Straight from the Shoulder

Recent peace plans and talks in Moscow are building more momentum towards a deal, but are we there yet? This week, we discuss the current state of peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, including the implications of territorial concessions, the role of Europe in the conflict, and the influence of President Trump. We also explore the challenges facing Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and what it might take to ensure a successful future for Ukraine--and for the broader region.

The Trump administration has been building up an immense U.S. military presence in the Caribbean and steadily ramping-up attacks on alleged narco-trafficking vessels. But do these strikes aim to tackle the drug trade or to dismantle the Venezuelan regime--or both? Join us as we discuss what's behind the latest U.S. military strikes in the Caribbean and the implications of what might happen next.

With partisan-laden media takes and AI slop now flooding the internet, it's more difficult than ever to know what to believe. But time-tested frameworks used by intelligence officers can offer some guidance. On this episode of Straight from the Shoulder, special guest Rollie Flynn—former CIA Executive and President of The Arkin Group—shares her tips from the field on how to best differentiate truth from lies. 

This week, Jack and Julia unpack the latest U.S. government shutdown and the difference between "essential" and "non-essential" governance functions. How have these definitions evolved, what's the right size for our current government, and are we entering an era where institutions are losing their luster? 

Tensions are erupting between the United States and Venezuela, and in the first few weeks of September alone, the US military conducted multiple deadly strikes on narcotrafficking-linked boats off the Venezuelan coast. But questions abound pertaining to both the legality and political implications of the strikes, and what the latest developments might mean for national security moving forward. On this episode of Straight from the Shoulder, Jack and Julia discuss the trajectory of Venezuela's turn towards organized crime and why Jack thinks it's the right time to take firm and definitive action against narcotraffickers south of the border.