Middle Theory

This week on Middle Theory, in addition to news about Facebook’s new Libra cryptocurrency, we examine the latest developments between the U.S. and Iran, and why sanctions without diplomacy is not a viable strategy. 

We, the people, do have a right to know certain information… and as we lead off this week, we take a moment to examine the difference between secrets that protect us, versus those which are kept from the public against their best interest. Bureaucracy in government is one area where this becomes an issue, although in the information age, leaked information and transparency does seem to have increased slightly (this is particularly evident in the current Trump Administration). However, because of this, surveillance is also an issue in modern times, as well as the threat of things like identity theft and a host of other invasive problems.

But what happens when we remove government from the picture, and we have online platforms like Facebook that not only want to “connect the entire world,” but also institute their own digital micro-economies… right down to their own currency? With the announcement of the social media giant’s new Libra cryptocurrency, many privacy experts are warning that this could become one of the company’s most invasive nightmares yet.

Then, after looking at news updates pertaining to the NXIVM cult, as well as the ongoing saga of radio host Alex Jones, we shift our attention to the current crisis with Iran, which escalated to new levels this week after a chain of events led to further sanctions by the U.S. against the country; and that only after limited air strikes nearly brought the conflict to the battlefield, before Donald Trump called off the attack. This was in response to Iran shooting down a U.S. surveillance drone, and this after U.S. intelligence supplied information linking Iran to an attack on two oil tankers last week. Opting for more sanctions against the country, the Iranian government now argues that there is no path to future talks or diplomacy… which are the key elements that have remained missing during Trump’s presidency.

A special thank you to those who donated to the podcast this week:

• • Jennie Vongvith
  • Jamie Craven 
  • Ali Buchan
  • Jessica Riley

If you like Middle Theory and want to help support the show, you can donate to the program here:

 

We are now also offering SUBSCRIPTION accounts for those who would like to make recurring monthly payments to Middle Theory. If you would prefer to SUBSCRIBE to the program, click here to visit our DONATES page, and scroll down below the primary DONATE button. 

JOIN US: REACH OUT TO MIDDLE THEORY

To send us feedback, you can email us here. Also, follow Middle Theory on Twitter too… this is highly recommended, and may even be vital for some of you. Finally, as mentioned earlier, some may be further compelled to donate to the program, which helps keep ads for survival gear, water filters, male enhancement supplements, and do-it-yourself earthworm farming kits off the program. 

Finally, here are links to stories addressed on this week’s program:

• LIBRA ALONE: Facebook’s ‘most invasive and dangerous form of surveillance yet’ with Libra cryptocurrency
• With virtual money, Facebook bets on disrupting the world, again
• RAINERE’S RAINY DAY: NXIVM Celebrity Sex Cult Leader Guilty On All Counts
• JONES WARS: Sandy Hook lawyers say Alex Jones sent them pornography
• Alex Jones sanctioned by court after child porn dispute with Sandy Hook lawyers
• Alex Jones offers $1 million reward; FBI treating Jones as victim in pornography investigation
• IRAN SO FAR AWAY: U.S. Navy Presents Evidence of Iran Role in Attack on Tankers
• US Navy drone shot down by Iranian missile over Strait of Hormuz in ‘unprovoked attack’
• What shooting down a $110M US drone tells us about Iran
• President warns of ‘obliteration like you’ve never seen before’
• Donald Trump says he called off limited airstrike in Iran
• Tehran executes ‘CIA spy’
• USA strikes Iranian military computers
• Iran says latest US sanctions ends ‘channel of diplomacy forever’
• The Atlantic: Why Sanctions Against Iran Don’t Work
• Noam Chomsky on Potential War with Iran

This week we look at a controversial arms deal with Saudi Arabia, for which Donald Trump is citing a “National Emergency” in order to bypass Congress. 

Happy Father’s Day everyone… and as we lead off this edition of the program, we look at the recent raids that occurred with regard to journalists in Australia, which have many journalistic institutions deeply concerned. Ironically, one ABC reporter whose home was raided by Australian police was targeted over what appears to have been widespread surveillance programs instituted by the government.

We also look at the latest news pertaining to extradition attempts by the U.S. against former head of Megaupload, New Zealander Kim Dotcom, who famously claimed to have knowledge about the 2016 DNC email leaks. Dotcom’s bizarre claims of having communications that proved the involvement of murdered staffer Seth Rich only make the situation odder… especially since The Mueller Report and the Special Counsel’s findings appear to contradict Dotcom and Assange’s claims about Seth Rich.

