6.16.25 Six Supreme Court rulings, Moneybeat, and a Navy SEAL’s mission in Afghanistan

Summary

Podcast Summary: The World and Everything In It - June 16, 2025 Episode

Title: Six Supreme Court Rulings, Moneybeat, and a Navy SEAL’s Mission in Afghanistan
Host: Mary Reichard and Nick Eicher
Release Date: June 16, 2025

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1. International News

a. Escalating Israel-Iran Conflict

The episode opens with a critical update on the ongoing missile exchanges between Israel and Iran. Mary Reichard reports that air raid sirens were heard in Jerusalem as Iran launched missiles that penetrated Israeli defenses, targeting buildings deep within the country. In retaliation, Israel struck back at Tehran, including the Defense Ministry and nuclear-related sites. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu explained the necessity of these actions, citing stalled US nuclear negotiations with Iran.

• Quote:
  "I could wait and wait until they officially declared that the talks were off," – Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu [02:29]

Israeli Ambassador to the United States Michael Leiter emphasized the prolonged nature of these strikes, stating, "This series of strikes is not going to end today or tomorrow, but only at a period of time which may take weeks, when we are absolutely certain that the nuclear infrastructure... is terminated." [02:31]

The conflict has resulted in significant civilian casualties, with hundreds killed on both sides since Friday. President Trump clarified that the US military was not involved in the mission but highlighted Israel's use of American-made weaponry. He urged Tehran to surrender its nuclear ambitions and seek negotiation to end the conflict.

b. Intensifying War in Afghanistan

The podcast delves into the heightened violence in Afghanistan, marking 2010 as the deadliest year for US troops in the conflict. A poignant story shared by world correspondent Caleb Weldy recounts the mission of Navy SEAL Adam Brown from SEAL Team 6, whose final deployment led to a deadly confrontation with a high-ranking Taliban leader.

• Quote:
  "Hands down, this was the most hellacious landing zone he'd encountered in his entire career." – Army Officer [24:48]

Adam Brown's personal journey is highlighted, including his family's support and his dedication to his mission despite personal challenges. The mission culminated in Brown being mortally wounded, underscoring the human cost of the conflict.

2. Domestic News

a. Political Violence in Minnesota

A tragic incident in Minnesota saw the killing of Democratic state legislator Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark during a shooting attack. State Senator John Hoffman and his wife were also severely wounded. Senator Amy Klobuchar condemned the violence, emphasizing bipartisan unity in denouncing such acts.

• Quote:
  "Our delegation in Minnesota, from the most conservative Republican to the most liberal Democrat, we all joined together and said we condemn this political violence." – Senator Amy Klobuchar [03:53]

The FBI is actively searching for the 57-year-old suspect, Vance Bolter, offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.

b. Nationwide Protests and Political Tensions

Amidst rising political tensions, thousands participated in nationwide protests against President Trump's policies and immigration law enforcement. Demonstrations included both peaceful marches and violent confrontations, particularly on Capitol Hill, where incidents involving California Senator Alex Padilla and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem ignited further controversy.

• Quote:
  "It feels to me like we are losing the thread of democracy in our country, that it's unraveling before our eyes." – Mary Reichard [05:28]

The episode discusses the polarized reactions to these events, highlighting ongoing demands for investigations and fostering dialogue between conflicting political factions.

3. Supreme Court Rulings

The Supreme Court issued six significant opinions this week, each with profound implications:

a. Rights of Students with Disabilities

The Court ruled unanimously to ease the pathway for students with disabilities to sue for damages, overturning the stricter standards previously set by the 8th Circuit. This decision adopts the "deliberate indifference" standard, facilitating easier access to monetary damages for affected students.

• Quote:
  "It’s easier to get money damages. But still, there is a hurdle to go over, this deliberate indifference standard." – Perry Zirkel [09:57]

b. Martin v. United States – Wrongful FBI Raid

Katrina Martin successfully sued the government after a wrongful FBI SWAT raid terrorized her household. The Supreme Court upheld the discretionary judgment rule, meaning the lower courts will now determine whether the raid was a professional error or within acceptable discretion.

• Quote:
  "If they were, the law protects the agents. So the key question, was the botched raid, a judgment call or a flat out mistake?" – Mary Reichard [11:29]

c. Jennifer Zuck’s Tax Challenge

Jennifer Zuck's attempt to challenge an IRS tax bill was dismissed by the Supreme Court, which sided with the IRS's authority to collect debts, rendering the case moot once funds were seized.

• Quote:
  "Bullying should lose," – Justice Neil Gorsuch [13:13]

d. Simon Soto’s VA Compensation

The Court ruled unanimously in favor of Simon Soto, a disabled veteran, allowing him to seek additional combat-related compensation beyond the initially offered six years of back pay.

• Quote:
  "The justices agreed unanimously." – Nick Eicher [13:48]

e. Denny Rivers’ Inmate Appeal

Denny Rivers, serving 38 years for child sex abuse, was denied a second attempt at federal habeas relief, solidifying the Court's stance on limiting multiple appeals in such cases.

• Quote:
  "Nobody ever could and now Rivers never will." – Mary Reichard [14:32]

f. Dante Parish’s Fairness Over Formality

Federal prisoner Dante Parish successfully argued for procedural fairness, ensuring that his initial notice to appeal was sufficient, preventing further delays due to administrative errors.

• Quote:
  "Serve justice. Don't try to trip people up." – Justice Sonia Sotomayor [15:05]

4. Economic Insights: Monday Money Beat with David Bonson

a. Impact of Israel-Iran Conflict on Markets

David Bonson analyzes the economic repercussions of the Israel-Iran conflict, primarily focusing on oil prices, which spiked by 10% following the missile strikes. He notes that while there are concerns about oil supply disruptions, the market has absorbed the initial shock without significant long-term economic impact.

• Quote:
  "I don't think there's an immediate expectation of this spiraling to a place that really impacts the economy. But that could change." – David Bonson [16:58]

b. Federal Reserve’s Interest Rate Strategy

Bonson discusses the Federal Reserve's upcoming meeting, anticipating that Chairman Powell will maintain the current interest rates but may use forward guidance to signal potential future cuts. Market expectations lean towards rate cuts by the end of the year, possibly starting in September.

• Quote:
  "I would not overthink ambiguous language, but I do believe the possibility exists that he'll indicate, yes, I'm going to maybe be starting a little sooner than expected." – David Bonson [19:54]

c. Immigration Enforcement Policy Reversal

Addressing the White House's reversal on ICE raids, Bonson attributes the decision to both political pressure and economic necessity. He supports prioritizing deportations of serious offenders over non-criminal workers, highlighting the labor shortages in agriculture and hospitality sectors post-COVID.

• Quote:
  "Prioritization of focusing your deportation efforts on the really, really bad folks makes a lot more sense politically and it makes a heck of a lot more sense economically." – David Bonson [21:18]

5. Personal Stories: Navy SEAL Adam Brown’s Mission

A deeply moving segment details the final mission of Navy SEAL Adam Brown, who was tasked with eliminating a top Taliban leader, Lake James. The narrative covers Brown's personal struggles, his family's support, and his heroic actions during the mission that ultimately led to his sacrifice.

• Quote:
  "Nobody in his right mind would fly a helicopter into this ravine." – Mike Leiter [24:53]

The story highlights the valor and personal cost faced by military personnel, portraying Adam Brown as a dedicated soldier and beloved family man.

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Conclusion

This episode of The World and Everything In It offers a comprehensive analysis of significant international conflicts, pressing domestic issues, impactful Supreme Court rulings, and insightful economic discussions. Through engaging storytelling and expert commentary, listeners gain a well-rounded perspective on current events shaping the world.

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Transcript

[David Bonson]

Good morning. This is David Bonson. Before we get started today, I want to take a moment to ask you to consider supporting the work of world, this program and so much of what World produces across print, podcast, video and digital. All this is made possible by listeners like you who believe in sound journalism grounded in facts and biblical truth. World's June giving drive is underway. And if you've benefited from world's brand of reporting that doesn't chase trends but tries to get the story right, I hope you'll join in. Please visit wng.org junegivingdrive and make your gift a support and thanks. Talk to you in about 15 minutes on the Monday Money Beat.

