Today we're diving deep and analyzing the proposed Israel-Hamas ceasefire proposal, how Russia continues messing up the neighborhood, and what this all means during a government shutdown!

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Welcome back to the Restricted Handling Podcast with Ryan Fugit (former Army and CIA officer) and Glenn Corn (34 years in U.S. government service, most of it at CIA). In this powerful episode, we dive deep into some of the most pressing issues shaping today’s global security landscape—from the U.S. government shutdown to fragile ceasefire negotiations in Israel and Gaza, and the shifting balance of power across the Middle East, Russia, and beyond.

🎙️ Episode Highlights:

• Israel–Gaza Ceasefire Talks: We break down the proposed terms between Hamas, Israel, and the international community, including hostages, arms, humanitarian aid, reconstruction, and the geopolitical players influencing the process (Turkey, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the U.S.).

• Parallels with Lebanon & Hezbollah: Glenn draws comparisons between Hamas today and Hezbollah’s rise after the Lebanese Civil War, analyzing Israel’s determination to prevent another armed group from threatening its borders.

• The Role of Regional Powers: Turkey’s surprising diplomatic maneuvers, Qatar’s leverage, Saudi Arabia’s financial muscle, and Iran’s attempts to disrupt peace talks. What role do invisible veto players hold, and how might they derail negotiations?

• Reconstruction and Economics of Peace: Why Gulf State funding is critical to rebuilding Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria, and how reconstruction could either stabilize or destabilize the region.

• Inside the U.N. General Assembly (UNGA): Glenn shares firsthand insights from recent meetings in New York, including discussions with the Syrian president and U.S. business leaders about economic reforms, reconstruction, and regional stability.

• Why Now?: We analyze why this peace proposal is emerging now, the domestic challenges facing Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, and the public relations battle Israel is losing on the world stage.

• Winners, Losers, and the Future of the Region: Could Palestinians ultimately benefit from disarmament and reconstruction? Or will Hamas’ refusal to relinquish weapons derail any chance of peace?

• The U.S. Government Shutdown: Ryan and Glenn share their personal experiences from past shutdowns, the morale effects on essential vs. non-essential personnel, and how bureaucratic slowdowns can sometimes paradoxically improve efficiency.

• Russia–Ukraine Update: From Tomahawk missile requests to sanctions crushing the Russian economy, we discuss the latest military and economic developments, NATO’s concerns, and Russia’s rumored counter-moves in the Western Hemisphere.

💡 Why Listen?
This episode offers rare, unfiltered insights from two men who’ve spent decades in intelligence, diplomacy, and national security. It’s a candid, in-depth conversation that blends policy analysis, historical context, and hard-earned experience from inside the U.S. government.

🔎 Topics Covered in Detail:

• Israel, Gaza, and Hamas’ ceasefire calculus

• Hezbollah’s disarmament dilemma and Lebanon’s fragile politics

• Iran’s shadow role and financial pipelines to militant groups

• Turkey’s rising influence and tensions with Israel

• U.S. foreign policy challenges and the importance of the Abraham Accords

• Syria’s surprising push for reform and investment opportunities

• Global reactions to antisemitism and the information war

• The ongoing impact of U.S. sanctions on Russia

• The resilience of government and military operations during shutdowns

Step beyond the headlines and official spin to uncover the deeper realities inside Russia and China’s economies. We take a close look at how Moscow and Beijing project power abroad while grappling with fragile foundations at home, from Russia’s unsustainable wartime spending to China’s faltering growth and anxious workforce. We cut through state narratives to reveal the costs of these economies, costs borne not by leaders, but by ordinary citizens facing higher prices and shrinking opportunities. With insights from data, policy shifts, and on-the-ground reports, we trace how these two authoritarian powers strain to maintain control, and how their choices reverberate across global markets, diplomacy, and the lives of millions.

Welcome back to The Restricted Handling Podcast! In today’s episode, “RH 10.1.25 | China: Taiwan Lawfare, Russia Training, EU Spy Scandal, Cyber Ops, Naval Harassment,” we dive headfirst into some of the most urgent geopolitical moves shaking the global stage. If you thought China was just flexing in the South China Sea, think again—this episode peels back the layers on Beijing’s multi-domain campaign: lawfare, espionage, cyber operations, and military muscle.

First, we break down Taiwan’s warning that Beijing is twisting UN Resolution 2758 into a so-called legal basis for a future attack. Taiwan calls it “deliberately misleading,” Washington backs them up, and Beijing doubles down with jets and warships buzzing the Strait. It’s courtroom arguments with a side of saber-rattling.

