Newt's World

The Florida Everglades, a vast subtropical wilderness and a World Heritage Site, is home to over 1.5 million acres of mangrove forests, the largest continuous sea grass meadow on earth, the oldest cypress trees on the planet, and over 350 different animal species. However, the Everglades have faced challenges due to development pressures and invasive species. The Everglades Foundation has been committed to restoring and protecting the Everglades for over 30 years. The foundation is currently working on the Everglades Agricultural Area Reservoir, the largest ecosystem restoration project in the world, which aims to reconnect Lake Okeechobee water down to the Florida Keys. The foundation encourages people to get involved in the restoration efforts and to visit the Everglades to understand its importance.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newt discusses the Pentagon, its history, and the challenges it faces in modernizing for the 21st century. The Pentagon, built between 1941 and 1943, is the second largest office building in the world and has 27,000 military and civilian employees. The Defense Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2024 provided $825 billion in total funding. Newt’s guest, William Hartung, a Senior Research Fellow at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, discusses the influence of large contractors on defense policy and the need for strategic thinking and reform in the defense system. They also discuss the rise of artificial intelligence and the increasing role of Silicon Valley in defense technology.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newt talks with Michel Paradis, author of “The Light of Battle: Eisenhower, D-Day, and the Birth of the American Superpower” which explores General Dwight D. Eisenhower's role in the D-Day invasion during World War II. Paradis highlights Eisenhower's leadership, strategic decision-making, and the immense pressure he faced leading up to the invasion. He also discusses Eisenhower's transition from a military leader to a political figure, becoming the President of the United States. Paradis emphasizes that Eisenhower's success in leading the D-Day invasion was integral to America's rise as a global superpower.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the night of June 6th, 1944, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt went on national radio to address the nation for the first time about the Normandy invasion. His speech took the form of a prayer. Using historical audio, Newt revisits D-Day and President Roosevelt’s prayer to the nation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newt discusses the upcoming election with two experienced pollsters, John McLaughlin and Doug Sosnik. They discuss key issues voters are considering, the six or seven states that could vote either way, and the potential closeness of the election. McLaughlin and Sosnik agree that the race has been stable since last November, with Trump maintaining a narrow lead. They also discuss the potential impact of third-party candidates and the importance of voter turnout.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newt talks with Trita Parsi, Executive Vice President of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, about the recent helicopter crash that killed Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. Parsi discusses the potential implications of this event on Iran's future and its impact on the Middle East. They also discuss the complex political landscape of Iran, including the role of the Supreme Leader and the country's nuclear program. The conversation also touches on Iran's relationships with other countries and organizations, such as Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Hamas.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newt talks with Jeremy S. Adams, author of "LESSONS IN LIBERTY: Thirty Rules for Living from Ten Extraordinary Americans". Adams discusses the inspiring lives of extraordinary Americans from the past and what we can learn from them today. He highlights figures such as George Washington, Daniel Inouye, Clara Barton, Thomas Jefferson, Arthur Ashe, Abraham Lincoln, Ben Nighthorse Campbell, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, James Madison, and Theodore Roosevelt. Adams emphasizes the importance of learning from history to pass on timeless values and principles. He also discusses the importance of understanding that the essence of America is not rooted in the worst things the country has done, but in the ideals and achievements of its past leaders.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newt talks with former federal prosecutors and veterans of the United States Air Force, Katie and Andrew Cherkasky. They discuss their new book "Woke Warriors: How the Left Is Destroying America's Ability to Fight and Win Its Wars". They argue that the U.S. military has become a "woke industrial complex", with diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, social justice reform, and preferred pronouns taking precedence over traditional military values and skills. They claim that this shift in culture is causing dedicated service members to lose their careers, retirements, and in some cases, their freedom. The authors also express concern about the military's ability to fight and win wars, given the focus on identity-based promotions and the prioritization of "woke" policies over operational needs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newt is joined by former CIA analyst, Fred Fleitz, and they discuss his new book with AFPI, "An America First Approach to U.S. National Security". Fleitz argues that the United States needs a decisive and competent commander-in-chief who will use military force prudently to defend national interests and avoid unnecessary wars. He also advocates for a strong U.S. military that is not tied down with social engineering and DEI, and for working with allies and international organizations, but ensuring they carry their own weight. Fleitz believes that the world has become more dangerous and unstable since President Donald Trump left office, and that the deterioration of our foreign policy is due to the abandonment of the America first approach to national security. He also discusses the threat posed by China and the need for decoupling from the Chinese economy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The American K-12 education system is experiencing a decline in teacher morale, according to a recent survey by EdChoice and Morning Consult. Factors contributing to teacher job dissatisfaction include stagnant wages, the rising cost of post-secondary education and a lack of job security. The survey found that only 39% of teachers believe K-12 education is on the right track in their local school district, and only 15% would recommend the teaching profession to friends and family. Robert Enlow, President and CEO of EdChoice, suggests that the solution lies in school choice, which allows parents to choose the best educational setting for their children. He also highlights the need for better integration of technology in the classroom and warns of a looming fiscal cliff for schools as pandemic funding runs out.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.