Mike Drop

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Cumulus Podcast Network
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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 a 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.

  1. 16h ago ·  Bonus

    The Fairford Plot, a Suspected Army Spy and the Hegseth Vote | Mike Drop Newsroom

    Three men working for Iran's Revolutionary Guard and its Iraqi militia allies are now charged in a plot against a British air base that hosted American bombers and airmen. MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 11 NOVEMBER 2026 The Justice Department says three Iranian-backed operatives were charged in a superseding indictment tied to a plot against RAF Fairford in England. Prosecutors say the men acted for Iran's IRGC and Iraq's Kataib Hezbollah, that vans disguised as fuel trucks were sent toward the base, and that the network is tied to nearly 20 attacks and attempted attacks in Europe and the United States. The alleged leader is accused of passing coded messages through calls to relatives in Iraq from a federal jail in New York. Iran denies involvement. Days after the September incident, the U.S. pulled its B-1 bombers from Fairford. Mike Ritland breaks down why a handful of men in three vans could force U.S. bombers to move, why every base's outer perimeter is its weak link, and what Iran's new threat to hit U.S. bases far away really means. Also covered: - Iran says no enriched nuclear material will leave the country, while Rubio says there's "really no need for major combat" - Why U.S. troops and the blockade are still in place - A senior U.S. Army soldier arrested in England on suspicion of spying for Russia - Washington's push to renegotiate European security alongside Ukraine talks - Lawmakers push tighter chip export rules after a PLA-linked university bought NVIDIA H200 chips - The House blocks the Hegseth impeachment effort, for now - Ring's indoor flying security camera Would you let a flying security drone patrol your house? And how do you stop three vans at the fence line? 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/join 0:00 Iran-backed plot against RAF Fairford: three men charged 3:22 Iran threatens U.S. bases far away 6:49 Report: Treasury Secretary Bessent moved onto a military base 9:30 U.S. Army soldier arrested in England as a suspected Russian spy 12:16 Washington and Moscow talk European security 14:51 NVIDIA, China and the push for tighter chip exports 17:20 Hegseth impeachment effort blocked for now 18:13 Ring's indoor flying security camera Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    The Fairford Plot, a Suspected Army Spy and the Hegseth Vote | Mike Drop Newsroom

  2. 1d ago

    Italian Tier-1 Raider Says Just 1 in 1,000 Make It Through Col Moschin Selection | EP 317

    Captain Alex Folchitto, a 16-year veteran of the Italian Army Special Forces and an airborne Ranger from the tier one unit known as the 9th Paratroopers Assault Regiment, Col Moschin, joins Mike Ritland as the first Italian veteran to appear on the podcast. Alex opens with a mission that nearly went terribly wrong: a midnight flight into a village, everybody shooting at them, and an aircraft that loses its front wheel. From there, he walks through the Italian selection (ten-day hell week, then three years of training), working alongside U.S. units in Afghanistan, rules of engagement, and his deployment to Libya around the time of the Benghazi attack. He also tells how he went from washing dishes at his sister’s restaurant to the movie business as a military advisor, stunt performer and actor. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    Italian Tier-1 Raider Says Just 1 in 1,000 Make It Through Col Moschin Selection | EP 317

  3. 2d ago ·  Bonus

    Iran’s 48-Hour Ultimatum, a Blockade Strike and Qatar’s Peace Plan | Mike Drop Newsroom

