JJ McCullough joins the show for a candid conversation about what it’s like on YouTube in today’s media environment. JJ opens up about the growing challenges of making nuanced political and international content on a platform shaped by algorithms, audience polarization, and increasing pressure to simplify complex global issues into click-friendly narratives.Together, we dig into how online incentives shape what viewers hear about foreign policy, why thoughtful geopolitical analysis is harder than ever to sustain, and how creators balance accuracy, audience expectations, and platform constraints. JJ reflects on where discourse breaks down, what still makes the work worthwhile, and how independent media can survive in a climate that often rewards outrage over understanding.A thoughtful, behind-the-scenes look at modern political commentary—and a must-listen for anyone interested in geopolitics, media ecosystems, or the realities of explaining the world on the internet.Check out The Morris Doctrine on Substack:https://morrisdoctrine.substack.com/PatreonWebsiteBooksTwitterTikTok
Robert Morris is joined by YouTuber and political commentator JJ McCullough for a lively conversation about Rob’s new Substack and the guiding idea behind The Morris Doctrine:The United States gets weaker every time it uses military force — so it shouldn’t.Rob breaks down why America’s geography, wealth, and security make restraint not just possible but essential. JJ pushes back on parts of the doctrine, offering his own perspective on U.S. power, international responsibility, and where Rob’s argument goes too far. The result is a sharp, engaging debate that digs into what U.S. foreign policy could look like if military action stopped being the default.A must-listen for anyone interested in foreign policy, media narratives, or big-picture arguments about America’s role in the world.https://morrisdoctrine.substack.com/PatreonWebsiteBooksTwitterTikTok
In this episode, hosts Robert Morris and Ruairi dive into a hard truth that history makes impossible to ignore: great powers often drain their own strength through endless, unnecessary wars. Drawing parallels between Britain’s long decline and America’s current global posture, Rob explores his growing concern that the U.S. may be following a similar path—squandering its unmatched potential by pouring resources into military dominance rather than domestic prosperity.Together, the hosts unpack how much better America could be if it focused on strengthening itself at home instead of projecting force abroad. From economic resilience to social wellbeing, they argue that the U.S. has everything it needs to thrive—if only it chose to invest in its people rather than perpetuating global conflict.Thought-provoking, historically grounded, and deeply relevant, this episode challenges listeners to rethink what real national strength looks like—and what America stands to gain by choosing a different path.PatreonWebsiteBooksTwitterTikTok
Foreign Affairs, a supposedly respectable publication, recently published an article entitled “America's Allies Should Go Nuclear” , which argues that U.S. allies like Germany, Japan, or Canada ought to be sold nuclear arsenals. Foreign Affairs+1We dismantle that argument, laying out why proliferating nukes among American-aligned nations would be a reckless misstep — not a “strengthening” of global order but a dangerous gamble with global stability. We explore the risks: undermining treaty frameworks like the Nuclear Non‑Proliferation Treaty (NPT), increasing nuclear arms races, and making deterrence less predictable and more volatile.Most importantly, we argue that U.S. allies don’t need nuclear weapons — they need a renewed commitment to non-proliferation. Instead of spreading the bomb, let’s spread trust — not knot the world tighter into a nuclear standoff.Tune in for a hard-hitting, no-punches-pulled breakdown of why arguments for “selective proliferation” are dangerously short-sighted.
In this episode of The More Freedom Foundation Podcast, hosts Robert Morris and Ruairi dive into one of the most misunderstood crises on the global stage — the violence in Nigeria, the claims of a “Christian genocide,” and the speculation that the United States might intervene militarily.We explore how a mix of religious tension, regional insecurity, and government failures have fueled a humanitarian disaster — without fitting neatly into the narrative some Western commentators promote. While we don’t believe a coordinated genocide against Christians is taking place, the situation in Nigeria is undeniably dire, with thousands of civilians — of multiple faiths — suffering from extremist groups, criminal networks, and political corruption.Robert and Ruairi break down:Why some media voices think the U.S. could invade NigeriaHow Nigeria’s internal conflicts actually work on the groundThe role of religion versus economics and powerHow government elites are enriching themselves — including the seizure of national oil wealthWhy a U.S. military intervention is highly unlikely, and what Washington truly wantsThis episode takes a sober, critical look at a humanitarian crisis too often oversimplified for American culture-war politics — and asks what responsible concern for Nigeria should really look like.PatreonWebsiteBooksTwitterTikTok
In this episode, hosts Robert Morris and Ruairi break down the latest U.S. election results from Virginia, New Jersey, New York, and beyond — and explore why the night turned out to be a sweeping win for the Democratic Party. But beneath the headlines lies a more complicated question: What direction is the party really heading?With the election of candidates like former CIA officer Abigail Spanberger, the Democrats appear to be consolidating gains not by shifting left, as figures like Zohran Mamdani might hope, but by embracing a more centrist, national-security-friendly identity — a posture that aligns closer to Pentagon priorities than democratic-socialist ambitions.Robert and Ruairi look at the electoral data, the policy rhetoric, and the factions within the party to ask:Are Democrats rejecting the progressive wing, or just recalibrating?What do these victories mean for the party’s future strategy?And is the Biden-era coalition holding — or hardening?It’s a deep dive into ideology, power, and the future of American politics — one that challenges assumptions about what voters really want.
