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by Mike Ritland
Mike Drop, hosted by former Navy SEAL and bestselling author Mike Ritland, is a no-holds-barred platform that dives deep into the stories and experiences of extraordinary individuals. Known for his candid and unfiltered approach, Mike interviews guests ranging from special operations veterans and elite athletes to renowned authors and thought leaders, offering listeners an exclusive glimpse into the human side of those who have excelled in their fields. Whether it's discussing the intense challenges of combat or the resilience required to overcome personal adversity, Mike Drop provides a space where real conversations happen.
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- Today21 min
Israel Warns of Iranian Chemical Weapons, NATO Warns Poland, and the New Congress | Mike Drop Newsroom
Democrats won control of Congress, putting war funding for the Iran conflict on the table, while Israel warns that Iran is weighing chemical weapons.MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 4 NOVEMBER 2026Democrats won control of both the House and Senate on Tuesday. Current government funding runs out December 11, and the new Congress is sworn in January 3, with Democrats promising bills to end the Iran war. Meanwhile, Israel has told the U.S. and Gulf states that Iran is considering chemical weapons if full-scale fighting resumes, though some U.S. officials doubt the intelligence.Mike Ritland breaks down why the short window before the funding deadline could raise the risk to U.S. troops, what a chemical weapons threat would mean for forces in the region, and why both parties should treat the election as a lesson, not a victory lap.Also covered: an update on the EUCOM warning to troops and families in Europe, Poland reinforcing its border with Russia after a warning from NATO's top commander, and Trump saying $4 billion a year in military aid to Israel will end.Is Israel's chemical weapons warning a credible threat, or a push to pull the U.S. back into the fight? Tell us in the comments.Subscribe for daily breakdowns of the stories that matter to America's military.Want ad-free Newsroom updates? Join our YouTube membership: https://www.youtube.com/@mikeritland/join0:00 Democrats win Congress; war funding deadline December 110:45 Mike's take on the election9:15 Update: the EUCOM warning in Europe11:50 Israel warns Iran is weighing chemical weapons16:20 Poland reinforces its border after NATO warning18:55 Trump says $4 billion a year in aid to Israel will end20:30 Wrap-upAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
- Yesterday20 min
Iran Fires on a U.S. Jet, the U.S. Hits Qeshm Island, and Military Families Go on Alert | Mike Drop Newsroom
Iran fired a surface-to-air missile at a U.S. fighter jet over the Strait of Hormuz, and U.S. forces struck back at Qeshm Island on the eve of Election Day.MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 3 NOVEMBER 2026U.S. officials say Iran's Revolutionary Guard fired on an American jet Monday evening, and U.S. forces answered with a limited strike on Qeshm Island, the largest island in the Persian Gulf. Officials called it defensive and say it does not signal a return to major combat. In Europe, U.S. European Command launched a "See Something, Do Something" campaign urging troops and families to vary their routes, turn off geotagging on fitness apps and limit posts about travel.Mike Ritland breaks down whether a measured response is enough of a deterrent when Iran is still shooting at U.S. aircraft during talks, why EUCOM's warning to families in Europe is a big deal, and why letting aid lapse for Navy families evacuated from Bahrain would be an unforced error.Also covered: Navy families evacuated from Bahrain could lose safe haven housing aid, Russia's posture ahead of talks with the U.S. and the future of U.S. support for Ukraine, China hosting Oman's sultan and Iranian officials as it pushes to reopen Hormuz, and Election Day.Should the U.S. answer Iran with a measured strike, or take the gloves off? Tell us in the comments.Subscribe for daily breakdowns of the stories that matter to America's military.Want ad-free Newsroom updates? Join our YouTube membership: https://www.youtube.com/@mikeritland/join0:00 Iran fires on a U.S. jet; U.S. strikes Qeshm Island4:05 EUCOM warns troops and families across Europe9:05 Navy families evacuated from Bahrain could lose housing aid12:40 Russia, Ukraine and the upcoming U.S.-Russia talks17:20 China steps into the Hormuz fight19:55 Election DayAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
- 2 days ago18 min
Iran Threatens Strikes Anywhere. The 14-Day Plan for Your Home | Mike Drop Newsroom
Iran's Supreme Leader has ordered an immediate response with no geographic limit to any new attack, and Mike Ritland lays out how he thinks about being ready at home.MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 2 NOVEMBER 2026Iran's Supreme Leader ordered the military to meet any attack with an "immediate, impactful and geographically unrestricted response," and to update its target bank so all kinds of U.S. and Israeli assets are within reach. President Trump says one or two sites in Iran remain, including Pickaxe Mountain, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio says no decision has been made on resuming strikes.Mike Ritland breaks down what an unrestricted threat could mean here at home, then answers the question viewers keep asking: what does being prepared actually look like? He walks through a simple 10-to-14-day plan for water, power, food, medical supplies and light, plus what to do if it runs longer than two weeks. For deeper training, he points viewers to Clint Emerson and Mike Glover.Also covered: the standoff in the Strait of Hormuz as both sides claim control; North Korea's latest weapons test; China's coast guard pressing in off Taiwan; and why the U.S. is getting involved in Russian gas to Europe.Could your household last 14 days with no power and no store runs? Tell us what's in your kit in the comments.Subscribe for daily breakdowns of the stories that matter to America's military.Want ad-free Newsroom updates? Join our YouTube membership: https://www.youtube.com/@mikeritland/join0:00 Iran orders a response with no geographic limit1:30 Prepping at home: the 14-day plan3:15 Water first5:35 Food and power6:30 Medical, firearms and light8:15 Past two weeks: a secondary location10:20 Hormuz standoff: who controls the strait?12:20 North Korea tests during U.S. air drills13:25 China's coast guard off Taiwan16:45 Russian gas, Europe and the U.S.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
- 2 days ago3h 1m
Navy SEAL JTAC Reveals the Mistake That Exposed ISIS's Hidden Tunnel Network | EP 316
Former Navy SEAL Justin Hughes, BUD/S Class 293, SEAL Team Five, JTAC, and BUD/S second phase instructor, informally known as a professional drowner, joins Mike Ritland. He’s also a self-taught oil painter, and Mike calls his work spectacular. They dig into second phase training and the pool comp test, where students get bloody noses, teeth ripped out, and end up throwing up underwater and blacking out. Justin also explains how often he had to pull drowning students up and resuscitate them, and why he refused to lower the standard.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
- 3 days ago18 min
Iran Blinded U.S. Radars, Then Hit 26 Bases | Mike Drop Newsroom
Iran went after America's radars first, then hit hangars, warehouses and troop housing at 26 bases across the Middle East.MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 1 NOVEMBER 2026A new AP satellite analysis found more than 115 drone and missile strikes claimed by Iran or its militias damaged or destroyed structures at 26 bases and sites with U.S. equipment through August. Iran hit early-warning radars first, including a radar in Jordan that is one of only 13 the Army owns, then went after aircraft hangars, warehouses and barracks. Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait was hit at least 30 times, and a Congressional Research Service report says 15 U.S. aircraft were damaged.Mike Ritland breaks down why the order of those strikes matters: it is the same playbook the U.S. uses, and it shows Iran can now reach every base in the region if strikes resume after Tuesday's election. He also explains why he doesn't think the Pentagon should publish its own damage assessments.Also covered: Trump says the U.S. still has one or two sites to hit in Iran, including Pickaxe Mountain; the Navy blockade has now turned back 144 ships as Iran offers to reopen the Strait of Hormuz; a report that Russian satellites helped Iran's allies target Saudi Arabia; the U.S., South Korea and Japan on North Korean denuclearization; and what Tuesday's midterms mean for war powers and the troops.Should the Pentagon tell Americans how badly our bases were hit, or keep it classified? Tell us in the comments.Subscribe for daily breakdowns of the stories that matter to America's military.Want ad-free Newsroom updates? Join our YouTube membership: https://www.youtube.com/@mikeritland/join0:00 Iran hit U.S. radars first, then 26 bases5:15 Trump: one or two sites left, including Pickaxe Mountain7:40 Navy blockade turns back 144 ships10:45 Report: Russian satellites helped Iran's allies13:35 North Korea denuclearization talks15:55 Tuesday's midterms and the war decisionAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
- 5 days ago23 min
A U.S. General LEAKED Iran War Secrets. Now DOJ Has the Case | Mike Drop Newsroom
The Pentagon's top war planner has been fired and his case referred to the Justice Department after he was accused of leaking classified information about the Iran and Ukraine wars.MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 30 OCTOBER 2026Army Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia, the Joint Staff's director for strategy, plans and policy, coordinated the options for the Iran campaign. A Pentagon official accused him of leaking classified information to reporters, and an internal investigation report seen by Axios says he admitted it. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said classified information is "not personal property."Mike Ritland breaks down why a leak like this could cost U.S. lives, why the punishment at the top looks lighter than it would for a lower-ranking service member, and whether this should be treated as treason.Also covered: about $35 million in U.S. military aid to a Cameroonian unit tied to a third-country deportation deal, U.S. economic growth of 3.4% last quarter, the national debt passing 100% of GDP, and a federal judge refusing to set aside 20,000 California ballots the administration says are linked to non-citizens.Should leaking war plans be prosecuted as treason, or is firing enough? Tell us in the comments.Subscribe for daily breakdowns of the stories that matter to America's military.Want ad-free Newsroom updates? Join our YouTube membership: https://www.youtube.com/@mikeritland/join00:00 Pentagon's Iran war planner fired over leaks04:33 Military aid to Cameroon tied to deportations16:03 U.S. economy grows 3.4%16:55 National debt passes 100% of GDP19:59 Judge rejects bid to set aside California ballotsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
- 6 days ago19 min
Iran Dared CENTCOM Over Hormuz. Now U.S. Forces Are Lining Up to Strike AGAIN | Mike Drop Newsroom
The U.S. has told Middle East allies to prepare for renewed strikes on Iran after the Nov. 3 elections, and for Iran and its proxies to hit back.MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 29 OCTOBER 2026Two diplomats told the AP that U.S. officials warned allies a new round of strikes could last several days, with Iranian retaliation expected against energy sites and critical infrastructure. The USS Theodore Roosevelt and amphibious ships with Marines are already in the region, and President Trump has not made a final decision. Meanwhile, Iran's Revolutionary Guard claims three tankers caught fire after hitting mines in the Strait of Hormuz and dared CENTCOM to prove the strait is clear. CENTCOM calls the claim false.Mike Ritland breaks down whether Iran strikes before the U.S. does, what units actually do in the days before a strike, and why even a false claim in Hormuz can choke off shipping.Also covered: Hegseth fires the Pentagon's top war planner days before the possible strike window, Netanyahu falls short of a majority but stays in charge, the U.S. ties Russian satellite help to Houthi strikes on Saudi airports, and a breach exposes about 40,000 DHS employees, including ICE and Border Patrol.Should the U.S. strike first, wait until after the election, or try to negotiate? Tell us in the comments.Subscribe for daily breakdowns of the stories that matter to America's military.Want ad-free Newsroom updates? Join our YouTube membership: https://www.youtube.com/@mikeritland/join00:00 U.S. tells allies to prepare for new Iran strikes04:28 Iran dares CENTCOM over Hormuz mines07:52 Hegseth fires the Pentagon's top war planner11:38 Netanyahu falls short of a majority12:53 Houthis, Saudi airports and Russian satellites17:45 DHS breach exposes 40,000 employeesAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
- 1 weeks ago19 min
5 Army Bases Get Nuclear REACTORS as the Pentagon Preps for a Grid Attack | Mike Drop Newsroom
Five Army bases are first in line for their own nuclear reactors as the Pentagon plans for every major U.S. base to run on its own for 90 days if the grid goes down.MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 28 OCTOBER 2026The Army has paired five companies with Fort Bragg, Fort Campbell, Fort Hood, Fort Benning and Fort Drum to build nuclear microreactors, a deal worth up to $2.2 billion, with the first reactor targeted for 2028. It's the first concrete piece of FORTRESS America, the Pentagon's plan to make stateside bases self-sufficient for power, water, fuel and communications for at least 90 days, with no price tag announced yet.Mike Ritland breaks down why the Pentagon is preparing U.S. bases to stand alone now, what it signals about threats to the homeland, and why the same small-reactor model could help states fix their strained power grids.Also covered: two men facing new charges in the Iran-linked RAF Fairford incident and who should guard U.S. bases overseas, Israel's election ending with no clear majority, U.S. forces telling ships to stay clear of the Strait of Hormuz as oil stays high, and the Iran war's cost topping $47 billion.Do you live near one of these five bases? Would you want a microreactor next door? Tell us in the comments.Subscribe for daily breakdowns of the stories that matter to America's military.Want ad-free Newsroom updates? Join our YouTube membership: https://www.youtube.com/@mikeritland/join00:00 Nuclear reactors for 5 Army bases and the 90-day FORTRESS plan07:17 RAF Fairford: Iran-linked plot and who guards U.S. bases abroad11:30 Israel's election: no clear majority13:12 Ships told to stay clear of Hormuz as oil stays high13:55 Iran war cost tops $47 billionAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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About Mike Drop
Mike Drop, hosted by former Navy SEAL and bestselling author Mike Ritland, is a no-holds-barred platform that dives deep into the stories and experiences of extraordinary individuals. Known for his candid and unfiltered approach, Mike interviews guests ranging from special operations veterans and elite athletes to renowned authors and thought leaders, offering listeners an exclusive glimpse into the human side of those who have excelled in their fields. Whether it's discussing the intense challenges of combat or the resilience required to overcome personal adversity, Mike Drop provides a space where real conversations happen.
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