Trump’s Korean War Games with Van Jackson

Trump’s Korean War Games with Van Jackson

Author: Time To Say Goodbye August 20, 2026 Duration: 1:15:24

Hello!

Today, we talk about Trump’s kinda weird and ultimately wishy-washy war games with South Korea, what it means about his relationship to the north and a whole lot of history with Van Jackson, an Associate Professor at Victoria University of Wellington, where he specializes in peace studies and the class politics of geopolitics. He is also host of The Un-Diplomatic Podcast, and author of The Un-Diplomatic Newsletter.

I really enjoyed this pod because of something Van asked in his substack: What good are US Troops in Korea? He answers that question for us, drawing on his former life as what’s known as a Korea Hand in the Obama Pentagon and how he made a turn to the left and anti-imperialist politics.

Enjoy!



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You’ll find Time To Say Goodbye hosted by Jay Caspian Kang and Tyler Austin Harper, a conversation that moves as unpredictably as the tides they sometimes discuss. While rooted in the urgent currents of politics and culture, the dialogue often drifts into the personal rhythms of life-like the patience of fishing or the sudden rush of catching a wave. These diversions aren’t just filler; they’re where larger ideas about society and how we live within it often surface. Each episode feels like a meandering but purposeful walk, where the destination is less important than the ground covered along the way. The podcast thrives on this specific blend of the analytical and the anecdotal, offering a respite from more rigid commentary. It’s the kind of show where a debate about policy might naturally lead to a story about a cold morning on the water, all threaded together with thoughtful, often wry, observation. For listeners tired of compartmentalized talk, this offers a cohesive, if wonderfully eclectic, listen. You’re simply tuning into a conversation between two curious minds, one that acknowledges that understanding the world means talking about everything in it-even, and especially, the stuff that seems unrelated.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

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