In this episode, Van and the crew discuss the world, from China to pop culture to endless war in the Middle East. What does China’s battle with the NBA signal for the future? Why is only South Park getting China right? Should western companies start divesting from China?  And why did Trump announce a troop withdrawal from Syria? Non-sequiter: Superstar John Cusack tweeted and messaged Van!  

Van’s predictions:

1. Brexit will not occur before the 31st of October. 

2. The PLA will deploy to Hong Kong, but not before 2020. 

3. President Trump will leave office at the 2020 election. 

4. President Trump will not reverse his decision on Syria (“the horse has left the stable”). 

Notes and Sources:

Ned Price’s Tweet: https://twitter.com/nedprice/status/1181945348719292418?s=21

South Park Tweet: https://twitter.com/SouthPark/status/1181273539799736320  

Paul Poast Tweet: https://twitter.com/ProfPaulPoast/status/1181525000735641601

Farhad Manjoo on China in the NYT: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/09/opinion/china-houston-rockets.html

Tech Crunch weighs in on China: https://techcrunch.com/2019/10/07/the-nba-should-learn-from-google-china/

Suzanne Sataline on Hong Kong’s police: https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2019/09/hong-kong-police-lost-trust/597205/

Kathleen McCinnis on using humor to take down fascism: https://warontherocks.com/2014/12/sony-vs-north-korea-send-in-the-clowns/

America’s Sweethearts, starring John Cusack: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000N92ENE

High Fidelity, starring John Cusack: 

https://www.amazon.com/High-Fidelity-John-Cusack/dp/B00003CXGA

Music: "Van is Meta" by Tre' Hester