[GUEST] Connor O'Keeffe : Neocon Influence & Trump's Police State

The seismic shift in Democratic voter sentiment regarding Israel-Palestine stands as one of the most dramatic political realignments in recent American history. In this eye-opening conversation with Connor O'Keefe, media producer at the Mises Institute and Antiwar.com contributor, we explore how Democratic voters have completely reversed their position – from favoring Israelis by 13 points in 2017 to supporting Palestinians by 43 points today.

What drives such dramatic opinion changes? Connor offers a fascinating framework, suggesting our political positions often function more as social signals than products of rational analysis. Like middle schoolers choosing trendy footwear, many adopt political stances that confer status within their communities. This dynamic helps explain why younger Democrats have swung even more dramatically toward pro-Palestinian positions, with a staggering 70-point shift among voters under 50.

We also dissect how the establishment's strategy toward Trump has evolved from "confinement" to "co-option." Rather than trying to marginalize Trump, war hawks have increasingly draped interventionist policies in MAGA rhetoric. When figures like Ben Shapiro and Mark Levin – former Never Trumpers – rebrand neoconservative foreign policy as "America First," they create a dangerous conflation that many Trump supporters uncritically embrace.

The conversation takes a sobering turn examining the Pentagon's decision to halt crucial weapons transfers to Ukraine – including Patriots and air defense systems – just as Russian attacks intensify. This timing couldn't be worse for Ukrainians, leaving their cities vulnerable while highlighting the fundamental resource constraints facing American military adventurism worldwide. As our interceptor stockpiles deplete defending Israel and fighting Houthis, Ukraine faces abandonment at its most vulnerable hour.

Is Ron Paul right that America's forever wars will end not through moral awakening but simply because we run out of money and missiles? Listen as we explore this question against the backdrop of America's $1.3 trillion military budget and the persistent, puzzling narrative that our military – which outspends the next ten nations combined – somehow needs "rebuilding."

Subscribe now to hear more conversations that challenge conventional wisdom and explore the complex realities of American foreign policy.

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