Glenn Diesen - Greater Eurasia Podcast

Richard Wolff, economist and professor known for critiques of capitalism and comparative economic systems. He argues China’s rise is reshaping global power. He traces Western unipolar hubris and failed containment strategies. He links domestic inequality to geopolitical weakness. He provocatively imagines European alignment shifts and practical China-EU industrial partnerships.

George Beebe, former CIA Russia analyst and director of grand strategy at the Quincy Institute. He discusses the end of the unipolar era and U.S. strategic overreach. He outlines America’s shifting geographic priorities and a messy transition to multipolarity. He critiques Europe’s inability to adapt and argues for realistic compromise over ideological framings in the Ukraine conflict.

Douglas Macgregor, a retired U.S. Army Colonel and military strategist, shares his insights on NATO's fragility and the challenges faced in the Ukraine conflict. He discusses why he predicted NATO's decline during the Ukraine crisis, emphasizing its lack of battlefield cohesion and conflicting national agendas. Macgregor critiques Western leaders for their unrealistic expectations and highlights Ukraine's struggles with manpower and corruption. He warns that powerful interests in Washington limit any chance of a shift in U.S. foreign policy, drawing parallels to historical events.

Jeffrey Sachs, an esteemed economist and global policy advisor, dives into the contentious dynamics between the US, Europe, and Russia. He highlights Europe's capitulation to US imperial behavior and critiques its hypocrisy regarding U.S. aggression. Sachs discusses the self-destructive nature of European Russophobia and argues for more robust diplomatic engagements. He even touches on Canada's shift towards China as a sign of emerging realism. With a call for rational diplomacy, he underscores the need for Europe to reconsider its approach to peace with Russia.

Seyed Mohammad Marandi, a prominent professor at the University of Tehran and former advisor on Iran's nuclear negotiations, delves into Syria's chaos and U.S. threats against Iran. He discusses the release of ISIS prisoners and the potential spillover of violence into neighboring Iraq and Lebanon. Marandi attributes unrest in Iran to foreign manipulation aimed at destabilization rather than genuine regime change. He highlights Iran's military readiness and the implications of foreign alliances, emphasizing the strategic complexities at play.

Max Otte, a political economist and former presidential candidate in Germany, shares insights on the decline of German national interests since the Cold War. He highlights how postwar re-education suppressed the notion of national interest, leading to a lack of diplomatic agency. Otte critiques the EU's institutional design and discusses the German Green Party's shift from pacifism to militarism. He warns of Germany's systemic decline and explores future scenarios, including the risks of a new Cold War amidst contemporary global shifts.

Larry Johnson, a former CIA intelligence analyst and author of Sonar21, shares insights on Trump's controversial stance toward Greenland and its potential implications for NATO. He warns that Trump's erratic approach could lead to the alliance's disintegration, driven by a mix of personal vanity and strategic miscalculations. The discussion also dives into Europe's dependency on the U.S., the erosion of international law, and how economic warfare tactics are reshaping geopolitical landscapes. Johnson offers a candid assessment of the risks associated with Trump's coercive diplomacy and its impact on U.S. global standing.

Theodore Postol, MIT Professor Emeritus and former Pentagon advisor, breaks down the capabilities of Russia's Oreshnik missile, revealing it as a powerful conventional weapon. He discusses the design and operational mechanics, debunking myths around its nuclear equivalence. Postol highlights the missile's impact physics and tactical uses, emphasizing its effectiveness against buildings and challenges in interception. He also warns against conflating conventional strikes with nuclear threats, highlighting the risks of political misunderstanding in military contexts.

Richard Sakwa, a leading scholar on Russia and professor at the University of Kent, delves into the multifaceted origins of the Ukraine War. He presents four key layers underpinning the conflict, from internal dynamics in Ukraine to global power shifts. Sakwa discusses the mimetic rivalry between Russia and Ukraine, the implications of decolonial narratives, and the challenges of postwar European stability. He also highlights the impact of NATO's role and the need for new thinking in international relations, expressing cautious optimism for future diplomacy.

Ray McGovern, a former CIA officer with 27 years of experience, shares his insights on the deteriorating state of arms control and the escalating risks of war. He discusses the historical context of treaties like SALT and the ABM Treaty, emphasizing the importance of verification. McGovern critiques U.S. media portrayals of Russia, explores Putin's cautious approach as a potential stabilizing force, and highlights how U.S. withdrawals from agreements have created instability. The talk underscores the ongoing challenges and the urgent need for renewed diplomatic engagement.