The Great Simplification with Nate Hagens

The Mad Scramble for Power: Global Superpowers’ Strategies for Energy, Economics, and War | Reality Roundtable #16

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Mar 23, 2025

Guest

Art Berman, a veteran petroleum geologist; Michael Every, a geopolitical strategist; and Izabella Kaminska, a finance editor, discuss the ever-shifting landscape of energy and global power. They dive into the complexities of deindustrialization and military spending, exposing the fragile relationship between trust and disinformation. The conversation also touches on the implications of AI and quantum technology in warfare, and how today's geopolitical tensions reflect historical patterns. Expect insights on how citizens can navigate the turbulent waters of global leadership.

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INSIGHT

Draining America First?

The US could strategically conserve its oil by buying foreign oil with printed money.
However, America's ability to print money without repercussions is diminishing.

ADVICE

Economic Triage

Acknowledge that economic triage is inevitable; we can't have it all.
Prepare for constraints on welfare, entitlements, military spending, and energy consumption.

INSIGHT

Energy Plateau and Geopolitics

Global oil supply and demand are plateauing, limiting future economic growth.
Geopolitical fragmentation arises from competition for remaining resources, not just ideological differences.

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The rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape of recent years can be hard to follow. With economic conflicts between global superpowers and violent clashes across multiple continents, today’s events can seem starkly different from the trajectory of past decades. So, how can a deeper understanding of energy and resource security help us make sense of these chaotic trends?

In this discussion, Nate is joined by Art Berman, Michael Every, and Izabella Kaminska for a broad exploration of the complex relationship between energy, geopolitics, and economic strategy. Together, they provide valuable insights into the consequences of deindustrialization, the impact of military spending, and the urgent need to reassess strategies as resources dwindle and geopolitical tensions rise.

How is the use of fear as a political tool intertwined with the challenges of trust and disinformation in navigating turbulent international conflicts? What role is the race for Artificial General Intelligence and Quantum Computing playing in these rapidly changing situations? And ultimately, what should we, as citizens, be expecting from our leaders at the global stage as the struggle for power in the 21st century continues to intensify?

(Conversation recorded on March 10th, 2025)

About the Guests:

Arthur E. Berman is a petroleum geologist with over 40 years of oil and gas industry experience. He is an expert on U.S. shale plays and is currently consulting for several E&P companies and capital groups in the energy sector.

Michael Every is Global Strategist at Rabobank Singapore analyzing major developments and key thematic trends, especially on the intersection of geopolitics, economics, and markets. He is frequently published and quoted in financial media, is a regular conference keynote speaker, and was invited to present to the 2022 G-20 on the current global crisis.

Izabella Kaminska is the founding editor of The Blind Spot, a finance and business news website. She is also senior finance editor at POLITICO. Izabella was previously editor of the Financial Times' Alphaville blog, and an associate producer at CNBC.

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