Michael Lester is a decorated U.S. Marine Corps combat pilot, cybersecurity educator, and author who has spent his career operating at the intersection of military power, technology, and national security. A graduate of the United States Naval Academy and a member of MENSA, Lester also holds a master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School and an MBA, giving him a rare blend of technical expertise and strategic insight. During his military career, Lester flew combat missions across Asia and the Middle East, witnessing firsthand the realities of modern warfare and U.S. foreign policy. After his operational service, he returned to Annapolis to teach electrical engineering and leadership at the U.S. Naval Academy, helping shape the next generation of naval officers. Today, Lester continues his work in national security and technology as an adjunct professor teaching graduate-level cybersecurity at St. Mary’s University and Wake Forest University. He is also the founder of IronClad Family, a company focused on protecting families and individuals from digital threats, identity theft, and modern information warfare. Over the past two decades, Lester has conducted an extensive independent investigation into U.S. foreign policy after noticing a stark contrast between what he witnessed overseas and what was presented to the public at home. That research culminated in his book We Are the Bad Guys: How the U.S. Wages War, Controls Economies, and Calls It Freedom, a controversial examination of American military intervention, economic influence, and global power structures. With the launch of Operation Epic Fury on February 28, global tensions and strategic maneuvering have once again taken center stage, making Lester’s analysis of geopolitical strategy and modern warfare more relevant than ever. Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkoujZQZatbqy4KGcgjpVxQ/join Shawn Ryan Show Links SUBSCRIBE: http://www.youtube.com/@ShawnRyanShow Sign up: https://shawnryanshow.com/pages/newsletter Support the Show: https://www.patreon.com/VigilanceElite Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shawn-ryan-show/id1492492083 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5eodRZd3qR9VT1ip1wI7xQ?si=59f9d106e56a4509 Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shawnryanshow Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shawnryanshow/ Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shawnryanshow/ Follow on Snapchat: https://www.snapchat.com/@shawnryanshow Follow on X: https://twitter.com/ShawnRyanShow SRS Podcast Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4pqo9Uoh0WuUKxw0BmaK1yrg9Kd7E4lk #vigilanceelite #shawnryanshow Michael Lester Links: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mtlester Books - https://michaeltlester.com IronClad Family - https://www.ironcladfamily.com Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors: Get firearm security redesigned and save 10% off at StopBoxUSA with code SRS at https://www.stopboxusa.com/SRS #stopboxpod Visit https://mauinuivenison.com/srs for a free 6-pack of the jerky sticks with your first order. Go right now to https://sundaysfordogs.com/SRS50 and get 50% off your first order. Get started with Claude today at https://Claude.ai/srs 00:00 War Erupts & Guest Intro 03:58 Joe Kent Resigns & Lobby Pressure 10:20 Public Apathy & Media Bubbles 12:46 War Without Declaration & Power Expansion 22:38 Campaign Promises vs Reality 24:53 Why Israel Targets Iran 28:15 Iraq WMD & Intel Manipulation 35:57 Forever War Strategy in Iran 43:38 Oil Shock & Global Fallout 48:46 Boots on Ground Reality 52:59 Drone Warfare Economics 55:13 Terrorism, Sleeper Cells & Blowback 01:00:39 US–Iran History Crash Course 01:08:51 Israel Strategy & “New Rome” 01:15:51 Petrodollar, BRICS & China Angle 01:28:18 Victory Goals & Regime Change Debate 01:38:01 Ground Invasion & Nuclear Risks 01:48:01 Israel War Aims & AIPAC Influence 01:58:26 Christian Zionism & End Times 02:11:25 Third Temple & Religious Flashpoints 02:19:41 False Flags & War Powers Debate 02:28:08 Political Reform & Accountability 02:43:03 Citizen Action Playbook 02:48:28 Draft Fears & Leadership Issues 02:57:09 Information Warfare & Bots 02:59:20 China, Alliances & Global Escalation 03:09:18 Mobilization & Taiwan Risk 03:21:34 Munitions & Military Readiness 03:30:43 Fixing DC Groupthink 03:33:03 Citizen Action Plan 03:36:45 Security, Privacy & Tools 03:49:42 Final Wrap & Outro