Doug Casey's Take

Doug Casey joins Matt Smith from New Orleans to talk about the accelerating collapse of Western civilization. Doug says things have become so complex, top-heavy and corrupt that "there's a good chance we're actually gonna go over the precipice," and compares the moment to the collapse of the Bronze Age and the fall of Rome. They discuss the riots spreading across France and Europe, why inclusivity has replaced merit, and why Doug says we live in a fascist society, not a capitalist one. Doug walks through his list of what makes Western civilization unique, from free thought and free speech to property rights and the rule of law. Then the UK and Japan's 3-day emergency warnings, the leaked Pentagon plan for bases to run on their own for 90 days, how fragile the grid is, AI-found exploits, a possible Iran attack after the midterms, Brazil, and how to make your own household more resilient.

Find us at https://crisisinvesting.com Ask Doug a question: https://crisisinvesting.com (click "Ask Doug") Doug is speaking at the New Orleans Investment Conference this week, Oct 28-31: https://neworleansconference.com/casey-2/

00:00 Doug On The Road In New Orleans 03:10 Western Civilization Is Collapsing 07:05 Riots Across Europe 10:02 Guaranteed Annual Income 11:37 Two Prongs Of The French Riots 14:25 The '60s Protests Then And Now 16:43 We Live In A Fascist Society 17:59 Capitalism, Fascism, And Socialism 21:28 What Makes The West Unique 22:49 Western Civ Has Got To Go 24:14 Democrats Versus Republicans 29:46 Most People Want More Government 32:31 Nature Versus Nurture 35:17 You Will Own Nothing 36:09 Three-Day Warnings In The UK And Japan 36:54 The Pentagon's 90-Day Plan 37:50 Oil, Refineries, And The Grid 40:16 Will The Military Let You On Base? 42:25 AI And Grid Vulnerabilities 44:30 Soft Targets And People War 48:16 Is Brazil Next? 51:24 An Iran Attack After The Midterms 53:17 "What War?" 54:14 How To Prepare 56:21 Wrap Up

Doug Casey and Matt Smith on the gap between the flash and the bang. The war in the Middle East started February 28th, the Strait of Hormuz is choked, and Saudi Arabia and Yemen are now at war, yet most Americans still ask "What war?" Spot oil in the North Sea is $136 while the futures market says somewhere in the $90s. Why are markets disconnected from reality, and how long before the bang? Plus Saudi Arabia and MBS, Egypt, Israel fatigue, Indonesia's gas lines, AI and the new rust belt, the Fort Hood execution, and why Doug says "the shit will really have hit the fan" anytime between tomorrow and a couple of years from now.

Find us at https://crisisinvesting.comAsk Doug a question: https://crisisinvesting.com (click "Ask Doug") See Doug at the New Orleans Investment Conference, Oct 28-31: https://neworleansconference.com/casey-2/

00:00 Welcome And New Orleans 02:02 Worse Than The Worst Case 05:11 $136 Oil On The Ground 06:52 Markets You Can't Trust 10:36 Refineries And Fuel Shortages 13:03 Saudi Arabia Is Next 17:36 Egypt's Ticking Time Bomb 20:50 Israel Fatigue 26:04 Indonesia's Gas Lines 31:07 We Saw The Flash. Where's The Bang? 33:33 Rates, Bonds, And A Bifurcated America 36:09 AI And The New Rust Belt 39:37 Billionaires And Their Bodyguards 41:57 Kunstler And Agreeing To Disagree 44:37 Tankers In The Strait 47:36 Books: Vikings And The Mandibles 51:06 Overproduction Of Elites 52:33 Trump's $5,000 Video 54:09 The Fort Hood Execution 1:05:59 Press Secretary And Guilfoyle 1:09:23 Monica's Podcast 1:13:21 Wrap Up

Novelist and essayist James Howard Kunstler (The Long Emergency, the World Made by Hand series) joins Doug Casey and Matt Smith. Kunstler expects prosecutions after the midterms, starting with John Brennan's grand jury appearance. He also says the US military won't let radicals take the levers of power, and that the country has slid from high trust to no trust. Doug and Kunstler clash over the Iran war. Also: Europe tottering, why US shale is more fragile than it looks, what Kunstler got wrong in The Long Emergency, Israel and Gaza, Ukraine and NATO, and the deep state.

Kunstler's Substack: https://www.kunstler.com Find us at https://crisisinvesting.com New Orleans Investment Conference, Oct 28-31: https://neworleansconference.com/casey-2/

00:00 Welcome James Howard Kunstler 01:08 Will Anyone Face Justice? 07:11 Brennan Before A Grand Jury 13:39 Bondi, Bongino, And Silence 18:42 Will The Military Step In? 22:35 Two Flavors Of Authoritarianism 26:14 Civil War And A Trump Bet 28:54 Europe Is Tottering 31:10 Iran, Oil, And Shale 37:31 Doug Pushes Back On Iran 41:43 Islam And Europe's Future 45:39 Invasion, Hochul, And New York 49:55 Where Are The Men Of Quality? 51:41 Trump The Paradox 55:44 Markets, Bonds, And The Carry Trade 1:01:11 Kunstler On Gold 1:02:58 The Long Emergency, 20 Years On 1:05:15 From High Trust To No Trust 1:07:59 Half The Country Is Insane 1:12:13 A Steak Of Justice 1:15:13 Is Trump An Authoritarian? 1:18:37 Israel, Gaza, And Tucker 1:24:39 The Iran Blockade 1:26:08 Ukraine And Leaving NATO 1:28:11 Brennan And The Deep State 1:31:54 Wrap Up

Find us at www.crisisinvesting.com After a brief hiatus, Doug and Matt discuss Trump's escalating rhetoric about Iran potentially nuking U.S. cities and argue the U.S. bears historical responsibility for the conflict, citing oil interests, the CIA-backed coup against Mossadegh, the Shah, and the 1979–1980 embassy crisis. Doug says Trump's actions have worsened the situation, advocates a public apology and possible indemnity to de-escalate, and predicts Trump will not complete his term due to impeachment, the 25th Amendment, assassination, or broader instability. They debate nuclear delivery realities, warn that antagonizing adversaries invites catastrophe, and frame current conflicts—Middle East shipping chokepoints, Houthi-Saudi fighting, and Russia-Ukraine maritime attacks—as kindling for World War III. They also cover French unrest, demographic and religious shifts, bond-market stress, a potential tech-bubble burst, and conclude by favoring energy and mining stocks. 00:00 Back From Hiatus 00:28 Trump Iran Nukes Talk 03:07 Why Iran Hates US 05:45 Apology Not Escalation 07:55 Trump Term Prediction 09:43 Nuclear Delivery Reality 14:33 World War Three Path 15:12 Saudi Yemen Flashpoint 20:15 Chokepoints And Shipping 26:05 Empire Bases Vulnerable 27:52 Elections And Dissidents 30:36 Islam And Instability 31:52 France Protests Breakdown 36:46 Bond Market To Collapse 39:43 Fourth Turning Theory 41:22 Worst President Forecast 43:05 Wrap Up And Investing

Find us at www.crisisinvesting.com

Doug and Matt discuss escalating Yemen-Houthi conflict impacts, including disruption of Saudi oil infrastructure and potential wider geopolitical fallout as oil supplies to Europe tighten and fuel prices rise. They pivot to U.S. policy and market fragility, criticizing short-term political decision-making (including possible diesel export bans), warning about deficits, rising rates, and a looming financial crisis, while outlining a defensive investment stance favoring gold, agriculture, and energy. They debate AI fear narratives as regulatory capture, question returns on massive AI capital spending, and consider state intervention if major firms fail, noting cheaper Chinese models undercut U.S. frontier labs. Viewer Q&A covers taking state money as a moral dilemma, risk management without stop-losses in illiquid resource stocks, prospects for conflict in Latin America vs. Africa/Middle East, evaluating moral character, Botswana's diamond dependence, legal system critiques, offshore vs. onshore precious-metals storage, private deal drawbacks, and future drone warfare shifting to swarms and eventually nanotechnology.

