Angry Planet

Steven Cook, an expert on Middle Eastern and Turkish politics at the Council on Foreign Relations, dissects the troubling rise of authoritarianism under Erdogan. He discusses the arrest of Istanbul's mayor, a significant political rival, and the implications of competitive authoritarianism in Turkey. The conversation touches on Erdogan's controversial political strategies, including constitutional changes and purges against dissent. They further explore the broader decline of democratic institutions and the youth's disconnection from a ruler who appears increasingly autocratic.

Gil Guerra, an immigration policy analyst at the Niskanen Center, dives deep into the intersection of immigration and foreign policy. He discusses how U.S. immigration policies once bolstered national defense but now have shifted dramatically. Listeners learn about the bizarre cost of citizenship, the strategic value of dissident refugees, and the surprising dynamics of U.S.-Mexico relations. Guerra also highlights the influx of Chinese migrants at the southern border and how social media influences modern immigration trends. It's a fascinating blend of policy, politics, and real-world implications.

Listen to this episode commercial free at https://angryplanetpod.comFor mercenaries, death is a business. It’s all about finding the right market. Wagner and other Russian mercenary groups have found willing markets in Africa. Journalist John Lechner spent years in Africa among the mercenaries and he’s on the show today to tell us about what he learned.Lechner tells us how Wagner’s men think the U.S. media killed Prigozhin, why every theater (or market) is different, and the training regimen of a fresh convict recruit. It’s all in his new book Death Is Our Business: Mercenaries and the New Era of Private Warfare.The threats change…but the mercenaries stay the same.Interlinking militant Islam and the rise of modern mercenariesRussian mercenaries before WagnerPrigozhin risingPutin’s Chef was the father of ‘Hybrid War’Wagner in Africa‘No one said mercenary life was gonna be easy.’Life inside Wagner‘Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face.’You can’t judge intent by resultsThe Russian “royal” court is full of self starters and entrepreneursThe Tip of Russia’s SpearDeath Is Our BusinessPardoned for Serving in Ukraine, They Return to Russia to Kill AgainTaliban Bureaucrats Hate Working Online All Day, ‘Miss the Days of Jihad’Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/warcollege. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Max Read, journalist and author of the Reed Max Substack, unpacks the cult-like nature of rationalism in Silicon Valley. He reveals how rationalism, a blend of movement and self-help, shapes tech ideologies and influences decisions regarding artificial intelligence. Read discusses the dangers posed by superintelligent systems and critiques the oversimplified thinking prevalent in these communities. He emphasizes the moral ambiguities that arise in effective altruism, while questioning the belief that technology can solve complex human issues.

Garance Burke and Michael Biesecker, global investigative reporters for the Associated Press, dive into Israel's controversial use of Microsoft AI in its military operations. They discuss how off-the-shelf AI tools, like those from Microsoft’s Azure, assist in targeting and translating data. The ethical implications are dire as AI may misclassify targets, leading to life-and-death consequences. They also highlight protests from Microsoft employees about the military's reliance on technology, raising urgent questions about the role of AI in modern warfare.

