SHOW SCHEDULE 3-5-2016
1895 CARACAS

Russia Leverages Middle East Conflict to Pressure European Energy Markets Anatol Lieven analyzes how the Middle East conflict strengthens Russia’s leverage over Europe while potentially causing internal Iranian anarchy and a massive refugee crisis. (1)
Drone Strikes on Energy Infrastructure Threaten European Gas Supply Stability Lieven explores threats to European energy from strikes on the Baku pipeline and proposes sanctions relief to incentivize Russia toward a Ukrainian peace settlement. (2)
Constitutional Debates Over Presidential Authority and the War Powers Act John Yu discusses the War Powers Resolution’s history and argues that presidents possess inherent constitutional authority to use force abroad without prior congressional consent. (3)
Judicial Limits and Political Checks on Presidential War-Making Power John Yu argues that elections, rather than courts or the War Powers Resolution, serve as the primary constitutional check on a president’s use of force. (4)
Cuba Faces Total Grid Failure Amid Severe National Oil Shortages Evan Ellis describes Cuba’s widespread blackouts caused by aging infrastructure and lack of fuel, while the US facilitates humanitarian oil shipments to private entities. (5)
Venezuelan Leadership Slow-Rolls Political Transition Despite Economic Openings Evan Ellis details how the Rodriguez administration benefits from eased oil sanctions and mining interests while maintaining repressive control and delaying meaningful democratic transitions. (6)
Chinese Influence and Strategic Integration in the Caribbean and Peru Evan Ellis examines China's deep strategic presence in Caribbean infrastructure and the upcoming Peruvian elections, where conservative candidates currently lead in the polls. (7)
Regional Security and Trade Shifts in Ecuador, Mercosur, and Argentina Evan Ellis reports on joint US-Ecuadorian military operations against narco-terrorists, the Mercosur-EU trade deal, and Javier Milei’s ongoing economic and legal reforms in Argentina. (8)
SEG 9 George Downing and the Puritan Vision Dennis Su introduces George Downing, a Harvard graduate who bridged the New England colonies and the English Civil War as a key Puritan figure. (1)
SEG 10 Harvard Scholar Turned New Model Army Preacher After excelling at Harvard, Downing traveled to England, becoming a chaplain for Cromwell's New Model Army while exhibiting ruthless traits regarding Caribbean slavery. (2)
SEG 11 Cromwell’s Spy and the Edinburgh Intrigue Dennis Su explains how George Downing used intelligence and rhetoric to infiltrate the Scottish government, acting as a crucial spy for Oliver Cromwell in 1650. (3)
SEG 12 Scoutmaster General and the Birth of Downing Street Downing rose to Scoutmaster General, overseeing Scotland's administration while building a massive fortune through seized properties and the trade of war prisoners. (4)
SEG 13 Artificial Intelligence Joins the Battlefront in Iran Experts debate the ethical and strategic implications of using Claude AI for targeting and simulations in the Iran conflict, highlighting concerns over accountability and command. (5)
SEG 14 The Fragile Alliance and European War Hesitation The panel discusses why European allies hesitate to join the US in Iran, citing domestic unrest and a significant technological gap between military forces. (6)
SEG 15 Bill Casey and the Traitorous October Surprise Craig Unger describes how Bill Casey allegedly hijacked American foreign policy by negotiating with Iran to delay hostage releases, ensuring a Ronald Reagan electoral victory. (7)
SEG 16 Uncovering Receipts of Treason in Tehran Unger details his 2014 trip to Tehran, where he obtained receipts and witness testimony regarding illegal arms deals that supported the 1980 October Surprise conspiracy. (8)