On today’s episode, Andy and Mike Baker break down Mexico’s president denying a Reuters report on the CIA’s covert role in the drug war. 

Full Reuters Report: https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/mexico-president-attacks-reuters-report-cias-role-countrys-drug-war-2025-09-12/

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On today’s episode, Andy and Mike Baker uncover the story of the Lotto Gang—a trafficking ring that used Airbnbs to hide victims across borders. Their crimes in Metro Atlanta led to multiple arrests, including a former NFL player. Andy and Mike also explore whether society is becoming increasingly apathetic to these crimes and the challenges of getting involved in suspicious situations.

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On today’s episode, Andy and Stefano Ritondale from @AllSourceNews discuss a reported 2019 SEAL Team 6 mission in North Korea that allegedly aimed to intercept communications from Kim Jong-un—and went dangerously off course.

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On today’s episode, Andy Stumpf and Mike Baker, former CIA operations officer and national security expert, examine the ongoing debate over the potential transfer of Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine and what it means for global security. The conversation explores how these long-range weapons, capable of striking targets deep inside Russia, could change the dynamics of the war and increase the risk of escalation. They discuss President Trump’s cautious approach to the decision, the measured but increasingly tense response from Vladimir Putin, and how this reflects the delicate balance of deterrence and diplomacy. The episode also looks at the limitations of sanctions, the impact of Ukraine’s use of drones on Russian infrastructure, and how China’s involvement complicates the situation further. Through this discussion, Andy and Mike highlight the complexity of modern military aid decisions and the broader geopolitical consequences of each move on the global stage.

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On today’s episode, Andy welcomes back Stefano Ritondale from @AllSourceNews to discuss the dramatic rise in U.S. cocaine consumption and its impact on Mexican cartels. Cocaine use has surged by 154% in western states since 2019, fueling the power of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), led by Nemesio Rubén “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes.

Despite the Trump administration’s efforts to curb cartel influence through sanctions and the designation of these groups as Foreign Terrorist Organizations, demand for cocaine remains strong, making it the second most trafficked drug into the U.S. after fentanyl. Andy and Stefano explore whether these policy measures truly weaken criminal networks or risk escalating violence and instability across the border.

Focal Point is an IRONCLAD Original

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On today’s episode, Andy sits down with investigative journalist Stefano Ritondale (@AllSourceNews) to discuss recent U.S. military strikes on drug boats off Venezuela’s coast. Intelligence for these operations reportedly came from Sinaloa Cartel leader Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, who recently cooperated with U.S. authorities. Stefano, who covers Latin American organized crime and U.S. foreign policy, explains the implications of relying on cartel sources for critical intelligence and the connections between Venezuelan and Mexican drug networks.

Focal Point is an IRONCLAD Original

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On today’s episode, Andy sits down with former FBI agent Dan Brunner to discuss ICE’s reactivated access to Graphite, an Israeli-made spyware capable of infiltrating phones, reading encrypted apps like WhatsApp and Signal, and even activating microphones. Originally signed under Biden but paused for review, the $2 million contract has raised concern among civil liberties advocates. Critics warn that similar tools have been abused by authoritarian regimes against journalists and activists, highlighting potential threats to democratic freedoms, privacy, and national security. Brunner and Andy explore the risks of such technology and the safeguards that would be necessary to prevent the U.S. from repeating the same mistakes.

Focal Point is an IRONCLAD Original

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On today’s episode, Andy sits down with former FBI agent Dan Brunner to discuss the Pentagon’s suspension of a Microsoft program that allowed Chinese coders, under limited U.S. oversight, to work on Defense Department cloud systems. Secretary Pete Hegseth called it a “major security risk” and a “breach of trust.” The DoD is auditing all code written by Chinese nationals, issuing formal concerns to Microsoft, and enforcing new rules to eliminate foreign involvement in critical software. Even if no classified information was exposed, this case highlights the ways foreign actors might gain indirect access to sensitive U.S. infrastructure—and what it means for national security.

Focal Point is an IRONCLAD Original

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On today’s episode, Andy talks with Dan Brunner, a former FBI Special Agent with experience in counterintelligence, counter-narcotics, and international investigations.

They break down the U.S. naval buildup in the Southern Caribbean, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s accusations of regime change, and Washington’s reward for information leading to Maduro’s arrest. 

Focal Point is an IRONCLAD Original

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On today’s episode, Andy and Sarah Adams look at the arrest of Private First Class Taylor Adam Lee, a 22-year-old soldier at Fort Bliss charged with attempting to pass sensitive U.S. military information to individuals he believed were Russian officials. They discuss the risks insider threats pose to military security and how intelligence and counterintelligence agencies work to detect and prevent the leakage of classified information.

Focal Point is an IRONCLAD Original

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