Podcasts about us state department

//The Wire//2000Z March 3, 2026// //ROUTINE// //BLUF: DRONE AND MISSILE ATTACKS CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THE PERSIAN GULF. SAUDI FORCES DEPLOY TO QUELL RIOTS IN BAHRAIN. MAJOR OIL FACILITIES SHUT DOWN THROUGHOUT MIDDLE EAST DUE TO STRIKES. ISRAEL LAUNCHES GROUND INVASION OF LEBANON.// -----BEGIN TEARLINE-----  -International Events-Middle East: The Gulf War continues as Iranian forces begin shifting to strategic targets. Most of the drone/missile attacks overnight targeted oil production facilities, such as the Fujairah Industrial Zone in the UAE, which has been taken offline. Otherwise, the attacks on American installations continue, with the American Embassy in Riyadh being hit multiple times by drones overnight.Bahrain: Significant riots have broken out around the country, as the majority-Shia population begins expressing dissent with the Sunni government, and more specifically the American presence within the nation. Saudi Forces crossed the bridge this morning with anti-riot forces to help quell the more kinetic protests, which have become intense over the past 24 hours.Analyst Comment: Politics in Bahrain were complicated before the war, as the population is mostly Shia (and aligned with the Ayatollah), but the country is ruled by a Kingdom that is Sunni. Even before the shooting started the situation was tenuous at best, and the assassination of the Ayatollah might have been the spark needed to kick off a civil conflict within the island nation. This is a complicating factor for the United States, as Bahrain has long served as a major Center of Gravity for American combat power in the region. Now that some locals are getting rowdy (and are also aligned with Iran), this will make things more difficult.Lebanon: This morning Israeli forces launched a ground invasion in the south, opening up another front so as to seize terrain along the border. Lebanese Army forces have withdrawn from the border as Israeli units advance.Analyst Comment: It is not clear as to if this is a legitimate, full-scale ground invasion, or limited border incursions that Israel is known to do throughout southern Lebanon. So far, Israeli forces haven't crossed their limit of advance set during the height of the conflict two years ago.United Kingdom: A stabbing attack was reported in Edinburgh, which resulted in a standoff lasting several hours yesterday afternoon. One unidentified assailant began stabbing people an apartment building, which resulted in two people being wounded. After the attack, the suspect fled into the apartment building, which resulted in a standoff situation that lasted seven hours. Eventually, police were able to breach the building and detain the suspect.Separately, in Birmingham a different stabbing attack was captured on film this morning, which involved an assailant stabbing a man on the street outside a Catholic school in Alum Rock. This attacker was arrested at the scene, and very few details remain public regarding his identity.-----END TEARLINE-----Analyst Comments: Yesterday afternoon the US State Department published the list of nations that Americans should evacuate from, which includes the entire Middle East. The "depart now" order has been issued for the nations of: Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, West Bank, Gaza, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the UAE, and Yemen.However, the US State Department has stated that Americans are on their own regarding evacuations. Even though the start of this combat operation was easily predicted down to the exact day (and nearly the exact hour) that it began, the United States somehow believes that they needed to maintain the element of surprise. The State Department believed that if they made attempts to evacuate the Middle East before the attack, the world would know that the war was imminent. This is also why many American bases appea

Israel carries out simultaneous strikes in Tehran and Beirut as the US promises to hit Iran even harder. The US State Department is warning Americans to leave the Middle East immediately. Meanwhile, Iran continues to target US allies across the Gulf. CNN has reporters throughout the region and we begin our coverage with our Chief International Correspondent Nick Paton Walsh in Haifa, Israel.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A kiwi living very near a Middle East military base that is critical to the US says he feels safe enough for the moment, but his family has an overland evacuation plan just in case. The US State Department has today issued a "depart now" warning to Americans living in more than a dozen locations in the Middle East. Just outside Abu Dhabi is a military base that hosts U-S troops. It's reportedly been a target of retaliatory strikes. Jordon Buchanan, his wife and two young children moved to Abu Dhabi about ten months ago. He spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Jim Benson Show Will Mexico Civil War Violence Spread To the U.S.? Can Democrat/communist election rigging operations be dismantled in time for 2026 Midterm elections? This episode of the Jim Benson Show provides a comprehensive analysis of the escalating conflict between the Mexican state and the CJNG cartel following the death of "El Mencho." It further details President Trump's 2026 State of the Union address and the aggressive federal "house cleaning" currently reshaping the FBI and election integrity investigations in Georgia. The Fall of El Mencho and the Mexican "Civil War" The landscape of North American security shifted dramatically following a US-backed military strike in Tapalpa, Jalisco, which resulted in the death of Nemesio Cervantes, better known as "El Mencho," the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). The operation, fueled by intelligence from a newly formed joint inter-agency task force, successfully decapitated an organization that commanded an estimated 20,000 fighters and operated in all 50 US states. This event is characterized as the most significant blow to the international drug trade since the fall of Pablo Escobar, signaling a fundamental shift toward bilateral cooperation between the Trump administration and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to reassert national sovereignty against narco-terrorist networks. Retaliatory Chaos and "Violent Lobbying" In the immediate aftermath of the raid, the CJNG launched a highly coordinated retaliatory campaign described by experts as "violent lobbying." This involved torching vehicles, blocking major highways, and storming the Guadalajara International Airport, which forced major US and Canadian airlines to ground flights. Beyond civilian disruption, the cartel specifically hunted security forces; the operational coordinator, "El Tuli," issued financial bounties for the lives of soldiers who participated in the raid. Although El Tuli was eventually killed by Mexican paratroopers, the violence has left Mexico in a state bordering on civil war, with the US State Department issuing shelter-in-place orders for Americans in the region. The 2026 State of the Union: A Political Masterclass President Trump delivered a historic 1-hour and 48-minute State of the Union address, the longest in history, framing the current era as the "Golden Age of America." The speech focused on celebrating economic triumphs and preparing for the nation's 250th anniversary. Strategically, the address served to isolate the Democratic opposition, particularly during a viral moment where Trump challenged the chamber to prioritize American citizens over illegal aliens—a statement many Democrats refused to applaud. Key policy announcements included a nationwide war on fraud and the appointment of Vice President J.D. Vance to lead a task force targeting billions in misappropriated welfare and social services funds. FBI Purges and the Fulton County Election Raid A massive "house cleaning" is underway at the FBI, led by Director Kash Patel, targeting officials allegedly involved in the "weaponization" of the bureau against the Trump administration. A focal point of this shift is the removal of Paul Brown, the head of the FBI's Atlanta office, who reportedly obstructed investigations into the 2020 election. Following his removal, federal agents—accompanied by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard—seized 700 boxes of records from the Fulton County Elections Office. Simultaneously, the racketeering case against Trump in Georgia, led by Fani Willis, has been entirely dismissed following revelations of prosecutorial misconduct and "federal overreach". The episode underscores a period of intense transition, characterized by the aggressive dismantling of transnational criminal organizations abroad and the systematic restructuring of federal institutions at home. While the death of El Mencho has triggered a violent crisis in Mexico, the Trump administration views these developments as essential steps in reclaiming national and regional sovereignty.

 Download Audio. Scott interviewed Larry Johnson hours before the joint US-Israeli air campaign on Iran commenced. In the interview, Johnson presciently explained why he was virtually certain this was coming. He and Scott then debunked all the ridiculous lies this insane operation is built on and reflected on the complete lack of a clear endgame. Discussed on the show: “Will Trump Take the Exit Ramp or Go to War with Iran?” (Sonar21) Larry C. Johnson is a former CIA officer and intelligence analyst, and a former planner and advisor at the US State Department's Office of Counter Terrorism. Follow his analysis at Sonar21. Audio cleaned up with the Podsworth app: https://podsworth.com Use code HORTON50 for 50% off your first order at Podsworth.com to clean up your voice recordings, sound like a pro, and also support the Scott Horton Show! For more on Scott’s work: Check out The Libertarian Institute: https://www.libertarianinstitute.org Check out Scott’s other show, Provoked, with Darryl Cooper https://youtube.com/@Provoked_Show Read Scott’s books: Provoked: How Washington Started the New Cold War with Russia and the Catastrophe in Ukraine https://amzn.to/47jMtg7 (The audiobook of Provoked is being published in sections at https://scotthortonshow.com) Enough Already: Time to End the War on Terrorism: https://amzn.to/3tgMCdw Fool's Errand: Time to End the War in Afghanistan https://amzn.to/3HRufs0 Follow Scott on X @scotthortonshow And check out Scott's full interview archives: https://scotthorton.org/all-interviews This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: Roberts and Roberts Brokerage Incorporated https://rrbi.co Moon Does Artisan Coffee https://scotthorton.org/coffee; Tom Woods' Liberty Classroom https://www.libertyclassroom.com/dap/a/?a=1616 and Dissident Media https://dissidentmedia.com You can also support Scott's work by making a one-time or recurring donation at https://scotthorton.org/donate/https://scotthortonshow.com or https://patreon.com/scotthortonshow

Earlier this week, President Trump said of Iran's rulers: “I will never allow the world's number one sponsor of terror — which they are, by far — to have a nuclear weapon." He also noted that the regime massacred “at least 32,000” unarmed civilian protestors in January and has previously “killed and maimed thousands of American service members.” On Friday, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee told his embassy staff they might want to take a little trip abroad. And the US State Department is advising American citizens that it's best not to visit Israel right now. Host Cliff May asks FDD's Reuel Marc Gerecht and Behnam Ben Taleblu: What happens next?

Earlier this week, President Trump said of Iran's rulers: “I will never allow the world's number one sponsor of terror — which they are, by far — to have a nuclear weapon." He also noted that the regime massacred “at least 32,000” unarmed civilian protestors in January and has previously “killed and maimed thousands of American service members.” On Friday, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee told his embassy staff they might want to take a little trip abroad. And the US State Department is advising American citizens that it's best not to visit Israel right now. Host Cliff May asks FDD's Reuel Marc Gerecht and Behnam Ben Taleblu: What happens next?

International scammers steal over $1 trillion a year, and now the United States is targeting the foreign networks behind them. The State Department, working together with the FBI and Justice Department, is now launching an effort to dismantle the scam networks based in various places in Asia.We'll discuss this topic and others in this episode of “Crossroads.”Views expressed in this video are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.

The US State Department advised its citizens in Northern Mexico to ‘shelter in place', as the cartels took their reprisals, following a major Mexican security forces operation against gang kingpin El Mencho - and then another called El Tuli. It's all LOL, until you realise that this is just the start. By targeting the cartels, the US has poked a hornet's nest; And the hornets are on cocaine. Meanwhile - have you paid a US steel tariff in recent months? Was it over 30%? If so, you could be due a refund. Just dial 1-800-WHITE HOUSE to see if you may be eligible. The Supreme Court acknowledged that sorting out the tariffs strike-down would be ‘a complete mess'. But after the mess, the reckoning: deep down, this is a story about the US balance of payments. Finally, Christine Lagarde is stepping down from the ECB. Emmanuel Macron' s Napoleonic pincer movement is that this frees the way for a Lagarde Presidential Run – and stops a National Rally government from appointing its own bank governor in 2028. But with these kinds of cynical machinations now effectively running the European elite, the entire Centrist establishment may be embarking on its Russia Campaign. All of this. Coming up. For premium subscribers. That's right - it's premium week. If you're not a premium subscriber, you can sign up on our new Metternich Tier on Patreon, for eight dollars, pounds or Euros a month. patreon.com/multipolarityFor clarity, we should point out that founder subscribers still on the old Palmerston tier will stay at $5 a month. For anyone else, try it once, you won't regret it. And you can cancel any time. And if you like visual Multipolarity, you can always check us out on Substack, where we're expanding our output with a weekly Multipolarity Briefing every Tuesday. multipolaritypod.substack.com

In this episode of the Book Faire Podcast, Anthony explores the latest in children's literature, spotlighting new releases including indigenous debut author Christopher Roubique and a heartfelt picture book about the diverse life in a garden. We also delve into pressing education policy issues such as book bans and controversies surrounding school boards' decisions on high school reading lists. Librarians and educators will find valuable discussions on how these developments impact public libraries and access to quality literature for young readers. Stay tuned to learn more about the evolving landscape of children's literature and its challenges.New Releases:The Weedy Garden: A Happy Habitat for Wild Friends by Margaret Renkl, illustrated by Billy Renkl (Ages 4-8)Hail Mariam by Huda Al-Marashi (Ages 8-12)Mythspeaker by Christopher Roubique (Ages 8-12)Limelight by Andrew Keenen Bolger (Ages 12+)The Twelve by Joey Graceffa, with Mackenzie Lyn Marr (Ages 13+)Chapters00:00 Introduction to New Book Releases and Upcoming Interview10:41 Impact of US State Department's new passport processing rules on libraries14:32 School board decisions on curriculum and the importance of contemporary fiction17:50 Funding delays in Arkansas libraries and their implications19:42 Community response to curriculum and book selection in Pennsylvania

In this episode of the Book Faire Podcast, Anthony explores the latest in children's literature, spotlighting new releases including indigenous debut author Christopher Roubique and a heartfelt picture book about the diverse life in a garden. We also delve into pressing education policy issues such as book bans and controversies surrounding school boards' decisions on high school reading lists. Librarians and educators will find valuable discussions on how these developments impact public libraries and access to quality literature for young readers. Stay tuned to learn more about the evolving landscape of children's literature and its challenges.New Releases:The Weedy Garden: A Happy Habitat for Wild Friends by Margaret Renkl, illustrated by Billy Renkl (Ages 4-8)Hail Mariam by Huda Al-Marashi (Ages 8-12)Mythspeaker by Christopher Roubique (Ages 8-12)Limelight by Andrew Keenen Bolger (Ages 12+)The Twelve by Joey Graceffa, with Mackenzie Lyn Marr (Ages 13+)Chapters00:00 Introduction to New Book Releases and Upcoming Interview10:41 Impact of US State Department's new passport processing rules on libraries14:32 School board decisions on curriculum and the importance of contemporary fiction17:50 Funding delays in Arkansas libraries and their implications19:42 Community response to curriculum and book selection in Pennsylvania

//The Wire//1100Z February 23, 2026////PRIORITY////BLUF: CARTEL WAR KICKS OFF IN MEXICO AS CJNG LEADER KILLED BY MEXICAN FORCES.// -----BEGIN TEARLINE----- -International Events-Mexico: Yesterday afternoon Mexican forces conducted a raid in the town of Tapalpa, Jalisco, with the objective of capturing Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes (Alias: "El Mencho"), the leader of the CJNG Cartel. During the operation, El Mencho was killed, which triggered heavy fighting between the Mexican government and the CJNG cartel throughout the afternoon.So far, most of the heavy fighting has been observed in Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta, two cities which have historically served as CJNG strongholds.Immediately after Mencho's death, CJNG forces declared a general mobilization throughout Jalisco, which encompasses most of their territory. Most of the fighting throughout the afternoon took the form of knee-jerk, rapid response elements engaging Mexican authorities with small arms and crew served weapons, mostly via skirmishes in the street in various small towns scattered throughout the district. Violence is not confined to just Jalisco, burning vehicles were observed in the town of Reynosa, just across the border from McAllen, Texas.Throughout the evening, a more organized and substantial deployment was undertaken, with heavier weapons and armored vehicles being deployed to engage government forces throughout the region. In the town of Puerto Vallarta, combat actions were reported throughout the afternoon with CJNG briefly holding the city for some time. Within a few hours, Government forces rolled in hard with air support, pushing CJNG out of the city (or at least, out of fighting positions on the street) by nightfall.Throughout the countryside, many roads are impassable due to cartel forces digging anti-tank ditches across the roadway, emplacing roadblocks, and otherwise digging in for what they perceive to be a draw-out fight.-----END TEARLINE-----Analyst Comments: Throughout much of Mexico, the situation can be described as a state of pandemonium and chaos. There's no way to determine front lines or Centers of Gravity at the moment, as all of the violence observed throughout the afternoon is representative of whatever combat power local CJNG cells had at their safehouses. El Mencho was the patriarch of the CJNG, and more of a grandfather figurehead of the cartel family than an operational leader. As one might expect, killing a sicario's grandfather in such a manner has dialed the violence up to eleven.As soon as word got out that El Mencho was dead, everyone grabbed their rifles and started shooting at whatever Mexican authorities were in their area. The next few days will probably see even more organized violence as cartel leadership organizes more significantly for combat actions in the long term. Since the CJNG cartel has been allied with the Gulf Cartel for some time, violence has continued right up to the US border.Due to the rapid breakout of war throughout the region, most entities were not expecting small arms engagements on a peaceful Sunday afternoon. Cities known for heavy tourism industry are directly in the center of much of the fighting, with off-season tourists being caught in the middle of the conflict. As a reminder, Guadalajara is scheduled to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup this summer, and right now many high-level soccer matches have brought scores of tourists and sports fans to the exact district that is now host to heavy fighting.Guests at the many tourist resorts scattered throughout the region suddenly found their afternoon cocktail hour interrupted by gunfire and shrapnel, and throughout the evening most civilians throughout the region spent many hours sheltering in place, or fleeing the area if they could. The US State Department has issued shelter-in-place orders for the following areas

The Second Cold War that the United States is waging against China includes a trade war, tech war, and now a mineral war. In alliance with Silicon Valley Big Tech corporations, the US government is trying to recruit countries into Pax Silica, a coalition to create a new global supply chain for critical minerals that cuts out China. Ben Norton explains. VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHHeug0APxk Topics 0:00 Cold War Two against China 0:30 (CLIP) Marco Rubio on China "threat" 1:33 Trade war 2:26 Why China won the trade war 3:25 Critical mineral supply chain 4:10 Trump plans to restart trade war 4:47 Trump tariffs and SCOTUS ruling 6:15 Tech war against China 7:05 Chip war 8:32 AI chip supply chain 9:58 Military-industrial complex 11:28 Plans for new supply chain 12:14 Project Vault: US mineral stockpile 12:53 Japan deal with USA 13:35 Pax Silica 14:13 Critical minerals ministerial 14:57 Members of US-led Pax Silica 16:17 India 17:03 Other countries 18:04 US State Department narrative 19:41 China is the target 21:10 Big Tech corporations 21:30 Google 22:14 Public-private partnership 23:23 Under Secretary Jacob Helberg 24:32 US attacks on Iran target China 26:00 China oil imports 27:11 Geostrategic oil chokepoints 27:48 Strait of Hormuz 28:27 Strait of Malacca 29:27 Silicon Valley oligarchs 31:04 AI & crypto czar David Sacks 31:32 PayPal Mafia 32:41 Billionaires make US govt policy 33:19 AI race with China 34:57 Silicon Valley fears China 35:32 Billionaires run US government 36:46 India joins US-led Pax Silica 39:22 India's foreign policy 40:41 Non-Aligned Movement 41:23 New cold war 43:24 Outro

//The Wire//2300Z February 19, 2026////ROUTINE////BLUF: DOMESTIC TERROR ATTACKS CONTINUE IN UNITED STATES. IRANIAN DRILLS CONTINUE IN STRAIT OF HORMUZ. VEHICLE EXPLOSION REPORTED OUTSIDE AMERICAN EMBASSY IN ARMENIA. FLASHBANG DEVICE DEPLOYED AT POLLING PLACE IN NORTH CAROLINA.// -----BEGIN TEARLINE----- -International Events-Armenia: This afternoon an explosion involving a vehicle was reported outside the US Embassy in Yerevan. As of this report, no details have clarified if the explosion was a deliberate VBIED attack, or some other more benign accident, however the investigation is ongoing.Middle East: The military drills in the Strait of Hormuz have continued as before, largely without incident. Several long-range missile launches have been conducted as part of the exercises, and maritime traffic through the Strait has remained fairly steady despite growing concerns among maritime shipping companies. Various European leaders have continued to express increasing urgency that their citizens should leave Iran as soon as possible, as evacuation will not be an option for much longer.Analyst Comment: Concerning the logistics of Americans who may wish to evacuate Iranian territory before things get hot, air travel (if it's even available) is probably the least-safe option at this point. Officially, the US State Department recommends land-border crossings with Armenia and Turkey. The Armenian border crossing in Agarak is still open, and is by far the most reliable means of exiting the country as a visa is not needed for American citizens fleeing Iran. The Turkish border crossings are more numerous, but coordination with the Turkish Embassy is needed to obtain a visa before Americans will be allowed in. Concerning this morning's vehicle explosion in Armenia, it's likely that security measures will be enhanced for a while, so getting out sooner rather than later would be ideal, for anyone still stuck in Iran.-HomeFront-Florida: As nationwide walkout protests involving students continue, children continue to be hit by vehicles as they conduct anti-ICE protests on busy roadways. This morning a student from Palm Beach Lakes Community High School in West Palm Beach was critically injured after stepping into the street during a protest. The condition of the student is not known at this time.Idaho: Early this morning just after midnight, a vehicle ramming attack was reported at a medical facility in Meridian. Local authorities state that one assailant stole an ambulance from the bay at St. Luke's Meridian Medical Center, which he then used to ram into the Portico West administration building on the corner of Eagle and Franklin. After ramming through the plate-glass entryway, the suspect then abandoned the ambulance, and retrieved multiple cans of gasoline that he had cached in the nearby vegetation before the attack. After obtaining the gas cans, the suspect doused the building with the gasoline, but due to the rapid arrival of authorities, egressed from the scene before he was able to ignite the accelerant. The suspect remains at large, and locals are advised to contact authorities with any information that might assist in the investigation. However, no physical description, clothing, or surveillance footage of the suspect has been provided at this time.Analyst Comment: Considering the multiple weapons used during the attack (the gasoline and the vehicle itself) this meets current criteria for being described as a Complex Coordinated Attack (CCA). As such, this incident is being treated as a deliberate terror attack while the investigation is ongoing.North Carolina: Yesterday evening a possible explosive attack was conducted outside a polling place in Moore County. Aberdeen police state that a loud bang was heard yesterday evening outside the Parks and Rec building on Sandhills Blvd. that was serving as an early voting site. Pol

-Google has announced that with the help of AI, it blocked 1.75 million apps that violated its policies in 2025, significantly down from 2.36 million in 2024. -Samsung has launched the latest version of Bixby with the new One UI 8.5 beta -According to Reuters, the US State Department is building a web portal, where Europeans and anyone else can see online content banned by their governments. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tommy calls-in to talk about the latest with Iran, the response to drug boats and national security during a partial shut-down, and more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Silicon Bites Ep288 | 2026-02-18 | All the evidence points to the U.S. no longer being an ally of Europe. But it's not a neutral or indifferent stance. It's actively malicious, meddling, malignant and intentionally destabilising. The evidence is all around, and yet Rubio still got a standing ovation at the MSC. Could there be any greater show of craven weakness and appeasement to an increasingly tyrannical, capricious and imperial U.S.?! This episode: the Munich Meltdown and the “Kremlin Vassal” Tour, of Hungary and Slovakia: Graham's unseemly tantrum, Rubio's weasel words, and the Geneva so-called ‘peace conference' squeeze on Ukraine. The U.S. is being unfair to Ukraine, and to everyone, except Vladimir Putin and his client states. Isn't this clear to everyone yet? ----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------SOURCES:Berlingske witness-account reporting echoed internationally; The Independent summary (18 Feb 2026). Social amplification of Berlingske details (Jakub Krupa on X/Twitter profile scrape; includes quoted witness lines). Reuters: Geneva talks end without breakthrough; Zelenskyy says it's “not fair” to pressure Ukraine not Russia (18 Feb 2026). Guardian: Rubio–Orbán “golden age” / EU fears of US promoting disunity (17 Feb 2026). Guardian: Rubio's Munich speech as “friendship on MAGA terms”; Claudia Major quote; visits to Fico/Orbán (18 Feb 2026). Euronews: Rubio press conference with Fico; “vassal” remarks; tour framing (15 Feb 2026). US State Department video record: Rubio joint press availability with Robert Fico (15 Feb 2026). Ukrinform: Applebaum on Europeans as “closer friends” to Ukraine than Americans (17 Feb 2026). Applebaum social post linking to her argument about investor benefit (22 Nov 2025; background context). Munich Security Conference official dates (MSC site / EU Commission event page).----------SILICON CURTAIN LIVE EVENTS - FUNDRAISER CAMPAIGN Events in 2025 - Advocacy for a Ukrainian victory with Silicon Curtainhttps://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasOur events of the first half of the year in Lviv, Kyiv and Odesa were a huge success. Now we need to maintain this momentum, and change the tide towards a Ukrainian victory. The Silicon Curtain Roadshow is an ambitious campaign to run a minimum of 12 events in 2025, and potentially many more. Any support you can provide for the fundraising campaign would be gratefully appreciated. https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasWe need to scale up our support for Ukraine, and these events are designed to have a major impact. Your support in making it happen is greatly appreciated. All events will be recorded professionally and published for free on the Silicon Curtain channel. Where possible, we will also live-stream events.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------

The BBC has uncovered new evidence that vulnerable girls and young women in London are being groomed by gangs to carry drugs and have sex. We discuss the findings with the former head of the National Crime Agency's Child Exploitation Command.Also on the programme: the day after the US State Department approved the UK's Chagos Islands deal, President Trump launches a new attack on it.And the symphonic sounds hidden in the freezer aisle of a Sheffield supermarket.

