Dave Talks Global Politics Podcast

Report: The US-Israeli Air Campaign Against Iran (February-March 2026) – Challenges, Strategies, and Outcomes Introduction The US-Israeli air campaign against Iran, initiated on February 28, 2026, under operations codenamed “Epic Fury” (US) and “Roaring Lion” (Israel), aimed to decapitate Iranian leadership, degrade military capabilities, and induce regime change. 0 2 This joint effort targeted ke...

* Trump-Xi summit prep intensifies amid Venezuela oil restrictions Small Hands said at Latin America summit March 7: “We’re barring Russia, China, Iran from Venezuela oil operations — they have no business there.” * Latin summit focused on countering China influence in Western Hemisphere. * Venezuela oil exports to China halted post-Maduro capture Jan 3. * Speculation: Restrictions give Small Hand...

**Dave Talks Politics – Show Notes – March 06, 2026** (Fresh from past 24 hours: Reuters, AP, Politico.eu, Euronews, SCMP, EEAS/official X, leader statements — all new, no repeats from any prior sets) Welcome back, team! In this episode of Dave Talks Politics, hi, I’m Dave, and I’ll be talking politics. Today, team, let’s talk about: 1. China announces lowest growth target on record at 4.5–5% Quot...

# Research Report: Elbridge Colby - The Architect of U.S. Foreign Policy Realism and Continuity ## Executive Summary Elbridge A. Colby, born December 30, 1979, emerges as a pivotal figure in U.S. national security, often described as the intellectual mastermind behind the shift toward great power competition in American defense strategy since 2018. As the current Under Secretary of Defense for Pol...

Welcome back, team! In this episode of Dave Talks Politics, hi, I’m Dave, and I’ll be talking politics. Today, team, let’s talk about: **Hormuz Blockade Scenarios: Impacts on Global Energy Over Time** We’re going to cover: Hypothetical scenarios of a Hormuz blockade lasting 1 month, 6 months, 12 months, and 36 months where Iran blocks non-BRICS trade but allows BRICS vessels and indirect refined c...

Welcome back, team! In this episode of Dave Talks Politics, hi, I’m Dave, and I’ll be talking politics. Today, team, let’s talk about: **Gold, Silver, and Crypto Since the Iran Crisis Erupted** We’re going to cover: The immediate safe-haven surge in gold and silver after the February 28, 2026 US-Israel strikes on Iran, the volatile pullback in precious metals amid dollar strength and inflation fea...

Welcome back, team! In this episode of Dave Talks Politics, hi, I’m Dave, and I’ll be talking politics. Today, team, let’s talk about: **TikTok’s US Overhaul Amid Ban Pressure: Creators Hit, Rivals Gain?** We’re going to cover: The March 2026 updates on TikTok’s forced US restructuring to avoid a ban, impacts on creators and midterms, likely responses from Meta and Google, China’s recourse options...

Dave Talks Politics – Show Notes – March 02, 2026 (Fresh from past 24 hours: Reuters, AP, Politico.eu, Euronews, SCMP, EEAS/official X, leader statements — all new, no repeats from any prior sets) Welcome back, team! In this episode of Dave Talks Politics, hi, I’m Dave, and I’ll be talking politics. Today, team, let’s talk about: * China condemns US-Israel “outright aggression” on Iran Why this st...

Welcome back, team! In this episode of Dave Talks Politics, hi, I’m Dave, and I’ll be talking politics. Today, team, let’s talk about: Trump’s Iran Strikes Amid Geneva Talks: Hypocrisy Exposed? We’re going to cover: The US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran despite ongoing nuclear negotiations in Geneva, Lindsay Graham’s hawkish push for regime change, Russia’s condemnation and potential walk from US-brok...

* EU Commission threatens Hungary with Article 7 over Ukraine loan block Quote: “We have different options and we will use them” – Ursula von der Leyen (echoed by EEAS March 1 briefing) * Refers to €90bn Ukraine loan vetoed by Hungary over Druzhba pipeline dispute * Article 7 (EU treaty suspension of voting rights) invoked against Hungary 2018–ongoing * Von der Leyen Kyiv visit Feb 24; reiterated...

Welcome back, team! In this episode of Dave Talks Politics, hi, I’m Dave, and I’ll be talking politics. Today, team, let’s talk about: **Hillary Clinton’s Epstein Deposition: Denials, Leaks, and Elite Hypocrisy Exposed** We’re going to cover: Hillary Clinton’s February 26, 2026 deposition denying Epstein ties amid a leaked photo chaos, Bill’s February 27 testimony, more unearthed facts on flights...

**Trump’s Maximum Pressure Forces Iran Back to Geneva Nuclear Talks – Deal or Disaster?** We’re going to cover: The high-stakes third-round indirect US-Iran nuclear talks in Geneva today amid Trump’s military buildup, Iran’s new “historic” proposal, and speculated Russian-Chinese backchannel involvement. If you’re new to the channel, hey, take a moment, subscribe to the channel, then hit the bell...

Dave Talks Politics – Show Notes – February 24–25, 2026 Welcome back, team! In this episode of Dave Talks Politics, hi, I’m Dave, and I’ll be talking politics. Today, team, let’s talk about: * Stunning & Brave: Russia must concede first in talks Quote: “The pressure in the peace talks seems to be falling on Ukraine. But if we want this war to stop and any peace to last, we need to see concessions...

Here are the **top 10 geopolitically relevant US-China stories** as of February 22, 2026 (updated with the latest from Munich Security Conference and related reports). I’ve incorporated speculation in [square brackets] where it adds analytical depth based on patterns in politicians’ behaviors or potential motives. Additionally, I’ve pointed out instances of hypocrisy or gaslighting drawn from repo...

* Kaja Kallas’s statement on Europe vs. US criticism: “Contrary to what some may say, woke, decadent Europe is not facing civilisational erasure. In fact, people still want to join our club.” * Stated February 15, 2026, at the Munich Security Conference keynote, directly rebutting US claims (e.g., from the Trump admin’s national security strategy) of Europe’s decline due to immigration, free speec...

* Trump confirms three-day visit to China from March 31 to April 2 * The White House officially announced President Donald Trump will travel to Beijing for a high-stakes summit with Xi Jinping from March 31 to April 2. * This marks Trump’s first official visit to China since 2017 and the first US presidential trip there in nearly a decade. * The announcement came hours before the Supreme Court str...

Welcome back, team! In this episode of Dave Talks Politics, hi, I’m Dave, and I’ll be talking politics. Today, team, let’s talk about: **China’s Massive Fishing Fleet Drills in the East China Sea: Scale, Coordination, and Gray-Zone Threats** We’re going to cover: - The unprecedented scale and timing of these gatherings - What the satellite and tracking data actually show - How the maritime militia...

China marks one year without US LNG imports amid ongoing trade truce * February 2026 marks one year since China’s last US LNG cargo in February 2025. * Imports halted after tit-for-tat tariffs (US 10% on Chinese goods; Beijing’s 15% on US LNG). * Despite the November truce maintaining lower tariffs, no resumption has happened. * China stays active in the global LNG market via other suppliers. * Be...

* Xi Jinping reassures US “friends” in Iowa ahead of expected Trump summit * Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a letter dated February 16 to longtime Iowa contacts, including businessman Luca Berrone whom he met in 1985. * Xi emphasized that “the hope of U.S.-China relations lies in the people” and that exchanges between Chinese and American peoples “will not change” despite tensions. * This grass...

Welcome back, team! In this episode of Dave Talks Politics, hi, I’m Dave, and I’ll be talking politics. Today, team, let’s talk about the Shahed drone engines flowing from China to Iran and Russia—the supply chain that’s powering Tehran’s production of these cheap, effective kamikaze drones—and why the United States has so far been unable to stop it. If you’re new to the channel, hey, take a momen...

Welcome back, team! In this episode of Dave Talks Politics, hi, I’m Dave, and I’ll be talking politics. Today, team, let’s talk about private money sending—the ancient, trust-based systems like **hawala** (in the Middle East/UAE) and **fei qian** (”flying money” in China) that move billions reliably outside traditional banks, how they operate in places like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and why they remain...

Welcome back, team! In this episode of Dave Talks Politics, hi, I’m Dave, and I’ll be talking politics. Today, team, let’s talk about: **Key statements and speeches from and to China at the 2026 Munich Security Conference** We’re going to cover: - China’s overall posture and key messages delivered - Statements directed at China from Western leaders and allies - China’s responses and counter-messag...

Welcome back, team! In this episode of Dave Talks Politics, hi, I’m Dave, and I’ll be talking politics. Today, team, let’s talk about: **Susie Wiles’ background and what her agenda is most likely to be as White House Chief of Staff** We’re going to cover: - How she entered politics and the pivotal role of Jack Kemp - Key phases of her career and the influence of Kemp’s ideas - Her transition to Tr...

Welcome back, team! In this episode of Dave Talks Politics, hi, I’m Dave, and I’ll be talking politics. Today, team, let’s talk about: **Susie Wiles’ background and what her agenda is most likely to be as White House Chief of Staff** We’re going to cover: - How she entered politics and the pivotal role of Jack Kemp - Key phases of her career and the influence of Kemp’s ideas - Her transition to Tr...

Dave riffs in Belfast! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wgowbrics.substack.com