The Glenn Show Daniel Bessner – Making Sense of the Donroe Doctrine
11 snips
Jan 16, 2026 
In this discussion, historian and foreign policy analyst Daniel Bessner critiques American primacy and the flaws of realism in U.S. foreign policy. He highlights the downsides of interventions, particularly in Venezuela, and warns against the domestic effects of militarization. The conversation delves into the pitfalls of a massive defense budget and its potential to reshape society, increase inflation, and exacerbate inequality. Bessner questions whether a war-driven revival of the industrial sector is viable, ultimately advocating for a more nuanced understanding of U.S. global engagement.
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Tactical Wins, Strategic Failure
- Tactical military successes don't erase strategic failure when empire drains national purpose and produces domestic harm.
- Daniel Bessner argues U.S. primacy yields impressive operations but long-term strategic decline and home-side perverse effects.
Militarism’s Domestic Spillover
- American militarism reshapes domestic institutions and culture in harmful ways, linking foreign intervention to policing and immigration enforcement.
- Bessner connects the rise of ICE and the global war on terror to the militarization of U.S. society.
Decapitation vs. Regime Change
- Decapitating a leader is different from classic regime change and carries distinct legitimacy and outcome risks.
- Bessner warns U.S. interventions often produce worse outcomes for targeted countries per scholarly research.
