In this episode of But This Time It’s Different, Sinead and Alex board the wildest diplomatic flight of the year: Qatar’s luxury 747-8, recently “gifted” to the United States for use as Air Force One.

They unpack the geopolitical theater of jet-set diplomacy: why Qatar’s playing Boeing fairy godmother, how Trump ended up with a tricked-out flying palace, and what this all says about the state of American soft power (spoiler: it’s not soaring). 

From presidential plane delays to the branding games of modern diplomacy, this episode is a first-class ticket through ego, influence, and very expensive aviation.

Chapters:

00:00 : Introduction to Air Force One and Its Symbolism

02:45 : The Gift from Qatar: A Political Accessory

08:32 : Boeing's Struggles with Air Force One's Replacement

14:52 : Qatar's Strategic Gift: Power Dynamics and Influence

22:41 : The Erosion of Symbolic Power in American Politics