Geopolitical Economy Report

Donald Trump’s Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is a self-declared “crusader” who believes the USA is in a “holy war” against China, the left, and Islam. “Communist China will fall”, he vowed in his 2020 book “American Crusade”, promising, “Israel and America will form an even tighter bond, fighting the scourge of Islamism and international leftism that will never fully abate”. Ben Norton reports on his extremist record. VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOg-dqGd6Jk Sources and links here: https://geopoliticaleconomy.com/2025/03/07/us-defense-secretary-hegseth-overthrow-china-crusade/ Topics 0:00 Trump's cabinet of hawks 0:42 Pete Hegseth's "American Crusade" 2:02 Hegseth: "Communist China will fall" 3:26 Make the Crusades Great Again 4:38 Fox News 6:10 (CLIP) US "prepared" for war with China 7:02 Fearmongering about China 7:29 (CLIP) Trump on China "threat" 7:37 Fearmongering about China 8:42 (CLIP) CIA lies, cheats, & steals 8:58 Fearmongering about China 11:31 US military is "most lethal" 12:04 (CLIP) Hegseth: "most lethal" military 12:10 Culture war 13:23 (CLIP) Hegseth on "lethality" 13:28 Conservative identity politics 13:45 (CLIP) Hegseth's "warfighters" 13:59 Media pundit criticizes media 14:20 (CLIP) Hegseth on the media 14:36 (CLIP) Hegseth on Fox News 15:14 Israel 18:17 Hegseth wants war on Iran 18:44 (CLIP) Hegseth calls to bomb Iran 19:55 War with Iran? 20:39 (CLIP) Trump: US will "own" Gaza 20:46 War with Iran? 21:03 Pete Hegseth's elite background 21:41 (CLIP) Hegseth Harvard diploma stunt 22:30 Wall Street 22:55 Neocon 23:35 Guantanamo Bay 24:43 Book "American Crusade" 25:45 Hegseth declares "holy war" 26:33 US Civil War II? 31:05 War on secularism 33:18 (CLIP) Trump on the Bible 33:53 War on secularism 34:16 Hegseth's war on Islam 37:44 Extremist loses friends 38:52 Outro

The discussion dives into BlackRock's purchase of ports near the Panama Canal, a move facilitated by Trump's pressure on Panama to counter China's influence. Insights from U.S. officials frame the geopolitical landscape as a new Cold War against China. The podcast reflects on the strategic goals of U.S. foreign policy, echoing the Monroe Doctrine while highlighting the growing power of corporate oligarchs. There’s a critical look at how this reflects broader economic inequalities and the intertwining of government actions with corporate interests.

Donald Trump's contentious relationship with Ukraine is explored, revealing the U.S. perspective that treats the nation as a colony. The discussion centers on Trump's demands for control over Ukraine's crucial minerals, highlighting how Washington leverages economic colonialism. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham’s comments about enriching America through the war paint a stark picture of the conflict's financial motivations. The podcast also touches upon the broader implications of U.S. strategies aimed at weakening rivals like China, while exploiting Ukraine's resources.

The discussion centers on U.S. talks with Russia, revealing a strategy aimed at driving a wedge between Russia and China. Trump’s ambition to 'un-unite' these powers echoes Nixon's divide-and-conquer tactics from the 1970s. Experts analyze the growing perception of China as America's main threat, overshadowing Russia. The podcast explores U.S. intelligence’s intensified focus on China's rise and critiques Trump's foreign policy, particularly its implications for Ukraine and global imperialism. The complexities of alliances and rivalries in this geopolitical chess game are compellingly unpacked.

Javier Milei's radical libertarian policies are reshaping Argentina into a resource colony for foreign investors. Manufacturing is collapsing while the stock market thrives, boosting foreign oligarchs. Many Argentines face dire poverty despite praise from figures like Trump and Musk. Severe austerity measures have led to income inequality and a brain drain. Amid skyrocketing inflation and rampant deindustrialization, the nation grapples with a grim economic reality, impacting everyday life, including basic necessities like toilet paper.

It's now widely acknowledged we are in a multipolar world, but the definition of "multipolarity" is not clear. Donald Trump and Marco Rubio think it means a return to great power competition with imperial spheres of influence, whereas China and much of the Global South say "equality among all countries regardless of size". Ben Norton explains the geopolitical divide. VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mg0Vur0SI-8 Topics 0:00 US unipolar moment 0:35 Multipolarity is here 1:24 Definition of multipolarity 2:39 (CLIP) Marco Rubio on unipolarity 3:14 US imperial sphere of influence 4:32 China's anti-imperialist view 7:37 Marco Rubio interview 8:52 (CLIP) Rubio on multipolar world 9:14 Rubio fearmongers about China 9:42 Greenland 10:55 (CLIP) Rubio on China 11:02 Neoconservativism rebranded 12:11 Trump's imperialism 12:30 (CLIP) Trump calls to "expand" USA 13:01 Chinese socialism vs US capitalism 14:46 Marco Rubio targets China 17:35 Rubio's fake "populism" 20:22 Nicaragua's anti-imperialist view 22:33 Outro

In this insightful discussion, award-winning economist Michael Hudson shares his expertise on the political dynamics driving the surging price of gold. He explores the complexities behind the US dollar system and how geopolitical tensions are impacting gold's market. Hudson questions traditional views on gold as an inflation hedge, elaborates on central banks' manipulative strategies, and discusses the implications of increased demand for physical gold amidst fears of economic instability. A deep dive into the evolving role of gold in today's financial landscape!

Michael Hudson, an economist known for his critiques of neoliberalism, and Mick Dunford, a scholar based in China with insights on global trade, delve into the repercussions of Trump's tariffs. They argue these measures could accelerate U.S. decline, highlighting how protectionism might backfire and exacerbate inflation. The discussion contrasts historical contexts with modern trade dynamics, assessing the U.S.'s waning competitiveness and how nations might adapt to shifting global power. They also critique the differing globalization approaches between the West and China.

Donald Trump expresses intentions of taking over Gaza, aiming to expel Palestinians while promoting luxury real estate ventures. His son-in-law, Jared Kushner, has financial ties to Israeli settlements, raising ethical concerns. The discussion explores the devastating consequences of proposed ethnic cleansing and the historical ties Palestinians have to their homeland. Suggestions for redevelopment in Gaza highlight conflicting interests between economic development and the rights of its indigenous people, with critiques of U.S. policies fueling this ongoing crisis.

In this engaging conversation, Michael Hudson, an award-winning economist known for his critique of neoliberal economics, warns that Trump's tariffs could lead to a destabilized global economy. He discusses potential financial crises stemming from currency depreciation and the challenges countries face in paying foreign debts. Hudson critiques U.S. protectionist policies and austerity measures, emphasizing the need for unity among nations affected by these economic shifts. The conversation also touches on the broader implications for trade, inflation, and U.S. imperialism.