Restricted Handling Podcast

FROM KIEV...Retired CIA Senior Officer sits down with Ukrainian air defense officer who explains what modern war really looks like from the front line. 👉 Subscribe to The Restricted Handling Podcast at https://www.restrictedhandling.com/ to get a daily intel brief on Russia, China, Iran, Economics/Sanctions, Espionage, and more Glenn Corn sits down in Kyiv with Artist, a Ukrainian officer in an air defense unit in Ukraine's Third Corps, after another major Russian air attack across Ukraine. The conversation moves from the human cost of Russia's strikes to the tactical reality of defending the front against drones, glide bombs, missiles, and rapidly evolving Russian tactics. Artist was born in Odessa in 1991 and was working as an artist, sculptor, and designer before volunteering in 2014. He explains how Ukraine's war forced a generation to trade normal lives for defense of the country, why Russia's attacks have hardened Ukrainian society rather than broken it, and what Western militaries should learn from Ukraine's front-line innovation cycle. In this episode, we cover: • Russia's latest mass air attacks on Ukraine and the cost to civilians • Artist's path from Odessa artist and designer to Ukrainian officer • Why the Third Corps and Azov became his chosen unit • Russian drone tactics, fiber-optic UAVs, and the expanding depth of the front • How Ukrainian air defense pushes Russian aviation back from the line • Why Ukraine's innovation comes from the front line first • What NATO and U.S. air defense officers should learn from Ukraine • Why modern war is dirty, fast, adaptive, and often without rules • Odessa, Maidan, Ukrainian resilience, and the fight for freedom • China's view of Russia and why Beijing may be willing to watch Russia exhaust itself • Iran, Russia, Ukraine, and the emerging security architecture • Why Ukraine matters as a future U.S. partner This is a direct look at the war through the eyes of someone living the operational reality every day: adaptation, mobility, resilience, and the price of freedom. Timeline / chapters • 00:00 Glenn opens from Kyiv after major Russian attacks • 01:54 Artist's background before the war • 02:47 Odessa, art, design, and giving up a peaceful life • 04:26 Artist's time working in China • 05:34 China, Russia, and long-term strategic thinking • 06:59 Why Artist joined Azov and followed Andriy Biletsky • 08:27 The Third Corps and Artist's air defense role • 09:21 Assessing Russian drone capabilities • 11:14 Integrated tactical air defense on the front • 12:23 How front-line dynamics differ across Ukraine • 13:17 Fiber-optic UAVs and the problem of countermeasures • 14:22 Glide bombs, Gripens, and pushing Russian aircraft back • 15:47 Ukrainian strikes on Crimea logistics • 16:32 Iran, oil prices, and Russia's economic advantage • 17:55 What NATO air defense officers should learn • 18:35 Ukraine's bottom-up military innovation cycle • 21:09 Why Western militaries must prepare for dirty war • 22:51 Odessa, Russian-speaking Ukrainians, and resilience • 25:22 Maidan, independence, and rejecting Russia's model • 28:15 What Artist thinks about U.S. support for Ukraine • 32:55 Russia, Iran, and why Ukraine matters to Americans • 33:40 Artist's favorite musicians and Ukrainian bands • 34:45 Artist asks why Russia started the war • 38:25 Artist's view of the collapsing global security system • 40:21 Glenn on Ukraine as a critical U.S. partner • 43:07 Closing from Kyiv About Artist Artist is the callsign of a Ukrainian officer serving in an air defense unit in Ukraine's Third Corps. Born in Odessa in 1991, he studied art and design, worked as a sculptor and interior designer, and volunteered for military service in 2014. In this episode, he discusses his service, his experience with Azov and the Third Corps, and the realities of tactical air defense in Ukraine's war against Russia. How to find Glenn Corn Glenn Corn is a former CIA Senior Intelligence Service officer and multi-time Chief of Station in some of the world's most difficult posts. You can find him at the Institute of World Politics (https://www.iwp.edu/faculty/glenn-corn/) or his consultancy at Great South Bay Consulting (https://greatsouthbayinc.com/). Restricted Handling https://www.restrictedhandling.com/

Fresh from Ukraine, Glenn Corn lays out what Kyiv is feeling now, where Russia is vulnerable, and why the drone war is no longer staying on the battlefield. 👉 Subscribe to The Restricted Handling Podcast at https://www.restrictedhandling.com/ to get a daily intel brief on Russia, China, Iran, Economics/Sanctions, Espionage, and more Ryan Fugit talks with Glenn Corn as Glenn calls in from Warsaw after a week in Ukraine, including stops tied to the Black Sea Security Conference in Odessa and a security conference in Kyiv. Glenn describes the human cost of Russia's continued strikes, Ukraine's expanding drone campaign, the pressure building around Putin, and why Kyiv believes it has to build more of its own air defense solutions. The conversation also moves beyond Ukraine into the wider conflict space: Russian influence operations, pressure on Armenia and Belarus, Syria, Iran, Hezbollah, FPV drones, NATO air defense gaps, Lebanon, Gulf economic strain, and Cuba's deepening crisis. In this episode, we cover: • Glenn's readout from Kyiv, Odessa, and Warsaw after his latest Ukraine trip • Russia's ongoing drone and missile strikes against Ukrainian cities • Ukraine's growing FPV drone impact on Russian logistics • Why Ukraine still needs interceptors, but is building its own systems • Putin's pressure points after the Saint Petersburg economic forum • Russian disinformation and the American influencer information war • Why Glenn says the U.S. should double down on pressure against Russia • European concerns about U.S. reliability and NATO deterrence • Armenia, Belarus, Syria, and Russia's pressure around the periphery • Iran, oil prices, Ukraine's counter drone expertise, and Middle East lessons • Hezbollah's FPV drone use and the threat to Israel • Why Glenn warns U.S. critical infrastructure is no longer protected by geography • Lebanon, Hezbollah's arms, and the risk of letting Iranian proxies reconstitute • Why Ukraine remains inspiring, but cannot be pushed out of focus Timeline / chapters • 00:00 Glenn calls in from Warsaw after leaving Ukraine • 00:15 Odessa, Kyiv, Russian strikes, and the death of a two year old • 01:11 What Ukraine feels like on the ground right now • 01:31 Ukraine's FPV drone strikes against Russian logistics • 02:24 Air defense shortages, interceptors, and Russian missile attacks • 03:17 Ukraine's own air defense systems and the KAB threat • 04:46 Laura Loomer, Candace Owens, Tucker Carlson, and Russian disinformation • 05:19 Russian hardliners pushing back on Putin • 06:19 Is Putin under pressure or running a disinformation play? • 07:10 What Glenn would tell the administration now • 08:49 European doubts about U.S. reliability and NATO deterrence • 09:48 Ukraine's EU path, Armenia, and pressure on Russia's periphery • 10:25 Syria, Armenia, Belarus, and the northern border threat • 11:20 Iran, oil prices, and Ukraine's view from the security summits • 11:52 Ukraine's counter drone lessons for the U.S. and NATO • 12:55 Ryan's reaction to FPV drone footage from Ukraine • 13:54 Hezbollah, Iran, Russia, and drone warfare spreading • 15:22 Lebanon, nuclear talks, and Hezbollah as a bargaining chip • 17:35 Ukraine, Dubai, Gulf strain, and Cuba's blackouts How to find Glenn Corn Glenn Corn is a former CIA Senior Intelligence Service officer and multi-time Chief of Station in some of the world's most difficult posts. You can find him at the Institute of World Politics (https://www.iwp.edu/faculty/glenn-corn/) or his consultancy at Great South Bay Consulting (https://greatsouthbayinc.com/). Restricted Handling: https://www.restrictedhandling.com/

A Taiwan crisis may be closer, more complex, and more dangerous than Washington wants to admit. 👉 Subscribe to The Restricted Handling Podcast at https://www.restrictedhandling.com/ to get a daily intel brief on Russia, China, Iran, Economics/Sanctions, Espionage, and more Ryan Fugit is joined by Professor Lyle Goldstein, Director of Brown University's China Initiative, longtime scholar of Chinese and Russian military strategy, former U.S. Naval War College professor, and founding director of the China Maritime Studies Institute. They break down the recent Trump-Xi summit, Xi's engagement with Putin, the China-Russia strategic relationship, Taiwan's role in U.S.-China tensions, and what a real Taiwan contingency could look like. In this episode, we cover: • Why great-power summits still matter • How China views Taiwan as the core flashpoint • Whether China is preparing for a 2026 or 2027 Taiwan move • What PLA purges may really signal • Why an invasion may start with firepower, helicopters, drones, and special forces • How blockade scenarios compare to full invasion • Why prediction markets are pricing Taiwan risk • Why Lyle rejects the "peak China" argument • What the U.S. administration should understand about China, Japan, the Philippines, and Taiwan This episode matters because Taiwan is where U.S. deterrence, Chinese nationalism, military geography, semiconductor anxiety, alliance commitments, and escalation risk all collide. About Lyle Goldstein Professor Lyle Goldstein is Director of Brown University's China Initiative, a longtime scholar of Chinese and Russian military strategy, a former professor at the U.S. Naval War College, and the founding director of the China Maritime Studies Institute. In the episode, he also notes his work at Defense Priorities, a Washington think tank focused on realism and restraint. Restricted Handling https://www.restrictedhandling.com/   Lyle Goldstein books and resources Target Taiwan: Challenges for a U.S. intervention https://www.defensepriorities.org/explainers/target-taiwan-challenges-for-a-us-intervention/ The New Cold War at Sea: Maritime Implications of the China-Russia Quasi-Alliance https://www.usni.org/press/books/new-cold-war-sea Meeting China Halfway: How to Defuse the Emerging US-China Rivalry https://press.georgetown.edu/Book/Meeting-China-Halfway Preventive Attack and Weapons of Mass Destruction: A Comparative Historical Analysis https://www.sup.org/books/politics/preventive-attack-and-weapons-mass-destruction Chinese Aerospace Power: Evolving Maritime Roles https://digital-commons.usnwc.edu/cmsi-studies/5/ China, the United States and 21st Century Sea Power: Defining a Maritime Security Partnership https://digital-commons.usnwc.edu/cmsi-studies/4/ China Goes to Sea: Maritime Transformation in Comparative Historical Perspective https://digital-commons.usnwc.edu/cmsi-studies/3/ China's Energy Strategy: The Impact on Beijing's Maritime Policies https://digital-commons.usnwc.edu/cmsi-studies/2/ China's Future Nuclear Submarine Force https://digital-commons.usnwc.edu/cmsi-studies/1/ China's Nuclear Force Modernization https://paperzz.com/doc/7936415/china-s-nuclear-force-modernization Five Dragons Stirring Up the Sea https://openlibrary.org/works/OL15889049W/Five_dragons_stirring_up_the_sea Not Congruent but Quite Complementary: U.S. and Chinese Approaches to Nontraditional Security https://www.andrewerickson.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/China-Maritime-Study-9_US-China-NTS-Perspectives_Goldstein_201207.pdf   Timeline / chapters • 00:00 Ryan introduces Lyle Goldstein and the China-Taiwan focus • 01:46 Defense Priorities Taiwan series and the Trump-Xi summit setup • 02:26 Why great-power summits matter and who gained leverage • 05:11 How China-Russia ties shape the summit backdrop • 06:00 Taiwan at the center of U.S.-China relations • 11:34 Taiwan, chips, AI, and invasion timelines • 12:49 China's preparations and the 2026 or 2027 question • 15:01 PLA purges and what they may signal about Xi's control • 19:54 Breaking down the military dimensions of a Taiwan invasion • 20:30 Blockades, gray-zone coercion, and U.S. intervention risk • 22:40 Would China target civilian infrastructure? • 23:23 Helicopters, special operations forces, and the first day of war • 25:35 Airborne insertions, casualties, and drone resupply • 28:30 Why an invasion may not look like U.S. amphibious doctrine • 33:06 Would Taiwan become an insurgency? • 38:22 Prediction markets and the odds of invasion or blockade • 41:28 What Lyle would tell the U.S. administration about China • 46:53 Closing thoughts and where to find Lyle's work

