The Restricted Handling Podcast

In this episode, Ryan Fugit and Glenn Corn dive into the shifting global geopolitical landscape — from the ceasefire in Israel and Gaza to Russia’s mounting military casualties and Putin’s evolving ties with Azerbaijan.They also unpack US–Turkey relations, energy and missile politics, and China’s growing influence through espionage and rare earth minerals.This wide-ranging discussion sheds light on the complex realities of modern diplomacy and the challenges faced by global leaders.👉 Subscribe to The Restricted Handling Podcast for exclusive insights into Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, the Middle East, global economics and sanctions, spy stories, and expert analysis from former intelligence officers. Stay ahead of the curve—join us here: https://www.restrictedhandling.com🗝️ Key Takeaways• The ceasefire in Israel and Gaza marks a significant diplomatic milestone.• Disarmament remains a major issue in Israel–Hamas talks.• Russia’s casualties far exceed official reports.• Putin–Azerbaijan relations are shifting amid regional changes.• Turkey is reducing reliance on Russian energy while strengthening US ties.• The US considers expanded support for Ukraine, including Tomahawk missiles.• China leverages rare earth minerals in economic negotiations.• Espionage cases in the UK underscore tensions with China.• Psychological warfare against Taiwan is intensifying.• Future episodes will explore drone warfare and cognitive warfare.🧭 Titles / ThemesNavigating Global Conflicts: Insights from the FrontlinesCeasefire in Gaza: A Diplomatic Breakthrough🎧 Sound Bites"The positive momentum is great.""Erdogan struck a perfect deal.""There's a lot going on this week."⏱️ Chapters00:00 – Introduction to Global Conflicts01:03 – Ceasefire Developments in Israel and Gaza08:16 – Russia's Military Casualties and Political Dynamics16:03 – China's Role in Global Tensions20:02 – Geopolitical Posturing: The US and China21:47 – Turkey's Energy Strategy: Balancing Relations24:02 – Missile Dynamics: Russia's Nuclear Posture25:44 – Ukraine's Resilience: Strikes Deep in Russia31:05 – Cyber Warfare: Russia's Playbook Against Ukraine31:38 – China's Economic Leverage: Rare Earth Minerals34:36 – Espionage and Double Standards: The UK Case36:11 – Military Drills: China's Mockups for Taiwan37:51 – Commercial Diplomacy: A New Approach for the US

This week on The Restricted Handling Podcast, we’re firing up the geopolitical radar and zeroing in on China — because, wow, Beijing decided to spin the world stage like it’s a DJ booth at a techno rave. From rare-earth power plays to Taiwan’s brand-new “T-Dome” air defense shield, this episode breaks down the latest strategic chess moves shaping the Indo-Pacific and beyond — and it’s all happening at once. China’s throwing elbows in the global economy again, dropping a fresh set of rare-earth export restrictions just weeks before the Trump-Xi summit in South Korea. These aren’t just nerdy trade tweaks — we’re talking about the minerals that make your iPhone, your EV, and America’s next-gen fighter jets work. The move is perfectly timed, landing one day before the U.S.-China tariff truce expires. Translation? Beijing’s not negotiating; it’s power-posturing. We break down what that means for global tech, defense, and the delicate dance between Xi Jinping and Donald Trump. But it’s not all trade — it’s also tactics. Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te took center stage this week with a major announcement: the T-Dome, a multilayered, AI-powered missile defense system designed to keep China’s growing missile and aircraft threat in check. We dig into what this “Iron Dome 2.0” means for regional deterrence, how Taiwan’s boosting defense spending to 5% of GDP, and what Beijing’s next move might be as tensions skyrocket across the Taiwan Strait. Meanwhile, China’s backing up its rhetoric with serious muscle. We’re talking about carrier groups in the South China Sea, mock Taipei invasion training grounds, and new cyber and hybrid warfare campaigns targeting Taiwanese society. It’s part intimidation, part rehearsal — and all classic PLA strategy. But the U.S. and its allies aren’t sitting still. Japan’s mass-producing long-range missiles, American MQ-4C drones are patrolling the skies near China’s coastline, and Washington’s readying counterpunches in trade and tech. And just when you think it’s all about Asia, Russia crashes the party. We unpack Moscow and Beijing’s latest electronic warfare collab — jammers, anti-drone rifles, and Starlink disruptors straight out of a cyberpunk novel. But there’s a twist: China’s quietly cutting off key machine tools to Russia under U.S. pressure. Turns out “no limits” partnerships come with fine print. From rare-earths to radar, from trade wars to T-Dome, this episode is your all-access pass to the week’s biggest geopolitical power plays — served fast, smart, and with just enough attitude to keep it interesting. Tune in, stay sharp, and don’t blink — the world’s changing fast. 

