The Socialist Program with Brian Becker Same Empire, New Rhetoric: Inside Trump's Security Strategy [Preview]
Dec 9, 2025
The latest National Security Strategy has sparked global reactions and debate. Media responses vary, with some misinterpreting key points. The discussion includes the Trump Corollary, which upholds historic doctrines of U.S. dominance in the Western hemisphere. Democratic critiques on human rights are scrutinized as superficial. The hosts highlight that U.S. foreign policy is rooted in power dynamics rather than democracy. They caution against misreading Trump’s stance and challenge the myth of a multipolar world as a solution to imperialism.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Transactional Power Over Democratic Rhetoric
- The Trump NSS emphasizes transactional power and U.S. domination rather than ideological promotion of democracy.
- Brian Becker argues this continues long-standing U.S. hegemonic policy, not a radical departure.
Trump Corollary Is More Continuity Than Break
- The NSS's
Media Overstates Rhetorical Change
- Leanne Fulahan and Brian Becker find media reactions often misread the NSS as a major shift.
- They say it largely maintains the post-Cold War U.S. hegemonic orientation despite different rhetoric.