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Dec 8, 2025

Dive into the chaotic world of national security as the hosts explore the latest strategies, merging fiscal realities with geopolitical dilemmas. They debate whether America is ready for a multipolar world while critiquing Trump’s ‘peace’ claims. From Venezuela’s oil tactics to Honduras’ strategic missteps, the discussion reveals a blend of realpolitik and moral quandaries. Plus, they tackle how AI and crypto are intertwined with national interests, questioning if today’s foreign policy can balance ethics and effectiveness.

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ANECDOTE

Raccoon Burglar Passed Out With Bourbon

Marko opens with a raccoon story about a burglarized liquor store and a passed‑out raccoon.
The story lightens the podcast and introduces how algorithms feed animal videos to hosts.

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ANECDOTE

Phil Jackson's 'Tribal Room' Rituals

Jacob reads Phil Jackson describing Lakota rituals and a 'tribal room' from Sacred Hoops.
The anecdote illustrates how leadership styles can emphasize team chemistry and symbolic practices.

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ADVICE

Watch The Fed If Fiscal Hits A Wall

Expect the administration to try monetary tools if fiscal stimulus stalls due to bond-market constraints.
Watch Fed leadership choices because rate policy may substitute for direct fiscal spending.

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Raccoon Story and Algorithms

01:02 • 2min

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Basketball, Leadership and Team Chemistry

02:39 • 3min

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Trump Accounts: A Major Domestic Policy

05:55 • 4min

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From Fiscal to Monetary Debate

10:08 • 7min

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Mortgages, Housing Policy and Market Advice

16:43 • 5min

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Introducing the National Security Strategy

21:23 • 51sec

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Initial Reactions to the NSS

22:14 • 48sec

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Multipolarity and Offshore Balancing

23:03 • 5min

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Critique of Grandiose Peace Claims

27:56 • 2min

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Primacy of Nations vs. Internationalism

30:05 • 3min

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Supply Chains and Intelligence Monitoring

32:45 • 2min

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Non-Intervention Predisposition Explained

34:29 • 4min

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Hypocrisy, Values and Realpolitik

38:39 • 12min

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Applying NSS: Venezuela and Honduras Cases

50:27 • 4min

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Venezuela: Oil, Optics, and Coercion

54:49 • 4min

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Honduras, Pardons, and Regional Influence

58:40 • 5min

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Great Powers, Balance, and Selective Intervention

01:03:50 • 4min

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Will Trump Use Force or Perform for Optics?

01:07:20 • 8min

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NSS: Civilizationism, Race, and Political Roots

01:14:55 • 8min

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AI, Crypto, and National Security Priorities

01:23:14 • 4min

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Economic Implications of AI Investment

01:27:07 • 4min

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Generational Tech Views and Luddism

01:30:38 • 1min

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Closing Thoughts on NSS and Tech Bets

• Mentioned in 42 episodes

The fish that ate the whale

The Life and Times of America's Banana King

Rich Cohen

This book tells the fascinating story of Samuel Zemurray, who started as a roadside banana peddler and eventually built a sprawling empire involving banana cowboys, mercenary soldiers, Honduran peasants, CIA agents, and American statesmen. Rich Cohen's narrative explores Zemurray's rise to power, his involvement in overthrowing Central American governments, and his complex role in American history. The book delves into Zemurray's personal life, his business exploits, and the moral implications of his actions, painting a nuanced portrait of a man driven by an indomitable will to succeed.

#8221

• Mentioned in 5 episodes

Sacred hoops

Phil Jackson

In 'Sacred Hoops', Phil Jackson shares his journey as a coach, blending basketball strategies with spiritual insights from Zen Buddhism and Native American traditions. The book offers lessons on teamwork, mindfulness, and personal growth, applicable beyond sports to everyday life. Jackson recounts his experiences with the Chicago Bulls and the development of the triangle offense, emphasizing the importance of unity and selflessness in achieving success.

Let's talk about the National Security Strategy! American policy is entering its “choose-your-own-adventure” era, where fiscal dreams meet bond-market reality, and every global problem looks oddly like a mortgage-rate issue. What happens when primacy of nations collides with actual nations... some of which are run by people you wouldn’t trust with your lawnmower? Marko and Jacob step up to trade pitches on Trump’s “peace,” Venezuela’s theatrics, Honduras’ magical disappearing red lines, and whether geopolitics is now basically just offshore balancing with better PR. Enjoy!

Timestamps:

(00:00) - Geopolitical Cousins

(01:14) - Raccoon Story and Algorithm Talk

(02:40) - Basketball and Leadership Analogies

(05:54) - Geopolitics Starts lol

(06:10) - Trump Accounts and Economic Policies

(21:17) - National Security Strategy Discussion

(47:04) - Critique of US Foreign Policy Rigidity

(47:18) - Pragmatism in US Foreign Policy

(47:35) - US Stance on Iran and Social Issues

(48:33) - Historical Context and Containment Policy

(49:24) - Flexible Foreign Policy and Realism

(50:37) - US Actions in Venezuela and Honduras

(56:38) - Venezuela's Oil and US Interests

(58:44) - Honduras' Strategic Importance

(01:01:55) - US Hypocrisy in Foreign Policy

(01:03:19) - National Security Strategy and Global Military Presence

(01:08:11) - Debate on Multipolar World and US Strategy

(01:23:14) - AI, Crypto, and National Security

(01:29:32) - Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Referenced in the Show:

National Security Strategy Document - https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-National-Security-Strategy.pdf

Geopolitical Cousins is produced and edited by Audiographies LLC. More information at audiographies.com

Jacob Shapiro is a speaker, consultant, author, and researcher covering global politics and affairs, economics, markets, technology, history, and culture. He speaks to audiences of all sizes around the world, helps global multinationals make strategic decisions about political risks and opportunities, and works directly with investors to grow and protect their assets in today’s volatile global environment. His insights help audiences across industries like finance, agriculture, and energy make sense of the world.

Jacob Shapiro Site: jacobshapiro.com

Jacob Shapiro LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jacob-l-s-a9337416

Jacob Twitter: x.com/JacobShap

Jacob Shapiro Substack: jashap.substack.com/subscribe

Marko Papic is a macro and geopolitical expert at BCA Research, a global investment research firm. He provides in-depth analysis that combines geopolitics and markets in a framework called GeoMacro. He is also the author of Geopolitical Alpha: An Investment Framework for Predicting the Future.

Marko’s Book & Newsletter: www.geopoliticalalpha.com/marko-papic

Marko’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marko-papic-geopolitics/

Marko’s Twitter: https://x.com/Geo_papic

Marko’s Macro & Geopolitical Research at BCA: https://www.bcaresearch.com/marketing/geomacro

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