From there, we pivot to North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, who sent Xi Jinping a note promising undying loyalty “no matter how the world changes.” Spoiler: it’s not a Hallmark card, it’s a signal of tighter DPRK-PRC coordination as Russia leans in too. That’s the axis of authoritarian opportunism at work.

Meanwhile in Europe, things get messy. Germany convicts Jian Guo, a Chinese-born German national and former aide to AfD’s Maximilian Krah, for aggravated espionage. Four years and nine months in prison for spying on dissidents, hoarding sensitive EU documents, and even tracking military shipments. Europe’s patience with Beijing’s spying games is wearing thin—and this case could sharpen EU counterintelligence efforts.

On the cyber front, China’s newly identified “Phantom Taurus” threat actor is upgrading from email hacks to SQL database plundering. Think advanced malware, in-memory stealth, and data theft targeting ministries, embassies, and telecoms across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. At the same time, Beijing is forcing its own networks to report breaches within 30–60 minutes starting November 1. The dual play: hammer the outside world while tightening control inside.

And at sea? The Royal Navy faced PLA “constructive kill” maneuvers—Chinese fighters simulating missile runs on HMS Richmond while stalking HMS Prince of Wales. Taiwan, for its part, expelled Chinese “research” ships mapping seabeds north of the island, a reminder that infiltration sometimes looks like science on the surface.

We close with the human side: new U.S. reports spotlight Beijing’s persecution of religious minorities—Uyghurs, Tibetans, underground Christians, and more—linking repression to technology and transnational intimidation campaigns.

This is an action-packed episode blending lawfare, cyber warfare, military brinkmanship, and espionage into one global snapshot. If you’re tracking China’s growing assertiveness, Russia’s hand in the mix, and how democracies are fighting back, you don’t want to miss this one.

Tune in, strap in, and get ready: Beijing is moving pieces on every board, and the world is watching.

Get ready for another hard-hitting dive into the chaos of today’s global security landscape. RH 10.1.25 | Russia: Sabotage, Zaporizhzhia, Drone Wall, Czech Ammo, Taiwan Oil brings you straight into the latest flashpoints—from nuclear brinkmanship to covert sabotage plots—delivered with the energy and clarity you expect from The Restricted Handling Podcast.

This episode takes you behind the headlines into the very real threats shaking Europe, NATO, and Ukraine’s survival. We start with Russia’s latest play: blaming Ukraine for sabotage operations in Poland that Moscow itself might carry out. It’s classic Kremlin theater—straight out of the Soviet “Trust” playbook. As Polish skies fill with Russian drones and NATO defenses are tested, the question isn’t if Moscow will push harder, but how far it’s willing to go.

Then we move to Zaporizhzhia, where Europe’s largest nuclear plant has been disconnected from the grid for over a week. Running on shaky diesel generators, the plant is playing nuclear roulette while Russian shelling blocks repairs. President Zelenskyy is sounding the alarm, and the IAEA warns this “emergency workaround” can’t last forever. It’s a reminder of how Russia keeps nuclear safety hostage to its war.

At the same time, EU leaders are meeting in Copenhagen under heavy security to hash out a “drone wall” that would defend Europe against Moscow’s cheap but disruptive UAVs. NATO chief Mark Rutte calls it essential, while Estonia’s prime minister warns Putin is trying to distract Europe from Ukraine. Romania is already fast-tracking joint drone production with Ukraine to secure NATO’s eastern flank.

But it’s not just defense hardware on the line. Ukraine’s ammo supply chain could be thrown into turmoil if Czech elections hand power to a populist party threatening to kill Prague’s covert ammunition program—the same program that has quietly delivered over two million artillery shells from non-NATO states. Without it, Ukraine’s fight in Donbas would look very different.

And in a twist of global irony, Taiwan—while loudly backing Ukraine—has become the top importer of Russian naphtha, buying $1.3 billion worth this year alone. That money flows straight into the Kremlin’s war chest, even as Taipei pushes allies to stand firm against Moscow and Beijing.

From sabotage ops to nuclear risks, from drone wars to hidden supply chains, this episode is loaded. Expect blunt talk, sharp context, and a little edge—because when Russia’s turning Cold War-era tricks and Europe’s scrambling to stay ahead, you need more than headlines.

Strap in for this episode of The Restricted Handling Podcast as we dive headfirst into the latest wave of China headlines shaking up the Indo-Pacific and beyond. From missile stockpiles and drone squadrons to Arctic ambitions and AI showdowns, this one’s packed tighter than a PLA missile silo.

We kick things off with the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force, which just boosted its arsenal to a staggering 3,500 missiles, including the hypersonic DF-17 and the infamous DF-26 “Guam Express.” This isn’t just saber-rattling—it’s hard evidence that Beijing is building the firepower to threaten Taiwan, U.S. forces, and anyone else standing in the way.

Speaking of Taiwan, the PLA keeps up its gray-zone tactics, buzzing the island with 33 aircraft and 11 ships in just 24 hours. That’s on top of hundreds already logged this month. It’s pressure by attrition, designed to wear Taipei down while Beijing shrugs it off as “routine.”

The U.S. isn’t watching from the sidelines. We break down the activation of the 431st Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron at Kunsan Air Base in South Korea, bringing MQ-9 Reaper drones permanently into the region. With range to cover North Korea, Taiwan, and even the Chinese coast, these drones add persistence, strike punch, and a whole lot of “we’re not leaving” energy.

We also talk about India’s new undersea muscle, flexing its submarine rescue capabilities in multinational drills in the South China Sea. The debut of the INS Nistar in live dockings with foreign subs is more than a tech demo—it’s a clear message that India is embedding itself deeper into regional security.

But that’s not all. We’ve got China running nuclear detonation simulations in the lab, testing “triple-strike” concepts for maximum underground bunker-busting effect. We’ve got Beijing claiming its first manned Arctic submersible dive, pushing “near-Arctic state” rhetoric while hunting resources and strategic sea routes. And of course, we’re covering the tech war, where iFLYTEK and Zhipu AI keep sprinting forward despite U.S. export controls, rolling out large language models and proving that sanctions may slow but won’t stop China’s AI machine.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Replicator drone project is hitting potholes—delays, bugs, and costs that kill the “cheap, smart, small” dream—just as China’s military modernization keeps accelerating across land, sea, air, space, and cyber.

It’s missiles, drones, AI, and Arctic ice—all in one episode. If you want to stay ahead of the geopolitical curve with a mix of sharp intel and a little punchy commentary, this is the one to catch.

Strap in for today’s edition of The Restricted Handling Podcast, where we cut through the noise and bring you the sharpest updates from the frontlines of global security. In this episode, “RH 9.30.25 | Russia, Tomahawks, Drones & Moldova,” we’re breaking down the latest from Europe, Washington, and beyond—with just enough energy to keep it entertaining while we cover some very serious business.

First up: Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz has dropped the hammer, declaring Europe “no longer at peace” with Russia. That’s not diplomatic code—it’s a reality check for NATO and the EU. We’ll talk about Germany’s new troop deployments in Lithuania, the EU’s plan to unlock frozen Russian assets, and what this all means for Europe’s ability to stand tall against Moscow.

Then we pivot to Washington, where the hot-button issue is whether Ukraine gets Tomahawk cruise missiles. These long-range, precision-guided weapons could give Kyiv the ability to strike deep into Russia, even Moscow itself. Vice President JD Vance says Trump is weighing the decision, while Special Envoy Keith Kellogg says the green light’s already on. Meanwhile, the Kremlin is warning, posturing, and threatening to send its own missiles to Venezuela. Is this more bluff than bite? We’ll walk you through the details.

But it’s not just missiles—it’s drones, drones, drones. Russia’s buzzing NATO skies from Norway to Denmark to Romania. Airports shut down, air defenses go up, and Denmark even mobilized hundreds of reservists in secret. NATO responded by deploying the German frigate FGS Hamburg and U.S. P-8 Poseidon sub-hunters to the Baltic. Ukraine, always the innovator under fire, is offering to build a joint regional “air shield” to help allies learn from its own success at shooting down nightly swarms.

And don’t miss what’s happening in Moldova. The pro-European Party of Action and Solidarity just won big in elections, and the Kremlin isn’t happy. Russian-backed politicians are crying fraud, protests are being staged, and the infamous Matryoshka botnet is churning out disinformation at full tilt. It’s classic Moscow playbook: destabilize and delegitimize before Moldova can lock into the EU.

All of this sits against the backdrop of Putin’s latest moves: drafting 135,000 more conscripts, slashing veteran benefits while pumping billions into propaganda, and pushing youth indoctrination programs that look straight out of the Soviet Union. Add in the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant crisis—six days without external power—and you’ve got one of the most volatile security environments Europe has faced in decades.

It’s global security, geopolitics, and military maneuvering—explained with energy, clarity, and just enough punch to keep you hooked. If you want to know what’s really going down, this is the episode you don’t want to miss.

Strap in, because this episode of The Restricted Handling Podcast takes you straight into the heart of China’s latest power plays—and they’re coming fast and from every direction. From the shadows of cyberspace to the high seas of the Taiwan Strait, Beijing is flexing like never before, and we’re breaking it all down in a way that keeps you hooked.

We start with the jaw-dropping rise of China’s Ministry of State Security. Once a shadowy domestic watchdog, the MSS is now running some of the most sophisticated cyber campaigns on the planet. Remember “Salt Typhoon”? Yeah, that’s the operation that snuck into U.S. critical infrastructure and global telecom networks for years without getting caught. Think of it like Ocean’s Eleven, but with Beijing’s hackers quietly setting the stage for a potential lights-out moment if things ever go sideways over Taiwan. Oh, and while they’re at it, they’ve got another group—RedNovember—hammering away at U.S. defense contractors, European engine makers, and even semiconductors in Taiwan. This isn’t small ball; it’s cyber pre-positioning for the big game.

Then we shift to the diplomatic chessboard. Xi Jinping has his eyes on a prize that would rewrite decades of U.S. policy: he wants Washington to officially say it opposes Taiwan independence. That’s not just wordplay—it’s Beijing trying to tilt the balance of global politics in its favor. With Trump hungry for a trade deal, Xi thinks the timing is perfect. Meanwhile, Taiwan’s military is grinding through daily PLA incursions, scrambling jets, deploying ships, and now guarding undersea cables around the clock after multiple sabotage attempts. Beijing even built a cable-cutting ship capable of slicing through lines four kilometers down. Subtle? Not exactly.

Add to that Tokyo busting a Chinese “research” vessel inside its EEZ, and you’ve got a flashpoint brewing in Japanese waters. At the same time, Beijing is rolling out its new “K visa” program, dangling opportunities for global STEM talent just as the U.S. hikes fees for H-1Bs. The message: if America shuts the door, China will gladly open one.

And it doesn’t stop there. We’ve got Kim Jong Un cozying up to Xi in Beijing—second visit in a month by Pyongyang’s top diplomat—and pledging tighter ties ahead of the APEC summit. Plus, Beijing’s expanding its footprint in Africa, using counterterrorism partnerships, smart-city surveillance tech, and military training as its ticket to influence across the continent.

If you want to know how China is blending cyber, diplomacy, gray-zone tactics, talent recruitment, and African partnerships into one massive power projection strategy, this episode is for you. It’s sharp, it’s punchy, and it’s packed with the intel you need to understand where the world’s most consequential rivalry is heading.

Russia is testing limits in the air, on the ground, and in the political arena—and this episode of The Restricted Handling Podcast breaks it all down with energy, edge, and clarity. RH 9.29.25 | Russia Strikes Kyiv, Violates NATO Skies, Moldova Defies Kremlin, Tomahawks Loom, Oil Fades delivers a deep dive into one of the most volatile weeks of the war so far.

We start with Russia’s massive overnight assault on Ukraine—nearly 650 drones and missiles fired in one of the biggest attacks of the war. Kyiv endured more than 12 hours of bombardment, killing civilians and knocking out power and gas for thousands. Ukrainian defenses intercepted most of the barrage, but the scale of the strike shows Moscow is still willing to burn through resources to terrorize and intimidate.

Then we shift to NATO, where Russian aircraft and drones have been buzzing through allied airspace like it’s the Wild West. Poland, Estonia, Denmark, and Norway have all reported violations this month. NATO scrambled jets, closed airspace, and even invoked Article 4 consultations—twice in two weeks, something almost unheard of. The Kremlin claims it’s all overblown, but Moscow’s top diplomat Sergei Lavrov is out at the UN warning of “decisive responses” if NATO downs Russian planes. That’s Cold War chest-thumping at its finest, designed to rattle the alliance.

Meanwhile, Moldova just handed Russia a major political defeat. The pro-European Party of Action and Solidarity crushed Kremlin-backed opponents in parliamentary elections, winning nearly half the vote despite cyberattacks, bomb threats, and disinformation campaigns. This result puts Moldova on a fast track to EU integration and deals a blow to Putin’s regional influence.

Back in Washington, the Tomahawk missile debate is heating up. Ukraine wants the long-range cruise missiles to strike deep inside Russia. Vice President JD Vance confirmed the request is under review, and Trump himself will make the final call. With a 2,500-kilometer range, Tomahawks would be a true game-changer for Ukraine’s military.

And while all this plays out, Russia’s oil industry—the backbone of its war economy—is slowly collapsing under sanctions, resource depletion, and labor shortages. The golden era of Siberian oil is fading, and the Kremlin knows it.

From drone swarms over Kyiv to NATO airspace violations, Moldovan resilience, U.S. weapons debates, and the decline of Russia’s energy empire, this episode packs in everything you need to know. Serious geopolitics, delivered with some heat and energy—because the stakes couldn’t be higher.