Podcasts about road initiative

Oorlogen en blokkades frustreren internationale handel. De klimaatcrisis zet voedselproductie, oogsten en het overleven van boeren onder druk. Ook Nederland lijdt er onder als Europese handelsnatie, agrarische grootmacht en kenniscentrum. Maar er zijn ook kansen, innovaties en nieuwe partnerschappen die antwoord geven op deze uitdagingen. Jaap Jansen en PG Kroeger praten hierover met Melanie Maas Geesteranus, ceo van Invest International, en Daan Wensing van Initiatief Duurzame Handel. *** Deze aflevering is mede mogelijk gemaakt door IDH en met donaties van luisteraars die we hiervoor hartelijk danken. Word ook vriend van de show! Heb je belangstelling om in onze podcast te adverteren of ons te sponsoren? Zend ons een mailtje en wij zoeken contact. *** Melanie Maas en Daan Wensing zijn bezorgd over de positie van Nederland en de Europese Unie in deze turbulente omstandigheden. Al zag Wensing in New York tijdens de UN Climate Week een duidelijke omslag na de grote onzekerheden daar in 2025. "Er is nu veel meer can do mentaliteit. Japan en Korea bijvoorbeeld, kijken nadrukkelijk naar ons land bij de aanpak van hun ontwikkelingssamenwerking en handelsbeleid." Na de kredietcrisis van 2008 zijn langetermijninvesteringen in innovaties via banken veel moeizamer geworden, zegt Maas. Invest International ondersteunt daarom bedrijven die vanuit Nederland de stap van start-up naar scale-up willen maken. "In de agrosector investeren is duidelijk lonend. We zien veel kansen. Kennis is hier hoogontwikkeld. Innovaties in agritech, in kwaliteit van gewassen en in veel zorgvuldiger verwerking van grondstoffen zijn succesvolle voorbeelden.” Maas was staatssecretaris in de kabinetten-Balkenende I, II en III en minister in Rutte I en II. Ze is blij dat haar VVD in het kabinet-Jetten – anders dan onder Schoof – de waarde weer ziet van ontwikkelingssamenwerking als complement van internationale handel: “De combinatie is essentieel voor ons verdienvermogen." De nieuwe Nationale Investeringsinstellling die in 2028 van start gaat als opvolger van van Invest International en Invest-NL kan hier extra impulsen geven. “Met één voordeur voor bedrijven, meer geld en duidelijk toekomstperspectief voor ons verdienvermogen." IDH en Invest International slaan de handen ineen binnen het grote EU-programma Global Gateway, dat een alternatief wil zijn voor China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Volgens Wensing was Nederland bij aanvang van de Global Gateway nogal passief. Sinds kort ziet hij meer dynamiek, maar ons land moet zich wat hem betreft als grote 'E6' economie nadrukkelijker profileren. Onder Jetten staat Nederland niet meer op het menu, maar zit aan tafel. Maar minister Sjoerd Sjoerdsma (Buitenlandse Handel en Ontwikkelingssamenwerking) heeft nog te weinig oog voor de maatschappelijke organisaties die de Nederlandse economie wereldwijd op de kaart zetten, meent Wensing. En al is er nu financieel meer ruimte, het blijft toch wel erg 'kruidenieren'. ‘Middeleeuws boekhouden’, zei Peter Wennink onlangs over de wijze waarop Financiën omgaat met langetermijninvesteringen. Melanie Maas beaamt dat. "Je kunt veel meer investeren zonder dat je de staatsschuld laat oplopen. Dat mag van Brussel, maar Nederland doet het niet.” Als het aan IDH én de Tweede Kamer ligt, organiseert Nederland tijdens het EU-voorzitterschap in de tweede helft van 2029 een grote topconferentie over 'voedsel en water', samen met landen, bedrijven en organisaties uit het Mondiale Zuiden. Wensink suggereert om ook de BRICS-landen hierbij te betrekken. “Landen als Brazilië en India zijn voor de EU en voor ons land als landbouwgrootmacht' essentiële partners.” *** Verder lezen Melanie Maas Geesteranus - Stop met snijden in ontwikkelingssamenwerking Middenmacht en Onmacht op een veranderend Wereldtoneel (Clingendael) Strategisch handelen. Beleid voor een geopolitieke economie (WRR) *** Verder luisteren 595 – Voedselzekerheid in een wankele wereld 597 - Een volle, ambitieuze agenda voor EU-voorzitter Ierland 587 – Rekenkamerpresident Pieter Duisenberg over 2025 als verloren jaar: ‘Stagnatie is nooit gratis' 575 - Nederland staat niet langer op het menu, maar zit aan tafel 574 – Hormuz: eeuwenoud brandpunt van de wereld 571 - Het kabinet-Jetten in een geopolitieke orkaan 547 – Jeroen Dijsselbloem en Pieter Duisenberg: knopen doorhakken, hervormen en stevig investeren 537 – De kracht van de vijf Nederlandse zeehavens 458 - De gedroomde nieuwe wereldorde van Poetin en Xi (over de BRICS) 446 - Doe wat Draghi zegt of Europa wacht een langzame doodsstrijd 431 - Handelsland Nederland staat op het spel 427 - Europa wordt een grootmacht en daar moeten we het over hebben 409 - Nederland wereldwijd handelspartner, ook van communistisch Vietnam *** Tijdlijn 00:00:00 – Deel 1 00:36:44 – Deel 2 00:53:08 – Deel 3 01:11:24 – EindeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

China's role in the Western Balkans is changing. Once associated primarily with infrastructure projects, loans and the Belt and Road Initiative, Beijing is increasingly turning towards AI, digital technologies, telecommunications and deeper political partnerships with Serbia at the centre of its regional presence.In this Deep Dive, Alexandra Karppi speaks with Stefan Vladisavljev, Programme Director at Foundation BFPE in Belgrade, about what China actually wants from the Western Balkans and what countries like Serbia gain from the relationship.They discuss why Serbia has become China's closest partner in the region, Chinese investment and access to raw materials, Beijing's position on Kosovo, the growing presence of Chineseworkers and tourists, Serbian public opinion towards China, and concerns surrounding surveillance technology, transparency and political influence.The conversation also asks a bigger question: are we looking at China in the region clearly — or are we still caught between fear-mongering and overly positive narratives?BONUS FOR PATRONS: Stefan stays with us for an extendedconversation looking beyond the Western Balkans to China's evolving role across Central and Eastern Europe. They discuss why Beijing prefers bilateral relationships, Europe's difficulty developing a common approach towards China, and why AI, digital cooperation and technology could define the next phase of China's engagement with the region. TIMESTAMPS00:00 Introduction01:11 What is China doing in the Western Balkans?04:56 From Belt and Road to AI and digital technology06:33 China's political interests, Kosovo and Serbia10:17 Why Serbia has become China's key regional partner17:11 Chinese tourism and workers in Serbia22:17 China, Serbia and a changing Hungary25:23 What do Serbians actually think about China?28:53 Surveillance, transparency and the risks of Chinese technology32:29 Bonus conversation for Patrons – China's role in the wider regionTalk Eastern Europe is the podcast from New Eastern Europe magazine - your trusted source for in-depth analysis and expert perspectives on Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, and the post-Soviet space. ABOUT THIS PODCASTAvailable on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and all major platforms.Read the New Eastern Europe Magazine Bimonthly publication with exclusive long-form analysis. https://neweasterneurope.eu/become-a-member-of-new-eastern-europe/ Support us on PatreonJoin our community for bonus content, early access, behind-the-scenes insights, and access to our exclusive WhatsApp group where we discuss the news in real-time.https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneuropeSubscribe to the Brief Eastern Europe NewsletterWeekly briefing sent out every Monday with news updates, expert commentary, and our editorial picks - free to your inbox: https://briefeasterneurope.eu/subscribeFOLLOW USInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/neweasterneuropemag/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewEasternEurope/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/new-eastern-europe/

Cosmic LOVE with Dr Christopher Rudy Sept 10, 2026 / New Moon Why Trump Will Cancel the Midterms National Emergency Storm Brewing Sept 13, 2026 Summing Up the Crisis and Opportunity 12 'Storm Factors' / Enlightenment Op Why Trump Will Cancel the Midterms, Cosmic Weather Yods, and Fifty Years of Corporatocracy Fresh off a breathwork seminar, Dr. Christopher Rudy previews his newsletters on why Trump may cancel the midterms and a twelve-factor national emergency storm, reads a dense cosmic weather report, and traces fifty years of warnings about corporatocracy, the medical and military-industrial complexes, and AI, closing with a picture of civilization as a caterpillar dissolving toward Aquarian butterfly consciousness. A Breathwork High and Two New Newsletters Christopher Rudy opens the September 19th broadcast still wired from a breathworks seminar he has just left, joking that the extra oxygen has him primed for an exciting show. He greets listeners across roughly sixty-three nations and welcomes newcomers to his update on fast-changing world news. Before diving into material, he plays the third version of a song called Cosmic Love, created with BBS Radio co-producer Donald Newsome, one of four versions archived on the Cosmic Love homepage. Coming out of the music, Rudy previews two recent newsletters: "Why Trump Will Cancel the Midterms," published September 10th on the new moon, and "Summing Up the Crisis and the Opportunity," built around what he calls twelve storm factors. He describes each newsletter as a Cosmic Love sandwich, sourdough truth slathered with light and love on the ends and strong, straight-talking meat in the middle, seasoned with satire and cosmic humor. Reading the Cosmic Weather Yods Rudy turns to what he calls his cosmic weather report, describing the sun in the closing degrees of Virgo moving into Libra on the coming equinox. He reads a tight yod, or finger of God, pointing to Venus in Scorpio, with Neptune in Aries sextile Uranus in Gemini forming its focal points, a pattern he associates with intense God-vision and lightning revelation. A second yod links the moon in Capricorn and Venus in Scorpio, both pointing toward Uranus in Gemini, while a grand trine connects Pluto in Aquarius, Uranus in Gemini, and the sun in Virgo, completed by a kite pattern with Neptune in Aries opposite the sun. Rudy calls this ancient Hermetic wisdom, quoting the idea that in the beginning God geometrizes, and describes three geometrized principles running through the cosmos: dynamic energy fields tied to squares and oppositions, magnetic fields tied to conjunctions, and radiant fields tied to trines and sextiles. The Geometry of Divinity and Brain Hemispheres Rudy builds a geometric picture of divinity from the law of the one, the circle and coherence factor, through the two-in-one Celtic cross, the three-in-one synergy of balanced hemispheres, and toward a four-in-one capstone vision. He recalls interviewing an author of two books, one of which he names only as The Field, whose name he cannot recall on air, about how Eastern civilization tends toward right-brain, socially cooperative thinking while Western civilization tends toward left-brain, compartmentalized individuality. He extends the comparison into geopolitics, contrasting the Belt and Road Initiative and the BRICS nations' win-win cooperation with what he describes as a Western win-lose approach built on sanctions. Rudy frames the moment as a choice between hemispheres working together, in synergy, or pulling apart into the polarization and conflict he says the world is currently experiencing. A 1974 Warning to Capitol Hill Rudy shifts to personal history, recalling a talk he gave in the summer of 1974 at Buckminster Fuller's World Game studies workshop, part of a three-day future summit called a SYNCON organized by Barbara Marx Hubbard. He says he later presented ten papers to ten agencies of the federal government on Capitol Hill, proposing how new satellite and interactive cable technology could upgrade Americans' freedoms of speech, assembly, and petitioning government ahead of the 1976 bicentennial. He recalls that none of the officials would look him in the eye, and that a junior college vice president told him afterward that the plan would eliminate bureaucracy, which is why it would go nowhere; Rudy says his phone was tapped for two weeks afterward. He connects that experience to what he calls corporatocracy, the merger of corporate and government interests he says the era's People's Bicentennial Commission was already warning about, and says nothing has fundamentally changed in fifty years. Complexes, Spectral Autism, and Ascended Masters Rudy argues that the military-industrial complex has expanded its surveillance technology to monitor and manage the American public, pointing to the war in Gaza as a proving ground for tools he says are now turned on citizens at home. He draws a parallel to what he calls the medical-industrial complex, asserting that vaccines create diseases that are then treated with further drugs for profit, and coins the phrase spectral autism to describe what he says is a loss of full-spectrum awareness in both vaccinated children and adults. He names stuck in negativity, or SIN, as the condition of people drawn to darker information sources, and offers pure intention as the way out. For forty years, he says, his own source of that pure intention has been the Ascended Master teachings, first through Church Universal and Triumphant and now through The Hearts Center, led by David Christopher Lewis, whose website he says holds more than five thousand HeartStreams, or messages, from the Ascended Masters. AI, Palantir, and a Butterfly Closing Rudy turns to artificial intelligence, saying its dark side is visible in Palantir Corporation and founder Peter Thiel, whom he accuses of using AI targeting against civilians in Gaza and, he claims, against nearly two hundred schoolchildren in Iran, a claim he presents as part of what Thiel himself reportedly calls dark enlightenment lectures on the Antichrist. Against that, Rudy sets what he calls a TLC reset: global telecommunication, telecare, tele-community and telecommerce built on self-correcting database standards for preventing and managing disease. He closes by describing Earth's current moment as a caterpillar dissolving inside a cocoon, its old order breaking down while a butterfly consciousness has not yet fully formed, and points listeners toward his free newsletter at christopherrudy.substack.com for the full detail behind the show. He signs off urging listeners to keep faith, see the good, dance like no one is watching, love like they have never been hurt, and be the change they want to see.

Send us Fan MailSend us Fan MailIn this riveting episode of Living the Dream with Curveball, we are joined by A Marc Ross, an international award-winning author who has successfully transitioned from high-stakes corporate law to the thrilling world of global fiction. His latest novel, *Attacking the Dragon*, explores the intricate relationship between global business, politics, and East-West relations, drawing from Marc's extensive experiences in China.Marc shares his journey from a successful legal career to becoming a novelist, revealing the inspiration behind his gripping narrative that focuses on a secret terrorist group targeting China's ambitious Belt and Road Initiative. He delves into the complexities of writing a geopolitical thriller, balancing entertainment with real-world political and economic realities.Listeners will discover:- The motivations behind Marc's pivot from law to writing thrillers- An in-depth overview of *Attacking the Dragon* and its thematic significance- Insights into the challenges of adapting legal writing to fiction- The importance of supporting new writers and the literary community- Marc's upcoming projects, including sequels and adaptations of his earlier worksJoin us for a thought-provoking conversation that will not only entertain but also enlighten you on the nuances of global politics through the lens of fiction. For more information about A Marc Ross and his work, visit www.amarcross.com (Marc is spelled with a C).Support the show

What happens when governments can't fund infrastructure anymore? A $1.6 trillion private asset class that doesn't recognize itself in the mirror. In the 2020s, infrastructure has entered a battlefield where geopolitics, government agendas, and investor returns collide. We trace infrastructure's evolution from nation-building mechanism to one of the most integrated asset classes in modern investing. In this episode, we explore a central tension: is infrastructure still a stable, boring, income-generating asset, or has it become a bigger bet on which governments can actually execute their vision? Joined by Peter Blue of Franklin Templeton and Gautam Bhandari of I Squared, we dive into one of the oldest asset classes in human history.Guests:Peter Blue, CFA, CAIA, FRM, Head of Private Market Solutions, Franklin TempletonGautam Bhandari, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, I Squared Capital⁠Episode Sources⁠(00:00) Infrastructure as an invisible but essential backbone of daily life and economic activity.(01:24)Introduction to infrastructure as a paradox: ancient in practice, modern as an institutional asset class.(03:43) The projected $100 trillion global infrastructure investment need through 2040 and the funding gap.(06:06) Infrastructure allocations remain modest despite structural tailwinds and capital demand.(10:32) Infrastructure as both inanimate and “alive” through its system-wide economic impact.(12:04) Roman publicani as early private infrastructure investors and the blending of public and private capital.(16:24) Infrastructure historically used as a tool of statecraft, control, and regime stability.(20:35) The Gilded Age, robber barons, and the rise of private capital in U.S. infrastructure development.(24:50) Australia's superannuation system and privatization wave as the birthplace of institutional infrastructure investing.(27:52) Macquarie's listed infrastructure vehicles and the financialization of the asset class.(29:43) The contrast between Australia's GP-led model and Canada's direct “Canadian model.”(35:49) Post-GFC surge in infrastructure AUM and its appeal as a stable, inflation-linked asset class.(41:59) “Suffering from success”: record fundraising, rising valuations, and expanding risk profiles in the 2020s.(42:20) Redefining infrastructure through resiliency rather than rigid asset definitions.(46:17) Expansion into digital infrastructure, renewables, and social infrastructure beyond traditional core assets.(50:52) Data centers as the new “highways” of productivity and the complexities of underwriting digital infrastructure.(55:32) Energy transition investing and the scale of renewable and grid infrastructure needs.(57:43) Talent evolution and systems thinking as infrastructure becomes increasingly cross-disciplinary.(01:01:18) The re-politicization of infrastructure and its return as a strategic instrument of global power.(01:05:58) China's Belt and Road Initiative and infrastructure as influence diplomacy.(01:10:46) Local alignment, commercial contracts, and operating “below the radar” in politically sensitive environments

1893 bogotaSecurity Dynamics Across Latin American NationsEvan Ellis details US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's diplomatic tour across Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru to strengthen regional security partnerships. In Colombia, President de la Espriella has renewed security alignment with Washington, exited China's Belt and Road Initiative, and sought aid against Venezuelan transnational crime networks. Ecuador's President Noboa secured US anti-gang assistance and maritime vessels to counter expanding narco-trafficking violence. Meanwhile, Peru balances US counter-narcotics cooperation against deep-seated Chinese investments in mining, telecommunications, and the Chancay port. Ellis further examines judicial corruption in Brazil ahead of presidential elections, severe power grid collapses in Cuba and Venezuela, and potential tech investments in Argentinaunder President Milei. (7)

1849 CLAUDE MONETCONTENTS FOR THE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW, 9-10-2026Russian Election Strategy And European SecurityAnatol Lieven notes the Kremlin closely monitors legislative elections, banning opposition parties to preempt anti-war sentiment while relying on well-paid volunteers rather than unpopular mass conscription. Meanwhile, CIA Director John Ratcliffe visited Moscow, signaling possible shifts in diplomatic representation to explore war termination talks with Russian leadership. Discussions encompass discreet Russian assistance to Iran, hybrid warfare tactics in Europe, and mutual restraint among major global powers to avoid escalating into nuclear conflict. Concurrently, Great Britain faces severe military budget constraints, leaving its reserve forces underfunded and reducing its active fleet to just five operational warships. Political opposition across Europe further threatens long-term financial backing for Ukraine. (1)SpaceX Environmental Waivers For Louisiana PortDoug Messier reports SpaceX has proposed constructing Starbase Louisiana, a massive spaceport covering 125,000 acres along a vulnerable Gulf Coast ecosystem. The proposed facility plans to feature ten launchpads arranged in five clusters, natural gas extraction operations, employee housing, and a deepwater port facility to support thousands of annual Starship Super Heavy launches. To expedite development, the Department of Transportation proposed waiving twelve federal environmental protection laws, including the Clean Water Act and Endangered Species Act. While government officials argue these exemptions remove bureaucratic obstacles to supercharge commercial space exploration, conservation advocates warn that waiving regulatory oversight threatens fragile coastal habitats and likely violates statutory protections. (2)Analyzing Family Subsidies And National DebtVeronique de Rugy analyzes Vice President JD Vance's policy proposal to extend federal Child Care and Development Fund subsidies to stay-at-home parents. De Rugy contends that low-income single mothers cannot afford to leave the workforce, meaning the subsidies would primarily benefit higher-income households or families who had already chosen stay-at-home care. International examples in France, Norway, and Finland demonstrate that similar stay-at-home subsidies failed to reverse declining national fertility rates, benefiting higher-educated mothers instead. Furthermore, de Rugy criticizes proposals offering direct 5,000-dollar payments to citizens, warning that funding such initiatives through tariffs is financially unviable and would expand the national debt by over 1.35 trillion dollars. (3)Political Assets Intelligence Networks Financial TiesCraig Unger, author of American Kompromat, House of Trump, House of Putin, House of Bush, House of Saud, and Den of Spies, discusses intelligence allegations surrounding Donald Trump, evaluating claims by former Kazakh security official Alnur Mussayev that Trump served as a Russian intelligence asset. Unger distinguishes between formal intelligence agents and political assets, who may act as useful contacts or unknowing participants, while pointing out procedural irregularities regarding specific KGB directorates. He questions sending real estate representatives or political appointees rather than seasoned diplomats to negotiate complex conflicts in Moscow and Gaza. Unger also details historical Saudi political connections, noting how members of the Bin Laden family were flown out of American airspace immediately following the 9/11 attacks through private financial partnerships involving the Bush family and the Carlyle Group. (4)rones Target Russian Space Program InfrastructureAnatoly Zak and David Livingston: Zak reports on recent Ukrainian drone strikes against vital Russian space infrastructure, including the Progress aircraft company in Samara and the Plesetsk launch site. These targeted attacks aim to impede the manufacture of Soyuz rockets and delay the deployment of Russia's Rassvet satellite constellation, intended as a military equivalent to Starlink. While Soyuz and Angara rocket systems carry essential surveillance payloads for the Russian military, early Rassvet satellites have encountered operational difficulties, failing to reach intended orbits and risking atmospheric re-entry. Additionally, economic strain from wartime spending and budget deficits threatens Roscosmos, impacting future space station development following the retirement of the International Space Station. (5)Literary Evolution Of Novelist George SandFiona Sampson, author of Becoming George, explores the life and literary legacy of Amantine Lucile Aurore Dupin, who became the pioneering nineteenth-century French author George Sand. Sampson traces Sand's upbringing at Nohant, marked by childhood grief, an aristocratic paternal lineage blended with working-class maternal roots, and a formative convent education in Paris. After escaping a brief, unhappy marriage to Casimir Dudevant, Sand established independence in Paris, initially collaborating with Jules Sandeau before achieving immediate solo acclaim with her debut novels Indiana and Lélia. Her writings broke ground by depicting female interiority, challenging traditional marriage institutions, and infusing progressive political idealism into intimate social narratives amidst turbulent French political eras. (6)SecurityDynamics Across Latin American NationsEvan Ellis details US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's diplomatic tour across Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru to strengthen regional security partnerships. In Colombia, President de la Espriella has renewed security alignment with Washington, exited China's Belt and Road Initiative, and sought aid against Venezuelan transnational crime networks. Ecuador's President Noboa secured US anti-gang assistance and maritime vessels to counter expanding narco-trafficking violence. Meanwhile, Peru balances US counter-narcotics cooperation against deep-seated Chinese investments in mining, telecommunications, and the Chancay port. Ellis further examines judicial corruption in Brazil ahead of presidential elections, severe power grid collapses in Cuba and Venezuela, and potential tech investments in Argentinaunder President Milei. (7)R

Many people have written about the dismantling of the U.S. global order and that countries are turning to China for new leadership. While this may be overblown, as many countries don't seem to be abandoning the US totally, it does seem clear that fewer countries view the world in the same way. Whether it is India continuing to buy Russian oil, or fewer countries reliably voting with the U.S. at the United Nations, or the idea that the U.S. promotes stability and peace, it seems America has lost its ability to rally the world. In this month's episode, we explore with Sarwar Kashmeri, host of the Polaris Live web series, how the world has left the United States behind and forged new strucutures and alliances to secure their own national interests. He also outlines the ways in which the U.S. could regain its lost status and begin to retake global ground it has ceded to China. By rebuilding relationships, recommitting ourselves to the international order, and leading with values, the United States can live up to its lofty goals for itself and the world. This is not easy work and is strengthened by friendships, which requires an engaged and informed voter base to demand it from their government.Sarwar Kashmeri is an international relations specialist, author, and commentator, noted for his expertise on U.S. global strategy and national security.He speaks frequently before business, foreign policy and military audiences. He is the founder and host of Polaris-Live. com, “United States and China in the world,” a live internet video program featuring 30 minute conversations on the business and geopolitical impact of China's rapid rise to superpower status.Kashmeri is author of the Foreign Policy Association's report “The Telegram: A China Agenda For President Biden“ (2021); “The Telegram II: The Business of America and China is Business“(2022); “China's Grand Strategy: Weaving a New Silk Road to Global Primacy,” (Bloomsbury), his third book, was published in July 2019. It is a centennial book of the Foreign Policy Association where Sarwar is a Senior Fellow. The book was released at a Washington D.C. launch featuring Kashmeri and former U.S. Defense Secretary, Chuck Hagel.He is also an Applied Research Fellow of the Peace and War Center of Norwich University, Vermont, USA  and served a four year term as a non-residential Senior Fellow at the Brent Scowcroft Center for International Security of the Atlantic Council in Washington D.C.Kashmeri has hosted “China Focus,” a podcast series for the Carnegie Corporation of New York and discussed China's Belt and Road Initiative on television with Deutsche Welle, the German news network, and in a series of interviews with Xinhua, China's global news agency.

This week on Autonomy Markets, Grayson Brulte and Walter Piecyk discuss Grayson's field work across the Bay Area, Tesla's September 3rd Cybercab launch and Nevada's authorization of 8,000 autonomous vehicles in Clark County.Fresh off a week of field work in California, Grayson shares firsthand impressions from his first rides in Waymo's Zeekr-built Ojai, including a visit to Waymo's Toland depot in San Francisco. While the Ojai rides lighter and less luxurious than the Jaguar I-PACE, its elevated sensor placement meaningfully reduces repair costs and insurance payouts in the event of a rear-end collision.Grayson views the Ojai as a stopgap vehicle on the path to the Hyundai IONIQ 5, which he believes will be Waymo's massive production ramp vehicle. After riding in the Zoox, the Ojai and the Jaguar back-to-back, and observing Waymo's infrastructure buildout from San Francisco down to San Jose, Grayson makes a prediction. When Waymo adds roughly 1,000 to 1,200 additional vehicles in the Bay Area, the company will capture a significant portion of the rideshare market share.Grayson also rode with Wayve with his AUTNMY AI co-founder Rob Grant in a fully dynamic, no-fixed-route supervised ride, noting the technology has accelerated meaningfully since his last ride in London as Wayve gears up for unsupervised operations.Turning to Tesla, the Cybercab is scheduled to commercially launch in Austin on September 3rd, with Grayson expecting a measured rollout of sub-30 Cybercabs in week one, driven by an internal safety metric and infrastructure that is still being built out.Meanwhile, Nevada's Transportation Authority unanimously authorized 8,000 autonomous vehicles in Clark County over 12 months. But the growth comes with a catch, as autonomy drop-off fees and exclusive resort partnerships threaten to bring Vegas-style nickel and diming to robotaxis in Sin City.On the foreign autonomy desk, China's Autonomous Belt and Road Initiative continues to take hold in Europe.Episode Chapters0:00 Grayson's Latest Bay Area Field Report19:30 How Many Cars Will Actually Be on the Road when Cybercab Launches?24:25 Tesla's Self-Certification Strategy for Cybercab25:31 Tesla Semi30:40 Waymo's 10 AI Lessons36:36 The Robotaxi Infrastructure, Energy and Manufacturing Layers37:38 Nevada Authorizes 8,000 Autonomous Vehicles in Clark County39:55 Uber's Robotaxi Playbook Raises Doubts42:08 Waymo Expands to Munich, Germany45:06 NVIDIA Earnings. Where is Automotive?49:53 Autonomous Food Delivery52:33 Who is Cheaper? Uber or Lyft?56:39 SFO Robotaxi Access58:10 Foreign Autonomy Desk59:53 Next WeekFollow The Road to Autonomy Indices--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy is the leading applied intelligence platform covering the convergence of automation, autonomy, and the Autonomy Economy.™.Through our podcasts, newsletter, and proprietary applied intelligence, we set the narrative for institutional investors, industry executives, and policymakers navigating the convergence of automation, autonomy, and economic growth.Join institutional investors and industry leaders who read This Week in The Autonomy Economy every Sunday. Each edition delivers exclusive insight and commentary on the autonomy economy, helping you stay ahead of what's next.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Chinese lawmakers started reviewing on Tuesday a draft law aimed at combating cross-border corruption as part of a broader initiative to strengthen legal tools for repatriating fugitives, recovering assets and addressing corruption cases with international cooperation.中国立法机关8月25日开始审议一份旨在打击跨境腐败的法律草案，这是加强法治工具以遣返逃犯、追缴资产及通过国际合作处理腐败案件的一项更广泛举措的一部分。The draft was submitted for its first reading to the ongoing session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature.该法律草案已提交正在举行的全国人大常委会会议进行首次审议。全国人大是中国的最高立法机关。With six chapters and 47 articles, the draft outlines the principles, scope and key positions underpinning China's efforts to tackle cross-border corruption. It defines the operational mechanisms and responsibilities of relevant departments, calling for stronger case handling and international cooperation.草案共六章四十七条，明确了中国打击跨境腐败的基本原则、适用范围和关键定位，界定了相关部门的运行机制和职责，要求加强案件办理和国际合作。The draft also clarifies the obligations of enterprises regarding integrity and compliance, and specifies legal liabilities for violations. Specific provisions included in the draft are currently under review and have not been made public.草案还明确了企业在廉洁合规方面的义务，并规定了违法违规的法律责任。草案的具体条款目前正在审议中，尚未对外公布。Liu Jinguo, head of the National Commission of Supervision, who introduced the draft to lawmakers on Tuesday, said the legislation involves strategic implementation of the central leadership's plans to fight cross-border corruption.国家监察委员会主任刘金国8月25日向立法机关介绍草案时表示，该立法涉及中央领导层打击跨境腐败规划的战略实施。It serves as a vital step toward establishing a comprehensive legal framework for addressing foreign-related corruption issues, he said.他表示，这是朝着建立处理涉外腐败问题全面法律框架迈出的重要一步。Liu emphasized that making such a law is of great importance in filling the legislative gap in China's cross-border anti-corruption framework, improving the foreign-related anti-corruption legal system, and advancing legislative efforts against cross-border corruption through the rule of law.刘金国强调，制定这样一部法律对于填补中国跨境反腐败框架的立法空白、完善涉外反腐败法律体系、以法治方式推进跨境反腐败立法工作具有重要意义。The legislation also highlights China's firm stance against corruption, and is crucial for safeguarding national security and development interests, he added.他补充说，该立法还彰显了中国坚决反腐败的立场，对维护国家安全和发展利益至关重要。Liu noted that the draft law is a practical measure to regulate the healthy development of enterprises operating internationally and to foster a world-class business environment that is market-oriented, law-based and internationalized.刘金国指出，该法律草案是规范国际化经营企业健康发展、营造市场化、法治化、国际化一流营商环境的重要举措。China is a major trading partner for more than 160 countries and regions, and it has signed Belt and Road cooperation documents with more than 150 countries and over 30 international organizations.中国是160多个国家和地区的主要贸易伙伴，已与150多个国家和30多个国际组织签署了共建“一带一路”合作文件。With more than 50,000 Chinese enterprises operating overseas, the scale of overseas assets is rapidly expanding, according to a statement released on Tuesday by the National Commission of Supervision. In this context, building a clean, integrity-based business environment is critical for expanding China's trade footprint, supporting Chinese companies amid global competition and advancing the Belt and Road Initiative, the statement said.据国家监察委员会8月25日发布的一份声明，目前有5万多家中国企业在海外运营，海外资产规模正在迅速扩大。声明称，在此背景下，营造廉洁、诚信的营商环境，对于扩大中国贸易版图、支持中国企业在全球竞争中立足以及推进“一带一路”倡议至关重要。Liu said that by clarifying the compliance obligations of cross-border enterprises and enhancing regulatory oversight, the legislation helps to guide overseas Chinese businesses to operate legally, compliantly, and with integrity.刘金国表示，该法律通过明确跨境企业的合规义务并加强监管，有助于引导中国海外企业合法、合规、诚信经营。He acknowledged the complexity and challenges of the anti-corruption battle, noting that corrupt actors are employing increasingly sophisticated and concealed methods, and that the cross-border nature of corruption is intensifying, with domestic and offshore corruption becoming more interconnected.他承认反腐败斗争的复杂性和挑战性，指出腐败分子手段日益复杂隐蔽，腐败的跨境特征日益突出，境内腐败与境外腐败相互交织的趋势更加明显。Liu said it is necessary to codify experiences and practices developed in the cross-border corruption battle since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2012, considering that the current rules in this regard are dispersed across various laws, with no systematic procedures for critical issues such as sharing case leads, reporting corruption, collaborating with foreign authorities on investigations and prosecutions, or tracking fugitives and recovering assets.刘金国表示，有必要将2012年中共十八大以来在跨境反腐败斗争中积累的经验和做法加以制度化，因为目前这方面的规定分散于多部法律之中，在案件线索共享、腐败举报、与外国执法机构开展调查和起诉合作、追逃追赃等关键问题上缺乏系统性的程序安排。Zhang Lei, a professor of law at Beijing Normal University, underscored the importance of this legislative effort. “It clearly shows that China's commitment to combating corruption is steadfast and unwavering,” Zhang said.北京师范大学法学院教授张磊（音译）强调了这一立法努力的重要性。“这清楚地表明，中国打击腐败的决心坚定不移、毫不动摇，”张磊说。The drafting of the law will enrich legal tools available for addressing foreign-related corruption cases and further fostering international cooperation, he added.他补充说，该法律的制定将丰富处理涉外腐败案件的法律工具，并进一步促进国际合作。underpinning /ˌʌndəˈpɪnɪŋ/支撑，巩固integrity and compliance /ɪnˈteɡrəti ənd kəmˈplaɪəns/廉洁合规National Commission of Supervision /ˈnæʃənəl kəˈmɪʃən əv ˌsuːpəˈvɪʒən/国家监察委员会strategic implementation /strəˈtiːdʒɪk ˌɪmplɪmenˈteɪʃən/战略实施comprehensive legal framework /ˌkɒmprɪˈhensɪv ˈliːɡəl ˈfreɪmwɜːk/全面法律框架foreign-related corruption /ˈfɒrɪn rɪˈleɪtɪd kəˈrʌpʃən/涉外腐败market-oriented /ˈmɑːkɪt ˈɔːrientɪd/市场化的law-based /lɔː beɪst/法治化的

After the pandemic, as Chinese state-backed lending to developing countries largely dried up, critics declared the Belt and Road Initiative effectively dead. They were wrong. This year, China's financial engagement with BRI countries reached another record, driven by larger deals, private companies, green energy, and a growing focus on industrial development. Chinese firms are increasingly investing in processing, manufacturing, batteries, and other higher-value activities rather than focusing primarily on infrastructure and resource extraction. According to the latest data from the Green Finance & Development Center, BRI engagement reached its highest level for any first six months since the initiative launched in 2013. Christoph Nedopil, lead author of the report and a professor at the University of Queensland, joins Eric to discuss how the BRI is evolving, including changes in how projects are financed, where capital is deployed, and which industries are attracting Chinese investment.

What connects a village in Southeast Asia, a railway crossing Europe and a factory in Africa? The Belt and Road Initiative. More than 13 years after its launch, the BRI has expanded to over 150 countries. But beyond the numbers, what has the BRI actually changed on the ground? How is it built to last? And how might it be impacting your life?

The Belt and Road Initiative has made fruitful achievements since the Chinese president stressed mutually beneficial cooperation in his speech on the initiative at a symposium exactly 10 years ago (01:15). Iran says it has not yet made a decision to extend the peace memorandum of understanding with the United States, which expires on Monday (13:36). Chinese authorities say the country's economy maintained overall stability in the first seven months of the year with a clear trend toward higher-quality and innovation-driven growth (36:58).

The modern experience of China is often viewed through a western lens, but its complex history and relationship with the Arab world reveal a much deeper story. Dr. Mohammed Alsudairi challenges the dominant narrative of a growing security footprint and intense US-China competition over the Middle East. Instead, the conversation explores the evolving diplomatic recognition, transactional dynamics, and economic connections that define Sino-Middle Eastern relations. This discussion unpacks why the Chinese experience is often neglected in the Arab intellectual tradition and how the modalities of empire are shifting in the 21st century.   00:00 Introduction 04:33 Escaping the Post 9/11 Paradigm Shift 07:23 Alternative Journeys & Transformative Intellectual Paths 14:22 Dismantling Dominant Narratives on Regional Footprints 17:13 Contextualizing China's Strategic Priorities 26:41 Historical Dimensions & Evolving Diplomatic Ties 34:34 Financial Synergy, Alternatives & Global concessions 37:48 Deconstructing Frameworks & the Myth of the Silk Road 44:40 Projecting Arab Anxieties onto a Cultural Other 52:52 Technological Realities & the Changing Modalities of Power   Mohammed Alsudairi is a Lecturer in Politics and International Relations of the Arabic Speaking World at the Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies, Australian National University. Senior Nonresident Fellow, King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies   He holds a PhD in Comparative Politics from the University of Hong Kong (HKU), an MA in International Relations and International History from the London School of Economics and Peking University, and a BSc in International Politics from Georgetown University. Prior to his appointment at CAIS, he was a postdoctoral research fellow at the Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences at HKU, working on a project examining the intersections between religion and infrastructure in the context of China's Belt and Road Initiative. Since 2015, he oversaw the development of the Asian Studies Program at the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In 2022, he was awarded a research fellowship from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation to work on his upcoming book manuscript. He is also a Senior Nonresident Fellow at the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies.   Connect with Mohammed Alsudairi

This week on Autonomy Signals presented by KPMG, Grayson Brulte and Rob Grant discuss NVIDIA open sourcing its Alpamayo 2 foundation model to capture the entire autonomy stack, WeRide expanding into Denmark through a partnership with GreenMobility, and Aurora sidestepping PACCAR with a Roush retrofit pathway to hit its 200 truck year-end target.NVIDIA released Alpamayo 2 Super, an open source 34 billion parameter vision language action foundation model for Level 4 autonomy, giving away the model to sell the silicon and lock developers into Drive Thor hardware and NVIDIA compute, raising the question of whether a Foxconn and Taiwan Semi partnership to build a bespoke NVIDIA robotaxi is next.While NVIDIA powers the autonomy economy, WeRide announced a partnership with GreenMobility, Denmark's leading shared electric mobility provider, to deploy its EU-compliant GXR robotaxi with public service targeted for the first half of 2027. The strategy being deployed by WeRide in Europe is the Autonomous Belt and Road Initiative, using Chinese domestic cash flow to finance a foreign expansion.As WeRide expands across Europe, Aurora turned to Roush to retrofit International trucks as a way around PACCAR's refusal to allow driverless operations, targeting 20 trucks per week to reach 200 driverless trucks by year-end. With Kodiak moving towards Daimler Truck and Bot Auto already there, PACCAR is watching the entire autonomous trucking industry sidestep its factory line while Aurora burns roughly $200 million a quarter racing to scale before its $1.2 billion in liquidity runs out in a little over five quarters.Episode Chapters0:00 KPMG Sponsor Introduction01:11 Signal 1: NVIDIA Open Sources Alpamayo 2 as their Grand Robotaxi Ambitions Come into Focus40:16 Signal 2: WeRide Expands into Denmark with GreenMobility1:01:25 Signal 3: Aurora Sidesteps PACCAR with Roush and InternationalFollow The Road to Autonomy Indices--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy is the leading applied intelligence platform covering the convergence of automation, autonomy, and the Autonomy Economy.™.Through our podcasts, newsletter, and proprietary applied intelligence, we set the narrative for institutional investors, industry executives, and policymakers navigating the convergence of automation, autonomy, and economic growth.Join institutional investors and industry leaders who read This Week in The Autonomy Economy every Sunday. Each edition delivers exclusive insight and commentary on the autonomy economy, helping you stay ahead of what's next.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jonathan D.T. Ward, author of The Decisive Decade: American Grand Strategy for Triumph Over China, defines the 2020s as a "decisive decade" during which the United States must execute a new grand strategy to defeat the Russia-China axis. He characterizes the relationship between Putin and Xi as a profound military and philosophical alliance aimed at ending American preeminence. Ward argues that China seeks to overcome its geographical weaknesses through expansionist projects like the Belt and Road Initiative, which converts economic power into global military footprints. A core concept in the book is the "second great divergence," where the world's democracies must seize the lead in the fourth industrial revolution while denying technological and capital access to dictatorships. Ward stresses that Taiwan is the strategic "lock" on the Pacific, and its fall would permanently shift the military balance in Asia. He advocates for the total rebuilding of the American industrial base and the creation of an "arsenal of democracy" to counter China's superior manufacturing output. Ward recommends a "two-track" diplomatic approach: consolidating existing alliances like the Quad while out-competing China for influence in the emerging world through real investment rather than lectures. He concludes that the private sector must be aligned with national security interests, forming a "corporate battle fleet" to win the long-term economic and technological competition. (6)1793 Tradesman

** Do you want to talk about this episode with us? Come to Macro ‘n Chill, our online gathering. Tuesday, August 4, 8pm ET/5pm PT. Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/nLks4k8gQWKQzTAn0CEsoAAshwin Shantha joins Steve for a discussion challenging Western narratives on China – particularly the all-too-common opinions that dismiss its socialist character. This episode makes the case that China is a genuine socialist project where the state disciplines capital rather than being governed by it.Ashwin illustrates how China's green industrial revolution—driven by rapid progress in electric vehicles and renewable energy—marks a qualitative break from capitalist development paths. Unlike the Global North's extractive model, China's centrally planned approach prioritizes use-value objectives (clean air, energy self-reliance, and technological independence) over exchange-value maximization. The state constructs markets strategically, using mechanisms like the dual-credit policy to force both domestic and foreign automakers toward sustainable production targets.While the episode isn't focused on MMT, it highlights how China's monetary sovereignty enables fiscal space for long-term industrial planning. The nation's ability to issue its own currency and direct credit toward clean development highlights a crucial distinction from Global South countries trapped in IMF-imposed structural adjustment programs. This self-determined policy space, which is denied to nations like India and much of Africa, allows Beijing to absorb neoliberal shocks while maintaining state control over the economy.China's sustainable growth model is anti-imperialist in two key ways. First, energy independence reduces reliance on imported fossil fuels that expose the country to geopolitical leverage through choke points like the Malacca Strait. Second, technological autonomy focuses on developing indigenous productive forces that break the Western monopoly over clean technology.By keeping private capital subordinate to state priorities, China shows that socialist modernization offers a workable alternative for the Global South, avoiding the de-development and resource plunder that characterizes Western industrialization.China's model may still have some contradictions, but it continues to show what is possible when state power is wielded in the interests of the working class.Ashwin Shantha (they/them) is a doctoral student whose research focuses broadly on the political economy of sovereign development in the global South, focusing specifically on China and South Asia. Some of their existing work has researched South-South development cooperation between China and Pakistan through the Belt and Road Initiative, as well as, more recently, China's state-led green industrial revolution in the electric vehicles and renewable energy sectors. Ashwin is also the host of the International Solidarity Podcast, which focuses on the politics of anti-imperialism and socialism in the global South.YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@journalofintlsolidarityInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/journalofintlsolidaritySubstack: https://intlsolidarity.substack.com/

This week on Autonomy Signals presented by KPMG, Grayson Brulte and Rob Grant discuss Tesla expanding robotaxi to Tampa and Orlando, Zoox recalling its entire 105 vehicle fleet after driving into an active fire scene in Las Vegas, and China embedding autonomous truck manufacturing in Kazakhstan.Tesla continues their robotaxi expansion launching service in Tampa and Orlando, establishing their third Florida market alongside Miami. All three Florida service areas are next to the airport, signaling Tesla's ambition to secure airport service, while Tampa marks the first market where Tesla launched commercially ahead of Waymo.With Tesla moving from ground validation vehicles to driverless operations in roughly three weeks compared to Waymo's 30 week timeline in Charlotte, Tesla's deployment velocity is running approximately 10X faster than its main competitor.A company that has struggled to scale, Zoox voluntarily recalled its entire US fleet of 105 autonomous vehicles after an unoccupied robotaxi drove into a smoke-obscured fire scene in Las Vegas, requiring a remote teleoperator to reverse the vehicle after its sensor suite was blinded.The recall arrives as NHTSA escalates enforcement around autonomous vehicles interfering with first responders and as Zoox's FMVSS exemption petition for 2,500 driverless vehicles remains pending. With nine vehicles operating in Miami and no Amazon branding anywhere on the vehicles, rider lounges, or website, questions are mounting about Zoox's commercial direction and Amazon's willingness to stand behind its bet.Closing out the show, Grayson and Rob discuss China and Kazakhstan formalizing an agreement to establish domestic assembly lines for autonomous SITRAK heavy trucks, turning Kazakhstan into a regional production and deployment hub for driverless freight across Eurasian trade corridors and accelerating China's Autonomous Belt and Road Initiative.Episode Chapters0:00 KPMG Sponsor Introduction01:34 Signal 1: Tesla Expands Robotaxi to Tampa and Orlando27:15 Signal 2: Zoox Recalls Its Entire 105 Vehicle Fleet57:15 Signal 3: China Embeds Autonomous Truck Manufacturing in KazakhstanFollow The Road to Autonomy Indices--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy is the leading applied intelligence platform covering the convergence of automation, autonomy, and the Autonomy Economy.™.Through our podcasts, newsletter, and proprietary applied intelligence, we set the narrative for institutional investors, industry executives, and policymakers navigating the convergence of automation, autonomy, and economic growth.Join institutional investors and industry leaders who read This Week in The Autonomy Economy every Sunday. Each edition delivers exclusive insight and commentary on the autonomy economy, helping you stay ahead of what's next.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Orit Halpern on Knowledge, Data and Democracy Shownotes Orit Halpern Prof. Dr. Orit Halpern at TU Dresden: https://tu-dresden.de/gsw/slk/germanistik/digitalcultures/die-professur/inhaber-in Orit Halpern's website: https://orithalpern.net/ Halpern, O. (2015). Beautiful data: A history of vision and reason since 1945. Duke University Press. https://www.dukeupress.edu/beautiful-data Halpern, O., & Mitchell, R. (2023). The smartness mandate. MIT Press. https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262544511/the-smartness-mandate/  Hayek, F. A. (2013). The use of knowledge in society. In Modern understandings of liberty and property (pp. 27-38). Routledge. https://home.uchicago.edu/~vlima/courses/econ200/spring01/hayek.pdf  Bush, V. (1945). As we may think. The atlantic monthly, 176(1), 101-108. https://www.ias.ac.in/article/fulltext/reso/005/11/0094-0103  on CERN: https://home.cern/about/who-we-are/ on the Event Horizon Telescope: https://eventhorizontelescope.org/ on the IPCC: https://www.ipcc.ch/ on critiques of the Enlightenment: https://polsci.institute/modern-political-philosophy/critiques-enlightenment-modernity/ Horkheimer, M., Adorno, T. W., & Noeri, G. (2002). Dialectic of enlightenment. Stanford University Press. https://www.sup.org/books/theory-and-philosophy/dialectic-enlightenment  on Keynesianism: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keynesianismus on MAGA: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Make_America_Great_Again  on the Frankfurt School: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Frankfurt-School on high modernism: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_modernism on totalitarianism according to Hannah Arendt: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Origins_of_Totalitarianism Friedrich Hayek: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedrich_August_von_Hayek  on strict constitutionalism/constructionism: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strict_constructionism on the Electoral College: https://www.archives.gov/electoral-college/about on Stafford Beer: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stafford_Beer https://www.kybernetik.ch/en/fs_beer.html  on post-sovereign planning: Mohammed, S. Z. (2025). Post-sovereign planning? Nature, culture and care in the new socialist calculation debate. In Creative Construction (pp. 265-278). Bristol University Press. https://bristoluniversitypressdigital.com/edcollchap/book/9781529235142/ch014.xml Latour, B. (2012). We have never been modern. Harvard university press. https://www.hup.harvard.edu/books/9780674948396  on the cultural revolution: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultural_Revolution on the Belt and Road initiative: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belt_and_Road_Initiative on Mao Zedong: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mao_Zedong on Planetary Experiments: https://orithalpern.net/planetaryexperiments Halpern, O. (2019). The Planetary Test. Zeitschrift für Medien and Kulturforschung, Vol 10. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5e2c7ee53de3f756cfd6cbbc/t/65a808813c02ca697d90089a/1705511045522/planetarytestarticleZMK.pdf Halpern, O. (2020). Planetary intelligence. In The cultural life of machine learning: An incursion into critical AI studies (pp. 227-256). Cham: Springer International Publishing. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-56286-1_8 on Large Language Models (LLMs): https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Large_Language_Model  on Victor Papanek: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victor_Papanek Groos, J., & Sorg, C. (Eds.). (2025). Creative construction: Democratic planning in the 21st century and beyond. Bristol University Press. https://bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/creative-construction  on Terraforming: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terraforming on Geoengineering: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geoengineering on NVIDIA Earth 2: https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/high-performance-com on Destination Earth: https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/Destination_Earth on Piketty's inequality equation r > g: https://equitablegrowth.org/pareto-distribution-r-g/ Piketty, T. (2014). Capital in the twenty-first century. Harvard University Press. https://www.hup.harvard.edu/books/9780674430006  the mentioned quote on the ‘weak cyborg dream' in Orit Halpern (2019, p. 22):  https://publish.fid-media.de/server/api/core/bitstreams/73aba255-56d2-4595-83b5-bfdad3740ffb/content Against Catastrophes: https://againstcatastrophe.net/ Orit Halpern on resilience: Halpern, O. (2025). The geo-politics of resilience: On the historical convergence between ecology, artificial intelligence, and corporate strategy. new media & society, 27(8), 4581-4605. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/14614448251336420  on Ground Truth: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ground_Truth  on benchmark data: https://brilliantfuture.se/en/glossaries/benchmark-data Related Episodes of Future Histories S03E34 | Cecilia Rikap on Intellectual Monopoly Capitalism and Corporate Power in the Age of AI https://www.futurehistories.today/episoden-blog/s03/e34-cecilia-rikap-on-intellectual-monopoly-capitalism-and-corporate-power-in-the-age-of-ai/ S02E44 | Evgeny Morozov on Discovery Beyond Competition https://www.futurehistories.today/episoden-blog/s02/e44-evgeny-morozov-on-discovery-beyond-competition/ S02E43 | Samia Mohammed zur Zukunft jenseits des Marktes https://www.futurehistories.today/episoden-blog/s02/e43-samia-mohammed-zur-zukunft-jenseits-des-marktes/ — Future Histories Contact & Support If you like Future Histories, please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/join/FutureHistories Contact: office@futurehistories.today  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/futurehpodcast/ Mastodon: https://mstdn.social/@FutureHistories English webpage: https://futurehistories-international.com Episode Keywords #OritHalpern #JanGroos, #Interview, #TUDresden, #FutureHistoriesInternational, #FutureHistories, #Knowledge, #Data, #Democracy, #Technology, #Society, #ArtificialIntelligence, #AI, #Data, #Capitalism, #Neoliberalism, #PlanetaryExperiments, #PostSovereignPlanning, #DemocraticPlanning, #Alternatives

This week on Autonomy Signals, Grayson Brulte and Rob Grant discuss Baidu's Apollo Go robotaxi expansion in Hong Kong, the first combat strike using Saronic autonomous vessels on an Iranian naval base, and autonomous drones mapping volcanic gas clouds off the coast of Sicily.Hong Kong issued Baidu three pilot licenses covering 50 vehicles and cleared cross-district driverless trials using its sixth-generation RT6 robotaxis. The city-state's right-hand drive, left-side traffic system turns it into a proving ground for Japan, the UK, Singapore, and Australia, advancing China's Autonomous Belt and Road Initiative and setting up Baidu to export validated autonomy into left-side traffic markets.On July 12, 2026, US Central Command (CENTCOM) executed the first ever combat strike using unmanned surface vessels, deploying three Saronic-built Corsair vessels against Iran's Bandar Abbas Naval Base. The strike marks a doctrinal shift in naval warfare, altering the cost-exchange calculus of maritime conflict as tier one primes reposition themselves as mission integrators and treat autonomous hulls as expendable peripherals to their combat systems.Closing out the show, Grayson and Rob discuss researchers at the Technical University of Munich deploying an autonomous drone on the Italian island of Vulcano to map volcanic gas concentrations at a 5% margin of error, eliminating the need to fly into corrosive plumes.Episode Chapters0:00 KPMG Sponsor Introduction01:34 Signal 1: Baidu's Apollo Go Expansion in Hong Kong18:55 Signal 2: First Autonomous Maritime Combat Strike37:16: Signal 3: Autonomous Drones Mapping Volcanic Gas CloudsFollow The Road to Autonomy Indices--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy is the leading applied intelligence platform covering the convergence of automation, autonomy, and the Autonomy Economy.™.Through our podcasts, newsletter, and proprietary applied intelligence, we set the narrative for institutional investors, industry executives, and policymakers navigating the convergence of automation, autonomy, and economic growth.Join institutional investors and industry leaders who read This Week in The Autonomy Economy every Sunday. Each edition delivers exclusive insight and commentary on the autonomy economy, helping you stay ahead of what's next.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Episode #573: “I brought you here to the United States not so you could forget our homeland,” Salih Hudayar remembers his father telling him, “but so you could become educated and one day return to liberate our people and our country from the Chinese occupation.” Hudayar, now Foreign Minister of the East Turkistan Government in Exile, traces his political life to that instruction. Born in 1993 near Kashgar, he grew up amid tightening state control and left for the United States as a child after his father fled repression. He situates the current crisis within a longer history that includes two short-lived East Turkistan republics before Communist consolidation in 1949. He describes a post-2009 escalation of surveillance, detention, and forced labor under the banner of counterterrorism. Citing Chinese government documents and satellite imagery, he argues that mass internment, religious repression, family separation, and demographic engineering amount to genocide. Now based in Washington DC, Hudayar presses U.S. lawmakers to move beyond condemnation. Recognition of genocide, he says, is not enough without confronting what he calls the root problem of colonial rule. Running a government in exile, dispersed across continents and sustained by diaspora donations, requires coordination, discipline, and constant vigilance against external pressure. Myanmar surfaces repeatedly in the interview as both comparison and caution. Hudayar draws parallels between the Rohingya genocide case and his own effort to bring a complaint before the International Criminal Court, noting that the Rohingya precedent shaped the jurisdictional argument he pursued. He also references Myanmar's strategic importance to China's Belt and Road Initiative, particularly access to the western coast and energy corridors that could reduce Beijing's vulnerability in the Strait of Malacca. At a broader level, he frames the Uyghur and Myanmar struggles as linked by geography and power politics—both situated along China's periphery, both affected by Beijing's economic leverage and security influence, and both navigating how global powers respond when human rights concerns collide with strategic interests.

