In this episode, Rob and Ruairi discuss Venezuela’s vote to claim sovereignty over a large part of Guyana. The disputed territory of Essequibo is larger than Greece, rich in minerals, and boasts off-shore oil in massive quantities. The Venezuelan President, Nicolás Maduro, is developing plans to formalize the annexation of Essequibo, a resource-rich region. Guyana considers the referendum a threat, which it absolutely is.

The situation is complex, and there are concerns that this could lead to a conflict between the two countries. The United States is unlikely to allow any such annexation to occur, but the issue will continue to be a live one as we head into 2024.

In this episode of The More Freedom Foundation, Rob and Ruairi delve into the recent missile attacks by the Houthis in the Red Sea and how they could be disastrous for Yemen. The Houthis, the de facto government of Yemen, have been attacking commercial vessels in the Red Sea, prompting international shipping companies to reroute their vessels to avoid the risk of being struck. The US has deployed a task force to defend vessels and protect shipping through the Red Sea, through which cargo vessels have to pass to reach the vital Suez Canal. The US, UK and other allied ships will seek to shoot down missiles and drones fired at commercial vessels in the Red Sea. The Bab el-Mandeb strait between Djibouti and Yemen where the Houthis have been attacking vessels is a crucial link between Europe and Asia. This solidarity with Palestine may be admirable, but it could cause disaster for one of the poorest countries on Earth.

In this episode of the More Freedom Foundation podcast, Rob and Ruairi discuss the decline of US power and how it has been exaggerated. They explore a few of the many, many factors that contribute to the US’s continued dominance, such as its military and economic power, and how these factors have helped the country maintain its position as a global superpower. Brief dives into topics as diverse as Gaza, sanctions against China over Xinjiang, and the Iran nuclear deal illustrate how most discussion of multipolarity is weaponized nonsense. The fellas also broach the grim topic of the responsibility that this hidden power implies.

This episode was inspired in part by, and quotes extensively from Tom Stevenson's recent article "America’s undying empire: why the decline of US power has been greatly exaggerated" in the Guardian.

Overall, this episode is a fascinating exploration of the US’s role in the world and how it has evolved over time. Tune in to learn more about the US’s position as a global superpower and the challenges it may face in the future.

In this episode, Rob and Ruairi discuss Argentinian history and their newly elected president, Javier Milei. Milei is a far-right economist who has proposed reducing the functions of the state to a minimum and placing his trust in the market alone to solve Argentina’s problems through the development of trade and exports, As well as a smorgasbord of other outlandish policies that may or may not help Argentina.

Will Miliei be able to dollarize the country as he has promised? Is he Argentina's equivalent of Saudi Arabia's MBS? Or is he exactly what the country needs? Will he manage to last a full term? Join us to discuss these questions, and many more.

So WTF is the deal with US national Debt? Are Republicans completely insane to (claim to) be so worried about it? How should we feel about the debt ceiling? In an era where economic uncertainties loom large, understanding the intricacies of this fiscal challenge is more crucial than ever.

In this episode of the Rob and Ruairi dive into Joe Biden's recent op-ed and they are not amused. Biden attempts to make some kind of unified narrative out of US foreign policy in Gaza and Ukraine and it does not work. It won't save Ukraine or bring peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

We give the piece a close reading, and ask the bigger questions it raises about Biden's leadership. Does this call for a reevaluation of the President's role in shaping international relations? As we have pointed out in other recent pieces of MFF content, it's now hard to deny that Joe Biden should retire.

The article can be found here: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/11/18/joe-biden-gaza-hamas-putin/

In this episode, Rob and Ruairi discuss the brilliant new book, “Underground Empire: How America Weaponized the World Economy” by Henry Farrell and Abraham Newman. The book explores how humdrum aspects of the post-Cold War economy have become realms of subterfuge and coercion. The authors argue that the US has weaponized the global economy through finance, telecommunications and other means to achieve global domination. Rob and Ruairi delve into the book’s key insights and discuss debates around the weaponization of the global economy, the sustainability of these tactics, and how different major and emerging powers are reacting.

In this episode of the More Freedom Foundation Podcast, hosts Rob and Ruairi delve into the complexities of the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict that erupted on October 7, 2023. Analyzing the roots of the conflict, they explore the multi-pronged invasion by Hamas militants into southern Israel, triggering a relentless aerial bombardment campaign by the Israeli military on Gazan targets. As the toll rises, with over 1,200 Israelis and more than 11,000 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, losing their lives, the hosts examine the impact on America and the international community. Join us as we shed light on the geopolitical implications and discuss the global perspective on a region in turmoil.

In this episode of The More Freedom Foundation Podcast, your hosts Rob and Ruairi continue to rip apart an outrageous article by former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, recently published in Foreign Affairs. Gates argues for a more assertive stance against China and Russia, advocating increased military spending and a return to a Cold War-era bipartisan approach.

Join us as we scrutinize Gates' arguments and offer a critical analysis of his viewpoints. We'll break down the article's key assertions, shedding light on the potential pitfalls and consequences of such an aggressive strategy. Does Gates' call for a more confrontational approach truly serve the best interests of the United States, or does it risk escalating tensions with the world's major powers?

As we explore the nuances of this complex issue, we question whether Gates' assessment of Xi Jinping's and Vladimir Putin's leadership and ambitions accurately reflects the current global landscape. We'll challenge his views and offer a more balanced perspective, one that takes into account the complexities of international relations in the 21st century.

In this episode of The More Freedom Foundation Podcast, hosts Rob and Ruairi take on a formidable opponent: Robert Gates. The former Secretary of Defense has recently penned an article in Foreign Affairs advocating for increased military spending and a more aggressive stance towards China and Russia. But is this really the best course of action for America?

Join us as we fail to get past the second paragraph while dissecting Gates's argument and explore the potential consequences of his proposed policies. Are more weapons and further military engagements the solutions to the complex challenges we face in our world today? Rob and Ruairi will delve into the finer points, providing a critical analysis that goes beyond the surface to reveal the potential pitfalls of such a strategy.

Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion that challenges the status quo and encourages a more nuanced approach to national security and foreign policy. It's an episode you won't want to miss if you're interested in a deeper understanding of the implications of increased military spending and the prospect of new conflicts on the horizon. Join us as we question the conventional wisdom and strive for a more balanced and informed perspective on these crucial matters.

You can locate the article we talked about by following this link. If you enable the reader review function, which is accessible by pressing F9 in certain web browsers, you may be able to bypass occasional paywalls.

https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/robert-gates-america-china-russia-dysfunctional-superpower