This week we dive deep into the Abraham Accords: what they are, why they matter, and how a former terrorist on the US most wanted list might just launch Syria to the big kids table in the Middle East. We also cover some confounding updates on Kilmar Abrego Garcia and Mahmoud Khalil, take a look into a terrifying new tactic of the Russians, and, as always, wonder how the hell JD Vance invariably finds a way to irritate us.

Sources/Articles:

https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/06/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-provides-for-the-revocation-of-syria-sanctions/

https://2017-2021.state.gov/the-abraham-accords/

https://www.state.gov/the-abraham-accords#:~:text=Download%3A%20DECLARATION%20%5B448%20KB%5D,%5D%20%7C%20Sudan%20%5B215%20KB%5D

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/syria-willing-normalise-ties-israel-under-right-conditions-leader-says#:~:text=Syria%20willing%20to%20normalise%20ties,Sharaa%20says%20%7C%20Middle%20East%20Eye

https://orfme.org/expert-speak/syria-and-the-abraham-accords-recalculating-middle-east-power-equations/

https://www.orfonline.org/research/syria-and-the-abraham-accords-recalculating-middle-east-power-equations

https://www.rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/commentary/reconsidering-turkeys-influence-syrian-conflict#:~:text=Observers%20also%20emphasise%20that%20Turkey,strongest%20communication%20channels%20and%20enormous

https://www.chathamhouse.org/2024/12/fall-assad-has-exposed-extent-damage-irans-axis-resistance

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/30/russia-pays-ukrainians-suicide-bombers-shadow-war-you-now?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1X75D0bE5TwOHFa4aupUQ1-u_MzqDWWW5/view

https://apnews.com/article/kilmar-abrego-garcia-maryland-tennessee-charges-deportation-c96844906793b35a80f9bbb4afa07e94?user_email=92bc3449781eed425b4f99e69ea51e8c0d0aa3f457676d4160e921b1bcac8241&utm_medium=Morning_Wire&utm_source=Sailthru_AP&utm_campaign=MorningWire_27June-2025&utm_term=Morning%20Wire%20Subscribers

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/22/nyregion/mahmoud-khalil-interview-trump.html

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/politics/2025/06/24/jd-vance-returns-to-ohio-to-celebrate-trump-tariffs-iran-attacks/84331566007/

https://www.cincinnati.com/story...

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We have a big show for you all this week as Seena is joined by Jonathan Panikoff, the Director of the Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative at the Atlantic Council, and Rachel Brandenburg, the Managing Director of the Israeli Policy Forum, to discuss the nature of the current ceasefire between Israel and Iran and where things are likely to go from here. Before that, Seena and Travis wonder what the hell words like “war” and “ceasefire” even mean anymore and watch as JD Vance gets a little too slippery with language.

Our Guests:

https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/expert/jonathan-panikoff/

https://x.com/jpanikoff?lang=en

https://israelpolicyforum.org/about/staff/rachel-brandenburg/

https://www.cnas.org/people/rachel-brandenburg

Articles/Resources:

https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/24/politics/intel-assessment-us-strikes-iran-nuclear-sites

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/jd-vance/iran-vance-intervention-skeptic-role-salesman-rcna214345

https://youtu.be/QeEN1uPiXF0?si=SQTPAWZIwa6Ex7vZ

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/jd-vance/iran-vance-intervention-skeptic-role-salesman-rcna214345

https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/jd-vance-trump-iran-dumb-presidents-b2774935.html

https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2025/06/23/iran-strikes-nuclear-program-00419268

https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2025/06/22/repub/vance-dispatched-to-la-after-trump-administration-court-victory-in-national-guard-case/

https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2025/06/24/as-veep-former-ohio-u-s-sen-jd-vance-just-cant-stop-trolling-gaslighting-and-flip-flopping/

https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/trump-iran-israel-bomb-fordow-war/

https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/after-israels-strikes-on-iran-these-four-questions-could-determine-the-middle-easts-future/

https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/from-a-to-f-heres-how-to-grade-a-possible-nuclear-deal-with-iran/

https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/gaza-cease-fire-is-over-whats-next-from-israel-hamas-and-the-us/

https://www.cnas.org/publications/podcast/the-israeli-iranian-war-how-we-got-here-what-it-means

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Marcus Parks joins Seena and Travis this week to discuss the escalating war between Iran and Israel. They dig into the context for BiBi’s decision to launch a preventative strike and project forward to where this may lead. They also find hilarity in Trump’s poorly produced birthday parade along with the various ways he was humiliated during the G7 and watch a gleeful Tucker Carlson eviscerate Ted Cruz.

Articles/Sources:

https://x.com/YourAnonCentral/status/1934909431613149199

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/18/world/middleeast/iran-islamic-republic-seyyed-ahmad-khomeini.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare

https://x.com/tuckercarlson/status/1935136085266387417?s=46

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As an Iranian-American, Seena shares his emotional exhaustion and fear for what lies ahead. Seena answers questions posted to the TFR YouTube page. This episode features insightful interviews with experts like Ambassador Joseph Manso and writer, activists, and comedian Dean Obeidallah, providing a comprehensive analysis of the conflict.

Follow The Show:

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*Note - this podcast was recorded before Israel’s attack on Iran

This week Seena and Travis walk through the timeline of Trump’s decision to send the National Guard, and later the Marines, to Los Angeles, in response to localized protests against his immigration policies, a decision that knocks the US another step down the empire in decline ladder. Always a fun moment. They also discuss recent developments in Trump's Qatari plane fiasco, Israel’s decision to deport Greta Thunberg, and the implementation of Trump’s new travel ban. They close the show with a recent report that the TSA is developing VR technology that will allow it to virtually “feel” passengers being screened at airports, which is definitely not creepy at all.

Articles Referenced:

https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/10/us/video/nine-news-australian-reporter-la-hit-rubber-bullet-contd-digvid

https://youtu.be/jq5vNlreDrg?si=Ug0II3Vq1B0-zYXk&t=115

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xguam0TKMw8

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/05/28/trump-qatar-air-force-one/

https://apnews.com/article/thunberg-deported-mideast-gaza-israel-7d6868f213dfcf78969f8e3d982788c6

https://apnews.com/article/gaza-famine-war-israel-1360c6d16902c163234b0eb1e96e694b

https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5340832-trump-mocks-greta-thunberg-gaza-aid/

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/04/us/politics/trump-travel-ban.html?campaign_id=56&emc=edit_cn_20250609&instance_id=156204&nl=on-politics®i_id=61617578&segment_id=199610&user_id=938bf81e2a681e73b55de1f8ba3e8d23

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/06/04/us/politics/trump-travel-ban-map.html?campaign_id=56&emc=edit_cn_20250609&instance_id=156204&nl=on-politics®i_id=61617578&segment_id=199610&user_id=938bf81e2a681e73b55de1f8ba3e8d23

https://www.404media.co/tsa-working-on-haptic-tech-to-feel-your-body-in-virtual-reality/

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This week Ukraine goes big and blasts open the door to a whole new type of warfare. Not generally something we'd celebrate but the Baba Yaga demands respect. Seena and Travis go deep and break down why this drone attack is a huge deal and what it will mean for Ukraine, Russia, and the rest of the world. They also talk Elon's beef with Trump's big, beautiful bill--did he send his latest texts from the bottom of a k-hole? According to sources, it's quite possible--and cover the latest in Gaza, plus the possibility for Iran Nuclear deal 2.0. And because we missed it last week we're offering up a robust JD Vance corner. Can't keep a bad guy down for long!

Articles Referenced:

http://DIYdrones.com

http://404media.com

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/06/02/world/europe/ukraine-russia-drone-attacks.html

https://youtu.be/hVx_W-k4EDg?si=KbqTViZmWp0kDxoj&t=78

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/02/world/europe/ukraine-russia-drone-strike-what-to-know.html

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/06/02/world/europe/ukraine-russia-drone-attacks.html

https://www.ft.com/content/132e4327-11da-4412-b36b-7363604879e6

https://www.404media.co/ukraines-massive-drone-attack-was-powered-by-open-source-software/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SGSx-PBHEY

https://www.axios.com/2025/06/03/elon-musk-trump-white-house-relationship

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/04/world/middleeast/israeli-aid-sites-gaza.html

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/02/world/middleeast/gaza-cease-fire-negotiations-impasse.html

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/03/us/politics/iran-nuclear-deal-proposal.html

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/04/world/middleeast/iran-nuclear-uranium-trump.html

https://www.thetimes.com/article/d1788dd7-da0c-4954-b838-716a8ad67959

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jd-vance-bitcoin-event-today-trump-administration-crypto-ties-grow/

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/trump-administration-german-politics-defense-afd-rcna209177

https://azmirror.com/2025/05/29/j-d-vances-campaign-plane-carried-anti-immigrant-rhetoric-now-it-carries-shackled-deportees/

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This week Seena welcomes Michael Albertus, professor at the University of Chicago and author of Land Power: Who Has It, Who Doesn't, and How That Determines the Fate of Societies to discuss how land ownership infiltrates society in surprising ways. They also dig into Trump's obsession with the South African “genocide,” how the US is falling behind, compared to other countries, in its planning for the effects of climate change, and why there’s still hope for greater land equity in the future.

Learn More About Our Guest:

https://www.michaelalbertus.com/

Articles/Sources:

https://www.amazon.com/Land-Power-Doesnt-Determines-Societies/dp/1541604814/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ARG-V4C3wJazIsYOTPwKPqd6oSHNHbawcNwGlIzPyr0Ca33xVN3okh9yl_looaeiueK44MLI7Xvfr3hW1yex9DIB4JxZ9ROS6_sMSX1Q_d4ZujoHEkF2jYWEsUKXxWhJV01A4uaT6r0uhO9LtbtibZ4jwGtDSXSBltDjm2fWj0n29dCX5ESw1Eo96lbKvUpXdA_tm8zGZzzHGk013wlih60mNDPREmuFZWGUeIKU4rQ.eauf0hqz8Lydr8I4IQqjs9N8V15N9QaogaGK4nYp8iU&qid=1716571568&sr=8-1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9FGRkqUdf8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsDv6oNMVOs

Follow The Show:

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This week we had to bring Marcus Parks back to help us wrap our brains around the unthinkable. Could Trump’s upsetting of the Middle East apple cart, reordering alliances, and embracing autocracies somehow be a good thing? We run through the litany of deals made since the start of his second term, consider our recent about-face on Syria and the Houthis, and listen to a Hamas official express his belief that US envoy Adam Boehler, whom he met with DIRECTLY, really listened this time. Basically, we add up all the ways we’re creating distance from Netanyahu and wonder what it all means for the Palestinians. We know there’s no method to the madness, but could there be a silver lining? Then, just for fun, we listen to Kristi Noem make a fool of herself.

Follow our Guest:

https://www.instagram.com/marcusparks/?hl=en

Articles/Sources:

https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/days-after-donald-trump-praises-former-al-qaeda-terrorist-an-old-video-on-9-11-goes-viral-8466254

https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/14/middleeast/syria-trump-meeting-analysis-intl

https://www.axios.com/2025/05/20/trump-wants-netanyahu-end-gaza-war

https://www.foxnews.com/world/trump-hostage-envoy-dismisses-report-israel-abandonment-threat-fake-news

https://youtu.be/GxfrJ5smAU8?si=eW_GOJUV8OxMS8Qt&t=2989

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqDzm-nEKkY

https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2025/07/jd-vance-reinvention-power/682828/

https://www.propublica.org/article/sean-duffy-stock-sales-trump-tariffs

https://www.reuters.com/world/trump-starts-gulf-visit-seeking-big-economic-deals-2025-05-13/

https://www.investors.com/news/technology/nvidia-stock-retakes-key-level-saudi-ai-deal/

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpqe93rz5qvo

https://armyrecognition.com/news/army-news/2025/breaking-news-u-s-president-trump-signs-2b-deal-with-qatar-to-become-first-mq-9b-drone-operator-in-middle-east

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvcu2rIJBFk

https://www.youtube.com/@DropSiteNews

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