka detachment, endangering Zhukov's forces. Zhukov credited Yakovlev, Lesovoi, and their men with stabilizing the crisis through timely and self-sacrificing counterattacks. The armored car battalion of the 8th MPR Cavalry Division also distinguished itself in this action. Zhukov and his tankmen learned valuable lessons in those two days of brutal combat. A key takeaway was the successful use of large tank formations as an independent primary attack force, contrary to then-orthodox doctrine, which saw armor mainly as infantry support and favored integrating armor into every infantry regiment rather than maintaining large, autonomous armored units. The German blitzkrieg demonstrations in Poland and Western Europe soon followed, but, until then, few major armies had absorbed the tank-warfare theories championed by Basil Liddell-Hart and Charles de Gaulle. The Soviet high command's leading proponent of large-scale tank warfare had been Marshal Mikhail Tukhachevsky. His execution in 1937 erased those ideas, and the Red Army subsequently disbanded armored divisions and dispersed tanks among infantry, misapplying battlefield lessons from the Spanish Civil War. Yet Zhukov was learning a different lesson on a different battlefield. The open terrain of eastern Mongolia favored tanks, and Zhukov was a rapid learner. The Russians also learned mundane, but crucial, lessons: Japanese infantry bravely clambering onto their vehicles taught Soviet tank crews to lock hatch lids from the inside. The BT-5 and BT-7 tanks were easily set aflame by primitive hand-thrown firebombs, and rear deck ventilation grills and exhaust manifolds were vulnerable and required shielding. Broadly, the battle suggested to future Red Army commander Zhukov that tank and motorized troops, coordinated with air power and mobile artillery, could decisively conduct rapid operations. Zhukov was not the first to envision combining mobile firepower with air and artillery, but he had rare opportunities to apply this formula in crucial tests. The July offensive confirmed to the Soviets that the Nomonhan incident was far from a border skirmish; it signaled intent for further aggression. Moscow's leadership, informed by Richard Sorge's Tokyo network, perceived Japan's renewed effort to draw Germany into an anti-Soviet alliance as a dangerous possibility. Stalin and Vyacheslav Molotov began indicating to Joachim von Ribbentrop and Adolf Hitler that Berlin's stance on the Soviet–Japanese conflict would influence Soviet-German rapprochement considerations. Meanwhile, Moscow decided to reinforce Zhukov. Tens of thousands of troops and machines were ordered to Mongolia, with imports from European Russia. Foreign diplomats traveling the Trans-Siberian Railway reported eastbound trains jammed with personnel and matériel. The buildup faced a major bottleneck at Borzya, the easternmost railhead in the MPR, about 400 miles from the Halha. To prevent a logistics choke, a massive truck transport operation was needed. Thousands of trucks, half-tracks, gun-towing tractors, and other vehicles were organized into a continuous eight-hundred-mile, five-day shuttle run. The Trans-Baikal Military District, under General Shtern, supervised the effort. East of the Halha, many Japanese officers still refused to accept a failure verdict for the July offensive. General Komatsubara did not return to Hailar, instead establishing a temporary divisional HQ at Kanchuerhmiao, where his staff grappled with overcoming Soviet firepower. They concluded that night combat—long a staple of Japanese infantry tactics—could offset Soviet advantages. On July 7 at 9:30 p.m., a thirty-minute Japanese artillery barrage preceded a nighttime assault by elements of the 64th and 72nd Regiments. The Soviet 149th Infantry Regiment and supporting Mongolian cavalry were surprised and forced to fall back toward the Halha before counterattacking. Reinforcements arrived on both sides, and in brutal close-quarters combat the Japanese gained a partial local advantage, but were eventually pushed back; Major I. M. Remizov of the 149th Regiment was killed and later posthumously named a Hero of the Soviet Union. Since late May, Soviet engineers had built at least seven bridges across the Halha and Holsten Rivers to support operations. By July 7–8, Japanese demolition teams destroyed two Soviet bridges. Komatsubara believed that destroying bridges could disrupt Soviet operations east of the Halha and help secure the border. Night attacks continued from July 8 to July 12 against the Soviet perimeter, with Japanese assaults constricting Zhukov's bridgehead while Soviet artillery and counterattacks relentlessly pressed. Casualties mounted on both sides. The Japanese suffered heavy losses but gained some positions; Soviet artillery, supported by motorized infantry and armor, gradually pushed back the attackers. The biggest problem for Japan remained Soviet artillery superiority and the lack of a commensurate counter-battery capability. Japanese infantry had to withdraw to higher ground at night to avoid daytime exposure to artillery and tanks. On the nights of July 11–12, Yamagata's 64th Regiment and elements of Colonel Sakai Mikio's 72nd Regiment attempted a major assault on the Soviet bridgehead. Despite taking heavy casualties, the Japanese managed to push defenders back to the river on occasion, but Soviet counterattacks, supported by tiresome artillery and armor, prevented a decisive breakthrough. Brigade Commander Yakovlev of the 11th Armored, who led several counterattacks, was killed and later honored as a Hero of the Soviet Union; his gun stands today as a monument at the battlefield. The July 11–12 action marked the high-water mark of the Kwantung Army's attempt to expel Soviet/MPR forces east of the Halha. Komatsubara eventually suspended the costly night attacks; by that night, the 64th Regiment had suffered roughly 80–90 killed and about three times that number wounded. The decision proved controversial, with some arguing that he had not realized how close his forces had come to seizing the bridge. Others argued that broader strategic considerations justified the pause. Throughout the Nomonhan fighting, Soviet artillery superiority, both quantitative and qualitative, became painfully evident. The Soviet guns exacted heavy tolls and repeatedly forced Japanese infantry to withdraw from exposed positions. The Japanese artillery, in contrast, could not match the Red Army's scale. By July 25, Kwantung Army ended its artillery attack, a humiliating setback. Tokyo and Hsinking recognized the futility of achieving a decisive military victory at Nomonhan and shifted toward seeking a diplomatic settlement, even if concessions to the Soviet Union and the MPR were necessary. Kwantung Army, however, opposed negotiations, fearing it would echo the "Changkufeng debacle" and be read by enemies as weakness. Tsuji lamented that Kwantung Army's insistence on framing the second phase as a tie—despite heavy Soviet losses, revealed a reluctance to concede any territory. Differences in outlook and policy between AGS and Kwantung Army—and the central army's inability to impose its will on Manchukuo's field forces—became clear. The military establishment buzzed with stories of gekokujo (the superiority of the superior) within Kwantung Army and its relations with the General Staff. To enforce compliance, AGS ordered General Isogai to Tokyo for briefings, and KwAHQ's leadership occasionally distanced itself from AGS. On July 20, Isogai arrived at General Staff Headquarters and was presented with "Essentials for Settlement of the Nomonhan Incident," a formal document outlining a step-by-step plan for Kwantung Army to maintain its defensive position east of the Halha while diplomatic negotiations proceeded. If negotiations failed, Kwantung Army would withdraw to the boundary claimed by the Soviet Union by winter. Isogai, the most restrained member of the Kwantung Army circle, argued against accepting the Essentials, insisting on preserving Kwantung Army's honor and rejecting a unilateral east-bank withdrawal. A tense exchange followed, but General Nakajima ended the dispute by noting that international boundaries cannot be determined by the army alone. Isogai pledged to report the General Staff's views to his commander and take the Essentials back to KwAHQ for study. Technically, the General Staff's Essentials were not orders; in practice, however, they were treated as such. Kwantung Army tended to view them as suggestions and retained discretion in implementation. AGS hoped the Essentials would mollify Kwantung Army's wounded pride. The August 4 decision to create a 6 Army within Kwantung Army, led by General Ogisu Rippei, further complicated the command structure. Komatsubara's 23rd Division and nearby units were attached to the 6 Army, which also took responsibility for defending west-central Manchukuo, including the Nomonhan area. The 6 Army existed largely on paper, essentially a small headquarters to insulate KwAHQ from battlefield realities. AGS sought a more accountable layer of command between KwAHQ and the combat zone, but General Ueda and KwAHQ resented the move and offered little cooperation. In the final weeks before the last battles, General Ogisu and his small staff had limited influence on Nomonhan. Meanwhile, the European crisis over German demands on Poland intensified, moving into a configuration highly favorable to the Soviet Union. By the first week of August, it became evident in the Kremlin that both Anglo-French powers and the Germans were vying to secure an alliance with Moscow. Stalin knew now that he would likely have a free hand in the coming war in the West. At the same time, Richard Sorge, the Soviet master spy in Tokyo, correctly reported that Japan's top political and military leaders sought to prevent the escalation of the Nomonhan incident into an all-out war. These developments gave the cautious Soviet dictator the confidence to commit the Red Army to large-scale combat operations in eastern Mongolia. In early August, Stalin ordered preparations for a major offensive to clear the Nomonhan area of the "Japanese samurai who had violated the territory of the friendly Outer Mongolian people." The buildup of Zhukov's 1st Army Group accelerated still further. Its July strength was augmented by the 57th and 82nd Infantry Divisions, the 6th Tank Brigade, the 212th Airborne Brigade, numerous smaller infantry, armor, and artillery units, and two Mongolian cavalry divisions. Soviet air power in the area was also greatly strengthened. When this buildup was completed by mid-August, Zhukov commanded an infantry force equivalent to four divisions, supported by two cavalry divisions, 216 artillery pieces, 498 armored vehicles, and 581 aircraft. To bring in the supplies necessary for this force to launch an offensive, General Shtern's Trans-Baikal Military District Headquarters amassed a fleet of more than 4,200 vehicles, which trucked in about 55,000 tons of materiel from the distant railway depot at Borzya. The Japanese intelligence network in Outer Mongolia was weak, a problem that went unremedied throughout the Nomonhan incident. This deficiency, coupled with the curtailment of Kwantung Army's transborder air operations, helps explain why the Japanese remained ignorant of the scope of Zhukov's buildup. They were aware that some reinforcements were flowing eastward across the Trans-Siberian Railway toward the MPR but had no idea of the volume. Then, at the end of July, Kwantung Army Intelligence intercepted part of a Soviet telegraph transmission indicating that preparations were under way for some offensive operation in the middle of August. This caused a stir at KwAHQ. Generals Ueda and Yano suspected that the enemy