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War Desk

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War Desk is an AI-native investigative series built to track the real risk of global war. With thousands of military reports, declassified government testimony, intelligence assessments, and verified conflict data now publicly available, the volume of information exceeds what any traditional newsroom can process. AI can.

This series leverages artificial intelligence at every layer of production. From custom-built architecture that ingests and cross-references thousands of primary source documents, to AI-generated audio that delivers findings in a consistent, accessible format, War Desk represents a new model for geopolitical journalism. What would take a team of defense analysts months to compile, AI can process in days, surfacing patterns, contradictions, and connections across theaters that would otherwise remain buried across separate headlines.


Each episode draws directly from primary sources: Department of Defense force posture statements, IAEA safeguards reports, Congressional testimony, think tank assessments from CSIS, RAND, and ISW, declassified intelligence estimates, and verified conflict databases. The AI architecture identifies relevant findings, cross-references claims across sources, and synthesizes them into episodes that make this information accessible to the public.

The series covers the five active flashpoints that could escalate to major war: the U.S.-Iran confrontation, the Russia-Ukraine war, the Taiwan Strait, the Korean Peninsula, and the global alliance structures that connect them. It examines the military deployments, the nuclear timelines, the economic consequences, and the decisions being made by specific people in specific rooms.


This is not sensationalized content. It is not political commentary. It is documented fact, processed at scale, and presented with journalistic rigor. The goal is simple: give the public the same quality of threat assessment that governments produce internally.

War Desk is politically neutral by design. Every side's claims are sourced and attributed. Adversarial media is labeled. No spin. No speculation. Every source for every episode is published at wardesk.fm so listeners can verify every claim themselves.

New episodes release daily, with AI enabling rapid analysis and production that keeps pace with a fast-moving geopolitical landscape. Journalistic standards guide the output. Every claim is tied to specific documents. The series clearly distinguishes between verified facts, official claims, and unresolved contradictions.


This is documented fact, processed at scale, presented for the public.

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  • 20 episodes
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  • #178
    June 10 · 28 min

    Day 103: US Bombs Iran Radar Sites During Peace Talks

    The United States launched a four-hour kinetic strike against Iranian air defense nodes in Qeshm, Sirik, and Jask while simultaneously claiming a peace deal was imminent. This escalation follows the recovery of two U.S. pilots from a downed Apache helicopter by an experimental AI-driven Corsair sea drone. President Trump successfully pressured Prime Minister Netanyahu to cancel a larger preemptive strike, highlighting the volatile mix of coercive diplomacy and military posturing currently defining the conflict. For the full record of today's events, visit nbn.fm. Sources for this episode are available at: https://nbn.fm/war-desk/episode/ep178 About War Desk War Desk is an investigative podcast using AI-assisted analysis of military intelligence, diplomatic signals, and conflict data to assess global war risk, with sources and references published on our website for verification. Subscribe to NBN's Newsletter Get new investigations, new shows, and the raw intelligence you won't find anywhere else straight to your inbox. Sign up at nbn.fm/newsletter.

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  • #177
    June 9 · 29 min

    Day 102: Hormuz Blockade Pushes Global Oil to $95

    The closure of the Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea has triggered a sharp spike in crude oil prices, creating a critical economic leverage point for Iran against global markets. While tensions escalate, the diplomatic disconnect between Israel and Iran deepens as strikes continue in Lebanon despite claims of a ceasefire. For more information, visit nbn.fm. Sources for this episode are available at: https://nbn.fm/war-desk/episode/ep177 About War Desk War Desk is an investigative podcast using AI-assisted analysis of military intelligence, diplomatic signals, and conflict data to assess global war risk, with sources and references published on our website for verification. Subscribe to NBN's Newsletter Get new investigations, new shows, and the raw intelligence you won't find anywhere else straight to your inbox. Sign up at nbn.fm/newsletter.

