Military Matters

Latest Episodes:

Afghanistan, China, Covid, and #wokemilitary Jan 13, 2022

Show notes

It's our season 4 wrap-up! Rod Rodriguez and Jack Murphy discuss the stories covered this season from the Afghan evacuation to our "woke" military story. Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and send us your thoughts and story suggestions to militarymatters@stripes.com

The CIA and the Afghan Evacuation Jan 06, 2022

Show notes

Mick Mulroy is a former CIA Paramilitary Operations Officer and former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (DASD) for the Middle East. In this interview with Jack Murphy, Mick discusses the CIA's efforts to rescue Afghan allies as the Taliban reseized the country and why it was so important to the agency to do so.

Task Force Pineapple Dec 30, 2021

Show notes

Retired Special Forces officer Scott Mann shares the incredible story of veterans helping their Afghan partners find their way out of Afghanistan as the Taliban retake the country. These veterans accomplished this harrowing task from their kitchens, cars, and front rooms! Find out how in this episode of Military Matters! For more information on Task Force Pineapple go to www.taskforcepinapple.org Also, check out SOFcast's episode "Reflecting on 9/11 and Afghanistan", available everywhere you listen to podcasts.

Fast Take: The Mission to Save Our Allies Dec 16, 2021

Show notes

Rod Rodriguez and Jack Murphy discuss last week's episode about the broken State Department visa program that foreshadowed the debacle that was their NEO operation. Also, the Tim Kennedy situation and why did the military need civilians to do their job for them? Share your ideas or hit us up with a tip at MilitaryMatters@Stripes.com.

The mission to Save Our Allies Dec 09, 2021

Show notes

With the Taliban now in control and U.S. forces withdrawing, Afghans desperate to find a way out turned to U.S. veterans they had served alongside for help. Some of those veterans heeded their call and went to their rescue. Save Our Allies Coalition's Chad Robichaux, Nick Palmisciano, and The Diplomat's Catherine Putz take us into the story of a broken immigrant visa program, a high stakes rescue mission, and the tragic story of how busloads of orphans were left behind...

Quick message about this week's episode Dec 02, 2021

Show notes

In order to tell the next story about the recent Afghan evacuations, we need a little more production time, so we won't have a new episode for you this week. In the meantime, I highly recommend you check out our previous episodes The Battle for Kunduz and its accompanying Fast Take: Kabul Embassy, the Taliban, and the Fall of Afghanistan. Thank you for your patience!

Fast Take - Great Power Competition and the rest of the DoD Nov 16, 2021

Show notes

Jack Murphy and Rod Rodriguez discuss what Great Power Competition or GPC means to the military outside of SOF and why this will matter to you! Follow us on Twitter @stripesmmpod or send us your feedback to militarymatters@stripes.com

Great Power Competition - Where does SOF fit in? Nov 09, 2021

Show notes

The withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan has signaled a new era in military operations and presence, but we aren't alone. "Great Power Competition" or GPC isn't just some new set of buzzwords, it's a shift in how the DOD will do business in a world of near-peer adversaries.

What does GPC mean for today's military? How will it affect SOF operations? What will tomorrow's war really look like?

Fast Take: UFO's, "El Diablo" and cursed housing! Oct 28, 2021

Show notes

Rod Rodriguez and Jack Murphy talk about the listeners' ghost stories from last episode, talk about their own experiences with the supernatural, and we share three more stories from our listeners! From lights in the sky to deadly phantoms! Subscribe today!

Restless Japanese spirits and a melody from beyond the grave Oct 21, 2021

Show notes

It's that time again for another Haunted Military Matters! In this episode, we bring you three real ghost stories from our listeners. From roaming spirits of Japan to a ghostly melody from beyond the veil, listen if you dare...

Follow Military Matters on Twitter @stripesmmpod and visit stripes.com for your daily dose of news!