William Hartung

JD Vance, Ohio's Republican senator and author of "Hillbilly Elegy," joins William Hartung, a senior research fellow and military spending expert. They delve into the growing chasm between political elites and everyday Americans, highlighting how elite narratives neglect the public's concerns. The duo discusses U.S. military support for Israel, revealing significant financial figures and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Their conversation underscores the urgent need for transparency in foreign aid and a reevaluation of American foreign policy.

William (Bill) Hartung, a Senior Research Fellow and co-author of The Trillion Dollar War Machine, delves into the staggering rise of U.S. military spending and its implications for the arms industry. He discusses the influence of autonomous weapons and tech myths in warfare, and the bipartisan support fueling military budgets. Tasha Van Auken, field director for Zoran Mamdani's mayoral campaign, shares insights on her team's grassroots strategy that engaged over 104,000 volunteers, emphasizing the importance of sustained organizing beyond elections.

William Hartung, a Senior research fellow at the Quincy Institute and co-author of The Trillion Dollar War Machine, dives into the alarming transformation of Silicon Valley into a modern military-industrial complex. He discusses how tech giants like Palantir are outpacing traditional defense contractors and critiques the escalating $1.5 trillion defense budget, which compromises vital social programs. Hartung also highlights Peter Thiel's controversial influence and warns against the risks of militarized AI, all while advocating for a more nuanced understanding of U.S. foreign policy.

William D. Hartung, a senior fellow at the Quincy Institute, and Ben Freeman, a researcher at the same institute, delve into the intricacies of U.S. military spending and its global implications. They discuss the trillion-dollar Pentagon budget's origins and how corruption influences foreign policy. The guests explore the dangerous synergy between military budgets and strategic decisions, highlighting dysfunction in weapon development. They also debate the need for reform, the impact of lobbying, and how reducing defense spending could benefit domestic priorities.

William Hartung, a senior research fellow at the Quincy Institute, reveals staggering U.S. military aid to Israel, totaling $17.9 billion since October 7th, and discusses the implications of advanced military technologies like AI in warfare. Meanwhile, sociologist Scott Schieman shares surprising findings on job satisfaction, revealing that 79% of people actually enjoy their jobs, challenging common notions of workplace discontent. They also explore the disconnect between personal job satisfaction and wider societal perceptions.