The Flash Traffic Podcast

Dr. Jahara Matisek joins us for a special episode of War Weave Friday! Mormons, arduous academia, Russia losing the war, fiber-optic drones, murder, and more! Articles: Russia Has Started Losing the War in Ukrainehttps://foreignpolicy.com/2025/05/19/russia-military-putin-war-ukraine-nato-europe/ Inside Ukraine's Fiber-Optic Drone War https://www.twz.com/news-features/inside-ukraines-fiber-opti...

Any encroachment on the rule of law or human rights risks a slippery slope that leads to serfdom. On this episode, we discuss the Administration’s manipulation of intelligence for domestic political purposes. Also, we analysis a report by JP Morgan Chase that says the Ukraine war will probably be over next month. Articles: In the Midst of War, a Tale of Hot Dogs https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/24/...

Candace Rondeaux is a distinguished expert in international security, conflict studies, and political violence. She serves as the Senior Director for the Future Frontlines program at New America, focusing on next-generation security and democratic resilience. She is a Professor of Practice at Arizona State University, in the Center on the Future of War and the Melikian Center for Russian, Eurasian...

The negotiations are falling apart. The war in Ukraine will continue for the near future. In this episode, we discuss Trump’s phone calls, Rubio’s testimony, Ukraine’s new motorcycle assault company, and a Russian Facetiming gets wacked. Articles: Russian Troops Are War-Weary, but Want to Conquer More of Ukraine https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/17/world/europe/russian-troops-peace-putin.html Denmar...

Roy Gardiner is an open-source analyst and an expert in drone munitions. A Canadian citizen and veteran, Roy has followed the Ukraine war since the beginning. Twitter (X) has become the frontline of open-source intelligence. From satellite imagery to geolocated Telegram posts, civilian analysts are outpacing traditional intelligence sources. Roy Gardiner has analyzed the Ukraine war since the begi...

Shaun is a former British soldier and a Ukrainian marine who was captured by the Russians in Mariupol on the opening day of the invasion. He spent almost eight months as a POW. In today’s episode, we discuss what it’s like to be beaten, stabbed, and starved, and Ukraine’s prospects for victory.

With all that’s going on in Ukraine right now, even less is going on in Turkey. In this episode, we talk sham peace negotiations, Trump, elites, how to NOT die from FPV drone, and a video of an FPV-helicopter near miss. Articles. Infantryman Yevhen Skoropad: "If a drone is hunting you, the main thing is not to lie down and not to stay in one place" https://censor.net/ua/resonance/3550644...

There’s supposed to be a peace summit in Istanbul tomorrow. The question is if the Russians will show, who it will be, and how late they’ll make their entrance. Today on the podcast, we discuss this summit, casualties, fake videos, HIMARS o’clock, and more! Video: HIMARS o’clock on a Russian bridge in the Kursk region: https://x.com/kvistp/status/1922041815084974514?s=46

Today’s guest is retired CIA officer John Sipher. John served 28 years in the Central Intelligence Agency’s National Clandestine Service. He is an expert in counterintelligence, counter-espionage, and Russia, having served multiple overseas tours as Chief of Station and Deputy Chief of Station in Europe, Asia, and other high-threat environments. Article: David Axe: At The Current Rate, It Would Ta...

Putin’s parade today was a sad little show, complete with Kremlin fanboy Steven Seagal. On today’s episode, we’re breaking down the parade, Hungarian spies, drone warfare, and a lot more. Articles: Hungary expels two Ukrainian diplomats, accusing them of espionage https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2025/05/9/7511471/ Video: Russian assault group on motorcycles storms Ukrainian minefield under dron...

The Ukrainian battlefield is constantly changing. On this episode, we sit down with friend of the podcast Andrew Perpetua. Andrew is one of the most notable open source analysts following the Ukraine war. Today we discuss robots, drones, and the future of Ukraine's chances on the battlefield. Article: A Jam-Proof Russian Drone Just Blew Up A Ukrainian HIMARS https://www.forbes.com/sites/davida...

This weekend, the Ukrainian robot navy in the Black Sea shot down two Russian fighter jets with AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles fired from a remotely controlled drone. What does this mean for the future of manned aviation, naval tactics, and drones? We discuss this event, plus the best caliber pistol to assassinate someone, and Zelensky’s “Victory Day” ceasefire rebuke. Articles: Ukrainian Naval Drones...

The Ukrainian army is employing “gamification” to motivate drone pilots, enhance mission command, and increase situational awareness. In this episode, we discuss the long and the short of “paying” soldiers for kills. Articles: Points for kills: How Ukraine is using video game incentives to slay more Russians https://www.politico.eu/article/ukraines-army-have-video-game-like-digital-weapons-store-d...

Europe fails at deterrence, again, by being unable to muster 25,000 soldiers to protect Ukraine. The European military-industrial complex is taking advantage of the Russian Strength Paradox. Is Canada making an anti-Trump statement by electing Mark Carney, and does anyone care? All this, and more, on this episode of the Flash Traffic Podcast. Articles: Europe "would struggle to put 25,000 tro...

Zelensky and Trump visit the Pope. Ukraine’s expensive air defense is running out. Will Europe dump Starlink? How NOT to get killed by terrorists, and more! Articles: What is the Real Price of Russian Missiles: About the Costof 'Kalibr', Kh-101 and 'Iskander' Missiles https://en.defence-ua.com/news/what_is_the_real_price_of_russian_missiles_about_the_cost_of_kalibr_kh_101_and_iskan...

Can Ukraine win this war? If so, should they continue fighting? On this episode, Eric and I discuss three issues: 1. Can Ukraine take back ground by force? 2. Can they force capitulation through dead Russians? and 3. Can they win through strategic strikes? Articles: Russia Jails General Who Criticized Army’s Senior Command https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/24/world/europe/russia-general-prison.html?...

Should Ukraine take a deal and stop the bleeding, or should it fight without US (and possibly EU) help? In this episode, we lay out Zelensky’s options and debate the viability of this “cut and run” strategy. Listen to the full episode here: Articles: Ukraine war latest: Explosions rock what could be one of Russia's largest weapons arsenals in Vladimir Oblast https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine...

In this episode of the Flash Traffic Podcast, we discuss how the Ukrainians think NATO is missing out on the drone revolution, how a drone factory is producing 4,000 drones a day, a US Congressman how actually visits the front, and more! Articles. How drones, data, and AI transformed our military—and why the US must follow suit: https://www.defenseone.com/ideas/2025/04/how-drones-data-and-ai-trans...

In this episode, we discuss the conflicting messaging from the administration about the peace negotiations, Denmark sending troops to Ukraine, Russia's inability to admit that maneuver warfare is dead, and more! Articles. Danish Troops Sent to Ukraine for ‘Drone’ Training ‘Legitimate Targets’ – Kremlin https://www.kyivpost.com/post/50957 WAPO. Macron pushes new format for Ukraine talks after m...

In this episode, we discuss the recent invitation to visit Ukraine, Russian recruiting, North Korean support for the war, the Russian Gladiator, and more! Articles. Reuters on Korean support. Thousands of troops, millions of shells: https://www.reuters.com/graphics/UKRAINE-CRISIS/NORTHKOREA-RUSSIA/lgvdxqjwbvo/ The Insider. Russian defense industry companies use drills, milling cutters, and cutters...

In this episode, we discuss the ongoing peace process, the Russian missile strike in Sumy, and the story of a Russian general being sent to the front lines. Video. Russians in a minefield: https://x.com/MilitaryObs2222/status/1910373636281663543 Article. Russian Paratrooper General Arrested by Kremlin Will Command ‘Suicide’ Assault Unit in Ukraine https://www.kyivpost.com/post/50561

In this episode, we deep-dive into mercenaries on the modern battlefield. We talk about the rise and fall of the Wagner Group in Ukraine and its “CEO” Yevgeny Prigozhin. Video: KA-52 helicopter being shot down by Wagner Group by anti-aircraft missile and pilots ejecting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8z7WdtGEGOE&t=4s

In this episode, we deep-dive into mercenaries on the modern battlefield. We talk about the history of guns-for-hire and US government contractors, especially Erik Prince and Blackwater. Articles. Politico. Erik Prince: Government needs private sector help for deportations. https://www.politico.com/news/2025/02/26/trump-deportations-private-sector-00002679?utm_source=chatgpt.com Betsy DeVos made a...

In this episode, we talk about the history of a global superpower extracting minerals from Ukraine and the impact they have on a country’s national security.

In this episode, we weave through a number of topics, including Chris Cavoli’s Senate testimony, 2025 predictions update, wooden assault vehicles, and more! Videos. Wood-covered, Russian vehicle: https://x.com/bayraktar_1love/status/1908078936220709321 Russia on a scooter: https://x.com/bayraktar_1love/status/1907698005920166325?s=46 12 Russians die instantly: https://x.com/bayraktar_1love/status/...