Welcome to The Restricted Handling Podcast, where geopolitics meets energy-drink intensity. In this episode — “RH 10.10.25 | Russia: Blackouts, Drones, and Desperation” — we dive deep into one of the most dramatic weeks yet in the Russia-Ukraine war, with a mix of chaos, tech, and Cold War vibes straight out of a modern thriller. Russia just unleashed its biggest air and missile assault of 2025, hurling 450 drones and 30 missiles at Ukraine’s already battered power grid. The result? Massive blackouts, fires across Kyiv, and a humanitarian crisis brewing as winter closes in. It’s Moscow’s favorite old-school playbook — weaponize the weather, freeze the enemy, and call it strategy. But Ukraine’s hitting back in 4K. With AI-guided drones and long-range strikes on Russian gas facilities, Kyiv isn’t just surviving — it’s innovating on the fly. We also break down how Europe and NATO are done playing defense. The European Parliament voted to call Russian drone incursions “state-sponsored terrorism,” and NATO pilots are debating shoot-down authority that could make future airspace violations a one-way trip to oblivion. Meanwhile, the Baltic states — Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania — are prepping mass-evacuation plans for hundreds of thousands of civilians. They’re not waiting for the next surprise from the east; they’re ready for it. Inside Russia, the cracks are spreading faster than Moscow can patch them. Putin finally admitted that his military shot down an Azerbaijani passenger jet last year, killing 38 people — a rare moment of truth that highlights just how chaotic the Russian system has become. Add to that an economy straining under sanctions, a $50 billion wave of nationalizations, and China quietly choking off exports of precision tech Moscow desperately needs, and the empire’s starting to look a lot less invincible. We’ll also get into Russia’s digital dark arts — AI-generated malware, disinformation campaigns hijacking Nobel Prize headlines, and even a GRU parcel-bomb plot that sounds straight out of a spy movie. And yes, while Putin’s hackers and propagandists play whack-a-mole across Europe, Russian submarines are surfacing near Japan just to remind everyone they’re still in the game. From energy blackouts to drone warfare, hybrid operations to global embarrassment, this episode covers it all with sharp insight, zero fluff, and a little bit of attitude. Tune in to The Restricted Handling Podcast — where geopolitics gets the adrenaline treatment. Russia’s spinning out; we’re just here to call the play-by-play. 

Buckle up — this episode of The Restricted Handling Podcast dives straight into the world’s biggest geopolitical power flex of the week: China tightening its rare earth chokehold, revving its war machine, and playing spy games straight out of a Cold War reboot. Beijing’s Ministry of Commerce just pulled a major move — dropping sweeping export restrictions on rare earths, the secret sauce behind everything from fighter jets and electric vehicles to missile guidance systems and smartphones. If it’s high-tech, it probably runs on these elements, and China controls more than 90% of them. Now, foreign companies — especially those in defense or semiconductor production — need Beijing’s permission to use or export anything with even a trace of Chinese-origin rare earths. Yep, even if it’s built outside China. That’s not just economic leverage; that’s industrial blackmail with a friendly smile. This all hits right as President Xi Jinping prepares to meet Donald Trump later this month in South Korea, setting up one of the most awkward high-stakes face-offs since the last time your ex showed up at a family wedding. The message from Beijing is loud and clear: “You can ban our chips, we’ll block your magnets.” It’s a geopolitical staring contest, and no one’s blinking. Meanwhile, Washington’s punching back. The U.S. just added fifteen Chinese companies to its restricted trade list for funneling American-made tech components into Iranian-backed drones flown by Hamas and the Houthis. The same drones that’ve been hitting targets across the Middle East now come with a made-in-China twist — and the U.S. is done pretending it doesn’t see it. Over in Taiwan, the defense ministry says the threat level’s rising fast. China’s running nonstop military drills, gray-zone incursions, and cyber campaigns meant to exhaust the island before a single shot’s fired. Add in satellite images of amphibious ships massing near Shanghai and aircraft carriers lined up in the South China Sea, and it’s pretty clear Beijing’s rehearsing for the real thing. And if all that wasn’t enough, the global spy thriller continues. A major U.K. espionage case against alleged Chinese agents collapsed, cyber researchers uncovered new Chinese hacking tools across Asia, and OpenAI revealed that China and North Korea were trying to use AI for surveillance and phishing campaigns. Welcome to the AI-enabled Cold War, where the propaganda writes itself and the malware updates automatically.

Welcome back to The Restricted Handling Podcast — the only geopolitical brief that hits harder than a Kremlin press release and keeps you laughing through the tension. In this episode, we’re breaking down one of the wildest weeks yet in Russia’s global high-stakes theater — a mix of nuclear threats, energy warfare, and old-school Cold War drama wrapped in twenty-first century chaos. This week, Moscow tore up more of the world’s nuclear safety net, withdrawing from the Plutonium Management and Disposition Agreement and warning that it will “retaliate immediately” if the U.S. or anyone else resumes nuclear testing. Think of it as Russia flipping the global chessboard because it’s losing on points. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov is leading the rhetorical charge, accusing Washington of “maintaining test infrastructure in combat readiness.” It’s the diplomatic equivalent of shouting “don’t start none, won’t be none” while holding a match over a fuel can. But Russia’s not just threatening — it’s scheming. Putin and his circle are running a full-on reflexive control campaign, trying to psych out Washington and President Trump over the possible sale of Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine. Duma leaders like Andrei Kartapolov are tossing out old-school threats (“We’ll hurt those who cause us trouble”), while state TV personalities are labeling this “Trump’s war.” There’s even talk of moving missiles to Cuba — a straight-up 1962 remix that nobody asked for. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s hitting back with precision. President Zelenskyy confirmed Kyiv’s long-range strikes have knocked out up to 20% of Russia’s gasoline supply, crippling refineries across the country. Moscow’s scrambling for help from Belarus just to keep the lights on. And Russia’s energy panic isn’t just about economics — it’s about survival. The same refineries funding the war are now burning, thanks to Ukrainian-made Neptune and Flamingo missiles. Add in reports of massive Russian drone assaults, Europe’s growing fury over Kremlin-linked gray-zone operations (GPS jamming, drone incursions, cyber meddling), and NATO quietly discussing whether pilots can finally open fire on Russian aircraft violating allied airspace — and you’ve got a world edging toward a new kind of confrontation. We’re covering it all — from Putin’s trip to Tajikistan and Russia’s Pacific Fleet flexing off Japan, to hacked Rostec files revealing Moscow’s secret tech collabs with China. It’s geopolitics, espionage, and old-school propaganda — with a dash of sarcasm, caffeine, and side-eye. Strap in — this episode’s got everything: nukes, Tomahawks, sabotage, and swagger.  Russia’s acting bold, Ukraine’s hitting harder, and the world’s nerves are shot. Tune in to The Restricted Handling Podcast — where serious intelligence meets sharp wit and world events get the adrenaline treatment they deserve. 

