470: Don't Get Caught In The Crossfire in The Information War. With Jeremy Stern.

Discover the eclectic and resilient history of Jeremy Stern's family, from comedy to adversity, shaping the landscape of a markedly unconventional upbringing in Southern California.

Jeremy's father had an unconventional career in comedy writing and advertising in New York City and Mexico

From the world of late-night humor to the exuberant advertising era, Tony, Jeremy's father, carved a path filled with unpredictability and creativity.

Jeremy's father worked as a comedy writer for Johnny Carson in the 1960s but was fired due to a puppet's complaints

Tony's stint as a comedy writer for Johnny Carson in the early 1960s came to an abrupt end when he was fired. The unlikely reason for his dismissal was dissatisfaction expressed by a sock puppet named Lamb Chop, operated by Sherry Lewis, which ultimately led Carson to release Tony due to the puppet's complaints about his jokes.

Jeremy's father later worked in the advertising industry in New York and Mexico, living a somewhat wild lifestyle with drugs and alcohol

Tony joined the ranks of New York City ad men during the post-"Mad Men" era, a time often associated with rampant cocaine use and heavy drinking. His career in advertising led him to work for prominent firms like McCann Erickson in New York and Shiet Day in Los Angeles. But it was his time in Mexico during the 1970s that Jeremy recalls as a "wild time," hinting at various troubles his father got into, details of which remain unspecified.

Jeremy's mother came from a Jewish family that fled Vienna during World War II and eventually settled in Los Angeles

Amid the horrors of World War II, Jeremy's mother's family sought refuge, demonstrating strength and the drive for survival.

Jeremy's maternal grandparents escaped the Nazis in Vienna and made it to England through the Kindertransport program

Jeremy's grandparents faced the nightmare of Nazi-occupied Vienna, from which they managed to escape. His grandmother took part in the Kindertransport to Britain, saving her from the impending dangers that Jewish children faced under Nazi regime. After joining the British army, Jeremy's grandfather fought in North Africa and the Battle of Anzio in Italy, showcasing immense bravery during the war.

Jeremy's grandfather served in the British army during World War II and later moved the family to the Dominican Republic and then California

Post-war life continued to be an odyssey for Jeremy's grandparents. Their inability to secure a visa to America led them to the Dominican Republic, where they found themselves on a farm in Sosua. Their tenacity eventually rewarded them with a visa to the United States, leading to their settlement in California and the birth of Jeremy's mother in Los Angeles.

Jeremy had a typical middle-class upbringing in the San Fernando Valley, attending a local private school with other Jewish students

From early memories shaped by global events to a coming-of-age filled with adolescent pursuits, Jeremy Stern offers a glimpse into ...

Jeremy’s journey through his military career has been a transformative one, filled with challenges, learning experiences, camaraderie, and moments that tested his resolve and belief.

Jeremy enlisted in the army after college, aiming to become an officer.

Following an aimless youth involved with smoking pot and chasing girls, but also harboring feelings of patriotism and connection to the life his family had built in America, Jeremy enlisted in the US Army in 2014. He expected to ship out for basic training shortly after signing his contract but was delayed eight months due to a downsizing military and budget constraints.

Jeremy went through basic training and officer candidate school, where he was trained as an explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) technician.

During his officer candidate school (OCS), Jeremy describes a ranking system that determined the selection order for military specialty slots. He ended up attending EOD school after OCS. The EOD training involved an arduous seven-month course inclusive of a large academic component, in which he learned the history and science behind explosives, with curricula starting from its origins during World War II. Despite no formal engineering background, Jeremy managed to get educated in electrical and chemical engineering, as well as hands-on explosive work.

Jeremy was deployed to the Middle East, where he supported special operations missions against ISIS and other groups.

In Syria, at Al-Tanf Garrison, Jeremy was part of the EOD teams supporting special operations teams (ODAs) on capture-kill missions against ISIS. His work spanned several missions, including humanitarian demining in Tajikistan and clearing anti-tank and anti-personnel mines in the desert. He speaks fondly of his demining mission in Tajikistan as his best deployment experience. Despite the frequency of his deployments impacting his marriage, Jeremy's commitment to his duty was unwavering.

