Podcasts about Wuhan

This segment combines a series of commentaries on political and cultural topics, arguing that conservatives are finally winning the "culture wars" against the left, while simultaneously facing deep-seated threats from within the government. The hosts begin by celebrating what they view as a major cultural victory: Travis Kelce's collaboration with American Eagle. They argue that this partnership, which occurred despite a backlash against the brand from the left, signals a new era where corporate "woke" activism and cancel culture have lost their power. They attribute this shift to a grassroots consumer rebellion, citing a similar outcome with the Cracker Barrel brand. The conversation then abruptly shifts to a series of conspiracy theories regarding the U.S. government. The hosts claim that the Pentagon has been secretly collaborating with China, alleging that the Obama administration approved a program where Chinese nationals were given access to sensitive military cloud data. They also question who at the Pentagon and USAID approved funding for the Wuhan lab, framing it as an act of treason. The segment concludes with a discussion of the CDC director's ousting, portraying her as a "vaccine dictator" who is resisting efforts to end the emergency use authorization for COVID-19 vaccines in order to hide data on their negative side effects. The hosts repeatedly accuse Democratic figures of being controlled by outside interests and working against the American people.

Last time we spoke about the crossing of Nanjing's Rubicon. By November 1, Shanghai had become a lost cause, the Chinese were forced to retreat. In the wake of this turmoil, the Japanese set their sights on Nanjing, keenly aware that its fall would spell disaster for Chiang Kai-Shek's government. Despite the desperate situation, guerrilla fighters began fortifying the city as civilians rallied to support the defense, preparing for the inevitable assault that loomed. However, political divisions plagued the Chinese leadership, with some generals advocating for abandoning the city. After intense discussions, it was decided that Nanjing would be a hill worth dying on, driven largely by propaganda needs. As November 12 approached, Japanese troops rapidly advanced west, capturing towns along the way and inflicting unimaginable brutality. On November 19, Yanagawa, a commander, took the initiative, decreeing that pursuing the retreating Chinese forces toward Nanjing was paramount.    #164 The Battle of Lake Tai Welcome to the Fall and Rise of China Podcast, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about the history of Asia? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on history of asia and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel where I cover the history of China and Japan from the 19th century until the end of the Pacific War. As the Chinese troops fled westwards, at 7:00 am on November 19th, Yanagawa issued instructions to his troops in the field. “The enemy's command system is in disarray, and a mood of defeat has descended over their entire army. They have lost the will to fight. We must not miss the opportunity to pursue the enemy to Nanjing.” The order went out to the 10th Army, sending, the 6th, 18th, and 114th Divisions west along the southern shore of Lake Tai, passing through Huzhou before turning right towards Nanjing. The Kunisaki Detachment, trained for rapid movement by water and land, was ordered east along the Yangtze River near Wuhu city and, if possible, cross the river to cut off the Chinese Army's retreat from Nanjing. Yanagawa envisioned an operation unlike any other conducted by the Japanese Army in recent history. He believed this could not only end the war but also surpass previous victories, such as the defeat of tsarist Russia more than three decades earlier. Confident in a swift victory, he wrote in a follow-up message to his commanders, “The day is near when the banner of the Rising Sun will fly over Nanjing's city wall.” However, Yanagawa's order elicited panic in Tokyo once it became known. His superiors viewed it as an outrageous attempt to entirely change the war focus away from the north. They understood that taking Nanjing was primarily a political decision rather than a strategic one. There was still hopes of finding terms through the Germans to end the conflict, thus carving up more of China. The Japanese did not want to become bogged down in a real war. Major General Tada was particularly opposed to increasing efforts on the Shanghai front. He belonged to a faction that believed the best way to avoid a quagmire in China was to deliver a swift, decisive blow to the Chinese Army. This mindset had turned him into a major advocate for landing a strong force in Hangzhou Bay in early November. Nevertheless, he had initially resisted expanding operations to the Suzhou-Jiaxing line, only relenting on the condition that this line would not be crossed under any circumstances. Tada's immediate response was to halt the 10th Army's offensive. Shimomura Sadamu, Ishiwara Kanji's hardline successor as chief of operations, strongly disagreed, arguing that field commanders should have the authority to make significant decisions. Undeterred, Tada insisted on restraining the field commanders, and at 6:00 pm on November 20th, the Army General Staff sent a cable to the Central China Area Army reprimanding them for advancing beyond Order No. 600, which had established the Suzhou-Jiaxing line. The response from the Central China Area Army arrived two days later whereupon the field commanders argued that Nanjing needed to be captured to bring the war to an early conclusion. To do otherwise, they argued, would provide the enemy with an opportunity to regain the will to fight. Moreover, the officers claimed that delaying the decisive battle would not sit well with the Japanese public, potentially jeopardizing national unity. On the same day it responded to Tokyo, the Central China Area Army instructed the 10th Army to proceed cautiously: “The pursuit to Nanjing is to be halted, although you may still send an advance force towards Huzhou. Each division is to select four or five battalions to pursue the enemy rapidly”. The remainder of the troops were instructed to advance towards Huzhou and prepare to join the pursuit “at any time.” Meanwhile Chiang Kai-shek officially appointed Tang Shengzhi as the commandant of Nanjing's garrison. Born in 1889, Tang embodied the era of officers leading China into war with Japan. They straddled the line between old and new China. During their youth, they lived in a society that had seen little change for centuries, where young men immersed themselves in 2,000-year-old classics to prepare for life. Like their ancestors across countless generations, they were governed by an emperor residing in a distant capital. Following the 1911 revolution, they embraced the new republic and received modern military training, Tang, for instance, at the esteemed Baoding Academy in northern China. Yet, they struggled to fully relinquish their traditional mindsets. These traditional beliefs often included a significant distrust of foreigners. Before his appointment as garrison commander, Tang had led the garrison's operations section. During this time, Chiang Kai-shek suggested that he permit the German chief advisor, General Alexander von Falkenhausen, to attend staff meetings. Tang hesitated, expressing concern due to Falkenhausen's past as a military official in Japan and the current alliance between Germany, Italy, and Japan. “That's not good, is it?” he asked. Chiang reassured him that Falkenhausen was an experienced officer who remembered earlier loyalties despite political shifts in Berlin. “It's all right,” Chiang insisted, “we can trust him.” Reluctantly, Tang acquiesced but never fully trusted the German officer. Tang also faced issues with morale. He was Hunanese, the majority of his troops were locals, many from Nanjing. Tang also suffered from many ongoing illnesses. While he put on a bravado face, its unlikely he expected to be able to defend the capital for very long. On November 19th, the IJA 16th division and Shigeto Detachment conquered Changshu, a crucial point along the Wufu defense line, spanning from Fushan on the Yangtze to Suzhou and then to Wujiang sitting on the shores of Lake Tai. The fight for Changshu had surprised the Japanese. As they approached they ran into a network of interlocking cement pillboxes that had to be taken individually, resulting in heavy casualties. Frequently, when the Japanese believed they had finally destroyed a position and advanced, they were dismayed to discover that some defenders remained alive, continuing to fire at their flanks. Another obstacle facing them was Chinese artillery. During the night's capture of the city, the Japanese makeshift camps were hit relentlessly by bombardment. That same day further south, the IJA 9th division captured Suzhou , reporting to the press they did so without firing a single shot. General Matsui wrote in his diary “The enemy troops near Suzhou have completely lost their morale. Some soldiers are discarding their equipment and surrendering, while others flee westward in utter chaos. Our forces have not encountered the resistance we anticipated. So far, the Shanghai Expeditionary Force has achieved all its objectives. I am thrilled by this.” In reality, this was mere propaganda. The IJA 9th Division actually had to overpower a series of Chinese pillboxes outside the city. Once they entered through the medieval walls, they faced the task of eliminating pockets of resistance one by one. According to Japanese sources, over 1,000 Chinese soldiers were killed during these clearing operations. The Japanese found a wealth of spoils in Suzhou. Among the booty were 100 artillery pieces and other military equipment. Historically known as one of China's wealthiest cities, Suzhou still contained an abundance of loot even after months of conflict. Many Japanese soldiers had their pockets filled with cigarettes after raiding a tobacco factory, while others transported barrels filled with coins after robbing a bank. Meanwhile the government had officially moved from Nanjing to Chongqing. Chongqing was an unusual choice for the new capital as it was historically something of a backwater, not very cosmopolitan such as the great coastal cities in the east. However it was distant enough to be out of reach from the Japanese land forces, but not so distant that it would make governing China impossible. Not all the governmental agencies moved to Chongqing at once. The foreign ministry first moved to Wuhan, as did most of the foreign diplomats. Yet out of some several hundred foreign nationals, 30 American and 19 British did stay behind in Nanjing. Tang Shengzhi met with the remaining foreign community and began promising them guarantees of their lives and property would be protected to the fullest. In turn the foreign community were thinking up ways to help defend the city's civilian population. They formed a special demilitarized district, akin to the one in Shanghai. They named it the Jacquinot Safety Zone after its founder, French Jesuit Robert Jacquinot de Besange. An international committee for establishing a neutral zone for noncombatants in Nanjing was formed on November 19th and famously John Rabe chaired it. The committee knew their neutral zone depended solely upon Japan respecting it, thus Rabe was an ideal pick for chairman. Meanwhile Chiang Kai-Shek was determined to stay for as long as possible in Nanjing, and remain in the public view to maintain morale. Song Meiling also went around touring the capital by automobile to raise public spirit. Preparations for battle were being dished out in haste. Du Yuming, the commander of Nanjing's armored regiment was called up to the headquarters of He Yingqin, then chief of staff. There Du was briefed on Chiang Kai-Shek's war plans and how his tiny armored force would fit in. He Yingqin said “It has been decided that Tang Shengzhi is to defend Nanjing. Chairman Chiang wants the German vehicles to stay in Nanjing and fight.” This was referring to their Leichter Panzerspahwagen or “sd KFZ 221” armored cars. These were recent purchases from Germany. Du questioned using them however “The German vehicles are the best armor we have at the moment, but they have no cannon, only machine guns, so their firepower is limited. We just have 15 of them. And they are not suited for the terrain around Nanjing, with all its rivers and lakes.” Du instead argued for using the British-made Vickers Carden Lloyd tanks. Of these China had recently purchased the amphibious variants. Du said “Those tanks both have machine guns and cannon, and they can float. They are much more useful for the Nanjing area.” He further suggested the tanks might even make it to the other side of the Yangtze once all hope was out. To this He replied “No, don't even think about crossing the Yangtze. The chairman wants the tank crews to fight to the death.” As far as war strategy was concerned, China had actually developed one against Japan decades prior. Ever since the nasty conflicts between the two nations had broken out back during the Great War days, China sought an answer to Japan's aggression. One man rose to the occasion, a young officer named Jiang Baili. In 1922 Jiang wrote “The only way to prevail over the enemy, will be to do the opposite of what he does in every respect. It will be to his advantage to seek a quick resolution; we should aim for protracted warfare. He will try to focus on a decisive blow at the front line; we should move to the second line of defense and rob him of the opportunity to concentrate his forces in one place.” Soon Jiang became the forefather in China for theories involving protracted war. One could also call it a war of attrition, and it was the type of war suited to China. In the words of Jiang “We should thank our ancestors. China is blessed with two major advantages, a vast land area and a huge population. Abstaining from fighting will be enough. And if we do fight, we should drag it out. We should force the front to move west, and turn our weakness into strength, while allowing the enemy to overstretch himself”. China's geography significantly influenced Jiang's military strategy. In his works titled Organization of Mechanized Forces, Jiang wrote “The flat North Chinese plain offers ideal conditions for a large mechanized army. In contrast, the agricultural regions further south, characterized by their mix of rice paddies and waterways, are far less suitable.” Faced with a technologically superior enemy, China had no option but to draw the opponent away from the north, where their armored units would dominate the battlefield, to the Yangtze River area, where their mobility would be severely restricted. Jiang served as the director of the prestigious military academy at Baoding, near Beijing, where he could instill his philosophies in the minds of upcoming leaders of the Chinese armed forces, including Tang Shengzhi. Tang was able to put Jiang's theories into practice. In the autumn of 1935, he played a crucial role in planning and executing the decade's largest military maneuver. Conducted south of the Yangtze, between Nanjing and Shanghai, this drill involved over 20,000 troops, allowing for a realistic simulation of battle conditions. Its primary objective was to test the strategy of "luring the enemy in deep." Upon concluding the maneuver, Tang described the location as exceptionally well chosen, a tank commander's nightmare. The area consisted of steep hills alongside rivers, with very few robust roads and virtually no bridges capable of supporting tanks. Countless small paddy fields were divided by dikes that rarely exceeded a few feet in width, perfectly suited for swift infantry movements but utterly inadequate for tracked vehicles. It appeared to be a graveyard for any mechanized army. As the war broke out with Japan, Jiang's ideas initially seemed validated. Chiang Kai-shek deliberately refrained from deploying his best troops to the northern Beijing area. Instead, he chose to instigate a significant battle in and around Shanghai, where the terrain presented the exact disadvantages for Japanese armor that Jiang had anticipated. Although the Japanese gradually introduced tactical innovations that allowed them to navigate the partly submerged paddy fields north and west of Shanghai, their tanks often found themselves forced along elevated roads, making them vulnerable targets for hidden Chinese infantry. For several weeks during September and October, the Shanghai area indeed resembled a quagmire, seemingly poised to ensnare the Japanese forces until they were utterly depleted. However, the successful Japanese landings in early November, first in Hangzhou Bay and then on the south bank of the Yangtze, dramatically changed things. The stalemate was broken, allowing the Japanese Army to advance despite the persistent challenges posed by the local geography. What would happen next would determine whether Jiang's theories from a decade earlier could work or if Japan's tanks would ultimately triumph even in the river terrain south of the Yangtze.  The Japanese field commanders' decision to shift their focus from defeating Chinese forces near Shanghai to pursuing them all the way to Nanjing, sent ripples throughout the ranks. Every unit had to reconsider their plans, but none felt the impact more acutely than the 6th Division. As one of the first contingents of the 10th Army to come ashore in Hangzhou Bay in early November, its soldiers had advanced with remarkable ease, cutting through the defenses like a knife through butter. Now, with orders to drive west towards Nanjing, they were required to make a huge U-turn and head south. Geography hurt them greatly, specifically the presence of Lake Tai. The original Shanghai Expeditionary Force, bolstered by the 16th Division and other newly arrived units, was set to advance north of the lake, while the 10th Army was tasked with operations to the south of it. This situation implied that the 6th Division had to hurry to catch up with the rest of the 10th Army.   Upon turning south, they reached Jiashan on November 21, only to face a brutal outbreak of cholera among their ranks, which delayed their advance by three days. Meanwhile the other elements of the 10th Army, including the Kunisaki Detachment and the 18th and 114th Divisions advanced  rapidly, entering Huzhou on November 23. To speed up their advance they had commandeered every vessel they could grab and tossed men in piece meal across the southern bank of Lake Tai to its western shore.  However the 10th army was unaware that they would soon face a brutal fight. As the Chinese government evacuated Nanjing, fresh troops from Sichuan province in southwest China were being unloaded at the city's docks and marched toward imminent danger. Starting to disembark on November 20, these soldiers formed the Chinese 23rd Group Army. They presented an exotic sight, sporting broad straw hats typical of southern China, often adorned with yellow and green camouflage patterns. While some appeared freshly uniformed, many were ill-prepared for the colder central Chinese winter, dressed in thin cotton better suited for subtropical climates. A number looked as ragged as the most destitute coolie. Nearly all wore straw shoes that required repairs every evening after a long day of marching. Their equipment was rudimentary and often quite primitive. The most common weapon among the newly arrived soldiers was a locally produced rifle from Sichuan, yet many had no firearms at all, carrying only “stout sticks and packs” into battle. Each division had a maximum of a dozen light machine guns, and radio communication was available only at the brigade level and above. The absence of any artillery or heavy equipment was quite alarming. It was as if they expected to be facing a warlord army of the 1920s. They were organized into five divisions and two brigades, supplied by Liu Xiang, a notable southern warlord. Remarkably, Liu Xiang had been one of Chiang Kai-shek's worst enemies less than a year prior. Now, Liu's troops fought alongside Chiang's against Japan, yet their loyalties remained fiercely provincial, listening to Liu Xiang rather than Chiang Kai-shek. China's warlord era never really ended. Chiang Kai-Shek was actually doing two things at once, meeting the enemy but also getting warlord troops away from their provincial powerbase. This in turn would reduce the influence of regional warlords. Now the Chinese recognized the had to stop the Japanese from reaching Wuhu, a Yangtze port city due south of Nanjing, basically the last escape route from the capital. If it was captured, those in Nanjing would be effectively stuck. General Gu Zhutong, who personally witnessed the chaotic evacuation of Suzhou, had already dispatched two divisions from Guangxi province to block the Japanese advance. However, they were quickly routed. Liu Xiang's troops were then sent to fill the gap on the battlefield. By the last week of November, the Japanese 10th Army and the newly arrived Sichuan divisions, were converging on the same area southwest of Lake Tai. Marching as quickly as possible, they were fated to clash in one of the bloodiest battles of the entire Nanjing campaign. As the Sichuanese troops reached the battlefield at the end of November, they  quickly realized just how ill-equipped they were to confront the modern Japanese Army. The Sichuan divisions hurried towards Lake Tai, primarily marching after sunset to avoid harassment from Japanese aircraft. A significant challenge for the soldiers was the condition of the roads, which were paved with gravel that wore down their straw shoes. Despite their best efforts to repair their footwear late at night, many soldiers found themselves entering battle barefoot. Along their route, they encountered numerous Chinese soldiers retreating. One particular column caught their attention; these troops were better uniformed and equipped, appearing as though they had not seen battle at all. They looked rested and well-nourished, as if they had just emerged from their barracks. This prompted unspoken doubts among the Sichuanese soldiers. Upon arriving in Guangde, the 145th Division quickly began fortifying its positions, particularly around a strategic airfield near the city and dispatched units towards the town of Sian. On November 25, skirmishes erupted throughout the day, and on the following day, the Chinese soldiers began facing the full force of the advancing enemy. Japanese planes bombed the Chinese positions near Sian, followed by rapid tank assaults from the 18th Japanese Division. Unaccustomed to combat against armored vehicles, they quickly routed. The Japanese forces rolled over the shattered Chinese defenses and advanced to capture Sian with minimal resistance. To make matters worse, amidst this critical moment when the Sichuan troops were engaged in their first battle against a foreign enemy, Liu Xiang, fell seriously ill. In his place, Chiang Kai-shek assigned one of his most trusted commanders, Chen Cheng. The Sichuanese soldiers were not happy with the new alien commander. Meanwhile, the Nine Power Treaty Conference in Brussels held its final session. The delegates concluded three weeks of fruitless discussions with a declaration that immediately struck observers as lacking any real substance. The decree stated “Force by itself can provide no just and lasting solution for disputes between nations,”. This was met with approval from all participants except Italy, one of Japan's few allies in Europe. They strongly urged that hostilities be suspended and that peaceful processes be pursued, but offered zero consequences for either belligerent should they choose not to comply. As they say today in politics, a nothing burger. China found itself resorting to shaming the international community into action, with barely any success.  In Berlin, the evening following the conference's conclusion, diplomats gathered as the Japanese embassy hosted a dinner to mark the first anniversary of the Anti-Comintern Pact. Among the guests, though he probably really did not want to be there, was Adolf Hitler. The Japanese Communications Minister, Nagai Ryutaro, speaking via radio stated “The Sino-Japanese conflict is a holy struggle for us. The objective is to hold the Nanjing government accountable for its anti-Japanese stance, to liberate the Chinese people from the red menace, and to secure peace in the Far East.” By hosting such an event, Germany was basically signalling that she would abandon her old Chinese ally to forge a stronger partnership with Japan. This was driving the world into two camps that would emerge as the Axis and Allies. My favorite boardgame by the way, I make a lot of goofy videos on my youtube channel about it.  Back at the front, a city sat midway along the Yangtze River between Shanghai and Nanjing, Jiangyin. By Chinese standards, Jiangyin was not a large city; its population numbered just 50,000, most of whom had already fled by the end of November. The city's military significance had considerably diminished after a naval battle in late September resulted in the sinking of half the Chinese fleet, forcing the remainder to retreat upriver. Nevertheless, the Chinese still maintained control on land. This became a pressing concern for the Japanese after the fall of Suzhou and Changshu led to the collapse of the Wufu defensive line. Consequently, the next line of defense was the Xicheng line, of which Jiangyin formed the northern end. The city stood directly in the path of the 13th Japanese Division, positioned at the far right of the front line. Jiangyin featured 33 partially fortified hills, and like many other cities in the region, its primary defense was a robust 10-mile wall constructed of brick and stone. Standing 30 feet high, the wall was reinforced on the inside by an earthen embankment measuring up to 25 feet in diameter. Defending Jiangyin alone was the 112th Division, comprising approximately 5,000 soldiers. Only in November did it receive reinforcements from the 103rd Division, which had previously participated in the brutal fighting in Shanghai and withdrew westward after the Japanese victory there. Like the 112th, the 103rd also consisted of around 5,000 soldiers from former warlord armies, though they hailed from the hot and humid southwest of China rather than the cold and arid northeast. Both divisions faced an adversary with far superior equipment and training. Just hours after Japanese observation balloons appeared on the horizon, their artillery opened fire. The initial shells fell at approximately 30 second intervals, but the pace quickly accelerated. Most of the shells landed near the river, obliterating the buildings in that area. The explosions tore up telephone wires, severing communication between the scattered Chinese units. As the first shells began to fall over Jiangyin, Tang Shengzhi gathered with Chinese and foreign journalists in Nanjing, openly acknowledging the monumental challenge ahead but resolutely vowing to defend Nanjing to the bitter end. “Even though it is lagging behind in material terms, China has the will to fight. Since the Marco Polo Bridge Incident, we have suffered defeats in various theaters, but we will continue to fight until we achieve final victory.” Tang then promised that Nanjing would be fought to the last man. As early as November 14, the central government had ordered the evacuation of women and children from Nanjing, calling for all means of transportation available to be dedicated to this purpose. However, this directive proved to be an empty proclamation. Almost all resources were directed toward relocating government officials westward. Moving office furniture and filing cabinets took precedence over evacuating people. The government commandeered 600 trucks and 220 boats and ships to aid in this effort, but once those means of transportation were exhausted, little remained for the common people. In the final days of November, Nanjing's mayor, Ma Chaojun, attempted to rectify this dire situation. He sent a cable to the Ministry of Communications requesting that the ships used to relocate government agencies be returned to Nanjing as soon as possible to assist with the evacuation. For most vessels, there wasn't enough time to make the journey back. The people of Nanjing were left to fend for themselves. Meanwhile the battles south and west of the Lake Tai continued to rage in late November. While the 18th Japanese Division advanced toward Guangde, aiming eventually for Wuhu and the Yangtze River, the 114th Japanese Division received different orders. It turned right along the western bank of Lake Tai, clearly intending to push onward to Nanjing. Awaiting them was the 144th Chinese Division, consisting primarily of Sichuanese soldiers. They dug in across the one viable road running west of the lake, with a large body of water on one side and rugged terrain on the other. This terrain forced the Japanese to attack over a narrow front, constraining the advantage they held due to their technological superiority. The Chinese were able to concentrate their limited artillery, primarily mountain guns that could be disassembled and transported by mules or even men, on the advancing Japanese attackers, and utilized it effectively. They allowed the Japanese to shell their positions without immediate retaliation, waiting until the infantry was within 1,000 yards before ordering their mountain guns to open fire. The result was devastating; the Japanese column became disorganized, and their advance stalled. However, just as the Chinese artillery appeared on the verge of achieving a significant victory, the decision was made to withdraw. The officers responsible for the mountain guns argued that the Japanese would soon overrun their positions, and it was preferable to take preemptive measures to prevent their valuable equipment from falling into enemy hands. The commanders of the 144th Division reluctantly concurred. The Chinese did their best to maintain the facade that their artillery remained in position, but the Japanese quickly noticed the weakened defense and attacked with renewed fervor. Despite this setback, Chinese soldiers found their morale boosted as their division commander, Guo Junqi, led from the front, issuing orders from a stretcher after sustaining a leg injury. However, deprived of their artillery, the Chinese faced increasingly dire odds, and they were pushed back along the entire front. As the Chinese front neared collapse, the officers of the 144th Division faced yet another challenge: Japanese infantry approached across Lake Tai in boats commandeered in previous days. With no artillery to defend themselves, the Chinese could only direct small arms fire at the vessels, allowing the Japanese to make an almost unimpeded landing. This was the final straw. Under pressure from two sides, the 144th Division had no choice but to abandon its position, retreating westward toward the main Chinese force around Guangde. Jiangyin endured two days of continuous shelling before the Japanese infantry attack commenced, but the city was fortified to withstand such a bombardment of this magnitude and duration. The 33 hills in and around the city had long served as scenic viewpoints and natural strongholds. The tallest hill, known as Mount Ding, rose 900 feet above the area, providing a commanding view and boasted over 100 artillery pieces. By late November, when the Japanese Army reached the area, most civilians had fled, but their homes remained, and the Chinese defenders effectively utilized them, converting them into concealed strongholds. The attack by the Japanese 13th Division on November 29 was led by the 26th Brigade on its right flank and the 103rd Brigade on its left. The advance proved challenging, constantly disrupted by Chinese ambushes. As a row of Japanese soldiers cautiously crossed an empty field, gunshots would erupt, striking down one of their ranks while the others scrambled for cover, desperately trying to identify the source of the fire. The Chinese launched frequent counterattacks, and on several occasions, individual Japanese units found themselves cut off from the main body and had to be rescued. Despite some setbacks, the 13th Division made satisfactory progress, bolstered by both land and ship-based artillery, and soon nearly encircled Jiangyin, leaving only a narrow corridor to the west of the city. However, the Chinese artillery was well-prepared, effectively targeting Japanese vessels on the Yangtze River. This led to an artillery duel that lasted three hours, resulting in several hits on Japanese ships; however, the Chinese batteries also suffered considerable damage. In the sector of the 103rd Chinese Division, the defenders had taken time to construct deep antitank ditches, hindering the advance of Japanese armored units. During the night of November 29-30, the Chinese organized suicide missions behind enemy lines to level the playing field. Armed only with a belt, a combat knife, a rifle, and explosives, the soldiers infiltrated Japanese positions, targeting armored vehicles. They quietly climbed onto the tanks, dropping hand grenades into turrets or detonating explosives strapped to their bodies. Though reducing Japanese armored superiority granted the Chinese some time, the attackers' momentum simply could not be stopped. On November 30, the Japanese launched a relentless assault on Mount Ding, the dominant hill in the Jiangyin area. Supported by aircraft, artillery, and naval bombardments, Japanese infantry engaged the entrenched Chinese company at the summit. After a fierce and bloody battle, the Japanese succeeded in capturing the position. The Chinese company commander, Xia Min'an, withdrew with his troops toward Jiangyin to report the loss to the regimental command post. When the deputy commander of the 103rd Division, Dai Zhiqi, heard the news, he was furious and wanted to execute Xia on the spot. However, Xia's regimental commander intervened, saving him from a firing squad. Instead, he insisted that Xia redeem himself by recapturing the hill from the Japanese. Xia was put in command of a company that had previously been held in reserve. What followed was a fierce battle lasting over four hours. Eventually, the Japanese were forced to relinquish the hill, but the victory came at a steep price, with numerous casualties on both sides, including the death of Xia Min'an. The last days of November also witnessed chaotic fighting around Guangde, where the unfamiliar terrain added to the confusion for both sides. For the Chinese, this chaos was exacerbated by their upper command issuing contradictory orders, instructing troops to advance and retreat simultaneously. Pan Wenhua, the Sichuanese commander of the 23rd Army, prepared a pincer maneuver, directing the 13th Independent Brigade to launch a counterattack against the town of Sian, which was held by the Japanese, while the 146th Division would attack from the south. Both units set out immediately. However, due to a lack of radio equipment, a common issue among the Sichuanese forces, they did not receive the new orders to withdraw, which originated not from Pan Wenhua but from Chen Cheng, the Chiang Kai-shek loyalist who had taken command after Liu Xiang fell ill and was eager to assert his authority. Fortunately, the officers of the 13th Independent Brigade were alerted to the general order for withdrawal by neighboring units and managed to halt their advance on Sian in time. The 146th Division, however, had no such luck and continued its march toward the Japanese-occupied city. It was joined by the 14th Independent Brigade, which had just arrived from Wuhu and was also unaware of the general retreat order. Upon reaching Sian, these Chinese troops engaged in intense close combat with the Japanese. It was a familiar scenario of Japanese technological superiority pitted against Chinese determination. The Japanese brought armor up from the rear, while the Chinese lay in ambush, tossing hand grenades into tank turrets before jumping onto the burning vehicles to kill any surviving crew members. As the fighting around the flanks slowed, the area in front of Guangde became the focal point of the battle. Japanese soldiers advanced toward the city during the day, passing piles of dead Chinese and numerous houses set ablaze by retreating defenders. At night, the situation became perilous for the Japanese, as Chinese forces infiltrated their positions under the cover of darkness. In the confusion, small units from both sides often got lost and were just as likely to encounter hostile forces as friendly ones. Despite the chaos along the front lines, it was evident that the Japanese were gaining the upper hand primarily due to their material superiority. Japanese artillery bombarded Guangde, igniting many structures, while infantry approached the city from multiple directions. The Chinese 145th Division, led by Rao Guohua, was nearing its breaking point. In a desperate gamble, on November 30, Rao ordered one of his regiments to counterattack, but the regimental commander, sensing the futility of the move, simply refused. This refusal was a personal failure for Rao, one he could not accept. Deeply ashamed, Rao Guohua withdrew from Guangde. As darkness enveloped the battlefield, he and a small group of staff officers found a place to rest for the night in a house near a bamboo grove. Overwhelmed with anguish, he penned a letter to Liu Xiang, apparently unaware that Liu had been evacuated to the rear due to stomach issues. In the letter, he apologized for his inability to hold Guangde. Telling his bodyguard to get some rest, he stepped outside, disappearing into the bamboo grove. Shortly thereafter, his staff heard a single gunshot. When they rushed out and searched the dense bamboo, they found Rao sitting against a tree, his service weapon beside him. Blood streamed thickly from a wound to his temple. He was already dead. I would like to take this time to remind you all that this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Please go subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry after that, give my personal channel a look over at The Pacific War Channel at Youtube, it would mean a lot to me. As the Japanese forces advanced on Nanjing, tensions escalated within the Chinese leadership. While Commander Tang Shengzhi fortified the city, some sought retreat. Japanese Commander Yanagawa, confident of victory, pushed his troops westward, disregarding high command's hesitations. Meanwhile, ill-equipped Sichuanese reinforcements hurried to defend Nanjing, braving cholera and disorganization. Intense battles unfolded around Lake Tai, marked by fierce ambushes and casualties. 

Today's show:Terra's collapse, Powell's pivot, and OpenAI's explosive growth all collide in this TWiST deep dive.Do Kwon has pled guilty after Terra/Luna's $60B implosion, Fed Chair Powell hints at a September rate cut, and OpenAI has officially crossed $1B in monthly revenue (on a $12B run rate). Jason and Alex unpack what this means for founders, LPs, and the next wave of AI + crypto.They also cover Canva's $42B comeback, Anthropic's doubled $10B fundraise, and the brewing battle between Figma & Canva.Plus: Uber, Nuro & Lucid's $6B robotaxi push — and why drivers are already protesting in Wuhan & Boston.#Startups #Crypto #AI #VentureCapital #OpenAI #Anthropic #Canva #Figma #ThisWeekInStartupsTimestamps:(0:00) INTRO(01:15) Fed rate cut signals & market reaction(05:36) Jason's $400K in new fund bets(10:25) Miro - Help your teams get great done with Miro. Check out miro.com to find out how!(11:30) Show Continues…(16:22) Do Kwon & the Terra/Luna collapse(20:22) Bolt - Don't be left behind. Build apps quickly without knowing how to code with Bolt.new. Try it free at https://www.bolt.new/twist.(21:23) Show Continues…(29:43) Alphasense - Get deeper insights into your business with the power of AI search and market intelligence. Start with a free trial at https://www.alpha-sense.com/twist(30:55) Show Continues…(36:14) OpenAI's $1B/month revenue run rate(42:13) Anthropic's $10B round & AI market sizing(51:31) Canva's $42B valuation & Figma comparisonSubscribe to the TWiST500 newsletter: https://ticker.thisweekinstartups.comCheck out the TWIST500: https://www.twist500.comSubscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcpFollow Lon:X: https://x.com/lonsFollow Alex:X: https://x.com/alexLinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexwilhelmFollow Jason:X: https://twitter.com/JasonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanisThank you to our partners:(10:25) Miro - Help your teams get great done with Miro. Check out miro.com to find out how!(20:22) Bolt - Don't be left behind. Build apps quickly without knowing how to code with Bolt.new. Try it free at https://www.bolt.new/twist.(29:43) Alphasense - Get deeper insights into your business with the power of AI search and market intelligence. Start with a free trial at https://www.alpha-sense.com/twistGreat TWIST interviews: Will Guidara, Eoghan McCabe, Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Bob Moesta, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarlandCheck out Jason's suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanisFollow TWiST:Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartupsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekinInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartupsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartupsSubstack: https://twistartups.substack.comSubscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@founderuniversity1916

In this episode of We Want Them Infected, Dr. Jonathan Howard and Wendy Orent unpack the shocking CDC shooting in Atlanta, which many are calling “public health's January 6th.” They trace how years of anti-science rhetoric from figures like RFK Jr., Jay Bhattacharya, and Vinay Prasad have fueled violent consequences. They also welcome their first guest, Dr. Philipp Markolin PhD, author of Lab Leak Fever. Dr. Markolin shares his global reporting on COVID's origins, dismantles the so-called “lab leak” hypothesis, and explains how disinformation has been weaponized for politics and power. From epidemiological evidence at the Wuhan market to the ghost DNA of raccoon dogs, he outlines why science overwhelmingly supports a zoonotic origin. This episode tackles misinformation, political corruption, and the dangerous future of science under attack—while honoring the tragic loss of a young officer in the CDC shooting. Resources Mentioned Dr. Phillipp Markolin: Lab Leak Fever → https://www.lab-leak-fever.com/about STAT News article: “The CDC Shooting Was Public Health's January 6th” by Colin Carlson & Sean Kennedy STAT News article: “Kennedy's Case Against mRNA Vaccines Collapses Under His Own Evidence” by Dr. Jake Scott LA Times: Coverage of COVID resurgence in the Southwest, fall 2025 MedPage Today: “The Executive Order That Could Cripple Science” by Adam Brown Science-Based Medicine: Analysis of Jay Bhattacharya and NIH policy shifts Audrey Tang (Taiwan's Cyber Minister) – discussed as a model for democratic info ecosystems Guest Bio – Dr. Philipp Markolin Dr. Philipp Markolin, PhD is a Switzerland-based science writer and author of Lab Leak Fever, a definitive investigation into the origins of COVID-19. Trained in molecular biology and machine learning, Dr. Markolin spent more than a decade in academia before transitioning to science communication during the pandemic. He has written extensively on the intersection of science, conspiracy theories, and society, and has interviewed leading virologists, field researchers, and policymakers around the world. His reporting has taken him into wildlife markets and labs, where he traced the evidence that overwhelmingly supports a zoonotic origin for COVID-19. Dr. Markolin also co-produced a documentary film exploring the pandemic's origins and the scientists at the center of the controversy. He writes the blog Protagonist Science and speaks globally on the dangers of misinformation and the urgent need to protect scientific integrity. Connect with us further on https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/author/jonathanhoward/  The Fine Print The content presented in the "We Want Them Infected" Podcast and associated book is intended for informational and educational purposes only.  The views and opinions expressed by the speakers, hosts, and guests on the podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of the creators, producers, or distributors. The information provided in this podcast should not be considered as a substitute for professional medical, scientific, or legal advice. Listeners and readers are encouraged to consult with relevant experts and authorities for specific guidance and information. The creators of the podcast and book have made reasonable efforts to ensure that the information provided is accurate and up to date. However, as the field of medical science and the understanding of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to evolve, there may be new developments and insights that are not covered in this content. The creators are not responsible for any errors or omissions in the content or for any actions taken based on the information provided. They disclaim any liability for any loss, injury, or damage incurred by individuals who rely on the content. Listeners and readers are urged to use their judgment and conduct their own research when interpreting the information presented in the "We Want Them Infected" podcast and book. It is essential to stay informed about the latest updates, guidelines, and recommendations related to COVID-19 and vaccination from reputable sources, such as government health agencies and medical professionals. By accessing and using the content, you acknowledge and accept the terms of this disclaimer. Please consult with appropriate experts and authorities for specific guidance on matters related to health, science, and the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Welcome to the series on COVID-19. Pandemics have shaped our world more than we realize. Long before 2020, waves of disease had already changed the course of history, toppling empires, fueling superstition, and forcing societies to reinvent themselves. In this episode, we trace that story—from the dusty streets of ancient Athens to the silent cities of lockdown in our own century.We start in 430 B.C., where the Plague of Athens raged during the Peloponnesian War, bringing chaos to one of the world's great city-states. We move forward to the Roman Empire, where the Antonine Plague killed emperors and soldiers alike, weakening the empire's hold on the known world. And then we come to the most infamous of all—the Black Death. In the mid-14th century, a microscopic invader erased nearly half of Europe's population. People watched their neighbors die in days, families abandoned their own kin, and eerie figures in long leather coats and beaked masks stalked the streets, hoping the herbs stuffed into those grotesque “noses” would ward off the poisoned air. The image of the plague doctor became one of the most haunting symbols in history.But pandemics didn't just strike Europe. When Columbus crossed the Atlantic, he carried something deadlier than steel—smallpox and measles. Within a century, these Old World diseases wiped out up to 90% of Indigenous populations in the Americas. Entire civilizations, like the Aztecs and the Inca, fell as much to pathogens as to conquest. And in 1918, influenza killed tens of millions around the globe—claiming more lives than World War I itself—while cities struggled to dig enough graves for the dead.All of these echoes lead us to the modern era. In late 2019, mysterious pneumonia cases in Wuhan, China, turned out to be the start of the biggest global event in living memory. Within weeks, COVID-19 swept the globe. Borders closed, cities locked down, hospitals overflowed. Entire nations were asked to stay inside while streets fell eerily silent. Conspiracy theories swirled—from whispers of a lab leak to wild claims about 5G towers and microchipped vaccines—while scientists worked around the clock to create vaccines at record speed. For the first time in history, billions of people were vaccinated within a year, an achievement as remarkable as it was divisive.In this episode, we tell the story of pandemics past and present: the Black Death, the devastation of the Americas, the Spanish Flu, Bird Flu scares, and finally, the full arc of COVID-19—from its mysterious origins to its conspiracies, tragedies, and the ways it reshaped how we live. It's a story of fear and resilience, ignorance and discovery, and ultimately, a reminder that pandemics are as much about people and power as they are about microbes.www.patreon.com/theconspiracypodcast

**Discussion begins at 5:15**2020 will be a year that lives in infamy for our generation.  It is the year the workers were asked to stay home and children asked not to go to school.  It is the year that healthcare workers showing up to work in unprecedented times fighting a virus that they didn't know how to fight.  It is the year of "don't wear a mask and don't worry" to "wear a mask, wash your groceries, and oh my gosh - it could spread through your eyeballs".  It was a pivotal election year.  It was a year with protests and riots were rampant.  It is the year of fear, and hysteria, and TikTok popping off.  And all of that leads back to a pesky virus called SARS-COVID-2, or as people know it - COVID-19.  So where did this virus start?  Is there still controversy over the origin story?  What does the trail of money say?  And mostly, was the government just covering up a huge, colossal mistake?  Let's travel back in time to revisit the story of COVID-19.  Don't worry, no mask is required while listening to this podcast.  Send us a textSupport the showTheme song by INDA

EVERY DETAIL ABOUT THE PANDEMIC NOW IN QUESTION:  5/8  A Shot to Save the World: The Inside Story of the Life-or-Death Race for a COVID-19 Vaccine, by  Gregory Zuckerman   Kindle Edition 1918 SEATTLE https://www.amazon.com/Shot-Save-World-Life-Death/dp/059342039X/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= Few were ready when a mysterious respiratory illness emerged in Wuhan, China in January 2020. Politicians, government officials, business leaders, and public-health professionals were unprepared for the most devastating pandemic in a century. Many of the world's biggest drug and vaccine makers were slow to react or couldn't muster an effective response. It was up to a small group of unlikely and untested scientists and executives to save civilization. A French businessman dismissed by many as a fabulist. A Turkish immigrant with little virus experience. A quirky Midwesterner obsessed with insect cells. A Boston scientist employing questionable techniques. A British scientist despised by his peers. Far from the limelight, each had spent years developing innovative vaccine approaches. Their work was met with skepticism and scorn. By 2020, these individuals had little proof of progress. Yet they and their colleagues wanted to be the ones to stop the virus holding the world hostage. They scrambled to turn their life's work into life-saving vaccines in a matter of months, each gunning to make the big breakthrough—and to beat each other for the glory that a vaccine guaranteed.

EVERY DETAIL ABOUT THE PANDEMIC NOW IN QUESTION:  8/8  A Shot to Save the World: The Inside Story of the Life-or-Death Race for a COVID-19 Vaccine, by  Gregory Zuckerman   Kindle Edition https://www.amazon.com/Shot-Save-World-Life-Death/dp/059342039X/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= Few were ready when a mysterious respiratory illness emerged in Wuhan, China in January 2020. Politicians, government officials, business leaders, and public-health professionals were unprepared for the most devastating pandemic in a century. Many of the world's biggest drug and vaccine makers were slow to react or couldn't muster an effective response. It was up to a small group of unlikely and untested scientists and executives to save civilization. A French businessman dismissed by many as a fabulist. A Turkish immigrant with little virus experience. A quirky Midwesterner obsessed with insect cells. A Boston scientist employing questionable techniques. A British scientist despised by his peers. Far from the limelight, each had spent years developing innovative vaccine approaches. Their work was met with skepticism and scorn. By 2020, these individuals had little proof of progress. Yet they and their colleagues wanted to be the ones to stop the virus holding the world hostage. They scrambled to turn their life's work into life-saving vaccines in a matter of months, each gunning to make the big breakthrough—and to beat each other for the glory that a vaccine guaranteed.

EVERY DETAIL ABOUT THE PANDEMIC NOW IN QUESTION:  7/8  A Shot to Save the World: The Inside Story of the Life-or-Death Race for a COVID-19 Vaccine, by  Gregory Zuckerman   Kindle Edition https://www.amazon.com/Shot-Save-World-Life-Death/dp/059342039X/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= Few were ready when a mysterious respiratory illness emerged in Wuhan, China in January 2020. Politicians, government officials, business leaders, and public-health professionals were unprepared for the most devastating pandemic in a century. Many of the world's biggest drug and vaccine makers were slow to react or couldn't muster an effective response. It was up to a small group of unlikely and untested scientists and executives to save civilization. A French businessman dismissed by many as a fabulist. A Turkish immigrant with little virus experience. A quirky Midwesterner obsessed with insect cells. A Boston scientist employing questionable techniques. A British scientist despised by his peers. Far from the limelight, each had spent years developing innovative vaccine approaches. Their work was met with skepticism and scorn. By 2020, these individuals had little proof of progress. Yet they and their colleagues wanted to be the ones to stop the virus holding the world hostage. They scrambled to turn their life's work into life-saving vaccines in a matter of months, each gunning to make the big breakthrough—and to beat each other for the glory that a vaccine guaranteed.

EVERY DETAIL ABOUT THE PANDEMIC NOW IN QUESTION:  6/8  A Shot to Save the World: The Inside Story of the Life-or-Death Race for a COVID-19 Vaccine, by  Gregory Zuckerman   Kindle Edition1918 ST. LOUIS https://www.amazon.com/Shot-Save-World-Life-Death/dp/059342039X/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= Few were ready when a mysterious respiratory illness emerged in Wuhan, China in January 2020. Politicians, government officials, business leaders, and public-health professionals were unprepared for the most devastating pandemic in a century. Many of the world's biggest drug and vaccine makers were slow to react or couldn't muster an effective response. It was up to a small group of unlikely and untested scientists and executives to save civilization. A French businessman dismissed by many as a fabulist. A Turkish immigrant with little virus experience. A quirky Midwesterner obsessed with insect cells. A Boston scientist employing questionable techniques. A British scientist despised by his peers. Far from the limelight, each had spent years developing innovative vaccine approaches. Their work was met with skepticism and scorn. By 2020, these individuals had little proof of progress. Yet they and their colleagues wanted to be the ones to stop the virus holding the world hostage. They scrambled to turn their life's work into life-saving vaccines in a matter of months, each gunning to make the big breakthrough—and to beat each other for the glory that a vaccine guaranteed.

EVERY DETAIL ABOUT THE PANDEMIC NOW IN QUESTION:  3/8  A Shot to Save the World: The Inside Story of the Life-or-Death Race for a COVID-19 Vaccine, by  Gregory Zuckerman   Kindle Edition https://www.amazon.com/Shot-Save-World-Life-Death/dp/059342039X/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= Few were ready when a mysterious respiratory illness emerged in Wuhan, China in January 2020. Politicians, government officials, business leaders, and public-health professionals were unprepared for the most devastating pandemic in a century. Many of the world's biggest drug and vaccine makers were slow to react or couldn't muster an effective response. It was up to a small group of unlikely and untested scientists and executives to save civilization. A French businessman dismissed by many as a fabulist. A Turkish immigrant with little virus experience. A quirky Midwesterner obsessed with insect cells. A Boston scientist employing questionable techniques. A British scientist despised by his peers. Far from the limelight, each had spent years developing innovative vaccine approaches. Their work was met with skepticism and scorn. By 2020, these individuals had little proof of progress. Yet they and their colleagues wanted to be the ones to stop the virus holding the world hostage. They scrambled to turn their life's work into life-saving vaccines in a matter of months, each gunning to make the big breakthrough—and to beat each other for the glory that a vaccine guaranteed.

EVERY DETAIL ABOUT THE PANDEMIC NOW IN QUESTION:  4/8  A Shot to Save the World: The Inside Story of the Life-or-Death Race for a COVID-19 Vaccine, by  Gregory Zuckerman   Kindle Edition https://www.amazon.com/Shot-Save-World-Life-Death/dp/059342039X/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= Few were ready when a mysterious respiratory illness emerged in Wuhan, China in January 2020. Politicians, government officials, business leaders, and public-health professionals were unprepared for the most devastating pandemic in a century. Many of the world's biggest drug and vaccine makers were slow to react or couldn't muster an effective response. It was up to a small group of unlikely and untested scientists and executives to save civilization. A French businessman dismissed by many as a fabulist. A Turkish immigrant with little virus experience. A quirky Midwesterner obsessed with insect cells. A Boston scientist employing questionable techniques. A British scientist despised by his peers. Far from the limelight, each had spent years developing innovative vaccine approaches. Their work was met with skepticism and scorn. By 2020, these individuals had little proof of progress. Yet they and their colleagues wanted to be the ones to stop the virus holding the world hostage. They scrambled to turn their life's work into life-saving vaccines in a matter of months, each gunning to make the big breakthrough—and to beat each other for the glory that a vaccine guaranteed.

EVERY DETAIL ABOUT THE PANDEMIC NOW IN QUESTION:  2/8  A Shot to Save the World: The Inside Story of the Life-or-Death Race for a COVID-19 Vaccine, by  Gregory Zuckerman   Kindle Edition https://www.amazon.com/Shot-Save-World-Life-Death/dp/059342039X/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= Few were ready when a mysterious respiratory illness emerged in Wuhan, China in January 2020. Politicians, government officials, business leaders, and public-health professionals were unprepared for the most devastating pandemic in a century. Many of the world's biggest drug and vaccine makers were slow to react or couldn't muster an effective response. It was up to a small group of unlikely and untested scientists and executives to save civilization. A French businessman dismissed by many as a fabulist. A Turkish immigrant with little virus experience. A quirky Midwesterner obsessed with insect cells. A Boston scientist employing questionable techniques. A British scientist despised by his peers. Far from the limelight, each had spent years developing innovative vaccine approaches. Their work was met with skepticism and scorn. By 2020, these individuals had little proof of progress. Yet they and their colleagues wanted to be the ones to stop the virus holding the world hostage. They scrambled to turn their life's work into life-saving vaccines in a matter of months, each gunning to make the big breakthrough—and to beat each other for the glory that a vaccine guaranteed.

EVERY DETAIL ABOUT THE PANDEMIC NOW IN QUESTION:  1/8  A Shot to Save the World: The Inside Story of the Life-or-Death Race for a COVID-19 Vaccine, by  Gregory Zuckerman   Kindle Edition https://www.amazon.com/Shot-Save-World-Life-Death/dp/059342039X/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= Few were ready when a mysterious respiratory illness emerged in Wuhan, China in January 2020. Politicians, government officials, business leaders, and public-health professionals were unprepared for the most devastating pandemic in a century. Many of the world's biggest drug and vaccine makers were slow to react or couldn't muster an effective response. It was up to a small group of unlikely and untested scientists and executives to save civilization. A French businessman dismissed by many as a fabulist. A Turkish immigrant with little virus experience. A quirky Midwesterner obsessed with insect cells. A Boston scientist employing questionable techniques. A British scientist despised by his peers. Far from the limelight, each had spent years developing innovative vaccine approaches. Their work was met with skepticism and scorn. By 2020, these individuals had little proof of progress. Yet they and their colleagues wanted to be the ones to stop the virus holding the world hostage. They scrambled to turn their life's work into life-saving vaccines in a matter of months, each gunning to make the big breakthrough—and to beat each other for the glory that a vaccine guaranteed.

HHS Secretary Robert Kennedy, Jr. announced this week that his department would cut $500 million in research into mRNA vaccines. Big Pharma and its enablers are furious.  Many of the rest of us, however, are relieved that we may thus be spared FrankenJabs like the COVID-19 vaccine that appears to have been a biological weapon – rather than actual protection from that disease, which surely was one.  A new movie called “The Unrestricted War” dramatizes the Chinese Communist Party's role in producing COVID in its biowarfare lab in Wuhan, China.  An important webinar today will examine the film's insights with its creators and leading star – and discuss whether China's biological warfare program has been tasked with depopulating this country and the possibility that mRNA technology Tony Fauci shared with it is making vaccines lethal, too.  Join us at PresentDangerChina.org. This is Frank Gaffney.

The McCullough Report with Dr. Peter McCullough – Political controversy heats up as Tulsi Gabbard accuses the Obama administration of fabricating the Russia-Trump narrative, while vaccine safety concerns and allegations of cover-ups grow. With ongoing investigations into Wuhan lab documents and vaccine side effects, I examine how distractions shift focus from critical issues facing America in 2025...

The McCullough Report with Dr. Peter McCullough – Political controversy heats up as Tulsi Gabbard accuses the Obama administration of fabricating the Russia-Trump narrative, while vaccine safety concerns and allegations of cover-ups grow. With ongoing investigations into Wuhan lab documents and vaccine side effects, I examine how distractions shift focus from critical issues facing America in 2025...

Robots humanoïdes, voitures autonomes, IA générative et même lunettes de paiement par clignement d'œil... La Chine dévoile ses ambitions technologiques à l'occasion de la World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) à Shanghai. La journaliste chinoise Shanhui Zhang (China Global Television Network) nous présente les innovations de la WAIC et analyse les ambitions chinoises en matière de technologie.Les sujet abordés dans cet épisode :Une industrie en pleine effervescence : avec plus de 800 exposants, la World Artificial Intelligence Conference de Shanghai a présenté un panorama spectaculaire de la tech chinoise, des géants comme Alibaba, Huawei ou Baidu jusqu'aux industriels traditionnels comme Baosteel, qui se lancent dans la robotique.Les robots humanoïdes dans la vie quotidienne : démonstrations de robots capables de jouer avec les enfants, de réaliser des tâches dans l'industrie lourde ou encore d'assurer des fonctions éducatives et sociales.Des lunettes pour payer dans les magasin : à Hangzhou, Alibaba a dévoilé les lunettes « AI Quark » qui permettent de payer d'un simple mouvement d'œil via Alipay.Des taxis autonomes à l'assaut des villes chinoises : Baidu propose des taxis autonomes sans chauffeur à Pékin et Wuhan, pour des trajets deux fois moins chers qu'un taxi classique. Shanhui Zhang les a testés.Un enjeu stratégique mondial : derrière les démonstrations technologiques, une véritable volonté politique. La Chine promeut une gouvernance internationale de l'IA, évoquant des mécanismes communs pour la protection des données, la sécurité et l'inclusion.Un appel à la coopération internationale : Pékin présente un plan d'action global pour encadrer le développement de l'IA, tout en soulignant le rôle central que la Chine souhaite jouer dans ce nouveau paradigme.-----------

Your Daily Prayer

Here's one fun question to ask at a dinner party: What is your favorite conspiracy theory? There's the idea that the CIA killed John F. Kennedy. The moon landing was fake, and 9/11 was an inside job. Covid was designed by the Gates Foundation to control the world—and the Covid vaccine had a microchip. There's the deep state. Chemtrails. QAnon. The Illuminati. Reptilian overlords. Pizzagate—which says that high-ranking Democrats were running a child sex-trafficking ring out of a D.C. pizzeria. That one, Pizzagate, is rivaled only by the idea that there is a group of Satan-worshipping globalists and Hollywood celebrities who traffic children in order to harvest adrenochrome, a chemical which, in this scenario, is extracted from their blood. Why? It's obvious: They inject it in order to stay young. It's easy to joke about these theories. It's much harder to reckon with the fact that many Americans believe them sincerely—and their justification is grounded in the fact that some conspiracy theories turn out to not be theories, but fact. The government was poisoning alcohol during Prohibition. The FBI was illegally spying on civil-rights activists like MLK. The U.S. government did let some few hundred black men with syphilis go untreated to study the effects. And Covid likely came from a lab in Wuhan, China.  The question is how to tolerate and even encourage healthy speculation and investigation? How do we allow for skepticism of received wisdom, which may actually be wrong, without it leading to reptilian Jewish overlords?  In the past few weeks, the speculation surrounding Jeffrey Epstein's life and death is a perfect example of this conundrum. It's a story filled with smoke and unanswered questions: How did Epstein get so rich in the first place? Was his wealth connected to his crimes? Was he acting alone? Was there a client list—and if so, who was on it? Why did he get such a sweetheart deal? And on and on. And then things get more far-fetched: Was Epstein's suicide faked? Who could have killed him? Was he connected to foreign intelligence? And my favorite: Was he running a Jewish cabal? To help us understand why conspiracy theories are so compelling—and how we might better engage with those who believe them—is Ross Douthat. Ross Douthat is an opinion columnist at The New York Times and host of the Interesting Times podcast. He has been covering conspiratorial thinking—how to understand it, and what to do about it—for years. In 2020, he wrote: “It's a mistake to believe most conspiracy theories, but it's also a mistake to assume that they bear no relation to reality. Some are just insane emanations or deliberate misinformation. But others exaggerate and misread important trends rather than denying them, or offer implausible explanations for mysteries that nonetheless linger unexplained.” Which we thought perfectly encapsulated the conundrum of handling conspiracy theories today. So today on Honestly, Bari asks Ross: What is the state of conspiracy theories in America? How do we dispel conspiracy theories that are clearly false—without relying on establishment sources the public no longer trusts? And what are the consequences when these theories go unchecked? Go to groundnews.com/Honestly to get 40% off the unlimited access Vantage plan and unlock world-wide perspectives on today's biggest news stories. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Quite Frankly, Frankie Val dives headfirst into the Orwellian tactics of modern censorship and the emerging threats of AI-driven narrative control. He opens with commentary on Trump's viral “Epstein hoax” post and explores whether it's a strategic nudge to expose mainstream hypocrisy or a larger piece of psychological warfare. Frankie digs into Google's new “About This Image” tool, explaining how it fits into a broader campaign to delegitimize independent research, especially around subjects like biolabs, war crimes, and election interference. He compares these efforts to digital book burning, where tech giants erase context and reshape the past in real time. From secret Fauci emails about Wuhan labs to bombshell articles on war profiteering and suppressed medical data, the episode paints a clear picture: we're in an information war, and the battlefield is your perception. Frankie wraps with a passionate call to seek truth beyond curated headlines, reminding listeners that history is being rewritten by those who fear transparency most.

1. Senator Rand Paul's Criminal Referral of Dr. Anthony Fauci Context: Senator Paul has reissued a criminal referral to the DOJ against Dr. Fauci, citing perjury related to his 2021 Senate testimony on gain-of-function research in Wuhan. Controversy: The referral is tied to President Biden’s use of an autopen to sign pardons, including one for Fauci. If the autopen-signed pardons are ruled invalid, Fauci could face prosecution. Allegations: Fauci allegedly misled Congress about NIH funding for gain-of-function research. Political Angle: The Trump administration is portrayed as cooperative in pursuing the investigation, while the Biden administration is accused of obstruction. 2. Supreme Court Ruling on the Department of Education Issue: The Trump administration’s plan to shut down the Department of Education and return control to the states. Ruling: The Supreme Court (6-3 decision) lifted an injunction, allowing layoffs of over 1,300 employees and enabling the department’s closure to proceed. Reactions: Supporters: Frame it as a win for parents, students, and educational reform. Dissenters: Warn of executive overreach and erosion of separation of powers. Next Steps: Programs like special education and student loans are being transferred to other federal agencies. Please Hit Subscribe to this podcast Right Now. Also Please Subscribe to the Ben Ferguson Show Podcast and Verdict with Ted Cruz Wherever You get You're Podcasts. Thanks for Listening #seanhannity #hannity #marklevin #levin #charliekirk #megynkelly #tucker #tuckercarlson #glennbeck #benshapiro #shapiro #trump #sexton #bucksexton#rushlimbaugh #limbaugh #whitehouse #senate #congress #thehouse #democrats#republicans #conservative #senator #congressman #congressmen #congresswoman #capitol #president #vicepresident #POTUS #presidentoftheunitedstatesofamerica#SCOTUS #Supremecourt #DonaldTrump #PresidentDonaldTrump #DT #TedCruz #Benferguson #Verdict #maga #presidenttrump #47 #the47morningupdate #donaldtrump #trump #news #trumpnews #Benferguson #breaking #breakingnews #morningupdateYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VerdictwithTedCruzSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

-Rob Carson highlights President Trump's deal to sell U.S.-made weapons to NATO for Ukraine, avoiding American troop involvement while boosting the economy, and issuing a 50-day ultimatum to Russia with potential 100% tariffs on oil-buying nations. -Carson covers Rand Paul's push for a criminal referral against Fauci, citing evidence of a COVID-19 cover-up, including U.S.-funded research in Wuhan and suppressed alternative treatments like Ivermectin. -Liberal Cat Lady Update: Carson introduces a segment mocking "crazy liberal cat ladies," criticizing their emotional reactions to Trump's policies, including dismantling the Department of Education, and their support for failed Democratic initiatives. Today's podcast is sponsored by : BIRCH GOLD - Protect and grow your retirement savings with gold. Text ROB to 98 98 98 for your FREE information kit!GREEN CHEF MEAL KITS: Make this summer your healthiest yet with Green Chef. Head to http://greenchef.com/50NEWSMAX and use code 50NEWSMAX to get fifty percent off your first month, then twenty percent off for two months with free shipping. To call in and speak with Rob Carson live on the show, dial 1-800-922-6680 between the hours of 12 Noon and 3:00 pm Eastern Time Monday through Friday…E-mail Rob Carson at : RobCarsonShow@gmail.com Musical parodies provided by Jim Gossett (www.patreon.com/JimGossettComedy) Listen to Newsmax LIVE and see our entire podcast lineup at http://Newsmax.com/Listen Make the switch to NEWSMAX today! Get your 15 day free trial of NEWSMAX+ at http://NewsmaxPlus.com Looking for NEWSMAX caps, tees, mugs & more? Check out the Newsmax merchandise shop at : http://nws.mx/shop Follow NEWSMAX on Social Media:  -Facebook: http://nws.mx/FB  -X/Twitter: http://nws.mx/twitter -Instagram: http://nws.mx/IG -YouTube: https://youtube.com/NewsmaxTV -Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/NewsmaxTV -TRUTH Social: https://truthsocial.com/@NEWSMAX -GETTR: https://gettr.com/user/newsmax -Threads: http://threads.net/@NEWSMAX  -Telegram: http://t.me/newsmax  -BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/newsmax.com -Parler: http://app.parler.com/newsmax Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of China EVs & More, Tu and Lei dive into the latest from China's fast-moving EV market. They explore the intense price war that's reshaping the industry, why Tesla's Model Y remains resilient despite new competition, and the incredible rise of Xiaomi with the SU7.They break down June sales data, BYD's dominance, new EV and EREV launches, and why foreign automakers like Porsche, BMW, and Mercedes are struggling in China. Plus, they talk about Onvo L90's high-stakes debut, Xpeng's EREV strategy, and how cities like Wuhan have become ground zero for robotaxi innovation.Chinese EV & Tech Brands: BYD, NIO, XPeng, Li Auto, Xiaomi, Zeekr, Leapmotor, Chery, Onvo (NIO sub-brand), AutoX, DeepRoute.ai, Baidu (Apollo Go), Car Inc., HengchiForeign Automakers: Tesla, Porsche, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, MaseratiTech & Mobility Players: MomentaRental/Service Platforms: Car Inc., China Driven (media/content)Digital Disruption with Geoff Nielson Discover how technology is reshaping our lives and livelihoods.Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

PRC: THE RUMORS OF XI. VICTORIA HERCZEGH GEOPOLITICAL FUTURES.1940 WUHAN

These compelling segments dissect Donald Trump's lukewarm response when asked whether he would declassify the Epstein files, sparking questions about what—and whom—he might be protecting. The host and callers explore the tangled connections between Trump, Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, and a shadowy network of elites whose influence extends from Mar-a-Lago to the Wuhan lab. Discussions range from the mainstream media's selective outrage and the Democrats' suspicious silence, to theories that Epstein's blackmail operation was part of a broader scheme encompassing COVID origins, Hunter Biden's business dealings, and geopolitical leverage. As listeners call in to share perspectives—from “trust the plan” optimism to skepticism about cover-ups—the conversation underscores the explosive potential of releasing Epstein's secrets and why so many powerful figures, on both sides of the aisle, might want them buried forever.

In this sweeping series of conversations, the host and callers delve into the explosive implications of declassifying the Epstein files—and why Donald Trump's tepid support for doing so has raised eyebrows. From Trump's acknowledgment that innocent people could get swept up in the revelations, to speculation that his own name appears in Epstein's flight logs, the discussion traces a tangled web linking Mar-a-Lago, the Clintons, Ghislaine Maxwell, and global elites. Listeners draw connections to the Wuhan lab, Hunter Biden's investment ventures, the Metabiota scandal, and a pattern of institutional cover-ups that transcend partisan politics. The segments highlight the curious silence of Democrats, the mainstream media's selective outrage, and the unsettling possibility that Epstein's operation was just one thread in a vast network of blackmail, influence peddling, and geopolitical maneuvering. With references to Eyes Wide Shut and theories about a sprawling deep state, the show underscores how every tug on this thread reveals yet another hidden layer of corruption—and why so many powerful interests want the truth to stay buried.

-TPUSA founder Charlie Kirk joins "Rob Schmitt Tonight" to discuss the Epstein debacle. [Rob Schmitt Tonight] -Longtime cable news host Bill O'Reilly describes an Epstein-related conversation he had with President Trump. [Finnerty] -Newsmax's Greg Kelly on the investigation of James Comey and John Brennan. [Greg Kelly Reports] -Rep. James Comer sums up the testimony from Biden's doctor. [Greg Kelly Reports] -"The Right Squad” panel discusses reports that USAID shipped 11,000 viral samples to a Wuhan lab. [Chris Plante The Right Squad] Listen to Newsmax LIVE and see our entire podcast lineup at http://Newsmax.com/Listen Make the switch to NEWSMAX today! Get your 15 day free trial of NEWSMAX+ at http://NewsmaxPlus.com Looking for NEWSMAX caps, tees, mugs & more? Check out the Newsmax merchandise shop at : http://nws.mx/shop Follow NEWSMAX on Social Media:  -Facebook: http://nws.mx/FB  -X/Twitter: http://nws.mx/twitter -Instagram: http://nws.mx/IG -YouTube: https://youtube.com/NewsmaxTV -Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/NewsmaxTV -TRUTH Social: https://truthsocial.com/@NEWSMAX -GETTR: https://gettr.com/user/newsmax -Threads: http://threads.net/@NEWSMAX  -Telegram: http://t.me/newsmax  -BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/newsmax.com -Parler: http://app.parler.com/newsmax Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

No BS Newshour Episode #374Wuhan on the HuronAnn Arbor has been infiltrated by the Communist Chinese.(0:04) And if nobody's going to do anything about it, we will.PLUS- What's Bull$hit in the News?(11:18) Trump floats amnesty for Illegals… not exactly.(16:49) He told the truth. Labor leader Cesar Chavez's view on illegal immigration in 1974 remains relevant today.(20:09) Dancing oaf Shri Thanedar says he loves Detroit. But nobody will dance with him. (22:15) The Big Beautiful Bill is only beautiful for the rich.(29:13) The Epstein files up in smoke. Again, beautiful for the rich.(34:07) Detroit burns & children are shot - And Duggan wants to be our Governor?(40:36) Mega-chuch Pastor and mayoral candidate Solomon Kinloch swears he lives in Detroit. Now he'll have to swear to God. ⁠NBN on YouTube⁠⁠: https://www.youtube.com/@NoBSNewshourNBN on iTunes⁠⁠: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/no-bs-newshour-with-charlie-leduff/id1754976617NBN on Spotify⁠⁠: https://open.spotify.com/show/0qMLWg6goiLQCRom8QNndC⁠⁠Like NBN on Facebook⁠⁠:  https://www.facebook.com/LeDuffCharlie⁠⁠Follow to NBN on Twitter : https://x.com/charlieleduff Sponsored by American Coney Island, Pinnacle Wealth Strategies, XG Service Group, and Archangel Senior Management

In this explosive segment, the hosts unravel a stunning pattern of U.S. taxpayer money flowing to America's adversaries. They recount how USAID funneled nearly a billion dollars to Hamas charities without proper oversight, supported Afghan poppy farms that funded Taliban IEDs, and even shipped over 11,000 virus samples to China's Wuhan lab—fueling bioweapons research under the guise of global health. The conversation dives into bipartisan hypocrisy, the role of NGOs and universities in enabling threats, and the lack of accountability for what they call treasonous actions. Darkly humorous and sharply critical, this broadcast exposes how America's foreign aid apparatus became, in their words, “one of the most evil organizations on the planet.”

In this episode of The Daily Herold, Jon Herold covers breaking news that the DOJ has launched criminal investigations into John Brennan and James Comey over misconduct tied to the Trump-Russia probe. Jon walks listeners through the timeline of how the Steele dossier was inserted into the Intelligence Community Assessment against analysts' objections and how Brennan briefed Obama on Hillary Clinton's plan to smear Trump as a Russian asset. He reflects on whether the Epstein memo was timed to distract from these criminal referrals and challenges the audience to think critically rather than fall into confirmation bias or hopium. The show also highlights the Supreme Court's 8-1 decision that cleared the way for Trump's mass federal layoffs, a story Jon predicts will have major long-term consequences. Other topics include USAID's quiet transfer of 11,000 virus samples to the Wuhan lab without safeguards, Linda Yaccarino's sudden resignation from X, media fearmongering over new copper tariffs, and an alleged episode where Trump threatened to bomb Moscow. Jon ends with banter about karaoke at the Deadwood meetup and a reminder not to trust any narrative blindly, especially when the timing feels too perfect.

The Rod and Greg Show Daily Rundown – Tuesday, July 8, 20254:20 pm: Steve Milloy, Senior Fellow at the Energy and Environment Legal Institute, joins the program to discuss the left's exploitation of the tragic flash floods in Texas to further a political agenda.4:38 pm: Tim Graham, Executive Editor of Newsbusters at the Media Research Center joins the show to discuss how ABC's George Stephanopoulos and CNN's Dana Bash are mistakenly trying to pin the loss of life in the Texas flash floods on President Trump.6:05 pm: Emily Kopp of the Daily Caller News Foundation joins Rod and Greg for a conversation about her reporting on how USAID shopped thousands of viral samples to a lab in Wuhan despite the lack of a formal operation agreement.6:38 pm: Margot Cleveland, Senior Legal Correspondent for The Federalist joins the show to discuss her story about how a CIA review shows Barack Obama pushed the intelligence community to portray Russia as targeting the 2016 election to help Trump win.

Tune in here to this Tuesday's edition of the Brett Winterble Show! Brett kicks off the program by talking about tariffs and inflation, asserting that the U.S. holds economic leverage due to its massive consumer market and production flexibility. He emphasizes that recent tariffs have not led to inflation or rising consumer prices, calling the economic situation "extremely benign. Later, Brett dives into the ongoing controversy surrounding Jeffrey Epstein, suggesting that a real resolution would come from prosecuting high-profile figures like Bill Gates, who allegedly had connections to Epstein. He emphasizes the seriousness of the matter, dismissing any notion that it should be overlooked, and argues that targeting powerful individuals could finally bring accountability. From there, Brett shifts to a chilling discussion about scientific advancements in synthetic human DNA. Citing reports on scientists attempting to build synthetic genomes and potentially creating designer humans, he warns of the ethical and existential risks. Drawing comparisons to the Wuhan lab and past genetic experiments, Brett raises concerns about “playing God” and the potential for catastrophic consequences. He frames these developments as part of a broader pattern of elite overreach and unchecked scientific ambition, urging listeners to stay alert and informed. The segment reflects his trademark mix of skepticism, concern, and provocative commentary. Listen here for all of this and more on The Brett Winterble Show! For more from Brett Winterble check out his YouTube channel. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, I reflect on a whirlwind three-day visit to China - my first in over 20 years. And what I saw was remarkable. The infrastructure puts most of the West to shame. The AI isn't just hype - it's working at serious scale. And the electric vehicles? They're about to steamroll the global auto industry. Here's what really struck me during my whirlwind trip to Beijing and beyond.In this episode you'll hear:Infrastructure built at speed: Beijing's immaculate airport, 300 km/h rail to Tianjin for £17, and pristine expressways that put US infrastructure to shame.Verticalised AI in action: While Chinese labs trail US frontier models and face compute constraints, they're excelling in verticals - profitable robotaxis in Wuhan, healthcare AI analyzing 5.5 billion medical records, and Squirrel AI's $200m education platform that outperforms China's best human teachers.EV cost leadership is set: Chinese electric vehicles are absolutely remarkable. Years of vicious domestic competition have created incredible innovation and cost discipline that will hit European carmakers like a sledgehammer.The air quality transformation: Beijing at 37°C was clean enough for a morning run, thanks to widespread EV adoption.Scale that defies comprehension: Convention centers 100 times the size of Union Square, cities of 20 million people, and AI platforms serving tens of millions of users.Our new showThis was originally recorded for “Friday with Azeem Azhar”, a new show that takes place every Friday at 9am PT and 12pm ET. You can tune in through my Substack linked below.The format is experimental and we'd love your feedback, so feel free to comment or email your thoughts to our team at live@exponentialview.co.Azeem's links:Substack: https://www.exponentialview.co/Website: https://www.azeemazhar.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/azhar?originalSubdomain=ukTwitter/X: https://x.com/azeemTimestamps:(00:00) Surprises at the airport(01:21) Immense scale(01:54) 3 areas of interest(02:37) Chinese infrastructure and engineering(03:22) ~180mph train, £17 fare(04:29) Multi-lane expressways built for scale(05:55) Development of AI in china(06:09) China leans into vertical AI(08:12) Apollo robotaxis: unit-cost positive(09:33) Yidu Tech: 5.5B health records(10:35) Squirrel AI outperforms top teachers(14:29) EVs & clean air(16:14) BYD x Octopus: earn by charging(18:30) EV boom improves Beijing air(19:56) Luxury Chinese EV interior(21:08) Closing thoughtsProduction by supermix.io and EPIIPLUS1 Ltd.

Dr. Li-Meng Yan w/ The Voice of Dr. Yan – Fentanyl has killed more Americans than any post-WWII conflict. It is mass-produced, disguised as trade, and delivered using military-style tactics. This is not a matter of commerce or negligence — it is a coordinated, hostile campaign. Fentanyl, as deployed by CCP-enabled networks, meets the standard of a chemical weapon and constitutes a form of strategic warfare...

Last time we spoke about Operation Chahar. In July 1937, the tensions between Japan and China erupted into a full-scale conflict, ignited by the Marco Polo Bridge Incident. Following a series of aggressive Japanese military maneuvers, Chiang Kai-shek, then enjoying a brief respite at Kuling, learned of the escalating clashes and prepared for battle. Confident that China was primed for resistance, he rallied his nation, demanding that Japan accept responsibility and respect China's sovereignty. The Japanese launched their offensive, rapidly capturing key positions in Northern China. Notably, fierce battle ensued in Jinghai, where Chinese soldiers, led by Brigade Commander Li Zhiyuan, valiantly defended against overwhelming forces using guerrilla tactics and direct assaults. Their spirit was symbolized by a courageous “death squad” that charged the enemy, inflicting serious casualties despite facing dire odds. As weeks passed, the conflict intensified with brutal assaults on Nankou. Chinese defenses, though valiant, were ultimately overwhelmed, leading to heavy casualties on both sides. Despite losing Nankou, the indomitable Chinese spirit inspired continued resistance against the Japanese invaders, foreshadowing a long, brutal war that would reshape East Asia.   #156 The Battle of Shanghai Part 1: The Beginning of the Battle of Shanghai Welcome to the Fall and Rise of China Podcast, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about the history of Asia? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on history of asia and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel where I cover the history of China and Japan from the 19th century until the end of the Pacific War. On August 9, a bullet riddled sedan screeched to an abrupt halt at the entrance to the Hongqiao airport along Monument Road. The gruesome scene on the dashboard revealed that one of the victims had died in the car. He had been dragged out and subjected to brutal slashing, kicking, and beating until his body was a mangled mess. Half of his face was missing, and his stomach had been cut open, exposing the sickly pallor of his intestines, faintly glimmering in the night. The other man had managed to escape the vehicle but only got a few paces away before he was gunned down. A short distance away lay a third body, dressed in a Chinese uniform. Investigators swiftly identified the badly mangled body as belonging to 27-year-old Sub-Lieutenant Oyama Isao, while the other deceased Japanese man was his driver, First Class Seaman Saito Yozo. The identity of the Chinese victim remained a mystery. At first glance, the scene appeared to be the aftermath of a straightforward shootout. However, numerous questions lingered: What were the Japanese doing at a military airfield miles from their barracks? Who had fired the first shot, and what had prompted that decision? The Chinese investigators and their Japanese counterparts were at odds over the answers to these questions. As they walked the crime scene, searching for evidence, loud arguments erupted repeatedly. By the time the sun began to rise, they concluded their investigation without reaching any consensus on what had transpired. They climbed into their cars and made their way back to the city. The investigators were acutely aware of the repercussions if they failed to handle their delicate task with the necessary finesse. Despite their hopes for peace, it was evident that Shanghai was a city bracing for war. As they drove through the dimly lit suburbs on their way from Hongqiao back to their downtown offices, their headlights illuminated whitewashed trees, interspersed with sandbag defenses and the silhouettes of solitary Chinese sentries. Officially, these sentries were part of the Peace Preservation Corps,  a paramilitary unit that, due to an international agreement reached a few years earlier, was the only Chinese force allowed to remain in the Shanghai area. In the hours that followed, both sides presented their versions of the incident. According to the Chinese account, the Japanese vehicle attempted to force its way through the airport gate. When members of the Peace Preservation Corps stationed at the entrance signaled for Saito, the driver, to stop, he abruptly turned the car around. Sub-Lieutenant Oyama then fired at the Chinese guards with an automatic pistol. Only then did the Chinese return fire, killing Oyama in a hail of bullets. Saito managed to jump out before he, too, was gunned down. The commander of the Chinese guards told a Western reporter that this wasn't the first time someone Japanese had attempted to enter the airport. Such incidents had occurred repeatedly in the past two months, leading them to believe that the Japanese were “obviously undertaking espionage.” The Japanese account, predictably, placed the blame for the entire incident squarely on China. It asserted that Oyama had been driving along a road bordering the airfield with no intention of entering. Suddenly, the vehicle was stopped and surrounded by Peace Preservation Corps troops, who opened fire with rifles and machine guns without warning. Oyama had no opportunity to return fire. The Japanese statement argued that the two men had every right to use the road, which was part of the International Settlement, and labeled the incident a clear violation of the 1932 peace agreement. “We demand that the Chinese bear responsibility for this illegal act,”. Regardless of either side, it seemed likely to everyone in the region, war would soon engulf Shanghai.  Meanwhile, as the Marco Polo Bridge Incident escalated into a full blown in the far north, General Zhang Fakui was attending a routine training mission at Mount Lu in southeastern Jiangxi. A short and small man, not considered too handsome either, Zhang had earned his place in China's leadership through physical courage, once taking a stand on a bridge and single handedly facing down an enemy army. He was 41 years old in 1937, having spent half his life fighting Warlords, Communists and sometimes even Nationalists. In the recent years he had tossed his lot in with a rebel campaign against Chiang Kai-Shek, who surprisingly went on the forgive him and placed him in charge of anti communist operations in the area due south of Shanghai. However now the enemy seemed to have changed.  As the war spread to Beijing, on July 16th, Zhang was sent to Chiang Kai-Shek's summer residence at Mount Lu alongside 150 members of China's political and military elites. They were all there to brainstorm how to fight the Japanese. Years prior the Generalissimo had made it doctrine to appease the Japanese but now he made grandiose statements such as “this time we must fight to the end”. Afterwards Chiang dealt missions to all his commanders and Zhang Fakui was told to prepare for operations in the Shanghai area.  It had been apparent for weeks that both China and Japan were preparing for war in central China. The Japanese had been diverting naval troops from the north to strengthen their forces in Shanghai, and by early August, they had assembled over 8,000 troops. A few days later, approximately thirty-two naval vessels arrived. On July 31, Chiang declared that “all hope for peace has been lost.” Chiang had been reluctant to commit his best forces to defend northern China, an area he had never truly controlled. In contrast, Shanghai was central to his strategy for the war against Japan. Chiang decided to deploy his finest troops, the 87th and 88th Divisions, which were trained by generals under the guidance of the German advisor von Falkenhausen, who had high hopes for their performance against the Japanese. In doing so, Chiang aimed to demonstrate to both his own people and the wider world that the Chinese could and would resist the invader. Meanwhile, Chiang's spy chief, Dai Li, was busy gathering intelligence on Japanese intentions regarding Shanghai, a challenging task given his focus in recent years. Dai, one of the most sinister figures in modern Chinese history, had devoted far more energy and resources to suppressing the Communists than to countering the Japanese. As a result, by the critical summer of 1937, he had built only a sparse network of agents in “Little Tokyo,” the Hongkou area of Shanghai dominated by Japanese businesses. One agent was a pawnshop owner, while the rest were double agents employed as local staff within the Japanese security apparatus. Unfortunately, they could provide little more than snippets, rumors, and hearsay. While some of this information sounded alarmingly dire, there was almost no actionable intelligence. Chiang did not take the decision to open a new front in Shanghai lightly. Built on both banks of the Huangpu River, the city served as the junction between the Pacific Ocean to the east and the great Yangtze River, which wound thousands of kilometers inland to the west. Shanghai embodied everything that represented modern China, from its industry and labor relations to its connections with the outside world. While foreign diplomatic presence was concentrated in nearby Nanjing, the capital, it was in Shanghai that the foreign community gauged the country's mood. Foreigners in the city's two “concession” areas nthe French Concession and the British-affiliated International Settlement often dismissed towns beyond Shanghai as mere “outstations.” Chiang Kai-shek would throw 650,000 troops into the battle for the city and its environs as well as his modest air force of 200 aircraft. Chiang, whose forces were being advised by German officers led by General Alexander von Falkenhausen, was finally confident that his forces could take on the Japanese. A German officer told a British diplomat, “If the Chinese Army follows the advice of the German advisers, it is capable of driving the Japanese over the Great Wall.”   While Chiang was groping in the dark, deprived of the eyes and ears of an efficient intelligence service, he did have at his disposal an army that was better prepared for battle than it had been in 1932. Stung by the experience of previous conflicts with the Japanese, Chiang had initiated a modernization program aimed at equipping the armed forces not only to suppress Communist rebels but also to confront a modern fighting force equipped with tanks, artillery, and aircraft. He had made progress, but it was insufficient. Serious weaknesses persisted, and now there was no time for any remedial action. While China appeared to be a formidable power in sheer numbers, the figures were misleading. On the eve of war, the Chinese military was comprised of a total of 176 divisions, which were theoretically organized into two brigades of two regiments each. However, only about 20 divisions maintained full peacetime strength of 10,000 soldiers and officers; the rest typically held around 5,000 men. Moreover, Chiang controlled only 31 divisions personally, and he could not count on the loyalty of the others. To successfully resist Japan, Chiang would need to rely not only on his military command skills but also on his ability to forge fragile coalitions among Warlord generals with strong local loyalties. Equipment posed another significant challenge. The modernization drive was not set to complete until late 1938, and the impact of this delay was evident. In every category of weaponry, from rifles to field artillery, the Chinese were outmatched by their Japanese adversaries, both quantitatively and qualitatively. Domestically manufactured artillery pieces had shorter ranges, and substandard steel-making technology caused gun barrels to overheat, increasing the risk of explosions. Some arms even dated back to imperial times. A large proportion of the Chinese infantry had received no proper training in basic tactics, let alone in coordinated operations involving armor and artillery. The chief of the German advisory corps was General Alexander von Falkenhausen, a figure hard to rival in terms of qualifications for the role. Although the 58-year-old's narrow shoulders, curved back, and bald, vulture-like head gave him an unmilitary, almost avian appearance, his exterior belied a tough character. In 1918, he had earned his nation's highest military honor, the Pour le Mérite, while assisting Germany's Ottoman allies against the British in Palestine. Few, if any, German officers knew Asia as well as he did. His experience in the region dated back to the turn of the century. As a young lieutenant in the Third East Asian Infantry Regiment, he participated in the international coalition of colonial powers that quelled the Boxer Rebellion in 1900. A decade later, he traveled through Korea, Manchuria, and northern China with his wife, keenly observing and learning as a curious tourist. From 1912 to 1914, he served as the German Kaiser's military attaché in Tokyo. He was poised to put his extensive knowledge to good use in the months ahead. Chiang believed that Shanghai should be the location of the first battle. This decision was heavily influenced by Falkenhausen and was strategically sound. Chiang Kai-shek could not hope to win a war against Japan unless he could unify the nation behind him, particularly the many fractious warlords who had battled his forces repeatedly over the past decade. Everyone understood that the territory Japan was demanding in the far north did not need to be held for any genuine military necessity; it was land that could be negotiated. The warlords occupying that territory were unpredictable and all too willing to engage in bargaining. In contrast, China's economic heartland held different significance. By choosing to fight for the center of the country and deploying his strongest military units, Chiang Kai-shek signaled to both China's warlords and potential foreign allies that he had a vested interest in the outcome.  There were also several operational reasons for preferring a conflict in the Yangtze River basin over a campaign in northern China. The rivers, lakes, and rice paddies of the Yangtze delta were much better suited for defensive warfare against Japan's mechanized forces than the flat plains of North China. By forcing the Japanese to commit troops to central China, the Nationalists bought themselves the time needed to rally and reinforce their faltering defenses in the north. By initiating hostilities in the Shanghai area, Japan would be forced to divert its attention from the northern front, thereby stalling a potential Japanese advance toward the crucial city of Wuhan. It would also help safeguard potential supply routes from the Soviet Union, the most likely source of material assistance due to Moscow's own animosity toward Japan. It was a clever plan, and surprisingly, the Japanese did not anticipate it. Intelligence officers in Tokyo were convinced that Chiang would send his troops northward instead. Again in late July, Chiang convened his commanders, and here he gave Zhang Fukai more detailed instructions for his operation. Fukai was placed in charge of the right wing of the army which was currently preparing for action in the metropolitan area. Fukai would oversee the forces east of the Huangpu River in the area known as Pudong. Pudong was full of warehouses, factories and rice fields, quite precarious to fight in. Meanwhile General Zhang Zhizhong, a quiet and sickly looking man who had previously led the Central Military Academy was to command the left wing of the Huangpu. All of the officers agreed the plan to force the battle to the Shanghai area was logical as the northern region near Beijing was far too open, giving the advantage to tank warfare, which they could not hope to contest Japan upon. The Shanghai area, full of rivers, creaks and urban environments favored them much more. Zhang Zhizhong seemed an ideal pick to lead troops in downtown Shanghai where most of the fighting would take place. His position of commandant of the military academy allowed him to establish connections with junior officers earmarked for rapid promotion. This meant that he personally knew the generals of both the 87th and 88th Divisions, which were to form the core of Zhang Zhizhong's newly established 9th Army Group and become his primary assets in the early phases of the Shanghai campaign. Moreover, Zhang Zhizhong had the right aggressive instincts. He believed that China's confrontation with Japan had evolved through three stages: in the first stage, the Japanese invaded the northeast in 1931, and China remained passive; in the second stage, during the first battle of Shanghai in 1932, Japan struck, but China fought back. Zhang argued that this would be the third stage, where Japan was preparing to attack, but China would strike first.   It seems that Zhang Zhizhong did not expect to survive this final showdown with his Japanese adversary. He took the fight very personally, even ordering his daughter to interrupt her education in England and return home to serve her country in the war. However, he was not the strong commander he appeared to be, as he was seriously ill. Although he never disclosed the true extent of his condition, it seemed he was on the verge of a physical and mental breakdown after years in high-stress positions. In fact, he had recently taken a leave of absence from his role at the military academy in the spring of 1937. When the war broke out, he was at a hospital in the northern port city of Qingdao, preparing to go abroad for convalescence. He canceled those plans to contribute to the struggle against Japan. When his daughter returned from England and saw him on the eve of battle, she was alarmed by how emaciated he had become. From the outset, doubts about his physical fitness to command loomed large. At 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, August 10, a group of officers emerged from the Japanese Consulate along the banks of the Huangpu River. This team was a hastily assembled Sino-Japanese joint investigation unit tasked with quickly resolving the shooting incident at the Hongqiao Aerodrome of the previous night. They understood the urgency of reaching an agreement swiftly to prevent any escalation. As they drove to the airport, they passed armed guards of the Chinese Peace Preservation Corps stationed behind sandbag barricades that had been erected only hours earlier. Upon arriving at Hongqiao, the officers walked up and down the scene of the incident under the scorching sun, attempting to piece together a shared understanding of what had transpired. However, this proved to be nearly impossible, as the evidence failed to align into a coherent account acceptable to both parties. The Japanese were unconvinced that any shootout had occurred at all. Oyama, the officer who had been in the car, had left his pistol at the marine headquarters in Hongkou and had been unarmed the night before. They insisted that whoever shot and killed the man in the Chinese uniform could not have been him. By 6:00 pm the investigators returned to the city. Foreign correspondents, eager for information, knew exactly whom to approach. The newly appointed Shanghai Mayor, Yu Hongjun, with a quick wit and proficiency in English, Yu represented the city's cosmopolitan image. However, that evening, he had little to offer the reporters, except for a plea directed at both the Japanese and Chinese factions “Both sides should maintain a calm demeanor to prevent the situation from escalating.” Mayor Yu however was, in fact, at the center of a complex act of deception that nearly succeeded. Nearly eight decades later, Zhang Fakui attributed the incident to members of the 88th Division, led by General Sun Yuanliang. “A small group of Sun Yuanliang's men disguised themselves as members of the Peace Preservation Corps,” Zhang Fakui recounted years later in his old age. “On August 9, 1937, they encountered two Japanese servicemen on the road near the Hongqiao military aerodrome and accused them of forcing their way into the area. A clash ensued, resulting in the deaths of the Japanese soldiers.” This created a delicate dilemma for their superiors. The two dead Japanese soldiers were difficult to explain away. Mayor Yu, likely informed of the predicament by military officials, conferred with Tong Yuanliang, chief of staff of the Songhu Garrison Command, a unit established after the fighting in 1932. Together, they devised a quick and cynical plan to portray the situation as one of self-defense by the Chinese guards. Under their orders, soldiers marched a Chinese death row inmate to the airport gate, dressed him in a paramilitary guard's uniform, and executed him. While this desperate ruse might have worked initially, it quickly unraveled due to the discrepancies raised by the condition of the Chinese body. The Japanese did not believe the story, and the entire plan began to fall apart. Any remaining mutual trust swiftly evaporated. Instead of preventing a confrontation, the cover-up was accelerating the slide into war.  Late on August 10, Mayor Yu sent a secret cable to Nanjing, warning that the Japanese had ominously declared they would not allow the two deaths at the airport to go unpunished. The following day, the Japanese Consul General Okamoto Suemasa paid a visit to the mayor, demanding the complete withdrawal of the Peace Preservation Corps from the Shanghai area and the dismantling of all fortifications established by the corps. For the Chinese, acquiescing to these demands was nearly impossible. From their perspective, it appeared that the Japanese aimed to leave Shanghai defenseless while simultaneously bolstering their own military presence in the city. Twenty vessels, including cruisers and destroyers, sailed up the Huangpu River and docked at wharves near "Little Tokyo." Japanese marines in olive-green uniforms marched ashore down the gangplanks, while women from the local Japanese community, dressed in kimonos, greeted the troops with delighted smiles and bows to the flags of the Rising Sun that proudly adorned the sterns of the battleships. In fact, Japan had planned to deploy additional troops to Shanghai even before the shooting at Hongqiao Aerodrome. This decision was deemed necessary to reinforce the small contingent of 2,500 marines permanently stationed in the city. More troops were required to assist in protecting Japanese nationals who were being hastily evacuated from the larger cities along the Yangtze River. These actions were primarily defensive maneuvers, as the Japanese military seemed hesitant to open a second front in Shanghai, for the same reasons that the Chinese preferred an extension of hostilities to that area. Diverting Japanese troops from the strategically critical north and the Soviet threat across China's border would weaken their position, especially given that urban warfare would diminish the advantages of their technological superiority in tanks and aircraft. While officers in the Japanese Navy believed it was becoming increasingly difficult to prevent the war from spreading to Shanghai, they were willing to give diplomacy one last chance. Conversely, the Japanese Army was eager to wage war in northern China but displayed little inclination to engage in hostilities in Shanghai. Should the situation worsen, the Army preferred to withdraw all Japanese nationals from the city. Ultimately, when it agreed to formulate plans for dispatching an expeditionary force to Shanghai, it did so reluctantly, primarily to avoid accusations of neglecting its responsibilities. Amongst many commanders longing for a swift confrontation with Japan was Zhang Zhizhong. By the end of July, he was growing increasingly impatient, waiting with his troops in the Suzhou area west of Shanghai and questioning whether a unique opportunity was being squandered. On July 30, he sent a telegram to Nanjing requesting permission to strike first. He argued that if Japan were allowed to launch an attack on Shanghai, he would waste valuable time moving his troops from their position more than 50 miles away. Nanjing responded with a promise that his wishes would be fulfilled but urged him to exercise patience: “We should indeed seize the initiative over the enemy, but we must wait until the right opportunity arises. Await further orders.” That opportunity arose on August 11, with the Japanese display of force on the Huangpu River and their public demand for the withdrawal of China's paramilitary police. Japan had sufficiently revealed itself as the aggressor in the eyes of both domestic and international audiences, making it safe for China to take action. At 9:00 p.m. that evening, Zhang Zhizhong received orders from Nanjing to move his troops toward Shanghai. He acted with remarkable speed, capitalizing on the extensive transportation network in the region. The soldiers of the 87th Division quickly boarded 300 trucks that had been prepared in advance. Meanwhile, civilian passengers on trains were unceremoniously ordered off to make room for the 88th Division, which boarded the carriages heading for Shanghai. In total, over 20,000 motivated and well-equipped troops were on their way to battle.  On August 12, representatives from the United Kingdom, France, the United States, Italy, Japan, and China gathered for a joint conference in Shanghai to discuss ceasefire terms. Japan demanded the withdrawal of Chinese troops from Shanghai, while the Chinese representative, Yu Hung-chun, dismissed the Japanese demand, stating that the terms of the ceasefire had already been violated by Japan. The major powers were keen to avoid a repeat of the January 28 Incident, which had significantly disrupted foreign economic activities in Shanghai. Meanwhile, Chinese citizens fervently welcomed the presence of Chinese troops in the city. In Nanjing, Chinese and Japanese representatives convened for the last time in a final effort to negotiate. The Japanese insisted that all Peace Preservation Corps and regular troops be withdrawn from the vicinity of Shanghai. The Chinese, however, deemed the demand for a unilateral withdrawal unacceptable, given that the two nations were already engaged in conflict in North China. Ultimately, Mayor Yu made it clear that the most the Chinese government would concede was that Chinese troops would not fire unless fired upon. Conversely, Japan placed all responsibility on China, citing the deployment of Chinese troops around Shanghai as the cause of the escalating tensions. Negotiations proved impossible, leaving no alternative but for the war to spread into Central China. On that same morning of Thursday, August 12, residents near Shanghai's North Train Station, also known as Zhabei Station, just a few blocks from "Little Tokyo," awoke to an unusual sight: thousands of soldiers dressed in the khaki uniforms of the Chinese Nationalists, wearing German-style helmets and carrying stick grenades slung across their chests. “Where do you come from?” the Shanghai citizens asked. “How did you get here so fast?” Zhang Zhizhong issued detailed orders to each unit under his command, instructing the 88th Division specifically to travel by train and deploy in a line from the town of Zhenru to Dachang village, both located a few miles west of Shanghai. Only later was the division supposed to advance toward a position stretching from the Zhabei district to the town of Jiangwan, placing it closer to the city boundaries. Zhang Zhizhong was the embodiment of belligerence, but he faced even more aggressive officers among his ranks. On the morning of August 12, he was approached by Liu Jingchi, the chief of operations at the Songhu Garrison Command. Liu argued that the battle of 1932 had gone poorly for the Chinese because they had hesitated and failed to strike first. This time, he insisted, should be different, and Zhang should order an all-out assault on the Japanese positions that very evening. Zhang countered that he had clear and unmistakable orders from Chiang Kai-shek to let the Japanese fire first, emphasizing the importance of maintaining China's image on the world stage. “That's easy,” Liu retorted. “Once all the units are deployed and ready to attack, we can just change some people into mufti and send them in to fire a few shots. We attack, and simultaneously, we report that the enemy's offensive has begun.” Zhang Zhizhong did not like this idea. “We can't go behind our leader's back like that,” he replied. Zhang Zhizhong's position was far from enviable. Forced to rein in eager and capable officers, he found himself acting against his own personal desires. Ultimately, he decided to seek the freedom to act as he saw fit. In a secret cable to Nanjing, he requested permission to launch an all-out attack on the Japanese positions in Shanghai the following day, Friday, August 13. He argued that this was a unique opportunity to capitalize on the momentum created by the movement of troops; any further delay would only lead to stagnation. He proposed a coordinated assault that would also involve the Chinese Air Force. However, the reply from Chiang Kai-shek was brief and unwavering: “Await further orders.” Even as Chiang's troops poured into Shanghai, Chinese and Japanese officials continued their discussions. Ostensibly, this was in hopes of reaching a last-minute solution, but in reality, it was a performance. Both sides wanted to claim the moral high ground in a battle that now seemed inevitable. They understood that whoever openly declared an end to negotiations would automatically be perceived as the aggressor. During talks at the Shanghai Municipal Council, Japanese Consul General Okamoto argued that if China truly wanted peace, it would have withdrawn its troops to a position that would prevent clashes. Mayor Yu responded by highlighting the increasing presence of Japanese forces in the city. “Under such circumstances, China must adopt such measures as necessary for self-defense,” he stated. Late on August 13, 1937, Chiang Kai-shek instructed his forces to defend Shanghai, commanding them to "divert the enemy at sea, secure the coast, and resist landings."  I would like to take this time to remind you all that this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Please go subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry after that, give my personal channel a look over at The Pacific War Channel at Youtube, it would mean a lot to me. In July 1937, tensions between Japan and China escalated into war following the Marco Polo Bridge Incident. Confident in his country's resolve, Chiang Kai-shek rallied the Chinese against Japanese aggression. On August 9, a deadly confrontation at Hongqiao Airport resulted in the deaths of Japanese soldiers, igniting further hostilities. As both sides blamed each other, the atmosphere became tense. Ultimately, negotiations failed, and the stage was set for a brutal conflict in Shanghai, marking the beginning of a long and devastating war.

About a week ago, we published an episode on this program detailing how two Chinese nationals (a researcher at the University of Michigan and her boyfriend) were caught by the FBI trying to smuggle in a dangerous pathogen into the United States—a type of deadly fungus that can target crops.And we ended that episode by considering out loud: How many other Chinese researchers here in the United States are possibly doing the same thing?And wouldn't you believe it, within a week, another Chinese researcher, also from the University of Michigan, also at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport, was also caught by the feds for trying to smuggle in biological material. Although this time, it wasn't a fungus—it was instead a type of roundworm.And perhaps the best part of it all—which was probably more coincidence than anything—was that this Chinese scholar came here from everyone's favorite city: Wuhan, China.Let's go through the details together.

Chinese operatives tied to Wuhan were just caught smuggling bioweapons into Michigan—again—and they were stopped because your prayers are working. There's a spiritual shield forming over America, and it's disrupting enemy plans in real time. Watch to see the proof, what's happening behind the scenes, and why your intercession is more powerful than you realize.

Concerns about China's espionage campaign against the United States are growing. Most recently, China has faced scrutiny following the arrest of three Chinese nationals, including one who attempted to smuggle illegal biological materials, potentially harmful to crops, into the U.S. from a university in Wuhan, China. This has sparked fears about agroterrorism. Earlier this week, Jim Lewis, a former diplomat and senior advisor at the Center for International Studies (CIS), joined host Dave Anthony to discuss China's threat to the United States and how it is targeting America on multiple fronts. He described the troubling size and scope of their espionage campaign against the U.S. and how they are using student spies, AI, surveillance, and many other tactics to undermine America. We often must cut interviews short during the week, but we thought you might like to hear the full interview. Today on Fox News Rundown Extra, we will share our entire interview with former diplomat Jim Lewis, allowing you to learn more about China's tactics against the U.S. These adjustments aim to enhance readability and ensure grammatical consistency. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Congressman Darin LaHood says "China has a plan to replace the United States. They want to beat us technologically, militarily, economically, and diplomatically." LaHood discusses the critical issues surrounding China's influence and its implications for American national security. From the origins of the Wuhan virus to the threat of technology and espionage, LaHood explains the need for a strategic response to counter China's ambitions. Sticking with the topic of China, retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Derek Harvey. He shares insights from his time on the House Intelligence Committee, discussing China's strategic maneuvers to undermine the U.S. across various sectors including military, technology, and academia. Finally, AMAC National Spokesman, former Assistant Secretary of State and current governor candidate in Maine, Bobby Charles joins for his weekly segment and shares his thoughts on the current political landscape. Join us as we discuss the importance of deterrence versus appeasement in governance, the challenges facing Maine, and the impact of recent events on the Democratic Party. Bobby provides a compelling vision for the future of Maine, emphasizing affordability, education reform, and public safety. To join AMAC, go to AMAC.us/JustNewsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of The President's Daily Brief: Germany's top intelligence chief warns that Russia may soon test NATO's resolve in the Baltics—potentially by deploying so-called “little green men.” A third Chinese national is now facing charges for smuggling biological materials into the U.S., raising concerns about an emerging pattern. The U.N.'s nuclear watchdog believes North Korea is building a new uranium-enrichment site, pointing to Kim Jong-un's plans to expand his nuclear arsenal. Back of the Brief: Israel's navy strikes the Houthi-controlled Yemeni port city of Hodeida—the first seaborne assault of the conflict. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President's Daily Brief by visiting PDBPremium.com Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief. YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief StopBox: Get firearm security redesigned and save with BOGO the StopBox Pro AND 10% OFF @StopBoxUSA with code PDB at https://stopboxusa.com/PDB! #stopboxpod Birch Gold: Text PDB to 989898 and get your free info kit on gold True Classic: Upgrade your wardrobe and save on @trueclassic at https://trueclassic.com/PDB #trueclassicpod 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 breaks down today's top stories shaping America and the world. Los Angeles Chaos Grows: Curfews, Court Losses, and ICE Raids Mayor Karen Bass imposes a citywide curfew as riots continue. Governor Newsom fails in court to block Trump's National Guard deployment. ICE increases nationwide raids, working alongside local police under the 287(g) program. Polls show most Americans support the crackdowns. Democrat Senator John Fetterman joins in, calling the unrest “anarchy.” Democrat Resistance Escalates: From Mean Tweets to Leaked Secrets ABC News fires veteran reporter Terry Moran for anti-Trump outbursts. Minnesota's governor calls on Democrats to "be meaner." A Defense Intelligence Agency officer is arrested for trying to leak classified intelligence, claiming he was helping a foreign ally against Trump. China's Bioweapon Threat Grows in Michigan The FBI arrests a third Chinese national connected to the smuggling of DNA materials and pathogens from a Wuhan university to the University of Michigan. Officials warn the case reflects a broader agro-terrorism campaign backed by the Chinese Communist Party. Iran Buys Missile Fuel from China as Peace Talks Falter Iran is importing large quantities of rocket fuel with help from Beijing. Israel believes Tehran is stalling negotiations while reinforcing its military capabilities. President Trump continues to push for a peaceful resolution, though doubts are growing. Zelenskyy Angered as U.S. Redirects Drone Tech Trump pulls 20,000 drone-targeting fuses from Ukraine and sends them to U.S. military bases in the Middle East. Zelenskyy accuses the United States of turning its back on Ukraine. Trump says protecting American troops must come first if talks with Iran fail. ICE Officers Stranded in Djibouti After Court Order A federal judge halts the deportation of eight violent migrants to South Sudan after the plane has already departed. ICE agents are left stranded in Djibouti, staying in a converted shipping container with the detainees. The White House is appealing to the Supreme Court. "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." – John 8:32 Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code TWR using the link or at check-out and get 60% off an annual plan: Incogni.com/TWR

Concerns over China's espionage campaign against the United States are growing following recent reports highlighting issues of espionage, agro-terrorism, and artificial intelligence. Most recently, China has faced scrutiny after the arrest of three Chinese nationals, including one who attempted to smuggle illegal biological materials into the U.S. from a university in Wuhan, China. Former diplomat and senior advisor with the Center for International Studies (CIS), Jim Lewis, joins the Rundown to discuss China's threat to the United States and how they are targeting America on multiple fronts. At the end of the last fiscal year in 2024, the US Army exceeded its recruitment goal. Now in 2025, our army says they've met their goal four months early. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth credits President Trump for this uptick in military recruitment, saying he had initially called it the "Trump bump" but now sees it's really a tsunami of young folks who want to work "under a President they know has their back." Navy veteran and The Heritage Foundation senior fellow Brent Sadler joins to unpack what could be fueling this military recruitment surge. Plus, commentary from the host of “Tomi Lahren is Fearless on Outkick,” Tomi Lahren. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Spanning two searing segments, this broadcast investigates the unsettling intersection of U.S.-China trade talks and covert biological threats. With Howard Lutnick touting progress in negotiations, the commentary challenges this narrative by exposing China's simultaneous bioweapon smuggling attempts, including the recent arrest of a Wuhan researcher carrying invasive roundworms. The host links this to a broader pattern—from the COVID-19 outbreak following Trump's trade deal to agricultural sabotage and rising geopolitical aggression. With support from baffled editorial voices like the New York Post, the broadcast paints a picture of economic delusion, strategic manipulation, and a nation at risk of sleepwalking into disaster.

In this episode Nick talks about Gavin Newsom's mishandling of the L.A. riots, another Chinese national smuggling biohazards into the states, Trump and Elon's rebounding relationship, and a heroic dog named Zeus who took on a Florida gator and lived to bark about it. Watch Nick on the FREE RUMBLE LIVE LINEUP at 6pm ET https://rumble.com/TheNickDiPaoloShow TICKETS - Come see me LIVE! For tour dates and tickets -  https://nickdip.com MERCH - Grab some snazzy t-shirts, hats, hoodies,mugs, stickers etc. from our store! https://shop.nickdip.com/ SOCIALS/COMEDY-  Follow me on Socials or Stream some of my Comedy -  https://nickdipaolo.komi.io/ 

The third Chinese national has been arrested and detained for trying to smuggle biological material into the University of Michigan from Wuhan. Is another plandemic on tap? The head of LA's largest school system urges its police force to resist ICE agents who they say are planning to crash local graduations and arrest undocumented attendees. Harry Enten delivers a punishing blow to democrats as new polling shows immigration is President Trump's strongest issue.

It is now known that the Covid 19 epidemic of early 2020 resulted from an accidental release of the virus from the Wuhan lab funded by the US Defense Department and Tony Fauci through the EcoHealth Alliance. Join our Happy Warrior community www.WeHappyWarriors.com But eminent scientists wrote in Lancet Magazine and in Nature Medicine magazine early in 2020 that Covid came from the so-called Wet Market in Wuhan and thinking otherwise is crazy conspiracy theory. Take a look at the wonderful Tower of Power course:  https://www.wehappywarriors.com/offers/L6KwuaXh?coupon_code=MEMORIAL15 .  As late as October 2023 the New York Times was still insisting that the Wuhan Virology Lab escape story was nonsense. For Memorial Day, America's Real War eBook – only $10. America's Real War (Paperback) – now just $15  Wuhan was operating with the same biosecurity levels you'd find at your dentist instead of hi level security needed for lethal viruses.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to Impact Theory with Tom Bilyeu. In this special live episode, I'm joined by my incredible co-host (and wife), Lisa Bilyeu, for a deep-dive on the intersection of politics, world affairs, and what's really threatening democracy today. We tackle some heavy news—like Biden's shock cancer announcement and the implications of Bernie Sanders admitting Democrats can be a threat to democracy. Of course, with Lisa in the studio, we also bring an unfiltered relationship lens to these societal issues, exploring why humans double down on dogma, how our childhood shapes genius, and if wisdom can ever outrun calcified beliefs. Plus, we get personal on the abuse of power, MeToo fallout, female agency, and where the law should (or shouldn't) intervene in manipulative relationships. SHOWNOTES 00:00 – Lisa joins Tom for a live hybrid show: politics, world affairs, and relationships 01:54 – NIH controversy: Covid origins, Wuhan, and walking out on tough truths 04:31 – The tragic story of Ignaz Semmelweis & the problem with “experts” 15:05 – Why social innovation often falls on the young 24:00 – Deep dive preview: Jekyll Island and conspiracy vs. incompetence 30:07 – Weinstein, Diddy, MeToo, and navigating moral nuance 34:31 – Abuse, power, and the line between legality and morality 1:07:00 – Why parental bias clouds judgment—and why you must think clearly 1:14:00 – Incentives, compassion, and the "final boss" of human nature 1:17:06 – New show format: how to engage deeper and where to watch live FOLLOW GUEST (Lisa Bilyeu): Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisabilyeu/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/lisabilyeu Website: https://www.lisabilyeu.com/ CHECK OUT OUR SPONSORS Vital Proteins: Get 20% off by going to ⁠https://www.vitalproteins.com⁠ and entering promo code IMPACT at check out Monarch Money: Use code THEORY at ⁠https://monarchmoney.com⁠ for 50% off your first year! Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial period at ⁠https://shopify.com/impact⁠ Netsuite: Download the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine Learning at ⁠https://NetSuite.com/THEORY⁠ iTrust Capital: Use code IMPACTGO when you sign up and fund your account to get a $100 bonus at ⁠https://www.itrustcapital.com/tombilyeu⁠  Mint Mobile: If you like your money, Mint Mobile is for you. Shop plans at ⁠https://mintmobile.com/impact.⁠  DISCLAIMER: Upfront payment of $45 for 3-month 5 gigabyte plan required (equivalent to $15/mo.). New customer offer for first 3 months only, then full-price plan options available. Taxes & fees extra. See MINT MOBILE for details. What's up, everybody? It's Tom Bilyeu here: If you want my help... STARTING a business:⁠ join me here at ZERO TO FOUNDER⁠ SCALING a business:⁠ see if you qualify here.⁠ Get my battle-tested strategies and insights delivered weekly to your inbox:⁠ sign up here.⁠ ********************************************************************** If you're serious about leveling up your life, I urge you to check out my new podcast,⁠ Tom Bilyeu's Mindset Playbook⁠ —a goldmine of my most impactful episodes on mindset, business, and health. Trust me, your future self will thank you. ********************************************************************** LISTEN TO IMPACT THEORY AD FREE + BONUS EPISODES on APPLE PODCASTS:⁠ apple.co/impacttheory⁠ ********************************************************************** FOLLOW TOM: Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/tombilyeu/⁠ Tik Tok:⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@tombilyeu?lang=en⁠ Twitter:⁠ https://twitter.com/tombilyeu⁠ YouTube:⁠ https://www.youtube.com/@TomBilyeu⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to Impact Theory with Tom Bilyeu. In this episode, Drew and I take you through a whirlwind week where politics, world affairs, and tech innovation collide. We dissect Biden's shocking cancer diagnosis and what it means for the country, dig into Bernie Sanders' eyebrow-raising admission about the Democratic Party, and go deep on just how broken the government really is—and how (or if) it can ever be fixed. We tackle the big questions: What does it take to create a thriving middle class? Should we trust the government to spend more and do more, or do we need to completely rethink the machine? Are we living through a crisis of vision, where our leaders offer no North Star to inspire the country? And with news breaking on both the NIH's gain-of-function research and China's clampdown on gene editing, are we prepared for the next wave of scientific disruption? SHOWNOTES 00:00 – Biden's Cancer Diagnosis: Personal Impact & Political Fallout 03:14 – Are Our Leaders Too Old? The Real Problem with Political Power 07:08 – Lincoln's Legacy and the Ugly Truth Behind Political Narratives 10:58 – Why America Needs a New Vision (and Why We Don't Have One) 12:59 – Bernie Sanders & the Democratic Party: A Threat to Democracy? 15:39 – Can We Fix the System, or Is It Rigged Beyond Repair? 21:19 – Why Government Spending Is Broken (and How It Could Be Fixed) 27:00 – Positive Visions, Populism, and the Future of American Politics 32:03 – NIH, Wuhan Lab, and the Danger of Silencing Truth Seekers 43:31 – China, Gene Editing, and a New Age of Scientific Heresy 53:02 – Agentic AI: The Next Phase, What It Means, and How to Win 57:56 – Which Jobs Are Disappearing, and Which Will Survive the AI Revolution? 1:02:17 – Business in the Age of Hyper Turnover: What You Need to Know 1:09:36 – Ukraine, Russia, and Trump's Latest Negotiation: A Real Path to Peace? 1:10:13 – The Epstein Files: Government Secrecy and Conspiracy Theories CHECK OUT OUR SPONSORS Vital Proteins: Get 20% off by going to ⁠https://www.vitalproteins.com⁠ and entering promo code IMPACT at check out Monarch Money: Use code THEORY at ⁠https://monarchmoney.com⁠ for 50% off your first year! Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial period at ⁠https://shopify.com/impact⁠ Netsuite: Download the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine Learning at ⁠https://NetSuite.com/THEORY⁠ iTrust Capital: Use code IMPACTGO when you sign up and fund your account to get a $100 bonus at ⁠https://www.itrustcapital.com/tombilyeu⁠  Mint Mobile: If you like your money, Mint Mobile is for you. Shop plans at ⁠https://mintmobile.com/impact.⁠  DISCLAIMER: Upfront payment of $45 for 3-month 5 gigabyte plan required (equivalent to $15/mo.). New customer offer for first 3 months only, then full-price plan options available. Taxes & fees extra. See MINT MOBILE for details. What's up, everybody? It's Tom Bilyeu here: If you want my help... STARTING a business:⁠ join me here at ZERO TO FOUNDER⁠ SCALING a business:⁠ see if you qualify here.⁠ Get my battle-tested strategies and insights delivered weekly to your inbox:⁠ sign up here.⁠ ********************************************************************** If you're serious about leveling up your life, I urge you to check out my new podcast,⁠ Tom Bilyeu's Mindset Playbook⁠ —a goldmine of my most impactful episodes on mindset, business, and health. Trust me, your future self will thank you. ********************************************************************** LISTEN TO IMPACT THEORY AD FREE + BONUS EPISODES on APPLE PODCASTS:⁠ apple.co/impacttheory⁠ ********************************************************************** FOLLOW TOM: Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/tombilyeu/⁠ Tik Tok:⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@tombilyeu?lang=en⁠ Twitter:⁠ https://twitter.com/tombilyeu⁠ YouTube:⁠ https://www.youtube.com/@TomBilyeu⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices