Just Asking Questions

What if the new Cold War with China turns hot? Just asking questions. China's rise, decline, or potential for conflict is often clouded by propaganda and oversimplification. This episode of Just Asking Questions examines China's real economic, military, and geopolitical trajectory, focusing on Taiwan tensions, trade wars, and demographic challenges. Joining us is Michael Beckley, a Tufts University political science professor and co-author of Danger Zone: The Coming Conflict with China. He is also a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. His research argues that China's peaking power makes it a unique threat, blending insights on its economy, military, and ambitions. Sources Referenced: Danger Zone: The Coming Conflict with China, by Michael Beckley and Hal Brands "China's Hypersonic Weapons Test 'Concerning': Gen. Milley," by David Rubenstein for Bloomberg World Bank: China's fertility rate Full text of Xi Jinping's report at the 19th CPC National Congress China's gross domestic product compared to the United States' "Chenggong, one of the largest new ghost town in Asia," by Matteo Damiani "Joe Biden says China will 'eat our lunch' on infrastructure," by SCMP Clips Chapters 00:00 Coming up: China's economic challenges and rising aggression 01:13 What if China invaded Taiwan tomorrow? 05:17 Military capabilities and invasion scenarios for Taiwan 10:28 America's interests and the strategic importance of Taiwan 15:13 The Trump administration's trade war with China 20:47 Economic rivalry and the new Cold War 26:03 China's military modernization and hypersonic threats 31:10 Assessing China's actual military strength 36:14 Lessons from Hong Kong and implications for Taiwan 41:23 Demographic decline and economic stagnation 46:30 China's one-child policy and irreversible population trends 51:39 Xi Jinping's vision and the roots of Chinese authoritarianism 57:05 The nature of China's political and economic system 01:02:15 Rising assertiveness and wolf warrior diplomacy 01:07:28 Avoiding war and imagining a path to peace 01:13:09 Strategic missteps and the importance of deterrence 01:16:18 Appreciating global order and what's at stake Producer: John OsterhoudtThe post Michael Beckley: China Is Dangerously Weak appeared first on Reason.com.

Derek Thompson, a senior writer at The Atlantic and co-author of Abundance, discusses the Democratic Party's urgent need for a strategic rethink to attract future voters. He argues that Democrats should shift from a focus on redistribution to pragmatic progress, especially in areas like housing and clean energy. Thompson highlights the internal tensions within the party, including union influences and regulatory challenges, and emphasizes building a coalition that prioritizes growth and responsiveness to urban and suburban dynamics.

Senator Rand Paul from Kentucky, known for his libertarian beliefs and advocacy for limited government, dives deep into his opposition to President Trump's tariffs. He explores the dangers of expansive emergency powers and emphasizes the need for Congress to reclaim its authority over tariffs. Paul passionately discusses his No Taxation Without Representation Act of 2025 and challenges the notion of trade deficits signaling economic decline. He also questions the narratives surrounding the middle class and advocates for vocational training and clearer trade policies.

Batya Ungar-Sargon, a columnist at The Free Press and author of 'Second Class', dives into the controversial idea of 'MAGA leftism', blending traditional leftist values with Trump's agenda. She explores the complexities of U.S. immigration policy, questioning the morality of deportations and the economic ramifications on the working class. Additionally, Batya critiques the impact of wealth inequality on the American dream and discusses innovative solutions for education and employment challenges facing today's middle class.

Phil Magness, an economic historian at the Independent Institute, delves into the complexities of Trump’s tariffs and trade policies. He discusses the historical impact of tariffs as both revenue sources and political tools, highlighting lessons from the Smoot-Hawley Tariff. Magness critiques the nostalgia for past economic strategies and explores the implications of proposed initiatives like the Mar-a-Lago Accord. He emphasizes the unpredictability of Trump's economic agenda, especially regarding onshoring production and public sentiment surrounding tariffs.

Kelsey Piper, a senior writer at Vox's Future Perfect, dives into the rapidly changing AI landscape and its societal implications. She contrasts the deregulatory push promoted by political leaders with the need for robust safety measures. The conversation touches on the tension between innovation and regulation, the consequences of AI on employment, and the role of social media in shaping extremist narratives. Piper emphasizes the importance of transparency and diverse voices in AI development to navigate this complex future.

To celebrate the growth of our new YouTube channel, the Just Asking Questions team livestreamed an Ask Me Anything episode, hosted by their producer, John Osterhoudt. It was a chance for our listeners to share their reactions to guests and topics, suggest ideas for future episodes, and pose some hard questions. Thanks for listening! If you like the show, the best ways to help are to subscribe to the Just Asking Questions YouTube channel, subscribe and give us a rating on iTunes or other podcatchers, and tell like-minded friends about the show. Resources mentioned: Just Asking Questions with Randy Barnett Just Asking Questions with Aaron Sibarium Just Asking Questions with Erika Sanzi Just Asking Questions with Matt Taibbi Selfish Reasons to Have More Kids by Bryan Caplan The Constitution of Liberty by F.A. Hayek The Road to Serfdom by F.A. Hayek The Future and Its Enemies by Virgina Postrel Egalitarianism as a Revolt Against Nature, and Other Essays by Murray Rothbard A Conflict of Visions: Ideological Origins of Political Struggles by Thomas Sowell Zach's interview with Caitlin Long: She's Suing the Fed To Open a Rothbardian Bitcoin Bank John recommends the work of Wanjiru Njoya Nick Gillespie's interview of Stephanie Slade: What Kind of Libertarian Are You? Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction music 00:30 Celebrating 5,000 subscribers 01:30 Introducing producer John Osterhoudt 02:10 Liz Wolfe on receiving hate mail from IRS agents 07:23 What makes you a libertarian? And recommended libertarian books 12:54 Different approaches to libertarianism 16:13 Nature vs. nurture 20:45 Raising children 25:58 Do libertarians critique the left more than the right? 32:00 Concerns about national conservatism 38:39 What questions should more people be asking? 40:08 Encouraging courage in political discussions 43:36 Dream podcast guests (who are dead!) 46:00 Closing remarks & thank you to listeners  The post Just <i>Answering</i> Questions: Live Q&A appeared first on Reason.com.

Tom Woods, a historian and host of "The Tom Woods Show," reflects on the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. He critiques the efficacy of lockdowns and social distancing, arguing they had unintended consequences on society. Woods discusses Sweden's approach without strict measures and emphasizes the need for accountability in public health decisions. With personal anecdotes about hospitalization and vaccine mandates, he highlights the emotional toll and societal impact of government policies, urging a thoughtful reevaluation of expert authority.

What does the dramatic collapse of talks between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump and J.D. Vance reveal about Trump's foreign policy, Vance's ideology, and the future trajectory of MAGA? Just asking questions. James Pogue, who has written extensively about the American New Right and who predicted in 2022 that Vance would be "hugely influential in our politics in the coming years," joined the show to dissect the doomed televised negotiations between Zelenskyy and Trump, offer his insight about the vice president's aggressive interjection, and discuss why he thinks the rise of the online "dissident right" is poised to either fall apart or lead America into a "dark night of totalitarianism." Sources referenced: Full meeting between President Trump, Vice President Vance, and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy in the Oval Office Government support to Ukraine by country, by the Kiel Institute Support to Ukraine: U.S. vs. Europe, by the Kiel Institute Ukraine support as a percentage of gross domestic product, by the Kiel Institute Estimated Ukraine-Russia casualties: 46,000 soldiers killed, 380,000 wounded, Zelenskyy tells NBC; 12,340 civilians killed, 27,836 wounded according to the United Nations; roughly 20,000 children deported to Russia, according to the Ukrainian "Children of War" portal; 172,000 Russian soldiers killed, 611,000 wounded, according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies "Inside the New Right, Where Peter Thiel Is Placing His Biggest Bets," by James Pogue Defence Expenditure of NATO Countries (2014-2024) Chapters 00:00:00 Intro 00:00:25 Contrasting Views on the Ukraine Conflict 00:05:53 The Burden of Support: Financial and Human Costs 00:14:01 Diplomacy vs. Continued Conflict: A Missed Opportunity? 00:21:17 Reassessing NATO's Role and MAGA's Shifting Foreign Policy 00:31:48 Regional Conflicts: Middle East and the Intervention Debate 00:36:18 The Trump-Zelensky Meeting and J.D. Vance's Intervention 00:48:02 Decoding J.D. Vance: Ambition and Worldview 00:52:11 The Rise of the New Right and its Influence 01:01:26 Navigating the "Weirdness" of MAGA: Appeal and Pitfalls 01:18:13 The Erosion of Norms and the Future of American Governance Producer: John OsterhoudtThe post James Pogue: What Ukraine Reveals About MAGA appeared first on Reason.com.

Matt Taibbi, an award-winning journalist known for the Twitter Files, discusses the implications of J.D. Vance's pivotal speech on free speech suppression and its role in the collapse of the post-WWII order. He critiques the crumbling legitimacy of legacy media and reflects on the alarming impact of censorship laws in Europe. The conversation also touches on the rise of populism, the intersection of misinformation and political interference, and the urgent need for open dialogue and privacy protection in an increasingly regulated world.