Jeremy's EOD training and deployment experiences gave him a unique perspective on the military and warfare.

Imparting a unique insight into military operations, Jeremy gained experience in varied domains, from aiding with bomb support to defusing explosive devices, rendering support in humanitarian demining, and clearing missile wreckage. Such experiences, especially his first exposure to diffusing an explosive device, instilled in him a sense of pride and a confirmation of the unambiguous positivism of his role in the military.

Jeremy had positive experiences in the army, developing leadership skills and a sense of duty.

Jeremy ...

Jeremy Stern's transition from the army to a diplomatic role in the State Department provides unique insights into policy advising, the challenges of information warfare, and navigating bureaucratic tensions in the U.S. Embassy in Berlin.

After leaving the army, Jeremy Stern transitioned to a role in the State Department, working at the U.S. Embassy in Berlin.

After his time in the army, Jeremy Stern established himself in a pivotal position at the State Department by leveraging his military experience to secure a position as a policy advisor and chief of staff at the U.S. Embassy in Berlin. He was hired to work under Ambassador Richard Grenell, primarily because the post did not require a career foreign service officer. Despite having no significant prior State Department experience, his military background was deemed sufficient for the role.

Jeremy's role involved navigating the tensions between the Trump administration's priorities and the career Foreign Service bureaucracy.

Stern was responsible for interfacing with the career State Department bureaucracy, which often disagreed with President Donald Trump's policies. He encountered career diplomats who had served in their roles for a decade and sometimes preferred to act as intermediaries between Germany and the U.S., rather than as direct representatives of U.S. policies abroad. This challenge was exacerbated by some employees who anticipated the end of Trump's term and advised their German counterparts to "wait out" his administration. Jocko Willink highlighted the slow execution of Trump's policies, hinting at resistance within the bureaucracy.

Jeremy's time in Berlin gave him insights into information warfare and propaganda surrounding geopolitical events.

Jeremy Stern's tenure lined up with key events such as Russiagate, where the media depicted Trump as a Russian asset. The embassy's initiatives included actions against Russia, particularly regarding the Nord Stream 2 pipeline and strategies to encourage NATO allies to boost defense spending.

Stern also shared a personal anecdote regarding espionage risks at the embassy. He describ ...

Jeremy Stern has brought his rich, real-world experiences and diverse background to journalism, currently serving as the deputy editor of Tablet magazine. He has distinguished himself in the media landscape, providing keen insight into geopolitical and security issues.

Jeremy's Path to Deputy Editor at Tablet Magazine

As the deputy editor at Tablet magazine, Jeremy Stern stands out for his unconventional path to journalism. Stern's unique perspective comes from a diverse background and real-world experiences that set him apart from traditional journalists. His work has led him to write about influential figures like Palmer Luckey, the founder of both Oculus and the defense technology company Anduril, offering insights into the innovative use of AI in autonomous weapon systems.

Tablet is planning to launch a monthly print version, expanding beyond its current digital presence. The online magazine operates on a nonprofit model and provides an ad-free experience, enhancing reader engagement. Stern played an instrumental part in considering a print edition as a way to offer something special to readers who are willing to invest in the magazine's content economically.

Informing Readers About Geopolitical and Security Issues

In his role at Tablet, Jeremy Stern continues to shed light on essential topics, such as the role of innovative technologies in security and geopolitical tensions. He co-hosts the 30-minute podcast "What Really Matters" alongside reputable foreign policy expert Walter Russell Mead. Together, they analyze current events, placing them within their broader historical context and focusing on their long-term significance.

Stern aims to provide a nuanced understanding of global affairs and cut through the usual partisan narratives. Whether reporting on the ground from Belgrade after the October 7th attacks or engaging in discussions about conspiracy theories, his reporting seeks to combat misinformation and restore individual and communal empowerment.

Jeremy's writing has sparked significant public interest. For instance, his article ...