The 2026 conflict between the US/Israel and Iran was supposedly started to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon capability. The nuclear weapon threat could be curtailed through destruction of the related systems (thereby removing the capability) or by causing regime change (thereby removing the intent). This episode is the 2nd episode in a 4-part series on Iran. It considers whether going to war over the nuclear threat is "ethical" or a "Just" cause for war - under the 'Laws of War' or 'Just War Theory'. The 'legal' reasons for going to war are detailed, along with a deep review of Iran's nuclear capabilities. One must also consider that Iran's proxy wars and state-sponsored terrorism are justification for going war, but that is covered in part 3 of this series on Iran. The actual conduct of the war is covered in part 4 of this series.

The 2026 conflict between the US/Israel and Iran has a long history, arguably traceable to the mid-20th century. This multi-part series looks at how Iran was shaped over millennia to become the force it is today; the roots of the modern day conflict; the key issues (Iranian anti-West behavior [through proxies too], its nuclear program, state-sponsored terrorism, and its oppressive regime); analysis of the current conflict, and concludes with a look to the future. This first episode takes us through Iran's history with a focus on the last 100 years and how that shaped Iran to be anti-West.

The 2026 Winter Olympics are over and only one openly transgender athlete competed - Elis Lundholm. Elis was born as a female, identifies as a man, and competed in women's skiing (finishing 25th). Thus, the recent winter Olympics did not have to deal with criticism over biological males identifying as women and competing in women's categories. However, this issue remains a feature of many sports and will certainly feature in the next summer Olympics. This podcast episode concludes a two-part series looking at the issues around gender in sports.