Podcasts about thaad

The United States is burning through some of its most advanced munitions in its war with Iran this year. By some accounts, inventories of high-end Patriot and THAAD interceptors may be depleted by as much as 80 percent. Replacing them could take years, even as military planners worry about needs in Europe and the Indo-Pacific. Tom Karako, director of the Center for Strategic and International Studies' Missile Defense Project, has tracked just how deep the shortfall runs and what it would take to fix it. He joins FP Live to assess the state of U.S. stockpiles and what it means about the future of American preparedness. John Haltiwanger and Rishi Iyengar: The Iran War Has Left the U.S. Dangerously Exposed Sam Skove: U.S. War in Iran Leaves Ukraine's Air Defense in Limbo Robert Almelor Delfeld: The U.S. Munitions Deficit Is a Political Problem Franz-Stefan Gady: Europe's Dangerous Hesitation on Its Own Air Defense Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode unpacks reporting that U.S. munitions stockpiles are dangerously low and lays out the consequences of the shortage both for Washington's ongoing war with Iran, and for its deterrence of adversaries.   Host: James M. Lindsay, Mary and David Boies Distinguished Senior Fellow in U.S. Foreign Policy, CFR   Guest: Michael C. Horowitz, Senior Fellow for Technology and Innovation and Director of the Defense and National Security Program, CFR   We Discuss: Whether news reports of a serious depletion of U.S. high-tech weapons stocks are accurate, and how far inventories have been drawn down. The distinction between defensive interceptors, such as Patriot and THAAD, and offensive standoff weapons, such as Tomahawks and ATACMS, and how long each takes to produce. How the roots of the munitions crisis trace back to decisions in the 1990s—including the "Last Supper" defense industry consolidation—that prioritized quality over quantity. Why President Donald Trump's argument that the shortage stems from Biden-era weapons transfers to Ukraine misses deeper structural causes. How chokepoints—from Chinese rare-earth dominance to consolidated tier-two and tier-three suppliers—make ramping up production slow and costly. Why the Pentagon has been slow to shift its acquisition strategy despite nearly a decade of warnings about renewed great power competition, and how "not invented here" attitudes compound the problem. Whether budget austerity would spur innovation or choke it, and how "precise mass" could revitalize U.S. capabilities within a two-year window. How much the current drawdown threatens deterrence at a moment when the United States is left without an aircraft carrier in the Western Pacific.   Mentioned on the Episode:   Rush Doshi, Erin D. Dumbacher, William Henagan, Michael C. Horowitz, and Samuel Lazarus, “Out of Ammo: A Two-Year Sprint to Rebuild the American Arsenal and Deter China,” Council on Foreign Relations   “One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R.1),” U.S. Congress   Michael C. Horowitz, “Battles of Precise Mass: Technology Is Remaking War—and America Must Adapt,” Foreign Affairs   Erin D. Dumbacher, Michael C. Horowitz, and Lauren Kahn, “Will Trump's ‘Big Beautiful' Defense Spending Last?” Council on Foreign Relations   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit The President's Inbox at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/presidents-inbox/washingtons-missile-shortage   Opinions expressed on The President's Inbox are solely those of the host or guests, not of CFR, which takes no institutional positions on matters of policy.

“Golden age” is an easy line to sell. Living through the consequences of a war of choice is harder. We're joined by Col. Lawrence Wilkerson for a blunt look at where the United States stands as the Iran conflict drags on, and why the economy, the military, and public trust can't be separated when policy decisions start compounding. We talk through the gap between political messaging and real constraints: munitions shortages, JDAM kit limitations, and a defense industrial base that can't simply surge precision weapons overnight. Wilkerson explains why rare earth metals and critical inputs like gallium matter for systems Americans hear about every day, including Patriot, THAAD, and HIMARS. When supply chains tighten and tariffs add friction, readiness becomes a spreadsheet problem before it becomes a battlefield problem. If you care about U.S. national security, military readiness, and the US Iran war, this is the kind of nuts-and-bolts discussion that rarely makes the headlines. From there, we widen the lens to Israel, Gaza, and Lebanon, including the internal pressure inside Israel and the risk of escalation if Iran responds with more sophisticated missile capability. We also revisit a key historical comparison: how H.W. Bush used leverage to pressure Israel, and how U.S. politics and campaign money can shape what presidents are willing to do today. If this conversation made you rethink anything, subscribe, share the episode with someone who follows foreign policy, and leave a review so more people can find the show. What's the most undercovered risk right now: supply chains, escalation, or politics?

Rendez-vous sur https://ground.news/chaquejour pour obtenir 40 % de rabais sur l'accès illimité à l'outil d'actualité auquel je fais confiance, afin de faire le tri dans le bruit médiatique et de comprendre comment les nouvelles sont rapportées à travers tout le spectre politique.

The story most people miss about a widening Middle East war isn't just who fires the next missile, it's who can absorb the retaliation after they do. I'm solo today, moving fast through the latest escalations and then slowing down where it matters: the strategic constraints that make “hit them harder” sound simple while turning into a nightmare for bases, allies, and civilians across the region. We talk Iran, US Central Command messaging, and the way regional dynamics can cascade when Saudi Arabia, Yemen's Ansar Allah, and Iraqi militias all become part of the same retaliatory map. From attacks on energy sites to pressure around key waterways like the Strait of Hormuz, the stakes are bigger than a single battlefield. Energy markets, shipping risk, and the politics of escalation all collide, and once multiple actors tie their demands together, diplomacy gets harder, not easier. Then we get into the numbers that drive everything: Patriot missiles, THAAD interceptors, and what dwindling inventories mean for real world air and missile defense. I also respond to Trump's public remarks, the temptation toward escalation when defenses are thin, and why nuclear risk is the darkest edge of this kind of cornered thinking. We close with the US Israel political reality, Netanyahu's visit, public polling on ICC accountability, and a media moment that shows how warped the Gaza debate has become. If you value clear analysis that follows capabilities and incentives, not talking points, subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find it.

As tension and military exchanges with Iran continue, critical questions emerge over U.S. munition stockpiles and long-term strategic readiness. Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) missile defense expert Tom Karako joins Brian Kilmeade to break down the reality of depleted Patriot and THAAD interceptors, the challenges of underground missile sites in Iran, and what it will take to rebuild America's conventional deterrence. Plus, political analysts weigh in on the 2026 midterm primary victories and domestic culture battles. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This episode of STRAT with retired Marine Intelligence Officer Hal Kempfer examines the growing shortage of advanced air defense interceptors and the strategic consequences for conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East, and future U.S. military readiness in East Asia. Kempfer explores how Patriot and THAAD missile inventories have been depleted faster than they can be replaced, exposing vulnerabilities created by years of limited production capacity. The discussion highlights the enormous cost imbalance between intercepting inexpensive drones with multimillion-dollar missiles, while explaining why increasing production will take years. The episode also analyzes Ukraine's urgent need to destroy Russian missile launchers before they fire, the role Starlink could play in enabling precision targeting, and the political complications surrounding that request. Finally, the conversation looks ahead to emerging technologies such as directed-energy weapons while emphasizing that today's conflicts are rapidly redefining modern warfare and forcing governments to rethink defense industrial capacity, military preparedness, and strategic priorities before the next major crisis.Takeaways:Patriot and THAAD remain the backbone of U.S. and allied ballistic missile defense.Missile inventories have been depleted faster than production can replace them.Ukraine's efficient Patriot employment contrasts with higher interceptor usage elsewhere.Using multimillion-dollar interceptors against inexpensive drones is economically unsustainable.Expanding missile production is underway but meaningful increases remain years away.Ukraine increasingly depends on destroying launchers before missiles are fired.Starlink has become part of a larger strategic and political debate over battlefield connectivity.Future conflicts will require stronger defense industrial capacity alongside emerging technologies like directed-energy weapons.#STRATPodcast #HalKempfer #MutualBroadcastingSystem #StrategicRiskAnalysis #MissileDefense #PatriotMissiles #THAAD #Ukraine #Russia #Iran #AirDefense #MilitaryStrategy #NationalSecurity #DefenseIndustry #MissileProduction #DroneWarfare #EastAsia #Geopolitics #StrategicRisk #GlobalSecurity

Rassegna stampa economico-finanziaria del 6 Agosto 2026, strutturata per macro-temi e basata sulle principali testate giornalistiche nazionali.Finanza pubblica, Manovra e clausola europea di salvaguardiaTestate: Il Sole 24 Ore / Corriere della Sera / Repubblica / La Stampa / Milano Finanza / La Verità / Gazzetta del MezzogiornoL'Italia prepara una richiesta alla Commissione europea per ottenere circa 36 miliardi di euro di maggiore flessibilità fiscale destinata a energia, sicurezza energetica e difesa. Lo spazio complessivo corrisponde all'1,5% del PIL: circa lo 0,6% per l'energia e lo 0,9% per la difesa.In termini nominali, la ripartizione prevede oltre 14 miliardi di euro per energia e sicurezza energetica e quasi 22 miliardi per la difesa, distribuiti nel triennio 2026-2028. La componente energetica dovrà essere suddivisa su almeno due esercizi, con un limite dello 0,3% del PIL annuo.La procedura europea prevede la presentazione della richiesta entro la metà di agosto, una prima valutazione della Commissione entro settembre e il passaggio nell'Ecofin il 9 ottobre 2026. Dopo l'eventuale autorizzazione europea sarà necessario un voto parlamentare a maggioranza assoluta sullo scostamento di bilancio.La clausola non elimina però il vincolo dei conti pubblici. Il deficit è indicato al 3,1% nel 2025 e al 2,9% nel 2026 e 2027, mentre il debito pubblico dovrebbe salire dal 137,1% al 138,6% del PIL nel 2026, prima di iniziare una graduale discesa.IRPEF, pensioni e risorse per la Manovra 2027Testate: Il Sole 24 Ore / Repubblica / Milano FinanzaLa Manovra 2027 potrebbe disporre di margini superiori alle previsioni iniziali, grazie allo scostamento e alla possibile riclassificazione di investimenti già programmati. Le ipotesi politiche indicano una manovra da circa 30 miliardi di euro, potenzialmente estendibile verso una fascia compresa tra 30 e 40 miliardi.Una parte delle risorse non deriverebbe però da nuove entrate, ma dallo spostamento fuori dal bilancio ordinario di spese già previste. Il margine realmente disponibile per nuovi interventi sarà quindi inferiore rispetto al valore complessivo annunciato.Tra le ipotesi fiscali figura la riduzione dell'aliquota IRPEF dal 43% al 33% per la fascia di reddito compresa tra 50.000 e 60.000 euro, con un costo stimato in circa 3 miliardi di euro.Vengono inoltre considerate misure su pensioni, bollo auto e sostegno al reddito. Il riordino delle oltre 573 agevolazioni fiscali, che comportano una perdita di gettito stimata in 129,7 miliardi, potrebbe offrire coperture, ma rappresenta un dossier politicamente molto complesso.Energia, elettricità e sicurezza degli approvvigionamentiTestate: La Stampa / Corriere della Sera / Repubblica / Il Sole 24 Ore / Domani / Il RiformistaIl rischio energetico italiano riguarda ormai non soltanto il prezzo, ma anche la disponibilità fisica dell'energia. L'Italia importa circa il 16% del proprio fabbisogno elettrico, pari a 52 TWh su un consumo complessivo di circa 312 TWh.Le difficoltà del sistema elettrico francese hanno quasi dimezzato, in alcune giornate, le esportazioni verso l'Italia. Il dato evidenzia la vulnerabilità derivante dall'elevata interdipendenza europea e dalla limitata capacità nazionale di riserva.La domanda elettrica è destinata ad aumentare con Intelligenza Artificiale, data center, pompe di calore, mobilità elettrica ed elettrificazione industriale. L'Italia dispone di circa 150 GW di progetti rinnovabili in attesa di autorizzazione, ma oltre 4.000 pratiche risultano bloccate o rallentate.Nel 2025 le rinnovabili hanno coperto circa il 49% della produzione elettrica nazionale. Il risultato è positivo, ma deve essere accompagnato da reti, accumuli, interconnessioni e capacità programmabile.Carburanti, accise e climaflationTestate: La Stampa / Corriere della Sera / Repubblica / Il Sole 24 OreI prezzi dei carburanti restano elevati nonostante gli interventi fiscali. Al 4 agosto, il prezzo medio self in autostrada è indicato in circa 2,084 euro al litro per la benzina e 2,173 euro per il gasolio.Per la benzina è stato previsto uno sconto complessivo di 17 centesimi al litro, in scadenza il 6 agosto. Una riduzione analoga sul gasolio è prevista dal 7 al 25 agosto.La Guardia di Finanza intensifica intanto i controlli sui carburanti adulterati. Nei primi sei mesi dell'anno sono state sequestrate 74 tonnellate di prodotto nella provincia di Roma, mentre a livello nazionale risultano circa 1.700 interventi e oltre 20 milioni di chilogrammi di prodotti sequestrati.Diventa inoltre strutturale il fenomeno della climaflation. Siccità, alluvioni e temperature estreme riducono la produttività agricola e aumentano i costi di trasporto, assicurazione e stoccaggio. Uno shock climatico significativo può aggiungere circa 0,1-0,2 punti percentuali all'inflazione alimentare nell'arco di un anno.Geopolitica, Hormuz e industria della difesaTestate: Corriere della Sera / Repubblica / La Stampa / Il Sole 24 Ore / Il Fatto Quotidiano / Domani / Il Riformista / LiberoIran e Oman lavorano a un'intesa per la riapertura controllata dello Stretto di Hormuz. La proposta prevede un percorso marittimo concordato, con transito iniziale nelle acque omanite e successivo controllo iraniano.L'accordo avrebbe una durata iniziale di 60 giorni e potrebbe includere un pedaggio a favore dell'Iran. Sarebbero inoltre necessari circa 30 giorni per la bonifica delle mine e l'organizzazione dei nuovi meccanismi di transito.Le anticipazioni hanno ridotto temporaneamente il premio geopolitico incorporato nei prezzi di petrolio e oro. Il quadro resta però fragile: un fallimento dei negoziati riporterebbe immediatamente al centro il rischio di blocchi navali, aumento del greggio e rincari nei trasporti e nelle assicurazioni.Le operazioni militari hanno inoltre ridotto sensibilmente le scorte statunitensi di intercettori. Secondo le ricostruzioni riportate, sarebbero stati utilizzati circa l'80% dei THAAD immediatamente disponibili e oltre il 35% dei Patriot PAC-3, confermando la difficoltà dell'industria occidentale nel ricostituire rapidamente le scorte.SAFE, esportazioni militari e filiere strategicheTestate: Il Sole 24 Ore / Corriere della Sera / Il Fatto QuotidianoL'Italia punta a semplificare le procedure per le esportazioni militari e le commesse internazionali, attraverso regole più rapide per materiali d'armamento, infrastrutture e attività svolte per conto di Stati esteri.Il prestito europeo SAFE resta politicamente controverso. L'Italia avrebbe prenotato una quota potenziale di circa 14,9 miliardi di euro, ma l'utilizzo effettivo potrebbe fermarsi intorno ai 6 miliardi, concentrandosi soprattutto sui programmi comuni europei.Il vantaggio finanziario deriva dal minore costo dei bond europei, indicato intorno al 3%, rispetto a un rendimento dei BTP vicino al 3,87%.L'aumento della spesa europea può sostenere aerospazio, elettronica, cybersecurity, sensoristica e cantieristica. Il beneficio sarà però maggiore se le commesse verranno coordinate a livello europeo, evitando la duplicazione di programmi nazionali.Banche, Banco BPM e consolidamento finanziarioTestate: Repubblica / Corriere della Sera / La Stampa / Milano Finanza / Il FoglioBanco BPM chiude un semestre record e riapre il dossier Crédit Agricole. L'utile netto corrente raggiunge 1,1 miliardi di euro, in crescita del 3,9%, mentre quello contabile scende a circa 1,06 miliardi per effetto di componenti non ricorrenti.I proventi operativi salgono a 3,2 miliardi, le commissioni nette aumentano del 13,8% e il coefficiente CET1 raggiunge il 14,4%. Il rapporto costi-ricavi scende al 43%, confermando una buona efficienza operativa.Banco BPM alza la stima dell'utile 2026 a 1,95 miliardi di euro e punta a distribuire circa 1 miliardo tra dividendi e acconto. La remunerazione cumulata prevista per il periodo 2024-2027 sale da 6 a 7 miliardi.Crédit Agricole possiede il 29,9% di Banco BPM. L'amministratore delegato Giuseppe Castagna considera una possibile fusione industrialmente solida, pur precisando che non esiste ancora un'offerta formale.PagoPA, pagamenti digitali e inclusione finanziariaTestate: Corriere della Sera / Milano Finanza / Il FoglioPoste Italiane e Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato rilevano il 100% di PagoPA dal Ministero dell'Economia, attraverso un'operazione dal valore massimo di circa 500 milioni di euro.Il Poligrafico acquisisce il 51% della società, mentre Poste Italiane detiene il restante 49%. L'obiettivo è integrare pagamenti digitali, identità digitale, servizi pubblici e infrastrutture postali.Banca d'Italia segnala intanto la scarsa diffusione dei conti di base destinati alle fasce vulnerabili. A fine 2025 risultavano circa 180.000 conti, un numero molto inferiore rispetto ad altri Paesi europei.Il conto gratuito è destinato ai cittadini con ISEE fino a 11.600 euro e ai pensionati con assegno lordo annuo fino a 18.000 euro. Il potenziale bacino supera i 7 milioni di persone, ma l'utilizzo resta marginale.

