Category: Series

Justin Logan and Jon Hoffman delve into Hoffman's latest policy analysis, "Aimless Rivalry: The Futility of U.S. China Competition in the Middle East." They debunk justifications for U.S. Middle East policy based on competition with China and challenge prevailing narratives in international relations. Tune in for a thorough discussion that puts threats in context and examines U.S. policy through a skeptical lens.

Show Notes:

Jon Hoffman, "Aimless Rivalry: The Futility of US–China Competition in the Middle East" Policy Analysis No. 1000, July 10, 2025

Justin Logan, “Why the Middle East Still Doesn’t Matter,” Politico Magazine, October 9, 2014

 

Justin Logan, “The Case for Withdrawing from the Middle East,” Defense Priorities, September 30, 2020

 

Justin Logan, “Middle East Security,” Cato Handbook for Policymakers, 9th Edition, 2022

Jon Hoffman, "The U.S. Has Nothing to Fear from China in the Middle East" World Politics Review, December 6, 2023

Jon Hoffman, “U.S.-China competition and the value of Middle East Influence” Defense Priorities, June 10, 2025

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Despite assurances from Amtrak's administrators that profitability is just around the corner, Amtrak remains a huge money loser. However, even given the long distances of some of the routes, Amtrak could still be profitable if its leadership is willing to make changes.

Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/subsidies-amtrak-and-siemens-pathway-cronyism-few

Cosplay—or dressing up as your favorite character from pop culture—is fun! But it can fall into a legal gray area when it comes to companies' intellectual property.

Today on the show: a group of cosplayers, Lucasfilm(!), a lawyer, and finding economic symbiosis in order to express yourself.

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The word "democratic" is supposed to soften the blow of socialism, with Zohran Mamdani's campaign being the latest to fool the voters. In reality, there is no softening real socialism, as it depends upon coercion, violence, and ultimately becomes totalitarian.

Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/democratic-socialism-totalitarianism

Like a child with his new favorite toy at Christmas, President Trump is using tariff taxes not only to attempt to centrally plan the pricing of thousands of goods and services in the economy, but also to engage in election interference in other countries.

Original article: https://mises.org/power-market/trumps-election-interference-tariff

There are real concerns regarding Mamdani. Mamdani is a self-described socialist, and socialism has failed disastrously everywhere it's been tried.

Original article: https://mises.org/power-market/new-york-city-doomed

Exposing such lies is key for restoring liberty. The good news is that the more mistrust of government grows, the easier it will be to find people receptive to our message.

Original article: https://mises.org/power-market/mistrusting-government-about-epstein-and-more

By introducing legislation to raise the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour, Republican Sen. Josh Hawley is demonstrating that while Republicans like to talk about free markets, they are statists and interventionists like their Democratic colleagues across the aisle.

Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/josh-hawley-proves-republicans-still-dont-understand-economics

Perhaps no publication contributed more to the Colonials' drive for independence from Great Britain than Thomas Paine's pamphlet "Common Sense." But what if he had tried to get the Continental Congress to publish it, instead? The following debate might have occurred.

Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/thomas-paine-slaps-congress-his-resume