Focal Point

On today’s episode, Andy and Mike Baker break down Mexico’s president denying a Reuters report on the CIA’s covert role in the drug war. Full Reuters Report: https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/mexico-president-attacks-reuters-report-cias-role-countrys-drug-war-2025-09-12/ Buy Target Intelligence: PSYOP with Shawn Ryan: http://psyopshow.com/ Sponsors: Marek Health Take control of your health today! Head to https://www.MarekHealth.com and use code FOCALPOINT for 10% off at checkout. AmmoSquared Visit https://ammosquared.com/ today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission. DeleteMe Go to https://www.joindeleteme.com/IRONCLAD and use coupon code IRONCLAD, or scan the QR code Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, Andy and Mike Baker uncover the story of the Lotto Gang—a trafficking ring that used Airbnbs to hide victims across borders. Their crimes in Metro Atlanta led to multiple arrests, including a former NFL player. Andy and Mike also explore whether society is becoming increasingly apathetic to these crimes and the challenges of getting involved in suspicious situations. Focal Point is an IRONCLAD Original Buy Target Intelligence: PSYOP with Shawn Ryan: http://psyopshow.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@thisisironclad Marek Health Take control of your health today! Head to https://www.MarekHealth.com and use code FOCALPOINT for 10% off at checkout. AmmoSquared Visit https://ammosquared.com/ today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission. DeleteMe Go to https://www.joindeleteme.com/IRONCLAD and use coupon code IRONCLAD, or scan the QR code Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, Andy and Stefano Ritondale from @AllSourceNews discuss a reported 2019 SEAL Team 6 mission in North Korea that allegedly aimed to intercept communications from Kim Jong-un—and went dangerously off course. Marek Health Take control of your health today! Head to https://www.MarekHealth.com and use code FOCALPOINT for 10% off at checkout. AmmoSquared Visit https://ammosquared.com/ today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission. DeleteMe Go to https://www.joindeleteme.com/IRONCLAD and use coupon code IRONCLAD, or scan the QR code Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, Andy Stumpf and Mike Baker, former CIA operations officer and national security expert, examine the ongoing debate over the potential transfer of Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine and what it means for global security. The conversation explores how these long-range weapons, capable of striking targets deep inside Russia, could change the dynamics of the war and increase the risk of escalation. They discuss President Trump’s cautious approach to the decision, the measured but increasingly tense response from Vladimir Putin, and how this reflects the delicate balance of deterrence and diplomacy. The episode also looks at the limitations of sanctions, the impact of Ukraine’s use of drones on Russian infrastructure, and how China’s involvement complicates the situation further. Through this discussion, Andy and Mike highlight the complexity of modern military aid decisions and the broader geopolitical consequences of each move on the global stage. Focal Point is an IRONCLAD Original Marek Health Take control of your health today! Head to https://www.MarekHealth.com and use code FOCALPOINT for 10% off at checkout. AmmoSquared Visit https://ammosquared.com/ today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission. DeleteMe Go to https://www.joindeleteme.com/IRONCLAD and use coupon code IRONCLAD, or scan the QR code Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, Andy welcomes back Stefano Ritondale from @AllSourceNews to discuss the dramatic rise in U.S. cocaine consumption and its impact on Mexican cartels. Cocaine use has surged by 154% in western states since 2019, fueling the power of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), led by Nemesio Rubén “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes. Despite the Trump administration’s efforts to curb cartel influence through sanctions and the designation of these groups as Foreign Terrorist Organizations, demand for cocaine remains strong, making it the second most trafficked drug into the U.S. after fentanyl. Andy and Stefano explore whether these policy measures truly weaken criminal networks or risk escalating violence and instability across the border. Focal Point is an IRONCLAD Original Marek Health Take control of your health today! Head to https://www.MarekHealth.com and use code FOCALPOINT for 10% off at checkout. AmmoSquared Visit https://ammosquared.com/ today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, Andy sits down with investigative journalist Stefano Ritondale (@AllSourceNews) to discuss recent U.S. military strikes on drug boats off Venezuela’s coast. Intelligence for these operations reportedly came from Sinaloa Cartel leader Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, who recently cooperated with U.S. authorities. Stefano, who covers Latin American organized crime and U.S. foreign policy, explains the implications of relying on cartel sources for critical intelligence and the connections between Venezuelan and Mexican drug networks. Focal Point is an IRONCLAD Original Marek Health Take control of your health today! Head to https://www.MarekHealth.com and use code FOCALPOINT for 10% off