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? | Yes3)   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-neoliberalismVan’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