The Victor Davis Hanson Show Episode: Middle East, Diplomacy and the Worry of Higher Education
Release Date: April 22, 2025

Overview

In this episode of The Victor Davis Hanson Show, hosts Victor Davis Hanson and Jack Fowler delve into a range of pressing topics, including the recent death of Pope Francis, the evolving dynamics within the Democratic Party, higher education challenges exemplified by the Trump-Harvard clash, Canadian political shifts, and critiques of contemporary space missions. Their in-depth discussions offer listeners a blend of historical insights, political analysis, and societal observations.

1. The Passing of Pope Francis and Its Implications (02:25 – 14:09)

The episode begins with the somber news of Pope Francis's death, setting the stage for a discussion on the future of the Roman Catholic Church and broader moral and global issues.

• Jack Fowler opens the conversation by acknowledging Pope Francis's leadership and the potential ramifications of his passing:
  "[...] this has some obvious ramifications for Roman Catholicism and broader moral issues, global issues, the aforementioned..." (03:28)

• Victor Davis Hanson reflects on Pope Francis's background and policies, highlighting his ties to Peronism and his approach to American Catholics:
  "He seemed to have animus for America... He was the first pope that I think really was an unabashed, unapologetic man of the left." (09:05)

• The hosts express concern over the next conclave of cardinals and the direction the Church may take under new leadership:
  "The last conclave consisted of cardinals appointed by Benedict and John Paul... What is the conclave filled with cardinals picked by Francis going to pick as his successor." (13:22)

2. The Left-Wing Cultural Revolution and Internal Democratic Party Dynamics (08:25 – 21:17)

Victor and Jack transition to a critique of the current left-wing movements, comparing them to historical leftist revolutions and expressing concern over escalating radicalism.

• Jack Fowler draws parallels between today's leftists and the radical movements of the 1960s and 70s:
  "It's a Maoist cultural revolution or something like that... we're having a Maoist cultural revolution..." (12:00)

• They discuss the rise of young leftist figures like David Hogg and concerns over advocacy for violence within these movements:
  "There's a professor today from George Mason... there's no other point... the left other than to kill people." (19:45)

• Victor Davis Hanson emphasizes the shift within the Democratic Party, highlighting the tension between the old guard and the new, more radical faction:
  "When you have a guy like David Hogg... which would make them even more and more to the left." (20:30)

3. Critique of Steve Witkoff’s Role in Foreign Policy (21:17 – 30:59)

The discussion shifts to Steve Witkoff, a real estate investor appointed as the U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East, critiqued for his lack of foreign policy expertise.

• Jack Fowler questions Witkoff's proficiency in handling complex diplomatic issues, suggesting he is overextended and ineffective:
  "He's spread too thin and he's got too many portfolios to do it." (24:57)

• Victor Davis Hanson offers recommendations for the administration to better utilize experienced officials like Marco Rubio or Waltz instead of relying heavily on Witkoff:
  "Assign him something that he feels comfortable... Utilize official positions more effectively." (25:15)

• They express skepticism about Witkoff's ability to serve as a credible representative on significant international matters:
  "He hasn't done this before... he's not the Secretary of State." (28:00)

4. Canadian Elections and U.S. Influence (34:21 – 36:42)

Victor and Jack analyze the snap Canadian election, discussing the potential impact of U.S. politics on Canadian voters.

• Jack Fowler critiques Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and links his unpopularity to broader U.S. political dynamics:
  "Trump couldn't come out and endorse the conservatives because then that would be the kiss of death." (36:42)

• They explore the strained defense relationship between Canada and the U.S., pointing to unmet defense expenditure promises:
  "Canada has been saying to Canada you're spending 1.37 on your defense expenditures... Shameful for you because in WWII you had the third largest navy." (36:30)

• Victor Davis Hanson highlights Canada's economic and security policies as factors influencing the election outcome:
  "They are one of only eight nations that refuse to honor your 2014 promises to spend 2% of GDP." (36:50)

5. Lady Astronauts and Space Program Critique (53:15 – 58:02)

The hosts critique the recent all-female astronaut mission by Blue Origin, questioning its purpose and execution.

• Jack Fowler questions the necessity and effectiveness of the mission, suggesting it was more of a publicity stunt:
  "What was the point? They just went up for 11 minutes and came down. Maybe it was just a trial." (54:08)

• Victor Davis Hanson criticizes the selection of participants, implying the mission lacked genuine scientific intent:
  "They were trying to say we're going to show that women can do this... it looked like a fashion show." (57:43)

• They express concerns over the risks involved versus the perceived benefits of such missions, especially when compared to advancements by other space companies:
  "They didn't have the opportunity beforehand because you want the headlines... these things are just terrible." (58:02)

6. The Trump-Harvard Funding Conflict and Higher Education Concerns (64:31 – 86:54)

A significant portion of the episode focuses on President Trump's planned withdrawal of an additional billion dollars in funding from Harvard University. This move follows previous freezes on federal grants due to alleged antisemitism and problematic admissions policies.

• Jack Fowler outlines Trump's strategic pressure on Harvard, emphasizing the university's resistance to addressing antisemitism and overhauling admissions:
  "Trump wanted to get their attention. So he gave him a whole list of demands." (65:15)

• Victor Davis Hanson elaborates on the broader issues within higher education, such as micromanagement by the federal government, segregationist practices in graduation ceremonies, and the overwhelming influence of foreign funding:
  "They are using safe spaces... they have themes houses... they charge over 30 to 60% overhead on federal funds." (80:25)

• The hosts critique affirmative action and DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) policies, arguing that they lead to racial segregation and undermine meritocracy:
  "They know what you're doing. You're using safe spaces... they're open to nobody white." (81:53)

• Jack Fowler discusses the financial burdens placed on federal funding and the financial mismanagement within universities:
  "If they know what you're doing, you are using safe spaces... They are weaponizing the faculty." (86:54)

• They highlight alternative institutions like Hillsdale and Grove City College, which operate without federal funding and maintain traditional educational standards:
  "Hillsdale doesn't take any federal money... Grove City is a trailblazer not accepting federal aid." (80:36)

7. Listener Feedback and Community Engagement (87:51 – 89:49)

The episode concludes with the hosts addressing listener comments and sharing personal anecdotes, reinforcing their connection with the audience.

• Jack Fowler shares the overwhelming response from listeners, including letters of appreciation and support:
  "We never know until it's over, do we?... Thank you for the podcast." (87:56)

• Victor Davis Hanson acknowledges the support and reiterates the show's mission to provide wisdom and insights:
  "Thanks folks, for tuning in, listening, watching, writing to us." (89:22)

Notable Quotes

• "What will happen to your retirement savings when this fraudulent economic structure finally crumbles?" — Unnamed Speaker (00:00)

• "If you're worried about what the coming fraud economy correction might mean for your retirement, American Alternative Assets has prepared a free Wealth Protection Guide." — Unnamed Speaker (08:25)

• "In addition to the inductive method, we're going to give you the tools of a basic education. You're going to know what a Doric column is...but they don't do that at all." — Unnamed Speaker (81:55)

• "What they see is the left embracing climate change as a core sacrament almost." — Jack Fowler (13:33)

Conclusion

This episode of The Victor Davis Hanson Show presents a critical examination of current socio-political trends, higher education policies, and international relations. Through incisive analysis and pointed commentary, Hanson and Fowler encourage listeners to engage thoughtfully with the challenges facing modern society.

Highlighted Topics for Further Exploration

• The Role of Special Envoys in U.S. Foreign Policy: Understanding the effectiveness and limitations of appointing business figures like Steve Witkoff to diplomatic roles.

• Impact of Political Leadership on International Relations: Examining how U.S. politics influence neighboring countries, particularly Canada.

• Higher Education Policies and Federal Influence: Analyzing the consequences of federal pressure on prestigious universities and the movement towards DEI initiatives.

• Space Exploration and Gender Representation: Debating the purpose and execution of gender-specific space missions in the context of scientific advancement.

For more detailed discussions and insights, visit VictorHansen.com.