Some quick X threads AND podcasts that I thought were interesting. This post is also an open thread. I welcome any readers to post comments or additional links related to national security or history issues, even if unrelated to the links below.
Two very good must-listen-to podcasts to lead things off today, and there is some crossover content that is super important. First up the latest School of War Podcast.
Episode 243 with Joshua S. Trevino is the must-listen-to podcast of the day. Trevinio was a School of War guest almost a year ago in what I think is a top 5 show. Today, they discuss Venezuela and what they believe is the ultimate goal there. For me, I am that person on the right in politics who is lukewarm on Ukraine, anti-regime change, but am hyper-focused on the Americas. I have long championed an Americas First foreign policy. I am of the opinion that Mexico is the most important country in foreign policy. I can only imagine what it would look like if we invested the time and resources there, like we did in Afghanistan or Iraq. There is no question that the State-Cartel Syndicate that exists in Central and South America needs to be challenged and dismantled. This is such a great episode, I cannot recommend it more highly. (I embedded the Podcast like this so you could see Ep. 242 also. My foreign policy dream is Americas first, then China at all cost.)
Again, a super important episode that primarily covers counter-drone issues as they relate to acquisition. But there is a section near the middle where they talk about the Southern Border. The cross-border drone activity will blow your mind. I don’t know how this hasn’t risen to the highest of priorities in National Security. Definitely some cross-over material here. Very good episode.
Philippines seized a Chinese militia boat at Second Thomas Shoal
Crew was cyanide fishing, which can destroy marine ecosystem.
And China claims to protect Scarborough Shoal as nature reserve and accuses Philippines of polluting these wates by grounding a rusted ship. Wow pic.twitter.com/Sw04OVZJZL
— Dr. Minh Tran (@MinhDr18) October 28, 2025
Again, the cross-over of Great Power competition and environmental activism. We should weaponize environmental activism against China.
In 1789, shortly after becoming the first U.S. president, George Washington borrowed *The Law of Nations* by Emer de Vattel from the New York Society Library, then the de facto Library of Congress as New York City was the U.S. capital. The book, a key text on international law… pic.twitter.com/Q6dvRtZOMO
— The Redheaded Candace / Rebecka Jones (@TRHLofficial) October 27, 2025
Just some really good history and a funny story.
Congrats to @NASA and @LockheedMartin on what appears to be a safe and successful first flight of the X-59. https://t.co/ONcK6sW4EN
— Jared Isaacman (@rookisaacman) October 28, 2025
I can’t really comment on this (because I don’t know anything about it), but if Jared Isaacman thinks it’s awesome, we should too!