Best Fdd S Long War Journal Podcasts (2024)

1
Ep. 181 — Al Qaeda’s leader has a new rallying cry. We should listen. 49:25

5h ago49:25

49:25

The (still technically unofficial) leader of Al Qaeda, Saif al-Adel, wrote an article under a pseudonym calling for people around the world to flock to Afghanistan for training to conduct attacks against “the Zionists.” Clear efforts by Al Qaeda to capitalize on the conflict in Gaza — but is the threat credible? Does al Qaeda in Afghanistan even ha…

1
Ep. 180 — Meanwhile in the West Bank 39:57

3h ago39:57

39:57

The Islamic Republic of Iran tightening its noose around Israel can be evidenced by activity from the Houthis and in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and — lest we forget — the West Bank. How does the West Bank threat compare to the Gaza threat? Who holds power in the West Bank, and which terrorist groups are active there? Top of the list? Islamic Jihad…

1
Ep. 179 — Uncertainty: It’s the new weapon, weapon of choice 34:42

4d ago34:42

34:42

Bill and Behnam unpack a recent DIA report on the impact of Houthi attacks on international shipping and discuss everything the Houthis have been able to do with the limited resources supplied by Islamic Republic of Iran (and considering the bang for their buck, why wouldn’t they continue to supply weapons?); the perilous pattern of the U.S. ignori…

1
Ep. 178 — “Even when Israel wins, it loses.” 41:16

13h ago41:16

41:16

Bill and Joe discuss Israel’s slow news weekend which included a hostage rescue followed by a high-level war cabinet resignation. The floating Gaza pier and al Qaeda are also discussed (because Bill).By FDD's Long War Journal

1
Ep. 177 — Gaza: "There is no pretty end to this." 37:06

6d ago37:06

37:06

Bill and Behnam discuss a Tablet Magazine article “Israel is Succeeding in Gaza” and whether there are any possible “settle-for-less” military and political outcomes in Gaza that involve anything other than the total defeat of Hamas; an IDF soldier killed by Hamas terrorists attempting to infiltrate Israel from Gaza; Iran’s IRGC vowing revenge for …

1
Ep. 176 — Israel’s new normal with Hezbollah 1:11:43

15d ago1:11:43

1:11:43

Bill is joined by his FDD colleague and GJ regular David Daoud for an update on Israel’s skirmish with Hezbollah at its northern border.By FDD's Long War Journal

1
Ep. 175 — Afghanistan’s emerging resistance movement 48:13

5d ago48:13

48:13

The botched U.S. withdrawal in 2021 left behind a Taliban-controlled Afghanistan with al-Qaeda running training camps using abandoned American military equipment. Terrorism confined by the borders of Afghanistan until history repeats itself and it isn’t. Luckily, a major resistance movement is taking shape in Afghanistan and attempting to organize …

1
Ep. 174 — Attrition Warfare 38:11

7d ago38:11

38:11

Bill and Behnam catch up on new Houthi activity, reports of the Iranian regime leveraging criminal groups in Sweden to target Israeli and Jewish interests, and an update on the most expensive piece of performance art in history, the floating humanitarian aid pier in Gaza.By FDD's Long War Journal

1
Ep. 173 — Who was Ebrahim Raisi, AKA the Butcher of Tehran? 40:56

14d ago40:56

40:56

Bill and Behnam discuss the helicopter crash in northern Iran that killed multiple regime officials, chief among them Ebrahim Raisi who was President of the Islamic Republic and a top contender to be the next Supreme Leader. Was it an accident? Given the Islamic Republic’s constitutional mandate that elections be held to replace Raisi, who might be…

1
Ep. 172 — Afghanistan autopsy: General Miller 42:38

15d ago42:38

42:38

Bill is joined again by our most special guest, Long War Journal/Generation Jihad OG and now senior fellow at Just Security Thomas Joscelyn, to unpack another marathon, closed-door HFAC testimony. This time, the more than 200 pages of testimony they sifted through is from General Miller, the top U.S. general in Afghanistan during the botched withdr…

1
Ep. 171 — Weekend update: more gasoline poured on dumpster fire 35:36

18d ago35:36

35:36

Bill and Joe catch up on the last few days of headlines, including the helicopter crash that killed the Iranian president and foreign minister and whether this will impact Israel’s defensive war in Gaza; the International Criminal Court’s issuing of arrest warrants for Hamas leaders in addition to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minist…

1
Ep. 170 — An update from the Department of What Could Go Wrong 49:03

21d ago49:03

49:03

Bill and Behnam catch up on the latest round of American ambivalence in the face of vessels harassed, allies shot at, and drones dropping from the sky in addition to other headlines related to the Islamic Republic this week, including the regime’s willingness to share information concerning its nuclear advancements and a former IRGC commander with …

1
Ep. 169 — The Houthi Origin Story 1:18:10

23d ago1:18:10

1:18:10

Bill is joined by Long War Journal regular and long-time friend of the show Edmund Fitton-Brown to talk about the Houthis. If you're here, you've heard of them — but how much do you actually know about them? What is their relationship with the Islamic Republic of Iran? Why are they in Yemen? Edmund previously served as the United Kingdom's Ambassad…

1
Ep. 168 — The U.S.-Israel impasse 46:40

26d ago46:40

46:40

Bill and Joe discuss the current low lows of U.S.-Israel relations as Israel prepares to proceed with finishing its stated goal of defeating Hamas without the blessing of its closest ally.By FDD's Long War Journal

1
Ep. 167 — Rafah red lines 46:42

29d ago46:42

46:42

Israel’s operation in Rafah officially underway and met with the threat of pausing military aid from the Biden administration. Bill and Behnam discuss the potential consequences and ripple effects.By FDD's Long War Journal

1
Ep, 166 — Bill and Tom's Excellent Debunking 1:00:12

1M ago1:00:12

1:00:12

On November 8, 2023, the House Committee on Foreign Affairs conducted a closed-door interview with Zalmay Khalilzad, the Former Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation and master architect of the Doha Agreement which cemented the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan. Many items of interest came up during the marathon meeting, including L…

1
Ep. 165 — Israel's boiling point (BONUS: Joe goes to a "protest") 44:18

1M ago44:18

44:18

Bill and Joe catch up on top Israel headlines, including this weekend’s attack by Hamas that killed four IDF soldiers and in which the Iron Dome was curiously not activated to intercept the rocket fire; the issues of humanitarian aid, pier, and port; the anticipated Rafah operation; the concept of a permanent ceasefire; the cycle of civilians being…

1
Ep. 164 — Hezbollah Hold 'Em 1:05:12

1M ago1:05:12

1:05:12

Bill is joined again by his FDD colleague and show regular David Daoud to unpack issues raised in David’s latest piece for The Wall Street Journal, “Hezbollah Stumbles Into a War of Attrition.” They also catch up on adjacent matters concerning Israel’s ground war in Gaza and the dumpster fire engulfing American "institutions of higher education.”…

1
Ep. 162 — Something went boom in Isfahan 35:08

2M ago35:08

35:08

Is anything more on-brand than seismic geopolitical events co-occurring with Bill’s family vacation? No. Bill is back and leaning on co-host Joe Truzman to help him piece together the events of last week. He doesn’t want it to be “a what-the-hell-happened episode,” so we won’t call it that. They revisit Iran’s historic strike on Israel and Israel’s…

1
Ep. 161 — A Jihad for Knowledge 36:30

2M ago36:30

36:30

Another co-host takeover ("Freaky Friday edition"): Behnam is joined by his friend, former FDD colleague, and top expert on Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Ali Alfoneh, now with The Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington. They discuss this week's historic conflagration between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Israel.…

1
Ep. 160 — Slaughtering sacred cows 40:32

2M ago40:32

40:32

In a special co-host takeover, Behnam and Joe discuss the Islamic Republic's unprecedented attack on Israel this weekend.By FDD's Long War Journal

1
Ep. 159 — Six months of war in Gaza and Hamas still ≠ ISIS 58:13

2M ago58:13

58:13

Bill is joined by LWJ’s Seth Frantzman just after the six-month mark of Israel’s defensive war in Gaza resulting from the October 7 attack by Hamas. They discuss Seth’s latest visit to border communities in Israel and whether there’s a realistic timeline for still-evacuated citizens to return, disturbing reports that Hamas has apparently lost track…

1
Ep. 158 — Gaza: Who's handcuffing whom? 34:35

2M ago34:35

34:35

Bill and Joe read between the lines and try to make sense of the IDF's withdrawal from Khan Younis.By FDD's Long War Journal

1
Ep. 157 — A Quds Day special 49:04

2M ago49:04

49:04

Bill, Behnam, and Joe discuss the Israeli airstrike in Damascus that took out a senior IRGC-QF commander, Israel on high-alert after Iran vows revenge, Lebanese Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah’s statement about the slain leader, whether the Biden administration has finally turned on Israel, and today’s holiday: Quds Day.…

1
Ep. 156 — Is global jihad having a 'comeback'? "They never left, bro." 43:34

3M ago43:34

43:34

Bill and co-host Caleb catch up on the latest goings on related to the global jihad, including why the Islamic State’s Moscow attack should surprise no one; Shabaab’s rampage in Somalia and the prospect for the state’s survival; rumors that Saif al-Adel’s son has died; and fireworks on the Af-Pak border when the Pakistanis launched airstrikes appar…

