Podcasts about Hoover Institution

For the second edition of the George P. Shultz Memorial Lecture Series, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, Hoover Institution Director Condoleezza Rice, and Hoover Senior Fellow Michael Boskin assemble for a wide-ranging conversation on the economic mind and legacy of George P. Shultz. From his early career as a labor economist at MIT and the University of Chicago to his battles in the White House cabinet over wage and price controls, the closing of the gold window, and inflation that defined the Nixon and Reagan eras, Shultz emerges as a rare figure who fused intellectual rigor with political pragmatism. The panel explores how his beliefs in free markets, personal integrity, and “trust as the coin of the realm” shaped his actions, from collective bargaining and desegregation to global diplomacy—right up to his famous economic tutorials for Mikhail Gorbachev in the Kremlin. This is a timely look at how one man's economic philosophy helped steer American policy for half a century. Subscribe to Uncommon Knowledge at hoover.org/uk

If you think America's schools fell into decline solely as a consequence of 2020's pandemic and a year of alternate instruction models, guess again. Eric Hanushek, the Hoover Institution's Paul and Jean Hanna Senior Fellow and a leading scholar on the economics of education, discusses misperceptions in the Covid-education debate (learning and achievement were in decline years before the pandemic struck), why education reform remains elusive despite decades of talk and treasure, a few sleeper concerns (long-term absenteeism), lessons to be learned from learning and teaching innovations in Dallas and Mississippi, plus the future impact of learning loss on earning power and America's GDP.

Join Dr. Ali Ansari, Professor of Iranian History and Founding Director of the Institute for Iranian Studies at the University of St Andrews, and Hoover Senior Fellow H.R. McMaster, as they examine the nature of the Islamic Republic, Western misunderstandings about the regime and why engagement strategies have repeatedly failed, and the widening gap between the regime's propagandized image of strength and the vulnerabilities revealed in recent conflicts. Drawing on recent events, including the 12-day Israeli campaign exposing profound intelligence and air-defense failures, Ansari examines the IRGC's struggles to reconstitute its terrorist and militia proxies in the region while confronting severe financial and economic crises at home, including shortages of electricity and a growing water crisis in the capital city of Tehran. Despite these mounting pressures, Ansari reflects on Iran's potential futures, from the emergence of new leadership to the enduring resilience of the Iranian people. For more conversations from world leaders from key countries, subscribe to receive instant notification of the next episode.  ABOUT THE SPEAKERS Ali Ansari is a Professor of Iranian History, the Founding Director of the Institute for Iranian Studies at the University of St Andrews, and a Senior Associate Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute. As a leading historian of modern Iran, Dr. Ansari combines archival research with a deep understanding of Iranian political culture and nationalism. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and President of the British Institute of Persian Studies. His books include Modern Iran since 1797 and Confronting Iran. H.R. McMaster is the Fouad and Michelle Ajami Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University. He is also the Bernard and Susan Liautaud Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute and lecturer at Stanford University's Graduate School of Business. He was the 25th assistant to the president for National Security Affairs. Upon graduation from the United States Military Academy in 1984, McMaster served as a commissioned officer in the United States Army for thirty-four years before retiring as a Lieutenant General in June 2018.

Jon Hartley of the Hoover Institution joins The Steve Gruber Show for a hard-hitting look at what's ahead for American families and the economy. First, they unpack “Trump Accounts”, the new savings-investment accounts for children created under the 2025 overhaul tax bill, and analyze whether these accounts can really deliver generational wealth building. Hartley explains how the accounts work: a $1,000 government seed for babies born between 2025–2028, with the option for parents or employers to contribute up to $5,000 a year, invested in broad U.S. stock-index funds.

Don Brash on his career as a central banker at the helm of New Zealand's central bank, helping to start inflation targeting in New Zealand, his time as a politician and leader of the National Party, and more. Recorded on November 21, 2025. ABOUT THE SERIES Each episode of Capitalism and Freedom in the 21st Century, a video podcast series and the official podcast of the Hoover Economic Policy Working Group, focuses on getting into the weeds of economics, finance, and public policy on important current topics through one-on-one interviews. Host Jon Hartley asks guests about their main ideas and contributions to academic research and policy. The podcast is titled after Milton Friedman‘s famous 1962 bestselling book Capitalism and Freedom, which after 60 years, remains prescient from its focus on various topics which are now at the forefront of economic debates, such as monetary policy and inflation, fiscal policy, occupational licensing, education vouchers, income share agreements, the distribution of income, and negative income taxes, among many other topics. For more information about the podcast, or subscribe for the next episode, click here.

PREVIEW — Michael Bernstam (Hoover Institution) — Russia's Deepening Revenue Crisis. Bernstam explains that Russia is systematically failing to close its widening budget deficit gap through gold sales or domestic bond offerings, rendering oil export revenue absolutely critical to fiscal sustainability. Bernstam documents that American and Westernsanctions have artificially depressed Russian crude oil prices to approximately $40 per barrel, representing a severe discount relative to the global market price of $62–$63 per barrel. Bernstam emphasizes that this price differential severely constrains Moscow's aggregate fiscal revenue, preventing the budget equilibration necessary to sustain government expenditures, military operations, and regime stability, creating a structural fiscal crisis that will deepen as sanctions enforcement continues and global energy markets adjust to Russian supply constraints. 1910 CRIMINAL FILE ON STALIN, BAKU.

On this episode of America at Night, host McGraw Milhaven speaks with Dr. Eric Hanushek, Paul and Jean Hanna Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, about the proposed 8% lifetime tax on students, how education policy shapes economic futures, and why strong schooling remains essential for America's competitiveness. Later, McGraw is joined by Jessica Dimmock, co-director of the new HBO documentary “Thoughts and Prayers,” for an in-depth discussion about the film's origins, impact, and the national conversations it aims to spark. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What happens when 1970s defamation law collides with the Internet, social media, and AI? University of Florida Law School legal scholar Lyrissa Lidsky — who is also a co-reporter for the American Law Institute's Restatement (Third) of Torts: Defamation and Privacy — explains how the law of libel and slander is being rewritten for the digital age. Lyrissa, Jane, and Eugene discuss why the old line between libel and slander no longer makes sense; how Section 230 upended defamation doctrine; the future of New York Times v. Sullivan and related First Amendment doctrines; Large Libel Models (when Large Language Models meet libel law); and more. Subscribe for the latest on free speech, censorship, social media, AI, and the evolving role of the First Amendment in today's proverbial town square. 

Professor Joan Kaufman, a leading expert on HIV/AIDS and China, talks about her experiences in public health while working in China with the UN, the Ford Foundation, and in academia.This podcast episode is a collaboration with China Health Pulse.About Peking HotelThe Peking Hotel podcast and newsletter are digital publications in which Liu He interviews China specialists about their first-hand experiences and observations from decades past. The project grew out of Liu's research at Hoover Institution collecting oral history of China experts living in the U.S. Their stories are a reminder of what China used to be and what it is capable of becoming. Get full access to Peking Hotel at pekinghotel.substack.com/subscribe

From November 25, 2024: At a recent conference co-hosted by Lawfare and the Georgetown Institute for Law and Technology, Georgetown law professor Paul Ohm moderated a conversation on "AI Regulation and Free Speech: Navigating the Government's Tightrope,” between Lawfare Senior Editor Alan Rozenshtein, Fordham law professor Chinny Sharma, and Eugene Volokh, a senior fellow at Stanford University's Hoover Institution.To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dan Wang is a research fellow at Stanford's Hoover Institution and author of Breakneck: China's Quest to Engineer the Future. In this week's conversation, Yascha Mounk and Dan Wang explore the conflict between the United States as a society of lawyers and China as a society of engineers, what this means for their relationship, and why the two countries are more similar than they may first appear. If you have not yet signed up for our podcast, please do so now by following this link on your phone. Email: leonora.barclay@persuasion.community Podcast production by Mickey Freeland and Leonora Barclay. Connect with us! Spotify | Apple | Google X: @Yascha_Mounk & @JoinPersuasion YouTube: Yascha Mounk, Persuasion LinkedIn: Persuasion Community Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  Is the bitter war in Ukraine soon to wind down now that a peace settlement is being negotiated (think a Panmunjom-style compromise, not Munich-style appeasement), and how should America prepare for economic and military parity with China? In an episode devoted solely to viewers' questions, Hoover senior fellows Sir Niall Ferguson, John Cochrane and H.R. McMaster delve into matters ranging from those somber (allaying twenty-somethings' climate alarmism, “ideal” interest rates, the future of tank warfare as well as AI's redesign of future workforces) to those more lighthearted (H.R.'s service nickname, the artist behind John's wall hangings, and how the fellows would ride out a future pandemic). Finally, on the eve of America's Thanksgiving holiday, the fellows count their blessings – especially “Papa” Ferguson, who recently joined John (aka, “Blah-Blah” to his grandchildren) and H.R. (likewise, his grandkids' “Papa”) as a first-time grandfather. Subscribe to GoodFellows for clarity on today's biggest social, economic, and geostrategic shifts — only on GoodFellows.

Hal Brands, Henry A. Kissinger Distinguished Professor of Global Affairs at the School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University, and Mike Kuiken, Distinguished Visiting Fellow at Stanford University's Hoover Institution, sit down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission's latest annual report to Congress and how China is working to reshape the global balance of power.    This is the sixth episode in a special series from The President's Inbox, bringing you conversations with Washington insiders to assess whether the United States is ready for a new, more dangerous world.   Mentioned on the Episode:   U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, "2025 Annual Report to Congress"   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit The President's Inbox at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/tpi/are-we-ready-chinas-campaign-reshape-global-order-hal-brands-and-michael-kuiken

Dr Amy Zegart works to bridge the divide between the worlds of policy and tech. In this Debrief, True Spies producer Morgan Childs joins Dr. Zegart To hear her thoughts on spy entertainment, espionage in the age of AI, and the future of American intelligence policy. From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producer: Joe Foley. Produced by Morgan Childs. Dr. Zegart is a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, a professor of political science by courtesy at Stanford University and the author of Spies, Lies and Algorithms: The History and Future of American Intelligence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The US-China Economic and Security Review Commission has just released its 2025 annual report to Congress. The annual report's analysis and recommendations are a crucial source of information for Congress, the executive branch, and observers of US-China relations. This year's report includes 28 key recommendations for Congress.  On this episode of China Global, we have two Commissioners joining us to discuss the report, Commissioner Aaron Friedberg and Commissioner Mike Kuiken. Commissioner Friedberg is Professor of Politics and International Affairs at Princeton University and co-director of its Center for International Security Studies. He is also a non-resident senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, counselor to the National Bureau of Asian Research, and previously served as Vice President Dick Cheney's Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs.Commissioner Kuiken is a Distinguished Visiting Fellow at Stanford's Hoover Institution and advisor to the Special Competitive Studies Project. He has over 20 years of experience shaping US national security policy, including 12 years on the Senate Armed Services Committee. Timestamps:[00:00] Intro[1:47] China's Role in the Axis of Autocracy[03:22] Best Response from US and Allies?[05:23] The Interlocking Innovation Flywheels Effect[07:47] Made in China 2025 Plan: 10 Years Later[10:25] Why Does Chinese Dominance Matter?  [12:39] Policy Prescriptions for the US[16:24] Lessons Learned from China Shock 1.0 and Preparing for 2.0[21:09] Bipartisan Political Will on China Policy[24:06] Taiwan as a Vital Interest to the US[28:06] Assuaging Taiwanese Doubts in Congress[30:17] Taiwan's Defense Spending Debate  

Elizabeth Economy, Hargrove Senior Fellow at Stanford University's Hoover Institution, discusses President Trump's calls with leaders of China and Japan and his trade truce with Beijing. She speaks with Bloomberg's Tom Keene and Paul SweeneySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we're bringing you an episode of Bold Names, which presents conversations with the leaders of the bold-named companies featured in the pages of The Wall Street Journal. On this episode, hosts WSJ's Tim Higgins and Christopher Mims speak with Condoleezza Rice, former secretary of state, the current leader of the Hoover Institution at Stanford University and a founding partner at the strategic consulting firm Rice, Hadley, Gates & Manuel LLC. She explains why she says the U.S. needs to “run hard and run fast” and win the tech race with China. She also discusses why executives can no longer afford to think of foreign policy as separate from strategy. For additional information on the Bold Names podcast and more episodes click here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Hoover History Lab and its Applied History Working Group in close partnership with the Global Policy and Strategy Initiative held The Arsenal of Democracy Technology, Industry, and Deterrence in an Age of Hard Choices on Thursday, November 20, 2025, from 4:00 PM - 5:15 PM PT. The event featured the authors Eyck Freymann, Hoover Fellow, and Harry Halem, Senior Fellow at Yorktown Institute, in conversation with Stephen Kotkin, Kleinheinz Family Senior Fellow. The US military stands at a moment of profound risk and uncertainty. China and its authoritarian partners have pulled far ahead in defense industrial capacity. Meanwhile, emerging technologies are reshaping the character of air and naval warfare and putting key elements of the US force at risk. To prevent a devastating war with China, America must rally its allies to build a new arsenal of democracy. But achieving this goal swiftly and affordably involves hard choices. The Arsenal of Democracy is the first book to integrate military strategy, industrial capacity, and budget realities into a comprehensive deterrence framework. While other books explain why deterrence matters, this book provides the detailed roadmap for how America can actually sustain deterrence through the 2030s—requiring a whole-of-nation effort with coordinated action across Congress, industry, and allied governments. Rapidly maturing technologies are already reshaping the battlefield: unmanned systems on air, land, sea, and undersea; advanced electronic warfare; space-based sensing; and more. Yet China's industrial strengths could give it advantages in a protracted conflict. The United States and its allies must both revitalize their industrial bases to achieve necessary production scale and adapt existing platforms to integrate new high-tech tools. FEATURING Eyck Freymann is a Hoover Fellow at Stanford University and a Non-Resident Research Fellow at the U.S. Naval War College, China Maritime Studies Institute. He works on strategies to preserve peace and protect U.S. interests and values in an era of systemic competition with China. He is the author of several books, including The Arsenal of Democracy: Technology, Industry, and Deterrence in an Age of Hard Choices, with Harry Halem, and One Belt One Road: Chinese Power Meets the World. His scholarly work has appeared in The China Quarterly and is forthcoming in International Security.  Harry Halem is a Senior Fellow at Yorktown Institute. He holds an MA (Hons) in Philosophy and International Relations from the University of St Andrews, and an MSc in Political Philosophy from the London School of Economics.  Mr. Halem worked for the Hudson Institute's Seapower Center, along with multiple UK think-tanks.  He has published a variety of short-form pieces and monographs on various aspects of military affairs, in addition to a short book on Libyan political history. Stephen Kotkin is the Kleinheinz Family Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution as well as a senior fellow at Stanford's Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies. He is also the Birkelund Professor in History and International Affairs emeritus at the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs (formerly the Woodrow Wilson School), where he taught for 33 years. He earned his PhD at the University of California–Berkeley and has been conducting research in the Hoover Library & Archives for more than three decades. Kotkin's research encompasses geopolitics and authoritarian regimes in history and in the present.

PREVIEW Professor Michael McFaul of Stanford University and the Hoover Institution discusses his book, Autocrats Versus Democrats, focusing on Russia and China. The conversation explores why the US endorsed China's growth, opening its economy and allowing American companies to make billions. This policy was underpinned by the theory that economic modernization would ultimately create permissive conditions for democratization. Guest: Professor Michael McFaul.

REVIEW Michael Bernstam of the Hoover Institution analyzes the impact of sanctions on Russia, whose economy is hurt by cheap oil prices. The International Energy Agency forecasts a significant oil glut of 2 to 4 million barrels per day surplus in 2025 and 2026. This, along with US deregulation, means cheaper oil, potentially causing Russia to stumble into a deep recession. Guest: MichaelBernstam.

Scientific Sense ® by Gill Eapen: Prof. Paola Sapienza is Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, where she co-directs the Initiative on Immigration. Previously she was Professor of Finance at Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management. Please subscribe to this channel:https://www.youtube.com/c/ScientificSense?sub_confirmation=1

In this episode of the ChinaPower Podcast, Dr. Elizabeth Economy examines the key outcomes of China's Fourth Plenum and what they reveal about Beijing's evolving economic priorities and push for technological self-reliance ahead of the release of the 15th Five-Year Plan. She discusses China's strategy in the U.S.-China trade war, including its expanding retaliatory toolkit, rare-earth export controls, and the global pushback triggered by China's industrial overcapacity. She concludes by assessing how domestic pressures and external frictions will shape China's policy direction and its economic engagement with the United States over the next few years. Dr. Elizabeth Economy is the Hargrove Senior Fellow and co-chair of the Program on the US, China, and the World at the Hoover Institution. From 2021 to 2023, she served as the senior advisor for China in the Department of Commerce. Dr. Economy was previously at the Council on Foreign Relations, where she served as the C.V. Starr Senior Fellow and director for Asia Studies for over a decade.

Peter Robinson sits down at Yale University with the “dean of Cold War historians,” John Lewis Gaddis—Pulitzer Prize–winning biographer of Long Telegram author George F. Kennan and one of America's most influential thinkers on grand strategy. From the origins of the Cold War to the nuclear age, from Vietnam to détente, and from Ronald Reagan to Mikhail Gorbachev, Gaddis offers a masterclass in how nations think, plan, and learn from history. Gaddis explains why students today often have little grasp of the Cold War, how the atomic bomb reshaped global politics, why George Kennan predicted the Soviet collapse decades before it happened, and why détente faltered in the 1970s. He revisits the debates around Vietnam, assesses Ronald Reagan's strategic instincts, and reflects on how the Cold War ultimately ended. The discussion then turns forward: the future of American grand strategy, the challenges posed by China and Russia today, the tension between promoting democracy and maintaining global stability, and why understanding the past is essential for navigating the 21st century. Along the way, Gaddis shares stories of teaching grand strategy, the influence of the classics, his unexpected path from small-town Texas to Yale, and why he remains optimistic about the humanities—and about America. Subscribe to Uncommon Knowledge at hoover.org/uk

1/4 Jews Versus Rome: Two Centuries of Rebellion and the Cost of Diaspora Revolts Professor Barry Strauss of Cornell University, Professor Emeritus and Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, discusses the history of Jewish resistance against the Roman Empire as detailed in his book Jews versus Rome. Following the destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem, rebellion continued among Jewish communities scattered across the Roman world. 1888 SULLA SACKING ROME

SHOW 11-17-25 CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN BATCHELOR 1899 UKRAINE THE SHOW BEGINS IN THE DOUBTS ABOUT POTUS... FIRST HOUR 9-915 Pakistan's Military Dominance: Field Marshal Munir's Power and US Relations Guest: Ambassador Husain Haqqani Ambassador Husain Haqqani detailed the institutional dominance of Pakistan's military, noting that Parliament recently granted Field Marshal Asim Munir legal immunity for life and expanded his power by designating him Chief of Defense Forces, giving him control over the entire military, as Munir aims for presidential privileges without directly taking power, backed by a national narrative that Pakistan is perpetually under threat from India, and gained significant political and psychological advantage through two meetings and praise from President Trump, despite no new US aid or weapons, while Trump, who favors strongmen, may also be using this praise to leverage concessions from Indian Prime Minister Modi, as Munir is taking risks by adopting a firmer stance regarding violence on the Northwest frontier with the Taliban, an approach not well received by the Afghans, with Pakistani politicians historically conceding ground to the military to secure a shared portion of power. 915-930 CONTINUED Pakistan's Military Dominance: Field Marshal Munir's Power and US Relations Guest: Ambassador Husain Haqqani Ambassador Husain Haqqani detailed the institutional dominance of Pakistan's military, noting that Parliament recently granted Field Marshal Asim Munir legal immunity for life and expanded his power 930-945 China's Economic Slump: Export Decline, Policy Failures, and Property Market Stagnation Guests: Anne Stevenson-Yang and Gordon Chang Anne Stevenson-Yang and Gordon Chang discussed the unprecedented slump in China's economic activity, noting cooled investment and slowing industrial output, with exports falling 25% to the US, attributing this long-term decline to the government's 2008 decision to pull back economic reforms and the current 15th Five-Year Plan lacking viable solutions or bailouts for hurting localities, while consumption remains dangerously low (around 38% of GDP) and is expected to shrink further as the government prioritizes technological development and factory production, with the property market collapsing as capital investment, land sales, and unit prices decline, forcing people to hold onto decaying apartments and risking stagnation for decades similar to Japan post-1989, a problem largely self-created due to overcapacity, although other countries like Brazil are also restricting Chinese imports. 945-1000 China's Role in Global Drug Epidemics: Meth Precursors and Weaponizing Chemicals. Guests: Kelly Curry and Gordon Chang. Kelly Curry and Gordon Chang detailed China's crucial role in the global drug trade, asserting that China's chemical exports are fueling a "tsunami of meth" across Asia. Chinese manufacturers supply meth precursor chemicals to warlords, notably the Chinese-aligned, US-sanctioned United Wa State Army in Myanmar. This production (Yaba/ice) is believed to have been diverted from China's domestic market in the 1990s. Both guests confirmed this activity is impossible without the explicit knowledge and support of the Central Committee, noting China grants export subsidies, tax rebates, and uses state banks for money laundering associated with the drug trade. China benefits financially and strategically by weakening US-backed allies like Thailand and South Korea who are flooded with the drugs. This structure mirrors the fentanyl crisis in North America, and experts predict increasing co-production and sharing of chemical methods between Asian drug groups and Mexican cartels. SECOND HOUR 10-1015 Syria's Complex Geopolitics: Air Bases, Sanctions, Accountability, and Great Power Mediation Guest: Ahmad Sharawi Ahmad Sharawi discussed the non-transparent situation in Syria, focusing on reports of potential US air bases (Mezzeh and Dumayr), with denials from the Syrian government suggesting they won't possess the bases but might allow US use for counter-ISIS missions or potentially a security agreement requested by Israel for deconfliction, noting a recent US C-130 spotted landing at the Mezzeh air base near Damascus, while during a reported White House visit, Syrian requests included the removal of Caesar sanctions (partially waived by President Trump) and an Israeli withdrawal from the southern border buffer zone, with domestic movement towards accountability for the Suwayda province massacre and government security forces being arrested, as a Russian military delegation visited Damascus and southern Syria, potentially acting as a deconfliction mechanism between Syria and Israeli forces, with Russia's goal appearing to be balancing regional interests while maintaining its bases in western Syria. 1015-1030 CONTINUED Syria's Complex Geopolitics: Air Bases, Sanctions, Accountability, and Great Power Mediation Guest: Ahmad Sharawi Ahmad Sharawi discussed the non-transparent situation in Syria, focusing on reports of potential US air bases (Mezzeh and Dumayr), with denials from the Syrian government... 1030-1045 Venezuela Crisis: Potential Maduro Exit and Shifting Political Tides in Latin America Guests: Ernesto Araújo and Alejandro Peña Esclusa Alejandro Peña Esclusa and Ernesto Araújo discussed the crisis in Venezuela, noting a powerful US fleet gathered nearby, with Maduro fearing military intervention and reportedly wanting to discuss surrender conditions with President Trump, though his exit is complicated by his ally Diosdado Cabello, who heads operations for the Cartel of the Suns and has no path for redemption, while Maduro's potential fall would deliver a severe blow to the organized crime and drug trafficking networks that permeate South America's political structures, with the opposition, led by María Corina Machado, having transition plans, and Brazilian President Lula neutralized from strongly opposing US actions due to ongoing tariff negotiations with Trump, as the conversation highlighted a new conservative political wave in Latin America, with optimism reported in Argentina following elections that strengthened Javier Milei, and in Chile, where conservative José Antonio Kast is strongly positioned, representing a blend of economic freedom, anti-organized crime platforms, and conservative values. 1045-1100 CONTINUED Venezuela Crisis: Potential Maduro Exit and Shifting Political Tides in Latin America Guests: Ernesto Araújo and Alejandro Peña Esclusa Alejandro Peña Esclusa and Ernesto Araújo discussed the crisis in Venezuela, noting a powerful US fleet gathered nearby, with Maduro fearing military intervention and... THIRD HOUR 1100-1115 1/4 Jews Versus Rome: Two Centuries of Rebellion and the Cost of Diaspora Revolts Professor Barry Strauss of Cornell University, Professor Emeritus and Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, discusses the history of Jewish resistance against the Roman Empire as detailed in his book Jews versus Rome. Following the destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem, rebellion continued among Jewish communities scattered across the Roman world. 1115-1130 CONTINUED 2/4 During Emperor Trajan's campaign against the Parthian Empire, a widespread and coordinated "diaspora revolt" erupted in 115–117 AD, beginning in Libya and spreading to Egypt, Cyprus, and Mesopotamia. This was a major challenge, forcing Trajan to divert a legion, as Egypt was the empire's strategic breadbasket. The revolt was spurred by the insulting Jewish tax, the fiscus Judaicus, paid to Jupiter, and the frustrated expectation that the Temple would be rebuilt within 70 years. The Jewish community in Alexandria, possibly the largest Jewish city in the ancient world, was wiped out during the suppression, a disaster for diaspora Judaism. 1130-1145 CONTINUED 3/4 srajan's successor, Hadrian, revered the war against Parthia but recognized the Jews' disloyalty. Starting in 117 AD, Hadrian planned to rebuild Jerusalem as a pagan city named Aelia Capitolina to demonstrate that the Temple would never be restored and to discourage collusion between Jews and Parthians. This provoked the Bar Kokhba Revolt in 132 AD. The leader, Simon Bar Kosa, took the messianic title Bar Kokhba, meaning "Son of the Star," and was accepted as the Messiah by some leading rabbis, including Rabbi Akiva. 1145-1200 CONTINUED The rebels utilized successful asymmetrical warfare, operating from underground tunnel systems and ambushing Roman forces. The conflict was so severe that Hadrian deployed reinforcements from across the empire, including Britain, and the Roman army was badly mauled. The revolt ended bloodily at the stronghold of Betar. As lasting punishment for centuries of trouble and rebellion, the Romans renamed the province from Judea to Syria Palestina. Pockets of resistance continued, notably the Gallus Revolt in 351–352 AD. Guest: Professor Barry Strauss. FOURTH HOUR 12-1215 Iran's Multi-Faceted Crises: Water Scarcity, Pollution, and Transnational Repression Guest: Jonathan Sayah Jonathan Sayah discussed the multi-faceted crises plaguing Iran, reflecting poor management and ecological decline, with Tehran overwhelmed by severe water scarcity as dams dry up and crippling air pollution with CO2 levels 10 times the WHO standard, while the water crisis is worsened by the regime, especially IRGC-affiliated contractors, who prioritize their support base through unregulated mega-projects, leading to rivers and lakes drying up, a deliberate deprivation of clean water that constitutes a human rights violation, as environmental disasters have driven widespread internal migration into Tehran, taxing infrastructure and leading to issues like land subsidence, with the population considered "prime for unrest," while separately, Iran continues its policy of transnational repression, highlighted by the recent foiled plot to assassinate Israel's ambassador in Mexico, as Iran targets both Israeli/American officials and relies on criminal networks to repress Iranian dissidents abroad, while consistently holding American dual citizens hostage as political leverage. 1215-1230 CONTINUED 1230-1245 Ukraine Conflict: French Arms Deal, Sabotage, and the Perilous Battle for Pokrovsk. Guest: John Hardy. John Hardy reported that Ukraine signed a letter of intent with France to obtain 100 Rafale warplanes over 10 years, along with air defense systems. While this partnership is encouraging, Hardy expressed concern that Ukraine is excessively over-diversifying its future air fleet (including F-16, Grippen, Mirage, and Rafale) which complicates long-term sustainment and maintenance. Simultaneously, alarming reports surfaced that sabotage was blamed for an explosion on a major railway line in Poland used to supply Ukraine, fitting a pattern of suspected Russian covert operations against European infrastructure. On the battlefield, fighting continues in Pokrovsk (Picro). Hardy warned that if Ukrainian forces prioritize a politically motivated hold, they risk the encirclement and destruction of troops in nearby areas. Poor weather, such as fog, plays a significant role in the conflict, as Russians often time assaults during these conditions to impede Ukrainian aerial reconnaissance and FPV drones 1245-100 AM raq Elections and Yemen's Houthi Crackdown Guest: Bridget Toomey Bridget Toomey discussed recent developments in Iraq and Yemen, noting that Iraqi parliamentary elections saw a higher-than-expected 56% voter turnout, with preliminary results suggesting Shiite parties close to Tehran performed well and might secure enough seats to form the next government, despite internal infighting and votes remaining largely sectarian, while Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani received credit for stability and his party performed strongly, though many Iraqis doubt the elections affect real change, believing critical decisions are made via elite backroom deals, and turning to Yemen, the Houthis announced the arrest of a purported Saudi-American-Israeli spy ring, a paranoid crackdown following Israel's successful targeting of Houthi government and military leaders in August, with arrests including 59 UN workers and prosecutors requesting the death sentence for 21, aiming to intimidate domestic dissent and signal resolve to Western and regional adversaries, especially in sensitive Houthi locations in Sana'a.

