Chuck Holton
Politics • Culture • News
Chuck Holton is an American war correspondent, published author, and motivational speaker.
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North Korea, Russia, and the World Stage: What’s Really Happening?

Geopolitical tensions have a way of sneaking under our radar, but the game that’s being played between Russia and North Korea could have far-reaching consequences. Right now, these two countries are in cahoots, but it’s not all about simple alliances. Let’s break down the dynamics that are shaping the future and why this relationship could be a major game-changer.

North Korea’s Deal with Russia: The Hidden Agenda

What’s Russia’s strategy in all this? Well, let’s look at their recent collaboration with North Korea. While the mainstream media might focus on troop movements and flashy headlines, there’s something deeper at play here. Russia is giving Kim Jong-un the green light to stir the pot on the Korean Peninsula, especially as the world remains distracted by the chaos in Ukraine.
But here’s where it gets interesting. North Korea isn’t just looking for weapons or military support. What if they’re sending troops to Russia for a bigger reason? Let’s say, 10,000 soldiers on one condition: don’t send them back. The North Korean regime thrives on control, manipulation, and a constant narrative of fear and ignorance about the outside world. If those soldiers made it back to North Korea, they’d bring with them the truth about how the world works — and that could shake up the regime’s grip on power.

What Would Happen If North Korea Invaded South Korea?

We’ve all heard the stories about a North Korean invasion of the South. It’s a long-standing concern for global security. But let’s consider the reality of what would happen if those North Korean soldiers flooded into South Korea. What would they see?
The stark contrast would be mind-blowing. North Koreans are taught that the South is an apocalyptic wasteland, a living hell where nobody is free. They believe that everyone in South Korea is living in squalor, living under constant oppression, and struggling to survive. But when they crossed the border into the South, they would be shocked. South Korea is thriving — modern, clean, safe, and, dare I say, absolutely beautiful. It’s a country that has flourished and is completely unrecognizable to those who’ve been told lies for generations.
For a regime that survives on misinformation, an invasion could be catastrophic for North Korea’s narrative. Soldiers who encounter South Korea's progress might choose not to return.
They could lay down their arms and embrace a new way of life — and that’s a dangerous thought for Kim Jong-un.

Why North Korea Won’t Likely Invade the South... Yet

Don’t get too worked up about the prospect of a full-scale North Korean invasion of South Korea. While tensions have escalated, it’s not as likely as you might think — and here's why.
For one, there are 20,000 to 30,000 American troops stationed just south of the border. That’s a deterrent that North Korea can’t ignore. But more importantly, the regime is well aware that invading the South could lead to the collapse of their own state. Imagine if Kim Jong-un decided to send 100,000 of his young men into South Korea. They might come back as South Koreans, never to return to the North. The regime would lose not just its military strength but its entire base of power. North Korea thrives on ignorance. Without that, they have nothing.
So while Russia is trying to encourage this conflict, it’s not as easy as it seems. For now, North Korea remains tethered to its own internal propaganda, and any move against South Korea could mean the end of everything the regime holds dear.

Russia’s Bigger Agenda: Creating Chaos Around the World

Let’s zoom out a bit. Russia’s meddling goes beyond North Korea. Ever since the war in Ukraine began, Russia has been stirring up trouble across the globe. From Israel to Armenia, from Venezuela to Guyana, Russia is pulling strings, trying to destabilize regions that could pose a threat to its interests.
And here’s the kicker — Russia’s ultimate goal isn’t just to be a bully on the world stage. It’s about creating distractions. Look at the bigger picture: the Middle East is volatile, China is eyeing Taiwan, and tensions in Europe are sky-high. Russia is fueling this chaos so that the world’s attention is split, making it easier for them to maneuver. If the US, NATO, and the rest of the West are too busy dealing with crises elsewhere, Russia can move freely.
But not all of these moves will play out the way Russia hopes. As these global games unfold, one thing is clear: the world is getting more unpredictable by the day, and understanding the connections between Russia, North Korea, and the rest of the world could be the key to staying ahead of the game.

What’s Next for North Korea, Russia, and the World?

As we look ahead, it’s clear that the situation in North Korea and Russia is far from simple. The two countries may seem like unlikely partners, but their shared interests make for a potent, albeit dangerous, alliance.
But what can we expect next? Will Kim Jong-un be emboldened by Russia’s backing? Could North Korea attempt to cross the line and invade South Korea? And what role will China play in all of this, especially with its eyes set on Taiwan?
One thing’s for sure: global geopolitics is more interconnected than ever, and it’s a game that we all have to watch closely. Keep your eyes on these developments because the ripples they cause could have far-reaching effects, not just in Asia, but around the world.

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Is the U.S. Training Syria’s New Jihadist Army?

Very few media outlets are talking about this, but they should be — urgently.

While most of the world is distracted, U.S. troops are conducting live training exercises in Syria with the forces of the country’s new interim government, now led by Ahmed al-Sharaa — a man widely known as a former Al Qaeda affiliate.