1
Ep. 155 — Hamas in Turkey 43:45

3M ago43:45

43:45

Bill and Joe are joined by their FDD colleagues Sinan Ciddi and Melissa Sacks to discuss Turkey's status as a permissive jurisdiction for terrorist organizations, particularly Hamas — and why the outcome of yesterday's elections in Turkey might signal that a change is coming.By FDD's Long War Journal

1
Ep. 154 — The Islamic Republic of Iran's Axis of Resistance 1:24:07

3M ago1:24:07

1:24:07

Bill, co-host Behnam, and long-time friend of the show Edmund Fitton-Brown preview and share insights from a project they’ve been working on concerning the Islamic Republic of Iran’s axis of resistance. They discuss Tehran’s extensive track record of not playing by the rules — and not paying a price for it — as well as the origins of conflict betwe…

1
Ep. 153 — Why is the U.S. helping Hamas? 36:01

3M ago36:01

36:01

Bill and Joe catch up on a few important headlines related to Israel’s defensive war in Gaza, including U.S. claims that a senior leader of Hamas has been killed while Israel and Hamas have both remained mum; the Rafah operation hold-up; the ramifications of abstaining from the UN Security Council vote on a ceasefire and other recent actions by the…

1
Ep. 152 — About that Afghanistan hearing yesterday... 18:59

3M ago18:59

18:59

Flying solo for this episode, Bill shares his thoughts on yesterday's House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing with Generals Milley and McKenzie — including the questions they *should* have asked (but failed to).By FDD's Long War Journal

1
Ep. 151 — They don't pass out candy in war, but they do air-drop meals 47:25

3M ago47:25

47:25

Bill and Behnam catch up on recent headlines, including the statement made by a U.S. senator pushing for regime change (spoiler: he was not talking about Iran), reports of a high-level meeting between Iranian and Hezbollah officials, the Houthis continuing their maritime attacks, and more.By FDD's Long War Journal

1
Ep. 150 — Red lines, ceasefires, and humanitarian aid piers 37:08

3M ago37:08

37:08

Bill and Joe unpack the undertaking of the pier to be built by the U.S. off the coast of Gaza for the purpose of distributing aid (but without boots on the ground?) including some of their general concerns like, "Who is the aid handed off to, Hamas? Who the hell is going to secure this thing?" They also discuss President Biden's statement that Isra…

1
Ep. 149 — Welcome to Port Gaza? 39:56

3M ago39:56

39:56

David Daoud joins Bill to discuss President Biden’s announcement that the U.S. military will establish a functional port off the coast of Gaza for the purpose of distributing aid (what could possibly go wrong) as well as the state of Israel’s (increasingly multi-front) war.By FDD's Long War Journal

1
Ep. 148 — Ceasefire fallacies 43:14

4M ago43:14

43:14

Bill and Joe discuss Hezbollah continuing to turn up the heat at Israel's northern border with an uptick in cross-border attacks amidst foreign fighters also emerging in Lebanon and while the U.S. increases its pressure on Israel to enter a ceasefire before Ramadan.By FDD's Long War Journal

1
Ep. 147 — Tehran slowly tightens its noose around the Middle East 35:33

4M ago35:33

35:33

Bill, Behnam and Joe discuss a few of this week’s biggest headlines including reports of Israel assassinating an IRGC advisor in Syria, escalation by Hezbollah at Israel’s northern border with Lebanon, and the results of Iran’s parliamentary elections.By FDD's Long War Journal

1
Ep. 146 — Update from Israel 36:51

4M ago36:51

36:51

Seth Frantzman is back on the show with Bill to provide an update from his perspective on the ground in Israel.By FDD's Long War Journal

1
Ep. 145 — Israel is winning, but it hasn’t won yet. 28:38

4M ago28:38

28:38

Bill and Joe discuss the latest updates from Israel’s defensive war in Gaza, including a potentially dwindling supply of ammunition for Hamas and its subsequent cooperation with other Palestinian terror groups; Egypt “fortifying” its border (but only above-ground and only because they want to keep Gazans out); whether Yahya Sinwar is still hiding o…

1
Ep. 144 — Battlefield innovation by Iran and proxy: “Expect more not less” 31:06

4M ago31:06

31:06

Bill and Behnam discuss reports of Iran sending ballistic missiles to Russia and the potential for subsequent U.S. sanctions on Tehran (and why that’d be insufficient); why the head of the IRGC Quds Force allegedly paid a recent visit to Iraq; an update on the Houthi-Gulf of Aden-Bab al Mandeb-Red Sea theater, including a new underwater drone threa…

1
Ep. 143 — Biden’s Crippling Fear of Escalation, Part 387 35:53

4M ago35:53

35:53

Bill and Behnam discuss the status of U.S. posture in the Middle East, including whether deterrence has been restored and how the U.S. could be more proactive in Syria and Iraq (but wait, do we even have a partner in Baghdad?); the unclaimed rocket attack (by Hezbollah) on the northern Israeli city of Safed; Iran’s recent missile launches (speaking…

