The U.S. Military Leaves Iraq

The episode begins with a sponsor message from NewVene, asking listeners how they would invest if they knew the future was watching, emphasizing their experience in market cycles. The host, Daniel Bach, then moves on to highlight significant current events, including the US military's withdrawal from Iraq after over 23 years and a cost of $1.7 trillion, marking the end of its war effort there. There's also breaking news about a Fly Dubai flight from the UAE to Israel making an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after experiencing an incident, after which all passengers are reported safe. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held an emergency security meeting regarding this incident, which remains under investigation. Following this, Bach reports on the US military's ongoing withdrawal from Iraq, noting the political and military implications. The Iraqi government has seen a renaissance; however, Iranian-backed militia groups have gained significant influence, controlling security institutions, ministries, and seats in parliament, effectively indicating Iran's influence in Iraq has already been secured. The US is actively airlifting equipment and personnel from its last base in Iraq, with some Marines remaining to protect diplomatic and military assets. Additionally, US operations in Latin America to combat drug trafficking are expanding, utilizing advanced military technology and increased cooperation with regional partners. In defense news, Boeing has been awarded a $20 billion contract to build the next-generation fighter jets for the US Navy and Air Force, slated for deployment in the 2030s. The episode concludes this segment with updates on China's economic recovery, Robinhood's plans for AI-enhanced trading, a New York judge's ruling on the mayor's tax rollout, and polling data on American attitudes toward populist policies.

The host introduces an in-depth discussion about recent polling conducted by the Wall Street Journal, involving 1,500 voters, which explores Americans' attitudes towards government intervention and populist policies. Aaron Zittner from WSJ surveys the surprisingly broad support across the political spectrum for measures traditionally seen as outside mainstream policy, such as caps on prescription drug prices, interest rates, and efforts to curb big investors in the housing market. The poll reveals that many policies favoring regular consumers—like banning surprise medical bills or capping childcare costs—are highly popular, pointing to a popular desire for government action to rebalance economic power. Zittner notes the contrast between these preferences and actual government actions, explaining that some policies, such as medical billing reforms, have already been partially implemented, although with political disputes. The poll also uncovers areas of disagreement, notably on immigration and court expansion, indicating broad support for securing borders and pathways to citizenship but strong resistance to restrictive birthright proposals and adding justices to the Supreme Court. The findings reveal a 'horseshoe' of bipartisan populist ideas, with support for efforts like voting ID requirements, despite disagreement on other issues. The polling emphasizes a disconnect between public opinion and political action, illustrating an increasing appetite for populist reforms across diverse voter groups.

The episode touches on societal attitudes toward artificial intelligence, highlighting that nearly two-thirds of Americans want to pause AI development and data center construction, reflecting widespread anxiety over AI's rapid growth. Despite these concerns, older generations seem most eager to engage with AI tools like ChatGPT, with the host sharing family anecdotes about his parents and older relatives happily using AI assistance during a vacation. Sociology professor Ellison Pugh explains that older users often find AI interfaces more user-friendly than traditional tech, leading to high adoption among boomers who enjoy the convenience and entertainment value. This segment features a humorous observation about a generational split: millennials using AI for leisure and research, while their parents turn to ChatGPT for travel tips and everyday tasks. The campaign for ChatGPT Voice by OpenAI is also mentioned, showcasing how AI assistants are being marketed as helpful, friendly companions—like the 'polite man' in the episode’s example. The discussion emphasizes AI's growing ubiquity across age groups, highlighting both societal fears and the ease of use that drives higher adoption among older users.

This segment reports on recent developments in the corporate and policy landscape. Robinhood is preparing to enable 24/7 trading for select stocks using AI agents capable of managing trades even when users are offline, which CEO Vlad Tenev describes as a step toward democratizing access to sophisticated trading tools typically limited to hedge funds. The episode notes Robinhood’s earlier integration of third-party AI assistance, emphasizing the push toward automated, agent-based trading. Additionally, a New York judge has ruled that Mayor Zoran Mamdani must redo the rollout of a pied-à-terre tax, citing unlawful requirements for homeowners to prove residency. The ruling blocks the city from acting on notices sent to thousands of residents, though the tax itself remains in place. As the political and legal battles continue, the episode also discusses broader regulatory concerns and public support for populist policies such as price caps, health care reforms, and restrictions on institutional investors. Lastly, the show previews upcoming topics, including polling on voters' growing support for outside-the-mainstream policies aimed at making life more affordable, and criticizes the influence of large corporations on legislative priorities to the detriment of small businesses.