Jacobin Radio Behind the News: Trump’s Militaristic Master Plan w/ Anatol Lieven
17 snips
Dec 15, 2025 
Anatol Lieven, a foreign policy analyst at the Quincy Institute, dissects Trump’s 2025 national security strategy, highlighting its contradictions and the dubious achievements of his foreign policy. He warns of rising tensions, especially regarding Europe and China, while questioning the administration's commitment to international institutions. Susannah Glickman, a historian, examines the encroachment of private equity in governmental and military realms, raising concerns about its impact on governance and military infrastructure, and warns against the dangers of prioritizing short-term profits over long-lasting resilience.
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No Real Plan For Re-Industrialization
- Lieven argues the administration lacks coherent industrial policy and revenue after big tax cuts, undermining re-industrialization claims.
- He points out both parties share blame for long-term infrastructure and innovation failures, now worsened by Trump.
A Patchwork Strategy From Competing Factions
- Lieven says the NSS reads like multiple competing agendas stitched together, reflecting isolationist and interventionist impulses.
- He sees inconsistent policies across regions and warns of internal incoherence among elite backers.
Feinberg's Financial Ties To Trump
- Susannah Glickman recounts Steve Feinberg's deep ties to Trump via donations and tangled business loans.
- She cites a passed condo loan and unusual settlement as evidence of corruption linking private equity to the administration.
