Peace Through Strength Podcasts by American Security Council Foundation

U.S. Congress Has Not Declared War Since WWII.

PTS host Joy Votrobek discusses ASCF Senior Fellow Alan Dowd's latest article called "A Half Century War." While Congress has not declared war on Iran, the U.S. has been in numerous conflicts with Iran since 1979. We explore these conflicts and the power struggle between Congress and the Executive Branch. The United States Congress has not formally declared war since World War II. The War Powers Resolution of 1973 sought to limit the president's ability to engage U.S. forces (to a 90-day limit) without congressional approval. Yet, military actions have continued under various justifications, reflecting a complex interface between executive power and legislative authority, often resulting in prolonged conflicts. The absence of a formal declaration of war has shaped U.S. policy, raising important questions about the role of Congress in matters of war and peace.

 

ASCF Senior Fellow Alan Dowd is an opinion journalist. Dowd holds degrees from Butler University and Indiana University. He has also served as an adjunct professor, university lecturer, congressional aide, administrator, researcher, and writer at leading think tanks. Dowd, an award-winning writer, has been interviewed by Fox News Channel, Cox News Service, The Washington Times, The National Post, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, and numerous radio programs across North America. 

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MEK and Regime Change in Iran.

What is the overall objective in this war between Iran and Israel? PTS podcast host Joy Votrobek is joined by ASCF senior analyst and returning guest, Col. (Ret.) Pete McIlwain. Col. Pete leads us through information on Operation Rising Lion and the challenges to an Regime Change in Iran. Col. Pete shares information that is not typically reported in the mainstream media. He touches on sources that suggest the nuclear attack may not have been as successful as Israel and the U.S. would like to claim. He also brings up the MEK (Iranian Mujahideen-e Khalq), who have been fighting against the Shia Theocracy in Iran since 1979. He states sources who suggest the MEK were on the ground in Iran as the operational and intelligence arm of Mossad and possibly funded by the CIA. They end by questioning what Iran will do now that they have lost their proxy arms in the Middle East. Pete's notes will be available as an article on our website shortly.

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Col. Pete has over 40 years of combined service between the Army and the CIA, during which he was stationed in Tel Aviv for an extended period.

 

No Kings and Paid Agitators

PTS podcast host Joy Votrobek discusses ASCF Senior Analyst Laurence Sanford's latest paper titled "Chaos Funding." They address the riots in L.A. and other parts of the U.S., as well as the potential involvement of dark money in these riots. They also discuss the No Kings peaceful protests with a mix of anti-ICE, pro-Palestinian flags, and Code Pink.

Mr. Sanford is a U.S. Navy veteran who served four years with the CIA. Ms. Votrobek has a degree in International Relations and has worked in security services for over seven years.

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Iran Conversion Site Obliterated!

PTS podcast with host Joy Votrobek, ASCF senior analyst Laurence Sanford, and returning guest Lee Boyland. Mr. Boyland said that the U.S. strike on Iran's nuclear site was well planned out with Israel and did what it was meant to do - set back Iran's nuclear program for quite some time. Even if Iran did move the uranium, the site that they needed for nuclear conversion was destroyed. There is a minor concern about Iranian proxy cells in the U.S., but hopefully that will only make a good movie one day.

Lee Boyland is a Former Army officer, engineer, businessman, and author. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Nuclear Engineering. He is a retired US Army officer, EOD, Defense Atomic Support Agency, at the Sandia Base, Albuquerque. He has worked on the nuclear device testing at the Nevada Test Site. He has worked with the destruction of chemical weapons, Ton containers and cluster bombs/GB bomblets. He worked in the design and manufacture of explosive warheads and anti-armor warheads. He is an Atomic test veteran.

You can view Lee Boyland's books at: leeboylandbooks.com

Mr. Sanford is a U.S. Navy veteran who served four years with the CIA. Ms. Votrobek has a degree in International Relations and has worked in security services for over seven years.

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Influence and Alliances in the Israel - Iran War.

June 12, 2025 - U.S. Global Leadership webinar: Middle East Part III explores regional influences on the Israel-Iran tensions. This webinar was recorded the day before the Israel-Iran war commenced. Special Guest, Gregg Roman from the Middle East Forum gives an update on what led up to the Israel-Iran conflict. He then continues to address regional influences and alliances. As we can see from the last three days, Gregg is spot on with his wealth of knowledge of the Middle East.

