Podcast
Clearer Than Truth
Hosted by Nathan Kiker & George Bogden · EN
The wisdom of former Secretary of State Dean Acheson inspires our podcast. It emphasizes clarity while examining the intricate global issues of today for a diverse audience. In a world where time is limited, this podcast aims to distill complex ideas into straightforward narratives, making them not just comprehensible but in Acheson’s words, “clearer than truth.” The podcast, much like other news-oriented shows, is committed to keeping listeners updated on breaking global events. Airing once every few weeks, it dissects the latest news, featuring insights from experts around the world. From discussions on significant geopolitical developments to the passage of controversial laws, this podcast provides concise yet comprehensive analyses.
11episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Benjamin Alarie - CEO of Blue J Legal and co-author of Superjustice: The Future of Law
3d ago00:38:24Tap to summarizeBenjamin Alarie joins hosts Nathan Kiker and George Bogdan to examine how rapidly improving AI systems can strengthen the administration of law—starting with tax, where complexity, volume, and inconsistency have long constrained access to justice. Alarie argues that legal AI is transitioning from promise to performance, producing measurably more accurate and comprehensive research while enabling the kind of population-level analysis that policymakers and practitioners have struggled to execute at scale.The conversation moves beyond abstract fairness debates to operational impact. Drawing on a decade of building tools at BlueJ Legal, Alarie underscores a sharp decline in user disagreement with AI-generated answers as models and workflows have matured. He details how adversarial research techniques—prompting strongest counterarguments and “braiding” outputs from multiple frontier models—paired with strict verification against primary sources, drive better outcomes. The result is faster, deeper, and more consistent analysis across statutes, cases, and administrative guidance.A core strategic theme is harmonization. Legal AI can help reconcile fragmented regimes—tax versus employment standards, antitrust versus trade policy, or Quebec’s civil law alongside common-law provinces—by mapping doctrine to practical outcomes and integrating empirical evidence. That capability enables more consistent enforcement, clearer incentives for firms, and a stronger foundation for preventative governance rather than purely reactive adjudication.Alarie is clear on limits: AI augments, not replaces, professional judgment. Accountability remains with human experts, and progress in tools must be matched by attention to the digital divide—where paper filings, limited connectivity, and uneven digital literacy still impede equitable access. For policymakers and leaders, the stakes are systemic: modernization of legal research and administration can reduce friction in markets, enhance compliance, and promote rule-of-law consistency across jurisdictions. Allery’s new book, Superjustice: The Future of Law, outlines these pathways in depth.Key Topics Discussed- Performance over theory: why disagreement with AI-generated legal answers is falling and what that signals about maturity in real-world research workflows.- Harmonizing fragmented regimes: using AI to surface cross-jurisdictional patterns, reconcile conflicting doctrines, and align legal incentives with policy goals.- Adversarial AI research: stress-testing conclusions by eliciting strongest counterarguments, braiding multiple model outputs, and verifying against primary sources.- From cases to populations: enabling empirical, population-level analyses of legal outcomes that inform better policy design and preventative governance.- Access and equity: the digital divide, persistent reliance on paper processes, and why infrastructure and adoption dynamics will shape AI’s impact on justice.About the GuestBenjamin Alarie is the CEO of BlueJ Legal and co-author of Superjustice: The Future of Law. He has spent the past decade building AI tools for tax and related legal research, bringing a practitioner’s mindset to model design, verification, and workflow integration. His experience positions him to assess where legal AI delivers real value, how to measure it, and what it will take to translate technical progress into fairer, more consistent legal outcomes.Timestamps- 00:00 — Framing the opportunity: why tax is a proving ground for legal AI- 06:20 — Measuring performance: accuracy, coverage, and declining user disagreement- 14:05 — Harmonization use cases across jurisdictions and practice areas- 22:30 — Adversarial techniques and multi-model “braiding” for resilient answers- 30:15 — Empirical synthesis: population-level insights for policy and compliance- 38:10 — Professional accountability and verification against primary sources- 44:55 — Adoption dynamics: legislative, judicial, and organizational factors- 51:40 — Digital divide, paper processes, and access-to-justice implications- 57:10 — Closing reflections and resources (Superjustice at superjustice.com)Support the show
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David Ignatius - Associate Editor, The Washington Post