Big Tech is merging with the Military-Industrial Complex — and we’re calling it “Murder Voltron.” Robert Morris and Ruairi break down how Silicon Valley giants like Palantir are driving the new AI arms race, the “beat China” narrative, and what this tech–military merger means for privacy, power, and the future of freedom.PatreonWebsiteBooksTwitterTikTok
Sudan’s brutal civil war is a catastrophe that has destroyed lives and threatens to tear the nation in two. Last week it got much worse. While the conflict is complex, one fact is clear: the United Arab Emirates has played a major role in fueling and prolonging the violence. By backing the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a militia now ruling through fear and massacre, the UAE has helped entrench one of the most violent regimes on earth.But this isn’t a story with heroes. The opposing faction, though slightly less horrific and marginally more capable of governing, has also committed serious abuses. Robert and Ruairi unpack how both sides’ brutality, combined with cynical foreign interference, has created a tragedy that shows no sign of ending.If you care about global politics, accountability, and how money and power shape the world’s forgotten wars — this episode is for you.PatreonWebsiteBooksTwitterTikTok
We use the recent cease-fire between Afghanistan and Pakistan as an opportunity to explore how Afghanistan has changed in the four years since the U.S. withdrawal. They discuss the Taliban’s evolving role as a governing force, shifting regional power dynamics, and the complex relationship between Kabul and Islamabad.The conversation also highlights a surprising development — tourism in Afghanistan has been quietly but steadily increasing, nearly doubling each year since the withdrawal, reflecting both changing perceptions and the country’s efforts to re-engage with the outside world.Drawing inspiration from the International Crisis Group’s detailed coverage of South Asia, Robert and Ruairí provide context, insight, and a critical look at Afghanistan’s uncertain but fascinating path forward.For further reading, visit the International Crisis Group’s Afghanistan page:👉 https://www.crisisgroup.org/asia-pacific/south-asia/afghanistanPatreonWebsiteBooksTwitterTikTok
In this episode of The More Freedom Foundation Podcast, hosts Robert Morris and Ruairi unpack the newly proposed 20-point ceasefire plan for Israel and Gaza — and why they doubt it will hold. Recorded just before news broke that the ceasefire had already been breached, the discussion dives into how U.S. politics, regional alliances, and outside influence from Qatar and Saudi Arabia have shaped this fragile peace.The hosts explore how Trump’s financial ties and political support from Gulf states may have influenced the process — and how the recent attack on Qatar appears to have been the final straw, forcing a shaky ceasefire that’s at least managed to reduce a massive amount of death to a smaller, tragic amount.We also reference a fascinating episode of Chapo Trap House, featuring Ryan Grim and Jeremy Scahill — journalists from one of Rob’s favorite independent outlets, Drop Site News.🎧 Listen to the Chapo Trap House episode here: soundcloud.com/chapo-trap-house/977-the-next-day-feat-ryan-grim-and-jeremy-scahillPatreonWebsiteBooksTwitterTikTok
In this episode of The More Freedom Foundation Podcast, hosts Robert Morris and Ruairi unpack the headlines around the new Pakistan–Saudi Arabia defense pact. Some analysts are framing this as the rise of a new anti-American “axis of power,” but is that really the case? Robert breaks down the history of both nations’ deep ties to the United States, the realities of their military cooperation, and why talk of Pakistan deploying nuclear weapons to defend Saudi Arabia doesn’t hold up under scrutiny. This conversation offers a clear-eyed look at geopolitics beyond the hype. PatreonWebsiteBooksTwitterTikTok
We dig into newly leaked emails revealing an unexpected connection between Jeffrey Epstein, former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, and a Mongolian security deal.What do these documents tell us about Epstein’s international activities, his political connections, and the web of influence stretching from Tel Aviv to Ulaanbaatar? We unpack the revelations reported by Drop Site News, explore the geopolitical context behind Mongolia’s security ambitions, and discuss what this means for understanding the global nature of Epstein’s operations.We also react to a vira post from @worqas on X that frames these revelations in an illuminating way. 🔗 Read the article: Jeffrey Epstein, Ehud Barak, and the Mongolia Security Deal – Drop Site News🐦 Tweet discussed in the show: @worqas on XPatreonWebsiteBooksTwitterTikTok
In this episode of The More Freedom Foundation Podcast, Robert Morris and Ruairí dive into Escape from Rome: The Failure of Empire and the Road to Prosperity by Walter Scheidel. Rob, a huge fan of the book, explains Scheidel’s provocative thesis: the fall of the Roman Empire wasn’t a tragedy, but the key that unlocked Europe’s path to innovation, capitalism, and modern prosperity.They explore why Europe’s fragmentation led to competition and freedom, while powerful empires elsewhere — from China to the Middle East — followed very different historical paths. Along the way, they discuss empire, state collapse, economic growth, and what lessons history offers for today’s global order.If you’re interested in Roman history, world history, China’s empire, the rise of Europe, or the roots of modern prosperity, this conversation will give you new insights into how freedom and competition shaped our world.🔗 Escape from Rome (Princeton University Press) — https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691172187/escape-from-romePatreonWebsiteBooksTwitterTikTok
In this episode of The More Freedom Foundation Podcast, Robert Morris and Ruairi dive into Venezuela’s recent history, exploring how Hugo Chávez’s extraordinary luck with record-high oil prices shaped perceptions of his leadership—and why Nicolás Maduro has struggled by comparison. We also unpack why U.S. hostility often backfires, strengthening authoritarian leaders by giving them a convenient enemy to rally against. Plus, we make the case for why any talk of an American invasion of Venezuela is both dangerous and counterproductive.PatreonWebsiteBooksTwitterTikTok
In the 150th episode of The More Freedom Foundation Podcast, hosts Robert Morris and Ruairi take on your biggest political questions. From U.S. foreign policy to global affairs, we dive into the issues shaping our world today. This special Q&A episode covers international politics, current events, and listener questions, with a few behind-the-scenes insights into how the podcast is made.PatreonWebsiteBooksTwitterTikTok
In this episode, we dive into the protests in Indonesia — but really, that’s just our way into a much bigger conversation. Indonesia is one of the world’s true giants: the fourth most populous country, sprawling across thousands of islands, sitting at the crossroads of Asia and the Pacific. And yet, despite its size, history, and global importance, Indonesia is too often ignored in international discussions. We explore why this "forgotten colossus" matters, how its politics and geography shape the world, and why paying attention to it is long overdue.PatreonWebsiteBooksTwitterTikTok
In this week’s episode of The More Freedom Foundation Podcast, hosts Robert Morris and Ruairi take a hard look at the many layers of Trump’s corruption. From shady crypto scams to using the official White House website to push his personal merchandise, Trump consistently blurred the line between public service and private profit.But this isn’t just about one man’s grift. We dig into the role of short-sighted oligarchs — in the U.S. and abroad — who built the environment that allowed Trump’s corruption to thrive. Their greed and willingness to put profit above principle created fertile ground for authoritarianism, and we’re still dealing with the consequences today.If you want a clear-eyed breakdown of Trump’s corruption and the system that made it possible, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.PatreonWebsiteBooksTwitterTikTok
On this episode of The More Freedom Foundation, Robert Morris and Ruairi dive into the intriguing journey of Zohran Mamdani as he sets his sights on becoming Mayor of New York City. We explore the trials, tribulations, and political hurdles he may face along the way, and what his candidacy could mean for the future of the Democratic Party. Could Mamdani’s vision spark a transformation reminiscent of FDR’s progressive era? Tune in for a deep dive into the shifting political landscape, strategic challenges, and the potential ripple effects of a new kind of leadership in one of America’s most influential cities.PatreonWebsiteBooksTwitterTikTok
In this episode, we dive into the recent flare-up between Cambodia and Thailand. What sparked the tension? How serious was the risk of escalation? And, most importantly, what does the apparent resolution mean for both countries and the region going forward?Rob and Ruairi break down the historical context, the political dynamics at play, and why these disputes matter beyond Southeast Asia. While the situation seems calm for now, we explore whether this peace is built to last—or just a pause before the next round of conflict.PatreonWebsiteBooksTwitterTikTok
In this week’s episode of The More Freedom Foundation Podcast, hosts Rob Morris and Ruairi explore how Donald Trump’s policies and political choices have shaped the ongoing crisis in Gaza. Does his policy mark a break from Biden's policies, or an intensification? We break down the ways Trump’s approach has undermined prospects for peace and contributed to worsening conditions on the ground. This is a deep dive into the ripple effects of American foreign policy, why they matter now more than ever, and what they mean for the future of the region.PatreonWebsiteBooksTwitterTikTok