Podcast appearances and mentions of nicholas maduro

This week we talk about Anthropic, the Department of Defense, and OpenAI.We also discuss red lines, contracts, and lethal autonomous systems.Recommended Book: Empire of AI by Karen HaoTranscriptLethal autonomous weapons, often called lethal autonomous systems, autonomous weapons systems, or just ‘killer robots,' are military hardware that can operate independent of human control, searching for and engaging with targets based on their programming and thus not needing a human being to point it at things or pull the trigger.The specific nature and capabilities of these devices vary substantially from context to content, and even between scholars writing on the subject, but in general these are systems—be they aerial drones, heavy gun emplacements, some kind of mobile rocket launcher, or a human- or dog-shaped robot—that are capable of carrying out tasks and achieving goals without needing constant attention from a human operator.That's a stark contrast with drones that require either a human controlled or what's called a human-in-the-loop in order to make decisions. Some drones and other robots and weapons require full hands-on control, with a human steering them, pointing their weapons, and pulling the trigger, while others are semi-autonomous in that they can be told to patrol a given area and look for specific things, but then they reach out to a human-in-the-loop to make final decisions about whatever they want to do, including and especially weapon-related things; a human has to be the one to drop the bomb or fire the gun in most cases, today.Fully autonomous weapon systems, without a human in the loop, are far less common at this point, in part because it's difficult to create a system so capable that it doesn't require human intervention at times, but also because it's truly dangerous to create such a device.Modern artificial intelligence systems are incredibly powerful, but they still make mistakes, and just as an LLM-based chatbot might muddle its words or add extra fingers to a made-up person in an image it generates, or a step further, might fabricate research referenced in a paper it produces, an AI-controlled weapon system might see targets where there are no targets, or might flag a friendly, someone on its side, or a peaceful, noncombatant human, as a target. And if there's no human-in-the-loop to check the AI's understanding and correct it, that could mean a lot of non-targets being treated like targets, their lives ended by killer robots that gun them down or launch a missile at their home.On a larger scale, AI systems controlling arrays of weapons, or even entire militaries, becoming strategic commanders, could wipe out all human life by sparking a nuclear war.A recent study conducted at King's College London found that in simulated crises, across 21 scenarios, AI systems which thought they had control of nation-state-scale militaries opted for nuclear signaling, escalation, and tactical nuclear weapon use 95% of the time, never once across all simulations choosing to use one of the eight de-escalatory options that were made available to them.All of which suggests to the researchers behind this study that the norm, approaching the level of taboo, associated with nuclear weapons use globally since WWII, among humans at least, may not have carried over to these AI systems, and full-blown nuclear conflict may thus become more likely under AI-driven military conditions.What I'd like to talk about today is a recent confrontation between one AI company—Anthropic—and its client, the US Department of Defense, and the seeming implications of both this conflict, and what happened as a result.—In late-2024, the US Department of Defense—which by the way is still the official title, despite the President calling it the Department of War, since only Congress can change its name—the US DoD partnered with Anthropic to get a version of its Claude LLM-based AI model that could be used by the Pentagon.Anthropic worked with Palantir, which is a data-aggregation and surveillance company, basically, run by Peter Thiel and very favored by this administration, and Amazon Web Services, to make that Claude-for-the-US-military relationship happen, those interconnections allowing this version of the model to be used for classified missions.Anthropic received a $200 million contract with the Department of Defense in mid-2025, as did a slew of other US-based AI companies, including Google, xAI, and OpenAI. But while the Pentagon has been funding a bunch of US-based AI companies for this utility, only Claude was reportedly used during the early 2026 raid on Venezuela, during which now-former Venezuelan President Maduro was taken by US forces.Word on the street is that Claude is the only model that the Pentagon has found truly useful for these sorts of operations, though publicly they're saying that investments in all of these models have borne fruit, at least to some degree.So Anthropic's Claude model is being used for classified, military and intelligence purposes by the US government. Anthropic has been happy about this, by all accounts, because that's a fair bit of money, but also being used for these purposes by a government is a pretty big deal—if it's good enough for the US military, after all, many CEOs will see that as a strong indication that Claude is definitely good enough for their intended business purposes.On February 24 of 2026, though, the US Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth, threatened to remove Anthropic from the DoD's stable of AI systems that they use unless the company allowed the DoD to use Claude for any and all legal purposes—unrestricted use of the model, basically.This threat came with a timeline—accede to these demands by February 27 or be cut from the DoD's supply chain—and the day before that deadline, the 26th, Anthropic's CEO released a statement indicating that the company would not get rid of its red lines that delineated what Claude could and could not be used for, and on the 27th, US President Trump ordered that all US agencies stop using Anthropic tools, and said that he would declare the company a supply chain risk, which would make it illegal for any company doing business with the US government at any level and in any fashion to use Anthropic products or services—a label that's rarely used, and which was previously used by the Trump administration against Chinese tech giant Huawei on the basis that the company might insert spy equipment in communications hardware installed across the US if they were allowed to continue operating in the country.Those red lines that Anthropic's CEO said he wouldn't get rid of, not even for a client as big and important as the US government, and not even in the face of threats by Hegseth, including that he might invoke the Defense Production Act, which would allow him to force the company to allow the Pentagon to use Claude however they like, or Trumps threat that the company be blacklisted from not just the government, but from working with a significant chunk of Fortune 500 companies, those red lines include not allowing Claude to be used for controlling autonomous weapon systems, killer robots, basically, and not allowing Claude to be used for surveilling US citizens.The Pentagon signed a contract with Anthropic in which they agreed to these terms, but Hegseth's new demand was that Anthropic sign a new version of the contract in which they allow the US government to use Claude and their other offerings for ‘all legal purposes,' which apparently includes, at least in some cases and contexts, killer robots and mass surveillance.So the Pentagon tried to strong-arm a US-based AI company into allowing them to use their product for purposes the company doesn't consider to be moral, and that led to this situation in which Anthropic is now being phased out from US government use—it'll apparently take about 6 months to do this, and some analysts speculate that timeline is meant to serve as a period in which further negotiation can occur—but either way, it's being phased out and it may even have trouble getting major clients in the future as a result of being blackballed.As all this was happening, OpenAI stepped in and offered its products and services to fill the void left by Anthropic in the US government.OpenAI's CEO has been cozying up to Trump a lot since he regained office, and has positioned the company as a major US asset, too big to fail because then China will win the AI race, basically, so this makes sense. Its CEO released several statements and press releases in the wake of this further cozying, saying that they believe the same things Anthropic does, and that they're not giving up any credibility for doing this because they have the same red lines, no killer robots, no mass surveillance of US citizens.But this is generally assumed to be bunk, because why would the Pentagon agree to the same terms all over again, and with a company that provides, for their purposes and right now, anyway, inferior services instead of the one they just chased out and blackballed, and which was helping them do purposeful, effective things, like kidnapping a foreign leader from a secure facility, today?Instead, what it sounds like is OpenAI is trying to have its cake and eat it too, saying publicly that they don't want their offerings used to control autonomous weapons systems or mass surveil Americans, but instead of writing that into the contract, they've got some basic guardrails baked into their systems, and they are assuming those guardrails will keep any funny business from happening. So it's a sort of gentleman's agreement with their clients that OpenAI products won't be used for mass surveillance or killer robots, rather than something legally binding, as was the case with Anthropic.The response to all this within the tech world has been illustrative of what we might expect in the coming years. Many people, including folks working on these technologies, are halting their use of OpenAI tech in protest, and in some (at this point at least) fewer cases, people are quitting their OpenAI jobs, because they are strongly opposed to these use-cases and would prefer to support a company that takes a strong stand on these sorts of moral issues.Some analysts also wonder if this will ensure the Pentagon only ever has access to inferior AI models because they intentionally threatened and disempowered a key AI industry CEO in public, saying that they had final say over how these tools are used, and many such CEOs are both unaccustomed to such stripping down, but are also doing the work they're doing for ideological reasons—they have beliefs about what the future, as enabled by AI technologies, will look like, and they believe they will play a vital role in making that future happen.The idea, then, is why would they want to work with the Pentagon, or the US government more broadly, if that means no longer being in charge of the destiny of these tools they're putting so much time, effort, and resources into building? Why would they take on a client, even a big, important one, if that means no longer having any grain of control over the future of the world as shaped by the systems they're building?We'll know a bit more about how all this plays out within the next handful of months, as this could serve as a moral differentiator between otherwise near-match products in the AI category, allowing companies like Anthropic to compete, both in terms of clients and in terms of employees, with the likes of OpenAI and xAI by saying, look, we don't want killer robots or mass surveillance and we gave up a LOT, put our money where our mouths are, in support of that moral stance.That could prove to be a serious feather in their cap, despite the initial cost, though it could also be that the pressure the US government is willing and able to apply to them instead serves as a warning to others, and the likes of OpenAI and Google and so on just get better at speaking out of both sides of their mouths on this issue, creating sneakier contracts that allow them to say the same on paper, seeming to take the same moral stance Anthropic did, while behind closed doors allowing their clients to do basically whatever they want with their products, including using them to control killer robots and to mass surveil US citizens.Show Noteshttps://www.kcl.ac.uk/news/artificial-intelligence-under-nuclear-pressure-first-large-scale-kings-study-reveals-how-ai-models-reason-and-escalate-under-crisishttps://www.axios.com/2026/02/26/ai-nuclear-weapons-war-pentagon-scenarioshttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/27/technology/openai-agreement-pentagon-ai.htmlhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lethal_autonomous_weaponhttps://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/885963/anthropic-dod-pentagon-tech-workers-ai-labs-reacthttps://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/886816/openai-reached-a-new-agreement-with-the-pentagonhttps://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/02/trump-moves-to-ban-anthropic-from-the-us-government/https://apnews.com/article/anthropic-pentagon-ai-dario-amodei-hegseth-0c464a054359b9fdc80cf18b0d4f690chttps://www.wsj.com/tech/ai/whats-really-at-stake-in-the-fight-between-anthropic-and-the-pentagon-d450c1a1https://openai.com/index/our-agreement-with-the-department-of-war/https://www.kcl.ac.uk/news/artificial-intelligence-under-nuclear-pressure-first-large-scale-kings-study-reveals-how-ai-models-reason-and-escalate-under-crisishttps://www.axios.com/2026/02/26/ai-nuclear-weapons-war-pentagon-scenarios This is a public episode. 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In the past three months, Donald Trump's White House has reportedly used AI twice to effect regime change – once in its capture of Venezuela's president, Nicolás Maduro, and more recently to help plan the strikes that killed Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The most recent strikes coincided with the end of the Pentagon's relationship with the AI company Anthropic over concerns its AI tool Claude was being used for purposes the company had explicitly prohibited. The government swiftly signed a new contract with Open AI. To find out what this means for the use of AI in forthcoming conflicts, Madeleine Finlay speaks to technology journalist Chris Stokel-Walker. He explains why he thinks this moment represents a dangerous turning point.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod

A former Clinton and Biden foreign policy advisor saw it before it happened. Now the question is what investors do next. Hours after this episode was recorded, the United States and Israel launched a coordinated military campaign against Iran, killing Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in what analysts are calling the most significant U.S.-Iran escalation in decades. Charles Myers, Founder and CEO of Signum Global Advisors and a former senior foreign policy advisor to Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden, had just sat down with Steven Ehrlich to discuss the geopolitical landscape and what it means for investors.  What he said about Iran during that conversation is now raising serious questions about what comes next, and the investment implications are far from settled. In this episode, Myers also addresses whether the "sell America" trade is overdone, where oil is heading, the future of AI funding, and whether Bitcoin can actually function as a safe haven when the world is on fire. Hosts: ⁠Steven Ehrlich⁠, Host of Bits + Bips: The Interview Guests: ⁠Charles Myers, Founder and CEO, Signum Global Advisors Links: Iran strike / military action: US strikes Iran — https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/israel-iran-attack-02-28-26-hnk-intl  US-Iran nuclear talks — https://www.nbcnews.com/world/iran/us-iran-nuclear-talks-trump-military-buildup-attack-missiles-rcna260764  Largest US military buildup in the Middle East since the early 2000s — https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2026/02/26/us-military-assembles-largest-force-of-warships-aircraft-in-middle-east-in-decades/  Oil markets: Oil prices surge after Iran strike — https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/28/iran-us-attack-oil-market-economy.html  Trump's energy strategy: targeting oil in the low $50s — https://www.axios.com/2026/02/28/us-iran-attack-energy-oil-prices  Sell America / US safe haven: Global investors question US safe haven status — https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/28/markets-brace-for-impact-following-us-military-strikes-against-iran.html  The “Sell America” trade, explained — https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-02/sell-america-trade-why-investors-are-questioning-us-assets  Venezuela / Monroe Doctrine: Maduro government and the US oil deal — https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/05/maduro-overthrow-could-pave-the-way-for-us-oil-companies-to-recover-venezuela-assets.html  The return of the Monroe Doctrine under Trump — https://www.cfr.org/articles/oil-power-and-the-climate-stakes-of-the-u-s-move-in-venezuela  OpenAI / AI: OpenAI raises $110 billion — https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/27/open-ai-funding-round-amazon.html  Stargate: OpenAI and SoftBank's AI moonshot — https://openai.com/index/announcing-the-stargate-project/ Prediction Markets: Polymarket Iran strike odds — https://polymarket.com  Insider trading on Polymarket: the Maduro bet — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_United_States_strikes_in_Venezuela  Stablecoins / GENIUS Act: The GENIUS Act and stablecoin regulation — https://www.gibsondunn.com/the-genius-act-a-new-era-of-stablecoin-regulation/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MENOS CURSITIS Y MÁS RESULTADOS DE VENTAS Regístrate en el Top Team de Ventashttps://www.detonadoresdevalor.com/top ¿Tienes más dudas del Top Team o quieres saber si es para ti?Manda mensaje directo al WhatsApp

Sentient oil, dialectical analysis of oil, the "bathtub" vs. dialectical take on oil, the obsession with oil among Western elites, oil as a possession of the developing world, the nationalization of oil, OPEC, the dwindling oil holdings of the Western capitalists, oil as a tool of containing China, why US efforts to contain China with oil will fail, Venezuela, Maduro's removal, the fallacy of the US taking control of Venezuela's oil, Iran, the 1953 coup in Iran, British Petroleum (BP), BP as a facilitator of the coup, the role oil workers played in Iran's revolution, US designs on Iran, the role oil played in the latter part of the Cold War, oil used as a tool of economic warfare against the Soviet Union, the Petrodollar, the Petro Wars of the 1990s in the developing world, the Ukraine-Russia conflict as a new Petro War, Charif Souki, liquefied natural gas (LNG), Michael Khorkokovsky, grid war, the desire of US elites to rebuild/privatize US energy infrastructure, false flags to destroy the US grid, cryptocurrency, crypto as the new PetrodollarMusic by: Keith Allen Dennishttps://keithallendennis.bandcamp.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

12 - Dom Time is here as he recaps the biggest news of the day, America bombing Iran and eliminating their top officials, including the supreme Leader Ayatollah. 1215 - Why was Ayatollah Khemenia the face of evil in Bill O'Reilly's book, Confronting Evil? Bill joins us to kick off this week to detail why, as he was killed in airstrikes by the US over the weekend. How does this situation mirror the one in Venezuela, as Iran was not responding to negotiations just as Maduro wasn't before his kidnapping? Will there be an uprising in Iran, or more of the same? Why is the polling so poor on this decision from Trump? Is the O'Reilly Factor back? 1220 - Side - oxymorons 1235 - Will there be a positive breakthrough with Trump's messaging to the American people as he tries to convince the public that attacking Iran was the prudent thing to do? 1240 - Your calls. 1250 - Scott Presler is going to get votes from Farsi speakers, one way or another.

12 - Dom Time is here as he recaps the biggest news of the day, America bombing Iran and eliminating their top officials, including the supreme Leader Ayatollah. 1215 - Why was Ayatollah Khemenia the face of evil in Bill O'Reilly's book, Confronting Evil? Bill joins us to kick off this week to detail why, as he was killed in airstrikes by the US over the weekend. How does this situation mirror the one in Venezuela, as Iran was not responding to negotiations just as Maduro wasn't before his kidnapping? Will there be an uprising in Iran, or more of the same? Why is the polling so poor on this decision from Trump? Is the O'Reilly Factor back? 1220 - Side - oxymorons 1235 - Will there be a positive breakthrough with Trump's messaging to the American people as he tries to convince the public that attacking Iran was the prudent thing to do? 1240 - Your calls. 1245 - 1250 - Scott Presler is going to get votes from Farsi speakers, one way or another. 1 - Is regime change the way to go in Iran? Where is the US headed with their involvement in Iran? 105 - Your calls. 115 - Fox's Joey Jones makes a good point on questioning the President's actions as we've lost 4 lives now after these strikes in Iran. 120 - No more half-days for Philadelphia public schools, but let's continue with remote learning! Your calls. 130 - Daniel Turner, Founder and Executive Director of Power The Future is here today to breakdown how this bombing of Iran will affect the prices of oil, as they supply over 20% of oil to the rest of the world. How will this cripple America's enemies? How can this lead to an Iran that was stable before the Ayatollah took over? 150 - Dom Giordano Presents: Progressive Women Gone Wild! 155 - Your calls. 2 - Lieutenant Colonel Allen B. West joins us this afternoon as we get his reaction to the attack on Iran that took place over the weekend. Did Iran upgrade their missile launching capabilities? Do we have the right type of guy in Pete Hegseth leading the charge in this war? Is this strike about nation building, or is that not our responsibility once the regime is gone? Is the attack in Austin over the weekend a domestic terrorist attack? What does LTC West think of James Tallarico? 210 - Will Illinois state legislators pass a bill not allowing the governor to opt into school choice? 215 - Dom's Money Melody! 220 - Who has a bone to pick with RFK Jr.'s physique? Happy anniversary, Wilt! 225 - Your calls. 235 - Why is Melania going to oversee a Security Council meeting? Your calls. 240 - Chrissy Houlahan goes after Trump on the strikes. 245 - Scott Presler joins us for his weekly segment, as he has just gotten his forms notarized as he is running for a spot in the Republican Committee in Beaver County! How did the cat get out of the bag? Why has Scott been looking for Farsi speakers in the Commonwealth in order to get them to flip red? How can listeners get behind Scott Presler in his election efforts? 250 - The Lightning Round!

On the 3rd of January this year, Venezuela's President, Nicolas Maduro, was removed from office by a US military intervention. He was flown to the United States to face charges of drug trafficking and partnering with terrorist groups, charges he denies. His leadership and that of his predecessor and mentor Hugo Chavez saw Venezuela move from being an oil rich, prosperous country to a country which was heavily sanctioned and under investigation by the International Criminal Court. Maduro's Vice President, Delcy Rodriguez, has now succeeded him as acting president. Some Venezuelans feel that she represents only continuity with Chavismo, the political system Hugo Chavez created. Others feel that Rodriguez will be forced to adapt in order to survive. Jorge Perez and Alicia Hernandez of BBC Mundo have been following what is happening in Venezuela closely.Snow leopards are beautiful, yet elusive creatures. They like to live high up in snowy mountains, including certain areas in the Indian Himalayas. A group of women in one of India's coldest and most remote regions have joined the efforts to conduct a snow leopard census, using camera traps to count the big cats and protect them and their habitat. Ashay Yedge of BBC Marathi recently traveled to the world's second-highest village to speak to them about their work. This episode of The Documentary comes to you from The Fifth Floor, the show at the heart of global storytelling, with BBC journalists from all around the world. Presented by Irena TaranyukProduced by Laura Thomas and Caroline Ferguson (Photo: Irena Taranyuk)

As speculation mounts over the possibility of an imminent U.S. strike on Iran, the president says the U.S. hasn't made a final decision, but he's not happy with the way Iran has negotiated. It comes as the U.S. ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, tells U.S. embassy staff in Israel to leave “today” if they want to. Meanwhile, President Trump is pressuring Cuba, saying Secretary of State Marco Rubio is dealing with the issue at a very high level. Since Venezuelan regime leader Maduro's ouster, President Trump has repeatedly said communist Cuba is in “big trouble,” saying today, “We could very well end up having a friendly takeover of Cuba after many, many years.” Former President Bill Clinton is testifying today before members of Congress. This comes as part of the House Oversight Committee's Epstein probe and a day after former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton testified. In his opening statement, Clinton said, “I saw nothing, and I did nothing wrong.”

On February 24, 2026, President Trump delivered the longest State of the Union address in American history, clocking in at 1 hour and 47 minutes. Proclaiming that the "Golden Age of America is upon us," the President laid out a bold second-term agenda centered on economic nationalism, strict law and order, and a "Peace Through Strength" foreign policy.In this episode, we break down the major SOTU takeaways:The "Golden Age" Economy: Analyzing Trump's claims on 1.7% inflation, record stock market highs, and the tax cuts in the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" (OBBBA).Tariff Defiance: How the President addressed the recent Supreme Court ruling against his IEEPA tariffs and his plan to use "alternative" legal authorities.Western Hemisphere Victories: The President celebrates the ousting of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela and the neutralization of cartel kingpin "El Mencho."The Border & Mass Deportations: A deep dive into the administration's claim of "zero illegal entries" over nine months and the push for the SAVE America Act.Domestic Battles: The impact of the DHS government shutdown and the announcement of a new "War on Fraud" led by VP JD Vance.The Surprises: From awarding the Presidential Medal of Freedom to honoring the gold medal-winning U.S. Men's Olympic Hockey team.Episode Highlight: We analyze the moment Trump challenged Congress to stand for "protecting citizens, not illegal aliens," and the resulting partisan firestorm that defined the evening.

Professor Evan Ellis reports that the US allows Venezuelan oil resale to Cuba's private sector to empower citizens, while Nicolas Maduro faces criminal proceedings in a formal New York courtroom. 11.1900 MEXICO

You'll laugh your ash off as 2 superstars from Nashville cigar companies join the Boveda cigar podcast. #LoveYourCigarsEpisode features: Jon Huber, Crowned Heads and Tim Ozgener, Oz Family CigarsBoth boutique cigar brands share a heritage over CAO, the cigar company founded by the late Cano Aret Ozgener in Nashville in the 1990s. (Cano was Tim's father.)Oz Family Cigars of today upholds the family's craft with Turkish-named blends, such as Firsat and Karatoba. Crowned Heads specializes in small-batch blends, such as Four Kicks and Jericho Hill.Interview by Boveda's Box Press Hosts Nate Beck and JP Awad.What is Boveda? Boveda patented 2-way humidity control for storing premium cigars. Aging cigars with Boveda is the easiest and most effective way to preserve their quality, flavors, aroma, and integrity. By maintaining the ideal humidity, Boveda prevents mildew in a cigar humidor while also protecting cigars from drying out. With Boveda in your cigar humidor, you'll enjoy full flavor and a perfect smoke from every cigar.Looking for the best cigar humidor? Check out the only humidor built to work with Boveda packs, the Boveda Humidor. The Boveda Humidor reimagines traditional cigar care. It's simple. No guesswork. No maintenance. No humidity problems. Your only task is to enjoy.Highlights:00:00 Welcome to Box Press by Boveda00:50 Cigar legends & stories04:08 How Boveda got started05:17 Boveda makes Viva for cannabis curing and storage09:36 History of Crowned Heads cigars15:00 History of OZ Family Cigars32:01 What cigars are smokers liking right now38:35 Why foodies should try cigars42:57 Steps of making a good cigar44:37 What not to do in retirement47:12 Funny story: bring out the "ADULT" pipes49:34 Funny story: Timmy stuck in kindergarten01:03:33 Humidity for cigars in dry climates01:05:25 Find a mentor01:07:35 What will be your legacy?

For sixty years Washington and Havana have been having a geopolitical tango fuelled by obsession and ideology. The island nation of Cuba has been a socialist splinter in the finger of the Florida coastline, its regime infecting the region. Now, with the toppling of Nicolás Maduro and Venezuelan oil tightly controlled by the US, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel could be next. To get into the finer details of the US's new found dominance in the Caribbean, Venetia is joined by The Telegraph's foreign reporter, Lily Shanagher.Plus, former national security advisor John Bolton, voices the need for regime change in Venezuela, Iran and Cuba. Coining the phrase ‘Troika of Tyranny' in 2018, Bolton has had Cuba in his sights for many years as a rogue state. So what should happen next in the region? John Bolton lays bare the truth about Trump's decision making and the need for swift action.Producer: Peter ShevlinExecutive Producer: Louisa Wells► 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/fromtheeditorContact us with feedback or ideas:@venetiarainey@RolandOliphant Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

El presidente de Estados Unidos, Donald Trump, proclamó el dominio total de Estados Unidos sobre Latinoamérica, sustituyendo la diplomacia tradicional por la intervención directa. Ante el Congreso, el mandatario presentó la captura de Nicolás Maduro y el control del petróleo venezolano como ejes de una nueva doctrina que prohíbe la influencia extranjera y exige lealtad absoluta a los intereses de Washington.

Murderbots, mass layoffs, and media takeovers — all in one news cycle. Anthropic told the Pentagon "we will not accede." Block cut half its workforce overnight. And the Paramount-Warner Brothers deal raises real questions about who's running the media now.Also, thanks to Nicolás Maduro's fashion sense, Dan's 13-year-old is being called Lil Tator at school and honestly? The kids are all right. Happy FAFO Friday!Here's some of what Kwaku Aning and I get into:(00:00) - Three Stories Broke Last Night (03:16) - Anthropic Tells the Pentagon No (06:24) - Murder Bots, But Human in the Loop (07:00) - The Pentagon's Friday Deadline (09:28) - Why This Is a Huge Win for Anthropic (10:50) - The War for AI Talent (12:57) - Is the Administration Losing Steam? (15:05) - The Paramount-Warner Brothers Deal (17:36) - Who Controls the Media Now? (21:13) - CNN, Independent Media, and the Employee Perspective (23:55) - Block Lays Off 4,000 People (24:14) - The Citrini Research Fiction That Tanked Stocks (27:49) - AI Washing and the Real Reason for Layoffs (30:11) - Will Vibe Coding Replace Real Companies? (33:27) - Mid-Roll Break (34:41) - Past, Present, Future: State-Controlled AI (35:18) - Past, Present, Future: Independent Media (38:03) - — SLAPP Lawsuits and Creator Protections (40:23) - — Past, Present, Future: Knicks Championship (41:44) - — Come See Us at South by Southwest!

In this episode of the Oil Ground Up Podcast, guest Rachel Ziemba joins host Rory Johnston to provide an update on the rapidly shifting landscape of U.S. economic statecraft and its impact on Venezuela, Iran, and Russia. The discussion explores the unprecedented transition in Venezuela, where the U.S. has moved from an aggressive naval blockade to a tightly managed stabilization effort following the extraction of Nicolás Maduro. Regarding Iran, Ziemba examines the massive military buildup in the Middle East and evaluates the possibility of a pragmatic "deal" designed to lower global oil prices. The conversation also breaks down the convoluted sanctions regime against Russia, detailing how recent blocking measures on major firms like Rosneft and Lukoil have significantly curtailed Indian imports. Finally, the episode highlights the challenges of the "shadow fleet" and the geopolitical dance between the U.S. administration and international oil majors to secure global supply chains.

In this episode of The President's Daily Brief: First up — new reporting reveals how a five-minute phone call between President Trump and Nicolás Maduro may have sealed the Venezuelan strongman's fate, as misread intentions helped turn diplomacy into military action and, ultimately, a prison cell. Later in the show — amid mounting pressure on Tehran, the CIA launches a rare recruitment push aimed directly at Iranians. Plus — the United Kingdom slaps sanctions on nearly 300 Russian-linked entities after an email blunder exposed a network of illicit oil traders tied to Moscow's energy and military sectors. And in today's Back of the Brief — Russia accuses Ukraine of seeking to acquire a nuclear weapon with help from the UK and France, a claim Kyiv and Western officials dismiss as baseless disinformation.  To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President's Daily Brief by visiting https://PDBPremium.com. Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief. YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief American Financing: Call American Financing today to find out how customers are saving an avg of $800/mo. NMLS 182334, https://nmlsconsumeraccess.org APR for rates in the 5s start at 6.196% for well qualified borrowers. Call 866-885-1881 for details about credit costs and terms. Visit http://www.AmericanFinancing.net/PDB  Ultra Pouches: Don't sleep on @ultrapouches. New customers get 15% Off with code PDB at https://takeultra.com! #UltraPouches #ad Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donate (no account necessary) | Subscribe (account required) Join Bryan Dean Wright, former CIA Operations Officer, as he dives into today's top stories shaping America and the world. In this episode of The Wright Report, Bryan breaks down the political aftershocks of President Trump's record-setting State of the Union address, from new retirement proposals and Big Tech power requirements to the growing frustration over the Senate filibuster and the fate of the SAVE America Act. Bryan then examines the sharp partisan divide on immigration, crime, parental rights, and voter ID, arguing that the speech exposed a fundamental split over who counts as an American and what the country should become. The second half pivots global, with updates on the capture of Venezuela's Maduro, delicate negotiations with Cuba, expanding U.S. seizures of illicit oil tankers, and a looming confrontation with Iran as Tehran eyes hypersonic missiles from China. Bryan also covers the grinding war in Ukraine and why crypto markets are struggling, with nearly half of Bitcoin holders now underwater.   "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." - John 8:32     Keywords: February 26 2026 Wright Report, Trump State of the Union reaction, SAVE America Act filibuster debate, voter ID legislation, Maduro capture operation, Cuba oil negotiations Raul Castro, ghost fleet tanker seizures Venezuela Russia Iran, Iran hypersonic missiles China purchase, looming US Iran conflict, Ukraine year five war attrition, Bitcoin underwater investors crypto slump

The US is busy saber rattling all over the globe. On today's show guest host Norm Stockwell checks in with two anti-war activists, Medea Benjamin and Ann Wright, about what they're hearing on the ground in Venezuela and Cuba.  Wright says that activists should be tired right now from the burnout of protesting in the streets and visiting their congressional representative's offices. She says that it's important to travel to places like Cuba and Venezuela to see what the US government is actually perpetuating and how Venezuelans are saying “we hope you can control your own government and how it acts internationally.” She also describes how Venezuelans are responding to the US kidnapping of their head of state and the purposeful bombing of their communications and energy facilities.  They also discuss the situation in Cuba and Benjamin's latest article about US sanctions. Benjamin has covered the US's relationship with Iran and says that you don't have to like the Iranian government to oppose a US invasion. Polls show there's little support for such an action, but Israel continues to push for war with Iran. She describes how everyday people become the victims of US warfare. Note: This pledge drive interview was edited to remove parts of the show dedicated to station fundraising. We thank our listeners for their generous support. Medea Benjamin is a cofounder of both CODEPINK and the international human rights organization Global Exchange. She is the author of 11 books, including Drone Warfare: Killing by Remote Control, Kingdom of the Unjust: Behind the U.S.-Saudi Connection, Inside Iran: The Real History and Politics of the Islamic Republic of Iran and War in Ukraine: Making Sense of a Senseless Conflict, coauthored with Nicolas J.S. Davies. Her most recent book, coauthored with David Swanson, is NATO: What You Need to Know. Benjamin has been an advocate for social justice for more than 30 years. Ann Wright is a US Army/Army Reserves veteran, retired Colonel, and former US diplomat who resigned in March 2003 in opposition to the war on Iraq. She served in Nicaragua, Grenada, Somalia, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Sierra Leone, Micronesia and Mongolia. In December 2001 she was on the small team that reopened the US Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan. She is the co-author of the book Dissent: Voices of Conscience. Featured image of protestors gathered in Times Square against the invasion of Venezuela and kidnapping of Nicolás Maduro by the U.S. via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0). Did you enjoy this story? Your funding makes great, local journalism like this possible. Donate hereThe post From Venezuela to Cuba with Medea Benjamin and Ann Wright appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

In this episode, Alex dives into the chaos gripping Mexico after the killing of cartel leader El Mencho, exploring how the Jalisco New Generation Cartel challenged the state's authority. Drawing on Max Weber's definition of the state as the entity with a monopoly on legitimate violence, Alex examines what it means when organized crime can burn highways, shoot down helicopters, and act as a parallel government. The episode unpacks whether Mexico can reclaim control and restore the Weberian monopoly of violence in the wake of this dramatic upheaval. At the end, Alex also gives an update on Cuba as it is experiencing the potential for mass starvation after sanctions following Maduro's ousting in Venezuela.

This week's show features stories from NHK Japan, Radio Deutsche-Welle, France 24, and Radio Havana Cuba. http://youthspeaksout.net/swr260227.mp3 (29:00) From JAPAN- Scientists report a 1 1/2 degree Celsius rise is Pacific Ocean water entering the Arctic Ocean. A Hong Kong company has stopped all operations at two of the ports at the Panama Canal. The leaders of China and Germany pledged to strengthen economic ties and free trade. From GERMANY- An interview with Vanessa Vanessa Vohs of University of Bundeswehr in Munich. Anthropic is an AI American company, with huge Department of Defense contracts. The Pentagon insists they should continue to use the AI for surveillance and autonomous weapons, as it was in the kidnapping of President Maduro in Venezuela. Anthropic is refusing to allow it. From FRANCE- An interview with Jodie Ginsberg from the Committee to Protect Journalists. The CPJ just released a report on the widespread use of torture of Palestinian journalists in Israeli prisons. The report is entitled "We return from Hell." From CUBA- The US government continues to enforce and executive order imposing sanctions and tariffs on any country attempting to help Cubans get oil supplies. The kidnapped Venezuelan President and First Lady have had a second court hearing in NY delayed until March 26. In the UK 12 activists with Palestine Action have been released on bail from prison after several months, and 6 were found not guilty of aggravated burglary. A Palestinian-American citizen, Nasrallah Abu Siyam was killed by Israeli settlers stealing sheep in the occupied West Bank. The US military destroyed another 3 more people on a boat in the Caribbean, alleged to be transporting drugs, bringing the death toll to 150. Available in 3 forms- (new) HIGHEST QUALITY (160kb)(33MB), broadcast quality (13MB), and quickdownload or streaming form (6MB) (28:59) Links at outfarpress.com/shortwave.shtml PODCAST!!!- https://feed.podbean.com/outFarpress/feed.xml (160kb Highest Quality) Website Page- < http://www.outfarpress.com/shortwave.shtml ¡FurthuR! Dan Roberts "It is ironic that people of modest means sometimes become conservative out of a scarcity fear bred by the very capitalist system they support." --Michael Parenti Dan Roberts Shortwave Report- www.outfarpress.com YouthSpeaksOut!- www.youthspeaksout.net

“The deliberate cruelty that they found humor in stood out to me,” says Jordan Uhl of Donald Trump's Tuesday evening State of the Union. This week on the Intercept Briefing, co-hosts Uhl, Akela Lacy, and Jessica Washington disentangle Trump's nearly two-hour-long speech so you don't have to. “This is who these people are. In some ways, they're trying to sugarcoat what they're doing, but in other ways they're so blatant about doing really evil things around the world and being totally OK with it,” says Lacy, in reference to Trump talking about kidnapping Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. “It is really alarming to me how good they are at framing that in a positive light. And there were people cheering all over the room for us toppling a regime, doing regime change, while they're telling you that we don't do that anymore.” Washington adds, “The whole thing, if you read it, if you listen to it, it reads like a white nationalist speech.”The co-hosts also dissect the Democratic Party's official response to the State of the Union, delivered by Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger.Listen to the full conversation of The Intercept Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Keep our investigations free and fearless at theintercept.com/join. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send a textThis Daily Drop hits heroism, policy shifts, and geopolitical tension in one tight package.President Trump presented the Medal of Honor to Chief Warrant Officer 5 Eric Slover for extraordinary heroism during the Maduro raid. The 160th SOAR pilot was wounded under fire and still completed the mission. It's the kind of quiet professionalism the Night Stalkers are known for—even if he'd rather not be in the spotlight.The Army is experimenting with auction-style retention bonuses for senior warrant officers. The Navy's EOD teams are training in extreme Arctic conditions. The Coast Guard is intercepting migrant vessels while dealing with funding uncertainty.The VA has indefinitely paused the controversial disability ratings rule that would have factored medication effects into compensation decisions. That story isn't over.Meanwhile, Japan is bolstering air defenses near Taiwan, and satellite imagery shows a new Chinese nuclear-powered attack submarine entering the fleet.Operational tempo isn't slowing down.⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 Intro and sponsor 02:00 Medal of Honor for Maduro raid pilot 05:00 Warrant officer “auction-style” retention bonuses 07:00 Fort Bliss sentencing 09:00 Navy EOD Arctic training 11:00 Air Force line-of-duty policy update 13:00 Coast Guard migrant interceptions 15:00 VA disability rule on hold 17:00 Pentagon anomalous health team realignment 19:00 State of the Union honors 21:00 Iran tensions and military buildup 23:00 Japan air defense near Taiwan 25:00 China's new nuclear submarine

In this episode recorded immediately after Trump's record-breaking 108-minute State of the Union address, Chuck Todd argues that while Trump's base will love the "own the libs" moments — from trolling Democrats in the chamber to the raucous "USA" chants from Republicans — the speech was fundamentally a missed opportunity that did nothing to help the GOP heading into the midterms. He contends that Trump chose to be a party leader rather than a president, turning the address into something resembling an award show by packing it with medal presentations, the Olympic men's hockey team, honorees who deserved more dedicated recognition rather than being used as applause props in an already bloated speech. He argues that Trump's tone on the economy couldn't have been worse for Republicans: with his approval at 60% disapproval and the Supreme Court having just struck down his tariffs days earlier, Trump barely addressed voters' core concerns about costs and affordability, instead declaring a "turnaround for the ages" that doesn't match most Americans' lived experience. He notes Trump’s highlighting of Iran's ballistic missiles sounded like a pretext for war that won't play well with parts of his own base. He praises Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger's Democratic response as simple and effective — particularly her pointed questions about whether the president is actually working to make life more affordable — and argues she clearly won over independents. He closes with a bigger-picture observation: that there's a 60% majority coalition available on populist economic issues like protecting the safety net from cuts to fund tax breaks for the wealthy, but that Democrats still have a damaged brand despite Trump's terrible numbers, and that voters who thought they were getting first-term Trump are reckoning with something very different. Then, Paul Auslander, President of SeaBridge Private Wealth, a division of SeaBridge Investment Advisors LLC joins the Chuck Toddcast for a wide-ranging conversation about the intersection of money, markets, and the current political moment. Auslander walks through how the political climate now factors directly into financial planning projections, noting that European indices doubled the S&P's performance last year as capital flows shift overseas, and that a growing number of wealthy clients are hedging by moving money out of the United States. He offers candid takes on the issues keeping investors up at night: the inevitability of Social Security cuts (though he argues simply pushing retirement age from 67 to 69 would stabilize the fund), the likely future of Social Security privatization, crypto's evolution from a technological revolution into a special interest that bought its own policy outcomes, and whether there's money to be made off bad Trump policies that are likely to be reversed. Auslander also explains why the bond market is a better barometer of economic health than the stock market, why private equity is sitting on mountains of sidelined capital, and why he remains cautiously bullish on 2026 — largely because AI is only in the "second inning" and massive disruption is still ahead. The conversation also ventures into territory financial planners don't usually discuss publicly. Auslander addresses whether the wealthy are worried the "pitchforks are coming for them," pointing to economic anxiety driving a spike in gun sales and a pop culture landscape that increasingly portrays corporations and the ultra-rich as villains. He breaks down the rise of family offices — private wealth management firms for the ultra-wealthy that take a long-term investment view — and explains why companies increasingly choose to stay private thanks to nearly unlimited private capital, rather than face the scrutiny of public markets. They also dig into the generational divide between investing and gambling, the casino-like nature of prediction markets, and the burden that post-Lehman Brothers insurance and regulatory requirements have placed on small businesses and regional banks that had nothing to do with the 2008 financial crisis. Auslander closes with a pointed message: that Fed independence and the rule of law are paramount to economic stability, and that centrism — not ideological extremism — remains the best way to run the country. Finally, Chuck presents his updated ToddCast Top 5 list of senate seats most likely to flip in the midterms and answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment. Go to https://zbiotics.com/CHUCKTODDCAST and use CHUCKTODDCAST at checkout for 15% off any first time orders of ZBiotics probiotics.” Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! Link in bio or go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. American Finance Disclaimer: NMLS 182334, nmlsconsumeraccess.org. APR for rates in the 5s start at 6.196% for well qualified borrowers. Call 866-885-1081, for details about credit costs and terms. Or https://apply.americanfinancing.net/thechucktoddcast Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 03:15 Trump’s base will love “own the libs” moments from SOTU 04:30 Most of Trump’s base was celebrating himself & animating his base 05:15 Trump’s tone on the economy couldn’t have been worse for GOP 06:30 Trump hid behind the glory of others, turned speech into award show 07:45 Awards are an incredible honor, deserved more time & recognition 09:30 Hopefully the recipients get dedicated events to honor them 10:00 Overloading the speech with awards felt a bit gimmicky 11:00 Trump mostly bit his tongue when addressing SCOTUS 11:30 Trump chose to be a party leader rather than president, trolled Dems 12:15 Spanberger’s response to SOTU was simple & effective 14:00 Spanberger definitely did better with independents than Trump 14:45 Trump’s proposal to make AI companies provide their power is a winner 15:15 Trump highlighting Iran’s ballistic missiles sounds like a pretext for war 16:30 Attacking Iran won’t play well with parts of Trump’s base 17:30 Trump didn’t talk about Venezuelan democracy, just oil 18:15 Trump’s still working with the Maduro regime 19:45 Are we trying to prevent Iranian nukes, or attempting regime change? 20:30 Trump claiming credit for getting Mexican cartel leader is a big faux pax 21:45 Allies feel like Trump will sell them out just so he can take credit 22:30 Trump didn’t address voters concerns on costs & the economy 23:45 Trump is better on the attack than defending his record 24:30 The speech didn’t give Republicans a boost for the midterms 25:30 Most Americans don’t support cutting safety net for tax cuts 27:30 There’s a 60% majority to be had on economic issues, not cultural ones 29:15 Voters keep picking the out party 30:30 There’s a majority coalition to be won with populist economic policy 32:30 This could be a moment for candidates to shed the party label 33:00 Democrats will have a strong midterm just being against Trump 33:45 Class politics could create a strong majority 35:30 Voters thought they’d get 1st term Trump, not what they’re getting 45:30 Paul Auslander joins the Chuck ToddCast 47:00 Paul’s origin story 48:15 Financial planning was mostly done by insurance companies in 70’s 49:00 Northerners move to FL for taxes & weather, but FL is pushing it socially 51:30 Fiduciary responsibility is the line of demarcation in financial planning 52:30 Factoring the political climate into financial planning projections 54:00 European index doubled the performance of the S&P last year 55:00 Tax policy is generally the biggest concern for investors 57:30 A cut to social security payments is bound to happen 58:30 If you push retirement from 67 to 69 the SS fund becomes healthy 1:00:45 Social security privatization likely to happen in the future 1:02:45 Money to be made off bad Trump policies that are likely to go away? 1:03:45 Crypto became a special interest & bought support for pro crypto policy 1:05:30 Crypto is a revolution that predates Trump & will outlast him 1:07:00 Lesson to be learned from rise then collapse in price of silver? 1:08:00 Central banks are buying silver, gold and assets 1:09:30 How many people are hedging by moving money out of the U.S.? 1:10:15 Europe is spending big money on arms & infrastructure 1:11:30 Definition of a “Family Office” 1:14:00 Family office investments are increasingly popular & take the long view 1:15:30 Are the investors/wealthy worried the pitchforks are coming for them? 1:17:00 Economic anxiety driving a spike in gun sales 1:18:30 Pop culture portrays corporations & wealthy as the villains 1:20:00 Private equity has a lot of money on the sideline, looking for investments 1:23:00 The burden of insurance requirements on small business 1:25:30 Small & regional banks paying for the sins of Lehman Brothers 1:26:30 Companies stay private due to near unlimited private capital 1:27:15 Do young people like investing… or do they just like gambling? 1:28:15 Thoughts on prediction markets? 1:29:30 There’s a casino like approach to certain markets 1:30:45 If the house flips, you could see money get withdrawn from markets 1:32:00 How do Trump’s relationships with world leaders affect projections? 1:33:15 The bond market is more indicative of economic health than stock market 1:34:15 Uncertainty will impact earnings 1:34:45 Why are you feeling bullish on 2026? 1:37:00 AI is only in the 2nd inning. Disruption is coming 1:40:00 Thom Tillis sounds like a different man now that he’s retiring 1:41:00 Centrism seems like the best way to run the country 1:43:00 AI won’t be replacing financial advisors anytime soon 1:45:15 What’s one question you want every presidential candidate to answer? 1:45:45 Fed independence and rule of law are paramount 1:47:30 Chuck’s thoughts on interview with Paul Auslander 1:48:45 ToddCast Top senate seats most likely to flip in midterms 1:49:00 #1 North Carolina 1:50:45 #2 Maine 1:53:45 #3 Michigan 1:58:15 #4 Alaska 2:01:15 #5 Texas 2:06:30 Honorable mentions: South Dakota & Minnesota 2:11:30 Ask Chuck 2:11:45 Promoting tariffs & AI have to only be bad for Trump? 2:12:45 Can Republicans not endorsed by Trump win their primaries? 2:14:15 Will lifting pesticide bans cause MAHA voters to turn on Trump?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode recorded immediately after Trump's record-breaking 108-minute State of the Union address, Chuck Todd argues that while Trump's base will love the "own the libs" moments — from trolling Democrats in the chamber to the raucous "USA" chants from Republicans — the speech was fundamentally a missed opportunity that did nothing to help the GOP heading into the midterms. He contends that Trump chose to be a party leader rather than a president, turning the address into something resembling an award show by packing it with medal presentations, the Olympic men's hockey team, honorees who deserved more dedicated recognition rather than being used as applause props in an already bloated speech. He argues that Trump's tone on the economy couldn't have been worse for Republicans: with his approval at 60% disapproval and the Supreme Court having just struck down his tariffs days earlier, Trump barely addressed voters' core concerns about costs and affordability, instead declaring a "turnaround for the ages" that doesn't match most Americans' lived experience. He notes Trump’s highlighting of Iran's ballistic missiles sounded like a pretext for war that won't play well with parts of his own base. He praises Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger's Democratic response as simple and effective — particularly her pointed questions about whether the president is actually working to make life more affordable — and argues she clearly won over independents. He closes with a bigger-picture observation: that there's a 60% majority coalition available on populist economic issues like protecting the safety net from cuts to fund tax breaks for the wealthy, but that Democrats still have a damaged brand despite Trump's terrible numbers, and that voters who thought they were getting first-term Trump are reckoning with something very different. Finally, Chuck presents his updated ToddCast Top 5 list of senate seats most likely to flip in the midterms and answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment. Go to https://zbiotics.com/CHUCKTODDCAST and use CHUCKTODDCAST at checkout for 15% off any first time orders of ZBiotics probiotics.” Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! Link in bio or go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. American Finance Disclaimer: NMLS 182334, nmlsconsumeraccess.org. APR for rates in the 5s start at 6.196% for well qualified borrowers. Call 866-885-1081, for details about credit costs and terms. Or https://apply.americanfinancing.net/thechucktoddcast Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 2:15 Trump’s base will love “own the libs” moments from SOTU 3:30 Most of Trump’s base was celebrating himself & animating his base 4:15 Trump’s tone on the economy couldn’t have been worse for GOP 5:30 Trump hid behind the glory of others, turned speech into award show 6:45 Awards are an incredible honor, deserved more time & recognition 8:30 Hopefully the recipients get dedicated events to honor them 9:00 Overloading the speech with awards felt a bit gimmicky 10:00 Trump mostly bit his tongue when addressing SCOTUS 10:30 Trump chose to be a party leader rather than president, trolled Dems 11:15 Spanberger’s response to SOTU was simple & effective 13:00 Spanberger definitely did better with independents than Trump 13:45 Trump’s proposal to make AI companies provide their power is a winner 14:15 Trump highlighting Iran’s ballistic missiles sounds like a pretext for war 15:30 Attacking Iran won’t play well with parts of Trump’s base 16:30 Trump didn’t talk about Venezuelan democracy, just oil 17:15 Trump’s still working with the Maduro regime 18:45 Are we trying to prevent Iranian nukes, or attempting regime change? 19:30 Trump claiming credit for getting Mexican cartel leader is a big faux pax 20:45 Allies feel like Trump will sell them out just so he can take credit 21:30 Trump didn’t address voters concerns on costs & the economy 22:45 Trump is better on the attack than defending his record 23:30 The speech didn’t give Republicans a boost for the midterms 24:30 Most Americans don’t support cutting safety net for tax cuts 26:30 There’s a 60% majority to be had on economic issues, not cultural ones 28:15 Voters keep picking the out party 29:30 There’s a majority coalition to be won with populist economic policy 31:30 This could be a moment for candidates to shed the party label 32:00 Democrats will have a strong midterm just being against Trump 32:45 Class politics could create a strong majority 34:30 Voters thought they’d get 1st term Trump, not what they’re getting 44:45 ToddCast Top senate seats most likely to flip in midterms 45:00 #1 North Carolina 46:45 #2 Maine 49:45 #3 Michigan 54:15 #4 Alaska 57:15 #5 Texas 1:02:30 Honorable mentions: South Dakota & Minnesota 1:07:30 Ask Chuck 1:07:45 Promoting tariffs & AI have to only be bad for Trump? 1:08:45 Can Republicans not endorsed by Trump win their primaries? 1:10:15 Will lifting pesticide bans cause MAHA voters to turn on Trump?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump pronuncia un combativo discurso en el Capitolio, defendiendo su política arancelaria y la extracción de Nicolás Maduro, y bromea sobre un tercer mandato. En España, PP y VOX negocian gobiernos autonómicos, con Feijóo y Abascal en posturas opuestas. Una jueza pide investigar a Carlos Mazón por su gestión en la DANA. La Moncloa publica 53 documentos del 23F (Defensa, Interior, Exteriores), sin el sumario judicial. La desaparición de ultramarinos es un tema abordado. Alfonso Gómez (Sevilla) se jubila sin relevo; Fuencisla Sanz (Segovia) destaca su servicio a mayores y fomento comunitario. Oyentes sugieren considerarlos servicio público. La gerociencia investiga modular el envejecimiento para mantener función y salud, desarrollando terapias. La Dra. Ana María Cuervo busca retrasar el deterioro funcional y evitar enfermedades. España tiene alta esperanza de vida, pero arrastra años de discapacidad desde los 65. El historiador José Luis Corral detalla la conquista de Canarias. ...

President Trump delivered the first State of the Union of his second term as a deeply unpopular leader, at least according to the polls. But he didn't sound like a man on the back foot - and he didn't give any indication that he's about to change course. It was the longest speech in the 236-year history of the President's annual message. And is now so often the case, the amateur dramatics will be remembered better than anything the president actually said. There were standing ovations for the heroic US Olympic hockey team, for Charlie Kirk's widow Erika, and for a Venezuelan prisoner reunited with his niece after Maduro's arrest. The only mention of the Epstein Files, unsurprisingly, came from heckling Democrats - for whom the president had strong words. Joining Piers Morgan to discuss the latest in the world of US politics is co-host of Steve Bannon's War Room, Natalie Winters, host of Gains For Girls on Outkick, Riley Gaines, host of No Lie, Brian Tyler Cohen and mayor of Newark City Ras Baraka. Piers also speaks to Colorado Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert and Princess Diana's former butler Paul Burrell. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

//The Wire//2000Z February 24, 2026////ROUTINE////BLUF: UNITED STATES CAPTURES LAST TANKER VESSEL THAT ESCAPED VENEZUELA. IDAHO VEHICLE RAMMING SUSPECT ARRESTED. WEATHER CONDITIONS POOR IN TEHRAN.// -----BEGIN TEARLINE----- -International Events-Indian Ocean: Overnight, the United States seized another tanker vessel, interdicting the last remaining vessel that had fled Venezuela in the wake of the Maduro regime's collapse. The M/T *BERTHA* was captured in the Indian Ocean this morning, after running the American blockade weeks ago.Mexico: Over the past 24 hours, most of the violence around the country has taken the form of arson attacks on convenience stores scattered around the nation, and subsequently looting has been reported at the burned-out stores and commercial venues which have been targeted by cartel militants. Sporadic cartel roadblocks continue to be emplaced on major roadways randomly, which mostly take the form of burning vehicles being used to block the roadway. Most of these roadblocks are resolved in a few hours, and are not usually manned by cartel members.Analyst Comment: Otherwise, Government forces have been able to secure the airports, and the US Embassy reported this afternoon that flights have resumed for anyone who so desires to depart. Most of the conflict throughout the past 24 hours has focused on CJNG forces conducting ambush-style attacks on federal forces, rather than overtly controlling terrain.-HomeFront-Washington D.C. - This afternoon President Trump is scheduled to give the State of the Union Address before Congress. The speech is scheduled for 9:00pm Eastern time.Analyst Comment: For those speculating that the war with Iran will be announced during this address, it will be a little late in the day for that. By the time the speech is scheduled to start, the sun will be about to rise in the Middle East, so it will probably be too late timing-wise if the cover of darkness is necessary for whatever is planned.Idaho: The suspect in the St. Luke's vehicle ramming attack has been identified and was arrested last night. Sarah Elizabeth George, a resident of Boise, has been charged with stealing the ambulance, conducting the ramming attack into the Portico Building, and the subsequent attempted arson.Analyst Comment: As one might expect, the suspect's digital profile indicates that the attack was conducted for ideological reasons, which meets the definition of being classified as terrorism. It is unclear as to if terrorism charges will be filed, but the suspect's social media accounts contain the usual indicators of mental instability and open calls for violence. The suspect was identified after leaving the credit card receipt for the gas cans that were to be used in the attack, at the scene of the crime.-----END TEARLINE-----Analyst Comments: Weather in Tehran is not great, with cloud cover rolling in this afternoon. METeorological Aerodrome Reports (METARs) for points around Tehran indicate an overcast sky at 10,000ft remained in place for much of the day, with a scattered layer situated at 4,000ft. The Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF) for Imam Khomeini International Airport calls for suboptimal weather conditions (cloud cover and rain) until at least tomorrow night.Weather conditions are constantly changing, however very tentatively, cloud cover is forecasted to be murky at best over the next few days. Lunar illumination peaks this weekend, with the window of 80% illum taking place from roughly February 27th, to March 6th. Meanwhile, cargo flights continue unabated, as more resources constantly flow into the Middle East.Analyst: S2A1Research: https://publish.obsidian.md/s2undergroundDisclaimer: No LLMs were used in the writing of this report.//END REPORT//

Stephen Miller is the United States Homeland Security Advisor. But the vague sounding title belies his immense influence with Donald Trump behind the scenes. He's better understood as the architect of some of the US's most audacious recent policies - the capturing of Venezuelan President Maduro, the rollout of ICE enforcement through communities, and a threat to capture Greenland. So what can he tell us about what America will do next?Credits:Reporter: Stephen ArmstrongReporter/Producers: Madeleine Parr, Poppy Bullard, Jonathan LewisSound design: Dominic DelargyArtwork: Lucy StevensonEditors: Matt Russell & Jasper CorbettSubscribe to The Observer today: https://observer.co.uk/subscribe And get access to:Our podcasts before anyone elseA daily edition, curated by our editors 7 days a weekPuzzles from the inventors of the cryptic crosswordRecipes for every occasionFree tickets to join Observer events in our newsroom or onlineClick here to subscribe today for just £1 for your first month. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cuba se asfixia. Sometida al bloqueo implacable de Estados Unidos, la isla vive su peor crisis en 25 años. La entrada de petróleo se cortó de golpe el 3 de enero, tras la intervención yanki en Venezuela y el secuestro de Nicolás Maduro. Pero antes de eso, la economía cubana ya vivía sus horas más bajas. Un país en crisis, una sangría constante de migración, exilio y destierro. Hoy hablamos del colapso de un país, de una revolución y una utopía asediadas por todos los flancos. Y de un pueblo cada día más cansado, cada día más ahogado, que resiste pese a todo. Analizamos cómo esta CUBA hoy con periodistas cubanos desde Cuba y en el exilio e investigadoras expertas en la región: Susanne Gratius, investigadora del CIDOB. el periodista Aurelio Pedroso desde La Habana y los periodistas cubanos exiliados Abraham Jiménez Enoa y Diana Ferreiro. Más información aquí: https://www.eldiario.es/132_c692e7 Haz posible Carne Cruda: http://bit.ly/ProduceCC

Episode Title: Cartels, Media Frenzy & America's Leverage Runtime: ~18–22 minutes Tone: Direct, urgent, opinion-driven

Ricardo Vaz, a journalist and political analyst based in Venezuela, discusses the US kidnapping of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores and how US Secretary of State Marco Rubio attempted to frame the operation as if it were just a question of domestic law enforcement, even though Venezuela lies clearly outside of US jurisdiction. Examining how corporate media is deeply intertwined with US imperialism while playing a vital role for Empire, Vaz considers how the New York Times and the Washington Post failed to report information to which they were privy: that the US military operation in Venezuela was going to happen, yet they chose not to publish on the impending invasion in order to not endanger US soldiers. Vaz also analyses what he terms the “schizophrenia inside imperialist circles,” whereby US Democrats disapproved of the kidnapping of Maduro and Flores, primarily because there was no plan to install Maria Corina Machado into office. Exploring Venezuelan politics, Vaz articulates the resentment of both Hugo Chávez and Nicolás Maduro by the elite who have long struggled to regain power while viewing themselves as the ideal US surrogates to run Venezuela while paradoxically never having found a viable way to take power without US support. However, Chavez's entry into office dashed the hopes of the elite to regain power while also offending their sense of entitlement, given their resentment that the working class might have any political representation within the national government. Vaz also scrutinises the situation in Cuba, which has become very desperate in recent weeks, noting how for the past 20 years Venezuela has been the biggest supplier of oil to Cuba, fuel which powers public transportation, the airline industry, and electricity plants. Get full access to Savage Minds at savageminds.substack.com/subscribe

No primeiro episódio do ano, o MIDCast Política faz uma grande revisão dos principais acontecimentos dos meses de janeiro e fevereiro de 2026, durante o nosso período de férias. Agora, sim, o ano finalmente começou! APOIE financeiramente a continuidade do MIDCast: ------------------ - Apoia.se : https://apoia.se/midcast - Chave PIX : podcastmid@gmail.com ------------------ # COMPRE produtos na lojinha do MIDCast: colab55.com/@midcast # CANAL do MIDCast Política no WhatsApp: bit.ly/midcast-zap # GRUPO dos ouvintes no Telegram: bit.ly/midcastgrupo # LISTA de paródias do MIDCast: bit.ly/parodiasmidcast PARTICIPANTES: ------------------ Anna Raissa - https://bsky.app/profile/annarraissa.bsky.social Diego Squinello - https://bsky.app/profile/diegosquinello.bsky.social Rodrigo Hipólito - https://bsky.app/profile/rodrigohipolito.bsky.social Thais Kisuki - https://bsky.app/profile/thaiskisuki.bsky.social Victor Sousa - https://bsky.app/profile/vgsousa.bsky.social COMENTADO NO EPISÓDIO ------------------ Vitória de José Antonio Kast no Chile Captura, vulgo sequestro, de Nicolás Maduro pelos EUA Lula veta integralmente o PL da Dosimetria O Agente Secreto vence Globo de Ouro Cunhado de Vorcaro está por trás de fundo que comprou participação da família Toffoli em resort Trump ameaça tarifaço contra países que forem contra a tomada da Groenlândia Raio atinge manifestação bolsonarista Tribunal de Justiça suspende lei que proíbe cotas raciais nas universidades de SC Caetano Veloso e Maria Bethânia ganham Grammy Cármen Lúcia relatora do Código de Conduta do STF PF prende ex-presidente do Rioprevidência Moraes e Toffoli reagem ao Código de Conduta Flávio Dino suspende “penduricalhos” Portugal rejeita a extrema-direita Motta encaminha PEC que acaba com a escala 6x1 para a CCJ Governo e MPF dizem que X não comprovou que agiu contra imagens eróticas do Grok Aparelhos de Vorcaro citam Toffoli, e PF leva material a Fachin PF faz buscas para apurar vazamento de dados da Receita de ministros do STF e parentes

En este episodio de #LosDanieles conversamos con Roberto Deniz, periodista de Armando.Info medio venezolano dedicado al periodismo de investigación, acerca de la crisis política y diplomática que vive Venezuela tras la captura de Nicolás Maduro por parte del gobierno de Estados Unidos. Además analizamos las recientes encuestas a la presidencia de Colombia. 

"Twenty years from now, we are in World War III with Islamists,” Glenn predicts to Bryan Stern, veteran career intelligence officer, founder of Grey Bull Rescue, and the man behind the unbelievable rescue of Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado. But Bryan says we are already at war — and President Trump knows it. From swapping harrowing stories of the disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal to Bryan's firsthand account of being in New York on 9/11, the two dive deep into the brutal realities of modern warfare. Stern recounts the heart-pounding details of his daring rescue of Machado from Maduro's clutches — and thanks President Trump for finally taking out the “piece of crap” Venezuelan dictator. But the threats don't stop in Caracas. The discussion exposes the surprising connections between Maduro's regime and Black Lives Matter and the wide-open chaos at the U.S.-Mexico border. And Glenn asks a very important question: “Is China the biggest threat to America?” As tensions rise, they tackle the looming possibility of Iran's collapse, the ever-present specter of nuclear war, and why Russia may soon be a Muslim nation.        GLENN'S SPONSORS:                   PreBorn: Together, we can end the tragedy of abortion, one mother and baby at a time. To donate securely, dial #250 and say the keyword “baby,” or visit https://preborn.com/glenn.            Audien Hearing: Finally, an over-the-counter hearing aid that delivers clear, natural sound. Visit https://AudienHearing.com and take control of your hearing today.     Good Ranchers: Bring 100% American meat to your family with Good Ranchers. Visit https://www.goodranchers.com/ and use the promo code GLENN for $25 off your first order.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Confira os destaques de Os Pingos nos Is desta sexta-feira (20):Após decisão do ministro André Mendonça, do STF, o banqueiro Daniel Vorcaro informou que não comparecerá à CPMI do INSS. O dono do Banco Master negocia alternativas para prestar esclarecimentos, incluindo depoimento restrito em São Paulo ou envio de respostas por escrito à comissão. O ministro André Mendonça, do STF, devolveu à CPMI do INSS o acesso a dados sigilosos de Daniel Vorcaro e do Banco Master. A decisão determina que os documentos, que incluem informações bancárias, fiscais e telefônicas, sejam compartilhados com a comissão por meio da Polícia Federal. A quebra de sigilo havia sido aprovada pela própria CPMI em dezembro. Em meio à crise envolvendo o Banco Master, a Caixa Econômica Federal avalia a compra de carteiras de crédito do Banco de Brasília (BRB). As tratativas ainda estão em fase inicial e buscam dar fôlego à instituição do Distrito Federal. A movimentação ocorre no contexto das investigações que atingem o sistema financeiro e o mercado de crédito. Após a Suprema Corte dos Estados Unidos derrubar o tarifaço imposto anteriormente, o presidente Donald Trump anunciou uma nova tarifa global de 10% para todos os países. A decisão do tribunal limitou o uso de uma lei de emergência econômica para impor taxas amplas, mas Trump afirmou que buscará alternativas legais para manter sua política comercial. A medida pode impactar o comércio internacional e exportadores brasileiros. O presidente Lula (PT) afirmou em entrevista que o presidente venezuelano Nicolás Maduro deve ser julgado no seu próprio país, e não nos Estados Unidos como deseja o governo norte-americano. Lula disse que a captura e julgamento de um chefe de Estado por outro país “não é aceitável” e que a solução do problema na Venezuela deve ser conduzida pelo povo venezuelano, com foco em restabelecer a democracia. O prefeito de São Paulo, Ricardo Nunes (MDB), afirmou que Fernando Haddad “vai tomar um pau danado” caso dispute o governo do Estado contra Tarcísio de Freitas em 2026. A declaração foi feita durante agenda na capital paulista e repercutiu nos bastidores eleitorais. Aliados do presidente Lula articulam a possibilidade de Haddad entrar na disputa pelo Palácio dos Bandeirantes. O senador Flávio Bolsonaro (PL-RJ) intensificou as conversas dentro do partido para estruturar um programa de governo visando as eleições de 2026. O principal foco das discussões é a economia, com propostas que incluem redução do tamanho do Estado, corte de gastos e diminuição da carga tributária. O pré-candidato já passou a adotar o slogan “tesouraço” como símbolo das medidas defendidas. Você confere essas e outras notícias em Os Pingos nos Is.

A nyugati félteke a világpolitika középpontjába került, úgyhogy volt mit átbeszélnünk Juan David Rojas Latin-Amerika-szakértővel. Az Unortodox legújabb adásában Nicolas Maduro januári elrablásának értelmét, az Egyesült Államok és Kína régiós versengését, illetve a dél-amerikai radikális jobboldal és Orbán Viktor kapcsolatát is elemeztük.Pap Szilárd hírlevelét itt éritek el: www.papszilard.eu—A Partizán jövője csak akkor biztosítható, ha csatlakozol a közösséghez, és beszállsz a finanszírozásunkba, így lesz munkánk hosszú távon is működőképes, tervezhető és emberileg is fenntartható. Így lesz a Partizán közös veled, független miattad.Csatlakozz te is, támogasd a Partizánt!https://www.partizan.hu/tamogatasAdó 1%Partizán Rendszerkritikus Tartalomelőállításért Alapítvány19286031-2-42—Választási barométer:https://valasztas.partizan.hu/—Csatlakozz a Partizán közösségéhez, értesülj elsőként eseményeinkről, akcióinkról!https://csapat.partizanmedia.hu/forms/maradjunk-kapcsolatban—Legyél önkéntes!Csatlakozz a Partizán önkéntes csapatához:https://csapat.partizanmedia.hu/forms/csatlakozz-te-is-a-partizan-onkenteseihez—Iratkozz fel tematikus hírleveleinkre!Kovalcsik Tamás: Adatpont / Partizán Szerkesztőségi Hírlevélhttps://csapat.partizanmedia.hu/forms/iratkozz-fel-a-partizan-szerkesztoinek-hirlevelereHeti Feledyhttps://csapat.partizanmedia.hu/forms/partizan-heti-feledyVétóhttps://csapat.partizanmedia.hu/forms/iratkozz-fel-a-veto-hirlevelere—Írj nekünk!Ha van egy sztorid, tipped vagy ötleted:szerkesztoseg@partizan.huBizalmas információ esetén:partizanbudapest@protonmail.com(Ahhoz, hogy titkosított módon tudj írni, regisztrálj te is egy protonmail-es címet.)Támogatások, események, webshop, egyéb ügyek:info@partizan.hu

Cuba is spiraling into a humanitarian crisis. The country's long-standing economic and political turmoil reached new heights this week as the effects of the Trump administration's oil blockade took hold.The president's targeting of Cuba is part of the administration's broader attacks on the region, where the U.S. kidnapped Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores earlier this year and has executed more than 140 people in boat strikes.As the U.S. hurtles toward war with Iran and further military action in the Middle East and continues to fund Israel's genocide in Gaza, Cuba is just the latest foreign policy arena where the Trump administration has further ensnared the U.S. This week on The Intercept Briefing, senior politics reporter Akela Lacy speaks with fellow reporter Jonah Valdez about how U.S. foreign policy is impacting the upcoming midterm elections and Valdez's recent reporting on how a new anti-Zionist PAC has associated with influencers that have made statements that are outright antisemitic. Lacy also speaks to University of Miami history professor Michael Bustamante and Andrés Pertierra, a historian of Cuba specializing in post-1959 regime durability, about the crisis unfolding in Cuba.Missing from mainstream news coverage of Trump's attacks on Cuba and U.S. efforts to impose regime change in the region is a recognition of how Trump's policies fit into his attacks on immigrants in the U.S., Bustamante says.“One of the, I think, subtext of why this administration might be keen on government change in Cuba, like in Venezuela, it's not just about being able to plant the flag and say, ‘We buried communism in the Americas. Something that no other president could do,'” Bustamante says. “It's also about, we can deport more people. And we can deport more people. And so how does the Cuban American community react to that? That, I think, is an open question. Something that I haven't seen linked yet to the conversation about regime change, per se.”The Trump administration's strategy is likely to backfire, Pertierra says.“You don't get long-term cooperation stability through fear,” he says. “So I don't think it's actually going to solidify the U.S. position in Latin America. I think it's going to further weaken it.”Listen to the full conversation of The Intercept Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Keep our investigations free and fearless at theintercept.com/join. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2-19-261970 IRAN The European Left and the Ukraine Conflict. John Batchelor and Anatol Lieven discuss the European left's evolving stance on the Ukraine war. Facing economic strain, radical leftist parties are prioritizing peace and domestic issues over punishing Russia, driven by historical anti-NATO sentiments and deep skepticism toward European military expansion and the United States. #1 Negotiated Settlements and Expanding Security States. Anatol Lieven explains the European left's growing concerns about the Ukraine war fueling authoritarian security and surveillance measures. While a negotiated settlement requiring Ukraine to surrender the Donbas seems impossible in Kyiv, the conflict risks becoming a prolonged war of attrition dictated by modern drone warfare. #2 Truman, the Fed, and the 1951 Accord. Professor John Cochrane explores the 1951 Treasury-Fed Accordduring the Korean War. Fearing another World War II-style crisis, President Harry Truman pressured FedChairman Thomas McCabe to keep interest rates low. Instead, the Fed fought for its independence to combat inflation, establishing modern monetary policy precedents. #3 Modern Lessons from the Fed-Treasury Accord. Drawing parallels between 1951 and today, John Cochraneexamines the tension between presidential administrations and the Federal Reserve during crises. He emphasizes that the Fed must maintain its independence, warning against perpetually funding government spending and urging a strict focus on inflation control over politically motivated easy money. #4 Peru's Political Crisis and Chinese Influence. Professor Evan Ellis details Peru's chronic political instability following the appointment of its eighth president in eight years. Amidst endemic corruption and a fragmented Congress, the nation is deeply intertwined with Chinese investments, particularly in telecommunications, mining, and the strategically vital, Chinese-controlled deep-water port of Chancay. #5 Cuba's Severe Energy and Economic Collapse. Evan Ellis describes the catastrophic collapse of Cuba'seconomy. Cut off from Venezuelan and Mexican oil, the island faces severe rationing, blackouts, halted public services, and completely collapsed tourism. With millions fleeing the dire conditions, the communist regime's survival is heavily strained as basic resources fail. #6 Border Drone Threats, USMCA, and Venezuela. Evan Ellis discusses the closure of El Paso's airspace due to sophisticated cartel drones. He also highlights the critical necessity of renegotiating the USMCA to preserve Mexico's economy and cooperative security posture. Finally, he notes a surprising US military delegation visit to negotiate with Venezuela's Maduro regime. #7 Guyana's Massive Oil Boom. Evan Ellis highlights the profound economic transformation of Guyana following the discovery of billions of barrels of light, sweet crude oil. Driven by massive investments from ExxonMobil and Chevron, the South American nation serves as a prime example of effective management and foreign partnerships generating transformative national wealth. #8 Israel's Initial Response to the October 7 Atrocities. Following the horrific October 7 attacks by Hamas, Israelileaders reacted with understandable outrage and mobilized forcefully to neutralize the threat. While Hamas is currently severely degraded militarily and controls less territory, the group remains armed and continues to pose an ongoing security challenge fueled by Iranian backing. #9Defining Israel's Deep Political and Demographic Divides. Peter Berkowitz clarifies crucial definitions in Israelipolitics, explaining why a one-state solution would destroy Israel's democratic and Jewish character. He outlines how traditional left-right divisions have morphed into pro- or anti-Netanyahu factions, heavily influenced by religious demographics and the ultra-Orthodox community's contentious role in military service. #10Trump's Middle East Legacy and Israel's Judicial Crisis. Examining the Trump administration's lasting diplomatic legacy, Peter Berkowitz praises the embassy move to Jerusalem, the withdrawal from the flawed Iran deal, and the strategic Abraham Accords. He also analyzes Israel's internal turmoil over its overly activist Supreme Court, which sparked mass protests prior to the ongoing war. #11Confronting the Ignorance Fueling Anti-Israel Protests. Dismantling the arguments of global anti-Israel protesters, Peter Berkowitz highlights their culpable ignorance regarding Israel's defensive sovereignty. He refutes false accusations of colonialism, exposing how Hamas deliberately uses Palestinian civilians as human shields and actively seeks to destroy both the Jewish state and broader Western democratic civilization. #12Viktor Orban's Dangerous Alliances with Russia and China. Facing domestic electoral pressures, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban manipulatively courts the Trump administration while deepening dangerous alliances with Russia and China. Ivana Stradner explains that Orban leverages these relationships to project global relevance and maintain power, falsely claiming that Hungary is a victim of unavoidable Russian energy dependence. #13Bangladesh's Political Turmoil and Rising Islamist Influence. Following the violent ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh faces severe political and economic instability under Tariq Rahman. Sadanand Dhume warns of a concerning Islamic revival, highlighting the growing parliamentary power of the radical Jamaat-e-Islami movement and the critical need to pragmatically repair fractured diplomatic relations with India. #14Justice Scalia and the Unitary Executive Theory. Reflecting on Justice Antonin Scalia's legacy, Professor John Yoodetails the concept of the unitary executive. Scalia powerfully argued that the Constitution vests all executive power directly in the president, warning that independent agencies fragment federal authority, diminish democratic accountability, and disrupt the essential separation of powers. #15The Supreme Court's Threat to Independent Agencies. Analyzing upcoming Supreme Court cases, John Yoopredicts the potential overturning of the historic Humphrey's Executor precedent. Such a ruling would fundamentally dismantle the protections shielding independent agencies like the Federal Trade Commission from direct presidential control, sparking a massive structural revolution within the federal government's executive branch. #16

Border Drone Threats, USMCA, and Venezuela. Evan Ellis discusses the closure of El Paso's airspace due to sophisticated cartel drones. He also highlights the critical necessity of renegotiating the USMCA to preserve Mexico'seconomy and cooperative security posture. Finally, he notes a surprising US military delegation visit to negotiate with Venezuela's Maduro regime. #71918 BELLEAU WOOD

The AI chatbot Claude can help you write an email, challenge a hospital bill, or publish a novel. It was also reportedly used by the U.S. military in the operation that captured Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro. Now the Pentagon is threatening to cut ties with Anthropic, the company that built it, because it insists on keeping restrictions around autonomous weapons and mass surveillance. Journalist Gideon Lewis-Kraus spent months inside Anthropic, one of the world's most secretive AI companies, for a new piece in ‘The New Yorker,' where he asks: What happens when the people who built the machine can't fully explain what it's doing? He spoke with Tonya Mosley. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Alejandro Peña Esclusa discusses the reported capture of Nicolás Maduro, described as a Cuban asset and drug cartel leader, noting Venezuelans are cautiously celebrating with open protests while threats remain from radical groups and international friction regarding the transition.1900 PRESIDENT CIPRIANO CASTRO AND CABINET

1917 EDGAR RICE BURROUGHS. MARS1.Liz Peek discusses the market's current drift and the continued dominance of Artificial Intelligence, arguing AI is not a bubble but a rapidly adopted technology transforming productivity, with companies underhiring as they assess impact and investors needing exposure to this dominant sector.2.Liz Peek critiques California Governor Gavin Newsom, a potential 2028 presidential candidate, citing California'sstruggles with homelessness, illegal immigration, and a wealth tax driving residents away, characterizing him as a catastrophe whose record undermines his viability.3.Judy Dempsey and Thaddeus Mart dismiss Poland's reparation demands from Russia as political jostling, criticize Senator Rubio's visit to Hungary for bolstering Viktor Orbán, and note the Wagner Group's reported return to Europe as destabilizing.4.Judy Dempsey and Thaddeus Mart identify a leadership void in Europe, noting weakness in Macron and Starmer, arguing Europe possesses treaty tools for defense but lacks political will, often blaming Donald Trump rather than addressing internal paralysis.5.Mary Kissel praises Secretary Rubio's Munich speech for emphasizing Western defense but notes he was softer on China than expected, arguing Europe only strengthens military commitments when shamed by the US or facing immediate threats.6.Mary Kissel analyzes the massive US naval deployment near Iran as a credible threat to force regime compliance, dismissing Iran's military drills in the Straits of Hormuz as feeble, suggesting the administration will use force if Tehran refuses dismantlement.7.Jonathan Schanzer of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies analyzes Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan's disingenuous peace efforts, discusses US demands for Iran's total nuclear dismantlement, and highlights strategic confusion regarding the Board of Peace and Hamas supporters' involvement.8.Jonathan Schanzer describes Syria as effectively a Turkish proxy state viewed with danger by the region, discussing President Trump's announcement of five billion dollars from the Board of Peace for Gaza while expressing skepticism about Turkey and Qatar's reconstruction roles.9.Joseph Sternberg of the Wall Street Journal discusses European leaders finally addressing the continent's economic dysfunction compared to the US, noting proposals for a twenty-eighth regime to simplify business laws while politicians like Meloni and Merz face challenges balancing welfare states with growth reforms.10.Joseph Sternberg analyzes Prime Minister Keir Starmer's crash and burn scenario despite a large parliamentary majority, weakened by scandals and party infighting, with survival relying on the lack of compelling alternatives while constant policy reversals leave his government unable to foster growth.11.Alejandro Peña Esclusa details his transition from businessman to Venezuela's first political prisoner as Hugo Chávez, aided by the São Paulo Forum, dismantled democracy, recounting cacerolazo pot-banging protests and how the regime systematically destroyed the economy and persecuted dissenters.12.Alejandro Peña Esclusa discusses the reported capture of Nicolás Maduro, described as a Cuban asset and drug cartel leader, noting Venezuelans are cautiously celebrating with open protests while threats remain from radical groups and international friction regarding the transition.13.Gregory Copley of Defense & Foreign Affairs discusses the US deployment of one hundred troops to Nigeria to counter ISIS and Boko Haram, arguing stability requires addressing economic disenfranchisement from damming the River Niger rather than treating symptoms with military advisors.14.Gregory Copley reports Nigerian President Tinubu advocates for an African credit rating agency to reduce reliance on external assessments from firms like Moody's, reflecting growing desire for statistical independence and better quantification of local economies to attract investment.15.Gregory Copley argues Europe suffers from a leadership vacuum caused by post-WWII dependency on the US and bureaucratic corrosion within the EU, with economic recovery requiring slashing regulations as current welfare models become unsustainable amidst geopolitical threats.16.Gregory Copley notes that despite scandals surrounding Prince Andrew, the Royal Family remains essential glue holding the UK and Commonwealth together, with the King and working royals performing vital diplomatic functions while spares struggle without defined roles.

From the BBC World Service: Japan's export figures were the strongest in three years, climbing 16.8% year over year in January. The data sharply beat market expectations. Plus, the German drugs giant Bayer is offering to pay more than $10 billion to settle claims over the weedkiller Roundup. And, European commercial flights have resumed to Venezuela for the first time since the ousting of President Nicolás Maduro.

From the BBC World Service: Japan's export figures were the strongest in three years, climbing 16.8% year over year in January. The data sharply beat market expectations. Plus, the German drugs giant Bayer is offering to pay more than $10 billion to settle claims over the weedkiller Roundup. And, European commercial flights have resumed to Venezuela for the first time since the ousting of President Nicolás Maduro.

For more than six decades, the United States has tried to topple the regime in Cuba. After ousting President Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela, who was one of Cuba's closest allies, the Trump administration is closer than ever to forcing radical change on the island.The New York Times reporters Frances Robles and Michael Crowley discuss how the latest escalation is pushing Cuba to the brink, and whether this time the United States will get what it wants. Guest:Frances Robles, an international correspondent covering Latin America and the Caribbean for The New York Times.Michael Crowley, a reporter covering the State Department and U.S. foreign policy for The New York Times.Background reading: Cuba's government has lasted 67 years. Will it fall under Mr. Trump?Can Cuba survive without Venezuela's oil?Photo: Yamil Lage/Agence France-Presse — Getty ImagesFor more information on today's episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.  Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Before Delta Force captured Nicolás Maduro, Bryan Stern went on a secret mission in Venezuela. The veteran and Purple Heart recipient was there to extract opposition leader María Corina Machado, who had been living in hiding for her own safety. Bryan was trying to get María to Oslo to accept her Nobel Peace Prize. This daring operation – named Operation Golden Dynamite after Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite – involved land, sea, and air. This is just one of many high-stakes evacuations Bryan has conducted through his nonprofit organization, Grey Bull Rescue. Sasha and Bryan sat down to discuss the operation, just a few days after he returned from Venezuela. Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories: https://sashaingber.substack.com/ For more information about the International Spy Museum, visit: https://www.spymuseum.org/ And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by email at spycast@spymuseum.org. This show is brought to you by N2K Networks, Goat Rodeo, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC. This episode was produced by Flora Warshaw and the team at Goat Rodeo. At the International Spy Museum, Mike Mincey and Memphis Vaughan III are our video editors. Emily Rens is our graphic designer. Joshua Troemel runs our SPY social media. Amanda Ohlke is our Director of Adult Education and Mira Cohen is the Vice President of Programs.

In this episode of The President's Daily Brief: We break down a new report that the U.S. military is preparing for potentially weeks-long operations against Iran, even as another aircraft carrier deploys to the Middle East and nuclear negotiations resume in Geneva.  Later in the show — Britain announces it is sending an aircraft carrier strike group to the Arctic, citing a rising Russian threat amid broader geopolitical tensions.  We also explore how the Pentagon reportedly used advanced artificial intelligence during the raid that captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro — a sign AI's battlefield role is expanding. (Source: The Wall Street Journal) And in today's Back of the Brief — European officials allege Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was killed with a rare poison dart frog toxin, intensifying accusations against the Kremlin.  To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President's Daily Brief by visiting https://PDBPremium.com. Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief. YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief Cozy Earth: Visit https://www.CozyEarth.com/PDB & Use code PDB for up to 20% off Ultra Pouches: Don't sleep on @ultrapouches. New customers get 15% Off with code PDB at https://takeultra.com! #UltraPouches #ad HomeServe: Protect your home systems from costly repairs with HomeServe—plans start at $4.99/month at https://HomeServe.com.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices