JIM WEBB PODCAST

Episodet

• America 250 - Best of Edition - The Jim Webb Podcast 03.07.2026 1h 7min

  Today we're celebrating **America's 250th** by taking a short break from our regular live program to reflect on the ideas, debates, and history that continue to shape our republic.In this special **Best of The Jim Webb Podcast**, we've assembled some of our favorite conversations and moments from recent episodes. These clips explore America's founding principles, war and peace, foreign policy, civil liberties, and the enduring question of what it means to preserve the republic 250 years after its birth.Whether you've been with us from the beginning or you're discovering the podcast for the first time, we hope you enjoy this collection of thoughtful discussions while celebrating Independence Day.Happy Fourth of July, and thank you for being part of our growing community.🇺🇸 **Subscribe** for new episodes every weekday at **12:00 PM ET**, streamed live on YouTube, Rumble, and X.Support the show with Killer Instinct Coffee.Fuel your day with premium, small-batch roasted coffee while supporting independent media. Every purchase helps make conversations like these possible.☕ Shop now: KillerInstinctCoffee.comThank you for supporting our sponsors and helping us bring you thoughtful, independent long-form conversations.Chapter Markers0:25   Best Of Introduction1:37   COL. DOUGLAS MACGREGOR : The Middle East Isn't De Escalating And Neither Is Ukraine5:41   DARRYL COOPER aka Martyr Made : Populism's First President Andrew Jackson9:30   Dave Smith : Trump is LYING About the Iran Deal12:47   EP:3 The Strait of Hormuz Escalation Trap Nobody's Talking About17:13   ALEXANDER MERCOURIS : Hormuz Blockade And Global Shock20:41  COL. DOUGLAS MACGREGOR : The Middle East Isn't De Escalating And Neither Is Ukraine25:50   PRO. MOHAMMAD MARANDI - LIVE From Tehran, IRAN31:10   Best Of Mid-Marker31:32   DARRYL COOPER aka Martyr Made: Populism Vs The Machine33:54   LARRY JOHNSON.: AIPAC Pressure, Iran Tensions, And The Real Cost At Home38:08   ROBERT BARNES - Section 224 Is About To Explode44:26   DARRYL COOPER - What takes more courage: starting a war or ending one?46:40   EP:1. Beyond The Iran Headlines - What's Really Happening49:58   LARRY JOHNSON : United States-Israel Intelligence Sharing? What's really happening?54:09   COL. Jacques Baud : Strategic Intelligence Starts By Understanding Both Sides59:25   EP:4. Vietnam to Iran: How We Keep Making the Same Mistakes1:06:20   Best Of ConclusionSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/jim-webb-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
• SCOTT HORTON : Russia retaliates Ukraine drone strikes w/ 11 Hour Barrage on Kyiv 02.07.2026 1h

  Nuclear risk is back in the headlines, but the scariest part is how casually powerful people talk about “testing limits.” We sit down with Scott Horton to unpack why the Ukraine war keeps inching toward wider conflict, how drone strikes and long range weapons blur lines, and why the old mutually assured destruction mindset has been dangerously inverted. When deterrence becomes a dare instead of a warning, a single misread on a radar screen can matter more than anyone’s carefully written strategy.Then we pivot to Iran and the Middle East, where talk of a pause, an MOU, or a reset collides with hard realities: geography, logistics, missile deterrence, and the lack of any clean path to a decisive US or Israeli victory. We walk through what “options” actually mean when invasion is implausible, escalation is catastrophic, and negotiations are politically messy. Along the way, we connect the dots to US grand strategy, military bases, energy security, and the true cost of chasing regional dominance for decades.We also get into the domestic politics shaping what comes next, including the hawk versus restraint split inside the Republican coalition, the role of lobbying, and why the Gaza humanitarian disaster has shattered old information controls for many Americans. If you care about US foreign policy, NATO and Russia, the Iran conflict, Israel and Gaza, and the incentives that keep wars going, this is a sober and challenging listen. Subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review with the biggest question you still have after listening.Chapter Markers0:00 Welcome And Scott Horton Intro1:45Ukraine Provocations And Escalation7:30 MAD Turned Into A License12:50 Slow Russian Gains And Autopilot Risk16:00 Odessa And Russia’s War Aims24:10 Iran Pause And No Good Options32:40 Bases, Oil, And Empire Costs37:40 Rubio, Vance, And 2028 Fault Lines44:00 Gaza Horror And Lobby Influence51:20 Syria’s Jihadist Turn And Blowback57:50 Courses, Books, And ClosingSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/jim-webb-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
• Mitch McConnell Found Unconscious - 911 Call Released ! Senate Majority At Risk ? 01.07.2026 46min

