Episode Overview

Title: Best of the Program | Guest: Ryan Mauro | 3/16/26
Date: March 16, 2026
Host: Glenn Beck (Mercury Radio Arts)
Guest: Ryan Mauro

This episode of The Glenn Beck Program delves into the fracturing media landscape, the dangers of “almost right” thinking, current American political and cultural divides, and the global threat of a new kind of world war. Glenn is joined by national security analyst Ryan Mauro for a deep dive into the “Red-Green Alliance,” the fusion of Islamist and far-left forces, and why their cooperation matters now more than ever. Packed with stories, personal insights, and sharp commentary, the episode blends urgent warnings with calls for principle-driven engagement in turbulent times.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

I. Glenn Beck on the State of Talk Radio & Information Wars

Timestamps: 04:00 – 15:00

• Glenn’s Reflection:

  • Shares candidly about his near-50-year broadcasting career, how motivations changed, and the impact of 9/11 on his show's tone.
  • Observes the negativity and infighting among podcasters and media personalities.
  • Urges a return to principle-driven dialogue over tribal warfare:
    “We have to talk about principles and what we are for instead of who we’re against or who’s our Enemy today.” (10:30)

• On Audience Responsibility:

  • Glen notes that everyone—regardless of platform size—now wields influence, bringing a responsibility to verify before sharing:
    “Don’t just repost things without thinking… If you don’t know it’s true, then you shouldn’t post it.” (12:53)
  • Critiques the popularity of inflammatory opinion over careful truth:
    “Those aren’t popular. Opinions are popular. And opinions without principles—you know, most people never choose evil, they never choose evil. Not knowingly.” (14:26)

• Principles as Compass:

  • Glenn lays out a series of guiding principles for navigating today’s information landscape.

    • Truth before tribe
    • Human dignity before ideology
    • Liberty under law
    • Equal justice (due process applies to all, including enemies)
    • National loyalty without state worship
    • Moral clarity without dehumanization
    • Free speech with accountability
    • Scrutiny of power
    • Means matter as much as ends

  • Notable Quote:
    “Means matter as much as ends… Every tyranny in history was sold as an emergency shortcut. We have to do this right now because reality doesn’t care what helps your side. The bill always comes through.” (16:45)

  • Suggests self-examination questions for truth-seeking:
    “Ask yourself: Is this factual? Is it fair? Is it consistent? Is it lawful? Is it moral? Would I defend this rule if my enemy was using it against me tomorrow?” (17:00)

II. Introduction and Context: Ryan Mauro & The Red-Green Alliance

Timestamps: 17:24 – 24:25

• Why Ryan Mauro?
  Jason (producer) praises Mauro as one of the leading researchers into ideological alliances threatening America, highlighting his documentation (“he’s the guy with the receipts”).

• Glenn’s Framing:
  The choice to feature Mauro is described almost as providential given today’s global instability.
  “It could not be more appropriate and more important than it is right now because we are at war… I believe we are in World War Three. People just haven’t caught up to it yet.” (18:55)

• Ryan Mauro’s Take:

  • Agrees with Glenn:
    “Absolutely. I think people recognize that there’s a global conflict. But as for it actually being a world war, I don’t think people understand the gravity of it or how expansive it is because all of our adversaries are talking about defeating us the exact same way.” (19:22)
  • Reveals that Islamist and far-left (communist, anarchist) groups are using similar playbooks and forming effective alliances.

III. The Red-Green (and “Anarchist”) Alliance Explained

Timestamps: 20:06 – 24:25

• Origins and History:

  • Glenn and Ryan trace their history discussing these alliances, including when Glenn’s early coverage at Fox helped normalize discussion of the “Red-Green Alliance.”
  • Ryan introduces the “Oval Theory”—it’s not just convergence (“horseshoe theory”), but a fusion into a single, more dangerous entity.
    • “There’s this interesting fusion happening where they not only ally with anarchists and the communists, but… I call it the Oval theory now that there’s been an actual fusion into a single entity.” (21:21)

• Motivations and Beliefs:

  • The relationship is more than tactical; it’s growing emotional affinity:
    “From monitoring their internal chats for so many years… There’s very often brotherly affection. And they put their differences off to the side because they each believe it’s so inevitable that their ideology will prevail once they defeat the west it’s like, not really worth arguing about.” (22:09)
  • They rationalize working together by assuming their side will reconstruct society once the West falls.