[Mary Reichard]

Good morning. The U.S. supreme Court makes it easier for students with disabilities to sue for damages, but it's still no slam dunk.

[Perry Zirkel]

So in most jurisdictions, predictably, it'll be easier to get money. But still, there is a hurdle to go over, this deliberate indifference standard that's.

[Nick Eicher]

Ahead today on Legal Docket. Also today, the Monday Money Beat with economist David Bonson. And I want to be clear, this.

[Kent Covington]

Continues to be a very difficult endeavor.

[Nick Eicher]

The world history book 15 years ago, a Navy SEAL team prepares to take out one of the Taliban's most ruthless leaders.

[Mary Reichard]

It's Monday, June 16th. This is the world and everything in it from listener supported World Radio. I'm Mary Reichert.

[Nick Eicher]

And I'm Nick Eicher. Good morning.

[Mary Reichard]

Time for the news now with Kent Covington.

[Kent Covington]

Air raid sirens sounded in Jerusalem as Israel and Iran traded missile strikes again on Sunday. Iranian missiles have broken through Israeli defenses, striking buildings deep inside the country. Israel, for its part, hit targets in Tehran, including the Defense Ministry and sites it says are tied to the country's nuclear program. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday further explained the decision to launch the mission aimed at taking out Iran's nuclear program. US Nuclear negotiations with Iran had reportedly stalled, and Netanyahu says it was clear to him that the talks were going nowhere. I could wait and wait and wait until they officially declared that the talks.

[Michael Leiter]

Were off or they, you know, and.

[Kent Covington]

We'D officially declare that we're going to attack them. And doing that, Israel says, would have fully surrendered any element of surprise and given Iran more time to continue enriching uranium. UN N officials have warned that Iran was one small technical step away from enriching at weapons grade levels. Israeli Ambassador to the United States Michael Leiter. This series of strikes is not going to end today or tomorrow, but only at a period of time which may take weeks, when we are absolutely certain that the nuclear infrastructure with the intention of weaponizing and threatening Israel is terminated. Iran months ago launched a direct ballistic missile attack against Israel and Israeli leaders say they will not wait until Iran is capable of launching nuclear warheads. Hundreds of civilians are believed to have been killed on both sides since Friday. President Trump says the United States military was not involved in the Israeli mission in Iran, but notes that Israel is armed with the best American made weapons. He's urging Tehran to surrender its nuclear program and negotiate an end to the conflict. Lawmakers in Minnesota and beyond are still reeling from a shooting that killed one Democratic Minnesota state legislator and her husband and severely wounded another and his wife, Democratic US Senator Amy Klobuchar said Sunday.

[Mary Reichard]

Our delegation in Minnesota, from the most conservative Republican to the most liberal Democrat, we all joined together and said we condemn this political violence.

[Kent Covington]

The attack killed Melissa Hortman, her husband Mark, and gravely wounded State Senator John Hoffman and his wife. Law enforcement continued the hunt on Sunday for the suspect, 57 year old Vance Bolter. The FBI has offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect. The attacks come amid a recent flurry of political violence, including two assassination attempts against Donald Trump last year. Thousands gathered in Washington over the weekend for a military parade to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. army. President Trump and other top officials paid tribute.

[David Bonson]

We commemorate an event that did not just change American history, but change the history of the entire world with the creation of America's army on June 14, 1775.

[Kent Covington]

The procession featured more than 6,000 soldiers, more than 100 army tanks, Apache gunships, Black Hawk helicopters and more. Vintage army equipment was also on display, including World War II era B25s from the then U.S. army Air Corps. An organized nationwide protest brought thousands into the streets and cities across the country over the weekend. Protesters demonstrating against President Trump's policies and immigration law enforcement.

[Mary Reichard]

It feels to me like we are losing the thread of democracy in our country, that, that it's unraveling before our eyes.

[Kent Covington]

Many marched holding American flags, others with Mexican flags. And once again some of those protests turned violent. Police in LA deploying tear gas to protect themselves, the public and property. Some throughout objects including chunks of concrete at officers and fired commercial grade fireworks at them on Capitol Hill. Democrats are still demanding an investigation after California Senator Alex Padilla was forcibly removed from a press conference last week with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and handcuffed California Governor Gavin Newsom. I hope we look at what happened.

[David Bonson]

To Senator Padilla not through the blue or red lens, but through your own set of eyes.

[Kent Covington]

But Republicans say they watched the footage with their own eyes. And they say to them it was clear that Padilla was aggressively charging toward the podium, that the senator's identity was not clear to the Secret Service or FBI agents guarding the event, and that he resisted as they tried to remove him. Our speaker Mike Johnson, chimed in.

[Nick Eicher]

I think that that behavior, at a.

[Kent Covington]

Minimum, is it rises to the level of a censure.

[Nick Eicher]

I think there needs to be a.

[Mary Reichard]

Message sent by the body as a.

[Nick Eicher]

Whole that that is not what we are going to do.

[Kent Covington]

Secretary Noem called the interruption disrespectful, but she said the two have since opened a line of communication. I'm Kent Covington. And still ahead, the Supreme Court weighs in on the rights of students with disabilities to sue for damages. Plus, the Monday Money beat with economist David Bonson. This is the world and everything in it.

[Nick Eicher]

It's the world and everything in it for the 16th day of June, 2025. We are so glad you've joined us today. Good morning. I'm Nick Eichert.

[Mary Reichard]

And I'm Mary Reinkard. Quick update on the June giving drive. In case you missed it. We reported Friday that you blew past the first $130,000 challenge gift. That scoreboard lit up fast, so thank you.

[Nick Eicher]

Hey, it did. And a whole new circle of world movers took the field, loving what they heard and decided to crank up the stakes a bit, issuing a new challenge gift of $161,000. So think of that as the next step level, and let's see how quickly we can clear this one.

[Mary Reichard]

Now maybe you ask, why $161,000? Well, it's pretty simple. That's what came in. And it nudges the grand total into a whole new weight class and keeps the momentum rolling, all without having to break out the boring budget spreadsheets on the air.

[Nick Eicher]

Yep. So if you haven't jumped in yet, now is the moment. As you heard David Bondsen at the beginning of the program today, your gift, in whatever amount pushes us toward that next benchmark of listener support for biblical grounded journalism.

[Mary Reichard]

Would you make your gift [e-mail] JuneLivingDrive Again, wng.org JuneLivingDrive let's top that new challenge and keep the story going.

[Nick Eicher]

All right. Time now for Legal Donket. On Thursday, the U.S. supreme Court handed down six opinions. We will run through all of them today in brief. And we begin with a big win for a student with disabilities, Ava Tharp. We Told you about her case last week. This young lady suffers from a rare severe form of epilepsy. Her seizures are worst in the mornings. And before her family had to move, the school she attended in Kentucky worked around that by offering classes from noon to 6. After she moved to Minnesota, the new district refused, and Ava got far less instruction than did other students.

[Mary Reichard]

So the family sued and won some relief. A court ordered the school to provide more instruction time to Ava under one disability law, but they lost out on money damages under other laws. And that's because the federal Appeals court, the 8th Circuit, set a tougher standard. I called up an expert to understand this. Perry Zirkel spent 40 years as a professor at Lehigh University teaching education law.

[Perry Zirkel]

In other words, if the district said, sorry, maybe we should have given this child evening instruction, but we didn't do it for sort of nasty or vindictive or bad faith reasons. We were just under the impression that the school day ends at that time and our limited budgets, etc. And so unless you can show bad faith or gross misjudgment, your case is dismissed.

[Nick Eicher]

That's the standard the lower courts used, and the Supreme Court said no to that. Another unanimous decision. Now, the test is deliberate indifference. It's the same standard used in other disability disputes, and it's easier to prove. But Zerkel Said says it's not a.