This week on Autonomy Markets, Grayson Brulte and Walter Piecyk discuss Qualcomm and Mobileye‘s differing robotaxi strategies, NHTSA removing the physical brake requirement for autonomous vehicles and the New York State Legislature failing to advance an autonomous driving bill.As Congress moves on the Build America 250 Act to legalize autonomous trucking and advances a national framework for autonomous vehicles, Grayson and Walt note that federal action could preempt the hostile policies blocking deployment in New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts.On the robotaxi side of the business, Mobileye signaled it wants to own and operate a fleet, a press release Grayson flagged for having no city permits and no SEC trail. Walt likened the pivot to BlackBerry building its own product to validate the technology, while Qualcomm took the opposite path at its Investor Day, positioning the company as a low-cost autonomous driving solutions provider that will only supply the Snapdragon automotive platform to enable OEMs to scale their businesses as Qualcomm's automotive business climbs toward $10 billion by fiscal 2029.Before segueing into the Foreign Autonomy Desk, Grayson and Walt debate Tesla's robotaxi turning one year old still short of 100 cars in Austin, Uber's week of deals and Waymo pausing service around a World Cup stadium, on highways and in some cases heavy rain, leading the hosts to wonder if there is a sensor issue.On the Foreign Autonomy Desk, China's Autonomous Belt and Road Initiative continues to accelerate across the globe with Pony.ai launching commercial service in Singapore, Baidu partnering with Swiss Post and WeRide and Uber preparing to launch commercial service in Switzerland.Episode Chapters0:00 Back from Hiatus01:46 New York Continues to Be Hostile to Autonomous Vehicles 05:07 Uber Continues Global Robotaxi Expansion 06:56 The Rise of Non-Binding MOUs10:28 Waymo Opens Nashville Market12:16 Waymo's On-Going Sensor Issues 14:53 Tesla Robotaxi One-Year Launch Anniversary16:12 Mobileye's Robotaxi Fleet Ambitions21:04 Qualcomm's Growing Automotive Business28:50 May Mobility's European Expansion35:36 China's Autonomous Belt and Road Initiative Continues 36:47 Zoox Design Update38:27 Nvidia's Neibus Investment41:20 The Road to Autonomy Indices Launch43:58 Next WeekFollow The Road to Autonomy Indices --------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy is the leading applied intelligence platform covering the convergence of automation, autonomy, and the Autonomy Economy.™.Through our podcasts, newsletter, indices and proprietary applied intelligence, we set the narrative for institutional investors, industry executives, and policymakers navigating the convergence of automation, autonomy, and economic growth.Join institutional investors and industry leaders who read This Week in The Autonomy Economy every Sunday. Each edition delivers exclusive insight and commentary on the autonomy economy, helping you stay ahead of what's next.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

De Adviesraad Internationale Vraagstukken (AIV) heeft het kabinet een stevige opdracht meegegeven. Zorg voor een langetermijnstrategie voor voedselzekerheid. Nederland moet hier zelfs het voortouw nemen omdat het op dit terrein wereldwijd economisch en logistiek tot de toonaangevende landen behoort. Het briefadvies ‘Voedselzekerheid in een wankele wereld: een agenda voor Nederland’ schetst zo’n agenda. Niet alleen voor bewindslieden die zich met landbouw, handelsrelaties en ontwikkelingssamenwerking bezig houden, maar ook voor bedrijven, organisaties en kenniscentra die vanuit ons land wereldwijd vaak een prominente rol spelen. En het is ook een vraagstuk van economische veiligheid en weerbaarheid. Jaap Jansen en PG Kroeger praten hierover met de schrijver van het advies, Jorrit Oppewal (AIV), en Daan Wensing, ceo van Initiatief Duurzame Handel, waarin bedrijven en organisaties die bezig zijn met agrogrondstoffen en voedselketens hun krachten bundelen. *** Deze aflevering is mede mogelijk gemaakt met donaties van luisteraars die we hiervoor hartelijk danken. Word ook vriend van de show! Heb je belangstelling om in onze podcast te adverteren of ons te sponsoren? Zend ons een mailtje en wij zoeken contact. *** Jorrit Oppewal benadrukt dat voedsel en de grondstoffen daarvoor geopolitieke factoren zijn geworden. Daarom moet Nederland strategische samenwerkingsrelaties ontwikkelen. En dit houdt veel meer in dan 'klantrelaties' bij agrarische producten. Namelijk kennisdeling, netwerkopbouw, intensivering van contacten – ook diplomatiek - en nadrukkelijke wederkerigheid. Een langdurig perspectief van samenwerking met landen en regio’s in het Mondiale Zuiden (Afrika, Azië en Latijns-Amerika). De Verenigde Naties willen honger uitbannen, maar het aantal mensen met honger is de afgelopen jaren juist toegenomen. Daan Wensing schetst hoe de IDH-partners vanaf de Covid-pandemie in hun handelsketens tal van disrupties ondergingen. "Tot nu toe ging het nét niet mis.” Alle betrokkenen beseffen dat de afhankelijkheden groot, complex en riskant zijn. Ook bij agrogrondstoffen. De Iran-oorlog met de blokkade van de Straat van Hormuz bleek meteen de grondstoffenketen rond kunstmest lam te leggen. “Rampzalig voor Afrika en Azië en dus meteen ook voor ons." Ook voor grondstoffen als soja en palmolie, die voor allerlei producten nodig zijn, geldt die kwetsbaarheid. En het gaat om veel meer dan alleen de bekende producten uit de supermarkt. Omdat de VS en China hun eigen gang gaan en de multilaterale organisaties in het slop zitten, moet Nederland coalities sluiten met andere ‘middenmachten’. IDH bouwt aan het soort strategische partnerschappen waar de AIV over schrijft. "Zuid-Afrika is – via ons land - voor tropische groenten en fruit een groot leverancier aan Europa. Wij hebben daar een coalitie gevormd met bedrijven die met de kennis en netwerken bij ons grote stappen kunnen zetten. Daarmee zetten wij ook een soort 'soft power' in, waarmee intensieve relaties verder verdiept worden." De klassieke werkwijze van de ‘polder' krijgt in zulke samenwerkingspatronen een eigen, nieuwe variant. De term daarvoor is 'the Dutch Diamond'. "Belangrijk is dat we zo daarin samenwerken, dat het niet de indruk wekt, dat wij heel arrogant wel even komen vertellen hoe het moet", zegt Jorrit Oppewal. In het eigen actieplan van IDH, 'Agrohandel, zeker, veerkrachtig en duurzaam’ komt de alertheid ook naar voren. Daan Wensing: "We moeten beseffen dat we in een andere wereldorde leven waarin we met het Mondiale Zuiden gelijkwaardige partnerschappen vormen. Voor die partners is toegang tot de Europese Unie essentieel. Vaak voelen zij nog: "Wij staan achter in de rij.” Geopolitiek beschouwen zij de EU als net zo'n 'supermacht' als China of Amerika. Voor voedselzekerheid is Nederland voor hen vaak het gezicht van de EU. Ook dat gegeven maakt het voor de Nederlandse economie, bedrijven en kennisorganisaties cruciaal, het beleid Europees af te stemmen en hoog op de agenda te zetten. Grote langetermijn EU-programma's voor investeringen en connecties, zoals de Global Gateway – het Europese antwoord op het Chinese Belt & Road Initiative - krijgen in ons land opmerkelijk weinig aandacht. Voor de ketens en partnerschappen op dit terrein vormen ze een grote kans, mits we dat wereldwijd samen aanpakken. In de tweede helft van 2029 is Nederland EU-voorzitter. IDH pleit ervoor dat het nu vast begint met de voorbereiding van een speciale topconferentie over voedselzekerheid van de EU met die strategische partners. De Tweede Kamer ziet veel in het idee: deze week bleek brede steun voor een motie erover. Wensing: "We kunnen daar zoveel uitstekende vormen van samenwerking agenderen, met India, met Nigeria - en hopelijk ook met nieuwe partners erbij – zodat we als Europa met hen de strategische samenwerkingsverbanden fors versterken.” *** Verder lezen *** Verder luisteren 593 - Oud-Eurocommissaris Franz Fischler blikt terug en kijkt vooruit 585 - 'Nostalgie is geen strategie': Canada breekt met Amerika en kiest voor de EU 575 - Nederland staat niet langer op het menu, maar zit aan tafel 574 – Hormuz: eeuwenoud brandpunt van de wereld 537 – De kracht van de vijf Nederlandse zeehavens 458 - De gedroomde nieuwe wereldorde van Poetin en Xi 446 - Doe wat Draghi zegt of Europa wacht een langzame doodsstrijd 431 - Handelsland Nederland staat op het spel 427 - Europa wordt een grootmacht en daar moeten we het over hebben 409 - Nederland wereldwijd handelspartner, ook van communistisch Vietnam *** Tijdlijn 00:00:00 – Deel 1 00:28:24 – Deel 2 00:54:14 – Deel 3 01:14:43 – EindeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As one of the most important geopolitical relationships in the world, the United States - China relationship has the opportunity to set the course of a number of issues that would ripple across the world. Unfortunately, it seems that misperceptions, misunderstandings, and missed opportunities abound in this vital relationship. In this month's episode, we speak with Sarwar Kashmeri, a leading international relations scholar, academic, business leader, and host of the Polaris Live program, about his recent trip to China and what insights he gathered during his travels. During his two weeks in China, a country he has not visited in over 20 years, he became confident that both sides of this relationship do not understand each other and that the only solution is exchanges, travel, and everyday interactions which can lead to a better path forward. He outlines the worldview that many in China hold and what their government seems to want from engagement with the world. This certainly is not a relationship free of critical challenges, but we can all do our part to solve them by accurately understanding what each side wants from the other.Sarwar Kashmeri is an international relations specialist, author, and commentator, noted for his expertise on U.S. global strategy and national security.He speaks frequently before business, foreign policy and military audiences. He is the founder and host of Polaris-Live. com, “United States and China in the world,” a live internet video program featuring 30 minute conversations on the business and geopolitical impact of China's rapid rise to superpower status.Kashmeri is author of the Foreign Policy Association's report “The Telegram: A China Agenda For President Biden“ (2021); “The Telegram II: The Business of America and China is Business“(2022); “China's Grand Strategy: Weaving a New Silk Road to Global Primacy,” (Bloomsbury), his third book, was published in July 2019. It is a centennial book of the Foreign Policy Association where Sarwar is a Senior Fellow. The book was released at a Washington D.C. launch featuring Kashmeri and former U.S. Defense Secretary, Chuck Hagel.He is also an Applied Research Fellow of the Peace and War Center of Norwich University, Vermont, USA  and served a four year term as a non-residential Senior Fellow at the Brent Scowcroft Center for International Security of the Atlantic Council in Washington D.C.Kashmeri has hosted “China Focus,” a podcast series for the Carnegie Corporation of New York and discussed China's Belt and Road Initiative on television with Deutsche Welle, the German news network, and in a series of interviews with Xinhua, China's global news agency.

The War between Israel and the US on one side and Iran and Lebanon on the other is in its fourth month. Despite claims from the White House that a deal is imminent, the war and the destruction have continued. Indeed the concept of a cease fire is undermined with every attack. The global economy is struggling with the increased energy costs due to the closing of the Straits of Hormuz. And people continue to die. So on today's show we update the news on the war, explore any potential pathways to end the war and examine the impact of the war particularly on both Iran and Lebanon. [ dur: 58mins. ] Yeghia Tashjian is the Regional and International Affairs Cluster Coordinator of Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy & International Affairs (IFI) and a part time Instructor at American University of Beirut. He is the author “The International North-South Transport Corridor and the Belt and Road Initiative in the South Caucasus,” published in the edited volume of Routledge Handbook of China’s Belt and Road Initiative in Eurasia (2025). Ervand Abrahamian is Professor Emeritus at City University of New York. He is the author of A History of Modern Iran and Inventing the Axis of Evil: The Truth About North Korea, Iran and Syria. Stephen Zunes is a Professor of Politics at the University of San Francisco. He is the author of numerous publications including Tinderbox: U.S. Middle East Policy and the Roots of Terrorism, Western Sahara: War, Nationalism and Conflict Irresolution co-authored with Jacob Mundy. This program is produced by Ankine Aghassian, Doug Becker and Sudd Dongre. Politics and Activism, War / Weapons, Middle East, Iran, Israel, Lebanon , US

Brad Thor has sold over 25 million thriller books. Tim Shipman welcomes Brad Thor on Spybrary to discuss Choke Point, the 25th Scot Harvath thriller, and the evolution of Scott Harvath from post-9/11 counterterrorism operator. Thor explains how the new novel uses Thailand, China's ambitions, the Strait of Malacca, sabotage, bomb-making, and geopolitical manipulation as the backdrop for a fast-moving thriller. The conversation also digs into Thor's writing process, his research network of intelligence, military, law enforcement, and diplomatic sources, and how he builds authentic detail even when he has not personally visited a location. Thor reflects on his early career as a travel show host, the honeymoon conversation that pushed him to write his first novel, his friendship with Vince Flynn, the collaborative thriller Cold Zero with Ward Larsen, and the Netflix film adaptation currently in development. Key Topics and Themes Brad Thor's 25th Scot Harvath thriller, Choke Point China's Belt and Road Initiative and global infrastructure influence Thailand, the Strait of Malacca, and the strategic value of a Thai canal The evolution of Scot Harvath Post-9/11 thriller fiction and the rise of the American action-spy hero Real-world tradecraft, bomb-making research, and responsible thriller detail Writing geopolitical thrillers that teach readers something without slowing the pace Bangkok as an underused spy-fiction setting Collaboration with Ward Larsen on Cold Zero The Netflix adaptation of Cold Zero British spy-fiction influences: Fleming, le Carré, Forsyth, MacLean, Deighton Brad Thor Official Website Follow Tim Shipman Buy Choke Point The Top 125 Spy Authors Ranked and Rated by Tim Shipman Join the Spybrary Community

Meet my friends, Clay Travis and Buck Sexton! If you love Verdict, the Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show might also be in your audio wheelhouse. Politics, news analysis, and some pop culture and comedy thrown in too. Here’s a sample episode recapping four takeaways. Give the guys a listen and then follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. We're Paying for Fraud Clay Travis and Buck Sexton talk about the massive government fraud and systemic inefficiencies, particularly within healthcare programs like Medicare and Medicaid. The hosts highlight a Department of Justice crackdown in Ohio involving fraud schemes totaling over $50 million, emphasizing that such cases are only “the tip of the iceberg.” Clay and Buck argue that healthcare fraud is a nationwide crisis, driven by bureaucratic complexity, lack of transparency, and excessive government involvement in the healthcare system. They cite examples of fraudulent billing practices—including cases where providers billed for nonexistent or even deceased patients—and criticize a system that allows billions in taxpayer funds to be misused. A key focus of the discussion is how healthcare costs and administrative bloat contribute to both inefficiency and fraud. The hosts point to the massive number of healthcare administrators and argue that the current structure incentivizes maximizing billing rather than delivering patient care. They also examine how ordinary Americans are disconnected from the true cost of healthcare, which reduces accountability and enables exploitation. Listener input reinforces this argument, with one caller suggesting that reintroducing direct patient financial responsibility could help restore cost discipline and reduce abuse. The Guy Behind the AI Pratt Videos Clay and Buck interview filmmaker Charles Curran, the creator behind the viral pro–Spencer Pratt AI political ads, which have become a major talking point in the ongoing Los Angeles mayoral race. They talk about the rise of artificial intelligence in political campaigns and digital media. Curran explains how his small team of four used emerging AI video tools to produce high-impact, low-cost campaign content that garnered hundreds of millions of views across social media and traditional platforms. The hosts emphasize that this represents a transformational shift in political communication, comparing AI-generated campaign videos to modern-day “political cartoons” that can cut through media noise and engage younger voters. They argue that AI-driven storytelling—rooted in humor, cultural relevance, and perceived authenticity—has the potential to disrupt traditional campaign advertising and lower production costs while dramatically increasing reach and influence. The interview also highlights growing dissatisfaction with conditions in Los Angeles, which inspired Curran’s work. He describes widespread concerns about crime, homelessness, public safety, and urban decay, noting that these issues extend beyond traditionally lower-income neighborhoods into more affluent areas. Clay and Buck connect this to a broader political narrative, suggesting that grassroots frustration with governance in California is fueling outsider candidates and unconventional campaign strategies like the Spencer Pratt movement. College Sports is the Wild, Wild West Clay and Buck interview House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, who outlines the legislative agenda heading into the summer and addresses key policy debates dominating Washington. A major focus is the ongoing effort to reform college athletics and NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) policies, a rapidly evolving issue in sports law and governance. Scalise explains that Congress is working to reconcile differences between competing House and Senate bills aimed at restoring structure to what he describes as a “wild west” environment in college sports. He highlights concerns about lack of NCAA enforcement power, inconsistent state rules, athlete exploitation by agents, and the risk of athletes being classified as employees. The discussion emphasizes the need for antitrust protections, athlete safeguards, financial literacy programs, and standardized rules to stabilize college athletics while maintaining competitiveness across conferences. The conversation then shifts to legislative priorities and government reform, with Scalise detailing efforts to pass funding for the Department of Homeland Security, combat massive healthcare fraud, and address housing affordability. A key talking point is the discovery of tens of billions of dollars in alleged fraud within federal healthcare programs, reinforcing a broader theme across the show about government inefficiency and the need for stronger oversight. The hosts and Scalise frame these initiatives as part of a broader push to reduce wasteful spending, improve national security, and deliver tangible economic benefits for American households. Clay and Buck Going to Hollywood? Clay and Buck talk with bestselling author Brad Thor, who joins the show to discuss his latest thriller Choke Point, the future of storytelling, and the intersection of fiction with real-world geopolitics. Thor provides insights into his writing process, explaining how he develops plotlines inspired by current events—such as China’s Belt and Road Initiative—and transforms them into high-stakes geopolitical thrillers. He also shares his views on artificial intelligence in creative industries, arguing that while AI can generate content, it lacks the human creativity and emotional depth needed for compelling storytelling. The discussion with Thor expands into Hollywood, streaming platforms like Netflix, and the adaptation of books into movies and television, highlighting a growing trend of multimedia storytelling. Thor also previews upcoming projects, including a major film adaptation of his work, underscoring the continued convergence of traditional publishing and visual media in today’s entertainment landscape. Make sure you never miss a second of the show by subscribing to the Clay Travis & Buck Sexton show podcast wherever you get your podcasts! ihr.fm/3InlkL8 For the latest updates from Clay and Buck: https://www.clayandbuck.com/ Connect with Clay Travis and Buck Sexton on Social Media: X - https://x.com/clayandbuck FB - https://www.facebook.com/ClayandBuck/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/clayandbuck/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/clayandbuck Rumble - https://rumble.com/c/ClayandBuck TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@clayandbuckYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VerdictwithTedCruzSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it really mean to know the will of God?In this classic Prescott Conference sermon, Pastor Wayman Mitchell tackles one of the biggest questions every believer faces: How do you discern the direction of God for your life?This message cuts through superstition, hype, and spiritual confusion to reveal a powerful truth: God guides people who are willing to surrender and move forward in obedience.From the early days of revival in Prescott to church planting in unlikely places, Pastor Mitchell shares unforgettable stories about faith, risk, surrender, and the “road not taken.”If you are wrestling with calling, ministry, destiny, marriage, or purpose, this sermon will challenge and inspire you.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Pentecostalism and Its Growth02:19 Understanding the Will of God10:11 The Path of the Just21:42 The Evolving Dimension of God's Will25:31 The Moral Dimension of Knowing God's Will31:35 Reflections on Choices and OpportunitiesBooks Mentioned:Signs and Wonders: Why Pentecostalism Is the World's Fastest Growing Faith by Paul AlexanderTo the Ends of the Earth: Pentecostalism and the Transformation of World Christianity by Allan Heaton AndersonBarack Obama's Rules for Revolution: The Alinsky ModelRevitalising the Silk Road: China's Belt and Road Initiative by Richard Griffiths

Doema neemt nieuwe wet aan | Rusland lid van de EU | China als economische winnaar Rusland verkent de grenzen van een mogelijke confrontatie met de NAVO terwijl de Europese drempelverdediging in de Baltische staten groeit. Arend Jan Boekestijn en Rob de Wijk schetsen hoe Moskou met dienstplichtige troepen, nieuwe wetgeving over Russischtaligen en prikacties de eenheid in Europa kan testen. Tegelijkertijd verzwakt Amerika door munitietekorten, waardoor Europese landen versneld hun eigen wapenproductie en krijgsmacht opbouwen. China domineert inmiddels cruciale technologieën, maar blijft door slecht bestuur en interne economische problemen steken onder de Verenigde Staten. Boekestijn en De Wijk duiden hoe Beijing inzet op economische afhankelijkheid via het Belt and Road Initiative, dumping van elektrische auto’s en controle over kritieke grondstoffen in plaats van ideologische export. De Europese Unie blijft voor China een lucratieve maar weerbarstige markt die zich niet eenvoudig laat insnoeren. De rol van Europa verschuift intussen van volger naar hoofdtegenstander voor Moskou en cruciale economische partner voor Beijing. De Wijk legt uit waarom een toekomstig democratisch Rusland waarschijnlijk nooit EU-lid zal worden en hoe demografie Oekraïne paradoxaal beter inpasbaar maakt. De spanningen rond Rusland en China tekenen zo het speelveld waarin Europa zijn macht en kwetsbaarheid opnieuw moet definiëren. [Samenvatting geschreven door AI en gecontroleerd door mens] Over de Podcast Arend Jan Boekestijn en Rob de Wijk gaan onder leiding van Hugo Reitsma op zoek naar de nieuwe wereldorde. Wat betekenen oorlog, machtspolitiek en economische verschuivingen voor Europa en Nederland? In elke aflevering duiken zij in de geopolitieke actualiteit. In 2022 werd Boekestijn en De Wijk uitgeroepen tot winnaar in de categorie Nieuws & Politiek tijdens de Dutch Podcast Awards Reageren? Op X: @ajboekestijn en @robdewijk Bluesky: @hugoreitsma.bsky.social Mail: boekestijnendewijk@bnr.nl Over de makers: Arend Jan Boekestijn is een Nederlands historicus en voormalig politicus. Hij studeerde geschiedenis en politieke wetenschappen aan de Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam. Boekestijn is voormalig Tweede Kamerlid (tot 2009). Sinds 1989 is hij verbonden aan de vakgroep geschiedenis van de Universiteit Utrecht en sinds 2016 lid van commissie Vrede en Veiligheid van AIV. Rob de Wijk studeerde eigentijdse geschiedenis en internationale betrekkingen, promoveerde op kernwapenstrategieën, werd hoogleraar in Leiden en richtte in 2007 het Den Haag Centrum voor Strategische Studies op. Hugo Reitsma studeerde rechten en politicologie. Hij werkte eerder als politiek verslaggever en vanuit verschillende conflictgebieden. Hij is auteur van het boek ‘Boekestijn en De Wijk voorspellen de toekomst’ (november 2023).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A currency becomes “internationalized” when it is widely used beyond its home economy for trade, financial transactions, and as a store of value. Achieving that status can lower transaction costs and exchange rate risks, while also enhancing the issuing country's geopolitical influence. Today, the global financial system remains overwhelmingly dollar-centric, with China's renminbi playing a comparatively modest role. Yet over the past decade, Beijing has taken steps to expand its global use, expanding offshore renminbi markets, establishing bilateral swap lines, and developing alternative payment infrastructure.  To help us unpack where China's renminbi internationalization efforts stand today, we are joined by Zongyuan Zoe Liu, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. Zoe's research centers on international political economy and global financial markets, with a focus on China and East Asia, as well as the Middle East. She is the author of Can BRICS De-dollarize the Global Financial System? and Sovereign Funds: How the Communist Party of China Finances Global Ambitions.   Timestamps:  [00:00] Introduction  [01:54] Strategic Motivations for Beijing  [04:55] Progress Report on RMB Internationalization  [08:16] Main Mechanisms Used to Promote the RMB  [11:08] RMB in the Belt and Road Initiative  [13:46] Using Clean Energy Supply Chains to Promote RMB in Key Commodities  [15:57] RMB as a Reserve Currency?  [21:23] Xi's Fourth Term Goals with the RMB  [27:26] How Global Conflicts Impact RMB Internationalization 

Paramount-Warner Brother merger, IMF-World Bank spring meetings in DC, Skydance, Big Tech, David Ellison, Larry Ellison, the current state of the merger, Corey Booker's Congressional hearing on the merger, Saudi-UAE support behind Paramount's bid, Block the Merger Campaign, Committee for the First Amendment, Jane Fonda, Netflix, is Netflix sponsoring Block the Merger?, Button/Pingate, the state of the documentary industry, the Ticketmaster lawsuit as a model for stopping the merger, is there a deliberate effort to consolidate the entertainment industry?, AI, how AI is upending the entertainment industry, the long term consequences of AI on the film/TV industry, China's film industry, is the US trying to reconfigure it's film industry in line with China's?, US soft power, foreign aid, Belt and Road Initiative, the US remodeling its foreign aid after China's Belt and Road Initiate, Hollywood as a form of US soft power, is the US reconfiguring Hollywood like it is foreign aid for the Great Power struggle?, free speech, propagandaMusic by: Keith Allen Dennishttps://keithallendennis.bandcamp.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

3. The 21st century saw massive cash infusions creating “ghost cities” and excessive infrastructure. China's cement consumption and loan volume surpassed historic US benchmarks while billionaires like Jack Ma were suppressed. The Belt and Road Initiative then attempted to export this excess capital into international markets. (3)1903

While the world's attention remains fixed on the military maneuvers of Operation Epic Fury and the subsequent ceasefire, a growing consensus suggests that the true victor in the Iran-U.S. conflict is actually China. While President Trump has claimed credit for stabilizing the region through a "peace through strength" approach, many geopolitical analysts argue that Beijing has strategically leveraged the chaos to its advantage. By maintaining its role as Iran's primary economic lifeline and a "neutral" mediator, China has secured long-term energy concessions and expanded the reach of its Belt and Road Initiative while the U.S. focused on costly military engagement. In this view, China is quietly consolidating its dominance and promoting the yuan as a regional alternative to the dollar, achieving a strategic win that has largely gone unacknowledged by the Trump administration.

The idea that China, rather than Iran or the U.S., is the true victor in the current Middle East conflict reflects a significant shift in global power dynamics. While President Trump has focused on the immediate optics of a military ceasefire and "Operation Epic Fury," many analysts argue he has overlooked how Beijing has strategically filled the vacuum. By acting as a neutral mediator and leveraging its role as Iran's primary economic lifeline, China has secured long-term energy deals and expanded its Belt and Road Initiative while the U.S. remained preoccupied with costly regional instability. Ultimately, while Washington celebrates a tactical stalemate, China is quietly consolidating its economic and diplomatic dominance across the region.

This week on Autonomy Signals, Grayson Brulte and Rob Grant discuss China's $400 billion robotics investment, surging Chinese auto exports with advanced autonomous driving systems (ADAS), and rising compute costs that could reshape the autonomy economy.China is preparing to invest $400 billion in robotics this year as the country looks to further strengthen its current physical AI dominance. As China prepares to further invest in robotics, Chinese technology companies such as Xpeng that manufacture electric vehicles are beginning to share manufacturing lines and supply chains between electric vehicles and humanoid robots, reducing labor costs by 35%.With Xpeng aims to produce a thousand humanoids a month by year end. AUTNMY AI's proprietary AI algorithm, OMEGA, assesses that this convergence ensures Chinese humanoid platforms could achieve commercial viability 24 to 36 months ahead of US counterparts, and that standalone US robotics startups lacking automotive manufacturing synergies could face a mass extinction event by 2028.As China invests in robotics at home, Chinese automakers exported a record 7.1 million cars in 2025 with nearly 50% featuring advanced ADAS, and that pattern is only accelerating in 2026 partly due to margin compression on the mainland.While China is accelerating its export of electric vehicles with ADAS, Chinese autonomous vehicle companies, WeRide, Baidu and Pony AI are rapidly expanding into the Middle East, Europe, and Southeast Asia through partnerships with Uber and Lyft, allowing these companies to bypass customer acquisition costs and avoid potential regulatory friction.This is setting up to be a potential Autonomous Belt and Road Initiative, where China embeds its autonomous driving technology into global transit systems, both public and private sector, the same way Belt and Road embedded Chinese influence through infrastructure investment.Closing out the show, the third signal points to a potential compute cost inflation cycle with AMD and Intel likely looking to raise chip prices 15% amid a global shortage. Tying all of the signals together, OMEGA assesses that the primary constraints on the autonomy economy are no longer software or LLM capabilities but NdFeB magnets, high torque actuators, and advanced semiconductor packaging.Episode Chapters00:00 AUTNMY AI00:40 Signal 1: China's Planned $400 Billion Investment in Robotics21:11 Signal 2: Surging Chinese Automotive Exports & Growing Global Robotaxi Expansions 40:06 Signal 3: Increasing Compute Costs44:01 Closing--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy is the leading market intelligence platform covering the convergence of automation, autonomy, and the Autonomy Economy.™. Through our podcasts, newsletter, and proprietary market intelligence, we set the narrative for institutional investors, industry executives, and policymakers navigating the convergence of automation, autonomy, and economic growth.Join institutional investors and industry leaders who read This Week in The Autonomy Economy every Sunday. Each edition delivers exclusive insight and commentary on the autonomy economy, helping you stay ahead of what's next.Subscribe today for free: https://www.roadtoautonomy.com/ae/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Estimates are that $200B of goods have already been diverted away from the region surrounding Yemen in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea. The disruptions in travel through the Suez Canal have cascading effects that are felt worldwide, as it puts additional pressure on the supply chain.There is fear of an event drawing Iran into some kind of conflict in the region, which would see the Straight of Hormuz come under the watchful eye of the Iranian government, further adding to shipping issues impacting the oil and LNG exports coming out of that geographic region.It is also worth noting that the expansion of BRICS into this region works to solidify China's connections through the Belt & Road Initiative, while also locking down and securing the shipping lanes to make sure that the oil can continue to leave the region through the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea.—Video ChannelsWatch the video version of Macroaggressions:Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/Macroaggressions YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MacroaggressionsPodcastBrighteon: https://www.brighteon.com/channels/macroaggressions/—MACRO & Charlie Robinson LinksHypocrazy Audiobook: https://amzn.to/4aogwmsThe Octopus of Global Control Audiobook: https://amzn.to/3xu0rMmWebsite: www.Macroaggressions.ioMerch Store: https://macroaggressions.dashery.com/ Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/macroaggressionspodcast—Activist Post FamilySign up for the Activist Post Newsletter: https://activistpost.kit.com/emailsActivist Post: www.ActivistPost.comNatural Blaze: www.NaturalBlaze.com —Support Our SponsorsGround Luxe Grounding Mats: https://GroundLuxe.com/MACROReplace Your Mortgage: www.WipeOutYourMortgageNow.comC60 Power: https://go.ShopC60.com/PBGRT/KMKS9/ | Promo Code: MACROChemical Free Body: https://ChemicalFreeBody.com/macro/ | Promo Code: MACROWise Wolf Gold & Silver: https://Macroaggressions.Gold/ | (800) 426-1836LegalShield: www.DontGetPushedAround.comEMP Shield: www.EMPShield.com | Promo Code: MACROChristian Yordanov's Health Program: www.LiveLongerFormula.com/macroAbove Phone: https://AbovePhone.com/macro/Van Man: https://VanMan.shop/?ref=MACRO | Promo Code: MACROThe Dollar Vigilante: https://DollarVigilante.spiffy.co/a/O3wCWenlXN/4471Nesa's Hemp: www.NesasHemp.com | Promo Code: MACROAugason Farms: https://AugasonFarms.com/MACRO—

The United States is once again considering military strikes to curb Iran's nuclear activities and missile program. China has emerged as a particularly important partner of Iran, serving as the country's largest trade partner and one of its few sources of consistent diplomatic backing. For Beijing, the stakes in the relationship extend beyond energy security, but also include great power competition with the US and China's broader strategic ambitions in the Middle East. There are reports that Iran is close to finalizing a deal to purchase supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles from China.  To unpack China-Iran relations and these recent dynamics, we are joined today by Jonathan Fulton. Jonathan is a nonresident senior fellow with the Middle East Programs at the Atlantic Council and an associate professor of political science at Zayed University in Abu Dhabi. His research focuses on China-GCC relations, China's Belt and Road Initiative, and Chinese foreign policy.  This episode was recorded on February 26, 2026.   Timestamps:  [00:00] Introduction   [01:33] China's Interests in Iran and Possible Reactions  [04:55] Challenges to Diversifying Oil Imports   [09:40] Using Oil Purchases as Leverage with the US  [10:59] Frictions in the China-Iran Relationship  [12:41] Iran in China's Middle East Strategy  [16:00] Iran–China 25-year Cooperation Program   [21:56] China-Russia Coordination in Iran Strategy  [25:54] Tehran's Points of Leverage with Beijing and Moscow  [29:14] Potential Disruptors to the China-Iran Relationship 

Move over NATO, now there are even more acronym groups coming to challenge the “international rules-based order” that has been running and ruining this planet for half a century. As the BRICS+, SCO, NDB, ASEAN, and BRI emerge on the world scene, things are changing for the Globalists.With BRICS doubling the size of its membership group just in 2024, it is set to expand even further in the next decade as more and more countries slip through the grip of the Empire and escape to do business with sane and rational partners from their region of the world through the Belt & Road Initiative.—Video ChannelsWatch the video version of Macroaggressions:Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/Macroaggressions YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MacroaggressionsPodcastBrighteon: https://www.brighteon.com/channels/macroaggressions/—MACRO & Charlie Robinson LinksHypocrazy Audiobook: https://amzn.to/4aogwmsThe Octopus of Global Control Audiobook: https://amzn.to/3xu0rMmWebsite: www.Macroaggressions.ioMerch Store: https://macroaggressions.dashery.com/ Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/macroaggressionspodcast—Activist Post FamilySign up for the Activist Post Newsletter: https://activistpost.kit.com/emailsActivist Post: www.ActivistPost.comNatural Blaze: www.NaturalBlaze.com —Support Our SponsorsGround Luxe Grounding Mats: https://GroundLuxe.com/MACROReplace Your Mortgage: www.WipeOutYourMortgageNow.comAnarchapulco: https://Anarchapulco.com/ | Promo Code: MACROC60 Power: https://go.ShopC60.com/PBGRT/KMKS9/ | Promo Code: MACROChemical Free Body: https://ChemicalFreeBody.com/macro/ | Promo Code: MACROWise Wolf Gold & Silver: https://Macroaggressions.Gold/ | (800) 426-1836LegalShield: www.DontGetPushedAround.comEMP Shield: www.EMPShield.com | Promo Code: MACROChristian Yordanov's Health Program: www.LiveLongerFormula.com/macroAbove Phone: https://AbovePhone.com/macro/Van Man: https://VanMan.shop/?ref=MACRO | Promo Code: MACROThe Dollar Vigilante: https://DollarVigilante.spiffy.co/a/O3wCWenlXN/4471Nesa's Hemp: www.NesasHemp.com | Promo Code: MACROAugason Farms: https://AugasonFarms.com/MACRO—

In today's episode, we take a deep dive into the latest stats on China's surging investments in the Belt-and-Road Initiative countries. Energy investment is up, but we learn that this was both the 'greenest and dirtiest' year for BRI investments ever. Even as China's oil demand stagnates, China's SOEs and construction companies are doing brisk business investing in oil and gas, even as CATL and Jinko Solar find deals and opportunities in Latin America and Africa. Our guest, Christoph Nedopil-Wang, is the director of the Griffith Asia Institute and Professor of Economics. Christoph engages in research related to sustainable finance and business in Asia and the Pacific, and he is particularly interested in the role of China in Asia's sustainable development with extensive engagement in green finance, green energy transition, green metals, climate smart state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).  He has numerous publications related to the topic of China's overseas finance and green finance in general, and in particular he is the lead author of the China Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Investment Report 2025, published by the Griffith Asia Institute in early January 2026, in collaboration with the Green Finance & Development Center (GFDC) of the Fanhai International School of Finance (FISF), in Fudan, China. [Editorial note: a young family member can occasionally be heard in the background.] Questions we address are: Is surging investment a surprise? And why is this happening just as China's domestic economy slows? Why is oil and gas investment surging when domestic demand is so soft? Is Chinese investment in minerals and minerals processing mainly a "scramble for resources" or is it a development opportunity for the recipient countries? Is Africa's growth of 300% a signficant trend change that could continue?  Deal size is up. What ever happened to "small is beautiful"? Expectations for 2026   Further reading: China Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Investment Report 2025 https://blogs.griffith.edu.au/asiainsights/china-belt-and-road-initiative-bri-investment-report-2025-2/  

China has been on a generational run since it was granted admission to the World Trade Organization at the beginning of the century. Though its infrastructure investments ran in the trillions of dollars, the Chinese GDP increased 10% every year for 15 years, all while producing 1,600 high-rises, 45,000 kilometers of high-speed rail, and hundreds of airports.The contrast with America is stark. Roads, ports, rail, and airports inside the United States are all falling apart, with the bloated, $128 billion, high-speed train to nowhere stalling out in California. Meanwhile, China has evolved into maglev trains and thorium-powered cargo ships for the new Belt and Road Initiative.—Watch the video version on one of the Macroaggressions Channels:Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/Macroaggressions YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MacroaggressionsPodcast—MACRO & Charlie Robinson LinksHypocrazy Audiobook: https://amzn.to/4aogwmsThe Octopus of Global Control Audiobook: https://amzn.to/3xu0rMmWebsite: www.Macroaggressions.io Merch Store: https://macroaggressions.dashery.com/ Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/macroaggressionspodcast—Activist Post FamilySign up for the Activist Post Newsletter: https://activistpost.kit.com/emailsActivist Post: www.ActivistPost.com Natural Blaze: www.NaturalBlaze.com —Support Our SponsorsAnarchapulco: https://anarchapulco.com/ | Promo Code: MACROC60 Power: https://go.shopc60.com/PBGRT/KMKS9/ | Promo Code: MACROChemical Free Body: https://chemicalfreebody.com/macro/ | Promo Code: MACROWise Wolf Gold & Silver: https://macroaggressions.gold/ | (800) 426-1836LegalShield: www.DontGetPushedAround.com EMP Shield: www.EMPShield.com | Promo Code: MACROGround Luxe Grounding Mats: https://groundluxe.com/MACRO Christian Yordanov's Health Program: www.LiveLongerFormula.com/macro Above Phone: https://abovephone.com/macro/Van Man: https://vanman.shop/?ref=MACRO | Promo Code: MACROThe Dollar Vigilante: https://dollarvigilante.spiffy.co/a/O3wCWenlXN/4471 Nesa's Hemp: www.NesasHemp.com | Promo Code: MACROAugason Farms: https://augasonfarms.com/MACRO —

Focus on Africa's Charles Gitonga joined The Global Story podcast hosts Asma Khalid and Tristan Redman to explain why the United States, Russia and China are so interested in Africa. The US recently moved to extend the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a major trade deal allowing many African countries to export goods to the American market tariff-free, while also tying promises to end the conflict in eastern DR Congo to access rare earth minerals. China sees Africa as a key part of its Belt and Road Initiative, investing heavily in infrastructure across the continent. Meanwhile, Russia has positioned itself as an alternative partner to the Central African Republic and Sahel countries, particularly in security and military cooperation.Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers: Keikantse Shumba and Hannah Moore Senior Producer: Blessing Aderogba Technical Producers: Terry Chege and Philip Bull Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

Shaun sets the record straight on boys and girls. PLUS, Shaun talks to Todd Sheets, author of 2008: What Really Happened - Understanding the Great Financial Crisis, about Trump destroying China's Belt and Road Initiative by taking control of Venezuela, socialism coming soon to a Democrat city near you, and the economic successes of Trump's first year. And RFD-TV's Scott 'The Cow Guy' Shellady, tells Shaun gold and silver are on a roll, describes how Democrats have hijacked the affordability issue (even though they caused it), and the importance of getting back to banking. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Key Links: VPP Cardinal ZenEast Turkistan Government in Exile Learn More & Support: Vulnerable People Project (VPP): vulnerablepeopleproject.comJason's Substack: thejasonjonesshow.substack.comInstagram: @thevulnerablepeopleprojectX (Twitter): @Vulnerable_VPP Keywords:Uyghur genocide, East Turkestan, CCP influence, global response, Belt and Road Initiative, international awareness, vulnerable communities, geopolitical landscape, Jason Jones Show, Salih Hudayar  Takeaways: The Uyghur genocide remains ongoing with no signs of stopping.China's Belt and Road Initiative is heavily reliant on East Turkestan.International awareness and response are crucial to counter CCP influence.The CCP's control extends to various global sectors, including media and politics.Salih Hudayar emphasizes the need for a united global effort against the CCP.The CCP's demographic challenges include a declining population and gender imbalance.China's neocolonial efforts are evident in its global infrastructure projects.The CCP's influence campaigns aim to shape international narratives.Jason Jones advocates for breaking the Vatican-CCP deal to mobilize Catholics.The episode calls for a collective effort to challenge the CCP's oppressive regime. Chapters: Introduction and New Year GreetingsThe Genesis of The Jason Jones ShowSalih Hudayar's Insights on East TurkestanGlobal Implications of the Uyghur GenocideThe CCP's Global Influence and StrategyCall to Action and Global Unity

Saving American Liberty, Session 5 In this session from the New Discourses event 'Saving American Liberty,' Michael O'Fallon argues that global political, corporate, and religious institutions are jointly reshaping Western society through “degrowth” policies, sustainability mandates, and ideological frameworks like ESG and the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, which he sees as mechanisms for centralizing control and limiting individual freedom. He contrasts the West's self-imposed economic contraction with China's expansion through the Belt and Road Initiative, claiming this shift empowers China while weakening America's global position. O'Fallon warns that identity-based conflicts, migration pressures, and urban destabilization are fragmenting Western societies into competing tribal enclaves, leaving them vulnerable to foreign influence. He concludes that COVID-era restrictions, digital surveillance, and AI-driven governance signal a broader transition from a merit-based, liberty-oriented system to one that demands ideological compliance from both citizens and institutions. The other lectures in this series can be found here: Session 1: https://youtu.be/4u2ak-DmKD4 Session 2: https://youtu.be/gUiLUmZWsc4 Session 3: https://youtu.be/WRheQNDTSOQ Session 4: https://youtu.be/AjKqBgzF36w Latest from New Discourses Press! The Queering of the American Child: https://queeringbook.com/ Support New Discourses: https://newdiscourses.com/support Follow New Discourses on other platforms: https://newdiscourses.com/subscribe Follow James Lindsay: https://linktr.ee/conceptualjames © 2025 New Discourses. All rights reserved. #NewDiscourses #MichaelOFallon #Sustainability

