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Nuclear Options | 05.03.22.

Middle Theory

Release Date: 05/03/2022

War for Profit | 03.29.26. show art War for Profit | 03.29.26.

Middle Theory

This week, a sudden surge in suspicious trading activity linked to the U.S.-Iran conflict is raising concerns about the misuse of insider knowledge in prediction markets and financial systems. The ongoing U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran has fueled a surge in defense spending and profits for major military contractors, as demand for advanced weapons systems intensifies. Leading U.S. firms—including Lockheed Martin, RTX, Northrop Grumman, and Boeing—have seen rising stock prices and increased production following high-level coordination with the White House. The conflict has already driven...

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Enemies in High Places | 03.22.26. show art Enemies in High Places | 03.22.26.

Middle Theory

This week, the U.S. approaches a rapidly escalating geopolitical and domestic crisis, fueled by rhetoric in Washington and centered on the expanding U.S.–Iran conflict.  Tensions within the United States have deepened, as political rhetoric sharpens and institutional friction grows. President Donald Trump’s public statements—including inflammatory remarks about political opponents and media coverage—have drawn backlash, while regulatory pressure on broadcasters and disputes over how protests are characterized raise concerns about press freedom and civil liberties. Amid such...

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The Battle for the Strait of Hormuz | 03.15.26. show art The Battle for the Strait of Hormuz | 03.15.26.

Middle Theory

This week, the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran reaches a new flashpoint over the battle for the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping lane for the global oil supply.  Two weeks into a major U.S.–Iran war, tensions have escalated around the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most critical oil shipping chokepoint. Iranian forces have begun obstructing tanker traffic and striking cargo vessels in response to a joint U.S.–Israel military campaign targeting Iran’s military infrastructure. The conflict follows a decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to authorize military action despite...

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Military Industrial Complexities | 03.05.26. show art Military Industrial Complexities | 03.05.26.

Middle Theory

This week, the United States and Israel's war with Iran, dubbed "Operation Epic Fury," continues to escalate amid concerns over what its long term impacts could be, and echoes of Dwight Eisenhower's warnings about a "military industrial complex."  On Saturday, the world learned that the United States and Israel had launched strikes on Iran, following several weeks of unsuccessful attempts at diplomacy. Dubbed "Operation Epic Fury," the Pentagon's effort has received mixed feedback, with many still questioning the exact reasoning behind the U.S.'s decision to enter the military campaign,...

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Justice For the Few | 02.26.26. show art Justice For the Few | 02.26.26.

Middle Theory

This week, fallout from the Jeffrey Epstein controversy continues as new accusations of a Department of Justice cover-up emerge.  Following the arrests of former Prince Andrew and former British ambassador to the US Peter Mandelson, and now the resignations of World Economic Forum President Borge Brende and former U.S. Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, the ghost of Jeffrey Epstein continues to haunt his former associates among the powerful and elite. Yet little seems to be occurring within the U.S. Department of Justice in the way of bringing actual justice for the victims of Epstein's...

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The Search for Nancy Guthrie | 02.21.26. show art The Search for Nancy Guthrie | 02.21.26.

Middle Theory

This week, as the desperate search for Nancy Guthrie continues, we examine the latest developments in the tragic disappearance that has shocked the entire nation.  Nancy Guthrie was reported missing on February 1, 2026, marking the beginning of a multi-agency investigation that has gripped Americans as law enforcement works against the clock to determine her whereabouts. The 84-year-old mother of Today co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, Nancy was last seen entering her home after being dropped off by her son-in-law, Tommaso Cioni, at her residence in Catalina Foothills, Arizona.  As the...

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"Domestic Terrorists" | 02.14.26.

Middle Theory

This week, as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announces the end of its immigration enforcement crackdown in Minnesota, we examine the stories of American citizens who have been injured or negatively affected by the operations of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, and later mischaracterized as "domestic terrorists."  As "Operation Metro Surge" comes to an end in Minnesota, questions linger about the effectiveness of DHS operations amid recent testimony provided to members of Congress by U.S. citizens whose lives were impacted by ICE activities. These include Marimar...

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Jeffrey Epstein: An American Haunting | 02.08.26. show art Jeffrey Epstein: An American Haunting | 02.08.26.

Middle Theory

This week, following the release of a massive trove of documents by the U.S. Department of Justice related to Jeffrey Epstein, we examine the main takeaways and look at why the file release is raising new questions about the disgraced financier and sex offender's death.  The sordid story of Jeffrey Epstein, as well as the intrigue surrounding his fortune, his alleged associations with the U.S. Intelligence Community, and connections to American politicians and other high-profile individuals, has become a story that won't go away. In recent months, the late sex offender's past associations...

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The Killing of Alex Pretti | 02.01.26. show art The Killing of Alex Pretti | 02.01.26.

Middle Theory

This week, within days of the tragic shooting death of Minneapolis resident Renee Good, America has reached a tipping point in the aftermath of a second shooting incident involving the killing of Alex Pretti by agents with the Department of Homeland Security.  As outrage over Pretti's death ensues, we examine what videos of the tragic incident reveal, as well as the context provided by additional videos that have revealed earlier encounters between Pretti and ICE agents in Minneapolis. We also examine the contradictory statements provided by federal officials in the aftermath of the...

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Fire and ICE | 01.19.26. show art Fire and ICE | 01.19.26.

Middle Theory

It's time to get back to work.  Chaos has erupted in the streets of Minneapolis, Minnesota, following a deadly confrontation between federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and a 37-year-old mother of three, Renee Good, who was shot and killed by Jonathan Ross, a 10-year ICE veteran. In our analysis of the tragic events that led to Good's killing, we examine what is currently known about the circumstances leading up to the incident, as well as responses from state, local, and federal officials, and what multiple independent analyses of videos captured as the events...

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More Episodes

This week, growing concerns over Russia's nuclear rhetoric in recent days have experts looking at how far Vladimir Putin might go in his quest to conquer Ukraine. 

This week, as recent polls (finally) show Biden's approval ratings are on the rise, we take a look at what it could mean heading into the mid-terms in November. Meanwhile, Elon Musk has provided reporters with a few vague ideas of what he plans to do with Twitter... putting him into a unique position in terms of political perception and leanings. Then, shifting our attention to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, world leaders have expressed concerns about simulations broadcast on Russian state media depicting potential nuclear strike targets throughout Europe. How far might Vladimir Putin be willing to go as his back is increasingly pressed against the wall, and could this even escalate to the point of weighing the dreaded nuclear option?

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A special thank you to those who donated to the podcast this week:

  • Dennis Koch 
  • Daniel Baumberger 
  • Jill Ellis 
  • Brett Giles
  • Robert Walshe 

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