The Team House

The guys break down the latest chaos in the Iran war, from the shaky “ceasefire” and Strait of Hormuz tanker stops to drone strikes, air defense gaps, and the global economic fallout. They also dig into the reported Israeli base in Iraq, covert action options, whether the U.S. goal is a non-nuclear Iran or regime change, and how China and Russia could exploit the crisis.The episode also covers Ukraine’s growing edge against Russia, drone warfare lessons the West still needs to absorb, and Iran’s internet control through “white SIM cards” and regime-monitored access.GhostBed ⬇️https://www.ghostbed.com/houseFOR 10% off! Support the show on Patreon:⬇️https://www.patreon.com/TheTeamHouseSubscribe to our newsletter!!!!https://teamhousepodcast.kit.com/joinJack's news outlet:https://thehighside.substack.com/Find Jon Hackett here:⬇️Jon's Twitter:https://x.com/jonathanhackettJon's LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/thejonathanhackettJon's books:https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0C5L659N5?ccs_id=e11a2062-f8d3-498e-bfd7-7d2f3869caf6Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thejonathanhackettTwitter: https://x.com/jonathanhackettCheck out Mick's new podcast here:⬇️Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/at/podcast/pub-and-porch-applied-stoicism/id1836955475Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/1k3QPmkAMwnGJxMLDwUSSd?si=n6piIu8XRcag1Z0K43A3bQYoutube:https://www.youtube.com/@UCd0Hq6QFk8CoTu5j-VU0Ong Find Mick Mulroy here: Fogbow ⬇️https://fogbow.com/Lobo Institute ⬇️https://www.loboinstitute.org/Twitter ⬇️https://x.com/mickmulroy?s=21&t=-Ze3F_Ix2vlJ18KFvORTCALinkedIn ⬇️https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-patrick-mulroy-31198b52/Bluesky ⬇️https://bsky.app/profile/mickmulroy.bsky.socialMick’s publications ⬇️https://www.loboinstitute.org/publications/publications-of-michael-mick-patrick-mulroy/Whitefish security summit ⬇️https://whitefishsecuritysummit.comFind Marc P here:https://x.com/MpolymerFind Andy Milburn here: Twitter ⬇️https://twitter.com/i/flow/login?redirect_after_login=%2Fandymilburn8LinkedIn ⬇️https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewmilburn2023Substack ⬇️https://amilburn.substack.com/Andy’s book ⬇️https://www.amazon.com/When-Tempest-Gathers-Mogadishu-OperationsBluesky ⬇️https://bsky.app/profile/andy-milburn.bsky.socialFind Jason Lyons here: LinkedIn ⬇️https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-lyons-666873316?uBluesky ⬇️https://bsky.app/profile/bgsilverback73.bsky.social"Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio00:00 — Start00:31 — Iran “ceasefire,” tanker stops, UAE strikes, and Project Freedom fallout04:17 — Middle East air defense gaps and the drone threat allies are worried about06:05 — Why Patriot and THAAD struggle against cheap Iranian drones08:20 — The hidden global economic fallout from the Strait of Hormuz crisis10:37 — Israel’s reported base in Iraq and the sovereignty debate14:09 — Preemptive self-defense, international law, and Israel’s Iraq history15:38 — Iran war endgame: Strait of Hormuz, sanctions relief, and a tougher JCPOA20:42 — Why the Trump administration’s Iran diplomacy looks stuck22:58 — Right-wing pressure on Trump to resume the war24:00 — Covert action, regime change, and arming Iranian opposition groups29:06 — Non-nuclear Iran vs. regime change: what is the actual U.S. goal?31:51 — U.S. intelligence gaps, Israeli HUMINT, and the Iran collection problem37:11 — Trump-Xi summit: China’s leverage over Iran and the U.S.41:04 — Russia’s drone support to Iran and the growing Ukraine-Iran link44:59 — Ukraine turns the tide and trolls Putin’s Victory Day parade50:05 — Drone warfare lessons from Ukraine and why the West needs to catch up51:59 — Iran’s “white SIM cards,” internet control, and regime surveillance54:15 — Could a U.S.-backed satellite internet network break Iran’s information blockade?01:01:00 — Whitefish Security Summit, books, Patreon, and closing thoughtsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-team-house--5960890/support.

Former Navy SEAL Joe Taverner joins us to discuss his career from joining the Navy before 9/11 to deployments in the Philippines, Iraq, Afghanistan, and the fight against ISIS. He breaks down hunting Abu Sayyaf in Zamboanga, working with Polish GROM in Baghdad, the Battle of Najaf, and the 2016 Battle of Tel Skuf where Charlie Keating was killed in action.This episode also covers leadership after loss, how the SEAL Teams evolved during the GWOT, and Joe’s current work in directed energy weapons, laser defense, and counter-drone technology.https://www.aureliussystems.com/Today's Sponsor:Quince⬇️go to: https://www.quince.com/housefor free shipping and 365 day returns GhostBed ⬇️https://www.ghostbed.com/houseFOR 10% off! Blue Chew ⬇️https://bluechew.com/Get 1 month free when you buy 2 of BlueChew Gold with code "HOUSECALL"For ad free video and audio and access to live streams and Eyes On Geopolitics...JOIN OUR PATREON! https://www.patreon.com/c/TheTeamHouseTo help support the show and for all bonus content including:-live shows and asking guest questions -ad free audio and video-early access to shows-Access to ALL bonus segments with our guestsSubscribe to our Patreon! ⬇️https://www.patreon.com/TheTeamHouseSupport the show here:⬇️https://www.patreon.com/TheTeamHouse___________________________________________________PRE ORDER JACK'S NEW BOOK "THE MOST DANGEROUS MAN" ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/803651/the-most-dangerous-man-by-jack-murphy/paperback/Subscribe to the new EYES ON podcast here:⬇️https://www.youtube.com/@EyesOnGeopoliticsPod/featured__________________________________Jack Murphy's new book "We Defy: The Lost Chapters of Special Forces History" ⬇️https://www.amazon.com/We-Defy-Chapters-Special-History-ebook/dp/B0DCGC1N1N/——————————————————————Or make a one time donation at: ⬇️https://ko-fi.com/theteamhouseSocial Media: ⬇️The Team House Instagram:https://instagram.com/the.team.house?utm_medium=copy_linkThe Team House Twitter:https://twitter.com/TheTeamHousePodJack’s Instagram:https://instagram.com/jackmcmurph?utm_medium=copy_linkJack’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/jackmurphyrgr?s=21Team House Discord: ⬇️https://discord.gg/wHFHYM6"Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio"00:00 — Start01:08 — Joining the Navy in 1999 and choosing the SEAL Teams03:31 — 9/11 during workups and the war becoming real05:31 — First deployment: the Philippines, Zamboanga, and Abu Sayyaf10:27 — Hunting Abu Sabaya and the boat interdiction mission13:24 — From pre-9/11 FID missions to real combat deployments16:41 — Iraq 2004: working with Polish GROM in Baghdad19:46 — The Battle of Najaf and fighting through urban combat24:04 — Iraq 2007: Haditha, partner forces, and the SEAL Teams evolving31:10 — Afghanistan 2009: Khost, partner forces, and the CIA base attack36:08 — Afghanistan 2014: the Tangi Valley, firefights, and tribal realities40:12 — Iraq 2016: Mosul, ISIS, and the Battle of Tel Skuf48:43 — Charlie Keating killed in action and the medevac under fire51:13 — Leading after loss: keeping the platoon focused after Charlie’s death01:04:52 — Transitioning out of the military and finding the next mission01:07:13 — Directed energy weapons, laser defense, and the future of counter-drone warfare01:20:31 — TBI, veteran recovery programs, Home Base, and closing thoughtsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-team-house--5960890/support.

Alma Katsu, former NSA and CIA analyst turned novelist, blends real intelligence tradecraft into fiction. She recounts early NSA analog workflows, pioneering hacking teams, building CIA social‑media analysis, Iraq phase‑four planning failures, and the inspirations behind novels like Black Vault and an upcoming Havana Syndrome thriller.

A fast-paced dive into recent Iran-related military actions, media skepticism, and the limits of airpower. They debate War Powers, congressional authority, and why courts avoid weighing in. Regional alliances, Iran's oil evasion tactics, and economic fallout for Gulf partners get sharp attention. The conversation also probes asymmetric Iranian options, NATO signaling, and how decision-making structures shape U.S. responses.

Ryan O'Leary, an American veteran who fought with U.S. forces, Kurdish fighters, and in Ukraine. He recounts joining Kurdish units against ISIS, training with Iranian Kurdish insurgents in the Qandil Mountains, frontline urban and armored combat, and the rise of improvised and tactical drone warfare. He also covers cross-border raids, forming a Western-style assault unit, and advising on modern drone tactics.

Chad McCoy, retired Chief Master Sergeant and pararescueman with 22 years and 17 deployments, shares vivid war stories and selection trials. He talks JSOC support, combat search and rescue, maritime missions, and leading Green Team. He also covers innovation in special tactics and the struggle with purpose and mental health after service.

Jonathan (Jon) Hackett, author and former special operations/intelligence professional, offers sharp analysis on Iran’s evolving power struggle and operational tactics. Discussion covers the Strait of Hormuz as Tehran’s leverage, prospects for renewed U.S. or Israeli strikes, shifts toward IRGC dominance, covert action options, and implications for nuclear negotiations and proxy networks.

Julian Fisher, former British intelligence officer turned private intelligence consultant and author of Think Like a Spy. He recounts denied-area tradecraft, building cover identities, and recruiting allies in Congo, Sierra Leone and Somalia. He shares tense survival stories, transitioning from MI6 to corporate intelligence, and why human intelligence still matters in an AI world.

Jeff Man, a former NSA cryptanalyst and member of the agency’s first penetration testing red team, shares stories from building crypto gear for Special Forces to automating one-time pads. He recounts creating NSA’s pen-testing practice, early attack and recon techniques, legal and cultural hurdles inside the agency, and practical defense tips like multi-factor and strong passphrases.

A heated breakdown of why the Strait of Hormuz is the real flashpoint and how asymmetric threats reshape strategy. Debate over military options, island seizures, and the limits of air campaigns. Deep dive into Iranian politics, covert pressure versus public strikes, and the information warfare contest. Discussion of economic fallout from maritime disruption and congressional war powers tensions.