Iran, Ukraine, Israel, a primary shock in California — the map looked like it was burning everywhere at once. Barbara and Susan stop counting the fires and name the arsonist: one imperial machine, and a president who won't take the bait.
This week's live show has ended. Check out the live replay and join us next Thursday, LIVE.
For decades America managed decline. Now a new spirit is emerging—one focused on solving problems, rebuilding communities, and reviving the principles that built the nation.
Tony Papert and Bruce Director argue the Trump–Xi summit was misread: the real story is a leader-to-leader great-power approach also engaging Putin. They unpack Iran leverage and the paused U.S. strike, signs of an industrial upswing, and brightening Republican midterm prospects.
In this Promethean Action strategic overview (May 18, 2026), host Tony Papert and Bruce Director argue that mainstream and social-media narratives have inverted the real dynamics of the past week. Director says the Trump–Xi summit was misread because its central achievement was strengthening a direct leader-to-leader relationship, rejecting academic “rules” like the debunked “Thucydides Trap,” and signaling a new great-power approach also involving Putin. He then disputes claims that Iran holds the leverage, citing mediation through regional leaders and Trump’s announcement that a planned U.S. strike was paused while serious negotiations proceed, conditioned on “no nuclear weapons for Iran.” Director also contrasts media pessimism with signs of industrial and defense-sector job growth and innovation despite high fuel and grocery costs. Finally, he highlights legal rulings, redistricting shifts, recent primary upsets, the Los Angeles mayor’s race, and escalating DOJ scrutiny of Russiagate as improving Republican midterm prospects.
00:00 Welcome and Setup
00:55 Tonight’s Four Themes
03:31 Trump Xi Summit Reality
06:05 Debunking Thucydides Trap
09:51 Leadership and China Takeaways
13:03 Secret Garden Clip Breakdown
19:03 Iran War Leverage Shift
22:23 Trump Pauses Iran Strike
26:34 Economy Signals vs Media
29:49 Midterms and Redistricting
33:54 Russiagate Probe Escalates
35:03 Wrap Up and Discussion
For decades America managed decline. Now a new spirit is emerging—one focused on solving problems, rebuilding communities, and reviving the principles that built the nation.
The leaked Trump-Netanyahu call and John Bolton's complaints are proof Trump has broken the intel bureaucracy's grip on the presidency.
The Senate's blocking of Trump's agenda is driven by donor networks—centered on Oracle's Larry Ellison and his ties to Tony Blair, whose Institute spent years building the case for an Iran regime-change war.
A sweeping look at tariffs, rare earth minerals, manufacturing, national sovereignty, and the growing clash between globalization and what Mike calls “Fortress America.”
Get our free newsletter. Zero Spam.