00:00 News and Viewer Qs

00:08 Houthis and Saudi Setback

06:03 Oil Shock and Markets

08:22 Diesel Export Ban Fallout

10:02 Trade Threats and Politics

13:25 Rates Debt and Bear Case

15:15 AI Fear and Regulation

18:35 China Models and Bubble Risk

21:29 Taking Money from State

24:52 Managing Trades Without Stops

27:25 Wars Latin America Outlook

28:14 Testing Character in Relationships

34:19 Botswana and Diamond Risk

35:59 Legal System as Slavery

37:02 Battle Bank vs Offshore Vaults

38:19 Private Deals Pros and Cons

40:04 Drones Swarms and Nanobots

44:11 Wrap Up and Italy Trip

Find us at https://www.crisisinvesting.com

Doug speaking at New Orleans Investment Conference: https://neworleansconference.com/casey-2/

Doug and Matt reflect on the 25th anniversary of 9/11, arguing the official narrative remains unconvincing, citing unresolved issues like Building 7 and the lack of thorough investigation, and linking this to widespread public distrust in government. They discuss escalating Middle East conflict, including Houthi territorial gains in Yemen, threats to shipping near Bab-el-Mandeb, attacks on Saudi infrastructure, and U.S. strikes on Iranian-linked tankers, while noting oil prices and market fragility amid potential rate hikes; Doug discloses he has shorted Nasdaq. They compare alleged state cover-ups to the Charlie Kirk assassination and other disputed events, then address viewer questions on AI-driven job losses, potential debt defaults, protecting oneself via assets and residency abroad, central bank gold moves (including Argentina shipping gold to London), meetups and conferences, precious-metal storage jurisdictions, and Doug's negative view of Nike as an investment.

00:00 9/11 Anniversary Reflections

02:08 Doubting the Official Story

03:35 Building 7 and Media Oddities

07:45 Middle East Escalation and Oil

12:43 Charlie Kirk Conspiracy Questions

15:34 Trust Collapse and State Power

18:20 Trump 5K Proposal Fallout

23:08 Renaming Hormuz and Narcissism

25:27 AI Job Losses Market Impact

27:27 UBI via Tax Credits

28:57 Bribing Voters Warning

30:19 Default Fallout Prep

31:36 Hard vs Soft Default

33:28 Escape Political Risk

34:05 Central Banks Move Gold

35:53 DC Meetups and Events

39:13 Uruguay Free Zone Idea

40:06 Argentina Gold to London

44:25 Where to Store Metals

46:42 Nike Stock and Woke Brands

50:21 Weekend Sign Off

Matt and Doug discuss the rapid buildout of AI data centers, local backlash, and Doug's view that the frenzy reflects an unprecedented stock-market "hyper-bubble" led by major tech and AI firms. Doug argues most data-center capacity is used to surveil and influence citizens more than to "manipulate atoms" in the real world, making it a threat to personal freedom, and notes the trend runs counter to technology historically becoming smaller, cheaper, and more dispersed. They explore whether AI could become "alive" and indistinguishable from humans (via the Turing test idea), cite concerns from an Anthropic researcher about self-improving AI, and focus on innovation driven by "love and war," including robots, sex bots, and drone-heavy modern warfare, warning of major societal disruption regardless of outcomes.

00:00 AI Data Center Backlash 01:28 Tech Bubble Warning 04:30 What Data Centers Do 05:21 Surveillance And Control 07:15 Tech Trends Reversed 09:13 Trillions And Centralization 12:00 Bubble Predictions Ahead 13:56 AI Becoming Alive 16:42 Overlords And Lab Fears 17:58 Love And War Robots 21:09 Drones And Autonomy 25:08 Society Upended Fast 31:00 Utopia Versus Dystopia 35:08 Milestones To Watch 37:02 Closing Thoughts

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Doug and Matt discuss the Lindsay Clancy case, noting reports of an 11–1 jury split favoring a temporary-insanity outcome and debating punishment versus lifelong institutionalization, deterrence, and an anarcho-capitalist justice model focused on restitution rather than "debt to society." They react to a Gallup poll showing 89% of Americans believe government corruption is widespread and consider implications for institutional trust and social stability. Viewer questions cover backlash to AI data centers (noise, surveillance fears, and a potential trillion-dollar FOMO-driven bubble), hostility to flock cameras, Doug's limited debate history and dislike of formal debates, and the likely futility and escalation risks of "D-Day" secondary sanctions on Iran. They also discuss Roman emperors, war's societal effects and drone casualties in Ukraine, ETF versus individual mining-stock exposure, Argentina and the Falklands amid Milei's moves, race tensions, and a dismissed scenario of Argentina attacking Brazil.

