As the October presidential election heats up, Brazil's Lula da Silva is striking a defiant tone against Donald Trump. Unfazed by new U.S. tariffs, Lula has declared he’ll fight back with a "war of truth," warning Trump’s protectionist measures are a "strategic mistake" that will hurt both economies . Lula insists he doesn't want a fight, but he won't accept external pressure .

Meanwhile, Lula's political future looks promising. Polls consistently show him leading his main rival, Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, in a potential runoff for the October election . With Lula framing the U.S. trade pressure as foreign interference, it's becoming a central theme in his bid for reelection.

Guest Info: Dr. Marcus Vinicius De Freitas is Senior Fellow at Policy Center for the New South, focusing on International Law, International Relations and Brazil, and is currently a Visiting Professor of International Law and International Relations at China Foreign Affairs University in Beijing, China. Previously, he was a Professor of The Armando Alvares Penteado Foundation in Sao Paulo, where he served as the coordinator of their International Relations Program from December 2012 until December 2013.

We’re starting with major developments out of West Africa. According to U.S. media reports, the Trump administration is actively weighing direct military action in Mali against the al-Qaeda-linked group JNIM, following a deadly attack that killed over 50 Malian soldiers this month . If approved, it would mark the eighth nation targeted by U.S. strikes under the current administration.

But the move is sparking intense internal debate. While a top counterterrorism official is pushing for action, others are wary of the risks—including potential friction with Russian military forces on the ground .

So, is this solely about counterterrorism, or is a larger geopolitical chess match unfolding in the Sahel? We’ll break down the administration's calculations and the real possibility of collaboration with local forces in today's deep dive.

For our Sunday special interview, we invite Mr. Richard Vague, author of the amazing book called "The Banker Who Made America: Thomas Willing and the Rise of the American Financial Aristocracy 1731-1821," to join our show, regarding who Thomas Willing was, how much contribution that he made towards the American financial stability during the independence periods. Vague will answer the question if our current political uncertainties can learn from Willing.

Guest Info: Richard Vague brings a wealth of expertise and experience to the speaking stage, making him an exceptional choice for your event. Author of several influential books including "The Paradox of Debt" and "The Case for a Debt Jubilee," he offers a fresh perspective on macroeconomics and policy exploration. His extensive background in business history, "An Illustrated Business History of the United States," adds depth to his insights into economic trends.

Today, we’re more than two years into the grinding war in Ukraine—a conflict that has reshaped Europe’s borders and tested its unity. While Ukraine has shown incredible resilience, the battlefield reality is stark: artillery shortages, air defense gaps, and troop fatigue are giving Russia the upper hand. So, the question isn’t just about more weapons—it’s about smarter security.

What if a stronger, more coordinated security alliance could change the game? Imagine pooled intelligence, shared logistics, and joint training that turns scattered aid into a seamless defense network. That’s not NATO—yet—but it could be a European-led pillar that fills the gaps, standardizes ammunition, and speeds up decision-making. For Ukraine, that means predictable support, not month-to-month survival.

And that’s why more EU nations must step up—not out of charity, but out of self-interest. Russia’s war is a direct threat to European stability. Every extra artillery shell, every Patriot system, every fighter jet sent now shortens the war and deters future aggression. Hesitation only emboldens Moscow. The cost of inaction—in refugees, energy crises, and shattered borders—will dwarf today’s investments.

Guest Info: Dr. Sergiy Korsunsky is a Senior Adviser at the Nihon Cyber Defense Co., Ltd. He served as Ambassador of Ukraine to Japan in 2020-2025. Prior to that he served as Director of the Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine in 2017-2020. He holds a diplomatic rank of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary. Ambassador Korsunsky’s previous positions include: Ambassador of Ukraine to Turkey (2008-2016), Director-General of the Economic Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2006-2008); Minister-Counselor and Acting Ambassador at the Embassy of Ukraine in the USA (2000-2005).

Today, we’re looking beyond the headlines to understand the machinery of modern China. While Western narratives often focus on geopolitics, the real story is on the ground in developing nations. We’ll explore how Chinese private enterprises—not just state giants—are building ports, digital infrastructure, and supply chains that are rapidly industrializing the Global South. But here’s the catch: this system operates on a different logic. It’s pragmatic, long-term, and does not always conform to Western ideals of transparency or governance. This creates a perception gap that leaves the West confused, often misreading influence as coercion. Join our guest, Eric Olander, as we decode the economic reality, the private players driving it, and why the West keeps missing the point.

Guest Info: Eric Olander is the co-founder of the China Global South Project, an independent, non-partisan media initiative dedicated to exploring every facet of China’s engagement in Africa. Eric is a fluent Mandarin-speaker and a longtime China-watcher with more than 25 years of journalism experience at many of the world’s leading media companies, including CNN, the BBC, and FRANCE24, among others.

President Trump's latest NATO visit left many asking a pointed question: why can't Europe seem to stand on its own? While the meetings were billed as a diplomatic success, the underlying reality is a continent grappling with a massive military and economic identity crisis. European nations are finally committing to historic defense spending hikes, yet they remain tethered to American security guarantees. Meanwhile, the economic shifts are undeniable—as the EU pushes for strategic autonomy, the trade imbalances between the U.S. and its allies are only widening. The real tension beneath the handshakes? A growing frustration that America is no longer willing to subsidize Europe's defense while managing crises like Iran alone. As NATO tries to project unity, the financial and military power dynamics are quietly shifting beneath the surface.

Guest Info: Dr. Marcus Vinicius De Freitas is a Visiting Professor at the China Foreign Affairs University (Beijing), a Senior Fellow at the Policy Center for the New South (Rabat), and a former Visiting Fellow of Practice at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford.

This week, the spotlight was on President Trump, as President Trump made his long-awaited return to NATO. While the meetings were initially tense, the final communiqué revealed a surprising outcome: a renewed commitment from European allies to boost defense spending, signaling a potential thaw in transatlantic relations. However, while the diplomatic handshakes eased tensions in Europe, the shadow of conflict looms large in the Middle East. The war of words with Iran continues to intensify, with the administration hinting at a tougher stance amidst stalled nuclear negotiations. As NATO solidifies its unity, the question remains—can diplomacy hold the line against escalating military threats in the Gulf? We break down the president’s European swing, the fragile peace with Iran, and what it all means for global security.

Guest Info: Professor Jamsheed Choksy is a Distinguished Professor, former Chair of the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Cultures, former Chair of the Department of Central Eurasian Studies, and current Director of the Inner Asian and Uralic National Resource Center at Indiana University - Bloomington.

For this brand-new episode, we're looking at the US-Iran conflict, where President Trump seems to be misleading the world again. Negotiations that were reportedly making "significant progress" were exposed as a mere "facade" when the US and Israel launched strikes that have now dragged into a second month . The administration is projecting the war as controlled, but the evidence suggests a different story—one of mounting casualties, damaged US assets, and a conflict that risks spiraling beyond control . And as for Trump's claim that "very strong talks" are happening now? This appears to be a political attempt to engineer an exit from a war that has proven deeply unpopular and strategically costly . With Iran still capable of disrupting the Strait of Hormuz, the question isn't just about the next military step but about the severe economic and diplomatic fallout that will define this conflict for years to come .

Guest Info: Dr. Vali Kaleji is an expert in regional studies, Central Asia, and Caucasian studies based in Tehran, Iran. He has published numerous articles on Eurasian issues with the Jamestown Foundation’s Eurasia Daily Monitor, the American Foreign Policy Council’s Central Asia-Caucasus Institute, and the Valdai Club.

Today, we’re looking at a political shift that is redefining the American Dream and the very structure of the economy. The rising tide of democratic socialism, once a fringe label, is now a mainstream movement with a powerful foothold in Congress. While its focus on wealth inequality resonates with millions, critics warn that the policy prescriptions—from sweeping federal job guarantees to massive wealth redistribution—could fundamentally alter free-market principles and individual liberty, posing concerning questions for the nation's long-term fiscal health and personal freedom.

But while the left pushes for this transformation, the right is quietly building a counteroffensive. Donald Trump is wasting no time gearing up for the midterms, leveraging his formidable base to back a new wave of "America First" candidates. With a laser focus on turnout and a strategy that weaponizes culture war issues, the former president is positioning himself as the kingmaker of the 2026 cycle, aiming to reclaim a congressional majority and cement his vision for the GOP's future. We’ll break down the battle lines.

These days, we’re looking at a major political fracture. Tucker Carlson, once the most powerful voice in the MAGA movement, has officially broken with the Republican Party after 35 years. His reason? He says the party has abandoned "America First" to prioritize foreign interests, a direct clash with Trump over the Iran war. This split signals deep instability within the conservative coalition, with Carlson claiming many will follow him out.

Why does this matter now? As America turns inward, the geopolitical stakes couldn't be higher. The U.S.-China competition is quietly reshaping global alliances, and whoever wins the technological race for AI and quantum computing will define the next century. With American democracy facing a major test this November, the outcome here will directly impact that global contest.

Dr. Michael Patrick joins the latest show to discuss more.