In Episode 3 of Modern Age with Dan McCarthy, we explore a long-running debate within the conservative movement: how involved should America be in reshaping other nations?

From Cold War fault lines to the Iraq War and now the growing tensions between Israel and Iran, conservatives have often pushed back against interventionist policies—though not always for the same reasons, and not always in agreement.

Dan McCarthy walks through the intellectual history behind this tension, offering context for understanding today's disagreements on the right.

In this episode of Modern Age, Dan McCarthy takes a historical lens to one of today’s most volatile geopolitical flashpoints: the conflict between Israel and Iran. Drawing from a range of historical moments—including post-WWII Japan and Germany—he explores patterns of war, peace, and national transformation that may offer insight into the present.

Drawing on the legacy of Modern Age and the great books tradition, Dan McCarthy introduces a framework for understanding three core kinds of intellectuals. More than an academic sketch, this episode lays the groundwork for how a principled elite can speak to—and for—the American working class.