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  • #176
    June 8 · 22 min

    Day 101: Israel and Iran Exchange Ballistic Missiles

    Following the collapse of the April 8th ceasefire, Israel and Iran engaged in a synchronized exchange of ballistic missiles targeting strategic sites, signaling a shift toward coercive diplomacy. The episode examines how the IDF strike on Beirut forced a direct military response, testing the limits of US leverage and the stability of the regional security architecture. For full documentation and verified source materials, visit nbn.fm. Sources for this episode are available at: https://nbn.fm/war-desk/episode/ep176 About War Desk War Desk is an investigative podcast using AI-assisted analysis of military intelligence, diplomatic signals, and conflict data to assess global war risk, with sources and references published on our website for verification. Subscribe to NBN's Newsletter Get new investigations, new shows, and the raw intelligence you won't find anywhere else straight to your inbox. Sign up at nbn.fm/newsletter.

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  • #175
    June 7 · 27 min

    Day 100: April 6 Truce Fails as Kinetic War Resumes

    The fragile April 6 ceasefire has operationally collapsed across four theaters, exposing the diplomatic containment narrative as a political facade. New polling data reveals that 79% of voters report significant cost-of-living increases, while only 16% believe the ongoing conflict is being won. This episode examines the widening gap between official government rhetoric and the reality of escalating violence in Lebanon and the Strait of Hormuz. All verified documents and evidence are available at nbn.fm. Sources for this episode are available at: https://nbn.fm/war-desk/episode/ep175 About War Desk War Desk is an investigative podcast using AI-assisted analysis of military intelligence, diplomatic signals, and conflict data to assess global war risk, with sources and references published on our website for verification. Subscribe to NBN's Newsletter Get new investigations, new shows, and the raw intelligence you won't find anywhere else straight to your inbox. Sign up at nbn.fm/newsletter.

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  • #174
    June 6 · 24 min

    Day 99: $114 Oil Costs Force India to Abandon Green

    The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has sent crude prices to $114 per barrel, forcing India to pivot away from green energy infrastructure toward long-term fossil fuel reliance. This economic shift occurs as the US continues to pressure New Delhi to align its energy imports with American geopolitical interests. Meanwhile, tensions escalate as Oman negotiates transit fees with Iran, a move the US has threatened to retaliate against, potentially triggering a wider regional conflict. Verified documents and data are available at nbn.fm. Sources for this episode are available at: https://nbn.fm/war-desk/episode/ep174 About War Desk War Desk is an investigative podcast using AI-assisted analysis of military intelligence, diplomatic signals, and conflict data to assess global war risk, with sources and references published on our website for verification. Subscribe to NBN's Newsletter Get new investigations, new shows, and the raw intelligence you won't find anywhere else straight to your inbox. Sign up at nbn.fm/newsletter.

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  • #171
    June 3 · 33 min

    Day 96: US Declares Iran War

    The US State Department officially declared the conflict with Iran concluded on June 2, 2026, even as Iranian munitions struck passenger terminals in Kuwait and Bahrain. This diplomatic pivot ignores the kinetic reality of active naval combat and a total breakdown in communication between Washington and Tehran. Gulf Cooperation Council leaders have shifted their stance from supporting maximum pressure to demanding an immediate end to the conflict due to the devastating economic impact on regional energy exports. For more information, visit nbn.fm. Sources for this episode are available at: https://nbn.fm/war-desk/episode/ep171 About War Desk War Desk is an investigative podcast using AI-assisted analysis of military intelligence, diplomatic signals, and conflict data to assess global war risk, with sources and references published on our website for verification. Subscribe to NBN's Newsletter Get new investigations, new shows, and the raw intelligence you won't find anywhere else straight to your inbox. Sign up at nbn.fm/newsletter.

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  • #170
    June 2 · 32 min

    Day 95: Trump Forces Israel to Halt Beirut Strike

    President Trump intervened to block a major Israeli military operation in Beirut's Dahiya district, aiming to prevent the total collapse of critical nuclear negotiations with Iran. Meanwhile, Hezbollah successfully utilized frequency-hopping FPV drones to bypass Israeli air defenses, resulting in the death of an IDF medical officer. For the full record of documents and verified data, visit nbn.fm. Sources for this episode are available at: https://nbn.fm/war-desk/episode/ep170 About War Desk War Desk is an investigative podcast using AI-assisted analysis of military intelligence, diplomatic signals, and conflict data to assess global war risk, with sources and references published on our website for verification. Subscribe to NBN's Newsletter Get new investigations, new shows, and the raw intelligence you won't find anywhere else straight to your inbox. Sign up at nbn.fm/newsletter.

