The Flash Traffic Podcast

My guest today is Christopher Lawrence. Chris is an author of many military history books, and several of those are on Ukraine. Today, we discuss the challenges of researching war and how it affects how we perceive the war in Ukraine.

Preorder Chris’ latest book, The Battle for Kyiv: The Fight for Ukraine’s Capital

https://a.co/d/0hdpX4Pz

Also consider, the annual Historical Analysis Annual Conference.

Hosted by The Dupuy Institute, the annual Historical Analysis Annual Conference (HAAC) brings together leading experts from across the world to discuss modern warfare’s most pressing questions and to explore and promote the use of historical analysis in understanding military affairs.

The Fifth HAAC is Scheduled for 20 – 22 October 2026 - The Dupuy Institute

https://dupuyinstitute.org/2026/01/08/the-fifth-haac-is-scheduled-for-20-22-october-2026/

Schedule: HAAC 2026: Fifth Historical Analysis Annual Conference (HAAC) - The Dupuy Institute

https://dupuyinstitute.org/haac-2026-fifth-historical-analysis-annual-conference-haac/

Eventbrite: Fifth Historical Analysis Annual Conference (HAAC) Tickets, Tuesday, October 20 • 8 AM - 6 PM | Eventbrite

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fifth-historical-analysis-annual-conference-haac-tickets-1968268539185?aff=oddtdtcreator

Today, Eric and I talk about militarily military industrial complex scams and stupid Russians!

Check out Eric’s new book, Sunflowers Grow Here: How the Political-Military Industrial Complex Profits from the War in Ukraine:

https://a.co/d/0ew392oh

Dr. Alexandra Chinchilla is an Assistant Professor at Texas A&M University in the Bush School of Government and Public Service, and she works on security cooperation, NATO, and Ukraine.

Today we talk about the successes and failure of US security force assistance to foreign militaries.

My guest today is David Kilcullen. Dave is an Australian former Army officer and counterinsurgency expert who advised the U.S. State Department and General David Petraeus during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. He is the author of several books, including The Accidental Guerrilla, Out of the Mountains, and The Dragons and the Snakes. He also runs a geopolitical intelligence and future-warfare firm.

Today, Dave and I talk about technology proliferation and the wars in Ukraine and Iraq.

Our democracy is always under threat.

My guest today is Adam Kinzinger. Adam was a former Republican congressman from Illinois and Air Force veteran, and he served on the House Select Committee investigating the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol alongside Liz Cheney, becoming one of the most prominent Republican voices warning about political extremism, election denial, and the future of American democracy.

Today, Adam and I discuss Trump, Iran, the January 6th Committee, political violence and assassinations, insider trading in Congress, gerrymandering, and what he believes is really happening inside American politics.

Link to Adam’s book, That’s What Heroes Do:

https://www.amazon.com/Thats-What-Heroes-Adam-Kinzinger-ebook/dp/B0FFS33B6G

Article:

Democrats Regret Creating Independent Redistricting Commissions After Supreme Court Ruling - The New York Times –

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/30/us/politics/democrats-independent-redistricting-commissions.html?unlocked_article_code=1.e1A.AL9e.vpYrwYjUf3uZ&smid=url-share

My guest today is former NASA astronaut Terry Virts. Terry was the pilot of Space Shuttle Endeavour and the commander of the International Space Station. Today, we discuss the Artemis II mission to the Moon, the future of space exploration, Trump, political attacks on Senator Mark Kelly, ICE, Iran, and more!

Articles and Videos:

1. Marie-Thérèse Ross-Mahé, Detained by ICE in Alabama, Is Released - The New York Times - https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/17/us/french-woman-release-alabama-ice.html?unlocked_article_code=1.elA.LZci.pIXuFIVsLpr4&smid=url-share

2. Firm Building Trump’s Ballroom Got a Secret No-Bid Contract for a Nearby Job - The New York Times - https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/25/us/politics/lafayette-park-fountains-trump-contract.html?unlocked_article_code=1.elA.WveL.8hkF8uVJw0ce&smid=url-share

3. Opinion | Ukraine Has Picked Up the Torch America Dropped - The New York Times - https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/26/opinion/zelensky-ukraine-trump-nato-leader.html?unlocked_article_code=1.eVA.kpjt.idYJonNxczdI&smid=nytcore-ios-share

It's War Weave Friday! Today, Eric and I talk about U.S. government personnel betting on predictive markets, Ukraine conducting a strategic strike against the FSB, a sea robot launches another robot to destroy a robot, Trump wanting to use nuclear weapons, and more.

Articles and Videos:

Kyle Glen on X: "Yesterday, Ukraine's SBS units struck an alleged FSB HQ in a former hotel in the centre of Donetsk with 8 FP-2 drones. All drones hit the same spot in the tower. An outstanding example of intelligence and drone accuracy. https://t.co/LDCpcstQv4" / X - https://x.com/KyleJGlen/status/2047284833064259883?s=20

U.S. special forces soldier who won $409K charged for betting on Maduro's removal before raid was reported - CBS News - https://www.cbsnews.com/news/u-s-special-forces-won-409k-bet-maduro-removal-venezuela/

Minnesota DFL senator facing backlash after betting on his own political race - CBS Minnesota - https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/dfl-senator-matt-klein-prediction-market-bet-political-race/?intcid=CNR-01-0623

ThePatrioticBlonde™🇺🇸 on X: "Retired CIA analyst Larry Johnson: Trump tried to used nuclear codes against Iran during White House “emergency meeting” on Saturday. Trump was halted by Air Force General Dan Cain who used military privilege to stop him. https://t.co/5tKsfsZHOz" / X - https://x.com/ImBreckWorsham/status/2046250992262357210?s=46

WarTranslated on X: "Always wondered what the WW1 dogfights looked like. Now I know." / X - https://x.com/wartranslated/status/2045391237583196318?s=46

1991 Yak-52 - POV TEST FLIGHT - YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqp0pGthN_U&t=12s

My guest today is Dr. Francis Park. Francis is a retired Army strategic plans and policy officer. He served over two decades as a strategist from army division to the national level. Today, we talk about the war in Afghanistan and what it means for America’s future security.

My guest today is Dr. Matt Cancian. Matt is a Marine veteran and an associate professor at the Naval War College. He spent time in the field with Kurdish fighters, the Peshmerga, during their war against the Islamic State.

Today we talk about the readiness of the Kurdish military factions, and the possible contribution they could make in the war in Iran. We also discuss the future of a Kurdish state.

Article:

How Trump Took the U.S. to War With Iran - The New York Times - https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/07/us/politics/trump-iran-war.html?unlocked_article_code=1.ZlA.CL45.nc6HNuHUp_s3&smid=url-share

My guest today is Dr. Alex Crowther. Alex is a Senior Fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA), and a professor at the University of Miami. Today we talk about how the war in Iran is going, Cuba’s future, and the war in Ukraine.