Listen to this episode commercial free at https://angryplanetpod.comWe’re living in a bizarre age of technofascism. The richest man who has ever lived, a man who dreams of colonizing Mars with his children, is America’s CEO. Donald Trump, the man people voted for, is just the chairman of the board.What does Elon Musk believe? Is there a playbook for DOGE? How bad are things going to get? On this episode of Angry Planet journalist Gil Duran, author of The Nerd Reich newsletter, walks us through what’s coming.Over on The Shatter Zone, journalist and former Angry Planet guest Robert Evans has published a document that Democratic think tanks are passing around. It gives extra context to Duran’s reporting. All the major players and themes we talk about in this episode are there: Curtis Yarvin, Nick Land, the Butterfly Effect.If you want to understand why so many federal workers are getting fired and the Silicon Valley ideology that’s infected D.C., then give us a listen.Curtis Yarvin’s unimpressive programming career“Democracy doesn’t work”Bullshit and cherriesRAGE and RebootThe Chairman of the BoardIt’s always about the money“Move fast and break things” comes to D.C.The Engineer’s DiseaseNick Land is mentioned and I’m sorry“Trump is more intellectual property than man.”The horror of comedySelling the Nerd Reich to the Religious RightThe Nerd ReichAI Video of Trump Sucking Musk's Toes Blasted on Government Office TVsTrump’s AI Gaza Video Is the Tip of a Horrifying ‘Gaz-A-Lago’ IcebergTechno-Fascism Comes to AmericaCurtis Yarvin Says Democracy Is Done. Powerful Conservatives Are Listening.'Reboot' Revealed: Elon Musk's CEO-Dictator PlaybookSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/warcollege. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Listen to this episode commercial free at https://angryplanetpod.comPresident Donald Trump wants to build an American Iron Dome. He even signed an executive order to make it happen. It’s a terrible idea, one we’ve tried before, and one that will make America less safe.In this episode, Joseph Cirincione returns to the program to detail his personal history with complicated and costly missile defense systems.It all starts during a snowstorm in 1982 and with the High FrontierZombie defense pitchesIt’s almost impossible to knock a bullet out of space with a bulletHow Israel’s Iron Dome worksSlow and hot vs fast and coldLasers don’t work, thanks TellerPitch: lasers in space. Reality: missile batteries in AlaskaThese systems only work half the time and only under perfect conditionsSpaceX contracts abound!A Pentagon Powerpoint slide enters chatJason’s Superman reverie, starring Gene Hackman as Lex LuthorHow do China and Russia react?“The enemy gets a vote.”The last arms control treatyRonald Reagan: anti-nuclear advocateHow SDI kept us from eliminating nuclear weaponsAnatomy of an arms raceAI is coming to nuclear command and controlProject 2025 and Trump Are Cooking Up a Recipe for a New Nuclear Arms RaceThe Iron Dome for America Executive OrderThe national missile defense fantasy—againProliferated Warfighter Space ArchitectureWhy the US General In Charge of Nuclear Weapons Said He Needs AISupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/warcollege. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nicole Widdersheim, Deputy Washington director of Human Rights Watch with a rich background in humanitarian efforts, discusses the precarious state of U.S. soft power as USAID faces potential dismantling. She highlights the history and significance of USAID in foreign policy, its struggles against budget cuts, and the long-term effects on global food security and human rights advocacy. Widdersheim also critiques the American public's apathy toward the human cost of foreign aid and reflects on the implications of competition from China's Belt and Road Initiative.

Listen to this episode commercial free at https://angryplanetpod.comThe pros and cons of globalizationThe end of trust in the global systemWhat was behind the WTO protests of the 1990sHow 1999's WTO Protests Influenced the Policing of Protests TodayChina, China, ChinaThe Covid shockWhite goods?And we have to talk about McDonald’sHow sanctions created the multipolar world“There’s no trust between the U.S., China, and Russia.”Autocrats or historical forces?Martyring Jack MaWhat will happen to pricesHow to make a T-shirtHow much would the iPhone cost if it were made in America?The Houthis attack on the global supply chain“I don’t know why you’re so sad about McDonald’s”Goodbye Globalization: The Return of a DividedSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/warcollege. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Listen to this episode commercial free at https://angryplanetpod.comBetween the idea and the reality falls the shadow. Marine Corps veteran J.D. Vance will soon be vice president. Pete Hegseth, a man with a Crusader Kings tattoo who doesn’t want women to serve in combat roles, is probably going to be confirmed as secretary of defense. Over New Years, two members of the U.S. military committed domestic terror attacks.Today on Angry Planet we get into the highs and lows of the American military with Marine Corps vet and author Phil Klay. What are the limits of amoral pragmatism?“Most troops are opposed to murder.”A rant about Crusader Kings.Vance’s view.Trump, Hegseth and the Honor of the American MilitaryAsking Pete Hegseth how many pushups he can do during a confirmation hearingThe Cult of ‘Sicario’Anguish and Anger From the Navy SEALs Who Turned In Edward GallagherSen. Ted Cruz insulted a ‘woke, emasculated’ U.S. Army ad. Angry veterans fired back.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/warcollege. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.