Danny and Derek talk about the war in Ukraine (1:02); the Global South's reaction to the war (4:57); Russian war aims and Moldova (11:39); food insecurity in the Horn of Africa (14:57); and the elections in France (17:04) and Slovenia (20:51). They are then joined by Emma Ashford (24:34), senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, for an update on where the DC foreign policy establishment stands today. They talk about the future of US grand strategy, analyze Ukraine in a realist framework, look at inter-generational and party stances on liberal internationalism, and more in a wide-ranging discussion.
Check out Emma’s upcoming book Oil, the State, and War: The Foreign Policies of Petrostates: https://bit.ly/3y3Z0CQ
E42 - State of the Blob w/ Emma Ashford
"Is NATO still great-o?" is going down as my favorite AP quote so far.
"realist" is the politically correct term for "brainwashed American imperialist", and nothing more. The abstract hypothetical discussions on definitions of such terms is pointless, as it always just devolves into imperialists (of different shades and flavors! diversity! yet all of the same basic socioeconomic class, somehow) trying to justify and rationalize US criminality. "Realists" generally are the most detached from reality...the most "idealist" actually. The irony is hilarious. I'd love to see a tally of the self-identified "realists" who support/supported each and every US operation around the world in the 21st century, from Ukraine to Libya and beyond. Spreading freedom and democracy and defending Murica via literal Nazis and ISIS. Very cool and smart! So realist!
While I get the attempt to get inside the mind of the Blob, I don't really need that. It's mindless, first of all. And hasn't really changed all that much over the years. It's always just a discussion between: 1. Bomb everyone all the time, and now, or 2. Bomb some of them after waiting a bit longer. Blob-mind speak is all we ever hear, everywhere. No need to "find out" with a guest. Fuck the Democrats and their fascist friends in the GOP.