Alternate Shots with Richard Haass and John Ellis Episode 11
Dec 31, 2025
Explore a radically altered foreign policy landscape as Trump 2.0 prioritizes commerce and unilateralism. Dive into the rising concerns over military reforms and outdated defense programs. Witness the impact of stringent immigration policies on innovation, driving talent away from the U.S. Unpack the complexities of the AI bubble versus its revolutionary promise. Plus, analyze how new media dynamics are reshaping the industry and how online gambling poses risks to youth. Finally, celebrate exciting sports comebacks, including Lindsey Vonn's triumph!
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Break With Eight Decades Of Foreign Policy
- Richard Haass says Trump 2.0 broke with 80 years of U.S. foreign policy, favoring commercial deals and unilateral action over alliances and institutions.
- The administration emphasizes the Western Hemisphere and cozies up to authoritarians while sidelining Europe and long-standing norms.
Ukraine’s Fate Hinges On Western Support
- Richard Haass argues Russian victory in Ukraine is not inevitable and Ukraine performs well despite limited Western aid.
- U.S. reluctance to supply munitions and coziness with Putin undermines deterrence and sabotages policy goals.
Procurement Lags Against Cheap, Proliferated Tech
- Haass warns the U.S. military procurement is sclerotic, producing fewer, costlier systems while adversaries exploit proliferating cheap technologies.
- He suggests creating a parallel high-tech procurement stream to respond to drones, cyber, and swarm tactics faster.