China's Debt Dilemma and Keir Starmer's Political Trouble — Joseph Sternberg — Sternberg analyzes China'scritical economic vulnerabilities, noting that its $2.2 trillion in global lending—partly channeled through the Belt and Road Initiative—faces mounting pressure from defaults and political resistance to Chinese asset ownership. Domestically, China restricts capital inflows to manage inflation and stabilize exchange rates. Sternberg also examines UK politics, noting that Labour leader Keir Starmer faces mounting political difficulties ahead of a challenging budget that lacks an articulated economic growth strategy. 1700 WINDSOR CASTLE

SHOW -25 CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN BATCHELOR 1942 THE SHOW BEGINS IN THE DOUBTS ABOUT the peace plan. FIRST HOUR 9-915 Economy, Fed Rates, and the AI Productivity Boom — Liz Peek — Peek examines the U.S. economy, noting mixed retail sales data alongside recent strength in credit card spending. She anticipates the Federal Reserve will likely reduce interest rates in December due to softening labor market conditions, despite traditional employment reporting lags. Peekemphasizes that the Fed fails to account adequately for AI's significant, though currently unmeasured, impact on productivity gains, employment displacement, and escalating electricity consumption, even as AI demonstrates substantial benefits in diagnostics and medical analysis. 915-930 930-945 Ireland's Exposed Western Flank and Europe's Ukraine Stance — Judy Dempsey — Dempsey examines how Ireland's steadfast neutrality and limited defense capabilities leave its critical undersea communication cables vulnerable to Russian eavesdropping and potential sabotage. Despite maintaining budget surpluses, Ireland prioritizes social issues, including housing, over defense investments. Dempsey notes that European powers view the U.S.-Russia peace proposal for Ukraine with skepticism, characterizing it as a "Russian wish list," while German leadership remains publicly committed to sustained Ukrainian military support. 945-1000 SECOND HOUR 10-1015 Unorthodox Ukraine Diplomacy and Geopolitical Realism — Mary Kissel — Kissel analyzes the "exceedingly odd" U.S. approach to Ukraine peace negotiations, wherein businesspeople framed initial proposals while bypassing traditional State Department channels. This transactional negotiating style concerns European allies because it appears to reward Russia and establishes an unfavorable initial bargaining position. Kissel suggests the conflict will likely persist while diplomatic discussions protract. She commends Marco Rubio for prioritizing economic growth and countering Chineseand Iranian influence throughout the Western Hemisphere. 1015-1030 1030-1045 Escalating Conflict: Hezbollah Strike, Turkish Influence, and Fragile Ceasefires — Jonathan Schanzer — Schanzer discusses the chaotic status of regional ceasefires, highlighting Israel's major strike against Hezbollah's de facto military commander in Beirut. Iran and Turkey are actively exploiting smuggling routes into Lebanon via Syriato sustain Hezbollah operations. Schanzer addresses the dysfunction of the Lebanese government, the fragility of the Gaza truce agreement, and the complex geopolitical competition involving Russia, Turkey, and external actors competing for influence over the nascent Syrian state. 1045-1100 THIRD HOUR 1100-1115 China's Debt Dilemma and Keir Starmer's Political Trouble — Joseph Sternberg — Sternberg analyzes China'scritical economic vulnerabilities, noting that its $2.2 trillion in global lending—partly channeled through the Belt and Road Initiative—faces mounting pressure from defaults and political resistance to Chinese asset ownership. Domestically, China restricts capital inflows to manage inflation and stabilize exchange rates. Sternberg also examines UK politics, noting that Labour leader Keir Starmer faces mounting political difficulties ahead of a challenging budget that lacks an articulated economic growth strategy. 1115-1130 1130-1145 AI Regulation: The Danger of Fear and the Need for a National Framework — Kevin Fraaser — Fraser critiques the regulatory rush surrounding AI, faulting the EU's approach to establishing guardrails based on "speculative fears" rather than documented harms. He warns against allowing "robophobia"—unfounded fear of artificial intelligence—to drive policy, advocating instead for regulatory focus on beneficial applications including healthcare diagnostics and educational access. Fraaser advocates for a unified U.S. regulatory framework to prevent a fragmented patchwork of state laws and excessive litigation that stifles technological innovation. 1145-1200 FOURTH HOUR 12-1215 Ukraine Diplomacy, NATO Defense Gaps, and Baltic War Games — Gregory Copley — Copley analyzes the opaque U.S.-Russia Ukraine peace talks, which initially involved non-traditional negotiators rather than career diplomats. European powers are seeking inclusion in discussions but maintain conflicting strategic objectives. The discussion covers NATO's eroding relevance, particularly regarding Ireland's vulnerability to Russian surveillance and potential sabotage of critical undersea communication cables. Copley assesses a war game scenario in which Russia directly challenges NATO's Article 5 collective defense commitment in the Baltics. 1215-1230 1230-1245 1245-100 AM

SHOW 10-25-27 CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN BATCHELOR THE SHOW BEGINS IN THE DOUBTS ABOUT PAKISTAN FIRST HOUR 9-915 Afghan-Pakistan Peace Talks and the Imprisonment of Imran Khan. Husain Haqqani and Bill Roggio discuss Afghan-Pakistan peace talks, which are unlikely to achieve long-term peace as Pakistan feels "cocky." Trump's efforts are seen as ironic, given the issues stemming from the Doha agreement. Discussion turns to Imran Khan's imprisonment; the military fears his party's survival and aims to keep him from power. China's financial support for Pakistan is also noted as flagging. 915-930 Afghan-Pakistan Peace Talks and the Imprisonment of Imran Khan. Husain Haqqani and Bill Roggio discuss Afghan-Pakistan peace talks, which are unlikely to achieve long-term peace as Pakistan feels "cocky." Trump's efforts are seen as ironic, given the issues stemming from the Doha agreement. Discussion turns to Imran Khan's imprisonment; the military fears his party's survival and aims to keep him from power. China's financial support for Pakistan is also noted as flagging. 930-945 Israel Seeks Reliable Multinational Force to Prevent Hamas Resurgence in Gaza. David Daoud discusses Israel's primary concern regarding a multinational force in Gaza: ensuring its reliability to prevent Hamas's resurgence or rearmament. Hamas is reasserting control and slow-rolling the recovery of remaining hostages' bodies to establish the ceasefire. US drones monitor adherence to the ceasefire. Israel has ended the emergency status in the south, signaling a slow return to normal life. 945-1000 Iran Defies West on Nuclear Program Despite Loss of Key Scientists. Jonathan Schanzer discusses Iran's defiant nuclear program, noting the procurement of air defense systems from Russia and China is debatable. A major setback has been the loss of nuclear scientists due to targeted assassinations. Iran is heavily supporting the Houthis (now a full proxy), sending ballistic missile components and IRGC officials to help assemble them in Yemen. Snapback sanctions' impact on Iran's partnerships with Russia and China remains uncertain. SECOND HOUR 10-1015 Hamas Slow-Rolls Hostage Returns to Avoid Disarmament, as Iran Remains Defiant. Malcolm Hoenlein discusses Hamas's slow-rolling of deceased hostage returns to avoid disarmament, a key condition of the peace talks. He notes Iran remains defiant, reconstituting its nuclear program at sites like Tehran 2 and using Georgia to evade sanctions. The discussion also covers the naming of a successor for PA President Abbas and highlights Javier Milei's landslide victory in Argentina as a stabilizing factor in South America. 1015-1030 Hamas Slow-Rolls Hostage Returns to Avoid Disarmament, as Iran Remains Defiant. Malcolm Hoenlein discusses Hamas's slow-rolling of deceased hostage returns to avoid disarmament, a key condition of the peace talks. He notes Iran remains defiant, reconstituting its nuclear program at sites like Tehran 2 and using Georgia to evade sanctions. The discussion also covers the naming of a successor for PA President Abbas and highlights Javier Milei's landslide victory in Argentina as a stabilizing factor in South America. 1030-1045 Russia Tests Nuclear Missile Amid Tough Winter and Increased US Sanctions. John Hardie analyzes Russia's reported successful test of the nuclear-powered Burevestnik cruise missile. This test is likely aimed at pressuring the US into arms control talks, rather than impacting the Ukraine battlefield. On the ground, the situation in Pokrovsk has deteriorated due to Russian infiltration. The US has shifted from diplomacy to pressure, imposing sanctions on major Russian oil companies. 1045-1100 Anti-Hamas Clans and Militias Challenge Hamas's Control in Gaza. Ahmad Sharawi discusses the challenge to Hamas's power in Gaza by anti-Hamas clans and militias, some allegedly backed by Israel. Groups like the Dughmush clan and Yasser Abu Shabbab's Popular Forces contest Hamas's control and monopolization of aid. Hamas deters these rivals, labeling them "collaborators," as Gaza fragments into controlled pockets or "bantustans." THIRD HOUR 1100-1115 Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney Poised to De-escalate Trade Dispute with Trump. Conrad Black analyzes the US-Canada trade dispute ignited by Ontario Premier Doug Ford's ad criticizing US tariffs. Black notes that while Ford was "cheeky," President Trump overreacted by suspending negotiations and mandating 10% tariffs. Prime Minister Mark Carney, seen as a diplomatic and well-informed figure, is expected to de-escalate the issue and work toward a reasonable agreement at the upcoming Asian conference. 1115-1130 AQAP Targets Anti-Houthi Forces Amidst Cooperation with Houthis and Iran. Bridget Toomey reports on AQAP's attack on anti-Houthi Yemeni soldiers. AQAP and the Houthis have an informal non-aggression agreement, sometimes cooperating on weapon smuggling. Iran supplies advanced arms to the Houthis and has maintained a relationship with al-Qaeda leadership for two decades. This cooperation, despite sectarian differences, aims to destabilize Yemen and the region. 1130-1145 Milei's Libertarian Win in Argentina Signals 'MAGA Tide' in Latin America. Alejandro Peña Esclusa and Ernesto Araújo analyze Javier Milei's decisive win in Argentina, viewing it as a model for Latin America and a victory for Donald Trump. The result signals a reduction of the "pink tide" and emergence of a "MAGA tide." Trump is leveraging trade talks to pressure Brazil's President Lula da Silva regarding Bolsonaro and alignment with China, reconfiguring power in the region. 1145-1200 Milei's Libertarian Win in Argentina Signals 'MAGA Tide' in Latin America. Alejandro Peña Esclusa and Ernesto Araújo analyze Javier Milei's decisive win in Argentina, viewing it as a model for Latin America and a victory for Donald Trump. The result signals a reduction of the "pink tide" and emergence of a "MAGA tide." Trump is leveraging trade talks to pressure Brazil's President Lula da Silva regarding Bolsonaro and alignment with China, reconfiguring power in the region. FOURTH HOUR 12-1215    US Pressure on Xi Jinping May Lead to Release of Jimmy Lai. Mark Simon is encouraged that President Trump plans to raise the fate of persecuted publisher Jimmy Lai with Xi Jinping. Simon believes China must resolve the "Jimmy Lai problem" but will likely demand concessions, such as sanctions relief. Lai's release, potentially via a humanitarian or commuted sentence route, would pave the way for the release of hundreds of other Hong Kong dissidents. 1215-1230 Trump's Tariff Policy Gains Victory in Trade Truce with China. Alan Tonelson assesses the US-China trade truce, viewing it as a major victory for President Trump's tariff policies. China agreed to delay rare earth export controls and buy US farm goods. This move is seen as desperate by Xi Jinping, whose economy is undermined by US technology curbs. China's predatory practices defined the relationship until Trump decided to use American leverage. 1230-1245 vUS Tariffs Drive Canada Toward Greater Economic Integration with China. Charles Burton discusses how US tariff aggression, fueled by Premier Doug Ford quoting Ronald Reagan to criticize US trade policy, is pushing Canada toward China. The uncertainty over Trump's response makes negotiating difficult, prompting speculation Canada may renew free trade talks with Beijing, remove investment restrictions, and possibly join the Belt and Road Initiative. 1245-100 AM Trump Demands Higher Defense Spending from New Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi. Lance Gatling reports on President Trump's visit to Tokyo and his meeting with the new Prime Minister, Takaichi. Trump is expected to demand increased defense spending. Takaichi plans to accelerate doubling the defense budget to 2% of GDP. A major concern is Trump asking Japan to stop buying energy from Russia, which supplies Japanese LNG. Takaichi enjoys surprisingly strong domestic support.

US Tariffs Drive Canada Toward Greater Economic Integration with China. Charles Burton discusses how US tariff aggression, fueled by Premier Doug Ford quoting Ronald Reagan to criticize US trade policy, is pushing Canada toward China. The uncertainty over Trump's response makes negotiating difficult, prompting speculation Canada may renew free trade talks with Beijing, remove investment restrictions, and possibly join the Belt and Road Initiative. 1910 OTTAWA ROWING CLUB

Katsiaryna Shmatsina, Eurasia Fellow at Lawfare, is joined by Beverly Ochieng, senior security analyst at Control Risks and non-resident expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), to examine how external powers compete for influence in Africa—and how African states are responding.They discuss the shifting priorities of the second Trump administration, including a “trade not aid” approach, stricter visa policies, and growing pressure on African governments to accept irregular migrants deported from the U.S.The conversation explores the evolving strategies of key players—the U.S., China, and Russia—alongside the rising influence of Turkey, the UAE, and the European Union's more diffuse forms of engagement.They also discuss public perceptions of foreign involvement, China's Belt and Road Initiative and its digital expansion, Russia's use of private military contractors and information operations, and the increasing role of African regional organizations in shaping the agenda.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.

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