VOV1 - Lầu Năm Góc ngày 3/8 thông báo đã ký một thỏa thuận khung nhằm mở rộng năng lực sản xuất các linh kiện cho hệ thống phòng thủ tên lửa Patriot PAC-3 và THAAD, trong bối cảnh nhu cầu vũ khí phòng không gia tăng do các cuộc xung đột tại Trung Đông và Ukraine.

For review:1. Report: Mossad chief removes 2 senior officials behind aborted Iran regime-change plan 2. Iran's foreign ministry said Wednesday that Iran and Oman have agreed on a route for ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz and are putting the final touches on arrangements for jointly managing the waterway.3. Lebanon and Israel held a fresh round of US-sponsored talks in Rome on Tuesday. This week's negotiations mark the seventh round of Washington-mediated talks.4. Yemen's Houthi rebels have killed at least 30 government soldiers and injured 15 in missile attacks on Yemeni military, government sources Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said the attacks, using missiles and drones, led to “hundreds” of casualties.The Yemeni military confirmed the attacks, framing them as a response to their own attacks on the Houthis.5. A Ukrainian cargo plane targeted by a drone carrying explosives at Germany's Leipzig/Halle Airport was loaded with ammunition at the time of the incident, German media reported on Aug. 6.6. US Triples Patriot and Quadruples THAAD Interceptor Production.

Colonel Jeff McCausland, United States Army (Retired), discusses the critical depletion of United States missile stockpiles, particularly Patriot and THAAD systems, due to the intensifying war with Iran. He notes that these shortages might force a transition toward piloted bombing missions using heavy aircraft like the B-2 and B-52 for deep penetration. Regarding the Strait of Hormuz, McCausland highlights that Iran's ability to deploy sea mines and drones makes military reopening difficult. Turning to Ukraine, he predicts Vladimir Putin will escalate through mobilization rather than negotiation as both sides increasingly target food supplies in the Black Sea. (1)1864 SHERIDAN IN THE VALLEY

SCHEDULE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW.  8-4-2026.1900 ST. LAWRENCEColonel Jeff McCausland, United States Army (Retired), discusses the critical depletion of United States missile stockpiles, particularly Patriot and THAAD systems, due to the intensifying war with Iran. He notes that these shortages might force a transition toward piloted bombing missions using heavy aircraft like the B-2 and B-52 for deep penetration. Regarding the Strait of Hormuz, McCausland highlights that Iran's ability to deploy sea mines and drones makes military reopening difficult. Turning to Ukraine, he predicts Vladimir Putin will escalate through mobilization rather than negotiation as both sides increasingly target food supplies in the Black Sea. (1)Judy Dempsey, Senior Scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, describes a Europe struggling with record heat, wildfires, and critically low river levels that are hampering nuclear power and agriculture. She argues these patterns reflect a deteriorating climate requiring a global response. The conversation shifts to a massive migration incident where 60,000 young men attempted to enter a Spanish exclave from Morocco. Dempsey explains that this surge is being exploited by far-right parties across Europe, such as the AfD in Germany, who capitalize on voter dissatisfaction. She notes that despite bilateral labor agreements, the political fallout is fueling nationalism. (2)Joseph Sternberg, Editorial Board Member of the Wall Street Journal, examines the release of Dr. Anthony Fauci's pandemic-era diaries, which reveal a dichotomy between his private doubts and public pronouncements regarding COVID-19's origins. Sternberg suggests Fauci became pathologically obsessed with his media coverage, positioning himself as an antagonist to Donald Trump to maintain his "star" status. The discussion also covers the growing influence of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). Sternberg notes that young voters, disillusioned by the economy, are increasingly drawn to the DSA's radical, government-led solutions. He questions whether this movement can succeed in purple states. (3)Jonathan Schanzer, Executive Director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, discusses the alarming shortage of US defensive munitions needed to intercept Iranian threats. He notes that Iran, coached by Russia and China, is exploiting this crisis to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed and drive up energy prices. Schanzer also addresses the significant weakening of Hezbollah after sustained Israeli operations and the complexities of disarming Hamas in Gaza. He highlights that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu faces a political tightrope balancing military goals with international pressure. Finally, he observes the unraveling of Chinese-brokered agreements as Houthi threats against Saudi Arabia resurface. (4)Gregory Copley, Publisher of Defense & Foreign Affairs, analyzes global efforts to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, noting that Russia and China are seeking alternative trade corridors to undermine Washington's strategic influence. He suggests China is using current tensions to project American impotence before high-level diplomatic visits. Copley also discusses the "war on food" in the Black Sea, where blockades are forcing a diversification of global supplies. Turning to Ethiopia, he describes a brutal civil conflict involving ethnic factions and the use of Turkish drones against civilian targets. He concludes with the success of King Charles III at the Commonwealth Games. (5)Bill Roggio and Bridget Toomey of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies discuss the Houthis' re-entry into the regional war by declaring a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea. Roggio criticizes the Trumpadministration's lack of a forceful military response, arguing that two US destroyers are insufficient to secure vital waterways. Toomey explains that the Houthis use these attacks to re-establish domestic norms and pressure the global oil market. They note that while the Houthis operate independently, their actions align with Iranian goals to use control over maritime chokepoints as a strategic "nuclear weapon." (6)Andrea Stricker, Deputy Director at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, outlines the proliferation risks associated with a proposed US-Saudi nuclear cooperation agreement. She expresses concern over uranium enrichment on Saudi soil, which could enable a nuclear weapons pathway. Stricker warns that granting enrichment rights would destroy the "gold standard" for non-proliferation and likely trigger a nuclear arms race involving Turkey and Egypt. Although President Trump has added caveats regarding the Abraham Accords, Saudi Arabia has threatened to turn to China for technology. Stricker notes the deal faces a difficult 90-day congressional review starting in September. (7)Conrad Black, distinguished biographer and National Post columnist, discusses the "aberrant" trade tensions between the US and Canada following the imposition of tariffs based on allegations of forced labor in Chinese imports. Black argues these tariffs are a legal workaround for the Trump administration to bypass the Supreme Court by declaring a national emergency. He characterizes the policy as arbitrary and offensive, noting it has dampened cross-border tourism and led to retaliatory tariffs on items like hockey sticks. Despite the current friction, Black remains optimistic that the dispute will be resolved through negotiation because he believes President Trump fundamentally likes Canada. (8)

The US military have ‘burnt through' their critical missile interceptors since the start of the Iran war. Senior commanders warn that stockpiles for THAAD and Patriot systems are "dangerously low." Elsewhere, the conflict in the Red Sea has escalated as Iranian-backed Houthi rebels have escalated their maritime blockade, striking a Saudi oil tanker in the northern Red Sea with ballistic missiles. On today's episode Roland Oliphant speaks to Jerusalem correspondent Henry Bodkin about the geopolitical implications of depleted US missile inventories, the crumbling reality behind the Gaza decommissioning deal, and growing political rifts inside Israel over war aims.Plus, Roland and Henry analyse the Israeli perspective to the news cycle, differing cultures of leaking information between the US and Israel, and alarming UN reports detailing a surge in state executions across Iran.HighlightsUS Thaad and Patriot missile stockpiles burn dry as Iran conflict escalatesIranian-backed Houthi rebels hit a Saudi oil tanker with ballistic missilesCONTRIBUTORS:Roland Oliphant, co-host and chief foreign affairs analyst @RolandOliphantHenry Bodkin, Jerusalem correspondent, @HenryBodkin WATCH US ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dkWinner Best News and Analysis Podcast - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026Nominated Podcast of the Year - Society of Editors News Podcasts Awards 2026Nominated Best News, Politics and Current Affairs - British Podcast Awards 2026The Telegraph, Winner Podcast Publisher of the Year 2026 - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026Producer: Max BowerVideo Producer: Peter ShevlinResearcher and Social Producer: Anna HindmarshStudio Operator: Andy WatsonExecutive Producer: Venetia Rainey ► Sign up to our most popular newsletter, From the Editor. Look forward to receiving free-thinking comment and the day's biggest stories, every morning. telegraph.co.uk/fromtheeditor► EMAIL US: Contact the team on battlelines@telegraph.co.uk► GET THE LATEST HEADLINES: Find all our latest Iran coverage here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/iran-war/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

El Departamento de Guerra de EEUU solicitó al Congreso la friolera de 18.200 millones de dólares para reponer misiles Patriot, Thaad, Tomahawk y otros sistemas avanzados utilizados durante su agresión injustificada contra Irán. Un pedido que desnuda la situación catastrófica real del estado de las reservas de armamento del país norteamericano.

