Topic: Drone Base

The USS Tripoli and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit have arrived in the Middle East, bringing the total U.S. troop presence to approximately 50,000. Iran launched a significant attack on the Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia using missiles and drones, which resulted in damage to U.S. refueling tankers. In response, GCC states have filed with the United Nations under Article 51 to reaffirm their right to self-defense.

Russian military personnel have entered an airbase in Niger that also houses U.S. troops, following the local junta's demand for American withdrawal. The U.S. operates a $100 million drone base in the region, and the shift in alliance toward Russia and China signals a broader expansion of BRICS influence in Africa.

Conflict spreads across Africa as Ethiopia declares a state of emergency and war crimes are reported in Sudan. The U.S. faces a strategic setback in Niger, where it operates a major drone base for counter-terrorism operations against Al-Qaeda, as the local population sours on Western military presence.

Following a meeting between Presidents Obama and Hollande, the hosts discuss the expansion of U.S. drone operations in Africa, specifically a base in Niger. They highlight past government denials of the base's existence and link military intervention in Mali and Nigeria to French and British corporate interests, including oil companies like Total and BP.

Claims are made that critical military infrastructure, including air traffic control systems at Hill Air Force Base and certain drone operations, run on Windows CE or other Microsoft operating systems. This reliance on commercial software is cited as a potential vulnerability for the military-industrial complex.

A United Nations report indicates that the skies over Somalia have become dangerously congested with drones operating out of Djibouti. President Obama issued an executive order declaring a national emergency regarding Somalia, targeting the assets of those threatening stability or civilians. The hosts interpret this as a move to protect US drone operations and strategic interests in the region.

A recent drone crash in Afghanistan due to engine coolant loss highlights the unreliability of unmanned aircraft compared to piloted planes. Statistics from the Canadian Air Force show a high rate of drone crashes, mostly attributed to engine failure. Meanwhile, the U.S. government is accused of discouraging general aviation through new fees and regulations, effectively clearing the skies for military and commercial drone use.

Reports from Wired's "Danger Room" indicate that a virus infected the cockpits of U.S. Predator and Reaper drones. A listener working as a government contractor confirms that the Department of Defense is now fast-tracking bids for anti-virus and encryption software for drone architectures. The hosts suggest the "virus" story may have been planted to secure funding for these contracts.

The claim that returning veterans will find jobs as domestic drone operators is challenged by the fact that most military drone pilots operate from trailers at Nellis Air Force Base rather than being deployed on the ground. While small tactical drones are hand-launched, larger Reaper and Predator models require traditional runways. There is concern that the push for domestic drone use is a multi-billion dollar industry play rather than a public safety necessity.

The escalation of US drone strikes in Northwest Pakistan and Yemen is reported, with five strikes occurring in a single week. The hosts describe the physical characteristics of the drones and the "Hellfire" missiles used, noting the lack of public outcry over the ongoing aerial warfare.

A security breach involving a man using a fake Secret Service badge to gain access to Secretary Kathleen Sebelius highlights vulnerabilities in federal buildings. The hosts also discuss the location of drone pilots, noting that many operate out of trailers in Las Vegas rather than from forward operating bases. They characterize these security lapses as proof that current measures are largely performative.