Strap in — this episode of The Restricted Handling Podcast is a high-octane dive into the latest power plays shaking the Indo-Pacific and cyberspace. It’s October 8th, 2025, and Beijing is fuming while Taiwan is doubling down. We’ve got China’s meltdown over President Lai Ching-te’s praise of Donald Trump, Taipei’s new defense budget that’s starting to look like a war chest, and the U.S. stepping in with legislative and military muscle to keep the lights on — literally. We start with the story lighting up diplomatic wires: Taiwan’s President Lai calls Trump a potential Nobel Peace Prize winner if he can convince Xi Jinping to drop the threat of force. China loses it — calling Lai “a prostitute for foreigners” in one of the most unhinged official statements in recent memory. Hours later, Chinese warplanes and ships buzz Taiwan again. Subtle? Not exactly. Meanwhile, Taiwan’s prepping like it’s game day. Defense spending’s climbing past 3% of GDP and headed for 5% by 2030, with U.S. officials pushing for an even bolder 10%. Trump’s Pentagon pick, John Noh, backs the idea fully. It’s all part of a shift toward asymmetric warfare — think missiles, drones, and rapid-response units instead of massive tanks and ships. The goal? Make any Chinese invasion a nightmare. But money can’t fix everything. Taiwan’s biggest weak spot isn’t its military — it’s energy. Ninety-seven percent imported. Half its electricity from liquefied natural gas. If China blocks shipping lanes, Taiwan could go dark in under two weeks. So Washington’s moving fast, drafting legislation to insure LNG deliveries and keep convoys running if Beijing tries a “quarantine.” Because once Taiwan’s grid goes down, so does the global tech supply chain — no chips, no phones, no peace. Across the region, Japan’s joining the action with record-breaking war games alongside the U.S. and Australia. New Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi isn’t holding back, and Tokyo’s tightening ties with Taipei in ways that will drive Beijing up the wall. And while China flexes its hardware — hyping new fighter jets and drones — it’s also ramping up online. From a busted espionage case in the UK to AI-powered cyber campaigns, Beijing’s digital shadow is spreading fast. OpenAI even banned Chinese, Russian, and North Korean accounts caught using ChatGPT for surveillance, hacking, and phishing. Yes, the bots are now spies too. It’s a wild world where military drills meet malware and diplomacy meets disinformation. Tune in for RH 10.8.25 | China Rages, Taiwan Arms Up, AI Goes Rogue — where global power politics, tech warfare, and a dash of chaos all collide.

Strap in—this episode of The Restricted Handling Podcast goes full throttle into the world of modern Russian warfare, propaganda, and power plays. From deep drone strikes to digital deception, “RH 10.8.25 | Russia: Drones, Disinfo & Phase Zero” delivers a high-energy, intelligence-grade rundown of how Moscow is trying to fight, frighten, and fake its way back into global dominance. Hosting from the edge of the geopolitical blast radius, we break down how Russia’s old-school KGB paranoia has gone digital. The Kremlin has officially entered “Phase Zero”, a new psychological and information warfare stage where Moscow works overtime to convince the world—and its own people—that NATO is plotting against it. You’ll hear how Russian operatives are sowing chaos across Europe, from fake vandalism at French mosques to bot armies flooding social media with AI-generated disinformation. If the Cold War had TikTok, this is exactly what it would look like. But that’s not all. Ukraine just delivered its deepest strike ever inside Russia, smashing the Tyumen oil refinery over 2,000 kilometers beyond the front lines. We’ll dig into how that attack rattled Moscow’s war economy, forced Belarus to quadruple gasoline exports, and exposed the cracks in Putin’s “everything’s fine” narrative. Meanwhile, leaked Russian military data reveals staggering losses—over 280,000 casualties in 2025 alone, including nearly 87,000 dead. That’s not a typo. And those numbers make Putin’s claim of “strategic initiative” sound more like delusion than dominance. We also get into the EU’s new sanctions crackdown—tightening travel for Russian diplomats, sanctioning fake ship registries behind the Kremlin’s infamous “shadow fleet,” and calling out Moscow’s ocean-sized oil smuggling operation. Add in Turkey’s pivot away from Russian gas, and suddenly Putin’s last big European energy lifeline is starting to fray. On the digital front, the Kremlin’s building a “sovereign internet” complete with a new WeChat-style app called Max, banning VPNs, and criminalizing online anonymity. All while Russia and China weaponize AI to run deepfake campaigns against Western officials. It’s not sci-fi—it’s the new Cold War, version 2.0. From the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant blackout to Russia’s navy shadowing Japan and the Taliban shaking hands in Moscow, this episode is packed with global flashpoints, frontline facts, and just enough sarcasm to keep you sane. If you want the sharpest, smartest, and most entertaining take on global security without the usual snooze-fest briefing tone—this one’s for you. 