00:00 Case Overview

02:35 Insanity Or Punishment

03:52 Ancap Justice System

07:43 Corruption Poll Shock

10:50 AI Data Center Backlash

16:28 Debate Team Memories

19:31 Iran Sanctions Fallout

27:14 Wine With Emperors

29:19 Trump Personality Critique

29:58 Wars And Male Casualties

31:05 Drone Warfare In Ukraine

32:02 Race And Western Decline

33:28 ETFs Versus Stock Picks

36:42 Falklands And Milei

41:44 NATO And Demographics Debate

44:07 China Brazil Corridor Fears

49:25 Weekend Wrap And Signoff

Find us at https://www.crisisinvesting.com

Find @michaelyon at https://substack.com/@michaelyon

Michael Yon the "Great Game": Chokepoints, Hydraulic Warfare, and Where Conflict Spreads Next

The host interviews Michael Yon from Japan as he prepares for his baby's imminent birth, briefly discussing Japanese traditions around the kiri (paulownia) tree, then shifts to geopolitics and Yon's view of a global "great game" centered on routes, resources, and information warfare. Yon says the Strait of Hormuz is effectively closed and argues conflicts are interconnected, predicting flashpoints including the Falklands/Malvinas involving Argentina, possible spillover into Brazil and Uruguay, and wider fighting affecting Europe and the North Sea. He emphasizes hydraulic warfare, describing how dams on the Nile (GERD in Ethiopia), Euphrates (Atatürk Dam), Tigris (Mosul Dam), and China's Three Gorges could be used for famine and destruction. He also discusses Tibet/Nepal flood events, chokepoints like Suez, Gibraltar/Ceuta, Bab-el-Mandeb, Panama, and Malacca, plus language, migration, intoxicants, music, demographic, and economic warfare.

00:00 Morning Intro in Japan

00:32 Baby Due Soon

01:38 Kiri Tree Tradition

04:16 Hormuz and Global War

05:48 South Atlantic Flashpoints

08:15 Nepal Disaster and Tibet

13:24 Hydraulic Warfare Explained

15:13 Egypt and the Nile Dams

29:45 Turkey Iraq and China Dams

34:28 Prayer Wheel Spycraft

36:35 Local Flood Risks and Drought

38:53 Ceuta Flashpoint

39:32 Gibraltar Chokepoint History

41:16 Phosphate Power Politics

41:43 Global Chokepoints Strategy

45:05 Florida And Brazil Predictions

48:22 Ceuta Migrants As Weapon

51:32 Language Warfare Morocco

56:27 Books Burned And Forecasts

59:17 Safe Havens And Zionism

01:02:49 Cults And Empire Origins

01:05:51 Warfare Taxonomy Explained

01:12:36 Corporate Superstructure Wrap

01:15:01 Closing Thanks And Anecdote

Find us at https://www.crisisinvesting.com

Read Dr. Danger Zone by Kolja Spöri at https://www.amazon.com/dp/3903713023

Doug and Matt interview elite traveler Kolja Spöri about his new book, Dr. Danger Zone, a collection of 25 highlight stories from a lifetime of travel to remote and dangerous places, paired with his on-the-ground conclusions that often contradict mainstream narratives. Kolja recounts driving Russia's northern ice roads in extreme cold, visiting conflict zones and politically sensitive regions, and seeking out famous "watering hole" hotels, including Haiti's Hotel Oloffson. The conversation shifts to his views on Turkey's development under Erdoğan, increasing surveillance and political repression in Western Europe—especially Germany—and his belief that Europe is being pushed toward a wider war with Russia while migration is used as a weapon against European civilization. They also discuss his Libya trip during the Arab Spring, his connections that enabled access to places like Chechnya, the FARC, and Mindanao, a rap song made about his life, and his Formula 1 sponsorship career.

00:00 Meet Kolja Spöri

01:09 Inside Dr Danger Zone

04:33 Languages and Turkey

07:48 Europe Turning Point

10:24 War With Russia Fears

15:10 Migration and Culture Clash

21:32 Ice Road Adventure

25:17 Haiti Hotel Legends

27:41 Goma Danger Factors

30:22 Entering Libya During Spring

32:11 Armed Kids Reality

32:51 Planning Warzone Access

33:36 Libya Benghazi Insights

35:16 Borders And Breakups

36:40 Chechnya To FARC

39:00 Mindanao And Militants

41:20 Rap Tribute Breakdown

45:31 Karabakh And Azerbaijan

47:15 Formula One Backstory

49:05 Next Chapter Reflections

50:13 Book Plug And Farewell

Find us at https://www.crisisinvesting.com

Find Bill at https://substack.com/@cgpodcast

The U.S. Military Is a Trillion-Dollar Paper Tiger—Drones, Carriers, and Strategic Failure

The hosts interview retired U.S. Army officer and military historian Bill Buppert, fellow at the Libertarian Institute and host of the Chasing Ghosts podcast, about U.S. military shortcomings and strategic failures since 1945. Buppert argues the Pentagon fields expensive "exquisite platforms" that are unfit for 21st-century peer conflict, citing lost influence in the Middle East and Africa and recurring defeats or stalemates in Iraq and Afghanistan. He critiques procurement and consolidation after the 1993 "Last Supper," and highlights troubled systems including the Zumwalt, Littoral Combat Ship, Ford-class EMALS, aircraft carriers, and the F-35's low readiness rates. He emphasizes the revolution of cheap FPV/UAV warfare, salvo competition in air defense, depleted munitions stockpiles (including Stingers), limited U.S. homeland missile defense, and vulnerabilities such as container-launched drones. The conversation also covers Ukraine's prospects against Russia, NATO red lines, Iran's terrain and history, and the importance of considering moral injury in war.

00:00 Meet Bill Buppert

01:52 Paper Tiger Pentagon

04:56 Iraq War Blowback

06:24 Rakes and Stupidity

10:22 Bureaucracy and Budgets

12:05 Navy Procurement Fails

14:05 Carrier and EMALS Risks

18:49 Drones Change Warfare

24:13 Defense Industry Monopoly

27:20 Salvo Competition IAMD

31:46 Carriers vs China Math

36:28 F-35 Readiness Disaster

39:56 Homeland Missile Defense Limits

42:58 Smuggled Nukes and Drones

44:22 Homeland Attack Scenarios

46:06 Civil Defense Blind Spot

47:12 Empire Mindset and 9/11

48:25 Bring Policy Home

51:14 Bureaucracy and Defense Waste

53:07 Drones Change Warfare

54:43 Why COIN Fails

56:58 Ukraine Forecast and NATO

59:57 Iran Nukes and Regional Power

01:08:09 Homeschooling and Trades

01:11:29 Iran Terrain and History

01:14:12 Moral Injury and Farewell

Find us at https://www.crisisinvesting.com

Doug and Matt answer viewer questions on which dystopian story best fits the West today, focusing on expanding surveillance tech and a drift toward "1984," plus a nod to a second dystopia involving "Soma." They discuss the U.S. pressuring the Netherlands via the MATCH Act to curb ASML chip-tool sales to China, arguing there's no legitimate state role and warning it could damage ASML and supply chains. On reserve currency, Doug says paper currency is a government substitute for money and predicts a return to gold. They debate China's "communist" label, claiming the party intervenes less than often assumed and noting high Chinese savings versus low U.S. savings. They cover the Japanese carry trade, U.S. debt, depression risk, preparation advice for a 31-year-old leaving the military and a 44-year-old permaculture worker, draft speculation, Cyprus investing timing, AI/AGI risks, retirement income strategies, and priorities for small monthly investing, ending with an Einstein interest-rate joke and a teaser for an upcoming Bill Buppert interview.

00:00 Viewer Questions Return

01:11 Surveillance State Fears

03:58 Chip War and ASML

06:53 Reserve Currency and Gold

09:08 Is China Really Communist

11:50 Japan Carry Trade Risks

14:17 Starting Prep at 31

17:14 Generalist or Specialist

19:02 Draft Anxiety and Independence

22:29 Cyprus Investing Outlook

24:15 AI Agents Gone Rogue

25:21 Is AI Becoming Life

27:14 Investing Around AI Risk

28:39 Boats Planes And Expat Taxes

30:29 Critical Metals Watchlist

31:56 Retirement Income Portfolio

33:35 Small Budget Priorities

35:54 Robot Liability Questions

38:32 Antifragile Society Debate

42:06 Wrap Up And Interest Rates Joke

44:14 Next Guest Announcement

War Expands, Trump's Security Fears, and the Case for Commodities as AI Accelerates

The speakers discuss the ongoing war and recent reports of Trump appearing fearful, citing images of him golfing behind concertina wire with air-defense systems and an earlier escape in a catering vehicle, alongside a $10,000 bet that he will not finish his term. They warn of potential Iranian retaliation and domestic blowback, arguing MANPADS and simple, hobby-like drones could be used against U.S. targets, and note a pattern of attacks on energy infrastructure, including Libyan oil facilities. They advocate owning gold and commodity/resource stocks, promoting a "Crisis Investing" portfolio and criticizing AI/chip stocks as a bubble. The conversation also covers alleged U.S. attacks on boats at sea, rumors of low morale and cover-ups on U.S. carriers, reflections on My Lai and Seymour Hersh, objections to Trump naming the Kennedy Center after himself, and optimism about SpaceX, AI, robots, and a coming productivity surge despite looming financial risks.

00:00 Trump on the Run 01:10 The $10K Trump Bet 02:42 Golfing Behind Wire 04:03 Iran Blowback Fears 05:32 Homemade Drones Threat 07:57 War Hits Energy Markets 08:59 Crisis Investing Picks 10:55 Drug Boats and Rogue Ops 12:47 Drug War Counterargument 14:27 Carrier Suicides and Mutiny 16:19 Navy Logistics Breakdown 19:05 Society Jobs and Colleges 20:57 My Lai and Military Rot 23:43 Kennedy Center Naming Row 27:05 Elon SpaceX and AI Future 31:45 Singularity vs Collapse 34:48 Be a Creator Not Consumer 35:47 Lifeboat Education and Assets 37:01 Closing Thoughts

Find us at https://www.crisisinvesting.com

Find Col. Douglas MacGregor at https://www.macgregorwarrior.substack.com

https://www.youtube.com/@macgregorwarriordiplomacy

and https://nationalconversation.org/

No Existential Threat from China/Russia—America's Real Crisis Is Internal

In a wide-ranging discussion, Col. Douglas MacGregor argues there are no existential military threats to the United States from China or Russia, contending the most serious dangers come from instability and organized crime in Mexico and the Caribbean Basin, weakened social cohesion, mass migration, and loss of American identity. He criticizes U.S. and NATO leadership over Ukraine, predicts Russia will ultimately defeat Ukraine, and calls Ukraine a "zombie state," while disputing portrayals of Putin as Hitler. MacGregor says defending U.S. borders and reducing overseas "forward presence" are essential in an age of precision missiles, and warns financial manipulation is postponing an inevitable economic reckoning driven by massive public and private debt. He claims the U.S. government is acting against Americans' interests, describes "Israel first" influence in Washington, and expects renewed action against Iran that could exhaust remaining U.S. capacity, while forecasting major geopolitical realignments in the Middle East.

00:00 Biggest Threats Today

01:40 No Military Existential Threat

04:17 Ukraine War Reality Check

05:34 Putin Hitler Narrative

06:14 Son Visits Russia

08:22 Why Russia Moves Slowly

11:30 Ukraine as Zombie State

12:49 Border Security Focus

15:15 End Expeditionary Warfare

17:33 Demographics and Migration

18:19 Army on the Border

20:30 American Identity Erosion

23:08 Immigration and Prosperity

24:46 Europe Identity Rebound

30:35 Assimilation or Collapse

31:55 Scarcity and Education

40:29 Government Not Ours

41:12 Israel First Policies

45:19 Rural Urban Civil Strife

48:20 Hybrid American Identity

49:20 Executive Power Creep

50:01 Historic Strongmen Examples

52:48 Trump and Donor Control

55:04 Corruption and Cromwell Fix

56:12 Midterms and ICE Backlash

58:10 Scarcity and Revolution Risks

01:00:52 Institutional Decay and Youth

01:05:31 Debt Reckoning and Vacuum

01:10:40 Iran War Paths and Alliances

01:17:02 Gaza as Regional Catalyst

01:18:02 Where to Follow MacGregor

01:19:08 Military Reform and Four Stars

01:24:57 National Conversation Closing

Find us at www.crisisinvesting.com

Ceuta Migrant Surge, Fauci Senate Testimony, DEI in Nolan's The Odyssey, and Escalation Toward World War III Matt and Doug discuss a sudden influx of about 49,000 Moroccans into Spain's small enclave of Ceuta, questioning how the territory can house and feed them, whether NGOs and Moroccan authorities facilitated the crossing, and how Spain or the EU could respond given asylum rules and limited enforcement. They compare the event to past mass-migration episodes in Europe and the U.S. The conversation shifts to Anthony Fauci's Senate testimony, Rand Paul's questioning, Biden's blanket pardon, and allegations of profiteering and lack of accountability. They then review controversy around Nolan's film The Odyssey, arguing DEI casting choices may have been used subversively while still praising parts of the movie. They also cover U.S. border-device searches and debate whether expanding conflicts around Iran, attacks on energy infrastructure, and U.S. involvement indicate a slide toward World War III, including nuclear or cyber escalation.

00:00 Ceuta Migrant Surge 02:24 Can Spain Stop It

04:40 History and Parallels 09:06 Was It Organized

12:36 Spillover to US Politics 14:10 Fauci Senate Showdown

18:38 Nolan Odyssey DEI Debate

27:03 TSA Phone Wipe Case

28:40 Iran Conflict World War Risk

36:15 Wrap Up and Listener Questions

Find us at www.crisisinvesting.com

Ceuta Migrant Surge, Fauci Senate Testimony, DEI in Nolan's The Odyssey, and Escalation Toward World War III Matt and Doug discuss a sudden influx of about 49,000 Moroccans into Spain's small enclave of Ceuta, questioning how the territory can house and feed them, whether NGOs and Moroccan authorities facilitated the crossing, and how Spain or the EU could respond given asylum rules and limited enforcement. They compare the event to past mass-migration episodes in Europe and the U.S. The conversation shifts to Anthony Fauci's Senate testimony, Rand Paul's questioning, Biden's blanket pardon, and allegations of profiteering and lack of accountability. They then review controversy around Nolan's film The Odyssey, arguing DEI casting choices may have been used subversively while still praising parts of the movie. They also cover U.S. border-device searches and debate whether expanding conflicts around Iran, attacks on energy infrastructure, and U.S. involvement indicate a slide toward World War III, including nuclear or cyber escalation.

00:00 Ceuta Migrant Surge 02:24 Can Spain Stop It

04:40 History and Parallels 09:06 Was It Organized

12:36 Spillover to US Politics 14:10 Fauci Senate Showdown

18:38 Nolan Odyssey DEI Debate

27:03 TSA Phone Wipe Case

28:40 Iran Conflict World War Risk

36:15 Wrap Up and Listener Questions

Find us at https://www.crisisinvesting.com

Doug and Matt discuss headlines and subscriber questions, starting with a survey claiming 30% of Americans admit to shoplifting and what that says about social trust, morality, and societal decline. They talk about New York's worsening conditions, Trump's announced Saudi nuclear deal and subsequent reversal, and a House-passed NDAA provision (Section 219) calling for deeper US-Israel military/intelligence integration, which they argue signals late-stage empire and foreign influence via AIPAC. They critique Trump's "golden age" claims, note rising yields and escalating Middle East and Ukraine-Russia risks, and comment on Trump family wealth. Q&A topics include Doug's favorite opera (Wagner, Gershwin), sci-fi recommendations (golden-age authors; The Diamond Age), whether digital assets/stablecoins can prolong the debt cycle, a film about vigilantism and mass migration, coal markets and coal's importance, Israel's actions and Gaza/Lebanon, and the possibility of deflation alongside inflation using entropy concepts.

