World Ablaze with George Fontes delivers unfiltered, no-bullshit conversations and hard-hitting unfiltered commentary on politics, news, and geopolitics.
Michael 'Mak' Makatura served as the Executive Officer of the 10th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Hahn Air Base, Germany, and later as an Air Force Intelligence Officer where he was the Distinguished Graduate of two Air Force Intelligence Officer schools. Born into a working-class family in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he never imagined he would one day be part of a fighter squadron that would help shape the final days of the Cold War and later participate in Operation Desert Storm.
Michael reflects on the tensions and very real nuclear threat as he served while the Cold War between the USA and the Soviet Union was still going. He adds valuable insight as his station at Hahn Air Base gave him a literal up-close view of those under communist rule on the other side of the Berlin Wall, and gives all Americans a stern warning about the dangers of socialism.
Miachael also reflects on his service as the USA launched Operation Desert Storm, and gave some historical context and real world assessment about the Iran War today in 2026.
Buy Mak's book
https://www.michaelmakatura.com/
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Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction
• Host George Fontes welcomes guest Michael "Mak" Makatura, former executive officer of the 10th Tactical Fighter Squadron ("Fightin' Tenth") at Hahn Air Base in West Germany, Desert Storm veteran, and former Air Force intelligence officer.
03:15 - Cold War Front Lines: The "Fightin' Tenth" in West Germany
• Mak discusses serving at Hahn Air Base in 1988 during the final years of the Cold War.
• Historical background on the post-WWII division of Germany, superpower proxy wars, NATO deterrence at the Fulda Gap, and the triple-tasked F-16 mission (conventional air-to-ground, air superiority, and nuclear strike capabilities).
10:00 - Nuclear Deterrence, Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD) & Border Encounters
• The weight of nuclear readiness and Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD) as a deterrent force.
• Recalling high-stakes moments, including alert taskings following the West Berlin nightclub bombing and visiting the Fulda Gap border at the Elbe River—standing 100 yards from East German/Soviet troops and watching helicopter "exciter missions".
19:30 - Life Behind the Iron Curtain vs. Free Market Capitalism
• Contrasting individual choices under free-market capitalism with Soviet state central planning, scarcity, and economic stagnation.
• Interactions with West German landlords and their pragmatic "realpolitik" reaction to the fall of the Berlin Wall.
24:30 - The Rise of Socialism & The DSA Trojan Horse
• Addressing the loss of civil discourse in modern politics and Mak's candid critique of democratic socialism and the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).
• Examining how national affluence, declining civic standards, and economic despondency lead youth to romanticize socialism despite historical failures.
35:30 - Desert Storm Pivot: From Cold War Deterrence to Kinetic Conflict
• The fall of the Berlin Wall and the rapid transition from European Cold War training to combat operations in the Persian Gulf.
• Strategic realities of Gulf War military leadership, Iraqi military strength, and stopping Saddam Hussein from capturing Saudi Arabia's oil reserves.
44:00 - Transitioning to Air Force Intelligence Officer
• How Mak transitioned from fighter squadron operations management to becoming a distinguished graduate intelligence officer at Goodfellow AFB and serving at Air Combat Command at Langley AFB.
46:30 - Geopolitical Analysis: Iran, Shia Zealotry & The Apocalyptic Doctrine
• Deep dive into Iranian history: Persian vs. Arab distinctions, the 1979 Islamic Revolution, and Shia vs. Sunni theology.
• Explaining the Iranian regime's apocalyptic "Mahdi" doctrine, regional proxy networks, and why Arab neighbors view Iran—not Israel—as their primary threat.
55:00 - Extremism, Border Security & Discerning Good vs. Evil
• Addressing the spread of radical Islamist extremism into Africa (ISIS, Muslim Brotherhood) and U.S. border security concerns.
• Emphasizing the necessity of recognizing real-world security threats, preserving democratic values, and fostering fact-based public dialogue.
01:02:00 - The Fightin' Tenth Book Overview & Show Outro
• Mak introduces his memoir The Fightin' Tenth: Cold War to Desert Storm, detailing its two parts: life in an F-16 fighter squadron during the Cold War and first-hand war journals from Desert Storm (Colonel Ed Houle and Bill Andrews).