Finally, we turn our attention to the controversial arms deal with Saudi Arabia proposed by Donald Trump, who is citing a “National Emergency” in order to bypass Congress on the issue. We look at the history of similar deals, the precedent for citing a “national emergency,” and why the idea of a Saudi arms deal is deemed politically unfavorable right now, both by Trump’s enemies, and even many of his political allies.

A special thank you to those who donated to the podcast this week:

• RUNE
• Sascha Neubauer
• James Malone 
• Jamie Craven

If you like Middle Theory and want to help support the show, you can donate to the program here:

 

We are now also offering SUBSCRIPTION accounts for those who would like to make recurring monthly payments to Middle Theory. If you would prefer to SUBSCRIBE to the program, click here to visit our DONATES page, and scroll down below the primary DONATE button. 

JOIN US: REACH OUT TO MIDDLE THEORY

To send us feedback, you can email us here. Also, follow Middle Theory on Twitter too… this is highly recommended, and may even be vital for some of you. Finally, as mentioned earlier, some may be further compelled to donate to the program, which helps keep ads for survival gear, water filters, male enhancement supplements, and do-it-yourself earthworm farming kits off the program. 

 

Finally, here are links to stories addressed on this week’s program:

• • CRACKDOWN: Raid cracks down on the ABC in Australia
  • COM ON OVER: Kim Dotcom fights US extradition in New Zealand’s top court
  • The Seth Rich conspiracy theory needs to end now
  • IT’S ALWAYS SUNNY IN SAUDI ARABIA: The Trump Administration is Declaring a Fake Emergency to Sell Weapons to Saudi Arabia
  • FLASHBACK: CFR WEIGHS IN: Is Big Saudi Arms Sale a Good Idea?
  • FLASHBACK: The US shipped weapons and secrets to the Saudis and Emiratis. Now, some are in the hands of fighters linked to al Qaeda and Iran.
  • AUSSIES TOO: Australian arms deals with Saudi Arabia

This week’s podcast looks at the 75th anniversary of D-Day and the beach landing at Normandy in 1944, the events of which dramatically shifted the outcome of the Second World War. 

Leading off this week, is there a crisis of loneliness in America, and if so, how are changes in our culture and society affecting this? In terms of changes in cultural attitudes, Democratic front-runner Joe Biden seems to have been struggling lately with the shifting definition of “progressivism.” Is he able to meet the demands of a Democratic base that may see him as being less than what his campaign statements have claimed? We also take a look at YouTube’s recent decision to ban Neo-Nazis and Holocaust deniers, and why updating their policies is a good thing.

Then later in the program, we turn our attention toward the date in question, with the 75th anniversary of the Normandy landings on June 6, 1944. Officially given the codename “Operation Neptune,” the more commonly-known celebration of D-Day marks the largest seaborne invasion not just during the Second World War, but in all of history. The success of the operation not only spurred the liberation of then-German-occupied France, but also marked a turning point in the war that demoralized the German power structure, and ultimately led to the triumph of the Allied Powers.

A special thank you to those who donated to the podcast this week:

• Betty June 
• Daniel Baumberger
• Robert Westfall
• Lauren Turinetti
• Robert Walshe

If you like Middle Theory and want to help support the show, you can donate to the program here:

We are now also offering SUBSCRIPTION accounts for those who would like to make recurring monthly payments to Middle Theory. If you would prefer to SUBSCRIBE to the program, click here to visit our DONATES page, and scroll down below the primary DONATE button. 

JOIN US: REACH OUT TO MIDDLE THEORY

To send us feedback, you can email us here. Also, follow Middle Theory on Twitter too… this is highly recommended, and may even be vital for some of you. Finally, as mentioned earlier, some may be further compelled to donate to the program, which helps keep ads for survival gear, water filters, male enhancement supplements, and do-it-yourself earthworm farming kits off the program. 

 

Finally, here are links to stories addressed on this week’s program:

• LONELY IN THE USA: Loneliness in America Is Caused by Our Broken Culture
• BIDEN’S PROGRESSIVISM: Biden defends having ‘the most progressive record of anyone running’
• YOUTUBE BANS: Vice: YouTube has finally banned Neonazis, Sandy Hook truthers
• D-DAY 75: D-Day at 75: Nations honor veterans, memory of fallen
• 5 Compelling First-Hand Accounts From D-Day

This week on Middle Theory, Robert Mueller’s statement before the media stirs controversy, as the partisan debate over the interpretation of his Special Council Report continues. 

It’s that time of year again… when the world’s elite all gather together to discuss the future of humanity. That’s right, it’s time for the annual Bilderberg summit, which is being held in Montreaux, France this year; we go over the history of the event, and what’s on the table for discussion in 2019. We also look at why some political activists are worried about Bernie Sanders… and what that could mean for the Democratic Party in 2020.

Also, Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s long-awaited public statement has come and gone… and only more questions have been left in the storm that followed. We examine partisan attitudes toward Mueller’s statement and the ongoing debate about his Special Counsel Report, along with contrasting views in the American media that followed in the wake of his brief public statement.

A special thank you to those who donated to the podcast this week:

• Jill Ellis
• Grimerica
• SteveDave
• Jessica Zuccarello 

If you like Middle Theory and want to help support the show, you can donate to the program here:

We are now also offering SUBSCRIPTION accounts for those who would like to make recurring monthly payments to Middle Theory. If you would prefer to SUBSCRIBE to the program, click here to visit our DONATES page, and scroll down below the primary DONATE button.  JOIN US: REACH OUT TO MIDDLE THEORY

To send us feedback, you can email us here. Also, follow Middle Theory on Twitter too… this is highly recommended, and may even be vital for some of you. Finally, as mentioned earlier, some may be further compelled to donate to the program, which helps keep ads for survival gear, water filters, male enhancement supplements, and do-it-yourself earthworm farming kits off the program. 

Finally, here are links to stories addressed on this week’s program:

• BILDERBERG: ’19: The Future of Capitalism, Weaponization of Social Media
• WORLD ELITE MEET IN SWITZERLAND
• BERNING DOWN THE HOUSE: Bernie backers see DNC-media sabotage
• MUELLER STATEMENT
• AUDIO: Mueller’s complete statement

This week on Middle Theory, Julian Assange’s critics chime in on why the recent indictments brought against the whistleblower could present serious problems for journalists around the world. 

The sky is falling… for secret agent James Bond “007”. A number of recent setbacks in the filming of the forthcoming Bond film, dubbed “Bond 25” until a better name can be decided, have the Bond franchise mired in controversy… add to that the pressures of modern attitudes toward gender roles, which at times seem to conflict with the iconic secret agent and his history… is the sky indeed about to fall on the James Bond film franchise?

Then, on the subject of secret agents and espionage, we shift our attention over to the discussion of how an NSA program that was leaked online is wreaking havoc in many major U.S. cities, which are being held hostage by cybercriminals thanks to the activities of a secretive group called the “Shadow Brokers.” Elsewhere, a trove of secret recordings held by the FBI may change history if they are ever released, as they may offer a very different perspective on the life and work of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.

We then turn our attention to Julian Assange, and the recent addition of 17 charges brought against the Wikileaks founder under the U.S. Espionage Act, 16 of which have to do with the communication of classified information. If the charges were applied broadly, they would seemingly implicate journalists around the world for engagement in similar activities that are considered fundamental to their profession… has the Department of Justice bitten off more than they can chew in this instance?

A special thank you to those who donated to the podcast this week:

• Jennie Vongvith
• Ali Buchan
• Mark Hankins II
• Lauren Turinetti

If you like Middle Theory and want to help support the show, you can donate to the program here:

We are now also offering SUBSCRIPTION accounts for those who would like to make recurring monthly payments to Middle Theory. If you would prefer to SUBSCRIBE to the program, click here to visit our DONATES page, and scroll down below the primary DONATE button.  JOIN US: REACH OUT TO MIDDLE THEORY

To send us feedback, you can email us here. Also, follow Middle Theory on Twitter too… this is highly recommended, and may even be vital for some of you. Finally, as mentioned earlier, some may be further compelled to donate to the program, which helps keep ads for survival gear, water filters, male enhancement supplements, and do-it-yourself earthworm farming kits off the program. 

Finally, here are links to stories addressed on this week’s program:

• JAMES BOND: The Sky is Falling on 007
• SOCIAL SLURRING: Doctored video of Nancy Pelosi has social media giants ill-prepared for 2020
• BALTIMORE IN A BIND: In Baltimore and Beyond, a Stolen N.S.A. Tool Wreaks Havoc
• MLK: Secret FBI recordings accuse Martin Luther King Jr of watching and laughing as a pastor raped a woman, having 40 extramarital affairs
• FBI Operations at Stanford’s “The Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute”
• FLASHBACK: Explosive Martin Luther King document amid JFK files
• FROM THE ARCHIVES: National Archives Document with FBI Report Summary on Dr. King
• ASSANGE INDICTED: Assange indicted on 18 charges, raise stakes for First Ammendment rights
• Does Assange indictment set dangerous precedent for journalists?
• Edward Snowden: The Government Has Declared War on Journalism
• Fred Kaplan: The new charges against Assange are appalling, even if you despise him

This week we analyze Robert Mueller's "historic testimony" before Congress... which despite the continued partisan debate, turned out to be anti-climactic at best.  

Is there such a thing as a universal truth? The question has been debated for centuries by philosophers... but what happens when people don't actually want the truth? Arguably, most people would prefer to have a version of the truth that brings them comfort, rather than to actually know the "real" truth. With all of this in mind, we dig into hot topics this week, which range from Congress condemning recent "racist" statements by Donald Trump, to updates on a mysterious "emergency" reported by Vice President Mike Pence's staff in recent weeks.

Then turning our attention to Robert Mueller's long-awaited testimony before Congress, we look at how much has been taken by the punditry from what very, very little was actually said by the former Special Counsel during hours of testimony, which could be summarized succinctly as follows: can you repeat the question? We look at Mueller’s strategy, and how much really can be read “between the lines” from the few, mostly one-liners Mueller had to offer.

DOLLARS FOR DONUTS

A special thank you to those who donated to the podcast this week:

* John Haskins 

* Jennie Vongvith

* Sascha Neubauer

* Shelly Orlandini

* Mark Hankins II 

* Jamie Craven

* Ali Buchan 

* Jessica Riley

* Lauren Turinetti

If you like Middle Theory and want to help support the show, you can donate to the program here:

We also offer SUBSCRIPTION accounts for those who would like to make recurring monthly payments to Middle Theory. If you would prefer to SUBSCRIBE to the program, click here to visit our DONATES page, and scroll down below the primary DONATE button. 

SHOW NOTES

Below are links to stories addressed on this week's program:

* VPs WITH ISSUES: Behind Pence’s Air Force Two cancellation: A drug dealer

* RACISM DEBATE: Debates on Defining 'Racism' Follow White House, Progressives Feud

* MUELLING IT OVER: Not a star, not a villain: Mueller's say nothing strategy confounds everyone

* ALLSIDES: Latest Mueller Hearings Highlight Different Party Priorities

* From impeachment to indictment: 5 repercussions from Robert Mueller's testimony

* Worst Part of the Mueller Hearings? Republican Conspiracy Theories.

* The Mueller hearings were a waste of everyone's time

* Why the Mueller Hearings Were So Alarming

JOIN US: REACH OUT TO MIDDLE THEORY

To send us feedback, you can email us here. Also, follow Middle Theory on Twitter too... this is highly recommended,

This week we examine information about the ongoing Jeffery Epstein scandal, which includes disturbing allegations about the Carribean island he owned, and his possible ties to intelligence agencies. 

On this edition of Middle Theory, we lead off with an update on the mysterious “Shadow Brokers,” who began auctioning off stolen NSA technologies now used by hackers to hold hospitals, and even cities and local governments hostage with ransomware attacks. Has someone associated with the leak of this material been prosecuted?

We also touch on a new Yahoo News report that discovered links between the murder of Democratic staffer Seth Rich and a Russian propaganda effort, in addition to the ongoing saga of “Havana Syndrome,” and how some medical professionals refuse o acknowledge that the illness is, in fact, more than mere mass hysteria.

While the high-profile arrest of wealthy financier and sex offender Jeffery Epstein has been making the news the last few days, it’s baffling how many media outlets are skewing certain facts and information. We compare and contrast preferential treatment of some of the key players and connections by various factions in the media, before zeroing in on the most bizarre allegation about the sicko that you’ve never heard: that he “belongs to intelligence,” as allegedly stated by the former US Attorney and current Labor Secretary Alex Acosta. Additional disturbing details also recently emerged in an AP report about a Carribean island Epstein owns, which had a dark reputation among locals at nearby Saint Thomas. Is it really possible that there is more to the Epstein story than anyone may have previously been aware? 

DOLLARS FOR DONUTS

A special thank you to those who donated to the podcast this week:

* RUNE

* Robert Westfall

If you like Middle Theory and want to help support the show, you can donate to the program here:

We also offer SUBSCRIPTION accounts for those who would like to make recurring monthly payments to Middle Theory. If you would prefer to SUBSCRIBE to the program, click here to visit our DONATES page, and scroll down below the primary DONATE button. 

SHOW NOTES

Below are links to stories addressed on this week's program:

* THE SHADOW BROKERS: NSA mystery case reaches the end, with many unanswered questions

* HAVANA SYNDROME: ‘Havana syndrome’ symptoms of diplomats in Cuba are not mass hysteria

* SETH RICH AND RUSSIA: Conspiracy theory about slain DNC staffer was planted by Russian intelligence, report finds

* EPSTEIN: New Epstein accuser: He raped me when I was 15

* Inside Epstein's New York mansion: 'Vast trove' of lewd photos, a life-size doll and other oddities

* Acosta Defends Handling of Case as Dems Call for Resignation

* Alan Dershowitz says “plea ...

This week on Middle Theory, we look at the recent Democratic Debates, and the distractions in America that are taking away from more substantive discussion and debate. 

Stop the presses... hold the phone... Nike has pulled a new sneaker design that would have featured the 13-star "Betsy Ross U.S. Flag", after former NFL Quarterback Colin Kaepernick said he, and other NFL players, were offended by the flag since its adoption (and appropriation) by extremist groups.

Well... now that we've covered "Topic A," we move on to more important issues, which include the recent round of Democratic Debates, in which a few surprises, and a fair amount of contention emerged... which has shifted expectaions as we head into the Iowa Caucuses. However, there was one politician who participated in the debates that stood out among the rest, and who the mainstream media simply won't touch... all we can say is that, since the debates, she's had us singing "Take Me Back to Tulsi."

A special thank you to those who donated to the podcast this week:

* Betty June 

* Daniel Baumberger

* Grimerica

* Jill Ellis

* John Lipartito

* Robert Walshe

* Jessica Zuccarello

* Kathleen Hunter

* SteveDave

* Brian Davis

If you like Middle Theory and want to help support the show, you can donate to the program here:

We are now also offering SUBSCRIPTION accounts for those who would like to make recurring monthly payments to Middle Theory. If you would prefer to SUBSCRIBE to the program, click here to visit our DONATES page, and scroll down below the primary DONATE button. 

JOIN US: REACH OUT TO MIDDLE THEORY

To send us feedback, you can email us here. Also, follow Middle Theory on Twitter too... this is highly recommended, and may even be vital for some of you. Finally, as mentioned earlier, some may be further compelled to donate to the program, which helps keep ads for survival gear, water filters, male enhancement supplements, and do-it-yourself earthworm farming kits off the program. 

You can also sign up for our newsletter, and get news alerts, articles, and podcasts from Middle Theory sent right to your inbox:

[email-subscribers namefield="YES" desc="" group="Public"]

Finally, here are links to stories addressed on this week's program:

* ID4: Trump orders tanks for Independence Day parade

* BAD FLAG: Nike pulls Betsy Ross Flag Sneakers After Kaepernick Comments

* DEM 'BATES: Kamala Harris Surges as Biden and Bernie Slump After Debates

* Biden, Kamala in virtual tie, new poll show

* TAKE ME BACK TO TULSI: Internet Searches for Tulsi Gabbard Surge After Debates

This week on Middle Theory, in addition to news about Facebook's new Libra cryptocurrency, we examine the latest developments between the U.S. and Iran, and why sanctions without diplomacy is not a viable strategy. 

We, the people, do have a right to know certain information... and as we lead off this week, we take a moment to examine the difference between secrets that protect us, versus those which are kept from the public against their best interest. Bureaucracy in government is one area where this becomes an issue, although in the information age, leaked information and transparency does seem to have increased slightly (this is particularly evident in the current Trump Administration). However, because of this, surveillance is also an issue in modern times, as well as the threat of things like identity theft and a host of other invasive problems.

But what happens when we remove government from the picture, and we have online platforms like Facebook that not only want to "connect the entire world," but also institute their own digital micro-economies... right down to their own currency? With the announcement of the social media giant's new Libra cryptocurrency, many privacy experts are warning that this could become one of the company's most invasive nightmares yet.

Then, after looking at news updates pertaining to the NXIVM cult, as well as the ongoing saga of radio host Alex Jones, we shift our attention to the current crisis with Iran, which escalated to new levels this week after a chain of events led to further sanctions by the U.S. against the country; and that only after limited air strikes nearly brought the conflict to the battlefield, before Donald Trump called off the attack. This was in response to Iran shooting down a U.S. surveillance drone, and this after U.S. intelligence supplied information linking Iran to an attack on two oil tankers last week. Opting for more sanctions against the country, the Iranian government now argues that there is no path to future talks or diplomacy... which are the key elements that have remained missing during Trump's presidency.

A special thank you to those who donated to the podcast this week:

* Jennie Vongvith

* Jamie Craven 

* Ali Buchan

* Jessica Riley

If you like Middle Theory and want to help support the show, you can donate to the program here:

We are now also offering SUBSCRIPTION accounts for those who would like to make recurring monthly payments to Middle Theory. If you would prefer to SUBSCRIBE to the program, click here to visit our DONATES page, and scroll down below the primary DONATE button. 

JOIN US: REACH OUT TO MIDDLE THEORY

To send us feedback, you can email us here. Also, follow Middle Theory on Twitter too... this is highly recommended, and may even be vital for some of you. Finally, as mentioned earlier, some may be further compelled to donate to the program, which helps keep ads for survival gear, water filters, male enhancement supplements, and do-it-yourself earthworm farming kits off the program. 

You can also sign up for our newsletter, and get news alerts, articles, and podcasts from Middle Theory sent right to your inbox:

[email-subscribers namefield="YES" desc="" group="Public"]

Finally, here are links to stories addressed on this week's program:

* LIBRA ALONE:

This week we look at a controversial arms deal with Saudi Arabia, for which Donald Trump is citing a "National Emergency" in order to bypass Congress. 

Happy Father's Day everyone... and as we lead off this edition of the program, we look at the recent raids that occurred with regard to journalists in Australia, which have many journalistic institutions deeply concerned. Ironically, one ABC reporter whose home was raided by Australian police was targeted over what appears to have been widespread surveillance programs instituted by the government.

We also look at the latest news pertaining to extradition attempts by the U.S. against former head of Megaupload, New Zealander Kim Dotcom, who famously claimed to have knowledge about the 2016 DNC email leaks. Dotcom's bizarre claims of having communications that proved the involvement of murdered staffer Seth Rich only make the situation odder... especially since The Mueller Report and the Special Counsel's findings appear to contradict Dotcom and Assange's claims about Seth Rich.

Finally, we turn our attention to the controversial arms deal with Saudi Arabia proposed by Donald Trump, who is citing a "National Emergency" in order to bypass Congress on the issue. We look at the history of similar deals, the precedent for citing a "national emergency," and why the idea of a Saudi arms deal is deemed politically unfavorable right now, both by Trump's enemies, and even many of his political allies.

A special thank you to those who donated to the podcast this week:

* RUNE

* Sascha Neubauer

* James Malone 

* Jamie Craven

If you like Middle Theory and want to help support the show, you can donate to the program here:

We are now also offering SUBSCRIPTION accounts for those who would like to make recurring monthly payments to Middle Theory. If you would prefer to SUBSCRIBE to the program, click here to visit our DONATES page, and scroll down below the primary DONATE button. 

JOIN US: REACH OUT TO MIDDLE THEORY

To send us feedback, you can email us here. Also, follow Middle Theory on Twitter too... this is highly recommended, and may even be vital for some of you. Finally, as mentioned earlier, some may be further compelled to donate to the program, which helps keep ads for survival gear, water filters, male enhancement supplements, and do-it-yourself earthworm farming kits off the program. 

You can also sign up for our newsletter, and get news alerts, articles, and podcasts from Middle Theory sent right to your inbox:

[email-subscribers namefield="YES" desc="" group="Public"]

Finally, here are links to stories addressed on this week's program:

* CRACKDOWN: Raid cracks down on the ABC in Australia

* COM ON OVER: Kim Dotcom fights US extradition in New Zealand's top court

* The Seth Rich conspiracy theory needs to end now

* IT’S ALWAYS SUNNY IN SAUDI ARABIA: The Trump Administration is Declaring a Fake Emergency to Sell Weapons to Saudi Arabia

* FLASHBACK: CFR WEIGHS IN: Is Big Saudi Arms Sale a Good Idea?