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In this episode of Domino Theory, we dive into the relationship between the U.S. and China, focusing on the recent release of Pastor Ezra Jin and Beijing's decision not to release Jimmy Lai despite President Trump's request. We also discuss the Vatican's failures and wishful thinking in dealing with China.Key takeaways: The significance of Pastor Ezra Jin's release and its impact on U.S.-China diplomacy.Analyzing President Trump's approach to trade and relations with China.The challenges facing China, including economic stagnation and demographic decline.The role of the Vatican in addressing human rights issues in China.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:45 Pastor Ezra Jin's release02:15 Trump's optimism on trade04:47 China's economic challenges07:31 The Vatican's stance on China10:11 Conclusion

Sam Brownback, the former senator, governor, and ambassador, outlines the strategic importance of religious freedom in confronting China, the role of the U.S. in supporting persecuted faith communities, and the potential for religion to influence foreign policy. The discussion with Mark Simon and Christian Whiton on "Domino Theory" highlights the intersection of human rights, national security, and moral leadership. Brownback is the author of the new book, "China's War on Faith." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest 01:39 Religious Freedom as a Strategic Issue 05:34 The Role of the U.S. in Promoting Religious Freedom 10:48 The Vatican's Approach to China 15:07 The Need for a Unified Moral Stance 20:11 Retail Politics and Religious Freedom 24:06 Surprises in Writing About China 28:11 The Story of Jimmy Lai and Its Implications 33:58 Future Directions for U.S.-China Relations

In this episode of Domino Theory, hosts Christian Whiton and Mark Simon delve into the ongoing trial of Jimmy Lai, a pro-democracy figure in Hong Kong, who has been imprisoned under China's national security law. They discuss the implications of Lai's conviction, the potential for his release, and the broader context of China's tightening grip on Hong Kong. Mark shares insights from his long-standing experience in the region, emphasizing the absurdity of the charges against Lai and the potential consequences for China if they do not handle the situation delicately. The conversation also touches on the geopolitical landscape, including the role of the U.S. and other nations in addressing human rights issues in Hong Kong and the implications for international relations with China.As the discussion progresses, the hosts shift focus to the recent actions of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and his dealings with China, critiquing his approach and the potential fallout for Canada. They explore the changing dynamics in Canada, the impact of immigration, and the future of Canadian foreign policy in relation to the U.S. and China. The episode concludes with reflections on the current political climate in the U.S. and the implications for the upcoming elections, particularly regarding Trump's influence and the potential for shifts in party dynamics.

Why does Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang wax poetic about China? Why does Sundar “H-1B” Pichai, the CEO of illegal monopolist Google, let his employees focus on censoring conservatives instead of real business? Trump stands up to Xi Jinping by raising Jimmy Lai. Will the November debut of Polymarket US be another win for average investors vs. Wall Street poohbahs? Mark Simon and Christian Whiton discuss on this live edition of Domino Theory. Chapters00:00 The China Dilemma in Tech03:08 Trump's Approach to Human Rights05:50 The Semiconductor Question09:03 Trump's Tactics11:57 Google's Woke Culture and Its Consequences31:26 The Future of Google and AI36:12 The Rise of Predictive Markets47:57 Political Predictions and the Role of Gambling

In this live episode of Domino Theory, Christian Whiton and Mark Simon discuss Trump's coming trip to Asia, how the tech bros misled Trump, Japan's new government, Indians and the H-1B scam, and whether to bring back the melting pot.Chapters00:00 Sanctions and Market Reactions02:54 Trump's Asia Trip and Diplomatic Dynamics05:52 Trade Talks and Rare Earths08:47 Japan's New Leadership and Economic Policies12:02 India's Modi and ASEAN Absence14:35 H-1B Visa Controversies and Immigration Issues17:48 Cultural Integration and American Identity20:41 Political Landscape and Upcoming Elections

In this first live episode of Domino Theory, Christian Whiton and Mark Simon discuss market turbulence, banking concerns, de-losering CBS News, China blinking on trade, Japan's political crossroads, and the phony baloney H-1B visa program. -Chapters00:00 Market Turbulence and Banking Concerns03:02 CBS News: fill or kill?05:45 China's Trade Tensions and Rare Earths12:01 U.S.-China Relations and Political Dynamics21:26 Crisis Stability and Global Leadership25:24 Japan's Political Landscape and Economic Challenges33:05 The H-1B Visa Controversy and Immigration Politics

Many in Taiwan have melted down over an article Christian Whiton published (linked below) about "How Trump Lost Taiwan." But typical of many in the government and among DPP denizens, there is more of an effort to discredit the messenger that address the message, including how to address business and quality-of-life issues in Taiwan and how to improve the island's defenses. Mark Simon and Christian Whiton discuss the blowback and what ought to be done. "How Taiwan Lost Trump" by Christian Whiton: https://dominotheory.com/how-taiwan-lost-trump/ 00:00 Meltdown over criticism 04:00 The sash brigade misleads 10:00 Taiwan doesn't get Trump world 15:00 M1 tanks in Taiwan 23:00 Japan and Philippines and war  29:10 Lai government's problems 35:00 Anti-business policies 40:00 The Philippines 47:20 KMT and a New Right in Taiwan?

Can the United States and Russia collaborate even as the Ukraine War continues? What is possible if the war stops and if it doesn’t? Fyodor Lukyanov, the prominent Russian expert in foreign affairs, research director at the Valdai Discussion Club, and editor in chief of the publication "Russia in Global Affairs" joins co-hosts Christian Whiton and Mark Simon to discuss Russia and the United States, Russia and China, Europe’s declining relevance to both powers, and how to improve relations.  00:00 Lead-in: Putting America first regarding Russia and Ukraine  07:06 What’s on Putin’s mind 11:30 Can US and Russia talk about the future? 16:45 Areas of possible US-Russia cooperation 22:40 Russia turning away from Europe? 29:40 Can US and Russia beef up non-official discussions? 36:30 Initiating better diplomacy  41:40 Russia and China 48:00 Chinese in eastern Russia

The world now knows that it has to take President Trump seriously. However, the deranged media is still lost. Trump has solid accomplishments heading toward his 100th day in office, but he needs to tighten his message and get Congress to enshrine some of his policies. Kelly Sadler, the commentary editor for The Washington Times who was a special assistant to President Donald Trump in his first administration joins co-hosts Christian Whiton and Mark Simon to discuss Trump, his accomplishments, the media, and who among his top aides are most effective and likely to last.  00:00 World Takes Trump Seriously  04:10 Trumps Trade and Comms Strategy  08:22 Trump Will Always Have Some Chaos  11:05 Wall Street Journal Soft on China 15:50 Media Even More Trump Deranged? 25:00 Trump May Be Best Media President  32:00 Naughty and Nice in Trump’s Cabinet 40:00 Who Can Push Back on Trump

Trump Shifts Trade and America's Future (guest Mark DiPlacido) While the establishment goes nuts, President Trump's decision on tariffs marks the most fundamental turning point in decades--one that promises to set American on the path of long-term revival. So many "experts" have no idea what is going on and what it means. Former Trump administration trade official Mark DiPlacido of American Compass joins co-hosts Christian Whiton and Mark Simon to explain why Trump made his decision and what means for the economy and national power, including which sectors will prosper. 00:00 America Wakes Up on Trade 02:00 Trump and the Core of the Issue  07:00 Americans Losing New Foreign Asset Division 09:50 Chinese Acquiring Assets  10:20 Domestic Freight Set to Pick Up 14:20 Middle Class Wages 17:40 Dems and Some Republicans Deranged  24:25 Woke Dems Divorcing Working Class 33:50 Failures of Past Trade Deals 38:10 China Doesn’t Use Tariffs to Screw USA 40:05 “Laces” and Transshipping to Avoid Tariffs

Japan will fight, but Taiwan must up its game as U.S.-Asia policy changes dramatically. DOGE, Ukraine, and border security have dominated the early frenetic days of the second Trump administriaton. But behind the headlines looms major change in how the USA handles China and the future of Asia and the Pacifc. Trump has held summits with the leaders of Japan and India. China won’t fight conventionally; it will craft a new hybrid war. How hard Taiwan will fight in a China war remains unclear, but Steve Yates, Mark Simon and Chrisitan Whiton argue a changed Japan will fight. Is Trump’s imposition of 20% tariffs on China a warmup to delinkage or prelude to a deal. What does Elbridge Colby’s confirmation hearing to be under secretary of Defense for policy tell us about Trump policy? What can Taiwan do to curtain its growing estrangement from the United States? 00:00 Asia Policy 03:24 Early Trump Moves 07:45 Criticism of Taiwan Warranted 13:40 China Bad at Conventional War  16:36 Taiwan Can Be Less Bad  20:05 Taiwan vs MAGA  24:22 Transvestites Don’t Scare Beijing 35:26 China Uses Race 43:36 Removing China from Panama

Trump took more than a year to raise tariffs in his first term, but slapped China with higher levies just two weeks into Trump II and promised much more. Are we at the beginning of a global trade war or just seeing a more assertive United States? Does Trump want to use tariffs just to extract concessions on matters like immigration, drug cartels, and defense spending? Or does he want to use them to partially supplant the income tax with tariff revenue and eliminate trade deficits? Which countries will pay the most? Co-hosts Christian Whiton and Mark Simon discuss these matters with C.J. Mahoney, a deputy U.S. Trade Representative in Trump's first term.

Trump triumphs early in his second term, but decisions on TikTok raise questions. Former Justice Department official and leading legal mind John Yoo outlines the tremendous strides Trump is taking to restore national security and the rule of law, but also pitfalls that may diminish his successes. Topics include TikTok, birthright citizenship, impoundment, presidential power, and whether peace with France was unwise.

Trump’s fills out his team strongly with some controversial choices. Will the Senate confirm them and how will they perform? Trump’s threatened tariffs already working magic plus what we know about his negotiating style. Were the Bobs from “Office Space” prototypes for Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy and their Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)? Will DOGE succeed? Plus: how the media makes up sources and whether they have learned anything from Trump’s election. Co-hosts Christian Whiton and Mark Simon interview Jeff Berkowitz, CEO of Delve and veteran of multiple successful presidential campaigns.  Timestamps 00:00 Trump transition strong 05:40 Trump’s new team  10:00 Will the Senate confirm? 15:11 Trump tariffs as negotiating strategy 20:00 Will Elon and Vivek succeed? 26:00 Media's fake news sources 38:10 Left scheming to thwart Trump 40:53 Rubio and running national security 47:20 Disassembling bureaucracies 52:32 Milton (“Office Space”) in the basement

Can Trump change the media? On this episode of Domino Theory, Neil Patel, the Co-Founder and CEO of Tucker Carlson Network and the Co-Founder and Publisher of the Daily Caller speaks with co-hosts Christian Whiton and Mark Simon. Topics include the runaway success of the Tucker Carlson Network, whether Trump will dump the hostile White House Correspondents Association and obsolete daily briefing, the impact of big tech censorship on the Daily Caller, the future of media bigs, Elon Musk’s media innovations, and plans for the Tucker Carlson Network.