The Team House

From Iraq’s Chaos to the Frontlines Against ISIS with the YPG | Dan Meally | Ep. 405

Dan Meally shares his journey from a chaotic early career in the British Army to deploying in Iraq, where tactical successes often clashed with strategic failure. He later recounts fighting ISIS alongside Kurdish forces in Syria, offering a raw look at modern combat, unit culture, and the realities on the ground. The conversation also explores the long-term impact of war and the challenges of coming home.Today's Sponsors:GhostBed⬇️https://www.ghostbed.com/houseFOR 10% off! Blue Chew ⬇️https://bluechew.com/Get 1 month free when you buy 2 of BlueChew Gold with code "HOUSECALL"Mars Men⬇️For a limited time, our listeners get 50% off FOR LIFE, Free Shipping, AND 3 Free Gifts at Mars Men at https://mengotomars.com/-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------For ad free video and audio and access to live streams and Eyes On Geopolitics...JOIN OUR PATREON! https://www.patreon.com/c/TheTeamHouseTo help support the show and for all bonus content including:-live shows and asking guest questions -ad free audio and video-early access to shows-Access to ALL bonus segments with our guestsSubscribe to our Patreon! ⬇️https://www.patreon.com/TheTeamHouseSupport the show here:⬇️https://www.patreon.com/TheTeamHouse___________________________________________________PRE ORDER JACK'S NEW BOOK "THE MOST DANGEROUS MAN" ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/803651/the-most-dangerous-man-by-jack-murphy/paperback/Subscribe to the new EYES ON podcast here:⬇️https://www.youtube.com/@EyesOnGeopoliticsPod/featured__________________________________Jack Murphy's new book "We Defy: The Lost Chapters of Special Forces History" ⬇️https://www.amazon.com/We-Defy-Chapters-Special-History-ebook/dp/B0DCGC1N1N/——————————————————————Or make a one time donation at: ⬇️https://ko-fi.com/theteamhouseSocial Media: ⬇️The Team House Instagram:https://instagram.com/the.team.house?utm_medium=copy_linkThe Team House Twitter:https://twitter.com/TheTeamHousePodJack’s Instagram:https://instagram.com/jackmcmurph?utm_medium=copy_linkJack’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/jackmurphyrgr?s=21Dave’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/dave_parke?s=21Team House Discord: ⬇️https://discord.gg/wHFHYM6SubReddit: ⬇️https://www.reddit.com/r/TheTeamHouse/Jack Murphy's memoir "Murphy's Law" can be found here:⬇️ https://www.amazon.com/Murphys-Law-Journey-Investigative-Journalist/dp/1501191241The Team Room Reading Room (Amazon Affiliate links):⬇️ https://jackmurphywrites.com/the-team-room-reading-room/Intro music by https://www.youtube.com/user/RemixSample"Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio"00:00 — Start00:30 — Dan Meally Intro (British Army → YPG → Syria)02:00 — Rough Childhood & Joining the Army04:30 — Color Blindness & Infantry Entry Story07:00 — Basic Training & Early Army Culture10:00 — Drugs, Discipline & Dysfunctional Unit13:00 — Belize Jungle Deployment & Signals Chaos17:00 — Heat Casualty & Carrying Full Kit Load21:00 — Northern Ireland Riot Training Gets Violent25:00 — Volunteering for Iraq28:00 — Basra Deployment & Equipment Failures32:00 — Massive Ambush on British Convoy36:00 — Casualties & Friendly Fire Incident42:00 — Why Iraq Was a Strategic Failure55:00 — Afghanistan Deployment & ANA Chaos01:20:00 — Transition Out & Decision to Go to Syria01:35:00 — Joining the YPG & Foreign Fighters01:50:00 — Combat Against ISIS & Frontline Reality02:05:00 — Airpower, Drones & Fighting ISIS02:25:00 — ISIS Assault & Holding the Line Overnight02:40:00 — Sniping, Firefights & Killing ISIS Fighters02:55:00 — End of Tour & Reflections on WarBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-team-house--5960890/support.

The Global Economic Fallout: Week 5 Iran War | EYES ON GEOPOLITICS

In this episode, Nick Trickett, an energy market expert, discusses the current geopolitical and economic impacts of the ongoing energy crisis, including oil, natural gas, and renewable energy trends, and their implications for global markets and US policy.Find Nick here:https://sictransitiongloria.substack.com/https://uk.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-trickett-54b41634https://x.com/ntrickett16Support the show on Patreon:⬇️https://www.patreon.com/TheTeamHouseSubscribe to our new newsletter!!!!https://teamhousepodcast.kit.com/joinFind Jon Hackett here:⬇️Jon's books:https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0C5L659N5?ccs_id=e11a2062-f8d3-498e-bfd7-7d2f3869caf6Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thejonathanhackettTwitter: https://x.com/jonathanhackettCheck out Mick's new podcast here:⬇️Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/at/podcast/pub-and-porch-applied-stoicism/id1836955475Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/1k3QPmkAMwnGJxMLDwUSSd?si=n6piIu8XRcag1Z0K43A3bQYoutube:https://www.youtube.com/@UCd0Hq6QFk8CoTu5j-VU0Ong Find Mick Mulroy here: Fogbow ⬇️https://fogbow.com/Lobo Institute ⬇️https://www.loboinstitute.org/Twitter ⬇️https://x.com/mickmulroy?s=21&t=-Ze3F_Ix2vlJ18KFvORTCALinkedIn ⬇️https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-patrick-mulroy-31198b52/Bluesky ⬇️https://bsky.app/profile/mickmulroy.bsky.socialMick’s publications ⬇️https://www.loboinstitute.org/publications/publications-of-michael-mick-patrick-mulroy/Find Marc P here:https://x.com/MpolymerFind Andy Milburn here: Twitter ⬇️https://twitter.com/i/flow/login?redirect_after_login=%2Fandymilburn8LinkedIn ⬇️https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewmilburn2023Substack ⬇️https://amilburn.substack.com/Andy’s book ⬇️https://www.amazon.com/When-Tempest-Gathers-Mogadishu-OperationsBluesky ⬇️https://bsky.app/profile/andy-milburn.bsky.socialFind Jason Lyons here: LinkedIn ⬇️https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-lyons-666873316?uBluesky ⬇️https://bsky.app/profile/bgsilverback73.bsky.social"Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio"00:00 Start01:24 Current State of the S&P 500 and Market Resilience02:51 Oil Supply Chain Vulnerabilities and Global Impact09:36 Shifts in Energy Demand and the Rise of EVs14:55 Maritime Security and Insurance Implications17:21 Peak Oil Demand vs. Peak Oil Supply20:48 Impact on the U.S. Economy and Energy Prices25:16 Potential Effects of Iran's Economic Reopening28:41 Long-term Economic Damage and Energy Security31:12 Strategic Energy Politics and China's Position34:02 Strategic Partnerships and Global Dynamics36:10 Impact of Economic Policies on Bond Markets38:28 The State of the Iranian Economy and Global Oil Supply39:56 Tracking Economic Indicators and Commodity Markets42:08 The Future of Russia's Economy and Military Production48:14 Navigating Economic Uncertainty and Investment StrategiesBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-team-house--5960890/support.

The Houthis Have Entered the Chat - Week 5 (Iran War) | EYES ON GEOPOLITICS

A fast-moving breakdown of the expanding war with Iran, including U.S. and Israeli strikes, the closing of the Strait of Hormuz, and what a possible ground operation could look like. The discussion covers whether tactical military success is translating into strategic gains, the risks of escalation, and the political and military decision-making driving the conflict.Support the show on Patreon:⬇️https://www.patreon.com/TheTeamHouseSubscribe to our new newsletter!!!!https://teamhousepodcast.kit.com/joinWhitefish Security Summit ⬇️https://whitefishsecuritysummit.com/Find Jon Hackett here:⬇️Jon's books:https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0C5L659N5?ccs_id=e11a2062-f8d3-498e-bfd7-7d2f3869caf6Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thejonathanhackettTwitter: https://x.com/jonathanhackettCheck out Mick's new podcast here:⬇️Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/at/podcast/pub-and-porch-applied-stoicism/id1836955475Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/1k3QPmkAMwnGJxMLDwUSSd?si=n6piIu8XRcag1Z0K43A3bQYoutube:https://www.youtube.com/@UCd0Hq6QFk8CoTu5j-VU0Ong Find Mick Mulroy here: Fogbow ⬇️https://fogbow.com/Lobo Institute ⬇️https://www.loboinstitute.org/Twitter ⬇️https://x.com/mickmulroy?s=21&t=-Ze3F_Ix2vlJ18KFvORTCALinkedIn ⬇️https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-patrick-mulroy-31198b52/Bluesky ⬇️https://bsky.app/profile/mickmulroy.bsky.socialMick’s publications ⬇️https://www.loboinstitute.org/publications/publications-of-michael-mick-patrick-mulroy/Find Marc P here:https://x.com/MpolymerFind Andy Milburn here: Twitter ⬇️https://twitter.com/i/flow/login?redirect_after_login=%2Fandymilburn8LinkedIn ⬇️https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewmilburn2023Substack ⬇️https://amilburn.substack.com/Andy’s book ⬇️https://www.amazon.com/When-Tempest-Gathers-Mogadishu-OperationsBluesky ⬇️https://bsky.app/profile/andy-milburn.bsky.socialFind Jason Lyons here: LinkedIn ⬇️https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-lyons-666873316?uBluesky ⬇️https://bsky.app/profile/bgsilverback73.bsky.social"Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio"00:00 — Start01:30 — Drone strikes hit Saudi bases and the Houthis escalate02:07 — Have the U.S. and Israel already met their military objectives?04:32 — Is there any real off-ramp or ceasefire path with Iran?05:48 — Why Iran won’t trust negotiations08:14 — Ground troops signal: MU movement and what it could mean10:07 — Are CENTCOM and U.S. leadership reacting instead of planning?14:36 — Why this war was always likely to escalate beyond airstrikes18:00 — Civilian leadership vs military advice: who owns the strategy?27:18 — Karg Island and the risks of a prolonged ground operation32:00 — Why taking Karg Island may not solve the real problem39:14 — Veteran backlash and why support for this war is weak43:48 — Did early strikes kill the wrong Iranian leaders?45:06 — “You can’t plan a war on a napkin”50:00 — Event contracts, prediction markets, and war forecasting54:45 — U.S. vs Israeli strategy: regime pressure vs regime changeBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-team-house--5960890/support.

Operation Red Wings: What Actually Happened | Ed Darack & Ross Schneiderman | Ep. 404

This episode features in-depth discussions with journalists Ed Darack and Ross Schneiderman on Operation Red Wings, exploring the mission's planning, execution, and the myths surrounding it. Gain insights into military decision-making, communication failures, and the importance of accurate reporting. This in-depth interview with Ed Darack and Ross Schneiderman unpacks the complexities, myths, and realities of Operation Red Wings, exploring the tactical details, misperceptions, and lessons learned from this pivotal military event.Ed's websitehttp://opredwings.com/Politico articlehttps://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2026/03/20/operation-red-wings-lone-survivor-luttrell-00833548Today's Sponsors:GhostBed⬇️https://www.ghostbed.com/houseFOR 10% off! Blue Chew ⬇️https://bluechew.com/Get 1 month free when you buy 2 of BlueChew Gold with code "HOUSECALL"Wild Alaskan Company⬇️https://wildalaskan.com/HOUSE Get $35 off your first order!Good Ranchers ⬇️https://www.goodranchers.com/Get $25 off your first order with the code "HOUSE"-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------For ad free video and audio and access to live streams and Eyes On Geopolitics...JOIN OUR PATREON! https://www.patreon.com/c/TheTeamHouseTo help support the show and for all bonus content including:-live shows and asking guest questions -ad free audio and video-early access to shows-Access to ALL bonus segments with our guestsSubscribe to our Patreon! ⬇️https://www.patreon.com/TheTeamHouseSupport the show here:⬇️https://www.patreon.com/TheTeamHouse___________________________________________________PRE ORDER JACK'S NEW BOOK "THE MOST DANGEROUS MAN" ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/803651/the-most-dangerous-man-by-jack-murphy/paperback/Subscribe to the new EYES ON podcast here:⬇️https://www.youtube.com/@EyesOnGeopoliticsPod/featured__________________________________Jack Murphy's new book "We Defy: The Lost Chapters of Special Forces History" ⬇️https://www.amazon.com/We-Defy-Chapters-Special-History-ebook/dp/B0DCGC1N1N/——————————————————————Or make a one time donation at: ⬇️https://ko-fi.com/theteamhouseSocial Media: ⬇️The Team House Instagram:https://instagram.com/the.team.house?utm_medium=copy_linkThe Team House Twitter:https://twitter.com/TheTeamHousePodJack’s Instagram:https://instagram.com/jackmcmurph?utm_medium=copy_linkJack’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/jackmurphyrgr?s=21Dave’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/dave_parke?s=21Team House Discord: ⬇️https://discord.gg/wHFHYM6SubReddit: ⬇️https://www.reddit.com/r/TheTeamHouse/Jack Murphy's memoir "Murphy's Law" can be found here:⬇️ https://www.amazon.com/Murphys-Law-Journey-Investigative-Journalist/dp/1501191241The Team Room Reading Room (Amazon Affiliate links):⬇️ https://jackmurphywrites.com/the-team-room-reading-room/Intro music by https://www.youtube.com/user/RemixSample"Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio"00:00 — Start02:00 — How Ross & Ed teamed up and started re-reporting Red Wings06:00 — The “Red Wings misinformation” problem and evolving narratives08:00 — Memory vs reality: how the movie shaped what people think happened10:00 — SEAL community silence, moral injury, and buried truth14:30 — What was “held inside”: doubts about Lone Survivor’s accuracy18:00 — The Lone Survivor book: White House involvement & narrative shaping22:00 — Hollywood vs reality: how myths about the war were created25:00 — Mission planning failures: Marines vs SEALs concept of the operation30:00 — Why the plan changed: ISR limits, frustration, and the 4-man team decision34:00 — Command & control problems and lack of joint integration38:00 — No real QRF: confusion between units, aircraft, and responsibilities42:00 — The helicopter shootdown and ad hoc rescue attempt57:00 — The ambush: terrain disadvantage and what actually happened01:02:00 — Enemy force size: myth vs reality (small element, not hundreds)01:08:00 — Apache response controversy and breakdown in coordination01:12:00 — What the battle video actually shows (and what’s false online)01:18:00 — Timeline reconstruction: SIGINT, video, and primary sources01:24:00 — Broader impact: misinformation, trust, and military credibility01:31:00 — Lessons learned: Tillman, Jessica Lynch, and institutional trust01:33:00 — Final thoughts: why the real story never needed embellishmentBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-team-house--5960890/support.

Tactical Success, Strategic Failure - Week 4 of the Iran War | EYES ON GEOPOLITICS

A deep dive into the escalating conflict with Iran, breaking down the military actions, economic fallout, and the growing risk of a wider regional war. The panel examines whether the U.S. has a coherent strategy—or if tactical success is masking a potential strategic failure. From oil markets to potential ground operations, this episode unpacks what happens next and why it matters.Support the show on Patreon:⬇️https://www.patreon.com/TheTeamHouseSubscribe to our new newsletter!!!!https://teamhousepodcast.kit.com/joinWhitefish Security Summit ⬇️https://whitefishsecuritysummit.com/New merch, patches, and stickers! ⬇️https://theteamhouse-shop.fourthwall.comCheck out Mick's new podcast here:⬇️Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/at/podcast/pub-and-porch-applied-stoicism/id1836955475Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/1k3QPmkAMwnGJxMLDwUSSd?si=n6piIu8XRcag1Z0K43A3bQYoutube:https://www.youtube.com/@UCd0Hq6QFk8CoTu5j-VU0Ong Find Mick Mulroy here: Fogbow ⬇️https://fogbow.com/Lobo Institute ⬇️https://www.loboinstitute.org/Twitter ⬇️https://x.com/mickmulroy?s=21&t=-Ze3F_Ix2vlJ18KFvORTCALinkedIn ⬇️https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-patrick-mulroy-31198b52/Bluesky ⬇️https://bsky.app/profile/mickmulroy.bsky.socialMick’s publications ⬇️https://www.loboinstitute.org/publications/publications-of-michael-mick-patrick-mulroy/Find Marc P here:https://x.com/MpolymerFind Andy Milburn here: Twitter ⬇️https://twitter.com/i/flow/login?redirect_after_login=%2Fandymilburn8LinkedIn ⬇️https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewmilburn2023Substack ⬇️https://amilburn.substack.com/Andy’s book ⬇️https://www.amazon.com/When-Tempest-Gathers-Mogadishu-OperationsBluesky ⬇️https://bsky.app/profile/andy-milburn.bsky.socialFind Jason Lyons here: LinkedIn ⬇️https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-lyons-666873316?uBluesky ⬇️https://bsky.app/profile/bgsilverback73.bsky.social"Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio"00:00 — Start: Iran crisis, oil sanctions lifted, and 48-hour ultimatum02:30 — Iran winning economically: oil prices, sanctions, and global impact06:00 — From military war to economic warfare: risks of escalation08:30 — Expanding the battlefield: Hormuz vs Bab al-Mandab & global trade choke points12:00 — Houthi threat explained: Red Sea strategy and shipping risks16:00 — No clear strategy: military success vs strategic failure20:00 — Marines, MUs, and the reality of opening the Strait of Hormuz25:00 — Intelligence failures: “imminent threat” debate and decision-making30:00 — Political fallout: Joe Kent, media narratives, and U.S. public opinion38:00 — Veteran backlash: Iraq/Afghanistan parallels and growing skepticism48:00 — Ground war scenarios: securing nuclear material and mission risks58:00 — Inside a Marine deployment: what troops are thinking heading into conflict01:05:00 — Combat reality vs hindsight: reflections from Iraq & AfghanistanBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-team-house--5960890/support.