[Perry Zirkel]

Free for all in most jurisdictions. Predictably, it'll be easier to get money damages. But still, there is a hurdle to go over this deliberate indifference standard. So that's the major question that the court did not address and that we'll have to address in future litigation if a case bubbles up to the Supreme Court.

[Nick Eicher]

Next up, Martin v. United States. It's another unanimous decision and a partial win for a Georgia homeowner. Katrina Martin was jolted awake at 4 in the morning when an FBI SWAT team showed up, guns drawn. Turns out they were at the wrong house. The agents realized the mistake and left. But Martin says the damage was already done. She and her family were traumatized, so she sued.

[Mary Reichard]

Normally you don't get to sue the government, that is, but there is an exception for things like trespass or assault, unless the agents were using their discretion, meaning their professional judgment. If they were, the law protects the agents. So the key question, was the botched raid, a judgment call or a flat out mistake? The Supreme Court says the discretionary judgment rule lives on. So this means the case returns to lower court and there a judge will decide, did the agents act within that protected gray area? If they did, Katrina Martin's claim will be tossed. If they were not, then she'll have a chance to prove the government was at fault. The Martin's then boyfriend, Toy Kleat was also part of the lawsuit as he was in the home at the time of the raid. Sound from NBC's 11 Alive. We're hoping that some of their procedures change.

[David Bonson]

I would actually like for them to.

[Mary Reichard]

Actually ban no knock warrants if it was possible. We don't want to see any other victimized the same way that we were.

[Nick Eicher]

All right, now, three quick rulings. First, a win for the irs, but not for the taxpayers. Jennifer Zuck challenged a tax bill for 36,000 doll after the IRS credited all her joint estimated payments to the account of her ex husband. She appealed, but before the case could be heard, the IRS seized her refund money to pay off what it considered her debt and declared the case moot. The Supreme Court went along with that 8 to 1, saying that once the IRS collects, that is the end of the jurisdiction of the Tax Court. One justice dissented, Justice Neil Gorsuch, quoting him now. Bullies should lose, he said Today the court allows one to prevent now a.

[Mary Reichard]

Win for a disabled Green Beret. Simon Soto served two combat tours in Iraq. The VA rated him 100% disabled, and so he applied for combat related special compensation. That's a benefit that makes up for lost retirement pay due to combat injuries. The Navy approved it, but gave him only six years of back pay. Soto sued, arguing the six year limit didn't apply to this kind of compensation. The justices agreed unanimously. The case now goes back to figure out how much more he's owed, not to mention other veterans like him.

[Nick Eicher]

Now to a loss for an inmate in Texas. Denny Rivers is serving 38 years for child sex abuse and child pornography. He challenged his conviction once, claiming his lawyer failed him. While that was still pending, he discovered new evidence and filed another petition. But the court said, too late for that. You get one shot at federal habeas relief, as it's known. No second tries. Here is Justice Gorsuch during oral argument. I mean, you're asking for us to treat habeas differently than any other form of civil litigation. I've never heard of being able to amend my complaint when I'm on appeal after a 12B6 dismissal. Boy, I would have liked to have done that a couple of times. Gorsuch never could and now Rivers never will.

[Mary Reichard]

And finally, a ruling favoring fairness over formality. Federal prisoner Dante Parish didn't learn that his case had been dismissed until after he was transferred to another prison. Once he found out, he filed a notice to appeal. A judge gave him a new window to do that again, but the appeals court said he missed that one, too. The Supreme Court said stop it. Parrish's first notice was good enough. Here's Justice Sonia Sotomayor in oral argument. Rules themselves say that we have to consider efficiency and not to read the.

[David Bonson]

Rules literally put, but with a view.

[Mary Reichard]

To what's just correct. In other words, serve justice. Don't try to trip people up. She wrote the 8 to 1 majority opinion and that's this week's legal docket.

[Nick Eicher]

Additional support comes from the Mission Focused Men for Christ podcast this month. Fathers helping sons embrace biblical manhood.