2w ago00:33:40Tap to summarizeDavid Ignatius assesses how a fragmenting international order is reshaping U.S. strategy, allied cohesion, and day‑to‑day security. He argues the Middle East is settling into a harder-edged equilibrium: Iran’s hardliners have gained leverage despite battlefield setbacks to Tehran’s proxies; the Strait of Hormuz will likely reopen on Iran’s terms; and Turkey’s assertiveness is now a central strategic variable for Israel. These dynamics matter because they redefine risk at an energy chokepoint and test Washington’s ability to manage allies with diverging interests.Joining hosts Nathan Kiker and George Bogdan, Ignatius is struck by China’s passivity during the Hormuz crisis—even as Beijing’s technological and manufacturing advantages deepen. That paradox, he warns, could reshape American life unless the U.S. rebalances supply chains and rebuilds industrial capacity. In a world where economic power is concentrating while geopolitical discipline is eroding, technological dependence becomes a strategic liability.Beyond the region, Ignatius contends the U.S.-led postwar order is decaying without a clear successor. Asian allies read mixed U.S. signals on trade and security, even as Japan emerges as Washington’s most trusted partner and Vietnam’s importance grows. The result is a wary Indo-Pacific looking for consistency and credible capacity rather than speeches and episodic deals.On Ukraine, Ignatius sees a brutal but durable stalemate that is strategically costly for Russia, with domestic support eroding under the strain. Ukraine’s rapid drone innovation is setting a new standard for modern conflict, altering cost curves and operational tempo. Yet the greater risk, he cautions, may be a destabilized, post‑Putin Russia—an outcome that could be more dangerous than a negotiated pause if not carefully managed.Ignatius closes with a broader worry: a two‑speed world where technology races ahead while geopolitics fragments is unsustainable. Smarter policy, tighter allied coordination, and potentially AI‑enabled systems for crisis management may be necessary to restore a measure of stability so people can live “normal” lives.Key Topics DiscussedWhy Iran’s hardliners—and the IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps)—hold more leverage despite proxy setbacks, and how a reopened Strait of Hormuz on Tehran’s terms would reset regional risk.Turkey’s growing assertiveness and what it means for Israel’s strategy, Gulf cohesion, and the balance among non‑Arab power centers.China’s conspicuous silence during the Hormuz crisis contrasted with its accelerating edge in technology and manufacturing—and why U.S. supply chain resilience is now a strategic imperative.The fading U.S.-led order in Asia: allies unsettled by inconsistent trade and security signals, Japan’s rise as the most trusted partner, and Vietnam’s expanding role in regional balancing.Ukraine’s grinding stalemate, the strategic erosion of Russian support for the war, the battlefield impact of rapid drone innovation, and the risks posed by a chaotic post‑Putin Russia.About the GuestDavid Ignatius is a columnist and associate editor at the Washington Post, widely recognized for reporting and analysis on foreign affairs, intelligence, and national security. He has covered the Middle East, U.S. strategy, and great‑power competition for decades and is the author of several acclaimed novels rooted in geopolitical and intelligence themes.Support the show
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Brad Thor - NYT Bestselling Author of Choke Point
Jun 1100:38:53Tap to summarizeBrad Thor returns to the show to discuss his latest thriller, Choke Point, a geopolitical suspense novel that explores one of the most consequential strategic questions of the 21st century: what happens if China gains control over the world's most critical maritime chokepoints.A #1 New York Times bestselling author and creator of the Scott Harvath series, Thor explains how real-world concerns about China's Belt and Road Initiative, the Strait of Malacca, and gray-zone warfare inspired the novel's plot. He discusses the growing importance of shipping lanes, soft power, and strategic infrastructure in global competition, as well as why he believes the next major geopolitical challenge for the United States will center on China.The conversation also explores covert conflict, military deception, the lessons of history, and how fiction can help readers better understand emerging threats before they become tomorrow's headlines. Thor reflects on the evolution of Scott Harvath after 25 years, the changing reading habits of modern audiences, and why geopolitical thrillers remain a powerful way to engage with the world around us.00:00 Introduction to Brad Thor and Choke Point 01:17 China's Belt and Road Strategy Explained 05:25 The Plot Behind Choke Point 07:08 Historical Lessons: D-Day, Deception, and Taiwan 09:02 Why Shipping Lanes Matter More Than Ever 12:29 China, Gray Zone Warfare, and Global Competition 18:08 Why Readers Are Increasingly Focused on China 22:38 Scott Harvath's Evolution After 25 Years 25:50 Wealth, Influence, and Foreign Policy 29:03 Writing with Ward Larsen and Crafting Thrillers 32:17 Social Media, Attention Spans, and the Future of Reading 36:10 Will Scott Harvath Ever Retire? 38:07 Final Thoughts on Choke PointSupport the show
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Dr. Michael Auslin – Stanford Hoover Institution Fellow & Author of National Treasure: How the Declaration of Independence Made America
Jun 700:29:47Tap to summarizeDr. Michael Auslin, historian, Hoover Institution fellow, and author of National Treasure: How the Declaration of Independence Made America, joins the show to explore the remarkable journey of America's founding document as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary.In this conversation, Auslin explains why the Declaration of Independence was originally viewed as a practical wartime necessity rather than a sacred national text. He walks through the dramatic debates surrounding independence, Thomas Jefferson’s drafting process, the influence of Enlightenment thinkers, and the political compromises that shaped the final document.The discussion also examines how the Declaration evolved over time—from a revolutionary announcement to what Abraham Lincoln called the nation's "apple of gold." Auslin traces how generations of Americans, from abolitionists to civil rights advocates, embraced its promise of equality and liberty, transforming it into one of the most influential documents in world history.As America approaches its semiquincentennial, Auslin argues that the Declaration remains the country's ultimate unifying document—a statement of ideals that continues to shape debates about freedom, citizenship, and national identity today.Support the show
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Mark Galeotti - Author of over 25 books on Russia; Director of Mayak Intelligence
May 2200:42:10Tap to summarizeMark Galeotti is one of the world’s foremost experts on Russia, an honorary professor at University College London, director of Mayak Intelligence, and author of more than 30 books on Russian history, intelligence, and organized crime. His latest work, Forged in War, explores the military history of Russia from its origins to the present day.In this episode, Galeotti explains why Vladimir Putin’s recent Victory Day parade revealed not strength—but vulnerability. He breaks down the growing strain inside Russia, from economic pressure and Ukrainian drone strikes to elite infighting and declining public trust in Putin’s leadership.The conversation also explores Putin’s worldview, the Soviet legacy that shaped him, and why Galeotti believes Russia is entering a generational transition. He examines the growing divide between Putin’s aging inner circle and younger elites preparing for a post-Putin future, while offering insight into what Russia could look like in the decades ahead.Throughout the discussion, Galeotti argues that the war in Ukraine has fundamentally reshaped Russia politically, economically, and psychologically—and that even if the fighting stopped tomorrow, the consequences will last for generations.00:00 Intro — What Putin’s Victory Day Parade Revealed 01:11 Why the Parade Signaled Weakness 05:21 Russians Are Starting to Feel the War 07:56 Does Putin Think the War Is Ending? 12:37 Why Putin Can’t Walk Away From Ukraine 17:03 How History Will Remember Putin 19:14 Is Putin Becoming Russia’s Brezhnev? 22:34 The Quiet Succession Debate Inside Russia 25:30 Ukraine’s Attacks on Russia’s Economy 30:14 How the Soviet Union Still Shapes Putin 35:33 What a Post-Putin Russia Could Look Like 40:14 Organized Crime, Russia, and Final ThoughtsSupport the show
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Douglas Brunt - New York Times Best-Selling Author
May 1800:36:00Tap to summarizeDouglas Brunt is a New York Times bestselling author, and host of the podcast Dedicated. His latest book, The Lost Empire of Emanuel Nobel, uncovers the forgotten story of the Nobel family’s oil empire — a business that once rivaled Rockefeller’s Standard Oil before being erased from history by the Soviet regime.In this episode, Brunt explores the rise of Emanuel Nobel, nephew of Alfred Nobel, and how the Nobel family transformed the Russian oil industry into one of the largest petroleum empires in the world. The conversation traces the origins of global oil competition, the rise of industrial capitalism, and the violent political upheavals that reshaped the 20th century.Brunt also discusses the role of oil in world history — from the early battles over energy dominance to the Russian Revolution, World War I, and the emergence of modern geopolitics. He explains how Emanuel Nobel crossed paths with figures like Joseph Stalin and why the Bolsheviks saw the Nobel empire as a symbol of everything they wanted to destroy.The episode also dives into the origins of the Nobel Prize, the legacy of Alfred Nobel, the relationship between energy and global power, and why stories buried in forgotten archives still shape the modern world.Support the show
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Ryan Crocker - Former U.S. Ambassador
May 1200:38:42Tap to summarizeRyan Crocker is one of the most distinguished diplomats in modern American history, serving as U.S. ambassador to Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Syria, Lebanon, and Kuwait over a decades-long diplomatic career at the center of U.S. foreign policy.In this episode, Ambassador Crocker argues that the world is passing through a dangerous geopolitical “hinge point” — one marked by growing instability in the Middle East, rising strain on U.S. alliances, and the potential breakdown of the post-World War II international order.Drawing on firsthand experience from Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon, and Syria, Crocker reflects on the long-term consequences of the Iraq War, the evolution of terrorism and proxy warfare, and the limits of American power. He warns that weakening alliances like NATO could accelerate nuclear proliferation and return the world to a far more dangerous balance-of-power system.The conversation also explores the Iran conflict, the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, China’s growing role in global affairs, and why diplomacy and personal relationships between leaders still matter in statecraft. Throughout, Crocker offers a sobering but deeply informed perspective on what happens when global leadership becomes uncertain.Support the show
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David McCloskey - Co-Host of The Rest is Classified
May 500:42:02Tap to summarizeDavid McCloskey is a former CIA analyst and presidential briefer, now a bestselling author and co-host of the hit podcast The Rest Is Classified. He is the author of acclaimed spy novels including Damascus Station, Moscow X, and The Persian.In this episode, McCloskey pulls back the curtain on the world of intelligence—explaining why people are so fascinated by espionage and how secret operations can shape global events. He discusses the role of individuals versus systems in geopolitics, arguing that decisions often come down to what’s happening inside the minds of powerful leaders.The conversation also explores the intersection of fiction and reality, including how McCloskey draws on real-world conflicts—like the shadow war between Israel and Iran—to inform his novels. He shares insights into storytelling across mediums, from books to podcasts to television, and why different formats demand different approaches.McCloskey also reflects on the current state of the intelligence community, the impact of political dynamics on analysis, and the challenges of delivering clear, unbiased information at the highest levels of government. Throughout, he offers a rare look at how intelligence is created, consumed, and sometimes ignored.Support the show
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Kenneth Rogoff - Professor of International Economics at Harvard University
Apr 3000:38:13Tap to summarizeKenneth Rogoff is a professor of international economics at Harvard University and former chief economist of the International Monetary Fund. One of the world’s most influential economists, his work spans financial crises, central banking, and global currency systems. His latest book, Our Dollar, Your Problem, examines the future of U.S. financial dominance.In this episode, Rogoff explains why the U.S. dollar’s global dominance—long a cornerstone of American power—may be gradually weakening. He breaks down how the dollar gives the U.S. enormous economic and geopolitical advantages, from lower borrowing costs to control over global financial flows, and why those advantages are now being challenged.The conversation explores rising global debt, the risk of a future debt crisis, and why simply taxing the wealthy won’t solve the problem at scale. Rogoff also discusses the growing pressure on central bank independence, the disruptive potential of AI, and the risks posed by crypto and stablecoins to financial stability.He offers a sobering but nuanced outlook: while the U.S. economy remains historically strong, long-term risks—from political dysfunction to global fragmentation—could reshape the financial system in ways policymakers are not fully prepared for.Support the show
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Robert Kaplan
Apr 2000:29:15Tap to summarizeRobert Kaplan is a bestselling author and geopolitical analyst, known for works like The Revenge of Geography. A longtime foreign affairs correspondent for The Atlantic, he has also advised the Pentagon and served as a leading voice in strategic analysis for decades.In this episode, Kaplan explains how geography and human behavior together shape global conflict—from the Strait of Hormuz to Taiwan. He argues that while geography sets the stage, it is ultimately leaders, decisions, and historical memory that determine how events unfold.The conversation explores the risks of a future U.S.-China conflict, why a war in the Pacific could be far more catastrophic than conflicts in the Middle East, and what a realistic outcome in Ukraine might look like. Kaplan also examines the weakening of NATO, the long-term instability facing Russia, and the dangers of what he calls “middle-sized wars”—conflicts that are large enough to be destructive but too small to fully capture public attention.Drawing on lessons from Iraq and decades of geopolitical analysis, Kaplan offers a sobering warning: policymakers must think beyond immediate action and ask the critical question—“what happens next?”Support the show
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