Parallax Views w/ J.G. Michael

👉 Pitch in on Patreon and fuel the future of free-thinking conversations. https://www.patreon.com/parallaxviews Also visit our returning sponsor Mike Swanson's Wall Street Window for the best financial and trading newsletter around: https://wallstreetwindow.com/ On this edition of Parallax Views, J.G. Michael speaks with Reason journalist Matthew Petti about his reporting on Jeffrey Epstein, the Epstein network, and what newly surfaced emails reveal about Epstein’s attempts to enter the surveillance and security technology world in the final years of his life. Drawing from Petti’s article “Inside Jeffrey Epstein’s Spy Industry Connections,” the conversation examines Epstein’s ties to figures such as former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, connections to Russian oligarch Viktor Vekselberg, and the broader intersection of New York finance, global business elites, and intelligence-adjacent technology. The discussion explores why the Epstein files are unlikely to contain a single “smoking gun,” instead reflecting networks built on influence, ambiguity, and deniability that leave behind oblique references rather than clear paper trails. Petti also addresses the challenges of reporting on Epstein in an environment shaped by misinformation and why dismissing the entire Epstein story as moral panic — as some commentators have done — risks overlooking the real lessons about power, access, and elite networks revealed by the case. This episode focuses on separating reporting from speculation while examining what the Epstein story can still teach us about wealth, influence, surveillance technology, and the global connections that defined Epstein’s orbit.

👉 Pitch in on Patreon and fuel the future of free-thinking conversations. https://www.patreon.com/parallaxviews Also visit our returning sponsor Mike Swanson's Wall Street Window for the best financial and trading newsletter around: https://wallstreetwindow.com/ On this edition of Parallax Views, returning guest James M. Dorsey, independent journalist and scholar at The Turbulent World Substack, breaks down the latest developments shaping the Middle East. We start with the high-stakes U.S.-Iran talks, where Dorsey explains the deep mistrust between Washington and Tehran, the obstacles to a deal, and why, despite tensions, he doubts Trump seeks a full-scale war. We explore what military action against Iran could mean for the Gulf States, Turkey, and the Caucasus, and the broader question of regional stability. Next, we analyze Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Washington, D.C., his fraught relationship with Trump, and what’s at stake politically for Israel as elections approach. Dorsey explains what Netanyahu likely seeks from the former president on Iran and why mutual distrust may be defining their interactions. In the latter half, we dive into the rising rivalry between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, examining shifts in Saudi regional strategy, the UAE’s backing of militias and separatists, and the potential dangers this poses across North Africa, especially in Sudan. We also discuss the UAE’s growing closeness with Israel, Qatar’s positioning in the Saudi-UAE rivalry, and what these dynamics reveal about the future of Middle East geopolitics. All that and more on this edition of Parallax Views.

👉 Pitch in on Patreon and fuel the future of free-thinking conversations. https://www.patreon.com/parallaxviews Also visit our returning sponsor Mike Swanson's Wall Street Window for the best financial and trading newsletter around: https://wallstreetwindow.com/ On this edition of Parallax Views, J.G. Michael speaks with Jordan Liz — Associate Professor of Philosophy at San José State University and a contributor to Common Dreams — about ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), the Department of Homeland Security, and why Liz argues that the “Abolish ICE” movement represents not a radical departure but a necessary response to the post-9/11 transformation of American governance. Liz contends that ICE is not a longstanding institution but a product of the Bush administration’s Global War on Terror, created alongside DHS in an atmosphere shaped by fear, threat inflation, and national security panic. Rather than emerging as a neutral immigration enforcement body, Liz argues that ICE was embedded from the beginning within a broader security framework that treated immigration through the lens of counterterrorism — effectively recasting migrants as potential internal threats. This, he claims, helped fuel the militarization of policing and laid the groundwork for an expansive surveillance apparatus whose implications extend far beyond immigration policy. Drawing on arguments developed in his Common Dreams writing, Liz explains why he believes ICE cannot be meaningfully reformed. In essays such as “Abolish ICE — and DHS Too,” he argues that the very concept of “homeland security” fused immigration enforcement with civilizational and cultural anxieties about national identity, encouraging policies that frame immigrants as existential dangers to the nation’s “way of life.” In his view, this logic incentivizes perpetual expansion of enforcement powers, increased funding, and the normalization of aggressive tactics justified by ever-inflated threats. The conversation also explores Liz’s critique of DHS as an institution born from the War on Terror’s security paradigm. According to Liz, DHS consolidated vast surveillance and enforcement powers under a single umbrella, contributing to what he sees as the growth of a domestic security state capable of undermining civil liberties. His writing frequently warns that technologies such as biometric identification, data integration, and algorithmic policing expand ICE’s reach not only over undocumented migrants but over citizens as well, disproportionately affecting people of color and reshaping the boundaries of belonging in American political life. Liz connects these concerns to his broader philosophical work on race and the “politics of belonging,” arguing that immigration enforcement reflects deeper questions about who is recognized as fully American and who remains perpetually suspect. The discussion examines how narratives of cultural threat and national decline shape immigration debates, and how these narratives intersect with policy decisions, surveillance practices, and enforcement priorities. In addition, the episode addresses controversies surrounding ICE since its early years, the role of protest and public witnessing in challenging state power, and the human consequences of immigration enforcement, including the killings of Alex Pretti and Rene Good. Ultimately, the conversation grapples with a larger question: whether the post-9/11 security architecture has pushed the United States toward what critics describe as “Police State USA,” and what alternatives might exist for immigration policy outside the framework of national security.

👉 Pitch in on Patreon and fuel the future of free-thinking conversations. https://www.patreon.com/parallaxviews Also visit our returning sponsor Mike Swanson's Wall Street Window for the best financial and trading newsletter around: https://wallstreetwindow.com/ On this edition of Parallax Views, J.G. Michael is joined by Joseph Sciortino and Grant Gallagher of The Rabble Report to examine the World Economic Forum (WEF), Trump, and the shifting global order through the lens of anti-politics — the growing antagonism between society and the political sphere. The conversation explores the ongoing crisis of faith in institutions and how political actors increasingly act as scavengers, exploiting anti-political sentiment for power. From there, the discussion unpacks the complex relationship between anti-politics and populism, clarifying how the two overlap while remaining distinct phenomena shaping contemporary political discourse. The episode then turns to the 2026 World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where leaders framed the apparent decline of the U.S.-led liberal international order in terms of “national interest,” marking a notable rhetorical shift among European elites. J.G., Joseph, and Grant analyze Mark Carney’s remarks on the role of Middle Powers, debate how much of this new positioning reflects genuine geopolitical change versus political theater and consider whether Europe and Canada are truly capable of decoupling from the United States. What does relative U.S. decline actually mean for the future of global hegemony? Is the liberal order ending; or merely transforming under new pressures and dependencies? The conversation also examines how populist rhetoric surfaced “invisibly” at Davos itself, the challenges facing European leadership, and how these dynamics connect back to domestic U.S. politics, including ICE, the specter of the Middle American Radicals (MARs), and much more.

👉 Pitch in on Patreon and fuel the future of free-thinking conversations. https://www.patreon.com/parallaxviews Also visit our returning sponsor Mike Swanson's Wall Street Window for the best financial and trading newsletter around: https://wallstreetwindow.com/ On this edition of Parallax Views, host J.G. Michael is joined by film analyst Albert Lanier of the Final Cut Substack newsletter and podcast for an in-depth conversation on the Oscars, awards season as we approach the 98th Annual Academy Awards, and what the awards season and ceremony reveal about the film industry today. Moving beyond the usual debates over winners and snubs, the discussion explores how the Oscars function not just as a celebration of art, but as a crucial economic engine for Hollywood — shaping careers, influencing distribution, and sustaining the business of filmmaking itself. J.G. and Albert examine how the Oscars have evolved in the years since Parasite’s historic Best Picture win, with the Academy increasingly embracing international cinema and positioning itself as a global counterbalance to an era dominated by franchise filmmaking and MCU-style blockbusters. The episode also offers a deep dive into this year’s Best Picture nominees — including Bugonia, F1, Frankenstein, Hamnet, Marty Supreme, One Battle After Another, The Secret Agent, Sentimental Value, Sinners, and Train Dreams — with particular attention paid to the political dimensions of Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another and the acclaimed The Secret Agent, which Albert argues is the best film of the year. The conversation also looks at the strong showing for horror at this year’s Oscars, from multiple nominations for Ryan Coogler’s Sinners to recognition for Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein and Amy Madigan’s Best Supporting Actress nomination for Zack Cregger’s Weapons. Along the way, Albert shares his experiences attending formal Oscar viewing events, reflects on Roger Ebert’s relationship to the Academy Awards, and explains why he approaches nominations and outcomes without cynicism or outrage — seeing the Oscars instead as a fascinating snapshot of where cinema and culture intersect at a given moment. If you’re interested in film criticism, awards season analysis, the politics of cinema, and the future of Hollywood in a globalized film landscape, this episode offers a thoughtful and engaging look at what the Oscars really mean.

👉 Pitch in on Patreon and fuel the future of free-thinking conversations. https://www.patreon.com/parallaxviews Also visit our returning sponsor Mike Swanson's Wall Street Window for the best financial and trading newsletter around: https://wallstreetwindow.com/ In this urgent, unflinching conversation, former U.S. Marine infantryman and seasoned policy voice James R. Webb — son of Senator Jim Webb, ex-Military Legislative Assistant to Rand Paul, and writer for Responsible Statecraft and Military Times — breaks down the fatal shooting of ICU nurse Alex Pretti by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis and why it terrifies him as a veteran and citizen. Pretti’s death on January 24, 2026 — captured on video amid clashes between Customs and Border Protection agents and bystanders — has ignited national outrage after footage and witness accounts surfaced that contradict official claims that he was an armed threat. The killing, which followed the controversial ICE operation “Operation Metro Surge” and another fatal federal shooting in the city, has spurred protests and legal challenges and raised pressing questions about force, civil liberties, and federal overreach. James contextualizes Pretti’s death through his own combat experience, calling it “horrifying” and “disgusting,” and explores how this moment reflects deeper fault lines in American politics and institutions. We discuss Marjorie Taylor Greene’s response, which focused on government overreach and political division; the dark fruits of Steve Bannon’s divisive media strategy; and Trump’s post-2024 trajectory, including his rhetoric about sidelining elections and fears of authoritarian maneuvering. James also shares personal insights from his time working with Rand Paul on confronting Trump’s policy impulses, and why someone who voted for Trump twice still views the current direction with alarm. Other topics include: Why the Pretti killing isn’t just a tragedy but a political flashpoint in immigration enforcement and civil rights. The implications of ICE and CBP overreach on American democracy and community trust. Trump’s strained relations with European allies and attacks on GOP figures like Thomas Massie. How veterans’ service shapes perceptions of security, authority, and the rule of law. Essential listening for anyone trying to understand what the Pretti case reveals about law enforcement, executive power, political polarization, and the soul of the republic.

👉 Pitch in on Patreon and fuel the future of free-thinking conversations. https://www.patreon.com/parallaxviews Also visit our returning sponsor Mike Swanson's Wall Street Window for the best financial and trading newsletter around: https://wallstreetwindow.com/ On this edition of Parallax Views, Ambassador Patrick Theros offers a seasoned diplomat’s assessment of the first year of Donald Trump’s second presidency. The conversation is anchored in Theros’ recent National Herald column, “Twenty Twenty-Five: What I Got Right, What I Got Wrong, and Why 2026 Looks Worse,” in which he reflects on his expectations for the administration and how rapidly events have outpaced them. Theros breaks down what he underestimated, what surprised him, and why the speed and scale of developments in Trump’s second term have been so destabilizing. We examine Trump’s foreign and domestic policy record, including ICE and the killing of Alex Pretti, the administration’s contradictory impulses, and whether Trump is actively governing or allowing loyalists and ideological actors to run policy in his absence. Theros argues that Trump’s inability to manage multiple crises simultaneously has produced dangerous incoherence. The discussion ranges widely across geopolitics and political economy: Gaza and the broader Middle East, Trump’s relationship with Netanyahu, the erosion of U.S. soft power, and how Trump’s National Security Strategy places new risks on Gulf States—raising doubts about an 85-year partnership with the United States. Theros explains why “might makes right” is a recipe for bad statecraft, how hubris historically brings dominant powers down, and why the current moment resembles the end of the liberal, U.S.-led international order. We also explore Europe as a potential model for the United States, including a detailed discussion of VAT taxation and European-style healthcare, as well as Europe’s response to Trump’s posturing over Greenland. Additional topics include the return of multipolarity and balance-of-power geopolitics, the revival of spheres of influence, the Athenians’ folly as a historical lesson, and why the Russo-Ukraine war is likely to grind on. Theros weighs in on the potential rise of India as a hemispheric power, Trump’s view of Russia, China’s current geopolitical position, and the isolationist impulses now visible in both Washington and Beijing. We also discuss Trump’s approach to Latin America, the global loss of trust in the United States, and the danger posed by the administration’s attacks on universities and institutional capacity. The episode concludes with an extended discussion of Theros’ recent essay “Of Whales and Windmills,” examining American industrial policy, shipbuilding, and the myth of U.S. industrial self-sufficiency—along with why Trump cannot restore mid-20th-century industrial dominance by sheer political will. The article takes aim at Trump's "Restoring America's Maritime Dominance" Executive Order. We also talk about tariffs and other economic policies and the contradictions of Trump's economic policies. We'll also discuss the need to break up the defense industry monopolies and other related issues. All this, and much more, on the latest edition of Parallax Views.

