ReConsider

A stimulus bill just got passed. Is it the right bill? What the heck happens with that $2T and what are the consequences? Erik and Xander take a crack. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/reconsiderpodcast.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Xander and Erik advocate for two different positions on the appropriate response by the US government to the coming recession, an exercise in a passionate and respectful disagreement, and an opportunity for Xander and Erik to share what we actually believe needs doing, as well. Stay safe, everyone. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/reconsiderpodcast.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Climate change will, in addition to all of its other havoc, cause major changes to the geopolitical future. The entire board will change. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/reconsiderpodcast.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Jacob Shapiro joins the show again to take a snapshot of the global geopolitical environment at the turn of the decade. (Sorry it's late; been a crazy month!) Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/reconsiderpodcast.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It's Iowa Caucus time, which means people make hay by predicting a brokered convention! ...But what is a brokered convention? How does it work? How likely is it? Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/reconsiderpodcast.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Iftah Burman, founder of the Middle East Learning Academy, joins us to go over Iran’s broader role in the Middle East, particularly its operations outside of its own borders: what are its goals, what is the impact, and is Iran succeeding? Itfah is a Middle East scholar that regularly briefs diplomats, foreign officials, academics, and different levels of young professionals. He also acts as the director of foreign senior-level mission to Israel of US government officials, US military officers, and different think-tank researchers. He’s also deeply involved with education, and regularly gives lectures to students and tour groups seeking broader context and understanding of the complexities in the region. He’s currently working on his PhD, with a dissertation focused on Hezbollah and Syria, but also studies and briefs experts on the Arab-Israeli conflict and Iranian-Western relations. Clearly, a relevant topic right now. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/reconsiderpodcast.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Jacob Shapiro (cofounder of Geopolitical Futures) joins us today to help us break down what in the absolute heck happened in Iran, what might happen next, and what the heck might be the strategic/geopolitical driver behind it. We also do a followup about our last episode, where we cover some key errata about our analysis of the UK election that our listeners pointed out for us #humblepie and get a bit of help from Jacob on the implications. Lots of good stuff :) Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/reconsiderpodcast.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Boris Johnson won big and Brexit is go for launch. Donald Trump was impeached… and still his popularity holds steady. Heck, he might get re-elected. Americans and Britons seem to have, within themselves, two incompatible narratives about these men. How is that possible? Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/reconsiderpodcast.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Recently Erik saw an article in which nobel-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz says an obsession with looking at GDP has become a problem: “The world is facing three existential crises: a climate crisis, an inequality crisis and a crisis in democracy,” he writes. “Yet the accepted ways by which we measure economic performance give absolutely no hint that we might be facing a problem.” “If we measure the wrong thing, we will do the wrong thing,” Do we need to reconsider how useful GDP can be as a measure of economic health? Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/reconsiderpodcast.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A few isolated Lebanese protests over a tax on WhatsApp calls have become, perhaps a national revolution, with huge consequences for the region and perhaps even American strategy. Why? How could such a small thing have such a large potential impact? And how can we possibly spot what "small things" in the world really matter, and which big ones are more smoke than substance? Getting this one out earlier than normal because the topic is timely! Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/reconsiderpodcast.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Amid the hard facts of distrust and violence between police and some communities in the US, debate descends into fanatical screaming between two tribes. We forget the solution we all want: effective policing with great community relationships. Today we interview Lisa Broderick, who founded Police2Peace, with a radically simple experiment to help our police and communities cooperate like never before. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/reconsiderpodcast.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Turkey invades Syria amid a hasty and poorly-planned US withdrawal. It's not the first time: why is it getting this level of media attention and international outrage? Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/reconsiderpodcast.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

…and hurricanes pop up throughout the Middle East. How does a tiny US deployment in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia affect the geopolitical outlook of nations throughout the Middle East and the world? The world’s a complicated place, and small moves can have ramifications for many years to come. Today, we look at the possible ramifications of a US deployment of troops to Saudi Arabia could play out. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/reconsiderpodcast.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

How does the process of impeachment work? What actions are impeachable? How's it worked in the past? We cover all of these questions and more. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/reconsiderpodcast.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

WELCOME TO EPISODE 100. HOW EXCITING. Today we’re going to talk about our favorite book series ever, The Expanse. More specifically, we’re going to talk about the “astropolitics” (geopolitics IN SPAAAACE) of The Expanse, and see how it as a case study can teach us about boring old geopolitics on Earth. It’s an awesome episode; enjoy! And to everyone who’s been with us for the whole ride: holy simoleons, thank you! Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/reconsiderpodcast.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.