S8 Ep356: SHOW SCHEDULE 1-22-2025 1954 BRUSSELS

SHOW SCHEDULE 1-22-20251954 BRUSSELSSEGMENT 1: GREENLAND, NATO, AND TRUMP'S REVERSALS Guest: Anatol Lieven, Co-Host: Jim McTague Lieven examines Trump's shifting positions on Greenland and NATO, unsettling European allies who question American reliability. Discussion covers the proposed Board of Peace concept and how Trump's unpredictable rhetoric complicates alliance management, leaving partners uncertain whether commitments will hold or dissolve without warning.SEGMENT 2: GAZA AND TRUMP'S SELF-ENRICHMENT CONCERNS Guest: Anatol Lieven, Co-Host: Jim McTague Lieven analyzes Gaza ceasefire dynamics and raises questions about Trump administration officials potentially mixing policy with personal financial interests. Discussion examines how self-enrichment concerns shadow diplomatic initiatives and whether conflicts of interest undermine credibility in Middle East negotiations and broader foreign policy.SEGMENT 3: GEN Z JOB STRUGGLES AND THE TRADES REVIVAL Guest: Chris Riegel, Co-Host: Jim McTague Riegel explains how artificial intelligence eliminates entry-level white-collar positions, leaving Gen Z struggling to launch careers in traditional professions. Meanwhile, skilled trades offer prosperity since AI cannot replicate physical work. Young people working with their hands find better opportunities than peers pursuing displaced office jobs.SEGMENT 4: MAGA EMBRACES BIG GOVERNMENT LIKE NEW DEALERS Guest: Veronique de Rugy De Rugy argues MAGA policies mirror New Deal-era big government activism through state industrial policy and massive spending programs. Traditional Republican principles of limited government appear obsolete or abandoned, with the RINO label now applied to anyone advocating fiscal restraint or free market economics.SEGMENT 5: PREPARING FOR IRAN BOMBING CAMPAIGN Guest: General Blaine Holt (USAF, Ret.) Holt describes military preparations for potential strikes against Iran, including warplane and warship deployments. The KC-135 tanker buildup signals offensive capability, providing aerial refueling that enables sustained bombing campaigns. This logistics infrastructure converts fuel into striking power against Tehran's nuclear and military installations.SEGMENT 6: ESCALATION TOWARD IRANIAN LEADERSHIP Guest: General Blaine Holt (USAF, Ret.) Holt outlines concentric circles of escalation targeting Iranian leadership if conflict erupts. Discussion covers strike planning that moves progressively toward regime centers of power. China's evacuation planes positioning near Iran suggest Beijing anticipates potential conflict and prepares to extract its nationals from the region.SEGMENT 7: MODI'S TIMID REFORM AGENDA Guest: Sadanand Dhume (Wall Street Journal) Dhume assesses Prime Minister Modi as a timid reformer constrained by political realities and socialist-era institutions. India's growth potential remains unrealized as legacy regulations protect inefficient industries. Modi raised some thresholds but fundamental transformation of labor laws and state enterprises remains politically impossible.SEGMENT 8: VENEZUELA'S UNFINISHED TRANSITION Guest: Mary Anastasia O'Grady (Wall Street Journal) O'Grady reports Venezuela's democratic transition stalled with the same regime intact. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello and Delcy Rodriguez control state security gunmen and prisons. No real handover to President-elect Edmundo Gonzalez has occurred, leaving the authoritarian apparatus firmly in power despite American pressure.SEGMENT 9: COSTA RICA ELECTION AND PANAMA CANAL TENSIONS Guest: Professor Evan Ellis (US Army War College) Ellis examines Costa Rica's upcoming election amid concerns over giant prison construction projects. Discussion turns to unresolved Panama Canal disputes where Chinese interference continues challenging American interests. Regional dynamics shift as nations balance between Washington's demands and Beijing's economic inducements throughout Central America.SEGMENT 10: PERU AND CHINESE INFLUENCE Guest: Professor Evan Ellis (US Army War College) Ellis analyzes China's growing investment and influence in Peru while the US offers military partnership as counterweight. Discussion covers political turmoil in Lima, economic promise from mineral wealth, and the competition between great powers for access to South American resources and strategic positioning.SEGMENT 11: TRUMP SEEKS CUBAN REGIME CHANGE Guest: Professor Evan Ellis (US Army War College) Ellis examines the Trump administration's push for regime change in Havana. Dictator Díaz-Canel faces collapsing conditions with no oil, no power, and a broken economy driving mass emigration. The Obama administration's engagement offered false hope; now Washington applies maximum pressure on the desperate regime.SEGMENT 12: MERCOSUR AGREEMENT FINALLY REACHED Guest: Professor Evan Ellis (US Army War College) Ellis reports good news as the Mercosur trade agreement concludes after 27 years of negotiations. The deal now faces court challenges while...