ChinaTalk

Justin Mc, a military expert with a special-ops background, joins Tony Stark, a geopolitical analyst, and Eric Robinson, a legal policy specialist, to dissect a recent operation in Venezuela. They debate presidential war powers and historical precedents for using force. The panel analyzes Maduro's influence on U.S. decisions and details operational challenges, including air defense weaknesses. They explore the implications of U.S. actions for future Venezuelan stability and broader geopolitical consequences, including comparisons with China and Taiwan.

Nishikawa Kazumi, Principal Director for Economic Security Policy at Japan's METI, shares insights on Japan's evolving industrial policy. He discusses the redefinition of economic security as intertwined with national security and technological supremacy. Nishikawa details Japan's strategic goals of supply-chain autonomy and indispensability, lessons from the rare earth crisis, and the need for public-private collaboration. He also explores export controls on semiconductors and the delicate balance in managing trade relationships with China while strengthening domestic resilience.

The hosts delve into the evolution of their unique hybrid model, blending journalism and analysis. They chat about their growth ambitions for 2026, aiming for a $1M budget and more senior analysts. Fascinating discussions explore China's influence in Central Asia and the complexities of AI and industrial policy. Personal touches include Jordan's interest in Tibetan Buddhism and creativity in music production. They also reflect on the appeal of detailed, wonky pieces that engage their audience and highlight their favorite guests.

Joe Weisenthal, a seasoned journalist and host of the Odd Lots podcast, celebrates a decade of podcasting. He reflects on the evolution of media, emphasizing the value of creator-led formats over traditional outlets. The conversation dives into China's economic narratives, discussing its industrial policies and implications for other nations. He shares insights on maintaining journalistic integrity and the personal challenges of parenting in NYC, offering a refreshingly honest take on balancing work and family life.

Steve Gagnon, a U.S. Army officer and Arctic security expert, shares his extensive experience from extreme cold operations and the Aleutian Campaign of WWII. He highlights the critical role of indigenous scouts and the harsh environmental challenges faced. Brian, a maritime warfare specialist, dives into Cold War submarine operations and discusses NATO's anti-submarine efforts in the GIUK Gap. The conversation shifts to modern Arctic dynamics, including the China-Russia maritime agreement and the implications of unmanned systems in Arctic defense.

Rahm Emanuel, former White House Chief of Staff and U.S. Ambassador to Japan, gives a candid view on U.S.-China relations. He critiques Trump's negotiation style, labeling him the 'worst negotiator.' Emanuel discusses the 'Fear Factor' driving Japan and South Korea to enhance defense spending. He argues that tariffs are ineffective and advocates for workforce training to compete with China. He also highlights the risks of rising inequality due to AI and stresses the importance of addressing social media impacts on children.

Mike Froman, President of the Council on Foreign Relations and former U.S. Trade Representative, dives into the relevance of his 1992 dissertation on détente and how it applies to U.S.-China relations today. He explores the shift from nuclear mutual assured destruction to economic dependencies like rare earths and technology. Froman discusses the complexities of trade normalization, the limits of cooperation in altering adversary behavior, and the ongoing challenges of U.S.-China economic interdependence, offering insights into strategies for resilience and coalition-building.

The hosts delve into the intricacies of the NDAA and its implications, discussing topics like AUKUS, Taiwan's support in IMF, and the role of DFC in countering adversarial capital. They explore the ethical dilemmas of super-soldier technologies and unpack enthralling topics such as icebreaker procurement and Arctic diplomacy. A hilarious pitch for a dark sitcom about deposed dictators spices up the conversation, alongside insights into elite corruption and the complexities of U.S.-China tech investment dynamics.

Nathan and Jasmine share lively tales from NeurIPS San Diego, highlighting its massive turnout and intense student hustle. They dive into the vibrant nightlife and their unforgettable boat party. The group discusses the stark pay disparity between industry and grad students, as well as the challenges of academic publishing. Sparks fly as they debate OpenAI's prospects and compare business models in AI. With quirky poster highlights and speculative growth plays, this conversation is a deep dive into the tech landscape post-conference.

Dmitri Alperovich, a cybersecurity and national security expert at the Silverado Policy Accelerator, discusses the implications of Trump's decision to export H200s to China. He warns this move could jeopardize U.S. military advantages and accelerate China's technological capabilities, particularly for Huawei. The conversation delves into NVIDIA's controversial stance on global innovation versus national security, and the necessity of prioritizing U.S. chip demands. Dmitri also highlights the geopolitical risks and potential shifts in global compute dominance stemming from this policy.