Jacob Shapiro speaks with Fahd Humayun about the shifting geopolitical dynamics in South Asia and the Middle East. They discuss Pakistan’s perspective on the Iran-Israel conflict, U.S.-Pakistan relations under a potential second Trump term, and the strategic implications of Pakistan’s recent military and diplomatic moves. The conversation also explores India-Pakistan tensions, the lowering threshold for military escalation, the role of China in regional alliances, and the internal political chal...
Jun 30, 2025•54 min•Season 1Ep. 291
Jacob Shapiro and Rob Larity discuss the recent Israel-Iran conflict and its geopolitical impacts, including President Trump's ceasefire announcement. They analyze the muted market reactions, particularly oil's price drop, despite heightened tensions. The conversation then explores significant shifts in U.S.-Japan relations, highlighting Japan's rising outward investments as indicative of strategic realignments. Finally, Jacob and Rob reflect on navigating uncertainty, advocating long-term strat...
Jun 27, 2025•50 min•Season 1Ep. 290
Jacob Shapiro sits down with Facundo Robles, Program Coordinator at the Wilson Center’s Latin America Program, for a wide-ranging conversation on how the Israel-Iran conflict intersects with Latin America’s geopolitical and economic realities. They unpack why Latin America remains relatively stable amid global volatility, and how rising oil, fertilizer, and agricultural prices might impact countries like Mexico, Argentina, and Brazil. The conversation weaves through U.S.-China competition, Argen...
Jun 20, 2025•47 min•Season 1Ep. 289
In this episode, Jacob speaks with Japan analyst Tobias Harris to unpack rising tensions in U.S.-Japan trade relations amid the Trump administration’s tariff blitz. They explore how Japan—historically a close U.S. ally—is reacting to unclear demands, internal U.S. policy chaos, and the potential collapse of trust in American economic leadership. Tobias breaks down the limits of personal diplomacy, the legacy of Shinzo Abe, and why Japan is quietly building plan B trade alliances. They also cover...
Jun 18, 2025•48 min•Season 1Ep. 288
Jacob Shapiro is joined by Middle East expert Kamran Bokhari to analyze the rapidly unfolding Israeli military strikes on Iran. They discuss the strategic implications of Israel’s targeted attacks on IRGC leadership, the potential for regime instability in Tehran, and the calculus behind Washington’s response. Bokhari introduces the concept of “evolutionary regime change” and outlines scenarios ranging from internal coups to regional realignment. Together, they explore whether Israel’s aim is nu...
Jun 13, 2025•33 min•Season 1Ep. 287
Jacob Shapiro speaks with Iranian security expert Hamidreza Azizi to unpack Israel’s unprecedented strikes on Iran. They explore the strategic implications of Israel’s multi-phase assault, including the assassination of top IRGC commanders, the targeting of nuclear and missile infrastructure, and the collapse of Iran’s proxy network. Azizi outlines Iran’s limited options—from potential retaliation to a pivot toward nuclear armament—and discusses the psychological warfare at play. With U.S. invol...
Jun 13, 2025•29 min•Season 1Ep. 286
Jacob and Rob respond to listener feedback about negativity by focusing on positive trends, including declining violent crime and drug overdose rates in the U.S. They then dive into a high-level exploration of stablecoins—what they are, why they matter, and the potential risks and geopolitical implications of their rise. They compare the U.S. approach to stablecoins with the digital currency strategies of China and the EU, unpack the difference between innovation and systemic risk, and ask wheth...
Jun 09, 2025•1 hr 16 min•Season 1Ep. 285
Jacob welcomes Sim Tack, a military analyst at Force Analysis, to break down the shifting battlefield dynamics in Ukraine. Together, they unpack Ukraine’s evolving tactics, Russia’s slow but grinding advances, and the logistical and manpower challenges both sides face. Jacob pushes for a bigger picture: what this phase of the war tells us about the future of U.S. involvement, Europe’s strategic posture, and why the world should be watching Eastern Ukraine more closely. Sim offers clarity without...
Jun 06, 2025•53 min•Season 1Ep. 284
Jacob and Rob dive into the shifting mood in U.S. markets, as post-"Liberation Day" volatility gives way to a more constrained and uncertain fiscal landscape. They unpack the massive implications of the Trump administration’s budget bill, surging yields, and declining investor confidence. The conversation then pivots to Chinese biotech, where Jacob raises the alarm about America’s declining edge in R&D, regulation, and talent retention. What follows is a sobering look at cultural skepticism,...
May 23, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 283
Madison Darbyshire makes her first appearance on the podcast to discuss the screwworm – what it is, why it’s threatening U.S. ranchers again, and why all of this could have been prevented. Come for awareness of an emergent problem; stay for the geopolitical explanation for why Texas is the ancestral home of the American cowboy. -- Timestamps: (00:00) - Introduction (02:46) - Understanding Screwworms (04:35) - History of Screwworm Eradication (09:07) - Challenges and Costs of Eradication (18:27) ...
May 16, 2025•57 min•Season 1Ep. 282
In this episode, Jacob Shapiro sits down with Matt Pines, who somehow manages to be both a national security thinker and a Bitcoin whisperer, to talk through the Trump administration’s pivot toward crypto, why Bitcoin has suddenly gone strategic, and what it tells us about where the global economy might be headed. They dig into the politics, the policy confusion, and the deeper structural shifts behind the headlines. From U.S.-China competition to financial fragmentation, Matt breaks it down wit...
May 12, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 281
This week, Jacob’s caffeinated and Rob is just trying to keep us on track as the duo dive into the so-called “Asian reverse currency crisis,” a spike in Asian FX that’s less a crisis and more the result of twenty-five years of carry trades finally snapping. We break down what it means for the dollar, for diversification, and for the poor bastards running Taiwanese insurance portfolios. Then: Trump wants tariffs on foreign movies (seriously), Saudi Arabia starts pumping oil like it’s 2019, and we...
May 09, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Season 1Ep. 280
Kamran Bokhari answers the bat signal to join Jacob Shapiro for a wide-ranging conversation on the spike in India-Pakistan tensions following the Kashmir attack - and why it’s not just business as usual. They unpack the strategic logic (or lack thereof) behind Pakistan’s moves, India’s dilemma over deterrence, and the escalating risk of regional miscalculation. They also dig into the broader Middle East: Iran’s negotiations, Houthi missiles, and whether the U.S. is quietly brokering a regional r...
May 07, 2025•53 min•Season 1Ep. 279
Conversando de Pol ítica - https://www.conversandodepolitica.com/ -- In this episode, Jacob sits down with Elohim Monard for a sharp, layered conversation about Hispanic support for Trump, the politics of deportation, and how authoritarianism creeps in under the banner of law and order. They talk about prisons as geopolitical tools, from El Salvador’s extreme model to France’s cocaine-fueled chaos, and whether Trump’s policies are building a regime of fear among immigrants and international stud...
May 02, 2025•59 min•Season 1Ep. 278
Jacob Shapiro is joined by Akshar Patel from The Emissary to unpack the rapidly escalating crisis between India and Pakistan after a deadly terrorist attack in Kashmir. They cover what happened, why this attack is different, and why India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty is such a big geopolitical shift. Akshar breaks down Pakistan’s internal fractures, India’s military limitations, and how water is becoming a pressure point in South Asia. This isn’t just saber-rattling... it’s a slow bur...
Apr 30, 2025•58 min•Season 1Ep. 277
Chase Taylor of Pine Cone Macro is back to break down the mess that is U.S. trade policy and what it means for markets. We talk about whether Trump’s tariffs are pushing us toward recession, why China’s fiscal discipline might actually be a strength, and where smart investors should be looking outside the U.S. Chase walks through opportunities in Greece, Brazil, and Chile, and we take a step back to talk about how capital flows and political risk are reshaping global investing. Plus, we nerd out...
Apr 28, 2025•57 min•Season 1Ep. 276
In this wide-ranging episode, Jacob and Rob check in on markets, discuss the issue of Federal Reserve independence, and somehow end up talking about the future of the Catholic Church. We are large – we contain multitudes! -- Timestamps: (00:00) - Introooo (02:55) - Market Trends and Economic Indicators (04:15) - Freight Data and Economic Concerns (07:42) - Historical Context: Market Reactions (16:44) - The Fed's Role and Independence (26:40) - Trump's Economic Approval Ratings (27:29) - Debating...
Apr 25, 2025•52 min•Season 1Ep. 275
American Airlines can’t keep Jacob down – he makes time to connect with Rob Larity to do an episode on the market chaos of the week. -- Timestamps: (00:00) - Introduction and Travel Woes (01:09) - Ranting About American Airlines (02:21) - Catching Up with Rob (03:06) - Market Volatility and Tariffs (04:34) - Financial Crisis vs. Current Situation (07:42) - Uncertainty in the Market (08:48) - Impact of Tariffs and Trade War (13:11) - Bond Yields and Inflation Expectations (20:20) - Dollar Weaknes...
Apr 11, 2025•54 min•Season 1Ep. 274
Notice: This is the last episode that we'll be cross-posting on the JShap Show Channel! For details on this episode and further off the wall updates, follow Geopolitical Cousins wherever you get your podcasts!! Helpful Link - https://feeds.captivate.fm/geopolitical-cousins/ This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp...
Apr 08, 2025•50 min•Season 1Ep. 273
Vance hosted Jacob on his podcast – so only fair that Jacob should return the favor! Vance and Jacob talk about early returns on Trump administration policies for U.S. and Canadian farmers. They discuss the virtues and pitfalls of Bitcoin, and close with some heartfelt thoughts on insights Vance has derived from interviewing hundreds of people about the most meaningful aspects of their life. -- Timestamps: (00:00) - Intro (00:01) – Response to U.S. politics (11:45) – Biofuels (14:32) – Debt/land...
