GoodFellows: Conversations from the Hoover Institution

Hoover senior fellows Niall Ferguson, John Cochrane, and H.R. McMaster discuss topics such as a possible re-embrace of Western heritage, the potential for a third world war, India and Pakistan's outlooks, Trump's second-term objectives, Argentinian president's pro-market policies, the use of profanity in public discourse, and thoughts on Davos. They also joke about forming a blues band and share recommended books.

Hoover senior fellows Niall Ferguson, H.R. McMaster, and John Cochrane discuss escalating hostilities in the Middle East, the uncertainty of economic assumptions, and the odds of Cold War 2 turning into World War III. They also talk about the search for new university presidents, the state of the economy, and predictions on world leaders and ongoing wars.

Bari Weiss, Niall Ferguson, HR McMaster, and John Cochrane discuss anti-Semitism in elite universities, the parallels to Nazi Germany, politicization of academia, the prevalence of anti-Semitism in American education, Henry Kissinger's vilification, understanding peripheral players in Cold War, reevaluating foreign policy, and holiday traditions.

Karl Rove, Niall Ferguson, H.R. McMaster, and John Cochrane discuss the odds of a Biden-Trump rematch. They analyze the latest in the Middle East, including the potential for eradicating Hamas. The 'lightning round' explores Vladimir Putin’s peace overtures, Sam Altman's return to OpenAI, an ascendant Right on two continents, and the legacy of the Rolling Stones.

Two conflicts present two challenges: a Ukrainian counteroffensive turned stalemate; and Israel’s survival as it confronts Hamas (and possibly Hezbollah and Iran). Russ Roberts, Hoover’s John and Jean De Nault Research Fellow and president of Jerusalem’s Shalem College, joins Hoover senior fellows Niall Ferguson. H.R. McMaster, and John Cochrane to discuss Israel’s morale and strategic choices amid a month-long wartime crisis. Then Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, former commanding general of US Army Europe, makes the case for anticipating a positive outcome—Ukraine expelling Russian forces, winning back its land—in a war nearing its 21-month mark.

Ian Rowe, American Enterprise Institute senior fellow and cofounder of the Bronx-based Vertex Partnership Academies, discusses the future of public education and the role of charter schools. They delve into the resistance against charter schools and the impact of welfare state supporters and teachers unions. The benefits of competition and diversity in education are explored, along with the importance of hands-on skills and potential disruption by AI. The podcast also covers recent elections, the annoyance of woke governments, and differing views on nationalism in sports and the Olympics.

Historian Stephen Kotkin joins Niall Ferguson and John Cochrane to discuss the axis of ill will formed by Russia, China, and Iran, the challenges faced by Israel, and the uncertainty in US strategy. They also explore the need for President Biden to explain Ukraine's funding, the rise of China and its potential dangers, and the importance of unity and national purpose during times of crisis.

Hoover senior fellow John H. Cochrane, along with Niall Ferguson and H.R. McMaster, discuss the recent conflict in Israel, failures in intelligence gathering, and America's strategic choices. They also reflect on the anti-Israel backlash in American universities and the current state of higher education. The conversation further explores topics like Iranian influence, discrimination in academic jobs, dissatisfaction in Iran, and the need for regime change. They conclude with discussions about reading materials, ideal guests, and technological advancements.

Eugene Volokh, First Amendment law professor at UCLA, joins Hoover senior fellows Niall Ferguson and John Cochrane to discuss free speech in the Information Age, the Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action, corrupt practices in college admissions, challenges of the United Nations, rearming after a future war, dress code and tipping in politics, and the difference between historians and amateurs.

In this podcast, Hoover senior fellows Niall Ferguson, John Cochrane, and H.R. McMaster answer viewers' questions, discussing topics like China's economic or military tipping point, the reliability of doom mongers, US debt and interest rates, productivity and innovation, US foreign policy towards NATO under a potential Trump presidency, and hypothetical roles in a future President McMaster administration.