Podcasts about Uzbekistan

Max and Maria spoke with Leah Kieff and Vlad Lupan about the outcomes of the recent Moldovan parliamentary elections at the end of September, and why they're significant for both Moldova, and the broader region. This conversation was recorded on October 14, 2025.

L'Italia batte Israele e conquista i playoff per la terza volta consecutiva... riusciranno i nostri eroi a raggiungere Uzbekistan, CapoVerde, Qatar e compagnia di qualificati ai Mondiali 2026? Ne parliamo con Filippo Maria Ricci della Gazzetta dello sport. Interessantissima lettura su Allegri leader politico del calcio italiano: "A corto muso" lo ha scritto il giornalista del Corriere della Sera Giuseppe Alberto Falci e oggi lo abbiamo convocato insieme a Carlo Pellegatti in #DaiCarloNonFarlo.

Abdylla GeldiyevFounder & Managing DirectorUndiscovered Frontiershttps://undiscoveredfrontiers.com/Abdylla Geldiyev is the founder and managing director of Undiscovered Frontiers, a boutique travel company based in Michigan. A lifelong traveler and advocate for immersive, culturally rich experiences in Central Asia, his journey into tourism began in 2005, when he was asked to guide an Italian writer/enthusiast researching the native dogs of Turkmenistan's Karakum Desert. What started as a chance opportunity quickly grew into a passion and ultimately a career.Over the years, Abdylla built a reputation as one of the most knowledgeable and trusted guides in Turkmenistan, leading archaeological, cultural, and special-interest tours for international operators, museums, travel clubs, and guidebook writers. Later, in a sales role, he expanded his expertise across Central Asia, the Caucasus, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.In 2016, Abdylla moved with his family to the United States to pursue the American Dream. After completing his studies in business at Loyola University and sharing his valuable and hands on experience with U.S.-based travel companies, he launched Undiscovered Frontiers together with his curious son, Iskender, offering transformative journeys across Central Asia, the South Caucasus, Turkey, and beyond. Fluent in four languages, Abdylla brings both a global perspective and deep local knowledge to every journey he curates.summaryIn this episode, Jason Elkins interviews Abdylla Geldiyev, founder of Undiscovered Frontiers, about travel in Central Asia, particularly the Five Stans. Abdylla shares insights on the unique experiences travelers can have in these off-the-beaten-path destinations, the growing popularity of the region, and the cultural richness that awaits visitors. He also discusses his personal journey from Turkmenistan to the United States and the establishment of his travel company, emphasizing the importance of authentic cultural interactions and unique travel experiences.takeawaysUndiscovered Frontiers offers off-the-beaten-path experiences in Central Asia.The Five Stans are gaining popularity among travelers seeking unique adventures.Each Stan has its own unique beauty and cultural heritage.Travelers often find that their experiences exceed their expectations.Tourism infrastructure in the Stans is improving, with investments in hotels and transportation.Cultural interactions with locals enhance the travel experience significantly.Abdylla's journey from Turkmenistan to the U.S. showcases the power of resilience and opportunity.Undiscovered Frontiers aims to provide innovative and creative travel experiences.Traveling to Turkmenistan requires a letter of invitation and a local guide.The podcast emphasizes the importance of understanding and connecting with different cultures. Learn more about Big World Made Small Adventure Travel Marketing and join our private community to get episode updates, special access to our guests, and exclusive adventure travel offers on our website.