Bio: Gregg Roman is the executive director of the Middle East Forum, previously directing the Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh. In 2014, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency named him one of the “ten most inspiring global Jewish leaders,” and he previously served as the political advisor to the deputy foreign minister of Israel and worked for the Israeli Ministry of Defense. A frequent speaker on Middle East affairs, Mr. Roman appears on international news channels such as Fox News, i24NEWS, Al-Jazeera, BBC World News, and Israel’s Channels 12 and 13. He studied national security and political communications at American University and the Interdisciplinary Center in Herzliya, and has contributed to The Hill, Newsweek, the Los Angeles Times, the Miami Herald, and the Jerusalem Post.

 

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Red Flags and Open Doors: The Visa Debate on Chinese Entry

PTS host Joy Votrobek speaks with ASCF senior analyst Laurence Sanford on new legislation introduced to deny student visas to Chinese nationals. Regardless of the outcome, attention needs to be brought to the fact that the CCP has Chinese students laundering money in the U.S. The discussion also examines the possibility that some CCP funds may be used to entice students to riot against ICE deportations.

**NOTE: This podcast was recorded yesterday, June 11th, before we learned the new trade deal that President Trump worked out with President Xi would allow Chinese nationals to continue to attend universities on student visas.

Mr. Sanford is a U.S. Navy veteran who served four years with the CIA. Ms. Votrobek has a degree in International Relations and has worked in security services for over seven years.

Charting the Future: U.S. Maritime Strategy in the Face of China's Rise

Peace Through Strength podcast with ASCF Sr. Analyst Laurence Sanford and guest Captain Peter Petrelius (U.S. Navy Retired). Captain Petrelius said there is a lack of mariners and merchant vessels. He also states that U.S. shipyards need to be updated. China is outpacing the U.S. in shipping, shipyards, and building.

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Can D.E.I. survive at West Point? Part I.

PTS Podcast host Joy Votrobek discusses D.E.I. in the military with returning guest Colonel (Ret.) Bill Prince and ASCF Sr. Analyst Laurence Sanford. Col. Prince points out that diversity may benefit some fields, but not in the military. Instead, a military unit needs teamwork and unity. Col. Prince questions why West Point offers a variety of D.E.I. minors and what the need is for them when cadets are supposed to be training for battle. T

HIS PODCAST IS PART 1 OF A SERIES OF TWO. PART II WILL BE RELEASED NEXT WEEK. Stay tuned....

Col. (Ret.) Bill Prince has been a guest on this podcast several times. He is a West Point graduate who served in Vietnam with Ranger and Special Forces units. He subsequently had a career working overseas in many hostile areas with the Central Intelligence Agency. Particularly germane to this podcast, he currently serves as the president of the MacArthur Society of West Point Graduates.

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India-Pakistan Escalation

Did you know Pakistan and Bangladesh were originally part of India? ASCF brings you a historical understanding of modern impact. PTS podcast host Joy Votrobek discusses current events and the history of India and Pakistan with ASCF senior analyst Laurence Sanford. Historical animosities, fueled by wars and militant activities, have led to a volatile security situation. The execution of Hindu tourists in the Kashmir region pushed India to retaliate, and the conflict has escalated from there.

Mr. Sanford is a U.S. Navy veteran who served four years with the CIA. Ms. Votrobek has a degree in International Relations and has worked in security services for over seven years.

 

THE THURSDAY, MAY 8TH WEBINAR MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST WAS RECORDED AND WILL BE SENT OUT TO OUR NEWSLETTER AND SUBSTACK MEMBERS.

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Risking Stability: The Vital Role of U.S. Allies & NATO

PTS podcast host Joy Votrobek discusses strained relationships with U.S. allies and NATO with ASCF senior fellow Alan Dowd. NATO has been there for the U.S. on numerous occasions, including 9/11, Iraq, Afghanistan, the war on ISIS, and recently in the Red Sea. They discuss how the current Trump Administration's comments and actions lead to uncertainty and mistrust among our partners. This shift risks regional stability and diminishes the United States' role as a global leader. There is hope that a balance can be achieved by "Making America Great Again" and not ostracizing our relationship with NATO and our allies.

 

ASCF Senior Fellow Alan Dowd is an opinion journalist. Dowd holds degrees from Butler University and Indiana University. He has also served as an adjunct professor, university lecturer, congressional aide, administrator, researcher, and writer at leading think tanks. Dowd, an award-winning writer, has been interviewed by Fox News Channel, Cox News Service, The Washington Times, The National Post, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, and numerous radio programs across North America. Follow him at twitter.com/alanwdowd.

Ms. Votrobek has a degree in International Relations and has worked in security services for over seven years.

Please subscribe to our newsletter at www.ascf.us for updates on our monthly Webinars, survey polls, articles, and podcasts. You can also follow us on our Facebook, Substack, and Twitter accounts.