Geopolitics and Security
International affairs, wars, militaries, intelligence, and diplomacy, including Israel's wars and external security.
#431: The Confidence of a Good Light
Learn why a $150 flashlight is a vital tool, not a toy, and how advanced electronics and optics can save lives during a crisis.
#430: Jerusalem’s Ghost Consulates: Diplomacy in Limbo
Discover why some Jerusalem consulates ignore the state they’re in and how 400-year-old treaties still shape the city’s bizarre diplomatic map.
#424: Shadows in the Embassy: Diplomatic Immunity and Spies
Explore the high-stakes world of diplomatic cover, NOCs, and the "digital dust" that makes modern espionage more dangerous than ever.
#423: The Ladder of Escalation: Why Embassies Stay Open
Explore the hidden language of international relations, from the strategic recall of ambassadors to the high-stakes theater of the diplomatic snub.
#417: Shadows and Signals: The World of Back-Channel Diplomacy
How do enemies talk when embassies are closed? Explore the secret world of back-channel diplomacy, validation signals, and "honest brokers."
#416: The Rise of the Hybrid Army: Professionalizing Insurgency
Herman and Corn explore how non-state actors are emulating conventional militaries to bridge the gap in asymmetric warfare.
#415: Why Egypt Mediates: National Security, Not Altruism
Why is Egypt the indispensable mediator in Gaza? Herman and Corn explore the high-stakes world of Cairo’s intelligence-led diplomacy.
#414: How a Proscribed Group Runs a Global Network
Explore the complex web of international diplomacy and gray-market finance that sustains Hamas far beyond the borders of Gaza.
#383: The Final Boss of Peace: Can Gaza Ever Disarm?
Why is giving up weapons the "final boss" of peace? Corn and Herman explore historical lessons for Gaza from Northern Ireland and Colombia.
#380: The Tactical Bubble: How VIP Security Turns Errands into Operations
When a minister goes for candy, it’s a tactical operation. Explore the psychology of protection and the illusion of spontaneity for high-level VIPs.
#376: Hardwired for Havoc: Inside Mossad’s Pager Operation
Explore the chilling reality of supply chain poisoning and how a decade-long operation turned everyday pagers into targeted weapons.
#373: The 22-Year-Olds Briefed Hours Before War
How do you prepare a 22-year-old for the world's most complex missions? Explore the intersection of youth, stealth tech, and high-stakes warfare.
#370: Bunkers and Bytes: The Secret World of Gov Clouds
How do you host the nation's secrets on the same tech that runs Netflix? Corn and Herman explore the high-stakes world of air-gapped government clo...
#369: The Anatomy of Failure: Inside the Military Probe
Explore the internal mechanics of military probes and how institutions move past the blame game to diagnose systemic collapse.
#354: From Partners to Rivals: The Israel-Iran Paradox
Explore the dramatic shift from secret alliances and joint missile projects to the modern "shadow war" between Israel and Iran.
#353: The Art of the Leak: Psyops and Military Censorship
Why would a military report its own weaknesses? Herman and Corn dive into strategic deception, reflexive control, and the secrets of the censor.
#341: The Operating System That Watches You
Explore the walled garden of North Korea’s intranet, from the Mac-inspired Red Star OS to hardware that screenshots your every move.
#339: Beyond the Fortress: The Evolution of Global Military Bases
Explore how modern military bases have evolved from fortresses to high-tech hubs and the complex trade-offs of hosting foreign troops on home soil.
#338: Shadow Diplomats: The Truth About Honorary Consuls
Ever wondered why a regular house might fly a foreign flag? Discover the "DIY diplomacy" of honorary consuls and their strange legal perks.
#337: Sovereign Bags: The Secret World of Diplomatic Pouches
In a digital age, why do governments still use physical bags? Explore the high-stakes world of diplomatic pouches and sovereign transit.