What Really Matters with Walter Russell Mead Trump in Africa
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Nov 15, 2025 A discussion kicks off with insights on recent Democratic victories, highlighting trends over surprises in electoral politics. The talk shifts to the implications of the government shutdown and why Democrats had to concede. Fascinatingly, Venezuela’s resistance and the unlikely prospect of a U.S. invasion are examined. The conversation deepens with Trump's new focus on Africa, linking resource competition with China and evangelical support to potential humanitarian interventions, all framed by a look at vital demographic and governance trends.
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Local Wins Confirm Existing Trends
- Recent Democratic local wins mostly confirmed preexisting trends rather than signaling a national shift.
- Walter Russell Mead warns these results tell us little new about the larger political landscape.
Trump Keeps Bouncing Back
- Walter argues Trump repeatedly bounces back despite repeated predictions of his political demise.
- He suggests observers have often underestimated Trump's resilience and capacity to recover.
Prioritize Housing Supply Over Rent Control
- Solve housing affordability to win the support of Gen Z and millennials in future elections.
- Policymakers should focus on expanding suburban housing supply rather than relying on rent control.