Topic: Armenian Genocide

U.S. diplomats are advocating for a "new calculus" in global trade, moving away from just-in-time efficiency toward supply chain resilience and redundancy. This involves shifting manufacturing out of China to more "predictable" partners. During a recent podcast, Kurt Campbell made a rare diplomatic gaffe by using the word "genocide" in reference to Armenia, a term that typically draws sharp rebukes from Turkey.

President Biden officially recognizes the Armenian Genocide, a move previous presidents avoided to maintain relations with Turkey. The hosts also play a 1990s clip of Biden calling FDR's court-packing plan a "bonehead idea," contrasting it with current political discussions.

Turkey is facing a severe financial crisis as the Turkish lira falls by over 40% against the U.S. dollar. Investors fear the turmoil could spill over into the global economy, specifically affecting European banks like Spain's BBVA and France's BNP Paribas. While President Erdogan resists raising interest rates, the historical context of the Ottoman Empire and the unrecognized Armenian genocide are noted as missing elements in standard Western education.

The hosts explore why Turkey refuses to recognize the Armenian genocide, citing potential reparations and the strategic importance of a pipeline through Azerbaijan. They also critique Cenk Uygur of "The Young Turks" for his network's name and its historical association with the perpetrators of the genocide.

President Obama's frustration with the delayed nomination of Loretta Lynch is discussed, with the hosts noting her personal ties to Eric Holder. A 2008 video of Samantha Power promising that Obama would recognize the Armenian Genocide is revisited on the 100th anniversary of the event, highlighting the administration's failure to follow through on that promise.