What makes government shutdowns drag on? On the other hand, how much does it matter? Shutdown or no shutdown, President Trump’s tariffs are about to go before the Supreme Court; and in the meantime, the President keeps adjusting them pretty much every week. He also seems to be taking liberties in bombing accused drug boats off the coast of Venezuela. We tackle these issues, and more, on this episode of Independent Outlook.

Entire neighborhoods across the U.S. have become open-air asylums, drug markets, and impoverished wastelands—despite billions poured into homelessness programs. The tragic truth? The prevailing “solutions,” like Housing First, are failing—failing those experiencing homelessness, and failing the communities around them.

But there IS another way.

This conversation with the authors of Beyond Homeless: Good Intentions, Bad Outcomes, Transformative Solutions, a groundbreaking new book that shines a light on proven, life-changing alternatives, looks at why current policies fall short, hear real-world success stories from San Antonio and communities across the country, and lay out bold reforms that can restore dignity, save lives, and transform struggling communities into places of hope and renewal.

Los Angeles has a metropolitan transit system—the L.A. Metro for short—but few people want to ride it because it’s dirty and unsafe, and doesn’t go where they want to go. Taxpayer advocates balk at the billions of tax dollars spent on dubious Metro expansions. Los Angeles is one of the greatest cities in the world. Does its Metro system have to be this bad?

The answer is “No!” We learn why in this episode of Independent Conversations as we talk with Mr. Baruch Feigenbaum, an expert in urban transportation policy and author of Independent Institute’s California Golden Fleece Award and Report on the L.A. Metro.

After an assassin killed Charlie Kirk for his ostensibly hateful views, millions grieved. Others mocked Kirk. But now some of the mockers are losing their jobs as payback for their vindictiveness, raising a question: Are we seeing a kind of right-wing “cancel culture” at odds with the American principle of free speech? We explore this question with the help of Nadine Strossen, longtime President of the ACLU, on this episode of Independent Conversations.

Could the United States be stronger and safer while spending only about half as much on national defense? In this episode of Independent Conversations, defense strategist Ivan Eland says the surprising answer is “Yes”— as explained in his new book, A Balance of Titans: Peace and Liberty in the New Multipolar World.

President Trump’s tariffs are extensive, complex, and unprecedented. Are they legal? A series of courts are about to decide, and the entire edifice of Trump's tariffs is hanging at the edge of legal precipice. Will the federal courts, and ultimately SCOTUS, invalidate Trump's tariff regime? We address this question from various angles on this episode of Independent Outlook.

Has President Trump set things up to bring Russia’s war in Ukraine to a decent end? Or is the peace puzzle falling apart? Closer to home, will President Trump’s push to redraw congressional districts in Texas backfire in California? We discuss these issues and more on this episode of Independent Outlook.

Buy "A Balance of Titans: Peace and Liberty in the New Multipolar World," by Ivan Eland
https://www.independent.org/store/book/a-balance-of-titans/

When President Trump deployed America’s B-2 bombers to attack Fordow mountain and other nuclear sites in Iran, it marked a turning point in war, diplomacy, and American decision-making. And it raised many questions. Did the President have the legal authority to launch the bombers? Did the bombing completely obliterate Iran’s nuclear warfare capabilities? Did it set a precedent that will come back to bite the U.S. in the future? Was it morally justified?

How To Run Wars: A Confidential Playbook for the National Security Elite

War and the Rogue Presidency: Restoring the Republic after Congressional Failure