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  • #169
    June 1 · 24 min

    Day 94: Iran President Resigns After IRGC Soft Coup

    President Pezeshkian has requested to step down as the IRGC seizes unilateral control of the Iranian government, effectively collapsing ongoing diplomatic negotiations. This internal power struggle coincides with an aggressive expansion of Israeli military operations, including the occupation of strategic sites in southern Lebanon. For the full record of events from May 31, 2026, visit nbn.fm. Sources for this episode are available at: https://nbn.fm/war-desk/episode/ep169 About War Desk War Desk is an investigative podcast using AI-assisted analysis of military intelligence, diplomatic signals, and conflict data to assess global war risk, with sources and references published on our website for verification. Subscribe to NBN's Newsletter Get new investigations, new shows, and the raw intelligence you won't find anywhere else straight to your inbox. Sign up at nbn.fm/newsletter.

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  • #168
    May 31 · 30 min

    Day 93: Trump says a ceasefire extension deal with

    On May 30, 2026, Trump says a ceasefire extension deal with Iran is near, but core issues remain. Over a thousand Palestinians from Gaza held in Israeli detention without charge. Signing is the easy part: Two former US negotiators on the perils of implementing a deal with Iran. Sources for this episode are available at: https://nbn.fm/war-desk/episode/ep168 About War Desk War Desk is an investigative podcast using AI-assisted analysis of military intelligence, diplomatic signals, and conflict data to assess global war risk, with sources and references published on our website for verification. Subscribe to NBN's Newsletter Get new investigations, new shows, and the raw intelligence you won't find anywhere else straight to your inbox. Sign up at nbn.fm/newsletter.

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  • #167
    May 30 · 25 min

    Day 92: Trump Pauses Iran Deal

    President Trump declines to sign a nuclear memorandum, opting for a strategic pause that maintains economic pressure while delaying direct conflict. Meanwhile, Undersecretary of Defense Elbridge Colby hosts high-level military coordination talks at the Pentagon between Israeli and Lebanese officials to address border security frameworks. For the full record of today's events, visit nbn.fm. Sources for this episode are available at: https://nbn.fm/war-desk/episode/ep167 About War Desk War Desk is an investigative podcast using AI-assisted analysis of military intelligence, diplomatic signals, and conflict data to assess global war risk, with sources and references published on our website for verification. Subscribe to NBN's Newsletter Get new investigations, new shows, and the raw intelligence you won't find anywhere else straight to your inbox. Sign up at nbn.fm/newsletter.

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  • #165
    May 29 · 24 min

    Day 90: Trump Rejects Iran Uranium Deal

    President Trump said the United States would not offer sanctions relief for Iran giving up highly enriched uranium, undercutting weekend claims that a peace deal was close. The episode tracks how that dispute collided with renewed US-Iran strikes, Hormuz toll threats, and widening Lebanon and Kuwait spillover. We also examine intelligence warnings that Iran still retained missile launchers and drones despite public claims that its military was negotiating on fumes. Sources for this episode are available at: https://nbn.fm/war-desk/episode/ep165 About War Desk War Desk is an investigative podcast using AI-assisted analysis of military intelligence, diplomatic signals, and conflict data to assess global war risk, with sources and references published on our website for verification. Subscribe to NBN's Newsletter Get new investigations, new shows, and the raw intelligence you won't find anywhere else straight to your inbox. Sign up at nbn.fm/newsletter.

