The More Freedom Foundation Podcast

In this 2026 look-ahead episode of the Moore Freedom Foundation Podcast , Rob Morris and Ruairi examine the forces that may shape the year ahead — from inflated AI valuations and the risk of a tech bubble bursting, to Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in AI, sports, and global investment. They question the feasibility of a Winter Olympics in Saudi Arabia, explore shifting power dynamics in the Midd...

In this episode of The More Freedom Foundation Podcast , we review some of the major geopolitical events and developments of the year. We discuss U.S. foreign policy under Donald Trump, including how the administration approached international conflicts and alliances, and what those decisions meant for global politics. We also look at ongoing crises in Sudan, Venezuela, and Gaza — examining how th...

Tom Gardner , The Economist’s Africa correspondent based in Nairobi and the author of The Abiy Project: God, Power and War in the New Ethiopia . Gardner unpacks the story behind his book, offering deep insight into the rise of Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and the complex forces of religion, power, nationalism, and conflict shaping modern Ethiopia. Drawing on years of on-the-ground reporting...

JJ McCullough joins the show for a candid conversation about what it’s like on YouTube in today’s media environment. JJ opens up about the growing challenges of making nuanced political and international content on a platform shaped by algorithms, audience polarization, and increasing pressure to simplify complex global issues into click-friendly narratives. Together, we dig into how online incent...

Robert Morris is joined by YouTuber and political commentator JJ McCullough for a lively conversation about Rob’s new Substack and the guiding idea behind The Morris Doctrine : The United States gets weaker every time it uses military force — so it shouldn’t. Rob breaks down why America’s geography, wealth, and security make restraint not just possible but essential. JJ pushes back on parts of the...

In this episode, hosts Robert Morris and Ruairi dive into a hard truth that history makes impossible to ignore: great powers often drain their own strength through endless, unnecessary wars. Drawing parallels between Britain’s long decline and America’s current global posture, Rob explores his growing concern that the U.S. may be following a similar path—squandering its unmatched potential by pour...

Foreign Affairs, a supposedly respectable publication, recently published an article entitled “America's Allies Should Go Nuclear” , which argues that U.S. allies like Germany, Japan, or Canada ought to be sold nuclear arsenals. Foreign Affairs+1 We dismantle that argument, laying out why proliferating nukes among American-aligned nations would be a reckless misstep — not a “strengthening” of...

In this episode of The More Freedom Foundation Podcast , hosts Robert Morris and Ruairi dive into one of the most misunderstood crises on the global stage — the violence in Nigeria, the claims of a “Christian genocide,” and the speculation that the United States might intervene militarily. We explore how a mix of religious tension, regional insecurity, and government failures have fueled a humanit...

In this episode, hosts Robert Morris and Ruairi break down the latest U.S. election results from Virginia, New Jersey, New York, and beyond — and explore why the night turned out to be a sweeping win for the Democratic Party. But beneath the headlines lies a more complicated question: What direction is the party really heading? With the election of candidates like former CIA officer Abigail Spanbe...

Big Tech is merging with the Military-Industrial Complex — and we’re calling it “Murder Voltron.” Robert Morris and Ruairi break down how Silicon Valley giants like Palantir are driving the new AI arms race, the “beat China” narrative, and what this tech–military merger means for privacy, power, and the future of freedom. ⁠⁠⁠ Patreon ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Sudan’s brutal civil war is a catastrophe that has destroyed lives and threatens to tear the nation in two. Last week it got much worse. While the conflict is complex, one fact is clear: the United Arab Emirates has played a major role in fueling and prolonging the violence. By backing the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a militia now ruling through fear and massacre, the UAE has helped entrench one o...

We use the recent cease-fire between Afghanistan and Pakistan as an opportunity to explore how Afghanistan has changed in the four years since the U.S. withdrawal. They discuss the Taliban’s evolving role as a governing force, shifting regional power dynamics, and the complex relationship between Kabul and Islamabad. The conversation also highlights a surprising development — tourism in Afghanista...

In this episode of The More Freedom Foundation Podcast , hosts Robert Morris and Ruairi unpack the newly proposed 20-point ceasefire plan for Israel and Gaza — and why they doubt it will hold. Recorded just before news broke that the ceasefire had already been breached , the discussion dives into how U.S. politics , regional alliances , and outside influence from Qatar and Saudi Arabia have shaped...

In this episode of The More Freedom Foundation Podcast , hosts Robert Morris and Ruairi unpack the headlines around the new Pakistan–Saudi Arabia defense pact. Some analysts are framing this as the rise of a new anti-American “axis of power,” but is that really the case? Robert breaks down the history of both nations’ deep ties to the United States, the realities of their military cooperation, and...

We dig into newly leaked emails revealing an unexpected connection between Jeffrey Epstein, former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, and a Mongolian security deal. What do these documents tell us about Epstein’s international activities, his political connections, and the web of influence stretching from Tel Aviv to Ulaanbaatar? We unpack the revelations reported by Drop Site News , explore the g...

In this episode of The More Freedom Foundation Podcast , Robert Morris and Ruairí dive into Escape from Rome: The Failure of Empire and the Road to Prosperity by Walter Scheidel. Rob, a huge fan of the book, explains Scheidel’s provocative thesis: the fall of the Roman Empire wasn’t a tragedy, but the key that unlocked Europe’s path to innovation, capitalism, and modern prosperity. They explore wh...

In this episode of The More Freedom Foundation Podcast , Robert Morris and Ruairi dive into Venezuela’s recent history, exploring how Hugo Chávez’s extraordinary luck with record-high oil prices shaped perceptions of his leadership—and why Nicolás Maduro has struggled by comparison. We also unpack why U.S. hostility often backfires, strengthening authoritarian leaders by giving them a convenient e...

In the 150th episode of The More Freedom Foundation Podcast, hosts Robert Morris and Ruairi take on your biggest political questions. From U.S. foreign policy to global affairs, we dive into the issues shaping our world today. This special Q&A episode covers international politics, current events, and listener questions, with a few behind-the-scenes insights into how the podcast is made. ⁠⁠⁠ P...

In this episode, we dive into the protests in Indonesia — but really, that’s just our way into a much bigger conversation. Indonesia is one of the world’s true giants: the fourth most populous country, sprawling across thousands of islands, sitting at the crossroads of Asia and the Pacific . And yet, despite its size, history, and global importance, Indonesia is too often ignored in international...

In this week’s episode of The More Freedom Foundation Podcast , hosts Robert Morris and Ruairi take a hard look at the many layers of Trump’s corruption. From shady crypto scams to using the official White House website to push his personal merchandise, Trump consistently blurred the line between public service and private profit. But this isn’t just about one man’s grift. We dig into the role of...

On this episode of The More Freedom Foundation , Robert Morris and Ruairi dive into the intriguing journey of Zohran Mamdani as he sets his sights on becoming Mayor of New York City. We explore the trials, tribulations, and political hurdles he may face along the way, and what his candidacy could mean for the future of the Democratic Party. Could Mamdani’s vision spark a transformation reminiscent...

In this episode, we dive into the recent flare-up between Cambodia and Thailand . What sparked the tension? How serious was the risk of escalation? And, most importantly, what does the apparent resolution mean for both countries and the region going forward? Rob and Ruairi break down the historical context, the political dynamics at play, and why these disputes matter beyond Southeast Asia. While...

In this week’s episode of The More Freedom Foundation Podcast , hosts Rob Morris and Ruairi explore how Donald Trump’s policies and political choices have shaped the ongoing crisis in Gaza. Does his policy mark a break from Biden's policies, or an intensification? We break down the ways Trump’s approach has undermined prospects for peace and contributed to worsening conditions on the ground. T...

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 imposit...

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 wha...