Politicology

Molly McKew, an expert on Russian influence and information warfare, joins Steve Kettmann, a seasoned journalist currently in Ukraine. They discuss Ukraine's daring military operation that took out 40 Russian aircraft, emphasizing its psychological impact and shifting strategies in the conflict. Their insights dive into innovative Ukrainian drone warfare tactics and the collaborative spirit of its military forces. Personal stories of resilience further highlight the ongoing struggle, revealing a narrative of determination and adaptability in the face of adversity.

Andy Kroll, an investigative reporter at ProPublica known for his work on justice and democracy, joins Ron Steslow for an in-depth discussion. They explore the insights from Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson's book, emphasizing the fine line between conspiracy theories and possible truths. Kroll highlights the media's role in eroding trust and shaping political narratives, as well as the broader societal challenges facing boys and men. They reflect on the implications of President Biden's capabilities for governance amidst rising political polarization and skepticism.

For the full and ad-free version of this episode, subscribe to Politicology+ at https://politicology.com/plus In this episode, Ron talks to  Casey Michel (Director of the Combating Kleptocracy Program at the Human Rights Foundation) about his book Foreign Agents: How American Lobbyists and Lawmakers Threaten Democracy Around the World and how foreign money  influences our politics. They discuss: (01:46) The shadow world of foreign lobbying  (03:45) Ivy Lee and Paul Manafort  (07:36) The First Amendment and foreign influence  (10:23) Understanding FARA  (13:28) How Paul Manafort shaped modern lobbying  (15:49) Legal loopholes and foreign influence in politics  (18:11) The case of Viktor Pinchuk (22:13) The Trump Administration’s impact on foreign lobbying  (27:19) How Universities and Think tanks are the new frontier of influence  (33:05) Colorful characters in foreign lobbying  (41:39) The Biden Family and foreign influence accusations  (45:27) Contrasting foreign influence on Trump and Clinton  (49:00) Proposed reforms  Read Foreign Agents: How American Lobbyists and Lawmakers Threaten Democracy Around the World: https://bit.ly/4giHjBK Check out the HRF’s Combatting Kleptocracy Program: https://bit.ly/4hAAQTJ Follow Ron and Casey  on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/cjcmichel Email 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

Mike Madrid, a senior advisor at the California Latino Economic Institute and author of 'The Latino Century', joins Ron Steslow for a thought-provoking discussion. They delve into the intersection of MAGA's economic populism and immigration agendas, revealing tensions within the Republican Party. Madrid highlights how corporations exploit labor while unfairly scapegoating immigrants. The duo also examines the ethical implications of data leaks in the AI era, emphasizing the urgent need for enhanced privacy protections.

Mike Madrid and host Ron Steslow discuss Bernie Sanders and AOC’s “Fighting Oligarchy Tour” and where economic populism on the left is heading.Related media:CNN - Bernie Sander's Town Hall Clip Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the ad-free and full version of this episode, subscribe to Politicology+ at https://politicology.com/plus In this episode, Ron talks to Nick Anthony (Policy Analyst at the Cato Institute and a Fellow at the Human Rights Foundation) about Central Bank Digital Curriences, their potential to invade privacy, alter the dynamics of financial control, how governments are trying to justify them, and why those arguments are insufficient. They discuss: (04:16) Intro to CBDCs (07:58) How CBDCs would give unprecedented control over how you can spend money  (12:15) The Arguments for and against CBDCs (19:53)The hidden assumptions behind CBDC arguments  (24:50) The real world privacy implications of CBDCs (33:05) CBDCs around the globe  (36:21) The political dynamics in the U.S.  (47:47) Bitcoin vs CBDCs Check out the HRF’s CBDC Tracker: https://bit.ly/3WtFb3g Follow Ron and Nick on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/EconWithNick Email 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

Contribute to Politicology at politicology.com/donate To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus In this week’s wide-ranging Roundup, Ron Steslow and  Lucy Caldwell (Board Advisor to the Renew Democracy Initiative and advisor to the Forward Party) discuss how and why we’ll need to rethink our education system in the rapidly changing world. Finally, in Politicology+, they discuss Steve Bannon’s recent speech at Hillsdale College, the escalating rhetoric about being on the verge of war, and how legitimate class and cultural grievances—from the left and the right—are meeting ascendant illiberal ideas and pushing us toward the destruction of liberalism. 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. Send your questions and ideas to podcast@politicology.com or leave a voicemail at ‪(703) 239-3068‬ Follow this week’s panel on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/lucymcaldwell Related media: The Ezra Klein Show - Educating Kids in the Age of A.I. | The Ezra Klein Show National Geographic - What if you could delay menopause? How scientists are working to slow down ovarian aging Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Contribute to Politicology at politicology.com/donate To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus In this week’s wide-ranging Roundup, Ron Steslow and  Hagar Chemali (Fmr. spokesperson for the U.S. Mission to the UN) discuss the escalating tensions between two nuclear powers, India and Pakistan, in Kashmir.  Then, they talk about the spread of Islamism in the West and the threat it poses to global democracy. Finally, in Politicology+ they discuss what foreign policy would look like with a progressive nominee for the Democratic party. 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. Send your questions and ideas to podcast@politicology.com or leave a voicemail at ‪(703) 239-3068‬ Follow this week’s panel on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/HagarChemali Related media: UATX - Our Crisis of Antisemitism & Islamism | Ayaan Hirsi Ali Ben Habib -The TRUTH About Islamism in the West | Ben Habib x Ayaan Hirsi Ali | The News At Ben Ep 24 Ben Habib - Local Elections, DEI, Multiculturalism and Islamism | Ayaan Hirsi Ali x The News At Ben Ep 25 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/plus In the second  part of this  two-part episode, Ron talks to Molly McKew (writer and lecturer on Russian influence and information warfare) about whether Russia is truly isolated, and what the future of American influence could look like as our self-isolation creates a power vacuum.  Read Molly’s work: https://www.greatpower.us/ Follow Ron and Molly  on X: https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/MollyMcKew Email your questions to podcast@politicology.com or leave us a voicemail at ‪‪(703) 239-3068‬ 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/plus In the first part of this  two-part episode, Ron talks to Molly McKew (writer and lecturer on Russian influence and information warfare) about the recent drone attacks in Ukraine, Trump’s “Peace Plan” and what a lasting peace might require.  Read Molly’s work: https://www.greatpower.us/ Follow Ron and Molly  on X: https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/MollyMcKew Email your questions to podcast@politicology.com or leave us a voicemail at ‪‪(703) 239-3068‬ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices