Breaking Battlegrounds

Could President Trump bring Iran's regime to its knees without firing another missile? And is America overlooking one of its most powerful weapons against Tehran?
In this special edition of Breaking Battlegrounds, Chuck Warren sits down with Miad Maleki, Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) and former senior executive at the U.S. Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), for an inside look at the economic warfare targeting America's greatest adversaries.
Having helped design and implement major U.S. sanctions campaigns, including Trump's maximum pressure strategy against Iran, Maleki explains how Washington can freeze assets, cut off access to the U.S. dollar, and financially isolate hostile regimes. But are sanctions actually working, or are Russia, China, and Iran finding new ways around them?
Maleki makes the case that another war with Iran could actually strengthen the regime's grip on power. He argues that Tehran thrives on conflict, using war to justify domestic repression and distract from economic failures. Rather than launching new military strikes or rushing into another deal, he explains why sustained sanctions and economic pressure could force the Iranian leadership to confront its own internal crisis.
The conversation also examines the dangerous consequences of a nuclear-armed Iran, the regime's missile and drone capabilities, its threats to Israel and Gulf nations, and Maleki's concerns about potential Iranian military capabilities reaching Venezuela and threatening American security.
Finally, Maleki exposes Iran's shadow fleet, a network of aging oil tankers using deceptive shipping practices to transport sanctioned oil. He outlines his proposal to bring these vessels out of the shadows, disrupt Tehran's illicit oil revenue, and turn one of Iran's sanctions-evasion tools against the regime itself.
Can Trump defeat Iran's economic war machine without another full-scale military conflict? And what happens if the United States fails to stop Tehran before it acquires nuclear weapons?
Miad Maleki is a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and former Treasury-OFAC executive who oversaw financial sanctions and investigations across dozens of U.S. sanctions programs.
Follow on X: @miadmaleki
Breaking Battlegrounds, hosted by Sam Stone and Chuck Warren, is ranked #6 among the Best Arizona News Podcasts by Feedspot (2026). Covering Arizona politics, national news, U.S. elections, public policy, and political commentary, Breaking Battlegrounds features interviews and discussions with influential voices shaping today's political landscape.
Source: Feedspot's Best Arizona News Podcasts
Catch Breaking Battlegrounds live on 960 AM in Phoenix every Saturday at 9:00 AM, with full episodes and exclusive podcast-only segments dropping every Friday wherever you get your podcasts.
Stay connected:
• Substack: @breakingbattlegrounds
• Website: breakingbattlegrounds.vote
• News: breakingbattlegrounds.news
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We are one of the top 2.5% most popular shows out of 3,779,399 podcasts globally.

The 2026 election delivered a warning to Republicans. Why did GOP voters stay home, why did others cross party lines, and what will it take to win them back? On Breaking Battlegrounds, Chuck Warren digs into the election fallout, the cost-of-living squeeze, Washington's next moves, and America's AI future. Featuring Cory J. Ruth, John Rogers, Jonathan Wilcox, and Gary Gygi, plus a disturbing Arizona case on B’s Crime Corner.
Republican political strategist, economist, and Mergence Global CEO Cory J. Ruth challenges familiar narratives about Black America with data on wealth, homeownership, and economic opportunity. He explains why he considers Black America an emerging market, discusses the rise of Black governors and senators, and looks at what Republicans must do to reach Black middle-class voters.
Instagram: @officialcoryruth
X: @coryjruth
Book: Double Click: What the Numbers Really Say About Black America (preorder fall 2026; releases June 2027)
In B’s Crime Corner, B recounts the disturbing investigation into Stephen Gore’s Biological Resource Center near 24th Street and University in Phoenix. Families donated loved ones’ remains believing they would support medical research, only for investigators to uncover disturbing storage and dismemberment practices, the sale of human body parts, and questions about returned ashes. Chuck and B discuss the case and Gore’s legal consequences.
John Rogers, Executive Director of America First Works and former NRCC Executive Director, breaks down why Republicans lost despite favorable early-vote numbers. Rogers examines GOP turnout, voters’ household finances, missed messaging around Trump policies, and what conservatives need to change before 2028.
X: @itsjohnroger
Website: https://americafirstworks.com
Jonathan Wilcox, Chief of Staff to Congressman Darrell Issa, offers an inside look at Congress during a changing of the guard, the Republican messaging failures that cost votes, and whether Democrats will prioritize affordability or investigations of Trump. He also reveals what a congressional chief of staff actually does.
X: @wilcoxfiles
Gary Gygi, President and CEO of Gygi Capital, explains why strong economic headlines don't match what families feel at home. He tackles inflation, federal debt, the Iran conflict, and the stakes of America falling behind China in artificial intelligence, including the fight over AI data centers and nuclear power.
X: @GaryGygi
Website: https://gygicapital.com
Catch Breaking Battlegrounds live on 960 AM in Phoenix every Saturday at 9:00 AM, with full episodes and exclusive podcast-only segments dropping every Friday wherever you get your podcasts.
Stay connected:
• Substack: @breakingbattlegrounds
• Website: breakingbattlegrounds.vote
• News: breakingbattlegrounds.news
• X: @breaking_battle
• Instagram: @breakingbattlegrounds
• Facebook: Breaking Battlegrounds
We are one of the top 2.5% most popular shows out of 3,779,399 podcasts globally.
Breaking Battlegrounds, hosted by Sam Stone and Chuck Warren, is ranked #6 among the Best Arizona News Podcasts by Feedspot (2026). Covering Arizona politics, national news, U.S. elections, public policy, and political commentary, Breaking Battlegrounds features interviews and discussions with influential voices shaping today's political landscape.
Source: Feedspot's Best Arizona News Podcasts

This week on Breaking Battlegrounds Seth Keshel, Seth Leibsohn, Joel Pollak, & Gary Gygi join to discuss election predictions, the battle for Congress, Trump's political future, media bias, Scott Adams' legacy, & America's economic outlook.
Seth Keshel, former Army Military Intelligence Captain, Afghanistan veteran, & author, breaks down why he believes polling is getting the 2026 midterms wrong. He examines Republican turnout, election integrity, prediction markets, and key Senate races in Arizona, Texas, Alaska, and Kansas. Could Republicans outperform expectations and hold the Senate?
Book: The American War on Election Corruption
Substack: Captain K's Corner | CaptainK.us
X: @RealSKeshel
B’s Crime Corner takes an unexpected turn when B shares her own wild encounter with a javelina! While also covering the disappearance of Arizona woman Shayna Feinman and the mistaken identification of a woman found in Tijuana, Mexico.
Seth Leibsohn, host of The Seth Leibsohn Show, author, & Senior Fellow at the Claremont Institute, discusses what a Democratic takeover of Congress could mean for President Trump. From impeachment investigations and the Iran war to media credibility, affordability, and cultural battles over DEI and gender policies, Leibsohn examines what's at stake in the midterms.
X: @SethLeibsohn & @960AMThePatriot
Joel Pollak, Opinion Editor at the California Post and co-host of 3 Homeless Guys, shares the story of Dilbert creator Scott Adams and his influence on Donald Trump. Pollak discusses Adams' prediction of Trump's 2016 victory, his philosophy of building a "talent stack," and revelations from his new biography.
Book: Scott Adams: A Life of Purpose and Principle
Book website: ScotAdamsBook.com
X: @joelpollak
California Post: californiapost.com
Gary Gygi, President & CEO of Gygi Capital, explains why America's federal debt, rising interest payments, and government spending threaten long-term economic stability. He also discusses inflation, the Iran war's impact on energy prices, AI investment, and whether economic growth can continue.
X: @GaryGygi
Website: gygicapital.com
Catch Breaking Battlegrounds live on 960 AM in Phoenix every Saturday at 9:00 AM, with full episodes and exclusive podcast-only segments dropping every Friday wherever you get your podcasts.
Stay connected:
• Substack: @breakingbattlegrounds
• Website: breakingbattlegrounds.vote
• News: breakingbattlegrounds.news
• X: @breaking_battle
• Instagram: @breakingbattlegrounds
• Facebook: Breaking Battlegrounds
We are one of the top 2.5% most popular shows out of 3,779,399 podcasts globally.
Breaking Battlegrounds, hosted by Sam Stone and Chuck Warren, is ranked #6 among the Best Arizona News Podcasts by Feedspot (2026). Covering Arizona politics, national news, U.S. elections, public policy, and political commentary, Breaking Battlegrounds features interviews and discussions with influential voices shaping today's political landscape.
Source: Feedspot's Best Arizona News Podcasts

Host Chuck Warren welcomes Thomas Grove, Senator Jon Husted, Darla Romfo, and Arizona Representative Pamela Carter for conversations on foreign policy, national security, education, and legislation affecting American families.
Thomas Grove, The Wall Street Journal’s Bureau Chief for Russia, joins Chuck to discuss a mysterious death at a Russian laboratory, the release of American prisoner Stephen Hubbard, and what Putin’s latest moves mean for Ukraine. Grove examines Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure, the threat of another European refugee crisis, U.S.-Russia energy negotiations, and Putin’s proposed summit with Trump and Xi Jinping.
Follow on X: @tggrove
Read his reporting: https://www.wsj.com/news/author/thomas-grove
B’s Crime Corner revisits the disappearance of Florida mother Michelle Parker, who vanished in 2011 on the same day her appearance on The People's Court aired. B examines her dispute with her former fiancé, the investigation, and the developments discussed in the case nearly 15 years later.
Senator Jon Husted, U.S. Senator from Ohio, discusses his proposal to protect college athletic opportunities for American students, legislation to prevent data centers from driving up household electricity costs, and his effort to restrict driver's licenses for immigrants living in the country illegally. He also explains his Upward Mobility Act, the welfare benefits cliff, and why he believes America's future depends on rejecting socialism.
Follow on X & Instagram: @senjonhusted
Campaign X: @teamhusted
Website: https://www.jonhustedforsenate.com
Darla Romfo, President and COO of the Children’s Scholarship Fund, explains how private school scholarships are changing outcomes for low-income students. She discusses the Trump administration’s Education Freedom Tax Credit Scholarship Program beginning in 2027, opposition to school choice, and why empowering parents could transform American education.
Website: https://scholarshipfund.org
Follow on X: @CSFNational
Arizona Representative Pamela Carter, representing Legislative District 4 and running for reelection, discusses five bills signed into law, including Cade’s Law, protections against the sexual extortion of minors, expanded Lemon Law coverage for leased vehicles, and tax relief for deployed military families. She also addresses Arizona school choice, public safety, water, and energy costs.
Facebook: Pamela Carter AZ
X: @pamelacarter888
Website: https://pamelacarter.com
Catch Breaking Battlegrounds live on 960 AM in Phoenix every Saturday at 9:00 AM, with full episodes and exclusive podcast-only segments dropping every Friday wherever you get your podcasts.
Stay connected:
• Substack: @breakingbattlegrounds
• Website: breakingbattlegrounds.vote
• News: breakingbattlegrounds.news
• X: @breaking_battle
• Instagram: @breakingbattlegrounds
• Facebook: Breaking Battlegrounds
We are one of the top 2.5% most popular shows out of 3,779,399 podcasts globally.
Breaking Battlegrounds, hosted by Sam Stone and Chuck Warren, is ranked #6 among the Best Arizona News Podcasts by Feedspot (2026). Covering Arizona politics, national news, U.S. elections, public policy, and political commentary, Breaking Battlegrounds features interviews and discussions with influential voices shaping today's political landscape.
Source: Feedspot's Best Arizona News Podcasts

This week on Breaking Battlegrounds, hosts Chuck Warren and Sam Stone tackle the collapse of the American family, Trump's beef import policy, election integrity, the SAVE Act, inflation, rising gas prices, and the future of the American economy with Delano Squires, Congressman Troy Downing, Derek Monson, and Gary Gygi.
Delano Squires, Director of the Richard and Helen DeVos Center for Human Flourishing at The Heritage Foundation and author, examines the decline of marriage and fatherhood in America, particularly in the Black community. He discusses how welfare policies and second-wave feminism reshaped family structures, why Democrats have moved away from conversations about marriage, and a Trump administration proposal to provide childcare funding to married stay-at-home-parent households.
Follow on X & Instagram: @DelanoSquires
Check out his book: The Vanishing Black Family: How Welfare and Feminism Made Marriage Optional and Children Vulnerable
B's Crime Corner investigates the disturbing Eugene Horsch case in Philadelphia. What began with an illegally parked BMW and a woman pleading for help led investigators missing women, a forensic sewer search for human remains, and disturbing digital evidence connected to the property previously owned by Horsch's father.
Congressman Troy Downing, U.S. Representative for Montana's 2nd Congressional District, former Montana State Auditor, and U.S. Air Force combat veteran, shares how 9/11 inspired him to enlist and serve two tours in Afghanistan. He discusses the American Dream, housing affordability, Montana water rights, and Trump's beef import policy. Downing explains why an effort to lower grocery prices could unintentionally hurt American cattle ranchers and threaten future beef supplies.
Facebook: Congressman Troy Downing
X & Instagram: @RepTroyDowning
Campaign X: @DowningForMT
Derek Monson, Executive Director at Sutherland Institute, joins for a discussion about election integrity, the SAVE Act, voter ID, mail-in ballots, voter registration databases, and election security. They examine whether federal election mandates could undermine state-run systems, how Arizona and Utah protect their elections, and what reforms could strengthen voter confidence.
Website: sutherlandinstitute.org
Follow on X: @SutherlandInst
Gary Gygi, President and CEO of Gygi Capital, breaks down the latest inflation report, rising gasoline and diesel prices, the impact of the Iran war on energy costs, and America's refining capacity. He also discusses the AI-driven economy, diversified investing, index funds, and Elon Musk's flying-car ambitions.
Follow on X: @GaryGygi
Website: gygicapital.com
Catch Breaking Battlegrounds live on 960 AM in Phoenix every Saturday at 9:00 AM, with full episodes and exclusive podcast-only segments dropping every Friday wherever you get your podcasts.
Stay connected:
• Substack: @breakingbattlegrounds
• Website: breakingbattlegrounds.vote
• News: breakingbattlegrounds.news
• X: @breaking_battle
• Instagram: @breakingbattlegrounds
• Facebook: Breaking Battlegrounds
We are one of the top 2.5% most popular shows out of 3,779,399 podcasts globally.
Breaking Battlegrounds, hosted by Sam Stone and Chuck Warren, is ranked #6 among the Best Arizona News Podcasts by Feedspot (2026). Covering Arizona politics, national news, U.S. elections, public policy, and political commentary, Breaking Battlegrounds features interviews and discussions with influential voices shaping today's political landscape.
Source: Feedspot's Best Arizona News Podcasts