The 2026 conflict between the US/Israel and Iran was supposedly started to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon capability, but there is a good argument that says Iran should be attacked because it sponsors proxy wars and state terrorism. This episode is the 3rd episode in a 4-part series on Iran. It considers whether going to war over the Iran's state-sponsored terrorism or proxy wars is "ethical" or a "Just" cause for war - under the 'Laws of War' or 'Just War Theory'. The 'legal' reasons for going to war are detailed, along with a deep review of Iran's 'behavior' since the Islamic revolution. The actual conduct of the war is covered in part 4 of this series, due for publication end-June 2026.

The 2026 conflict between the US/Israel and Iran was supposedly started to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon capability. The nuclear weapon threat could be curtailed through destruction of the related systems (thereby removing the capability) or by causing regime change (thereby removing the intent). This episode is the 2nd episode in a 4-part series on Iran. It considers whether going to war over the nuclear threat is "ethical" or a "Just" cause for war - under the 'Laws of War' or 'Just War Theory'. The 'legal' reasons for going to war are detailed, along with a deep review of Iran's nuclear capabilities. One must also consider that Iran's proxy wars and state-sponsored terrorism are justification for going war, but that is covered in part 3 of this series on Iran. The actual conduct of the war is covered in part 4 of this series.

The 2026 conflict between the US/Israel and Iran has a long history, arguably traceable to the mid-20th century. This multi-part series looks at how Iran was shaped over millennia to become the force it is today; the roots of the modern day conflict; the key issues (Iranian anti-West behavior [through proxies too], its nuclear program, state-sponsored terrorism, and its oppressive regime); analysis of the current conflict, and concludes with a look to the future. This first episode takes us through Iran's history with a focus on the last 100 years and how that shaped Iran to be anti-West.

The 2026 Winter Olympics are over and only one openly transgender athlete competed - Elis Lundholm. Elis was born as a female, identifies as a man, and competed in women's skiing (finishing 25th). Thus, the recent winter Olympics did not have to deal with criticism over biological males identifying as women and competing in women's categories. However, this issue remains a feature of many sports and will certainly feature in the next summer Olympics. This podcast episode concludes a two-part series looking at the issues around gender in sports.

The 2026 Winter Olympics are starting shortly after this episode is published, and that means there will, yet again, be controversy over gender classification. This episode is part one of a two-part series exploring the issues related to sex vs gender in organized sports.

Microchips are essential components of almost everything we humans make today. Yet, about 90% of the world's microchips come from one country: Taiwan. Given how essential these components are to global manufacturing and trade, the West should be concerned about its reliance on an island that is under threat of invasion from China. This episode explores the history of microchips; how they ended up being almost entirely produced in Taiwan, and what the West should consider doing to protect its supply chain.

Rare earth elements are essential to our world's manufacturing sectors; particularly hi-tech defense equipment, green technologies, and anything that uses a battery or magnet (which is a lot of stuff). Yet, China cornered the market on rare earth element processing, leaving Western democracies vulnerable to trade disruptions. This episode explores the history of rare earth elements and how the West needs to regain market share in rare earth element processing.

The Global Rules Based Order is fracturing. This episode examines its history, relevance to Western liberal democracies, the threats coming from autocratic states, and thoughts on the way forward.