Ep. 25: A Global Geopolitical Romp: Strategy, Scarcity, and a Question of Values

In this episode, Sue and Eric kick off the year with a look at geopolitical hotspots and assess that, in aggregate, US actions reveal the National Security Strategy for what it is—and isn’t.Assessing the Trump strategy as one of power, resources, and driven by their version of the “scarcity model”, they walk through recent actions in Venezuela, Iran, Syria, Nigeria, Israel, China/Taiwan, and Russia/Ukraine to show that despite the values-based rhetoric often used to justify US actions, the actions themselves belie that claim.Throughout their conversation they press beyond the event to articulate the precedent being set—good and bad—and what listeners might look for next to help them chart their own course through these turbulent times  And, there’s a new original song!Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome to Understandable Insights05:50 Venezuela12:33 Iran15:48 Syria19:30  Nigeria and Sahel 23:39 Israel-Gaza Conflict: Phase Two28:13 China33:24 Russia-Ukraine 39:01 What We're Watching About the show:Understandable Insights: Information to Intelligence with Sue Gordon is the national security podcast that provides you an elemental understanding of the world as it is, not how you prefer it to be.Each week, Eric Koepp — a former Marine, father, and entrepreneur — sits down with the Honorable Sue Gordon, the nation’s former top career intelligence officer. Together, they break down the headlines shaping our world and ask what they really mean for citizens, leaders, and institutions.From armed conflict to emerging tech, foreign interference to the resilience of democracy — this is where raw information becomes real intelligence. Unfiltered. Candid. Unapologetically clear.Website and Feedback:Remember we’re here for you. Provide us feedback or suggest topics for next time: FeedbackSend us Fan MailJoin us on Youtube, Instagram, and wherever you enjoy your podcasts. New episodes every Tuesday.  Follow or subscribe today.