Fauci Pleads the Fifth, Iran War Munitions Crisis, and Michigan Senate Primary Embarrassments Dan Griffin and Corey Walsh host Libservative and lead with Anthony Fauci repeatedly invoking the Fifth Amendment in a congressional appearance, discussing his preemptive pardon, Josh Hawley's questioning, and Rand Paul's release of Fauci's diary suggesting early private doubts about the wet market origin, lab-leak discussions, gain-of-function research, and Fauci's enjoyment of celebrity. They compare Fauci's Fifth pleading to Trump's and argue COVID policies caused ostracism, government overreach, wealth transfer, and broader social harms. The show warns the Iran war is escalating and merging with the Ukraine conflict while U.S. high-end munitions stockpiles (Patriot, THAAD, Tomahawk) are dangerously depleted with slow replenishment timelines. They mock Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Haley Stevens' campaign moments and donations questions, contrast her with Abdul El-Sayed, debate monopolies and government regulation, and end with Sam Husseini confronting Chuck Schumer over genocide while Schumer speaks on Trump corruption. 00:00 Welcome and Rundown 01:00 Fauci Takes the Fifth 05:40 COVID Fallout and Resentment 11:07 Fifth Amendment Explained 13:39 Fauci Diary Bombshells 17:30 Fame and Death Counts 23:56 COVID Memory Lane 33:06 Trump vs Fauci Fifth 41:26 Josh Hawley Grills Fauci 44:12 Brown v Walker Breakdown 46:30 Epstein Political Theater 47:01 Bell F35 Running Gag 48:38 Iran War Going Nowhere 51:39 Munitions Stockpile Crisis 57:50 Taiwan World War Risk 58:58 Trump Hamas Deal Claims 01:02:16 Truth Social Bot Slop 01:04:19 Claude Skynet Security Scare 01:05:54 Flock Cameras And ID Scans 01:12:31 Haley Stevens Cringe Campaign 01:24:20 Utility Money Non Answer 01:25:57 Stevens Senate Ambitions 01:27:46 Primary Stakes and Money 01:30:25 El-Sayed Not Socialist 01:34:32 Monopoly Debate Explained 01:36:33 Government Creates Monopolies 01:44:09 Bailouts and Socialized Losses 01:53:06 Schumer Confronted on Genocide 02:01:09 Wrap Up and Where to Find Us

Bonus Episode for July 27. Defense companies Lockheed Martin and RTX report surging backlogs as war increases demand for weapons. Wall Street Journal aerospace and defense reporter Drew FitzGerald discusses how the defense sector is responding to demands from Washington and what to look for as Boeing, General Dynamics and L3Harris report this week. WSJ national security reporter Marcus Weisgerber hosts this special bonus episode of What's News in Earnings, where we dig into companies' earnings reports and analyst calls to find out what's going on under the hood of the American economy. Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Wars burn hardware, and rebuilding it takes years. This week Simon Brown works through the defence sector as a replacement thesis — the US fired roughly half its THAAD interceptor stockpile in twelve days against Iran — and settles on Lockheed Martin as his pick, with RTX as a second choice. He weighs the faster-growing but pricier European names (Leonardo, Thales, BAE Systems, Rheinmetall), runs through the main defence ETF options, and flags the risks: budgets are politics, and forward orders still have to convert. Also covered: a post-IPO look at Bending Spoons, SK Hynix's planned $28bn Nasdaq listing and the memory trade, and the Q2 review of the Equity Coverage AI project — 26 names, 22 buys and one sell. WorldWideMarkets is part of JustOneLap.com.

On this week's Defense & Aerospace Report Business Roundtable, sponsored by Bell, Dr. “Rocket” Ron Epstein of Bank of America Securities, Sash Tusa of Agency Partners, and Richard Aboulafia of the AeroDynamic advisory consultancy join host Vago Muradian to discuss a Wall Street rally after a brutal drop; what's for the Iran war as Washington and Tehran trade fire; Trump administration's expected request for $88 billion to cover Iran war costs as the president hosted US defense executives at the White House accelerate production to refill depleted US weapons stocks; Lockheed Martin's seven-year $35 billion to quadruple THAAD interceptor production; budget deliberations continue in Washington as White House proposes taking $1.7 billion from the Navy to pay for the E-7 radar planes Congress forced the administration to buy for the US Air Force; British Prime Minister Kier Starmer's decision to step down, clearing the way for former Manchester Mayor and new Member of Parliament Andy Burnham to challenge his leadership of the Labour Party; NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte's Washington visit to woo Trump to ensure an Ankara Summit July 7 and 8 that mirrors the recent G7 meeting; whether the US move to withdraw capabilities from Europe is part of a strategy to drive European nations into turning to Washington to buy stop gap capabilities; France orders 5,000 more quadcopters from Harmattan AI after the two-year-old startup delivered 1,000 quadcopters in six months; Air Force acceptance of the T-7 Red Hawk trainers, but with an airworthiness risk classified as “serious” because a Boeing supplier hasn't released data on some unspecified safety-critical elements needed to sustain the aircraft; questions about Rheinmetall's strategy of purchasing Lurssen's naval business and take over construction of six large frigates for the Deutsche Marine after Berlin cancelled the F116 project; China Eastern's order of 25 A330neo for more than $9 billion and China Southern's purchase of $3.6 billion worth of 777s from Boeing; and Babcock's full-year results.

This weeks AI slop is brought to you by GLM 5.1 - a weird model I have never heard of before. Funnily enough, it kinda all sounds the same at this point. Still, half decent job I think. Episode 162 covers a sweeping range of domestic and international news. The budget has cleared the Senate with Greens amendments on NDIS oversight and the blocking of superannuation for housing purchases, while the opposition fumbles its response. Property markets are feeling the chill, with auction clearance rates down and investors spooked by negative gearing changes. In the UK, Keir Starmer has resigned after a failed premiership -- described by one BBC journalist as someone utterly disinterested in the basic skills of leadership -- and Andy Burnham looks set to take over, with market jitters already building around the prospect of Ed Miliband as Chancellor. The Iran memorandum of understanding gets a sceptical examination: it is little more than an agreement to talk, bought by a Trump administration desperate for a pre-midterm win. Meanwhile, US missile stockpiles are running critically low, with an $80 billion replenishment request and a $1.5 trillion total defence budget underscoring the cost of recent conflicts. Back home, One Nation's push for a "monoculture" and forced property sales for permanent residents gets a thorough dismantling, and the global football World Cup, Carlton's AFL resurgence, and England's cricketing woes round out the show.00:25 - Welcome and episode introduction; Hong Kong Jack checks in from a sweltering Hong Kong, discussing the annual exodus of expats on business-class contracts.01:50 - Ukraine's stunning military comeback: a single bridge now links Russia to Crimea, with the rest of claimed territory back in Ukrainian hands.02:38 - The budget passes the Senate. Greens wring concessions on NDIS oversight and block the use of superannuation for housing, but Hong Kong Jack notes the Greens have only agreed to extend the committee talking about the NDIS, not to the measures themselves.04:26 - The opposition's disastrous budget response. Dennis Shanahan's brutal assessment: Angus Taylor was handed a penalty shot with a prone goalkeeper and still missed. Toxic taxes, dangerous deals -- the alliteration that murdered a political attack.07:00 - Tax reform legislation passes the House: the 250 Working Australians Tax Offset, staged tax cuts, and early moves on CGT and negative gearing. But certainty is in short supply -- investors and superannuants are left wondering what the final rules will actually look like.08:31 - Two core failures of the budget: it does almost nothing for growth, and the consequences were not properly thought through.10:01 - Fuel excise suspension: a temporary reprieve, but as electric vehicles soak up 20% of the market and pay zero road tax, a new user-pays model is inevitable. Logbooks, GPS tracking, or something uglier?13:26 - Budget benefits feel distant to renters and the young, while the property market cools. Auction clearance rates have dropped to roughly 50%.16:58 - Negative gearing changes from July 2027: anecdotal evidence suggests investors are already looking to offload. The Treasury forecasts around 2% growth in residential property, but Hong Kong Jack argues a 5-10% drop is politically survivable for most homeowners.18:27 - Teaser for next episode: US congressional stock-picking, Trump and Putin, and broader corruption in public office.18:45 - UK politics. Keir Starmer resigns as Prime Minister -- the seventh PM in ten years. A devastating BBC assessment: "In all my years covering politics, I have never met anyone so lacking in an interest in the skills a leader needs."20:50 - Starmer's fatal flaw: like Kevin Rudd, he governed without the permission of his parliamentary party. He was dismissive of the collegiality Westminster democracy demands.22:57 - Starmer did not go to the palace -- he phoned in his resignation. Hong Kong Jack notes the contrast with Boris Johnson and Liz Truss making the journey to Balmoral.24:12 - Andy Burnham looks certain to become PM, with rivals bought off with portfolios. But if Ed Miliband is appointed Chancellor, bond markets could punish the UK hard.26:00 - UK gilt yields at 6%. The debt interest bill is enormous, and Burnham has not put forward a single policy for reducing government spending or creating growth.26:35 - Burnham's policies: incremental re-nationalisation of railways, and nationalising water services -- requiring massive compensation payments. Not one word on spending reduction.28:59 - Brexit has not delivered. The "Singapore of Europe" model that could have worked was never pursued. Instead, it has destabilised the UK politically and socially.32:06 - The political class resisted what voters wanted on Brexit. That disconnect with the electorate has still not been healed -- the rise of Reform is the evidence.33:47 - Burnham says this is Labour's last chance. Jack the Insider sees potential party fracture; Hong Kong Jack is not convinced it is the death of Labour.38:12 - Did Russia influence Brexit? Jack the Insider argues foreign interference at least played a role; Hong Kong Jack insists it was a genuine grassroots movement.38:56 - Grassroots movements are easily astroturfed. "You can take it to the bank that Putin is having a good old giggle about Brexit."40:50 - Iran and the Strait of Hormuz. Iran threatened closure but CENTCOM reports the waterway remains open, albeit not operating normally.42:10 - The Iran MOU gives Trump the political fix he needs before midterms. Approval ratings have cratered to 30%.43:32 - The MOU is merely an agreement to sit down and talk. Nothing in it is guaranteed to appear in a final deal.44:49 - US missile stockpiles: Pete Hegseth requests $80 billion just to replenish. The US fired 130-250 SM-3 interceptors at $28.7 million each, up to 290 THAAD interceptors at $15.5 million each, and over 1,000 Tomahawk cruise missiles.47:58 - The conflict cost $29 billion in direct expenditures, exposing massive supply chain bottlenecks. The Trump administration now requests a staggering $1.5 trillion total defence budget for FY2027.49:12 - Military innovation Supercharges after conflict: drones, shoulder-fired interceptors, and cheaper alternatives to expensive missile defence systems.50:51 - Spending 3% of GDP on defence is fine in principle, but Australia has wasted enormous sums over decades. The money must be spent better.52:54 - Monoculture. Following Pauline Hanson's National Press Club speech, a deep dive into what "monoculture" actually means -- and whether it means anything at all.54:42 - Denmark's integration model: language tests, employment self-sufficiency periods, civic knowledge programs. Denmark insists migrants become Danish before gaining permanent status.55:41 - Europe's weakness: no pathway to become truly French or German. Turkish guest workers from the 1950s remain Turkish guest workers. Australia's approach has been different.56:32 - One Nation's policy would create tiers of Australians. The proposal to force permanent residents to sell their homes is legally questionable and politically volatile.59:04 - Can the High Court block forced property sales? Hong Kong Jack thinks it probably would not intervene. Jack the Insider sees ugliness: bailiffs at doors, fire sales of homes.01:01:35 - The distinction between permanent residents and citizens: most PR holders see it as a stepping stone to citizenship, but 5-6 year citizenship processing backlogs trap people in between.01:04:06 - Foreign Investment Review Board restrictions already limit student visa holders to properties capped at roughly $1-1.5 million, with mandatory sale within three years of departure.01:07:26 - The monoculture idea cannot work. You cannot have immigration and monoculture simultaneously.01:08:14 - Australian multiculturalism is fundamentally different to the European model that Merkel, Cameron, and Sarkozy all declared a failure in 2015.01:08:57 - One Nation's rise warrants closer examination of where the money and promotion are coming from. Teased for next episode.01:10:45 - Barbecue culture: the undeniable truth that four pints while barbecuing is perfectly acceptable, and Australian outdoor kitchens have reversed the old pattern -- cooking outside, bathroom inside.01:13:46 - FIFA World Cup. Australia's T20 series win over Bangladesh passes almost unnoticed.01:15:12 - 40,000 Colombians in Australia celebrating their team. The ABC tracks down Cape Verde's diaspora -- 20 people in Australia -- including a centre-back who got his international call-up via LinkedIn.01:16:36 - Australia vs Paraguay: a win guarantees progression. The entire nation may stop working at 1:30pm.01:18:27 - A blunt assessment of Australia's performance against the USA: 65% possession for the opposition, very shaky with the ball.01:18:47 - Netherlands looking the strongest at the tournament. Brazil, Switzerland, Norway, and Argentina all impressing.01:20:32 - Erling Haaland's charming post-match interview: "We have France next and they'll probably beat us, but then they'll probably go all the way and win the World Cup."01:22:39 - Rugby Union: is the death of Australian rugby overstated? Ticket sales for the Rugby World Cup are booming at 650,000, but Super Rugby is in decline and may not survive in its current format.01:24:39 - Anti-siphoning laws and the shifting broadcast landscape as telcos muscle into sports rights.01:26:06 - Carlton's extraordinary AFL season: won one, lost eight, sacked the coach, won five straight under an interim. Six players aged 21 or younger, two of them 18. Patrick Cripps is rattling up Brownlow votes.01:27:22 - Harry Dean should win the Rising Star. The forward line works without a monster key forward.01:30:06 - Wade Dirk, the rookie from Darwin, holds Jesse Hogan to one goal while getting 20 touches himself.01:30:52 - Fremantle look the best side in the competition. Buddy Franklin still tips Brisbane.01:31:58 - Collingwood: marking time. The senior champions are still carrying the side while the next generation struggles.01:33:14 - Ben Stokes recalled to the England cricket side -- essentially picked because he is captain. England thrashed by 253 runs by New Zealand at the Oval.01:35:22 - Gideon Ha's devastating summary of England's Oval test: "England hit bottom, keep digging. Five changes, two blokes unavailable because they were on the piss, one bloke out because his wife was pregnant, old stager as emergency captain, no spinner, a backstop as keeper, and four number 11s."01:36:26 - If England lose at Trent Bridge next week, there will be hell to pay. An Ashes tour looms next year.

Episode 4144 │ June 13, 2026 Xi named America's decline. Trump called it an honor to be his friend. China has been building to this moment since the first panda sent West in 1869. WHAT THIS EPISODE COVERS Part Five of the Panda Gambit series delivers the series finale — and the series close Scott Kesterson has been building toward since La Pine, Oregon said no to a data center. The episode opens with an honest corrective: this series has documented Western imperial actions against China and China's strategic return to global power, but the evidence does not support a simple story of deserved Western punishment. Mao Zedong killed between 40 and 80 million of his own people — one of the largest self-inflicted death tolls in human history — and the question of what the Han resistance networks did or did not do to stop it remains unresolved and must be asked plainly. Scott then delivers the Iran campaign weapons math that explains why Trump flew to Beijing rather than the other way around: 45% of Precision Strike Missile stockpile burned, half of THAAD interceptors gone at a production rate of 96 per year, over 1,000 Tomahawks expended representing ten years of production — all while a $50,000 Iranian drone forced a $3.4 million THAAD intercept at a 68-to-1 cost ratio that emptied American magazines. The Beijing summit of May 13-15, 2026 is examined in full: Xi's opening sentence naming the Thucydides Trap and framing China as Athens and America as Sparta, Trump's response calling it an honor to be Xi's friend, the Truth Social post six hours later in which Trump accepted Xi's framing of American decline, the room full of US corporate titans whose primary interests are already shaped toward accommodation with Beijing, and an outcome Goldman Sachs described as deal momentum becoming managed coexistence — with no rare earth deal, no AI framework, a Boeing announcement China never confirmed, and a beef agreement reversed within hours. The 157-year arc from the panda's 1869 Western introduction through the Beijing summit is mapped through the Pixiu cosmological lens. The episode closes with the sharpest distinction the series can offer: China's Mandate of Heaven flows downward from emperor to people — the American republic was founded on the structurally opposite principle that rights flow from God to each individual person, and governments are instituted to protect what each person already holds. The oligarchs operating across all three systems — Chinese, Russian, and American — are behaving as if they hold a mandate the American founding never granted them. La Pine gets the last word. KEY QUESTIONS ADDRESSED What does the Iran campaign weapons math reveal about why Trump flew to Beijing — and what does it mean that the US military cannot rebuild Tomahawk and THAAD inventories without Chinese rare earth materials? What did Xi say in his opening sentence at the Beijing summit — and what did Trump's response, both in the room and on Truth Social six hours later, reveal about the negotiating position America arrived with? Who was in the room with Trump in Beijing — and when Elon Musk sat across from Xi with Tesla's primary manufacturing base on Chinese soil, who exactly was he representing? What is the 157-year arc from the panda's 1869 Western introduction to the May 2026 summit — and how does the Pixiu cosmology explain what actually crossed the border after two days of summit diplomacy? What is the sharpest distinction between China's Mandate of Heaven cosmology and the American founding principle — and why does it matter that concentrated oligarch power is claiming a mandate the republic never granted? ABOUT BARDSFM BardsFM is a daily independent podcast covering faith, liberty, history, and information warfare. Hosted by Scott Kesterson — combat veteran, documentary filmmaker, and rancher. Over 4,100 episodes and 50 million lifetime downloads. New episodes every weekday. bards.fm

Episode 4142 │ June 10, 2026 China has used pandas as a precision geopolitical weapon for 1,400 years. The same strategy that sent bears to Nixon sent Trump to Beijing. Part Four of the Panda Gambit series moves from symbol to weapon, documenting 1,400 years of Chinese panda diplomacy as a precision instrument of state power — from Empress Wu Zetian's 658 AD deployment to Japan through Nixon's National Zoo gift to the 2023 mass global recall that mapped China's alliance structure in real time. Scott Kesterson unpacks the five mythological layers of the Pixiu — the panda's imperial name — including its roles as military sovereignty marker, wealth accumulator, cosmic axis, war-stopping authority, and legitimacy seal, and explains why the panda's black and white markings physically embody the Yin-Yang of Heaven's Mandate. The episode exposes the China Wildlife Conservation Association, the opaque nonprofit receiving $32.5 million annually in unaudited panda lease revenue from 32 countries, whose council includes executives from traditional Chinese medicine pharmaceutical companies documented using endangered animal parts, and whose illegal branches were wildlife breeding committees — not administrative offices. Scott then traces the 125-year thread from the 1901 Boxer Protocol indemnity through the founding of Tsinghua University on returned American funds to Stephen Schwarzman's personal endowment of a reverse scholarship program at the same institution — with Schwarzman seated in the Beijing summit delegation in May 2026. The episode closes by laying the rare earth fuse for Part Five: China controls 99% of global samarium, 79% of tungsten, and has tightened export controls in a calculated sequence from 2023 to 2025 — leaving the US military unable to rebuild Tomahawk and THAAD inventories without Chinese permission after the Iran campaign burned ten years of production. KEY QUESTIONS ADDRESSED What are the five mythological layers of the Pixiu — the panda's imperial name — and why does its presence or absence in a foreign capital signal peace or war under Chinese cosmological doctrine? What do the financial records of the China Wildlife Conservation Association actually reveal — and why are traditional Chinese medicine pharmaceutical executives sitting on its council? What is the 125-year thread connecting the Boxer Protocol indemnity, Tsinghua University, Stephen Schwarzman, and the May 2026 Beijing summit? How did China build a structural rare earth dependency into the US military supply chain over 30 years — and what does it cost America to rebuild after the Iran campaign? Why did an American president fly to Beijing rather than the other way around — and what did Xi say in his opening sentence? ABOUT BARDSFM BardsFM is a daily independent podcast covering faith, liberty, history, and information warfare. Hosted by Scott Kesterson — combat veteran, documentary filmmaker, and rancher. Over 4,100 episodes and 50 million lifetime downloads. New episodes every weekday. bards.fm Bards Nation Health Store: www.bardsnationhealth.com MYPillow promo code: BARDS >> Go to https://www.mypillow.com/bards and use the promo code BARDS or... Call 1-800-975-2939.  EMPShield protect your vehicles and home. Promo code BARDS: Click here Treadlite Broadforks...best garden tool EVER. Promo code BARDS26: TreadliteBroadforks.com EnviroKlenz Air Purification, promo code BARDS to save 10%: www.enviroklenz.com Morning Intro Music Provided by Brian Kahanek: www.briankahanek.com Founders Bible 20% discount code: BARDS >>> TheFoundersBible.com Windblown Media 20% Discount with promo code BARDS: windblownmedia.com White Oak Pastures Grassfed Meats, Get $20 off any order $150 or more. Promo Code BARDS: www.whiteoakpastures.com/BARDS Mission Darkness Faraday Bags and RF Shielding. Promo code BARDS: Click here If you wish to support this podcast directly you can donate here... DONATE: Click here Mailing Address: Xpedition Cafe, LLC Attn. Scott Kesterson 591 E Central Ave, #740 Sutherlin, OR  97479

From the phone that sits in his pocket, a person can now order almost anything online and have it delivered to his door the next morning. For all of human history, no one on earth had that kind of power, and now, within a single lifetime, every middle-class American has it. Walmart or Amazon or other major e-commerce platforms will bring you whatever you want: a vintage edition of a particular book, a specific article of clothing in a specific size, same-day delivery of kosher pastrami from Costco. Americans are now used to getting what they want, when they want it, with very little delay. That's because the interpretation of vast amounts of data has already told retailers that a person is likely to want diapers and baby formula, or the new Winston Churchill biography, or, having bought a new phone, an extra phone charger, already prepositioned in nearby warehouses, just waiting for someone to want it and press "ship." As a result, it's hard for us to understand intuitively why some things take time to manufacture, and why, when we read reports of missile and interceptor stockpiles, the American military, with all its might, can't just order up another arsenal and have it at the ready. After this spring's combat operations against Iran, the U.S. has used up a lot of missiles. Here are some numbers, drawn from analysis published this spring by the Center for Strategic and International Studies. In the course of Operation Epic Fury, the United States fired over 1,000 Tomahawk cruise missiles from a prewar inventory of approximately 3,100. Recent annual production is less than 200, and replacement is not projected until late 2030. Up to 1,430 Patriot interceptors were expended from a prewar inventory of roughly 2,330, at a production rate of 650 per year—half of which go to allied nations. And 290 of America's 360 interceptors for Terminal High Altitude Area Defense—the most advanced missile-defense system we field, known as THAAD—were fired. We produce about 96 of these interceptors per year. Needless to say, there are other things that we need those missiles for. And some strategists believe that China or another adversary might look at the state of American munitions and decide that a window of opportunity has opened up. How did the most powerful military in the history of the world arrive at this moment? What does the supply chain behind a Patriot missile actually look like, all the way down to the raw materials? And what would serious industrial mobilization require? These are among the questions that Mosaic's editor Jonathan Silver takes up with Ryan McBeth. McBeth spent twenty years in the U.S Army as an infantryman, and is now an intelligence analyst with a popular YouTube channel he uses to explain military affairs to non-specialists. You can learn more about him, and follow his work, at ryanmcbeth.substack.com. In today's podcast, McBeth explains why he is not quite so worried about the state of the American arsenal. This episode of The Tikvah Podcast is generously sponsored by Robert and Ilana Saposh. If you are interested in sponsoring an episode of The Tikvah Podcast, we invite you to join the Tikvah Ideas Circle. Visit tikvah.org/circle to learn more and join.

Donate (no account necessary) | Subscribe (account required) Join Bryan Dean Wright, former CIA Operations Officer, as he dives into today's top stories shaping America and the world. In this Tuesday Headline Brief of The Wright Report, Bryan opens with confusion and high stakes in the war with Iran, as U.S. and Israeli forces strike Iranian boats planting mines in the Strait of Hormuz while President Trump's hopes for a quick peace deal appear to be slipping. He breaks down Iran's shifting demands over Strait "fees," enriched uranium, and negotiations slowed by the injured Ayatollah's reported isolation, while warning that Arab nations, Israel, and the White House are not fully aligned on what comes next. Bryan also covers a major Russian warning for Americans to leave Kiev ahead of possible large-scale strikes, and connects Moscow's effort to "break the spirit" of Ukrainians to broader concerns about political and spiritual warfare at home. Plus, Bryan highlights new U.S. defense production in Alabama as the country tries to replenish missile-defense stockpiles, digs into the Communist funding network tied to Neville Roy Singham, Hasan Piker, CodePink, and rising socialist candidates, and calls out flawed climate models after UN scientists admit their worst-case projection is now considered implausible. He closes with good medical news on grip strength, depression, creatine, and simple diet choices that support strength, recovery, and long-term health.   "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." - John 8:32     Keywords: Iran war update Strait of Hormuz mines 2026, Trump Iran peace deal nuclear uranium negotiations, Ayatollah hiding CIA intelligence report, Abraham Accords Saudi Arabia Qatar Turkey Israel, Russia warning evacuate Kiev tactical nuclear threat Ukraine, THAAD missile production Alabama Lockheed Martin, Neville Roy Singham Hasan Piker Communist funding network, CodePink Cuba sanctions investigation Ilhan Omar daughter, UN climate model RCP 8.5 implausible Trump climate response, grip strength depression study creatine benefits inflammation, Bryan Dean Wright podcast, The Wright Report

A president says he has “the best plan ever,” insists Iran is “defeated militarily,” and talks like one more strike package can end the problem. We slow that down and look at the actual mechanics of a modern Iran war: depleted standoff munitions, limited Patriot and THAAD interceptors, and an opponent that can keep producing missiles while the US waits years to scale replacement. When leaders believe in a clean, conventional ending, they can stumble into the kind of escalation neither side can fully control. We also dig into why the nuclear weapon talking point is more complicated than the sound bite. Before the shooting, international monitoring and US intelligence assessments did not treat an Iranian bomb as inevitable, and we talk through the grim possibility that attacks on nuclear facilities can push Tehran toward the very deterrent Washington claims to fear. Add in the Strait of Hormuz and you get the economic dimension: shipping risk, energy infrastructure vulnerability, and the gas price shock that hits everyday Americans fast. From there, we pivot to Netanyahu's comments on 60 Minutes about keeping the war going, and what it means when leaders admit they are losing the information war. We close with Putin's remarks on a May 8 to May 9 truce and the competing Ukraine ceasefire narratives, then flag a new report that Trump is frustrated Cuba still exists and wants regime change there next. If you found this breakdown useful, subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave a review with the question you want us to tackle next.

