Show Notes
We break down the return of airline hijacking concerns, suspected covert activity around RAF Fairford, drone threats, and a mysterious pneumonic plague death at a Russian research facility. We also dig into the John Chapman/SEAL Team Six controversy, the politics of valor awards, the U.S. withdrawal from Iraq, and how American policy reshaped Iran’s influence across the region. VAER Watches ⬇️ https://www.vaerwatches.com/theteamhouse get a free watch roll with your purchase. 20% for active duty, veteran, leo, & first responders Support the show on Patreon:⬇️ https://www.patreon.com/TheTeamHouse Jack's news outlet:⬇️ https://thehighside.substack.com/ Find Jon Hackett here:⬇️ Jon's Twitter: https://x.com/jonathanhackett Jon's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thejonathanhackett Jon's books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0C5L659N5?ccs_id=e11a2062-f8d3-498e-bfd7-7d2f3869caf6 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thejonathanhackett Jon's article we referenced in the show: https://smallwarsjournal.com/2025/03/04/covert-action-in-irregular-wars/ 00:00 – Start 02:12 – Eyes on Pastrami & Opening Banter 02:38 – The Return of Aircraft Hijackings 03:32 – Insider Threats & Pilot Security 05:11 – Copycat Attacks, Radicalization & AI 07:05 – Airline Security After 9/11 08:12 – Lone Wolf or Sponsored Hijacking Plot? 08:52 – What’s Really Happening Around RAF Fairford? 10:06 – How British Counterintelligence Handles Suspected Cells 11:25 – B-1 Bombers Evacuated From RAF Fairford 12:05 – Why Drone Swarms Are So Hard to Stop 13:28 – What the Fairford Threat Says About NATO 14:17 – Is America About to Heavily Regulate Drones? 16:36 – America’s Drone Startup Boom 17:39 – Why U.S. Drone Innovation Is Falling Behind 20:05 – “Escalate to De-escalate” & the Failure of Policy 22:38 – A Pneumonic Plague Death at a Russian Research Facility 24:01 – Russia’s History of Biological Weapons Programs 25:14 – Novichok, Polonium & State Assassinations 27:19 – AI, Microfluidics & the Future of Biological Warfare 29:55 – The John Chapman / SEAL Team Six Controversy 32:15 – Why Is the Chapman Story Coming Back Now? 33:03 – Sorting Through the Roberts Ridge Claims 34:25 – Does John Chapman Deserve the Medal of Honor? 35:56 – The Legal Implications of Challenging the Award 37:08 – The Optics of Attacking a Fallen Medal of Honor Recipient 40:59 – Who Financed the Upcoming Documentary? 42:29 – The Bigger Problem With GWOT Valor Awards 43:56 – The Politics Behind Medal of Honor Awards 45:26 – Revisiting the U.S. Withdrawal From Iraq 45:46 – What Were U.S. Troops Still Doing in Iraq? 46:50 – From Counter-ISIS to Containing Iran 48:20 – Did the Iraq War Make Iran Stronger? 49:43 – The Untold Intelligence War in Syria 50:16 – Timber Sycamore & the CIA’s Syria Program 52:00 – What the Episode Covered 52:23 – Why Sykes-Picot Still Shapes the Middle East 53:30 – SAS Operations in Northern Ireland
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John Kiriakou is a former CIA officer who worked as both an analyst and operations officer, serving on the Iraq portfolio, in Greece, and in Pakistan, where he helped lead the capture of Abu Zubaydah. He later became a prominent whistleblower on the CIA’s post-9/11 torture program, was prosecuted under the Espionage Act, served time in federal prison, and has since worked as an author, commentator, and lecturer.
We break down the reported throttling of Starlink in Ukraine, the Trump administration’s shifting Russia policy, and whether U.S. decisions are now putting Ukrainians and Americans on the ground at greater risk. We also discuss Europe’s ability to operate without U.S. support, the danger of a new escalation with Iran, and growing unrest over Israeli settler violence in the West Bank. VAER Watches ⬇️ https://www.vaerwatches.com/theteamhouse get a free watch roll with your purchase. 20% for active duty, veteran, leo, & first responders Support the show on Patreon:⬇️ https://www.patreon.com/TheTeamHouse Jack's news outlet:⬇️ https://thehighside.substack.com/ Find Jon Hackett here:⬇️ Jon's Twitter: https://x.com/jonathanhackett Jon's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thejonathanhackett Jon's books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0C5L659N5?ccs_id=e11a2062-f8d3-498e-bfd7-7d2f3869caf6 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thejonathanhackett Twitter: https://x.com/jonathanhackett Check out Mick's new podcast here:⬇️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/at/podcast/pub-and-porch-applied-stoicism/id1836955475 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1k3QPmkAMwnGJxMLDwUSSd?si=n6piIu8XRcag1Z0K43A3bQ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCd0Hq6QFk8CoTu5j-VU0Ong Find Mick Mulroy here: Fogbow ⬇️ https://fogbow.com/ Lobo Institute ⬇️ https://www.loboinstitute.org/ Twitter ⬇️ https://x.com/mickmulroy?s=21&t=-Ze3F_Ix2vlJ18KFvORTCA LinkedIn ⬇️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-patrick-mulroy-31198b52/ Whitefish security summit ⬇️ https://whitefishsecuritysummit.com Find Marc P here: https://x.com/Mpolymer Find Andy Milburn here: Twitter ⬇️ https://twitter.com/i/flow/login?redirect_after_login=%2Fandymilburn8 LinkedIn ⬇️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewmilburn2023 Substack ⬇️ https://amilburn.substack.com/ Andy’s book ⬇️ https://www.amazon.com/When-Tempest-Gathers-Mogadishu-Operations
Krishna Thapa looks back on his journey from growing up in Nepal and earning a place in the Gurkhas to passing SAS selection and serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other operations around the world. We also discuss mountain warfare, the culture of the SAS, the loss of fellow operators, and how meditation and the “Warrior Monk” mindset helped shape his life after military service. Today's Sponsors: VAER Watches ⬇️ https://www.vaerwatches.com/theteamhouse get a free watch roll with your purchase. 20% for active duty, veteran, leo, & first responders GhostBed ⬇️ https://www.ghostbed.com/house FOR 10% off! PrizePicks ⬇️ Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/TEAMHOUSE and use code TEAMHOUSE and get $150 if you win your first $5 lineup! For ad free video and audio and access to live streams...JOIN OUR PATREON! https://www.patreon.com/c/TheTeamHouse To help support the show and for all bonus content including: -live shows and asking guest questions -ad free audio and video -early access to shows -Access to ALL bonus segments with our guests Subscribe to our Patreon! ⬇️ https://www.patreon.com/TheTeamHouse ___________________________________________________ GRAB JACK'S NEW BOOK "THE MOST DANGEROUS MAN" ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/803651/the-most-dangerous-man-by-jack-murphy/paperback/ Subscribe to the new EYES ON podcast here:⬇️ https://www.youtube.com/@EyesOnGeopoliticsPod/featured Jack Murphy's book "We Defy: The Lost Chapters of Special Forces History" ⬇️ https://www.amazon.com/We-Defy-Chapters-Special-History-ebook/dp/B0DCGC1N1N/ Or make a one time donation at: ⬇️ https://ko-fi.com/theteamhouse Social Media: ⬇️ The Team House Instagram: https://instagram.com/the.team.house?utm_medium=copy_link The Team House Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheTeamHousePod Jack’s Instagram: https://instagram.com/jackmcmurph?utm_medium=copy_link Jack’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/jackmurphyrgr?s=21 Team House Discord: ⬇️ https://discord.gg/wHFHYM6 "Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio" 00:00 – Start 01:04 – Growing Up in Nepal & the Gurkha Bloodline 04:56 – His Grandfather, World War II & the Kukri 07:21 – The Kukri: Tool, Symbol & Weapon 08:07 – Being Born Into a Gurkha Family Legacy 10:37 – The History of the Gurkhas 13:03 – Attempting Gurkha Selection at 17 14:10 – The Brutal Doko Race 16:14 – Growing Up in the Himalayas & Preparing for Selection 17:50 – Failing Gurkha Selection the First Time 18:36 – Coming Back & Making It on His Second Attempt 19:55 – Gurkha Basic Training & Learning English 21:39 – British Officers & the Gurkha Command Structure 24:22 – Joining 1st Royal Gurkha Rifles 25:09 – Life Inside a Gurkha Battalion 27:27 – Years of Training, Courses & Preparing for War 28:41 – Jungle Warfare in Brunei 29:32 – How the SAS Suddenly Entered the Picture 31:07 – The First Gurkha Trial for SAS Selection 33:41 – Arriving at SAS Selection With 375 Candidates 37:05 – The Mental Pressure of SAS Selection 38:33 – Only Two Gurkhas Make It Through 40:10 – Adapting to SAS Culture 43:16 – Jungle Selection in Brunei 46:08 – Joining SAS Mountain Troop 48:00 – Learning Mountaineering From Scratch 49:36 – Why Mountain Warfare Is So Difficult 52:08 – Nepalese Operators in the SBS 52:40 – Mentoring Fellow Nepalese Special Operators 54:12 – The Culture Shock of Joining the SAS 56:56 – Deployments With the SAS 58:03 – Going to War in Iraq 59:16 – The Missions That Stayed With Him 1:00:44 – Using Mountain Warfare Skills in Afghanistan 1:02:02 – Becoming Chief of Mountain & Winter Warfare 1:03:29 – Teaching Special Forces Around the World 1:05:01 – His Final Assignment in UK Special Forces 1:05:40 – Gurkhas, British Citizenship & Life After Service 1:07:09 – Planning for Retirement 1:08:06 – Meditation as a Secret Weapon During War 1:09:58 – Leaving the Military & Starting Over 1:10:33 – How the “Warrior Monk” Began 1:12:00 – Teaching People How to Fight and How to Heal 1:13:50 – Working With Veterans, PTSD & Civilians 1:14:37 – Warrio
We break down the escalating Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, the growing pressure on Riyadh’s air defenses, and whether the U.S. could be pulled into a new campaign in Yemen. We also discuss Trump’s Russian diesel deal, Iran’s use of Moscow as a diplomatic channel, and the deeper political dysfunction and public apathy shaping American decision-making. VAER Watches ⬇️ https://www.vaerwatches.com/theteamhouse get a free watch roll with your purchase. 20% for active duty, veteran, leo, & first responders Support the show on Patreon:⬇️ https://www.patreon.com/TheTeamHouse Jack's news outlet:⬇️ https://thehighside.substack.com/ Find Jon Hackett here:⬇️ Jon's Twitter: https://x.com/jonathanhackett Jon's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thejonathanhackett Jon's books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0C5L659N5?ccs_id=e11a2062-f8d3-498e-bfd7-7d2f3869caf6 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thejonathanhackett Twitter: https://x.com/jonathanhackett Find Andy Milburn here: Twitter ⬇️ https://twitter.com/i/flow/login?redirect_after_login=%2Fandymilburn8 LinkedIn ⬇️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewmilburn2023 Substack ⬇️ https://amilburn.substack.com/ Andy’s book ⬇️ https://www.amazon.com/When-Tempest-Gathers-Mogadishu-Operations 00:00 – Start 00:19 – Houthis Strike Saudi Airports 01:20 – Deadly Ballistic Missile Attack on Riyadh Airport 03:30 – Houthis Warn Airlines Away From Saudi Airspace 04:40 – Is Saudi Arabia Running Low on Air Defense Interceptors? 06:30 – Should the U.S. Strike Houthi Missile Launchers? 07:30 – An American Killed in the Airport Attack 09:19 – Saudi-Backed Ground Offensive in Yemen 11:13 – Jack Joins the Conversation 11:32 – Is Iran Opening a Second Front Through the Houthis? 13:44 – What a New U.S. Air Campaign in Yemen Could Look Like 14:46 – Could the U.S. Put Ground Troops Into Yemen? 16:51 – Could Saudi Forces Handle the Ground War? 19:48 – Would Another Air Campaign Against the Houthis Work? 22:15 – The Real Goal: Protecting Saudi Arabia 23:31 – Bab al-Mandab, Houthi Missiles & the Ground Offensive 25:37 – Trump’s Russian Diesel Deal 27:09 – Why Ukraine Has Little Reason to Stop Striking Russia 28:10 – Russia, Iran & the Contradictions in U.S. Policy 31:07 – Diesel Prices, Midterms & the Russia Deal 34:18 – Havana Syndrome & a New Russia Investigation 36:55 – Iran Sends Negotiating Terms Through Putin 38:18 – Is the American Political System Becoming Permanently Gridlocked? 39:47 – Why Andy Thinks the U.S. Is Different From European Democracies 44:31 – Apathy, Doomerism & Losing Faith in Institutions 47:02 – What Could Actually Trigger a Systemic Crisis? 48:42 – Politics, Fandom & Escapism 49:49 – Why Americans Talk Sports More Than Geopolitics 53:26 – Why So Many Americans Have Checked Out of Politics 55:06 – Would Higher Voter Turnout Actually Change Anything? 56:15 – The Slow Erosion of American Institutions 57:55 – Politics as Entertainment 59:01 – Money in Politics & Endless Campaign Seasons 1:00:17 – Andy Signs Off 1:01:15 – AUSA, Drones & the Defense Industry 1:02:33 – Chinese Honeypots at AUSA 1:04:10 – Closing Thoughts