In this episode, hosts Ray Powell and Jim Carouso explore the critical concept of techno-nationalism with expert Alex Capri, author of "Techno-Nationalism: How It's Reshaping Trade, Geopolitics and Society."

Techno-nationalism represents the intersection of technology, national security, and economic power in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Capri explains how nation-states are leveraging 12 key power-multiplier technologies--including semiconductors, artificial intelligence, quantum science, hypersonics, biotech, and advanced manufacturing--to maintain competitive advantages and protect national interests.

The discussion reveals how China's strategic approach to technology development caught the West off-guard. While Western companies focused on trade liberalization and efficiency, China implemented long-term techno-nationalist policies, including preemptive decoupling in critical sectors like telecommunications and banking. The Great Firewall, established in the mid-1990s, was an early indicator of China's protective stance toward strategic technologies.

Capri outlines the six core elements of modern techno-nationalism:

1️⃣ Weaponization of supply chains through export controls and investment restrictions

2️⃣ Strategic decoupling from potential adversaries

3️⃣ Offshoring reversal via reshoring and friend-shoring initiatives

4️⃣ Innovation mercantilism through government industrial policy

5️⃣ Tech diplomacy for strategic alliance building

6️⃣ Hybrid Cold War dynamics amid ongoing commercial activity

The Huawei 5G ban exemplifies techno-nationalist concerns about critical infrastructure security. The company's global telecommunications footprint, built through massive state support, raised red flags about potential surveillance capabilities. Similarly, TikTok represents the dual-use nature of modern technology—commercially popular but potentially strategically valuable for data collection and analysis.

Despite China's advances, the US maintains advantages in university systems, defense technology, and innovation ecosystems. However, success requires strategic partnerships with allies, particularly in semiconductor manufacturing and critical mineral supply chains. The conversation highlights concerns about policy continuity across political administrations and the importance of sustained investment in STEM education and public-private partnerships.

Techno-nationalism isn't just about US-China competition—it's a global phenomenon affecting all nation-states as they navigate security, economic stability, and technological sovereignty in an interconnected world.

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Hosts Ray Powell and Jim Carouso interview Congressman Don Bacon (R-NE), a retired Air Force Brigadier General with 29 years of military service. Rep. Bacon serves on the House Armed Services Committee and brings unique insights from both military leadership and congressional oversight.

Congressman Bacon is concerned that America is spending just 2.9% of GDP on defense—the lowest level since 1940, before Pearl Harbor. He argues for increasing defense spending to 4% of GDP, approximately $150 billion more annually, to address critical modernization needs including nuclear triad upgrades, fifth and sixth-generation fighters, attack submarines, and improved military quality of life.

The discussion highlights America's innovation deficit, particularly in drone technology and electronic warfare, where Ukrainian forces have outpaced U.S. capabilities. Bacon emphasizes how Ukraine's recent destruction of 41 Russian strategic bombers using $5,000 drones demonstrates the power of cost-effective innovation over expensive legacy systems.

Bacon addresses growing tensions within the Republican Party between traditional alliance supporters and isolationist factions, drawing parallels to 1930s isolationism. He warns that current diplomatic approaches risk alienating key allies, citing business challenges with Canada and European partners. The congressman advocates for maintaining America's role as "leader of the free world" while acknowledging the need for burden-sharing.

With China potentially spending $700 billion on defense (despite claiming $170 billion), Bacon emphasizes the urgency of military modernization focused on long-range precision weapons, air and missile defense, and drone swarm technology. He stresses that deterring China requires immediate weapons deliveries to Taiwan, noting billions in delayed military aid.

Two years of continuing resolutions have hampered military readiness and prevented new program starts. Bacon explains the bipartisan nature of the Armed Services Committee while criticizing broader congressional dysfunction that prioritizes partisan politics over national security.

Bacon highlights critical nuclear deterrent gaps, including 50-year-old Minuteman III ICBMs that cannot be extended, aging B-2 bombers with outdated stealth technology, and Ohio-class submarines reaching end-of-life. With Strategic Air Command (SAC) Headquarters located at Offutt Air Force Base in his district, he argues these systems are essential for countering both China and Russia.

Despite being a deficit hawk concerned about the $36 trillion national debt, Bacon argues that defense spending increases are necessary while addressing mandatory spending on Social Security and Medicare, which comprises 73% of federal spending.

This episode provides essential insights into America's defense readiness challenges, alliance management complexities, and the urgent need for strategic clarity in confronting great power competition in the Indo-Pacific region.

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In this compelling episode, Dr. Ely Ratner, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs, sits down with Ray and Jim to discuss his provocative Foreign Affairs essay "The Case for a Pacific Defense Pact."

Dr. Ratner argues that China's rapid military modernization and regional ambitions necessitate a fundamental shift from America's traditional "hub-and-spoke" bilateral alliance system to an integrated multilateral defense pact. His proposal centers on creating a collective defense arrangement between the U.S., Japan, Australia, and the Philippines—not a pan-regional "Asian NATO," but a focused alliance among strategically aligned nations.

Unlike failed attempts in the 1950s-60s (SEATO), today's conditions are uniquely favorable. These four countries share unprecedented strategic alignment, advanced military capabilities, and growing intra-Asian cooperation. The Philippines has become "ground zero" for regional security, with China's illegal actions in the West Philippine Sea galvanizing allied support.

Ratner tackles key criticisms head-on: Would Australia really fight over South China Sea disputes? He points to Australia's strategic awakening, with China conducting live-fire exercises requiring Australian airspace closures. Regarding U.S. reliability concerns, he notes that Indo-Pacific defense policy has remained consistent across administrations, unlike NATO rhetoric.

The conversation explores practical hurdles, including Senate ratification requirements, domestic politics in allied nations, and the risk of provoking China. Ratner suggests much operational integration could proceed through executive agreements, building on existing frameworks like AUKUS and the Quad.

A central theme addresses the tension between deterrence and provocation. Ratner argues that maintaining the status quo would embolden Chinese ambitions, making conflict more likely. While a formal alliance may raise short-term tensions, it's ultimately stabilizing by making aggression prohibitively costly.

The discussion covers how ASEAN and India might respond. Ratner emphasizes the alliance would complement, not compete with, existing institutions. ASEAN would retain its convening role, while India could continue bilateral cooperation with the U.S. without joining the pact.

Addressing Secretary Hegseth's push for increased allied defense spending, Ratner advocates a holistic view beyond just budget percentages—including access, basing rights, and operational contributions. He stresses the need for political space in allied capitals to justify deeper U.S. ties.

Ratner describes 2021-2025 as a transitional period, moving from dialogue to unprecedented action. Recent initiatives have laid groundwork for deeper integration, with allies willing to take steps previously unimaginable.

Key Takeaways:

- China's military rise demands integrated allied response

- Strategic alignment among U.S., Japan, Australia, Philippines is unprecedented

- Collective defense would create mutual obligations beyond current bilateral treaties

- Implementation faces political challenges but operational foundations already exist

- Deterrence goal: prevent conflict by raising costs of aggression

Dr. Ratner concludes that preventing Chinese regional hegemony requires "big ideas" and political heavy lifting. The window for action is now, before China achieves its revisionist ambitions.

Follow Dr. Ratner's work at The Marathon Initiative