👉 Pitch in on Patreon and fuel the future of free-thinking conversations. https://www.patreon.com/parallaxviews Also visit our returning sponsor Mike Swanson's Wall Street Window for the best financial and trading newsletter around: https://wallstreetwindow.com/ On this edition of Parallax Views, libertarian gadfly Jim Bovard returns to dissect the federal killing of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis and its disturbing parallels to the infamous Ruby Ridge standoff. Bovard, author of ten books including Public Policy Hooligan, Attention Deficit Democracy, The Bush Betrayal, and Lost Rights: The Destruction of American Liberty, examines how federal law enforcement, including ICE, Border Patrol, and the FBI, have historically operated under preemptive “Rules of Engagement” that sanction the use of deadly force against American citizens. He traces the echoes of Ruby Ridge, where the Weaver family was ambushed by FBI snipers and U.S. Marshals, to the recent Minneapolis shooting, highlighting patterns of threat inflation, government cover-ups, and the erosion of civil liberties. In this episode, we discuss Alex Pretti’s killing—shot in the back multiple times despite surrendering a legally carried firearm—and the official government narrative that quickly labeled him a “domestic terrorist.” Bovard contrasts the federal and political spin surrounding Pretti with the 1992 FBI and ATF operations in Idaho, where Randy and Vicki Weaver, along with family friend Kevin Harris, were targeted under similarly aggressive rules of engagement. He details how, in both cases, federal agents preemptively used lethal force, disregarded due process, seized evidence to prevent independent investigation, and faced little accountability, despite public outcry and judicial rebukes. Bovard also examines the broader implications for civil liberties, gun rights, and freedom of speech, including how videotaping federal agents has become criminalized in practice and how political partisanship—exemplified by Trump administration officials and conservative media—can shape public acceptance of state violence. He unpacks the historical, legal, and political dimensions of these incidents, from the misrepresentation of armed threats to the systematic attempts at cover-up by the Justice Department and federal law enforcement agencies. This episode is essential listening for anyone concerned with U.S. federal law enforcement abuses, ICE and Border Patrol accountability, FBI sniper operations, government overreach, civil liberties in America, the politics of domestic terrorism labeling, and the ongoing legacy of Ruby Ridge in contemporary policing. Bovard’s insights offer a stark reminder of how federal power can be misused and why vigilance is necessary to protect individual rights against state violence.

👉 Pitch in on Patreon and fuel the future of free-thinking conversations. https://www.patreon.com/parallaxviews Also visit our returning sponsor Mike Swanson's Wall Street Window for the best financial and trading newsletter around: https://wallstreetwindow.com/ On this edition of Parallax Views, we’re joined by Sheldon Richman, executive editor of The Libertarian Institute and former senior editor at the Cato Institute, to unpack his provocative article “TGIF: The Trumpian ICE Age.” Richman argues that the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement reflects a larger trend of unchecked federal power and erosion of individual liberty. He frames recent actions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and related agencies as emblematic of an expanding coercive state that dismisses constitutional limits and civil liberties. At the heart of our conversation is the tragic killing of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old Minneapolis ICU nurse and U.S. citizen who was fatally shot by federal Border Patrol agents during a January protest against immigration raids. Video evidence and eyewitness accounts indicate Pretti was unarmed — holding a phone and attempting to assist another person — when he was pepper-sprayed, wrestled to the ground, disarmed, and then shot multiple times; federal claims that he posed an imminent threat are widely disputed. Pretti’s death — coming just weeks after another U.S. citizen and mother of three, Renée Good, was killed in a similar context — has sparked nationwide outrage, protests, legal actions demanding preservation of evidence and accountability, and intense debate about federal overreach, use of force, and the future of civil liberties under powerful enforcement agencies. Richman situates these events within a broader critique of how executive power is exercised in the name of security and enforcement, warning that such episodes are symptomatic of structural threats to freedom rather than isolated policy mistakes.