Hey before I begin the podcast, I just want to thank all of you who joined the patreon, you guys are simply awesome. Please take the time to vote and comment on the patreon polls so I can best tackle the specific subjects you want to hear more about and hell it does not have to be about the Pacific War, I like ancient Rome, WW1, WW2, just toss some ideas and I will try to make it happen.   This Podcast is going to be a very remarkable story about a Korean man who fought for the IJA, the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany during the second world war.  He is also a man whom most than likely never existed.   Did that catch you off guard haha?   If you have a chance you can pull up wikipedia and search Yang Kyoungjong. The first thing you will notice is a disclaimer that states numerous historians who claim Yang Kyoungjong does not exist. Yet this man exists in some history books, there is a iconic photo of him, there is a documentary looking into him, countless Korean stories are writing loosely about him, there is a pretty decent war film and multiple youtubers have covered his so-called story. So how does this guy not exist if his story is so popular?   His story is claimed to be real by military historian Stephen Ambrose who wrote about him in his book in 1994 titled “D-day, june 6th, 1944: the Climactic battle of World War II. There is also references to him in Antony Beevor's book “the second world war” and that of defense consultant and author Steven Zaloga's book“the devil's garden: Rommel's desperate Defense of Omaha Beach on D-Day”. In 2005 a Korean SBS documentary investigated his existence and concluded there was no convincing evidence of his existence. For those of you who have ever heard of this man, I guarantee it's because of the 2011 south korean film “My Way”. That's where I found out about it by the way. Many of you probably saw the iconic photo of him, again if you pull up the wikipedia page on Yang Kyoungjong its front and center. The photo shows a asiatic man wearing a wehrmacht uniform and he has just been captured by american forces on the d-day landings.   Now I don't want to jump into the is he real or not busy just yet. So this is how the podcast will go down, very reminiscent of “Our fake History's Podcast” might I add, I am a huge fan of that guys work. I am going to tell you the story of Yang Kyoungjong, then afterwords disclose my little investigation into whether he is real or not.   So without further adieu this is the story of a man who fought for three nations during WW2.   The Story   It was June 1944, the allies had just unleashed Operation Overlord, the D-Day landings at Normandy. Lt Robert Brewer of the 506th parachute infantry regiment, 101st airborne division was overlooking the capture of Axis forces and reported to his regiment finding four Asians in Wehrmacht uniform around the Utah beach landings. Brewer nor any of his colleagues spoke the language the Asian men spoke, they assumed them to be Japanese.  The four asians were processed as POW's, listed as young Japanese and sent to a British POW camp, before he would be sent to another POW camp in the US. At some point between his capture and the POW camps, he gave his name as Yang Kyoungjong, stated he was Korean and gave an extremely incredible story. To who did he say these things, no one knows.   Yang Kyoungjong was born in 1920, in Shin Eu Joo, part of modern day North Korea. At the age of 18, Yang was forcibly conscripted into the Imperial Japanese army. Korea was one of the bread baskets of Asia and the Empire of Japan had annexed her in 1910. Japan held sovereignty over Korea, making Koreans subjects.    In 1939 the Empire of Japan faced major labor shortages and as a result began conscription of Japanese men for the military, while importing vast amounts of Korean laborers to work in mainland Japan. For the Imperial Japanese Army, Koreans were not drafted until 1944 when things were dire for Japan. Until 1944, the IJA allowed Koreans to volunteer in the army. In 1938 there was a 14% acceptance rate, by 1943 this dropped dramatically to 2%, but the number of applicants increased exponentially from 3000 per annum in 1939 to 300,000 by the end of the war. On paper it looked like Koreans were registering en masse on their on violation, but this is quite the contrary, the Japanese policy was to use force. Japanese officials began press gang efforts against Korean peasants, forcing them to sign applications, it is believed over half of the applications were done in such a manner. Other applicants registered for a variety of reasons, typically because of economic turmoil. Korea would produce 7 generals and many field grade officers. One of the most well known was Lt General Crown Prince Yi Un who would command Japanese forces in the China War.   Thus Yang Kyoungjong was forced into the IJA and would find himself stationed with the Kwantung Army. Quite unfortunately for him, he was enlisted into their service at a time where two major border skirmishes occurred with the Soviet Union. The USSR was seen as Japan's number one rival going all the way back to the Triple Intervention of 1895 when the Russians thwarted Japan's seizure of the Liaodong peninsula after they had won the first sino japanese war. This led to the Russo-Japanese war, where Japan shocked the world being victorious over the Russian Empire. When the Russian Empire fell and the Russian civil war kicked off, Japan sent the lionshare of men to fight the Red Army during the Siberian Intervention of 1918-1922.    Communism was seen as the greatest if not one of the greatest threats to the Kokutai and thus Japan as a whole. As such Japan placed the Kwantung Army along the Manchurian borderlands to thwart any possible soviet invasion. There had numerous border skirmishes, but in 1938 and 1939 two large battles occurred. In 1938 the Kwantung army intercepted a Soviet message indicating the Far East forces would be securing some unoccupied heights west of Lake Khasan that overlooked the Korean port city of Rajin. Soviet border troops did indeed move into the area and began fortifying it. The Kwantung army sent forces to dislodge them and this soon led to a full on battle. The battle was quite shocking for both sides, the Soviets lost nearly 800 men dead with 3279 wounded, the Japanese claimed they had 526 dead with 913 wounded. The Soviet lost significant armor and despite both sides agreeing to a ceasefire, the Kwantung army considered it a significant victory and proof the Soviets were not capable of thwarting them.   In theory Yang Kyoungjong would be in training and would eventually reach the Manchuria borders by 1939. Another man sent over would be Georgy Zhukov who was given the task of taking command of the 57th special corps and to eliminate Japanese provocations. What was expected of Zhukov was if the Japanese pressed again for battle, to deliver them a crushing and decisive blow. On May 11th, 1939 some Mongolian cavalry units were grazing their horses in a disputed area. On that very same day, Manchu cavalry attacked the Mongols to drive them past the river of Khalkhin Gol. Two days later the Mongols returned in greater numbers and this time the Manchu were unable to dislodge them.    What was rather funny to say, a conflict of some horses grazing on disputed land, led to a fully mechanized battle. On May 14th, Lt Colonel Yaozo Azuma led some regiments to dislodge the Mongols, but they were being supported by the Red Army. Azuma force suffered 63% casualties, devastating. June saw the battle expand enormously, Japan was tossing 30,000 men in the region, the Soviets tossed Zhukov at them alongside motorized and armored forces. The IJA lacking good armored units, tossed air forces to smash the nearby Soviet airbase at Tamsakbulak. In July the IJA engaged the Red Army with nearly 100 tanks and tankettes, too which Zhukov unleashed 450 tanks and armored cars. The Japanese had more infantry support, but the Soviet armor encircled and crushed them. The two armies spared with another for weeks, the Japanese assumed the Soviets would suffer logistical problems but Zhukoev assembled a fleet of 2600 trucks to supply his forces, simply incredible. Both sides were suffering tremendous casualties, then in August global politics shifted. It was apparent a war in Europe was going to break out, Zhukov was ordered to be decisive, the Soviets could not deal with a two front war. So Zhukov now using a fleet of 4000 trucks began transported supplies from Chita to the front next to a armada of tanks and mechanized brigades. The Soviets tossed 3 rifle divisions, two tank divisions and 2 tank brigades, nearly 500 tanks in all, with two motorized infantry divisions and 550 fighters and bombers.    The stalemate was shattered when Zhukov unleashed is armada, some 50,000 Soviets and Mongols hit the east bank of Khalkhin Gol. The Japanese were immediately pinned down, while the Soviets were employing a double envelopment. The Japanese tried to counter attack and it failed horribly. The Japanese then scrambled to break out of the encirclement and failed. The surrounded Japanese forces refused to surrender as the Soviets smashed them with artillery and aerial bombardment. By the end of August the Japanese forces on the Mongolian side of the border were annihilated. On September 15th the USSR and Japan signed a ceasefire.    The battle of Khalkhin Gol was devastating for both sides. The Japanese claim they had 8440 deaths, 8766 wounded, lost 162 aircraft and 42 tanks. Its estimated 500-600 Japanese forces were taken prisoner. Because of IJA doctrine these men were considered killed in action. Some sources will claim the real numbers for Japanese casualties could have been as high as 30,000. The Soviets claim 9703 deaths, 15,251 wounded, the destruction of 253 tanks, 250 aircraft, 96 artillery pieces and 133 armored cars. Of those tank losses, its estimated 75-80% were destroyed by anti-tank guns, 15-20% field artillery, 5-10% infantry thrown incendiary bombs, 3% mines and another 3% for aircraft bombing.   Back to Yang Kyoungjong, he alongside the other Japanese, Manchu and Korean POW's were sent to Gulags in Siberia. As the war on the Eastern Front kicked off between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, facing annihilation the Soviets did anything possible to survive. One of these actions was to create the Shtrafbats, “Penal battalions”. Stalins order No 227 created the first penal battalions, who were supposed to be around 800 men strong. The first Shtrafbat battalion was deployed to the Stalingrad Front on August 22nd of 1942.   On order was issued on November 26, 1942 “status of Penal units of the army”, it was issued by Georgy Zhukov, now deputy commander in chief who was the man who formally standardized soviet penal units. The Shtrafbats were around 360 men per battalion commanded by mid range Red Army officers and politruks. The men forced into these were permanents or temporaries. Permanents were officers, commanders, the higher ranks guys. Temporary known as shtrafniki “punishees” were the grunts, typically prisoners and those convicted of crimes. From september 1942 to May of 1945 422,700 men would be forced into penal battalions.    Typically those forced into penal military units were one of two things: 1) those convicted of dissertation or cowardice, 2) Soviet Gulag labor camp inmates. It seems Yang Kyoungjong found himself in a very awkward situation as he would be forced into one of these penal battalions and sent to fight on the eastern front. As pertaining to Order No. 227, each Army was to have 3–5 barrier squads of up to 200 persons each, these units would be made up of penal units.    So back toYang Kyoungjong, he would find himself deployed at the third battle of Kharkov. This battle was part of a series of battles fought on the eastern front. As the German 6th army was encircling Stalingrad, the Soviets launched a series of wide counter attacks, as pertaining to “operation star”. Operation star saw massive offensives against Kharkov, Belgorod, Kursk, Voroshilovgrad and Izium. The Soviets earned great victories, but they also overextended themselves. Field Marshal Erich von Manstein seeing the opening, performed a counter-strike against Kharkov on February 19th of 1943, using fresh troops of the 2nd SS Panzer Corps alongside two other panzer armies. Manstein also had massive air support from field Marshal Wolfram von Richthofens Luftflotte 4, 1214 aircraft tossed 1000 sorties per day from February 20th to march 15th. The Red army had approximately 210,000 troops who fought in the Voronezh-Kharkov offensive, the Germans would have roughly 160,000 men, but their tanks outnumbered the Soviets 7-1, they had roughly 350 of them.   The Germans quickly outflanked the Soviets, managing to encircle and annihilate many units. Whenever soviets units made attempts to escape encirclements, the German air forces placed pressure upon them. The German air forces had the dual job of airlifting supplies to the front lines giving the Soviets no breathing space. Gradually the fight focused around the city of Kharkov seeing the Soviets dislodged. The Germans caused severe casualties, perhaps 45,000 dead or missing with another 41,000 wounded. The Germans suffered 4500 deaths, 7000 wounded. The Germans took a large number of prisoners, and Yang Kyoungjong was one of them.   Yet again a prisoner Yang Kyoungjong was coerced into serving another nation, this time for Die Ost-Bataillone. The Eastern Front had absolutely crippled Germany and as a result Germany began to enlist units from just about any nation possible and this included former Soviet citizens. There were countless different units, like the Russian liberation Army, die Hilfswillige, Ukrainian collaborationists, and there were also non-Russians from the USSR who formed the Ost-Bataillone. These eastern battalions would comprise a rough total of 175,000 men. Many of the Ost-Bataillone were conscripted or coerced into serving, though plenty also volunteered. Countless were recruited from POW camps, choosing to serve instead of labor in camps. The Osttruppen were to typically deployed for coastal defense, rear area activities, security stuff, all the less important roles to free up the German units to perform front line service.   There were two different groups, the Ost-Legionen “eastern legions” and Ost-Bataillone “eastern battalions”. The Ostlegionen were large foreign legion type units raised amongst members of specific ethnic or racial groups. The Ost-Bataillone were composed of numerous nationalities, usually plucked from POW camps in eastern europe. They were tossed together into battalion sized units and integrated individually into German combat formations. Obviously the Germans did not get their hands on large numbers of Koreans, so Yang Kyoungjong found himself in a Ost-Bataillone.    In 1944, due to massive losses in the Eastern Front, and in preparation for the allies about to open a second front, the Germans began deploying a lot of Ost-Bataillone along the coastal defense line at Cherbourg. Yang Kyoungjong was enlisted in the 709th static infantry division, a coastal defense unit assigned to defend the eastern and northern coasts of the Cotentin Peninsula. This would include the Utah beach landing site and numerous US airborne landing zones. The sector was roughly 250 km running northeast of Carentan, via Barfleur-Cherbourg-Cap de la Hague to the western point of Barneville. This also included the 65 km of land just in font of Cherbourg harbor. A significant portion of the 709th were Ost-bataillon, countless were from eastern europe, many were former Soviet POW'S. There were also two battalions of the 739th Grenadier regiment whom were Georgian battalions. A significant amount of the 709th had no combat experience, but had trained extensively in the area.   The 709th would be heavily engaged on D-day meeting US airborne units and the 4th infantry division who landed at Utah beach. In the early hours of June 6th, the US 82nd and 101st airborne divisions landed at the base of the Cotentin peninsula and managed to secure a general area for the US 4th infantry division to land at Utah beach, with very few casualties compared to other beach landings. After the landings the forces tried to link up with other forces further east. By June 9th they had crossed the Douve river valley and captured Carentan. House to house fighting was seen in the battle for Carentan, the Germans tossed a few counterattacks, but the Americans held on with the help of armor units of the 13th.    The Americans then advanced to cut off the Cotentin Peninsula, now supported by 3 other infantry divisions. The Germans had few armored or mobilized infantry in the area. By June 16th the German command was tossed into chaos as Erwin Rommel wanted them to pull out and man the Atlantic Wall at Cherbourg, but Hitler demanded they hold their present lines of defense. By the 17th Hitler agreed to the withdrawal, under some provisions the men still took up limited defenses spanning the entire peninsula. On the 18th the US 9th infantry division reached the west coast of the peninsula thus isolating the Cherbourg garrison. A battle was unleashed for 24 hours with the 4th, 9th and 79th US infantry divisions driving north on a broad front. They faced little opposition on the western side and the eastern, the center held much stronger resistance. The Americans would find several caches of V-1 flying bombs and V-2 rocket installations at Brix. After two days the Americans were in striking distance of Cherbourg. The garrison commander Lt General Karl-Wilhelm von Schlieben had 21,000 men, but many were naval personnel and labor units. Schliebens 709th had performed a fighting withdrawal to Cherbourg and were completely exhausted. The trapped forces were low in provisions, fuel and ammunition. The luftwaffe tried dropping supplies on their positions but it was inadequate.    A general assault began on the 22nd and the German forces put up stiff resistance within their concrete pillboxes. Allied warships bombarded the city on the 25th of june and on the 26th a British elite force, No. 30 Commando launched an assault against Octeville, a suburb of southwestern Cherbourg. The commandos quickly captured 20 officers and 500 men of the Kriegmarine naval intelligence HQ at Villa Meurice. As the Germans were ground down, Schlieben was captured and with that a surrender was made on the 29th.   The Americans suffered nearly 3000 deaths with 13,500 wounded during the operation. The Germans suffered 8000 deaths with 30,000 captured. For the 709th who took a lionshare of the fighting they reported sustaining 4000 casualties.    Amongst the captured was Yang Kyoungjong. As I said in the beginning Lt Robert Brewer of the 506th parachute infantry regiment, 101st airborne division was overlooking the capture of Axis forces and reported to his regiment finding four Asians in Wehrmacht uniform around the Utah beach landings. Brewer nor any of his colleagues spoke the language the Asian men spoke, they assumed them to be Japanese.  The four asians were processed as POW's, listed as young Japanese and sent to a British POW camp, before he would be sent to another POW camp in the US. At some point between his capture and the POW camps, he gave his name as Yang Kyoungjong, stated he was Korean and gave the story. Apparently Yang Kyoungjob was granted US citizenship and would spend the rest of his life in Illinois until his death in 1992.   So that is the story of Yang Kyoungjong.    The truth Did Yang Kyoungjong exist? Where does his story originate? For those of you who have not guessed it yet, the story I told you was full of details, I simply added based on historical events, with zero evidence at all any man named Yang Kyoungjong was involved in them. I did this specifically to highlight, thats exactly what others have done over the course of many years, creating a sort of mythos. If you know the game broken telephone, thats what I would theorize makes up most of this mans story. But lets go through some actual evidence why don't we?   From the digging I have done, the story seemed to originate with historian Stephen Ambrose book in 1994 titled “D-day, june 6th, 1944: the Climactic battle of World War II”. While writing this book, Ambrose interviewed Robert Burnham Brewer, who served E Company, 2nd battalion, 506th parachute infantry regiment of the 101st airborne division. This same man was portrayed in Band of Brothers by the way. Brewer gave one rather ambiguous account where he spoke about capturing 4 asian men in Wehrmacht uniforms.    Here is patient zero as told to us by Ambrose's book (Page 34, no footnote on the page)   The so-called Ost battalions became increasingly unreliable after the German defeat at Kursk; they were, therefore, sent to france in exchange for German troops. At the beach called Utah on the day on the invasion, Lt Robert Brewer of the 506th Parachute infantry regiment, 101st airborne division, US Army, captured four asians in Wehrmacht uniforms. No one could speak their language; eventually it was learned that they were Koreans. How on earth did Koreans end up fighting for Hitler to defend france against Americans? It seems they had been conscripted into the Japanese army in 1938-Korea was then a Japanese colony-captured by the Red Army in the border battles with Japan in 1939, forced into the Red Army, captured by the Wehrmacht in December 1941 outside Moscow, forced into the German army, and sent to France”. What happened to them, Lt Brewer never found out, but presumably they were sent back to Korea. If so, they would almost certainly have been conscripted again, either into the south or north korean army. It is possible than in 1950 they ended up fighting once again, either against the US army or with it, depending on what part of Korea they came from. Such are the vagaries of politics in the 20th century. By June 1944, one in six German rifleman in France was from an Ost battalion.   Now digging further since there are no footnotes, it seems Ambrose took an oral account from Lt Brewer, but did not directly quote him and instead abstractly expanded upon his story. Ambrose was guilty of doing this often. As multiple historians have pointed out, Brewer was living in the 1940s and was by no means an ethnographer, he was not a person who could have accurately known the nationality of the four asian men he captured. It is plausible he or other US units around him, just came up with Korean for the four asians who could have been from nearly anywhere in central to east asia. For all we know the men found could have been from Turkestan. What was “asian” to westerners of the 1940's is extremely broad.    If you look up the Ost-Bataillone or Ostlegionen you will see they consisted of captured former soviet soldiers. During the d-day landings, 1/6th of the German forces defending the atlantic coast were made up of the Ost-battailones. They came from numerous places, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, India, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkestan, Mongolia and numerous parts of the USSR. Needless to say, there were a ton of people whom would be considered asian and could be mistaken to be from Korea, Japan, Burma, etc.    It seems Brewer's vague account was transformed by Amrose, but this only covers one part of all of this, the story, what about the photo?    The iconic photograph is another matter entirely. The photograph has nothing to do with Brewer's account, it is simply a random photograph taken at Utah beach of a captured asian soldier wearing a Wehrmacht uniform. The official description of the photo states “Capture Jap in Nazi uniform. France, fearful of his future, this young Jap wearing a nazi uniform, is checked off in a roundup of German prisoners on the beaches of france. An american army captain takes the Jap's name and serial number” Author Martin Morgan believes the man in the photograph is not Yang Kyoungjong, but instead an ethnic Georgian from the 795th Georgian Battalion, which was composed of Georgian Osttruppen troops or someone who was Turkistani. In 2002 word of the story became more popularized online and in 2004 the iconic photo also began to circulate heavily on the internet. The Korean media became aware of the story in 2002 and when they saw the picture the Korean news site DKBNews investigated the matter. Apparently a reader of the DKBNews submitted biographical details about the soldier in the photo, including his name, date of birth, the general story we now know, his release, life in Illinois and death. The DKBNews journalist requested sources and none were provided, typical.   So some random unknown reader of the DKBNews gave a name, place and time of birth and even where he ended up and died.  In 2005 the Seoul broadcasting system aired a documentary specifically investigating the existence of the asian soldiers who fought for Germany on d-day.   In the SBS special “The Korean in Normandy,” produced and broadcast in 2005 based on rumors of Yang kyoungjog,  they searched for records of Korean prisoners of war during the Battle of khalkhin gol and records of Korean people who participated in the German-Japanese War, and records related to the German Army's eastern unit, but could not find traces of such a person. In addition, the soldiers who served in the Soviet army, who were captured, and then transferred to the German army's eastern units were considered by the Soviet Union to be serious traitors. Accordingly, under a secret agreement between the United States, Great Britain, and the Soviet Union, they were forcibly repatriated to the Soviet Union after the war and held in Gulags.. The SBS production team stated that the rumors that a 'Korean from Normandy' had gone to the United States and that he died in seclusion near Northwestern University under the name of 'Yang Kyoungjong', which they were unaware of, were false. The investigative team looked for any traces of a Yang Kyoungjong and found none, so they concluded although there were accounts of asian soldiers in the German army during WW2, there was zero evidence of the existence of Yang Kyoungjong or any Koreans fighting on D-day for that matter.    The 2005 SBS Special documentary sprang forth a bunch of stories by Korean authors, expanding the mythos of Yang Kyoungjong.   In 2007 author Jo Jeong-rae published a novel titled “human mask” which told the story of SHin Gilman, The story ends with Shin Gil-man, who was conscripted into the Japanese army at the age of 20, as a prisoner of war in Normandy, then transported back to the Soviet Union and eventually executed by firing squad. Another novel called “D-day” by author Kim Byeong-in was release in 2011, just prior to the film My War, the plot is extremely similar to the movie. The main characters are Han Dae-sik and Yoichi, who met as children as the sons of a Japanese landowner and the house's housekeeper, harboring animosity toward each other, and grew up to become marathon runners representing Joseon and Japan. As they experience the war together, they feel a strange sense of kinship and develop reconciliation and friendship.   And of course the most famous story would find its way to the big screen. In 2011 the film My Way came out, back then the most expensive south korean film ever made at around 23$ million.   Then in 2012 a unknown person created a wikipedia page piecing together the Ambrose story, the photo and the unknown DBK readers information. With all of this information becoming more viral suddenly in 2013, two history books hit the scene and would you know it, both have “Yang Kyoungjong” in them.    These are Antony Beevor's book “the second world war” and that of defense consultant and author Steven Zaloga in his book “the devil's garden: Rommel's desperate Defense of Omaha Beach on D-Day”. Both authors took the story, name and iconic photo and expanded on the mythos by adding further details as to how the Korean man would have gone from Korea to Cherbourg france.   So Ambrose's story spreads across the internet alongside this photo. Both spark interest in Korea and an investigation receives some random guys testimony, which quite honestly was groundless. Despite the korean documentary stating there was no evidence of a Yang Kyoungjong, it sparks further interest, more stories and a famous film in 2011. 2012 sees a wikipage, it becomes more viral and now seeps into other historians work.   And I would be remiss not to mention the bizarre controversy that broke out in my nation of Canada. A nation so full of controversies today, dear god. Debbie Hanlon a city councilor in St John Newfoundland was absolutely wrecked online in 2018 for an advertisement promoting her real estate business stating “Korean Yang kyoungjong fought with Japan against the USSR. He then fought with the USSR against Germany. Then with Germany against the US! Want an agent who fights for you, call me!” Really weird ad by the way. So it seems her ad was to point out how far she was willing to go for her real estate clients. It was considered extremely offensive, and not the first time she pulled this off, her husband Oral Mews had recently come under fire for another ad he made using a photo of the Puerto Rican cab driver Victor Perez Cardona, where the vehicle turned into a casket. That ad said “He can't give you a lift because he's dead. He's propped up in his cab at his wake! Need a lift to great service, call me!” Hanlon was surprised at the amount of backlash she received since the ads had been running for over 4 years online. She claimed to be the victim of cyberbullying and trolls. So yeah, that happened.    Did Yang Kyoungjong exist, more than likely not, was it possible some Koreans found themselves in a position his story pertains to, you know what it's quite possible. During War a lot of weird things happen. I hope you liked this episode, please let me know in the comments on the Patreon what you think, how I can improve things and of course what you want to hear about next!

Kate Adie introduces stories from Ukraine, Madagascar, St Helena, Uzbekistan and Bolivia.We follow a Ukrainian army officer in the western city of Lviv who has the unenviable task of informing families that their loved ones have been killed on the battlefield. Richard Pendry witnesses the heartbreak and anger that has faced Major Serhiy Laziuk every day for the past three years.Gen Z led protests have erupted in Madagascar recently. What began as a demonstrations against persistent power cuts, has evolved into demands for full-scale political change. Luke Freeman reports from the capital, Antananarivo.The British overseas territory St Helena in the South Atlantic - home to just four thousand people - largely depends on British grants and remittances from abroad. While renowned for its natural beauty, many locals are looking to leave to find their fortune abroad. Beth Rose spoke to islanders about the future.Uzbekistan is making art and culture a central pillar of its economic development, as the former Soviet republic looks to rebrand itself. Kirsty Lang visited the new biennial exhibition in Bukhara, where tradition merges with modern art.And finally, with their pleated skirts, fringed shawls and bowler hats, the 'Cholitas' are a common sight in Bolivia's capital La Paz. Once a derogatory term for people of mixed Spanish and indigenous heritage, many women are now reclaiming the title, and transforming from outcasts to icons in the process, finds Jane Chambers.Series Producer: Serena Tarling Production Coordinator: Rosie Strawbridge Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith

It's EV News Briefly for Friday 10 October 2025, everything you need to know in less than 5 minutes if you haven't got time for the full show. Patreon supporters fund this show, get the episodes ad free, as soon as they're ready and are part of the EV News Daily Community. You can be like them by clicking here: https://www.patreon.com/EVNewsDaily RENAULT TWINGO E‑TECH TO LAUNCH IN NOVEMBER https://evne.ws/4mQlpJj THE ELETTRICA, FERRARI'S FIRST EV, WILL BE A FOUR-MOTOR FOUR-DOOR NON-SUPERCAR https://evne.ws/4h2DgeR RIVIAN SWAPS AMAZON'S ALEXA FOR GOOGLE'S GEMINI https://evne.ws/4n2R6PV RIVIAN CEO RJ SCARINGE CLAIMS CONFIDENCE AHEAD OF 2026 LAUNCH OF $45,000 R2 https://evne.ws/47hwK0v NEXT GENERATION VOLVO EX40 WILL USE SPA3 PLATFORM https://evne.ws/3KB8fTn TESLA'S NEW BASE MODEL 3 EVEN CUTS POWER MIRRORS https://evne.ws/4oaQad9 BYD SALES SURGE IN GERMANY AND OVERSEAS https://evne.ws/3KKZXYU SKODA OVERTAKES BMW IN GERMAN BEV SALES https://evne.ws/48VaJFW NISSAN TO LAUNCH THIRD-GENERATION LEAF ORDERS IN JAPAN https://evne.ws/4o51E1Q IONITY LAUNCHES POWER 365 AND MOTION 365 SUBCRIPTION OFFERS https://evne.ws/4mZ8xRl FEDEX AUSTRALIA ADDS 55 ELECTRIC DELIVERY VEHICLES https://evne.ws/4mXWlQO FUELL COMPANY, IP SOLD FOR $170,000 https://evne.ws/4h11vdk PAKISTAN EV BIKES MOSTLY USE FAKE “GRAPHENE” BATTERIES https://evne.ws/3VUkXim Renault Twingo E‑Tech launch   Renault will unveil the new Twingo E‑Tech on 6 November, starting below £17,000 with UK deliveries in 2026. Built on the Ampr Small platform and targeting 6.2 miles per kWh, it aims to combine efficiency, affordability, and rapid production turnaround.  Ferrari Elettrica revealed  Ferrari's first EV, the Elettrica, is a four‑door, four‑motor GT producing over 1,000 hp and 0–62 mph in 2.5 seconds. With 323‑mile range and advanced in‑house engineering, it showcases Ferrari's blend of luxury innovation in electric form.   Rivian adopts Google Gemini AI   Rivian is replacing Alexa with Google's Gemini AI for a more advanced in‑vehicle assistant that manages navigation, messaging, and media naturally. The new system keeps Rivian's software platform independent while enhancing control and integration.   Rivian CEO confident for R2  CEO RJ Scaringe says development of Rivian's $45,000 R2 compact EV is on track for 2026, marking his highest confidence in the company's future. Backed by Amazon and Volkswagen, Rivian aims to expand EV accessibility through advanced, software‑led design.   Volvo EX40 to use SPA3  Volvo's upcoming EX40 will debut the SPA3 platform with cell‑to‑body batteries, new motors and megacasting for major cost and efficiency gains. Launching in 2027 under $50,000, it will offer up to 350 miles of range and support future‑ready tech.   Tesla trims Model 3 features  Tesla's new base Model 3 and Model Y remove certain comfort and powered features to cut cost and entry price. The pared‑back design lowers prices to make ownership more accessible, though with slightly reduced performance and range.   BYD sales surge overseas  BYD's September German registrations jumped 2,225% year‑on‑year, driving European growth despite softer China demand. Overseas sales rose 123% to 697,000 units this year, reinforced by upcoming local assembly plants in Hungary, Brazil, and Uzbekistan.   Skoda overtakes BMW in German BEV sales   Skoda has climbed to second place in Germany's BEV market behind Volkswagen with 34,567 sales, edging out BMW. Higher discounts and more choice are boosting EV market share while Tesla stabilizes after earlier dips.   Nissan third‑generation Leaf orders   Nissan will open Japan orders for its redesigned Leaf on 17 October, offering 702 km range and faster 35‑minute charging. Priced from about ¥5.2 million before subsidies, it signals Nissan's renewed push for global EV leadership.   Ionity launches subscription plans   Ionity's new Power 365 and Motion 365 plans offer fixed‑rate, transparent ultra‑rapid charging across Europe for 12 months at the price of 10. With access to 5,000 chargers, the subscriptions make long‑distance EV travel simpler and more predictable.   FedEx Australia adds 55 electric vehicles   FedEx has deployed 55 electric delivery vehicles across Australian cities, marking a shift from trials to daily operations. Using Fuso eCanters and Mercedes eSprinters, the rollout supports FedEx's goal to fully electrify its fleet by 2040.   Fuell assets sold   Fuell, Erik Buell's electric mobility firm, sold its assets for just $170,000 following bankruptcy and low awareness. The sale concludes a once‑promising venture, though a new owner could yet revive the innovative brand.   Pakistan's fake “graphene” batteries issue   About 90% of Pakistan's e‑bikes reportedly use mislabeled lead‑acid “graphene” batteries, undermining EV subsidy goals. Industry leaders are urging the government to shift incentives toward true lithium‑ion systems for quality and consumer protection.

The trucking industry faces a major disruption as PE-backed flatbed operator Montgomery Transport LLC abruptly filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and ceased operations immediately. This sudden shutdown put approximately 1,000 employees out of work, including 600 truck drivers, highlighting the fragility of transportation companies in today's economy. Global trade flows are shifting as U.S. maritime gateways saw container imports drop 8.4% in September, with imports from China specifically falling 22.9% year-over-year. These declines, which included dramatic drops in goods like aluminum (43.8%) and footwear (33.9%), come amid the restructuring of U.S. trade using tariffs and other economic pressures. Uzbekistan is positioning itself as the next global IT logistics hub, driven by its growing digital economy and expanding U.S. trade relationships. Government initiatives like IT Park Uzbekistan offer compelling incentives, including 0% tax rates for technology companies, and leverage a young, highly literate workforce ready to serve global markets. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chi paga decide, gli altri muti. Parliamo dello scontro Rabiot vs De Siervo, di Gattuso, Uzbekistan e Nicolussi Caviglia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Max sat down with Tina Dolbaia and Vasabjit Banerjee to talk about their new CSIS paper, "Guns and Oil: Continuity and Change in Russia-India Relations." They delve into the history of the Russia-India relationship, how it's been impacted by the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and what to watch for going forward. "Guns and Oil: Continuity and Change in Russia-India Relations," by Tina Dolbaia, Vasabjit Banerjee, and Amanda Southfield (August 2025, CSIS)

The road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup takes center stage this week as Asia and Africa enter their final rounds of qualifying. In Asia, powerhouse hosts Qatar and Saudi Arabia look to fend off surprise challengers Oman, Iraq, and Indonesia — with only two automatic tickets up for grabs. Across Africa, the drama is just as intense as Cape Verde, Egypt, Algeria, and Nigeria battle for a place on the world's biggest stage.Plus: Fabio Cannavaro takes charge of Uzbekistan ahead of their first World Cup appearance, Barcelona and Spain clash again over Lamine Yamal's fitness, Arsenal's injury woes grow, and UEFA makes a controversial leap — approving league matches in the U.S. and Australia.Your global soccer wake-up call is here — from qualifiers to controversies, from Doha to Dakar. ☕⚽

This week we have another update from teh road by intrepid adventurer Olly Hargreaves who is making his way from the UK to Thailand. This update takes us specifically to what it's been like cycling through Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, on the route of the Old Silk Road. You can follow Olly's travels via his instagram - @sagas.of_olly.hargreaves You can also hear his dad Phill's previous two episodes here: Part 1 and Part 2Check out Zorali for all your outdoor adventure needs!Support the showBuy me a coffee and help support the show! I'm an affiliate for a few brands I genuinely use and recommend including:

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桌球選手 zhūo qiú xuǎn shǒu – table tennis player高層 gāo céng – senior officials; high-level leadership阻擋 zǔ dǎng – to block; to prevent世界桌球職業大聯盟 shì jiè zhūo qiú zhí yè dà lián méng – World Table Tennis (WTT), a global professional table tennis organization大滿貫賽 dà mǎn guàn sài – Grand Slam tournament參賽資格 cān sài zī gé – qualification to compete; eligibility桌球協會 zhūo qiú xié huì – table tennis association烏茲別克 wū zī bié kè – Uzbekistan青少年桌球錦標賽 qīng shào nián zhūo qiú jǐn biāo sài – Junior Table Tennis Championship婉拒 wǎn jù – to decline politely保住 bǎo zhù – to preserve; to retain名單 míng dān – list (of names)公佈 gōng bù – to announce; to make public白白失去 bái bái shī qù – to lose in vain; to lose for nothing體壇 tǐ tán – the sports world強硬 qiáng yìng – tough; unyielding意願 yì yuàn – willingness; intention協助 xié zhù – to assist; to help爭取 zhēng qǔ – to strive for; to fight for拒絕 jù jué – to reject; to refuse補助款 bǔ zhù kuǎn – subsidy; funding透明 tòu míng – transparent; openness改革 gǎi gé – reform; to reform失職 shī zhí – dereliction of duty; to fail one's responsibilities生涯 shēng yá – career錯失 cuò shī – to miss (an opportunity)If you're ready to take your Chinese to the next level, not just memorizing words but actually having meaningful conversations with Taiwanese people about real topics like politics, culture, war, news, economics, and more. I invite you to join a one-on-one trial lesson with me. I'll help you build a clear, personalized plan so you can speak more naturally and truly connect with others in Chinese. Book a one-on-one trial lesson with me !

Tonight on Veritas... our special guest is Ryan Wardman. The last time we spoke, Ryan had just begun his modern odyssey. Since then, he has kept moving, kept searching, and kept asking the kinds of questions most people avoid. In the past year alone, Ryan has spent months in Odessa on the Black Sea, traveled through Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, explored the caves of Georgia, returned to the pyramids of Egypt, stood among the stones of Samarkand, and climbed the highlands of Scotland. He promoted a film in Paris and now calls Moldova his base of operations. Along the way, he has focused on some of the biggest mysteries of our time. The Moon. The Ark of the Covenant. The rise of digital identity and human 2.0. The mass migration changing Europe. He has seen events firsthand that do not match the official story, and he has experienced moments that defy easy explanation, including a glowing orb that appeared to him one night in Stockholm. Tonight, we continue the conversation. What has Ryan seen. What has he learned. And what does his journey reveal about the world we now face together. Lan is the Welsh word for "pure." This is the featured song for this VERITAS episode. It is based on the Welsh folk song Lisa Lan, performed in the original language. The vocals speak of love, grief, and memory. The arrangement combines ancient melody with modern cinematic elements to reflect the emotional depth and mystery of Ryan Wardman's journey.

Ep 154: October 1, 2025 - Is Advanced Alien Tractor Beam Controlling 3I/ATLAS? Edgar Cayce - Vision of a “blade of light”…involving “mysterious forces” 3I/ATLAS moving at 130,000 mph Avi Loeb states 3I/ATLAS may be larger than 3 miles Interview with Dick Allaire, Future Forecasting Group Remote Viewing FFGRV.com "a glimpse” "comet may be bringing disruption” “horizon full of black smoke” “severe earthquakes in the next 90 days…Uzbekistan, Iran…that side of the world” “the solar system is a finely tuned gear” “wow…this is something big…I'm in a star field” “there's going to be a solar flare” “it's interacting with the sun in some way” “this thing was GUIDED…was that gravity..or a like a tractor beam” “target A1R0-L1N0” “this big thing out in the darkness… motion and mass” “affecting earth in some weird way…something from the sun” “I sense danger…a force I don't understand” “its being pulled through space…like by a tractor beam” More headlines “Giant lava tunnels on Mars” “Scientists confirm massive underground tunnels on Venus” “Venus is hiding massive underground tunnels that are much bigger than expected” ==== NEW PRINTINGS NOW AVAILABLE: Glimpses of Other Realities, Vol. 1: Fact & Eye Witnesses   Now available on Amazon: https://earthfiles.com/glimpses1  Glimpses of Other Realities, Vol. 2: High Strangeness   Now available on Amazon: https://earthfiles.com/glimpses2 An Alien Harvest: Further Evidence Linking Animal Mutilations and Human Abductions to Alien Life Forms   Now available on Amazon: https://earthfiles.com/aah ====   #LindaMoultonHowe #Earthfiles — For more incredible science stories, Real X-Files, environmental stories and so much more. Please visit my site https://www.earthfiles.com — Be sure to subscribe to this Earthfiles Channel the official channel for Linda Moulton Howe https://www.youtube.com/Earthfiles. — To stay up to date on everything Earthfiles, follow me on FaceBook@EarthfilesNews and Twitter @Earthfiles.  To purchase books and merchandise from Linda Moulton Howe, be sure to only shop at my official Earthfiles store at https://www.earthfiles.com/earthfiles-shop/ — Countdown Clock Piano Music:  Ashot Danielyan, Composer:  https://www.pond5.com/stock-music/100990900/emotional-piano-melancholic-drama.html

As Labour Conference draws to a close and Prime Minister Keir Starmer launches an attack on Nigel Farage, your co-pilots are here to make sense of the madness.Allison brings you a special report from the “Pink Ladies” demonstration outside Downing Street and speaks to women who have raised concerns about migrant hotels and lack of accountability for women's safety, and catches Conservative London Assembly member Susan Hall ahead of her speech at the event.Meanwhile Liam keeps you on track with the economy whilst reporting from a plush train in Uzbekistan!Both agree the Labour conference has been a confusing affair, claiming Nigel Farage ‘hates Britain', when he has worked as a politician for the UK for decades…See Planet Normal Live: https://www.battleofideas.org.uk/ |Sign up to our most popular newsletter, From the Editor. Look forward to receiving free-thinking comment and the day's biggest stories, every morning. telegraph.co.uk/fromtheeditorWatch Allison chat with the Pink Ladies: https://youtu.be/cQRPz1EnhCkRead Allison ‘Everything you wanted to know about digital ID but were afraid to ask'': https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/10/01/everything-you-wanted-to-know-about-digital-id/ |Read Allison: ‘Toxic Starmer's dirty tactics won't fool the people of Britain'https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/09/30/starmers-racism-slurs-are-final-nail-in-labours-coffin/ |Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/a/ak-ao/allison-pearson/ |Read Liam ‘To solve the UK's productivity puzzle we need to start with the state'': https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2025/09/28/solve-uk-productivity-puzzle-need-start-with-state/ |Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Need help subscribing or reviewing? Learn more about podcasts here:https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk |For 30 days' free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal | Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I'm bringing back some treasures from the Travel Diaries archive, while I take a little time off on maternity leave. And this one has to be one of the best - a name synonymous with travel, Dame Joanna Lumley. Joanna's appetite for adventure was deeply engrained from childhood. She was born in Kashmir in the last days of British India, the daughter of an army officer who served with the Gurkhas. Throughout her childhood her parents lived in Asia, moving to Hong Kong and Malaysia, while she spent term times at school in England.From her early days as a fashion model, gracing the covers of magazines and strutting down runway, Joanna Lumley was destined for greatness. But it was her iconic role as Patsy in the hit TV series "Absolutely Fabulous" that truly catapulted her into the hearts of millions. I love Wikipedia's description of Patsy - “an alcoholic, a chain smoker, and a frequent recreational drug user. She carries drugs with her at all times, storing joints in her trademark beehive."After surviving solo on a desert island, on the groundbreaking show Girl Friday, Joanna soon became as synonymous with travel as she was with Ab Fab, setting off on epic journeys that would make even the most seasoned globetrotter green with envy, from Japan and India to the Caribbean and the Silk Route. What makes her so remarkable is not just her fearless spirit but her genuine love for the people she meets along the way. She champions causes close to her heart, advocating for the rights of the Gurkhas, supporting endless charities, and shedding light on the important issues affecting our world.So, fasten your seatbelts and get ready as we embark on a journey through the extraordinary life and awe-inspiring travels of Joanna Lumley, from Malaysia to Uzbekistan, Italy to Indonesia.Holly's travel diary: Heckfield Place, Berkshire, EnglandJoanna's Destination Recap:Kashmir, India Hong KongMalaysiaBatu Caves, Selangor, Malaysia MadagascarDelhi, IndiaUzbekistan Tash Rabat, Kyrgzystan Sienna, ItalyBanda Islands, IndonesiaSudanRomaniaWith thanks to...Titanic Belfast - Discover the world's most authentic Titanic story at Titanic Belfast - where history, heritage and experience come alive.Thank you so much for listening today. If you enjoyed the episode, don't forget to hit subscribe, or if you're on Apple Podcasts, tap follow, so that a new episode lands in your podcast app each week.To be the first to know who's joining me next week, follow me on Instagram and TikTok at @hollyrubenstein. I'd love to hear from you.And if you can't wait until then, there are already 15 seasons to catch up on, with more than 160 episodes to keep you busy. You'll also find all the destinations mentioned by my guests in the episode show notes and on my website: thetraveldiariespodcast.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Unveiling Uzbekistan: A Nation at the Crossroads of History and FutureJoin host Nick as he welcomes back acclaimed journalist and author Joanna Lillis to the Explaining History podcast. Seven years after her last appearance to discuss her book on Kazakhstan, "Dark Shadows," Joanna returns to shed light on the enigmatic nation of Uzbekistan, the subject of her new book, "Silk Mirage."This episode delves into the complexities of a country that was, for 25 years, one of the world's most brutal dictatorships and is now navigating a period of reform dubbed the "Uzbek Spring." Lillis, drawing on two decades of experience living in and reporting on Central Asia, provides a nuanced and insightful look into Uzbekistan's past, present, and future.In this episode, we explore:The core themes of "Silk Mirage," including Uzbekistan's political evolution, economic reforms, and the challenges of emerging from a dictatorship.The geopolitical significance of Uzbekistan, a nation positioned between the great powers of Russia and China, and its role in China's Belt and Road Initiative.The impact of the long war in neighbouring Afghanistan on Uzbekistan's security and foreign policy.The potential for economic transformation as Uzbekistan leverages its strategic location and young population.The cultural landscape of Uzbekistan, from its famous silk industry to a surprising and vast collection of avant-garde art hidden in the desert.The improving relations between Central Asian states and the region's growing presence on the world stage.Whether you're a history enthusiast, a follower of international affairs, or simply curious about a little-understood part of the world, this conversation with Joanna Lillis offers a captivating and essential guide to the fascinating and strategically important nation of Uzbekistan.Joanna's new book, "Silk Mirage," will be published by Bloomsbury on November 13th and is available for pre-order now. Support independent bookshops or order directly from the publisher where possible.Go Deeper: Visit our website at www.explaininghistory.org for articles and detailed explorations of the topics discussed.▸ Join the Conversation: Our community of history enthusiasts discusses episodes, shares ideas, and continues the conversation. Find us on:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ExplainingHistoryPodcast/Substack: https://theexplaininghistorypodcast.substack.com/▸ Support the Podcast: Explaining History is a listener-supported production. Your contribution helps us cover the costs of research and keep these conversations going. You can support the show and get access to exclusive content by becoming a patron.Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/explaininghistoryExplaining History helps you understand the 20th Century through critical conversations and expert interviews. We connect the past to the present. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and share.▸ Support the Show & Get Exclusive ContentBecome a Patron: patreon.com/explaininghistory▸ Join the Community & Continue the ConversationFacebook Group: facebook.com/groups/ExplainingHistoryPodcastSubstack: theexplaininghistorypodcast.substack.com▸ Read Articles & Go DeeperWebsite: explaininghistory.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Social Programme - Lessons From The Land of Scholars & Saints - Uzbekistan by Radio Islam

Kenvue (KVUE) rallied Tuesday morning despite the Trump administration linking Tylenol to autism. Diane King Hall notes that analyst commentary may have helped the stock's upward trajectory. Boeing (BA) got a boost off international orders from Uzbekistan and Turkey, while Autozone (AZO) was little changed despite posting an earnings miss.======== Schwab Network ========Empowering every investor and trader, every market day. Subscribe to the Market Minute newsletter - https://schwabnetwork.com/subscribeDownload the iOS app - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/schwab-network/id1460719185Download the Amazon Fire Tv App - https://www.amazon.com/TD-Ameritrade-Network/dp/B07KRD76C7Watch on Sling - https://watch.sling.com/1/asset/191928615bd8d47686f94682aefaa007/watchWatch on Vizio - https://www.vizio.com/en/watchfreeplus-exploreWatch on DistroTV - https://www.distro.tv/live/schwab-network/Follow us on X – https://twitter.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/schwab-network/ About Schwab Network - https://schwabnetwork.com/about

Max and Maria spoke with Stanford professor and former ambassador to Russia, Michael McFaul to talk about his latest book, and where things stand today in U.S.-Russia relations. Pre-order Autocrats vs. Democrats: China, Russia, America, and the New Global Disorder by Michael McFaul (HarperCollins, October 2025) "The Real Meaning of Putin's Middle East Failure: Russia's Allies in the Region Couldn't Count on Moscow — and Neither Should China," by Michael McFaul and Abbas Milani (Foreign Affairs, July 2025) "Putin, Putinism, and the Domestic Determinants of Russian Foreign Policy" by Michael McFaul (International Security, Fall 2020)

The White House said doctors could be exempt from the Trump administration's new $100,000 fee for high-skilled H-1B visa applications. We hear from the President of the American Medical Association.In India, everyday essentials are getting cheaper after its Prime Minister cut tax rates. We then go to Uzbekistan where new rules and measures are being implemented in weddings, ceremonies, and family events to curb spending.(Photo: Two surgeons are preparing for surgery. The doctors are standing in an operating room in a hospital. One surgeon is tying closed the back of another surgeon's operating gown. copyright Getty Creative / FatCamera (GettyImages-1171128846)

Pieter Swart, the President of the South Africa Taxidermy and Tanners Association, joins Robbie this week to discuss a recent proposal by the organization to delist giraffes from Appendix II protections. This proposal and its science were put forward to the DFFE (Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment) in South Africa, and the governmental agency has agreed and has moved the proposal forward to be reviewed, discussed, and voted on at the CITES COP in November in Uzbekistan. There is no reason this proposal shouldn't be adopted and approved by CITES. The science is there, CITES requirements have been met, and the proposal is going forward. At CITES, the requirement to pass is a two-thirds majority vote—which is the political gamesmanship of South Africa up against a global political machine to fight for the science. Do you have questions we can answer? Send it via DM on IG or through email at info@theoriginsfoundation.org  Support our Conservation Club Members! Jannie Otto: https://jannieotto.com/  Johann Fanzoj: https://fanzoj.hr/  Botswana Teacher Incentives: https://theoriginsfoundation.org/conservation-projects/botswana-teacher-incentive-program/  See more from Blood Origins: https://bit.ly/BloodOrigins_Subscribe Music: Migration by Ian Post (Winter Solstice), licensed through artlist.io This podcast is brought to you by Bushnell, who believes in providing the highest quality, most reliable & affordable outdoor products on the market. Your performance is their passion. https://www.bushnell.com  This podcast is also brought to you by Silencer Central, who believes in making buying a silencer simple and they handle the paperwork for you. Shop the largest silencer dealer in the world. Get started today! https://www.silencercentral.com  This podcast is brought to you by Safari Specialty Importers. Why do serious hunters use Safari Specialty Importers? Because getting your trophies home to you is all they do. Find our more at: https://safarispecialtyimporters.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The Sweeper Podcast, we cover the big stories from 2026 World Cup qualifying and the latest international football news from Europe and beyond: Part 1: EuropeAustria's stadium sinkhole saga continues as Ralf Rangnick takes to an e-bikeRomania's Mircea Lucescu becomes the second-oldest international coach everKosovo are unofficial world champions - but continue to face geopolitical challengesErling Haaland apologises mid-game as Norway beat Moldova by record 11-1 scoreSlovakia and Iceland upset the odds to record famous World Cup qualifying wins Part 2: Rest of the worldSuriname turn around their fortunes with sports passport initiative & Dutch DNABolivia rely on altitude again to give themselves an edge in World Cup qualifyingUzbekistan continue incredible year by beating Iran to win 2025 CAFA Nations CupNepal cancel Bangladesh friendly due to civil unrest & elect new leader on DiscordNorthern Mariana Islands' U23s face China in one of football's biggest mismatches The Sweeper is the global football podcast bringing you weird and wonderful stories from every corner of the planet. Whether you're into underdogs and upsets, ultras and fan culture, groundhopping and travel, derbies and rivalries, geography and geopolitics, or simply want a break from the relentless churn of big-money football, The Sweeper has you covered! Support The Sweeper: Join The Sweeper on PatreonSupport The Sweeper on Buy Me A Coffee The Sweeper team Hosts: Lee Wingate and Paul WatsonEditor: Ralph Foster Chapters: 00:00 – Intro00:58 – Austrian sink holes and bicycles05:34 – Mircea Lucescu: Football's oldest coach?09:08 – The 2025 Amateur Nations Cup11:14 – The World Tram Driver Championship13:48 – Kosovo's unofficial world title16:18 – UEFA's seven banned match-ups21:35 – Norway's demolition job on Moldova26:33 – Celebrations for Slovakia & Iceland31:03 – Suriname's World Cup push34:59 – Bolivia's strategic masterclass38:25 – New Caledonia's Gibraltar friendly40:56 – Uzbekistan are Central Asian champions42:29 – Nepal's protest-related cancellation45:02 – China's U23s thrash Northern Mariana Islands Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us a textUzbekistan Win CAFA Cup, Jordan Battles Russia, Drama In The Kings Cup Final | AFC September RecapSupport DeadBall TV on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/deadballtvTo listen to DeadBall TV Podcast on streaming platforms, click here:Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/deadball-tv/id1594503202Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1JrHVIuTOe298wKvaRGsgW?si=1f497c14b9b344a2FOR ANY INQUIRIES, please email thedeadballtv@gmail.comJoin The DeadBall TV Discord:https://discord.gg/d6pVvSMftpFollow Our TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@deadballtvFollow DeadBall TV on IG:https://www.instagram.com/deadballtv/Follow DeadBall TV on Twitter:https://twitter.com/deadballtvofcl

Earlier this year, we took a tour of the V&A East Storehouse, the Victoria and Albert Museum's vast new complex in East London. This week, it opens the David Bowie Centre, a dedicated space to the music icon. It is the permanent repository of thousands of items from Bowie's archive, which are on display and also available for personal study. Ben Luke explores the displays at the centre with the curator, Madeleine Haddon. Last week, a new biennial opened in Bukhara in Uzbekistan, part of a major cultural shift in the country. The Art Newspaper's art market editor, Kabir Jhala went to Bukhara for the opening event and delivers his verdict, and we also hear from its curator, Diana Campbell. And this episode's Work of the Week is a pair of paintings: Untitled (2025), a new piece by Hurvin Anderson, and West Indies (2014) by Kara Walker. They are part of an exhibition at Michael Werner Gallery in London, curated by the critic and writer Hilton Als, which explores the Dominican-born writer Jean Rhys. We went to the gallery to talk to Als about these two remarkable paintings and his fascination with Jean Rhys's life and work.David Bowie Centre, V&A East Storehouse, from 13 September.The Bukhara Biennial continues until 20 November.Postures: Jean Rhys in the Modern World, curated by Hilton Als, Michael Werner, London, 12 September-22 November.Student subscription offer: stay connected to the art world from your first lecture to your final dissertation with a three-year student subscription to The Art Newspaper for just £99/$112/€105. Gift, quarterly and annual subscriptions are also available.https://www.theartnewspaper.com/subscriptions-student?offer=4c1120ea-bc15-4cb3-97bc-178560692a9c Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Impressive, meaningful and historic — such were the keywords used by global leaders as they marveled at China's military parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and the World Anti-Fascist War.“令人印象深刻、富有意义且具有历史意义”——这是各国领导人在赞叹中国纪念中国人民抗日战争（1931-1945年）暨世界反法西斯战争胜利80周年阅兵仪式时，所使用的关键词。President Xi Jinping was joined by 26 foreign heads of state and government, as well as parliamentary speakers, deputy prime ministers and high-level representatives from different countries, on Wednesday as he oversaw a parade that showcased a range of China's new military hardware.周三，习近平主席同26位外国国家元首、政府首脑以及各国议会领导人、副总理和高级代表一道，出席阅兵观礼。此次阅兵展示了中国一系列新型军事装备。For the global leaders, the experience at the Tian'anmen Rostrum, where they witnessed the commemoration firsthand, was both awe-inspiring and thought-provoking.对于各国领导人而言，在天安门城楼亲身体验这场纪念活动，亲眼见证阅兵全过程，既令人心潮澎湃，也引人深思。According to a report by Russia's state news agency TASS, Russian President Vladimir Putin described Beijing's commemorative events as "held brilliantly, and simply very well, at a high level".据俄罗斯国家通讯社塔斯社报道，俄罗斯总统弗拉基米尔・普京称北京的纪念活动“举办得非常出色，水准极高，令人赞叹”。Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, writing on his X account, highlighted that the commemoration "serves as a symbol of China's strength and courage as a nation steadfastly fighting for independence, safeguarding sovereignty, and actively playing a role in realizing world peace".印度尼西亚总统普拉博沃・苏比安托在其X平台账号上发文指出，此次纪念活动“是中国作为一个国家的力量与勇气的象征——中国坚定争取独立、维护主权，并积极为实现世界和平发挥作用”。"On this occasion, I conveyed my appreciation for the significant contributions of the People's Republic of China in maintaining global security," he wrote on Thursday, adding, "Upholding the spirit of the Victory Day, let us continue to strengthen the sustainable cooperation between Indonesia and China for the benefit of both countries."“值此之际，我对中华人民共和国在维护全球安全方面所作出的重大贡献表示赞赏。”他于周四写道，并补充道，“让我们秉持胜利日精神，继续加强印度尼西亚与中国之间的可持续合作，以造福两国人民。”The press service of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev wrote in a post on X that the event reaffirmed Uzbekistan's foreign policy commitment to "fostering friendship and constructive dialogue for peace, sustainable development and prosperity".乌兹别克斯坦总统沙夫卡特・米尔济约耶夫的新闻办公室在X平台的一篇帖子中表示，此次活动再次彰显了乌兹别克斯坦在外交政策上的承诺，即“为实现和平、可持续发展与繁荣，推动友好关系与建设性对话”。In a bilateral meeting with Xi on Thursday, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa extended congratulations to China for hosting a "spectacular parade", saying the event was "something out of this world".在周四与习近平的双边会晤中，津巴布韦总统埃默森·姆南加古瓦就中国举办一场“壮观的阅兵式”向中国表示祝贺，称该活动“超凡脱俗”。"Undoubtedly, the commemorations will go a long way to promote the correct historical narrative of China's great contribution to World War II. The spirit of resilience of the Chinese people and their ironclad strength will remain a source of inspiration for generations to come," Mnangagwa said.“毫无疑问，此次纪念活动将极大地推动人们正确认识中国在二战中所作出的重大贡献这一历史事实。中国人民坚韧不拔的精神及其坚不可摧的力量，将继续成为激励世世代代的精神源泉。”姆南加古瓦表示。In a video posted on his account on X, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said that while some people interpreted the parade as a demonstration of China's military strength, he believes the event should "be viewed in the context of the serious statements made by Chinese President Xi Jinping".斯洛伐克总理罗伯特・菲科在其X账号发布的一段视频中表示，虽然有些人将此次阅兵解读为中国军事实力的展示，但他认为应该“从中国国家主席习近平发表的重要讲话这一背景下去看待”此次活动。"The Chinese president made it very clear that the world is facing a choice between peace and war, and that China has the will to play a decisive role in shaping the new peaceful order of the world," he said.“中国国家主席明确表示，当今世界正面临和平与战争的选择，而中国有意愿在构建世界新和平秩序中发挥决定性作用。”他说道。"I once again express my regret that the top representatives of the EU member states were absent from such a global event," Fico said. "If they thought that by doing so they would isolate China's celebrations of victory in World War II, they badly miscalculated."“对于欧盟成员国最高代表缺席这一全球性活动，我再次表示遗憾。”菲佐表示，“如果他们认为此举能孤立中国的二战胜利纪念活动，那他们就大错特错了。”Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said it was an honor for him and his wife to view the event from the Tian'anmen Rostrum, adding that he thanks the Chinese president for "this meaningful and historic experience".马来西亚总理安华・易卜拉欣表示，能与夫人在天安门城楼观看此次活动，对他而言是一份荣幸。他还补充道，感谢中国国家主席给予他“这段富有意义且具有历史意义的经历”。"Beyond the impressive display of China's military assets, the parade stood as a powerful symbol of resistance against tyranny, oppression, aggression, greed for power, colonialism and imperialism — dark chapters in the history of human civilization," he said.他表示：“除了中国令人印象深刻的军事装备展示外，此次阅兵更是反抗暴政、压迫、侵略、权力贪欲、殖民主义与帝国主义的有力象征——这些都是人类文明史上的黑暗篇章。”"Yet, eight decades after the war's end, the world continues to face injustices and atrocities that unfold openly, often without challenge from major powers who speak loudly of democracy and human rights. True peace demands courage and firm conviction to reject injustice in all its forms," he said.他表示：“然而，在战争结束80年后，世界仍在遭遇各类不公与暴行，这些现象公然发生，而那些高谈民主与人权的大国往往对此无动于衷。真正的和平需要勇气与坚定的信念，去抵制一切形式的不公。”Miguel Diaz-Canel, first secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and Cuban president, said on his social media account, "Between a millennial history and a present that inspires millions, China leads today the battle for the rescue of multilateralism and global governance."古巴共产党中央委员会第一书记、古巴国家主席米格尔・迪亚斯-卡内尔在其社交媒体账号上表示：“在拥有千年历史的积淀与激励着数百万人的当下之间，中国如今正引领着维护多边主义、完善全球治理的斗争。”"Proud to support and share those postulates, Cuba is honored to attend the commemoration of the V-Day," he wrote.“古巴自豪地支持并认同这些原则，能出席此次胜利日纪念活动，我们深感荣幸。”他写道。Former Japanese prime minister Yukio Hatoyama said in an interview on his return to Japan after taking part in the V-Day events that he was deeply struck by the conviction that Japan must learn from history in order to face the future.日本前首相鸠山由纪夫在出席胜利日活动后返回日本接受采访时表示，他深切感受到，日本必须以史为鉴，才能面向未来，这一信念给他留下了深刻印象。"I, as a Japanese, attended the commemoration with a sense of reflection and remorse. I am grateful to have been invited to take part in the ceremony; it was highly meaningful," he told China Central Television.他在接受中国中央电视台采访时表示：“作为一名日本人，我怀着反思与愧疚的心情出席了此次纪念活动。非常感谢能受邀参与这一仪式，它具有极高的意义。”

Max had wide-ranging conversation with Jade McGlynn while she was traveling in Ukraine. Topics covered include the Ukrainian war effort, the situation behind the lines in the Russian-occupied territories, and the recent protests in Ukraine against perceived efforts by the Zelenskyy administration to limit the independence of domestic anti-corruption agencies. This conversation was recorded on August 1, 2025 "Crossing Thresholds: Ukrainian Resistance to Russian Occupation," by Jade McGlynn (June 2024, CSIS).

Ghost dives into the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in China, where Putin held a string of bilateral talks with leaders from China, Serbia, Slovakia, Mongolia, Belarus, Pakistan, and Uzbekistan. He highlights Serbia and Slovakia's resistance to Western pressure, Lukashenko's strong defense of Russia, and Putin's message that NATO expansion, not EU membership, is the real red line with Ukraine. The episode also covers Kim Jong Un's high-profile appearance with his daughter, Russia and China's gas pipeline deal, and the shifting global order as nations break free from U.S. control. Ghost then pivots to Trump's announcement moving U.S. Space Command headquarters to Huntsville, Alabama, tying it to General Kwast's comments on the future of energy and space as the drivers of peace and innovation. With sidebars on propaganda tricks, Venezuela tensions, and even Denmark's scandals, this episode shows how geopolitics, sovereignty, and emerging technology are colliding on the world stage.

It's Tuesday, September 2nd, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Kevin Swanson Pakistani Muslim kidnapped 16-year-old Christian girl Pakistan is in the persecution news again. This time for a 16-year-old Christian girl kidnapped and forced into sex slavery by a Muslim in the Punjab district. She was rescued by court order on August 14th. This is just one of thousands of these cases occurring each year, where girls and women are kidnapped and forced into conversions, marriages, and prostitution. Pakistan is the seventh worst nation in the world on The Worldview's International Morality Index, and the eighth worst on Open Doors' World Watch List. Finnish politician tried third time for condemning perversion A Finnish Member of Parliament, Päivi Räsänen, is back in court this month, after already being acquitted twice for the so-called hate crime of calling homosexual relationships “sinful.” Räsänen has been charged with “agitation against a minority group” under the Finnish criminal code addressing “war crimes and crimes against humanity.” She's been under attack for seven years. This time the prosecutor is taking the case to Finland's Supreme Court. Afghanistan earthquake claims 800 lives In God's providence, Afghanistan has been hit by a third major earthquake since the Taliban took over, reports Reuters. This has claimed 800 lives and wounded 2,800 more, mostly in the Kunar Province. The 2022 quake killed over 1,000 people and the 2023 quake killed over 2,000 people. Russia's Putin, India's Modi and China's Jinping met in summit The new Axis power base was further solidified yesterday in a meeting which took place in Tianjin, China, with the presidents of China, India, and Russia — Presidents Xi Jinping, Narendra Modi, and Vladimir Putin. This was Modi's first visit to China in seven years. Modi expressed his desire to Putin that the two nations deepen cooperation “in all sectors.”  The meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization boasts “the world's largest regional organization” including nations with a combined economic output of nearly $30 trillion. That's just over the United States' annual Gross Domestic Product. Russia's Putin called the alliance the beginnings of a “new system” of security in Eurasia.  The Shanghai Cooperation Organization consists of the communist, Hindu, and Islamic states of Russia, Belarus, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Chinese Navy boasts more warships than America The BBC reports that the Chinese Navy has exceeded America's Navy in number of warships -- 234 to 219. However, the Chinese are still behind the United States in overall tonnage and aircraft carriers.  Importantly, the Chinese shipyards have upwards of 200 times the ship-building capacity of America at this point. Brazilian socialists want to lock up Jair Bolsonaro Socialist elements in the Brazilian government are looking at locking up the nation's previous president Jair Bolsonaro for 30 years. Bolsonaro is accused of staging a coup after disagreeing with the election results in January of 2023.   The Associated Press reports that the evidence includes “an unsigned document that sought to invalidate the election and his alleged push for supporters to destroy government buildings in Brasilia on January 8, 2023.”  Low Scottish birth rate Scotland's birth rate is the lowest on record — hitting 1.23 children per woman. The nation's abortion rate is 17.9 per 1,000 women. Out of 50 countries, that's the fifth lowest birth rate in Europe. Only Malta, Spain, Lithuania, and Italy have lower birth rates.  Deuteronomy 7:12 and 14a makes a promise to a nation. “Because you listen to these judgments, and keep and do them. …You shall be blessed above all peoples; there shall not be a male or female barren among you or among your livestock.” Not so much for Scotland. Vice President JD Vance defends prayer U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance defended prayer as a proper response to the recent massacre at the Minneapolis, Minnesota Catholic School. His X post explained that, “We pray because our hearts are broken. We pray because we know God listens. We pray because we know that God works in mysterious ways, and can inspire us to further action.” Vance was responding to Jen Psaki, Joe Biden's previous press secretary, who skeptically asserted that “Prayer is not freaking enough. Prayers does [sic] not end school shootings. Prayers do not make parents feel safe sending their kids to school. Prayer does not bring these kids back.” In addition to Vice President Vance, CNN's conservative commentator Scott Jennings defended prayer as well. Listen. JENNINGS: “I think it's wrong, frankly, to vilify or attack people of faith. I think ‘thoughts and prayers' are the most solid on days of tragedy for people who live their faith every day. And I think on a day like today, particularly in a church community, there are probably people praying harder for comfort today than they have ever prayed in their life. “And I heard others on the Left today go down this line of attack against people of faith, sort of denigrating the idea that they might want to pray today.” Proverbs 28:9 reminds us that “If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.” And Proverbs 15:29 says, “The LORD is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous.” Chip and Joanna Gaines roll out “LGBTQ roller skating show” The reality show pop-star couple and known-to- be professing Christians, Chip Gaines and his wife, Joanna, are under fire again. This time, they are producing a program on their Magnolia Network featuring what has been termed “an LGBTQ+ roller skating reality show” called “Roller Jam.” Joanna Gaines called it “a show the whole family can watch together,” according to Protestia and FaithWire.  Office mortgages hit record 11.7% delinquency rate In economic news, delinquency rates on office mortgages in the United States have hit a record 11.7%, exceeding the last record set during the 2008 recession. That delinquency rate was only 1.6% just two years ago. Silver and gold keep climbing According to TradingView.com, silver surged to $40.76 per ounce and gold hit $3,475 per ounce on Monday — record highs for the metals. Married mothers happier than childless single women And finally, no surprise here. The Institute for Family Studies surveyed 3,000 women and found that married mothers were more likely to enjoy life.   The report documented that 47% of married mothers say their lives are enjoyable most or all the time, compared to 34% of unmarried, childless women who say the same thing. Psalm 127:3 says, “Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from Him.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Tuesday, September 2nd, 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.  I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

A father faked his own death and abandoned his family to go be with his mistress from Uzbekistan, It happened again: Bullfighter dead after debut performance, Bill Belichick's girlfriend Jordan Hudson filed a trademark claim for term 'Gold Digger'