Guest: Cleo Paskal. Paskal analyzes the U.S. State Department's designation of corrupt officials in Palau and the Marshall Islands, a significant move countering Chinese influence in Oceania.1900 NORTHERN MARIANNAS

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rajeevsrinivasan.substack.comJust around the same time as the axe fell on Washington Post's global staff, accompanied by much wailing and gnashing of teeth, I got a message from my Rediff.com editor, Nikhil Lakshman, mentioning it was the 30th anniversary of its founding. An interesting contrast indeed: the old Western flagbearer waning, while the Indian pioneer holds on, despite a plethora of competitors and copycats, including many pushing specific agendas.That also made me think of why there was a bloodbath at the Washington Post, where they gutted the foreign desks, sports, books, and some leading podcasts, and laid off a third of its staff. I suspect there are two reasons: one is the increasing insularity of the US, a retreat into Fortress America, and paradoxically a turning away from the rest of the world at the very moment the rest of the world should be looming more prominently in the rear-view mirror.And two, the economics and the technology of the narrative business have turned. On the one hand, print media have been retreating and losing ad revenue for years, and on the other hand, the rise of generativeAI has made it possible to eliminate entire layers of (at least) entry-level journalists, just as it is decimating paralegals, code-jockeys, and apprentice accountants. Only junior doctors seem immune so far, but we shall see how that goes. I must confess that there was a time when I consumed the Western narrative with gusto: reading Time, Newsweek, and so on, and listening to the BBC. In fact, I actually subscribed to the New York Times for years (ok, in my defense I was living in the New York area), and later The Economist for at least a dozen years. I still listen to some podcasts from the latter, but with considerable caution, as I am far more aware of their biases and proclivities.That's where my concern about big-name Western media comes from. They are all somehow associated with the Deep State, that amorphous entity, the hidden puppet-master behind pretty much everything that goes on in foreign and domestic policy. For instance, an outlet that I considered the voice of NATO, turns out to be the voice of Whitehall, Britain's bureaucracy.There has long been a truism that the Washington Post is the mouthpiece of Foggy Bottom, i.e. the US State Department, and the New York Times that of Langley, i.e. the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Noam Chomsky long ago made the insightful observation that they are both in the business of “manufacturing consent”, i.e. narrative-peddling to suit vested interests, specifically the Military-Industrial Complex, which likes, or needs, constant wars.The eclipse of the WaPo is not only a statement about the decreasing influence of the State Department on foreign affairs (in the wake of the decline of the “liberal, rules-based international order”). But it is also because the print media business is no longer lucrative, as the bulk of advertising revenue has now moved online, to the likes of Alphabet, Meta, Amazon et al. Large numbers of smaller US newspapers have closed down over the past few decades.

As Trump continues nuclear talks with Iran, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rushed to Washington to influence any potential deal. But amid uprisings, sanctions, and conflict with Israel, the Islamic regime is in its "end chapter". Will either side get what they want? Geraldine Doogue and Hamish Macdonald are joined in studio by Vali Nasr, who advised the US State Department on Iran during the Obama era. They talk about why Trump fell for his own saviour narrative, and how October 7 is still reshaping the region.Guest: Vali Nasr, Professor of Middle East Studies and International Affairs at Johns Hopkins University and former US State Department adviser on Iran. Get in touch:We'd love to hear from you! Email us at global.roaming@abc.net.au

Lederen av terror-organisasjonen PLO, President for "staten" "Palestina" leder for Fatah og PA, Mahmoud Abbas er på besøk i Norge. Han mottas med røde løpere, smil og klemmer, royal lunsj på slottet, og besøk på Stortinget og hos Støre og Barth Eide. Dersom statsminister i Israel, Netanyahu, hadde landet i Norge ville han blitt arrester, men når Presidenten for det såkalte landet palestina lander i Norge, så får han audiens med Kongen, håndtrykk og smil. Hvorfor denne forskjellen?Journalist, analytiker, og sivilingeniør, Kjell Erik Eilertsen er med for å kommentere saken. Eilertsen ble selv nektet adgang til pressekonferansen med Abbas i Oslo, begrunnet fra SMK at han ikke hadde pressekort. Det er verdt å huske at Mahmoud Abbas hyllet massakrene den 7. oktober: "Den 7. oktober var en strategisk seier for den palestinske saken" sa han til PA sin offisielle daglige avis, Al-Hayat Al-Jadida. Og det var Palestinian Media Watch som oversatte og eksponerte dette. Abbas har gjennom PA betalt martyrlønn til de terroristene som var involvert i 7. oktober. I 2025 ble det utbetalt rundt $200 millioner til militante og deres familier, ifølge US State Department. For 2026 anslås det å være $315 millioner, skjult som lønninger, pensjoner eller sosiale ytelser for å omgå internasjonalt press. Mahmoud Abbas sin egen PHD-avhandling fra 1982 i Moskva handlet blant annet om å si at sionistene samarbeidet med nazister, og at det var en løgn at seks millioner jøder ble drept.Da er det merkelig at det blir såpass god stemning på Slottet.***► NY BOK UTE NÅ: Frykt og Stillhet - jødiske stemmer i Norge etter 7. oktober. Bestill her:  https://bok.norli.no/frykt-og-stillhet► STØTT ARBEIDET PÅ VIPPSOm du ønsker å støtte arbeidet med denne podcasten, kan du bidra med et stort eller lite beløp, etter eget ønske. All støtte settes pris på, og du bidrar til arbeidet med å lage flere episoder. Bruk Vippsnummer: #823278►  ⁠BLI ⁠⁠⁠⁠MEDLEM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Fremover vil de som er støttemedlemmer få tilgang til episodene først. Da støtter du podcasten med det samme som prisen av en kaffe hver måned. Setter stor pris på om du blir støttemedlem. Tusen takk.► Annonsere på Henrik Beckheim Podcast?Send en mail til post@henrikbeckheim.no ► MERCH: Kjøp klær, kopper, capser og mer: https://henrikbeckheim.com/store► Linker:⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠Nettside⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ | Podimo | ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠Apple

Today's Headlines: Ghislaine Maxwell invoked the Fifth during her House Oversight testimony, but her attorney said she would testify publicly if President Donald Trump grants her a pardon — claiming she could conveniently clear both Trump and Bill Clinton. The White House says a pardon isn't being discussed “at this time,” which is doing a lot of work. Reps. Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie were allowed to view the unredacted Epstein files at the DOJ for two hours and said they spotted at least six “likely incriminating” names. They didn't say who, but more lawmakers are expected to review the files soon. In the UK, King Charles said he would support investigations into Prince Andrew, including allegations he shared confidential trade information with Epstein, adding pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer as the scandal spreads across Europe. Meanwhile, the US State Department is launching a new program to fund MAGA-aligned think tanks across Europe ahead of America's 250th anniversary, while Israel approved new measures expanding control over parts of the West Bank — in violation of the Oslo Accords — ahead of yet another Netanyahu visit to DC. Back home, Dr. Mehmet Oz urged Americans to get vaccinated for measles amid the largest outbreak in decades, a federal judge allowed Trump to keep $16 billion in Gateway tunnel funding frozen for now, and Trump attacked US Olympic skier Hunter Hess for expressing “mixed emotions” about representing the country — as Lindsey Vonn fractured her shin days after tearing her ACL. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: AP News: Ghislaine Maxwell avoids answering questions in House deposition AP News: Palace says King Charles III will support police assessing former Prince Andrew's Epstein links Financial Times: US government to fund Maga-aligned think-tanks and charities in Europe NYT: Israel Gives Itself More Control Over Occupied West Bank NYT: Oz Offers Forceful Call for Measles Vaccination NYT: Gateway Funding Doesn't Have to Be Immediately Restored, Judge Says Axios: Trump calls Olympic skier with mixed feelings "a real loser" AP News: US snowboard star Chloe Kim calls for unity after Trump bashes teammate over immigrant crackdown AP News: Lindsey Vonn says she has complex tibia fracture requiring multiple surgeries after Olympic crash Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

//The Wire//2300Z February 4, 2026////ROUTINE////BLUF: FLESH EATING PARASITE CONCERNS GROWING IN AMERICAN SOUTHWEST. TRAVEL WARNINGS ISSUED FOR CUBA. ICE DRAWDOWN CONTINUES IN MINNEAPOLIS.// -----BEGIN TEARLINE------International Events-Cuba: Over the past few days travel alerts to the island have been issued by the US State Department, regarding Cuba's failing electrical grid. US Persons in Cuba are advised to be prepared for prolonged blackouts and fuel shortages, as infrastructure failures continue to increase in severity throughout the nation.Middle East: This afternoon, conflicting reports emerged concerning Friday's scheduled negotiation meeting between the United States and Iran. Some reports state that the meeting has been canceled altogether, however SECSTATE Marco Rubio made statements at roughly the same time as these reports, which seemed to indicate the meetings were going ahead as planned. Later on this afternoon, the talks were back on, after a few powers throughout the region smoothed things over.-HomeFront-Minnesota: As per a press briefing this morning, ICE has begun the drawdown in Minneapolis. Tom Homan stated that 700x federal law enforcement personnel would be leaving the city, reducing the total posture by around 25%, with the overall goal of ending the surge as soon as possible. Otherwise, civil disruption operations continue to be carried out in the Twin Cities as before, with most activists continuing to harass and tail ICE convoys.California: Sunday evening a Catholic school was broken into and vandalized in Long Beach. Holy Innocents Catholic School was burglarized and desecrated over the weekend, with much of the facility being destroyed. Yesterday the DoJ announced that a civil rights investigation will at some point be opened on this case, however no arrests have been made so far.-----END TEARLINE-----Analyst Comments: Throughout the American southwest, concerns are growing regarding the spread of New World Screwworm (NWS), the infamous flesh-eating parasite that infects livestock. NWS was at one point eradicated in the United States, however after decades of neglecting management practices in Central and South America, NWS is back with a vengeance, and has been creeping northward for a few years. Yesterday, one case was detected in Florida after a horse from Argentina was attempted to be brought into the country carrying the parasite. A few days ago, Texas formally issued a disaster declaration concerning the spread of NWS, after local authorities detected several dozen more cases throughout northern Mexico.Analyst: S2A1Research: https://publish.obsidian.md/s2undergroundDisclaimer: No LLMs were used in the writing of this report.//END REPORT//

Welcome to The Daily Wrap Up, an in-depth investigatory show dedicated to bringing you the most relevant independent news, as we see it, from the last 24 hours (1/31/26). As always, take the information discussed in the video below and research it for yourself, and come to your own conclusions. Anyone telling you what the truth is, or claiming they have the answer, is likely leading you astray, for one reason or another. Stay Vigilant. !function(r,u,m,b,l,e){r._Rumble=b,r[b]||(r[b]=function(){(r[b]._=r[b]._||[]).push(arguments);if(r[b]._.length==1){l=u.createElement(m),e=u.getElementsByTagName(m)[0],l.async=1,l.src="https://rumble.com/embedJS/u2q643"+(arguments[1].video?'.'+arguments[1].video:'')+"/?url="+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+"&args="+encodeURIComponent(JSON.stringify([].slice.apply(arguments))),e.parentNode.insertBefore(l,e)}})}(window, document, "script", "Rumble");   Rumble("play", {"video":"v72xo68","div":"rumble_v72xo68"}); Video Source Links (In Chronological Order): (22) Leopoldo Hernández on X: "@andreina Pero ella no recibe órdenes jajajajaja ayer Rubio dijo que si estaba liberando presos políticos pero no al ritmo que quisiera y hoy esto" / X EXCLUSIVE: U.S. Military Tells Key Middle East Ally to Prepare for Attack on Iran video.twimg.com/amplify_video/2017390702217273344/vid/avc1/1920x1080/Jbg5D84eKtlUEHtT.mp4 (22) Monitor

For review:1. President Volodymyr Zelensky on Jan. 30 rejected the Kremlin's proposal for holding talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow but signaled readiness for a meeting in a more appropriate format.2. It was Vladimir Zelensky who insisted on a personal meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, not the other way around, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov recalled at a news briefing, commenting on statements from Kiev about its desire to host a Russia-Ukraine summit.3. Speaking at the White House on Thursday, President Trump said he asked Russian President Putin not to fire on Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, “and the various towns for a week and he agreed to do that.”4. Satellite images show activity at two Iranian nuclear sites bombed last year by Israel and the United States that may be a sign of Tehran trying to obscure efforts to salvage any materials remaining there.5. US President Donald Trump on Friday confirmed he has had dialogue with Iran, as The New York Times reported he was considering potential raids by American troops on facilities within the Islamic Republic.6. US President Donald Trump said Friday he had given Iran a deadline to make a deal, as Washington moved significant military assets to the Middle East ahead of a potential strike on the Islamic Republic.7. New Zealand has decided against accepting US President Donald Trump's invitation to join his Board of Peace, New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says.8. The US State Department has approved more than $6.5 billion in potential military sales to Israel in three separate contracts, the Pentagon says.The US State Department approved a potential sale of Joint Light Tactical Vehicle and related equipment for an estimated cost of $1.98 billion, and another sale of AH-64E Apache Helicopters for $3.8 billion, the Pentagon says in separate statements.A third military contract was also awarded for $740 million to provide Namer armored personnel carrier power packs & integrated logistics support.9. The Syrian government and Kurdish forces declared a ceasefire deal on Friday that sets out a phased integration of Kurdish fighters into the state, averting a potentially bloody battle and drawing US praise for a “historic milestone.”10. Norway selected Hanwha Aerospace's Chunmoo multiple launch rocket system over prominent Western competitors for its ground-based long-range precision fires system. The 19 billion Norwegian kroner (around $2 billion) deal includes 16 launch systems and an unspecified “larger number of missiles” across three range variants, including the 500-kilometer (310-mile) range. 11. The Senate passed the $838.7 billion fiscal 2026 defense spending bill today, after Democrats and the White House reached a deal to largely avert a government shutdown.