Step beyond the headlines and official spin to uncover the deeper realities inside Russia and China’s economies. We take a close look at how Moscow and Beijing project power abroad while grappling with fragile foundations at home, from Russia’s unsustainable wartime spending to China’s faltering growth and anxious workforce. We cut through state narratives to reveal the costs of these economies, costs borne not by leaders, but by ordinary citizens facing higher prices and shrinking opportunities. With insights from data, policy shifts, and on-the-ground reports, we trace how these two authoritarian powers strain to maintain control, and how their choices reverberate across global markets, diplomacy, and the lives of millions.

Strap in for a high-octane ride through the Indo-Pacific as The Restricted Handling Podcast takes you deep inside China’s latest power plays—on land, at sea, in the air, and across the cyber domain. In this episode, we’re breaking down Beijing’s bold reveal of its J-35 stealth fighter production line, the secretive intelligence front companies feeding China’s cyber warfare machine, and the rising tension stretching from the Taiwan Strait to the South China Sea. We start with China’s stunning move to throw open the hangar doors at Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, giving the world its first look at the J-35 and J-35A—fifth-generation stealth jets designed to challenge America’s F-35 dominance. Think of it as Beijing’s “Top Gun moment,” but with more robotic arms and less Kenny Loggins. This wasn’t just a PR stunt; it was a message. China’s ready to mass-produce stealth fighters, deploy them from its new Fujian carrier, and flex its growing technological muscle. But the story doesn’t stop at shiny new aircraft. We dive into the shadowy world of BIETA—the Beijing Institute of Electronics Technology and Application—recently outed as a front for China’s Ministry of State Security. BIETA and its partner CIII develop cyber tools, penetration-testing software, and covert communication platforms for the MSS. In short, they’re the quiet architects behind Beijing’s digital spy empire, turning academic research into cyber arsenals. Meanwhile, China’s global assertiveness is creating turbulence everywhere. Premier Li Qiang is jetting off to Pyongyang to celebrate with Kim Jong Un and Dmitry Medvedev, as Beijing, Moscow, and North Korea tighten their political and military ties. The U.S., Japan, and the Philippines aren’t sitting idle—Washington just reaffirmed its 74-year-old defense treaty with Manila, promising to defend Philippine vessels “anywhere in the South China Sea.” We also unpack Taiwan’s latest confrontations—from chasing off Chinese ships near Pratas Island to President Lai Ching-te daring Xi Jinping to drop the threat of invasion. And if that wasn’t enough action, we’ve got Chinese jets buzzing Canadian patrol aircraft, illegal fishing boats playing tag with the Korean Coast Guard, and Beijing throwing diplomatic elbows at the European Union over Taiwan’s status. This episode has it all: stealth jets, spy fronts, air standoffs, and cyber espionage. It’s equal parts Mission: Impossible and House of Cards, with a dash of Cold War déjà vu. If you want to know where the next flashpoint could ignite, you’ll find it right here. Tune in now—because when China starts opening its hangars and flexing its networks, the whole world should be paying attention. 

Buckle up, because this episode of The Restricted Handling Podcast dives straight into one of the most intense 24-hour cycles in global security this year. Russia is flexing hard, Europe’s nerves are fraying, and Ukraine just delivered one of its deepest strikes inside Russian territory yet — all while Washington, Brussels, and Tehran make moves that could reshape the next phase of the war. We start with Moscow’s latest stunt: Russia is rolling out “Phase Zero” — the information and psychological groundwork for a potential future conflict with NATO. The Kremlin’s Foreign Intelligence Service is spinning up wild claims that the U.K. is planning a false-flag naval attack using pro-Ukrainian Russians and Chinese-made underwater drones (yes, really). The point isn’t truth — it’s chaos. Between these bizarre accusations and a wave of drone sightings over Germany, Norway, and Denmark, Russia’s turning Europe into a stress test for hybrid warfare. Meanwhile, Dmitry Medvedev is back on Telegram acting like an end-of-the-world villain, threatening that Europeans should “feel the danger of war.” Germany’s closing airports, Britain’s jamming its satellites, and the EU just voted to restrict Russian diplomats’ movement after a surge in espionage and sabotage ops across the continent. Europe’s waking up — and Moscow’s clearly nervous about it. Over in Ukraine, Kyiv’s hitting back with precision and pride. On Vladimir Putin’s birthday, no less, Ukrainian drones flew 2,000 kilometers inside Russia to strike the Tyumen Oil Refinery — one of the deepest and boldest attacks of the war. Add in massive hits on the Sverdlov explosives plant and the Feodosia oil terminal in occupied Crimea, and it’s clear Ukraine’s drone campaign is rewriting modern warfare. The United States, meanwhile, is playing the “wait and see” game. President Trump said he’s “sort of made a decision” on whether to supply Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles but doesn’t want to “escalate the war.” Translation: the world’s watching how far Kyiv’s reach will go without Washington’s green light. And if that wasn’t enough, a leaked deal shows Iran planning to buy forty-eight Su-35 fighter jets from Russia — the biggest arms sale Moscow’s pulled off since the invasion began. The axis of sanctions is alive and well, and it’s arming up. It’s hybrid warfare, energy disruption, espionage, and psychological chess — all playing out in real time. This episode breaks it down with intensity, wit, and a bit of swagger. 

