

Why Nation-Building Doesn't Work | Guest: J. Burden | 6/18/25
18 snips Jun 18, 2025
J. Burden, a political theory podcast host, dives into the failures of U.S. nation-building efforts. He critiques past regime changes in Iraq and Afghanistan, spotlighting the disconnect between imposed democracy and local cultures. Burden warns about the dangers of military interventions in unstable regions, using Iran as a key example. He also dissects the influence of lobbyists and defense contractors behind these initiatives. The conversation offers sharp insights into the complexities of geopolitics and the moral implications of foreign interventions.
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Mission Creep in Regime Change
- Regime change missions inevitably lead to mission creep and long-term occupation.
- Israel lacks the capacity to rebuild Iran, so the US would likely be drawn into nation-building.
Past Failures of US Regime Change
- Past US interventions in Middle East have cost billions and many lives with no lasting stability.
- Regime change has repeatedly failed to create the intended democratic paradises.
Questioning War Justifications
- The official justification for war often appears fabricated or delayed for political motives.
- Accusations like assassination attempts on Trump lack clear evidence and are used to justify conflict.