11:05 - 11:22 (17 mins) John Hartley, RNC An economist specializing in finance, labor economics, and macroeconomics. He is currently a Policy Fellow at the Hoover Institution, an economics PhD Candidate at Stanford University, a Research Fellow at the UT-Austin Civitas Institute, a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity (FREOPP), a Senior Fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, an Affiliated Scholar at the Mercatus Center. Jon also is the host of the Capitalism and Freedom in the 21st Century Podcast, an official podcast of the Hoover Institution, founder of Generative AI Research, a member of the Canadian Group of Economists, and founding chair of the Economic Club of Miami. 11:25 – 11:37 (17mins) "Vic Porcelli's East Coast Report with Douglas Blair" @DouglasKBlair Author of The Blair Broadcast 11:41 – 11:56 (15mins) Feature: “CHAT BOX!!” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

World-class historian and Hoover Institution senior fellowVictor Davis Hanson joins Jillian for a masterclass on how crony capitalism, socialism, communism, and religion are intertwined — and why the stakes right now could not be higher A renowned classicist who has spent his life studying war, empires, and the rise and fall of civilizations takes us inside the mind of Karl Marx — who he was, what he believed, and how his theories morphed into the socialist and communist movements that reshaped the world and still haunt us today. We examine the deadly pendulum swing between crony capitalism and communism: how unrestrained, corrupt capitalism breeds the resentment that fuels Marxist revolutions, and how those revolutions inevitably give rise to regimes just as oppressive — if not worse.Victor then takes us back to the teachings of Christ and the religious roots of Western morality to reveal how our concepts of justice, equality, the individual, and the state all began as religious ideals — and how religion itself has been weaponized throughout history for both extraordinary good and staggering harm.From the early church to medieval Europe… from the French and Russian Revolutions, to Mao, the Cold War, Mamdani and the cultural battles of today… Victor walks us through the entire arc of history to explain how we arrived at this moment: a West that is exhausted, divided, and once again flirting with ideologies that have already burned the world down.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

  Will future wars be decided by who controls space—cyber and outer—and which superpower has better paired geostrategic thinking with emerging technologies? Anne Neuberger, the Hoover Institution's William C. Edwards Distinguished Visiting Fellow and a former White House and Pentagon cyber policy advisor, joins GoodFellows regulars Sir Niall Ferguson, John H. Cochrane, and Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster to discuss what she sees as a “cyber gap” between China and America, the need for the US to rethink traditional weapons platforms (hello, drones), plus how Dwight Eisenhower's warning of a “military industry complex” is being redefined by the tech sector's growing role in present-day and future warfare. After that: the three fellows weigh the significance of a utopian socialist recently elected mayor of a very capitalist New York City, a new “algocracy” (algorithms running the government) in Albania, the UK's fabled BBC in hot water over alleged editorial bias, plus whether the “war of the tomorrow” may be in . . . Venezuela? Subscribe to GoodFellows for clarity on today's biggest social, economic, and geostrategic shifts — only on GoodFellows.

FAN MAIL--We would love YOUR feedback--Send us a Text MessageHeadlines can heat the blood; evidence steadies the mind. We step back from election drama to explore Thomas Sowell's lifetime of clear thinking on prices, incentives, culture, and the hard truth that there are no solutions—only trade-offs. From a hardscrabble childhood and a GED to Harvard, Chicago, and the Hoover Institution, Sowell's journey shapes a method: test claims against outcomes, not intentions. That approach leads us into the politics of “affordable” promises, why price signals matter, and how well-meaning policies can shrink the very prosperity they aim to expand.We dig into Sowell's early work at the Department of Labor and his influential findings on minimum wage effects for low-skilled workers, especially black teenagers. We read from The Thomas Sowell Reader to unpack the affordability fallacy and trace the historical costs of price controls that produced shortages and hunger. Then we widen the lens: the welfare state's incentive problem, the constrained versus unconstrained visions from A Conflict of Visions, and what Hayek's knowledge problem tells us about why markets outperform central planning by discovering information rather than pretending to possess it.Culture, too, plays a pivotal role. We discuss patterns highlighted in Black Rednecks and White Liberals, the portability of skills across migrant communities, and the controversy and clarity around affirmative action mismatch and outcomes after California's Prop 209. Through it all, we keep returning to Sowell's style: relentlessly empirical, comparative across countries and centuries, and immune to flattery or faction. If you're ready to think harder, start with Basic Economics, then move to A Conflict of Visions, and let the data change your mind where it should.If this conversation sharpened your thinking, follow the show, share it with a friend who loves big ideas, and leave a review so more curious listeners can find us.Key Points from the Episode:• Sowell's early life, military service, and academic rise  • Lessons from labor economics and minimum wage data  • The “affordable” fallacy and the role of price signals  • Historical failures of price controls and shortages  • Trade-offs versus intentions in welfare policy  • Constrained and unconstrained visions of human nature  • Culture, skills, and group outcomes across countries  • Affirmative action mismatch and graduation rates  • Hayekian knowledge, markets, and adaptation  • Recommended books and a reading path for newcomersOther resources: Want to leave a review? Click here, and if we earned a five-star review from you **high five and knuckle bumps**, we appreciate it greatly!

Trump and Xi Jinping's fractious relationship is one of the most important connections in the world. As each side fights for dominance, who appears to be on top at the moment – and why? And what is shaping how they behave? Seth Thévoz is joined by Elizabeth Economy, author of The World According to China and By All Means Necessary: How China's Resource Quest is Changing the World, a former Senior Advisor for China at the US Department of Commerce and a senior fellow at Stanford University's Hoover Institution. Buy By All Means Necessary: How China's Resource Quest is Changing the World through our affiliate bookshop and you'll be helping American Friction by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org's fees help support independent bookshops too. • Head to ⁠https://www.nakedwines.co.uk/thebunker⁠ to get a £30 voucher and 6 top-rated wines from our sponsor Naked Wines for £39.99, delivery included.    • We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.     www.patreon.com/bunkercast       Written and presented by Seth Thévoz.  Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you're confused about the differences between Veterans Day, Memorial Day, and Armed Forces Day here in America, you're not alone. Decades of government meddling and mixed messages have blurred the lines between honoring those who once served their country, those still on active or reserve duty, and those who made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom's cause. Admiral James Ellis, the Hoover Institution's Annenberg Distinguished Visiting Fellow, reflects on his nearly forty years of service on land and at sea (naval aviator, aircraft carrier "skipper" and head of the United State Strategic Command), the challenges facing veterans as they re-enter civilian life, plus ways to properly honor and improve the lives of America's sizable veterans community. 

My guest today is Victor Davis Hanson, a classicist, military historian, and senior fellow at Stanford's Hoover Institution. Victor is one of the most articulate defenders of Donald Trump, and one of the few people willing to explain why millions of Americans still see him as a necessary corrective rather than a danger. We talk about how his years farming in California shaped his politics, how “lawfare” now cuts both ways, and why so many conservatives feel the system has turned against them. We also dive into the strange new revisionism spreading on the American right—from the claim that Churchill “started” World War II, to the idea that the Nazis killed millions by accident—and why Tucker Carlson has begun platforming the people pushing those ideas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On our 300th episode, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice talks about her return to Stanford after years in government and the impact she sees rapidly advancing technologies having on democracy and public policy. She says the future demands greater collaboration among industry, academia, and government to ensure promising fields like quantum computing and AI are used for the greatest good—in education, medicine, and the sciences. We are in a race that we must win, Rice tells host Russ Altman on this special episode of Stanford Engineering's The Future of Everything podcast.Have a question for Russ? Send it our way in writing or via voice memo, and it might be featured on an upcoming episode. Please introduce yourself, let us know where you're listening from, and share your question. You can send questions to thefutureofeverything@stanford.edu.Episode Reference Links:Stanford Profile: Condoleezza RiceConnect With Us:Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything WebsiteConnect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / MastodonConnect with School of Engineering >>> Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / FacebookChapters:(00:00:00) IntroductionRuss Altman introduces guest Condoleezza Rice, former U.S. Secretary of State and a professor of political science and political economy at Stanford University.(00:04:08) Returning to StanfordWhy Condoleezza returned to academia after serving as Secretary of State.(00:04:50) Higher Education & Public TrustPotential factors impacting universities' connection to the broader public.(00:07:31) Why Research Still MattersThe importance of curiosity-driven, federally funded university research.(00:09:32) Hoover's Emerging Tech InitiativeAn outline of the Hoover Institution's Tech Initiative and its policies.(00:12:11) Uniting Scientists & PolicymakersHow engineers and researchers are engaging with policy and ethics.(00:13:41) The Race For InnovationEmerging themes and key enablers in the technology innovation race.(00:19:17) Industry in the LeadHow private companies are now the primary drivers of innovation.(00:22:02) Global Tech & National InterestsThe tension between globalized tech firms and U.S. policy interests(00:24:35) AI & EducationUsing AI as a tool to enhance teaching and critical thinking in students.(00:28:30) Students Driving PolicyThe contribution students are making to Hoover's tech policy work.(00:29:23) Future In a MinuteRapid-fire Q&A: hope, innovation, time, humanity, and alternate careers.(00:31:09) Conclusion Connect With Us:Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything WebsiteConnect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / MastodonConnect with School of Engineering >>>Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education. Peter Berkowitz (Hoover Institution Fellow and educator) discusses the Trump administration's "Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education," which requires universities to meet ten priorities to qualify for federal benefits like student loans and research grants. While many goals are proper or already legally required (like protecting free speech and obeying civil rights laws), several are highly controversial. These controversial points include demanding that hiring decisions be made solely on individual "merit," which critics redefine to include group diversity, and requiring universities to maintain institutional neutrality on political issues. Most universities rejected the compact, asserting it would impair academic freedom. Berkowitz suggests the administration should use direct financial incentives to reward universities that actively teach free speech, rather than relying on mandates. 1913 Princeton

The Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education. Peter Berkowitz (Hoover Institution Fellow and educator) discusses the Trump administration's "Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education," which requires universities to meet ten priorities to qualify for federal benefits like student loans and research grants. While many goals are proper or already legally required (like protecting free speech and obeying civil rights laws), several are highly controversial. These controversial points include demanding that hiring decisions be made solely on individual "merit," which critics redefine to include group diversity, and requiring universities to maintain institutional neutrality on political issues. Most universities rejected the compact, asserting it would impair academic freedom. Berkowitz suggests the administration should use direct financial incentives to reward universities that actively teach free speech, rather than relying on mandates. 1901 Stanford

Jon Hartley and George Tavlas discuss George's career as an economist, including as a central banker at the Bank of Greece, the history of monetarism (including George's new book The Monetarists), Milton Friedman, and the evolution of central banking over the past decades, including its decline since the 1980s, and its renewed post-pandemic interest. Recorded on August 29, 2025. ABOUT THE SERIES Each episode of Capitalism and Freedom in the 21st Century, a video podcast series and the official podcast of the Hoover Economic Policy Working Group, focuses on getting into the weeds of economics, finance, and public policy on important current topics through one-on-one interviews. Host Jon Hartley asks guests about their main ideas and contributions to academic research and policy. The podcast is titled after Milton Friedman‘s famous 1962 bestselling book Capitalism and Freedom, which after 60 years, remains prescient from its focus on various topics which are now at the forefront of economic debates, such as monetary policy and inflation, fiscal policy, occupational licensing, education vouchers, income share agreements, the distribution of income, and negative income taxes, among many other topics. For more information about the podcast, or subscribe for the next episode, click here.

How does the Supreme Court really work—and how does one of its youngest justices balance life, law, and seven children? In this in-depth conversation, Justice Amy Coney Barrett discusses her new book, Listening to the Law: Reflections on the Court and the Constitution. Barrett explains the principles behind originalism, the Court's reasoning in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, and how the Court reached a decision in landmark cases like Casa de Maryland v. United States and handled a debate over the major questions doctrine. Barrett also opens up about her clerkship with Justice Antonin Scalia, how the Court builds consensus, why stare decisis matters, and how her faith and family life shape her character—but not her judicial reasoning. With the discussion ranging from the Warren Court to the Roberts Court, from Roe v. Wade to Dobbs, this is a very candid and illuminating conversation with a sitting Supreme Court justice. Subscribe to Uncommon Knowledge at hoover.org/uk

Hoover Institution research fellow Dr. Alice Miller talks about how, as a CIA analyst, she could figure out political changes in China were afoot based on state media articles.About Peking HotelThe Peking Hotel podcast and newsletter are digital publications in which Liu He interviews China specialists about their first-hand experiences and observations from decades past. The project grew out of Liu's research at Hoover Institution collecting oral history of China experts living in the U.S. Their stories are a reminder of what China used to be and what it is capable of becoming.Podcast music Hungarian Dance no. 5 Re-imagined, Guy Mintus, Johannes Brahms, Artlist Classics, Artlist Original Music Get full access to Peking Hotel at pekinghotel.substack.com/subscribe

Adam Haman returns to help Bob unpack the juicy economic history from a recent Hoover Institution interview of Arthur Laffer.Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:The YouTube version of this conversation.The Hoover Institution interview of Arthur Laffer.Bob's book Understanding Money Mechanics.The HamanNature substack.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

Historian Frank Dikötter, author of How to Be a Dictator: The Cult of Personality in the Twentieth Century, discusses the dark psychology behind absolute power. From Hitler and Mao to Putin and Xi Jinping, Dikötter reveals how dictators use fear, lies, and the cult of personality to control not just people's actions—but their thoughts. Why do tyrants crave loyalty more than love? Why do they all end up surrounded by liars? And what happens when a dictator starts believing his own propaganda? Frank Dikötter gives a fascinating look at how modern dictatorships are built—and why they always collapse from within.

1. Ayaan Hirsi Ali’s Personal Journey: Born in Somalia in 1969, raised in a Muslim household. Fled to the Netherlands in 1992 to escape a forced marriage. Became a Dutch citizen, studied political science, and served in the Dutch Parliament. Transitioned from Islam to atheism, and later converted to Christianity. Currently a research fellow at the Hoover Institution and founder of the AHA Foundation. 2. Defining Political Islam vs. Islam as a Religion: Hirsi Ali distinguishes between Islam as a religion and Islamism (political Islam). She describes Islamism as a totalitarian ideology aiming to establish Islamic dominance globally. Emphasizes the threat posed by groups like the Muslim Brotherhood, which she compares to a “termite infestation” due to their subversive tactics. 3. The Muslim Brotherhood: Founded in 1928 by Hassan al-Banna in Egypt. Described as a decentralized, global movement using both peaceful and violent means to infiltrate societies. Hirsi Ali and Cruz advocate for its designation as a terrorist organization in the U.S. 4. The Red-Green Alliance: A term used to describe the alliance between radical Islamists (green) and Marxist/communist groups (red). Hirsi Ali warns that this alliance is strategically dangerous and aims to undermine Western democratic institutions. 5. Sharia Law and Its Implications: Hirsi Ali outlines the oppressive nature of Sharia law, especially toward women and LGBTQ individuals. She warns of the potential consequences if Islamist ideologies gain influence in Western societies. 6. Islamist Influence in Europe and the U.S.: Hirsi Ali and Cruz discuss the rise of Islamist influence in European cities and the potential for similar developments in the U.S. They express concern over political figures like Zohran Mamdani and Ilhan Omar, suggesting they represent the Red-Green alliance. 7. Persecution of Christians in Nigeria: Cruz and Hirsi Ali highlight the mass murder of Christians by Boko Haram and other Islamist groups. They criticize the Nigerian government for its inaction and call for U.S. sanctions and accountability. 8. Recognition of Somaliland: Hirsi Ali supports recognizing Somaliland as an independent nation. She praises its democratic governance, stability, and alignment with Western values. Go to BackyardButchers.com and enter promo code “VERDICT”, that’s V-E-R-D-I-C-T, for up to 30% off, 2 free 10-ounce ribeyes, and free shipping when you subscribe. http://www.backyardbutchers.com/Verdict Please Hit Subscribe to this podcast Right Now. Also Please Subscribe to the 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson and The Ben Ferguson Show Podcast Wherever You get You're Podcasts. And don't forget to follow the show on Social Media so you never miss a moment! Thanks for Listening YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VerdictwithTedCruz/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/verdictwithtedcruz X: https://x.com/tedcruz X: https://x.com/benfergusonshowYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VerdictwithTedCruzSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At a time of “hot wars” across the globe, there's also an ideological “cold war” featuring two foes: those who embrace freedom and those who oppress it. Michael McFaul, the Hoover Institution's Peter and Helen Bing Senior Fellow and author of the newly released Autocrats vs. Democrats: China, America, Russia and the New Global Disorder, joins GoodFellows regulars John Cochrane and Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster to discuss where he departs from the Trump administration on its approach to Russia and China (one autocracy economically dwarfing the other), his suggestions for course change, and why he holds “guarded” optimism for America's future. After that: John and H.R. go “trick-or-treating”—weighing the pros (“treats”) and cons (“tricks”) of a new White House ballroom, a Chinese military purge, the latest inflation numbers and gold prices that no longer glitter, a CEO's tariff worries, New York City on a non-hallowed eve of “democratic socialism,” plus a new and tougher American citizenship test (could Sir Niall Ferguson pass it?). Finally, as Halloween approaches, John and H.R. give us their go-to candies. Subscribe to GoodFellows for clarity on today's biggest social, economic, and geostrategic shifts — only on GoodFellows.

Condoleezza Rice, 66th Secretary of State of the United States, the Tad and Dianne Taube Director of the Hoover Institution and the Thomas and Barbara Stephenson Senior Fellow on Public Policy, joined Guy Monday for a full hour to participate in her annual Guy Benson Show interview at the Hoover Institution. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Victor Davis Hanson, the Martin and Illie Anderson Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution with a focus on classics and military history, joined The Guy Benson Show today to discuss the disturbing rise of socialist radical candidates like Zohran Mamdani, and why immigrants who have benefited from capitalism are now seeking to dismantle the very system that enabled their success, and Hanson explained why Mamdani is likely to win due to a lack of organized opposition and historically low voter turnout. Benson and Hanson also discussed how Donald Trump's transactional approach to foreign policy has reshaped America's global relationships, delivering peace in the Middle East through a Teddy Roosevelt-like assertiveness. Hanson also reacted to the shocking revelation that a Louisiana man participated in the October 7th massacre, and weighed in on California's decision to issue commercial driver's licenses to non-English-speaking illegal immigrants that has now resulted in several deaths. Listen to the full interview below! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr. Abbas Milani, Research Fellow and Co-Director of the Iran Democracy Project at the Hoover Institution, as well as the Hamid and Christina Moghadam Director of Iranian Studies at Stanford University, joined The Guy Benson Show today to discuss how the Iranian regime has reached one of its weakest points in decades. He explained why Tehran has effectively lost control over its proxy groups, including the Iraqi Shiites, and now faces "enormous" challenges at home. Milani also shared his surprise at how swiftly Hezbollah collapsed after Israel wiped out its leadership and praised Israel's stunning success during its 12-day war with Iran. He noted that this was the very conflict Iran had been "asking for," and yet, it ended in humiliating defeat -- one that has fueled even greater hatred toward the regime among the Iranian people. You can listen to the full interview below! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bill Whalen, the Virginia Hobbs Carpenter Distinguished Policy Fellow in Journalism and a Hoover Institution research fellow since 1999, joined the Guy Benson Show today live from the Hoover Institution to discuss California's dangerous Prop 50 campaign in the state. The proposition could single handedly create 5 new Democrat districts in the state in response to Texas' redistricting efforts, but many districts will be effected by extreme "powerplay" gerrymandering to help Gov. Gavin Newsom on the national stage. Listen to the full interview below. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

H.R. McMaster, the Fouad and Michelle Ajami Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, the Bernard and Susan Liautaud Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute, and a lecturer at Stanford University's Graduate School of Business, joined The Guy Benson Show today to discuss President Trump's continued disruption of international norms and why McMaster believes that disruption has led to historic results in his second term. McMaster highlighted Trump's dominance on border security, U.S. energy independence, renewed pressure on Iran, and the successful return of hostages from Hamas captivity to their homes in Israel. McMaster also weighed in on the President's decision to militarily strike cartel boats allegedly smuggling drugs, saying he supports the mission but believes there must be "more transparency" around the strategy. Finally, McMaster closed by discussing the ongoing war in Ukraine, and why now, he says, is the moment to call Putin's bluff. Listen to the full interview below! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This special episode of Uncommon Knowledge with Peter Robinson features our most requested guest: Hoover senior fellow and acclaimed economist and author Dr. Thomas Sowell. But rather than discussing Sowell's many books, this conversation explores the full arc of Sowell's life — from his childhood, along a dirt road in North Carolina, through his years in Harlem, the Marine Corps, Harvard, and ultimately to his long tenure at the Hoover Institution. Through rich storytelling and candid reflection, Sowell recounts his early struggles and triumphs: growing up in poverty yet surrounded by love, discovering books and ideas in a Harlem library, working his way through school and menial jobs, and eventually earning degrees from Harvard, Columbia, and the University of Chicago. Along the way, he shares how experience and evidence—not ideology—shaped his transformation from a young Marxist to one of America's most influential champions of free markets and individual responsibility. The interview reveals the wit, humility, and intellectual rigor behind the man who has spent decades challenging conventional wisdom. From tales of family and resilience to his enduring skepticism of government programs, Sowell's reflections illuminate a life defined by hard work, empirical reasoning, and independence of mind. This is Thomas Sowell's American story—told in his own words. Recorded on December 19, 2024. Subscribe to Uncommon Knowledge at hoover.org/uk

Ayaan Hirsi Ali, fellow at the Hoover Institution, best-selling author, founder of the Ayaan Hirsi Ali Foundation, and host of the Ayaan Hirsi Ali Podcast, joined The Guy Benson Show today to discuss her upbringing as a Muslim in Somalia and Kenya and how her experiences with Islamic extremism ultimately led her to deconvert. Hirsi Ali explained the crucial difference between Muslims and Islamists, and reflected on the October 7th massacre and the strengthening of what she calls the "red-green alliance" to destroy the West. Hirsi Ali also discussed the alarming rise of antisemitism in the UK, where Jewish citizens increasingly face threats from violent Islamists. Ali and Benson wrapped the interview by addressing New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, arguing that the weaponization of the term "Islamophobia" has allowed his brand of radicalism to thrive. Listen to the full interview below! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week commemorates the two year anniversary of October 7, 2023. That morning, Hamas invaded Israel. They slaughtered some 1,200 people and took another 250 hostage. Forty-eight hostages, some alive and some dead, are still being held in Gaza. In these last two years, the world has changed. In many ways, the past two years have felt like two decades. The world feels like it has tilted on its axis.  There is nobody better suited to make sense of this moment—the lessons learned, the harsh realities that have been revealed, and America's changing role in the world—than Niall Ferguson. Niall is a columnist at The Free Press. He is also senior fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford, the author of 16 books, and one of the most influential historians of our time. This conversation with Niall was a Free Press livestream. To never miss those conversations, and to be able to join them as they unfold, become a subscriber at thefp.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices