Yascha Mounk is a writer and academic known for his work on the crisis of democracy and the defense of philosophically liberal values. His new book “The Identity Trap” traces the origins of identity politics and how it’s rapidly transforming the modern world. He joined Rep. Crenshaw to discuss how identity politics grew out of postmodernism and Critical Race Theory. They talk about how postmodernists and populists are rejecting the history, institutions, and core values that make for a healthy democracy. And Yascha gives some sage advice on how to persuasively engage in debates with your political opponents.  Yascha Mounk is the author of five books, including the forthcoming “The Identity Trap: A Story of Ideas and Power in Our Time.” He is a Professor of the Practice of International Affairs at Johns Hopkins University, where he holds appointments in both the School of Advanced International Studies and the SNF Agora Institute. Yascha is also a Contributing Editor at The Atlantic, a Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, and the Founder of Persuasion. Follow him on Twitter at @Yascha_Mounk.

How America Fell Into the Identity Trap | Yascha Mounk

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It’s a well-known fact that fentanyl precursors come from China, but just how deeply involved is the Chinese government in the drug trade? Investigative journalist Peter Schweizer’s research has exposed a strategic partnership between the CCP and the Mexican drug cartels that goes way beyond shipping precursors. Peter uncovers China’s central role in the supply chain, the distribution, and the money laundering that enables the cartels to kill tens of thousands of Americans every year with deadly fentanyl. Peter also highlights the personal and financial ties that China has developed with U.S. politicians to influence policy decisions. Peter Schweizer is the president of the Government Accountability Institute and the former William J. Casey Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University. He is the author of best-selling book “Blood Money: Why the Powerful Turn a Blind Eye While China Kills Americans.” Follow him on X at @peterschweizer.

Silent Invasion: How China Uses Fentanyl as a Weapon Against the U.S. | Peter Schweizer

Stanford University’s Dr. Nolan Williams is one of the world’s leading researchers on psychedelic medicine. He joined Rep. Crenshaw to talk about the revolutionary clinical trial he recently conducted with the psychedelic ibogaine to treat veterans suffering from PTSD, Traumatic Brain Industry, and addiction. The clinical trial showed a phenomenal 83% remission rate for participants after just one treatment. Dr. Williams explains what ibogaine is, the experiences patients have while taking it, what we know about how it affects the brain, and how it differs from classic psychedelics like MDMA and psylocibin. They also discuss the potential for ibogaine treatments to combat America’s addiction epidemic. Nolan Williams, MD, is an Associate Professor of neurology and psychiatry at Stanford University and the Director of the Stanford Brain Stimulation Lab. He is one of leading researchers in the study of how psychedelics can impact the human brain and be used to successfully treat various health challenges such as post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, and major depression. Read his study in Nature Medicine: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-023-02705-w and follow him on X at @NolanRyWilliams.

A Psychedelic Breakthrough In the Treatment of Trauma and Addiction | Dr. Nolan Williams

China expert Michael Sobolik returns to the podcast to discuss America’s new cold war with the Chinese Communist Party. Michael outlines the CCP’s strategies – imperialism, the Belt and Road Initiative, and weaponizing America’s own free speech – to displace the U.S. as the leading global superpower. Michael shares a strategic vision for how America can defeat the CCP by exploiting their own vulnerabilities and building upon our alliances with friendly East Asian neighbors like Japan and Australia. Michael Sobolik is the author of the just-released book “Countering China’s Great Game: A Strategy for American Dominance.” He is a Senior Fellow in Indo-Pacific Studies at the American Foreign Policy Council. He previously served as a legislative assistant for Senator Ted Cruz, drafting legislation on China, Russia, India, Taiwan, North Korea, and Cambodia, as well as strategic systems and missile defense. Find him on X at @michaelsobolik and listen to him on Great Power Podcast.

The New Cold War: Countering China’s Imperial March | Michael Sobolik

There has been a lot of controversy - and lies - this week over the re-authorization of FISA (the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act). Rep. Crenshaw sat down with Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, a former FBI agent and member of House Intel, to debunk the hand wringing and misconceptions about FISA. They give an overview of FISA's history and its distinction between Title One and Title Three, and delve into the role of Section 702 in enhancing national security measures. Misconceptions surrounding FISA are addressed, including the distinction between evidence collection and querying lawfully obtained data. They scrutinize proposals for a secondary warrant requirement and their potential impact on law enforcement investigations. They also discuss limitations on law enforcement capabilities and proposed reforms to prevent abuses within intelligence agencies. For 14 years prior to representing his hometown of Pennsylvania's First Congressional District, Brian Fitzpatrick served our nation both as an FBI Special Agent and Federal Prosecutor, fighting both domestic and international political corruption, and supporting global counterterrorism and counterintelligence efforts – including being embedded with U.S. Special Forces as part Operation Iraqi Freedom. Follow him on X and Instagram at @repbrianfitz.

Debunking the Myths and Misconceptions about FISA | Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick

Former Senator Rob Portman joins the show to talk about all the benefits and pitfalls of American trade policy. We examine the history and evolution of trade policy, the debate over free trade vs protectionism, tariffs vs subsidies, and finding the right balance to create fair competition and the movement of goods between nations. We also discuss the prospects for the TikTok bill passing the Senate, and get into some Civics 101 on the differences between legislating in the Senate vs the House. Prior to serving as Ohio’s Senator from 2011 to 2023, Sen. Portman served as Director of the Office of Management and Budget and United States Trade Representative in the George W. Bush administration. Today he is a Distinguished Visiting Fellow at American Enterprise Institute with a focus on public policy and free trade expansion. Follow him on Twitter at @robportmanOH.

How America Fell Into the Identity Trap | Yascha Mounk

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