Topic: Submariners

The hosts use an AI "Book of Knowledge" to settle a dispute regarding a 1970s television show featuring a pink submarine. The series, titled Operation Petticoat, aired on ABC from 1977 to 1978. The discussion serves as a brief diversion from geopolitical news to test the accuracy of AI-assisted research.

Turkish officials are reportedly mediating talks between the U.S. and Iran, passing messages to Gulf countries affected by the war. Conflict continues as Iranian drones strike fuel tanks at Kuwait International Airport and Israel targets submarine development facilities near Tehran. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu vows to fundamentally change the situation in Lebanon by continuing operations against Hezbollah.

NASA launched the ICESat-2 satellite, which uses a green laser to measure the thickness of polar ice. While NASA claims the mission is to study the effects of global warming, the hosts speculate that the laser might have other purposes, such as submarine tracking or "slave zapping." They mock the idea that the laser could be seen as a "green dot" in the sky.

The passed legislation allocates billions for military hardware, including $4.6 billion for Virginia-class submarines and $5.4 billion for guided-missile destroyers. Despite claims of a closed border, the bill earmarks $46.5 billion for wall construction and security infrastructure. Domestic projects include $4.7 billion for telecommunications and $1.9 billion for a new air route traffic control center.

A fleet of Russian military ships, including a nuclear-powered submarine and a frigate, arrived in Havana, Cuba, for military exercises. The deployment is seen as a response to President Biden authorizing Ukraine to use U.S. weapons for strikes inside Russia. While U.S. officials state the ships carry no nuclear weapons, the proximity to Florida has drawn comparisons to the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.

The legislation mandates the transfer of long-range ATACMS missiles to Ukraine, though the President retains the power to withhold them for national security reasons. Additionally, billions are earmarked for the procurement of Columbia-class and Virginia-class submarines to bolster defenses in Taiwan. The bill also expands the definition of allies to include "major non-NATO allies" in the Indo-Pacific region.

President Joe Biden stated in a CNN interview with Jake Tapper that he does not believe Vladimir Putin will use nuclear weapons, despite previous "Armageddon" warnings. Meanwhile, reports from WION describe the Russian Belgorod submarine, the world's largest nuclear-powered vessel, which is allegedly testing the Poseidon nuclear torpedo. This "doomsday" weapon is claimed to be capable of triggering radioactive tsunamis.

A Navy nuclear engineer, Jonathan Toebbe, was arrested for attempting to sell submarine secrets to a foreign government using a data card hidden in a peanut butter sandwich. Meanwhile, the USS Connecticut reportedly struck an "unknown object" in the South China Sea. The hosts suggest the sub may have collided with a Chinese vessel in a "hush-hush" incident.

The nuclear-powered submarine USS Connecticut sustained damage after striking an unknown object underwater in the Pacific. While official reports used the broad term "Pacific," other sources indicate the incident occurred in the South China Sea. The collision resulted in several minor injuries to sailors and forced the vessel to return to port for repairs.

Climate Envoy John Kerry tells the French press that President Biden was "not aware" of the diplomatic fallout caused by the AUKUS submarine deal. The $65 billion deal with Australia was diverted from France to the U.S. and UK, leading France to briefly withdraw its ambassador.

The newly formed AUKUS alliance between the US, UK, and Australia aims to provide Australia with nuclear-powered submarines to counter Chinese aggression. Media reports in Australia are increasingly focused on the possibility of a conflict over Taiwan as President Xi Jinping tightens domestic control.

The hosts review the listener-submitted artwork for the previous episode, which featured a "Yellow Submarine" theme in IKEA colors (yellow and blue). The art referenced the nuclear submarine deal between Australia, the US, and the UK, which excluded France. Other submissions included a Bauhaus-inspired logo and a caricature of Al Sharpton.

France recalled its ambassadors from the U.S. and Australia after a $65 billion conventional submarine deal was scrapped in favor of a nuclear-powered submarine partnership between the U.S., UK, and Australia (AUKUS). French President Emmanuel Macron expressed fury over the lack of notice, while the U.S. framed the move as necessary for the "aggressive containment" of China.

During the announcement of the AUKUS security pact, President Biden appeared to forget the name of Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, referring to him as "that fellow Down Under." The deal involves the US and UK providing nuclear-powered submarine technology to Australia to counter Chinese influence in the Indo-Pacific. Critics pointed to the gaffe as a sign of poor staffing and preparation within the executive branch.

A series of associate executive producers were credited for their financial support, including Brandon Savoie, who was granted a barony as a submariner of the Pacific. The hosts discussed the end of "palindromania" as the week of palindromic dates concluded. Multiple listeners requested "Jobs Karma" to assist with their professional lives, a recurring theme in the show's value-for-value model.

The Atlanta No Agenda meetup at Punch Bowl Social drew 15 attendees, including a submariner who discussed the Iranian Navy's diesel submarines. Participants signed a "White Red Book" with comments for the hosts. A recommendation is made for meetup organizers to photocopy signed pages and keep the physical books for future gatherings.

A producer provides a technical explanation of why diesel-electric submarines are often quieter and more dangerous than nuclear-powered vessels. The note explains that nuclear subs must constantly run coolant pumps, while diesel subs can operate silently on batteries at low speeds. However, diesel subs are vulnerable when they must surface or use a snorkel to recharge their batteries.

The newly launched submarine USS Indiana features an S9G nuclear reactor designed to operate for 33 years without refueling. This technological advancement allows the vessel to remain powered for its entire service life. Despite the safety record of naval nuclear power, the IPCC continues to express concerns regarding the risks associated with nuclear energy.

Sir David Baron of Pennsylvania and Bob Sanderson of Annapolis provide substantial donations, citing the show as a source of sanity against the "Dimension B" media cycle. Sanderson, a former submariner weapons officer, appreciates the show's call-outs to service members "in the water." The hosts discuss the history of the "subs in the water" greeting, which originated from a listener who tuned in while deployed.

The Trump administration's Nuclear Posture Review calls for the development of new, relatively small nuclear weapons to be deployed on submarines. Pentagon officials state this is a necessary response to modernization efforts by Russia and China, though critics warn it could spark a new global arms race.