Podcast: The World and Everything In It
Episode: 12.10.25 Washington Wednesday on the expiring Obamacare subsidies, World Tour on the year after Assad’s fall, and Lee Strobel on the supernatural
Date: December 10, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the political debate over expiring Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) subsidies in Congress, the Trump administration's revived Monroe Doctrine-inspired foreign policy, and an exploration of supernatural phenomena with author Lee Strobel. The hosts also present an international roundup marking the first anniversary of Bashar Assad’s fall in Syria and close with commentary on the spiritual lessons of silence.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Washington Wednesday: Expiring Obamacare Subsidies and Congressional Divide

Segment: [07:09–22:08]

• Background and Stakes:

  • The U.S. faced a 43-day government shutdown this fall over disagreement between Democrats (who demanded a subsidy extension) and Republicans (who refused).
  • Now, with a December 31st deadline, millions could see premium spikes if Congress fails to act ([07:42]).

• Positions and Proposals:

  • Democrats seek a three-year extension. Some Republicans support a shorter or more limited version, while others oppose any extension ([07:42–08:07]).
  • Various Senate GOP plans:
    • Collins and Marino propose a two-year extension with income limits and a minimum premium.
    • Cassidy and Crapo suggest routing funds to consumers via health savings accounts ([09:22–09:32]).
  • No unified approach exists yet on the Republican side.

• Hunter Baker’s Political Analysis:

  • "I think that what [Republicans] understand is that Americans are about to see a significant increase in the cost of health insurance... They cannot be seen to just have our hands in our pockets doing nothing." ([10:07])
  • Baker characterizes the ACA as in a “crisis spiral,” predicting that eventually, the U.S. healthcare will move either toward a market-driven or single-payer system ([10:07–11:47]).

2. Modern Foreign Policy: Trump’s Monroe Doctrine Revival

Segment: [11:47–16:18]

• Policy Outline:

  • The Trump administration adopts a “Trump corollary” to the Monroe Doctrine, asserting U.S. dominance in the Western Hemisphere and focusing on practical national interests over nation-building or foreign democratization ([12:16–12:29]).
  • Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth:

    "We will deter war. We will advance our interests. We will defend our people. Peace is our goal. And in service of that objective, we will always be ready to fight and win decisively if called upon." ([12:35])

• Hunter Baker’s Analysis:

  • Trump’s approach emphasizes police power in Latin America, especially against drug cartels intertwined with state actors ([12:56]).
  • On Europe, Trump insists allies contribute more to defense, highlighting “relative decline” in Europe’s economic power (citing that Mississippi now surpasses Germany in GDP per capita) ([13:56–15:22]).
  • China is warned not to overextend its influence in Latin America.

• Criticisms and Constraints:

  • Critics argue focusing on the Western Hemisphere ignores crucial threats elsewhere (Asia/Russia).
  • Baker: "We live in a world of constraints... We don’t necessarily have the ability to sustain [global intervention]. So I can understand pushing the Europeans to do their part..." ([15:30]).

3. Debating U.S. Military Strikes on Drug Cartels

Segment: [16:18–18:29]

• Context:

  • Recent controversial U.S. military strike on a cartel drug boat near Venezuela (with follow-up strike killing survivors).
  • Legal/moral questions raised—were the strikes necessary or justified?

• Hunter Baker’s Reflection:

  • Draws on Nixon’s declaration of the war on drugs and just war theory.
  • "When I walk through major American cities and I smell marijuana everywhere, to some extent, that's the scent of American decline that I'm smelling... We're worried about those [harder] drugs proliferating." ([16:57])
  • Baker stresses the need for proportionate, discriminating force and Christian ethical considerations in the use of military power.

4. Presidential Power and Independent Agencies

Segment: [18:29–22:08]

• Supreme Court Case:

  • Trump administration seeks power to fire officials in independent agencies (e.g., Federal Trade Commission), challenging long-standing precedent.
  • Quote from Trump admin: "It continues to tempt Congress to erect at the heart of our government a headless fourth branch, insulated from political accountability and Democratic control." ([19:17])

• Hunter Baker’s Constitutional View:

  • Argues that many independent agencies contradict the Constitution’s assignment of executive power to the president.
  • "If the court finds that way, I think that's going to be correct...I just wanna go back and say what I've said before, which is I think that the president wields too much policy authority of the type that belongs to Congress." ([19:34–21:07])
  • On the Constitution: "I don't see the Constitution envisioning neutral agencies." ([21:17])

5. World Tour: Year After Assad’s Fall and Global Headlines

Reporter: Onize Odua
Segment: [23:06–27:54]

• Syria:

  • Celebrations mark one year since Bashar Assad’s ouster; Islamist group Hayat Tahirul Al Sham and Ahmad al Sharav now hold power in Damascus.
  • Syria faces ongoing sectarian tensions and prioritizes reconciliation ([23:06–24:09]).

• Other Key Global Stories:

  • Thailand/Cambodia: Border clashes disrupt civilian life; US calls for calm ([24:09–24:49]).
  • Benin, West Africa: Quick response thwarts failed military coup; international support aids government ([25:25]).
  • Germany: 3,000 protesters decry a proposed military service bill for young men; country aims to meet NATO requirements, reactions highlight generational skepticism ([26:02–27:15]).
  • German Christmas Record: Family sets record by decorating 621 Christmas trees in one house ([27:15–27:54]).

6. Encountering the Supernatural: Interview with Lee Strobel

Segment: [29:44–37:35]

• Strobel’s Personal Story:

  • Recalls a childhood “dream” that became significant to his faith:

    "The angel told me...that salvation is not something we earn. It's a free gift of God." ([29:55])

• Christian Views on the Supernatural:

  • Strobel encourages believers not to shy away from miracle claims:

    "We impoverish ourselves theologically and spiritually by suppressing the evidence that God is still active in this world." ([30:14])

• Younger Generations and Miracles:

  • "Maybe they feel like they've been lied to by so many people...I think they want something that's solid, an anchor for their life and something they can rely upon." ([31:36])

• Evaluating Miracle Claims:

  • Cautions against labeling coincidences or misdiagnoses as miracles.
  • Responsible investigation requires:
    • Medical documentation
    • Credible eyewitnesses
    • Lack of natural explanation
    • Occurrence within the context of prayer ([32:10–33:03])
  • Strobel’s investigative example:

    "She rips the tube out from her throat, she jumps out of bed, and she's instantaneously 100% healed…" ([33:20])

    • Two doctors confirmed this as "medically impossible."

• Theological Safeguards:

  • Consulting theologians like Dr. Greg Keener to ensure claims align with Christian doctrine.
  • "I tap into people like that who have the theological expertise to be able to validate these cases..." ([34:59])

• On Dangers of Gullibility:

  • "Let's not be gullible...a miracle is an event brought about by the power of God. That's a temporary exception to the ordinary course of nature..." ([35:40–36:04])

• Most Memorable Case:

  • Woman cured of blindness after her husband prays; case confirmed by four medical researchers and published in a peer-reviewed journal ([36:29–37:24]).

7. Commentary: Janie B. Cheney on Lessons from Silence

Segment: [37:42–41:39]

• Themes:
  • “Silent Night” represents peace but also silent suffering and prayers.
  • Explores how silence can be “heavenly” or an echo of desperation; references personal stories (depression, illness, family tension).
  • Scriptural reflections on waiting for God amid silence, drawing from Job, Psalms, and Jesus’ experience of injustice ([39:41–41:39]).
  • Encourages listeners waiting in “lonely silence” to persevere and hope in God’s eventual justice and mercy.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On Obamacare Debate:

  "We are back at not whether we subsidize health insurance, but by how much we subsidize health insurance." – Nick Eicher ([09:53])

• On Trump’s Foreign Policy:

  "We will deter war. We will advance our interests. We will defend our people. Peace is our goal. And in service of that objective, we will always be ready to fight and win decisively if called upon." – Pete Hegseth ([12:35])

• On Drug War Ethics:

  "Is the criminal response to the problem adequate, or do we have to do more?...We want to try to abide by just war theory, which is kind of Christian in nature." – Hunter Baker ([16:57])

• On the Supernatural:

  "We impoverish ourselves theologically and spiritually by suppressing the evidence that God is still active in this world." – Lee Strobel ([30:14])

• On Miracles Investigation:

  "Let’s look at what is the medical data...where there’s no natural explanation, and where it takes place in the context of prayer – when you've got those four things… God has intervened supernaturally in a life." – Lee Strobel ([32:10], [33:03])

• On Silence:

  "But silence isn’t always heavenly. Sometimes it echoes with desperate pleas." – Janie B. Cheney ([37:50])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• News Recap & Analysis – [01:01–07:02]
• Washington Wednesday (Obamacare Subsidies, Monroe Doctrine, Drug Cartel Strikes, Supreme Court) – [07:09–22:08]
• World Tour (Syria, Southeast Asia, Benin, Germany) – [23:06–27:54]
• Lee Strobel on the Supernatural – [29:44–37:35]
• Commentary: Janie B. Cheney on Silence – [37:42–41:39]

Conclusion

This episode delivers thorough reporting on U.S. political debates (Obamacare subsidies), evolving diplomatic strategies, ethics in foreign policy, and spiritual engagement with the supernatural. The insights from guests like Hunter Baker and Lee Strobel provide both policy analysis and personal reflection, all while keeping a biblically informed and measured tone. The world tour brings compelling updates from Syria to Germany, and Janie B. Cheney’s meditation on silence concludes the episode with encouragement for listeners facing seasons of unanswered prayers.