American Foreign Policy Council’s Ilan Berman gives us the 101 on the past, present, and possible future of the Iranian regime, Middle East geopolitics, and the potential for Starlink as a tool to topple authoritarian regimes.   ·      What do the Iranian dissidents want from the United States? ·      Is the Iranian regime at a tipping point? ·      The changing demographics in Iran ·      How 1979 changed everything ·      The CIA boogeyman ·      Recapping U.S. – Iran historical relations ·      “They’ve had a gun to Israel’s head for a while.” ·      What’s the Iranian regime thinking now? ·      The cold-hearted rationality of Middle East politics ·      Why Iran might fast-track development of a nuclear bomb ·      Three scenarios for a post-ayatollah Iran ·      Why the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps isn’t going away ·      How Elon Musk’s Starlink could transform geopolitics ·      China’s race to dominate space-based digital connectivity ·      Africa’s population boom   Ilan Berman is Senior Vice President of the American Foreign Policy Council in Washington, DC. An expert on regional security in the Middle East, Central Asia, and the Russian Federation, he has consulted for the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency as well as the U.S. Departments of State and Defense, and has also provided assistance on foreign policy and national security issues to a range of governmental agencies and congressional offices. Follow him on X at @ilanberman.

David Harsanyi returns to discuss his new book “The Rise of BlueAnon: How the Democrats Became a Party of Conspiracy Theorists.” David reveals how the Left has been consumed by a uniquely dangerous and delusional brand of conspiracy theories. And unlike those on the Right, the Left’s conspiracy theories are rarely kept in check by mainstream institutions. Fun and insightful conversation with one of America’s smartest conservative writers. •    How do we define a conspiracy theory? •    The psychology of crowds •    Why “Russia collusion” was an effective conspiracy theory •    How Adam Schiff played everybody •    The limits of skepticism •    Victimhood and paranoia •    The BLM riots and police assassinations •    Why the left doesn’t want students to learn civics •    “I wish someone would do something about how fat I am” •    What people get wrong about Big Pharma •    Antisemitism and the left •    What happened to the groypers? •    Social media and children’s mental health •    Climate alarmism •    Rachel Maddow and other successful purveyors of conspiracy theories •    “You don’t need to be like your enemy.” •    Delusions of living in The Handmaid’s Tale •    The viability argument •    How leftists sidestep the morality debate David Harsanyi is a senior writer at the Washington Examiner, a nationally syndicated columnist, and author of several bestselling books. A contributor to the New York Post, his work has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Reason, USA Today, National Review, and numerous other publications, and he has been featured on Fox News, CNN, MSNBC, NPR, ABC World News Tonight, NBC Nightly News, and dozens of radio talk shows across the country. Follow him on X at @davidharsanyi.

Paul Scharre, an AI expert and author, explores the evolving role of artificial intelligence in warfare and military strategy. He discusses the shift from traditional software to autonomous learning models, revealing how this transformation impacts military operations. The competitive AI landscape with China sparks concern over data privacy and tech dominance. Scharre also addresses the ethical challenges of integrating AI into military contexts, the emergence of drones in combat, and the potential risks of AI developing autonomy, including hypothetical scenarios of AI-led warfare.

Shaun Maguire, a venture capitalist at Sequoia Capital and a Caltech physics PhD, shares his intriguing transformation from a Never Trumper to a Trump supporter. He provides compelling insights on Trump's foreign policy approach, emphasizing its effectiveness against adversaries like Russia and China. The conversation also dives into the shifting political landscape in Silicon Valley, the pressing need for defense innovation, and the captivating mysteries of black holes and quantum physics. Maguire blends political insight with scientific curiosity in a thought-provoking discussion.

Dan Crenshaw, a Texas Congressman and former Navy SEAL, shares riveting insights from his military service in Iraq and Afghanistan. He recalls the lessons learned amid chaos and the challenges of losing an eye in combat. The conversation takes a sharp turn to foreign policy dilemmas, discussing the complexities of the Taliban's resurgence and Trump's influence on the Republican Party. Crenshaw thoughtfully examines the evolving dynamics of political engagement in social media, highlighting the urgency for thoughtful discourse within Congress.

Dr. Mary Grabar, a historian and author of "Debunking Howard Zinn," dives into the controversial legacy of Howard Zinn's "A People's History of the United States." She reveals how Zinn's depiction of America has shaped modern cultural narratives and critiques its implications for education and historical accuracy. Grabar also examines the ethical dilemmas surrounding America's wartime actions and addresses the complex discussions of equality, highlighting voices like Frederick Douglass that are often overlooked. This conversation promises an eye-opening take on American history.

James Pethokoukis, a Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and author of "The Conservative Futurist," discusses the decline of technological optimism that once promised flying cars and vacations on Mars. He delves into the cultural shifts since the 1970s that fostered a climate of 'techno-pessimism.' Pethokoukis also presents a roadmap for reviving innovation through increased funding and regulatory reforms. Highlighting the role of globalization, he emphasizes the need for a renewed belief in ambitious projects to overcome stagnation.

Dr. Todd Rose, co-founder of Populace and author of "Collective Illusions," dives into the surprising unity among Americans on controversial issues like abortion and immigration. He discusses how public sentiment often differs from what political discourse suggests, revealing the dangers of self-silencing. Dr. Rose also highlights the overwhelming belief in societal unfairness and advocates for critical thinking education methods like Socratic dialogue. His insights challenge the notion of division, promoting a more nuanced understanding of American beliefs.

Jack Posobiec returns for a fascinating conversation about the history of communist revolutions and the role that information warfare plays in the shaping modern political ideologies. Jack gives us case studies in the revolutions of Russia, China, and France - along with the key differences between them and the American Revolution. He explains how Marxist and far-left movements “unhumanize” their political opponents to gain control of nations. And he dives into the tactics of information warfare and his strategy for countering far-left narratives (including a crash course in how to effectively use memes and satire to disarm opponents). Jack Posobiec is the author of the new book “Unhumans: The Secret History of Communist Revolutions (and How to Crush Them)”. He is the host of the podcast series Human Events Daily. He speaks fluent Mandarin, worked for the US Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai, is a former officer in the Navy Reserve, and worked for the Office of Naval Intelligence. Follow him on X at @JackPosobiec.

Dr. Robert Kadlec returns to the podcast to share the latest evidence for why COVID-19 likely originated from a lab in Wuhan, China. He gives us a layman’s understanding of the differences between lab-created viruses and those of zoological origins. He debunks all the Fauci/CCP arguments that the Wuhan lab origin is a “conspiracy theory.” And he discusses the growing concerns of a possible H5N1 bird flu pandemic – what would it take for this to become the next global pandemic and how prepared are we to stop it? Dr. Robert Kadlec served as the Assistant Secretary of Preparedness and Response (ASPR) at the Department of Health and Human Services under President Trump. During his career he has served as a flight surgeon in the U.S. Air Force, Deputy Staff Director for the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, and Special Assistant to the President & Senior Director for Biodefense Policy under President Bush.