1
Ep. 142 — With Israel's friends like these... 37:45

4M ago37:45

37:45

Bill and Joe catch up on the latest headlines from the war in Gaza. They discuss the IDF's operation along Gaza's border with Egypt in Rafah, which last night included the rescuing of two hostages; how Hamas fighters are resurfacing in Khan Younis; and the uncomfortably palpable uptick in international pressure on Israel as it continues its defensi…

1
Ep. 141 — PSA: "Iran + Iran ≠ anything other than Iran" 53:52

4M ago53:52

53:52

This episode features the most special guest to join Generation Jihad in two years: Thomas Joscelyn. Bill's OG partner in crime is back on the show to discuss the newest variant of Disconnect-the-Dots Disease and its primary benefactor — who also happens to be the arsonist behind the dumpster fire currently engulfing the Middle East — and the dange…

1
Ep. 140 — New UN report on al Qaeda and Islamic State: here's what to know 1:26:38

4M ago1:26:38

1:26:38

Bill and Caleb are joined again by Edmund Fitton-Brown — former coordinator of the UN’s Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team — to discuss the group’s latest report on the threat posed by al Qaeda and the Islamic State. They unpack the report’s highlights and key takeaways, including uncertainty surrounding the new IS leader and why the …

1
Ep. 139 — A little less conversation, a little more targeting (please) 1:06:27

5M ago1:06:27

1:06:27

Bill is joined again by FDD’s Center on Military and Political Power CMPP) senior director Bradley Bowman to discuss broader U.S. military posture in the Middle East amidst the the death of three American service members last weekend in Jordan. Housekeeping note: This was (naturally) recorded just hours before the U.S. announced that retaliatory st…

1
Ep. 138 — The Iran-backed murder of three Americans in uniform 51:24

5M ago51:24

51:24

Bill and Joe are joined by their FDD colleague Bradley Bowman, senior director of FDD's Center on Military and Political Power, to discuss yesterday's tragic news of three U.S. service members killed in Jordan.By FDD's Long War Journal

1
Ep. 137 — Lebanese Hezbollah 101 1:01:30

5M ago1:01:30

1:01:30

Bill is joined again by his FDD colleague and expert on all things Lebanon and Hezbollah, David Daoud. They discuss the latest Israeli strikes against Iranian assets in Lebanon, the status of fighting in northern Israel and southern Lebanon, the pervasiveness of the IRGC in Lebanon, why Iran's master proxy strategy is so successful — and why it's s…

1
Ep. 136 — H is for Hamas... and Hezbollah (and Houthi) 42:01

5M ago42:01

42:01

Bill and Joe catch up on the latest news from the Middle East, including U.S. pressure on Israel (led by Secretary of State Blinken) to come to a permanent ceasefire in Gaza while the U.S. also considers withdrawing its own troops from Syria; Israeli casualties in Gaza (including suffering the recent historic loss of 24 IDF reservists); Israeli str…

1
Ep. 135 — The Houthis are not deterred 1:02:05

5M ago1:02:05

1:02:05

Bill and Behnam discuss the recent attacks in Iraq as well as the latest string of Houthi incidents and U.S.-led coalition's response.By FDD's Long War Journal

1
Ep. 134 — The IDF's competing priorities 38:22

5M ago38:22

38:22

Bill and Joe discuss stats released this week by the IDF pertaining to its operations in Gaza and why escalation at Israel’s northern border with Lebanon is "just a matter of time.”By FDD's Long War Journal

1
Ep. 133 — Striking Houthi targets in Yemen 33:34

5M ago33:34

33:34

Bill and Behnam unpack the details they’ve been able to gather so far surrounding the U.S. and UK-led coalition strike against Houthi targets inside Yemen and whether this will restore deterrence. Accurate preview courtesy of Behnam: “We like to say ‘freaky Fridays’ here [we do not] — it can’t get freakier than the first-ever, historic use of force…

1
Ep. 132 — Joe's trip to Israel 47:01

5M ago47:01

47:01

Joe just returned from Israel and joins Bill to share insights from his trip which included a sobering visit to Nir Oz, one of the kibbutz communities along the Gaza border that was brutally attacked by Hamas on October 7, 2023. Included in Joe’s haunting description of a scene “almost untouched since October 7” and frozen in time: “There’s still b…

1
Ep. 131 — Terrorists will be terrorists 49:12

6M ago49:12

49:12

Bill and Behnam unpack this week's headlines from the Middle East, including the assassination of Hamas deputy Saleh al-Arouri; the U.S. strike that killed Iran-backed militia commander Abu Taqwa Al-Saedi in Iraq (and subsequent drama with the Iraqi government); the U.S.-led coalition dubbed Prosperity Guardian’s “final warning” to the Houthis; and…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Fdd S Long War Journal Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide