Politics and the Past: Desert Dialogues

In this week's episode, Dr. Robert Ferguson chats with Major General Bentley Rayburn (USAF, Ret.) about his recollection of 9/11 and how it affected him as the Commandant at the Air War College at Maxwell AFB in Alabama. They then transition into discussing leadership, and the importance of being educated into being a good leader. He uses his experience as the Commander of the Air War College to let us know how he trained leaders, and how the education system could do a much better job.Lastly, Dr. Ferguson takes this opportunity to ask about how air warfare has changed over the last forty years. What drones mean for shaping the battlefield?

This Friday, Dr. Rob Ferguson sat down with Dr. Lani Kass to discuss the enduring impact of 9/11 and the Global War on Terror.

This Friday, Dr. Rob Ferguson sat down with Dr. Lani Kass to discuss the enduring impact of 9/11 and the Global War on Terror.

This week, Dr. Rob Ferguson sat down with Colonel Ron Scott, PhD. Dr. Ferguson and Colonel Scott, PhD discussed Scott's experience as a counterterrorism expert and the enduring legacy of 9/11.

This week, Dr. Rob Ferguson sat down with Colonel Ron Scott, PhD. Dr. Ferguson and Colonel Scott, PhD discussed Scott's experience as a counterterrorism expert and the enduring legacy of 9/11.

This week, Dr. Rob Ferguson invited Liam Nelson back onto the podcast to discuss the ongoing negotiations surrounding the Colorado River Compact and their implications for Arizona. Dr. Rob also announces the new schedule for podcast releases. Going forward, the podcast will release on Tuesdays and Fridays.

On this episode, Dr. Rob Ferguson cameos from his other podcast to discuss Alexis de Tocqueville

Dr. Ferguson sat down with longtime friend of the podcast Farzan Faramarzi to discuss the latest events in Iran.

THIS WEEK: Jack has returned from a month of classical liberal education in Prague, and Dr. Rob Ferguson is curious about the curriculum and the students. In this episode, Dr. Ferguson and Jack discuss the importance of trusting your students and liberal individualism. They also discuss the shortcomings of Wisconsin's Francesca Hong.

Dr. Rob Ferguson discusses the importance of a united United States of America with Adam M. Mizel.

The onslaught of primary season has only quickened over the past few weeks, and Dr. Rob is back to help parse through the results. On this episode, Dr. Rob Ferguson was joined by Andrew Ritter to chat about primary results in Michigan. They also discuss Soviet cinema.

The Politics & the Past Asia Correspondent Andrew Ritter recently returned from a lengthy trip in Singapore. On this episode, Dr. Rob chats with Andrew about his experience.

THIS WEEK: Troy Holderby, Deputy Political Director at NextGen Polling, President of the ASU College Republicans, and longtime friend of the podcast, stopped by to discuss the Arizona primary season!Troy and Dr. Rob Ferguson discussed what NextGen's polling forecasts for the primary election.

THIS WEEK: Zohran Mamdani is soaring after his allies won congressional primaries across the United States. Graham Platner is careening towards political disaster. And too many pundits are confusing 20th-century progressivism and populism!Dr. Rob and Jack unpack Mayor Mamdani's success, Oysterman Platner's fall, and the history of political machines. Plus, they offer another literary metaphor that's sure to infuriate those trained in literary analysis.

THIS WEEK: Zohran Mamdani is soaring after his allies won congressional primaries across the United States. Graham Platner is careening towards political disaster. And too many pundits are confusing 20th-century progressivism and populism!Dr. Rob and Jack unpack Mayor Mamdani's success, Oysterman Platner's fall, and the history of political machines. Plus, they offer another literary metaphor that's sure to infuriate those trained in literary analysis.

THIS WEEK: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced his intention to resign. Andy Burnham, the freshly-elected MP for Makerfield, is now Starmer's likely successor.So how did this happen? Who is Andy Burnham? what does this mean for the UK? Dr. Rob Ferguson sat down with British political observer and university student Tom Hodkinson to chat the matter over.

THIS WEEK: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced his intention to resign. Andy Burnham, the freshly-elected MP for Makerfield, is now Starmer's likely successor. So what does this mean for the UK? Dr. Rob Ferguson sat down with British political observer and university student Tom Hodkinson to chat the matter over.

THIS WEEK: Dr. Rob Ferguson sat down with Sher Jan Ahmadzai of the University of Nebraska-Omaha to discuss the Afghan-Pakistan War and the Taliban governance of Afghanistan.Ahmadzai serves as the Director of the Center for Afghanistan Studies International Programs at the University of Nebraska-Omaha.

THIS WEEK: Dr. Rob Ferguson sat down with Sher Jan Ahmadzai of the University of Nebraska-Omaha to discuss the Afghan-Pakistan War and the Taliban governance of Afghanistan. Ahmadzai serves as the Director of the Center for Afghanistan Studies International Programs at the University of Nebraska-Omaha.

Jack and Dr. Rob have a bone to pick with Graham Platner.This week, Jack Hinrichs joined Dr. Rob Ferguson to discuss primary season developments. They chatted about the nihilism of Graham Platner, the success of Rick Jackson, and the prospect of a Xavier Becerra governorship.On an upbeat note, they also discussed Jack's experience serving as a Minnehaha County, South Dakota election deputy and the Norman Rockwellian nature of election day.

Jack and Dr. Rob have a bone to pick with Graham Platner. This week, Jack Hinrichs joined Dr. Rob Ferguson to discuss primary season developments. They chatted about the nihilism of Graham Platner, the success of Rick Jackson, and the prospect of a Xavier Becerra governorship. On an upbeat note, they also discussed Jack's experience serving as a Minnehaha County, South Dakota election deputy and the Norman Rockwellian nature of election day.

This Week: Dr. Rob Ferguson sat down with fellow historian (and Georgian) Dr. Mark Fleszar to discuss how Dr. Fleszar became a researcher for movies and TV. Drs. Ferguson and Fleszar discuss Fleszar's unique career path, the job of working as a Hollywood researcher, and how political currents influence popular media.

THIS WEEK: Dr. Rob Ferguson sat down with Welsh university student Tom Hodkinson to discuss UK politics. Hodkinson and Dr. Ferguson discussed the intricacies of Welsh politics, independence, and nationalism. They also chatted about the state and future of the Tory Party.

This week, Jack Hinrichs interviews ASU history grad and Dean’s Medalist Gio Barberio about his honors thesis.Gio studied the differences between collective and individual memory by interviewing a former member of the Italian resistance to Mussolini and comparing her memories with official memorials to the Italian resistance. In doing so, he analyzed how and why Italy chose to prioritize certain places of official memory over others.

The Democratic National Committee has finally released its autopsy of the 2024 election, and Andrew, Jack, and Rob have some thoughts.While Andrew Ritter, Jack Hinrichs, and Dr. Rob Ferguson agree that the autopsy is a sloppy and superficial document, they disagree on how much weight should be accorded to both the document specifically and the DNC generally. Listen to their differing opinions on the importance of political organization on this episode of the "Politics and the Past: Desert Dialogues" podcast.

New Mexico is (to Andrew Ritter, at least), America's Tibet. Both New Mexico and Tibet are politically and economically behind the remainder of their region. Both are home to majority-minority populations. And both are mountainous regions.On this episode, Andrew Ritter and Dr. Rob Ferguson discuss how New Mexico seems impervious to the immense political change that has swept across the country. In doing so, they make a case for why New Mexico is America's Tibet.

New Mexico is (to Andrew Ritter, at least), America's Tibet. Both New Mexico and Tibet are politically and economically behind the remainder of their region. Both are home to majority-minority populations. And both are mountainous regions. On this episode, Andrew Ritter and Dr. Rob Ferguson discuss how New Mexico seems impervious to the immense political change that has swept across the country. In doing so, they make a case for why New Mexico is America's Tibet.

In the midst of President Trump's trip to China, it is essential to remember that China represents more than simply an economic threat. In their pursuit of economic success, China has systematically oppressed a multitude of social groups.On this episode of the "Politics and the Past: Desert Dialogues" podcast, Dr. Rob Ferguson interviewed East Turkistan government-in-exile Foreign Minister Salih Hudayar. Dr. Ferguson and Minister Hudiyar discuss the history of East Turkistan and the struggle of the Uygher people.

In the midst of President Trump's trip to China, it is essential to remember that China represents more than simply an economic threat. In their pursuit of economic success, China has systematically oppressed a multitude of social groups. On this episode of the "Politics and the Past: Desert Dialogues" podcast, Dr. Rob Ferguson interviewed East Turkistan government-in-exile Foreign Minister Salih Hudayar. Dr. Ferguson and Minister Hudiyar discuss the history of East Turkistan and the struggle of the Uygher people.

Graham Platner and Ken Paxton both look poised to defy their respective party establishments and become nominees for competitive 2026 US Senate races. How did they accomplish this feat? Listen to Dr. Rob Ferguson and Jack Hinrichs discuss anti-establishment primary fervor on this episode.

When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, the Ukrainian Military was unprepared. It lacked the tools, techniques, and technologies required to successfully defend itself from Russian aggression. Four years later, the situation has changed dramatically. Ukraine is now a leader in modern military technology and strategy. How did Ukraine manage this feat? And what does a modern battlefield and solider look like? Sr. Lt. Mykola Melnik, Sr. Soldier-Operator Denys Haida, and Sr. Soldier-Operator Oleh Bonchynski visited the Center for American Institutions to share their answers to these questions in May. This is a recording of their panel discussion.

Four days ago, advocates for Albertan separatism stated that they had obtained enough signatures to place a separatism referendum on the ballot. On this special episode of the podcast, Dr. Rob Ferguson offers a Desert Monologue about the history and potential of Albertan separatism.

Dr. Zuhdi Jasser is a physician, decorated former Naval Lieutenant Commander, founder of the American Islamic Forum for Democracy, and congressional candidate in Phoenix Arizona.He joined Dr. Rob Ferguson to discuss how political Islamism drives terrorism and his campaign of depoliticize using the western paradigm of separation between church and state. He also discusses his biography and motivations for politics.

Dr. Zuhdi Jasser is a physician, decorated former Naval Lieutenant Commander, founder of the American Islamic Forum for Democracy, and congressional candidate in Phoenix Arizona.He joined Dr. Rob Ferguson to discuss how political Islamism drives terrorism and his campaign of depoliticize using the western paradigm of separation between church and state. He also discusses his biography and motivations for politics.

Dr. Rob Ferguson and Jack Hinrichs think that the US House of Representatives is broken. Congress has a 10% approval rating. A recent wave of gerrymandering has destroyed competitive congressional seats across the nation. And there are more members of Congress who resigned in scandal than bills passed through the house this year. Dr. Ferguson and Jack Hinrichs agree that the house is broken. But they disagree on how to fix it. Jack says they should pass more bills. Rob says they should pass less. Listen to their disagreement on this podcast.

This Thursday, Senior Lieutenant Mykola Melnyk joins Dr. Rob Ferguson again to discuss the technologies and strategies utilized in the Ukraine War and how they might be employed in Iran.

Senior Lieutenant Mykola Melnyk of the Ukrainian Army has spent years fighting on the battlefields of Ukraine to protect his country from invading Russian forces.On this episode of the “Politics and the Past: Desert Dialogues” podcast, Senior Lieutenant Melnyk joins Dr. Rob Ferguson to discuss his experiences in modern warfare.This is the first part of a two-part conversation between Dr. Ferguson and Ukrainian soldiers.

This week, Jack and Rob don't talk about politics. They try to bring some perspective to the political rat race. To do so, they discuss their non-political interests. Instead, they chat about baseball, fishing, and the simple joys of life.

This week, Dr. Rob Ferguson is joined by Politics and Leadership Club member Andrew Ritter and Secretary Emma Lydick to discuss the conflict between China and Taiwan.

This week, Dr. Rob Ferguson rejoins the podcast to interview Jake Dueck about ASU's Regents Cup victory!Dr. Ferguson and Dueck discussed Dueck's debating success and the topic of assisted suicide, which was debated in one of the rounds.

This week, Dr. Rob Ferguson is joined by Politics and Leadership Club member Andrew Ritter and Secretary Emma Lydick to discuss the conflict between China and Taiwan.

This week, Dr. Rob Ferguson discussed US relations with Japan and India with doctoral candidate Aakriti Sethi.

This week, Dr. Rob Ferguson rejoins the podcast to interview Jake Dueck about ASU's Regents Cup victory!Dr. Ferguson and Dueck discussed Dueck's debating success and the topic of assisted suicide, which was debated in one of the rounds.

ASU HAS WON THE REGENTS CUP!This past weekend, the ASU Regents Cup debate and storytelling teams DOMINATED the Regents Cup tournament. On this week's podcast, Jack Hinrichs chatted with two ASU Regents Cup debaters to learn more about the ASU preparation strategy and the tournament itself. Listen to Jack's interview with Andrea Jamieson and Shavya Aragam on this week's podcast!

This Thursday, Jack Hinrichs and Dr. Jenny Brian discussed how the Regents Cup speech and debate tournament advances the values of civil discourse and informed policy consideration. Dr. Brian is a scholar of scientific ethics and the chair of the Barrett, the Honors College teaching faculty. She has been the head coach of the ASU Regents Cup team since the tournament's inception.

This Monday, Drs. Rob Ferguson and Joel Webster of the Center for American Institutions discuss how the philosophy of a 19th century naval admiral might help explain the situation in the Strait of Hormuz. Alfred Thayer Mahan was a naval officer and historian during the 19th and 20th centuries. His seminal work, "The Influence of Sea Power Upon History," was one of the most influential books of the era, shaping leaders like Theodore Roosevelt and wars like World War One. And, according to Ferguson and Webster, his ideas still hold water today.

This Thursday, Dr. Rob Ferguson and Jack Hinrichs discuss the primary results in Texas, Illinois, and Mississippi. Ferguson and Hinrichs chat about how the Texas Republican senatorial primary represents a Lucha Libre wrestling match, the importance of teacher's unions in Democratic politics, and the diminishing levels of racism in Mississippi over the past few decades.

This Monday, Dr. Rob Ferguson was joined by the Center for American Institution's Dr. Joel Webster in a conversation about the historian Thucydides and his work on the Peloponnesian War. Drs. Ferguson and Webster regularly discuss the influence of Thucydides' history and philosophy with students in the Foundations of Democracy class. This week, they bring some of those insights to you!

This Monday, Dr. Rob Ferguson sat down with Dr. Rebeca Leffler of the University of Florida to discuss the ideas and legacy of German-American political philosopher and intellectual historian Dr. Leo Strauss.

This Monday, Dr. Rob Ferguson sat down with Dr. Rebeca Leffler of the University of Florida to discuss the ideas and legacy of German-American political philosopher and intellectual historian Dr. Leo Strauss.