US Troops in South Korea, Spheres of Influence are Gross, Economic v. Political Freedom, North Korea’s Deadline, Left on Hong Kong | Ep. 21

Who supports military bases in South Korea? Surprising majorities of Democrats, Republicans, and Independents. Also this episode, why some neoliberals are hostile to democracy. Why sphere-of-influence diplomacy is gross and destabilizing. Why the left needs to do better on Hong Kong. The State Department’s clash-of-civilizations problem. What North Korea means by its end-of-year deadline. Coercion with Chinese characteristics. And mental health in national security.

Van’s Predictions: 

1)   Will Bolivia’s interim president (Jeanine Añez Chavez) remain in power until elections can be held in 90 days? | Yes 

2)   Will Erdogan fully implement the anti-aircraft system they purchased from Russia (in violation of NATO regulations) by the end of 2020? | Yes

3)   Will China/Hong Kong police acknowledge deaths at the hands of police before the end of 2019? | No 

4)   Will Presidents Putin and Zelensky meet before the end of 2019? | No           

Notes and Sources:

·      Karl Friedhoff on JCS: https://twitter.com/KarlFriedhoff/status/1194303256949927937

·      Jonathan Allen on impeachment talking points: https://twitter.com/jonallendc/status/1194706489438621697

·      Kyle Bass on American silence on Hong Kong: https://twitter.com/Jkylebass/status/1194590176078704640

·      Van Jackson on progressives and Asia policy: https://thediplomat.com/2019/10/how-american-progressives-think-about-asian-security/

·      Quinn Slobodian on economic freedom and democracy: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/nov/11/democracy-defenders-economic-freedom-neoliberalism

Van’s Recommended IR Reads (Part I):

-       James Mann – ‘Rise of the Vulcans’ 

-       James Mann – ‘About Face’ 

-       Fred Kaplan – ‘The Wizards of Armageddon’ 

-       Sagan & Waltz – ‘The Spread of Nuclear Weapons: A Debate’ 

-       Yuen Khong – ‘Analogies at War’ 

-       Paul MacDonald – ‘Networks of Domination’ 

-       John Ikenberry – ‘Liberal Leviathan’ 

Music: "Van is Meta" by Tre' Hester