The Chris Abraham Show: Navigating Half Sentences, Diplomacy, and World Narratives – Season 7, Episode 29 Recap

If you’ve tuned in before, you know the deal: I’m prone to throwing out half-sentences, spinning off into tangents, and leaving ChatGPT to interpret and translate my thoughts into something vaguely understandable. And that’s exactly what happened in this three-hour whirlwind of an episode.

This time, our intended target was internalized misogyny and Kamala Harris’s political future, but let’s be honest—we went far and wide, hitting on everything from BRICS to Trump’s strange position as a dove of peace, and all the global chaos you can think of in between.

Here’s a deep dive into what we covered, broken down for easy digestion. Trust me, this is the full Chris Abraham experience, where thoughts come rapid-fire, but ChatGPT steps in to translate, clarify, and sometimes even finish my sentences.

Breaking It Down: The Half-Sentence Marathon

The idea was to discuss internalized sexism, the internalized misogyny that exists in America, and how it might prevent Kamala Harris from ascending to the presidency. But (in true form), we ended up covering a lot more than just that.

Trump: The Unexpected Dove of Peace

Let’s start with one of the most interesting tangents: the idea that Trump, of all people, might actually be the world’s dove of peace. Yes, you read that right. The big orange man, often called a “cartoon villain,” a “buffoon,” and worse, could somehow be the only leader equipped to bring world peace. How, you ask?

Well, Trump doesn’t see world leaders as enemies. He sees them as colleagues, CEOs of their respective countries, and he approaches them as part of a club—whether it's Putin, Kim Jong-un, or anyone else. Unlike the traditional politicians who vilify their adversaries in public then try to make nice in private, Trump seems to respect even the most authoritarian of despots. And when he talks about them, it's more like he’s sizing up a business competitor than issuing declarations of war.

Think about his visit to North Korea, where he crossed into enemy territory and met with Kim Jong-un. That was a page straight out of Nixon’s book—only this time it wasn’t China, it was North Korea. The result? A leader who isn’t afraid to pick up the phone and say, “Hey, what’s going on over there?”

Diplomacy: The "CEO Club" Mentality

We spent a lot of time talking about how diplomacy has shifted from the days of the red phone during the Cuban Missile Crisis to a new world where rhetoric, narrative control, and posturing dominate the landscape. But Trump’s approach? He keeps it simple. He doesn’t demonize world leaders the way others do. He sees Putin as a tough guy and Kim Jong-un as Rocket Man, but there's no underlying hate. The CEO-Club mentality is what sets him apart.

The idea is that if you don’t completely insult and humiliate your opponent, they’re far more likely to pick up the phone when you call them during a crisis. That was a point we hammered home—how important it is to have that line of communication open when the stakes are nuclear war or even something as crazy as an alien invasion. If you’ve been talking smack behind someone’s back for months, how likely are they to answer when you need them most?

Ukraine: A Holy Land of Conflicting Narratives

From there, we got deep into Ukraine and its role as a symbolic "holy land" for multiple groups: Russians, Jews, and even Nazis. Yes, Ukraine, like Israel and Palestine, is a battleground of conflicting narratives. On one hand, it’s the birthplace of Russian ethnicity. On the other, it holds historical significance for European Jews and even has ties to National Socialism.

But here’s the kicker: the war in Ukraine isn’t just about land or politics. It’s about history, identity, and, let’s not forget, resources. Ukraine’s fecund farmland, rare earth elements, and natural gas reserves make it the gold rush of the modern world, with everyone from Russia to the West drooling over its potential.

BRICS: The Looming Power Shift

Another rabbit hole we found ourselves in was the rise of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) and how it could reshape global power dynamics. This loosely organized group of nations has the potential to counter U.S. hegemony, and with countries like Saudi Arabia possibly leaning toward BRICS, the stakes are getting higher.

In the context of Russia’s war in Ukraine, BRICS is a crucial part of the puzzle. If tensions with NATO escalate, BRICS could play a pivotal role in a global conflict, challenging U.S. dominance in ways we might not be ready for. Supply chains could be cut, and everything from Chinese manufacturing to Indian tech could be blocked, leaving the West scrambling.

The Importance of Communication in Diplomacy

One of the key takeaways from our deep dive into geopolitics was the importance of having direct lines of communication between world leaders. Drawing from historical examples like JFK’s red phone during the Cuban Missile Crisis, we explored how leaders need to be able to call each other directly in times of crisis.

But if you’ve been vilifying someone like Putin for months, calling him every terrible name in the book, how can you expect him to pick up the phone when the stakes are life and death? Respect and trust, even between adversaries, is crucial in diplomacy, and without it, we’re playing a dangerous game.

Show Notes:

• 0:00 - Introduction: Starting with internalized misogyny and Kamala Harris’s chances.
• 6:30 - Trump’s Diplomatic Style: Trump as a dove of peace and his "CEO-Club" mentality.
• 12:15 - Putin and Diplomatic Respect: Why demonizing adversaries undermines negotiation.
• 19:45 - Ukraine as a Holy Land: The deep history behind the Ukraine conflict and its resources.
• 27:00 - BRICS and Global Power Shifts: The rising influence of BRICS and its implications.
• 34:10 - Direct Communication in Diplomacy: Drawing on Cold War examples and the importance of open lines.
• 41:20 - Conclusion: Wrapping up a whirlwind discussion on geopolitics, diplomacy, and power narratives.

FAQ:

1. What was the original topic of this episode? The original goal was to discuss internalized misogyny and its potential impact on Kamala Harris’s presidential aspirations. But as often happens, we ventured into many other topics.

2. Why does Chris think Trump is a dove of peace? Chris believes Trump respects world leaders, even authoritarian ones, and treats them as peers in a "CEO-Club." This gives Trump a unique approach to diplomacy, where he avoids demonizing adversaries, allowing for more open communication.

3. What role does Ukraine play in global geopolitics? Ukraine is seen as a "holy land" with deep historical significance for Russia, European Jews, and even National Socialists. It’s also a resource-rich country that global powers are vying for.

4. What is BRICS, and why is it important? BRICS is an alliance of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. It represents a counterbalance to U.S. hegemony and could play a significant role in future global conflicts.

5. How does diplomacy today compare to the Cold War? Chris argues that today’s diplomacy lacks the direct, respectful communication that was essential during the Cold War. Leaders like Trump, however, maintain more open lines of communication with adversaries, avoiding the public demonization that can undermine negotiation.

Glossary:

• Internalized Misogyny: The internalization of sexist attitudes by women, leading to self-limiting beliefs.
• Populism: A political approach aiming to represent the ordinary people.
• Nationalism: Advocacy for the interests of one's nation over international cooperation.
• BRICS: An economic and political alliance of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
• Ukraine Conflict: The ongoing war involving Russia, Ukraine, and various geopolitical forces.
• Red Phone: A direct line of communication between the U.S. and Soviet Union during the Cold War.
• Azov Battalion: A controversial far-right military unit in Ukraine linked to neo-Nazism.
• Holodomor: A man-made famine in Soviet Ukraine during the 1930s.
• CEO-Club Mentality: Chris’s term for Trump’s approach to treating world leaders as peers in a business-like fashion.

Conclusion: There you have it—our deep dive into everything from Trump’s peace-brokering style to the complexities of Ukraine, and everything in between. Whether you’re here for the geopolitics, the tangents, or the half-sentences, The Chris Abraham Show is always an adventure. Stay tuned for Season 7, Episode 30, where we’ll undoubtedly go off on even more unpredictable tangents.

Thanks for sticking with us—until next time!