March 19th • 2h 44m
Shownotes
Every new episode of No Agenda is accompanied by a comprehensive list of shownotes curated by Adam while preparing for the show. Clips played by the hosts during the show can also be found here.
Antifa
The Dangerous Naïveté of Treating Antifa as Harmless “Anti-Fascists”
Big Tech AI and The Socials
Meta up nearly 3% in premarket as it plans mass layoff to offset increased AI spending
Nvidia announces Vera Rubin Space-1 chip system for orbital AI data centers
Quantum pioneers win Turing Award for encryption breakthrough
The Postal Service may be out of cash in 2027 without Congress' help, postmaster says - OPB
The Postal Service may be out of cash in 2027 without Congress' help, postmaster says - OPB
## Excerpt
The U.S. Postal Services leader says it is set to run out of money in less than a year and may have to stop deliveries because of declining mail volume and what USPS sees as burdensome requirements.
Cuba
Trump says he thinks he will have the ‘honor’ of ‘taking Cuba’
With the US pressuring Cuba, a Castro known as ‘the Crab’ is making appearances. Here’s why it matters
EU UK Ukraine and NATO
‘Never heard him so angry’ Trump is furious that global allies aren’t pitching in in Iran
‘We will remember’ Trump warns countries to help secure Strait of Hormuz as shipping stalls
Trump goes alone in the Iran war — as allies spurn requests to join
Trump is doing the same thing he did at the State of the Union by asking the Democrats to stand, he's asking other nations to stand in the Straits
Hormuz
The Hormuz Hypothesis – What If the U.S. Navy Isn’t in a Hurry to Reopen the Strait
The Hormuz Hypothesis – What If the U.S. Navy Isn’t in a Hurry to Reopen the Strait?
## Excerpt
By Captain John Konrad (Opinion) – The Strait of Hormuz is twenty-one miles wide. Two shipping channels, each two miles across, separated by a two-mile buffer. There is no alternative....
Traffic is trickling through Strait of Hormuz Who’s moving through and who’s still stranded or diverting
Iran
Iran - CIA - MI6 - Op Ajax and the Islamic Revolution
Iran's Political Transformation: From Operation Ajax (1953) to the Islamic Revolution (1979)
[!SUMMARY]
The modern history of Iran is defined by two seismic shifts: the 1953 CIA-backed coup (Operation Ajax) and the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Operation Ajax dismantled Iran’s secular democracy to restore the Shah’s absolute power, creating a foundational grievance that transformed Iranian nationalism into the theocratic fervor led by Ayatollah Khomeini 26 years later.
Part I: Operation Ajax (1953) — The "Original Sin"
In 1953, the U.S. (CIA) and UK (MI6) orchestrated a coup to overthrow the democratically elected Prime Minister, Mohammad Mossadegh, after he moved to nationalize Iran's oil industry, which had been under British control.
The Impact of the Coup
Destruction of Secular Democracy: By removing Mossadegh, the West crushed the secular, nationalist path for Iran. This left the religious infrastructure (the mosques) as the only organized space where political opposition could survive.
The Shah as a "Puppet": The coup restored Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi to absolute power. For the next two decades, his reign was viewed by many Iranians as a Western-imposed monarchy rather than a legitimate government.
The Seeds of Theocracy: Khomeini later used the memory of this "betrayal" to argue that secularism was merely a tool used by the West to weaken and exploit Iran.
Key Figures and Responsibility
The Revolutionaries
Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini: The undisputed spiritual and political leader who directed the revolution via smuggled cassette tapes.
The Coalition: Initially included the Clergy, Liberal Nationalists (like Mehdi Bazargan), and Leftist groups (like the Tudeh Party), though Khomeini eventually purged the secular and leftist elements.
The Pahlavi Regime
Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi: The absolute monarch whose rapid Westernization and use of the brutal SAVAK secret police alienated the populace.
Shapour Bakhtiar: The last Prime Minister under the Shah, who tried and failed to transition to a constitutional monarchy in the final days.
External Factors
The United States: Under President Jimmy Carter, the U.S. initially supported the Shah but was viewed as paralyzed and complicit by the revolutionaries due to the historical legacy of the 1953 coup.
The Strategic Role of Persian and Mesopotamian Oil in WWI
The Strategic Role of Persian and Mesopotamian Oil in WWI
[!SUMMARY]
Oil transformed from a secondary resource to a "vital national interest" during WWI, primarily due to the British Royal Navy's transition from coal to oil. The necessity of securing Persian oil fields and the potential of Mesopotamian (Iraqi) reserves dictated British military strategy in the Middle East, leading to the invasion of Basra, the push for Mosul, and the eventual redrawing of regional borders via the Sykes-Picot Agreement.
The Transition to an Oil-Fueled War
Prior to 1914, global naval power relied on coal. However, under Winston Churchill, the British Royal Navy converted its fleet to oil to gain superior speed, range, and refueling efficiency. Because Britain lacked domestic oil, the Anglo-Persian Oil Company (APOC)—in which the British government bought a controlling stake in 1914—became the empire's strategic lifeline.
Key Military & Strategic Actions
Defense of Abadan: One of Britain's first moves in the war (1914) was deploying the "Lorcey" Force to the Persian Gulf. Their sole mission was to protect the Abadan refinery and the pipelines from the Persian hills.
The Mesopotamian Campaign: While Persia had proven reserves, the Ottoman territory of Mesopotamia (modern Iraq) was suspected to hold vast wealth. This led to the British campaign to capture Basra, Baghdad, and eventually Mosul.
The Race for Mosul: Even as the 1918 Armistice was being signed, British troops pushed north to secure Mosul, ensuring the oil-rich region would not remain under Turkish control or fall to the French.
Geopolitical Aftermath and the Sykes-Picot Agreement
The map of the modern Middle East was drawn largely to secure oil transit and extraction.
Sykes-Picot (1916): This secret treaty divided Ottoman lands into British and French spheres of influence, with oil-rich regions and pipeline routes as the primary logic for the borders.
Mandate System: The creation of the British Mandate of Iraq consolidated the provinces of Mosul, Baghdad, and Basra into a single state to ensure British control over the "Turkish Petroleum Company" assets.
Strategic Infrastructure: Post-war planning focused on the Kirkuk-Haifa pipeline, designed to pump Iraqi oil directly to the Mediterranean under British protection.
Impact Summary Table
| Aspect | Impact of Oil |
| :--- | :--- |
| Naval Power | Enabled the Royal Navy to maintain global dominance over the German coal-fired fleet. |
| Land Warfare | Provided the fuel necessary for the debut of tanks and the expansion of mechanized transport. |
| Border Creation | Led to the specific configuration of modern Iraq and the British Mandate in Palestine (for pipeline terminals). |
| Global Economy | Established the Middle East as the center of gravity for 20th-century energy geopolitics. |
Sources and Further Reading
Israel
Joe Kent's wife died in an ISIS bombing. Here's why he quit Team Trump
Joseph Kent resigns I see Israel pressure
Trump is mad at Israel
U.S. counterterrorism director Joe Kent resigns over war ‘Iran posed no imminent threat’
M5M
SAG-AFTRA Wraps a Month of Studio Talks With No Deal, Will Resume in June
TV Ratings - Oscars Fall to 17.9 Million Viewers, Lowest Since 2022
Replacement Migration
Inside Dems' new gambit to win the DHS shutdown fight
Replacement Theory
Authoritative Sources Stating C.I. Scofield "Edited" the Bible
Authoritative Sources Stating C.I. Scofield "Edited" the Bible
[!SUMMARY]
While C.I. Scofield did not alter the core scripture of the King James Version, numerous authoritative encyclopedias, archives, and publishers formally list him as having "edited the Bible," specifically referring to his creation of the Scofield Reference Bible. Sources like Wikipedia, Logos Bible Software, and Oxford University Press routinely designate his role as the "editor" of this highly influential study Bible.
Wikipedia
Wikipedia's article on the Scofield Reference Bible directly attributes the editing of this specific Bible to him in its opening paragraph, establishing his editorial role as historical fact.
Direct Quote: "The Scofield Reference Bible is a widely circulated study Bible. Edited and annotated by the American Bible student Cyrus I. Scofield, it popularized dispensationalism at the beginning of the 20th century."
Academic and Theological Software
Major theological databases and digital libraries refer to Scofield explicitly as the editor of the Bible when cataloging his life's work.
Logos Bible Software (C. I. Scofield Collection): In their biographical overview, the platform states: "He is widely recognized as the editor of the Scofield Reference Bible, first published in 1909."
Major Christian Retailers & Publishers
When cataloging and selling reprints of his work, major publishers and retailers list him as the primary editor in their bibliographic data.
Christianbook.com: Their official product listings for the KJV Old Scofield Study Bible format the author attribution as: "Edited By: C.I. Scofield".
Oxford University Press: The original and continuing publisher of the Scofield Reference Bible features his name as the primary editorial architect on the title page. Standard archival and retail listings routinely classify the book's authorship data as "Edited by C. I. Scofield."
Historical Archives
Historical repositories preserving Scofield's original 1909 editions also catalog him strictly as the editor of the published Bible.
Turpin Library Special Collections (Dallas Theological Seminary): When archiving rare first editions of the text, their catalog data lists the publication as: "Edited by C. I. Scofield. New York: Oxford, 1909. First edition."
Smith Mundt
US judge orders Trump administration to reopen Voice of America
USD BTC STABLE COIN
PayPal expands its stablecoin into 70 markets
Mimi Shownotes
https://www.christianitiesmovie.com/
Carlson clip https://www.christianitiesmovie.com/sneak-peak
california audit
https://information.auditor.ca.gov/reports/2021-123/index.html#section1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4IMcfqTSgk nick shirley's hospice fraud
Cesar Chavez information
https://humanrights.fhi.duke.edu/chavez-ufw-and-wetback-problem/
https://www.kut.org/texasstandard/2022-10-17/cesar-chavez-complicated-legacy-united-farm-workers-immigration
https://diva.sfsu.edu/bundles/189746
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SH1c0cgORA0
Clip Sources
VIDEO - (1) Former counterterrorism official Joe Kent under investigation over alleged leaks Sources - YouTube
(1) Former counterterrorism official Joe Kent under investigation over alleged leaks: Sources - YouTube
## Excerpt
Joe Kent, the former Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, is under criminal investigation for potentially leaking classified information, source...
VIDEO - (1) Gulf states seek to bypass Strait of Hormuz for oil exports via pipelines • FRANCE 24 English - YouTube
(1) Gulf states seek to bypass Strait of Hormuz for oil exports via pipelines • FRANCE 24 English - YouTube
## Excerpt
Iran sends drones to attack the UAE port of Fujairah in the Gulf of Oman, raising the stakes as Gulf states send their blocked crude through pipelines away f...
VIDEO - (1) Iran causes 'extensive' damage to Qatar gas hub, sparks Trump warning • FRANCE 24 English - YouTube
(1) Iran causes 'extensive' damage to Qatar gas hub, sparks Trump warning • FRANCE 24 English - YouTube
## Excerpt
Qatar reported "extensive" damage on Thursday to the site of the world's largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility following Iranian strikes, sparking fea...
VIDEO - (1) Israel kills Iran's intel minister, as regime hits energy facilities in Qatar and Saudi Arabia - YouTube
(1) Israel kills Iran's intel minister, as regime hits energy facilities in Qatar and Saudi Arabia - YouTube
## Excerpt
There are signs the U.S. and Israel's war on Iran is only widening. Major energy facilities have been hit by Iranian drones in Qatar and Saudi Arabia, while ...
VIDEO - (1) Joe Kent Reveals All in First Interview Since Resigning as Trump’s Counterterrorism Director - YouTube
(1) Joe Kent Reveals All in First Interview Since Resigning as Trump’s Counterterrorism Director - YouTube
## Excerpt
Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.
VIDEO - (1) Trump 'I Do Believe I'll Be Having the Honor of Taking Cuba' - YouTube
(1) Trump: 'I Do Believe I'll Be Having the Honor of Taking Cuba' - YouTube
## Excerpt
President Trump said at the White House that he believes he could have the “honor” of taking Cuba. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump remarked t...
VIDEO - (1) Trump slams NATO allies over Strait of Hormuz response - YouTube
(1) Trump slams NATO allies over Strait of Hormuz response - YouTube
## Excerpt
Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.
VIDEO - (1) Trump Teases Mystery Ex-President Who Praised His Iran Move - YouTube
(1) Trump Teases Mystery Ex-President Who Praised His Iran Move - YouTube
## Excerpt
President Trump said he recently spoke with a former U.S. president who told him, “I wish I did what you did” regarding the war with Iran, but declined to re...
VIDEO - (1) US Postal Service expects to run out of cash in 2027 without help from Congress, postmaster says - YouTube
(1) US Postal Service expects to run out of cash in 2027 without help from Congress, postmaster says - YouTube
## Excerpt
The U.S. Postal Service is on track to run out of cash within a year unless Congress lets it borrow more, according to Postmaster General David Steiner.
VIDEO - (1) US-Iran war Trump is struggling to find an exit from the conflict - YouTube
(1) US-Iran war: Trump is struggling to find an exit from the conflict - YouTube
## Excerpt
U.S. President Donald Trump promised a quick victory when he launched his war on Iran, but his stated goals for the conflict have frequently changed and ther...
VIDEO - Bill Gurley on AI bubble A bunch of people got rich quick and a reset is coming
VIDEO - BMG sues Anthropic for using Bruno Mars, Rolling Stones lyrics in AI training
BMG sues Anthropic for using Bruno Mars, Rolling Stones lyrics in AI training
## Excerpt
Music company BMG Rights Management has sued artificial intelligence company Anthropic in California federal court for allegedly using its copyrighted lyrics...
VIDEO - Meta will pay Instagram, TikTok and YouTube stars to post on Facebook
Meta will pay Instagram, TikTok and YouTube stars to post on Facebook
## Excerpt
Meta is offering monthly guaranteed pay and boosted reach for creators to start posting on Facebook's Reels.
VIDEO - Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang says OpenClaw is ‘definitely the next ChatGPT’
VIDEO - Political Strategist James Carville Predicts When Donald Trump Will Quit Presidency
Political Strategist James Carville Predicts When Donald Trump Will Quit Presidency
## Excerpt
The former Bill Clinton strategist thinks Trump won’t finish out his term.
VIDEO - Roseanne on North Sea nexus
VIDEO - Stubbe says NATO should take Trump seriously
VIDEO - team venezuela praising JEsus and God
(4) Jon Root on X: "“God is good! All the glory is for the Lord Jesus… We have to glory [Him]! Put His name in front of every team!” - Team Venezuela 3B Eugenio Suárez after wining the #WorldBaseballClassic Championship https://t.co/0B6CQqjMJF" / X
## Excerpt
Live on X
