The American Compass Podcast

Even as the U.S. begins decoupling from our Asian rival, the threat of a second “China shock”—one where the country’s economy dominates key resources and minerals—is rapidly emerging.Brad Setser, senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, joins Oren to dig into how China’s new wave of industrial overcapacity, currency manipulation, and continued cheap exports could ravage America’s economy a second time. They explore how this will impact the global economy, and how the Trump administration could respond with smart industrial policy.Further reading:“The Case that China is Now Actively Resisting Pressure on the Yuan to Appreciate” by Brad Setser"We Warned About the First China Shock. The Next One Will Be Worse" by David Autor and Gordon Hanson

Are we all post-liberals now? The leading voice in the debate about what comes after liberalism, Notre Dame professor Patrick Deneen, joins the podcast to discuss where American politics is headed now that the push for a globalized society has failed to survive contact with geopolitical reality.He and Oren unpack the failures of the liberal age, from free trade and open borders to foreign wars of adventure, and how a new conservatism helped deliver its demise. Finally, they make sense of where the waning liberalism of today leaves conservatives, and why young people are at the heart of this shift to something better.Further reading:"We Are All Postliberals Now," by Patrick Deneen

The United States remains wholly dependent upon China for 95% of rare earth elements, 100% reliant on imports for 15 critical minerals, and over 80% reliant for eleven more. These minerals enable everything from batteries to semiconductors—and without domestic access, America’s technological dominance is at risk.Robert Bryce, a leading energy policy scholar, joins Oren to explore how decades of shortsighted policy let China dominate critical supply chains, what it would take to rebuild them, and whether the West can shake off its complacent belief that “the market will fix it” before it’s too late. Finally, they close with a discussion on the promising future of domestic nuclear power.Further reading:“Restoring Leadership in Critical Minerals” by Dean BallRead Robert Bryce’s Substack

Over the last two weeks, an online battle has broken out among the New Right over the Israel-Iran conflict and the Trump administration's bombing of an Iranian nuclear facility. Regardless of whether the recent ceasefire between Iran and Israel holds, the events so far have drawn clear dividing lines within the coalition. What does "America First" mean for Middle Eastern policy?Josh Hammer, author of Israel and Civilization, and Sohrab Ahmari, U.S. editor of UnHerd, join Oren to debate the wisdom of Trump's attack, the limits of Jacksonian restrictionist foreign policy, and how to think about the U.S. relationship with Israel. The group unpacks the intricacies of what a post-hegemonic world order actually looks like in the Middle East, and how best to respond to what could come next.Further reading:“Is Israel the Ideal 'America First' Ally?” by Oren Cass

Philip Pilkington, author of The Collapse of Global Liberalism, challenges conventional economic wisdom by investigating why many Americans feel poorer despite rising consumption. He critiques GDP as a misleading measure of prosperity, emphasizing the need for metrics that reflect human flourishing. The discussion touches on the ethical implications of profit-driven motives in essential services and critiques the rise of private equity. Pilkington also explores the decline of global liberalism and the potential return to traditional values in society.

When news broke that the local paper mill in Chillicothe, OH, was closing its doors and laying off 780 employees, one Ohio senator made it his mission to fight for those workers.Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH) joins Oren to talk about his efforts to put American workers and their families first. The freshman senator explains how his background led him to Congress and breaks down the forces driving the political realignment he’s helping lead. The two discuss how the Republican Party can better serve its voters on labor, trade, and beyond, as well as the need to fight against private equity firms and other forces seeking to outsource American jobs.

Today’s Republican Party has come a long way from the days of William F. Buckley, Jr., but his legacy continues to be felt across the conservative movement.Sam Tanenhaus, former editor of the New York Times Book Review and author of the newly released Buckley: The Life and the Revolution That Changed America, joins Oren to discuss the conservative statesman’s life and work. The two discuss how Buckley viewed himself as a reactionary bent on overthrowing the liberal orthodoxy of his day, his work to realign the party, and what those who aim to do likewise today can learn from his legacy.Further reading:“William F. Buckley, Jr. and the Politics of Reality" by Michael Lind

In this engaging conversation, Vice President JD Vance shares insights on the shifting landscape of conservative economics, emphasizing the significance of family, community, and industry. He critiques the traditional education system, advocating for better alignment between universities and workforce skills, particularly through community colleges. Vance also highlights the necessity of reviving American manufacturing and enhancing living standards for everyday workers, encouraging young conservatives to connect with their communities for impactful political change.

Matthew Continetti, a prominent voice on American conservatism and author of 'The Right,' dives into the evolution of the Republican Party. He explores how today's New Right compares to past realignments under Reagan and Buckley. Continetti discusses Trump's unique impact on modern conservatism, emphasizing his distinctiveness from earlier leaders. The conversation also touches on the future of the GOP, the tensions between traditional and populist factions, and the response of a younger Republican base to shifting dynamics in media and politics.

Globalization and deindustrialization have brought with them a sense among American workers that the good jobs they could once count on have disappeared. As family-supporting careers evaporate, service jobs with lower pay and unpredictable hours take their place in many communities across the country.Zeynep Ton, professor of practice at MIT’s Sloan School of Management, joins Oren to discuss what a better future of work could look like. The two talk through what a “good job” means today, in a world where frontline service-sector work dominates U.S. employment. Plus, they unpack why stability, career growth, and supportive pay for the jobs that already exist—rather than a focus on training for the “jobs of the future”—is vital to supporting America’s workers.Further reading:“Building a Strong U.S. Middle Class Requires High-Productivity, High-Dignity Service Jobs,” by Zeynep Ton