The Friday Brief with Phoenix Ricks

The Curious Case of the Epstein Files Pt. 3

The Friday Brief is back! It took some time to read the Epstein Files and dig into the geopolitical consequences, including where senior government officials, like diplomats, are mentioned. This episode covers the unverified claims and wild allegations against former U.S. Ambassador Earl Anthony Wayne and the U.S. government. Will we ever have answers about the Epstein files in the United States? And, who could provide those answers?  Send us a message [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2436478/fan_mail/new] Be sure to follow us on Instagram @thefridaybrief and sign up for The Friday Brief newsletter on thefridaybrief.com.

The Curious Case of the Epstein Files pt. 2

Linwood Barnhill, a former DC police officer, was just tried and convicted of child trafficking. For the second time. How do human traffickers get away with kidnapping victims and moving them in plain sight? I worked in anti-human trafficking at the start of my career in global affairs, so in this episode, I'm sharing the lessons I learned from the anti-trafficking movement before we dive into the geopolitical implications of the Epstein files and Jeffrey Epstein's crimes.  Send us a message [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2436478/fan_mail/new] Be sure to follow us on Instagram @thefridaybrief and sign up for The Friday Brief newsletter on thefridaybrief.com.

Changed for Good: Americans on ICE

Will the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minnesota be the catalyst to dismantle or reimagine ICE in the United States? Mayor Jacob Frey seems to think so, and Americans across party lines are demanding answers about ICE's recent actions in Minneapolis. As the U.S. grapples with ICE, we're also faced with the ongoing debate over ice further north: Greenland. What is the Davos Greenland deal, and which negotiating parties have the upper hand? We're talking about ICE and ice today on The Friday Brief, with a side of World War II history Germans want us to remember.  Send us a message [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2436478/fan_mail/new] Be sure to follow us on Instagram @thefridaybrief and sign up for The Friday Brief newsletter on thefridaybrief.com.

Denmark calls for aid. And Europe will answer.

Remember that scene in The Lord of the Rings when Rohan answers Gondor's call for aid? That's what's happening in Europe right now, as troops deploy to Greenland as part of Denmark's Operation Arctic Endurance. Denmark has been a steadfast ally of the United States, so the Trump administration's bizarre move to acquire Greenland has shocked NATO. But, under Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen's cool, calm, and collected leadership, Greenland has a fierce protector. Who will win this fight?  Send us a message [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2436478/fan_mail/new] Be sure to follow us on Instagram @thefridaybrief and sign up for The Friday Brief newsletter on thefridaybrief.com.

Venezuela's Regime Change Conundrum

Welcome to Season 3 of The Friday Brief! We're diving into All Things Venezuela today, including an update on the federal prosecution against Nicolas Maduro, the Trump administration's repositioning of the Cartel de Los Soles, and Maria Machado's ongoing campaign to lead her country. When will the U.S. hand over control? Who should Machado ally with now? Do foreign-led regime changes ever end well?  Send us a message [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2436478/fan_mail/new] Be sure to follow us on Instagram @thefridaybrief and sign up for The Friday Brief newsletter on thefridaybrief.com.