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The Duran Podcast

War in Inevitable - Alastair Crooke, Alexander Mercouris & Glenn Diesen

Aug 14, 2024
Join Alastair Crooke, a former British diplomat and political analyst, Alexander Mercouris, an expert commentator on international affairs, and Glenn Diesen, a political scientist focused on European and geopolitical issues. They discuss the inevitability of war in geopolitical conflicts, emphasizing the dangers of seeing adversaries as evil. The trio critiques political influence dynamics, analyzes U.S.-Israeli relations with Iran, and examines how energy politics are reshaping global power. They also reflect on Indonesia's rising importance amid Western distraction.
01:20:21

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Quick takeaways

  • The modern political landscape is increasingly dominated by elite interests, reducing public engagement to superficial performances rather than meaningful policy discussions.
  • Totalitarian tendencies manifest through societal monitoring for ideological conformity, leading to the categorization of dissenters as extremists and stifling rational discourse.

Deep dives

The Nature of Modern Politics

Modern politics is influenced heavily by a shift toward control by elite groups and media, particularly noticeable since the Obama administration. The traditional role of elected officials seems diminished as major decisions are often made by unseen power players and mega-donors. This transformation has created a superficial political landscape where public engagement is more about emotion and consensus rather than substantive debates over policy. As a result, the political scene appears more like a performance orchestrated by powerful interests rather than a transparent representation of the populace's will.

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