Uncover the UK's strategic leap in defense spending under PM Rishi Sunak's leadership. Join Eric Cochran in The Sandstorm Podcast for a compelling analysis that uncovers the impact on NATO, global security, and Western unity. Tune in for insightful, right-of-center commentary that cuts to the heart of today's geopolitical shifts. Don't miss this ep…

Join host Eric Cochran in The Sandstorm Podcast as we delve into the gripping Arizona rancher case that's challenging perceptions of self-defense and border security. This episode unpacks the mistrial's impact on a community torn between fear and justice. Tune in for a thought-provoking journey through the legal and emotional landscapes of the mode…

Explore the pivotal role of Chinese-American voters in San Francisco's unexpected move towards the political center. Join Eric Cochran on The Sandstorm Podcast for an in-depth analysis of this seismic shift, examining the implications for the city's upcoming mayoral race, local policies, and the broader democratic narrative. Tune in for a story of …

Join Eric Cochran in a riveting episode of The Sandstorm Podcast as we delve into the UNRWA controversy, exposing the clash between humanitarian aid and political bias. Discover the implications of compromised neutrality on the future of peace education and Israeli-Palestinian relations. Tune in for an insightful blend of analysis and thoughtful de…

Dive into The Sandstorm Podcast as Eric Cochran explores the UK's contentious immigration debate, examining the human element and political stakes of the proposed Rwanda deportation law. Join us for an in-depth analysis that bridges history, policy, and the personal stories at the heart of this global challenge.…

Join Eric Cochran on The Sandstorm Podcast as we dissect Major General Aharon Haliva's resignation from Israeli military intelligence. Dive deep into a tale of responsibility, strategy, and the ripple effects on global politics. Tune in for a right-of-center perspective on leadership and accountability in times of crisis.…

In this episode of The Sandstorm Podcast, host Eric Cochran examines the recent pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University and other college campuses, discussing the implications for free speech, antisemitism, and the future of higher education. Cochran offers insights and opinions on the university administration's response and the broader cu…

Exploring the growing trend of companies cracking down on employee activism in the workplace. From Google's firing of protesting workers to Starbucks' legal battle with union affiliates, we examine the legal, practical, and ethical dimensions of this new corporate pushback. Are businesses right to set boundaries around on-the-job activism, or are t…

Dive into "The Aluminum Crossroads" episode of The Sandstorm Podcast with Eric Cochran. Explore the deep impact of China's market strategies on Michigan's aluminum sector, the role of local industry in the global economy, and the future of American manufacturing jobs in an increasingly competitive landscape. Join us as we unravel the intricate blen…

In this explosive episode of The Sandstorm Podcast, host Eric Cochran dismantles the "Green New Deal for Public Housing" proposed by Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Cochran exposes the astronomical costs, misguided priorities, and economic illiteracy behind this socialist scheme, arguing that it will only perpetuate cycles of…

In this penetrating episode of The Sandstorm Podcast, host Eric Cochran takes you deep inside the United Auto Workers' high-stakes campaign to organize the Mercedes plant in Alabama. Fresh off a historic victory at Volkswagen in Tennessee, the UAW has set its sights on the Heart of Dixie, sparking a fierce debate over the role of unions in the 21st…

In this provocative episode of The Sandstorm Podcast, host Eric Cochran takes you inside the explosive debate over TikTok's future in the United States. With the House voting to effectively ban the app unless its Chinese owner divests, the wildly popular platform finds itself at the center of a high-stakes geopolitical showdown. Cochran explores th…

In this explosive episode of The Sandstorm Podcast, host Eric Cochran takes you to the frontlines of the battle raging at Columbia University and across American higher education. When a group of pro-Palestinian students erected an encampment on Columbia's iconic campus, they sparked a firestorm that would end in mass arrests, suspensions, and a na…

In this urgent and insightful episode of The Sandstorm Podcast, host Eric Cochran dives deep into Niger's stunning decision to expel U.S. counterterrorism forces, a move that threatens to upend the fight against Al-Qaeda and ISIS in the Sahel region of Africa. With vivid detail and expert analysis, Cochran explores the high-stakes geopolitical ches…

In this gripping episode of The Sandstorm Podcast, host Eric Cochran takes you inside the dramatic House vote on a $95 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan and more. With Speaker Mike Johnson's leadership on the line, the bill's passage marks a critical test for American resolve in the face of global threats. But it also exposes deep rif…

In this gripping episode of The Sandstorm Podcast, host Eric Cochran unravels the shocking tale of Victor Rocha, a former U.S. ambassador who led a double life as a Cuban spy for over 40 years. Discover the depths of Rocha's betrayal, the potential damage to national security, and the urgent lessons this case holds for counterintelligence in the mo…