Trump and Xi are testing each other over Taiwan, Iran, and global leverage while Russia, Ukraine, and China's influence operations keep reshaping the map. 👉 Subscribe to The Restricted Handling Podcast at https://www.restrictedhandling.com/ to get a daily intel brief on Russia, China, Iran, Economics/Sanctions, Espionage, and more Ryan Fugit and Glenn Corn break down the latest in U.S.-China talks, China's pressure over Taiwan, Ukraine's battlefield innovation, Iran's maximalist negotiating posture, and Chinese influence operations inside the United States. In this episode, we cover: • Trump and Xi in Beijing, Taiwan, and the risk of miscalculation • China's position on Iran, the Strait of Hormuz, and weapons support • Ukraine's battlefield gains, AI-enabled air defense, and anti-corruption pressure • Iran's nuclear demands, sanctions relief, and Gulf security • Chinese influence operations at the municipal level in the U.S. • The role former intelligence officers could play as ambassadors • Mexico, cartels, Russian presence, and the southern border • What Ryan and Glenn are reading right now • AJ Pasciuiti's new book Darkhorse and the sniper story behind it This episode matters because the same strategic contest is showing up everywhere: great-power diplomacy, battlefield adaptation, maritime chokepoints, local influence operations, and the fight to keep open societies from being exploited. Timeline / chapters • 00:00 Ryan introduces Restricted Handling and Glenn's background • 01:23 Glenn's Breitling hat, family memories, and lucky charms • 04:41 Ryan's lost Omega story from North Africa • 05:34 Trump and Xi in Beijing, Taiwan, and handshake betting markets • 08:02 Glenn on Taiwan, risk, and Putin's Beijing signal • 09:18 China, Iran, Hormuz, and weapons support claims • 12:20 Ambassador Satterfield and running a country team • 14:19 Ukraine ceasefire claims and Zelensky's humor • 16:41 Ukraine's net battlefield gains and innovation • 17:56 Palantir, AI models, drones, and Ukrainian adaptation • 19:48 NATO, EU accession, and Ukraine's desired U.S. relationship • 21:26 Yermak, corruption, transparency, and Russian talking points • 23:34 Iran's negotiating demands and Trump's rejection • 24:58 Hormuz, naval coalitions, and Gulf partners • 26:49 Chinese influence operations in Arcadia and Manhattan • 29:43 Glenn on public service, ambassadors, and former CIA officers • 32:17 Mexico, cartels, CIA reporting, and Russian presence • 35:21 What Ryan and Glenn are reading • 36:49 AJ Pasciuiti's Darkhorse and the sniper story behind the book About AJ Pasciuiti AJ Pasciuiti is a 21-year Marine, Force Recon Scout Sniper, Marine officer, author, speaker, and host of Combat Story. His book Darkhorse: Harnessing Hidden Potential in War and Life is available May 19, 2026. Order Darkhorse on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Darkhorse-Harnessing-Hidden-Potential-Life/dp/1400254973 Learn more about AJ and Darkhorse https://www.ajpasciuti.com/ Darkhorse book page https://www.ajpasciuti.com/book How to find Glenn Corn Glenn Corn is a former CIA Senior Intelligence Service officer and multi-time Chief of Station in some of the world's most difficult posts. You can find him at the Institute of World Politics (https://www.iwp.edu/faculty/glenn-corn/) or his consultancy at Great South Bay Consulting (https://greatsouthbayinc.com/). Restricted Handling https://www.restrictedhandling.com/

Ambassador David Satterfield lays out why the Middle East crisis is not just about Iran, Gaza, or the Strait of Hormuz, but about whether the U.S. still knows how to run serious national security policy. 👉 Subscribe to The Restricted Handling Podcast at https://www.restrictedhandling.com/ to get a daily intel brief on Russia, China, Iran, Economics/Sanctions, Espionage, and more Ryan Fugit and Glenn Corn are joined by Ambassador David Satterfield, director of Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy and a former U.S. ambassador to Turkey and Lebanon, for a wide-ranging conversation on the Middle East, Iran, China, Russia, Ukraine, Syria, diplomacy, and the machinery of U.S. foreign policy. Satterfield argues that classic military power is struggling against asymmetric actors like Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, and that kinetic force alone cannot deliver strategic outcomes without political frameworks, patience, and a functioning national security process. In this episode, we cover: • Why Iran's Strait of Hormuz threat has become a global economic weapon • Why Satterfield now believes leaving the JCPOA was a mistake • The limits of military power against Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Iran • How the collapse of State Department and NSC capacity affects crisis management • Why Syria policy required bold decisions, but also needs a team to sustain gains • Why China is the most formidable U.S. adversary • How Saudi Arabia, the UAE, energy, critical minerals, and China fit together • Why Satterfield would advise against rushing into a Beijing summit • Putin's Victory Day ceasefire, Ukraine's position, and Russia's gains from the Hormuz crisis • What Yitzhak Rabin and James Baker taught Satterfield about leadership, principle, and diplomacy This is a masterclass in strategic patience, national security process, and the danger of confusing tactical strikes with strategy. Timeline / chapters • 00:00 Ambassador David Satterfield joins Ryan and Glenn • 02:04 How chaotic is the Middle East right now? • 03:03 UAE, Saudi Arabia, OPEC, and regional change • 05:36 Why asymmetric actors frustrate classic military power • 08:30 Gaza, Hezbollah, and the missing political framework • 11:18 Why leaving the JCPOA was a mistake • 13:49 Trump, Israel, and the decision to confront Iran • 17:08 Iran turns the Strait of Hormuz into a global weapon • 20:00 Why strikes have not eliminated Iran's missile and drone capacity • 24:10 Why tweets cannot manage strategic adversaries • 25:35 Why State and the NSC cannot function without teams • 26:35 Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, and Tom Barrack's role • 32:15 Bold policy needs sustainment • 36:55 Tom Barrack, Lebanon, Syria, and speaking bluntly • 39:26 How Satterfield would advise Trump before a China trip • 41:11 China's technical, industrial, and espionage challenge • 44:08 Saudi Arabia, China, and the real logic behind the U.S.-Saudi deal • 48:30 Why Satterfield would tell Trump not to go to Beijing yet • 51:25 Putin's Victory Day ceasefire and Ukraine • 55:55 Russia benefits from the Strait of Hormuz crisis • 59:10 Should Ukraine strike during the Victory Day parade? • 1:03:09 The real issue: how to conduct national security policy • 1:04:44 Rabin, Baker, and the most interesting figures Satterfield worked with • 1:08:33 Satterfield's work at Rice University's Baker Institute About David Satterfield Ambassador David M. Satterfield is the director of Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy and leads its Edward P. Djerejian Center for the Middle East. He has more than four decades of diplomatic and leadership experience, including service as U.S. ambassador to Turkey and Lebanon, assistant secretary of state, National Security Council staff director, special envoy for the Horn of Africa, and chargé d'affaires in Iraq and Egypt. Baker Institute profile https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/david-m-satterfield Rice University profile https://profiles.rice.edu/staff/david-satterfield How to find Glenn Corn Glenn Corn is a former CIA Senior Intelligence Service officer and multi-time Chief of Station in some of the world's most difficult posts. You can find him at the Institute of World Politics (https://www.iwp.edu/faculty/glenn-corn/) or his consultancy at Great South Bay Consulting (https://greatsouthbayinc.com/). Restricted Handling https://www.restrictedhandling.com/

Retired CIA Chief of Station and Senior Case Officer Glenn Corn argues the crises in Ukraine, Iran, Cuba, and the Strait of Hormuz are connected fronts in one larger fight. 👉 Subscribe to The Restricted Handling Podcast at https://www.restrictedhandling.com/ to get a daily intel brief on Russia, China, Iran, Economics/Sanctions, Espionage, and more Ryan Fugit and Glenn Corn are back for a no-guest episode covering Ukraine, Russia, Iran, espionage, drones, Cuba, China, and the geopolitical pressure points that are moving fast right now. Glenn opens with his recent trip to Ukraine, where he escorted an American business delegation and spoke at the Kiev Security Forum alongside senior intelligence and national security figures. From there, Ryan and Glenn dig into how Moscow negotiates, why Putin's ceasefire offer around May 9 should be treated skeptically, and why Glenn believes the United States and Europe still have more leverage over Russia than many people think. In this episode, we cover: • Glenn's latest trip to Ukraine with American investors and business leaders • Why Glenn sees Russia and Iran as linked strategic threats • How Russian negotiators use maximalist demands, theater, and psychological pressure • Julie Davis, US diplomatic coverage in Ukraine, and why Kyiv needs a full-time ambassador • Putin's May 9 Victory Day messaging and the history Russia leaves out • Russian and Iranian low-level espionage in Europe • The UAE, OPEC, and the Strait of Hormuz crisis • Why Glenn argues for an international naval force to reopen the straits • Iran's nuclear negotiations, political pressure, and the lessons of Ukrainian counter-drone warfare • Cuba sanctions, Venezuela, Nicaragua, China, and authoritarian pressure in the Western Hemisphere • China's drone swarm threat and America's procurement problem This episode matters because Glenn frames these crises as part of a broader strategic contest, not isolated news cycles. Russia, Iran, China, North Korea, Cuba, and Venezuela are applying pressure across multiple fronts, and the United States and its allies are still deciding how hard, how fast, and how coherently they are willing to respond. Timeline / chapters • 00:00 Ryan opens the episode with Glenn back stateside • 01:01 Glenn's Ukraine trip with an American business delegation • 03:27 Kiev Security Forum and the Russia-Iran connection • 08:24 How Russian negotiators use maximalist demands • 12:15 Sanctions, Kirill Dmitriev, and pressure on Putin • 16:06 Julie Davis and why Ukraine needs a full-time US ambassador • 19:42 Territorial concessions and why Glenn says Russia is not holding the cards • 22:23 Victory Day, Soviet history, and Operation Snow • 26:59 Why Putin's May 9 ceasefire offer benefits Moscow • 28:30 Russian and Iranian espionage cases in Europe • 33:37 UAE, OPEC, and the Strait of Hormuz shock • 36:06 The case for an international naval force • 39:21 Iran's nuclear bluff and missed drone lessons • 43:03 Cuba sanctions and pressure in the Western Hemisphere • 45:50 China, AI, drone swarms, and US procurement gaps • 49:23 Upcoming guests and how to reach Glenn • 51:21 Wrap How to find Glenn Corn Glenn Corn is a former CIA Senior Intelligence Service officer and multi-time Chief of Station in some of the world's most difficult posts. You can find him at the Institute of World Politics (https://www.iwp.edu/faculty/glenn-corn/) or his consultancy at Great South Bay Consulting (https://greatsouthbayinc.com/). Restricted Handling: https://www.restrictedhandling.com/

This is what modern warfare actually looks like from the front lines. 👉 Subscribe to The Restricted Handling Podcast at https://www.restrictedhandling.com/ to get a daily intel brief on Russia, China, Iran, Economics/Sanctions, Espionage, and more In this episode, Ryan Fugit and Glenn Corn are joined by Zhan, a deputy commander in Ukraine's Third Army Corps, responsible for air defense operations on one of the most complex battlefields in the world. Zhan went from serving in the merchant navy to defending Ukraine on the front lines and is now at the center of one of the most important evolutions in modern warfare. This is not theory. This is real-time adaptation under fire. In this episode, we cover: • What the battlefield in Ukraine actually looks like today • How drones have completely changed warfare • The three-layer air defense system Ukraine built in real time • Why logistics and medevac are now some of the biggest challenges • How soldiers survive in underground positions for weeks or months • The shift from "golden hour" to "golden months" in battlefield medicine • Why FPV drones are now the most dangerous threat • How Ukraine is training civilians and veterans to fight with drones • The connection between the war in Ukraine and conflicts in the Middle East • What Ukraine needs most right now from Western allies Zhan explains how Ukrainian forces are adapting faster than any military in modern history and why this war is shaping the future of global conflict. He also shares a deeply personal perspective on what it means to fight for your country and what comes after the war. Timeline / chapters • 00:00 Intro and Glenn's Ukraine trip • 05:13 How the war in Iran is affecting Ukraine • 12:04 Zhan joins from Kyiv • 13:07 Zhan's background and role in air defense • 18:39 Drone warfare and naval adaptation • 22:29 How fast soldiers can be trained on drones • 26:26 Layered air defense explained • 31:27 Logistics and medevac challenges • 36:35 Evolution from Bakhmut to today • 44:18 Comparing early war vs current battlefield • 53:27 Integration of UAVs and command systems • 58:27 Ukraine's view of the global war • 01:00:38 Zhan on the future of Ukraine About Zhan Zhan is a deputy commander in Ukraine's Third Army Corps specializing in air defense operations. He previously served in the merchant navy and joined the military at the start of the full-scale invasion. He has participated in major battles including Bakhmut and Avdiivka and is now leading efforts to build modern counter-UAV and air defense systems in Ukraine. How to find Glenn Corn Glenn Corn is a former CIA Senior Intelligence Service officer and multi-time Chief of Station in some of the world's most difficult posts. You can find him at the Institute of World Politics (https://www.iwp.edu/faculty/glenn-corn/) or his consultancy at Great South Bay Consulting (https://greatsouthbayinc.com/). Restricted Handling Subscribe and receive the daily intelligence brief https://www.restrictedhandling.com/

Seventy four percent turnout in Hungary's election is not just politics. It is a signal. 👉 Subscribe to The Restricted Handling Podcast at https://www.restrictedhandling.com/ to get a daily intel brief on Russia, China, Iran, Economics/Sanctions, Espionage, and more In this episode, Glenn Corn is joined by Dr. Monika Palotai, one of the leading experts on Central and Eastern Europe, to break down a historic election in Hungary. With record voter turnout and global attention, this election is about far more than domestic politics. It sits at the intersection of Russia, Ukraine, NATO, migration policy, and the future of Europe. In this episode, we cover: • Why Hungary's election is drawing global attention • The significance of record breaking voter turnout • The real divide between Fidesz and the Tisza Party • Why both parties may be closer on policy than expected • Hungary's stance on Ukraine and why it matters • The role of migration and cultural identity in the election • How U.S. involvement is perceived inside Hungary • Why European leaders misread U.S. politics • The tension between national sovereignty and EU authority • What the outcome could mean for NATO and transatlantic relations Dr. Palotai explains why the election is ultimately about sovereignty, identity, and economic survival, not just ideology. She also provides insight into how Hungarian voters are thinking about Ukraine, energy security, and their place within Europe. Timeline / chapters • 00:00 Introduction and Monika Palotai background • 03:13 Record voter turnout and election atmosphere • 05:38 What is driving voter participation • 10:01 U.S. influence and JD Vance visit • 11:34 Fidesz vs Tisza explained • 16:00 Hungary's position on Ukraine • 20:01 Migration and cultural identity • 22:45 EU relations and sovereignty tensions • 24:38 Key issues for Hungarian voters • 30:01 Hungary Ukraine minority tensions • 33:44 NATO and U.S. relations • 36:13 Future EU dynamics depending on outcome • 40:18 Hungarian perspective on Iran war • 43:03 Cultural identity and national priorities • 46:18 Final thoughts on election significance About Dr. Mónika Palotai Dr. Monika Palotai is a senior research fellow at the Religious Freedom Institute and a non resident expert at the Warsaw Institute. Her work focuses on geopolitics, EU law, energy security, and the relationships between Russia, China, and Iran. She has written extensively for Newsweek, The National Interest, RealClearDefense, and other major outlets. How to find Glenn Corn Glenn Corn is a former CIA Senior Intelligence Service officer and multi-time Chief of Station in some of the world's most difficult posts. You can find him at the Institute of World Politics (https://www.iwp.edu/faculty/glenn-corn/) or his consultancy at Great South Bay Consulting (https://greatsouthbayinc.com/). Restricted Handling Subscribe and receive the daily intelligence brief https://www.restrictedhandling.com/

Cuba is closer to collapse than at any point in decades and most people aren't paying attention. 👉 Subscribe to The Restricted Handling Podcast at https://www.restrictedhandling.com/ to get a daily intel brief on Russia, China, Iran, Economics/Sanctions, Espionage, and more In this episode, Ryan Fugit and Glenn Corn sit down with Moisés "Mo" Julião, retired CIA Senior Intelligence Service officer and former Chief of Station, to break down what is really happening in Cuba right now. From collapsing infrastructure to rising unrest, Cuba may be entering a phase that could reshape the Western Hemisphere. In this episode, we cover: • Why recent armed incursions into Cuba are not as unusual as they seem • The historical context shaping Cuban behavior today • How the Cuban regime maintains control through isolation • The real economic crisis unfolding on the island • The impact of fuel shortages, blackouts, and food supply breakdowns • Why remittances from the United States are keeping the system alive • The role of Russia and recent oil shipments into Cuba • The potential for regime transition and what comes next • Why humanitarian collapse is a real risk • How Cuban intelligence historically outperformed expectations Mo explains why Cuba operates in a "time capsule" shaped by the 1959 revolution and Cold War dynamics, and why that mindset still drives decisions today. He also provides a sobering look at how quickly conditions could deteriorate into a full humanitarian crisis. Timeline / chapters • 00:00 Introduction and Mo Julião background • 03:22 Armed incursions and historical context • 06:08 U.S. presence and embassy realities • 07:00 Daily life inside Cuba and information control • 10:50 Remittances and economic survival • 12:49 Signs of instability and protests • 16:00 Regime survival and backchannel discussions • 18:20 Cuban perception of the United States • 20:14 The Russia tanker decision and strategic signaling • 21:06 Power dynamics inside the Castro system • 23:04 Cuban intelligence and espionage success • 28:04 Infrastructure collapse and economic fragility • 32:31 Risk of humanitarian crisis • 36:35 Policy options and missed opportunities • 45:00 Cultural insight and the "next revolution" About Moisés "Mo" Julião Moisés "Mo" Julião is the founder and CEO of Alenttay Solutions and a retired CIA Senior Intelligence Service officer. He served over two decades in the CIA's Directorate of Operations, including as Chief of Station and in multiple conflict zones. He also served as a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army and worked closely with special operations forces. Alenttay Solutions https://alenttay.com/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/moises-e-juliao-esq-2b97b5250 How to find Glenn Corn Glenn Corn is a former CIA Senior Intelligence Service officer and multi-time Chief of Station in some of the world's most difficult posts. You can find him at the Institute of World Politics (https://www.iwp.edu/faculty/glenn-corn/) or his consultancy at Great South Bay Consulting (https://greatsouthbayinc.com/). Restricted Handling Subscribe and receive the daily intelligence brief https://www.restrictedhandling.com/

Armenia is caught between Iran, Russia, Turkey, and Azerbaijan and may be one of the most important geopolitical battlegrounds you are not watching. 👉 Subscribe to The Restricted Handling Podcast at https://www.restrictedhandling.com/ to get a daily intel brief on Russia, China, Iran, Economics/Sanctions, Espionage, and more In this episode, Ryan Fugit and Glenn Corn are joined by Sarkis Karabashian to break down one of the most complex and underreported regions in global geopolitics. Armenia sits at the crossroads of major powers, bordering Iran, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, with deep historical and strategic ties to Russia. As the war with Iran unfolds and Russia remains tied down in Ukraine, Armenia is navigating one of the most fragile strategic environments in the world. In this episode, we cover: • Why Armenia exists in one of the most difficult geopolitical neighborhoods on earth • How Armenia moved from Russian dominance to a multi partner security strategy • The impact of the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war and what it revealed • Why Russia failed to protect Armenia and what that means going forward • The role of Turkey and Azerbaijan in shaping Armenia's security environment • How energy routes and transport corridors drive regional decisions • The Trump Road for International Peace and Prosperity and what it means • Russian disinformation and influence inside Armenia • Why Armenia is trying to balance relations with Iran without getting pulled into conflict • What Armenia can offer the United States as a strategic partner Sarkis explains how Armenia is attempting to transition from a Russia dependent security model to a diversified strategy involving the United States, Europe, India, and France. He also highlights the risks facing Armenian communities in the region, including the danger of spillover from broader conflicts. Timeline / chapters • 00:00 Introduction and Sarkis Karabashian background • 03:41 Armenia's position in the Iran conflict • 07:55 Collapse of Soviet influence and Armenia's early trajectory • 12:00 The 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war and military imbalance • 17:18 Russia's failure as a security guarantor • 20:30 Armenia shifts toward new partners • 21:07 Russian disinformation and internal pressure • 24:11 Regional tensions and Turkey Armenia dynamics • 28:14 The Trump Road and transport corridor strategy • 33:09 Early signs of economic normalization • 36:10 Is peace actually possible in the region • 39:58 Armenia's strategic opportunity • 45:00 Risks to Armenian populations in Iran About Sarkis Karabashian Sarkis Karabashian is a geopolitical analyst specializing in Armenian security, Eurasian geopolitics, and regional conflict dynamics. He has conducted extensive field research in Armenia and has worked with policy institutions in Washington, DC, focusing on U.S. Armenia strategic relations and regional security developments. How to find Glenn Corn Glenn Corn is a former CIA Senior Intelligence Service officer and multi-time Chief of Station in some of the world's most difficult posts. You can find him at the Institute of World Politics (https://www.iwp.edu/faculty/glenn-corn/) or his consultancy at Great South Bay Consulting (https://greatsouthbayinc.com/). Restricted Handling Subscribe and receive the daily intelligence brief https://www.restrictedhandling.com/

Today we're going deep on how oil and energy, not troops, will decide the outcome in Iran and Russia. The war in Iran may be about ideology, but the outcome will be decided by energy. 👉 Subscribe to The Restricted Handling Podcast at https://www.restrictedhandling.com/ to get a daily intel brief on Russia, China, Iran, Economics/Sanctions, Espionage, and more In this episode, Ryan Fugit and Glenn Corn sit down with Ambassador Matthew Bryza, one of the leading experts on energy geopolitics in Eurasia. Ambassador Bryza served as: • U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan• Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs• Director at the National Security Council He now works as a Managing Director at Straife Istanbul and advises on global energy and geopolitical risk. This conversation breaks down one of the most important but overlooked drivers of global conflict: Energy. In this episode, we cover: • Why the Strait of Hormuz is the center of global economic risk• How energy prices are shaping decisions in Iran, Russia, and Europe• Why Russia is benefiting financially from the Iran war• How natural gas and fertilizer shortages could trigger global instability• The long-term impact of shutting down oil and LNG production• Why infrastructure like pipelines takes decades to build but minutes to disrupt• The strategic importance of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline• Why Europe cannot quickly replace Russian or Gulf energy• The political implications of energy dependency in NATO and the EU• Why energy security is national security Ambassador Bryza explains why the current conflict could reshape global energy markets for years and why even a short disruption in the Strait of Hormuz has cascading effects across food supply, manufacturing, aviation, and global trade. He also details why Russia's war effort may be strengthened in the short term due to rising energy prices. Timeline / chapters• 00:00 Intro• 02:34 Why energy is driving global conflict• 05:49 Key energy indicators to watch• 14:22 Why the world cannot replace Gulf energy• 19:39 Energy alliances and regional geopolitics• 22:25 The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline explained• 29:36 Why energy infrastructure shapes independence• 31:49 Future energy strategy for the US and allies• 34:33 Turkey, Azerbaijan, and regional responses• 41:38 Russia, Ukraine, and the Druzhba pipeline• 44:33 Final thoughts on energy and geopolitics   About Ambassador Matthew Bryza Matthew Bryza is a former U.S. diplomat who served 23 years in the Foreign Service, including as U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan, and held senior roles at the State Department and National Security Council focused on Eurasian energy, regional conflicts, and U.S. policy toward Turkey, the Caucasus, and Central Asia. He played a central role in advancing major Caspian energy projects, including the Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan pipeline, making him one of the leading U.S. experts on global energy security and geopolitics. Today, he is based in Istanbul, where he serves as Managing Director of Straife Istanbul, advising companies on sanctions compliance, geopolitical risk, and market expansion across Türkiye and the Greater Caspian region; he is also Regional Managing Partner at Ballard Partners, and a longtime Board Member of The Jamestown Foundation. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-bryza-050180156/ Straife Group   How to find Glenn Corn Glenn Corn is a former CIA Senior Intelligence Service officer and multi-time Chief of Station in some of the world's most difficult posts. You can find him at the Institute of World Politics (https://www.iwp.edu/faculty/glenn-corn/) or his consultancy at Great South Bay Consulting (https://greatsouthbayinc.com/).   Restricted Handling Subscribe and receive the daily intelligence brief https://www.restrictedhandling.com/  

Russia does not have allies. It has accomplices and isn't afraid to exploit those relationships. 👉 Subscribe to The Restricted Handling Podcast at https://www.restrictedhandling.com/ to get a daily intel brief on Russia, China, Iran, Economics/Sanctions, Espionage, and more In this episode, Ryan Fugit sits down with Sean Wiswesser, retired CIA Senior Operations Officer and former Chief of Station, to break down Russian intelligence tradecraft, espionage, and the future of conflict. Sean brings nearly 30 years of experience in national security, with a career focused on Russian intelligence, counterintelligence, and denied area operations. His new book, Tradecraft Tactics and Dirty Tricks: Russian Intelligence and Putin's Secret War, pulls back the curtain on how Russian intelligence really operates. In this conversation, we cover: • What "denied areas" really mean and why they matter• Why Russian intelligence is both highly capable and deeply corrupt• The truth about Russian illegals and long-term espionage networks• How Russia prepares for war through intelligence operations• Why Russia has no true allies, including Iran and China• The role of propaganda and internal repression in maintaining power• Why Russia miscalculated Ukraine and how it adapted• What a post-war Ukraine looks like from an intelligence perspective• Why the Baltics are likely Russia's next focus• The importance of human intelligence in predicting global events Sean explains why Russian intelligence culture has remained consistent for over a century and why understanding that history is critical to predicting future behavior. He also lays out why the war in Ukraine is not just a regional conflict, but a defining test of democratic resolve. Timeline / Chapters • 00:00 Intro• 03:00 What are denied areas• 07:30 CIA tradecraft and Burton Gerber legacy• 12:00 Russia, Iran, and transactional alliances• 17:00 Russian intelligence failures in Ukraine• 22:00 Illegals and deep cover espionage• 27:00 Why Russia fears its own people• 32:00 Ukraine war and Western strategy• 36:00 Russia's next war and NATO risks• 40:00 Navalny and internal repression• 44:00 What comes next for Russia About Sean Wiswesser Sean Wiswesser is a retired CIA Senior Operations Officer and former Chief of Station with nearly three decades of experience in intelligence and national security. His work focused heavily on Russian intelligence operations, counterintelligence, and denied area operations. His upcoming book: Tradecraft Tactics and Dirty Tricks: Russian Intelligence and Putin's Secret War is available April 21, 2026 at Amazon val Institute Press   LinkedIn X (Twitter) @Wiswesser How to find Glenn Corn Glenn Corn is a former CIA Senior Intelligence Service officer and multi-time Chief of Station in some of the world's most difficult posts. You can find him at the Institute of World Politics (https://www.iwp.edu/faculty/glenn-corn/) or his consultancy at Great South Bay Consulting (https://greatsouthbayinc.com/). Restricted Handling Subscribe and receive the daily intelligence brief https://www.restrictedhandling.com/  

"RIght now would be a great time to start meeting and pitching Iranians like we did with the Stasi after the Wall fell...." 👉 Subscribe to The Restricted Handling Podcast https://www.restrictedhandling.com/ Get the daily intelligence brief covering Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, the Middle East, sanctions, intelligence operations, and geopolitical competition. In this episode of the Restricted Handling Podcast, Ryan Fugit and Glenn Corn sit down with Paula Doyle, retired CIA Senior Intelligence Service officer and former Associate Deputy Director of Operations. Paula spent more than two decades in the intelligence community running global human intelligence operations and later serving as Deputy National Counterintelligence Executive. She now teaches intelligence and national security at Georgetown University and writes for The Cipher Brief. This conversation goes deep into the Iran war, Russia's role, and the strategic mistakes the United States made over decades of dealing with Tehran. 🎙️ In this episode we discuss: • Why the U.S.–Iran conflict actually began decades ago • How "proxy warfare" allowed Iran to wage war without consequences • The role of Hezbollah and Iranian militias in killing U.S. troops • Why sanctions and diplomacy failed to change Iran's behavior • What the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader actually means • The internal fractures inside the IRGC • Why arming Kurdish groups could be a dangerous mistake • The future of Iran without the theocracy • Whether a new Iranian leader could emerge from inside the system • The strategic implications for Russia and China Paula explains why the United States spent decades using "sophistry" — softening the truth about what Iran was doing — instead of confronting the reality that we were already at war. She also describes the real internal dynamics inside Iran's security services and why the next phase of this conflict could depend on defections and fractures inside the regime.   ⏱ TIMELINE / CHAPTERS 00:00 Introducing Paula Doyle 03:00 Why the U.S.–Iran war really began decades ago 08:00 The birth of "proxy warfare" 12:00 How Iran killed hundreds of U.S. troops in Iraq 17:00 Why diplomacy and sanctions failed 22:00 Mojtaba Khamenei and Iran's leadership succession 27:00 The dangers of arming Kurdish groups 31:00 Why Iran's regime could fracture internally 35:00 Russia, China, and the wider geopolitical stakes 40:00 What gives hope for Iran's future   ABOUT PAULA DOYLE Paula Doyle is a retired Senior Intelligence Service officer at the CIA who spent more than two decades leading global intelligence operations. She served as: • Associate Deputy Director of Operations• Deputy National Counterintelligence Executive• Multiple-time Chief of Station She now teaches intelligence and national security at Georgetown University and writes for The Cipher Brief. HOW TO FIND GLENN CORN Glenn Corn is a former CIA Senior Intelligence Service officer and Chief of Station. Institute of World Politics https://www.iwp.edu/faculty/glenn-corn/ Great South Bay Consulting https://greatsouthbayinc.com/   RESTRICTED HANDLING Subscribe and receive the daily intelligence brief https://www.restrictedhandling.com/

Iran's leadership has been decapitated — but the real question is what comes next. 👉 Subscribe to The Restricted Handling Podcast https://www.restrictedhandling.com/ Get the daily intelligence brief covering Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, the Middle East, sanctions, and geopolitical competition. In this episode of the Restricted Handling Podcast, Glenn Corn sits down with Ambassador David Hale, former U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon, Pakistan, and Jordan and former Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs. Ambassador Hale previously warned — months before these events — that the core strategic problem in the Middle East was Iran itself, not just its proxies. Now, after U.S. and Israeli strikes that decapitated major parts of Iran's leadership, we revisit that argument and ask: What happens now? 🎙️ In this episode, we cover: • Why the U.S.–Iran conflict really goes back to 1979 • Why previous presidents failed to change Iran's behavior • Why Iran ultimately only responds to force • Whether the Iranian regime can survive leadership decapitation • The real strategic importance of Hezbollah and Lebanon • Why Arab Gulf states may actually move closer to the U.S. after these strikes • What China and Russia are learning from the war • Why Iran's retaliation strategy may backfire • The energy market implications and Strait of Hormuz risks • Why the U.S. must stay engaged even after the fighting ends Ambassador Hale explains why the Iranian leadership's attacks on Gulf states may actually strengthen regional alignment against Tehran — and why Iran's military position may be weaker than many assume. He also warns that regime collapse is not necessarily the goal, and that the real objective should be preventing Iran from intimidating the region. ⏱ TIMELINE / CHAPTERS 00:00 Glenn Introduces Ambassador Hale 02:00 "The Heart of the Problem Was Iran" 06:30 Why Iran Only Responds to Force 10:00 Why Iran Is Striking Gulf States 16:00 Oil Markets & Strait of Hormuz 21:00 Could Iran Negotiate Now? 25:00 What Happens Inside the IRGC 29:00 Lebanon, Hezbollah & Political Shift 36:00 Russia and China Watching Closely 42:00 Lessons From 40 Years of Iran Policy 48:00 The Risks of Regime Collapse   ABOUT AMBASSADOR DAVID HALE Ambassador David Hale is one of the most experienced U.S. diplomats of the modern era. He served as: • U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon • U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan • U.S. Ambassador to Jordan • Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (the #3 position at the State Department) He is currently: • Distinguished Fellow at the Wilson Center • Professor at the Institute of World Politics Wilson Center Profile https://www.wilsoncenter.org/person/david-hale Institute of World Politics Profile https://www.iwp.edu/faculty/ambassador-david-hale/   HOW TO FIND GLENN CORN Glenn Corn is a former CIA Senior Intelligence Service officer and Chief of Station. Institute of World Politics – Faculty Profile https://www.iwp.edu/faculty/glenn-corn/ Great South Bay Consulting https://greatsouthbayinc.com/ Subscribe and receive the daily intelligence brief https://www.restrictedhandling.com/ RESTRICTED HANDLING

The Supreme Leader is dead — now what happens next? 👉 Subscribe to The Restricted Handling Podcast https://www.restrictedhandling.com/ Get the daily intelligence brief Glenn and Ryan read — covering Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, the Middle East, geopolitics, sanctions, and military operations. This is ROUND 2 w/ Tony DeMario who spent 30+ years on Iran and regional proxies at CIA. After the decapitation strikes. After Operation Epic Fury and Operation Lion's Roar. After U.S. and Israeli forces eliminated Iran's Supreme Leader and dozens of senior IRGC officials. Tony DeMario returns to break down what comes next. Tony is a former senior CIA officer with 34 years in the Army and Agency, specializing in Iran, counterterrorism, and Iranian regional proxies. He currently serves as Executive Vice President at Strider Technologies, a strategic intelligence firm focused on geopolitical risk and nation-state competition. This episode goes beyond headlines. We discuss the collapse of Iran's leadership structure, succession risks, proxy retaliation, Russia's angle, China's oil calculus, and whether regime change is even realistic. 🎙️ In this episode, we cover: • The strategic impact of killing Iran's Supreme Leader • Why this is historically unprecedented • Whether Iran's security apparatus can reconstitute • Hezbollah and proxy retaliation risks • The role of Russia in prolonging instability • China's oil dependency on Iran • Succession scenarios inside Tehran • Whether Reza Pahlavi is viable (spoiler: unlikely) • Why "nation building" is not on the table • The risk of Libya- or Iraq-style fragmentation • What sustained U.S. strikes would look like • The danger of premature celebration   Tony explains why: • Decapitation alone doesn't equal regime collapse• Infrastructure destruction matters more than leadership removal• Iran's bureaucracy is deeper than many realize• Russia benefits from U.S. distraction• This is the weakest Iran has been in decades — but that doesn't guarantee stability Just clear-eyed analysis of a historic moment.   ⏱ TIMELINE / CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro 03:00 The Decapitation Strategy 10:00 IRGC & MOIS Reconstitution 16:00 Hezbollah & Proxy Threat 22:00 Russia's Incentives 29:00 China & Oil Calculus 35:00 Succession & Assembly of Experts 41:00 Could Iran Fragment? 48:00 What Nation Building Would Require 55:00 Final Assessment Tony DeMario is a former senior CIA officer with 34 years of service in the Army and Agency. He led teams focused on Iran, counterterrorism, and Iranian proxy networks across the Middle East. He currently serves as Executive Vice President at Strider Technologies, a strategic intelligence firm specializing in geopolitical risk and state-backed economic threats. Strider Technologies: https://www.striderintel.com/ Tony DeMario on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-demario/ Glenn Corn is a former CIA Senior Intelligence Service officer and multiple-time Chief of Station. Institute of World Politics – Faculty Profile https://www.iwp.edu/faculty/glenn-corn/ Great South Bay Consulting https://greatsouthbayinc.com/ Subscribe and receive the daily intel brief: https://www.restrictedhandling.com/  

⚠️ This episode was recorded ONE HOUR before U.S. strikes on Iran (February 27–28). The predications are eerily accurate and insight and context about what comes next is worth the listen. 👉 Subscribe to The Restricted Handling Podcast https://www.restrictedhandling.com/ Get the daily intelligence brief Glenn and Ryan read — covering Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, the Middle East, geopolitics, sanctions, and military operations. The predictions and assessments made here are eerily close to what unfolded overnight. We will follow up with a post-strike assessment episode — but this conversation captures the strategic thinking immediately before the kinetic phase began. In this episode of the Restricted Handling Podcast, Glenn Corn and Ryan Fugit are joined by Tony DeMario, former senior CIA officer with 34 years in the Army and Agency, specializing in Iran, counterterrorism, and Iranian regional proxies. Tony led teams across some of the most sensitive Iran-related missions in recent history. This is not academic analysis. This is pre-strike strategic insight from someone who has lived the problem set. 🎙️ In this episode, we discuss: • Whether Iran's regime is weaker than at any time since 1979 • Why regional partners hesitate to openly support U.S. action • Hezbollah's residual capabilities • Whether strikes would be symbolic — or decapitation-level • Why the IRGC leadership structure matters • What would actually fracture regime cohesion • Russia's strategic interest in prolonging Middle East instability • Whether protests inside Iran change the calculus • Why negotiations may be delay tactics • What it would truly take to end the conflict Tony explains why: • Iran has "never won a war, but never lost a negotiation" • Decapitation without follow-through may not achieve deterrence • Russia benefits from distraction • Sanctions and economic pressure may matter more than strikes • The regime's internal corruption complicates every scenario This episode captures the strategic debate just before events overtook analysis. ⏱ TIMELINE / CHAPTERS 00:00 Recorded One Hour Before U.S. Strikes 03:00 The Carrier Groups & Regional Tensions 08:00 Iran's Internal Power Struggle 14:00 Hezbollah & Proxy Capabilities 20:00 What a "Decapitation Strike" Means 27:00 Regional Allies & Overflight Politics 33:00 Russia's Strategic Angle 38:00 Negotiations: Real or Delay? 45:00 Could the Regime Collapse? 52:00 Final Assessments Before Kinetic Action Glenn Corn is a former CIA Senior Intelligence Service officer and multiple-time Chief of Station. Institute of World Politics – Faculty Profile https://www.iwp.edu/faculty/glenn-corn/ Great South Bay Consulting https://greatsouthbayinc.com/ Subscribe and receive the daily intelligence brief: https://www.restrictedhandling.com/ HOW TO FIND GLENN CORNRESTRICTED HANDLING

Today's it's international security in SPACE! 👉 Subscribe to The Restricted Handling Podcast https://www.restrictedhandling.com/ Get the daily intelligence brief covering Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, the Middle East, geopolitics, space security, sanctions, and great power competition. Space is no longer science fiction. It's the next strategic battleground. In this episode of the Restricted Handling Podcast, Ryan Fugit and Glenn Corn sit down with Clayton Swope, Deputy Director of the Aerospace Security Project and Senior Fellow at CSIS (Center for Strategic and International Studies). Clayton is one of Washington's leading experts on military space power, space deterrence, launch competition, and U.S.–China rivalry in orbit. This conversation goes far beyond UFO headlines and into the real strategic questions: • Are we prepared for conflict in space? • How vulnerable is GPS? • What happens if satellites start colliding during a crisis? • Can the U.S. outpace China in lunar competition? • What role does Space Force actually play? 🎙️ In this episode, we cover: • Why GPS is America's biggest space vulnerability • The real state of U.S. vs. China space competition • Russia's declining relevance in space • Satellite congestion and collision risks • Space-based missile defense and Golden Dome • The strategic importance of the Moon • Rare earth resources and lunar mining risks • Commercial launch dominance (SpaceX, Blue Origin) • Why research & development funding matters more than ever • Whether Space Force is structured for the future Clayton explains how launch, satellite communications, and navigation systems quietly underpin modern warfare — and what happens if those systems fail. From reusable rockets to orbital jamming to lunar competition, this episode reframes space not as exploration — but as infrastructure and deterrence. If you think space is distant, abstract, or futuristic — this conversation will change your mind. ⏱ TIMELINE / CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction & Clayton's Background 04:30 Space as a Military Domain 10:00 Starlink, Ukraine & Space Warfare 18:00 GPS Vulnerabilities 23:00 Space Congestion & Collision Risks 30:00 U.S. vs China Launch Competition 37:00 The Moon & Strategic Resources 44:00 Space Force & Future Doctrine 52:00 Rapid Fire Questions HOW TO FIND GLENN CORN Glenn Corn is a former CIA Senior Intelligence Service officer and multiple-time Chief of Station. Institute of World Politics – Faculty Profile https://www.iwp.edu/faculty/glenn-corn/ Great South Bay Consulting https://greatsouthbayinc.com/ ABOUT OUR GUEST – CLAYTON SWOPE Clayton Swope is Deputy Director of the Aerospace Security Project and Senior Fellow for Defense & Security at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). CSIS Profile: https://www.csis.org/people/clayton-swope Follow CSIS Aerospace Security Project: https://www.csis.org/programs/aerospace-security-project  

👉 Subscribe to The Restricted Handling Podcast https://www.restrictedhandling.com/ Get the daily intelligence brief Glenn reads—covering Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, the Middle East, geopolitics, military operations, and sanctions. Stay ahead of the news cycle. On the ground in Kyiv. Power outages. Drones overhead. War in real time. In this episode of the Restricted Handling Podcast, Glenn Corn records from Kyiv, Ukraine, joined by Phil, a senior commander in Ukraine's Third Corps and Chief Unmanned Systems Officer. Phil is not a media personality. He is actively fighting this war. They discuss: What modern warfare actually looks like in 2026 How Russia has shifted from mechanized assaults to infiltration tactics Why drones have fundamentally changed the battlefield The reality behind Russian propaganda victories How energy infrastructure attacks are meant to terrorize civilians The psychological dimension of this war What Europe understands — and what it doesn't Whether negotiations are real or simply delay tactics Why this war is not just about territory Phil explains that Ukraine is not negotiating land — because this is about survival, not square kilometers. He also shares how Ukrainian resilience holds, even during blackouts and -20°C winter nights. This is not theory. This is not analysis from afar. This is war described by someone living it. 🎙️ In this episode, we cover: • The evolution of Russian tactics on the front line • Why infiltration replaced armored assaults • Drone dominance and battlefield adaptation • The cost of Russia's missile campaign • Civilian energy infrastructure as a weapon • Russia's foreign fighters and manpower strategy • The illusion of territorial "gains" • The reality behind negotiations • What it would actually take to end the war ⏱️ TIMELINE / CHAPTERS 00:00 Glenn in Kyiv 02:00 Phil's Background (From IT CTO to Commander) 05:00 Davos & Europe's View of the War 10:00 Russia's Strategic Objective 15:00 Modern Battlefield Tactics 19:00 Drone Warfare & Infiltration 24:00 Russian Casualties & Foreign Fighters 29:00 Energy Infrastructure Attacks 33:00 Negotiations: Real or Delay Tactics? 38:00 What Would End the War? 43:00 The Human Dimension 47:00 Final Thoughts from Kyiv HOW TO FIND GLENN CORN Glenn Corn is a former CIA Senior Intelligence Service officer and multiple-time Chief of Station. Institute of World Politics – Faculty Profile https://www.iwp.edu/faculty/glenn-corn/ Great South Bay Consulting https://greatsouthbayinc.com/ RESTRICTED HANDLING Subscribe and receive the daily intelligence brief: https://www.restrictedhandling.com/  

