How Will the Blue Wave Change US Foreign Policy? (Live from Crooked Con)
Summary
Hosts Tom Vitor and Ben Rhodes discuss the midterm election results, arguing that the Iran war was a key factor in the Republican loss and urging Democrats to cut off military funding to force peace. They analyze the global resurgence of anti-authoritarian movements, drawing parallels to recent victories in Serbia and Brazil. The episode concludes with a panel featuring Reps.
Topics discussed
Intro: Midterm results and episode agenda
Iran war as a referendum and funding options
Strategic risks of ending the Iran war
Vance's tweet and the anti-war mantle
Democrats must become the anti-war party
Global rise of right-wing populism
Countering the narrative of inevitability
International solidarity and learning from others
Modernizing communications: Lula's Army
2028 wish list: Bases, AI, and Sudan
Dismantling the War on Terror apparatus
AI safeguards and climate change policy
USAID 2.0 and hiring diverse staff
Sponsor: Mint Mobile
Guests: Reps. Crow and Ansari intro
Investigating Trump family and war corruption
Accountability for Kushner and family deals
Pentagon oversight and Pete Hegseth
FBI, Intel, and private sector abuses
Elon Musk, DOGE, and USAID damage
Sponsor: Helix Sleep
Stock trading and prediction market bets
Banning congressional stock trading
Repealing the AUMF and war powers
Investigating boat strikes and double taps
Subpoenas and contempt of Congress
Impeaching Pete Hegseth
Sponsor: BetterHelp
Protecting Afghan allies from ICE
Pressure tactics and legal accountability
El Salvador deportations and Bukele
Dismantling ICE and for-profit prisons
Rebuilding US reputation and storytelling
New leaders and flyover country narratives
Rejoining the world and diverse representation
Closing remarks and thanks
Sponsor: Underdog Fantasy
Sponsor: Bradley 2 Work Boots
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