Geological Fault Lines: The Unfolding Systemic Shift

This week's edition dissects the widening cracks in the post-war order, examining how internal fractures within the US, Europe's assertion of independence, and China’s strategic rise are reshaping the global landscape. We unpack the weaponization of energy, the failures of Trump administration policy, and the disturbing possibility that a 'normal' geopolitical order is no longer retrievable. Explore the full visual digest at https://www.pers-int.com 0:00 - Introduction 1:18 - Erosion of the International Order & Great Power Competition 9:22 - The Iran Conflict & Regional Security 16:46 - Trump Administration Policy & Governance Failures 23:15 - Global Energy Markets & Economic Warfare 27:25 - Conclusion Referenced sources: - "How High Could Oil Prices Go" (Foreign Policy Live) - "Locusts and Pirates What's Your Favorite Recession with Tyler Goodspeed Hoover Institution" (GoodFellows: Conversations on Economics, History & Geopolitics) - "The Enduring Impact of the War in Iran" (Ones and Tooze) - "How markets may be affecting US military action in Iran" (Swamp Notes) - "Michael Steele The King of Debt Is Blowing Up the U.S. Economy" (The Bulwark Podcast) - "Al Gore Trump Has Made a Historic Mistake" (The Bulwark Podcast) - "Angie Pumps Sullivan and Phil Gordon The Dumbest People Are Running this Country" (The Bulwark Podcast) - "How Does it End" (The Commentary Magazine Podcast) - "Antisocial Media" (The Commentary Magazine Podcast) - "Popping Crazy Pills" (The Commentary Magazine Podcast) - "The Airport Meltdown" (The Daily) - "Are Higher Energy Prices Here to Stay" (The Daily) - "A Strategic Stalemate in Iran" (The Dispatch Podcast) - "The GOP's Grim Midterm Prospects" (The Dispatch Podcast) - "Will Iran Break Trumpism" (The Ezra Klein Show) - "How Bad Could the Iran Oil Crisis Get" (The Ezra Klein Show) - "Are Europe and the United States Finally Heading For Divorce" (The Foreign Affairs Interview) - "How ICE Went From Deport... to Airport" (The Journal.) - "Lawfare Daily How Two Intelligence Community Veterans View the Iran Conflict, with Chip Usher and Aaron Faust" (The Lawfare Podcast) - "Rational Security The Authentic Flavors, Real Fruit Edition" (The Lawfare Podcast) - "Lawfare Live A Hearing on Anthropic's Preliminary Injunction Motion" (The Lawfare Podcast) - "Why Allies Aren't Following on Iran, With Kristi Govella and Constanze Stelzenmüller" (The President’s Inbox) This episode is independent commentary and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by the sources listed above.