Joining the discussion are Hagar Chemali, a former UN spokesperson with a keen eye on geopolitics, and Mike Madrid, a senior advisor focused on Latino political dynamics. They dive into the implications of tariffs on Chinese imports and how these affect the U.S.-China tech landscape. The conversation highlights a revolutionary Chinese AI startup and its impact on global tech competition. They also explore immigration issues surfaced by the Laken Riley Act, revealing the shifting sands within Latino politics and the Democratic Party's challenges.

Michele Gelfand, a Professor of Organizational Behavior at Stanford, dives into the fascinating world of culture and its profound effects on human behavior. She explains the concepts of 'tight' and 'loose' cultures, revealing how these frameworks influence our responses to crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. Gelfand discusses the trade-offs between order and openness, and how cultural dynamics shape political landscapes. She also shares insights on implementing these ideas in our daily lives, sparking a deeper understanding of the norms that govern us.

Joining the discussion are James Lynch, a seasoned communications strategist, and Zack Czajkowski, founder of Brackish Solutions and veteran political consultant. They dive into the chaos that erupted from the White House’s funding freeze, examining its political ramifications. The conversation shifts to the allure of Trump for young men seeking recognition, challenging the perceptions of strength and virtue in today’s culture. Finally, they touch on the implications of government oversight in political discourse, revealing the evolving relationship between authority and citizen engagement.

In this discussion, Casey Michel, Director of the Combating Kleptocracy Program and author of "Foreign Agents," exposes how foreign money infiltrates U.S. politics. He reveals the shadowy world of foreign lobbying, tracing its roots with figures like Ivy Lee and Paul Manafort. Michel discusses the complications of the First Amendment and legal loopholes that allow foreign influence to flourish. He also highlights how universities and think tanks are new battlegrounds for foreign interests, emphasizing the intricate ties between money, influence, and democracy.

Liam Donovan, a Principal at Bracewell LLP and host of 'The Lobby Shop', teams up with Marc Caputo, a Senior Politics Reporter at Axios. They dive into the implications of Donald Trump's broad pardons related to January 6th and Joe Biden's strategic pardons for critics and family members. The duo sparks conversation around the evolving views on executive power and whether America is inching toward a more monarchical presidency. They also touch on the ethical quagmire surrounding Trump and Melania's entry into memecoins, raising eyebrows about political influence in the crypto space.

Liam Donovan, a savvy political commentator and strategist, joins Marc Caputo and Brady Dale to dissect the launch of meme coins by Donald and Melania Trump. They delve into the chaotic world of cryptocurrency, highlighting its speculative nature and ethical quandaries. The conversation covers the implications for pro-crypto policies and regulatory challenges emerging from Trump's entry into this space. The panel also explores how Trump's tactical instincts play into the unpredictable cryptocurrency landscape, raising questions about finance and politics.

Nick Anthony, a Policy Analyst at the Cato Institute and Fellow at the Human Rights Foundation, dives into the risky realm of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs). He explains how CBDCs could grant governments unprecedented control over spending and invade personal privacy. Discussing the weak arguments for their implementation, he reveals the hidden assumptions that could threaten civil liberties. Anthony also compares CBDCs to cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, shedding light on their implications for financial regulation and surveillance.

To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plusThis week, we discuss the devastating wild fires in California and the political earthquake that’s coming.Then, we talk about the paradox of America’s dysfunction at home and unparalleled power on the global stage.Finally, we head to Politicology+ where we discuss the TikTok ban set to go into effect and the “refugees” flocking to other China controlled apps. Joining Ron Steslow on this week’s panel: Hagar Chemali (Fmr. spokesperson for the U.S. Mission to the UN)Mike Madrid (Lincoln Project cofounder, author of The Latino Century)Segments this week:(02:04) The Wild Fires(32:02) Dysfunction at home and power abroadNot yet a Politicology+ member? Don’t miss all the extra episodes on the private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus.Send your questions and thoughts to podcast@politicology.com or leave a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬Follow this week’s panel on X (formerly Twitter):https://twitter.com/RonSteslowhttps://x.com/HagarChemalihttps://x.com/madrid_mikeRelated reading:Segment 1: NBC News - Reservoir in Pacific Palisades was out of commission when fire startedNYT - Newsom Suspends State Environmental Rules for Rebuilding After Fires - The New York TimesCato - California Insurance Market: Another Victim of the War on Prices | Cato at Liberty BlogLos Angeles Daily News -Misinformation about California fires is spreading like, well, wildfire – Daily NewsSegment 2: Foreign Affairs - The Strange Triumph of a Broken America  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the ad-free version of this episode, subscribe to Politicology+ at https://politicology.com/plusIn this episode, Ron talks to Senator Ron Wyden (Oregon) about his new book It Takes Chutzpah and leading the legislative charge for privacy in the digital age. Segments to look forward to:(01:48) What is Chutzpah(06:06) Being the ‘Designated Driver’ in the Senate (07:31) Why he’s committed to principled bipartisanship (10:22) Why the fight for privacy is so important to him (14:17) The “wild west” of data privacy (18:35) Putting the “foreign” back in FISA(19:43) Where the political battlelines are drawn on privacy (24:57) Financial privacy Read It Takes Chutzpah: How to Fight Fearlessly for Progressive Change: https://bit.ly/4fWL3stFollow Ron and Sen. Wyden on Twitter:https://twitter.com/RonSteslowhttps://x.com/RonWydenEmail your questions to podcast@politicology.com or leave us a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Susan Del Percio, an MSNBC political analyst with a knack for crisis communications, joins Stef Kight, a politics reporter at Axios, to explore President-elect Trump’s ambitious agenda. They discuss the potential of a 'mega MAGA moonshot' that could revolutionize legislation. The conversation shifts to cryptocurrency, spotlighting a proposed strategic Bitcoin reserve and evolving bipartisan support. The duo also addresses the chilling effects of January 6th on political dialogue, considering how narratives around the attack are changing in light of Trump's possible re-election.