SCOOP: Lunch With The Leader of an Iranian-Backed Militia

Special Coupon For SCOOP listeners  Use Jenna20 for 20% off of designs at Liz James Designs - an Austin-based, American-made jewelry designer. Coupon good through Wednesday February 7th for delivery before Valentine's Day! ------ What did the leader of an Iranian-backed militia tell war correspondent Hollie McKay over lunch?  Hollie joins us with her reflections on what she learned meeting the baseball-cap wearing man in a Baghdad restaurant (hint: he described one of the militia's goals as revenge on America). Show Notes: 0:00 - 5:00: Quick reflections on Tracy Chapman and Luke Combs at the Grammys - and the new "concert trick" - venues and artists locking your phone away. 5:00: Report: The Biden Administration wants to tackle grocery story prices. 7:30: What to know about the new border deal. What stands out. What matters. Why critics have already raised their voices in opposition. What to watch for. 17:00 Hollie McKay joins us with her 4-month old Raven to discuss her unique reporting in Iraq that takes us to the rise of "Iranian-backed militia." Terms To Know: Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF): The umbrella group of Iranian-backed militia operating in Iraq.  Kata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada (KSS): An Iranian-backed militia - just one group that remains part of PMF. Hollie sits down with the leader that oversees this group. Qassim Soleimani: Infamous Iranian military leader - Head of the notorious and elite QUDS force of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard (Iran's military). Killed by America in a drone strike. Hollie writes in detail on her lunch - here: https://holliesmckay.substack.com?utm_source=navbar&utm_medium=web Here's Hollie's website which features her books, and her new venture: The Stretch System ---- Thank you for keeping SmartHER News independent and ad-free. Join our LIVE conversations and receive a prep-sheet for the week ahead in your inbox every Monday: Get The Inside SCOOP Always more: SmartHERNews.com  Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/smarthernews/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands