Glenn Diesen - Greater Eurasia Podcast Matthew Hoh: Domestic Divisions Threaten the US Empire
Nov 13, 2025
Matthew Hoh, a former U.S. Marine officer and State Department official, explores the precarious state of the U.S. empire amid rising domestic divisions. He discusses the shift of presidents towards militarism despite anti-war promises, the reliance on proxies to shield political leaders from accountability, and the implications of Trump's evolving foreign policy. Hoh also critiques the elite’s reassessment of former hawks and warns that the unsustainable imperial model could lead to chaotic decline.
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Why Presidents Become Warlike
- Presidential militarism persists because institutional inertia and political incentives push leaders toward war.
- Leaders hide costs using proxies and contractors to avoid domestic political backlash.
Israel Shapes U.S. Party Politics
- Support for Israel shaped both parties and cost Democrats votes in 2024 according to Hoh.
- Trump maintains pro-Israel ties for donors and transactional gains, making a break unlikely.
Populist Economic Frustration Emerges
- Mondani's New York win signals growing appetite for systemic economic change among Democrats.
- Many Americans feel crushed by overhead costs and seek structural reforms, not piecemeal fixes.