Show notes
MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 12 OCTOBER 2026A Houthi strike on Riyadh’s airport killed an American, the attacks haven’t stopped, and President Trump says the U.S. “may” join Saudi Arabia’s fight.Former Navy SEAL Mike Ritland breaks down what the Houthis mean for the war with Iran and why the U.S. response has been so quiet.Mike doesn’t think the American was targeted for being American, but he says the Houthis’ escalation demands a response if the goal is to crush Iran and its proxies. Then Iran says it’s done answering Washington and threatens undersea cables, data centers and AI facilities. Mike explains why undersea threats fall squarely in Naval Special Warfare’s lane, and whether Tehran can actually deliver or this is more “Baghdad Bob.”Also covered: Trump’s push for a Russia–Ukraine energy ceasefire as senators call his export plan illegal, the rush to fix things before the midterms, and Gov. Newsom’s reversal on wealth taxes.Should the U.S. go after the Houthis now? Tell us in the comments 👇Subscribe for daily breakdowns from a former Navy SEAL on the stories that matter to America’s military. 0:00 Houthis kill an American at Riyadh airport0:50 Targeted, or wrong place at the wrong time?2:05 The Houthis' role in the war with Iran3:20 Why hasn't the U.S. hit the Houthis harder?4:30 Your call: how should we handle the Houthis?5:25 Iran stops talking, threatens undersea cables and data centers6:15 A SEAL's view: the undersea threat8:45 Real threat or "Baghdad Bob"?10:45 Trump's Russia energy ceasefire push12:50 Scrambling before the midterms13:30 Newsom's wealth-tax reversal14:55 Wrap-up----------Former Navy SEAL Mike Ritland reads the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times so you don't have to. No cable news spin, no recycled talking points, just the actual front pages and a straight take on what they mean for you.On Mike Drop Newsroom, Mike picks the day's biggest headlines, compares how two of the country's largest papers cover them, and says what he thinks. That covers everything from AI and national security to the economy, foreign policy and the stories cable TV skips. He's not here to push a party line. As Mike puts it, if you want to put a label on him, he's an American who wants to see America succeed.Every episode ends with a question for you. Tell us where you land in the comments, because Mike reads them and your answers shape what we cover next. Subscribe so you don't miss a morning.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