Last time we spoke about the Battle for South Sakhalin and the Kurile Islands. In August 1945, as Japan teetered on the edge of destruction following the atomic bombings, a desperate situation unfolded. The Soviet Union launched a sudden invasion of Manchuria, catching Japanese forces off guard. On August 14, Japan's decision to surrender was made, announced to the world the following day. However, the Kwantung Army resisted fiercely, engaging in frantic evacuations. In South Sakhalin, Japanese defenders clashed with advancing Soviet troops, facing overwhelming odds. By August 18, chaos reigned on the Japanese side, with forces surrendering and civilians in panic. As the Soviets pushed forward, the situation became increasingly dire for Japan. Despite valiant resistance, the imminent defeat became clear. In a moment of critical decision, Emperor Hirohito accepted the surrender terms, officially sealing Japan's fate and marking the end of the Pacific War. However the Soviets had not yet stopped their onslaught.  This episode is the Soviet Victory in Asia Welcome to the Pacific War Podcast Week by Week, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about world war two? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on world war two and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel you can find a few videos all the way from the Opium Wars of the 1800's until the end of the Pacific War in 1945.  We are drawing near to the real conclusion of this series! Japan has officially surrendered, however the Soviets are not done just yet. East asia is a delicious piece of cake, laid wide open and Stalin intends to take every piece he can grab before the curtain falls. Now as we last left off it was August 18, and General Yamada's Kwantung Army had surrendered to the Soviet forces led by Marshal Vasilevsky, who were advancing rapidly through Manchuria. Yet, some Japanese units, like those at Kalgan, continued to resist occupation until the month's end. On August 19, following Yamada's announcement that all military operations had ceased, a Soviet delegation arrived at Hsinking.  A daring operation took place, where a 225-strong detachment from the 6th Guards Motorized Rifle Brigade, part of the 5th Guards Tank Corps, was airlifted to the city's main airfield. This mission, along with others, was carried out under orders from Marshal Vasilevsky on August 18, following the commander's initial offer of surrender from the Kwantung Army. Vasilevsky's directive was urgent: “The Japanese resistance is broken, and the challenging road conditions hinder the swift advance of our main forces. We need to deploy specially formed, fast-moving, and well-equipped units to capture Changchun, Mukden, Jilin, and Harbin immediately. These units should remain flexible for future missions, regardless of their distance from the main forces.”The push to accelerate operations came directly from Stalin himself. In Kulichkin's biography of Marshal Vasilevsky, he recounts a pivotal phone call on August 15. Stalin was informed that the Japanese had “lost command and control” and were unable to mount a strong defense, with their forces divided into several fragmented groups. Vasilevsky confidently stated, “Even a miracle cannot save the Japanese from total defeat,” stressing the need to maintain the momentum of the offensive. Stalin's response was straightforward: “Good. We need to increase the pace. What proposals do you have?” Vasilevsky revealed plans to use airborne assault forces against larger cities like Harbin, Changchun, Jilin, and Mukden, alongside advanced mobile units across all combined arms armies. These units, consisting of tanks and assault guns, were fully equipped with desantniki, ready to engage firmly in the ongoing operations. The landing at Shenyang revealed a remarkable twist of fate. Waiting at the airfield for evacuation to Japan was none other than the recently abdicated Emperor Puyi of Manchukuo. On August 15, 1945, Puyi tuned in to the radio and listened to Emperor Hirohito's address announcing Japan's surrender. In this historic speech, the Showa Emperor referred to the Americans' use of a "most unusual and cruel bomb," which had just devastated Hiroshima and Nagasaki. For Puyi, this was the first revelation of the atomic bombings, information that the Japanese had conveniently withheld from him until that moment. The aircraft carrying Major Chelyshev's force, escorted by fighter planes, landed at 1:15 PM without any opposition and captured him. This small unit's survival hinged on remaining unchallenged, and they successfully secured the airfield. They also freed several Allied personnel held at the nearby Hoten prisoner-of-war camp. As soon as the landing was secured, additional reinforcements were airlifted in later that day, led by General Kravchenko, the commander of the 6th Guards Tank Army. He formally accepted the city's surrender, and the Soviets then transported Puyi to the Siberian town of Chita.  Meanwhile, Vasilevsky's ground offensive pressed on, mostly unopposed, though some resistance persisted. In the Transbaikal Front, Marshal Malinovsky's General Pliyev led his cavalry-mechanized units against the Japanese forces at Kalgan. Other units reached Jehol and accepted the surrender of the 108th Division. General Danilov's 17th Army secured the Shanhaiguan coast, while General Managarov's 53rd Army pushed towards Kailu. The main force of General Kravchenko's 6th Guards Tank Army regrouped at Tungliao and Kaitung, preparing to advance south toward Mukden. General Lyudnikov's 39th Army steadily approached Changchun, confronting the bypassed 107th Division, and General Luchinsky's 36th Army occupied Tsitsihar, accepting the surrender of the 136th Independent Mixed Brigade. At the same time, on General Purkayev's 2nd Far Eastern Front, General Teryokhin's 2nd Red Banner Army continued its siege of the Aihun fortified region. Meanwhile, a forward detachment moved slowly south through the Lesser Khinghan Mountains. General Mamonov's 15th Army began capturing and processing prisoners from the many retreating Japanese units after a successful amphibious assault secured Sansing. The Amur Flotilla supported the army's push towards Harbin, while General Pashkov's 5th Rifle Corps finally reached Poli, which had already been occupied by other Soviet units. In Marshal Meretskov's 1st Far Eastern Front, forward detachments of General Zakhvatayev's 35th Army began arriving at Linkou, focusing on the surrender of Japanese units in the area. Rear elements effectively eliminated the last traces of enemy resistance in the Hutou fortified area.  After a challenging struggle through the wetlands and the capture of Mishan on August 12, advanced detachments of the 35th Army's main force, the 66th and 363rd Rifle Divisions, continued their advance against minimal opposition. The situation was starkly different to their rear, where the 1056th Rifle Regiment of the 264th Rifle Division, supported by the heavily reinforced 109th Fortified Region, worked to dismantle the now-isolated Hutou fortified area. Despite the dire circumstances, the garrison refused to surrender. Thus, the focus shifted to systematically eliminating their defenses, which became a painstaking task. The attackers deployed an artillery destruction group, secured air supremacy, and utilized well-trained assault formations. Their techniques included pouring kerosene or gasoline into ventilation shafts of underground structures, sometimes in alarming quantities. For instance, two tonnes of gasoline were recorded being poured into a single installation before ignition was applied. Despite the brutal and methodical obliteration of their positions, the defenders continued to ignore orders to surrender. Notably, on August 18, a Japanese prisoner was sent under a flag of truce to inform those still holding out that the war was officially over; tragically, he was hacked to death by a sword-wielding officer. Ultimately, this stubbornness led to catastrophic consequences: about 3,000 defenders were killed, blasted and burned, before a small number finally capitulated. Additionally, advanced detachments of General Beloborodov's 1st Red Banner Army reached Shangzhi before continuing towards Harbin, and forward elements of General Krylov's 5th Army pushed on toward Jilin. General Chistyakov's 25th Army commenced disarming General Murakami's 3rd Army, while the 10th Mechanized Corps advanced rapidly westward, crossing the Laoilin Mountain passes to arrive at Tunhua by nightfall. Over in North Korea, the 335th Rifle Division successfully landed in Chongjin, as General Kabanov's Southern Defense Region prepared for an assault on Gensan. In South Sakhalin, despite the surrender of the 125th Regiment and ongoing negotiations with General Mineki's 88th Division, Soviet forces opted to proceed with the planned landing at Maoka. Consequently, Admiral Andreyev's Northern Pacific Flotilla departed from Sovetskaya Gavan in the morning, carrying the bulk of the 113th Rifle Brigade along with a battalion of marines for the long and challenging voyage to Maoka. On Shumshu Island, as General Gnechko's forces were landing their artillery to renew their assault, Japanese officers unexpectedly approached the Soviets under flags of truce, carrying a letter from General Tsutsumi proposing negotiations for surrender. Representatives from both sides began discussions, and by 6 PM, the 91st Division formally surrendered the garrisons of Shumshu, Paramushir, and Onekotan. On August 20, Gnechko dispatched a small detachment on six vessels to seize control of the airfield at Kataoka. However, as they crossed the Second Kuril Strait, batteries on both sides of the narrow waterway opened heavy fire on the Soviet ships, forcing them to withdraw. This breach of the surrender agreement sparked a renewed offensive at 1 PM, coordinated with air strikes. The bases at Kataoka and Kashiwabar were bombed by 61 aircraft, which dropped over 200 bombs, enabling ground troops to push forward up to six kilometers. It was not until General Tsutsumi intervened that the Soviets were assured the Japanese would indeed lay down their arms. Meanwhile, Andreyev's convoy arrived at Maoka harbor on the morning of August 20, successfully landing the first wave of marines amid heavy fog. They quickly spread out and secured the area while the second and third waves of infantry followed behind. By noon, the port area was secured, and the marines began advancing eastward into the city, supported by infantry on their flanks. Taken by surprise, the Japanese defenders were ultimately compelled to retreat, with the 113th Rifle Brigade pursuing them through the mountains to the villages of Futamata and Osaka. In Manchuria, between August 20 and 21, Vasilevsky's units continued their advance to occupy the region's main centers. Stalin urged for greater speed, fearing that any delay might prompt President Truman to order General MacArthur's air-naval assault forces to land there. Notably, Pliyev's first column successfully captured Kalgan, while his second column moved south toward Beijing, securing Gubeikou at the border. Located in one of the passes through the Great Wall, marking the border between Manchukuo and China, the town was garrisoned by Japanese units. These forces surrendered upon the approach of the Soviet troops, who then quickly advanced toward Beijing, about 100 kilometers away. Although not the former capital itself, this area was under the control of Chinese Communist forces known as the 8th Route Army, who aligned with the Soviets. Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek was acutely aware that any Japanese capitulation to the Communists in northern China would allow the latter to occupy vital territories, making their removal difficult. Consequently, he commanded the 8th Route Army not to accept any Japanese surrenders, insisting they only surrender to Nationalist forces, with dire punishments threatened for defiance. Adding to the complexity, the Soviet Union and China had signed the Sino-Soviet Treaty of Friendship and Alliance, discussed at Yalta, just six days earlier on August 14. This treaty promised mutual respect for sovereignty and non-interference in each other's internal affairs. The Soviets had also committed to providing “moral support and aid in military supplies and other material resources” exclusively to the National Government as the legitimate central authority of China. Thus, a significant political and military predicament loomed. However, the Soviets quickly extricated themselves from this situation when Malinovsky issued an order forbidding Pliyev's forces from crossing the border. As Pliyev recounted, his formations were poised just halfway between Chengde and Beijing, needing “only one 'leap' to the Chinese capital.” He noted, “I had to suspend the offensive and move north beyond the Great Wall.” Units from the 6th Guards Tank Army occupied both Changchun and Mukden, initiating a rail movement towards Port Arthur and Dairen. For those curious, at Pingfan and Changchun, General Shiro Ishii and the remaining personnel from Units 731 and 100 were captured by Soviet forces. In a tragic turn of events, all test subjects were murdered and cremated, while the Japanese attempted to destroy evidence of their facilities but were unable to do so in time. Following their capture, the Soviets launched an extensive campaign to uncover the secrets behind Units 731 and 100, leading to the Khabarovsk Trial. If you want to learn more about what I would call “japans operation paperclip”, the secret dealings between Unit 731 and the Allies after the war, I did make an episode about it over on my patreon. Its pretty gruesome stuff so big disclaimer there.' The Soviets arrived to Dairen on 24 August, although these places had surrendered to air-landed forces two days earlier. This was, no doubt, much to the relief of Stalin, as these were amongst the main locations where he most feared American intervention. Indeed, on the day of the landing he had told Vasilevsky to ‘keep in mind' the fact that any delay could mean ‘Truman will order General MacArthur to land his naval assault forces'. The long-resisting 135th Independent Mixed Brigade finally surrendered at Aihun, while advanced units of the 2nd Red Banner Army secured Nencheng and Peian before pushing towards Tsitsihar and Harbin. Forward detachments from the 15th and 1st Red Banner Armies also reached the already-occupied Harbin. Furthermore, advanced units of the 5th and 25th Armies arrived in Jilin to reinforce the air-landed detachment there. Additionally, units from the 88th Rifle Corps and the 10th Mechanized Corps began their southward movement into Korea, heading toward the 38th Parallel. In North Korea, Kabanov dispatched a marine battalion and other units, totaling around 2,000 men, to occupy the fortified port of Gensan on August 20. The following morning, the landing force arrived and disembarked without opposition. However, the Japanese garrison refused to surrender until orders from higher command were received. Meanwhile, Japanese troops began to peacefully surround the harbor area, while Soviet sailors and marines, in a similarly calm manner, took up their defensive positions. As Kabanov noted, “An incomprehensible situation arose, neither peace nor war. The enemy has numerical superiority, but he neither fights nor wants to capitulate.” Unsurprisingly, he added, “the night passed in suspense.” The surreal situation was resolved when Rear Admiral Hori Yugoro and Colonel Tado boarded the frigate EK-3 to meet with Captain Studenichnikov on the morning of August 22. During their discussions, they attempted to negotiate terms, but the Soviet captain issued a bold threat of an immediate large-scale air strike and the initiation of hostilities at the port unless they surrendered unconditionally. While the latter was likely an empty threat, the Japanese officers signed the surrender agreement nonetheless. The process of surrendering the garrison began that evening and continued until August 26. In total, the Soviets captured more than 7,000 officers and men, along with all their military equipment. Looking toward the northern Kuriles, Japanese forces on Shumshu finally began to lay down their weapons on the afternoon of August 22, as Gnechko's units spread out to secure the island. In Manchuria, airborne detachments were also landed at Dairen and Port Arthur to secure these key administrative centers before the Americans could take control. Vanguard units of the 6th Guards Tank Army arrived to reinforce them two days later. Meanwhile, in South Sakhalin, heavy fighting persisted at Futamata despite Mineki's ceasefire agreement on August 22. Soviet air strikes supported the ground forces when weather conditions allowed, and the Japanese finally surrendered by the nightfall of August 23. At the same time, Andreyev dispatched three marine battalions on a small convoy to capture Otomari. However, a fierce storm forced the flotilla to seek refuge in the port of Honto on the morning of August 24. Once the storm subsided that evening, the force left a company of marines to garrison the port and resumed their voyage to Otomari, arriving there on the morning of August 25, just as elements of the 113th Rifle Brigade reached the eastern outskirts of the city. By noon, the 88th Division surrendered, and the city was secured. Shortly after, the 214th Tank Brigade arrived at Toyohara to secure South Sakhalin's administrative center. Thus, the South Sakhalin operation concluded with nearly 18,320 Japanese soldiers taken prisoner. Yet, this wouldn't mark the end of operations for General Cheremisov's 16th Army. Stalin pushed for the 87th and 135th Rifle Brigades, along with three marine battalions, to assemble at Otomari and execute amphibious landings on the southern Kurile Islands, specifically, Etorofu, Shikotan, and Kunashiri, and the islets of the Habomai group. The failure to include the Kuril Islands in the areas designated for surrender to Soviet forces in Truman's General Order No. 1, originally issued on August 15, exacerbated Stalin's inherent suspicions regarding American intentions. Consequently, Vasilevsky was instructed to organize landings on the Kurils, ensuring that, similar to Port Arthur, Soviet occupation would manifest physically through boots on the ground. Despite Truman's subsequent correction of the omission, mistrust endured, as did the directive to occupy the islands. However, where Stalin hesitated was concerning Hokkaido. Truman's somewhat abrupt rejection of Stalin's demand for a portion of Hokkaido undoubtedly irritated the Soviet dictator, yet he chose not to take further action. Scholarly debates have arisen around the rationale behind Stalin's ‘retreat.' When viewed within the framework of his stated geostrategic goal of securing the Soviet Union's sea lines of communication in the Pacific, it becomes understandable. Churchill once likened the Soviet Union's challenges in this regard to those of a “giant with his nostrils pinched.” A look at the map reveals that control of the Kurils would significantly alleviate this pressure in the Far East, making their acquisition crucial. Similarly, occupying southern Sakhalin would allow the Soviet Union to control the northern side of the La Pérouse Strait, which connects the Sea of Japan to the Sea of Okhotsk. The strait's opposite shore is formed by the northern coast of Hokkaido, and possessing this area would undeniably enhance the security of communications and is therefore highly desirable. However, any unilateral action in this regard would incur a significant and public breach with the Americans, the consequences of which could not be easily predicted. Given that Stalin's claim to the Kurils was firmly based on the agreement reached at Yalta, an agreement which Truman honored, his choice to avoid completely rupturing relations with the U.S. was motivated by strategic self-interest. Consequently, Andreyev's flotilla, carrying these units, departed Otomari on August 27, reaching the west coast of Etorofu at 3:15 AM on August 28. The landing, conducted using small boats, went unopposed and was met by the surrender of General Ogawa's 89th Division. The occupation of the other islands was also peaceful, with the Soviets securing Kunashiri by September 2, and Shikotan and the Habomai islets by September 5. The remaining northern Kurile Islands surrendered without incident as elements of Gnechko's Kamchatka forces arrived at Paramushir on August 24, Onekotan and Shiashkotan on August 25, Matsuwa by August 26, Shimushiru on August 27, and Uruppu by August 29. In total, 63,840 prisoners were taken throughout the Kuriles. On August 24, air-landed detachments arrived at the cities of Pyongyang and Kange to secure the last administrative centers in North Korea. Two days later, units of the 25th Army reached Gensan. With this move, albeit with some geographical liberties, Chistyakov asserted that "the troops of the 25th Army, on the orders of Marshal Meretskov, reached the 38th Parallel.” In the days that followed, units of General Kushibuchi's 34th Army gradually began to surrender and disarm. Finally, in Manchuria, most of Yamada's units had surrendered and were being disarmed. However, one unit continued to resist until the end of the month. The bypassed and encircled 107th Division was engaged in fierce fighting for survival against the 94th Rifle Corps. Due to a lack of communication with Kwantung Army Headquarters, they did not receive any ceasefire orders. As a result, a staff officer from General Iida's 30th Army was dispatched by plane to locate the division and deliver the ceasefire orders. The 107th Division was found near Chalai, and the plane made a forced landing between the Japanese troops and the opposing Soviet forces. The staff officer successfully delivered the orders terminating hostilities in that sector on August 30, which the Japanese troops promptly complied with. By September 1, units of the 53rd Army occupied Kailu, Chaoyang, Fuhsin, and Gushanbeitseifu, while forward detachments secured the Chinchou area on the Liaotung Peninsula. This marked the conclusion of the Manchurian campaign, with the Soviets claiming to have captured between 594,000 and 609,000 prisoners of war across Inner Mongolia, Manchuria, and North Korea. The captured Japanese military personnel were subjected to forced labor in Siberian internment camps, as well as camps in Sakhalin, Manchuria, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Mongolia. A significant number were assigned to the construction of the Baikal-Amur Mainline. Unfortunately, the treatment of prisoners of war was deemed inhumane and mishandled. Many suffered from malnutrition, overwork, cave-ins, floods, unsanitary working conditions leading to epidemics, harsh winter weather, violent guards, and brutal suppression of even mild resistance. Disturbingly, some Japanese prisoners were even lynched by their fellow captives. Estimates suggest that between 60,000 and 347,000 Japanese died in captivity. Although 18,616 prisoners were released in 1946, the process of repatriating prisoners of war extended into the 1950s. Those who remained after 1950 were detained for various convictions. However, their release began in 1953 under different amnesties. Following Josef Stalin's death and the subsequent Khrushchev Thaw, the Soviet attitude toward the remaining Japanese prisoners shifted significantly. Accompanied by Soviet officials, they were taken on tours of cities and allowed to purchase gifts for their families. Before repatriation, a banquet in Khabarovsk, hosted by Nikolai Gagen, included high-ranking prisoners such as Jun Ushiroku as attendees. The last major group of 1,025 Japanese POWs was released on December 23, 1956. After that, some Japanese POWs were released in small groups, with some only returning in the 1990s following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Interestingly, some prisoners who had been held for decades, many of whom had married and started families during their captivity, chose not to return permanently to Japan. The Soviets committed numerous war crimes during their invasion and occupation of Manchuria and other Japanese territories. During the invasion, Soviet soldiers killed and raped Japanese civilians and looted civilian property. Following the Soviet invasion of Manchuria on August 9, 1945, a large number of Japanese citizens residing in the region sought to repatriate to Japan. The Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers supervised this mass movement and, in October 1945, delegated responsibility to Japan's Ministry of Health and Welfare. The Kwantung Army, which was meant to protect the Japanese settlers in Manchuria, quickly retreated and abandoned them. With most able-bodied men drafted into the army, the majority of those left behind were women, children, and the elderly, rendering them highly vulnerable to attacks from Soviet soldiers and local Chinese seeking revenge.In Soviet-occupied Manchuria and North Korea, the repatriation of Japanese civilians was characterized by violent expulsions, accompanied by widespread looting, mass killings, and rampant sexual violence perpetrated by both Soviet soldiers and local populations seeking retribution. Many Japanese civilians succumbed to starvation, disease, mass killings, and mass suicides. Approximately 223,000 Japanese civilians residing in the Soviet-occupied zones died, most within a year and a half after August 9, 1945. Regarding the extensive rape of Japanese women and girls by Soviet soldiers, a former Japanese soldier, Wakatsuki Yoshio, detailed these grim experiences in his memoir, The Records of Postwar Repatriation “What word can possibly describe the violence committed by the Soviet soldiers on Japanese women? I can only think of the word “hideous”. The victim could be a girl of twelve or thirteen years old or an old lady of almost seventy years old. These soldiers did not choose the sites where they raped them, in public, in broad daylight, even on snow-covered roads”. The Soviet invasion of Manchuria in 1945 left many Japanese women stranded after their male family members were either conscripted or killed. These women, including young girls, endured severe hardships, facing gang rapes by Soviet soldiers and local Chinese militia groups. In a desperate effort to survive, many were forced to marry Chinese men, either out of necessity or in exchange for assistance in repatriating their remaining family members. Disturbingly, some victims were as young as thirteen. Some women were held in groups and subjected to repeated sexual violence over extended periods. In certain instances, to ensure the safety of the group, members of the Japanese community offered women to their perpetrators. There were also reports of women voluntarily submitting themselves to protect their families, younger peers, or others in their communities. After Japan's defeat in 1945, leaders of the Kurokawa Settler Group in Manchuria offered approximately 15 young women, aged 17 to 21, to Soviet soldiers in exchange for protection. This tragic practice continued from September to November 1945, with some of the women later being offered to Chinese soldiers as well. With no protection from Japanese soldiers, Japanese women often had to devise unique strategies to avoid rape. Memoirs from female repatriates detail various escape tactics. Some women hid in attics every night, narrowly avoiding capture or even gunfire. Others managed to trap intruders in rooms before fleeing or bribed Soviet soldiers with valuables, such as wristwatches, to secure their escape. Notably, some women, particularly former geisha and bar workers, voluntarily went with Soviet soldiers to protect others. These women were referred to as tokkōtai (kamikaze) for their self-sacrifice. Additionally, it wasn't just Japanese women who suffered; Korean and Chinese women were also victims of sexual violence at the hands of various perpetrators in Manchuria. British and American reports indicate that Soviet Red Army troops looted and terrorized the local population in Shenyang, a city in Manchuria. A foreign witness described how Soviet troops, formerly stationed in Berlin, were permitted by the Soviet military to enter Shenyang for "three days of rape and pillage." In Harbin, Soviet forces ignored protests from leaders of the Chinese Communist Party regarding the widespread mass rape and looting committed by their troops. In the immediate aftermath of the war in 1945, in areas of Manchuria occupied by the National Revolutionary Army, 176 Koreans were killed, 1,866 were injured, 3,468 were detained, and 320 were raped by armed Chinese mobs. The attacks against Korean residents in Manchuria were believed to stem from a perception of Korean collaboration with Japanese colonial rule. One of the most infamous instances was the Gegenmiao massacre. On August 10 and 11, Xing'an was bombed, nearly destroying its urban functions. It is estimated that 3,000 of the 4,000 civilians. Anticipating the Soviet invasion, Xing'an had prepared an evacuation plan divided into three groups based on residential area and workplace. The Kwantung Army, however, failed to inform the General Office officials about their retreat. As a result, residents in the eastern area, many of whom were self-employed or office workers, had difficulty obtaining information and securing transportation, while those in the western area had military personnel who were first to learn of the situation. Some of the civilians with a handful of armed men had proceeded on foot towards Gegenmiao Township, about 35 kilometers southeast of Xing'an Street, to wait for a train at Gegenmiao Station and then evacuate to Baichengzi. They aimed to receive protection from the Kwantung Army in Baichengzi. Around 11:40 AM on August 14 in the vicinity of Gegenmyo Hill, where a Lamaist temple was located, they encountered an infantry unit consisting of 14 Soviet medium tanks and 20 trucks. The column reportedly stretched for two kilometers, with about a hundred survivors among them. Soviet troops launched an attack from the hilltop, deploying tanks with machine-gun fire. The tanks attacked multiple times, and when they ceased, Soviet soldiers disembarked and ruthlessly shot and bayoneted survivors. Many who escaped death from gunfire were still severely injured or witnessed family members being killed. Some were left holding their loved ones or chose to commit suicide. It is estimated that only about a hundred survivors were later confirmed, including nearly 200 schoolchildren from the Xing'an Street Zaiman National School. Kwantung Army units, which were supposed to escort the civilians and counterattack, had already retreated southward. Even after the Soviet soldiers left, sporadic gunfire continued, presumably due to suicides. Local residents began to plunder the bodies, stripping them of clothes and valuables. Others drowned in the river while attempting to escape. Reports tell of one woman who had her child killed by Soviet soldiers, only to later face an attack from Chinese militia, who stripped her of her clothes and mutilated her. Surviving mothers and children were also attacked, and those separated were often taken by the Chinese. At the time, it was common for Japanese boys to be sold for 300 yen and girls for 500 yen. Some survivors gathered together and began committing mass suicide, killing those who wished to end their lives. Others expressed intentions to form a death squad with rifles for revenge but ultimately did not resist.   After the war ended on August 15, attacks on displaced persons continued. A 12-year-old girl who joined a group of about ten women after the incident reported that they were attacked and robbed, taking over a week to reach Zhenxi Station, 10 kilometers from Gegenmiao Station. The women sought shelter in an abandoned house near the station but were discovered by Soviet soldiers that night who assaulted them until midnight. Afterward, the soldiers piled dry grass into the house, setting it ablaze in an attempt to burn the women alive. The girl and her sister managed to escape through a window, but many others could not flee in time due to the fire's rapid spread. The girl was forced to live as a residual orphan afterward. Fortunately, some Chinese, Mongolians, and Koreans provided food for the survivors, with some Chinese showing kindness towards the children. Those orphaned children, whose parents had been killed, became known as residual orphans, with about 30 in this unfortunate situation. Many women were forced to become residual women as well. Tragically, around 200 students from a local school, including the headmaster and his wife, were killed during this chaos. Some historians believe the attack stemmed from Soviet soldiers mistaking the refugees for armed Japanese troops because men within the group were carrying firearms for protection. In general, displaced persons at this time often carried small weapons like rifles, and some groups were even armed with light machine guns. In the pioneer groups, women sometimes participated in fighting against bandits, and in the Sado pioneer group incident, children above the fifth grade were forced into combat, regardless of gender. There may also have been prior skirmishes with other Japanese civilian groups before the war's end, further complicating the situation as the Soviet Army, which included female soldiers, may have regarded these mixed civilian and armed groups as a threat. According to Soviet military combat records, on August 14, the Soviet 17th Guards Rifle Division, 19th Guards Rifle Division, 91st Guards Rifle Division, and 61st Tank Division were stationed northwest of Gezhne Temple, but there was no combat activity in the area. On August 15, this unit advanced toward Bai Chengzi and occupied Bai Chengzi Station, which was then taken over by tanks from the 61st Tank Division. Despite extensive documentation, nothing about this incident was revealed until 2014 during the process of perestroika. Reports from British and American sources indicate that the 700,000 Soviet troops occupying Manchuria also terrorized and looted the local population in Mukden. They were not deterred by Soviet authorities and engaged in what was described as "three days of rape and pillage," with similar atrocities occurring in Harbin and across the country. Amid the mass repatriation of Japanese civilians living in the region, Japanese women in Manchuria faced repeated sexual violence at the hands of Russian soldiers every day. In North Korea, it was similarly reported that Soviet soldiers raped both Japanese and Korean women. Additionally, Soviet soldiers looted the property of Japanese, Chinese, and Koreans residing in Manchuria and North Korea. I would like to take this time to remind you all that this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Please go subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry after that, give my personal channel a look over at The Pacific War Channel at Youtube, it would mean a lot to me. Amid chaotic surrenders, Emperor Hirohito accepted defeat, but Soviet advances continued relentlessly. As they pushed deeper, the Soviets captured key cities, including Harbin, while Japan's soldiers and civilians struggled for survival against the onslaught. War crimes committed by Soviet troops added to the tragedy, with rampant violence against Japanese civilians. Amidst political tensions, the Soviets secured territory, culminating in the surrender of remaining Japanese forces. The grim conclusion of this campaign marked a profound shift in the power dynamics of East Asia and paved the way for post-war ramifications.

Max and Maria give their takes on the recent efforts to negotiate a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine. They analyze the meeting between Trump and Putin in Alaska, and then the meeting between Trump, Zelenskyy, and European leaders at the White House.   This episode was recorded on August 20, 2025.

Subscribe to Chris Arnade's Substack - https://walkingtheworld.substack.com/Who is Chris Arnade!He started as a physicist, earning a PHD from Johns Hopkins and then took to Wall St spending two decades on an elite trading desk at CitiGroup before disillusioning his well dressed allies to engage in the photography, walking and writing of the great and forgotten cities of this world. He is a best selling author, but as well… a best subscribed substacker!'Chris Arnade Walks The World' is the publications name…And in it, Chris lives up to the title. Japan, Europe, China, Australia, The Faroe Islands, Canada, the expansive US of A, Turkey, Korea, Indonesia even Uzbekistan (which gets a special mention in this podcast). Cities within all of these great nations and many more, Chris has trod and documented. His format is slow and empathetic. Chris will embark on several 20-30km journeys at his location, take photos and then report on his walk. I can't remember how long I've been subscribed, although it feels like years, but the other day I woke up to an email which detailed Chris's initial impressions of Sydney! I replied to the email right away, and just a few hours later was guiding him along the Malabar to Bondi trail. Steve and I - guiding Chris from the area I grew up to the most iconic beach in Australia. That was a special serendipity which came out of no-where and furthermore, led to this podcast today...00:00 Introduction to Chris Arnade — physicist, Wall Street trader, turned global walker/writer.02:00 First impressions of Sydney — “child of LA and London,” with beaches, pubs, suburbs, and good living.Sydney Observations03:40 Sydney's trains: efficient, sprawling, but designed to avoid beaches.06:00 Sydney friendliness vs. UK cynicism — “Australians are like puppy dogs, eager to please.”09:30 Suburbs as “democratized manors,” good life for the average person, housing affordability issues.13:00 Housing supply constraints, coastline beauty, and why Sydney isn't as bad as people think.Walking & Method16:30 From physics & Wall Street to walking: walks as stress relief, learning, meditation.20:30 Spreadsheet brain → toy models → refining worldview through walking.22:30 Cities that defied expectations: Tashkent & Jakarta.Global Perspectives25:30 Africa's challenges: Nigeria & Dakar as examples of dysfunction despite resources.29:00 Australia's weak ties with Indonesia, lack of Indonesians in Sydney, food culture, overlapping economic models.33:30 Chinese-Indonesian business dominance — parallels to Jews, Lebanese, minorities elsewhere.36:00 High-trust vs. low-trust societies: Japan as the archetype.Culture & Writing41:30 Why he avoids fame, prefers anonymity, but respects subscribers deeply.44:00 Pressure to deliver as a Substack writer — treating it like a job.47:00 Writing inspiration, uninspired cities (Bangkok), and the challenges of always producing.53:00 Strong opinions drive trafficDignity & Underclass55:00 “Dignity” project in the US — underclass and addiction.Personal Life56:20 Family and frugality58:50 Why he doesn't read other travel writersPhilosophy & Serendipity01:04:50 Serendipity? “I don't believe in coincidence.” 01:07:00  Country he's most bullish on01:09:00 Next destinations

Ancora una volta, voglio portarvi in viaggio con me: l'Uzbekistan - l'ultima destinazione della famiglia Cappelli - è un luogo fuori dal comune, dove si incontrano gli imperi e si possono trovare resti persiani lavati dal tempo, monete del più orientali degli stati greco-macedoni, tracce della dominazione araba e dell'ascesa delle città della via della Seta, delle distruzioni dei Mongoli e della contesa - il grande gioco - tra Russia e Impero britannico. Viaggiate con me e Umberto Molinatti - del podcast "So You Think You Can Rule Persia" - alla scoperta di questo paese allo stesso tempo lontano e vicino. --- Per ascoltare il podcast di Umberto: So you think you can rule Persia: https://open.spotify.com/show/0ggELg80II8yhqewa3ZCgS?si=95e7fd2e176e4743 --- Tutti i link di "Storia d'Italia": sito, libri, guerre incivili, patreon, tipeee... ⁠https://linktr.ee/italiastoria⁠ --- Per comprare "Quando Venezia distrusse l'Impero romano": Amazon libro: ⁠https://amzn.to/4gR4tzG⁠ Amazon ebook: ⁠https://amzn.to/4hWFn36⁠ Altre opere letterarie: Per comprare "Ammiano": ⁠acquista fumetto⁠ Per comprare "Per un pugno di barbari":⁠https://amzn.to/3rniBwd⁠ Per comprare "Il miglior nemico di Roma": ⁠https://amzn.to/3Zgzy8w⁠ --- Per supportarmi: ⁠www.patreon.com/italiastoria⁠ ⁠https://it.tipeee.com/italiastoria⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

copyright NDR Live, off-air, three-hour recording of the special annual Gruss an Bord program from German broadcaster NDR, Norddeutscher Rundfunk, on 24 December 2024 with an introductory "warm-up" segment beginning shortly after 18:00 UTC with Gruss an Bord itself starting at 19:00 UTC. The "warm-up segment" featured reports on seafaring, its economic relevance, and everyday life at sea. Gruss an Bord features music and greetings to and from mariners around the world. The Christmas greetings were recorded at an event in Hamburg. Unlike for the past several years, there was no event in Leer.Relatives and friends had the opportunity to wish their loved ones at sea a happy holiday and a happy new year. The Hamburg event was recorded on 8 December in the Duckdalben International Seamen's Club and was hosted by Birgit Langhammer and Ocke Bandixen. Music was provided by the Swedish-South African duo "Fjarill." The broadcast was primarily in German with some greetings in other languages.In addition to being carried on the NDR Info and NDR Info Spezial networks, the broadcast was transmitted around the world on shortwave using transmitters at Nauen, Germany; Moosbrunn, Austria; Issoudun, France; Tashkent, Uzbekistan; and Okeechobee, Florida, U.S.A.; and was organized by Media Broadcast.The frequencies (kHz) were: 6030 (via Issoudun) for the Northeast Atlantic, 6080 (via Tashkent) for Europe, 9635 (via Moosbrunn) for the Indian Ocean,11650 (via Issoudun) for the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, 13830 (via Nauen) for the Southern Atlantic, and15770 (via Okeechobee) for the Northwest AtlanticThe "warm-up" segment was not carried on the NDR Info Spezial network, which broadcast the children's program Mikado instead. And as the Moosbrunn transmitter took the feed from the NDR Info Spezial network, the "warm-up" segment didn't go out on this shortwave transmitter.The recording is of the transmission on the frequency of 11650 kHz for the full three hours.The program was received outdoors on a Belka-DX receiver in pseudo-synchronous (AM2) mode with a bandwidth of 50 Hz - 2.7 kHz with a Tecsun AN-03L 7-metre wire antenna in Hanwell (just outside Fredericton), New Brunswick, Canada. Reception was fairly good for the most part with a bit of noise at times.

For decades, conservationists in Tajikistan assumed that the striped hyena – a shy, less vocal cousin of the spotted hyena – was extinct there. But in 2017 a motion-sensitive camera trap in the country's south-western corner, near the borders with Afghanistan and Uzbekistan, detected the presence of a female with cubs. The discovery stunned local observers, and ever since, one man and his colleagues have struggled to find out more about the few remaining Tajik striped hyenas with a view to saving them from oblivion. The challenges are immense, including the international animal parts trade, competition between animals and humans for habitat, and often-negative public perceptions of the hyena itself. Eight years on, Antonia Bolingbroke-Kent travels to the grassy lowlands of Tajikistan to join the small team in their fight to save these elusive, persecuted mammals, and in doing so learns how vital hyenas are to both the ecosystem and human health.This episode of The Documentary comes to you from Assignment, investigations and journeys into the heart of global events.

For decades, conservationists in Tajikistan assumed that the striped hyena – a shy, less vocal cousin of the spotted hyena – was extinct there. But in 2017 a motion-sensitive camera trap in the country's south-western corner, near the borders with Afghanistan and Uzbekistan, detected the presence of a female with cubs. The discovery stunned local observers, and ever since, one man and his colleagues have struggled to find out more about the few remaining Tajik striped hyenas with a view to saving them from oblivion. The challenges are immense, including the international animal parts trade, competition between animals and humans for habitat, and often-negative public perceptions of the hyena itself. Eight years on, Antonia Bolingbroke-Kent travels to the grassy lowlands of Tajikistan to join the small team in their fight to save these elusive, persecuted mammals, and in doing so learns how vital hyenas are to both the ecosystem and human health.Reporter: Antonia Bolingbroke-Kent Producer: Mike Gallagher Production Co-ordinator: Gemma Ashman Sound mixer: Neil Churchill Series editor: Penny Murphy

Max and Maria spoke with Harley Balzer and Sergei Guriev about the recently released volume, Failure. Russia Under Putin. This conversation was recorded on July 17, 2025. Failure. Russia Under Putin is available now from Bloomsbury Publishing.

Sara Raza is the Artistic Director and Chief Curator of the Centre for Contemporary Art (CCA) in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Of Iranian and Central Asian origin and a member of the international diaspora, Raza focuses on global art and visual cultures from a postcolonial and post-Soviet perspective with a specialism in Orientalism. She is the author of Punk Orientalism: The Art of Rebellion(Black Dog Press, London, 2022). At the helm of the CCA, Raza leads its creative mission to foster cultural and educational partnerships, while championing regional and international artists in their engagement with Uzbekistan's rich cultural heritage and dynamic contemporary art scene. Raza is the recipient of the 11th ArtTable New Leadership Award for Women in the Arts and was honoured by Deutsche Bank and Apollo as one of 40 under 40 global art specialists (thinkers' category). Formerly, she was the Guggenheim UBS MAP Curator for the Middle East and North Africa at the Guggenheim Museum in New York and Curator of Public Programs at Tate Modern in London. She currently teaches in NYU's Media, Cultures, and Communication Department, and is a 2025 Yale School of Art Guest Critic and Visiting Faculty member.She and Zuckerman discuss looking beyond the borders of Europe and the EU, being a global citizen, translation, constellations, mathematics and abstraction, moments of crisis, understanding the present through the past, looking back to look forward, cultures of interruption, finding similarities, punk as a way to combine desperate ideas, reciprocal cultural labor, accessibility, retelling moral tales, art as a re-orientation, and shifting both the imagination and the heart!

What if the key to navigating career pivots, global uncertainty, and personal reinvention was simply learning to listen to your gut, your experiences, and the world around you? In this episode, we sit down with Rhett Power author, speaker, and executive coach whose journey spans from Clear Channel Communications to the Peace Corps in Uzbekistan to co-founding a thriving toy company. Through bold transitions and unexpected turns, Rhett reveals how following his instincts became his most reliable compass. We explore the emotional highs and lows of entrepreneurship, especially what happens after the exit and why no one talks about it enough. Rhett shares how executive coaching, when rooted in accountability and lived experience, can transform how leaders show up for themselves and their teams. But this isn't just a business conversation. It's a global one. Rhett brings stories of resilience and gratitude from some of the world's poorest countries, reminding us how simplicity and service can shape our values. We dig into his take on technology, the rise of AI, and how to stay optimistic in a future that often feels uncertain. From mindset and leadership to legacy and perspective, this episode invites you to rethink success and find joy in the unexpected. Timestamps 00:00:00 - Introduction to the Business Legacy Podcast 00:00:09 - Meet Rhett Power: Author, Speaker, Executive Coach 00:00:45 - From Clear Channel Communications to the Peace Corps 00:01:30 - Founding a Children's Toy Company 00:02:15 - Trusting Instincts and Career Changes 00:03:00 - Post-Business Exit Challenges and New Opportunities 00:04:00 - Rhett's Executive Coaching Approach 00:05:00 - Entrepreneurial Insights and Coaching Accountability 00:06:30 - Career Transitions, Self-Awareness, Adaptability 00:08:38 - Shifting from Entrepreneurship to Global Awareness 00:09:15 - Embracing Technology and AI 00:10:00 - Lessons on Gratitude and Simplicity 00:11:00 - Philanthropy and Giving Back 00:12:00 - Balancing Ventures and Personal Growth 00:15:07 - Rhett's Writing Journey 00:16:00 - "One Million Frogs" and Toy Company Lessons 00:17:00 - Insights from "The Entrepreneur's Book of Actions" 00:18:00 - Upcoming Book "Head of Mentals" on Self-Talk 00:19:00 - Leadership Self-Talk and Team Dynamics 00:20:00 - Reframing Negative Self-Talk in Teams 00:21:00 - Transforming Negative Team Dynamics 00:23:00 - Balancing Life Experiences 00:24:00 - Conclusion and More on Rhett Power 00:27:00 - Closing and Review Encouragement Episode Resources: Connect with Rhett here for more information:  https://digitalneighbor.com/about/eric-ritter Legacy Podcast: For more information about the Legacy Podcast and its co-hosts, visit businesslegacypodcast.com. Leave a Review: If you enjoyed the episode, leave a review and rating on your preferred podcast platform. For more information: Visit businesslegacypodcast.com to access the shownotes and additional resources on the episode.

This week, Max spoke with Michael Kimmage about the recent headlines connected to Russia and Ukraine, and what they mean for the coming months. "The Limits of Putin's Balancing Act: What the Kremlin Will Sacrifice in Pursuit of Victory in Ukraine," by Michael Kimmage and Maria Lipman (Foreign Affairs, July 2025)

Stella Escobedo is an Emmy award winning news anchor-reporter with nearly 20 years experience,  a fearless journalist and an advocate who immigrated to the U.S. from Uzbekistan from the Soviet Union.  Stella is currently a news anchor for One American News (OAN). In this conversation, Stella shares how her upbringing shaped her values, her global perspective, and the causes of her disillusionment with mainstream media. Journalism was always Stella's passion. but during the COVID-19 pandemic, something shifted. Stella began to question the media's silence on critical issues: the voices of parents during lockdowns, the integrity of the 2020 presidential election, and the dangerously skewed coverage of the Israel-Hamas conflict. We discuss  the deeply embedded bias against Israel in U.S. media and the painful, recurring truth that Jews are violently scapegoated in every generation. When serious issues arise, too many default to an intellectually lazy and ancient habit: blame the Jews, and deflect accountability. This conversation is both a warning and a call to action. It's about truth, courage, and refusing to stay silent while history repeats itself. Check out our website: https://meantforyoupod.com Reach out to us: meantforyoupod@gmail.com Follow us on IG A few of our favorite quotes from this episode: "If not me, then who?" "I wanted to be a voice for the voiceless." "The media completely ignored what we should have been able to have open conversations about." "The indoctrination of their children must stop for peace to exist."

Comedy writer Rob Kutner (Conan, The Daily Show) joins the show to talk about his new book, The Jews: 5000 Years and Counting. As someone with a confusing relationship with myself, I had some questions! We also talked about Rob's retro case of Covid, growing up in Atlanta, being deported from Uzbekistan, writing for Dennis Miller vs. Jon Stewart vs. Conan and so much more. Plus we did a round of Just Me or Everyone, HGFY and Podcast Pals Product Picks! Get yourself some new ARIYNBF merch here: https://alison-rosen-shop.fourthwall.com/ Subscribe to my Substack: http://alisonrosen.substack.com Podcast Palz Product Picks: https://www.amazon.com/shop/alisonrosen/list/2CS1QRYTRP6ER?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_aipsflist_aipsfalisonrosen_0K0AJFYP84PF1Z61QW2H Products I Use/Recommend/Love: http://amazon.com/shop/alisonrosen Check us out on Patreon: http://patreon.com/alisonrosen   Buy Alison's Fifth Anniversary Edition Book (with new material): Tropical Attire Encouraged (and Other Phrases That Scare Me) https://amzn.to/2JuOqcd You probably need to buy the HGFY ringtone! https://www.alisonrosen.com/store/

Max and Maria are joined by Richard Giragosian and Jeffrey Mankoff to talk about the current geopolitical moment in the South Caucasus, with a particular focus on the dynamics at play in the relationships between Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Russia. This conversation was recorded on July 9, 2025.

Last week Brian and Louise Hogan, trainers to church planters and former missionaries to Mongolia, shared about their efforts to plant a church in Mongolia—and the high cost they paid for serving there when their infant son died. This week, listen as they unwrap some of the principles they learned in that process, lessons they are now teaching to pastors and church leaders around the world, including hostile areas and restricted nations where VOM works. Brian, the author of There's a Sheep in My Bathtub and An A-Z of Near-Death Adventures, says that many in Western churches want to “buy a box” and follow a checklist for church planting, skipping the difficult process of seeking the Holy Spirit's wisdom and guidance. He challenges church planters to empty themselves of their own culture and learn the people and culture of where they are church planting, while always keeping in step with the New Testament. “If we don't see it in the New Testament,” Brian says, “then we're not going to institute it on the nations.” Brian and Louise also share how generous and missions-minded the church in Mongolia is. They ask, “What can we do to obey Jesus?” As Brian & Louise train Mongolian missionaries to go out to the nations, these radical church planters know that the core of missions is the church. They are not willing that anyone should be unreached. A nation that once sent out violent conquerors is now sending missionaries committed to conquering hearts with the Prince of Peace. Please pray for Mongolian Christians, and for church planters throughout the world as they work and sacrifice to bring every tribe, tongue, and nation into fellowship with Christ. Listen also for a special testimony from a former prisoner for Christ in Uzbekistan, Dmitry “David” Shestakov. Hear the difference it made when Christians around the world wrote letters to him in prison, then go and write letters to Christians in prison right now at PrisonerAlert.com. You can also hear Shestakov share his story in this episode of VOM Radio. The VOM App for your smartphone or tablet will help you pray daily for persecuted Christians throughout the year, as well as providing free access to e-books, audiobooks, video content and feature films. Download the VOM App for your iOS or Android device today.

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On Washington Wednesday, the House considers rescission packages; on World Tour, news from Columbia, India, the DRC, and Uzbekistan; and Andrew Klavan on lessons learned from dark and difficult stories. Plus, a tired father mistaken for a homeless man, Janie B. Cheaney on the importance of reading aloud, and the Wednesday morning newsSupport The World and Everything in It today at wng.org/donateAdditional support comes from WatersEdge Kingdom Investments — personal investments that build churches. 5.05% APY on a three-month term. WatersEdge.com/investWatersEdge Kingdom Investments - WatersEdge securities are subject to certain risk factors as described in our Offering Circular and are not FDIC or SIPC insured. This is not an offer to sell or solicit securities. WatersEdge offers and sells securities only where authorized; this offering is made solely by our Offering Circular.From Ambassadors Impact Network. Unlocking the power of faith-based financing for your startup. More at ambassadorsimpact.comAnd from Dordt University, where future teachers are shaped to love who, what, and how they teach—until all is made new. More at Dordt.edu

Marat Gabidullin, born in Siberia and raised in Uzbekistan, served in Soviet airborne forces until 1994, then spent three years in prison for shooting a crime boss. After security work in Russia, he joined the Wagner Group in 2015, rose to lead a reconnaissance company, and was badly wounded near Palmyra in 2016. He later advised the ISIS Hunters Battalion and fought at Khasham, but quit Wagner in 2019, briefly ran a Redut detachment in Syria, and left disillusioned. Gabidullin's 2022 memoir denounced Wagner and Russia's invasion of Ukraine; he now lives in France. Journalist and researcher John Lechner reports from conflict zones and specializes in Russian PMCs. His book Death Is Our Business (Bloomsbury, 2025) charts the rise of Wagner, following earlier work such as Beginner's Chechen and upcoming Circassian and Sango language texts. A former policy analyst for the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom and an emerging-markets banker at Deutsche Bank and Lazard, Lechner holds degrees from Harvard (Slavic Languages) and Georgetown (MSFS). Fluent in five languages and conversant in several others, he is a recognized expert on Russian foreign policy and has written for The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Atlantic, and Foreign Policy. He lives in Washington, DC. Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors: ⁠https://www.roka.com⁠ - USE CODE SRS https://www.americanfinancing.net/SRS NMLS 182334, nmlsconsumeraccess.org https://www.expressvpn.com/SRS https://www.shawnlikesgold.com https://www.hillsdale.edu/SRS https://www.shopify.com/SRS https://trueclassic.com/SRS https://www.ziprecruiter.com/SRS Guest Links: Marat Gabidullin FB - https://www.facebook.com/share/15TBVmf2mt/  Book - Moi, Marat, ex-commandant de l'armée Wagner - Les dessous de l'armée secrète de Poutine enfin révélé https://a.co/d/csNMjFH  Book - Ma vérité https://a.co/d/bLZYssf  John Lechner X - https://x.com/JohnLechner1 IG - https://www.instagram.com/johnalechner/ FB - https://www.facebook.com/john.lechner.5 Book - Death Is Our Business: Russian Mercenaries and the New Era of Private Warfare https://a.co/d/7rKXhnI Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices