Identifying the Bomber and the Complex Attack Theory: Colleagues Jerry Dunleavy and James Hasson assert the administration concealed the identity of the Abbey Gate bomber because he was a known terrorist released after the US abandoned Bagram, questioning the official narrative and presenting evidence from service members suggesting the event was a complex attack involving gunfire, not just a suicide vest. 1950 KABUL

The Haqqani Security Partner and the Ignored Sniper Warning: Colleagues Jerry Dunleavy and James Hasson explain that the US relied on the Haqqani network—suicide bombing experts with ties to Al-Qaeda—for security, revealing that a sniper team identified the likely ISIS-K bomber based on specific intelligence but was denied engagement authority by leadership, leading to the deadly attack hours later. 1950 KABUL

The Haqqani Security Partner and the Ignored Sniper Warning: Colleagues Jerry Dunleavy and James Hasson explain that the US relied on the Haqqani network—suicide bombing experts with ties to Al-Qaeda—for security, revealing that a sniper team identified the likely ISIS-K bomber based on specific intelligence but was denied engagement authority by leadership, leading to the deadly attack hours later. 1842 RETREST FROM KABUL

Human Suffering and Bureaucratic Incompetence at Abbey Gate: Colleagues Jerry Dunleavy and James Hassondescribe the physical layout of the airport and the horrific overcrowding that led to civilians suffocating in sewage canals, explaining that constant shifting of entry rules and the State Department's failure to provide adequate consular support exacerbated the chaos, hindering the Marines' ability to process evacuees. 1910 AFGHANISTAN

The Fall of Kabul and the Night of the Zombies: Colleagues Jerry Dunleavy and James Hasson recount the immediate aftermath of President Ghani fleeing, which led to the airport being overrun by desperate civilians, criticizing the strategic failures that left a skeleton crew of troops to manage a massive evacuation while Taliban forces and released terrorists gathered outside the gates. 1900 PESHAWAR TO KABUL

Visa Failures and the Refusal to Plan a NEO: Colleagues Jerry Dunleavy and James Hasson explain that the refusal to address Special Immigrant Visa bottlenecks or declare a Non-combatant Evacuation Operation early forced a chaotic evacuation surrounded by the Taliban, noting that despite military warnings, the State Department halted visa processing for health protocols, ignoring the imminent collapse of the Afghan government. 1910 KABUL-DARUM TRAMWAY

The Deception Regarding Afghan Troop Strength: Colleagues Jerry Dunleavy and James Hasson detail how the administration misled the public with inflated Afghan troop numbers, hiding the reality of "ghost units" and police forces, adding that removing essential contractors guaranteed the military's failure, yet officials maintained optimistic rhetoric that trapped American citizens and allies behind Taliban lines. 1919 KABUL BOMBED

The Strategic Failure of Abandoning Bagram for HKIA: Colleagues Jerry Dunleavy and James Hasson discuss the catastrophic decision to shutter Bagram Air Base, forcing an evacuation through an indefensible civilian airport in Kabul, describing the immediate collapse of security, the release of terrorists from prisons, and the desperate measures US troops took to maintain order during the evacuation. 1910 PESHAWAR

SHOW 12-12-2025 THE SHOW BEGINS IN DOUBTS ABOUT 2026.2 Las Vegas Venues, California Rail, and Disney's AI Investment: Colleague Jeff Bliss reports that Las Vegas's Allegiant Stadium is now a top-grossing venue while many resorts are dropping unpopular fees, discussing California's new rail line to Anaheim, mismanagement of the Pacific Palisades fire, and high gas prices, additionally covering Disney's investment in OpenAI and its new luxury community, Cotino. Nvidia's Jensen Huang and the AI Revolution: Colleague Brandon Weichert praises Nvidia's Jensen Huang as a pivotal geopolitical figure driving the AI revolution, comparing AI's growth to the railroad boom and predicting long-term economic benefits and massive opportunities for construction and energy sectors as the US builds infrastructure to support data centers. Business Resilience and AI Tools in Construction: Colleague Gene Marks reports on business resilience in Austin despite tariff concerns and describes a safety conference in Fargo where AI tools were a focus, explaining that AI and robotics like Boston Dynamics' Spot are supplementing rather than replacing workers in construction, helping address severe labor shortages. Health Reimbursement Arrangements and AI's Economic Potential: Colleague Gene Marks advocates for Health Reimbursement Arrangements, noting they allow small businesses to control costs while employees buy their own insurance tax-free, also discussing AI's potential to double economic growth and advising businesses to ignore doomsday predictions and embrace tools that enhance productivity and daily life. Lancaster County's Economic Divide and Holiday Retail: Colleague Jim McTague reports from Lancaster County, highlighting the economic divide between flush Baby Boomers and struggling younger generations, observing strong holiday retail activity exemplified by crowded venues like Shady Maple and a proliferation of Amazon delivery trucks, suggesting the economy remains afloat despite challenges. La Scala's Season Opening and Milan's Christmas Atmosphere: Colleague Lorenzo Fiori describes attending the season opening at La Scala, featuring a dramatic Russian opera that audiences connected to current geopolitical tensions, also noting the festive Chri

Presidential Power and Independent Agency Dismissals: Colleague Richard Epstein discusses current Supreme Court arguments regarding presidential power to fire independent board members, referencing actions by both Trump and Biden, critiquing the politicization of agencies like the FTC under Lina Khan and warning that unchecked executive authority to dismiss advisory boards undermines necessary checks and balances. 1868 JULES VERNE

The Historical Context of Humphrey's Executor: Colleague Richard Epstein analyzes the historical context of Humphrey's Executor, explaining how the administrative state grew from the 1930s, detailing FDR's attempt to politicize independent commissions and the Supreme Court's justification, arguing that while constitutionally questionable, long-standing prescription has solidified these agencies' legal status over time. 1955

Saudi Uranium Enrichment and Proliferation Risks: Colleague Henry Sokolski discusses the risks of allowing Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium, fearing it creates a bomb-making option, warning that making exceptions for Saudi Arabia could trigger a proliferation cascade among neighbors like Turkey and Egypt, undermining global non-proliferation efforts amidst rising tensions involving Russia and NATO. 1954

Critiquing Isolationism and the Risks of Disengagement: Colleague Henry Sokolski critiques isolationist arguments, comparing current sentiments to pre-WWII attitudes, warning against relying solely on missile defense bubbles and discussing the distinct threats posed by Russia and China, emphasizing that US disengagement could lead to global instability and unchecked nuclear proliferation. 1932

The Grand Remonstrance and Popular Politics: Colleague Jonathan Healey explains the "Grand Remonstrance," a document used by the Junto to rally public support against the King, highlighting how rising literacy and the printing press fueled popular politics in London, while also discussing Queen Henrietta Maria's political acumen and Catholic faith amidst the growing conflict. 1650

The Junto and Puritan Influence in Parliament: Colleague Jonathan Healey describes the political geography of London, introducing the "Junto," a reformist party coordinating between Parliament's houses, analyzing the influence of Puritans and key opposition figures like John Pym and Mandeville who strategically challenged Charles I's authority regarding church reform and arbitrary taxation. 1649

The Prelude to the English Civil War: Colleague Jonathan Healey discusses the prelude to the English Civil War, detailing the power struggles between Charles I and the Commons and Lords, explaining the execution of the King's advisor Strafford, noting Charles's regret and the rising influence of reformists who feared royal tyranny and supported impeachment. 1648 CROMWELL

"The Incident" of 1641 and Charles I's Failed Plot: Colleague Jonathan Healey narrates "The Incident" of 1641, a failed plot by Charles I to arrest Scottish Covenanter leaders, explaining that the conspiracy's exposure and Charles's subsequent denial destroyed his political standing in Scotland, forcing him to concede power to the Scottish Parliament and weakening his position before the English Civil War. 1647

Mapping the Sun's Corona and Rethinking Ice Giants: Colleague Bob Zimmerman details scientific advances including mapping the sun's corona and rethinking Uranus and Neptune as having rocky interiors rather than just ice, mentioning discoveries regarding supernova composition, the lack of supermassive black holes in small galaxies, and new images of Mars' polar ice layers. 1950

SpaceX IPO Rumors and EU Space Regulations: Colleague Bob Zimmerman discusses rumors of a SpaceX IPO and new scientific strategies for using Starship for Mars exploration, reporting on the Pentagon's certification requirements for Blue Origin's New Glenn and critiquing proposed EU space laws that could impose bureaucratic hurdles on international private space companies. 1938

La Scala's Season Opening and Milan's Christmas Atmosphere: Colleague Lorenzo Fiori describes attending the season opening at La Scala, featuring a dramatic Russian opera that audiences connected to current geopolitical tensions, also noting the festive Christmas atmosphere in Milan and Prime Minister Meloni's continued, albeit non-military, support for Ukraine. 1957