👉 Pitch in on Patreon and fuel the future of free-thinking conversations. https://www.patreon.com/parallaxviews Also visit our returning sponsor Mike Swanson's Wall Street Window for the best financial and trading newsletter around: https://wallstreetwindow.com/ On this edition of Parallax Views, geopolitical analyst Deep State Kuba—a veteran of both public and private sector work and a regular guest on THIS IS REVOLUTION and GIVE THEM AN ARGUMENT w/ Ben Burgis— returns to unpack Mark Carney’s stunning speech at the Davos World Economic Forum, where Carney declared that the so-called post–Cold War “rules-based international order” was a fiction—and that it’s now dead. We dig into what that admission really means, whether the global order many Americans have taken for granted is fully unraveling under a second Trump presidency, and how to think clearly about power without collapsing realism into the lazy mantra of “might makes right.” Along the way, we explore the rising role of “middle powers,” the contradictions between MAGA’s industrial ambitions and Trump’s actual policy choices, the controversial use of ICE, the perils of state hubris, the odd mutations of 21st-century conservatism, and the broader sense of political and cultural vertigo defining the current zeitgeist. Topics include: Mark Carney at Davos and the end of the rules-based order Trump’s second presidency and global instability Middle powers and a shifting multipolar world Realism vs. “might makes right” caricatures ICE, state power, and the domestic situation in the United States MAGA, U.S. industry, and policy contradictions Conservatism’s strange new form in the 21st century and the "black is white, white is black... we're through the looking glass now" reality of the current zeitgeist

👉 Pitch in on Patreon and fuel the future of free-thinking conversations. https://www.patreon.com/parallaxviews Also visit our returning sponsor Mike Swanson's Wall Street Window for the best financial and trading newsletter around: https://wallstreetwindow.com/ On this edition of Parallax Views, journalist James M. Dorsey of The Turbulent World blog returns to unpack Donald Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace” for the reconstruction of Gaza and why, despite its branding, it is not really just about Gaza — yet may still represent the only option Gaza is being offered amid total devastation and geopolitical paralysis. From there, we widen the lens to examine how this proposal fits into Trump’s broader authoritarian impulse and a growing willingness to sidestep international law, including the controversial capture of Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro and what it signals about changing norms of sovereignty and legality. We then turn to Iran, taking an in-depth look at ongoing protests, the Islamic Republic’s violent crackdown on dissent, and circumstantial evidence suggesting Mossad meddling in the unrest. The discussion expands further to Trump’s aggressive global posturing — including his claim that Greenland should belong to the United States — and how such moves reflect a rapidly shifting balance of power. Israel is also discussed, with specific attention given to Benjamin Netanyahu stating that he'd like to see Israel "taper" off U.S. aid over the course of the next decade. Additionally, we explore European resistance to Trump, a recent speech by Canada’s prime minister declaring the old “rules-based international order” more or less dead, and what it means to be entering uncharted territory as the post–Cold War world order continues to fracture.

👉 Pitch in on Patreon and fuel the future of free-thinking conversations. https://www.patreon.com/parallaxviews Also visit our returning sponsor Mike Swanson's Wall Street Window for the best financial and trading newsletter around: https://wallstreetwindow.com/ In this episode of Parallax Views, I’m joined once again by historian James L. Gelvin to assess the state of the Middle East in 2026. Drawing on his 2017 book The New Middle East: What Everyone Needs to Know, we examine what has changed—and what hasn’t—over the past decade. We discuss U.S. foreign policy and why the Obama administration’s Asia Pivot and partial retreat from the region failed to stabilize it, as well as the Trump administration’s erratic and contradictory Middle East policies. The conversation explores Iran, Gaza, Turkey, Israel, Iran, and Saudi Arabia; why the Saudi–Iranian “rapprochement” is better understood as a détente; the limits of sectarian explanations to understanding the Middle East and the enduring problem of Orientalism; shifting American and European public attitudes toward Israel; the spread of new conflict zones since 2017; regional powers jockeying for influence; Trump and Nixon's "Madman" Doctrine; the great risks in the Middle East today and the lessening of U.S. hegemony in the Middle East; Cold War-era offshore balancing vs. today's U.S. policies in the Middle East; where the U.S. discourse on the Middle East has failed; what role energy and economics will play in the region going forward; the impact of Trump's Venezuela operation (the abduction of Maduro) and what it means for international law, U.S. foreign policy, and the Middle East; Netanyahu's statements that Israel needs to taper itself off from U.S. assistance in the next decade; hubris, the lessons of history, and policy failures; the ascent of Al-Sharaa in Syria and the future of Syria; and much, much more.

👉 Pitch in on Patreon and fuel the future of free-thinking conversations. https://www.patreon.com/parallaxviews Also visit our returning sponsor Mike Swanson's Wall Street Window for the best financial and trading newsletter around: https://wallstreetwindow.com/ On this episode of Parallax Views, historian Alejandro Velasco—associate professor at New York University and author of Barrio Rising: Urban Popular Politics and the Making of Modern Venezuela—joins the show for an in-depth analysis of the dramatic events reshaping Venezuela and U.S.–Latin America relations. We examine the implications of the U.S. capture of Nicolás Maduro, the resurgence of gunboat diplomacy in Latin America under the Trump administration, and what these developments mean for Venezuela and the broader region. Velasco unpacks the idea of “Two Venezuelas”—the divide between the Venezuelan diaspora and those living inside the country—and explains how this split shapes politics, perception, and international policy. The conversation also explores key political figures, including María Corina Machado, the Venezuelan opposition leader recently awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, and Delcy Rodríguez, who has emerged as Venezuela’s de facto leader following Maduro’s capture. Finally, Velasco analyzes the forces driving U.S. foreign policy toward Venezuela, arguing that Donald Trump’s focus on material interests like oil intersects with the more ideological agendas of figures such as Stephen Miller and Marco Rubio, creating a volatile convergence that could spell instability and conflict for Latin America in the years ahead.

👉 Pitch in on Patreon and fuel the future of free-thinking conversations. https://www.patreon.com/parallaxviews Also visit our returning sponsor Mike Swanson's Wall Street Window for the best financial and trading newsletter around: https://wallstreetwindow.com/ On this edition of Parallax Views, Christopher Mott of the Institute for Peace and Diplomacy joins the show to break down the Trump administration’s alleged abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, the escalating fears of war with Venezuela, and what these developments signal for U.S. foreign policy in Latin America. Could Washington and Caracas be drifting toward open conflict, or is something even bigger underway beneath the surface? As the conversation unfolds, the focus widens to the changing nature of the global geopolitical order itself. Mott argues that the liberal, international rules-based order is rapidly eroding and being replaced by a multipolar world defined by spheres of influence—neither a utopia nor an apocalypse, but a reality that demands clear-eyed

👉 Pitch in on Patreon and fuel the future of free-thinking conversations. https://www.patreon.com/parallaxviews Also visit our returning sponsor Mike Swanson's Wall Street Window for the best financial and trading newsletter around: https://wallstreetwindow.com/ On this edition of Parallax Views, we continue covering the explosive developments of last week with the abduction of Nicolas Maduro by the United States. Joining me is Kyle Anzalone, opinion editor at Antiwar.com and host of Conflicts of Interest and The Kyle Anzalone Show, to break down what we know so far about the operation, what remains unclear, and what it could ultimately entail for Venezuela, the region, and the United States of America. We discuss the circumstances surrounding Maduro’s kidnapping, including whether he may have been sold out by elements within his own government, as well as popular narratives pointing to Israel and oil interests as prime drivers—and why we’re skeptical of those explanations. Kyle and I also examine the broader political context: Maduro’s prior willingness to work with the Trump administration on oil, the propaganda buildup ahead of the operation (including Trump branding Maduro a “narco-terrorist”), and, most significantly, the role of Marco Rubio and South American Republicans tied to the Cuban-American exile lobby. In that light, we explore whether Venezuela is being treated as a testing ground or prelude for future U.S.-backed destabilization or regime change efforts in Cuba, the fractures this episode reveals within MAGA-world, and how war hawks have worked to cognitively infiltrate the so-called anti-interventionist movement to reorient those elements back into more hawkish sentiments.

👉 Pitch in on Patreon and fuel the future of free-thinking conversations. https://www.patreon.com/parallaxviews Also visit our returning sponsor Mike Swanson's Wall Street Window for the best financial and trading newsletter around: https://wallstreetwindow.com/ On this edition of Parallax Views, critical media literacy scholar Nolan Higdon of The Gaslight Gazette joins the show to unpack what is unfolding right now in Venezuela following the U.S. military’s seizure of President Nicolás Maduro. Drawing on his recent analysis, Higdon examines how familiar narratives — “narco-terrorism,” the war on drugs, and energy security — are being rapidly mobilized to normalize what amounts to an extraordinary act of regime change. Higdon breaks down how the charge of “narcoterrorism” functions less as a factual claim than as a flexible legal and media framework, one that allows U.S. policymakers to recast military intervention as law enforcement while sidestepping serious questions about international law, sovereignty, and constitutional authority. He situates this rhetoric within a longer history of U.S. interventions where criminalization replaces diplomacy and invasion is reframed as necessity. The conversation also interrogates claims that Venezuelan oil is central to U.S. energy security, with Higdon noting how negotiations and existing arrangements were previously rejected — suggesting that control, leverage, and geopolitical signaling matter more than resource access itself. From naval blockades to information management, he outlines how pressure campaigns escalate into open force while media coverage often lags behind the reality on the ground. Links: Oil, Narcoterrorism, and Regime Change by Nolan Higdon - The Gaslight Gazette

👉 Pitch in on Patreon and fuel the future of free-thinking conversations. https://www.patreon.com/parallaxviews Also visit our returning sponsor Mike Swanson's Wall Street Window for the best financial and trading newsletter around: https://wallstreetwindow.com/ Replay for the holiday season (and because yours truly is having issues with his equipment): a timely episode from 2020 on Epstein with Ohio-based investigative journalist Bob Fitrakis that's relevant in lieu of the Epstein Files dropping and DropSite News' covering the Epstein connection to Iran/Contra On this edition of Parallax Views, Les Wexner, the founder of L Brands and former CEO of Victoria's Secrets, has come under scrutiny in the past year for his close association with the late billionaire pedophile "International Man of Mystery" Jeffrey Epstein. In some ways Wexner's association with the wealthy abuser can be considered the "Ohio Connection" to the sordid saga of Jeffrey Epstein. Lawyer, professor of political science, and maverick Columbus, Ohio-based journalist Dr. Robert Fitrakis joins, who has been investigating the Wexner/Epstein story since the 1990s, joins us to discuss this aspect of the Epstein scandal. Our resident Epstein correspondent in France, Marlon Ettinger, joined J.G. to co-host this episode. In this conversation we discuss: - Bob's background in journalism and how he got on the trail of the billionaire Les Wexner in Columbus, Ohio - How Epstein and Wexner met - The 1985 mob-style murder/hit carried out against Wexner's tax attorney Arthur Shapiro and "The Shapiro Murder File" - Wexner's connections to public corruption and organized crime in central Ohio - State of Ohio Inspector General David Sturtz, who went after Epstein and Wexner and referred to Epstein as Wexner's "boyfriend" - Wexner's ties to the scandalous Iran/Contra affair through the CIA-connected Southern Air Transport (SAT) - The Wexner Foundation's involvement in the selling of the Iraq War - Epstein and sexual blackmail operations; the large sums of money transferred from Wexner to Epstein; why Bob believes that Wexner is still worth looking into rather than someone who didn't know Epstein's true nature; the arrest of Ghislaine Maxwell (does she have the goods?) and much, much more.

👉 Pitch in on Patreon and fuel the future of free-thinking conversations. https://www.patreon.com/parallaxviews Also visit our returning sponsor Mike Swanson's Wall Street Window for the best financial and trading newsletter around: https://wallstreetwindow.com/ On this edition of Parallax Views, J.G. Michael is joined by freelance film journalist Corey Atad, who has written for such publications as The Baffler and Defector, to break down the growing likelihood of Netflix acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery and what a Netflix–Warner Bros. merger would mean for Hollywood, media competition, and the future of cinema. The discussion examines how Netflix’s ambitions could end up reshaping the entertainment industry—often at the expense of workers, audiences, and cultural life. Atad also analyzes David Ellison’s attempted hostile takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery, a move widely seen as an effort to block a Netflix takeover. Despite positioning himself as an alternative to Netflix, Ellison—who is aligned with MAGA political networks and Silicon Valley power structures—raises serious concerns due to his erratic leadership style and behind-the-scenes dealings, including reported personal outreach to Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav while actively attempting to seize control of the company. The episode further explores fears that a Paramount–Skydance merger could transform CNN into a MAGA-aligned media outlet, with Atad arguing that the deeper issue may be the accelerating collapse of cable news itself rather than partisan capture alone. A central theme of the conversation is how Netflix and streaming consolidation threaten movie theaters, which Atad frames as vital communal spaces in a time of increasing social atomization. Michael and Atad discuss how the Netflix business model, rooted in a Silicon Valley “disruptive” mindset, prioritizes scale and dominance over shared cultural experiences—placing theatrical exhibition and mid-budget filmmaking at risk. The episode concludes by arguing that neither Netflix absorbing Warner Bros. nor a Skydance takeover represents a good outcome, and that a functioning democratic state would prevent this level of media consolidation in the first place. Special attention is given to how a Netflix–Warner Bros. deal could harm Canada’s media industry, where Atad is based. In other words, this episode discusses regulation, monopoly, culture, the potential death of theaters, and what it all in the bigger picture for America and the world through a conversation about Netflix's acquiring Warner Bros. It's a doozy at around 2 hours but should interest movie and non-movie fans alike!

👉 Pitch in on Patreon and fuel the future of free-thinking conversations. https://www.patreon.com/parallaxviews Also visit our returning sponsor Mike Swanson's Wall Street Window for the best financial and trading newsletter around: https://wallstreetwindow.com/ On this edition of Parallax Views, J.G. Michael is joined by Mickey Huff, director of Project Censored, to discuss Project Censored’s State of the Free Press 2026, a landmark edition marking the 50th anniversary of the long-running media watchdog organization. The annual report offers all the news relevant to the public that the mainstream media ignored. Huff reflects on the origins of Project Censored under Sonoma State University professor Carl Jensen during the Watergate era and explores how its mission to highlight underreported stories and challenge entrenched power structures in the media remains as vital as ever. The conversation also delves into the escalating crisis of corporate news media consolidation, with special attention to concerns surrounding CNN’s potential acquisition by Paramount-Skydance and what such shifts mean for journalistic independence, public trust, and the future of a free press. In the final portion of the episode, Huff discusses his work at the Park Media Center and the Izzy Awards (named in honor of legendary independent journalist I.F. Stone) spotlighting the importance of recognizing investigative journalism that holds power accountable.

👉 Pitch in on Patreon and fuel the future of free-thinking conversations. https://www.patreon.com/parallaxviews Also visit our returning sponsor Mike Swanson's Wall Street Window for the best financial and trading newsletter around: https://wallstreetwindow.com/ On this episode of Parallax Views, J.G. Michael speaks with acclaimed journalist and author Jacob Ward, former NBC News technology correspondent and author of The Loop: How AI Is Creating a World Without Choices and How to Fight Back. Ward lays out his thesis that commercial AI is quietly reshaping human decision-making—much like GPS rewired our sense of direction—by exploiting the shortcuts and biases built into our brains. We explore Ward’s early research into algorithmic influence, how his work anticipated today’s conversations around “AI psychosis,” and why the public’s psychological relationship with these systems is becoming increasingly unstable. The conversation also dives into the emerging “AI hivemind” problem: the risk that large-scale, widely adopted AI systems may compress human culture and thought into homogenized patterns, narrowing the diversity of choices, perspectives, and creative possibilities. Ward offers concrete insights on what institutions can do to safeguard human autonomy, what individuals can do to resist passive decision-outsourcing, and what the next five years of AI development might bring—both the dangers and the opportunities. A deep, challenging look at the intersection of technology, psychology, and human agency—exactly the kind of perspective you expect from Parallax Views.