The Bulwark Podcast S2 Ep1043: Michael Weiss: All Bribes Accepted
12 snips
May 15, 2025 Michael Weiss, Editor of The Insider and expert on Russia, delves into the murky waters of U.S. foreign policy, shedding light on Trump's dealings with authoritarian regimes and the implications for democracy. He discusses how Qatari investments and autocratic influences shape politics, revealing a troubling pivot away from values-based diplomacy. Weiss also critiques the ineffective U.S. military strategies against the Houthis, reflecting on the broader challenges and repercussions of American intervention in complex global conflicts.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Jimena's Unjust Deportation Detention
- Jimena Arias Cristobal, brought to the U.S. at four, was detained over a disputed traffic violation.
- Despite exoneration, she remains in ICE detention facing deportation to a country she barely knows.
Trump's Bribery Over Strategy
- Donald Trump's Middle East trip shows he is bribable rather than strategically driven.
- Foreign leaders bypass traditional diplomacy by offering him gifts in exchange for policy favors.
Trump Undercuts Pro-Israel Hawks
- Trump's Middle East moves undermine pro-Israel hawks and suggest a return to an Iran deal.
- The trip reflects transactional politics, lacking coherent policy and valuing personal gain.