The Realignment

Noah Smith, author of the Noahpinion Substack, discusses the Biden vs. Trump contest, challenges facing the U.S.-led alliance system, America's defense industrial base, the future of warfare, and how to accomplish industrial policy aims. They also explore Trump's impact on institutions and international alliances, dynamics within the Democratic Party, challenges in implementing industrial policy, the importance of persistence, the intersection of tech and policy, and the concept of world domination.

Benjamin Herold, education reporter and author of Disillusioned: Five Families and the Unraveling of America's Suburbs, joins The Realignment. The rise and fall of suburbia, similarities between middle-class suburbs and Ponzi scheme, debates over race and the liberal status quo, the role of school choice, and the state of the American dream are discussed.

Nick Romeo, author of 'The Alternative', discusses the outdated dogmas of modern economists, the battle within academia over economics teaching, the psychological and sociological effects of a jobs guarantee program, cultural influences on economic approaches, the decline of influence in economics, and the importance of relevancy in addressing unsolved problems.

Tina Nguyen, national correspondent for Puck and author of The MAGA Diaries, discusses the evolution of the conservative movement post-Obama, the state of digital media, and why alternate Republican alternatives struggle to take over the MAGA mantle. They delve into Turning Point USA's influence on Gen Z conservatives and the challenges and shifts in conservative journalism. The discussion also explores the future of MAGA beyond Trump and the evolution of video content on social media platforms.

Subscribe to The Realignment to access the full version of this episode and support the show: https://realignment.supercast.com/In 2024's first edition of The Realignment's Recap and Ask Me Anything, Marshall and Saagar discuss their 2024 reading goals, the aftermath of the airstrikes against the Houthis in Yemen, Taiwan's elections, the start of the 2024 GOP presidential campaign, November election predictions, and audience Q&A.

Arun Gupta, CEO of the NobleReach Foundation and co-author of Venture Meets Mission, discusses collaboration between business, government, and society to solve societal challenges. They explore mission-driven politics, rebuilding trust through ecosystem collaboration, and the generational opportunities of technology and policy. Additionally, they cover societal perception of career choices, connecting students with mission-oriented opportunities, and building resilience in areas like national security and climate change.

Joshua Green, Bloomberg National Correspondent and author of The Rebels, discusses left populism through AOC, Bernie, and Warren. Topics include Biden's surprising turn toward progressivism, contrasting responses to the financial crisis and COVID-19, weaknesses of Bernie Sanders, the decrease in focus on Wall Street, and the relevance of populism in politics.

Yaroslav Trofimov, The Wall Street Journal's Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent, discusses the history of the war in Ukraine, the failed 2023 counteroffensive, defining victory or defeat, increasing aid skepticism in Western capitals, and the role of the press in shaping narratives.

Heather Jo Richman discusses the AUKUS partnership and dual-use technologies in defense, emphasizing the role of the private sector. Topics include the importance of patient capital, the faulty premise of venture capital, dynamics between primes and startups, and bridging the gap between defense and private sectors.

Jennifer Pahlka, founder of Code for America, and Michael Kratsios, former CTO of the United States, discuss the challenges of bringing technologists into government, the role of technology in national security, and the consequences of lacking technical expertise in government projects. They explore pathways for joining the government and highlight the importance of developing knowledge in areas like AI, quantum information science, biosecurity, and climate crisis mitigation.