The US State Department has been coordinating far right separatists in Alberta--the imperialism threat to Canada is real. Denmark's debt weapon and the EU's anti-coercion instrument got Trump to temporarily back off of invading Greenland. Why is the fantasy of returning industrial manufacturing so important to the American far right (and some progressives)? The confession of a Biden administration adviser to supporting war crimes in Gaza. And just how bloody is drone warfare? New data from the Russia-Ukraine war reveals something on the order of World War I, with very little to show for it in terms of territorial conquest. Julia Gledhill, Van Jackson, and Matt Duss discuss all that and more in the latest episode of the pod.Subscribe to the Un-Diplomatic Newsletter: https://www.un-diplomatic.com/ Watch Un-Diplomatic Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@un-diplomaticpodcast Disclaimer: The views expressed are those of the individuals and not of any institutions.

Welcome to another episode of Thip Khao Podcast. I'm Murphy Nosanchuk, a founding member of our Advocacy Ambassador program for Legacies of War and I have the honor today of welcoming to the podcast our friend Shari Bryan.Shari directs all aspects of operations for MAG US, working out of the United States headquarters in Washington DC. As Executive Vice President at the National Democratic Institute, she led a global non-profit organization with 1,300 employees in 65 countries, working directly with foreign political leaders and civic partners on issues related to democracy, governance, electoral integrity and conflict recovery. Shari has decades of experience managing relationships with donor aid agencies, including the US State Department, USAID, European governments and multilateral organizations.To learn more about Mines Advisory Group US: https://www.mag-us.org/Thank you all, dear friends,  for tuning into Thip Khao Talk brought to you by our Innovators Sponsors Akin Gump and Article 22. Please continue to listen and follow us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. The theme music used in this podcast are by the Lao Jazzanova Band from Vientiane, Laos.Learn more about Legacies of War: https://www.legaciesofwar.org/

EELP Founding Director and Harvard Law Professor Jody Freeman speaks with Sue Biniaz, former Principal Deputy Special Envoy for Climate at the US State Department and lecturer at the Yale Jackson School of Global Affairs. For nearly three decades, Sue served as the United States' lead climate lawyer and climate negotiator. Together, Jody and Sue break down the significance of the recent US announcement to withdraw from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. They explain what the UNFCC does, the domestic and international legal implications of withdrawal, and what this move—along with the earlier withdrawal from the Paris Agreement—means for US credibility on the global stage. They also look ahead, exploring how climate progress can continue beyond the UNFCC and Paris, and the need to develop bipartisan consensus for durable climate actions.  Transcript: https://eelp.law.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/CleanLaw-EP112-Transcript.pdf Legal and Practical Implications of the U.S. Withdrawal from the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change by Sue Biniaz and Jean Galbraith https://www.justsecurity.org/128687/implications-us-withdrawal-unfccc/

Stephanie Leedom is CannonDesign's Executive Director for the Great Lakes Region. In this role, she provides strategic leadership across offices in Chicago, Buffalo, Toronto, Pittsburgh, and the firm's newest office in Minneapolis.For 20 years, Stephanie worked in public service; serving with the Peace Corps in Honduras and working as an Architect at the General Services Administration; Architect/ Division Chief at the US State Department managing teams and projects in Latin America, Africa, and East Asia; and Director of Planning and Development at the Fairfax County Park Authority.Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Virginia Tech, a Master's in Urban Design from the University of Michigan, is a licensed architect in Virginia, and serves on the AIA Strategic Council as an At-Large-Representative. We talk about:- Stephanie's decision to leave the public sector after 20 years and her tips for architects considering a values-based career pivot, including how to leverage your professional network and strategies to assess if a new team is a good fit.- We discuss the recent shifts in CannonDesign's leadership structure and how the firm is strategically building their teams and market expertise to leverage growth opportunities in the Great Lakes region.- Stephanie talks about leading the Great Lakes region remotely from Washington, DC and how she applies lessons from her GSA workplace strategy experience to build trust and collaboration in hybrid teams. She also shares more about onboarding as a leader and how she developed her 30/60/90 day plans.- While reflecting on her portfolio of work, highlighting projects in Honduras and Namibia, Stephanie elaborates on architecture's role in diplomacy and community development and how these projects have elevated women's roles in construction.>>>Connect with Stephanie: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-leedom-aia-b801348Cannon Design: https://www.cannondesign.com/>>>Thank you to our Sponsor:Arcol is a collaborative building design tool built for modern teams. Arcol streamlines your design process by keeping your model, data, and presentations in sync- enabling your team to work together seamlessly. Learn more about Arcol on their Website, Instagram, YouTube, X, and LinkedIn.>>>Connect with Architectette:- Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ www.architectette.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Learn more)- Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @architectette⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (See more)- Newsletter:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ www.architectette.com/newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Behind the Scenes Content)- LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Architectette Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Page and/or⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Caitlin Brady⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠>>> Support Architectette:- Leave us a rating and review!>>>Music by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ AlexGrohl⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Watch The X22 Report On Video No videos found (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:17532056201798502,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-9437-3289"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="https://cdn2.decide.dev/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs");pt> Click On Picture To See Larger Picture The EU/Germans are starting to see that the direction of the world has changed, they are now trapped in destroying the power infrastructure. Trump placed tariffs on EU, the EU thinks they can fight back, they already lost. The Fed is panicking, they keep repeating independence, in the end there will be no Fed. The [DS] is trying to keep their agenda on track and they are trying to maintain the old guard power structure. Trump is the process of dismantling the old guard power structure and the [DS] cannot stop it. Everything is at stake, the people must take back the power. Trump is leading the [DS] down the path to have an insurrection against the people of this country, trap set. Hold the line justice is coming, Trump is getting all the leverage.   Economy German Chancellor Merz Admits Shutting Down Nuclear Energy Production Was a “Severe Strategic Mistake” Germany has a severe electricity shortage and cost problem, and it's getting worse. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz recently made the admission that shutting down the German nuclear power reactors was a “severe strategic mistake.” “To have acceptable market prices for energy production again, we would have to permanently subsidize energy prices from the federal budget,” Merz said, adding: “We can't do this in the long run.” “So, we are now undertaking the most expensive energy transition in the entire world,” Merz said with pronounced frustration. “I know of no other country that makes things so expensive and difficult as Germany.” Keep in mind, Germany represents the largest contributing economy in the European Union.  The German industrial sector is the backbone of the European economic model. Source: theconservativetreehouse.com (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:18510697282300316,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-8599-9832"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="https://cdn2.decide.dev/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs");    very successfully, at that! Nobody will touch this sacred piece of Land, especially since the National Security of the United States, and the World at large, is at stake. On top of everything else, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, The United Kingdom, The Netherlands, and Finland have journeyed to Greenland, for purposes unknown. This is a very dangerous situation for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Planet. These Countries, who are playing this very dangerous game, have put a level of risk in play that is not tenable or sustainable. Therefore, it is imperative that, in order to protect Global Peace and Security, strong measures be taken so that this potentially perilous situation end quickly, and without question. Starting on February 1st, 2026, all of the above mentioned Countries (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, The United Kingdom, The Netherlands, and Finland), will be charged a 10% Tariff on any and all goods sent to the United States of America. On June 1st, 2026, the Tariff will be increased to 25%. This Tariff will be due and payable until such time as a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland. The United States has been trying to do this transaction for over 150 years. Many Presidents have tried, and for good reason, but Denmark has always refused. Now, because of The Golden Dome, and Modern Day Weapons Systems, both Offensive and Defensive, the need to ACQUIRE is especially important. Hundreds of Billions of Dollars are currently being spent on Security Programs having to do with “The Dome,” including for the possible protection of Canada, and this very brilliant, but highly complex system can only work at its maximum potential and efficiency, because of angles, metes, and bounds, if this Land is included in it. The United States of America is immediately open to negotiation with Denmark and/or any of these Countries that have put so much at risk, despite all that we have done for them, including maximum protection, over so many decades. Thank you for your attention to this matter! DONALD J. TRUMP PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA   https://twitter.com/disclosetv/status/2012565207730545125?s=20 https://twitter.com/disclosetv/status/2012634968556523924?s=20   https://twitter.com/KobeissiLetter/status/2012875286702899711?s=20  restrict US access to the EU market, potentially blocking US banks from EU procurement and targeting US tech giants. This trade weapon has never been used before. In short, yes—a potential trade war triggered by these actions would likely inflict more economic pain on the EU than the U.S., though both sides would suffer. The asymmetry stems from trade dependencies, market sizes, and broader leverage. Trump will counter the EU Raise the threatened tariffs beyond 25% (e.g., to 50-60% on key EU goods like autos, steel, or agriculture) to force concessions. He’s already signaled willingness to go higher if no Greenland deal materializes. Impose sanctions on specific EU sectors or companies, such as luxury goods (hurting France) or tech imports, while exempting allies who break ranks (e.g., if Italy or Eastern Europe hesitate on ACI). Broader Leverage: Link trade to NATO or security, threatening to reduce U.S. troop presence in Europe or cut funding unless EU backs off. He could also accelerate “Buy American” policies to boost domestic alternatives. Publicly dismiss the ACI as “weak” or “all talk” via X or statements, then push for bilateral deals with individual EU countries to divide the bloc (e.g., deals with the UK post-Brexit).  If ACI activates, pursue WTO challenges or rally non-EU allies (e.g., Canada, Japan) against EU measures, while advancing U.S. Arctic strategy independently.   https://twitter.com/FUDdaily/status/2012668421612183897?s=20  on stolen IP with fraudulent certification, and made with slave labour, while plundering the world’s oceans and polluting the planet like no other. Then as Europe deindustrialises and offshores its manufacturing to China (along with the knowledge economy that goes with it), it passively allows China to subvert its customs enforcement and tariff regime, and rolls out the red carpet for industrial scale data theft. Make no mistake. China IS at war with the West. This is an economic war that’s been going on for thirty years or more. But Western liberals would rather align with China because Orange man bad. That’s the mentality we’re dealing with here. For sure, China isn’t planning on invading the West, but they don’t need to – because we’re already handing over everything of value without a fight. https://twitter.com/OpenSourceZone/status/2012615143331352606?s=20   https://twitter.com/profstonge/status/2012140279965401446?s=20 U.S. Economy Best Served by Independent Federal Reserve, Fed's Kashkari Says Kashkari says that the Fed's policy committee is focused on its economic goals as it deals with a complex scenario of a cooling labor market and inflation The U.S. economy is best served by having an independent Federal Reserve that executes monetary-policy decisions based only on data and analysis, Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari said in a virtual conversation with the Wisconsin Bankers Association. With a new Fed chair on the horizon, and increased pressure on the committee after it received subpoenas from the Justice Department late last week relating to Chair Jerome Powell's testimony about renovations of the central bank's headquarters in Washington, Kashkari said Wednesday that the Fed's policy committee is focused on its economic goals as it deals with a complex scenario of a cooling labor market and inflation that has remained above its 2% target. Source: wsj.com   Journal call me to ask whether or not such an offer was made? I would have very quickly told them, “NO,” and that would have been the end of the story. Also, one was led to believe that I offered Jamie Dimon the job of Secretary of the Treasury, but that would be one that he would be very interested in. The problem is, I have Scott Bessent doing a fantastic job, A SUPERSTAR — Why would I give it to Jamie? No such offer was made there, or even thought of, either. The Wall Street Journal ought to do better “fact checking,” or its already strained credibility will continue to DIVE. Thank you for your attention to this matter! Political/Rights      Order securing an EXCLUSIVE 4 hour Broadcast window, so this National Event stands above Commercial Postseason Games. No other Game or Team can violate this Time Slot!!!   On the field, they are rivals, but on the battlefield they are America's unstoppable Patriots, defending our Country with tremendous Strength and Heart. We must protect the Tradition, and the Players, who protect us. Please let this serve as Notice to ALL Television Networks, Stations, and Outlets. God Bless America, and God Bless our great Army-Navy Game!!! President Donald J. Trump https://twitter.com/DHSgov/status/2012590105265947114?s=20  enforcement are not only dangerous but also serious crimes. By putting law enforcement in danger and creating a conflagration of chaos, you are also risking your own life. https://twitter.com/CollinRugg/status/2012635139839520983?s=20  before protesters tried ripping him from the car to get him back on the street. “I just got stabbed by a crazie white commie leftist rioter today in Minnesota…” Lang said on X. “Plate carrier blocked it…” Horrific. https://twitter.com/JakeLang/status/2012691764251861167?s=20 https://twitter.com/nicksortor/status/2012583407557959872?s=20       of attention off the 18 Billion Dollar, Plus, FRAUD, that has taken place in the State! Don't worry, we're on it!  DOGE https://twitter.com/RedWave_Press/status/2012640651855233169?s=20   below) Leavitt: “[Trump] said, ‘Make sure you guys don't cut the tape, make sure the interview is out in full.” Tony Dokoupil: “Yeah, we're doing it, yeah.” Leavitt: “He said, ‘If it's not out in full, we'll sue your a$$ off.'”   https://twitter.com/VigilantFox/status/2012692074336829815?s=20 Thread   that reaffirm facts and separate facts from opinion. We want diversity of opinion. We don't want diversity of facts. That, I think, is one of the big tasks of social media. By the way, it will require some government regulatory constraints… Geopolitical https://twitter.com/KobeissiLetter/status/2012865218641277321?s=20   can therefore not, even symbolically, be passed on or further distributed,” they add.    very successfully, at that! Nobody will touch this sacred piece of Land, especially since the National Security of the United States, and the World at large, is at stake. On top of everything else, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, The United Kingdom, The Netherlands, and Finland have journeyed to Greenland, for purposes unknown. This is a very dangerous situation for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Planet. These Countries, who are playing this very dangerous game, have put a level of risk in play that is not tenable or sustainable. Therefore, it is imperative that, in order to protect Global Peace and Security, strong measures be taken so that this potentially perilous situation end quickly, and without question. Starting on February 1st, 2026, all of the above mentioned Countries (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, The United Kingdom, The Netherlands, and Finland), will be charged a 10% Tariff on any and all goods sent to the United States of America. On June 1st, 2026, the Tariff will be increased to 25%. This Tariff will be due and payable until such time as a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland. The United States has been trying to do this transaction for over 150 years. Many Presidents have tried, and for good reason, but Denmark has always refused. Now, because of The Golden Dome, and Modern Day Weapons Systems, both Offensive and Defensive, the need to ACQUIRE is especially important. Hundreds of Billions of Dollars are currently being spent on Security Programs having to do with “The Dome,” including for the possible protection of Canada, and this very brilliant, but highly complex system can only work at its maximum potential and efficiency, because of angles, metes, and bounds, if this Land is included in it. The United States of America is immediately open to negotiation with Denmark and/or any of these Countries that have put so much at risk, despite all that we have done for them, including maximum protection, over so many decades. Thank you for your attention to this matter! DONALD J. TRUMP PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA https://twitter.com/ElectionWiz/status/2012627390527045862?s=20  no place in this context. Europeans will respond in a united and coordinated manner if they are confirmed. We will ensure respect for European sovereignty. It is in this spirit that I will speak with our European partner. https://twitter.com/disclosetv/status/2012879305936621840?s=20 President Trump Announces New Tariffs Against “EU Leadership” Nations Attempting to Interfere in North American Strategic Defense and Greenland Negotiations Trump is telling the EU to quit talking and start actively being responsible for their own security.  In the background Trump has bigger plans. Hans Mahncke has a solid take on the bigger picture: “The notion that America wants Greenland for its raw materials is either insanely ignorant or just engagement bait. Extracting anything in the Arctic is prohibitively expensive, and often physically impossible, with extreme cold, thick ice, equipment that won't function, and no roads, rail or ports to move anything once you have it. The real reason America needs Greenland is its immense geostrategic military value, which should be obvious to anyone with a functioning brain, especially anyone who has ever looked at a map from above, with the North Pole at the center. Sure, some tasks could be outsourced to NATO, but that alliance is on its last legs, burdened by too many countries with conflicting priorities, and has mainly served as a way for Europe to freeload on US security guarantees. Relying on it for American national security is reckless. It's far smarter to cut out the endless middlemen and take direct control.” (source) As also noted by Jim Ferguson: “Ursula von der Leyen just went on camera and declared that Greenland “belongs to Denmark and NATO” — directly rebuking President Trump. Let's translate that. This isn't about the Greenlandic people. This is about Brussels panicking because Trump is exposing the Arctic power game. Greenland controls: • the northern missile corridor • Arctic shipping lanes • and the gateway to North America That makes it one of the most important strategic territories on Earth. And Trump said the quiet part out loud: If the U.S. doesn't secure it, China or Russia will. Von der Leyen's response wasn't to protect the West, it was to protect EU control. She wrapped it in pretty words about “NATO unity” — but what she really meant was: Brussels gets a veto over American security. That's what this is about. Trump isn't breaking the alliance. he's breaking the illusion that unelected EU bureaucrats get to decide the future of the Arctic. Greenland is not a Brussels bargaining chip; it is the northern shield of the United States, and for the first time in decades, America has a president willing to say it. Ursula doesn't hate Trump because he's reckless, she hates him because he won't let Europe freeload on American security while selling the future to Beijing.” Source: theconservativetreehouse.com https://twitter.com/kadmitriev/status/2012621940402368862?s=20   War/Peace Iraq takes full control of air base after US withdrawal, defence ministry says  U.S. forces have withdrawn from Iraq’s Ain al-Asad Airbase, which housed U.S.-led forces in Western Iraq, and the Iraqi army has assumed full control, the Iraqi defence ministry said on Saturday. In 2024, Washington and Baghdad reached an understanding, opens new tab on plans for the withdrawal of U.S.-led coalition forces from Iraq and a move towards a bilateral security relationship. Source: reuters.com      As Chairman of the Board of Peace, I am backing a newly appointed Palestinian Technocratic Government, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, supported by the Board’s High Representative, to govern Gaza during its transition. These Palestinian leaders are unwaveringly committed to a PEACEFUL future!   With the support of Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar, we will secure a COMPREHENSIVE Demilitarization Agreement with Hamas, including the surrender of ALL weapons, and the dismantling of EVERY tunnel. Hamas must IMMEDIATELY honor its commitments, including the return of the final body to Israel, and proceed without delay to full Demilitarization. As I have said before, they can do this the easy way, or the hard way. The people of Gaza have suffered long enough. The time is NOW.   PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH. https://twitter.com/UnderSecE/status/2012860595121295443?s=20 the Union's project was unstoppable. Today, we are seeing that same spirit here: a relentless drive to push ahead with AI-scale growth and supply chain integration and investment. This is what Trump Time looks like. NONE of this would be possible without President Trump and Secretary Rubio's leadership! The work continues.   Trump Appoints Rubio, Witkoff, Kushner, And Blair To Gaza ‘Board Of Peace’ The White House announced on Jan. 16 the names of members appointed to the Gaza Board of Peace, which President Donald Trump created as part of phase two of a U.S.-backed plan to end the war in Gaza. Among the “founding executive board” members are U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, presidential special envoy Steve Witkoff, Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. The board also includes private equity executive Marc Rowan, World Bank President Ajay Banga, and U.S. national security adviser Robert Gabriel, according to a White House statement. The board, to be chaired by Trump, will oversee the Palestinian technocratic committee—also known as the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG)—which will be led by former Palestinian Authority official Ali Abdel Hamid Shaath. The White House said each of the members will be tasked with managing Gaza's “governance capacity-building, regional relations, reconstruction, investment attraction, large-scale funding, and capital mobilization,” which it said are vital to the enclave's stability and long-term success. The administration also named Aryeh Lightstone and Josh Gruenbaum as senior advisers to manage the board's daily strategy and operations, and appointed Nickolay Mladenov, a Bulgarian diplomat and former United Nations envoy to the Middle East, as the high representative for Gaza. Trump also tapped Maj. Gen. Jasper Jeffers to lead the International Stabilization Force, which will oversee security operations and the safe delivery of humanitarian aid and reconstruction materials to Gaza. The administration also announced a separate 11-member executive board, comprising some of the founding members, which will support both the technocratic committee and Mladenov's office. In announcing the board's formation on Jan. 15, Trump said the United States will work with Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar to secure an agreement that will require Hamas to surrender all weapons and dismantle its tunnel network. “Hamas must immediately honor its commitments, including the return of the final body to Israel, and proceed without delay to full Demilitarization,” the president said.  Source: zerohedge.com   https://twitter.com/TrumpWarRoom/status/2012227016418816311?s=20    https://twitter.com/RyanSaavedra/status/2012568999738163323?s=20  the slaughter of its people. His country is the worst place in the world to live because of failed leadership.” “The crime he has committed as the leader of a country is the complete destruction of the country and the use of violence on a scale that has never been seen before. To maintain the functioning of a country, even if that functioning is at the lowest possible level, a leader must focus on properly administering his country, as I do in the United States, rather than killing thousands of people to maintain control.” https://twitter.com/DonaldJTrumpJr/status/2012703384986382564?s=20   Medical/False Flags [DS] Agenda https://twitter.com/WarClandestine/status/2012657028783628755?s=20 Minnesota Governor Activates National Guard According to the Minnesota Dept of Public Safety, Governor Tim Walz has activated the national guard. However, in a statement on their X account the officials note, the guard “are not deployed to city streets at this time, but are ready to help support public safety, including protection of life, preservation of property and supporting the rights of all who assemble peacefully.” This is likely a proactive move to block President Trump from invoking the ‘insurrection act' to stop the chaos being fueled by the governor himself as well as professional leftists in the region. [SOURCE]  . The Minnesota national guard are being called to duty as a chaos management operation.  They are not being called up to stop the violence, merely facilitate the ongoing violent street protests.  The national noticing, along with the riots and violence, continues…. Source: theconservativetreehouse.com President Trump's Plan US Ends Aid to Somalia After Locals Torch and Loot Warehouse Filled with 76 Tons of US-Donated Food The United States ended taxpayer-funded food aid to Somalia after local officials torched and looted the stockpiles of food stored in a local warehouse. The US State Department released a statement after the warehouse was destroyed. https://twitter.com/USForeignAssist/status/2008980437591355644?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2008980437591355644%7Ctwgr%5E31d6d49d23e10c7438fba10706fbb66143259707%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thegatewaypundit.com%2F2026%2F01%2Fus-ends-aid-somalia-after-locals-torch-loot%2F policy for waste, theft, and diversion of life-saving assistance. Source: thegatewaypundit.com DOJ Launches a CRIMINAL Investigation into Renee Good's Widow for Her Alleged Role in ICE Self-Defense Shooting: Report The widow of Renee Good is now reportedly in legal trouble following her actions in this month's ICE self-defense shooting in Minneapolis.  Department of Justice has launched a criminal investigation into Becca Good for allegedly impeding an ICE agent in the moments before her wife's death. The probe will focus on Becca's ties to far-left activist groups and her actions leading up to her wife's fatal shooting.  n. NBC News reported:   Source: thegatewaypundit.com https://twitter.com/FBIDirectorKash/status/2011987701113786455?s=20 Trump Reportedly Puts OVER 1,000 Active Duty Soldiers on Standby For Deployment to Minnesota After Threatening to Invoke Insurrection Act – White House Responds   As The Washington Post reported, the Trump Administration has ordered roughly 1,500 active-duty soldiers to be on standby for deployment to Minnesota following the massive anti-ICE riots over the past several days. These riots have reached a new and dangerous level following the ICE self-defense shooting of leftist protester Renee Good. Here are more details on the possible deployment from The Post: Source: thegatewaypundit.com https://twitter.com/amuse/status/2012873723376799902?s=20 https://twitter.com/TheStormRedux/status/2012887587396927854?s=20  of the United States. Foreign illegal aliens who broke into this country who then raped children, who committed human trafficking, sex trafficking, drug trafficking – protected, shielded, sheltered, coddled, defended at every level by the leadership in Minnesota… Willfully aiding and abetting this violence.” Stephen Miller continued on to explain that it's all to protect their “mass migration scheme” because the illegal aliens are “the heart of the Democrat party's political power.” Deport the criminals and the D party loses their voting base. To @realDonaldTrump , pull the trigger. The American people stand behind you! https://twitter.com/WarClandestine/status/2012272658780434598?s=20  . The Military would be assisting in the deportation operation, and serving as both a physical and psychological deterrent for would-be rioters. And given that the Dems are using illegals to steal elections, this operation is literally a matter of NATSEC, so the usage of US MIL to expedite the process is more than justified. Trump will strike when the time is right. https://twitter.com/Rasmussen_Poll/status/2012878860732228047?s=20   Presidency but, when you think of it, neither did Joe Biden. The whole thing was RIGGED. There must be a price to pay, and it has got to be a BIG ONE! PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP   https://twitter.com/amuse/status/2012897466685763881?s=20   backing her challenge to Bill Cassidy and formalizing a long-simmering rift with RINO leadership in the Senate. The endorsement underscores Trump's push to remake the Senate with loyal America First fighters. The move could reshape multiple races, including in Texas, where Trump has signaled support for Ken Paxton as Sen. John Cornyn's campaign continues to falter. https://twitter.com/mattvanswol/status/2012586397442416715?s=20   https://twitter.com/AwakenedOutlaw/status/2011915642543525943?s=20   understand why he has to do what he’s doing, you will.  Everyone will. https://twitter.com/Pat_Stedman/status/2012152603468034264?s=20 The emotionally incontinent on this website were screaming all year that Trump had to arrest people Day 1, not understanding this was a siege, and the route to long term political dominance lay in not only attriting the enemy before battle but developing the moral high ground to fight in the first place. The left’s choices now are lose slowly and get picked off one by one or throw it all on one last dice roll while you still have some assets to deploy. They are the ones who are desperate not Trump. And they are about to give him the political capital to deploy the military against them and destroy them utterly and completely – not just their networks, but their entire narrative. By the time it’s all over

Is there anything more undignified than “leftists” and “anarchists” who cheer on the fall of empire-targeted governments even as the empire moves war machinery into place? Ooh look at me I'm sticking it to the man by supporting the same agendas as the US State Department. I'm being punk rock by regurgitating the same war propaganda talking points as John Bolton. I'm fighting the power by backing the foreign policy objectives of the most powerful empire that has ever existed. Fucking embarrassing, man. Reading by Tim Foley.

This morning's episode covers the top stories of the day. We're talking Patriots vs. Texans, the latest on the Karen Reid investigation, and more. Norfolk County DA Michael Morrissey announces he won't seek reelection, citing the controversy surrounding the case. We'll dive into the details of the investigation and what this means for the community. Plus, we'll discuss the US State Department's warning against traveling to Iran, the White House's response to immigration protests in Minnesota, and the latest entertainment news, including Cardi B's upcoming appearance on Saturday Night Live.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today Justin sits down with Matthew John Heath. Matthew served in the US Marine Corps from 1999 until 2003, including a combat deployment to Iraq. Afterwards, he worked with the US State Department as a private contractor in Afghanistan. In 2020, Matthew was arrested inside Venezuela, near the Colombian border, and charged with multiple false offenses, including treason and arms trafficking. He spent more than two years captive in prison in Caracas before he was released in a prisoner exchange in October, 2022 along with several other American citizens. He's here today to discuss his service in the Marine Corps, his time working in Afghanistan and elsewhere, his arrest and imprisonment in Venezuela, and readjusting to life back home after the ordeal. Connect with Matthew: matthewjohnheath.com hostageus.org Connect with Spycraft 101: Get Justin's latest book, Murder, Intrigue, and Conspiracy: Stories from the Cold War and Beyond, here. spycraft101.com IG: @spycraft101 Shop: shop.spycraft101.com Patreon: Spycraft 101 Find Justin's first book, Spyshots: Volume One, here. Check out Justin's second book, Covert Arms, here. Download the free eBook, The Clandestine Operative's Sidearm of Choice, here. Kruschiki The best surplus military goods delivered right to your door. Use code SPYCRAFT101 for 10% off! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Donald Trump wants Greenland. European leaders are pushing back. What's Canada's best play, all things considered? National Post columnist Rahim Mohamed leads us off (7:00) with a look at comments from Stephen Miller and Bob Rae, and the biggest issue facing Mark Carney.  Plus, could Alberta separatists actually face charges for meeting with US State Department officials (20:00)? Did Chrystia Freeland step in one (32:00) with her Ukraine advisory announcement? And how are things looking for Pierre Poilievre heading into his CPC leadership review (35:00)? We get into it all. (Forgive us for the YouTube audio glitch from 14:00-17:20. The podcast audio is crystal clear if you'd like to catch Rahim's full comments there.) THIS EPISODE IS PRESENTED BY HANSEN DISTILLERY. CHECK OUT THEIR SEASONAL LIMITED RELEASES - GINGERBREAD COOKIE CREAM LIQUEUR and MINT CHOCOLATE CREAM LIQUEUR: https://hansendistillery.com/ 53:00 | Humans have so much to learn from bears. Nobody tells the story more passionately than Trina Moyles, who joins Ryan in studio the day her new book "Black Bear: A Story of Siblinghood and Survival" hits shelves."  CHECK OUT THE BOOK: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/742032/black-bear-by-trina-moyles/9781039010161 FOLLOW TRINA on IG: https://www.instagram.com/trinariannemoyles/?hl=en FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, X, INSTAGRAM, and LINKEDIN: @realtalkrj & @ryanjespersen  JOIN US ON FACEBOOK: @ryanjespersen  REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PERKS - BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: patreon.com/ryanjespersen THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR SPONSORS! https://ryanjespersen.com/sponsors The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.

BEST OF TST: The United States is close to declaring war on Venezuela. Well, sort of; the President said he won't actually seek a declaration from Congress and instead just “kill people that are bringing drugs into our country.” Just prior, however, the White House gave Maduro an ultimatum to flee Venezuela. So are we killing people with drugs on boats or orchestrating regime change? The 2024 US DOJ-DEA National Drug Threat Assessment literally did not even mention Venezuela. The only recent major indictment of the country came from a Presidential Memorandum on September 15, 2024, which declared several countries as having failed in “their obligations under international counternarcotics agreements.” Ironically, the President made “null” and “void” all “documents, proclamations, Executive Orders, Memorandums, or Contracts,” signed under former President Biden's autopen, essentially erasing the declaration that Venezuela had any connection serious to drug trafficking. But for drugs like fentanyl, nearly 100% of it comes through Mexico. One would be confused in learning this and then trying to figure out why the White House has targeted Venezuela in the name of those same drugs. Remember, Mexico refused to assist in cleaning up the cartels under Claudia Sheinbaum, and it is her ethno-state, Israel, which is verifiably behind training the cartels, arming them, and facilitating through HIAS mass human trafficking. The White House is also saying that Venezuela is a host of illegal immigration, though Mexico and several other countries play a far greater role.  This has people thinking that the whole issue is about oil, something the US State Department has denied. But perhaps it is about Sheinbaum. While Javier Milei of Argentina, who is also Jewish, just launched the Isaac Accords to strengthen political, economic and cultural cooperation between Israel and Latin America, Maduro of Venezuela, who himself has Jewish heritage, has consistently been condemning Israel as holding “an ideology more dangerous than Nazism.” He has accused Jews of controlling his opposition and the media, the same media now telling the public we have to stop Venezuelan drug trafficking by regime change only. Or perhaps, Maduro, who is Jewish, is playing the role of turning over the resource rich country to the US-Israel alliance, hence why he was given the option to flee. *The is the FREE archive, which includes advertisements. If you want an ad-free experience, you can subscribe below underneath the show description.WEBSITEFREE ARCHIVE (w. ads)SUBSCRIPTION ARCHIVE-X / TWITTERFACEBOOKINSTAGRAMYOUTUBERUMBLE-BUY ME A COFFEECashApp: $rdgable PAYPAL: rdgable1991@gmail.comRyan's Books: https://thesecretteachings.info - EMAIL: rdgable@yahoo.com / rdgable1991@gmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-secret-teachings--5328407/support.

Scott interviews Larry Johnson about Ukraine's alleged assassination attempt against Putin, why European leaders seem so set on continuing the war in Ukraine, Trump's naval build up near Venezuela, the risk of a terror attack in the US and more.  Discussed on the show: “Did Ukraine Try to Kill Putin?” (Sonar21) “Why is Susan Miller Doing Media?” (Sonar21) Anatomy of the State by Murray Rothbard Larry C. Johnson is a former CIA officer and intelligence analyst, and a former planner and advisor at the US State Department's Office of Counter Terrorism. Follow his analysis at Sonar21. Audio cleaned up with the Podsworth app: https://podsworth.com Use code HORTON50 for 50% off your first order at Podsworth.com to clean up your voice recordings, sound like a pro, and also support the Scott Horton Show! For more on Scott's work: Check out The Libertarian Institute: https://www.libertarianinstitute.org Check out Scott's other show, Provoked, with Darryl Cooper https://youtube.com/@Provoked_Show Read Scott's books: Provoked: How Washington Started the New Cold War with Russia and the Catastrophe in Ukraine https://amzn.to/47jMtg7 (The audiobook of Provoked is being published in sections at https://scotthortonshow.com) Enough Already: Time to End the War on Terrorism: https://amzn.to/3tgMCdw Fool's Errand: Time to End the War in Afghanistan https://amzn.to/3HRufs0 Follow Scott on X @scotthortonshow And check out Scott's full interview archives: https://scotthorton.org/all-interviews This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: Roberts and Roberts Brokerage Incorporated https://rrbi.co Moon Does Artisan Coffee https://scotthorton.org/coffee; Tom Woods' Liberty Classroom https://www.libertyclassroom.com/dap/a/?a=1616 and Dissident Media https://dissidentmedia.com You can also support Scott's work by making a one-time or recurring donation at https://scotthorton.org/donate/https://scotthortonshow.com or https://patreon.com/scotthortonshow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Download Audio. Scott interviews Larry Johnson about Ukraine's alleged assassination attempt against Putin, why European leaders seem so set on continuing the war in Ukraine, Trump's naval buildup near Venezuela, the risk of a terror attack in the US and more. Discussed on the show: “Did Ukraine Try to Kill Putin?” (Sonar21) “Why is Susan Miller Doing Media?” (Sonar21) Anatomy of the State by Murray Rothbard Larry C. Johnson is a former CIA officer and intelligence analyst, and a former planner and advisor at the US State Department's Office of Counter Terrorism. Follow his analysis at Sonar21. Audio cleaned up with the Podsworth app: https://podsworth.com Use code HORTON50 for 50% off your first order at Podsworth.com to clean up your voice recordings, sound like a pro, and also support the Scott Horton Show! For more on Scott's work: Check out The Libertarian Institute: https://www.libertarianinstitute.org Check out Scott's other show, Provoked, with Darryl Cooper https://youtube.com/@Provoked_Show Read Scott's books: Provoked: How Washington Started the New Cold War with Russia and the Catastrophe in Ukraine https://amzn.to/47jMtg7 (The audiobook of Provoked is being published in sections at https://scotthortonshow.com) Enough Already: Time to End the War on Terrorism: https://amzn.to/3tgMCdw Fool's Errand: Time to End the War in Afghanistan https://amzn.to/3HRufs0 Follow Scott on X @scotthortonshow And check out Scott's full interview archives: https://scotthorton.org/all-interviews This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: Roberts and Roberts Brokerage Incorporated https://rrbi.co Moon Does Artisan Coffee https://scotthorton.org/coffee; Tom Woods' Liberty Classroom https://www.libertyclassroom.com/dap/a/?a=1616 and Dissident Media https://dissidentmedia.com You can also support Scott's work by making a one-time or recurring donation at https://scotthorton.org/donate/https://scotthortonshow.com or https://patreon.com/scotthortonshow

While we celebrate the remarkable achievement of 250 years of the US military being a bulwark of democracy, it is important to understand the intentionally laid foundations on which America's civil military relations tradition rests. Military deference to civilian authority and the legislature is a principle pioneered and championed by General George Washington, setting a powerful precedent for commanding officers to follow… with some instructive exceptions. As we look toward the New Year, and wearily at the political posturing of some military leaders, Kori Schake reminds us of a central theme from her new book, The State and the Soldier (Polity, 2025): “We want a military that's not partisan. We want a military that is subordinate to whatever lunatics the American public see fit to put into high office.” How are military leaders inherently political? How do we avoid forcing them to make partisan choices? And, as we have discussed all year, why does Congress refuse to exercise the powers it has, even in this realm?Kori Schake is a senior fellow and the Director of Foreign and Defense Policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute. Before joining AEI, Dr. Schake was the deputy director-general of the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London. She has had a distinguished career in government, working at the US State Department, the US Department of Defense, and the National Security Council at the White House. She was also senior policy advisor on the 2008 McCain campaign. She has taught at Stanford, West Point, Johns Hopkins, and the University of Maryland. Dr. Schake is the author of 5 books, with her newest titled “The State and the Soldier: A History of Civil-Military Relations in the United States.”Read the transcript here.Subscribe to our Substack here.Find The State and the Soldier here.

If you love The News Agents USA, then we think you'll love The Ex Files with Christiane Amanpour, where she and her ex-husband Jamie Rubin - a former US State Department official - unpack today's defining global crises. Drawing on decades of insider experience in global affairs, reporting from conflict zones and grilling world leaders, they explain how we ended up where we are – and where we might be going.In this episode they discuss why Trump thinks he can force Ukraine to accept a 'surrender document' that hands Putin almost everything he wants. Plus Trump and Mamdani's first meeting in the Oval Office and how tech bros have muscled their way into US politics.Listen to Christiane Amanpour Presents The Ex Files with Jamie Rubin at globalplayer.com

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. Diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman and environmental reporter Sue Surkes join host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode. Following the IDF strike that killed top Hamas commander Raad Saad in Gaza City, Berman reviews the obstacles for Israel and Hamas in moving toward the second phase of the broader ceasefire. He discusses how Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump will need to find a way to agree on the thorny and fundamental issue of how to get Hamas to disarm. As the IDF postponed a planned airstrike on Hezbollah infrastructure in Lebanon, Berman reports on the ongoing issue of needing Hezbollah to disarm, the Lebanese Army's efforts to work to accomplish that, and Israel's dissatisfaction with Lebanon's progress. After the Water Authority began channeling desalinated water to the Sea of Galilee, the first ever attempt anywhere in the world to top up a freshwater lake with processed seawater, Surkes reports on hopes that it will raise the level of the sea by half a centimeter a year. Surkes also discusses the new facility for the National Sea Turtle Rescue Center, featuring the world’s only sea turtle breeding program, helping protect and preserve these creatures that have existed on the planet for 330 million years. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: US State Department said to ask 70 countries to contribute to Gaza stabilization force Report: Israel agrees to US demand to pay for massive Gaza rubble-clearing operation Beirut has been warned of possible Israeli offensive against Hezbollah — Lebanese FM Scientists tracking impact as desalinated water flows into Sea of Galilee for first time Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Podwaves. IMAGE: Palestinians inspect a car belonging to Hamas commander Raad Saad after it was hit in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City, on December 13, 2025. (Fathi Ibrahim/Flash90)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s our final show of the year and we went out swinging. We kicked things off with a study claiming the big bellied boyyzz are the real heartthrobs and honestly, the confidence was through the roof. Then Bieber went full nostalgia and returned to the bowling alley from his Baby video which sent us all straight back to 2010. We wrapped the year with a massive 2025 quiz that proved our memories are cooked but hilarious. And just when you thought the world had run out of chaos, the US State Department decided fonts were the hill to die on. Times New Roman is apparently back in style and honestly, sure. What a way to finish the year, betch.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A sperm donor who unknowingly harboured a genetic mutation that dramatically raises the risk of cancer has fathered at least 197 children across Europe, a major investigation has revealed. Some children have already died and only a minority who inherit the mutation will escape cancer in their lifetimes. Denmark's European Sperm Bank, which sold the sperm, said families affected had their "deepest sympathy" and admitted the sperm was used to make too many babies in some countries.The sperm came from an anonymous man who was paid to donate as a student, starting in 2005. Also: the daughter of the Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Coria Machado has collected her mother's Nobel Peace Prize on her behalf. The new sound therapy offering hope to sufferers of tinnitus. We hear from the border between Thailand and Cambodia as half a million people flee the fighting. The leader of the National Rally in France, Jordan Bardella, who is favourite to win the French presidential election in 2027, speaks to the BBC. We hear from the creator of the typeface Calibri after the US State Department bans it. And why humans are apparently 66% monogamous - far above chimpanzees and gorillas – and more similar to meerkats and beavers. The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment.Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

//The Wire//2300Z December 8, 2025////ROUTINE////BLUF: WAR REIGNITES IN SOUTHEAST ASIA AS BORDER CLASHES FLARE UP BETWEEN THAILAND AND CAMBODIA. MILITARY COUP ATTEMPTED IN BENIN.// -----BEGIN TEARLINE------International Events-Southeast Asia: Over the weekend hostilities recommenced between Thailand and Cambodia. What started the latest round of fighting is not clear, however Thailand has crossed into the disputed zone and occupied the village of Pairachan (also known locally as "Prey Chan" village). The US State Department has upgraded the travel alert for the region, due to the ongoing fighting along the border.Analyst Comment: As usual, both sides have accused the other of reigniting hostilities, and right now it's not clear who actually started what. Nevertheless, Thailand has been bombing Cambodia fairly regularly, and Cambodia has been launching unguided rockets at Thailand in return (even though Cambodia states that they have not retaliated). Sporadic fighting has been reported all along the front throughout the day, with most of the heavy shelling being confined to the border itself. No official word on any casualties yet, but Thai sources claim one of their soldiers was killed, while Cambodian sources claim 4 soldiers killed/wounded on their side.Africa: A brief military coup was attempted in the small nation of Benin over the weekend, which took the form of a low level military commander seizing a TV station and announcing that he had taken control of the government. Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri announced the overthrowing of the government and the deposition of the President on television. Turns out, none of that had actually happened, and the TV station was the only location that rebel forces had actually captured. LTC Tigri and his platoon of soldiers were captured shortly afterwards.-HomeFront-Washington D.C. - This afternoon the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that they will not be publishing the Producer Price Index (PPI) for the month of October, and the PPI report for November will be delayed until January.Analyst Comment: This follows the previous jobs report, the CPI report, and various other reports also not being available for October, reports which usually provide major indicators of how the economic is functioning. The PPI specifically is intended to track the changes in the prices of goods at the producer-level, and is normally used in comparison with the CPI (and other reports) to gauge how major manufacturers and big industry in general is doing. Inferences can be made without this specific dataset, however when a major report is not available this causes problems with data analysis. With the economy, "no news" is usually covering up "bad news", as a rule of thumb. Either way, it's not possible to know what the story is without the data.-----END TEARLINE-----Analyst Comment: For the aspiring warlords of the world, in order for a military coup to be successful, it's generally advised to actually seize control of government before making the announcement of such. Some units loyal to LTC Tigri were successful in closing a few border checkpoints, however no actual key sites were seized by the rebels before making the announcement on TV. Most interestingly, the neighboring nation of Nigeria assisted in providing air support for the government of Benin to help put down the coup attempt. This is part of a long-standing security pact, and mostly took the form of Nigerian aircraft flying over important sites in Benin (such as military bases, checkpoints, etc) to see if anyone on the ground would shoot at them (and thus reveal their allegiance to the rebels). Or at least, that seems to be the theory used during the response. In some cases, Nigerian aircraft were fired upon with small arms, and at least one report exists that alleges Nigerian aircraft dropping a bomb in Benin. Locals in Benin

The United States is close to declaring war on Venezuela. Well, sort of; the President said he won't actually seek a declaration from Congress and instead just “kill people that are bringing drugs into our country.” Just prior, however, the White House gave Maduro an ultimatum to flee Venezuela. So are we killing people with drugs on boats or orchestrating regime change? The 2024 US DOJ-DEA National Drug Threat Assessment literally did not even mention Venezuela. The only recent major indictment of the country came from a Presidential Memorandum on September 15, 2024, which declared several countries as having failed in “their obligations under international counternarcotics agreements.” Ironically, the President made “null” and “void” all “documents, proclamations, Executive Orders, Memorandums, or Contracts,” signed under former President Biden's autopen, essentially erasing the declaration that Venezuela had any connection serious to drug trafficking. But for drugs like fentanyl, nearly 100% of it comes through Mexico. One would be confused in learning this and then trying to figure out why the White House has targeted Venezuela in the name of those same drugs. Remember, Mexico refused to assist in cleaning up the cartels under Claudia Sheinbaum, and it is her ethno-state, Israel, which is verifiably behind training the cartels, arming them, and facilitating through HIAS mass human trafficking. The White House is also saying that Venezuela is a host of illegal immigration, though Mexico and several other countries play a far greater role.  This has people thinking that the whole issue is about oil, something the US State Department has denied. But perhaps it is about Sheinbaum. While Javier Milei of Argentina, who is also Jewish, just launched the Isaac Accords to strengthen political, economic and cultural cooperation between Israel and Latin America, Maduro of Venezuela, who himself has Jewish heritage, has consistently been condemning Israel as holding “an ideology more dangerous than Nazism.” He has accused Jews of controlling his opposition and the media, the same media now telling the public we have to stop Venezuelan drug trafficking by regime change only. Or perhaps, Maduro, who is Jewish, is playing the role of turning over the resource rich country to the US-Israel alliance, hence why he was given the option to flee. *The is the FREE archive, which includes advertisements. If you want an ad-free experience, you can subscribe below.WEBSITEFREE ARCHIVE (w. ads)SUBSCRIPTION ARCHIVE-X / TWITTERFACEBOOKINSTAGRAMYOUTUBERUMBLE-BUY ME A COFFEECashApp: $rdgable PAYPAL: rdgable1991@gmail.comRyan's Books: https://thesecretteachings.info - EMAIL: rdgable@yahoo.com / rdgable1991@gmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-secret-teachings--5328407/support.

It's Friday, November 28th, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes written by Jonathan Clark and heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  Filling in for Adam McManus I'm Ean Leppin. (Contact@eanvoiceit.com) New Anti-Conversion Laws in India According to Persecution.org Police in the northwestern Indian state of Rajasthan recently registered the first case under the state's recently enacted anti-conversion legislation against two missionaries. The Christians were accused of carrying out religious conversions at a gathering through “allurement,” according to media reports. After registering the case on Nov. 20, police issued notices to the two missionaries – Chandy Varghese from New Delhi and Arun John from Kota – claiming they promoted conversion and baptised several people during a three-day program known as ‘Spiritual Satsang' at Beersheba Church in Kota. Police investigated after videos and social media clips surfaced showing event speeches and activities. Several youths allegedly announced from the stage that they put their faith in Jesus Christ and were baptized, while calling upon others to adopt Christianity. Rajasthan is one of 12 states in India that has strict anti-conversion laws. A first information report (FIR) was registered by the police after complaints were lodged by hardline Hindu groups active in controlling Christian activities. 2 Thessalonians 3:2-3 That we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith.  But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. Christians in Uganda Threatened Despite Freedom of Religion Laws A Sudanese Christian family in Uganda is living in fear after Muslim extremists from Sudan and Somalia threatened to kill them. Safaa Yousif, who fled her native Sudan to Uganda due to conflict and religious persecution in 2016, received a text message from an anonymous number threatening to kill her family. Muslims from Somalia have also threatened her.  Yousif said she once gave discipleship classes to new converts, and a Somali Muslim who had put his faith in Christ was kidnapped and tortured by his co-religionists from Somalia and Sudan. Somalia is ranked 2nd on the Christian support group Open Doors 2025 World Watch List of the 50 countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian.  Its constitution establishes Islam as the state religion and prohibits the propagation of any other religion, according to the US State Department.  It also requires that laws comply with Sharia Principles, with no exceptions in application for non-Muslims. The threats on Yousif's family in Uganda were the latest of many instances of persecution of Christians in Uganda. An interesting fact to consider is that Uganda's constitution and other laws provide for religious freedom, including the right to propagate one's faith and convert from one faith to another.  Muslims make up no more than 12 percent of Uganda's population, with high concentrations in eastern areas of the country. Pray that the Yousif family be reminded of the words of Jesus in Acts 1:7-8 It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.  But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit as come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth. New hurdle in James Comey case The prosecution of former FBI Director James Comey hit another hurdle last Wednesday as the Justice Department encountered mounting questions about how the case was presented to a grand jury for indictment, reports the Associated Press. The development risked further jeopardizing a politically charged prosecution already subject to multiple challenges and demands for its dismissal. It came during a hearing in which Comey's lawyers asked U.S. District Judge Michael Nachmanoff to throw out the case on grounds that the government was being vindictive and as a separate challenge to Lindsey Halligan, the hastily appointed and inexperienced prosecutor who secured the indictment, is pending. The Justice Department's acknowledgment under questioning from a judge that the full grand jury did not review a copy of the final indictment is the latest indication of its seemingly disjointed pursuit of a criminal case against one of President Donald Trump's political enemies. Comey was fired by Trump in May 2017 while overseeing an FBI investigation into potential ties between Russia and Trump's 2016 campaign. The two have been publicly at odds ever since. New Exoskeleton Suit is Accomplishing Miracles At a Canadian wellness center, a unique robotic exoskeleton is allowing children with developmental disorders to walk-often for the first time. The nonprofit's Regina location in Canada is eager to get families to come and try it out.  It can be used to correct a child's gait or help them take their first steps, and is suitable for a variety of conditions including spinal cord injuries and cerebral palsy. Good News Network reports that the First Steps Wellness Center in Canada received the Trexo exoskeleton out of the goodness of someone's heart!  The $100,000 machine was donated to help children like Leo, a boy born with a rare genetic disease which left him a prognosis that walking would be impossible.  But, latched into the Trexo walker at First Steps, his mother Anna has watched her son learn to walk and develop a musculature that has him able to take steps on his own. ANNA: “He does a few steps right now by himself, and with Trexo, I'm pretty sure he'll be able to do more steps in the future, once we start using it more often.” There are currently 6 Trexo exoskeletons sold and in use today.  After a few sessions, how is Leo doing today? ANNA: “He can walk! You know, be part of everybody else, like walk like other kids. So, it's kind of- It's unique. He did amazing. I have butterflies. I can't believe [this] thing even exists!” Despite the 6 figure price tag it is the hope that more of the Trexo walkers will be made available in Canada and the US. Close And that's The Worldview on this Friday, November 27th, in the year of our Lord 2025. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  Plus, you can get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. Filling in for Adam McManus I'm Ean Leppin (Contact@eanvoiceit.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

Bob Zimmerman reports that Blue Origin's New Glenn orbital rocket successfully completed its second launch, including landing the first stage and demonstrating reuse capability comparable to Falcon 9. New Glenn, larger than Falcon 9, is scheduled for upgrades with more powerful BE4 and BE3U engines, making it nearly comparable to NASA's costly and expendable SLS rocket. Rocket Lab set a new annual launch record with 15 successful orbital launches, surpassing Russia's frequency, and has conducted suborbital HASTE launches for military testing. India is upgrading its largest LVM rocket's upper stage for multiple restarts, essential for its space station and crewed missions. The US State Department opposes a proposed European Union space law seeking to impose EU regulations on companies from other nations, potentially discrediting the EU if passed. Finally, NASA has hired startup Catalyst to attempt a daring robotic rescue of the decaying Swift telescope. 1862 

SHOW 11-21-25 CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN BATCHELOR THE SHOW BEGINS IN THE DOUBTS ABOUT UKRAINE FIRST HOUR 9-915 HEADLINE: Las Vegas Shifts Focus with Formula 1 and Lower-End Tourism; California Politics Hit by Indictments GUEST: Jeff Bliss Jeff Bliss reports that the Formula 1 race on the Las Vegas city circuit is attracting major spectacle and high-end tourism, though the city is also attempting recovery by catering to lower-income demographics, evidenced by positive activity at the Excalibur Casino, while facing major competition from a new Indian casino near Bakersfield, California, operated by the Tahone tribe and twice the size of Caesars Palace. In California, Governor Gavin Newsom's former chief of staff, Dana Williamson, and four others were indicted on 23 counts of fraud. Additionally, an investigation into the Palisades fire revealed that state workers ordered the LA Fire Department to back off a previously burned area that rekindled, allegedly to protect endangered plants. 915-930 HEADLINE: Industrial Policy and Tariffs Lack Coherence; Removal of Food Tariffs Implies Inflationary EffectGUEST: Veronique De Rugy Veronique De Rugy discusses US industrial policy, noting the trade deficit has increased despite tariffs, and the administration's decision to remove tariffs on food items—goods not produced domestically—is seen as an implicit admission that tariffs contribute to the "affordability crisis" because tariffs are a tax primarily borne by American consumers. The goals behind tariffs have shifted from fighting China to raising revenue, and the largest tariff exemption is for computer parts, indicating an understanding that tariffs could contradict other goals like energy abundance. De Rugyargues that US economic power stems from innovation and a willingness to invest, making industrial policy involving tariffs and seeking foreign investment largely unnecessary and potentially harmful. 930-945 HEADLINE: Mixed US Economic Signals: Strong GDP Contrasts Low Consumer Sentiment; AI Adoption Increases GUEST: Gene Marks Gene Marks discusses the US economy, noting that third-quarter GDP growth is estimated near 4%, contrasting sharply with record-low consumer sentiment in a "tale of two economies" where salaried workers receiving pay raises of 5–7% are outpacing 3% inflation and continuing to spend, while hourly workers struggle. Despite job growth in construction, leading indicators like the architectural billings index show contraction for 11 months. In technology, 88% of major companies are adopting artificial intelligence, though scaling remains limited, with AI already replacing low-level programmers and enhancing customer service. Agentic AI, capable of performing complex tasks, is predicted to impact fields like accounting and marketing by 2027–2028. However, Marks argues that most current major corporate layoffs stem from typical corporate bloat and mismanagement rather than AI, at least not yet. 945-10 SECOND HOUR 10-1015 HEADLINE: Lancaster County Economy Booms Despite Low Consumer Confidence; Local Entrepreneurs ThriveGUEST: Jim McTague Jim McTague reports that the economy in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, is strong, suggesting it mirrors the greater US economy despite reports of low consumer confidence, observing robust traffic at tourist destinations like Kitchen Kettle Village, a shopping locale established in 1954, with spending largely supported by well-off boomers. Local entrepreneurs are experiencing great success—a dealer selling eclectic electric lamps in Park City Mall is already earning $4,500 per week at the start of the holiday season, and high volume at Costco, where the Amish are major buyers, further indicates available disposable income. McTague concludes that the real economy on Main Street is strong and likely headed for a blockbuster Christmas season. 1015-1030 HEADLINE: Climate Change Threatens Iconic Italian Cheeses; Southern Drought Reduces Milk Production Quality GUEST: Lorenzo Fiori Lorenzo Fiori reports that climate change is threatening Italian food production, particularly cheese, due to drought and heat waves in the south, especially the Puglia region, where stressed cows are reducing milk production and impacting specialty cheeses like mozzarella and burrata. Milk cannot be shipped from the north because local water and hay are essential to the unique flavor of southern cheese. Fiori emphasizes that Italian food is a famous brand precisely because it belongs to its territory, criticizing pre-prepared sauces found in Brussels as inauthentic carbonara, which must be made fresh. In Milan, Christmas preparations are underway, with shop windows decorated festively and street lights scheduled to be switched on December 7th. 1030-1045 HEADLINE: Private Space Advances (Blue Origin, Rocket Lab) Challenge NASA SLS, EU Space Law CriticizedGUEST: Bob Zimmerman Bob Zimmerman reports that Blue Origin's New Glenn orbital rocket successfully completed its second launch, including landing the first stage and demonstrating reuse capability comparable to Falcon 9. New Glenn, larger than Falcon 9, is scheduled for upgrades with more powerful BE4 and BE3U engines, making it nearly comparable to NASA's costly and expendable SLS rocket. Rocket Lab set a new annual launch record with 15 successful orbital launches, surpassing Russia's frequency, and has conducted suborbital HASTE launches for military testing. India is upgrading its largest LVM rocket's upper stage for multiple restarts, essential for its space station and crewed missions. The US State Department opposes a proposed European Union space law seeking to impose EU regulations on companies from other nations, potentially discrediting the EU if passed. Finally, NASA has hired startup Catalyst to attempt a daring robotic rescue of the decaying Swift telescope. 1045-1100 THIRD HOUR 1100-1115 HEADLINE: McFaul: Autocrats Are on the Rise; US Must Unite Allies and Attract Global Talent to CompeteGUEST: Michael McFaul Michael McFaul's book Autocrats Versus Democrats argues that Putinism is driven by anti-Western ideology, making Putin a risk-taker, and McFaul believes the US erred by lacking a robust response and failing to provide arms after the 2014 Crimea invasion, stressing that helping Ukraine win is essential to inspire Russian democrats. He asserts that the appeal of autocracy is growing globally and advises that the US must align democracies against autocrats while advocating for human rights, citing the need to support imprisoned publisher Jimmy Lai. Long-term strategy requires the US and its allies to unite, as they are collectively stronger economically and militarily than autocracies, and McFaulstrongly recommends attracting international talent by reversing restrictive immigration policies, calling it a great strength the US is currently losing. 1115-1130 1130-1145 1145-1200 FOURTH HOUR 12-1215 HEADLINE: US-Saudi Nuclear Deal Raises Proliferation Concerns; Military Micro-Reactors Retreat from Front Lines GUEST: Henry Sokolski Henry Sokolski states that Saudi Crown Prince MBS's goal is to obtain a bomb option, and while the new US-Saudi agreement does not include assistance with nuclear fuel production, a reactor still provides the necessary "cover" used by countries like Iran. MBS has made clear he will acquire a bomb if Iran does, regardless of the Non-Proliferation Treaty. Sokolski also discusses the US military's Janus program for small reactors, initially conceived for vulnerable front-line bases but pushed back to remote areas like Alaska and the lower 48 due to concerns about drones and vulnerability. Finally, the US may be moving toward nuclear socialism—government ownership of commercial reactors, potentially funded by Japan—to encourage commercialization even without secured market contracts. 1215-1230 1230-1245 HEADLINE: Scenario: Russia Attacks NATO Member Estonia; Europe's "Kantian Dreams" and Lack of Readiness Prevent Article 5 Response GUEST: Jakub Grygiel Jakub Grygiel analyzes the German book If Russia Wins, which outlines a scenario where Russia attacks NATO member Estonia around 2028 following a stalled conflict in Ukraine, capturing Narva and an island before halting its advance and creating confusion within NATO. Europeans, living in "Kantian dreams of eternal peace," prioritize a quick end to the conflict and fear escalation, and the scenario posits that the US President decides a World War III over a "tiny piece of land" is not worthwhile, leading Estonia to forego invoking NATO's Article 5 out of fear of alliance rejection. Grygielnotes that decades of demilitarization leave Europe unprepared for war, highlighting that US reinforcements could take 45 days to move and societies lack the political will to fund necessary rearmament.

Upcoming Election in Honduras. Mary Anastasia O'Grady discusses Honduran fears that the current left-wing party, allied with Venezuela and Cuba, will attempt to steal the upcoming election. This follows a playbook where elected leaders consolidate power by seizing control of institutions like the military and courts to avoid subsequent fair elections. The OAS and US State Department have issued warnings against election theft. Guest: Mary Anastasia O'Grady. 1890

SHOW 11-20-2025 CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN BATCHELOR THE SHOW BEGINS IN THE DOUBTS ABOUT PEACE IN EUROPE.. FIRST HOUR 9-915 Ukraine Envoy Keith Kellogg Quits After Plan for US Peace Leaked. Anatol Lieven discusses a leaked Ukraine peace plan involving potential US legal recognition of Russian annexation of Donbass and Crimea, which would pave the way for lifting US sanctions. The plan requires Ukraine to yield the remaining Donbass slice and accept limits on its army size, although Ukraine is not required to formally agree. Guest: Anatol Lieven. 915-930 continued 930-945 Professor George Is Right: Principle Sustains American Conservatism. Peter Berkowitz reviews Professor Robert George's assertion that American conservatism's core principle is the profound, inherent, and equal dignity of each human family member. George insisted that the movement must unequivocally reject white supremacists and anti-Semites, a rebuke directed at the Heritage Foundation president's defense of Tucker Carlson. This mirrors William F. Buckley's efforts to purge extremism from conservatism. Guest: Peter Berkowitz. 945-1000 US Adds 119,000 Jobs in September, but Unemployment Hits Four-Year Peak. Chris Regal discusses consumer liquidity challenges alongside the early impacts of AI on the workforce. AI is currently displacing white-collar jobs like consulting, but physical displacement via robotics is coming. He notes concerns about an AI investment bubble but affirms confidence in major companies like Amazon and Microsoft. Guest: Chris Regal. SECOND HOUR 10-1015 Upcoming Election in Honduras. Mary Anastasia O'Grady discusses Honduran fears that the current left-wing party, allied with Venezuela and Cuba, will attempt to steal the upcoming election. This follows a playbook where elected leaders consolidate power by seizing control of institutions like the military and courts to avoid subsequent fair elections. The OAS and US State Department have issued warnings against election theft. Guest: Mary Anastasia O'Grady. 1015-1030 Russia's Slowing Wartime Economy Pushes Kremlin to Increase Taxes and Fees. Michael Bernstam analyzes Russia's economic stagnation due to war expenditure and shortages, leading the Kremlin to raise taxes, including the VAT, to close the budget gap. Sanctions are biting deep, forcing Russia to offer huge discounts—up to $38 per barrel—to its primary oil customers: India, China, and Turkey. Guest: Michael Bernstam. 1030-1045 Launch of Blue Origin's New Glenn Rocket. Eric Berger describes the successful second launch and booster landing of Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket as thrilling and a huge step forward. New Glenn is the world's third largest rocket and is crucial for Amazon's LEO constellation and NASA's Artemis moon program. Berger also supports Jared Isaacman's nomination to lead NASA. Guest: Eric Berger. 1045-1100 THIRD HOUR 1100-1115 Autocrats Versus Democrats: China, Russia, America, and the New Global Disorder. Michael McFaul analyzes the Cold War, noting that the Cuban Missile Crisis taught the need for crisis management mechanisms with adversaries. He argues that the US was too complacent, first when engaging China after Tiananmen Square without stressing values, and later when failing to invest politically and economically to consolidate democracy in post-Soviet Russia. Guest: Michael McFaul. 1115-1130 1130-1145 1145-1200 FOURTH HOUR 12-1215 The New World Report. Professor Evan Ellis discusses increased US attention to the Americas, citing the Monroe Doctrine and the risks of intervention in Venezuela. He emphasizes that narco-terror is a complex criminal economy troubling the region. The conversation also highlights rightward political movements and citizen frustration with insecurity and violence in Chile, Ecuador, and Peru. Guest: Professor Evan Ellis. 1215-1230 1230-1245 1245-100 AM