GoodFellows: Conversations from the Hoover Institution

This week’s episode is devoted to audience questions—viewers and listeners from over two dozen nations and five continents asking Hoover senior fellows Niall Ferguson, H. R. McMaster, and John Cochrane for their thoughts on the war in Ukraine, America’s future involvement in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, China’s plans for Taiwan, plus the impact of Russia’s acts of aggression on oil prices and global economics. Recorded March 15, 2022

Have “false flags” given way to false hope in Ukraine? Despite the images of bold resistance, will Russian military setbacks eventually lead to a bad outcome for the citizens of that nation? Rep. Mike Gallagher, a member of the Armed Services and Intelligence committees, joins Hoover senior fellows Niall Ferguson, H. R. McMaster, and John Cochrane to discuss the latest news in Eastern Europe, US strategic choices, the war’s economic ramifications, plus China’s short-term (as peacemaker?) and long-term (to absorb Taiwan) aspirations. Recorded March 8, 2022

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine produces a ripple effect across the globe militarily, diplomatically, and economically. Hoover senior fellows Niall Ferguson, H.R. McMaster, and John Cochrane discuss a vaunted Russian war machine that’s seemingly slipped a cog, an altered geopolitical landscape, plus the effectiveness of economic sanctions in ending both Russia’s presence in Ukraine and Vladimir Putin’s tsarist ambitions. Recorded March 3, 2022

Drug overdoses kill more Americans annually than vehicle crashes and gun deaths combined, with the intake of synthetic opioids such as fentanyl rampant across social and economic lines. Retired army major General Barrye Price, president and CEO of the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America, joins Hoover senior fellows H. R. McMaster and John Cochrane to discuss how the US can kick its drug habit, plus a few thoughts on Critical Race Theory and better avenues to equality of opportunity as the nation celebrates Black History Month. Recorded February 22, 2022

How to navigate the shoals of cancel culture when the p.c. mob comes your way? Bari Weiss, proprietor of the Common Sense newsletter and “Honestly” podcast, joins Hoover senior fellows Niall Ferguson, H. R. McMaster, and John Cochrane to discuss Joe Rogan’s Spotify drama and Substack’s role as journalistic haven, plus her belief that COVID restrictions constitute a “catastrophic and moral crime” upon the younger generation. Recorded February 15, 2022

As opposed to the fictional exploits of James Bond and Jason Bourne, what are the realities of modern-day intelligence-gathering—and how does the US compete in a new age of cyber-espionage? Amy Zegart, the Hoover Institution’s Morris Arnold and Nona Jean Cox Senior Fellow and author of the newly released Spies, Lies, and Algorithms: The History and Future of American Intelligence, joins Hoover senior fellows Niall Ferguson, H .R. McMaster, and John Cochrane for a closer look at intelligence gathering, national security, and geopolitics. Recorded February 1, 2022

Britain’s party-throwing prime minister may soon be thrown out of office; Ukraine and Russia are seemingly on the brink of an armed conflict that could throw the entire continent into tumult; and how to deter Russian aggression (other than sanctions)? Andrew Sullivan, proprietor of Substack’s Weekly Dish and Dishcast podcast, joins Hoover senior fellows Niall Ferguson, H. R. McMaster, and John Cochrane for a closer look at UK politics and European geopolitics. Recorded January 25, 2022

As gun sales soar in pandemic-stricken America, the GoodFellows ask, Who’s entitled to possess a firearm? What restrictions should there be? And how would an international right “to keep and bear arms” affect the world order? Charles C. W. Cooke, National Review senior writer and Second Amendment proponent, joins Hoover senior fellows Niall Ferguson, H. R. McMaster, and John Cochrane to discuss America’s fascination with firearms. Recorded January 18, 2022

The new year begins by opening the viewer mailbag. Hoover senior fellows Niall Ferguson, H. R. McMaster, and John Cochrane answer questions from viewers in more than 20 countries. They range from the likelihood of hostilities in Ukraine to academic freedom and the present health of American democracy—plus which of the Beatles they see themselves as, given that one viewer thinks the show is “fab.” Recorded January 6, 2022

Inflation arrived, COVID stuck around in its various forms and the world became a lot more complicated in terms of nations edging to the brink of hostilities. Hoover senior fellows Niall Ferguson, H.R. McMaster and John Cochrane ring out the old and ring in the new, offering their takes on what transpired in 2021 and what to expect in the new year. Recorded December 14, 2021