American History Tellers, a new podcast from Wondery, aims to address historical illiteracy in the United States by delving into various significant periods of the nation's history. Narrated by Lindsay Graham, the podcast presents history through engaging storytelling, focusing on both major historical figures and the experiences of the common man. The first episodes cover the Cold War, with future topics to include the Gold Rush, Prohibition, and the American Revolution.

Vladimir Putin called President Trump to express gratitude for CIA information that helped to prevent a terror plot in St. Petersburg, which was planned by a terror cell linked to ISIS.

The article criticizes the economic policies of big government progressives like Elizabeth Warren and the Obama administration, blaming them for the lack of vibrant economic growth and the decline of the American middle class. It argues that government deficit spending and financialization have failed to produce prosperity, contrasting this with the promise of Republican tax cuts under President Trump. The piece suggests that a true economic revival requires a return to technology-based planning and competitive production, as exemplified by Ronald Reagan's Socrates Project, rather than financial manipulation.

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy is set to begin the process of revoking Catalonia's autonomous status following violent protests during the illegal October 1st referendum on Catalonian independence. Spain's autonomous community system, which includes Catalonia, was established post-Franco to empower regions previously suppressed. Catalonia's secession could threaten 19% of Spain's economy, due to its wealth from tourism and manufacturing, and potentially inspire Basque secession. European leaders like Macron and Merkel support Spain's central government, as Europe recovers from the Great Recession and fears economic instability.

The article criticizes mainstream media outlets like CNN and the Washington Post for focusing on trivial matters such as President Trump's tweets and celebrity news, while ignoring significant geopolitical events like the military standoff between India and China in the Doklam region. The author expresses concern over the lack of coverage on the standoff despite the potential implications of a conflict between two nuclear-capable nations.

US-backed forces have initiated an offensive on the ISIS stronghold of Raqqa, with Kurdish and Arab militants of the Syrian Democratic Forces attacking supply lines to weaken ISIS. Despite ISIS's reduced strength, the battle for Raqqa is expected to be intense, with at least 3,000 ISIS fighters and 200,000 civilians at risk. US air support has been instrumental in the conflict. Concurrently, Syrian forces have liberated Maskanah in Aleppo from ISIS, and the offensive against Mosul continues. The loss of key territories raises questions about the future of ISIS's caliphate and its ability to maintain influence without a physical territory.

In 2016, the U.S. Coast Guard seized over 416,600 pounds of cocaine valued at nearly $5.6 billion, marking the largest one-year amount in its history. Despite this success, the Coast Guard interdicted a smaller percentage of cocaine shipments compared to the previous year, due to an increase in maritime cocaine flow and resource constraints. The aging fleet and chronic underfunding have been highlighted as major issues, with calls for better support from Congress and the Trump administration. The Coast Guard's broad responsibilities include protecting fisheries, search and rescue missions, and port security, which further strain its resources.

The article discusses the political and legal landscape following the Supreme Court's Obergefell v. Hodges decision, which legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. It critiques the Republican Party's lack of opposition to same-sex marriage and suggests that conservatives need to challenge the left's arguments more directly to sway public opinion. The piece also examines the legal arguments and social implications surrounding same-sex marriage and proposes that the GOP presidential nomination could depend on candidates' plans to address the issue post-Obergefell.