In this episode of The More Freedom Foundation Podcast, we review some of the major geopolitical events and developments of the year.

We discuss U.S. foreign policy under Donald Trump, including how the administration approached international conflicts and alliances, and what those decisions meant for global politics. We also look at ongoing crises in Sudan, Venezuela, and Gaza — examining how these situations evolved over the year, what drove them, and how international actors responded.

Along the way, we reflect on other themes and stories that came up in our conversations throughout the year, including shifting alliances, regional instability, humanitarian impacts, and the broader direction of global politics.

This episode is a chance to step back, review what happened, connect the dots between different regions, and think about how these events fit into the bigger geopolitical picture.

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Tom Gardner, The Economist’s Africa correspondent based in Nairobi and the author of The Abiy Project: God, Power and War in the New Ethiopia. Gardner unpacks the story behind his book, offering deep insight into the rise of Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and the complex forces of religion, power, nationalism, and conflict shaping modern Ethiopia. Drawing on years of on-the-ground reporting, he explores how hope, ideology, and war collided in one of Africa’s most influential states.

Following the interview, Robert is joined by Ruairi for a candid reflection on the conversation—discussing what stood out, what challenged their assumptions, and why Ethiopia’s story matters far beyond its borders.

A thoughtful episode on leadership, belief, and the realities of power in contemporary Africa.

Show Notes:The Abiy Project: God, Power, and War in the New Ethiopia

https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2025/11/13/ethiopia-is-perilously-close-to-another-war

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JJ McCullough joins the show for a candid conversation about what it’s like on YouTube in today’s media environment. JJ opens up about the growing challenges of making nuanced political and international content on a platform shaped by algorithms, audience polarization, and increasing pressure to simplify complex global issues into click-friendly narratives.

Together, we dig into how online incentives shape what viewers hear about foreign policy, why thoughtful geopolitical analysis is harder than ever to sustain, and how creators balance accuracy, audience expectations, and platform constraints. JJ reflects on where discourse breaks down, what still makes the work worthwhile, and how independent media can survive in a climate that often rewards outrage over understanding.

A thoughtful, behind-the-scenes look at modern political commentary—and a must-listen for anyone interested in geopolitics, media ecosystems, or the realities of explaining the world on the internet.

Check out The Morris Doctrine on Substack:

https://morrisdoctrine.substack.com/

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