  Bobby Bonita Day is supposed to be a fun sports meme, but we use it to highlight a darker kind of deferred payment: the long-term cost of a political system run by leaders who are well past the point of accountability. We start with the newly released 911 audio tied to Mitch McConnell’s medical emergency and ask the blunt question that everyone dances around: what happens when the people shaping U.S. policy can’t reliably do the job, yet keep holding power anyway?From there, we zoom out into generational politics and economic reality. We walk through why younger voters are turning hard against the status quo, from homeownership collapsing for Gen Z to the way wealth concentrates in equities older Americans already own. We talk CEO-to-worker pay ratios, why “the Dow is up” doesn’t land when people are scraping by, and how that mix of inequality and blocked opportunity makes Democratic Socialists and DSA-backed candidates more appealing than many pundits want to admit.We also take aim at the Republican strategy problem: a populist brand paired with endorsements that protect incumbents and punish the few voices challenging foreign lobbies or entrenched power. Then we pivot to foreign policy, reacting to Netanyahu’s comments on phasing out U.S. aid, what leverage actually looks like in practice, and why the JCPOA and Iran nuclear deal debate still matters after years of whiplash decisions and regional blowback.If you want politics framed around incentives, lived experience, and what voters feel in their bank accounts, hit play. Subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find it.Chapter Markers0:00 Bobby Bonita Day And Breaking News4:44 How Old Leadership Warps Policy11:26 Pocketbook Politics And Economic Anger17:44 Why Socialism Sounds Attractive Again23:24 DSA Primary Wins And New Faces28:22 Trump Endorsements And GOP Drift33:10 Netanyahu On Aid And US Leverage38:01 Obama On JCPOA And Aftershocks43:52 Bobby Bonita Day Story And WrapSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/jim-webb-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
• LARRY JOHNSON : Will the MOU survive 60 days? 30.06.2026 55min

  The “no meeting scheduled” headline sounds small until you trace what it’s sitting on top of: a disputed MOU, a live-fire exchange around the Strait of Hormuz, and a U.S. posture that may be more exit than escalation. Larry Johnson joins me to walk through why Iran says it never asked for direct talks, how transit protocols are being enforced on the water, and why public claims of leverage do not match the operational reality on the ground.Then we follow the consequences where they actually land: your cost of living. If Gulf shipping gets constrained, the shock is bigger than oil. We talk sulfur and urea shortages that squeeze fertilizer production, what that means for food supply and prices into the next season, and why helium matters for semiconductors and consumer electronics. This is geopolitics as supply chain math, and the math is ugly.We also revisit the JCPOA and the nuclear incentives created when agreements collapse under pressure, plus the growing role of China and Russia in shaping Iran’s options. From alternative payment systems like CIPS to rail corridors that rewire trade routes, a post-dollar world is not a slogan, it’s infrastructure. We close with the escalating danger in Europe and Ukraine, where miscalculation could drag NATO into decisions it is not politically ready to make.If this helped you connect military headlines to economic reality, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review. What’s the single biggest risk you think people are underestimating right now?Chapter Markers0:00 Cold Open And What’s Brewing1:50 Did Iran Actually Ask For Talks3:20 Strait Rules And The Drone Strike6:55 Withdrawal Orders And Base Damage11:30 Iraq Raids And Lebanon Pressure Points14:45 Why A Gulf War Is Unworkable21:26 Fertilizer Helium And The Price Shock25:27 JCPOA Lessons And Nuclear Incentives31:10 Protecting Your Finances From Inflation34:04 Iran China Rail And A New Payment System40:32 Europe Ukraine And Article V Risk45:39 War Games And Cooked Outcomes49:19 Syria As A Proxy Idea And FarewellSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/jim-webb-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
• PATRICK HENNINGSEN : Before The Bombs - Journey To Iran 29.06.2026 58min

  Something doesn’t add up in the way Iran is explained to Americans and when the headlines shift from airstrikes to “talks are back on” in the span of a weekend, the confusion only gets worse. I’m joined by journalist Patrick Henningsen, who brings rare on the ground context from Iran just before the bombing, to unpack what ordinary Iranians debate, how they view U.S. politics, and why the usual black and white Western narrative misses more than it reveals.We move from society and propaganda to the bigger strategic picture: sanctions, regime change pressure, and the fear of becoming the next Syria. Patrick explains how identity and cohesion work inside an ethnically diverse country, why cultural talking points are so effective as propaganda, and how foreign policy incentives shape what gets amplified in Western media. If you care about the Middle East conflict, U.S. foreign policy, and how wars escalate, this conversation aims to add texture where the news often strips it away.Then we widen the lens to Europe’s immigration crisis and the argument Patrick lays out in his work on “collateral migration”: major migrant flows frequently follow NATO interventions and destabilization campaigns, from Libya to Syria to Afghanistan. From there, we dig into the domestic political aftershocks, including how immigration fear can be converted into support for digital ID, biometrics, and an AI driven surveillance state that rarely stays limited to “the border.”If this raised your blood pressure or changed your mind, share the episode with someone who disagrees, and let us know what you think. Subscribe, leave a review, and send a comment with the hardest question you still have after listening.Chapter Markers0:00 Weekend Strikes And Whiplash Diplomacy1:18 What Iranians Actually Debate8:20 Protests Media Narratives And Street Reality15:00 Myths About Women And Social Control21:20 Collateral Migration And Fifth Columns31:40 Immigration As A Pretext For Digital ID39:28 NATO Interventions And Mass Migration Blowback44:20 Israel And The European Far Right48:04 Evangelicals Intelligence Tactics And Influence Networks56:38 Final Takeaways And Closing PlugsSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/jim-webb-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
• DARRYL COOPER - The Populist Revolt That Changed America Forever : The Rise of Eugene Debs 26.06.2026 1h 7min

  “Socialism” and “unions” didn’t start as online punchlines. For a lot of American workers in the late 1800s, they were the language of getting fed, staying alive, and pushing back when companies and the state treated human beings like expendable parts. We sit down with Darryl Cooper to trace how the United States changed so fast that people went from expecting independence and ownership to realizing they might be workers for life, at the mercy of distant financial forces they couldn’t even name.We start with the Long Depression and the new power of railroads and Chicago’s markets, then move into the Great Railroad Strike of 1877, where a nationwide shutdown erupts without centralized leadership. The most chilling thread is the response: strikebreakers, Pinkertons, state militias, and federal troops repeatedly act as if they’re one coordinated machine. From there we touch Haymarket and the early discovery that controlling the story can be as important as controlling the shop floor.The Pullman Strike of 1894 brings everything into focus: a company town that looks “nice” while enforcing total control, wages cut while rents stay high, and a new kind of union strategy that refuses to be divided by job title. That’s also where Eugene Debs steps onto the national stage, and where prison turns a labor leader into a committed socialist. We wrestle with what Debs actually believed, why labels can mislead, and what his fight changed about workers’ rights and child labor. If this conversation shifts how you think about American labor history, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find it.Chapter Markers0:00 Socialism, Unions, And Populism1:37 A Quick Movie Scene Detour4:07 The Long Depression Changes Everything10:59 The Great Railroad Strike Of 187721:15 Haymarket And The Fight Over Narrative29:15 Pullman, Federal Troops, And A New Union42:41 Debs, Labels, And Real Life Socialism51:42 World War I, Child Labor, And Moral Progress56:10 Power, Technology, And What Comes Next1:05:23 Debs’ Character And The WrapSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/jim-webb-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
• Former Senator - Jim Webb Sr. - Trump's Arch tramples on US History. Congress must take action! 25.06.2026 59min

  A 250-foot “triumphal arch” planted between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery sounds like a design fight, but we think it exposes a much more dangerous habit: skipping the constitutional process and daring Congress to do something about it. Jim Webb sits down with his father, Jim Webb, decorated Marine, former Senator, and former Secretary of the Navy, to trace how a single monument proposal connects to separation of powers, oversight, and the steady normalization of executive end-runs.We unpack why Arlington is not just another park project. The Memorial Bridge and the intended view toward Arlington House were built with heavy symbolism about national unity after the Civil War. Dropping a massive structure into that corridor changes the meaning of the space and, for many families and veterans, disrupts what Arlington is supposed to be: a humility check and a place of quiet. We also get practical about what nobody seems eager to answer, including cost, traffic, access, and how a project like this moves forward without real public accountability.From there we zoom out to the larger pattern: war powers, NATO obligations, and what happens when leaders treat laws and institutions as obstacles instead of guardrails. Along the way we compare historical reconciliation after the Civil War with lessons from Iraq, including how humiliation and disenfranchisement can create blowback that lasts for decades.Subscribe for more conversations like this, share the episode with someone who cares about constitutional government, and leave a review with your take: should Congress force hearings and a vote on projects like this, or is the damage already done?Chapter Markers0:00 Two Jim Webbs Set The Stakes4:00 The Arch As Constitutional End-Run14:45 Arlington’s Quiet Purpose And Symbolism26:10 Civil War Memory And National Healing38:40 War Powers NATO And Iraq Lessons52:20 What Congress Can Do NextSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/jim-webb-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
• COL. DOUGLAS MACGREGOR - Judgment Day for Trump's War 24.06.2026 48min

  A top general abruptly retires, and the story quickly turns into a bigger question we cannot dodge: why does the US military punish small mistakes fast, but let senior leaders skate after disasters? We sit down with Doug MacGregor to sort through the Donahue news, the bureaucracy problem, and the culture of promotion that can reward influence over outcomes. If you’ve been searching for a clear conversation about Pentagon reform, flag officer bloat, and real accountability, this one goes straight at it.Doug also walks us through his recent argument that the national security state needs a wholesale shake-up after the war with Iran. We dig into the basics that too often get skipped: defining an attainable political military objective, naming a real end state, and building a plan that includes a clean exit when the approach fails. From there, we challenge the modern default of “airpower solves it,” especially in a world of area denial, precision-guided missiles, drones, mines, and real-time surveillance that can shred concentrated forces. We connect those lessons to Ukraine, to past operational failures, and to why force structure and procurement need to match the battlefield we are actually entering.The back end of the conversation ties war planning to the economy: sanctions blowback, deglobalization, supply chain shocks, fuel and food inflation, and questions about long-term dollar credibility. We then pivot to Northern Ireland and wider UK unrest, with a blunt debate about what drives instability when economics, culture, and legitimacy collide. If this episode makes you think, share it with a friend, subscribe, and leave a review so more people can find the show.Chapter Markers0:00 Welcome And Breaking Pentagon News2:00 A Childhood Memory From Arlington5:10 Grok Beer Label And Morale8:20 Donahue Retires After Command Dispute12:40 Cutting Headquarters And Four-Star Overhead16:40 Kabul Withdrawal Failures And Accountability21:00 Israel Influence And CENTCOM Career Incentives26:10 How Flag Ranks Multiply Under AUMF30:50 Firing Standards And Who Advises Presidents35:40 Airpower Limits And Ground Force Reality41:20 Strait Warfare Risks And Precision Strike43:55 Withdraw From Iran Region And Reset Policy46:10 Northern Ireland Unrest And UK Political Shock48:10 Final Takeaways And Sponsor PlugSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/jim-webb-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
• COL. Jacques Baud : Strategic Intelligence Starts By Understanding Both Sides 23.06.2026 58min

  Getting sanctioned by the EU is one thing. Getting sanctioned without being shown real evidence is another. I sit down with Colonel Jacques Baud, a former Swiss intelligence officer and NATO advisor, to unpack how he ended up on an EU sanctions list that blocks access to banking and travel while he lives in Brussels. He walks us through what his lawyers found when they demanded the EU’s supporting documents, and why he believes the “propagandist” label is built on insinuation rather than proof.From there, we zoom out to the deeper issue: what strategic intelligence is supposed to do. Jacques argues that intelligence means understanding, including how your adversary interprets events, because your definition of the conflict determines your options for ending it. We talk about why that mindset has become taboo in parts of Europe, how emotionally driven narratives can trap leaders, and why Ukraine policy and European credibility suffer when nuance gets treated like disloyalty.We also pivot hard into Iran, Israel, and US foreign policy, including what happens when decision-makers ignore professional intelligence advice. Jacques lays out a simple framework for the Middle East: force can make everything “harden,” while a calmer approach can create openings. We then connect that to BRICS and the “militarized dollar,” framing BRICS less as a new military bloc and more as a response to sanctions and payment-system leverage. If you care about EU sanctions, censorship concerns, Ukraine war analysis, Iran diplomacy, and how strategy should actually work, this conversation brings a clear lens and a few uncomfortable questions.Chapter Markers0:00 Guest Intro And EU Sanctions6:10 The Thin Case Behind Sanctions11:20 Intelligence Without Emotion17:10 Europe’s Ukraine Strategy Breakdown23:40 Iran Strike And Ignoring Intelligence30:10 Non-Newtonian Diplomacy In The Middle East33:55 Iran MOU And Israel’s Role43:45 BRICS And The Militarized Dollar48:50 Why Iran Can Tilt Westward54:45 Revenge, Trust, And Closing ThoughtsSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/jim-webb-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
• ALEX CHRISTOFOROU : The New Rules Of Escalation 22.06.2026 55min

  “We’re going to bomb Moscow” used to sound like an unthinkable nightmare. Now it shows up as a headline and barely registers. That’s where we start, because once taboos break, they don’t magically come back and the consequences ripple from Ukraine to Iran to US domestic politics. I’m joined by Alex Christoforou (The Duran) to sort through what’s actually happening behind the noise and what the incentives are for every player involved.First, we dig into the Iran United States memorandum of understanding, the Lebanon ceasefire problem, and why the weekend drama almost derailed everything. The surprising signal is what doesn’t seem to be central: uranium enrichment. Instead, we talk sanctions waivers, frozen assets, blockades, the Strait of Hormuz, and why the strategic petroleum reserve and inflation pressure can force “good faith” moves that look ideological from the outside but are economic survival from the inside. We also unpack the strange new reality of direct US Iran communication aimed at managing Israeli behavior in Lebanon.Then we pivot to Great Britain and Keir Starmer’s resignation, the churn of prime ministers, and what UK politics suggests about continuity versus change. From there, we connect the UK’s stance on Ukraine to reports of long range missile production meant to hit Moscow, the battlefield trajectory in Donbass, the drone narrative, and Zelensky’s incentives including risky rhetoric toward Belarus. Along the way we touch the Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan book Regime Change and its brutal nickname for Zelensky, “Mr. Bean on Crack,” as a window into how insiders are talking.Chapter Markers0:06 Cold Open And Big Headlines1:39 Sponsor Plug And Guest Welcome3:14 Iran Talks And Lebanon Buffer Zone8:23 Sanctions Waivers And Oil Pressure14:03 Netanyahu Problem And White House Split18:12 Starmer Resigns And UK Direction29:12 UK Missile Push And Moscow Risk32:35 Donbass Frontlines And Drone Narrative42:07 Zelensky, Corruption, And Belarus Threats51:40 War Powers, Venezuela Precedent, WrapSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/jim-webb-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
• DARRYL COOPER : What takes more courage: starting a war or ending one? 20.06.2026 1h 2min

  A ceasefire gets announced, and then the bombs keep falling. That contradiction kicks off a blunt conversation with Darryl Cooper about the Middle East, Israel and Hezbollah, and why the United States no longer gets to “allow” outcomes in the Iran war like it’s flipping a switch.We walk through what it means when a war ends without the military objectives we started with, and why that kind of failure feels unfamiliar in modern American life. From Vietnam to Iraq to Afghanistan, leaders often keep conflicts going because the politics of stopping are brutal. We talk about the rare kind of courage it takes to cut losses, the temptation to rebrand defeat as victory, and the danger of walking away with the wrong confidence as great power competition with China and Russia accelerates.Then we get practical: next-generation asymmetric warfare, air defense limits, and the exchange-rate problem no budget can beat. If you’re firing multimillion-dollar interceptor missiles at cheap drones, you’re losing even when you “win” each engagement. We also dig into Middle East basing, long lead times for key radar systems, the military-industrial incentives that favor giant new programs, and the human costs that show up as moral injury and public distrust.Chapter Markers0:00 Opening Ceasefire And Hezbollah Strikes1:12 Meet Daryl Cooper And Set Stakes4:35 Can Israel Force A Longer War10:05 What Failure Looks Like Against Iran16:40 The Hardest Move Is Ending War23:15 Iraq Ghosts And The China Lesson32:20 Asymmetric Warfare And Cost Imbalance43:00 Empire Overreach And Middle East Basing54:45 Moral Injury Propaganda And ClosingSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/jim-webb-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
• JIM WEBB : Will the Deal Hold? 24 Hours to Put Israel in Check 19.06.2026 50min

  A “peace deal” is about to take effect, yet Israel is still carrying out combat operations in Lebanon and openly talking about expanded buffer zones. We walk through why that detail changes everything for Iran, why Lebanon is treated as inseparable from the broader conflict, and how a ceasefire without enforcement quickly turns into a prelude to escalation. If you’re trying to figure out whether this agreement can hold, we map the incentives and the breaking points that the headlines keep skipping.Then we follow the money and the markets. Oil flow, shipping routes, strategic reserves, inflation, and global economic stability are not side notes, they are the engine of the sudden shift in Washington’s posture. We dig into the admissions around unfreezing Iranian funds, what it means for the credibility of the US dollar and sanctions policy, and why “weaponizing the dollar” is starting to create diminishing returns. We also challenge the story being told about Gaza, ceasefires, and what success actually looks like when civilian casualties keep rising.From there, we pull on the domestic political thread: why are Americans so easy to steer into supporting policies that don’t serve them? We connect foreign policy narratives to the same divide-and-conquer playbook behind gerrymandering fights and the way immigration enforcement is argued in public. We close with a brand-new segment, Jimbo’s Wag of the Finger, aimed at Major League Baseball’s looming labor battle and the push for a salary cap.Chapter Markers0:20 Breaking News And Deal Doubts2:30 Anniversary Shoutout And Housekeeping3:52 IDF Operations In Lebanon Persist6:40 Switzerland Talks And Versailles Warning8:00 Oil Reserves And Economic Pressure9:53 Frozen Funds And The Dollar Weapon14:45 Gaza Claims And Ceasefire Reality20:10 Where Is Marco Rubio28:28 Vance Shifts On Self Defense31:38 Divide And Conquer At Home39:50 Redistricting Iran And ICE Examples43:25 Jimbo’s Wag On MLB Salary Cap49:26 Tomorrow’s Guest And Closing PlugsSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/jim-webb-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
• LARRY JOHNSON : United States-Israel Intelligence Sharing ? What's really happening? 17.06.2026 54min

  A “deal” doesn’t mean much if nobody can even agree on what’s in it. We sit down with Larry Johnson to sort through the growing confusion around the Iran memorandum of understanding, including reports of competing versions, rumored electronic signatures, and the single line that seems to matter most: an immediate, comprehensive ceasefire that includes Lebanon. Then we ask the uncomfortable question: if Israeli leaders are publicly promising more war, what exactly is supposed to change by Friday?From there, we connect diplomacy to consequences you can feel. We get into the economic pressure shaping US foreign policy, why the Strategic Petroleum Reserve is a bigger story than most headlines admit, and how oil and shipping realities make quick market optimism look naive. Even if the Strait of Hormuz opens, tankers, insurance, and mine-clearing timelines can stretch disruptions for months. We also cover the less-obvious ripple effects, like damaged LNG infrastructure in Qatar and why helium supply matters for computer chips, not party balloons.Finally, we dig into the security architecture underneath the politics: US basing in the Gulf, drone-heavy warfare that punishes expensive platforms, supply chain constraints like rare earth minerals and gallium, and the nuclear deterrence debate that keeps resurfacing whenever regime change rhetoric returns. We close with a deep look at Section 622 of the Intelligence Reauthorization Act and why codifying intelligence sharing with Israel could permanently limit independent US operations.Chapter Markers0:00 Hawaiian Shirt Cold Open2:55 Competing Versions Of The Iran MOU6:10 Israeli Leaders Push For More War10:30 US Leverage Over Israel And Politics14:55 Oil Risk And The SPR Reality20:40 Strait Of Hormuz Fees And Leverage26:10 Mines, LNG Damage, And Helium Shock31:55 Iran Retaliation And Hidden US Losses37:45 Gulf Bases Under Pressure To Close41:45 Drone Warfare Costs And Supply Chains47:20 Nuclear Deterrence And JCPOA Lessons51:50 Section 622 And Forced Intel Sharing53:55 Cutoffs, Decoupling, And Final PlugsSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/jim-webb-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
• Netanyahu Speaks Out On Iran Deal -NOT SO FAST! What Happens NEXT? 17.06.2026 46min

  A ceasefire can be announced in minutes and collapse in seconds, so we slow down and ask the only question that matters: is the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding actually enforceable, or is it a pause that buys time while the Israel Lebanon conflict keeps burning? I walk through why Iran is treating Lebanon as the make-or-break condition, why the Strait of Hormuz staying constrained is real leverage, and how “minor war” language collides with what’s happening on the ground.Then we follow the money, because global markets don’t care about talking points. Oil prices, the strategic petroleum reserve, shipping risk, and U.S. inflation all intersect here, and the timing of the MOU matters when futures open and prices swing. If you’ve felt higher energy costs and grocery bills, this is the chain that links a regional war to your weekly budget and to the political pressure building ahead of the midterm elections.Finally, I get into the under-discussed limiter: U.S. force readiness and munitions stockpiles. From Tomahawk production rates to Patriot and THAAD interceptor replenishment timelines, and from 155mm artillery shell capacity to broader “can we sustain this” realities, the episode lays out why prolonged conflict is not just unpopular, it may be strategically reckless. We close by looking at Netanyahu’s incentives, the risk of ceasefire violations, and what signs to watch between now and Friday.Chapter Markers0:00 A Deal Or A Charade1:58 Coffee Plug And Going Solo3:12 Iran Sets The Terms On Lebanon8:38 Why The MOU Looks Like Theater18:22 Oil Prices And Inflation Pressure26:05 Polls Show A War Nobody Wants30:34 Munitions Shortages And Production Limits39:18 Force Readiness And A New Drone Era43:12 Netanyahu As The Spoiler45:10 Predictions And The Ask To SubscribeSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/jim-webb-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
• PRO. MOHAMMAD MARANDI - LIVE From Tehran, IRAN 16.06.2026 44min

  The market popped on a promise: a Trump-brokered Iran agreement that could reopen the Strait of Hormuz and ease a global energy squeeze. But when a headline lands right before futures reopen, I can’t help asking whether we’re seeing diplomacy or gamesmanship. Oil prices, the Nikkei, and US stocks all react instantly, even though the public still has almost no verified detail from the US side about the memorandum of understanding or the real enforcement mechanisms behind it. To cut through the fog, I’m joined by Professor Seyed Mohammad Marandi live from Tehran. We talk about why Iranian leaders and ordinary people don’t evaluate US negotiations in a vacuum and how war memory still shapes strategy today. Morandi shares personal experience from the Iran-Iraq war, including surviving chemical attacks, and explains why that history fuels deep skepticism toward Western “human rights” messaging and toward US claims of good-faith bargaining. Then we get practical and specific: what the reported terms imply about sanctions relief, frozen Iranian assets, maritime access through the Persian Gulf, and the biggest trigger point of all, Israel’s operations in Lebanon. We also look at the political pressure cooker around Netanyahu, the risk of the deal collapsing if commitments aren’t met, and what a sustained disruption in Hormuz means for inflation, fuel availability, and long-tail economic damage worldwide. If you want a clear, grounded read on the Iran deal rumors, the Strait of Hormuz stakes, and the Lebanon ceasefire question, listen now, then subscribe, share the episode, and leave a review with your take on what happens next.Chapter Markers0:00 Breaking News And Big Claims2:04 Host Check In And Quick Sponsor2:58 World Cup Crowd Energy Break4:02 Markets React To Iran Deal Talk12:19 Marandi's War Story And Media Lessons21:53 What The Deal Demands By Friday26:01 Tehran’s Mixed Mood And Skepticism28:13 Can Washington Restrain Israel31:28 Winners Losers And Public Backlash35:59 Netanyahu’s Next Move At Home40:49 Proving Good Faith With Money And Terms43:16 Final Takeaways And SubscribeSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/jim-webb-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
• PATRICK HENNINGSEN : The Lebanon - Iran Connection Explained 13.06.2026 1h 15min

  Lebanon isn’t a side quest, it’s the pressure point that can keep a US Iran war simmering for years. We sit down with journalist and geopolitical analyst Patrick Henningson, founder of 21st Century Wire, to unpack why Lebanon remains under covered, why the framing around Hezbollah is so politically useful in Washington, and why that framing can make diplomacy feel “impossible” by design.We break down Hezbollah’s origins in the Israeli occupation of South Lebanon, the reality of Hezbollah as both a political party and an armed force, and the uncomfortable question most headlines skip: why can’t the Lebanese Armed Forces defend their own airspace? From there, we zoom out to Israel’s longer term strategic interests in the south, including territory, resources, and water, and we talk about how post October 7 rules have shifted in ways that change the calculus for civilians and states alike.The conversation also draws parallels to Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Units, the war on terror’s elastic definitions, and how labels like “Iran backed” can erase local agency while lowering the threshold for violence. Finally, we tackle the big strategic picture: Iran’s rising leverage, America’s declining credibility, and what an “interregnum” between world orders looks like when no one trusts the old rules anymore.Chapter Markers0:00 Why Lebanon Is The Missing Piece1:55 Guest Background And Quick Housekeeping3:40 What Hezbollah Is And How It Formed13:56 Why Lebanon’s Army Stays Handcuffed20:44 Israel’s Goals Beyond “Security”22:55 Sectarian Pressure And Syria’s Spillover28:13 Iraq Parallels And The Terror Label45:41 Iran’s Leverage And America’s Decline1:07:36 The “Why” Question And The InterregnumWatch Patrick Henningsen, Like & Subscribe to him on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@21stCenturyWireTVAlso visit Patrick's Substack here:https://patrickhenningsen.substack.com See all of Patrick Henningsen and his team's work here: https://www.21stcenturywire.com Follow Patrick’s daily shorts on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/21wire_media/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/jim-webb-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
• Negotiating With Bombs Is Not Negotiating with/ Dan McKnight of Defend the Guard 11.06.2026 54min

  “We’ll negotiate with bombs” is the kind of line that should stop you cold, especially when it’s paired with fresh strikes on Iran and talk of ground troops. We sit down with Dan McKnight, founder of Bring Our Troops Home and a longtime Marine, Army, and National Guard veteran, to unpack what this moment says about U.S. foreign policy and why the constant recycling of “imminent threats” and instant “victories” keeps the public numb while the war machine keeps moving.From there, we get practical. Dan breaks down how the National Guard is actually used, including state active duty, Title 32, and Title 10 federalization, and why Title 10 has become a pipeline for overseas combat deployments without a congressional declaration of war. We talk through the Defend The Guard strategy, the big Texas win that pushed it into the state GOP platform, and why state legislatures may be the best pressure point to restore constitutional war powers and protect Guard units from being treated as a “warm supply of bodies.”We also dig into the policy hooks that lock in endless intervention: NDAA Section 224 and the push to tie the U.S. defense industrial base closer to Israel, plus Intelligence Authorization Section 622 and the fear that withholding intelligence could effectively become illegal. Along the way, we hit the costs at home, the risks of escalation in the Strait of Hormuz, and why modernization for drone warfare matters more than bluster.Subscribe, share this with a friend who cares about war powers, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway: what would it take for Congress and the states to reassert control over when America goes to war?Chapter Markers0:00. Iran Strikes And War Talk1:37 Meet Dan McKnight And The Mission5:24 Texas Win For Defend The Guard7:24 How National Guard Activations Work10:18 Overdeployment Costs At Home13:06 War Powers And Iran Legality23:05 The Off Ramp And Modern Warfare30:29 NDAA Section 224 And Industrial Ties35:10 Intel Bill 622 And Israel Sharing39:30 Building A Coalition That Resists War50:14. How To Help And Closing NotesSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/jim-webb-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
• DARRYL COOPER aka Martyr Made : Populism’s First President Andrew Jackson 10.06.2026 1h 1min

  Checkout our sponsor: KillerInstinctCoffee.comA lot of people use “populism” like a slur, but the older American meaning is blunt and practical: the will of the people pushing back on concentrated power. Darrell Cooper joins me to map that fight across US history, starting with Andrew Jackson as the first true national populist figure and asking why he still triggers strong reactions today. We talk about honor, accountability, and why some leaders connect because they embody the class and culture that feels ignored, not because they deliver perfect policy papers. From there we get into the money question. Jackson’s battle with the Second Bank of the United States isn’t just a trivia fact, it’s a clear case study in how central banking, credit, and insider access can concentrate wealth. We connect those early struggles to modern arguments about the Federal Reserve and the way financial systems reward scale. Along the way we unpack how the cotton economy once underwrote banks, shipping, and infrastructure, and why the Civil War creates a sharp “before and after” that supercharges industrial capitalism and tariff politics. The second half moves into the Gilded Age and the Industrial Revolution: immigration, tenement life, and the transition from semi-independent producers to wage laborers who can’t survive a downturn. We trace the populist uprising around William Jennings Bryan, the gold standard fight, and the uneasy but real cooperation between farmers and the labor movement, including Eugene Debs. We also talk about Teddy Roosevelt and trust busting as an elite attempt to keep private empires from dwarfing the state itself. If you care about American history, working class politics, central banking, and why populist movements keep getting co-opted, this one will stick with you. Subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review, what part of the populist story do you think gets most misunderstood today?Chapter Markers0:00. Why Talk Populism Right Now2:44 Meeting Andrew Jackson’s America6:59 Honor Culture And Political Identity10:06 Charisma As The People’s Weapon14:40 Breaking The Second National Bank23:46 Civil War Aftershocks And Tariffs28:51 From Workshops To Wage Dependence36:35 Bryan, Gold, And Producer Politics41:35 Organizing Lessons From Bryan To Trump46:27 Why Teddy Roosevelt Takes On Trusts53:23 Tenements, Brutal Work, And Replacement Labor57:02 A Baltimore Row House Reality Check59:09 Mine Wars Next And Where To FollowSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/jim-webb-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
• Dave Smith: Trump is LYING About the Iran Deal 09.06.2026 57min

  The fastest way to understand American power is to watch where it mysteriously stops. We start with Trump’s constant “deal with Iran is coming” talk, his public back-and-forth over Netanyahu, and the recurring promise that a ceasefire is always just days away. Then we ask the uncomfortable question out loud: if Israel is a US-backed client state that depends on American money, weapons, and diplomatic cover, why does Washington behave like it can’t apply basic pressure behind closed doors?Dave Smith joins me to break down the real mechanics: war powers that flow easily toward escalation, a political current that punishes restraint, and the role of the Israel lobby in shaping what’s “allowed” in US foreign policy. We talk about why leaders perform toughness for the cameras, why that performance can look like humiliation, and why so many people are left speculating about leverage when outcomes don’t match the supposed balance of power.From there we get concrete about the stakes: the Greater Israel project, settlement expansion, the risk of a wider Iran conflict, and the Strait of Hormuz as the most obvious economic lever. We also dig into reports of Israeli espionage, the backlash to a client state spying on its patron, and fears around deeper military integration and data sharing through measures like NDAA Section 224. Finally, we look for political upside in a bleak landscape, including what Thomas Massie’s rise with younger voters signals for anti-war politics and what 2028 could look like if the old narratives keep collapsing.Chapter Markers0:00 Trump’s Claims And Ceasefire Theater1:55 Welcoming Dave Smith And Setup4:05 Who Actually Calls The Shots11:10 Leverage Over Presidents And “Why”16:45 Butler Security Questions And Pressure24:35 Greater Israel And Open Defiance33:10 Iran War Endgame And Hormuz40:55 Israeli Espionage And Data Sharing Fears49:10 Thomas Massie And The Youth Shift54:20 2028 Politics And The Rubio Lane56:05 Final Thoughts And Closing PlugsSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/jim-webb-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
• ROBERT BARNES - Section 224 Is About To Explode 09.06.2026 56min

  Thanks to our channel sponsor, KillerInstinctCoffee.com. Grab some great coffee today!A foreign ally allegedly spying at the highest levels, a ceasefire track that keeps getting derailed, and Washington looking like it cannot steer its own policy. That’s the knot we try to untangle with returning guest Robert Barnes as we react to reporting about a Defense Intelligence Agency leak on Israeli espionage and attempts to undermine U.S. Iran negotiations, followed almost immediately by strikes that practically guarantee an Iranian response.We walk through the unsettling optics of Netanyahu publicly posturing that an Israeli prime minister must be able to tell a U.S. president “no,” and what that does to American credibility on the world stage. From there, we debate the hardest question: is Trump actually being boxed in by Israel’s actions, or is he letting the chaos play out because it serves him? Barnes connects that to negotiation failures, decision-making concerns, and why perception alone can make the United States look responsible for escalation even when it claims it is trying to stop it.Then we get specific and practical: the Houthis, shipping pressure, and how economic choke points can shape U.S. choices faster than battlefield wins. We also dig into Iran’s internal politics and regional Shia dynamics, arguing that “regime collapse” assumptions are a repeat strategic error that leads to bad forecasts and worse wars.Finally, we break down the policy grenade: NDAA Section 224 and why deeper intelligence sharing could be unprecedented in U.S. history, especially amid espionage allegations. We close on Congress, War Powers, enforcement, and what happens if the executive branch escalates after lawmakers say no. Subscribe, share the show, and leave a review, then tell us your take: who’s really driving U.S. Middle East policy right now?Chapter Markers0:00. Weekend Escalation And A New Crisis2:30 Netanyahu Says “No” To Washington9:20 Who Is Really Steering U.S. Policy?15:00 Trump’s Negotiation Failures And Instability25:50 Israel’s Spy Track Record And DIA Leak34:10 NDAA Section 224 And Permanent Access41:40 War Powers Limits And Impeachment Risk49:10 Midterms, Anti-War Politics, And Corruption Claims54:10 Conference Plug, Sponsor, And Sign-OffSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/jim-webb-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy