Hi Mike, love the show. Recently you reported that former Trump ally Mike Pompeo had seriously criticized some of Trump’s policies and as a result lost his security clearance. However, just recently I watched an interview that Pompeo gave Bill O’Reilly on O’Reilly’s No Spin News where Mr. Pompeo stated he was in full support of Trump’s policies and would return to the Trump administration if asked. Would you please clear up this seeming contradiction. Thank you!
Serendipity
🗣️. Hi there Handsome! Julie from Beaver Falls, PA. It was by accident one night that I came across your virtual PDB podcast. One minute I was searching for the Protein Data Bank, the next minute I was laughing hysterically at some drole PDB comment you had made. I've now become a Premium member and I wow my protein donors with the knowledge of a well oiled diplomat! My question: Who is "Big Balls" and why do Democrats hate him? 🤔
Endgame for the US potentially ending Ukraine Support?
Greetings from snowy Finland! Since 1944, we’ve been preparing for yet another clash with Russia, and now we’re watching in horror as transatlantic cooperation unravels. Here's my question: What’s Trump’s endgame if he pulls US support for Ukraine? If Europe funds Ukraine to victory, we’d still feel abandoned by our closest ally after generations of steadfast partnership, and China would likely step into that gap. Or if Europe’s money falls short and Ukraine collapses, trust in the US as a partner vanishes completely. Doesn’t America lose and China win either way? How do you see this shaking out? Harri from Jämsä (YAEMsae, I don't think that's any help with pronunciation but here it it!) , Finland
Mexican drug cartels' kryptonite
Hey Mike! Could legalising recreational drugs in the United States be the Mexican drug cartels' kryptonite? Defeating them through force seems unrealistic, so cutting off their primary source of revenue could be the most rational way to weaken them. After all, the end of Prohibition delivered a major blow to the criminal empires of that era. Cheers, David from Western Australia
Iraq's Sovereignty
Hi Mike, Lisa from the great state of Washington, here. A recent article in FDD's Long War Journal suggests that Iran is seeking to strengthen and reconnect Palestinian Islamic Jihad & Kata'ib Hezbollah. Question: Is Iran planning a coup d' etat of the Iraqi government? Congratulations on your 20th year anniversary!
Jacob from Cornelius, OR
Hi Mike, I hope you're doing well. I’m a dedicated listener and really appreciate the insightful content you provide on the podcast. I particularly enjoy the PDB Situation Report, where you bring in leading experts to discuss critical topics. I wanted to ask if you have any plans to expand into longer-form content or perhaps a conversational-style podcast similar to JRE. I believe it would be a great opportunity to dive even deeper into important discussions. Looking forward to your thoughts. Thanks for your time, and I appreciate all the work you and your team do.
Hello, Skibidy Alfa Rizzler Sigma
Hello, Mike. Why is Israel having to release convicted criminals in exchange for innocent people taken hostage? Why didn't Biden, and now Trump, get the majority of aid donor countries like the EU, UK, France and Arab Gulf states, to issue a joint statement to Hamas that there would be NO foreign aid money or UN money to rebuilt until all hostages were released without condition and without the release of Palestinian prisoners? It seems like a no brainer to me. Sincerely, Peter, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Chinese Birth Tourism
There once was a girl from St. Paul Who wore a newspaper dress to the ball. But her dress caught on fire And burnt her entire Front page, sporting section, and all. There's your limerick for the day. The 2017 case regarding Chinese birth tourism finally got to the courts with convictions and sentencings. That doesn't change the fact that who knows how many thousands of babies have been born in the U.S., not as anchor babies, but to hold passports. They return to China to be raised, educated, and presumably inducted into the PLA. What's to prevent a brigade worth of these U.S. citizens serving in the PLA from invading -- not on troop carriers -- but by business class airline tickets in, say, about 2033? Love the show. Insert really kind, really nice comments here. I had my doubts when you took over the channel, but you're doing an excellent job. Please continue. Keith S Gordon Henderson, NV
Drone Activity in the PNW
Hi Mike, I’m from the Pacific Northwest and I was wondering why we didn’t hear any substantial stories about all the drones we’ve been seeing here for almost a year. There are a handful of refiniries that have been noticing drone activity as well as naval and army bases and it has been happening long before the other stories broke. Just wondering why exactly none of that made the news until the activity was noticed on the east coast. Thanks Mike
Drone Activity in the PNW
Hi Mike, I’m from the Pacific Northwest and I was wondering why we didn’t hear any substantial stories about all the drones we’ve been seeing here for almost a year. There are a handful of refiniries that have been noticing drone activity as well as naval and army bases and it has been happening long before the other stories broke. Just wondering why exactly none of that made the news until the activity was noticed on the east coast. Thanks Mike
Hi Mike - A recent Sean Ryan show featured Sarah Adams (ex-CIA) asserts that Hamza bin Laden is not dead and is actually forming an Islamic Army that includes Hamas and Hezbollah. Assuming this is accurate, if Iran is the financial backing for those 2 groups what do you think of the chance that the billions allowed to leave Syria for Iran was actually a payoff to get Hamas and Hezbollah to seem to agree to a peace agreement? Also, if Shia and Sunni are not exactly in love with each other how's that Islamic Army going to get along with Iran?
Hi Mike - A recent Sean Ryan show featured Sarah Adams (ex-CIA) asserts that Hamza bin Laden is not dead and is actually forming an Islamic Army that includes Hamas and Hezbollah. Assuming this is accurate, if Iran is the financial backing for those 2 groups what do you think of the chance that the billions allowed to leave Syria for Iran was actually a payoff to get Hamas and Hezbollah to seem to agree to a peace agreement? Also, if Shia and Sunni are not exactly in love with each other how's that Islamic Army going to get along with Iran?
Foreign Drones or Something Simpler?
With the increasing reports of drones spotted around military bases, could it be that the simplest explanation is the correct one—that these are likely U.S. drones being used for training exercises by military personnel? It feels like a classic case of Occam's Razor, but I’d love to hear your take, Mike! Rob Walters - Richmond, VA
60 States of the union
Hey Mike. Paris from Prince Edward Island, Canada. Thanks for answering my question back in June in regard to Canada becoming the 51st state. As we have seen recently, President Elect Trump actually put this idea directly to Trudeau (remember him?). Do you think that this might be an indication that PE Trump listens to your esteemed news podcast? In retrospect I agree with your opinion that Canada would be far too big for a single state and propose that each individual province become seperate states, bringing the total up to a whopping 59 (Quebec would obviously opt out and become its own country). Thanks for all that you and your vast team do.