planned to strike across the Halha River. Ueda's initial reaction was to reinforce the 23rd Division at Nomonhan with the rest of the highly regarded 7th Division. However, the 7th Division was Kwantung Army's sole strategic reserve, and the Operations Section was reluctant to commit it to extreme western Manchukuo, fearing mobilization of Soviet forces in the Maritime Province and a possible attack in the east near Changkufeng. The Kwantung Army commander again ignored his own better judgment and accepted the Operations Section's recommendation. The main strength of the 7th Division remained at its base near Tsitsihar, but another infantry regiment, the 28th, was dispatched to the Nomonhan area, as was an infantry battalion from the Mukden Garrison. Earlier, in mid-July, Kwantung Army had sent Komatsubara 1,160 individual replacements to make up for casualties from earlier fighting. All these reinforcements combined, however, did little more than replace losses: as of July 25, 1,400 killed (including 200 officers) and 3,000 wounded. Kwantung Army directed Komatsubara to dig in, construct fortifications, and adopt a defensive posture. Colonel Numazaki, who commanded the 23rd Division's Engineer Regiment, was unhappy with the defensive line he was ordered to fortify and urged a slight pullback to more easily defensible terrain. Komatsubara, however, refused to retreat from ground his men had bled to take. He and his line officers still nourished hope of a revenge offensive. As a result, the Japanese defensive positions proved to be as weak as Numazaki feared. As Zhukov's 1st Army Group prepared to strike, the effective Japanese strength at Nomonhan was less than 1.5 divisions. Major Tsuji and his colleagues in the Operations Section had little confidence in Kwantung Army's own Intelligence Section, which is part of the reason why Tsuji frequently conducted his own reconnaissance missions. Up to this time it was gospel in the Japanese army that the maximum range for large-scale infantry operations was 125–175 miles from a railway; anything beyond 200 miles from a railway was considered logistically impossible. Since Kwantung Army had only 800 trucks available in all of Manchukuo in 1939, the massive Soviet logistical effort involving more than 4,200 trucks was almost unimaginable to the Japanese. Consequently, the Operations Staff believed it had made the correct defensive deployments if a Soviet attack were to occur, which it doubted. If the enemy did strike at Nomonhan, it was believed that it could not marshal enough strength in that remote region to threaten the reinforced 23rd Division. Furthermore, the 7th Division, based at Tsitsihar on a major rail line, could be transported to any trouble spot on the eastern or western frontier in a few days. KwAHQ advised Komatsubara to maintain a defensive posture and prepare to meet a possible enemy attack around August 14 or 15. At this time, Kwantung Army also maintained a secret organization codenamed Unit 731, officially the Epidemic Prevention and Water Purification Department of the Kwantung Army. Unit 731 specialized in biological and chemical warfare, with main facilities and laboratories in Harbin, including a notorious prison-laboratory complex. During the early August lull at Nomonhan, a detachment from Unit 731 infected the Halha River with bacteria of an acute cholera-like strain. There are no reports in Soviet or Japanese accounts that this attempted biological warfare had any effect. In the war's final days, Unit 731 was disbanded, Harbin facilities demolished, and most personnel fled to Japan—but not before they gassed the surviving 150 human subjects and burned their corpses. The unit's commander, Lieutenant General Ishii Shiro, kept his men secret and threatened retaliation against informers. Ishii and his senior colleagues escaped prosecution at the Tokyo War Crimes Trials by trading the results of their experiments to U.S. authorities in exchange for immunity. The Japanese 6th Army exerted some half-hearted effort to construct defensive fortifications, but scarcity of building materials, wood had to be trucked in from far away—helped explain the lack of enthusiasm. More importantly, Japanese doctrine despised static defense and favored offense, so Kwantung Army waited to see how events would unfold. West of the Halha, Zhukov accelerated preparations. Due to tight perimeter security, few Japanese deserters, and a near-absence of civilian presence, Soviet intelligence found it hard to glean depth on Japanese defensive positions. Combat intelligence could only reveal the frontline disposition and closest mortar and artillery emplacements. Aerial reconnaissance showed photographs, but Japanese camouflage and mock-ups limited their usefulness. The new commander of the 149th Mechanized Infantry Regiment personally directed infiltration and intelligence gathering, penetrating Japanese lines on several nights and returning crucial data: Komatsubara's northern and southern flanks were held by Manchukuoan cavalry, and mobile reserves were lacking. With this information, Zhukov crafted a plan of attack. The main Japanese strength was concentrated a few miles east of the Halha, on both banks of the Holsten River. Their infantry lacked mobility and armor, and their flanks were weak. Zhukov decided to split the 1st Army Group into three strike forces: the central force would deliver a frontal assault to pin the main Japanese strength, while the northern and southern forces, carrying the bulk of the armor, would turn the Japanese flanks and drive the enemy into a pocket to be destroyed by the three-pronged effort. The plan depended on tactical surprise and overwhelming force at the points of attack. The offensive was to begin in the latter part of August, pending final approval from Moscow. To ensure tactical surprise, Zhukov and his staff devised an elaborate program of concealment and deception, disinformation. Units and materiel arriving at Tamsag Bulak toward the Halha were moved only at night with lights out. Noting that the Japanese were tapping telephone lines and intercepting radio messages, 1st Army Headquarters sent a series of false messages in an easily decipherable code about defensive preparations and autumn-winter campaigning. Thousands of leaflets titled "What the Infantryman Should Know about Defense" were distributed among troops. About two weeks before the attack, the Soviets brought in sound equipment to simulate tank and aircraft engines and heavy construction noises, staging long, loud performances nightly. At first, the Japanese mistook the sounds for large-scale enemy activity and fired toward the sounds. After a few nights, they realized it was only sound effects, and tried to ignore the "serenade." On the eve of the attack, the actual concentration and staging sounds went largely unnoticed by the Japanese. On August 7–8, Zhukov conducted minor attacks to expand the Halha bridgehead to a depth of two to three miles. These attacks, contained relatively easily by Komatsubara's troops, reinforced Kwantung Army's false sense of confidence. The Japanese military attaché in Moscow misread Soviet press coverage. In early August, the attaché advised that unlike the Changkufeng incident a year earlier, Soviet press was largely ignoring the conflict, implying low morale and a favorable prognosis for the Red Army. Kwantung Army leaders seized on this as confirmation to refrain from any display of restraint or doubt, misplaced confidence. There were, however, portents of danger. Three weeks before the Soviet attack, Colonel Isomura Takesuki, head of Kwantung Army's Intelligence Section, warned of the vulnerability of the 23rd Division's flanks. Tsuji and colleagues dismissed this, and General Kasahara Yukio of AGS also went unheeded. The "desk jockey" General Staff officers commanded little respect at KwAHQ. Around August 10, General Hata Yuzaburo, Komatsubara's successor as chief of the Special Services Agency at Harbin, warned that enemy strength in the Mongolian salient was very great and seriously underestimated at KwAHQ. Yet no decisive action followed before Zhukov's attack. Kwantung Army's inaction and unpreparedness prior to the Soviet offensive appear to reflect faulty intelligence compounded by hubris. But a more nuanced explanation suggests a fatalistic wishful thinking rooted in the Japanese military culture—the belief that their spiritual strength would prevail, leading them to assume enemy strength was not as great as reported, or that victory was inevitable regardless of resources. Meanwhile, in the rational West, the Nazi war machine faced the Polish frontier as Adolf Hitler pressed Stalin for a nonaggression pact. The German-Soviet Nonaggression Pact would neutralize the threat of a two-front war for Germany and clear the way for Hitler's invasion of Poland. If the pact was a green light, it signaled in both directions: it would also neutralize the German threat to Russia and clear the way for Zhukov's offensive at Nomonhan. On August 18–19, Hitler pressed Stalin to receive Ribbentrop in Moscow to seal the pact. Thus, reassured in the West, Stalin dared to act boldly against Japan. Zhukov supervised final preparations for his attack. Zhukov held back forward deployments until the last minute. By August 18, he had only four infantry regiments, a machine gun brigade, and Mongolian cavalry east of the Halha. Operational security was extremely tight: a week before the attack, Soviet radio traffic in the area virtually ceased. Only Zhukov and a few key officers worked on the plan, aided by a single typist. Line officers and service chiefs received information on a need-to-know basis. The date for the attack was shared with unit commanders one to four days in advance, depending on seniority. Noncommissioned officers and ordinary soldiers learned of the offensive one day in advance and received specific orders three hours before the attack.   Heavy rain grounded Japanese aerial reconnaissance from August 17 to midday on the 19th, but on August 19 Captain Oizumi Seisho in a Japanese scout plane observed the massing of Soviet forces near the west bank of the Halha. Enemy armor and troops were advancing toward the river in dispersed formations, with no new bridges but pontoon stocks spotted near the river. Oizumi sent a warning to a frontline unit and rushed back to report. The air group dispatched additional recon planes and discovered that the Japanese garrison on Fui Heights, near the northern end of Komatsubara's line, was being encircled by Soviet armor and mechanized infantry—observed by alarmed Japanese officers on and near the heights. These late discoveries on August 19 were not reported to KwAHQ and had no effect on the 6th Army and the 23rd Division's alertness on the eve of the storm. As is common in militaries, a fatal gap persisted between those gathering intelligence and those in a position to act on it. On the night of August 19–20, under cover of darkness, the bulk of the Soviet 1st Army Group crossed the Halha into the expanded Soviet enclave on the east bank.  I would like to take this time to remind you all that this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Please go subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry after that, give my personal channel a look over at The Pacific War Channel at Youtube, it would mean a lot to me. By August, European diplomacy left Moscow confident in a foothold against Germany and Britain, while Sorge's intelligence indicated Japan aimed to avoid a full-blown war. Stalin ordered a major offensive to clear Nomonhan, fueling Zhukov's buildup in eastern Mongolia. Kwantung Army, hampered by limited logistics, weak intelligence, and defensive posture, faced mounting pressure. 

"What happens when a nation fears its own people more than its enemies?" In this gripping episode of Kent Hance, The Best Storyteller in Texas, Kent opens with a powerful reflection on the timeless saying: "War is hell." From the ongoing turmoil between Russia and Ukraine to rising tensions in Iran, Kent unpacks the complex history and real-time consequences of global conflict — all with his trademark clarity, depth, and unmistakable Texas storytelling.

The Rebel News podcasts features free audio-only versions of select RebelNews+ content and other Rebel News long-form videos, livestreams, and interviews. Monday to Friday enjoy the audio version of Ezra Levant's daily TV-style show, The Ezra Levant Show, where Ezra gives you his contrarian and conservative take on free speech, politics, and foreign policy through in-depth commentary and interviews. Wednesday evenings you can listen to the audio version of The Gunn Show with Sheila Gunn Reid the Chief Reporter of Rebel News. Sheila brings a western sensibility to Canadian news. With one foot in the oil patch and one foot in agriculture, Sheila challenges mainstream media narratives and stands up for Albertans. If you want to watch the video versions of these podcasts, make sure to begin your free RebelNewsPlus trial by subscribing at http://www.RebelNewsPlus.com

Violence has erupted across parts of Mexico after the government announced it had killed the nation’s most‑wanted cartel boss.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Celebrate three years of Bring Me The Axe with us as we continue our annual tradition of a deep dive into the world of George A. Romero and his iconic living dead series. For our last two anniversaries we featured Dawn of the Dead and Night of the Living Dead so it only makes sense that close out year three with the highly divisive (and Bryan's favorite), Day of the Dead.  Taking place late in the zombie plague, a motley crew of scientists and military take shelter in an underground bunker, researching the cause and a possible solution to the problem at hand: mankind being driven to the brink of extinction against a worldwide zombie holocaust. Tensions are high, supplies are low, and morale is lower as the operation cracks at the seams. One scientist thinks he has a solution, demonstrated by his domesticated pet zombie, Bub. Released in 1985 as the third film in a three picture deal with United Film Distribution Company, Romero's epic vision of a horror movie, "Gone With The Wind With Zombies", to quote Romero, had to be scaled back significantly when Romero refused UFDC's mandate for an R-rated movie, insisting instead on a hyper-violent, gory spectacle. The result is languid, talky character drama cast with wild over-actors and punctuated by grisly violence and zombie carnage. It's Romero at his most conflicted but Tom Savini at his absolute best. Join the Bring Me The Axe Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/snkxuxzJ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support Bring Me The Axe! on Patreon:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://patreon.com/bringmetheaxepod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Buy Bring Me The Axe merch here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.bonfire.com/store/bring-me-the-axe-podcast/⁠⁠

Note: This episode was recorded on February 17th, 2026, before the death of Mexican cartel leader “El Mencho.”  In this episode, Mariana speaks with Jorge Castaneda, a Mexican politician and academic who served as Secretary of State from 2000 to 2003.  They discuss President Trump's high-pressure stance toward Mexico and how President Sheinbaum has thus far been able to navigate his demands while avoiding a face-to-face meeting. They also explore the on-the-ground realities behind President Trump's claims that Mexican trafficking organizations are allied with the government, the recent shifts in Mexico's security strategy, and the risks of a unilateral U.S. incursion. Finally, the conversation turns to the broader region, examining the likelihood of regime change in Cuba, the evolving situation in Venezuela, and the anticipated pushback to the new "Don-Roe Doctrine" in South America.  As these nations increasingly depend on China as a primary market for commodities and a major source of foreign direct investment, the tension between U.S. hemispheric policy and global economic realities has never been higher.

This hour, Ian Hoch asks why New Orleanians have accepted subpar infrastructure conditions and what we can do to demand more for our city. Then, Dr. Kelly Shannon, Historian of U.S. foreign relations, Fellow at Georgetown University and a Visiting Scholar at the Institute for Middle East Studies at George Washington University, joins the show to discuss the tensions with Iran heating up again.

Tensions with Iran are heating up again, nuclear negotiations are stalling, deadlines are being floated, and questions are growing about whether this ends in diplomacy or something more serious. What is really happening behind the scenes, and how close are we to a major shift in U.S. policy? Dr. Kelly Shannon, Historian of U.S. foreign relations, Fellow at Georgetown University and a Visiting Scholar at the Institute for Middle East Studies at George Washington University, joins Ian Hoch to talk about it.

4. Bunker 4: Labor Unrest and the Cold Winter Strike. The 1950 coal strike led by John L. Lewis paralyzed the nation, posing a major domestic challenge for Truman during the early Cold War tensions. Guest: Nick Bunker.v

The California Democratic Party Convention kicks off today at San Francisco's Moscone Center, where the many candidates running in races from governor and U.S. Congress to the California Assembly are hoping to win the party's coveted endorsement. Tensions within the party are surfacing over whether to label Israel's attacks on Gaza as genocide and over a proposed one-time tax on the state's billionaires. Scott and Guy are at the convention center to examine what this weekend might signal about Democrats' strategy heading into the November midterms.  Check out ⁠⁠⁠Political Breakdown's weekly newsletter⁠⁠⁠, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tensions with Iran are escalating as U.S. forces continue to build up in the region. The Wall Street Journal’s Alex Ward breaks down a new option that President Trump is weighing against Tehran. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former prince, was arrested on suspicion of misconduct while in public office. Fiona Hamilton of The Times of London joins to discuss why. A proposed rent-control law in Massachusetts has local Democrats. The Wall Street Journal’s Jared Mitovich explains why lawmakers in the state are at odds. Plus, Trump’s new “Board of Peace” met for the first time, a federal advisory commission approved plans for the new White House ballroom, and a big night for Team USA on the ice. Today’s episode was hosted by Cecilia Lei.

Tensions are rising in the Oregon State Capitol as the legislative session nears the halfway mark. Republicans boycotted a floor session, a House leader resigned his post, and a Representative accused her Democratic colleague of creating a hostile working environment.  And that was all just this week. How will lawmakers manage the political drama and keep their legislative priorities on track? We’ll give you the latest on the latest episode of OPB Politics Now. Find the show anywhere you get your podcasts.   

RTHUR8. Internal Power Struggles Within Iran's Military Tensions rise between the IRGC and the regular army as the regime faces increasing US prORT essure. Guest: Kamran Bokhari, Gordon Chang1904  PORT ARTHUR

The Counter Momentum of Spin, with Dr. Franco Musio – The US will shortly have two carrier strike groups and hardware which would make any wargame player salivate: B-52 and B-2 bombers, a total of 140 F/A 18E/F Super Hornets and F35C Lightening II fighters, deep-strike munitions such as the GBU-57 Massive Ordinance Penetrator (bunker buster), EA-18G Growlers for the jamming of enemy...

Police in the UK now have Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, in custody. The younger brother of King Charles III was arrested today. Thames Valley Police say he was taken in on suspicion of misconduct in public office and they are searching his addresses. Andrew appeared in the Epstein files in both emails and disturbing pictures, though his arrest appears to have more to do with allegedly divulging British trade secrets than assault. Pulitzer Prize winning investigative journalist and author David Cay Johnston makes a special appearance to discuss the wide ranging legal implications. Tensions between the U.S. and Iran are rising fast as Donald Trump signals a more aggressive posture that critics warn could push the region toward conflict. From military positioning and political rhetoric to the broader geopolitical stakes…Is America being drawn toward another Middle East confrontation? Is this strategic pressure, political messaging, or the early stages of a dangerous escalation? In the second hour, we welcome former federal prosecutor, now defense attorney, David Katz to talk about everything from the Supreme Court grappling with issues of presidential powers to golfers suing Trump over a golf course takeover.

Episode 5152: Tensions Rise In Iran And Cutting Of Oil To The CCP; Live From Athens

Mountains. New restaurants. And a true crime convo that goes from zero to heated real quick. Just another calm, normal episode of Togethermess. Thank you to our partners: HelloFresh - Go to HelloFresh.com/togethermess10fm to Get 10 free meals + a FREE Zwilling Knife (a $144.99 value) on your third box. Offer valid while supplies last. Free meals applied as discount on first box, new subscribers only, varies by plan. Nowadays - Visit trynowadays.com/TOGETHERMESS to get 30% off your order. That's trynowadyas.com/TOGETHERMESS or use TOGETHERMESS at checkout. Store locator Drink responsibly, must be 21 or older. We would love your feedback... If you enjoyed this episode, tell us why! Leave us a review and make sure you subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. Executive Producers are Riley Peleuses + Ian McNeny for YEA Media Group If you are interested in advertising on this podcast or having Jeff and Jordan as guests on your Podcast, Radio Show, or TV Show, reach out to podcast@yeamediagroup.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn French by Watching TV with Lingopie: https://learn.lingopie.com/dailyfrenchpodL'instabilité persiste au Moyen-Orient avec de nouveaux incidents maritimes signalés cette semaine. La coalition internationale reste en alerte pour protéger les routes commerciales stratégiques mondiales.Traduction:Instability persists in the Middle East with new maritime incidents reported this week. The international coalition remains on alert to protect strategic global trade routes. Hébergé par Acast. Visitez acast.com/privacy pour plus d'informations.

Tensions boiled over as Mick Cronin had a full-on sideline meltdown — and this time, it wasn't just the refs feeling the heat. In a stunning moment, Cronin's fiery temperament took center stage as he effectively sent one of his own players to the bench during a heated exchange, turning a tough night into a viral spectacle. Was it accountability? Frustration? Or a coach completely losing the plot? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tensions escalate as Donald Trump signals support for regime change in Iran while Reza Pahlavi rallies massive crowds in Munich. With Lindsey Graham weighing in and Israel on edge, the panel breaks down military options, succession risks, and whether Iran is nearing a historic turning point.

8.  Guest: Hampton Sides. Retreating to Hawaii's Kealakekua Bay during a festival, Cook is welcomed as the god Lono. However, a broken mast forces an unwelcome return during a season of war. Tensions rise over a stolen boat, leading Cook to attempt kidnapping the king. This error in judgment results in Cook's violent death.1815