In this episode of Deep Focus, guest host Matt Hoh sits down with Dr. Thomas Reifer, Professor and Chair of Sociology at the University of San Diego, to discuss his recent essay, The Unfolding World War: The Political Uses of Madness and the Fate of Republics.

https://www.globalpolicyjournal.com/blog/23/04/2026/unfolding-world-war-political-uses-madness-and-fate-republics

Drawing on the work of Daniel Ellsberg, Reifer examines how political leaders have historically used the "madman strategy"—projecting unpredictability and irrationality to gain leverage in international conflicts. From Nixon's Vietnam-era nuclear threats to contemporary tensions involving the United States, Israel, Iran, Russia, and Ukraine, the conversation explores how risk-taking, escalation, and the fear of political failure can drive nations toward dangerous confrontations.

#Iran #Trump #MiddleEast #ForeignPolicy #Ukraine #Russia #DanielEllsberg #NuclearWeapons #Geopolitics #InternationalRelations #DeepFocus

02:19 Why This Could Be the Most Dangerous Moment Yet

03:13 Daniel Ellsberg’s Warning About Nuclear Risk

04:27 Nixon’s Secret Strategy of Appearing Crazy

05:27 Iran’s “Operation Madman” Explained

06:17 Is Trump Using the Same Playbook?

08:15 How Iran Prepared for Another War

10:27 The Problem With Threats and Bluffing

12:34 Why Leaders Take Bigger Risks When They're Losing

14:48 Trump, Netanyahu and the Fear of Defeat

16:10 How One War Creates the Next War

18:32 The Nuclear Danger Most People Ignore

21:13 Who Is Actually Running U.S. Diplomacy?

24:07 A Madman Strategy Without a Strategy?

25:53 Hitler, Nuclear Weapons & Global Risk

28:54 The End of the American-Led World Order?

31:17 Ukraine, Europe and the Risk of Escalation

34:22 What Citizens Can Do Now

Whether you agree with Dr. Reifer's conclusions or not, this conversation raises important questions about leadership, power, diplomacy, and the future of global security.

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