In this episode of The Sandstorm Podcast, host Eric Cochran dives deep into the challenges facing America's biggest banks as they grapple with the fallout of higher-for-longer interest rates. From shrinking profit margins to the specter of a looming recession, Eric explores the complex dynamics at play in the banking industry and the wider economy.…

In this episode of the Sandstorm Podcast, host Eric Cochran analyzes the mounting tensions between Iran and Israel, as Tehran threatens to retaliate for an alleged Israeli airstrike in Syria. With the U.S. deploying warships and Iran poised to strike, the Middle East teeters on the brink of a potentially devastating conflict that could engulf the e…

In this episode of The Sandstorm Podcast, host Eric Cochran dives into the complex geopolitical tensions surrounding the South China Sea dispute. With the recent U.S.-Japan-Philippines summit as a backdrop, Eric examines the historical context, legal challenges, and strategic implications of China's growing assertiveness in the region. Through insi…

In this episode, we analyze the complex interplay between Israel's military operations and the political ramifications that follow. We explore the intricacies of Israel's strategic goals, the humanitarian impact, and the delicate balance of international relations in the wake of ongoing battles with Hamas. Insightful, engaging, and thought-provokin…

Another episode about the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. We scrutinize the recently proposed U.S. ceasefire plan, examining the challenges of potential breakthroughs and the destructive details hindering progress. Our hosts explore the shifting narrative surrounding the negotiations, focusing on how Hamas may be stagnating the peace pro…

This episode looks into President Biden's trillion-dollar proposal for battling climate change, on this episode of the Sandstorm Podcast. Given the policy's complexity and the public's seeming indifference, they discuss how the current administration can better present their green agenda not only as an environmental concern but also as a potential …

In this episode, we into the controversial topic of climate change as a human rights issue following a groundbreaking climate ruling by the European Court of Human Rights. The judgment accuses Switzerland of violating the human rights of more than 2,000 Swiss women by not adequately addressing climate change, drawing a wave of support from various …

In this edition, Sasha, alongside co-host Eric, examines the brutal six-month-long war in Gaza. Their deep dive reveals that the Israeli Defense Force's seemingly peaceful troop withdrawal is merely a strategy for tactical repositioning. The team reviews the Israeli military's intentions, noting the underlying message that the war is far from over.…

In this gripping episode of the Sandstorm Podcast, we grapple with the complexities of judicial politics as we ponder upon Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s potential retirement. Our hosts, Sasha Byrnes and Eric Cochran, dissect the mounting pressure on the Justice to resign and discuss the consequences of such a move. We confront the ethical…

Unpacking the implications of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's visit to Washington and the potential fortifying of the US-Japan alliance against a backdrop of shifting global politics, on this episode of the Sandstorm Podcast, host Sasha Byrnes and co-host Eric Cochran discusses the deepening ties between the two democracies. The whirlwind o…

The Sandstorm Podcast returns with another deep-dive into a compelling economic topic — the grim prediction of JP Morgan Chase's Jamie Dimon about soaring U.S. interest rates. Hosts Sasha Byrnes and Eric Cochran explore how the head of the nation's largest bank sees the potential for rates to rise to 8% or even higher in the coming years. The show …

In this thought-provoking session we navigate the intricate contours of a contentious subject – the latest document released by the Vatican condemning gender theory, transgender surgery, and surrogacy. This document, titled 'Dignitas Infinita,' or 'Infinite Dignity,' reiterates the Catholic Church's traditional stance on these critical issues and s…

Welcome to another intriguing episode of Sandstorm, your reliable portal for deep insights into economic phenomena, where your hosts Sasha Burns and Eric lead you through a comprehensive evaluation of the U.S. economic performance. In this episode, we dig into the surprising strength of the employment market and its impact on the economy amidst con…

As we approach the 2024 elections, the hot topic of student loan debt forgiveness is making headlines again. Tune in as we dive deep into the issue, providing insights into the Biden administration's latest proposals aiming to reduce or cancel student loan debt. Although the struggle for borrowers is real, the political implications of such forgive…

In this episode, we discuss a significant headline and a controversial issue in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. We delve into the recent event where the Israeli military mistakenly identified and subsequently killed seven aid workers from the World Central Kitchen charity. As the Israeli military admits the error and the subsequent s…

We dive into into geopolitical apprehension circling around the 2024 US presidential elections. As President Joe Biden gears up for re-election, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, aptly known as MBS, seems to be a major roadblock, amid an already strained US-Saudi relationship. MBS seems to be using his influence over OPEC Plus to kee…

In this episode, we dive into the deeply controversial resurgence of the proposed foreign agent law in Georgia. The Georgian government's move sparked protests and raised concerns about the trajectory of democracy in the country. The hosts explain that this move by the Georgian government mirrors tactics used by authoritarian regimes to control dis…

We delve into the perplexing question of 'What's wrong with the economy?' Despite data indicating downward inflation and upward market trends, a substantial percentage of individuals believe the economy is heading in the wrong direction. In this discussion, we explore how the disconnect between statistical facts and public sentiment might be shaped…

Today, we delve into the recent Israeli airstrikes on a World Central Kitchen Aid convoy in Gaza that led to devastating loss of life and heightened international tensions. We explore the challenges surrounding this tragic incident, juxtapose the emotional responses from both sides, and ponder the effectiveness of communication in a volatile enviro…

This episode delves into the intricacies of the Israeli-Iranian tensions, following Israel's recent airstrike that resulted in multiple fatalities among Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Hear our hosts analyze the reasons behind the attack and the potential repercussions in the region as Iran threatens retaliation. The show explores the fin…

Welcome to another riveting episode of the Sandstorm Podcast with Sasha Byrnes and Eric Cochran. In this episode, we dive deep into the disturbing state of affairs in Haiti. Despite being rocked with political instability and gang violence for months, things appear to have escalated recently. Now, armed gangs are looting and irreplaceably damaging …

On this episode of The Sandstorm Podcast, hosts Sasha Byrnes and Eric Cochran delve into the repercussions of the recent 7.2 magnitude earthquake in Taiwan - a catastrophe that shattered lives, infrastructure, and has potential to upset global economy. As they reflect upon the tragedy, they also acknowledge the resilience of the Taiwanese people an…

In this episode of the Sandstorm Podcast, Sasha Byrnes and co-host Eric Cochran delve into the intricacies of the Federal Reserve's monetary policy. They discuss the recent affirmation by Federal Reserve Chair, Jerome Powell, regarding the potential for interest rate cuts this year despite stronger economic activity. The possibility for such cuts i…

Welcome to another exciting episode of the Sandstorm Podcast where Sasha Byrnes and co-host Eric delve into a riveting plot of the covert attempts by China to manipulate the upcoming 2024 U.S. presidential election. As we inch towards the election date, reports of specific misinformation tactics reminiscent of the Russian influence in 2016 have sud…

Welcome to another engaging and insightful episode of the Sandstorm Podcast. Today, we delve deep into the increasingly complex and consequential dynamics of the U.S.-China relationship. Host Sasha Byrnes, alongside co-host Eric Cochran, explore the political undertones and ramifications of the recent phone call between President Biden and Chinese …

Welcome to another episode of the Sandstorm Podcast with Sasha Byrnes and Eric Cochran. In today's episode, we delve into the controversial visit of the former Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou to mainland China. The visit has stirred up considerable attention due to the historical tensions between China and Taiwan, making this a topic of internatio…

In this episode of the Sandstorm Podcast, your hosts Sasha Byrnes and Eric Cochran dive deep into an incisive conversation about the complexities and challenges of drug policy reform, specifically focusing on the State of Oregon's experiment with decriminalizing hard drugs. They discuss the adverse impact of such policies in the light of escalating…

Welcome to this episode of the Sandstorm Podcast, where we delve into the aftermath and implications of the recent Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore. In this unfortunate incident, the collapse of a vital artery for the Port of Baltimore has not only dealt a significant blow to regional commerce but also raised concerns about infrastructure resilienc…

In the latest episode of the Sandstorm Podcast, we delve into an unexpected escalation in Middle East tensions: the destruction of the Iranian consulate in Damascus, suspected to be an Israeli airstrike. This significant incident throws light on the frayed relations between Israel and Iran, with Syria positioned as the battleground for their respec…

Welcome back to the Sandstorm Podcast as we unpack the repercussions of Turkey's astonishing local elections in this episode. Witness the shockwaves rippling through the political landscape as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's Justice and Development, AK Party, suffers a major blow, losing its stronghold on key cities such as Istanbul and Ankara to …

In this episode of the Sandstorm Podcast, co-hosts Sasha Byrnes and Eric Cochran analyze the Israeli military raid on the Al-Shifa Hospital, the largest medical complex in Gaza City, which left the hospital in ruins. The operation, which is alleged to remove over 200 terrorists and seize significant weapons and intelligence stocks, has sparked inte…