Unconventional Times with Richard Gordon

Saving Lives and Shaping Policy: Jonathan Winer on Libya, Iran, and US Foreign Relations - Part 1

What does it take to rescue 3,000 lives from imminent massacre—and what lessons can it teach today’s policymakers? On this episode of Unconventional Times, Richard Gordon welcomes Jonathan Winer, former U.S. Special Envoy to Libya, whose extraordinary behind-the-scenes diplomatic efforts not only averted tragedy for Iranian dissidents in Iraq, but also shaped policy across some of the world’s hottest flashpoints. From the rescue of the Mujahideen-e-Khalq to deep dives on the Libya crisis, to rare insights on U.S.-China relations and the real stakes behind global supply chains, this is a candid conversation packed with revelations, humor, and geopolitical expertise. Key Highlights: * The harrowing story behind saving thousands from massacre, and how U.S. diplomatic muscle and alliances worked to make it happen. * The true story of Libya post-Gaddafi and hard lessons in nation-building. * Unvarnished takes on the U.S.-China relationship, supply chain dependencies, and the misunderstood Taiwan question. * Why tariffs may be hurting American consumers and what real solutions look like for America’s economic future. Timestamped Overview 00:00 Introduction and setup 02:00 Jonathan Winer's role in preventing the massacre of Iranian dissidents 06:45 U.S. withdrawal from Iraq and the fate of the Mujahideen-e-Khalq 11:13 Negotiating for MEK resettlement and the role of Albania 15:18 Parallels to U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan 16:05 Jonathan Winer's mission in Libya post-Benghazi 19:17 How Libya changed after Gaddafi 22:08 Challenges of Libyan governance and zero-sum politics 26:56 Libya’s descent into factionalism and rise of ISIS 32:56 The state of democracy and stability in Libya 33:19 Transition to U.S.-China summit discussion 37:45 The reality of U.S.-China economic interdependence 40:25 The stakes of technology, rare earths, and Taiwan 43:02 Tech transfer, tariffs, and manufacturing jobs 46:18 U.S. investment in chip manufacturing and supply chain security 48:39 Mining, resources, and the Greenland question 49:36 Summit outcomes and future of U.S.-China relations

Virginia at a Crossroads: David Ramadan Discusses Party Shifts and Election Integrity

What if the fate of America’s political future hinged on the hidden tragedy of redistricting—and the only person with both the insider experience and outsider’s humility to reveal its impact is a Lebanese immigrant who once carried $2,000 and a dream into the U.S.? In this episode of Unconventional Times, Richard Gordon sits down with David Ramadan—the first adult immigrant ever elected to Virginia’s House of Delegates—to pull back the curtain on the gritty realities of American democracy. From Beirut bombings to gerrymandering battles in Virginia, David Ramadan shares his extraordinary journey and the personal and political transformations that led him from being an idealistic volunteer to a Republican office holder, and finally to a “politically homeless” reformer. This episode dives into the devastating costs of partisanship over principle, why so many modern politicians choose career over integrity, and how new Supreme Court decisions could reshape communities and the future of both parties. Plus, get a rare first-hand look at the most explosive redistricting saga in Virginia’s history—and why the public needs to pay attention now. Episode Overview: [00:00] Introduction and episode setup[00:25] David Ramadan's background and early life in Lebanon[02:25] Inspiration for entering Virginia politics[06:00] Why David Ramadan became a Republican[09:00] Campaign experience, challenges, and historic win[11:08] Leaving the Republican Party during the Trump era[14:04] Legislative accomplishments, especially on voting rights[17:03] Reflections on party, public service, and redistricting[18:14] Critique of Trump’s impact on the GOP[22:21] Can the Republican Party be fixed?[24:44] Integrity, party loyalty, and tough political choices[27:12] Voting record—standing on principle and compromise[29:56] Insights on gerrymandering and redistricting[36:46] The latest on Virginia’s explosive redistricting showdown[48:42] Impact of Supreme Court Voting Rights Act decisions[52:05] Can fair representation exist—and is losing elections really so bad?[56:23] Where do both parties go from here?[59:10] Closing reflections on what’s broken—and what’s worth fighting for

Israel, Lebanon, and Hezbollah: David Ramadan Analyzes the Roots and Future of the Conflict

