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Clearer Than Truth

Clearer Than Truth

By: Nathan Kiker & George Bogden
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About this listen

The wisdom of former Secretary of State Dean Acheson inspires our podcast. It emphasizes clarity while examining the intricate global issues of today for a diverse audience. In a world where time is limited, this podcast aims to distill complex ideas into straightforward narratives, making them not just comprehensible but in Acheson’s words, “clearer than truth.” The podcast, much like other news-oriented shows, is committed to keeping listeners updated on breaking global events. Airing once every few weeks, it dissects the latest news, featuring insights from experts around the world. From discussions on significant geopolitical developments to the passage of controversial laws, this podcast provides concise yet comprehensive analyses.

© 2026 Clearer Than Truth
Political Science Politics & Government Science Social Sciences World
Episodes
  • Charles Kupchan
    Apr 6 2026

    Charles Kupchan is a professor of international affairs at Georgetown University and a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. He previously served on the National Security Council under Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, helping shape U.S. policy toward Europe.

    In this episode, Kupchan explains his concept of “liberal realism” and why he believes the world is entering a new geopolitical era—one defined not by a single dominant power, but by a fragmented, “de-centered” global order. He discusses the decline of multilateral institutions, the uncertain future of NATO, and the growing shift of power from West to East and North to South.

    The conversation also explores whether the liberal international order is truly collapsing, what a multipolar world means for global stability, and why democracies must adapt to survive in the digital age. Kupchan offers a sobering look at the future of global cooperation, warning that demand for coordination is rising just as the ability to achieve it is declining.

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    27 mins
  • Ram Charan
    Mar 25 2026

    Ram Charan is a world-renowned business advisor, speaker, and author who has spent decades coaching top CEOs and boards across the globe. He is the author of more than 30 books, including the bestseller Execution, and his latest, China’s 90% Model, argues that Beijing is pursuing a strategy of total industrial dominance.

    In this episode, Charan outlines his controversial thesis that China’s goal is not just to compete globally—but to eliminate the industrial capacity of rival nations through what he calls the “90% model.” He explains how China uses scale, subsidies, and pricing power to dominate entire industries, from solar to electric vehicles, and warns that this strategy could reshape the global economic order.

    The conversation explores whether this represents a new kind of economic warfare, why tariffs may not be effective, and what a realistic U.S. response could look like—from industry-by-industry negotiation to deeper coordination with allies. Charan also discusses the geopolitical implications of China’s rise, the risks to Western manufacturing, and what the next decade could mean for global power.

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    40 mins
  • Mohammed Soliman
    Mar 15 2026

    Mohammed Soliman is a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, director at McLarty Associates, and a nonresident senior fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute. He is also the author of West Asia: A New Grand Strategy for the Middle East.

    In this episode, Soliman argues that policymakers should stop thinking about the region as the “Middle East” and instead understand it as West Asia—a strategic crossroads increasingly shaped by the rise of Asia, shifting trade routes, and emerging technology infrastructure. Drawing on themes from his new book, he explains how energy flows, migration, supply chains, and capital investment are linking the Gulf, South Asia, Europe, and Africa into a single geopolitical system.

    The conversation explores the growing role of India and the Gulf states in global trade, the strategic implications of the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor, and how artificial intelligence infrastructure and data centers are becoming new strategic targets in modern warfare. Soliman also discusses how conflicts in the region could reshape Asian geopolitics and why U.S. strategy should focus less on military dominance and more on flexible coalitions and economic integration across West Asia.

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    39 mins
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