Politicology

In this engaging conversation, Kashmir Hill, a technology reporter and author focused on privacy issues, dives into the ethical dilemmas posed by facial recognition technology. She discusses the alarming trend of law enforcement skirting privacy laws and the impact of privacy regulations like GDPR. Hill reflects on the potential future of privacy, emphasizing individual actions to safeguard anonymity in an increasingly surveilled world. With examples of misuse and the chilling effects of technology, she presents a thought-provoking look at our changing societal norms.

Kashmir Hill, a tech reporter for The New York Times and author of *Your Face Belongs to Us*, delves into privacy and the implications of facial recognition technology. She discusses how anonymity is eroding in everyday activities and the dangers posed by companies like Clearview AI. The conversation highlights the history of facial recognition, the ethics of surveillance tools, and the unintended consequences of sharing personal data online. Hill also explores the role of platforms like Facebook in advancing this technology and the societal choices shaping our future privacy.

Molly McKew, a writer and lecturer specializing in Russian influence and information warfare, joins Ron to dissect alarming revelations about Trumpworld's connections with the Kremlin and their impact on Ukraine. She breaks down a leaked call that reveals how Russia was coached on influencing Trump, highlighting its deviation from diplomatic norms. Molly shares chilling firsthand accounts of drone saturation in Ukraine and emphasizes the urgent need for U.S. support. The discussion underscores that Ukraine's fight is a battle for democracy, requiring steadfast commitment from allies.

In this insightful discussion, Mike Madrid, a senior political advisor and expert on Latino civic trends, joins Ron Steslow to tackle pressing questions about the Republican Party’s fractures and the implications of ICE raids in smaller cities. They explore the societal impact of AI and the balance between political strategy and governance. Additionally, they highlight the importance of kindness as a response to polarization and what shifts mean for Trump's influence within the party as defections increase and community dynamics evolve.

In this discussion, Gabrielius Landsbergis, former Lithuanian foreign minister and visiting fellow at Stanford, joins expert Molly McKew to analyze a controversial leaked peace plan for Ukraine. They uncover alarming concessions to Russia, examine how the plan undermines NATO's credibility, and discuss Europe's exclusion from decision-making. Gabrielius argues for Europe to formalize security arrangements with Ukraine, while Molly critiques the vague guarantees in the proposal. Together, they explore the implications of U.S. withdrawal on global stability.

This week, Ron Steslow and Hagar Chemali (Fmr. spokesperson for the U.S. Mission to the UN) break down the newly released Epstein emails, what they show, what they don’t and why the national security implications are far bigger than the headlines. They dig into Epstein’s attempts to insert himself into global politics including offering Russia “insight” on Donald Trump and the strange connection between Larry Summers and China’s Belt and Road Initiative  Then, they walk through why Congress forced the DOJ’s hand, why Pam Bondi now controls what gets redacted, and why the lack of institutional trust means any carve-outs will only fuel more conspiracy and chaos. After that, they turn to Poland, where a Russian-backed sabotage attack on a key supply line to Ukraine has triggered a crisis inside NATO.     In Politicology+ they dive into back-to-back Oval Office visits from two Middle Eastern leaders, and what Trump’s defense of the Saudi Crown Prince reveals about America’s shifting posture in the region.  Not 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. Contribute to Politicology at politicology.com/donate Find our sponsor links and promo codes here: https://bit.ly/44uAGZ8 Get 15% off OneSkin with the code RON at  https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod Send your questions and ideas to podcast@politicology.com or leave a voicemail at ‪(703) 239-3068‬ Listen to The Last Invention: https://bit.ly/4pob891 Follow this week’s panel on X (formerly Twitter): https:/x.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/HagarChemali Related Reading:  Politico - Jeffrey Epstein claimed he gave Russians insight into Trump Newsweek - Donald Trump ‘blowing Bubba’ message in Epstein emails under scrutiny - Newsweek ABC News - Epstein offered reporter photos of 'donald and girls in bikinis in my kitchen': Email - ABC News NY Post - Meet economist Keyu Jin, who Larry Summers asked Jeffrey Epstein advice on how to get 'horizontal' with | New York Post NYT - Poland Blames Russian-Backed Ukrainians for Railway Sabotage Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Peter Suderman, features editor at Reason and host of the Reason Roundtable, dives into the peculiarities of the recent 43-day government shutdown, dubbed a 'Seinfeld shutdown.' He explores why Democrats initiated the standoff and the confusion surrounding their healthcare goals. Suderman provides a historical lens on America's fragmented healthcare systems, tracing their roots back to WWII. He highlights the complexities created by Obamacare and discusses the need for market-driven solutions to healthcare challenges, advocating for structural reforms.

Ron Steslow and Peter Suderman dive into the battle between the Abundance Agenda (Ezra Klein & Derek Thompson’s answer to America’s scarcity mindset) and the newly ascendant socialist wing embodied by New York City’s new mayor, Zohran Mamdani. Related Reading:  The Atlantic - Mamdani Has a Point About Rent Control - The Atlantic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Susan Del Percio, an MSNBC political analyst and crisis communications expert, joins to dissect the recent election outcomes. They delve into how Democratic victories in New Jersey and Virginia reflect an identity crisis within the party. Susan highlights the dynamics behind Mamdani’s win in New York City and the challenges of governing amidst fiscal constraints. Additionally, they explore the shifting political landscape in Georgia and what it means for future elections. Insights into the lessons Democrats must learn from these results round out a thought-provoking conversation.

Nick Gillespie, a Libertarian journalist and former Reason editor, joins to unpack the complex relationship between AI and humanity. He discusses how privacy norms evolve, the risks of offloading reasoning to AI, and the rise of chatbot companions in an increasingly lonely digital landscape. Gillespie also explores the balance between creation and consumption, highlighting AI's role in easing creative blocks while stressing the importance of preserving hands-on artistic processes. Ultimately, he sees AI as a transformative tool that can enhance human creativity.