America's Frontlines Podcast 01 April 2026

In this episode: Colonel Denny and Skip break down China’s chokehold on rare earth minerals—critical to our military and economy—and why this hidden dependency may be one of America’s greatest strategic vulnerabilities. Colonel Denny and Skip break down a pivotal moment—from China’s rapid J-20 fighter expansion challenging U.S. airpower, to Israel striking Iran’s naval leadership near the Strait of Hormuz, to signs the Iran conflict may be reaching a turning point, and Hamas weighing disarmament that could determine Gaza’s future—revealing how military power and strategic decisions are reshaping the global balance. Of course, the colonel delivers more of his humor to help us stay positive. Our primary guest today is General Bentley Rayburn, the new leader of STARRS, the organization focused on getting our military back on track. We get our normal dose of military history to keep us sharp. And retired Coast Guard Chief Warrant Officer Roland Ashby delivers more of his warrant wisdom.