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  • #164
    May 27 · 25 min

    Day 89: US Strikes Iran Sites During Qatar Peace Talks

    US forces struck Iranian missile sites and mine-laying boats in Hormuzgan Province while ceasefire negotiations continued in Qatar. The episode tracks how that tactical escalation collided with reports of a Greek tanker strike off Oman and claims that Iran's military was still reconstituting under bombardment. We also examine Israel's expanding operations in southern Lebanon and Gaza, and how those fronts complicated the broader US-Iran diplomatic track. Sources for this episode are available at: https://nbn.fm/war-desk/episode/ep164 About War Desk War Desk is an investigative podcast using AI-assisted analysis of military intelligence, diplomatic signals, and conflict data to assess global war risk, with sources and references published on our website for verification. Subscribe to NBN's Newsletter Get new investigations, new shows, and the raw intelligence you won't find anywhere else straight to your inbox. Sign up at nbn.fm/newsletter.

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  • #163
    May 26 · 36 min

    Day 88: US Demands Israel Recognition for Iran

    The White House has introduced a mandatory precondition for the 60-day ceasefire, requiring regional mediators like Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to formally recognize Israel. This diplomatic poison pill has effectively stalled negotiations in Doha, despite President Trump'S public claims of progress. Meanwhile, Pope Leo IV has issued a new encyclical calling for the total disarmament of artificial intelligence, providing a stark contrast to the ongoing kinetic conflict in the Persian Gulf. All documents and records referenced in this episode are available at nbn.fm. Sources for this episode are available at: https://nbn.fm/war-desk/episode/ep163 About War Desk War Desk is an investigative podcast using AI-assisted analysis of military intelligence, diplomatic signals, and conflict data to assess global war risk, with sources and references published on our website for verification. Subscribe to NBN's Newsletter Get new investigations, new shows, and the raw intelligence you won't find anywhere else straight to your inbox. Sign up at nbn.fm/newsletter.

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  • #162
    May 25 · 23 min

    Day 87: Trump says he told negotiators 'not to rush'

    On May 24, 2026, U.S.-Iran peace talks remained unresolved as President Trump said he told negotiators not to rush, Iranian outlets disputed the U.S. version of a tentative deal, and Israeli and Lebanese security pressures complicated the path to a binding agreement. This episode follows how uranium terms, sanctions relief, Strait of Hormuz pressure, and the Lebanon front turned Day 87 into a test of whether Operation Epic Fury can still produce a durable settlement. Sources for this episode are available at: https://nbn.fm/war-desk/episode/ep162 About War Desk War Desk is an investigative podcast using AI-assisted analysis of military intelligence, diplomatic signals, and conflict data to assess global war risk, with sources and references published on our website for verification. Subscribe to NBN's Newsletter Get new investigations, new shows, and the raw intelligence you won't find anywhere else straight to your inbox. Sign up at nbn.fm/newsletter.

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  • #161
    May 24 · 34 min

    Day 86: US Demands Uranium Stockpile for Sanctions

    The United States has proposed a 60-day ceasefire framework that requires Iran to surrender its highly enriched uranium and clear mines from the Strait of Hormuz before any sanctions are lifted. Despite the diplomatic push, Iranian officials continue to reject US sovereignty over the waterway while active combat persists in Lebanon. President Trump is attempting to project regional consensus through a series of calls with leaders across the Middle East, even as he simultaneously threatens military escalation if the current negotiations fail. For the full record of documents and sources, visit nbn.fm. Sources for this episode are available at: https://nbn.fm/war-desk/episode/ep161 About War Desk War Desk is an investigative podcast using AI-assisted analysis of military intelligence, diplomatic signals, and conflict data to assess global war risk, with sources and references published on our website for verification. Subscribe to NBN's Newsletter Get new investigations, new shows, and the raw intelligence you won't find anywhere else straight to your inbox. Sign up at nbn.fm/newsletter.

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  • #160
    May 23 · 29 min

    Day 85: Iran Closes Airspace as US Stealth Strikes Loom

    Following the collapse of Pakistani-mediated talks in Tehran, Iran has restricted non-daytime flights to defend against potential US stealth bomber operations. This escalation coincides with a 50% reduction in humanitarian aid distribution as rising maritime insurance costs cripple global food supply chains. Every document and source cited in this episode is available at the Neural Broadcast Network website. Sources for this episode are available at: https://nbn.fm/war-desk/episode/ep160 About War Desk War Desk is an investigative podcast using AI-assisted analysis of military intelligence, diplomatic signals, and conflict data to assess global war risk, with sources and references published on our website for verification. Subscribe to NBN's Newsletter Get new investigations, new shows, and the raw intelligence you won't find anywhere else straight to your inbox. Sign up at nbn.fm/newsletter.

