Rescuing Reason

What is a War Crime? You hear the media, politicians, just about everyone talking about war crimes associated with the Iran-US-Israeli (and Palestine) war. But do those pundits really understand the law? Quite often they are dead wrong. More importantly, is the modern interpretation of the Laws of War still valid - particularly in light of how wars are being fought in 2026? This episode of Rescuin...

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 war...

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...

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); analysi...

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 man...

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 ende...

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 th...

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.

In this episode we examine Australia's military spending - which has not matched NATO increases in % GDP on military spending. With war raging in the Ukraine and the Middle East, and a growing Chinese military threat, many states have substantially increased their military budgets in recent months. Most NATO countries pledged 5% GDP on military spending, and the US is urging its allies in the...

With war raging in the Ukraine and the Middle East, and a growing Chinese military, many states have substantially increased their military budgets in recent months. Most NATO countries pledged 5% GDP on military spending, and the US is urging its allies in the Indo-Pacific region to do the same. This podcast explores the history of military spending, the reasons for increasing military spending,...

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization is seeking to counter Western global influence through mutual economic, political and security agreements between its member states. Those states include China, Russia, India, Iran, Pakistan and Belarus. Some are going so far as to call the Shanghai Cooperation Organization the Global South's NATO. It behooves westerners to understand what the Global Sout...

Many modern Western governments are taking the moral absolutist view when interpreting the Laws of War in relation to Gaza - but is this realistic? Their narrow view is likely to be cast aside if they ever find themselves in an existential conflict. This episode is Part 2 of a 2-part series exploring International Humanitarian Law (also known as the Laws of War) in light of the Israeli-Hamas confl...

Western leaders are calling out Israel for breaches of International Humanitarian Law. Yet, some of their claims demonstrate a misunderstanding of International Humanitarian Law.  This episode dives into the history of the International Humanitarian Law - also known as the Laws of War, and we consider how Western societies interpret these laws in the modern era; particularly in Gaza. Part 2 will b...

This episode details: The history of Palestine. The Hamas attack on Israel of 7 Oct 2023 and Israel's response. Why Western nations are supporting recognition of Palestine. Reasons for why this is not the time to recognize Palestine. The requirements for recognition of states. An alternative view of what needs to happen in Gaza.

The third season of the Spartan Spirit podcast series is called Rescuing Reason. This episode introduces the podcast 'Rescuing Reason'.