61. James Rubin: Working for Biden, American intervention, and the fight against Russian disinformation
Feb 26, 2024
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Discussion on American intervention limits, Biden's foreign policy alignment, challenges of countering Russian disinformation, and the impact of social media on global politics. Insights on disinformation tactics, foreign interference challenges, and the decline of authority in the age of social media. Emphasis on combatting disinformation in the AI era and the evolving American narrative in a competitive global context.
Challenges in countering Russian and Chinese disinformation to safeguard American interests.
Importance of pursuing causes one deeply cares about in global issues.
Necessity of American leadership in global stability despite challenges and isolationism perception.
Deep dives
Challenging Disinformation from Foreign Actors
The U.S. faces a significant challenge in countering disinformation spread by Russia and China to undermine American and Western interests. The Global Engagement Center spearheads efforts to combat this threat, focusing on exposing foreign disinformation campaigns and highlighting the origin of misleading information to empower audiences to discern the truth.
Diplomatic Career and Lessons Learned
Jamie Rubin's diplomatic journey from academia to prominent roles under President Clinton and involvement in conflicts like Bosnia reflects a commitment to addressing critical global issues. His experiences underscore the importance of pursuing causes one deeply cares about, from nuclear disarmament to interventions in conflict zones.
American Leadership and Global Engagement
Reflecting on the U.S.'s historical role as the 'indispensable nation,' Jamie Rubin emphasizes the necessity of American leadership in maintaining global stability. Despite challenges like the perception of U.S. isolationism, recent diplomatic efforts under President Biden, especially in alliances against Russia and China, demonstrate a commitment to upholding international engagement and countering emerging threats.
Impact of Social Media on Authority and Legitimacy
The podcast discusses how social media has undermined respect for traditional authority figures such as presidents and news anchors, leading to a world of unstable coalitions and a lack of trust. The speaker highlights the challenges in asserting moral authority and legitimacy in a landscape where relative truth prevails. The episode explores the irony that social media, initially seen as a tool for democracy, is now being used to erode trust in authority.
Challenges of Regulating AI and Fighting Disinformation
The podcast delves into the difficulties of regulating artificial intelligence (AI) and combating disinformation spread through AI-generated content. The discussion addresses concerns about AI's ability to tailor disinformation to individuals, posing significant threats to national security and democratic values. The episode emphasizes the slow pace of legal and regulatory processes in response to the rapid advancements in AI technology, highlighting the need for international cooperation and innovative solutions to address these challenges.
“You took me to one side and said be very, very careful of these people, these neo-cons. Because they’re going to use this to do all sorts of stuff that you shouldn’t be involved in.”
What are the limits of foreign intervention? Do the American people still want their country to be the world’s policeman? Is Biden closer to Clinton in his outlook than to Obama?
On today‘s episode of Leading, Rory and Alastair are joined by James Rubin, former diplomat and commentator on international affairs, as they answer all these questions and more.
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