[Kent Covington]

Mission Focused Men for Christ on all podcast apps from Rich Haven Camp and.

[Nick Eicher]

Retreat centers in Brevard, North Carolina and.

[Kent Covington]

Cono, Iowa Camp and year round retreat.

[Nick Eicher]

[e-mail] and from the Joshua Program at St. Dunstan's Academy in Virginia, a gap year shaping young men through trades, farming, prayer, St. Dunstansacademy.org.

[Mary Reichard]

Coming up next on THE WORLD and everything in it, the Monday Money beat.

[Nick Eicher]

Time now to talk business, markets and the economy with financial analyst and advisor David Bonson. David heads up the wealth management firm the Bonson Group, and he is here now. Good morning to you, David.

[David Bonson]

Good morning, Nick. Good to be with you.

[Nick Eicher]

All right, David, let's start with a really fast moving story and that's Israel's strikes on Iran's nuclear sites. And I'm curious, at this early stage in the conflict with limited data that we have, do you see this as a temporary disruption economically or might markets take this overall as a welcome check on the nuclear ambitions of Iran?

[David Bonson]

Well, it's really going to kind of depend on how it goes, Nick. I think that the most obviously relevant economic impact is in commodities, is in oil prices which spiked up 10% on Friday. And the reason that that matters is because there is some concern about will oil supply come down as a result of this. And you say, well, wait a second, Iran wasn't supposed to supplying anyways or they weren't supposed to be well on the margin they were supplying because OPEC was cheating a little bit on the Iranian sanctions. But more important than that is some of the allies or at least countries in the Middle east that are not in sanctions, their ability to transport oil could be threatened if there's more escalation. That's a very obvious potential impact economically. And that's always the case with Middle east flare ups. Is Immediately market could say what's going to happen to oil. But I would like to say that we had had oil between 70 and 75 for a long time. And at the time that this spike kicked up, it had been in the 60s. So the fact that first, from declining economic growth expectations, oil dropped down below 60 back at the height of the trade war a couple months ago, and then it had settled in kind of the mid-60s. So the fact that it was coming off of a low place when this spike happened, I think that the economy can absorb oil if it stays here in the 70 to 75 range. I think it closed Friday around 73. So we're basically looking for the energy market impact and then in terms of escalation, what that leads to uncertainty. Because, you know, look, this was a pretty major event that happened Thursday night. It was escalating on Friday. And while the headline of the Dow being down on Friday, 800 points, looks interesting, the S&P was down 1%. I mean, you had basically Israel attack Iran to take down its nuclear capacity, which could end up being a generational geopolitical story. And the market was down 1%, which it has done a gazillion times. So I don't think there's an immediate expectation of this spiraling to a place that really impacts the economy. But that could change. I mean, we have to see what Iran's real capacity for retaliation is and where Israel takes it. Does this go into Tehran? Does this get troops on the ground? We'll have to wait and see how those things play out.

[Nick Eicher]

Well, David, the Fed is meeting this week. Are you looking for anything new from Chairman Powell in light of these current geopolitical events we've been talking about? Or do you think the Fed's plan is just baked in, they stay the course on interest rates?

[David Bonson]

Well, we most certainly know what the Fed is going to do this week, which is nothing. But to your point about listening to what they say, I think that Chairman Powell is a big believer in a tool called forward guidance, where he uses indications to the market of what they'll do in the future as a policy tool in the present. And if they intend to start cutting rates sooner than is currently embedded in markets, he will use language that will make that very clear. I would not overthink ambiguous language, but I do believe the possibility exists that he'll indicate, yes, I'm going to maybe be starting a little sooner than expected. Right now, going into this week, there's a 0% chance the Fed touches rates this week forward. The market is expecting 2 to 3 rate cuts by the end of the year, but maybe not starting those till September. Maybe after this week. The market thinks he might move in July or August. We're going to have to wait and see.

[Nick Eicher]

All right, one more. David. Last week the White House backpedaled on those Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids at farms and hotels that came on the heels of pushback from the agriculture and hospitality sectors. What can we read into that White House reversal? Do you see political pressure, economic necessity, or maybe a combination of all the above?

[David Bonson]

Yeah, this is a pretty controversial issue for a lot of people, so I have to tread carefully. You're absolutely right that he has reversed, at least rhetorically on some of that. And there's a lot of people that would prefer our deportation policies not distinguish between folks that came here legally and have been working at a restaurant for 20 years and not committed any crimes. And then those that are full blown, you know, Ms, 13 members, criminals, et cetera. My own view is that that prioritization of focusing your deportation efforts on the really, really bad folks makes a lot more sense politically and it makes a heck of a lot more sense economically. And the president, I don't know if it's just pressure. I think it's also very empirical information that indicates both in agriculture and hospitality that there's a labor void. And you know, we learned in the Biden years post Covid, labor voids are inflationary. And so to me, I'm very grateful to see the president go in this direction. I know that there's some folks that feel differently, but we'll see. It's going to help his agenda overall. I mean, there's just a really broad popularity for deporting folks that have committed crimes once they were here. And there's a public resistance to deporting people that have been here, not committing crimes, working and often known in their communities for a long period of time. So we'll, we'll see how that plays out for the President.

[Nick Eicher]

All right. David Bonson, founder, managing partner and chief investment officer at the Bonson Group. He writes regularly for World opinions [e-mail] David, thanks so much. We'll see you next week.

[David Bonson]

Thanks so much, Nick.

[Caleb Weldy]

SAM.

[Nick Eicher]

Today is Monday, June 16th. Good morning. This is the world and everything in it from listener supported World Radio. I'm Nick Iker.

[Mary Reichard]

And I'm Mary Reichard. Up next, the world history book. Fifteen years ago, the war in Afghanistan is reaching a fever pitch. 2010 is the deadliest year for US troops in that conflict.

[Nick Eicher]

Turning now to America at war. New intelligence reports say the war in Afghanistan is far from being won.

[Mary Reichard]

I want to be clear, this continues.

[Kent Covington]

To be a very difficult endeavor.

[Mary Reichard]

Violence in Afghanistan is at an all time high and the Taliban is gaining strength from the perception that international forces.

[Kent Covington]

Are about to leave.

[Mary Reichard]

On March 17, a group of Navy SEALs from SEAL Team 6 are sneaking into a valley to capture or kill a high ranking Taliban leader.

[Nick Eicher]

One of those seals is on what's scheduled to be his last deployment. 36 year old Adam Brown. Here's world correspondent Caleb Weldy with the story.

[Caleb Weldy]

Adam and his teammates are hunting down a man codenamed Lake James. According to one army officer, this Taliban leader has more blood on his hands than anyone else in his district. Adam's helicopter drops below a granite ridge line in the Hindu Kush Mountains. The SEALs knew this mission would be different for one of Adam's teammates.

[Michael Leiter]

Hands down, this was the most hellacious landing zone he'd encountered in his entire career.

[Caleb Weldy]

Audio from the 2012 book Fearless by Eric Blem.

[Michael Leiter]

Nobody in his right mind would fly a helicopter into this ravine. Exactly why it had been chosen as their lz.

[Caleb Weldy]

Adam and his teammates fast rope out of the hovering chopper into the darkness. 90ft onto boulders. They have six brutal hours ahead of them to the target on the other side of the world in Virginia. Adam's wife Kelly has this message sitting in her inbox sent by Adam a few days earlier.

[Michael Leiter]

I am so proud, happy and fortunate to have you as my wife. I listen to all these songs and I realize I have the girl I always dreamed of. I wonder how many people can really say that and mean it. I love you, Adam.

[Caleb Weldy]

Adam and Kelly met under less than ideal circumstances. He was three weeks out of a drug rehab program. She was a Baptist Sunday school teacher. At a bar with friends, the two hit it off right away. They clarified to each other the next day that the bar was not the place for either of them. They were both new Christians and they began going to church together. But then Adam relapsed, and not just once. Kelly stayed with him for nine months. Nine months that eventually left her feeling, in her words, crazy angry. Adam eventually concluded it would be best for Kelly if he just disappeared for good. Kelly easily guessed where he'd run. He only had one buddy living out of state. Over the phone, Adam told her, I'm.

[Michael Leiter]

Not good for you. That's why I left. I don't want you to keep chasing after me. Kelly told Adam how she'd been praying and praying hard, asking God for guidance, asking him directly if she should abandon the relationship. Adam, she said, God has not told me to leave you. I love you. My heart says, stay and see this through.

[Caleb Weldy]

The day before that conversation, one of Adam's friends suggested maybe he look at the military. Adam had been interested in the seals since high school. He asked Kelly, do you think I can do it?

[Michael Leiter]

Of course you can, kelly said without hesitation, even though she had only the most basic idea of what a Navy SEAL did.

[Caleb Weldy]

Adam became a seal in 2000, but then in 2004, he lost his right eye in a training accident. According to Kelly, he was pretty depressed for a few weeks, but then decided it was just another challenge. In 2006, a SEAL commander wrote in an evaluation of Adam that Adam was clearly in the top 1% of the SEAL community. Adam passed testing for Team 6 the same year, but back to 2010. March 17th. In Afghanistan, things are not going according to plan. The SEALs arrive at their objective two hours late. An army officer in the area describes the situation like this, like they'd infiltrated a hornet's nest.

[Michael Leiter]

That whole area was swarming with hardcore Taliban. So they snuck into that valley like it was the entrance to the nest. And they crept past all these hornets who were asleep and went straight for the queen. That was James.

[Caleb Weldy]

The SEALs weapons are suppressed. The Talibans are not. The hornets wake up. Before he left for this deployment, Adam spent his last weeks in Virginia dreaming with Kelly about life after the military. They want to settle near their family in Hot Springs, Arkansas. They have two kids now, Nathan, 10, and Savannah, 7. Adam turned 36 right before this deployment. During a family birthday party, his kids gave him the perfect gift. They couldn't hold back the giggles as he opened it.

[Michael Leiter]

Soon, Adam was laughing too, at the adult sized black and yellow Batman briefs he'd unwrapped. Pulling them on over his pants, he paraded around the kitchen, striking superhero poses. He got down face to face with Nathan and Savannah. I'm gonna make y' all a promise. I promise these are gonna be my undercover underwear. I'm gonna wear them on every op I go out on and he lowered his voice to a whisper. Nobody will ever know my superhero capabilities, you dork, said Kelly. And the kids cracked up again.

[Caleb Weldy]

Back in Afghanistan, the superhero fights bravely. But 10 minutes into the battle in the hornet's nest, Adam gets stung. He's shot in the legs, up his side and in the arm. His teammates rush to him and begin cutting away his uniform to find the bullet holes.

[Michael Leiter]

As Zeke cut through the rest of Adam's pants. He paused for a moment. The world stopped for a few seconds and we just stared. He was wearing the Batman underwear his kids gave him.

[Caleb Weldy]

The SEALS got their man like James, but at a high cost. Adam Brown died that night in the Hindu Kush Mountains. Not long afterward, a family friend, a military representative and a SEAL in dress blues knock on Kelly Brown's door. It's midnight.

[Michael Leiter]

You're sure? And looked to Christian, who nodded. I'm so sorry, Kelly.

[Caleb Weldy]

Kelly isn't the only one devastated. Adam's parents also struggle for answers. Tomorrow we'll hear their side of the story. For world, I'm Caleb Weldy. Audio excerpts of Fearless are from Penguin Random House. Audio read by Robert Petkoff.

[Nick Eicher]

Tomorrow, more on on the war between Israel and Iran over the spread of nuclear weapons and a report from Los Angeles on how believers there are stepping into the chaos. That and more tomorrow. I'm Nick Eicher.

[Mary Reichard]

And I'm Mary Reichert. The world and everything in it comes to you from World Radio. World's mission is biblically objective journalism that informs, educates and inspires. The Bible says, submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double minded. Verses seven and eight of James chapter four. Go now in grace and peace.