Apr 07, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 272
Jacob and Marko convene an emergency episode to discuss Liberation Day. Afterwards, they speak to fellow cousin Matt Gertken about President Trump’s comments that he might serve a third presidential term. -- Timestamps: (00:00) - Introduction and Episode Overview (01:46) - Discussion on Tariffs and Trade Deficit (02:58) - Reciprocal Tariffs and Economic Reactions (04:56) - Market Reactions and Negotiation Strategies (07:02) - Uncertainty and Global Trade Dynamics (07:45) - Historical Context and...
Apr 04, 2025•1 hr 44 min•Season 1Ep. 271
We are fighting for our right to live. To exist. To buy products for higher prices than we could have bought them. And should we win the day, the Second of April will no longer be known as an American holiday, but as the day the United States declared in one voice: "We will not go quietly into the night!" We will not vanish without a fight! We're going to live on! We're going to survive! We are going to conquer Greenland! Today, we celebrate our Liberation Day! -- Timestamps: (00:00) - Introduct...
Apr 02, 2025•57 min•Season 1Ep. 270
Jacob welcomes Georgi Engelbrecht on to the podcast for the first time to discuss the importance of the Philippines, why it matters, its relationship with China, and the Duterte-Marcos rivalry that is reverberating throughout the democratic world. -- Timestamps: (00:00) - Introduction and Guest Introduction (02:22) - Life and Work in the Philippines (04:27) - Geopolitical Importance of the Philippines (05:49) - Historical and Cultural Context of the Philippines (08:56) - Philippines-China Relati...
Mar 31, 2025•54 min•Season 1Ep. 269
Jacob and Rob squeeze in a quick episode to reality-check some of the media narratives out there about an imminent recession, copper prices, and the U.S. dollar. From there, they cast their eyes toward emerging markets, looking at events in Brazil, Indonesia, India, and Turkey, and concluding that things still look good in a multipolar world…as long as you have an appropriate level of risk tolerance. They close with specific thoughts on the Indian market. -- Timestamps: (00:00) - Intro (01:20) –...
Mar 28, 2025•40 min•Season 1Ep. 268
Want more details? GO CHECK OUT THE GEOPOLITICAL COUSINS POD HERE: https://geopolitical-cousins.captivate.fm/listen You can also such look up "Geopolitical Cousins" on your favorite podcast provider. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp
Mar 28, 2025•59 min•Season 1Ep. 267
Jacob and Marko run down the most important issues of the week: Will the U.S. go to war with Iran? Why did President Erdogan arrest his top rival? Is Indonesia helping or hurting itself by courting its military? And is Chinese consumption really happening? From there, they turn to the kind of geopolitical sports analysis that only they can offer, drafting teams of 7 for the top geopolitical sports moments in history. Timestamps: (00:00) - Intro (01:00) - Iran (31:00) - Turkey (46:00) – Indonesia...
Mar 24, 2025•1 hr 58 min•Season 1Ep. 266
NEW FEED: https://geopolitical-cousins.captivate.fm/listen You can also just look up "Geopolitical Cousins" and it'll come up. We're the only ones. This is it. Welcome to the goat rodeo! The inaugural episode of the Geopolitical Cousins podcast sees Marko and Jacob wax philosophical about net assessments, debate where the Trump administration thinks the world is multipolar, and interrogate what the future of Canada, Europe, and inflation look like in a land of all sticks and no carrots. -- Times...
Mar 14, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Season 1Ep. 265
Trump’s tariff policy is all over the place - Ton, off, then back on again. Markets don’t like uncertainty, and Jacob' sister is even texting him about stocks. China? Barely flinching. Europe? Actually getting its act together, with Germany and Poland leading the charge. Meanwhile, Turkey’s making moves, the Kurds are recalibrating, and Iran’s back in the mix. -- Timestamps: (00:00) - Intro (00:40) - Sister Index (05:40) - Impact of US Tariffs and Trade Policies (08:46) - Trump Administration's ...
Mar 12, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 264
Jacob Shapiro and Cornell Assistant Professor Wendong Zhang discuss tariffs from an objective perspective: Who will they impact? How much? How does that change based on different scenarios? If you are looking to be convinced of whether tariffs are good policy or not, seek another podcast; if what you desire is objective analysis about the potential impact of tariffs both good and bad, you have come to the right place. -- Timestamps: (00:00) - Intro (03:33) - Tariffs and Trade Wars (07:54) - Impa...
Mar 07, 2025•46 min•Season 1Ep. 263
In this emergency episode of the Jacob Shapiro podcast, Jacob and Marko dissect the unexpected and intense Oval Office meeting between President Trump, Ukraine's President Zelensky, and JD Vance. We delve into the rare earth mineral deal, the broader implications for U.S. foreign policy, and Europe's reaction. The conversation touches on Zelensky's passionate defense of Ukraine's position, the viability of continued U.S. support, and the shifting dynamics in global geopolitics. Watch the full cl...
Mar 02, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 262