    A U.S. warplane fired on a ship trying to run the blockade on Iran, and Tehran answered with a 48-hour ultimatum and a promise to "rain down hell." MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 09 NOVEMBER 2026 CENTCOM says a St. Kitts-flagged cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman ignored repeated warnings and tried to break the naval blockade, so U.S. forces ordered the crew clear and a U.S. warplane disabled it with precision munitions. Since July, the blockade has redirected 147 commercial ships and disabled five. Iran's foreign minister says Iran's two-day proposal stands and warned that otherwise "Iran's warriors will rain down hell," while President Trump says new strikes are "highly unlikely" to be necessary and three carriers in the region are "locked and loaded." Mike Ritland breaks down what the 48-hour clock really means for U.S. sailors and air crews, why Iran's threats often don't match its follow-through, and why the third carrier group steaming in from the South China Sea could decide the timing. Also covered: - The debate over whether Russia can actually hand Iran the S-400 - Task Force Iron Gate and the push to hit Iran's land routes - A drone that knocked out power to most of Iraq's Kurdish region, where U.S. troops have long been based - Qatar's peace plan at the White House: lifting the blockade and releasing about $8 billion in frozen Iranian assets - Trump's planned talks with Xi Jinping and Putin at APEC - The White House's $1.5 trillion defense budget request and the December 11 funding deadline Should releasing Iran's frozen money be part of any deal? 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/join 0:00 U.S. warplane fires on a blockade runner; Iran's 48-hour ultimatum 2:27 Can Russia really give Iran the S-400? 4:07 Task Force Iron Gate update 5:29 Drone knocks out power in Iraq's Kurdish region 7:50 Qatar's peace plan at the White House 11:00 Trump to meet Xi and Putin at APEC 13:20 The $1.5 trillion defense budget request Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    Iran’s 48-Hour Ultimatum, a Blockade Strike and Qatar’s Peace Plan | Mike Drop Newsroom

  4. 3d ago ·  Bonus

    Iran Lifts Its Missile Limit as U.S. Strikes Qeshm | Mike Drop Newsroom

    Iran's Revolutionary Guard says it has lifted its self-imposed missile range limit for the United States, putting more U.S. bases inside the danger zone. MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 08 NOVEMBER 2026 CBS News, citing the AP, reported that an IRGC spokesman said Iran's roughly 1,200-mile missile range limit has been lifted for the United States. Iran has not shown a new missile, but in March it fired two missiles toward Diego Garcia, about 2,400 miles away. Meanwhile U.S. strikes hit Qeshm Island, a U.S. aircraft disabled a blockade runner in the Gulf of Oman, and CENTCOM stood up a new task force to choke off Iran's land routes. Mike Ritland breaks down why he sees the range threat as mostly rhetoric, whether U.S. air defenses have enough interceptors to cover a 2,500-mile radius, and what a CENTCOM task force aimed at Iran's land routes could mean for U.S. forces. Also covered: two more tankers hit mines near Hormuz and what is missing from Iran's seven demands, Gadi Eisenkot's push to replace Netanyahu and what it means for a U.S.-Iran deal, reports that Iran wants Russia's S-400 air defenses, and Congress returning with a December 11 funding clock and an impeachment push against War Secretary Pete Hegseth. Do U.S. bases farther from Iran need to plan as if they're targets now? 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/join 00:00 Iran says it lifted its missile range limit 00:50 What it means for U.S. bases, and the Diego Garcia precedent 02:30 Do U.S. air defenses have enough interceptors? 03:40 U.S. strikes Qeshm and disables a blockade runner 04:50 Task Force Iron Gate targets Iran's land routes 07:40 Could it lead to boots on the ground? 09:15 Two more tankers hit mines near Hormuz 11:10 What's missing from Iran's seven demands 12:35 Eisenkot tapped to replace Netanyahu 13:45 Does a new Israeli leader change a U.S.-Iran deal? 15:45 Russia's S-400 and pipeline lifeline for Iran 17:00 What the S-400 means for U.S. pilots 21:45 Congress returns: funding clock and Hegseth impeachment 24:20 Is the war budget worth it? 25:30 Wrap-up Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    Iran Lifts Its Missile Limit as U.S. Strikes Qeshm | Mike Drop Newsroom

  5. 5d ago ·  Bonus

    CENTCOM Gets Ready to Strike Iran Again | Mike Drop Newsroom

    U.S. Central Command is finalizing preparations to restart major operations against Iran, and President Trump says Americans will know "soon enough." MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 06 NOVEMBER 2026 U.S. officials told Axios that CENTCOM is finalizing preparations for a possible return to major operations against Iran, though no new order has been given. President Trump met with his national security team Wednesday and Thursday, and officials pointed to the November 9 new moon as favorable for operations. Meanwhile tankers are still burning in the Strait of Hormuz and Iran says its seven conditions must be met before the strait reopens. Mike Ritland breaks down why the new moon matters, what "finalizing preparations" means for U.S. troops in the region, and whether the carrier group headed for the Gulf signals strikes are coming. Also covered: Iran's nuclear proposal through Qatar and its security chief's meeting with Putin, Turkey's parliament approving a defense pact with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan and why a NATO ally in the fight changes everything, War Secretary Pete Hegseth's $350 billion request and the impeachment push, and Gov. Gavin Newsom emptying California's death row. Is the carrier heading to the Gulf a sign strikes are coming, or is there still an off-ramp? 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/join 00:00 CENTCOM finalizes preparations to strike Iran again 01:10 Why the Nov. 9 new moon matters 02:30 What "finalizing preparations" means for troops 03:00 Tankers burn as the U.S. blockade holds 03:50 Iran's seven conditions and the stalemate 05:45 Does the carrier group mean strikes are coming? 06:40 Iran's nuclear offer through Qatar and Putin 10:20 Turkey joins the Saudi-Pakistan defense pact 12:25 Why a NATO ally in the fight changes everything 14:25 Hegseth's $350 billion request and the impeachment push 17:25 Is it worth it? What success looks like 19:40 Newsom empties California's death row 22:05 Wrap-up Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    CENTCOM Gets Ready to Strike Iran Again | Mike Drop Newsroom

  6. 6d ago ·  Bonus

    Iran Says It Took Two U.S. Drones as Tankers Burn in Hormuz | Mike Drop Newsroom

    Iran says it took control of two U.S. attack drones over the Strait of Hormuz as the U.S. military finishes preparations for possible resumed major combat. MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 05 NOVEMBER 2026 Iran's Revolutionary Guard says its navy's electronic warfare unit took control of two U.S. LUCAS one-way attack drones in the Hormuz area, part of the low-cost drone force the Pentagon has been ramping up. U.S. officials say the military is finishing preparations for possible resumed major combat, while President Trump says there are no immediate plans to strike. Mike Ritland breaks down why U.S. forces need to know now if Iran can really grab drones in flight, why the daily attacks on tankers point to a stalemate in the strait, and whether the administration ramps up or backs off before the December 11 war funding fight. Also covered: two more tankers on fire after mine strikes and the U.S. blockade at six months, impeachment talk building around War Secretary Pete Hegseth, China surging ships and aircraft around Taiwan and whether the Navy can cover two fronts, the Houthis claiming a strike on Riyadh's airport, and Vice President Vance saying the war cost Republicans the midterms. Between now and December 11, do you expect more U.S. strikes on Iran, or a pullback? 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/join 00:00 Iran says it seized two U.S. attack drones 00:50 Why the LUCAS drone program matters 02:30 Strikes before December 11, or a pullback? 04:30 Tankers burn in the strait as the blockade holds 05:25 Qatar's draft deal and the stalemate 09:05 Impeachment talk builds around Hegseth 14:10 China surges ships and aircraft around Taiwan 15:25 Can the Navy cover two fronts at once? 16:40 Houthis claim a strike on Riyadh's airport 18:20 December 11: Congress and war funding 22:50 Wrap-up Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    Iran Says It Took Two U.S. Drones as Tankers Burn in Hormuz | Mike Drop Newsroom

  7. Nov 4 ·  Bonus

    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 2026 Democrats 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/join 0:00 Democrats win Congress; war funding deadline December 11 0:45 Mike's take on the election 9:15 Update: the EUCOM warning in Europe 11:50 Israel warns Iran is weighing chemical weapons 16:20 Poland reinforces its border after NATO warning 18:55 Trump says $4 billion a year in aid to Israel will end 20:30 Wrap-up Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    Israel Warns of Iranian Chemical Weapons, NATO Warns Poland, and the New Congress | Mike Drop Newsroom

  8. Nov 3 ·  Bonus

    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 2026 U.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/join 0:00 Iran fires on a U.S. jet; U.S. strikes Qeshm Island 4:05 EUCOM warns troops and families across Europe 9:05 Navy families evacuated from Bahrain could lose housing aid 12:40 Russia, Ukraine and the upcoming U.S.-Russia talks 17:20 China steps into the Hormuz fight 19:55 Election Day Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    Iran Fires on a U.S. Jet, the U.S. Hits Qeshm Island, and Military Families Go on Alert | Mike Drop Newsroom
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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 a 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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