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Breaking Battlegrounds

Breaking Battlegrounds

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Breaking Battlegrounds is a Politics Podcast show that interviews opinion leaders from across the world to discuss politics, culture, and policies that are shaping our day-to-day lives. breakingbattlegrounds.substack.comSam Stone and Chuck Warren Political Science Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Greenland, Silicon Desert, Police Bodycams and Comedy
    Jan 23 2026

    Our first guest today is Josh Hammer, senior editor-at-large at Newsweek, host of The Josh Hammer Show, and author of Israel and Civilization: The Fate of the Jewish Nation and the Destiny of the West. Josh explores America's long-standing interest in Greenland, dating back to the Lincoln and Truman administrations. While Denmark maintains limited authority over the territory, NATO oversees much of Greenland's day-to-day security—and with the United States serving as the backbone of NATO, Josh explains how this history and reality help frame President Trump's interest in acquiring Greenland.

    Josh also weighs in on the war in Ukraine, examining possible timelines for its conclusion. He argues that it is in America's best interest for Ukraine to remain independent, and notes President Trump's consistent position that the priority must be reducing bloodshed while continuing to support Ukraine.

    Our second guest is John Trobough, a candidate for Arizona's First Congressional District. John is running for Congress because he believes our nation is at a crossroads, and Arizona has a unique opportunity to lead—but only if we elect leaders who genuinely care. As the epicenter of the next-generation economy, Arizona may not replace Silicon Valley, but it has the potential to become the "Silicon Desert." John joins us to discuss the rapid rise of artificial intelligence, why it's critical that we get ahead of it, and how we can ensure innovation and economic growth truly benefit Arizona's economy.

    Comedian and writer Lou Perez joins us to talk about his recent piece, "Police Bodycams: The Left's Biggest Self-Own." Lou explores the irony that police body cameras—originally demanded by anti-police activists—have ultimately done more to undermine that movement than anything else. He also discusses his book, "That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore: On the Death and Rebirth of Comedy," where he examines how humor has been shaped by woke culture. Lou argues that for years, comedians trying to push back against Donald Trump often relied on the same recycled jokes, which ultimately opened the door for a new wave of comics willing to tackle topics others were afraid to touch.

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    1 hr and 7 mins
  • Iran Edition: A Crime Against Humanity
    Jan 20 2026

    Our first guest today is Roya Hakakian, author of Journey from the Land of No. Born and raised in Iran, Roya explains that what has unfolded there over the past two weeks is comparable in national trauma and moral consequence to the September 11, 2001 attacks or the October 7 terrorist massacre. She argues that the world's failure to grasp the scale of these events is akin to 9/11 happening and no one paying attention. The reports are horrific—reminiscent of genocidal campaigns of the 20th century—including accounts of security forces in Mashhad beheading teenagers and municipal workers being instructed not to clean blood from the streets, deliberately leaving visible reminders to terrorize the population.

    We are also joined by Reuel Marc Gerecht, a former CIA Iranian targets officer who spent years identifying, assessing, and attempting to recruit Iranians with access to valuable intelligence. He argues that short of direct military action, the United States can play a far more aggressive role by helping protesters secure communications and cyber capabilities to disrupt the regime's control. The regime, he notes, appears to have taken a "shotgun" approach—systematically eliminating anyone who has demonstrated leadership in street protests—and that targeted repression is strategically significant.

    Our third guest is Behnam Ben Taleblu, senior director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies' Iran Program, where he oversees the organization's Iran-related research and analysis. He contends that if President Trump intends to help catalyze the next phase of protests in Iran—to give momentum and protection to those already in the streets—the United States will need to act in a way that is politically consequential. Political pressure and military signaling, he argues, must be fused. While Qatar fears regime collapse, Turkey arguably has the most to lose and has been among the most vocal opponents of an Iranian implosion. The regime's more than 12-day internet blackout, Taleblu notes, is designed to prevent images and videos that violate its own red lines from escaping and saturating the global media environment.

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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • Former Ambassador Thomas Shannon, Jr discusses Venezuela, Greg Roeberg - Candidate for AZ AG, and Sheepdog the movie
    Jan 16 2026

    Our first guest today is Former Ambassador Thomas Shannon, Jr, a Senior International Policy Advisor bringing more than three decades of government service and diplomatic experience to his practice, providing strategic counsel to clients across a range of legislative, foreign police, and national security issues. Thomas explains why France, Italy, and Spain have been hesitant to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization, despite its extensive involvement in terrorist activity inside Iran and beyond. He notes that such a designation could complicate future cooperation during a potential political transition in Iran.

    Thomas also examines the long-standing relationship between Venezuela and Cuba. After Russia withdrew support from Cuba in 1991, Venezuela emerged as Havana's primary lifeline—providing oil and financial support in exchange for Cuban intelligence officers and social programs that helped the Chávez government maintain control over political opposition, monitor the Venezuelan military, and provide security for Chávez himself. As Cuba enters a period of slow political change, the sudden loss of Venezuelan oil, gas, and cash would have profound consequences for the island.

    Finally, Thomas warns that failed efforts at regime change can leave the international community worse off than before. President Trump has pursued a solution to Venezuela for more than a decade, and Thomas discusses the strategic dilemma facing Trump following plans to capture Nicolás Maduro and his wife: whether to recognize a democratic opposition that claims victory in the 2024 election, or to pursue an alternative pathway for political transition.

    Our in-studio guest this week is Greg Roeberg, a candidate for Arizona Attorney General. Greg is a husband, father, business leader, and cancer survivor who previously served as President Trump's campaign attorney, working to defend the integrity of our elections. During the discussion, Greg explains the role of the Attorney General and outlines how he would uphold and defend the Arizona State Constitution. He also addresses the controversial lawsuits filed by Kris Mayes and shares his priorities and plans should he be elected as Arizona's next Attorney General.

    We are joined by actor and director Steven Grayhm, who has just released a new film titled Sheepdog. The movie explores the challenges combat veterans face as they transition back into civilian life. Sheepdog—sheepdofthemovie.com—premieres today, January 16th.

    The inspiration for the film began when Steven met a tow truck driver who came to his aid after his car broke down. During their conversation, the driver shared his own struggles reintegrating into everyday life after military service. That encounter stayed with Steven. In 2011, he traveled across the country meeting with veterans and quickly realized this was not an isolated experience—many veterans face the same difficult challenges. Those stories became the foundation and inspiration for Sheepdog.

    Our financial expert, Gary Gygi, joins us once again to break down the state of the economy. While economic growth continues, job creation has lagged. Employers aren't laying workers off—but they also aren't hiring at significant levels. As a result, many Americans are juggling multiple jobs and working 60 to 70 hours a week just to make ends meet. Meanwhile, the U.S. trade deficit has fallen to its lowest level in years, signaling a major reduction in the trade imbalance. If this trend continues, it reflects exactly what President Trump has long emphasized: reindustrializing America and exporting more of what we produce.

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    1 hr and 14 mins
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