Today’s episode examines how Russian agents and local militants exploited ambiguity, weak state capacity, and fragmented local authority to transform unrest in the Donbas into an armed insurgency in 2014. At its core, it is a story about how a small group of armed actors can seize a city—and how local institutions, political legitimacy, and civil society can ... Show More
Dec 2024
48. CIA, Afghanistan, and The Rest Is Classified
In 2021, US troops withdrew from Afghanistan, ending a conflict that had been brutally fought for almost 20 years. While the news dominated the headlines, fewer may have heard the story of when the CIA first entered Afghanistan in the aftermath of 9/11. Today Katty and Anthony ar ... Show More
10m 19s
Sep 2021
Iran's Interests in Afghanistan
This week on Babel, Jon talks with Colin Clarke, a senior research fellow and the director of policy and research at The Soufan Center. They discuss what Iran is set to gain in Afghanistan, Iran's relationship with al Qaeda and the Taliban, and potential areas of cooperation or c ... Show More
28m 30s
Mar 2025
#184 Growing Threat - Christian Persecution in Syria, Homeland Attacks and How to Prepare
Shawn Ryan Show welcomes back Sarah Adams, Scott Mann and Legend to the show. This episode explores the growing influence of terrorist networks in Afghanistan and Syria, with guests detailing how al-Qaeda and the Taliban have facilitated the training and mobilization of fighters. ... Show More
2h 21m
Jul 2025
Ukraine Weapons Stopped by Trump Admin | Eyes On Geopolitics
In this episode, the hosts discuss the current geopolitical landscape, focusing on the pause in arms shipments to Ukraine, the implications of NATO's recent summit, and the ongoing conflict in Gaza. They explore the complexities of U.S. military aid, the strategic importance of s ... Show More
44m 44s