The Duran Podcast Q & A: Foreign policy HUBRIS and MAGA division
Nov 14, 2025
Robert Barnes, an American attorney and political commentator, dives deep into pressing questions on US foreign policy and Trump-era politics. He discusses the unlikely quest for nuclear war among Western elites, critiques Trump's media performance during impeachment, and warns about his waning base support. Barnes also explores geopolitical tensions, touching on Ukraine troop commitments and relations with India and China. In lighter moments, he shares thoughts on harvesting juniper berries for gin, blending serious discourse with humor.
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Conscription Risks Weakening Armies
- Conscription in Europe would likely be unpopular and could weaken militaries rather than strengthen them.
- Robert Barnes warns it could radicalize disaffected youth and damage military effectiveness.
Elites Underestimate Nuclear Risk
- Western elites may underestimate the real risk of nuclear escalation and wrongly believe nuclear war won't happen.
- Barnes stresses that Russian restraint may end and escalation could spiral out of control without level-headed leadership.
Ground Troops To Ukraine Are Unlikely
- European publics and the U.S. are unlikely to deploy troops to Ukraine despite political pressure.
- Barnes believes domestic opposition and Trump himself would resist ground deployments.
