In this episode we attempt to rewrite the conventional script of modern history. Rather than centering the West, we explore how the true story of the 20th and 21st centuries is the re-emergence of India and China—two ancient civilizations whose influence was temporarily eclipsed, but never extinguished.

We begin with the 19th-century collapses: the 1857 rebellion and the British Raj's imposition on India, and the devastating Second Opium War in China. From there, we trace how both countries clawed their way back to autonomy and global relevance, culminating in the true milestones of the 1940s: Indian independence and the Chinese revolution—far more consequential long-term than even World War II.

We then shift focus to the real Cold War story: the global wave of decolonization and independence movements. Finally, we discuss what this historical lens means for today and tomorrow. U.S. foreign policy, we argue, should drop the Cold War legacy framing and instead focus on the delicate, critical act of balancing China and India—while cultivating strong, respectful relationships with the rest of the world.

This episode challenges dominant narratives and proposes a new framework for understanding global power in the 21st century.

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This week, Rob and Ruairi talk about the growing contention between Syria and Israel over the Druze — a mysterious religious and ethnic group that has managed to maintain its unique identity for over a millennium. Found primarily in Syria, Israel, and Lebanon, the Druze challenge many Western assumptions about the Middle East and Muslim-majority countries.

We explore:
🔹 Who the Druze are and what makes their faith and community so distinctive
🔹 How their survival over centuries upends simplistic narratives about the region
🔹 The strategic role the Druze play in Israel’s politics and Syria’s civil war
🔹 Whether Israel is seeking to exploit Druze communities in a post-Assad Syria

In a region defined by sectarian conflict and shifting alliances, the Druze story is one of resilience, adaptability, and, perhaps, manipulation. This episode will leave you questioning much of what you thought you knew about the Middle East.

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Was the Italian Renaissance really a “Golden Age”? And if so, would anyone living through it have actually noticed? In this week’s episode of The More Freedom Foundation Podcast, Robert Morris dives deep into the myths and realities of history's most romanticized era. Inspired by Ada Palmer’s Inventing the Renaissance: Myths of a Golden Age, Rob shares his growing fascination with the period—and why Palmer’s perspective has reshaped how he sees it.

We also contrast that thoughtful take with William Manchester’s A World Lit Only by Fire, a bestselling but quite crap take on the Middle Ages and Renaissance that Rob feels misses the mark. From artistic masterpieces and humanist philosophy to the messier truths of war, plague, and inequality, we explore what makes a “Golden Age” in the first place—and whether the glow comes from hindsight more than history.

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In this sobering episode, Rob and Ruairi dive deep into the recent passage of what’s been dubbed “The One Big Beautiful Bill” by the Trump administration. While it’s being celebrated in certain circles as a win for national security and economic growth, we see it for what it truly is: a massive handout to the military-industrial complex at the direct expense of everyday Americans.

We break down how this bill reallocates public money—slashing support for social programs, education, and basic services while pouring billions into defense contractors and expanding agencies like ICE. What does this mean for the average American? What are the long-term consequences for liberty, justice, and democracy? And why does this keep happening?

Join us as we unpack the politics behind the bill, the media narratives surrounding it, and what it reveals about the state of the U.S. government today.

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In a surprisingly acrimonious interview, Tucker Carlson took Senator Ted Cruz to task over his unwavering support for Israel and broader U.S. interventionist policies. On this episode of the More Freedom Foundation Podcast, hosts Robert Morris and Ruairi unpack one of the more illuminating media moments of the second Trump administration.

As Carlson challenges Cruz on foreign policy, we dive deep into a growing rhetorical movement within Trump’s base—voters and influencers who claim to be firmly anti-war, pro-peace, and skeptical of costly U.S. entanglements abroad. From Ukraine to Israel to the rising drumbeat for war with Iran, many America First conservatives claim that they are rejecting the neoconservative legacy in favor of restraint and realism.

Whether you're disillusioned by endless wars or intrigued by the ideological realignment that might be happening on the American Right, this episode offers critical insights into the future of U.S. foreign policy.

Subscribe to the More Freedom Foundation Podcast for weekly deep dives on foreign policy, media, and the new political landscape reshaping America.

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In this urgent episode of The More Freedom Foundation Podcast, hosts Rob and Ruairi dive into the global implications of the recent Israel-Iran war. As tensions explode in the Middle East, we explore how this conflict could spell disaster for global nuclear non-proliferation efforts. Could Iran now see nuclear weapons as the only path to ensuring its future security? What does this mean for U.S. foreign policy, regional stability, and the global arms race?

We break down the geopolitics, the historical context, and the dangerous incentives wars like this create for states feeling cornered. If you're interested in Middle East policy, nuclear non-proliferation, U.S.-Iran relations, or the future of international diplomacy, this is a must-listen episode.

Hosted by Robert Morris and Ruairi McElhone, The More Freedom Foundation Podcast cuts through the noise to bring sharp, insightful takes on global politics. Each week, we dive deep into the stories behind the headlines—unpacking the forces shaping our world with clarity, context, and just enough irreverence to keep it real.

In this week’s episode, we turn our focus to Mali—a key battleground in the shifting power dynamics of the Sahel region. Russia’s ambitions in West Africa are faltering, and the Wagner-backed presence isn’t turning the tide as expected. Could JNIM (Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin) take control of northern Mali? Why is Russia struggling? And what does it mean for the region, the West, and the wider geopolitical chessboard?

Whether you’re a policy wonk, a global affairs enthusiast, or just tired of shallow takes on complex issues, this is your podcast.

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In this episode of the More Freedom Foundation Podcast, Rob takes Ruairi on a deep dive into the dark underbelly of U.S. immigration policy. While America has long benefited from the labor and vulnerability of immigrants, Rob argues that recent decades have seen this exploitation become more organized—and more brutal. From decades of systemic neglect to the rise of ICE and the hardline policies of the Trump era, the conversation explores how a broken system reached its boiling point.

Is this just the latest chapter in a long history, or a dangerous turning point? Tune in to find out.

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