WarRoom Battleground EP 793: Keeping A Strong Dollar; History Of Key Conflicts Across The World
Released on June 19, 2025
Host: Steve Bannon, WarRoom.org

1. The Decline of the US Dollar as the Global Reserve Currency

The episode delves into the concerning trend of the US dollar losing its dominance as the world's primary reserve currency. Steve Bannon initiates the discussion by highlighting major fiscal challenges:

"So the first one is a deficit. The second one is effectively that the dollar is losing its status as a reserve currency."
[00:11] Steve Bannon

Bannon points to the increasing accumulation of gold in national reserves over the past year as evidence of this shift, emphasizing that this trend began under Biden's administration.

"You can see the accumulation of gold in the reserves and the behavior of gold over the past few... It started with Biden when he froze the accounts of people connected to Putin."
[00:21] Steve Bannon

Dr. Bradley Thayer reinforces this viewpoint, citing historical data where gold surpassed the euro as the second global reserve asset, a process driven by "de-dollarization."

"Gold became the number two global reserve asset last year, overtaking the euro. And it's de-dollarization that has been driving that trend."
[02:17] Dr. Bradley Thayer

The conversation underscores the vulnerability of the US's financial hegemony, warning that losing control over the global financial system could lead to significant economic destabilization.

2. BRICS and the Rio Reset: A New Financial Order

A pivotal moment discussed is the upcoming BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, where emerging superpowers—China, Russia, India, and Persia—are strategizing to replace the US dollar with a multi-currency system. Philip Patrick elaborates on China's explicit intent to diminish the dollar's dominance:

"He basically said we want a world without the dollar. Right. Saying that one currency in particular poses a global risk."
[04:12] Dr. Bradley Thayer

This initiative, termed the "Rio Reset," represents a coordinated effort by BRICS nations to create an alternative to the existing dollar-centric system, potentially leading to reduced global demand for US dollars and a consequent decline in its value.

Philip Patrick further emphasizes the gravity of this shift:

"The Rio Reset in July marks a pivotal moment when BRICS objectives move decisively from a theoretical possibility towards inevitable reality."
[07:38] Philip Patrick

3. Historical Insights: Lessons from World War I

Drawing parallels between historical events and current geopolitical tensions, the hosts explore how regional conflicts can rapidly escalate into global wars. Philip Patrick recounts the events leading to World War I:

"A Serbian nationalist in Sarajevo assassinates Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife while they're visiting Bosnia Herzegovina. And as a result... Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia."
[07:38] Philip Patrick

Dr. Bradley Thayer comments on the similarities between past and present dynamics, particularly the quicker escalation due to advanced logistics and technology.

"We worry about Taiwan, we worry about aggression from the CCP. So you want to keep your Clausewitz close at hand here..."
[13:46] Dr. Bradley Thayer

This historical analogy serves as a cautionary tale, suggesting that current regional conflicts, such as those in the Middle East, could similarly spiral into broader confrontations without careful diplomatic interventions.

4. The Accelerating Frontier: Artificial Intelligence and the Singularity

The discussion shifts to the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, focusing on the potential emergence of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) and superintelligence. At the World Summit AI Conference in San Francisco, key figures present a spectrum of opinions on AI's trajectory.

Nicholas Taleb highlights the consensus among experts that the pursuit of AGI is relentless, with minimal interest in deceleration:

"The vast majority are simply wanting to steer it in a way that they believe is going to be best for them and theirs, or figure out ways to jump off of that train..."
[38:58] Nicholas Taleb

Contrasting viewpoints are evident among panelists. Gary Marcus expresses skepticism about the current hype surrounding AI, questioning the timeline for achieving AGI:

"I'm a relentless hater of all AI hype."
[31:29] Nicholas Taleb

Conversely, proponents like Ben Goertzel advocate for decentralized AI development to ensure a balanced and ethical progression towards superintelligence.