• Example: 1979 Iranian Revolution

  • Ryan: The revolution saw communists and Islamists team up to overthrow the Shah. Afterward, the Islamists destroyed their allies, but within their circles, that history isn’t necessarily seen as a betrayal worth avoiding next time.
    • “So the [Iranian] far left, which was the communists and the Marxists, [teamed up] with the Islamists... A joint red-green alliance came to power. Ayatollah Khomeini and the theocrats then slaughtered and destroyed the communists and sidelined them.” (23:26)

IV. The Reality of Emerging Domestic Threats

Timestamps: 24:25 – 36:00

• Violence and “Blowback:”

  • Glenn rebuts the narrative that recent domestic terrorist incidents (Austin bar shooting, New York protest bombing, Michigan synagogue attack, Old Dominion shooting) are merely reactions to US foreign policy—arguing these threats existed regardless.
  • Ryan prepared to address whether these attacks are unavoidable or the direct result of US actions.

• Case Studies & News:

  • Glenn recounts several chilling stories:

    • Kyle Chris incident (Texas elementary school):
      “Armed man wearing tactical gear walked into a Texas elementary school… Kyle Chris, 39, also known as Muhi Mohand Najeem… He comes over and doesn’t name himself Chris Kyle. He names himself Kyle Chris.” (25:29)
    • Assailant had a military background from Iraq, changed name after naturalization, and gained entry due to a security lapse. Highlights the plausibility of “bad actors” infiltrating communities.
    • Michigan Synagogue Attack:
      • The suspect’s brother was a Hezbollah commander; the media (NPR in particular) is critiqued for omitting this in their reporting, instead emphasizing the attacker’s tragic family story.
      • Glenn sarcastically notes that de-funding NPR was “absolutely right.” (31:05)

  • Additional Stories:

    • Dallas hospital standoff (Mike King, head of security for Rep. Jasmine Crockett, wanted for impersonating an officer, killed during a police standoff)
    • Criticizes political leadership and inaction on national security, especially regarding border security and DHS funding.

    Notable Glenn quote:
    “You should be on different footing. Watch yourself. We are in troubled times, and there’s a lot of people that would like to dismiss all of the warning signs.” (30:15)

V. The Political Landscape: Uncertainty & Self-Destruction

Timestamps: 36:30 – 38:09

• Democratic Party in Disarray:

  • Points out warnings from Obama’s former campaign managers about the party lacking clear positions, suggesting both parties are in crisis.
  • Critiques a lack of serious media coverage about the Democrats’ internal confusion.
    • “When they do stand for something, the American people are against it.” (37:50)

• On Misinformation and Accountability:

  • Briefly references Rep. Dan Crenshaw blaming “misinformation” for political losses, stating:
    “No, Dan, I think it was you that played a stunning role in your stunning loss.” (36:54)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Glenn Beck:
  “Most people never choose evil. They never choose evil. Not knowingly… because the real choice in life is between right and almost right.” (13:46)

• Ryan Mauro:
  “Our adversaries are talking about defeating us the exact same way. And it’s through using the model that we’re going to be exposing… So it’s the Islamists and then everyone else is taking their cues from them because they’ve been so darn successful.” (19:32)

• On Truth and Responsibility:
  “Truth before tribe means you don’t lie for your side. You don’t trim the facts for your side… You don’t pretend you don’t know what you know because the other team might benefit.” (15:02)

• On Information Overload:
  “Every single review helps us break through Big Tech’s algorithm to reach more Americans who need to hear the truth. This isn’t a podcast. This is a movement. And you’re part of it.” (05:40)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 04:00 – 15:00: Glenn’s monologue on media, principles, “almost right” thinking, and responsibility
• 17:24 – 19:22: Ryan Mauro introduced; context for featuring him
• 19:22 – 21:41: The forming of a “World War” and global ideological alliances
• 21:41 – 24:25: Red-Green-Oval alliance history, 1979 Iran, fusion of leftist and Islamist movements
• 25:29 – 30:15: Domestic terror threats, specific cases (Kyle Chris, Michigan synagogue), media coverage
• 30:15 – 34:45: More headlines illustrating national security lapses, political responses
• 36:30 – 38:09: Political self-destruction, misinformation, lack of clear principles in parties

Episode Tone & Style

• The tone is candid, urgent, and occasionally sardonic.
• Glenn oscillates between personal anecdote, philosophical challenge, and satirical news commentary.
• Ryan Mauro provides analytical, research-driven insights focused on threats often minimized or ignored by mainstream discourse.

Summary:
This episode urges vigilance—both in civic responsibility and in truth-seeking. Glenn Beck, with Ryan Mauro, explores how ideological alliances threaten American (and Western) stability, criticizing both the media’s negligence and the public’s susceptibility to manipulation. Both the global “war” and the domestic crises discussed are framed as outgrowths of unchecked, “almost right” judgment and a lack of foundational principles, calling listeners to be more scrutinizing, principled, and aware.

Ideal for listeners who want:

• An explanation of ideological fusion among America’s adversaries
• A framework for distinguishing truth, “almost right,” and outright misinformation
• Real-world examples of evolving national security threats
• Critical commentary on American media and politics