This week's Korea Pro Podcast begins with a look at a developing controversy surrounding North Korea intelligence assessments, focusing on remarks by South Korea's unification minister suggesting the existence of a third uranium enrichment site.  On the security front, the episode explores alliance dynamics between the U.S. and South Korea, including debate over the transfer of Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile munitions to the Middle East. The hosts also examine recent comments by U.S. Forces Korea leadership regarding a potential timeline for wartime operational control (OPCON) transfer. On the economic and diplomatic front, the episode turns to President Lee Jae Myung's visits to India and Vietnam, where discussions centered on energy security, supply chain resilience and industrial cooperation. Agreements with India focused on securing chemical feedstocks and expanding shipbuilding collaboration, reflecting a more pragmatic approach to bilateral ties. In Vietnam, talks included nuclear energy cooperation, signaling Seoul's efforts to diversify energy partnerships and navigate constraints tied to U.S. technology. Finally, the episode looks at South Korea's economic outlook, noting stronger-than-expected first-quarter GDP growth driven by semiconductor exports, alongside growing concerns about inflation, supply disruptions and weakening consumer sentiment.  About the podcast: The Korea Pro Podcast is a weekly conversation hosted by Korea Risk Group Executive Director Jeongmin Kim, Managing Editor John Lee and correspondent Joon Ha Park, delivering deep, clear analysis of South Korean politics, diplomacy, security, society and technology for professionals who need more than headlines. Uploaded every Friday. This episode was recorded on Thursday, April 23rd, 2026. Audio edited by Alannah Hill

This Morning's Headlines1. Middle power2. Unified proposal3. THAAD in Korea4. New BOK chief5. Oil support demand

Drones in Ukraine and in the War with Iran have made the surface of the earth a contested space. The U.S. has discovered that 1) air superiority and missile defense systems (THAAD, Patriot batteries) designed to counter tens or hundreds of aircraft and missiles is insufficient against asymmetric attacks of thousands of drones. And that 2) undefended high value fixed civilian infrastructure – oil tankers, data centers, desalination plants, oil refineries, energy nodes, factories, et al -are all at risk.

$200 billion is not a rounding error, it's a signal that Washington is settling in for a long Iran war while pretending it can buy its way out of the consequences. We walk through the Pentagon's latest funding push, why leaders keep hinting the price tag will rise, and what “replenishing stockpiles” really means when Patriot interceptors, THAAD systems, and advanced radar take years to replace. If you care about defense spending, Pentagon accountability, and the defense industrial base, this conversation connects the dollars to the hard limits nobody wants to admit. We also challenge the messaging used to sell escalation, including the way faith, family, and fallen service members get pulled into public arguments for continuing the fight. From there, we widen the frame to the region: reporting from Lebanon, the dangers journalists face in active war zones, and how quickly a conflict sold as contained starts to spread across multiple fronts. Then we follow the money and the politics. Polling suggests many Americans think the war benefits Israel more than the United States, and we dig into what that could mean for the GOP, for Democrats who won't clearly break from pro-war consensus, and for officials inside government who try to dissent. Finally, we get into the oil-price panic moves: “break the glass” plans, sanction reversals, and why talk of letting Iranian oil flow to keep prices down exposes how fragile the strategy has become, especially after strikes tied to South Pars and the hit to Qatar LNG capacity. If this helped you see the bigger picture, subscribe for more, share the episode with someone who argues about foreign policy, and leave a review with the one question you still can't shake.

The Iran war is refocusing global attention on the critical supply chains that power modern military arsenals. Rare earths are essential components in advanced weaponry, from fighter jets to interceptor missiles such as THAAD and Patriot. However, with Chinese export restrictions increasingly targeting equipment with military end-uses, Western nations are facing a critical shortage of the materials needed to rearm. How long will it take for countries to counter China's near-monopoly and achieve true supply independence? And beyond the defense sector, what is the long-term growth potential for the industry as demand accelerates for electric vehicles, AI data centers, and advanced humanoid robotics? Jack Baxter, Global Metals and Mining Analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence, joins host John Lee on the Asia Centric podcast. Together, they unpack the unprecedented deals reshaping the market and explore how Western miners – including MP Materials and Lynas Rare Earths – are positioned to capitalize on this shift.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

──────────────────────────────────────── [00:22:54] US Stole $126 Million from Switzerland's Fighter Jet Account Without Consent to Cover Iran War Missile Shortfalls The Pentagon redirected Swiss funds from a fighter jet purchase using a foreign military sales mechanism that allows reallocation without buyer permission — with Switzerland having already frozen payments after learning deliveries would be delayed 4-5 years, and having blocked US military flyover requests tied to Iran operations. ──────────────────────────────────────── [00:25:42] In 4 Days of War: 943 Patriots Fired — 18 Months of Global Production Gone, One-Third of THAAD Stockpile Consumed The US burned through 18 months of combined Lockheed and Boeing Patriot interceptor production in the first four days of the war, consumed roughly one-third of the entire THAAD stockpile, and fired 850-950 Tomahawk cruise missiles representing 15-17 years of production — at a cost exchange ratio of 114-to-1 in Iran's favor. ──────────────────────────────────────── [00:33:17] Trump Publicly Admitted to Saudi Donors He Doesn't Call It a War Because He'd Need Congressional Approval At a Friday investor summit, Trump openly stated he avoids the word "war" because it would require getting approval — then described Mohammed bin Salman as someone who now "has to kiss his ass" — confirming to the room that the constitutional war-making process was deliberately sidestepped. ──────────────────────────────────────── [00:39:52] Day 27 of the Iran War: Philippines Has 40 Days of Oil Left, Power Plant Strike Deadline Approaching A situational summary at day 27 of the war lists: Iran just struck Israeli nuclear facilities, Iran is demanding Strait of Hormuz sovereignty as a peace condition, the Philippines has only 40 days of oil left, a power plant strike deadline is approaching, and Trump's response at a donor summit was to invite questions about sex. ──────────────────────────────────────── [00:51:25] German Study: Zero Unvaccinated Children Died of Myocarditis — Every Child Death Was Vaccine-Related A large German population study of 84 million found that no healthy unvaccinated children died of myocarditis during the pandemic period — with every child myocarditis death linked exclusively to COVID vaccination. YouTube is actively removing accounts that reference the study, described as making the platform an accessory to ongoing harm. ──────────────────────────────────────── [00:55:43] Rothschild Bank Raided in Paris as Part of Epstein Probe — Epstein Openly Claimed to Represent Them French authorities raided the Paris offices of the Rothschild bank as part of an Epstein-linked corruption investigation. In a 2016 email to Palantir founder Peter Thiel, Epstein wrote that he represented the Rothschilds — and so did Wilbur Ross, Trump's first Commerce Secretary, who worked for the Rothschild bank for 24 years. ──────────────────────────────────────── [01:01:37] Record 36 House Republicans Announce They Won't Seek Reelection — Exceeding the 2018 Wave Election Number A record 36 House Republicans have announced they will not run for reelection, surpassing the 34 who quit before the 2018 midterm wave that handed Democrats control of the House — with analysts warning this harbinger signals an even larger political reversal driven by the unpopular Iran war and economic deterioration. ──────────────────────────────────────── [01:02:47] Millions Protest in 3,300 US Locations and Across Europe — Communist Groups Embed to Hijack the Movement An estimated 8-9 million Americans protested across 3,300 locations in all 50 states, with simultaneous protests in London, Rome, Paris, Madrid, Berlin, Amsterdam, and Sydney. Socialist and communist organizations distributed flyers explicitly calling for revolution and embedding within the broader demonstrations — a dynamic described as Trump handing the radical left its best recruitment tool in decades. ──────────────────────────────────────── [01:13:29] The Most Powerful Energy Crisis in Human History Is Now Looming — Russia Oil Exports Also Halting Beyond the Strait of Hormuz closure, Russian oil exports are now also halting due to Ukrainian attacks, compounding the global supply collapse. Oil opened above $100 and Brent crude was tracking its largest monthly gain on record, with gold consolidating as sovereign nations across the Gulf liquidate holdings for emergency liquidity. ──────────────────────────────────────── [01:22:31] Trump Is Driving America Into the Arms of Communists — The Radical Left Is Capitalizing on Legitimate Grievances The argument is made that Trump's unconstitutional war, economic destruction, and open corruption are handing self-described Marxists and socialists a mass recruitment opportunity by attaching their revolutionary message to millions of people with genuine economic grievances — while MAGA and Fox News dismiss all protest as AstroTurf. ──────────────────────────────────────── [01:45:35] Trump's DOJ Is Still Enforcing Biden's Pistol Brace Rule — Which Trump Himself Introduced in December 2020 Gun Owners of America reveals that Trump's Justice Department is continuing to enforce the pistol brace rule that Trump himself introduced by executive order on December 18, 2020 — five days before removing it under pressure — establishing the precedent Biden later used, which Trump campaigned on repealing and has now chosen to continue enforcing. ──────────────────────────────────────── [01:55:43] RFK Jr. and MAHA Have Not Banned the mRNA Shot — Trump's Bioweapon Betrayal Continues Despite the German study confirming vaccine-exclusive childhood myocarditis deaths, RFK Jr. and the Make America Healthy Again initiative have not moved to ban or withdraw mRNA injections — described as a fundamental betrayal of their stated mission and the millions who supported them specifically to end what is characterized as a still-active bioweapon program. ──────────────────────────────────────── Money should have intrinsic value AND transactional privacy: Go to https://davidknight.gold/ for great deals on physical gold/silver For 10% off Gerald Celente's prescient Trends Journal, go to https://trendsjournal.com/ and enter the code KNIGHT Find out more about the show and where you can watch it at TheDavidKnightShow.com If you would like to support the show and our family please consider subscribing monthly here: SubscribeStar https://www.subscribestar.com/the-david-knight-showOr you can send a donation throughMail: David Knight POB 994 Kodak, TN 37764Zelle: @DavidKnightShow@protonmail.comCash App at: $davidknightshowBTC to: bc1qkuec29hkuye4xse9unh7nptvu3y9qmv24vanh7Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-david-knight-show--2653468/support.

──────────────────────────────────────── [00:22:54] US Stole $126 Million from Switzerland's Fighter Jet Account Without Consent to Cover Iran War Missile Shortfalls The Pentagon redirected Swiss funds from a fighter jet purchase using a foreign military sales mechanism that allows reallocation without buyer permission — with Switzerland having already frozen payments after learning deliveries would be delayed 4-5 years, and having blocked US military flyover requests tied to Iran operations. ──────────────────────────────────────── [00:25:42] In 4 Days of War: 943 Patriots Fired — 18 Months of Global Production Gone, One-Third of THAAD Stockpile Consumed The US burned through 18 months of combined Lockheed and Boeing Patriot interceptor production in the first four days of the war, consumed roughly one-third of the entire THAAD stockpile, and fired 850-950 Tomahawk cruise missiles representing 15-17 years of production — at a cost exchange ratio of 114-to-1 in Iran's favor. ──────────────────────────────────────── [00:33:17] Trump Publicly Admitted to Saudi Donors He Doesn't Call It a War Because He'd Need Congressional Approval At a Friday investor summit, Trump openly stated he avoids the word "war" because it would require getting approval — then described Mohammed bin Salman as someone who now "has to kiss his ass" — confirming to the room that the constitutional war-making process was deliberately sidestepped. ──────────────────────────────────────── [00:39:52] Day 27 of the Iran War: Philippines Has 40 Days of Oil Left, Power Plant Strike Deadline Approaching A situational summary at day 27 of the war lists: Iran just struck Israeli nuclear facilities, Iran is demanding Strait of Hormuz sovereignty as a peace condition, the Philippines has only 40 days of oil left, a power plant strike deadline is approaching, and Trump's response at a donor summit was to invite questions about sex. ──────────────────────────────────────── [00:51:25] German Study: Zero Unvaccinated Children Died of Myocarditis — Every Child Death Was Vaccine-Related A large German population study of 84 million found that no healthy unvaccinated children died of myocarditis during the pandemic period — with every child myocarditis death linked exclusively to COVID vaccination. YouTube is actively removing accounts that reference the study, described as making the platform an accessory to ongoing harm. ──────────────────────────────────────── [00:55:43] Rothschild Bank Raided in Paris as Part of Epstein Probe — Epstein Openly Claimed to Represent Them French authorities raided the Paris offices of the Rothschild bank as part of an Epstein-linked corruption investigation. In a 2016 email to Palantir founder Peter Thiel, Epstein wrote that he represented the Rothschilds — and so did Wilbur Ross, Trump's first Commerce Secretary, who worked for the Rothschild bank for 24 years. ──────────────────────────────────────── [01:01:37] Record 36 House Republicans Announce They Won't Seek Reelection — Exceeding the 2018 Wave Election Number A record 36 House Republicans have announced they will not run for reelection, surpassing the 34 who quit before the 2018 midterm wave that handed Democrats control of the House — with analysts warning this harbinger signals an even larger political reversal driven by the unpopular Iran war and economic deterioration. ──────────────────────────────────────── [01:02:47] Millions Protest in 3,300 US Locations and Across Europe — Communist Groups Embed to Hijack the Movement An estimated 8-9 million Americans protested across 3,300 locations in all 50 states, with simultaneous protests in London, Rome, Paris, Madrid, Berlin, Amsterdam, and Sydney. Socialist and communist organizations distributed flyers explicitly calling for revolution and embedding within the broader demonstrations — a dynamic described as Trump handing the radical left its best recruitment tool in decades. ──────────────────────────────────────── [01:13:29] The Most Powerful Energy Crisis in Human History Is Now Looming — Russia Oil Exports Also Halting Beyond the Strait of Hormuz closure, Russian oil exports are now also halting due to Ukrainian attacks, compounding the global supply collapse. Oil opened above $100 and Brent crude was tracking its largest monthly gain on record, with gold consolidating as sovereign nations across the Gulf liquidate holdings for emergency liquidity. ──────────────────────────────────────── [01:22:31] Trump Is Driving America Into the Arms of Communists — The Radical Left Is Capitalizing on Legitimate Grievances The argument is made that Trump's unconstitutional war, economic destruction, and open corruption are handing self-described Marxists and socialists a mass recruitment opportunity by attaching their revolutionary message to millions of people with genuine economic grievances — while MAGA and Fox News dismiss all protest as AstroTurf. ──────────────────────────────────────── [01:45:35] Trump's DOJ Is Still Enforcing Biden's Pistol Brace Rule — Which Trump Himself Introduced in December 2020 Gun Owners of America reveals that Trump's Justice Department is continuing to enforce the pistol brace rule that Trump himself introduced by executive order on December 18, 2020 — five days before removing it under pressure — establishing the precedent Biden later used, which Trump campaigned on repealing and has now chosen to continue enforcing. ──────────────────────────────────────── [01:55:43] RFK Jr. and MAHA Have Not Banned the mRNA Shot — Trump's Bioweapon Betrayal Continues Despite the German study confirming vaccine-exclusive childhood myocarditis deaths, RFK Jr. and the Make America Healthy Again initiative have not moved to ban or withdraw mRNA injections — described as a fundamental betrayal of their stated mission and the millions who supported them specifically to end what is characterized as a still-active bioweapon program. ──────────────────────────────────────── Money should have intrinsic value AND transactional privacy: Go to https://davidknight.gold/ for great deals on physical gold/silver For 10% off Gerald Celente's prescient Trends Journal, go to https://trendsjournal.com/ and enter the code KNIGHT Find out more about the show and where you can watch it at TheDavidKnightShow.com If you would like to support the show and our family please consider subscribing monthly here: SubscribeStar https://www.subscribestar.com/the-david-knight-showOr you can send a donation throughMail: David Knight POB 994 Kodak, TN 37764Zelle: @DavidKnightShow@protonmail.comCash App at: $davidknightshowBTC to: bc1qkuec29hkuye4xse9unh7nptvu3y9qmv24vanh7Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-real-david-knight-show--5282736/support.