"Decentralization gives an opportunity for everybody to have input and perspectives and to crowdsource a greater wisdom than any individual company could."
[33:26] Jenny Story

Steve Stuart Russell from the Future of Life Institute urges for robust regulation to mitigate potential risks associated with AI advancements, emphasizing the unforeseen consequences of unchecked technological growth.

"He’s extremely concerned about all of the downsides of that advancement could have and is pushing really hard for some kind of regulation."
[33:55] Nicholas Taleb

5. Conspiracy Theories and Election Integrity Claims

A segment addresses allegations surrounding the 2020 US Presidential Election, suggesting Chinese interference and manipulation to favor Biden.

Mike Lindell narrates a controversial account:

"Miles Goh was taken away by FBI on March 15, 2023... And what's gone was missing is Hunter Biden's hard drives, USBs with audios, videos, photos of Hunter Biden dining and business negotiation and entertainment in Pangu Hotel in Beijing with CCP intelligence agents."
[46:10] Mike Lindell

Philip Patrick probes the validity of these claims, questioning the absence of captured footage and the FBI's mishandling of evidence.

"Are you implying that the FBI destroyed what you purport?"
[46:26] Philip Patrick

Lindell responds by alleging a cover-up, linking the missing evidence to broader geopolitical motives involving the Chinese Communist Party and Biden's administration.

"Xi Jinping is the puppet master and he has all those compromising evidence could put Biden in jail for treason."
[47:57] Mike Lindell

This portion of the episode delves into highly contentious and unverified claims, reflecting ongoing debates about election integrity and foreign interference.

6. Preparing for Economic and Geopolitical Uncertainties

Concluding the episode, the hosts emphasize the importance of financial diversification and personal preparedness in the face of shifting economic landscapes and potential geopolitical conflicts. They advocate for investments in precious metals, securing home titles, and managing personal debt as strategies to safeguard against systemic risks.

"Learn if diversify your savings into gold is right for you. Birch Gold Group can help you..."
[07:38] Philip Patrick

Additionally, discussions about the importance of securing personal assets through services like HomeTitleLock are highlighted as essential measures in an era of increasing cyber threats and economic instability.

Key Takeaways

• Economic Shifts: The US dollar is facing a gradual decline in its role as the global reserve currency, with gold and other currencies like the euro gaining prominence, driven by geopolitical strategies and economic policies.

• BRICS Initiative: The BRICS nations are actively working towards establishing a multi-currency system to challenge the US dollar's dominance, marking a significant shift in global financial dynamics.

• Historical Parallels: Lessons from World War I illustrate how swiftly regional conflicts can escalate into global wars, underscoring the need for vigilant diplomatic efforts to manage current international tensions.

• AI Advancements: The pursuit of AGI and superintelligence is accelerating, with experts advocating for decentralized development and robust regulations to navigate the ethical and societal implications.

• Election Integrity Claims: The episode touches on controversial theories regarding foreign interference in the 2020 US Presidential Election, highlighting ongoing discourse about election security and integrity.

• Personal Preparedness: Emphasizes the importance of financial diversification, asset security, and debt management as strategies to mitigate risks associated with economic and geopolitical uncertainties.

Notable Quotes

• "Gold is effectively now the reserve currency."
  [00:40] Steve Bannon

• "Dominance has been built on the dollar, right? Its stability, its predictability and ultimately it's strength."
  [04:53] Dr. Bradley Thayer

• "Great power wars can start for lots of reasons."
  [08:23] Philip Patrick

• "Most people here are definitely not decelerationists."
  [38:58] Nicholas Taleb

• "We worry about Taiwan, we worry about aggression from the CCP."
  [13:46] Dr. Bradley Thayer

This episode of WarRoom Battleground offers a comprehensive analysis of the declining dominance of the US dollar, the strategic maneuvers of BRICS nations, historical insights into conflict escalation, and the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence. Additionally, it touches upon contentious claims regarding election integrity, urging listeners to remain informed and prepared for potential economic and geopolitical challenges.