at checkout. AmmoSquared Visit https://ammosquared.com/ today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, Andy sits down with former FBI agent Dan Brunner to discuss ICE’s reactivated access to Graphite, an Israeli-made spyware capable of infiltrating phones, reading encrypted apps like WhatsApp and Signal, and even activating microphones. Originally signed under Biden but paused for review, the $2 million contract has raised concern among civil liberties advocates. Critics warn that similar tools have been abused by authoritarian regimes against journalists and activists, highlighting potential threats to democratic freedoms, privacy, and national security. Brunner and Andy explore the risks of such technology and the safeguards that would be necessary to prevent the U.S. from repeating the same mistakes. Focal Point is an IRONCLAD Original Marek Health: Take control of your health today! Head to https://www.MarekHealth.com and use code FOCALPOINT for 10% off at checkout. AmmoSquared: Visit https://ammosquared.com/ today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, Andy sits down with former FBI agent Dan Brunner to discuss the Pentagon’s suspension of a Microsoft program that allowed Chinese coders, under limited U.S. oversight, to work on Defense Department cloud systems. Secretary Pete Hegseth called it a “major security risk” and a “breach of trust.” The DoD is auditing all code written by Chinese nationals, issuing formal concerns to Microsoft, and enforcing new rules to eliminate foreign involvement in critical software. Even if no classified information was exposed, this case highlights the ways foreign actors might gain indirect access to sensitive U.S. infrastructure—and what it means for national security. Focal Point is an IRONCLAD Original Marek Health Take control of your health today! Head to https://www.MarekHealth.com and use code FOCALPOINT for 10% off at checkout. AmmoSquared Visit https://ammosquared.com/ today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, Andy talks with Dan Brunner, a former FBI Special Agent with experience in counterintelligence, counter-narcotics, and international investigations. They break down the U.S. naval buildup in the Southern Caribbean, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s accusations of regime change, and Washington’s reward for information leading to Maduro’s arrest. Focal Point is an IRONCLAD Original Marek Health Take control of your health today! Head to https://www.MarekHealth.com and use code FOCALPOINT for 10% off at checkout. AmmoSquared (megaphone only) Visit https://ammosquared.com/ today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission. SUBSCRIBE ON SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/0y9k9Nd3WInD0oDrMKdELb SUBSCRIBE ON APPLE PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/focal-point/id1768333300 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, Andy and Sarah Adams look at the arrest of Private First Class Taylor Adam Lee, a 22-year-old soldier at Fort Bliss charged with attempting to pass sensitive U.S. military information to individuals he believed were Russian officials. They discuss the risks insider threats pose to military security and how intelligence and counterintelligence agencies work to detect and prevent the leakage of classified information. Focal Point is an IRONCLAD Original Marek Health Take control of your health today! Head to https://www.MarekHealth.com and use code FOCALPOINT for 10% off at checkout. AmmoSquared Visit https://ammosquared.com/ today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, Andy and CIA targeter Sarah Adams discuss Australia’s decision to formally recognize the State of Palestine at the UN General Assembly this September. They explore the conditions tied to recognition, Israel’s sharp response, and the domestic political calculations driving Canberra’s move. The conversation then turns to the bigger question of how growing international momentum toward Palestinian statehood could reshape U.S. policy in the Middle East, challenging Washington to balance its historic support for Israel with mounting global calls for a two-state solution. Focal Point is an IRONCLAD Original Marek Health Take control of your health today! Head to https://www.MarekHealth.com and use code FOCALPOINT for 10% off at checkout. AmmoSquared (megaphone only) Visit https://ammosquared.com/ today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, Andy and CIA targeter Sarah Adams discuss Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum’s statement that U.S. troops will “never set foot” on Mexican soil. They break down the political context of her remarks, how they relate to reports of a secret U.S. directive authorizing potential military action against cartels, and the possibility of behind-the-scenes cooperation between the two countries. The conversation also covers the broader implications for security, migration, and trade in U.S.-Mexico relations. Focal Point is an IRONCLAD Original Marek Health Take control of your health today! Head to https://www.MarekHealth.com and use code FOCALPOINT for 10% off at checkout. AmmoSquared Visit https://ammosquared.com/ today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, Andy and former Green Beret and CIA operative Scott Mann break down reports that the Trump administration is working with Palantir to build a centralized citizen database. With critics from all sides warning of authoritarian overreach, they explore what this means for privacy, national security, and the future of civil liberties in America. Focal Point is an IRONCLAD Original Sponsors: Marek Health Take control of your health today! Head to https://www.MarekHealth.com and use code FOCALPOINT for 10% off at checkout. AmmoSquared Visit https://ammosquared.com/ today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode of Focal Point, Andy is joined by retired Green Beret and former U.S. Army Special Forces Lieutenant Colonel Scott Mann to discuss NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte’s recent warning: that a global conflict could erupt if China invades Taiwan while Russia attacks NATO’s eastern flank. Drawing on his two decades of experience in unconventional warfare and counterinsurgency, Scott examines the growing China-Russia alliance, the possibility of a coordinated two-front war, and what it would mean for U.S. and NATO readiness. Focal Point is an IRONCLAD Original Sponsors: Marek Health Take control of your health today! Head to https://www.MarekHealth.com and use code FOCALPOINT for 10% off at checkout. AmmoSquared Visit https://ammosquared.com/ today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, Andy and Bryan Callen discuss President Donald Trump’s announcement of new weapons support for Ukraine through NATO allies and his warning of secondary sanctions and 100 percent tariffs on countries purchasing Russian exports. They examine what this shift means for the ongoing conflict, how NATO is responding, and why some in Ukraine remain cautious. The episode also looks at the broader implications of Trump's 50-day deadline for a peace deal and the reactions from both Russia and Ukraine. Focal Point is an IRONCLAD Original Sponsors: Marek Health Take control of your health today! Head to https://www.MarekHealth.com and use code FOCALPOINT for 10% off at checkout. AmmoSquared Visit https://ammosquared.com/ today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, Andy and Bryan Callen discuss growing frustration inside Trump’s base over the Epstein case. The DOJ now claims no client list exists, despite past statements from Attorney General Pam Bondi. As figures like Elon Musk, Megyn Kelly, and Steve Bannon call for answers, Trump dismisses the controversy as political distraction. Andy and Bryan unpack the backlash, the shifting narrative, and what this means for trust and accountability Focal Point is an IRONCLAD Original Sponsors: Take control of your health today! Head to MarekHealth.com and use code FOCALPOINT for 10% off at checkout. AmmoSquared Visit https://ammosquared.com/ today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, Andy and Katarina Szulc, investigative journalist and host of Borderland Dispatches, break down the violent civil war erupting within Mexico’s powerful Sinaloa cartel. As El Chapo’s sons battle rival factions and reportedly align with the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, the fallout is reaching far beyond Mexico’s borders. With fentanyl production under pressure, Canada has become a new frontline in the cartels’ transnational expansion — and a rising hotspot for trafficking, violence, and infiltration. Focal Point is an IRONCLAD Original Sponsor: AmmoSquared Visit https://ammosquared.com/ today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, Andy and investigative journalist and Borderland: Dispatches host Katarina Szulc examine a recent case involving a Mexican drug cartel that allegedly hired a hacker to access surveillance cameras and phone data. The operation was reportedly used to locate and track an FBI informant in Mexico City. This conversation explores how the cartel may have gained access to sensitive systems, the implications for cross-border intelligence and informant safety, and what this case reveals about the expanding technical capabilities of organized crime groups. To further learn about this story, check out Katarina's report on Borderland: Dispatches available everywhere you get your podcasts. Focal Point is an IRONCLAD Original AmmoSquared Visit https://ammosquared.com/ today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Disclaimer: This interview was recorded on June 9, 2025. Please note that the conversation reflects information and events known at that time, and may not account for developments that have occurred since. On today’s episode, Andy and Mike Baker discuss the flamethrower attack at a pro-Israel vigil in Boulder, Colorado, where 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman—an Egyptian national whose visa had expired—allegedly shouted “Free Palestine” before setting a group of elderly attendees on fire. Soliman now faces federal hate crime and attempted murder charges, and the incident is being investigated as a possible act of terrorism. Focal Point is an IRONCLAD Original Sponsors: AmmoSquared Visit https://ammosquared.com/ today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chinese nationals were recently caught smuggling dangerous pathogens into the United States. What other threats are slipping through?Mike Baker and Andy Stumpf discuss the reality of a counterintelligence emergency. Focal Point is an IRONCLAD Original SUBSCRIBE ON SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/0y9k9Nd3WInD0oDrMKdELb SUBSCRIBE ON APPLE PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/focal-point/id1768333300 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices