Centered From Reality

Greenland is Trump's Crimea

In this episode, Alex talks about why he is starting to take Trump’s rhetoric involving Greenland more seriously. As JD and Usha Vance are set to visit Greenland, Alex worries that Greenland is Trump’s Crimea. He worries that Trump will use international security, minority opinion, and strategic necessity as pretexts to try and take the Danish territory. 

The Group Chat Always Goes Downhill: 👊🏻 🇺🇸 🔥

In this episode, Alex worries about the concept of a dual state in an ossified or illiberal democratic system that is trying to still sell the guise of normalcy. Then he talks about the Signal group chat scandal that has unfolded over the last 24 hours. It seems likely that top cabinet officials in the Trump Administration accidentally added a journalist to their group chat. This wasn’t any group chat, they talked about classified information and leaked military operational information to someone that was not permitted to see it. 

The Gaza Ceasefire Was Destined to Fail & the US Ramps up Strikes in Yemen

In this episode, Alex starts by mentioning that at the time of the recording, Trump had a (not-so-perfect) phone call with Putin. Putin rejected the ceasefire but said he was willing to put a hold on the destruction of Ukrainian infrastructure. There are a lot of caveats to this and Alex does not think it sounds like Putin wants peace. For the rest of the episode, Alex talks about why the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has ended, why it was destined to fail, and what is next for this region as civilians have started to die again. Alex also talks about the US escalating attacks on the Houthi Rebels in Yemen. 

The Statue of Liberty Wants to Self-Deport: Trump Defies the Courts, Allies with El Salvador & Goes After the J6 Committee!

Spain's Stock Market Booms as Europe Rallies to Bolster Defense Spending (+ The Case Against Invading Canada)

In this episode, Alex starts by ranting about airports, travel, and his need to get back to Europe soon. Then he reacts to a well-written article by Elliot Cohen in the Atlantic that talks about why invading Canada is a bad idea and has failed in the past. For the rest of the episode, Alex talks about how Spain’s economy has been the envy of Europe but that may change as it is being pressured to bolster its military spending towards NATO security. Spain has put the lowest percentage of GDP towards NATO defense spending and there may be growing pains if it plans to bolster its spending. 

The Democratic Party That Cried Wolf: A Useless Party Kowtows to the Moment (+ The Government Shutdown is Prevented)

In this episode, Alex talks about how some Senate Democrats voted with Republicans to avoid a government shutdown. Alex is furious at Democrats like Chuck Schumer and spends the episode talking about how the Democrats are not equipped to handle this moment. He also argues that Democrats should start taking pages from the “Never-Trump” playbook and actually challenge Republicans before all of the damage is done. Sometimes, if you are in the wilderness for too long, you get very lost… 

European Wine: The New Frontlines of the Trade War (+ COVID-19 Five Years Later)

In this episode, Alex starts by reflecting on the COVID-19 Pandemic, five years after the first lockdowns. He reflects on his contradictory thoughts on what policymakers did right and wrong, and his time in Spain seeing a different policy perspective. For the rest of the episode, Alex talks about Trump’s reciprocal trade war with the European Union. It started with tariffs on European steel and aluminum, then tariffs on American whiskey, which led to Trump threatening tariffs on European alcohol. Trade wars can spiral out of control and this seems to be the case, as now France is threatening retaliation. Alex talks about how the worst part is that tariffs on American whiskey and almonds may damage these industries and hurt the economies of states like Tennessee and California. 

Does this Ceasefire Benefit Russia/Lead to a Frozen Conflict? (+ Gavin Newsom’s Lame Podcast & Gaslighting Americans on Tariffs)

In this episode, Alex is getting over his head cold but has a lot to say about current events. He celebrates Real Madrid’s victory against Atletico Madrid, lambasts Gavin Newsom for having a podcast that is trying to be “the left wing Joe Rogan”, and reacts to a clip of the White House Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt, gaslighting the public about why tariffs are good for the consumer. For the rest of the episode, Alex dives into the specifics of the negotiations between the U.S. and Ukraine over a ceasefire deal. He is pessimistic that this will work, thinks Russia could exploit its vagueness, and it could lead to a frozen conflict that will benefit Russia. 

Mahmoud Khalil is Only the Beginning (+ Antisemitism & its MAGA Contradictions)

In this episode, Alex starts by talking about how a potential ceasefire deal has been reached between Ukraine and the United States. Now the pressure is on Russia to agree to the 30-day ceasefire. Next, Alex mentions that the House will be voting today to prevent a government shutdown. Speaker Johnson still faces some internal opposition ahead of the vote. For the rest of the episode, Alex talks about how the Trump Administration is going after left-wing antisemitism because it is left-wing rhetoric and not because the administration actually wants to combat hateful rhetoric. Alex uses examples such as MAGA defending and protecting people that have used racist/antisemitic rhetoric on their side, but now threatening to deport activists that are being label terrorists. Alex talks about the troubling situation with Mahmoud Khalil’s detention. He also talks about the administration defending Colombia University. He thinks MAGA is using antisemitism as a pretext to limit the free speech of its opponents. 

DOGE's "AI-First Strategy", A Recession Looms & Revenge Killings Rock Syria

In this episode, Alex talks about three days of sectarian violence in Syria that have led to over 1,300 people being killed. Many of these tragedies seem to be related to revenge killings of the Alawite population that was supporting Assad. Alex then talks about fears of a recession as the stock market had another bad day. He wonders why Trump seems to have accepted that an economic crisis is coming. Alex later talks about DOGE embracing an AI model to do the work of the federal employees that have been fired. He worries that this could be a bad idea since the Trump Administration has deregulated AI.