RH 6.22.26 | China: Hormuz, AI, Rare Earths & Taiwan

RH 7.11.26 | Saturday Spy Stories Deep Dive

👉 Subscribe to The Restricted Handling Podcast https://www.restrictedhandling.com/ [https://www.restrictedhandling.com/] A weekly deep dive into the latest spy stories and intelligence updates from across the globe. We spotlight the hidden dynamics driving security crises, geopolitical maneuvering, and covert operations—all with a sharp, unvarnished perspective. From cyber threats to clandestine influence campaigns, this episode pulls together the week's most critical developments, cutting through the noise and spin. Join us as we uncover the storylines shaping tomorrow's conflicts, power plays, and intelligence battles. 👉 Subscribe to The Restricted Handling Podcast https://www.restrictedhandling.com/ [https://www.restrictedhandling.com/] Get the daily intelligence brief Ryan and Glenn read covering Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, the Middle East, geopolitics, sanctions, military and intel operations. Save a few hours of your time getting ahead of the news cycle at restrictedhandling.com.

RH 7.10.26 | Iran and the Middle East: Hormuz Showdown, Iran's Nuclear Threats, Gulf Under Fire

👉 Subscribe to The Restricted Handling Podcast https://www.restrictedhandling.com/ [https://www.restrictedhandling.com/] The US-Iran confrontation is entering a dangerous new phase, and the fight over the Strait of Hormuz is becoming the center of gravity for the entire Middle East. In this episode of The Restricted Handling Podcast, Ryan and Glenn break down the latest developments as Washington and Tehran move from a fragile cease-fire toward a high-stakes contest over energy, diplomacy, military pressure, and regional influence. Iran is trying to turn the Strait of Hormuz into a strategic bargaining chip. The waterway carries a massive share of global energy shipments, and Tehran believes its ability to disrupt shipping gives it leverage against a far more powerful opponent. The team examines why Iran does not need to completely shut down the strait to create global consequences, and how a few targeted disruptions can ripple through markets, shipping companies, and governments around the world. The episode also covers the latest US response, including strikes designed to degrade Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping. But the bigger question is not just what targets were hit. The bigger question is whether military pressure can change Iran's strategic calculation. The conversation also looks at Iran's retaliation against US partners across the Gulf, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and Jordan. These attacks highlight the difficult position facing America's regional allies. They depend on US security partnerships, but they also face the consequences of being caught in the middle of a broader confrontation with Iran. Beyond the immediate fighting, this episode explores the economic and intelligence implications of the crisis. Oil prices remain elevated as markets watch the Strait of Hormuz closely. Iran is also signaling that it may reconsider elements of its nuclear posture after suffering major blows to its traditional deterrence strategy. The team examines what those statements mean and why they reveal deeper concerns inside Tehran about rebuilding influence and credibility. Ryan and Glenn also discuss the political transition inside Iran following the death and funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, including questions surrounding the public absence of his successor, Mojtaba Khamenei. They examine how Iran is balancing domestic messaging, regime stability, and the pressure to project strength during a moment of uncertainty. If you want to understand why the Strait of Hormuz matters, how Iran is thinking about deterrence, what the US is trying to accomplish, and where the region could go next, this episode provides the strategic context behind the headlines. 👉 Subscribe to The Restricted Handling Podcast https://www.restrictedhandling.com/ [https://www.restrictedhandling.com/] Get the daily intelligence brief Ryan and Glenn read covering Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, the Middle East, geopolitics, sanctions, military and intel operations. Save a few hours of your time getting ahead of the news cycle at restrictedhandling.com.

RH 7.10.26 | China: Nuclear Subs, Space Race, Pacific Push

👉 Subscribe to The Restricted Handling Podcast https://www.restrictedhandling.com/ [https://www.restrictedhandling.com/] China is building power on every front, and in today's episode of The Restricted Handling Daily Intel Brief, Ryan and Glenn break down the latest moves from Beijing that are reshaping the global security environment. The biggest story is China's latest submarine-launched ballistic missile test into the Pacific and what it reveals about Beijing's evolving nuclear strategy. This was not just another missile launch. It was a demonstration of China's effort to build a more credible sea-based nuclear deterrent and move closer to the kind of continuous at-sea capability maintained by the world's major nuclear powers. We break down why China's Type 094A submarines, JL-series missiles, and growing second-strike capabilities matter for the future of deterrence in the Indo-Pacific. But China's strategic competition with the United States is happening far beyond nuclear weapons. In this episode, we examine how Beijing is combining military modernization, space technology, diplomacy, and economic influence into a broader effort to expand what Chinese leaders call comprehensive national power. From submarines under the Pacific to rockets returning from orbit, China is investing across every domain. We also cover China's major space milestone as Beijing successfully recovers an orbital-class rocket booster for the first time. The Long March 10B achievement moves China closer to reusable launch technology, a capability that could reduce costs, increase satellite deployment, and support future lunar missions. The space race is accelerating, and China wants a larger seat at the table. The episode also looks at the growing competition for influence in the Pacific. Australia and Fiji announced a new security agreement that could eventually expand into a broader regional coalition. As China continues building relationships across the Pacific Islands, Australia and its partners are responding with new security and development initiatives designed to counter Beijing's growing footprint. We also return to the South China Sea, where China's actions around Scarborough Shoal continue creating friction with the Philippines. A decade after Manila won a major legal victory against Beijing's maritime claims, Chinese vessels still maintain practical control of the disputed area. The episode explores how China uses coast guard activity, legal arguments, and persistent pressure to advance its interests without triggering a direct military confrontation. Finally, we examine Xi Jinping's continued engagement with North Korea and what Beijing's relationship with Pyongyang means as Northeast Asia becomes increasingly competitive. From nuclear submarines and reusable rockets to maritime disputes and alliance building, this episode breaks down how China is pursuing a long-term strategy to reshape the balance of power. The Restricted Handling Daily Intel Brief gives you the strategic picture behind the headlines. We focus on the geopolitical, military, intelligence, and technology developments shaping the world before they become tomorrow's crisis. 👉 Subscribe to The Restricted Handling Podcast https://www.restrictedhandling.com/ [https://www.restrictedhandling.com/] Get the daily intelligence brief Ryan and Glenn read covering Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, the Middle East, geopolitics, sanctions, military and intel operations. Save a few hours of your time getting ahead of the news cycle at restrictedhandling.com.

RH 7.10.26 | Russia: Fuel Crisis, Deep Strikes, Crimea Pressure & China Military Ties

👉 Subscribe to The Restricted Handling Podcast https://www.restrictedhandling.com/ [https://www.restrictedhandling.com/] Russia is facing a new kind of pressure campaign, and in this episode of The Restricted Handling Podcast, we break down how Ukraine is taking the fight beyond the front lines and creating problems for Moscow inside its own borders. Ryan and Glenn dive into the latest developments shaping the Russia-Ukraine war, including Ukraine's expanding drone campaign against Russian energy infrastructure, growing fuel shortages, pressure on Crimea's supply routes, and the economic strain building inside Russia. The conversation examines why attacks thousands of miles from the battlefield matter and how Ukraine is forcing the Kremlin to rethink what parts of Russia are actually protected. The episode explores the strategic impact of Ukraine's strikes against Russian refineries and logistics networks, including the significance of drones reaching deep into Siberia. Russia has spent decades relying on geography as a shield, but modern warfare is changing that equation. With relatively inexpensive unmanned systems, Ukraine is forcing Moscow to defend a massive industrial footprint while continuing offensive operations in Ukraine. We also look at the growing economic consequences for Russia. Despite being one of the world's largest energy producers, Moscow is dealing with fuel shortages, rising transportation costs, pressure on agriculture, and a widening budget deficit. The Kremlin has managed to absorb major shocks since the invasion began, but the war is creating increasingly difficult tradeoffs between military spending, domestic stability, and long-term economic health. This episode also breaks down the latest US and Ukrainian defense developments following the NATO summit in Ankara. President Donald Trump's decision to allow Ukraine to produce Patriot interceptor missiles under license marks an important political signal, while Kyiv continues pushing for greater defense industrial independence through drone cooperation and expanded weapons production. Beyond the battlefield, we examine the intelligence war surrounding the conflict. From Russian espionage cases across Europe to cyber operations targeting Western organizations, the Russia-West confrontation continues far beyond Ukraine's borders. We also discuss new reporting on expanding Russia-China military technology cooperation, including efforts involving artificial intelligence, missile defense, autonomous weapons, and attempts to counter Western space-based communications systems. The war in Ukraine is increasingly becoming a contest of adaptation. Russia still has enormous resources, but Ukraine is finding ways to exploit vulnerabilities in logistics, energy, and industrial capacity. The question is no longer just about territory on a map. It is about which side can sustain pressure, innovate faster, and maintain political support over time. Tune in for a deep dive into Russia's economic challenges, military strategy, intelligence operations, China-Russia cooperation, and the evolving future of modern warfare. 👉 Subscribe to The Restricted Handling Podcast https://www.restrictedhandling.com/ [https://www.restrictedhandling.com/] Get the daily intelligence brief Ryan and Glenn read covering Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, the Middle East, geopolitics, sanctions, military and intel operations. Save a few hours of your time getting ahead of the news cycle at restrictedhandling.com.

RH 7.9.26 | Iran and the Middle East: Hormuz Showdown, Ceasefire Collapse, Gulf on Edge

👉 Subscribe to The Restricted Handling Podcast https://www.restrictedhandling.com/ [https://www.restrictedhandling.com/] The US and Iran are once again locked in a dangerous showdown, and this time the battle is centered on one of the most important pieces of real estate on the planet: the Strait of Hormuz. In this episode of The Restricted Handling Podcast, Ryan and Glenn break down the latest escalation between Washington and Tehran as a fragile ceasefire begins to unravel. The fight is not just about ships, missiles, or military strikes. It is about power, leverage, and who controls the rules of global energy security. Iran is betting that its ability to disrupt traffic through the Strait of Hormuz gives it a strategic advantage. The waterway carries a massive share of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments, making it one of the world's most important economic chokepoints. Tehran's argument is that it has the right to manage maritime traffic through the strait. The United States and Gulf partners see that as an attempt to turn a critical international waterway into a political weapon. Ryan and Glenn examine why the June agreement between the US and Iran is under pressure, how both sides are interpreting the deal differently, and why the latest strikes may be less about winning a military exchange and more about shaping the next round of negotiations. The episode also looks inside Iran as the regime navigates the aftermath of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's death. While Iranian leaders project unity through massive funeral ceremonies, internal divisions are emerging over whether Tehran should continue confrontation with Washington or pursue a diplomatic path. Beyond Iran, this episode explores how the crisis is affecting the wider Middle East. Gulf states including Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar are caught between security partnerships with the United States and the economic consequences of instability near Hormuz. Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, and Turkey are all becoming important pieces of a broader regional competition involving Iran, the United States, Russia, and other major powers. You will hear about Russia's efforts to preserve influence in Syria through new commercial and logistics projects, Turkey's growing role as a regional power broker, and the expanding competition over energy routes, military access, and political influence across the Middle East. This is a deep dive into the strategic picture behind the headlines. Why does Iran believe Hormuz gives it leverage? Can the US pressure Tehran without triggering another major war? What happens if managed instability becomes the new normal across the region? The Restricted Handling Podcast brings you the geopolitical, intelligence, military, and security analysis you need to understand what is happening before it becomes tomorrow's headline. 👉 Subscribe to The Restricted Handling Podcast https://www.restrictedhandling.com/ [https://www.restrictedhandling.com/] Get the daily intelligence brief Ryan and Glenn read covering Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, the Middle East, geopolitics, sanctions, military and intel operations. Save a few hours of your time getting ahead of the news cycle at restrictedhandling.com.