Glenn Diesen - Greater Eurasia Podcast Robert Barnes: America First, Populism, Trump & Perpetual War
Oct 28, 2025
Robert Barnes, an American trial lawyer and political commentator, dives into the essence of populism in the U.S. He reveals how 'America First' is a strategic retreat from empire, aiming to restore the Republic’s core values. The discussion includes the challenges of breaking free from perpetual war and the influence of a bureaucratic deep state. Barnes critically examines the complexities surrounding Trump’s control, and the implications of foreign entanglements on domestic policy, revealing a poignant critique of current U.S. foreign relations.
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Personal Roots Of Populist Perspective
- Barnes recounts his Appalachian roots and family history as part of his populist identity.
- He uses this background to illustrate populism being 'in the bloodstream' of American politics.
Populism As America's Political Core
- Populism is the central driving force in American politics and distrusts concentrated institutional power.
- Robert Barnes ties this to a long American tradition favoring dispersed power and individual self-sufficiency.
Deep State As Institutional Continuity
- The U.S. deep state is an entrenched administrative apparatus that resists political control and shapes policy continuity.
- Barnes links its rise to the post-World War II era and warns it now permeates media, think tanks, and parts of academia.