In this episode of NucleCast, retired Lieutenant General Dan Karbler joins the podcast to examine the evolving landscape of air and missile defense amid ongoing regional conflicts and accelerating technological change. Drawing on decades of operational and strategic leadership, LTG Karbler discusses how layered missile defense—from strategic homeland defense to tactical systems—is adapting to increasingly complex threats.The conversation explores Iranian drone and missile activity in the Middle East, the role of systems such as THAAD, Patriot, and counter‑UAS, and the challenges of sustaining and reconstituting missile defense capabilities at scale. Lt Gen Karbler also offers insights into the Golden Dome concept for homeland missile defense, emerging future threats, and what deterrence requires in an era of precision missiles, massed drones, and rapid technological diffusion.For nearly 37 years, Dan served our nation in a variety of positions in the United States and around the world. An expert in Air and Missile Defense and Space Operations, he has extensive experience in effectively leading large and complex military commands, conducting operations, requirements and capability development, test and evaluation, and budget formulation. Prior to retiring from the Army as a Lieutenant General, he led the U.S. Army's Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC), a globally dispersed organization across 23 locations and 11 time zones responsible for providing homeland and regional air and missile defense and space operations. During that time, Space and Missile Defense Command was named “The Army's Best Place to Work” in 2022 and 2023. Since retiring, Dan has joined the Center for Security and International Studies (CSIS) as a senior advisor to the Missile Defense Project and has been a frequent contributor on national security matters to Merit Street News. He sits on the advisory board for TCOM and was recently appointed to the board for the Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC). During the past year, Dan served as a technical advisor and actor in the upcoming movie, “A House of Dynamite.” Dan has a Master's degree in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College, a Master's degree in Business Administration from Benedictine College, and a Bachelor's Degree from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.Socials:Follow on Twitter at @NucleCastFollow on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/nuclecastpodcastSubscribe RSS Feed: https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/Rate: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nuclecast/id1644921278Email comments and topic/guest suggestions to NucleCast@anwadeter.org

Los estados del Golfo Pérsico atraviesan una crisis de primera magnitud. Sometidos al fuego diario de misiles y drones iraníes, la imagen de estabilidad que habían cultivado durante décadas se ha desmoronado. Todos dan por hecho que sus líderes deberán repensarlo su posición desde cero. Pero es improbable que modifiquen de raíz sus gran estrategia. Lo más seguro es que profundicen su alianza con Estados Unidos al tiempo que mantienen alguna forma de diálogo con Irán. Las fricciones entre los emiratos del Golfo y Estados Unidos a propósito de Irán no son nuevas (desde la invasión de Irak en 2003 hasta el acuerdo nuclear de Obama) pero ninguna llegó a mayores. Expulsar al ejército de EEUU de sus bases tras el conflicto solo daría la razón a Irán, que está atacándoles independientemente de las bases. Además, sin los sistemas Patriot y THAAD estadounidenses, que han interceptado en torno al 90% del armamento iraní, el peaje a pagar habría sido mucho mayor. Las alternativas a Estados Unidos revelan los límites de una posible diversificación de aliados. Pakistán ha resultado irrelevante pese a su acuerdo de defensa con Arabia Saudita. China se ha mantenido al margen y Europa funciona como complemento, no como sustituto. Entretanto, la imagen que tienen de Irán ha ido a peor, ya consideran enemigo al que antes consideraban hermano, pero eso no supondrá por ahora el fin de las relaciones. Saben que mientras en Teherán sigan mandando los mismos podrán estrangular el estrecho de Ormuz indefinidamente. La guerra ha generado un sentimiento de unidad, pero las diferencias políticas torpedean algo parecido a una OTAN del golfo Pérsico. Omán, de hecho, felicitó al nuevo líder supremo iraní y nadie más le secundó. Arabia Saudita, con su oleoducto Este-Oeste, está menos expuesta que los Emiratos, cuyos centros logísticos en la costa del golfo de Omán han sido atacados repetidamente. Cuando se asiente el polvo, estos emiratos tan ricos seguramente ajusten su política exterior, pero no la reinventarán. Estados Unidos es parte del problema, pero sigue siendo parte de la solución. Con Irán ocurre exactamente lo mismo. · Canal de Telegram: https://t.me/lacontracronica · “Contra el pesimismo”… https://amzn.to/4m1RX2R · “Hispanos. Breve historia de los pueblos de habla hispana”… https://amzn.to/428js1G · “La ContraHistoria del comunismo”… https://amzn.to/39QP2KE · “La ContraHistoria de España. Auge, caída y vuelta a empezar de un país en 28 episodios”… https://amzn.to/3kXcZ6i · “Contra la Revolución Francesa”… https://amzn.to/4aF0LpZ · “Lutero, Calvino y Trento, la Reforma que no fue”… https://amzn.to/3shKOlK Apoya La Contra en: · Patreon... https://www.patreon.com/diazvillanueva · iVoox... https://www.ivoox.com/podcast-contracronica_sq_f1267769_1.html · Paypal... https://www.paypal.me/diazvillanueva Sígueme en: · Web... https://diazvillanueva.com · Twitter... https://twitter.com/diazvillanueva · Facebook... https://www.facebook.com/fernandodiazvillanueva1/ · Instagram... https://www.instagram.com/diazvillanueva · Linkedin… https://www.linkedin.com/in/fernando-d%C3%ADaz-villanueva-7303865/ · Flickr... https://www.flickr.com/photos/147276463@N05/?/ · Pinterest... https://www.pinterest.com/fernandodiazvillanueva Encuentra mis libros en: · Amazon... https://www.amazon.es/Fernando-Diaz-Villanueva/e/B00J2ASBXM #FernandoDiazVillanueva #golfopersico #iran Escucha el episodio completo en la app de iVoox, o descubre todo el catálogo de iVoox Originals

Los estados del Golfo Pérsico atraviesan una crisis de primera magnitud. Sometidos al fuego diario de misiles y drones iraníes, la imagen de estabilidad que habían cultivado durante décadas se ha desmoronado. Todos dan por hecho que sus líderes deberán repensarlo su posición desde cero. Pero es improbable que modifiquen de raíz sus gran estrategia. Lo más seguro es que profundicen su alianza con Estados Unidos al tiempo que mantienen alguna forma de diálogo con Irán. Las fricciones entre los emiratos del Golfo y Estados Unidos a propósito de Irán no son nuevas (desde la invasión de Irak en 2003 hasta el acuerdo nuclear de Obama) pero ninguna llegó a mayores. Expulsar al ejército de EEUU de sus bases tras el conflicto solo daría la razón a Irán, que está atacándoles independientemente de las bases. Además, sin los sistemas Patriot y THAAD estadounidenses, que han interceptado en torno al 90% del armamento iraní, el peaje a pagar habría sido mucho mayor. Las alternativas a Estados Unidos revelan los límites de una posible diversificación de aliados. Pakistán ha resultado irrelevante pese a su acuerdo de defensa con Arabia Saudita. China se ha mantenido al margen y Europa funciona como complemento, no como sustituto. Entretanto, la imagen que tienen de Irán ha ido a peor, ya consideran enemigo al que antes consideraban hermano, pero eso no supondrá por ahora el fin de las relaciones. Saben que mientras en Teherán sigan mandando los mismos podrán estrangular el estrecho de Ormuz indefinidamente. La guerra ha generado un sentimiento de unidad, pero las diferencias políticas torpedean algo parecido a una OTAN del golfo Pérsico. Omán, de hecho, felicitó al nuevo líder supremo iraní y nadie más le secundó. Arabia Saudita, con su oleoducto Este-Oeste, está menos expuesta que los Emiratos, cuyos centros logísticos en la costa del golfo de Omán han sido atacados repetidamente. Cuando se asiente el polvo, estos emiratos tan ricos seguramente ajusten su política exterior, pero no la reinventarán. Estados Unidos es parte del problema, pero sigue siendo parte de la solución. Con Irán ocurre exactamente lo mismo. · Canal de Telegram: https://t.me/lacontracronica · “Contra el pesimismo”… https://amzn.to/4m1RX2R · “Hispanos. Breve historia de los pueblos de habla hispana”… https://amzn.to/428js1G · “La ContraHistoria del comunismo”… https://amzn.to/39QP2KE · “La ContraHistoria de España. Auge, caída y vuelta a empezar de un país en 28 episodios”… https://amzn.to/3kXcZ6i · “Contra la Revolución Francesa”… https://amzn.to/4aF0LpZ · “Lutero, Calvino y Trento, la Reforma que no fue”… https://amzn.to/3shKOlK Apoya La Contra en: · Patreon... https://www.patreon.com/diazvillanueva · iVoox... https://www.ivoox.com/podcast-contracronica_sq_f1267769_1.html · Paypal... https://www.paypal.me/diazvillanueva Sígueme en: · Web... https://diazvillanueva.com · Twitter... https://twitter.com/diazvillanueva · Facebook... https://www.facebook.com/fernandodiazvillanueva1/ · Instagram... https://www.instagram.com/diazvillanueva · Linkedin… https://www.linkedin.com/in/fernando-d%C3%ADaz-villanueva-7303865/ · Flickr... https://www.flickr.com/photos/147276463@N05/?/ · Pinterest... https://www.pinterest.com/fernandodiazvillanueva Encuentra mis libros en: · Amazon... https://www.amazon.es/Fernando-Diaz-Villanueva/e/B00J2ASBXM #FernandoDiazVillanueva #golfopersico #iran

Air defense looks clean on a diagram. In real war, it is messy, conditional, and expensive in ways most people never see until the alarms are late and the interceptors are flying in bunches. We sit down with Daryl Cooper to translate the jargon and show what “layered missile defense” actually means when Iranian ballistic missiles, drones, and cruise missile threats pressure the system day after day. We walk through the U.S. missile defense stack in plain English: Aegis on ships, THAAD and Patriot batteries on land, the radar and satellite cueing that stitches everything into one shared track picture, and the uncomfortable truth that each layer covers the weaknesses of the others. We also get into why radar performance depends on physics and conditions, including clutter, sunrise effects, and smoke, and how losing early warning sensors can collapse warning time from minutes to seconds. That shift forces engagements into late mid-course or terminal phase, where hit probabilities drop and the price of staying safe becomes volleys of interceptors per incoming missile. Then we zoom out to the strategy and politics shaping the Iran Israel conflict and the wider Middle East war. We talk saturation tactics, multiple re-entry vehicles, engagement queue limits, and the core economic imbalance where defense often costs far more than offense. Finally, we tackle U.S. foreign policy fallout through the Tomahawk missile controversy and what happens when leaders deny what the weapons, timelines, and target decks can confirm. Subscribe for more deep dives, share this with a friend who wants a clearer view of missile defense and Middle East security, and leave a review with your biggest question after listening.

It's been a few days since we last looked at the Persian Gulf crisis, and events are racing forward at such a pace that the only sensible approach is to take a step back and examine the deeper patterns. Behind the headlines about Trump's impulsive decision-making lies a far more consequential story: the moment when a medium-sized power with cheap drones and missiles can hold the world's energy supplies hostage, and the world's sole superpower finds itself with no good options.I begin with the decision-making in Washington—or rather, the absence of it. Trump, advised by Netanyahu and a handful of Fox News personalities, appears to have launched this war on a whim, assuming he could create "media noise" with no thought to an exit strategy. Military planners who understand the region have been overruled. The system of American governance has decayed to the point where a single egotistical hustler can launch the country into a no-win scenario.Why no-win? Because Iran has been preparing for this moment for years. Its arsenal of drones, rockets, missiles, mines, and attack boats makes the safe navigation of the Straits of Hormuz virtually impossible. The idea of an international naval flotilla—Trump's proposed solution—is laughable. You would have to maintain it forever, and Iran would interpret any passage not agreeable to them as a hostile act.I draw a historical parallel: the Dardanelles campaign of 1915. The reason the Allies landed at Gallipoli was because the first attempt to sail through the straits ended in disaster, with British and French ships sunk by shore-based fortifications. The Straits of Hormuz will become exactly that kind of killing zone. It doesn't matter how big your navy is. How many capital ships is America willing to sacrifice for a war Trump started on a whim? How many American lives before the outcry sweeps him from office?The asymmetry of war is changing. Cheap, mass-produced drones—with motorcycle engines and mobile phones for guidance—can overwhelm anti-missile systems like Patriot and THAAD. Aircraft carriers, the symbol of American power for eighty years, may no longer be the tools for enforcing world order that they once were. China has been signalling this for years with its spectacular drone displays over Beijing: "Imagine what we can do if we attach something to them."Then there are the geopolitical consequences. Europe will rapidly rapproche with Russia to access cheap hydrocarbons. The Ukraine war will likely be settled in Russia's favour. The push for renewables will gain a new argument: national security, liberation from Trump's whims. Rachel Reeves, the British Chancellor, has already signalled where the wind is blowing, choosing Ursula von der Leyen over Trump when asked.The special relationship is dying. Suez was a humiliation; this is worse. The British political class is finally waking up to the reality that clinging to America's coat-tails no longer offers protection—only entanglement in unwinnable wars.And then there's Israel. Nuclear-armed, increasingly isolated, and with an American public whose support has reached an all-time low. If America withdraws from the Gulf, what sense does it make to support Israel as Iran's key enemy? But Israel has always reserved the right to act unilaterally. The situation between Iran and Israel is the one that will continue, long after the current crisis resolves—if it resolves.I end with two possible futures: a quick resolution where Trump claims an illusory victory and moves on, or a protracted conflict that drags the world into an endless energy crisis. Either way, the lesson of North Korea has been learned: the only protection against American aggression is a nuclear weapon. Iran will never sign another enrichment treaty.Explaining History helps you understand the 20th Century through critical conversations and expert interviews. We connect the past to the present. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and share.▸ Support the Show & Get Exclusive ContentBecome a Patron: patreon.com/explaininghistory▸ Join the Community & Continue the ConversationFacebook Group: facebook.com/groups/ExplainingHistoryPodcastSubstack: theexplaininghistorypodcast.substack.com▸ Read Articles & Go DeeperWebsite: explaininghistory.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Iran War Update: Gas Goes Up, Missiles Go Boom, and Epstein Still Ain't Dead (Probably) On the Libservative podcast, Corey hosts with Bell while Dan is away, covering the ongoing Iran war, rising gas prices, and political fallout. They criticize Trump golfing while authorizing a major Strategic Petroleum Reserve release, compare it to Biden's 2022 release, and mock the recurring “short-term pain for long-term gain” messaging. They argue the U.S. is spending about $1B/day firing expensive missiles at cheap drones, warn the conflict could drag on (with a memo preparing through September 2026), and say the war is destabilizing alliances, including pulling Patriot/THAAD systems from South Korea. They discuss claims a U.S. tomahawk hit a school, broader history of U.S.-Iran tensions, cluster munitions hypocrisy, job losses and higher unemployment, and new Epstein guard cover-up allegations, then touch on special-election “blue wave” chatter and Trump targeting Thomas Massie. 00:00 Welcome to Libservative 01:12 Show topics and tech issues 03:01 Trump golfing and war optics 04:00 Oil reserves and gas prices 07:07 Short term pain montage 08:51 Drone math and war costs 11:58 Public support and goalposts 13:15 Religion and the war lens 17:49 School strike and deniability 21:35 How we got here since 1954 26:43 Regime change and mission creep 28:50 Cluster bombs and hypocrisy 30:11 Patriot systems and global spillover 37:05 THAAD moved from Korea to Israel 38:46 Two state solution and blowback fears 42:44 War of attrition and economic pain 45:18 Diplomacy bombed and summer outlook 47:19 Unit Party Blue Wave 48:55 War Spending Inflation 49:45 Silver Demand Explained 50:40 War Powers Backroom Deals 52:12 DHS Shutdown Surveillance 55:33 Draft Fears Kids Recruiters 59:20 Bases Alliances Munitions 01:03:03 Money Printing Homefront 01:06:23 Subsidies Supply Demand 01:12:39 MAGA No New Wars 01:14:16 Massey Ana Third Way 01:20:12 Jobs Report Economy Data 01:25:49 Epstein Guard Coverup 01:28:31 Midterms Special Elections 01:37:17 Final Thoughts Sign Off

This week's episode begins with the economic and political ripple effects of escalating conflict in the Middle East. For South Korea, which imports nearly all of its energy, the spike has triggered emergency discussions in Seoul with President Lee Jae Myung proposing temporary price ceilings on energy to shield consumers, though the policy could shift costs onto industry.  The hosts also examine security implications tied to the Middle East conflict. Reports suggest some U.S. missile defense assets stationed in South Korea — including Patriot interceptors and possibly THAAD components — may be redeployed to support operations elsewhere.  Another major topic is Washington's move to launch trade investigations under Section 301 after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling limited the Trump administration's tariff powers. The new investigations will examine whether trade practices among major U.S. partners — including South Korea — disadvantage American companies.  Finally, the podcast looks ahead to South Korea's June local elections, widely seen as the first major political test for the Lee administration. About the podcast: The Korea Pro Podcast is a weekly conversation hosted by Korea Risk Group Executive Director Jeongmin Kim, Managing Editor John Lee and correspondent Joon Ha Park, delivering deep, clear analysis of South Korean politics, diplomacy, security, society and technology for professionals who need more than headlines. Uploaded every Friday. This episode was recorded on Thursday, March 12th, 2026. Audio edited by Alannah Hill

On today's show Andrew and Bill begin with the frenzy surrounding OpenClaw in China, including Beijing's response, security concerns, liability questions, an object lesson in the Chinese market, and why Tencent looks like a potential winner as regulatory issues are sorted in the months to come. From there: Reports that Beijing is unhappy with the limited preparation in advance of Trump's visit to China, news that pieces of the THAAD system have been relocated from South Korea to the Middle East, Trump's promised gift to China at the Strait of Hormuz, and fentanyl tension as March 31st looms. At the end: Reactions to the Two Sessions, why the “Iron Rooster” budgeting approach is consistent with the past few years of planning, missing PLA generals, and Sharp China Sports news as BYD mulls an entry to F1 and Lewis Hamilton tours China.

The 82nd Airborne Division has canceled a training exercise to keep the Division ready to deploy with just 18 hours of notification for what it calls “forcible entry parachute assaults.” Parts of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system, or THAAD, are being moved from South Korea to the Middle East. As we are recording on Tuesday, March 10th, Pete Hegseth said it would be “yet again, our most intense day of strikes inside Iran - the most fighters, the most bombers, the most strikes” with the Pentagon claiming more than 5,000 targets have been hit inside the country - including what we now know was a double-tap strike on a girl's school in Minab last week.While the Pentagon is playing up its use of technology and in particular AI in war, the fighting by and large still requires people flying the plains, maintaining the equipment, and filling those often-referenced “boots on the ground.” According to the Center on Conscience and War, their phone has been ringing off the hook with calls from service members and families looking for options to refuse to fight Trump's war.We're joined by Mike Prysner, the Executive Director of the Center on Conscience and War, which you can find online at https://centeronconscience.org.Support the show

//The Wire//2300Z March 10, 2026// //ROUTINE// //BLUF: WAR CONTINUES IN MIDDLE EAST AS DRONE ATTACKS CONTINUE. SHIPS BEGIN ATTEMPTING TO RUN THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ AMID IRANIAN TARGETING EFFORTS. US CONSULATE IN TORONTO TARGETED IN SMALL ARMS ATTACK.// -----BEGIN TEARLINE-----  -International Events-Middle East: The Planet satellite imagery company has announced an extension of their holding of satellite imagery throughout the Middle East. Planet had previously instituted a 96-hour hold on all imagery of American installations in the region, for the Operational Security (OPSEC) reasons of preventing Iranians from using up-to-date satellite imagery in their targeting efforts. As of this morning, Planet has extended this delay to two weeks, with all imagery of non-Iranian terrain being withheld for 14 days from all customers.Strait of Hormuz: The Strait remains semi-officially closed, as most commercial vessels refuse to accept the risk of trying to run the gauntlet. Iranian forces continue to strike cargo vessels, but some vessels are making the attempt to transit the Strait, amid these threats. This morning, one commercial vessel was reportedly struck by a drone (or had a near-miss), highlighting the risks for commercial shipping.Analyst Comment: Interestingly enough, some vessels have pulled a Leeroy Jenkins, and plowed through the Strait over the past few days with their transponders off, hoping for the best. Other vessels have also tried the old standby trick that was discovered during the Houthi targeting in the Red Sea last year...they're changing their AIS transponder data to claim affiliation with China, in hopes of being allowed free passage. This has worked for a couple of dozen vessels so far, but the targeting of shipping in the Persian Gulf is still too random to draw a conclusion as to what's actually being targeted by the Iranians.Korean Peninsula: South Korean officials have voiced concern regarding the reallocation of American strategic resources from the region. This morning, the South Korean media group Yonhap published photos of Americans disassembling a THAAD battery, which is being relocated to the Middle East to replace at least one of the sites that was damaged/destroyed by Iranian targeting efforts.Canada: This morning an active shooter was reported at the U.S. Consulate General in Toronto. Toronto Police state that a white Honda CRV approached the facility, stopping at the main entrance. Two suspects exited the vehicle and fired shots from handguns at the Consulate, before egressing from the scene. Multiple shell casings were recovered from the shooting site, and the shooters remain at large.-----END TEARLINE-----Analyst Comments: National security is of course a higher priority than providing up-to-date satellite imagery of the Middle East for the civilian world; as unfortunate as it is, censorship is a critical part of warfare and there's absolutely nothing that can be done about it. However, the timing and nature of this censorship occurring now, is quite interesting. As a reminder, the Chinese have provided extremely detailed imagery of American equipment losses since the start of the war via their own satellite networks, so the Iranians don't exactly need American satellites at all.This seemingly unimportant satellite imagery delay can also serve as an indicator for the expected timeline of the war...requesting American satellite companies to intentionally withhold their imagery from the public for two full weeks is not something that is done if the war is coming to a close. Right now, a lot of rhetoric is flying concerning the potential end of the conflict, with analysis of President Trump's remarks on the war focusing on how long the war might last, or what might happen over the next few days/weeks. At the moment, we cannot make decisions based on this rhetoric, as it changes by the hour a

Mark Montgomery, senior director of the Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation at FDD and retired U.S. Navy rear admiral, joins the show to provide in-depth analysis of the Iran conflict. Mark gives his thoughts on naval operations in the Strait of Hormuz, including their strategic implications for the progress of the war. He also discusses drone warfare, missile defense, and the broader geopolitical context. Mark also explains how Ukraine and Russia are playing growing parts in the war. ▪️ Times 02:30 A constant menace 07:34 Radar and THAAD      11:06 Hormuz 20:26 Real deterrence  31:36 Russian targeting  38:38 Conservation of resources   46:03 Life at sea Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack

//The Wire//2300Z March 4, 2026// //ROUTINE// //BLUF: GULF WAR CONTINUES AS ALLIED RADAR INSTALLATIONS TARGETED BY IRANIAN FORCES. US NAVY SINKS IRANIAN FRIGATE OFF COAST OF SRI LANKA.// -----BEGIN TEARLINE-----  -International Events-Middle East: The large-scale bombing of targets within Iran continues, with hundreds of bombs being dropped day and night. Around the region, overnight satellite imagery confirmed that Iranian forces have successfully struck multiple American Air Defense installations. Concerning American battle damage, the following radar arrays have been damaged or destroyed since the conflict began.Qatar: A/N FPS-132 Block 5 array - Hit, unknown damage. Kuwait: 3x unknown radomes destroyed. Bahrain: 2x AN/GSC-52B radomes destroyed. UAE: THAAD battery at Al-Ruwais confirmed struck, damage unknown. Saudi Arabia: A/N TPY-2 radar site (used with the THAAD system) struck at Prince Sultan Airbase. Jordan: THAAD battery at Muwaffaq Salti Airbase possibly struck, unknown damage.Analyst Comment: These radar arrays are not tiny fire-control systems mounted on a HMMWV, these are major strategic assets for air defense throughout the hemisphere, not just the Middle East. The FPS-132 alone costs over a billion dollars and there are only six of these sites in the entire world. Similarly, there are only nine THAAD batteries in existence globally, and the Iranians just hit one (possibly two) of them with a munition that cost about $30k each.Strait of Hormuz: The war on the high seas continues as multiple commercial vessels have been struck by drones overnight. The UK Maritime Trade Operations center has reported a total of four commercial vessels being hit with unknown munitions over the past 24 hours, sustaining unknown damage. Two container ships, a BCC, and a tanker vessel were all hit or targeted by unknown munitions.Analyst Comment: Merchant traffic within the Strait is mostly at a standstill, as nobody wants to run the the gauntlet and risk hundreds of millions of dollars if something goes wrong. At this present time, drone and missile attacks are effective enough to prevent any large merchant vessel from transiting the waterway.Turkey: This morning the Turkish Defense Ministry stated that an Iranian ballistic missile was shot down in their nation. The missile was shot down by a US Navy vessel in the Eastern med, and the debris landed near the town of Dörtyol in the southeastern region of the country.Lebanon: The Israeli ground invasion continues, with the IDF ordering the evacuation of Lebanese citizens to north of the Litani River. Roughly 15% of the land mass of Lebanon has been ordered to evacuate by Israel, as the IDF continues pushing north.Indian Ocean: This morning the US Navy torpedoed an Iranian frigate off the coast of Sri Lanka. The IRIS DENA was sunk by an American submarine with the crew abandoning ship overnight. The Sri Lankan Navy has conducted rescue operations of about 30 survivors, with about half of the crew remaining missing.-----END TEARLINE-----Analyst Comments: Regarding the evacuations of Americans from the Middle East, so far the situation is complicated. The US State Department has provided emergency phone numbers for Americans stranded overseas to call, but reports are mixed regarding Americans actually being evacuated. Commercial flights remain sporadic, and most Americans stranded in the region are being told to sit tight until flights are available. Airspace closures remain throughout the entire region, and most airlines are attempting to fly out whenever they can. Dubai is the world's busiest airport, and so far it's been averaging a few dozen flights in and out each day, when previously the average was over a thousand flights per day. The smaller airport in Muscat, Oman is the next-closest hub from which evacuati

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps says it has destroyed a U.S. missile defense radar in the United Arab Emirates, as part of its retaliatory attacks following joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Saturday.

** VIDEO EN NUESTRO CANAL DE YOUTUBE **** https://youtube.com/live/upGnIs65gr8 +++++ Hazte con nuestras camisetas en https://www.bhmshop.app +++++ #actualidad #geopolítica #irán Estados Unidos puede atacar a Irán. La verdadera pregunta es si puede soportar la respuesta sin provocar una guerra regional. Mientras Washington despliega sistemas Patriot y THAAD, reposiciona portaaviones y refuerza bases en el Golfo, el Pentágono asume una realidad incómoda: Irán no es Irak ni Libia. Un ataque limitado puede ejecutarse en horas; contener las represalias iraníes puede llevar meses. En este programa de ¿HABLAMOS?, analizamos en profundidad: -Por qué EE. UU. necesita blindar Oriente Medio antes de disparar - El papel clave de las defensas aéreas frente a misiles, drones y ataques proxy - Las opciones reales de Trump: ataque limitado, disuasión o escalada regional - La capacidad de Irán para responder sin hundirse… y sin ganar - El riesgo de que una acción “quirúrgica” derive en un incendio geopolítico Basado en el último informe de The Wall Street Journal (1 de febrero de 2026) y fuentes abiertas del Pentágono, este análisis explica por qué el primer misil no decide la guerra, pero sí la respuesta. Porque en Oriente Medio, la guerra empieza cuando alguien cree que puede controlarla. SUSCRÍBETE A @BELLUMARTISHISTORIAMILITAR Y @BELLUMARTISACTUALIDADMILITAR apoya a Bellumartis Historia Militar: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/bellumartis PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/bellumartis Bizum: 656 778 825 Síguenos: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bellumartis_historia_militar Twitter / X: https://twitter.com/BellumartisHM COMPRA EN AMAZON CON EL ENLACE DE BHM Y AYÚDANOS: https://amzn.to/3ZXUGQl Hazte con los libros de Paco firmados y dedicados: https://franciscogarciacampa.com/ #EstadosUnidos #OrienteMedio #Geopolítica #AnálisisMilitar #Misiles #DefensaAérea #Trump #Pentágono #Bellumartis #Hablamos

Listen to the article with analysis from the author:  The US is positioning its most advanced missile interceptors in the Middle East to prepare for a major war with Iran.  According to the Wall Street Journal, the US is moving THAAD and Patriot interceptors into the Middle East. The air defenses will be sent to bases where US troops are stationed in Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. The White House views the advanced missile defense systems as necessary if President Donald Trump wants to launch a large-scale attack on Iran.  Trump has ordered a significant military buildup in the Middle East, including an aircraft carrier strike group and fighter jets. Many of the warships carry additional interceptors, and fighter jets can shoot down Iranian drones.  The deployments have put thousands of additional American troops within range of Iranian weapons. There are over 5,000 sailors on the aircraft carrier, 300-350 soldiers on each of the eight destroyers in the region, and 100 troops for each THAAD system.  Trump is reportedly considering a range of options for creating regime change in Iran, including an oil blockade and strikes targeting high-level officials in Tehran. According to the WSJ, the President wants a “decisive attack” on Iran.  Drop Stie News reports speaking with US officials who said the White House informed its Arab allies that a war with Iran could begin at any time. Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir said on Sunday he does not believe a US attack is imminent, but will happen within two months.  Zamir's remarks followed a meeting with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine in the Pentagon on Friday.  Trump renewed the threat to attack Iran on Sunday. He told reporters, “We have the biggest and strongest ships there, very close. They'll be ready within days. I hope we make a deal. If we don't make a deal, we'll find out.” Trump has threatened to attack Iran over its nuclear and missile programs. Additional he said he may strike Iran for cracking down on demonstrators.  However, a large-scale attack on the Islamic Republic will likely lead to Iran launching retaliatory strikes on US bases in the region and Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Trump against attacking Iran earlier this month because Israel was unprepared for the fallout.  Former CIA officer and torture program whistleblower John Kiriakou said he spoke with multiple, well-paced, Arab princes who explained that Israel was urging Trump to exercise caution in dealing with Iran as Tel Aviv was still in the process of replenishing its stockpile of missile interceptors.  Israel used a significant portion of its Iron Dome and Arrow interceptors during its war with Iran in June. Tel Aviv relied heavily on American interceptors to supplement its missile defenses.

PREVIEW — Rick Fischer — Chinese Strategy to Break Out of the South China Sea and Defense Preparations in the Okinawa Chain. Fischer details potential Chinese operational plans for a breakout past Japan, which could involve deploying concealed tactical nuclear weapons to rapidly impose a blockade of regional shipping lanes. Japan and the U.S. are rapidly fortifying Yonaguni Island, located approximately 70 miles from Taiwan, into a forward air base. Both nations are conducting exercises establishing expeditionary refueling bases for F-35B fighters and plan to deploy THAAD missile systems to counter Chinese H-6 bombers. 1966

진행자: 박준희, Chelsea Proctor기사 제목: Talk of Beijing's lifting Hallyu ban 'premature': Presidential Committee on Popular Culture Exchange기사 교약: 시진핑 중국 국가주석이 한중 정상회담 만찬 자리에서 한국 가수의 중국 공연 제안에 긍정적으로 반응했다는 일부 언론 보도와 관련해, 대중문화교류위는 이를 과도하게 해석하는 것은 신중할 필요가 있으며, 성급한 판단이라는 입장을 밝혔다.[1] Amid rising hopes that Beijing will lift its unofficial Hallyu ban, following South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Chinese President Xi Jinping's in-person summit on Saturday, the Presidential Committee on Popular Culture Exchange remained cautious, stressing it remains too early to draw conclusions.* raise hope: 희망을 드높이다* lift: ~을 없애다; ~을 들어올리다* summit: 정상회담; (산의) 정상* cautious: 조심스러운[2] In a press release Sunday, the committee dismissed news reports that Xi had "responded favorably" to Park Jin-young's suggestion during the Korea-China banquet that Korean artists be allowed to perform in China. Park, the founder of K-pop powerhouse JYP Entertainment, co-chairs the committee launched last month aimed at promoting exchanges and fostering the sector into a globally competitive industry.* respond: (남의 말·행동에 대해 특정한) 반응을 보이다* favorably: 호의적으로, 호의를 가지고* suggestion: 제안, 의견* banquet: (공식적, 형식을 갖춘) 연회, 만찬[3] This comes after several news outlets reported that Saturday's high-stakes meeting signaled a thaw from the period of diplomatic chill that followed Seoul's 2016 decision to install the US' THAAD missile defense system on its soil. As a form of retaliation, China essentially banned performances on its soil of Hallyu, also known as the Korean Wave, including K-pop -- though it has never officially acknowledged the policy.* high-stakes: 중대한 이해 관계가 걸린 (stakes: 걸린 돈, 판돈)* thaw: (적대적이던 국가 사이의) 해빙기; 녹다* chill: 냉기* retaliation: 보복[4] Calling such interpretations "premature," the committee said it is too early to assume any changes or read too much into the discussion. However, it noted that the friendly and cooperative atmosphere established during the summit could help pave the way for more cultural exchanges between the countries in the future.* interpretation: 해석; 이해* premature: 시기상조의; 너무 이른* assume: (사실일 것으로) 추정하다* atmosphere: (한정된 공간의) 분위기, 공기기사 원문: https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10606827[코리아헤럴드 팟캐스트 구독]아이튠즈(아이폰):https://itunes.apple.com/kr/podcast/koliaheleoldeu-paskaeseuteu/id686406253?mt=2네이버 오디오 클립(아이폰, 안드로이드 겸용): https://audioclip.naver.com/channels/5404팟빵 (안드로이드): http://www.podbbang.com/ch/6638

Donate (no account necessary) | Subscribe (account required) Join Bryan Dean Wright, former CIA Operations Officer, as he dives into today's top stories shaping America and the world. In today's episode, we cover Durham Annex Confirms Trump-Russia Hoax Origins Newly declassified findings show Hillary Clinton's campaign fabricated the Trump-Russia collusion narrative to distract from her own email scandal. The FBI launched its Crossfire Hurricane investigation without evidence, with questions mounting over Obama-era intelligence officials' involvement. Clapper Threatened Whistleblower, New Letter Reveals A whistleblower says he was pressured by James Clapper's team to endorse a false intelligence assessment. When he refused, his promotion was threatened. Senate Democrats reportedly ignored his warning. The mainstream press remains silent as Pulitzer Prize-winning outlets avoid revisiting the debunked narrative. Jobs Report and Trump's Federal Workforce Cuts The July jobs number arrives today with major implications for interest rate policy. Meanwhile, 154,000 federal workers have taken Trump's buyout offer. ICE and DHS are ramping up hiring, while the administration pushes toward leaner government staffing. Tariff Deadlines, Trade Deals, and Whirlpool's Comeback Trump's tariffs defuse a looming war between Thailand and Cambodia. New trade deals are signed and global rates reset to a baseline of 10 to 15 percent. Whirlpool celebrates the policy shift, but legal challenges could bring tariff chaos this winter unless Congress steps in. Nvidia Chips for Rare Earths Sparks Backlash Trump authorizes a controversial swap allowing China to buy U.S. AI chips in exchange for critical minerals. Lawmakers are outraged, warning the deal risks U.S. technological leadership. Meanwhile, the White House scrambles to rebuild a domestic supply chain for rare earth magnets. U.S. Missile Shortage and War Readiness During the Israel-Iran conflict, the U.S. used 25 percent of its THAAD interceptor stockpile. New funding will boost production, but critical components still rely on Chinese supply chains. Analysts warn of vulnerabilities if conflict with China erupts. Biden-Era Migrant Flow Through Panama Stops Cold The Darien Gap, once a highway for 80,000 monthly migrants under Biden, now sees just 10. The collapse of the route confirms the migrant crisis was always a policy choice. Arab League Calls for Hamas to Disarm In a rare move, Arab states and Turkey publicly demand Hamas step down and hand over weapons to the Palestinian Authority. While Israel and Trump cautiously welcome the news, aid delivery failures and propaganda missteps complicate hopes for peace. Iran's Cultural Pivot from Islam to Ancient Persia Facing declining popularity, Iran's regime embraces its pre-Islamic Persian heritage. Analysts say the shift is meant to unify the country with cultural pride amid internal discontent and war fatigue. U.S. Opens Visa-Free Travel for Argentina Trump gifts President Milei a visa-free travel program, but critics warn it may increase transnational crime. Lawmakers call for stricter travel vetting and question the expansion of Obama-era ESTA policies. AI's Disruption Hits Rural Colombian Schools Students in a small town near Bogotá are using Meta's AI tool to fake homework, failing tests as a result. Teachers crack down with new policies. Bryan reflects on AI's impact on youth, work, and future voting behavior, urging thoughtful policy before Big Tech decides for us. "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." - John 8:32

Send us a textPeaches dives headfirst into the DoD's latest chaos buffet—$5.4 billion budget reshuffles, fighter jet production whiplash, and the Air Force playing safety dad with the M18 pistol. Meanwhile, cartel operatives are heading to Ukraine for drone training (because why the hell not), and a Swedish ISIS fanatic gets clocked for war crimes. Toss in some missileer cancer cleanup, a grounded Skyraider II PA scandal, and a missing sailor off the USS George Washington… and you've got yourself a full-blown geopolitical migraine. Don't worry—we made it snarky, so you don't have to cry.