Did you know JFK's iconic words, "Ask not what your country can do for you," actually originated from a Lebanese poet? In this compelling episode of Unconventional Times, Richard Gordon sits down with Lebanese-born scholar and former legislator David Ramadan for an eye-opening exploration of Lebanon’s hidden war on Israel’s northern border. As international headlines focus on Iran and Gaza, this episode spotlights the overlooked conflict between Israel and Hezbollah—the Iranian-backed militia operating within Lebanon. David Ramadan unpacks the tangled realities of Lebanon’s fragmented sovereignty, reveals the human impact of daily bombings and mass displacement, and explains why the Lebanese government can't—or won’t—rein in Hezbollah. Discover why peace talks may be doomed from the start, how Iran keeps Hezbollah alive, and why some Lebanese now quietly wish for peace with Israel. Candid, insightful, and full of surprising revelations, this episode will change how you see the Middle East's most misunderstood front. Episode Overview 00:00 Intro and episode setup 00:31 Spotlight on the Israel-Lebanon conflict 02:31 David Ramadan introduction and background 03:12 Lebanon’s geography, history, and people 05:27 Lebanon’s tangled wars and Hezbollah’s rise 10:26 Iran’s influence and Hezbollah as a “state within a state” 13:09 Is it really Israel vs. Lebanon or Israel vs. Hezbollah? 15:12 The challenge of peace negotiations 17:21 Displaced civilians and Lebanon’s warzone reality 22:03 Why now? The October 6th turning point 26:53 Why hasn’t the Lebanese government acted? 30:36 Weapons, Iran’s resupply, and Iranian officers in Lebanon 34:11 The UN’s failed peacekeeping mission 37:24 What would it take for a real solution? 40:53 Regional politics and why Arab countries won’t intervene 41:23 The shifting support for Hezbollah inside Lebanon 44:22 Destruction of homes and emotional impact 47:16 What can Israel do? The challenges for nation-states vs. militias 49:55 Support for Israel vs. support for its current government 51:59 Media narratives, American politics, and final reflections 53:09 Episode wrap-up and closing remarks

Inside Maine DEP: Modernizing Permitting, PFAS Challenges, and Climate Realities

What if the biggest hurdle to building a better future for both business and the environment isn’t political gridlock—but the way we write the rules? In this episode of Unconventional Times, Richard Gordon sits down with Melanie Loyzim, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, for a revealing conversation from the Environmental Council of the States conference in Savannah, Georgia. Melanie Loyzim explains why clarity, transparency, and moderation—not deregulation—are what businesses crave most when navigating environmental permitting. Discover how Maine is tackling climate change impacts like rising seas and extreme storms, the state’s plan to streamline housing development without sacrificing environmental standards, and why PFAS contamination may be the most daunting challenge facing state agencies today. Plus, peek behind the curtain at how Maine is looking to harness artificial intelligence to make permitting faster and smarter. Key highlights: * The childhood experiences that shaped Melanie Loyzim's environmental mission * How regulatory certainty attracts business investment * Maine’s balanced approach to economic development and environmental protection * Real-world impacts of climate change on Maine’s iconic industries * Pragmatic, non-partisan government in an era of political swings * The urgent PFAS crisis—why it’s everywhere, and what Maine is doing about it * The promise and challenge of bringing AI into environmental regulation Timestamped Overview [00:00] Unconventional Times intro & guest introduction [01:06] Why a career in public service and environmental work [02:09] Childhood roots and early influences [04:06] Life as an underground storage tank inspector [06:13] The reality and evidence for climate change in Maine [08:11] Responding to climate events and smarter infrastructure [10:09] Impacts on Maine’s economy: lobster and timber [12:19] Balancing economic growth with environmental responsibility [15:23] The importance of regulatory certainty for investors [18:54] Navigating legislative changes and long-term planning [21:11] Balancing staff advocacy with impartial leadership [22:28] Managing shifting political priorities and policy ping-pong [25:31] Streamlining housing development via permit by rule [28:13] The challenge of environmental agency budgets [32:38] Artificial intelligence and the future of permitting [36:38] Digitizing data for smarter, holistic decisions [37:39] What keeps Melanie up at night: permitting bottlenecks [39:40] Worst environmental crisis: PFAS contamination [42:15] Source reduction and remediation strategies for PFAS [43:47] The value of moderation and transparency in government [45:16] Episode close

Leadership, Innovation, and AI at the Forefront of Environmental Policy

What if the very data that protects your environment was once scattered and nearly unusable—and now, thanks to new technology, it could finally shape smarter decisions for your community? In this special episode, recorded live from Savannah at the Environmental Council of the States (ECOS) meeting, Richard Gordon sits down with leading environmental decision-makers to uncover candid insights into the challenges facing state agencies: shrinking budgets, rapid climate change, and the promise—and pitfalls—of artificial intelligence. Listen as Director Ed Poolos of Alabama, Secretary Serena McIlwain of Maryland, and Director Myra Reece of South Carolina share compelling stories about resourcefulness in the face of tight funding, the transformative power of AI for permitting and real estate, and why economic growth and environmental stewardship must go hand in hand. If you want a rare insider’s view of how critical environmental decisions get made—and what the future holds—this thought-provoking conversation is a must-hear. 00:00 Host introduction and conference overview02:13 The personal motivations behind public service04:28 The difficult reality of federal budget cuts05:32 Alabama’s funding crisis and challenges06:33 The role of AI and technology in government07:25 How AI is reshaping permitting and decision making08:43 Maryland’s real estate AI project and process improvement10:46 Connecting economic development and environmental priorities12:56 Closing remarks and next episode preview