👉 Subscribe to The Restricted Handling Podcast https://www.restrictedhandling.com/ Get the daily intelligence brief Ryan reads—covering Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, the Middle East, geopolitics, sanctions, military and intel operations. Stay ahead of the news cycle. Drones. Ukraine. China. Deterrence. The Future of War. This episode goes deep on where modern warfare is heading—and why the next 12–24 months matter more than most people realize. In this episode of the Restricted Handling Podcast, Ryan Fugit (former Army & CIA officer) is joined by Mike Pako Benitez, former F-15E Weapon Systems Officer, Weapons School graduate, Distinguished Flying Cross recipient, defense technologist, and founder of The Merge—one of the fastest-growing military aviation and defense technology newsletters. With Glenn Corn traveling in Eastern Europe, Ryan and Mike dive into the drone revolution, lessons from Ukraine, U.S. defense production realities, and why cost, scale, and speed now matter more than gold-plated performance. Mike also shares insights from his current role as CEO of Purple Rhombus, a drone startup focused on affordable mass—building systems designed for real production, not PowerPoint warfare. This conversation connects battlefield reality to defense acquisition, industrial base constraints, and deterrence against China and Russia, while tackling the big question everyone is asking: Is manned aviation going away—or evolving? 🎙️ In this episode, we cover: • What ISIS drones (2014–2016) reveal about today's drone warfare • Why Ukraine's innovation cycle is measured in weeks, not years • Where the U.S. is falling behind on drones—and why • Cost, scale, and production as the new center of gravity • Why defense procurement is finally starting to change • China's supply-chain advantage and the rare-earth problem • Why affordable, expendable systems matter more than perfection • The future of manned aviation and man-machine teaming • What actually keeps defense leaders up at night This episode is practical, unsanitized, and grounded in real experience—from cockpit decisions to factory floors. If you want to understand how wars are actually fought now, and how the U.S. can still win the next one, this episode is essential. ⏱️ TIMELINE / CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro & Mike Benitez Background 02:20 What Is The Merge? 03:45 The Real Origins of Drone Warfare 06:30 Ukraine's Innovation Cycle 10:30 Where the U.S. Is Behind 14:30 Cost, Scale, and Production Reality 18:45 China, Supply Chains, and Rare Earths 22:00 The Future of Manned Aviation 26:00 Deterrence, Capacity, and Credibility 31:00 What Keeps Mike Up at Night 34:30 Purple Rhombus & Affordable Mass 37:30 Final Thoughts HOW TO FIND MIKE PAKO BENITEZ The Merge – Defense, Aviation, and National Security Newsletter https://themerge.co/ Purple Rhombus – Drone Systems & Affordable Mass https://www.purple-rhombus.com/ RESTRICTED HANDLING Subscribe, contact, and get the daily intel brief https://www.restrictedhandling.com/  

👉 Subscribe to The Restricted Handling Podcast https://www.restrictedhandling.com/ Get the daily intelligence brief Ryan and Glenn read—covering Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, the Middle East, geopolitics, sanctions, military and intel operations. Stay ahead of the news cycle. Serbia. The Balkans. NATO. Russia. History. Power. This episode is a masterclass in how unresolved history shapes modern geopolitics. In this episode of the Restricted Handling Podcast, hosts Ryan Fugit (former Army & CIA officer) and Glenn Corn (34-year CIA veteran, multiple-time Chief of Station) are joined by Ambassador (ret.) Anthony Godfrey, former U.S. Ambassador to Serbia and a career diplomat with nearly 30 years in the State Department and 12 years in the U.S. Navy. Ambassador Godfrey brings firsthand experience from Serbia, Russia, Chechnya, Belarus, Iraq, Turkey, Armenia, and beyond—offering rare insight into the Balkans, NATO cohesion, Russian influence, and why this region still matters for U.S. national security. The conversation spans everything from Greenland and Arctic security to the fragile political balance in the Western Balkans, including Serbia's relationship with Russia, China, the EU, Bosnia, and Kosovo. Godfrey also shares extraordinary personal stories—from being declared persona non grata to navigating expeditionary diplomacy in some of the world's toughest environments. Along the way, Ryan, Glenn, and Ambassador Godfrey break down: • Why the Balkans remain strategically volatile • Serbia's balancing act between the West and Moscow • Bosnia's unresolved political structure and rising risk • Kosovo as an enduring flashpoint • NATO's value—and the danger of undermining it • China's quiet economic leverage in the region • Why economic stability is the real key to long-term peace • Lessons from decades of frontline diplomacy This episode combines hard geopolitical analysis, historical context, and unfiltered war stories—the kind of insight you only get from people who were actually there. If you want to understand why the Balkans still matter, how Russia exploits fractures, and what the U.S. should be doing now, this episode is essential listening. 🎙️ In this episode, we cover: • Ambassador Godfrey's career across Eastern Europe and Eurasia • What it really means to be declared persona non grata • Greenland, Arctic security, and NATO cohesion • Serbia's political and economic trajectory • Bosnia and Herzegovina's fragile structure • Kosovo as a long-term security risk • Russian and Chinese influence in the Balkans • Why EU accession matters for U.S. security • Operation Halyard and forgotten U.S.–Serbian history • Why diplomacy still matters in unstable regions ⏱️ TIMELINE / CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro & Ambassador Godfrey's Background 04:30 Being Declared Persona Non Grata 10:15 Greenland, NATO, and the High North 15:00 Why the Balkans Still Matter 20:30 Bosnia's Fragile Political System 26:00 Serbia's Balancing Act: EU, Russia, China 32:30 Kosovo and Regional Stability 38:30 Operation Halyard & WWII History 45:30 Life as a Diplomat: War Stories 52:30 Final Thoughts & Lessons Learned HOW TO FIND GLENN CORN Glenn Corn is a former CIA Senior Intelligence Service officer, multiple-time Chief of Station, and current professor at the Institute of World Politics. Institute of World Politics – Faculty Profile https://www.iwp.edu/faculty/glenn-corn/ Great South Bay Consulting https://greatsouthbayinc.com/   RESTRICTED HANDLING Subscribe, contact, and get the daily intel brief https://www.restrictedhandling.com/  

👉 Subscribe to The Restricted Handling Podcast https://www.restrictedhandling.com/ Get the daily intelligence brief Ryan and Glenn read—covering Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, the Middle East, geopolitics, sanctions, military and intel operations. Stay ahead of the news cycle. Today it's: Greenland. Davos. Russia. Espionage. Serbia. Ukraine. In this Ryan & Glenn–only episode of the Restricted Handling Podcast, the hosts break down a whirlwind week in global geopolitics, from President Trump's Davos speech and the Greenland controversy to Russia, Ukraine, China, and the legacy of one of the most damaging spies in U.S. history. Fresh off travel to Serbia, Glenn brings firsthand insight into the Balkans, great-power competition in Eastern Europe, and how countries caught between East and West navigate pressure from Moscow, Brussels, and Washington. The conversation then pivots to Aldrich Ames, whose death reignites hard lessons about betrayal, insider threats, and the human cost of espionage failures. Along the way, Ryan and Glenn also cover: Why Greenland suddenly matters—and what the U.S. may really want NATO, Arctic security, and whether allies are finally stepping up Iran's protests: stalled, paused, or still building? Russia's weakening position and what comes after a ceasefire China's quiet posture at Davos—and why that may be intentional Serbia's balancing act between NATO, Russia, and the EU Why betrayal inside intelligence organizations cuts deeper than anything else This episode is part geopolitical analysis, part intelligence tradecraft, and part real-world storytelling—without guests, without filters, and without headlines driving the narrative. If you want context instead of outrage—and experience instead of speculation—this episode is for you. 🎙️ In this episode, we cover: What Trump's Davos speech signals about Greenland and Arctic security Why Greenland became a flashpoint almost overnight NATO burden-sharing and European reactions Glenn's trip to Serbia and what it reveals about East–West competition The death of Aldrich Ames and lessons from one of the worst espionage betrayals ever Insider threats, loyalty, and how intelligence services fail Russia's position in Ukraine as pressure mounts China's strategic silence on the global stage Why geopolitics rarely moves in straight lines ⏱️ TIMELINE / CHAPTERS 00:00 – Intro: Davos, Greenland & a Big Week 02:00 – Why Greenland Suddenly Matters 05:30 – NATO, Europe & Arctic Security 09:00 – Iran Protests: Pause or Pressure Cooker? 12:30 – Glenn's Trip to Serbia: East vs. West 15:45 – The Aldrich Ames Case: Betrayal Inside Intelligence 22:30 – Russia, Ukraine & What Comes After a Ceasefire 27:30 – China's Quiet Strategy at Davos 31:30 – Final Thoughts & What to Watch Next  

👉 Subscribe to The Restricted Handling Podcast 🔗 https://www.restrictedhandling.com/ Get daily intelligence briefs, strategic analysis, and insights from former intelligence officers. Stay ahead of the curve. Iran. Prison. Protest. Power. This is not theory. This is lived experience. In this episode of the Restricted Handling Podcast, recorded from the Institute of World Politics (IWP) media studio in Washington, DC, hosts Ryan Fugit (former Army & CIA officer) and Glenn Corn (34-year CIA veteran, multiple-time Chief of Station) sit down with Emad Shargi, an Iranian-American businessman who spent years imprisoned by the Islamic Republic of Iran. Emad Shargi was detained by the IRGC in 2018, held in Evin Prison, and reduced to a number—97010. His story is a powerful case study in Iran's hostage diplomacy, repression, and the reality inside the regime's prisons. Today, Emad is a leading voice on Iran's internal collapse, protest movements, and what may come next. 🎙️ In this conversation, we cover: What it's like to disappear into Iran's prison system Why today's protests are different from 2009, 2017, and 2019 How the IRGC and Basij actually operate on the ground Whether the regime could collapse—and how fast that can happen What comes after the Islamic Republic Why comparisons to Iraq are wrong The roles of Russia, China, Turkey, and Israel if Iran destabilizes How the U.S. can support the Iranian people without backfiring Glenn Corn, now a professor at IWP, adds deep regional and intelligence context drawn from decades in the field, including how authoritarian regimes fall—and why echo chambers are so dangerous. 🧠 NOTE: For those interested in connecting with Emad Shargi or learning more about his work and advocacy, please reach out directly through Restricted Handling at 👉 https://www.restrictedhandling.com/ This episode is raw, unfiltered, and essential for anyone trying to understand Iran, regime collapse, and what real freedom movements look like up close. ⏱️ TIMELINE / CHAPTERS 00:00 – Intro & Recording from IWP 01:30 – "97010": Inside Iran's Prison System 05:00 – Why Today's Protests Are Different 08:45 – IRGC, Basij, and Regime Repression 13:30 – Could the Regime Collapse—and How Fast? 18:45 – Russia, China, and the Exit Options 23:30 – What Comes After the Islamic Republic 28:30 – How the U.S. Can (and Can't) Help 32:30 – Final Thoughts: Hope, Risk, and Reality 🔗 LINKS & REFERENCES Glenn Corn Institute of World Politics – Faculty Profile https://www.iwp.edu/faculty/glenn-corn/ Great South Bay Consulting https://greatsouthbayinc.com/ Restricted Handling Subscribe & Contact https://www.restrictedhandling.com/  

Before you dive in—go to 👉 https://restrictedhandling.com Sign up for FREE daily intelligence briefs. You'll get sharp, no-nonsense intel delivered straight to your inbox—including analysis like what you're about to hear in this episode, often before it hits the mainstream. In this explosive episode of the Restricted Handling Podcast, Ryan Fugit is joined by Glenn Corn and David Fitzgerald—a 37-year CIA veteran and former multi-time Chief of Station—to break down one of the most consequential geopolitical operations in recent history: the U.S. apprehension of Venezuelan strongman Nicolás Maduro. In the early morning hours of January 2, U.S. forces executed a highly coordinated interagency, combined-arms operation involving Delta Force, special operations aviation, CIA, DEA, NSA, NGA, and conventional forces. The mission—described publicly as an apprehension operation—resulted in Maduro and his wife being moved to the United States. This conversation goes far beyond headlines to explain how it was done, why it matters, and what comes next. INSIDE THIS EPISODE: • How the U.S. intelligence community set the conditions months in advance • CIA operations without diplomatic cover—and what that really means • Why Venezuela's oil industry (PDVSA) is central to the transition plan • Chevron's unique role and why it never left Venezuela • Lessons from Panama, Haiti, Iraq—and what not to repeat • The real power dynamics inside Venezuela's ruling party • Narco-state realities, cartel corruption, and Cuban intelligence penetration • China's strategic dilemma and why Beijing may stay surprisingly neutral • What this operation signals to Cuba, Nicaragua, Iran, and beyond • Why the hard part starts now after the capture of Maduro This is a rare, candid discussion between professionals who have planned, supported, and executed real-world intelligence and stabilization operations. No cable-news fluff—just clear, experienced analysis from people who've been there. ABOUT THE GUESTS David Fitzgerald is a former CIA officer with nearly four decades of experience, including multiple tours as Chief of Station across Latin America and senior roles supporting major counterterrorism and stabilization operations. Glenn Corn is a former senior CIA officer and geopolitical risk expert, known for his deep regional expertise and strategic advisory work. Find Glenn Corn and David Fitzgerald at Vector One Global https://www.vectoroneglobal.com/our-company Glenn Corn is also with Great South Bay Consulting, providing high-level strategic insight for leaders navigating global instability https://greatsouthbayinc.com/ WHY THIS MATTERS: The apprehension of Maduro isn't just about Venezuela—it reshapes the balance of power across the Western Hemisphere. What happens next will determine whether this becomes a model for successful transition… or a warning of what not to do. Don't miss the next move. Go to 👉 https://restrictedhandling.com and get FREE daily intel briefs delivered straight to you. EPISODE CHAPTERS: 00:00 – Intro 06:10 – Inside the CIA & Delta Force Mission 13:45 – What Happens After Maduro? 20:40 – Narco-State Reality & Cuban Influence 28:55 – Global Ripple Effects: China, Russia & Cuba 35:40 – The Hard Part Begins

As 2025 comes to a close, Ryan Fugit and former senior intelligence officer Glenn Corn sit down for a wide-ranging, no-spin assessment of the global security landscape—and what lies ahead in 2026. 👉 Subscribe to The Restricted Handling Podcast🔗 ⁠https://www.restrictedhandling.com/⁠ -->Get exclusive insights into: Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, and the Middle East In this year-end episode of the Restricted Handling podcast, Ryan and Glenn break down the most consequential geopolitical developments of the past year, from the grinding war in Ukraine to rising pressure on Taiwan, instability across the Middle East, and growing uncertainty in Europe, Africa, and the Western Hemisphere. The conversation opens with Russia's war in Ukraine, examining staggering casualty figures, the toll on Russia's economy, and the political calculations shaping negotiations. They analyze President Putin's year-end address, Zelensky's engagement with President Trump, and whether a ceasefire or peace agreement is realistically within reach in 2026. From there, the discussion expands globally. China's posture toward Taiwan, psychological pressure campaigns, and the quiet but critical semiconductor race are unpacked in detail. Ryan and Glenn explore Iran's internal unrest, protests, and the possibility—however uncertain—of regime change. They also examine Syria, Gaza, Lebanon, Venezuela, and underreported regions like the Arctic, Africa, and North Korea's expanding role alongside Russia. One of the most powerful segments highlights individuals showing extraordinary courage under authoritarian regimes—from Russian anti-war activists and lawyers to Chinese and Hong Kong dissidents risking imprisonment to speak the truth. These stories underscore the human cost behind geopolitical headlines and why these struggles matter far beyond their borders. The episode also reflects on 2025's biggest surprises, disappointments, and under-the-radar developments—including the transformation of modern warfare through drones and AI, shifting U.S.–Europe relations, and the rise of economic and commercial diplomacy as a core tool of statecraft. Looking ahead, Ryan and Glenn put themselves on the record with bold predictions for 2026: Will there be a Ukraine ceasefire? Will NATO expand? Could U.S. troops enter Venezuela? Will global markets absorb or crack under mounting pressure? They close with practical advice for policymakers, lessons learned from decades of intelligence and diplomacy, and personal reflections on leadership, service, and resilience. If you want sober analysis, insider perspective, and a clear-eyed view of where the world is heading—this is a must-watch conversation. 🔔 Subscribe for in-depth discussions on global security, intelligence, geopolitics, and foreign policy. 💬 Drop your questions and predictions for 2026 in the comments. ⏱️ Timestamps 0:00 – Intro 2:00 – Russia, Ukraine & the State of the War 6:45 – Who Actually Plans U.S. Strategy on Russia & Iran? 10:00 – China, Taiwan & the Psychological Battlefield 14:30 – Europe, NATO & Fracturing Alliances 18:55 – Courage Under Authoritarian Regimes (Russia & China) 24:50 – 2026 Predictions: Ukraine, Venezuela, NATO & Markets 30:20 – Final Takeaways, Resolutions & What Comes Next Glenn Corn Institute of World Politics – Faculty Profile⁠https://www.iwp.edu/faculty/glenn-corn/⁠ Great South Bay Inc.⁠https://greatsouthbayinc.com/   This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit restrictedhandling.substack.com/subscribe

An Exceptional Podcast on China | Deep Expertise, Real Tradecraft, No Noise This is an outstanding, high-signal conversation on China, grounded in decades of real intelligence experience and focused on how Chinese espionage, covert influence, and strategic manipulation actually work in practice. In this episode of the Restricted Handling Podcast, hosts Ryan Fugit and Glenn Corn sit down with Nick Eftimiades, one of the most respected experts on Chinese intelligence and espionage. Nick spent over three decades in the U.S. Intelligence Community, much of it focused on China, and is the author of Chinese Espionage Operations and Tactics. Rather than headlines or speculation, this episode digs into tradecraft, strategy, and institutional failure, why the U.S. underestimated China for decades, how Beijing runs a whole-of-society intelligence campaign, and what that means for U.S. national security today. Why the U.S. Intelligence Community historically underinvested in China expertise How Chinese covert influence operations target U.S. state and local governments The Linda Sun case and what it reveals about United Front tradecraft Why U.S. states are uniquely vulnerable to foreign influence China's aggressive economic espionage campaign, especially semiconductors and AI Illegal Nvidia chip transfers and how export controls are enforced and evaded China's strategy toward Taiwan, pressure, psychology, cyber, and espionage short of war Why an invasion is not the only or even preferred option Whether the U.S. can realistically split China and Russia Which allies truly understand the China threat and which still do not This is a serious topic for serious listeners but in a lighthearted approach that policy makers, military professionals, intelligence practitioners, and anyone who wants to understand how great-power competition actually operates behind the scenes. 00:00 – Introduction: Why China Has Been the Blind Spot 01:10 – The U.S. Intelligence Gap on China 05:20 – Covert Influence and the Linda Sun Case 11:00 – United Front Operations and State-Level Targeting 18:50 – Taiwan: Espionage, Psychological Warfare and "2027" 25:10 – China, Russia, and the Myth of a Strategic Split 30:30 – Economic Espionage: Semiconductors and Nvidia Chips 36:10 – What to Expect from China in 2026 and Beyond Nick Eftimiades Nick Eftimiades is a former U.S. intelligence officer with more than three decades of experience across the Intelligence Community, including extensive work on China, espionage, and counterintelligence. He has testified before Congress, briefed senior policymakers, and built one of the most comprehensive open-source databases of Chinese espionage cases worldwide. His work focuses on tradecraft, covert influence, economic espionage, and China's whole-of-society approach to intelligence operations. 📘 Chinese Espionage Operations and Tactics 👉 https://www.amazon.com/Chinese-Espionage-Operations-Nicholas-Eftimiades/dp/0997618833/ 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eftimiades 🌐 Website: https://www.shinobienterprises.com/ Stay ahead of the world's most critical flashpoints with PDB-style daily intelligence. 🔹 Subscribe: restrictedhandling.com 🔹 Includes: A daily intelligence brief covering China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and the Middle East Two companion daily podcasts focused exclusively on China and Russia Clear, concise analysis designed for decision-makers Glenn Corn 🌐 https://greatsouthbayinc.com/ Former Senior CIA Operations Officer, Member of the Senior Intelligence Service, and Adjunct Professor of Russian and Soviet Studies. With 34 years across CIA, Defense, and State, Glenn served in some of the world's most challenging postings, including multiple tours as a Chief of Station. Today he advises on intelligence, risk, and strategic security while teaching at the Institute of World Politics.   This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit restrictedhandling.substack.com/subscribe

👉 Subscribe to The Restricted Handling Podcast 🔗 https://www.restrictedhandling.com/ Get exclusive insights into: Russia China Iran North Korea The Middle East Lebanon. Syria. Iran. Hezbollah. Israel. Russia. Few people on Earth can connect all of these threads from firsthand experience—Ambassador David Hale can. In this special holiday edition of the Restricted Handling Podcast, hosts Ryan Fugit (former Army & CIA officer) and Glenn Corn (34-year CIA veteran, multiple-time CIA Chief of Station) sit down with one of America's most accomplished diplomats for a no-nonsense deep dive into the Middle East power shift unfolding right now. With 40 years in the U.S. Foreign Service, Ambassador Hale has served as U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan, Lebanon, and Jordan, including three tours in Lebanon, giving him rare longitudinal insight into how U.S. policy, Iranian influence, and regional conflicts truly evolve over time. 🎙️ In this episode, we cover: Why Lebanon is at a historic inflection point after decades of Syrian and Iranian dominance The real status of Hezbollah's degradation—and why persistence is everything How Iran was finally disrupted, and the danger of U.S. disengagement Assad's fall and the hard truths about Syria's new leadership Why Israel is expanding security belts—and where it clashes with U.S. policy Russia's long game in the Levant—and why Moscow ultimately abandons its allies Whether U.S. or French troops in Lebanon would stabilize or explode the situation The future of American diplomacy—and whether young people should still pursue the Foreign Service This conversation is a masterclass in strategic realism—how intelligence, diplomacy, and military power intersect when theory collides with reality. Ambassador Hale also pulls back the curtain on how U.S. administrations repeatedly surge, retreat, and leave vacuums adversaries are happy to fill. If you want to understand: ✔️ Middle East geopolitics beyond headlines ✔️ U.S.–Iran confrontation dynamics ✔️ Lebanon, Syria, Israel, and Hezbollah in context ✔️ How policy decisions are actually made …this episode is essential.   📘 Featured Guest & Host Links Ambassador David Hale Institute of World Politics – Faculty Profile https://www.iwp.edu/faculty/ambassador-david-hale/ Wilson Center – Distinguished Fellow https://www.wilsoncenter.org/person/david-hale Book: American Diplomacy Toward Lebanon: Lessons in Foreign Policy in the Middle East https://www.amazon.com/American-Diplomacy-Toward-Lebanon-Institute/dp/0755652223 Glenn Corn Institute of World Politics – Faculty Profile https://www.iwp.edu/faculty/glenn-corn/ Great South Bay Inc. https://greatsouthbayinc.com/ ⏱️ Time Stamps 00:00 – Intro 02:15 – Lebanon's Turning Point: Hezbollah on the Ropes 06:05 – Iran's Strategy: Why Silence Is Dangerous 10:30 – Can Lebanon Prevent Hezbollah's Return? 14:55 – Syria After Assad: Hard Truths About the New Regime 20:10 – Israel's Security Strategy & U.S. Policy Tensions 24:40 – Russia's Role: Why Moscow Abandons Its Allies 28:45 – Why America Always Walks Away 32:50 – Should Young Americans Still Join the Foreign Service? 35:45 – Final Thoughts & Holiday Send-Off This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit restrictedhandling.substack.com/subscribe

📩 Subscribe for Daily Intel - PDB-Style for FREE at ⁠⁠⁠restrictedhandling.com⁠⁠⁠. Stay ahead of the world's most critical flashpoints with the Restricted Handling Daily Intelligence Brief — a PDB-style summary covering Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, and the Middle East. You'll also get two companion daily podcasts focused exclusively on Russia and China. Today's Episode Get ready for an eye-opening, on-the-ground breakdown from former CIA officers Ryan Fugit and Glenn Korn as they dive deep into Glenn's latest trip to Ukraine, the evolving Russia–Ukraine war, shifting U.S. national security strategy, and the global geopolitical chessboard shaping 2025 and beyond. Fresh off his eighth trip to Ukraine, Glenn shares raw, unfiltered observations from Kyiv and Lviv, including the mood of the Ukrainian people, the Midas corruption scandal shaking political leadership, Russia's escalated airstrikes, critical shortages in air defense systems, and what Ukraine truly needs to withstand the winter. The conversation then shifts into the explosive 28-point peace plan, the stalled Moscow meeting with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Putin's classic diplomatic power plays, Russian disinformation, European hesitations, China's strategic position, and how the new U.S. National Security Strategy reframes threats in the Western Hemisphere, Eurasia, and beyond. If you care about geopolitics, intelligence analysis, or understanding the reality behind headline narratives, this episode is an absolute must-watch. 🎯 Topics Covered Glenn's firsthand insights from Ukraine How Russia is adjusting tactics on the battlefield Ukrainian political turmoil: the Midas corruption case Europe's role: UK, France, Germany, Baltics, Nordics Why Russia made Witkoff & Kushner wait 5 hours China's influence inside Russia How the new U.S. national security strategy shifts America's priorities What Putin fears most Why the West must communicate directly to the Russian people Timeline 00:00 — Opening + Introductions 00:26 — Glenn returns from Ukraine: trip overview 00:51 — Conditions on the ground in Kyiv & Lviv 01:54 — How Ukrainians are coping with winter + political scandal 04:30 — The stalled 28-point plan & Moscow visit fallout 06:21 — Russia's propaganda tactics & disrespect signals 07:21 — Europe's support: who's helping, who's not 08:30 — EU frozen Russian assets debate explained 11:07 — What the U.S. should do next with Russia 13:04 — Why "win-win-win economics" doesn't work with Putin 14:47 — New U.S. National Security Strategy: Glenn's take 18:00 — Western Hemisphere focus & Maduro–Putin developments 21:00 — How Europe interprets the new strategy 23:59 — Why Russia is applauding the strategy document 26:09 — Disinformation, media accountability & the BBC case 28:36 — Value of NATO and European partnerships 30:00 — China's threat and why Russia won't break from Beijing 31:48 — Who actually has influence over Putin today? 34:38 — Any hope of breakthroughs before year-end? 35:50 — Final thoughts: Why Ukraine needs unwavering U.S. resolve Want more deep-dive episodes with Ryan Fugit & Glenn Korn? Drop your questions in the comments! 🕵️‍♂️ Find Glenn Corn Online: ⁠https://greatsouthbayinc.com/⁠ Former Senior CIA Operations Officer, Member of the Senior Intelligence Service, and Adjunct Professor of Russian/Soviet Studies With 34 years across the CIA, Defense, and State Department, he's served in some of the hardest locations as a multi-time Chief of Station. Today, he advises on global intelligence, risk, and strategic security challenges while teaching at the Institute of World Politics. Find Ryan Fugit Online: Ryan founded Restricted Handling to highlight some of the  authoritarian regimes.     This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit restrictedhandling.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of the Restricted Handling Podcast, Ryan speaks with Mike and Dolyna, two Ukrainian soldiers fighting on the front lines of the war in Ukraine—where survival depends on speed, adaptability, and constant innovation. 📩 Subscribe for Daily Intel - PDB-Style for FREE at ⁠⁠⁠restrictedhandling.com⁠⁠⁠. Stay ahead of the world's most critical flashpoints with the Restricted Handling Daily Intelligence Brief — a PDB-style summary covering Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, and the Middle East. You'll also get two companion daily podcasts focused exclusively on Russia and China. Delina commands a research and development drone unit, responsible for designing, testing, and deploying FPV, UAV, and signal-support drones directly into live combat. Mike, who once studied abroad in Europe, now operates in a battlespace defined by drones, electronic warfare, and rapid tactical evolution. Together, they offer an unfiltered, first-hand look at how modern warfare is being rewritten in real time.   🕵️‍♂️ Find Glenn Corn Online:⁠ ⁠https://greatsouthbayinc.com/⁠⁠ Former Senior CIA Operations Officer, Member of the Senior Intelligence Service, and Adjunct Professor of Russian/Soviet Studies With 34 years across the CIA, Defense, and State Department, he's served in some of the hardest locations as a multi-time Chief of Station. Today, he advises on global intelligence, risk, and strategic security challenges while teaching at the Institute of World Politics. Find Ryan Fugit Online: Ryan founded Restricted Handling to highlight some of the  authoritarian regimes. Takeaways Delina is involved in drone R&D, focusing on aerial technology. The unit was moved to Zaporizhzhia after defending Kyiv. FPV drone development started in 2023. The unit aims to outperform the enemy in impact. FPV drones can impact targets 35 km away. Delina's team works on manufacturing and IT development. Russian tactics have changed, using fog and small units. Fiber optic cable drones are used in foggy terrains. Maintaining a steady supply of drones is challenging. FPV drones strike targets up to 35 km away. Timeline 00:00:00 Intro 00:00:11 Delina's Role in Drone R&D 00:00:19 Combat Experiences and Unit Movements 00:01:49 FPV Drone Development 00:03:22 Technological Advancements and Challenges 00:03:55 Day-to-Day Operations and Team Structure 00:05:25 Pre-War Backgrounds and Command Selection 00:06:38 Russian Tactics and Adaptations 00:07:38 Drone Technology and Strategic Use 00:08:31 Challenges in Drone Supply and Operations 00:09:38 FPV Drone Capabilities 00:10:37 Morale and Combat Successes 00:11:43 Enemy Countermeasures and Tactical Changes 00:13:06 Russian Production and Adaptation 00:14:27 Social Media and Public Engagement 00:14:56 Future Plans and Post-War Goals 00:16:38 Final Thoughts and Messages to the Audience This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit restrictedhandling.substack.com/subscribe

📩 Subscribe for Daily Intel - PDB-Style for FREE at⁠ ⁠⁠⁠restrictedhandling.com⁠⁠⁠⁠. Dive into one of the most consequential and fast-moving geopolitical moments of the year as former CIA and US government veterans Ryan Fugit and Glenn Corn break down the surge of leaks, diplomatic maneuvering, battlefield realities, and Russian cognitive warfare shaping the Russia–Ukraine war right now. In this gripping episode of the Restricted Handling Podcast, Ryan and Glenn cut through the noise to deliver insider-level clarity at a moment when the global information space is being deliberately manipulated. Recorded on December 2nd, the conversation comes as U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arrived in Moscow, a swirl of leaked documents rocks global capitals, and Russia intensifies its information AND battlefield campaigns. Ryan and Glenn unpack: The infamous 28-point plan allegedly reflecting U.S.–Russia discussions The Ukrainian-refined 19-point version Leaked phone transcripts between U.S. envoys and top Kremlin intermediaries Why Glenn believes the Russians intentionally leaked them, and what psychological and geopolitical effects Moscow is chasing How the Kremlin uses leaks to sow distrust, fracture U.S.–EU unity, and undermine Kyiv The cognitive warfare parallels to their previous discussion with Natalia Moscow's obsession with remaining on the "front page" of global attention What's actually happening in Krasnohorivka and other hotspots Russia's evolving infiltration tactics How FPV drone superiority has shifted advantages The truth about Russian morale: mutinies, looting their own dead, and staggering casualty numbers Ryan walks through the hard numbers: Inflation surging (likely higher than Moscow admits) Interest rates at 16.5% Oil revenue down 70% VAT increases hitting everyday Russians Factories moving to 4-day weeks as budgets deteriorate The labor and conscription crises coming to a boil How Kyiv views the leaks and negotiations Why corruption scandals won't break Ukrainian will Glenn's message to Ukraine and the West: "Take a breath. Don't fall for Moscow's psychological traps." What to expect from the Witkoff–Kushner–Putin meetings Why Putin will likely stall, signal openness, but reject major concessions How Moscow uses negotiations as another form of pressure, not a path to peace Ryan Fugit – Former U.S. Army officer and CIA operations officer with years of service in global conflict zones. Glenn Corn – 30-year CIA veteran, senior leader in counterterrorism, foreign intelligence, and international negotiations. Their combined experience gives viewers rare access to the kind of analysis traditionally confined to intelligence and policy circles. (Transcript Source: ) Want the same daily intel brief Ryan and Glenn use to stay ahead of world events? Get it free at: RestrictedHandling.com Daily hand-curated reporting on: Russia China Iran North Korea Middle East Sanctions, geopolitics, intel ops, and military developments Plus accompanying region-focused podcasts. Subscribe → Comment → Ask questions they'll answer in future episodes. If you value real analysis over propaganda, hit LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and share this episode with someone who wants to understand the world—not just react to headlines. Together we build a smarter, more resilient audience against global disinformation. ⭐ INSIDE THIS EPISODE🔥 The Explosive Leaks🎭 Russia's Information Warfare Machine💣 The Real Situation on the Battlefield📉 Russia's Fragile Economy🇺🇦 Ukraine's Resolve🕊️ What Happens Next?⭐ WHO ARE RYAN FUGIT & GLENN CORN? 🔔 JOIN THE RESTRICTED HANDLING COMMUNITY📌 LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, AND SHARE 🕵️‍♂️ Find Glenn Corn Online: ⁠https://greatsouthbayinc.com/⁠ Former Senior CIA Operations Officer, Member of the Senior Intelligence Service, and Adjunct Professor of Russian/Soviet Studies With 34 years across the CIA, Defense, and State Department, he's served in some of the hardest locations as a multi-time Chief of Station. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit restrictedhandling.substack.com/subscribe