Buckle up — this episode of The Restricted Handling Podcast dives straight into China’s latest global power plays, and it’s a wild mix of espionage, tech warfare, and high-flying ambition. From satellites hovering over Ukraine to secret oil deals with Iran, Beijing is rewriting the playbook for 21st-century power — and doing it with stealth (literally and figuratively). We start with breaking developments in Ukraine, where Chinese reconnaissance satellites allegedly helped Russia refine its missile targets. That’s right — those “scientific research” satellites may have been moonlighting as battlefield scouts, feeding Moscow intel in real-time. It’s the kind of quiet cooperation that blurs the line between neutrality and alliance, and it could mark a new phase in how China engages in proxy conflicts. Then, we head to the Persian Gulf to uncover Beijing’s covert financial choreography. You’ll hear how China built a hidden payment network to buy Iranian oil without ever touching the global banking system. The system involves a secretive financial entity called Chuxin, state-owned insurer Sinosure, and a cast of shell companies — all working to funnel billions through a “construction-for-crude” barter scheme. It’s economic espionage meets creative accounting, and it’s keeping Tehran afloat while giving China a front-row seat in the Middle East energy game. From there, we fly to the Philippines — now ground zero in Beijing’s digital and human intelligence war. Chinese nationals have been arrested for espionage after allegedly using drones and LiDAR scanners to map U.S.-aligned military bases. At the same time, Chinese-funded social media operations are spreading pro-Beijing propaganda online, targeting Philippine audiences with fake accounts and influencer-style disinformation. It’s a hybrid war fought through Wi-Fi and whispers — and it’s turning Manila into one of the hottest pressure points in the Indo-Pacific. But that’s not all. This episode also explores China’s internal machinery of control — from Xi Jinping’s latest white paper on “governing Xinjiang” to new reports exposing a massive digital surveillance network in Tibet. Combine that with China’s newest stealth fighters — the J-20 and J-35 — rolling off production lines, and it’s clear Beijing is building power on every front: military, economic, and digital. If you want to understand how China’s playing the long game — from the skies above Ukraine to the firewalls of Tibet — this is the episode you can’t miss. 

The Restricted Handling Podcast is back with another hard-hitting, high-energy breakdown of the world’s most volatile front lines — and this one’s packed. In “RH 10.6.25 | Russia Strikes, China Spies, Ukraine Hits Back,” we dive straight into the chaos rocking Eastern Europe and beyond. From Vladimir Putin’s latest threats to China’s not-so-secret spy games, this episode’s got the kind of real-world intrigue that feels ripped from a geopolitical thriller — except it’s all happening right now. Hosting with signature intensity and humor, we unpack the Kremlin’s biggest air assault yet — an overnight barrage of 500 drones and 50 missiles pounding Ukraine’s cities, power grids, and civilians. Lviv, the “safe” western refuge near Poland, was hit harder than at any point in the war. It’s not just about destruction; it’s about Moscow weaponizing winter again, using energy as both a target and a message. You’ll hear how Ukraine’s scrambling to keep the lights on, how NATO jets were scrambled to secure European skies, and why Zelensky’s patience with the West’s “slow roll” of support is wearing dangerously thin. But there’s another layer: China’s fingerprints. Ukrainian intelligence says Beijing’s satellites were orbiting overhead as the missiles fell — nine passes in one night. Coincidence? Not likely. We break down how Chinese intelligence may be quietly feeding Russia’s targeting data while pretending to play neutral peacekeeper on the global stage. It’s espionage with Chinese characteristics, and it could redefine how modern wars are fought in space. Then, the plot twist: Ukraine is fighting back — not just with courage, but with tech. You’ll learn about Kyiv’s “DeepStrike” campaign, the FP-5 Flamingo cruise missile, and how Ukrainian engineers are out-innovating the Kremlin with drones that cost less than a Russian tank tire. They’re hitting oil refineries, fuel depots, and export terminals deep inside Russia — cutting off Moscow’s money and its morale. It’s asymmetric warfare at its sharpest edge. We also zoom out to Europe’s growing unease: Serbian extremists teaming up with Russian ultra-nationalists, mysterious drone swarms over Germany’s airports, and EU politics teetering on the edge as populists cozy up to the Kremlin. Meanwhile, Putin’s allies are spewing Cold War-era rhetoric like it’s a TikTok trend — from Medvedev’s “dumb animals” rant to state media mocking NATO’s defenses. This is the world’s most unpredictable conflict told through sharp analysis, dark humor, and straight-shooting intelligence insight. Russia strikes, China spies, Ukraine hits back — and The Restricted Handling Podcast brings you every high-impact detail, every power move, and every crack in the global order. Listen now — because this isn’t just the news. It’s the next briefing you can’t afford to miss. 

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.

Get ready for another high-octane ride on The Restricted Handling Podcast! In this episode, we dive headfirst into the hottest developments out of China and across the Indo-Pacific, with a mix of strategic seriousness and a little pop culture punch to keep things lively. We kick things off in the Taiwan Strait, where tensions are dialed up to eleven. Taiwan’s National Day is right around the corner, and everyone’s wondering: will Beijing roll out another round of large-scale military drills like last year? The PLA is already flooding the skies and seas with jets and warships, and new satellite imagery reveals China has expanded its creepy “mock Taipei” training site to practice strikes on government buildings. It’s basically a Hollywood movie set—except instead of filming blockbusters, they’re rehearsing decapitation strikes. Taiwan, meanwhile, is bulking up its defenses with Patriot missiles, NASAMS, and Stingers to make sure the real capital is no easy target. From Taiwan, we sail south to the Scarborough Shoal, where Manila is drawing a hard red line. China’s talking about turning the disputed reef into a “nature reserve,” but the Philippines isn’t buying it. Their military brass calls it a pretext for occupation and promises not to let Scarborough turn into another Mischief Reef, where Beijing built a base in the 1990s. Add to that the discovery of a 12-foot Chinese underwater drone near Palawan, and it’s clear: China’s not just fishing for clams out there. Meanwhile, the big steel is on parade. Satellite imagery caught two Chinese aircraft carriers—the Shandong and the Fujian—sitting side by side at Yulin Naval Base. The Fujian, with its electromagnetic catapults and new-gen fighters, is the crown jewel of China’s naval ambitions. The U.S. carrier George Washington is on the move too, heading out from Yokosuka, Japan, for a Pacific patrol. The message is unmistakable: both sides want to be seen and heard. But it’s not just about ships and shoals. Beijing is trying to lock down global leverage in other ways—like rare earths. Reports suggest China is in early talks with Malaysia to build a refinery, handing over processing tech in exchange for access to ore deposits. If that happens, Malaysia becomes one of the only places with both Chinese and non-Chinese rare-earth processing, and that could send shockwaves through supply chains that feed everything from smartphones to fighter jets. We’ll also hit Europe, where Finland and Norway are raising alarms over Chinese-controlled data cables and drones near NATO bases. Plus, we’ll talk about China’s brand-new prototype missile shield, its growing U.N. peacekeeping presence, and its crackdown on massive scam networks in Myanmar. It’s a packed episode—carriers, cables, rare earths, missile shields, and some serious geopolitical shadowboxing. Strap in and let’s go. 

Welcome back to The Restricted Handling Podcast!  Putin cranks up the volume at the Valdai Club in Sochi, threatening “convincing countermeasures” against Europe’s growing militarization while simultaneously trying to charm Donald Trump. He mocks NATO’s warnings of Russian aggression as “nonsense,” yet warns that US Tomahawk missile transfers to Ukraine would bring a “new stage of escalation.” The performance is classic Kremlin theater: scare Europe, sweet-talk Washington, and hope the West second-guesses its own strength. Meanwhile, the United States makes its boldest policy shift yet under Trump. Washington has authorized expanded intelligence sharing with Kyiv for long-range strikes inside Russia, targeting energy infrastructure that keeps Putin’s war machine fueled. The much-debated Tomahawk transfers are unlikely given limited inventories, but alternative systems and allied contributions are on the table. Ukrainian drone and missile strikes have already cut nearly 40% of Russia’s refining capacity, creating gasoline shortages that hurt both civilians and the Russian military. Europe isn’t sitting still either. At a summit in Copenhagen, Macron, Merz, Starmer, Frederiksen, and Tusk all called for harder measures—shooting down drones, seizing shadow fleet tankers, and tightening sanctions. The French navy’s bold seizure of the Russian tanker Boracay became the poster child for a new European strategy: choke the shadow fleet, cut Moscow’s billions in oil revenue, and make it harder for Putin to finance his war. Hybrid warfare is spreading fast. From drones shutting down Munich Airport to GRU operatives planting explosive-filled “cans of corn” in Lithuanian cemeteries, Russian sabotage operations are targeting Europe’s infrastructure and public confidence. Reports link over 110 sabotage incidents since 2022 to Moscow’s networks of criminals and proxies. And don’t miss what’s happening above your head. The UK revealed that Russia is stalking and jamming British military satellites on a weekly basis. Space is now an active battlefield, and Russia is showing it has both the capability and the will to weaponize orbit. This episode has it all: Putin’s double game, Trump’s policy pivot, Europe’s hardening resolve, shadow fleet takedowns, sabotage plots, space jamming, and Ukrainian drones striking 1,700 km deep into Russia. If you want to understand the frontlines of 21st-century conflict—from the skies over Munich to the orbit above Britain—this is the one to listen to. Get ready. It’s sharp, it’s punchy, and it’s Restricted Handling. 

Today we're diving deep and analyzing the proposed Israel-Hamas ceasefire proposal, how Russia continues messing up the neighborhood, and what this all means during a government shutdown! Get the RH Daily Intel Brief delivered to your inbox for FREE every weekday covering Russia, China, North Korea, the Middle East, Economics/Sanctions, Cool Spy Stories and more...sign up at www.restrictedhandling.com.Welcome back to the Restricted Handling Podcast with Ryan Fugit (former Army and CIA officer) and Glenn Corn (34 years in U.S. government service, most of it at CIA). In this powerful episode, we dive deep into some of the most pressing issues shaping today’s global security landscape—from the U.S. government shutdown to fragile ceasefire negotiations in Israel and Gaza, and the shifting balance of power across the Middle East, Russia, and beyond.🎙️ Episode Highlights:Israel–Gaza Ceasefire Talks: We break down the proposed terms between Hamas, Israel, and the international community, including hostages, arms, humanitarian aid, reconstruction, and the geopolitical players influencing the process (Turkey, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the U.S.).Parallels with Lebanon & Hezbollah: Glenn draws comparisons between Hamas today and Hezbollah’s rise after the Lebanese Civil War, analyzing Israel’s determination to prevent another armed group from threatening its borders.The Role of Regional Powers: Turkey’s surprising diplomatic maneuvers, Qatar’s leverage, Saudi Arabia’s financial muscle, and Iran’s attempts to disrupt peace talks. What role do invisible veto players hold, and how might they derail negotiations?Reconstruction and Economics of Peace: Why Gulf State funding is critical to rebuilding Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria, and how reconstruction could either stabilize or destabilize the region.Inside the U.N. General Assembly (UNGA): Glenn shares firsthand insights from recent meetings in New York, including discussions with the Syrian president and U.S. business leaders about economic reforms, reconstruction, and regional stability.Why Now?: We analyze why this peace proposal is emerging now, the domestic challenges facing Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, and the public relations battle Israel is losing on the world stage.Winners, Losers, and the Future of the Region: Could Palestinians ultimately benefit from disarmament and reconstruction? Or will Hamas’ refusal to relinquish weapons derail any chance of peace?The U.S. Government Shutdown: Ryan and Glenn share their personal experiences from past shutdowns, the morale effects on essential vs. non-essential personnel, and how bureaucratic slowdowns can sometimes paradoxically improve efficiency.Russia–Ukraine Update: From Tomahawk missile requests to sanctions crushing the Russian economy, we discuss the latest military and economic developments, NATO’s concerns, and Russia’s rumored counter-moves in the Western Hemisphere.💡 Why Listen?This episode offers rare, unfiltered insights from two men who’ve spent decades in intelligence, diplomacy, and national security. It’s a candid, in-depth conversation that blends policy analysis, historical context, and hard-earned experience from inside the U.S. government.🔎 Topics Covered in Detail:Israel, Gaza, and Hamas’ ceasefire calculusHezbollah’s disarmament dilemma and Lebanon’s fragile politicsIran’s shadow role and financial pipelines to militant groupsTurkey’s rising influence and tensions with IsraelU.S. foreign policy challenges and the importance of the Abraham AccordsSyria’s surprising push for reform and investment opportunitiesGlobal reactions to antisemitism and the information warThe ongoing impact of U.S. sanctions on RussiaThe resilience of government and military operations during shutdowns

Step beyond the headlines and official spin to uncover the deeper realities inside Russia and China’s economies. We take a close look at how Moscow and Beijing project power abroad while grappling with fragile foundations at home, from Russia’s unsustainable wartime spending to China’s faltering growth and anxious workforce. We cut through state narratives to reveal the costs of these economies, costs borne not by leaders, but by ordinary citizens facing higher prices and shrinking opportunities. With insights from data, policy shifts, and on-the-ground reports, we trace how these two authoritarian powers strain to maintain control, and how their choices reverberate across global markets, diplomacy, and the lives of millions.

Welcome back to The Restricted Handling Podcast! In today’s episode, “RH 10.1.25 | China: Taiwan Lawfare, Russia Training, EU Spy Scandal, Cyber Ops, Naval Harassment,” we dive headfirst into some of the most urgent geopolitical moves shaking the global stage. If you thought China was just flexing in the South China Sea, think again—this episode peels back the layers on Beijing’s multi-domain campaign: lawfare, espionage, cyber operations, and military muscle. First, we break down Taiwan’s warning that Beijing is twisting UN Resolution 2758 into a so-called legal basis for a future attack. Taiwan calls it “deliberately misleading,” Washington backs them up, and Beijing doubles down with jets and warships buzzing the Strait. It’s courtroom arguments with a side of saber-rattling. From there, we pivot to North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, who sent Xi Jinping a note promising undying loyalty “no matter how the world changes.” Spoiler: it’s not a Hallmark card, it’s a signal of tighter DPRK-PRC coordination as Russia leans in too. That’s the axis of authoritarian opportunism at work. Meanwhile in Europe, things get messy. Germany convicts Jian Guo, a Chinese-born German national and former aide to AfD’s Maximilian Krah, for aggravated espionage. Four years and nine months in prison for spying on dissidents, hoarding sensitive EU documents, and even tracking military shipments. Europe’s patience with Beijing’s spying games is wearing thin—and this case could sharpen EU counterintelligence efforts. On the cyber front, China’s newly identified “Phantom Taurus” threat actor is upgrading from email hacks to SQL database plundering. Think advanced malware, in-memory stealth, and data theft targeting ministries, embassies, and telecoms across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. At the same time, Beijing is forcing its own networks to report breaches within 30–60 minutes starting November 1. The dual play: hammer the outside world while tightening control inside. And at sea? The Royal Navy faced PLA “constructive kill” maneuvers—Chinese fighters simulating missile runs on HMS Richmond while stalking HMS Prince of Wales. Taiwan, for its part, expelled Chinese “research” ships mapping seabeds north of the island, a reminder that infiltration sometimes looks like science on the surface. We close with the human side: new U.S. reports spotlight Beijing’s persecution of religious minorities—Uyghurs, Tibetans, underground Christians, and more—linking repression to technology and transnational intimidation campaigns. This is an action-packed episode blending lawfare, cyber warfare, military brinkmanship, and espionage into one global snapshot. If you’re tracking China’s growing assertiveness, Russia’s hand in the mix, and how democracies are fighting back, you don’t want to miss this one. Tune in, strap in, and get ready: Beijing is moving pieces on every board, and the world is watching. 