Let that sink in.

Recent reports confirm that U.S. personnel at the Al-Tanf garrison have been training members of the so-called 70th Division, a unit formed from remnants of the Syrian Free Army, which now pledges loyalty to this new government. This comes right on the heels of a massacre of Druze civilians, allegedly carried out by those very same government-aligned forces.

Aiding the Next Generation of Jihadists?
This isn’t just a questionable policy — it could be morally catastrophic.

Druze communities, who have long sought neutrality in Syria’s civil war, were brutally attacked.

Christian populations in the region are living in fear, as radical factions become emboldened ...

00:06:03
Debunked

Debunked: Following several accusations that Israel is causing famine in Gaza, COGAT has released drone footage of the hundreds of truckloads of supplies waiting to be delivered to Gaza by the UN. A statement accompanying the footage claims that 'There is enough food here to feed all of Gaza, if the UN ever came to pick it up.

00:00:39
Did Jewish Settlers Burn a Church?

See for yourself

00:02:32
Episode 622 - Field Producer Dennis Azato and Chuck Reminisce

My erstwhile field producer and cameraman Dennis Azato has accompanied me on ten years of adventures across the globe. Today he joins me in Ukraine and we spend some time remembering our many trips together.

Episode 622 - Field Producer Dennis Azato and Chuck Reminisce
The Hot Zone Hit 200k Subscribers!

We just passed 200000 subscribers on YouTube! If you've ever shared a video, left a comment, or prayed over this work, thank you. I don’t take it lightly. This channel exists to bring truth and to make the news better, and it is made possible by all of you. Thank you!

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Interview With Freed Israeli Hostage Mia Shem.

Lest we forget why Israel is fighting daily to bring their people home and protect against further atrocities, Mia Shem’s story is a sobering reminder of what’s at stake.

Chuck, I keep hearing that Israel and the US are preparing to put US troops on the ground along side the IDF in order to export the Palestinian population out of Gaza so Israel can rebuild the area.
What do you know about this? Do you see the same thing happening?
If not, why the US troop buildup in the area?

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Israel at a Crossroads: Conquer, Besiege, or Capitulate?

Hey folks, Chuck Holton here—coming to you one last time from this balcony in Jerusalem before I head to Tel Aviv and then on to the next frontlines. But before I leave, I want to break down some of the most critical developments from the past week in Gaza and beyond. And believe me, there's a lot to unpack.

Three Roads for Israel

Let’s talk strategy. An analysis in Israel Hayom outlines three main options Israel faces in Gaza:

  1. Conquer Gaza: Full military occupation, boots on the ground, control every inch. But that comes at a high cost—thousands of IDF troops deployed indefinitely.

  2. Besiege Gaza: Maintain pressure without full occupation. This could include arming anti-Hamas factions—like Abu Salai’s clan in Rafah—and continuing selective strikes.

  3. Status Quo: Keep doing what they’re doing—limited incursions, hostage negotiations, and intelligence gathering. But this risks being perceived as weak and prolonging the conflict indefinitely.

As I said on Newsmax, the idea of a ceasefire right now is fantasy. Hamas still believes it’s winning—happy to let their people starve if they can pin the blame on Israel. President Trump nailed it:

“You’re gonna have to fight. You’re gonna have to clean it up. You’re gonna have to get rid of them.”

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Feeding the Hungry—or Fueling the Narrative? What’s Really Stopping Aid in Gaza

Just inside the border fence between Israel and Gaza, 950 trucks loaded with humanitarian aid are parked in neat rows—each one carrying enough food to feed 5,000 people. That’s nearly 4.7 million meals sitting idle in the blistering sun, not because they can’t be delivered, but because the United Nations refuses to distribute them. The reason? Doing so would mean cooperating with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), and apparently, political posturing takes priority over feeding the hungry.

 

I was there. I saw the trucks. I spoke with the IDF officers overseeing the process. The KM Shalom distribution yard is not a ghost town—it's an active, secure checkpoint where aid is being processed, inspected, and prepared for delivery. The Israeli military has opened the door for humanitarian efforts to operate safely. But the UN has effectively slammed it shut, choosing ideological purity over practical compassion.

The prevailing media narrative often accuses Israel of “blocking aid” into Gaza. But here’s the truth on the ground: Israel isn’t blocking humanitarian aid—Hamas is looting it, and the UN is refusing to cooperate to ensure it gets where it needs to go. In the absence of leadership from the world’s largest humanitarian body, smaller organizations have taken up the mantle.

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Why Are Thailand and Cambodia Suddenly at War?
What Americans Should Know


By Chuck Holton | July 25, 2025


What's Happening

Fighting has broken out along the border between Thailand and Cambodia, two countries in Southeast Asia. At least 14 people are dead, over 100,000 civilians have been displaced, and both sides are using heavy weapons — including jets, rockets, and artillery.

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