Missed the latest deep dive with Joe Rogan and libertarian commentator/comedian Dave Smith (Part of the Problem podcast)? They navigated the turbulent waters of current events, from the bizarre (Tesla protests with swastikas) to the deeply serious (geopolitics, war narratives, systemic corruption).

Dave, known for his sharp analysis and consistent foreign policy critiques, joined Joe to unpack the layers of propaganda, institutional decay, and the often-unseen forces shaping our world. If you need a breakdown of their wide-ranging conversation, we’ve got the key insights right here.

Here are the key insights and most valuable takeaways:

1. The State of the Culture War & Polarization:

• Narrative Whiplash: Discussion on how easily narratives are spun (like the anti-Tesla protests) to incite action, often overshadowing more complex realities. Contrasted the current chaos with the scale of 2020 BLM protests.
• Controlled Chaos?: Explored the idea of protests being turned “on and off,” referencing the Time Magazine article detailing the “shadow campaign” by powerful forces to “save” the 2020 election, involving censorship and manipulating street movements.
• The Power of the Purse: Highlighted the effectiveness of funding protests, citing the hypothetical ease of paying young people ($400) to attend political rallies, suggesting some large demonstrations lack organic motivation.
• Authenticity vs. Propaganda: The conversation touched on politicians adopting coarser language (swearing, etc.) to seem authentic, often falling flat compared to genuine figures. The difficulty of regaining authenticity after years of conforming was noted.

2. Geopolitics & The Shifting World Order:

• “Saving” Elections & Tanking Economies: Revisited the Time Magazine piece admitting a cross-ideological cabal worked to “fortify” the 2020 election, which involved actions that negatively impacted the economy.
• USAID as a Cutout?: Referenced Mike Benz’s work, suggesting USAID and similar NGOs act as cutouts for intelligence agencies, funding street protests and color revolutions (like Ukraine’s Maidan) with plausible deniability.
• The Cost of Empire: Emphasized the unsustainable US national debt (36trillion+)andthemassivecost(36trillion+)andthemassivecost(6-7 trillion/year budget, $8 trillion+ on post-9/11 wars) of maintaining global hegemony, arguing the US is going broke playing world police.
• Challenging the “War Hawk Counterfactual”: Critiqued the argument that US intervention prevents worse outcomes, pointing to the actual disastrous results (millions dead, nations destroyed) versus hypothetical fears pushed by those advocating for war.
• The Neocon Playbook (Wesley Clark Revelation): Discussed Wesley Clark’s famous admission of the post-9/11 plan to overthrow governments in 7 countries (Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Iran) within 5 years, tracing its origins back to Paul Wolfowitz in 1991 and the “Clean Break” memo for Netanyahu.
• Yemen Genocide & US Complicity: Detailed the devastating Saudi war on Yemen, framed as a genocide facilitated by the US (Obama administration onwards) via blockades, refueling jets, and backing the Saudi coalition against the Houthies (who were fighting US/Saudi-backed Al-Qaeda affiliates).
• Drone War Deception: Recalled how the Obama administration initially denied the existence of the drone program, highlighting the absurdity and erosion of trust when governments conduct secret wars. Robert Gibbs (fmr. Press Sec.) later admitted he was told not to even acknowledge the program existed.
• The Houthi Situation Context: Argued the current Houthi attacks on shipping lanes are a direct response to the ongoing war in Gaza and US/Israeli actions, not unprovoked aggression, and that a diplomatic solution (ceasefire) was previously effective.

3. The Trouble with Modern Institutions & Narratives:

• Media & Medical Controversies: Discussed the media’s handling of health controversies (like RFK Jr.’s points or the rise in pediatric cancers), suggesting pharmaceutical influence often prevents critical coverage. Candace Owens challenging mainstream narratives was cited as an example of independent media’s impact.
• The Signal Chat Leak: Analyzed the leak of war plans discussed by high-level officials (including Tulsi Gabbard) on Signal. Argued the real scandal wasn’t the leak itself, but the casual discussion of bombing civilian areas (a girlfriend’s apartment building) to target one individual and the lack of pushback within the chat.
• Erosion of Trust: Repeatedly emphasized how government secrecy, propaganda (like the WMD lies), and manipulation (like the fake Victoria Nuland “Fuck the EU” scandal distraction) have destroyed public trust.
• Cancel Culture’s Decline: Observed that attempts to de-platform figures like Joe Rogan or Daryl Cooper often backfire, making them bigger, suggesting the power of cancel culture is waning.

4. Police, Protests & Societal Fractures:

• George Floyd Incident Revisited: A nuanced discussion acknowledging the horror of the video but also dissecting complexities like Floyd’s health issues (fentanyl, meth, enlarged heart), the specific police actions (knee placement, duration), and the differing conclusions of autopsies. Compared it to the Eric Gardner case.
• The Problem with Incentives: Discussed how police quotas (like for tickets) create perverse incentives, turning officers into revenue collectors rather than peacekeepers. Referenced the NYC police slowdown as an example of what happens when “policing for profit” stops.
• Immigration & Deportation Debate: Addressed the highly contentious issue of immigration, Trump’s policies vs. Biden’s, the reality of mass deportations vs. targeted criminal removal, the “kids in cages” controversy (started under Obama), and the political manipulation surrounding Voter ID laws (challenging the idea it’s inherently racist).
• The UK’s Free Speech Crisis: Highlighted the alarming trend in the UK (and parts of Europe) of people being arrested for “offensive” Facebook posts, contrasting it with America’s First Amendment protections, reinforced by the Second Amendment.

Wildest Story/Moment:

• The Signal Chat leak analysis stood out – not just the leak itself, but the content revealing the casual planning of potentially devastating civilian bombing (“level the apartment building”) and the near-unanimous agreement among high-level figures, showcasing a disturbing normalization of extreme military action.

Overall Vibe:

A classic JRE blend of deep skepticism, historical context, and frustration with mainstream narratives. Dave Smith brought his consistent anti-war, pro-liberty perspective, methodically dismantling official stories around foreign policy, domestic issues, and the mechanisms of power. The conversation emphasized critical thinking, the importance of understanding historical context (especially regarding US foreign interventions), and the dangers of propaganda and institutional overreach. Essential listening for those questioning the status quo.

Find Dave Smith on his podcast “Part of the Problem.”

Listen to the full JRE episode here: [Link to JRE Episode]

Until next time,

The Podcast Notes Team