Get ready for another hard-hitting dive into the chaos of today’s global security landscape. RH 10.1.25 | Russia: Sabotage, Zaporizhzhia, Drone Wall, Czech Ammo, Taiwan Oil brings you straight into the latest flashpoints—from nuclear brinkmanship to covert sabotage plots—delivered with the energy and clarity you expect from The Restricted Handling Podcast. This episode takes you behind the headlines into the very real threats shaking Europe, NATO, and Ukraine’s survival. We start with Russia’s latest play: blaming Ukraine for sabotage operations in Poland that Moscow itself might carry out. It’s classic Kremlin theater—straight out of the Soviet “Trust” playbook. As Polish skies fill with Russian drones and NATO defenses are tested, the question isn’t if Moscow will push harder, but how far it’s willing to go. Then we move to Zaporizhzhia, where Europe’s largest nuclear plant has been disconnected from the grid for over a week. Running on shaky diesel generators, the plant is playing nuclear roulette while Russian shelling blocks repairs. President Zelenskyy is sounding the alarm, and the IAEA warns this “emergency workaround” can’t last forever. It’s a reminder of how Russia keeps nuclear safety hostage to its war. At the same time, EU leaders are meeting in Copenhagen under heavy security to hash out a “drone wall” that would defend Europe against Moscow’s cheap but disruptive UAVs. NATO chief Mark Rutte calls it essential, while Estonia’s prime minister warns Putin is trying to distract Europe from Ukraine. Romania is already fast-tracking joint drone production with Ukraine to secure NATO’s eastern flank. But it’s not just defense hardware on the line. Ukraine’s ammo supply chain could be thrown into turmoil if Czech elections hand power to a populist party threatening to kill Prague’s covert ammunition program—the same program that has quietly delivered over two million artillery shells from non-NATO states. Without it, Ukraine’s fight in Donbas would look very different. And in a twist of global irony, Taiwan—while loudly backing Ukraine—has become the top importer of Russian naphtha, buying $1.3 billion worth this year alone. That money flows straight into the Kremlin’s war chest, even as Taipei pushes allies to stand firm against Moscow and Beijing. From sabotage ops to nuclear risks, from drone wars to hidden supply chains, this episode is loaded. Expect blunt talk, sharp context, and a little edge—because when Russia’s turning Cold War-era tricks and Europe’s scrambling to stay ahead, you need more than headlines. 

Strap in for this episode of The Restricted Handling Podcast as we dive headfirst into the latest wave of China headlines shaking up the Indo-Pacific and beyond. From missile stockpiles and drone squadrons to Arctic ambitions and AI showdowns, this one’s packed tighter than a PLA missile silo. We kick things off with the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force, which just boosted its arsenal to a staggering 3,500 missiles, including the hypersonic DF-17 and the infamous DF-26 “Guam Express.” This isn’t just saber-rattling—it’s hard evidence that Beijing is building the firepower to threaten Taiwan, U.S. forces, and anyone else standing in the way. Speaking of Taiwan, the PLA keeps up its gray-zone tactics, buzzing the island with 33 aircraft and 11 ships in just 24 hours. That’s on top of hundreds already logged this month. It’s pressure by attrition, designed to wear Taipei down while Beijing shrugs it off as “routine.” The U.S. isn’t watching from the sidelines. We break down the activation of the 431st Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron at Kunsan Air Base in South Korea, bringing MQ-9 Reaper drones permanently into the region. With range to cover North Korea, Taiwan, and even the Chinese coast, these drones add persistence, strike punch, and a whole lot of “we’re not leaving” energy. We also talk about India’s new undersea muscle, flexing its submarine rescue capabilities in multinational drills in the South China Sea. The debut of the INS Nistar in live dockings with foreign subs is more than a tech demo—it’s a clear message that India is embedding itself deeper into regional security. But that’s not all. We’ve got China running nuclear detonation simulations in the lab, testing “triple-strike” concepts for maximum underground bunker-busting effect. We’ve got Beijing claiming its first manned Arctic submersible dive, pushing “near-Arctic state” rhetoric while hunting resources and strategic sea routes. And of course, we’re covering the tech war, where iFLYTEK and Zhipu AI keep sprinting forward despite U.S. export controls, rolling out large language models and proving that sanctions may slow but won’t stop China’s AI machine. Meanwhile, the U.S. Replicator drone project is hitting potholes—delays, bugs, and costs that kill the “cheap, smart, small” dream—just as China’s military modernization keeps accelerating across land, sea, air, space, and cyber. It’s missiles, drones, AI, and Arctic ice—all in one episode. If you want to stay ahead of the geopolitical curve with a mix of sharp intel and a little punchy commentary, this is the one to catch.