The Focus

Donald Trump is back in the White House—and the shockwaves are global. In this episode, Professor Scott Lucas joins John Bruni to unpack the trade wars, the constitutional controversy, and the chaos that’s redefining America’s role in the world. Is Trump a misunderstood reformer—or a genuine threat to democratic institutions? What do the tariffs mean for allies like Australia and the UK? And how much power does Elon Musk really have in shaping this administration? Tune in for a sharp, no-nonsense analysis of Liberation Day, rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific, and whether the world is ready—or willing—to follow America’s lead. 🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube. Show Notes: 🔗 Connect with Scott Lucas X (formerly Twitter): @ScottLucas_EA Bluesky: scottlucas.bsky.social LinkedIn: Scott Lucas EA WorldView: https://eaworldview.com/  TOP FIVE PUBLICATIONS -  "The Iraq War and Democratic Politics" (2006) – An examination of the democratic implications of the Iraq War. "The New American Century: Ideology and Power in the Bush Era" (2005) – An exploration of the ideological underpinnings of U.S. foreign policy in the early 21st century. "The Betrayal of Dissent: Beyond Orwell, Hitchens and the New American Century" (2004) – A critique of contemporary political discourse and dissent. "Freedom's War: The American Crusade Against the Soviet Union" (1999) – A study of America's ideological campaign during the early Cold War. "Divided We Stand: Britain, the US and the Suez Crisis" (1991) – An analysis of the Suez Crisis and its impact on Anglo-American relations.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Professor Jeffrey Sachs joins The Focus to discuss the war in Ukraine, global power shifts, and the West’s role in the conflict. In a thought-provoking conversation, we challenge Sachs on his views, exploring the geopolitical landscape and what the future holds. Don’t miss this deep dive into one of the most pressing issues of our time. 🎙️ The Focus with John Bruni | Watch now! Show notes Prof. Jeffrey D. Sachs website: https://www.jeffsachs.org/  X: Center for Sustainable Development: @CSD_Columbia   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-d-sachs/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeffrey.sachs/  Top 5 Books: Ethics in Action for Sustainable Development (2022) The Ages of Globalization: Geography, Technology, and Institutions (2020) A New Foreign Policy: Beyond American Exceptionalism (2018) Building the New American Economy: Smart, Fair, and Sustainable (2017) The Age of Sustainable Development (2015)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With rapidly shifting global alliances, Germany now faces a critical security dilemma. Can Europe defend itself without unwavering U.S. support? In this episode of The Focus, Dr. Karl-Heinz Kamp, a leading expert in German and European security, joins John Bruni to discuss Germany’s strategic vulnerabilities, NATO’s uncertain future, and the broader implications for European defence. Is Berlin prepared for a world where America looks inward? Tune in to find out. Show Notes: Dr. Karl-Heinz Kamp: https://europeanleadershipnetwork.org/person/karl-heinz-kamp/ German Council on Foreign Relations: https://dgap.org/en University Roma Tre: https://www.uniroma3.it/en/ NATO Defence College: https://www.ndc.nato.int/ The Alphen Group: https://thealphengroup.com/ Written works: "Nuclear NATO: How to Make it Credible and Efficient" (December 16, 2024) – In this analysis, Dr. Kamp examines the challenges facing NATO's nuclear posture and offers recommendations to enhance its credibility and efficiency.  "Das Ende der Wende? Eine Replik auf Benjamin Tallis" (September 11, 2024) – In this online commentary, Dr. Kamp responds to Benjamin Tallis's perspectives, providing his insights on the current state of European security dynamics.  "NATO at 75: Time to Deliver on Its Promises" (February 14, 2024) – This piece discusses the expectations and necessary actions for NATO as it approaches its 75th anniversary, emphasizing the importance of fulfilling its commitments.  "NATO's Coming Existential Challenge" (March 2019) – This working paper addresses the long-term strategic challenges NATO may face, particularly concerning its relevance to the United States amidst shifting geostrategic priorities. ​ "The Way to NATO's New Strategic Concept" (June 2009) – In this research paper, Dr. Kamp outlines the process and considerations involved in developing NATO's new strategic concept, reflecting on the alliance's evolution and future direction.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does the dawn of Trump’s second presidency mean for America and the world? In this hard-hitting episode of The Focus, host John Bruni sits down with Dr. Roy Casagranda to break down the first three weeks of the Trump 47 administration. Show Notes: Roy Casagranda LinksX: @RoyCasagranda Website: https://gov.casagranda.com/index.html Books by Roy:The Blood Throne of Caria (Empire of the Nightingale Book 3), Sekhmet Liminal Press, LLC, 2018. Articles by Roy:Nationalism and the Left: Liberation not Supremacy, IAI News, March 3, 2023, https://iai.tv/articles/nationalism-and-the-left-roy-casagranda-auid-2408.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can Ukraine’s security dilemma reshape the global nuclear order? Join us as we explore the chilling realities of nuclear escalation, broken international promises, and what it takes to secure lasting peace with expert Mariana Budjeryn. Show Notes: https://www.belfercenter.org/person/mariana-budjeryn https://www.belfercenter.org/publication/mariana-budjeryn-personal-perspective-war-ukraine https://thebulletin.org/2024/11/biden-allowing-ukraine-to-strike-into-russia-is-much-ado-for-little-consequence/#post-heading https://thebulletin.org/2024/10/why-russia-is-more-likely-to-go-nuclear-in-ukraine-if-its-winning/#post-heading https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/russia-fsu/2022-04-08/was-ukraine-wrong-give-its-nukes https://carnegieendowment.org/events/2024/02/should-ukraine-have-kept-nuclear-weapons-deconstructing-the-decision-to-disarm?lang=en Books -  Inheriting the Bomb: The Collapse of the USSR and the Nuclear Disarmament of Ukraine (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2023) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

🔥 What Will Trump 47 Mean for America and the World? 🚨 From immigration crackdowns to a potential ceasefire in Ukraine, we're diving deep with Dr. Roy Casagranda into the policies, global impacts, and controversies that could define Donald Trump’s second term. 🌍 Don’t miss this eye-opening discussion on how his leadership might reshape domestic politics, the economy, education, and America’s role on the world stage. 🎙️ Tune in now for insights you won’t hear anywhere else! Show Notes: Roy Casagranda Links X: @RoyCasagranda  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.roy.casagranda?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc Website: https://gov.casagranda.com/index.html Books by Roy: The Blood Throne of Caria (Empire of the Nightingale Book 3), Sekhmet Liminal Press, LLC, 2018. Articles by Roy: Nationalism and the Left: Liberation not Supremacy, IAI News, March 3, 2023, https://iai.tv/articles/nationalism-and-the-left-roy-casagranda-auid-2408. Glossary of Terms: Affluenza is a term that combines "affluence" and "influenza" to describe the negative psychological, social, and ethical consequences of excessive wealth or materialism. It often refers to a condition where individuals, particularly in affluent societies, prioritize material gain and consumerism over meaningful relationships, personal fulfillment, or social responsibility. Key characteristics of affluenza include: 1.     Entitlement Mentality: A belief that one deserves special treatment or privileges due to wealth or social status. 2.     Lack of Accountability: Difficulty in understanding or facing the consequences of one's actions, often attributed to a sheltered or overly privileged upbringing. 3.     Emotional Detachment: Feelings of emptiness, dissatisfaction, or unhappiness despite material abundance. 4.     Consumer Culture: A compulsion to acquire more possessions, equating them with happiness or success, often leading to financial strain or debt. The term is often used in both psychological discussions and cultural critiques to highlight the downsides of material wealth and unchecked consumerism. It gained broader recognition after being used in legal contexts to describe the behavior of individuals whose privilege was cited as a factor in poor decision-making or lack of moral responsibility. Filibuster is a parliamentary tactic used primarily in the U.S. Senate to delay or block legislative action by extending debate on a proposed bill or other matters. World War I, Battle of Jutland The Battle of Jutland, fought from May 31 to June 1, 1916, was the largest naval battle of World War I and a pivotal clash between the British Royal Navy’s Grand Fleet and the Imperial German Navy’s High Seas Fleet. It took place in the North Sea, near Denmark’s Jutland Peninsula.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In our latest episode of The Focus, we sit down with Dr. Roy Casagranda to delve into the high-stakes landscape of the 2024 U.S. presidential election. With democracy, alliances, and the global order on the line, Dr. Casagranda unpacks the complexities surrounding Trump AND Harris as presidential candidates, exploring how their policies and political manoeuvres could reshape America and its role on the world stage. Join us for this in-depth analysis of an election that could redefine the future. Show Notes: Roy Casagranda Links X: @RoyCasagranda  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.roy.casagranda?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc Website: https://gov.casagranda.com/index.html Books by Roy: The Blood Throne of Caria (Empire of the Nightingale Book 3), Sekhmet Liminal Press, LLC, 2018. Articles by Roy: Nationalism and the Left: Liberation not Supremacy, IAI News, March 3, 2023, https://iai.tv/articles/nationalism-and-the-left-roy-casagranda-auid-2408. Glossary of Terms: NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) was replaced by the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), 1 July 2020. FDR (Franklin Delano Roosevelt), 32nd President of the United States. Jill Stein from Pennsylvania is an American physician, activist & politician associated with the Green Party. Her political campaigns primary revolve around the Green New Deal.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

🔥 Iran's Largest Missile Barrage Yet! 🔥 In this explosive episode of The Focus, we dive into the unprecedented Iranian missile strikes on Israel in 2024, the largest of its kind since the conflict began. With 200 ballistic missiles fired, retaliation for the assassinations of key Hamas and Hezbollah leaders, and Israel's air defenses pushed to the limit, we sit down with Professor Scott Lucas, an expert in international relations, to break down what this all means for the future of the Middle East. Could this be the flashpoint for a larger conflict? 🚨 Don't miss this must-listen episode!   SHOW NOTES: X: @ScottLucas_EA Website: eaworldview.com Books: (Eds. Bevan Sewell & Scott Lucas ) Challenging US Foreign Policy: America and the World in the Long Twentieth Century, 2011. (Eds. Scott Lucas & Ali Fisher) The Trials of Public Diplomacy, 2010. Scholarly Articles: Lucas, Scott & Paraszczuk, Joanna. (2014). The Middle East: Between Geography and Power. Bustan: The Middle East Book Review. 5. 17-23. 10.1163/18785328-00501002. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is there a new 'Harris Doctrine' on the horizon? Join Yale historian Dr. Michael Brenes as we unpack Kamala Harris's foreign policy vision in our latest podcast! Show Notes: You can contact Michael here: X: @mbrenes1 Substack: michaelbrenes.substack.com Books published by Michael –  And, as mentioned in the podcast - The Rivalry Peril: How Great-Power Competition Threatens Peace and Weakens Democracy, and TO BE published by Yale University Press in January 2025. Rethinking U.S. Power: Domestic Histories of U.S. Foreign Relations, published by Palgrave MacMillan in 2024. For Might and Right: Cold War Defense Spending and the Remaking of American Democracy, published by University of Massachusetts Press in 2020. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Focus, host John Bruni sits down with Professor John Blaxland to unravel the complexities of the AUKUS security pact and its implications for global power dynamics. As the world shifts into an era of unrestricted competition between China & the U.S., what does AUKUS really mean for the future of international security? Are Australia, the U.S., and the UK prepared for the challenges ahead? Tune in as we go beyond the headlines to uncover the real stakes of this landmark agreement. Don’t miss this essential conversation on the shifting tides of global strategy! Show Notes: X :  @JohnBlaxland1 Books: Revealing Secrets By Clare Birgin, John Blaxland 1 May 2023 The US-Thai Alliance and Asian International Relations By Gregory Raymond, John Blaxland 2 June 2021 In from the Cold By John Blaxland, Michael Kelly, Liam Brewin Higgins 19 March 2020 The Secret Cold War By John Blaxland, Rhys Crawley 26 April 2017 The Protest Years By John Blaxland 1 October 2016 The Australian Army from Whitlam to Howard By John Blaxland 16 October 2013See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.