Who supports military bases in South Korea? Surprising majorities of Democrats, Republicans, and Independents. Also this episode, why some neoliberals are hostile to democracy. Why sphere-of-influence diplomacy is gross and destabilizing. Why the left needs to do better on Hong Kong. The State Department’s clash-of-civilizations problem. What North Korea means by its end-of-year deadline. Coercion with Chinese characteristics. And mental health in national security.

Van’s Predictions:

1) Will Bolivia’s interim president (Jeanine Añez Chavez) remain in power until elections can be held in 90 days? | Yes

2) Will Erdogan fully implement the anti-aircraft system they purchased from Russia (in violation of NATO regulations) by the end of 2020? | Yes

3) Will China/Hong Kong police acknowledge deaths at the hands of police before the end of 2019? | No

4) Will Presidents Putin and Zelensky meet before the end of 2019? | No

Notes and Sources:

· Karl Friedhoff on JCS: https://twitter.com/KarlFriedhoff/status/1194303256949927937

· Jonathan Allen on impeachment talking points: https://twitter.com/jonallendc/status/1194706489438621697

· Kyle Bass on American silence on Hong Kong: https://twitter.com/Jkylebass/status/1194590176078704640

· Van Jackson on progressives and Asia policy: https://thediplomat.com/2019/10/how-american-progressives-think-about-asian-security/

· Quinn Slobodian on economic freedom and democracy: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/nov/11/democracy-defenders-economic-freedom-neoliberalism

Van’s Recommended IR Reads (Part I):

- James Mann – ‘Rise of the Vulcans’

- James Mann – ‘About Face’

- Fred Kaplan – ‘The Wizards of Armageddon’

- Sagan & Waltz – ‘The Spread of Nuclear Weapons: A Debate’

- Yuen Khong – ‘Analogies at War’

- Paul MacDonald – ‘Networks of Domination’

- John Ikenberry – ‘Liberal Leviathan’

Music: "Van is Meta" by Tre' Hester

Understanding the Woman Voter