Ian Vasquez

Justin Logan, a defense policy analyst advocating for restraint, and Ian Vasquez, a global politics expert focused on Latin America, dive into Trump’s complicated claims of peacemaking amid military escalations in Ukraine and cartel airstrikes. They discuss whether U.S. involvement risks deeper entanglement in the Middle East and the implications of Trump’s pledges. The conversation shifts to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado's recent Nobel Prize win, exploring her role against Maduro’s regime and the impact of election fraud on democracy in Venezuela.

Ian Vasquez, Director of the Cato Institute Center for Global Liberty and Prosperity, dives into the controversial tariff policies influenced by President Trump, drawing parallels with authoritarian regimes. He emphasizes the detrimental effects on the U.S. economy and global trade, explaining how these policies stifle true free trade. The conversation highlights the importance of maintaining open markets for global prosperity and critiques the outdated fears surrounding foreign competition, using bananas as a metaphor for comparative advantage.

Ian Vasquez, lead author of the Human Freedom Index, discusses a decade of tracking global human freedom. He reveals troubling trends, including a significant decline in freedoms since 2007, especially exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Vasquez highlights a drop in the U.S. ranking and its implications for innovation and growth. He also analyzes recent shifts in countries like Nicaragua and Argentina, where emerging leaders may rejuvenate economic freedoms. Dive into the intricate links between personal and economic freedoms and their global impact.