#1768 The End of an Era: The International Rules-Based Order Gives Way to Trump's Might-Makes-Right Plutocracy
Best of the Left - Leftist Perspectives on Progressive Politics, News, Culture, Economics and Democracy
Historical Lessons: Empire, War, and the UN
Guest traces how imperial competition produced world wars and why the UN-era rules were essential to avoid repeats.
Air Date 1/29/2026
Today we examine the collapse of the American-led, rules-based world order (such as it was) in real time. Canada's Prime Minister pointed out that the emperor has no clothes and declared US hegemony over while Europe called Trump's bluff on Greenland... all the more reason why he would prefer a fake "Board of Peace" that he can rule over as a worldwide plutocracy.
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KEY POINTS
KP 2: Why Trump Just Threatened Canada in Davos | About That - CBC News - Air Date 1-21-26
KP 4: MAGA Empire with Aslı Bâli and Greg Grandin Part 1 - The Dig - Air Date 1-16-26
KP 5: Iran's Protest Movement with Yassamine Mather and Kevan Harris - Jacobin Radio - Air Date 1-20-26
KP 6: Mehdi Reacts to the Intense Debate Over Iran's Protests - Zeteo - Air Date 1-17-26
(00:44:46) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
On why an might-makes-right is evil
DEEPER DIVES
(00:56:10) SECTION A: GREENLAND (OR IS IT ICELAND?)
A2: Why Donald Trump Really Wants Greenland - Full Story - Air Date 1-19-26
A5: Greenland Tariffs Have European Leaders Ready To Give Up On Trump - Mallen Baker - Air Date 1-18-26
(01:33:49) SECTION B: IRAN IN CHAOS AND STILL A TARGET
B2: MAGA Empire with Aslı Bâli and Greg Grandin Part 2 - The Dig - Air Date 1-16-26
B4: What Will Happen in Iran Now That Protests Have Died Down? - DW News - Air Date 1-17-26
(02:02:12) SECTION C: CANADA MADE AN ADVERSARY
C2: Mark Carney and the New World Order - Front Burner - Air Date 1-20-26
C3: Canada-China Form New Partnership: This Is Huge - The Rational National - Air Date 1-16-26
(02:25:22) SECTION D: THE WORLD MOVES AWAY FROM THE DOLLAR
D1: The New Trump World Order - Why, America? with Leeja Miller - Air Date 1-19-26
D2: Oxfam Warns of Rising Authoritarianism & Billionaire Boom - Democracy Now! - Air Date 1-21-26
D3: Foreign Central Banks Are Dumping US Debt At Alarming Rates - UNFTR Media - Air Date 12-19-25
(02:50:02) SECTION E: DYING COLONIALIST EMPIRE
E2: Will Trump's Board of Peace Replace the UN? - Today in Focus - Air Date 1-21-26
E3: MAGA Empire with Aslı Bâli and Greg Grandin Part 3 - The Dig - Air Date 1-16-26
E5: America Is Now The Enemy - Large Man Abroad - Air Date 1-20-26
SHOW IMAGE CREDITS
Description: Photo of Trump at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland standing alone, half in shadow, and off to the right against a wall with logos of the summit.
Credit: "President Donald Trump delivers remarks at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland" by the U.S. Government via Wikimedia Commons| Public Domain
Produced by Jay! Tomlinson
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