The Jacob Shapiro Podcast

Laurie McFarlane, economist and co-director of Future Economy Scotland, explains Scotland's constrained economic agency and the lost promise of North Sea oil. He explores the renewable transition, risks of repeating past mistakes, regional pricing tied to gas, and strategies to keep wealth and jobs local. Short, sharp takes on deindustrialization risks and how Scotland might wield energy and water as bargaining chips.

A solo breakdown of why military might cannot substitute for clear political aims. He revisits his misread of a Middle East war and the factors that changed his view. Discussion covers Iran’s geographic leverage over oil and shipping, leadership shifts hardening Tehran, and how allies and economic limits shape conflict dynamics.

Jody Ray, journalist who recently reported from Ethiopia and Eritrea, shares on-the-ground perspectives. He traces historical fault lines and Cold War echoes. He highlights Red Sea strategic stakes, Emirati investment contrasts in Addis, signs of renewed hostilities in Tigray, and the humanitarian toll on civilians. Short, vivid reporting brings a tense, underreported regional flashpoint into focus.

Avi Swerdlow, a high-school friend who landed in Israel the day before the Gulf War began, recounts waking to sirens, sheltering in an Airbnb safe room, and scrambling through canceled flights and closed airspace. He describes embassy alerts, a midnight land-escape plan via Egypt, boarding a DHS evacuation plane, and relief after landing in Athens. Short, tense travel and logistics stories.

Hamidreza Azizi, an Iran analyst providing on-the-ground perspectives, breaks down Tehran's current power centers. He outlines Iran's phased strategy against radars and energy infrastructure. He explains China and Russia’s quiet support, proxy roles in the region, and why long-term optimism for Iran’s future is limited.

Kamran Bokhari, geopolitical analyst focused on Iran and regional security. He breaks down the US/Israeli strike's aims and whether it targets hardliners or seeks wider change. Short-term military tradeoffs, a Venezuela-style approach to preserve moderates, and the risk of regional spillovers like Kurdish mobilization and Pakistan-Afghanistan tensions are discussed.

Daryl Ritcheson, North Dakota State Climatologist who provides long-range forecasts for agriculture, offers a clear, data-first perspective. They cover the La Niña to El Niño shift and 2026 impacts. Gulf hurricane risks, U.S. farm-belt and Black Sea crop prospects get attention. The conversation dives into sea level measurement debates, extreme-weather trends, and the value of questioning clickbait narratives.

Louis‑Vincent Gave, founding partner and CEO of Gavekal Research and macro‑geopolitical analyst, outlines a world quietly reordering itself. He discusses a surprising U.S.–China thaw and why a full Cold War would be economically disastrous. He highlights Latin America and Canada as breakout investment stories, Europe’s military limits, and how energy prices and rare earths could upend markets.

Tobias Harris, journalist and analyst of Japanese politics and geopolitics, author on Shinzo Abe and Observing Japan. He unpacks Taaka Ichi’s generational landslide victory and the opposition’s collapse. Short takes on her push for industrial revival, rearmament, and self-reliance. They discuss political constraints, economic tradeoffs, and regional implications for China and alliances.

Hamidreza Azizi, an Iranian security analyst and Substack writer, guides a rapid deep dive into Iran today. He outlines Iran’s domestic turmoil and the IRGC’s political role. He maps likely military responses, proxy options, and regional ripple effects. He also explains internal power struggles shaping Tehran’s decisions.