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  • #159
    May 22 · 31 min

    Day 84: House Postpones War Powers Vote to June

    The US House of Representatives failed to secure the necessary votes to dismiss a War Powers Resolution, signaling a deepening fracture in domestic support for the ongoing conflict in Iran. This legislative deadlock coincides with the administration'S aggressive expansion of military and legal commitments, including new indictments against Cuban leadership and complex peace negotiations in Sudan. For the full record of documents and evidence cited in this episode, visit nbn.fm. Sources for this episode are available at: https://nbn.fm/war-desk/episode/ep159 About War Desk War Desk is an investigative podcast using AI-assisted analysis of military intelligence, diplomatic signals, and conflict data to assess global war risk, with sources and references published on our website for verification. Subscribe to NBN's Newsletter Get new investigations, new shows, and the raw intelligence you won't find anywhere else straight to your inbox. Sign up at nbn.fm/newsletter.

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  • #158
    May 22 · 35 min

    Day 83: Gas Hits $613 as Hormuz Shipping Halts

    Commercial transit through the Strait of Hormuz has plummeted to as few as two vessels per day, effectively severing global energy supply chains and driving national gas prices toward record highs. As 67% of Americans alter their travel plans due to the surge, the White House faces mounting pressure to address the economic fallout of the maritime gridlock. The episode also examines the normalization of nuclear infrastructure as a military target following a drone strike on the Baraka plant in the UAE. For more information, visit nbn.fm. Sources for this episode are available at: https://nbn.fm/war-desk/episode/ep158 About War Desk War Desk is an investigative podcast using AI-assisted analysis of military intelligence, diplomatic signals, and conflict data to assess global war risk, with sources and references published on our website for verification. Subscribe to NBN's Newsletter Get new investigations, new shows, and the raw intelligence you won't find anywhere else straight to your inbox. Sign up at nbn.fm/newsletter.

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  • #157
    May 22 · 25 min

    Day 82: 42 US Aircraft Lost as Iran Strategy Falters

    New Congressional Research Service data reveals that 42 US aircraft have been lost or damaged during the first 90 days of Operation Epic Fury, forcing an operational pause that undermines the administration's aggressive military posturing. This hardware crisis coincides with a growing domestic political revolt, as the Senate advances a War Powers Resolution to challenge the White House's dual-track Iran policy. For a full archive of the documents cited in this episode, visit nbn.fm. Sources for this episode are available at: https://nbn.fm/war-desk/episode/ep157 About War Desk War Desk is an investigative podcast using AI-assisted analysis of military intelligence, diplomatic signals, and conflict data to assess global war risk, with sources and references published on our website for verification. Subscribe to NBN's Newsletter Get new investigations, new shows, and the raw intelligence you won't find anywhere else straight to your inbox. Sign up at nbn.fm/newsletter.

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  • #151
    May 14 · 28 min

    Day 76: EPIC Fury Continues Past Legal Deadline

    The White House claims Operation EPIC Fury ended May 1, Yet military operations persist without Congressional authorization beyond the War Powers Resolution limit. Meanwhile, a Chinese mega-tanker carrying 2 million barrels of oil has successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting the limitations of the US naval blockade. For full documentation and data, visit nbn.fm. Sources for this episode are available at: https://nbn.fm/war-desk/episode/ep151 About War Desk War Desk is an investigative podcast using AI-assisted analysis of military intelligence, diplomatic signals, and conflict data to assess global war risk, with sources and references published on our website for verification. Subscribe to NBN's Newsletter Get new investigations, new shows, and the raw intelligence you won't find anywhere else straight to your inbox. Sign up at nbn.fm/newsletter.

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