Robert Wright's Nonzero Venezuela, China, and Trump’s Incoherence (Robert Wright, Derek Davison, and Daniel Bessner)
Dec 12, 2025
Derek Davison, co-host of the American Prestige podcast and foreign policy commentator, teams up with Daniel Bessner, an academic and geopolitical expert, to dissect Trump's foreign policy chaos. They explore the incoherence surrounding Trump's actions, like the Venezuelan tanker seizure, and the intellectual deficiencies in U.S. foreign policy. The conversation also touches on the shallow debates over Chinese chip restrictions, the risks of AI dominance, and the need for a pragmatic approach to relations with China.
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Trump’s Foreign Policy Is Incoherent
- Trump’s foreign policy shows broad incoherence rather than a consistent doctrine.
- Robert Wright and Derek Davison argue actions (Venezuelan tanker seizure, sanctions) contradict stated restraint goals.
Tanker Seizure Vs. Bombing A Boat
- Wright contrasts Trump's recent seizure of a Venezuelan tanker with earlier, more violent actions.
- He notes the tanker seizure likely violated international law but is preferable to bombing a boat and killing people.
Chip Controls Weaken Taiwan Deterrence
- Relaxing chip export controls alters deterrence around Taiwan and reshapes incentives for conflict.
- Wright warns restricting China drove acceleration of Chinese self-sufficiency and reduced Taiwan-as-deterrent effects.
