#1810 Post-American Europe: How to Lose Friends and Influence People to Protect Themselves Against You

#1810 Post-American Europe: How to Lose Friends and Influence People to Protect Themselves Against You

Author: Best of the Left: Perspectives on Politics, Culture, and Economics July 23, 2026 Duration: 3:31:32

Air Date: 7/22/2026

Today we look at how three things Europe thought were features turned out to be leverage that could be held against them: American military protection, Silicon Valley software, and cheap Chinese goods. From a French government office running Linux to a secret European defense coalition that bypasses Washington, Europe is quietly swapping out the old architecture rather than dismantling it, one operating system migration and one secret war game at a time.

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TOP TAKES

KP 1: TODAY: Europe Replaces ENTIRE American Software Stack - Google OUT, Microsoft OUT June 9 - House of El - Air Date 6-4-26

KP 2: Inside the Second China Shock Sweeping Across Europe - Bloomberg Television - Air Date 2-8-26

KP 3: NATO's Secret Plans to Defend Europe Without the US - Times Originals - Air Date 7-17-26

KP 4: China Quietly Saved the World Last Month Part 1 - Max Fisher - Air Date 7-17-26

KP 5: How I View the US After 13 Years Living in Europe - Evan Edinger - Air Date 10-5-25

KP 6: Europes Quiet Breakup with U.S. Big Tech - Brit in Germany - Air Date 3-15-26


(00:54:13) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

Why Europe Quitting US Big Tech Proves the Left Was Right

My commentaries on YouTube - Share them!


DEEPER DIVES

(01:04:56) SECTION A: CAN EUROPE STAND ALONE

A1: Would NATO Hold if Russia Tested Article 5? Lessons From a War Game | Berlin Briefing Podcast Part 1 - DW News - Air Date 7-17-26

A2: 250 Years of USA: Is Germany Ready for a Post-American Europe? | Berlin Briefing Podcast Part 1 - DW News - Air Date 7-3-26

A3: Can Nato Survive Without the US? | The Security Brief - BBC News - Air Date 6-11-26

A4: 250 Years of USA: Is Germany Ready for a Post-American Europe? | Berlin Briefing Podcast Part 2 - DW News - Air Date 7-3-26

A5: Would NATO Hold if Russia Tested Article 5? Lessons From a War Game | Berlin Briefing Podcast Part 2 - DW News - Air Date 7-17-26


(01:51:44) SECTION B: THE CHINA FACTOR

B1: Why the EU Is Starting a Trade War with China - TLDR News EU - Air Date 5-29-26

B2: Why the EU Has More Leverage Over China Than You Think - TLDR News EU - Air Date 6-24-26

B3: China Quietly Saved the World Last Month Part 2 - Max Fisher - Air Date 7-17-26


(02:13:12) SECTION C: THE TECH SOVEREIGNTY PLAYBOOK

C1: Can the EU Decouple From Trump's America? - POLITICO Europe - Air Date 2-5-26

C2: At the Mercy of Silicon Valley? Europe Exposed by Trump AI Export Ban Part 1 - FRANCE 24 English - Air Date 6-17-26

C3: Can Europe Quit American Big Tech?- POLITICO Europe - Air Date 6-4-26

C4: France KICKS OUT Microsoft OS - 2.5M Gov Devices to Linux, €Millions Saved, 30 Years DONE - House of El - Air Date 4-11-26

C5: At the Mercy of Silicon Valley? Europe Exposed by Trump AI Export Ban Part 2 - FRANCE 24 English - Air Date 6-17-26


(02:58:38) SECTION D: BUILDING EUROPEAN ALTERNATIVES

D1: Why Europe's Tech Sector Is Quietly Booming - TLDR News EU - Air Date 6-3-26

D2: Inside Europe's Biggest Startup Campus (Station F Paris) - Johannes Gemmingen - Air Date 6-25-26

D3: The European Alternatives To YouTube, WhatsApp & Instagram - EU Made Simple - Air Date 5-6-26

D4: Britain's New Plan That Could Kill YouTube - TLDR News - Air Date 7-10-26


 

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For over fifteen years, Best of the Left-Leftist Perspectives on Progressive Politics, News, Culture, Economics and Democracy has served as a vital, human-curated digest of voices from across the progressive spectrum. Instead of presenting a single opinion, each episode is built around a specific theme-from economic inequality to climate policy to cultural shifts-and weaves together insightful commentary from a diverse array of journalists, activists, and thinkers. This approach allows you to efficiently grasp the nuances of complex issues by hearing multiple expert angles in one sitting, all while discovering new commentators and sources you might not have encountered otherwise. The result is a richly layered analysis that algorithms simply cannot replicate, offering depth and context often missing from the daily news cycle. Since 2006, this award-winning podcast has cut through the noise, drawing from hundreds of independent and established sources to provide a coherent, thoughtful examination of the forces shaping our society and governments. Tuning in means joining a long-running conversation dedicated to understanding and advancing democratic principles, social justice, and a more equitable economy, all through the focused lens of leftist thought.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Best of the Left - Leftist Perspectives on Progressive Politics, News, Culture, Economics and Democracy
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