Hey guys, welcome back to the Why Wars Happened History Podcast, where you learn about the causes of wars and things like, why did it happen? Was it inevitable? Who was involved?

Sometimes I go back hundreds of years just so we can understand what happened in our narrative episodes covering the long course of a war and the background of the war. And if you want to talk more about war, we also have authors, historians, war generals, royalty, actors, filmmakers, a whole bunch of people come on as guests and we talk about everything about before, during, and after war. So let's go!

The Why Wars Happened History Podcast covers The American Revolution, World War I, World War II, Medieval Wars in England, The Habsburg Empire, The War in Iraq, Scottish wars, The War of the Roses, The Cuban Missile Crisis, The Cold War, The Thirty Years War, The Hundred Years War, The American Civil War, and many others.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

INTERVIEW: Mastermind of Operation Iraqi Freedom Col. Kevin Benson joins us in a candid talk

Welcome back to the Why Wars Happened History podcast! In this special episode, we are joined by a very distinguished guest, Colonel Kevin Benson, a retired and highly decorated US Army veteran who played a pivotal role in making decisions during the Iraq War.

Join us as we delve into the causes and outcomes of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the extensive planning involved, and the concept of 'catastrophic success.' Discover the strategic decisions and meticulous preparations from someone who was at the helm of one of the most significant military campaigns of our time. Don't miss this rare opportunity to gain an insider's perspective on warfare and history!

00:00 Introduction to the Why Wars Happen History Podcast

00:45 Meet Colonel Kevin Benson

01:30 Operation Iraqi Freedom Overview

04:52 Challenges and Planning of the Iraq War

08:11 Historical Context and Naming of Operations

09:31 Colonel Benson's Military Experience

17:52 Impact of 9/11 on Military Operations

20:28 Logistics and Planning Complexities

27:19 Introduction to Snowflakes

30:35 Challenges in Planning and Execution

31:50 War Gaming and Tactical Adjustments

41:13 Exit Strategy and Post-War Planning

44:07 Catastrophic Success and Logistical Challenges

49:52 Final Thoughts and Future Plans

#IraqWar

#WarinIraq

#CoalitionoftheWilling

#OperationIraqiFreedom

#MilitaryHistory

#WarHistory

#USArmy

#ColonelKevinBenson

#WhyWarsHappened

#whywarshappen

#DefenseStrategy

#WarPlanning

#WarfarePodcast

#HistoryPodcast

#ModernWarfare

#InsiderMilitary

#MilitaryLeadership

#911History

#CatastrophicSuccess

#MilitaryDecisionMakers

#AmericanHistory

#GlobalConflict

#MilitaryOperations

#Bushwar

#post911warfare

#WeaponsofMassDestruction

#WMDs

Hey guys, welcome back to the Why Wars Happened History Podcast, where you learn about the causes of wars and things like, why did it happen? Was it inevitable? Who was involved?

Sometimes I go back hundreds of years just so we can understand what happened in our narrative episodes covering the long course of a war and the background of the war. And if you want to talk more about war, we also have authors, historians, war generals, royalty, actors, filmmakers, a whole bunch of people come on as guests and we talk about everything about before, during, and after war. So let's go!

The Why Wars Happened History Podcast covers The American Revolution, World War I, World War II, Medieval Wars in England, The Habsburg Empire, The War in Iraq, Scottish wars, The War of the Roses, The Cuban Missile Crisis, The Cold War, The Thirty Years War, The Hundred Years War, The American Civil War, and many others.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cuban Missile Crisis, CIA, JFK - Behind the Scenes with Jeff Shaara

In this episode of Why Wars Happened, we dive into the Cuban Missile Crisis with bestselling author Jeff Shaara. His novel The Shadow of War brings the high-stakes drama of JFK, Khrushchev, and nuclear brinkmanship to life. We break down the Bay of Pigs, Cold War tensions, and the secret deals that shaped history. Plus, Shaara teases his upcoming book on Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd.🎙️ Listen now!

00:00 Introduction to the Why Wars Happened History Podcast

00:46 Interview with Jeff Shera: Author of The Shadow of War

03:32 The Bay of Pigs Invasion: A Prelude to the Cuban Missile Crisis

06:55 The Cuban Missile Crisis: Tensions and Strategies

09:06 The Cold War Context: Missiles and Public Perception

12:33 Comparing Leadership: Eisenhower vs. Kennedy

15:15 Soviet Union Dynamics: Post-Stalin Era

17:43 The Winnable War: A Chilling Perspective

18:08 Khrushchev's Balancing Act

19:02 The Aftermath of the Cuban Missile Crisis

20:25 Operation Mongoose: The CIA's Bizarre Plots

22:49 Berlin's Role in the Cold War

28:38 The Secret Treaty and Its Implications

30:01 Upcoming Projects and Final Thoughts

#HistoryPodcast #CubanMissileCrisis #JeffShaara #ColdWar #JFK #MilitaryHistory #whywarshappened #whywarshappen #WarDocumentary #HistoryBuff #history#podcast #bayofpigs #jfk #cia #castro #fidelcastro #russia #russianmissiles #Kruschev #presidentkennedy

Hey guys, welcome back to the Why Wars Happened History Podcast, where you learn about the causes of wars and things like, why did it happen? Was it inevitable? Who was involved?

Sometimes I go back hundreds of years just so we can understand what happened in our narrative episodes covering the long course of a war and the background of the war. And if you want to talk more about war, we also have authors, historians, war generals, royalty, actors, filmmakers, a whole bunch of people come on as guests and we talk about everything about before, during, and after war. So let's go!

The Why Wars Happened History Podcast covers The American Revolution, World War I, World War II, Medieval Wars in England, The Habsburg Empire, The War in Iraq, Scottish wars, The War of the Roses, The Cuban Missile Crisis, The Cold War, The Thirty Years War, The Hundred Years War, The American Civil War, and many others.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

INTERVIEW: The Drama Behind the Declaration of Independence with Tom McMillan

In this episode of the Why Wars Happened History podcast, we sit with guest Tom McMillan, a historian and retired sports media veteran, to discuss the intricate details of the American Revolution and the pivotal moments and debates leading up to the Declaration of Independence in 1776. McMillan, the author of 'The Year That Made America: From Rebellion to Independence, 1775-1776,' provides fresh insights into the complexities and personalities that shaped America's fight for freedom.

We cover the stories of founding fathers like John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and John Dickinson to gain a richer understanding of the era's political and social dynamics. Tune in for a riveting discussion on history, politics, and the enduring legacy of the American Revolution.

00:00 Introduction to the Why Wars Happened History Podcast

00:48 Meet Today's Guest: Tom McMillan

01:48 The American Revolution: A Deep Dive

02:59 The Declaration of Independence: Complexities and Controversies

06:31 The Role of Key Figures: Adams, Jefferson, and Dickinson

15:21 The Votes Leading to Independence

23:01 Researching History: Sources and Challenges

26:54 Historical Anecdotes and Connections

27:06 Richard Henry Lee's Forgotten Legacy

29:54 The Role of Jefferson and Adams

39:08 Editing the Declaration of Independence

43:31 Upcoming Book Projects and Reflections

#History

#AmericanRevolution

#DeclarationOfIndependence

#FoundingFathers

#HistoryPodcast

#USHistory

#Americanhistory

#ColonialAmerica

#1776

#RevolutionaryWar

#ThomasJefferson

#JohnAdams

#HistoryLovers

#Whywarshappened

#whywarshappen