In this episode of The Dialectic, Fair Observer Editor-in-Chief Atul Singh and Senior FOI Partner Glenn Carle (a reputed retired CIA officer) dissect US President Donald Trump’s dismantling of the federal government and its far-reaching implications. They examine Trump’s removal of key officials, including the governor of the Federal Reserve (Fed) Lisa Cook, the director of Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). They note that the Trump White House is gutting federal agencies such as the Fed, the CDC, the IRS, the State Department, the CIA, USAID and NASA. Glenn traces Trump’s actions to decades of conservative thought. Ronald Reagan’s revolution and think tanks like the Heritage Foundation have added rocket fuel to American conservativism. Both Atul and Glenn focus on the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, a radical blueprint calling for a 50% cut in the federal workforce and sweeping presidential powers. Glenn argues that the roots of the Trumpian revolution lie in the ideas of Carl Schmitt who was Hitler’s legal theorist. His doctrine of the unitary executive undermines checks and balances in favor of near-absolute authority of the executive, fuelling the fervor of Trumpists.

Atul and Glenn warn of a future where liberal democracy erodes into a conservative autocracy. They point out that many immigrants support Trump because of cultural conservatism and disdain for bureaucracy. Listen to this episode to make sense of our volatile, complex, ambiguous and complex (VUCA) world)!

In this episode of The Dialectic, Fair Observer’s Founder, CEO and Editor-in-Chief Atul Singh and retired CIA officer and FOI Senior Partner Glenn Carle talk about the history of the Iranian empire, the emergence of modern Islamic Iran under the Safavids, the instability that followed, the British domination of this proud nation and the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Atul and Glenn examine the ideological, religious and geopolitical imperatives driving Iran. They discuss the 1953 coup and the role of MI6 and CIA, as well as the emergence of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1979. They discuss the Iran-Iraq War that followed, the Shia-Sunni divide and more. They end the podcast examining current developments such as the Israel-Iran military clashes and the US bombing of Iran’s nuclear facilities as well as drawing up scenarios of what comes next.

In this episode of The Dialectic, Fair Observer’s Founder, CEO and Editor-in-Chief Atul Singh and retired CIA Officer Glenn Carle dive into the latest terrorist attack in Kashmir and the resulting escalation between India and Pakistan. They explore the deep historical roots of the conflict, the strategic calculus of both nations, and the dangerous interplay between religion, nationalism, and domestic politics. With terrorism once again destabilizing the region, they ask: Can cooler heads prevail, or is a larger conflict looming?

In this episode of The Dialectic, Fair Observer’s Founder, CEO and Editor-in-Chief Atul Singh and retired CIA Officer Glenn Carle dive into why US President Donald Trump is targeting Harvard and what that reveals about deeper ideological rifts in America. From culture wars to claims of antisemitism, the rise of woke culture to the dangerous logic behind the “unitary executive,” the conversation tackles the forces threatening American democracy. Harvard becomes a stand-in for the liberal elite, globalization and the institutions conservatives believe have left them behind. With humor, historical insight and first-hand experience, the hosts explore how today’s political battles echo those of revolutionary France — and what’s at stake if the elite temples of thought fall.

President Donald Trump’s return to power has alarmed many countries around the world. It is important to remember that Trump the individual represents two deep and persistent trends in American politics: isolationism and nativism.

Remember that after World War I, the US jettisoned the League of Nations, which was President Woodrow Wilson’s idea. Even after World War II, influential figures championed Fortress America. Senator Joseph McCarthy was one of them. Trump’s America First policies draw upon this tradition.

Over the last decade, the Republican Party has increasingly moved toward isolationism, breaking from its post-World War II tradition. Under Trump, the party has abandoned its interventionist stance, embracing skepticism toward international alliances and multilateral agreements.

Trump’s approach in implementing this isolationist foreign policy complicates matters further. He often appears reactive and impulsive, driven by personal grievances rather than strategic interests. Trump often allows personal relationships with leaders to overshadow the presence or absence of shared strategic goals. This unpredictability undermines trust and weakens alliances.

Isolationist policies also limit the US’s ability to address global challenges like climate change, terrorism and economic instability. An abdication from global leadership invites other nations like China to step up to the plate, threatening US security and interests.

To craft a more effective foreign policy in the future, the US must find a balance between its desire for national autonomy and the realities of an interconnected world. This necessitates a shift from adversarial and binary thinking to the difficult but ultimately more beneficial approach of multilateralism.

[Peter Choi edited this podcast and wrote the first draft of this piece.]

Atul Singh and Glen Carle delve into American history, from the Mayflower's arrival in 1620 to the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Carle, with ancestral ties to the Mayflower, discusses the interactions between English colonists and Native Americans, the ideological roots of the American Revolution, and the rise of anti-authoritarian sentiments. The episode highlights key events like King Philip's War and the Boston Massacre, illustrating the complexities of colonial loyalties and economic motivations. Carle challenges simplistic historical narratives, emphasizing the multifaceted nature of America's path to independence.

In this episode of "The Dialectic," Glenn Carle and Atul Singh analyze the surprising results of the recent Indian election. Atul attributes the outcome to youth voter indifference, unemployment, and regional political dynamics. He critiques the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) centralized leadership and its failure to gain the trust of Muslim voters despite welfare efforts. The discussion also covers the complexities of affirmative action and caste representation in Indian politics. Atul highlights the need for the BJP to recalibrate and address economic challenges while exploring the election's global market implications and geopolitical dynamics.

In this episode of The Dialectic, Atul Singh and Glenn Carle discuss the evolving dynamics of Japan, focusing on its sovereignty, economics, politics, and military assertiveness. They highlight Japan's recent purchase of 400 Tomahawk missiles, the development of aircraft carriers, and strategic alliances with South Korea and India. The conversation also touches on Japan's technological advancements in missile interception and robotics. Despite these positive developments, they address ongoing challenges such as Japan's aging population, low birth rates, high government debt, and complex geopolitical relationships with China and North Korea. The episode underscores Japan's resilience and the complexities of its evolving role in the global arena.