Geopolitical Cousins

The podcast dives into the chaos of Middle Eastern tensions, with missile strikes and Trump's strategic moves. It highlights Israel's misconceptions about U.S. loyalty and Jordan's balancing act in the face of criticism. A comedic look at Burkina Faso reveals its TikTok dictatorship and the role of gold in politics. The discussion shifts to the impact of nuclear weapons on global stability, and the dangers posed by advancements in AI. Ultimately, it champions multipolarity as a stabilizing force in an unpredictable world.

The hosts dive into the free fall of the U.S. dollar and explore China's tech breakthroughs, with one still skeptical about BYD cars. They humorously analyze Europe's seemingly bleak future and discuss India-Pakistan tensions. The conversation also veers into Trump's Nobel aspirations, playful predictions about the Pope, and Japan's new role in trade negotiations. Amidst it all, they sprinkle in some humorous takes on NBA predictions and the impact of global events on everyday life.

Marko critiques the myth of austerity in Greece, revealing the real reasons behind its economic recovery and highlighting Syriza's political heroism. The discussion shifts to India, where Modi cleverly navigates international trade dynamics, playing the U.S., China, and Europe against each other. The conversation also touches on the complexities of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the nuanced impacts of tariffs on the auto industry, and the evolving landscape of U.S. trade policies under Trump. Each topic weaves together economics and geopolitics with sharp insights.

Dive into the chaos of Trump's tariff policies, likened to a slow-motion car crash, as experts explain its impact on global trade. Discover the U.S. trade war's unexpected consequences, leading to a shift in how nations interact. The conversation takes a sharp turn into the struggles of key industries, from agriculture to energy, amid economic instability. With clever metaphors and urgent market insights, they navigate the turbulent waters of financial markets, encouraging strategic investments abroad. Humor intertwined with serious analysis keeps it engaging!

Matt Gertken, a geopolitical analyst who has worked with notable figures at Stratfor and BCA Research, joins for a dynamic discussion. They dive into Trump's speculation about a third presidential term and its implications for democracy. The conversation also tackles the complexities of tariffs, trade deficits, and U.S.-China relations, particularly regarding Taiwan's military situation. Historical parallels and the role of leadership in shaping markets add depth to their insights, blending serious analysis with a hint of pop culture.

Jacob and Marko make a cousins episode happen even as Jacob is moving into a new office and Marko is on the road – at one point he was literally recording from a bathroom at a hotel in Fort Lauderdale because that is the only place he could get WiFi. What other podcast hosts have that kind of dedication? None! This week the cousins tackle Trump’s latest bevy of tariff threats, discuss the improvement in India/China relations, and close with some lessons to learn from the ongoing protests in Serbia.--Timestamps:(00:00) – Intro(03:04) - US Tariffs (07:42) - Potential Domestic and Global Reactions to Tariffs(14:17) - Challenges in Renegotiating Trade Deals(28:58) - India-China Border Disputes and Economic Implications(32:17) - India and China: Complementary Economies(44:18) – Serbia/Turkey/Indonesia(53:59) – Over/under

Jacob and Marko run down the most important issues of the week: Will the U.S. go to war with Iran? Why did President Erdogan arrest his top rival? Is Indonesia helping or hurting itself by courting its military? And is Chinese consumption really happening? From there, they turn to the kind of geopolitical sports analysis that only they can offer, drafting teams of 7 for the top geopolitical sports moments in history.Timestamps:(00:00) - Intro (01:00) - Iran(31:00) - Turkey(46:00) – Indonesia(58:00) – China(1:09:00) - Geopolitical Draft

The inaugural episode of the Geopolitical Cousins podcast sees Marko and Jacob wax philosophical about net assessments, debate where the Trump administration thinks the world is multipolar, and interrogate what the future of Canada, Europe, and inflation look like in a land of all sticks and no carrots. -- (00:00) - Intro(00:50) - Approach and Precepts(11:00) – Net Assessments(18:44) – Multipolarity(34:19) – US Exceptionalism, China, and US Fiscal Policy(42:44) - Canada-US Trade Tensions(47:42) – Inflation and pain thresholds(52:27) – Europe's Awakening and Defense Strategies