Podcast Archives – Page 5 of 10

Recently, world-renowned French socialist economist Thomas Piketty proffered the argument that “inequality” is the cause of ISIS.

While it may not be surprising given that Piketty’s life work has been dedicated to studying inequality (and arguing that to eradicate it we ought to tear down the capitalist system), Piketty revealed a critical insight about the Western elite: It believes global jihadism is attributable to materialist factors.

I challenge this thesis in my latest piece over at the indispensable City Journal titled Did Inequality Cause ISIS?, and argue that in order to effectively combat the global jihad, we must look at the world through the same prism as Islamic supremacists, not the materialist one apparently subscribed to by our entire foreign policy Establishment, including but not limited to the Obama administration (see “jobs for jihadis”).

Also, the great Dan Bongino spoke about my piece during his Conservative Review podcast. Listen starting at 21:13 below:

Featured Image Source: LiveLeak screengrab.

No, Islamic Supremacism is not ‘Nihilistic,’ and Syrian Refugees Aren’t Like Jews in World War II

By Ben Weingarten

On December 1, 2015

In Defense, Foreign Policy, Media, National Security, Podcast

Recently I had the chance to appear on SiriusXM’s “Steele & Ungar” to take up a spirited debate with my lefty pal Rick Ungar and ally Ron Christie on American policy vis-à-vis Syrian refugees, Ungar’s contention that to bar such refugees from America is akin to FDR preventing Jews fleeing Europe from entering the country during World War II and Islamic supremacism more broadly.

Because it’s always good to attack the callers, this was one of my favorite parts of the show in which I challenge the idea that Islamic supremacism is a “nihilistic” ideology:

My appearance began with a back-and-forth between myself and Rick on what is in America’s national interest with respect to the Syrian refugees, and why I take issue with his World War II analogy:

We later continued that debate:

Lastly, here is what I think the most compassionate thing we can do for refugees in the Middle East is:

My Interview with National Review Publisher Jack Fowler on William F. Buckley’s ‘The Unmaking of a Mayor’

By Ben Weingarten

On October 27, 2015

In Books, Government, History, Podcast, Politics

Check out my interview for Encounter Books with National Review publisher and friend Jack Fowler on William F. Buckley’s timeless and very much timely The Unmaking of a Mayor, which Encounter has just released for the 50th anniversary of Buckley’s epic 1965 New York Mayoral campaign:

Featured Image Source: Encounter Books.

My Interview With Jay Cost on ‘What’s So Bad About Cronyism?’

By Ben Weingarten

On October 8, 2015

In Books, Economy, Government, History, Podcast, Politics

Check out my interview for Encounter Books with Jay Cost of The Weekly Standard on his new broadside What’s So Bad About Cronyism?:

Featured Image Source: Thomas Nast (1840-1902). Two Great Questions. 1871. Museum of the City of New York. x2011.5.533.

My Interview With Jay Nordlinger on ‘Children of Monsters’

By Ben Weingarten

On September 25, 2015

In Books, History, Podcast

Check out my interview for Encounter Books on Senior National Review Editor and New Criterion Film Critic Jay Nordlinger’s new Children Of Monsters: An Inquiry into the Sons and Daughters of Dictators:

Featured Image Source: Wikipedia.

7 Minutes With Jim Grant Tells You All You Need to Know About World Markets Today

By Ben Weingarten

On August 28, 2015

In Books, Business, Economy, Podcast

A must-watch interview with the publisher of the great Grant’s Interest Rate Observer conducted by Reason’s Matt Welch:

For a much deeper dive with Jim Grant from several months back, check out my interview with him on the insightful and ever-relevant The Forgotten Depression.

I spoke about it with TheBlaze’s Mike Opelka starting at 21:43 below: