4/7/23: Mehdi Hasan Debates Matt Taibbi, Ukraine War Plans Leak, Blackrock Paris Stormed By Protests, TN Dems Expelled, RFK Jr, Taiwan and Kevin McCarthy, China Saudi Arabia Deal, Trump Indictment
Debates between Mehdi Hasan and Matt Taibbi, Ukraine War plans leak, protests in Paris against Blackrock, Tennessee Democrats expelled, RFK Jr announces run, Kevin McCarthy hosting Taiwan president, China mediating Saudi Iran deal, Eliza Orlins on Trump indictment
Read more
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
auto_awesome
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. filing for the Democratic nomination in 2024 highlights potential divisions within the party and brings attention to populist positions.
The increasing bipartisan support for Taiwan and growing anger towards China indicates a trend that could lead to cooperation or potentially dangerous policy decisions.
The collaboration between the Freedom Caucus and Justice Democrats on issues like war powers and surveillance demonstrates a broader anti-establishment bipartisanship that challenges the establishment's positions and puts pressure on Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
Deep dives
RFK Jr. files to run for Democratic nomination
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has filed papers to run for the Democratic nomination for the presidency in 2024. He has been a figure of the fringe left and has made controversial statements regarding vaccines and other issues. His candidacy could bring attention to populist positions and create divisions within the Democratic Party.
Bipartisan support for Taiwan
Speaker Kevin McCarthy met with the Taiwanese president at the Reagan library instead of traveling to Taiwan, following fears of escalating tensions with China. This bipartisan support for Taiwan, which was also demonstrated when Nancy Pelosi expressed support for McCarthy's meeting, indicates a growing trend of bipartisan anger directed at China. The increasing bipartisan focus on China could lead to cooperation or potentially dangerous policy decisions.
Freedom Caucus and Justice Dems collaborating on war powers
The right-left alliance, consisting of the Freedom Caucus and Justice Democrats, is gaining momentum on issues such as war powers and surveillance. This indicates a broader anti-establishment bipartisanship that goes beyond specific policy areas. The collaboration between conservatives and progressives on these issues could put pressure on Speaker Kevin McCarthy and challenge the establishment's positions.
Combination of establishment bipartisanship and anti-establishment bipartisanship
The podcast discusses the interesting combination of establishment bipartisanship and anti-establishment bipartisanship, which creates challenges for politicians. There is a shift in the willingness of politicians on the left and right to work together on certain issues, even if they strongly disagree on others. This shift is influenced by recent events, such as the Capitol riot, which made people more open to finding common ground on specific issues.
China's role in ending the Yemen war and its impact on the United States
The podcast episode highlights China's growing influence on the global stage, focusing on its role in the Yemen conflict. China recently announced a deal with Saudi Arabia and Iran, leading to the opening of embassies and the establishment of direct flights between Riyadh and Tehran. This development coincides with reports of a possible ceasefire extension in the Yemen war. The podcast explores how China's involvement in resolving conflicts, like the one in Yemen, challenges the geopolitical positioning of the United States and may signal a shifting global order.
Ryan and Emily discuss the confrontation between Mehdi Hasan and Matt Taibbi over The Twitter Files, Ukraine War plans leaking over social media, Blackrock Paris is stormed by French protestors, Tennessee Democrats expelled from House for participating in gun control protests, RFK Jr announces his run for presidency in Dem primary, Kevin McCarthy hosting the president of Taiwan showing the strain in US/China relations, China mediating a Saudi Iran deal, and Eliza Orlins joins the show to discuss her recent piece on why the Trump indictment is bad for US democracy.