00:00 Shoplifting Shock Stat

01:17 Thieves and Morality

03:58 Luxury Beliefs Debate

04:57 New York Backslide

06:53 Saudi Nuclear Deal

10:05 Israel Military Merger

14:17 America as an Idea

14:59 Trump Golden Age Clip

17:05 War Fears and Disillusion

19:27 Trump Family Windfall

20:30 Subscriber Opera Question

21:16 Wagner and Gershwin

22:33 Sci Fi Reading Picks

24:59 Debt Bubble and Stablecoins

30:19 Vigilante Citizen Talk

33:15 Coal Markets Explained

36:33 Israel Influence and Gaza

40:58 Econophysics and Deflation

45:19 Weekend Sign Off

Find us at https://www.crisisinvesting.com

Matt and Doug discuss a proposed Trump "$1 gold coin," calling it inappropriate for a sitting president and a sign of "end-stage empire," comparing it to Rome's shift to leaders' faces on coinage. They also cover a plan to sell early access to Trump's Truth Social posts for $100,000/month amid allegations of stock front-running, plus a $500,000-entry private D.C. club tied to Trump's son as legalized influence peddling. The conversation shifts to escalating U.S.-Iran conflict risks, possible boots-on-the-ground odds, Israel's role, parallels to Iraq/WMD claims, and the financial strain of missile-heavy warfare. They argue oil and gold should rise, criticize claims about U.S. gold reserves, note European sentiment turning against the U.S., discuss surveillance "Flock" cameras, disappointment over lack of major prosecutions, market confusion, and potential opportunities in undervalued oil and dividend-paying gold stocks.

00:00 Trump Coin Controversy 04:28 Truth Social Paywall Scheme

06:24 Iran War Fears 08:48 Europe Turns On America

10:11 War Costs And Strategy

13:41 Gold Audit Doubts

15:39 Market Bubbles And Korea

19:28 Inflation Reality Check

21:19 Surveillance Camera State

23:03 No Accountability And Elections

27:13 Influence Peddling Club

29:14 Ukraine War Oil Fallout

32:07 Jones Act And Congress

33:46 Lindsey Graham Legacy

37:49 Betting On What Happens Next

40:10 Wrap Up And Sign Off

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The hosts discuss Trump saying an Iran MOU is "over" after reported attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz area, a major U.S. strike, and Iranian retaliation against U.S. bases in Bahrain and Kuwait, while noting uncertainty about attribution. They argue markets appear complacent despite the potential for a severe real-economy shock from disrupted oil flows, SPR drawdowns, and possible wider chokepoint closures (Hormuz, Bab el-Mandab). The conversation covers Iran's internal backlash after Khamenei's death and the likelihood of escalation, plus spillover risks from Russia-Ukraine strikes on refining assets and Europe's militarization. Doug outlines positioning: long oil via spreads and producers, long grains and gold miners, and considering bearish semiconductor hedges, while warning of bubble valuations and broader systemic financial risks.

00:00 Iran Deal Collapses

01:58 Calm Before Oil Shock

05:06 Oil and Grain Trades

10:02 Hormuz War Scenarios

12:32 Iranian Public Backlash

16:21 Israel and Turkey Risks

19:56 Financial Domino Effects

22:13 Europe Russia Escalation

25:17 Trump Megalomania Talk

29:21 How to Hedge Now

30:36 Bubble Shorts Semis SpaceX

35:18 Market Vibe and Indicators

40:13 World War III Fears

42:05 Wrap Up and Next Episode

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1976 vs Today: Patriotism, Demographics, Tech, and Subscriber Q&A on Capital Controls, Uranium, Cuba, and Milei

On the July 3 observed July 4 holiday, Matt and Doug compare America's 1976 Bicentennial mood with today, citing major shifts in demographics, a larger population, widening class divides, the decline of manufacturing, and especially computerization and heavy screen time, alongside reduced patriotism and optimism and more political polarization. They discuss changing race relations and immigration, then pivot to subscriber Q&A about Crisis Investing after Lau Veges' departure, risks of foreign bank accounts amid potential capital controls, gold-backed "goldbacks," whether a US government could compel the Sprott Uranium Trust to sell uranium, possible investment opportunities in a collapsing Cuba, views on the death penalty and abortion, where "renaissance men" are most common, why countries splitting can be beneficial, concerns about Javier Milei's pro-Israel actions and immigration stance, and why they won't track panelists' personal trades from their experts roundtables.

00:00 1976 vs Today 02:06 Population and Lifestyle Shifts 04:09 Middle Class Squeeze 05:50 Computers Change Everything 07:20 Immigration and Identity 11:11 Patriotism and Politics 14:13 Subscriber Q and A Begins 17:52 Foreign Accounts and Controls 20:52 Goldbacks and Gold Money 24:29 Uranium Trust and State Power 29:55 Cuba Collapse and Opportunities 33:02 Cuba Property Outlook 34:19 Death Penalty Rethink 36:21 Abortion Family Choice 40:21 Renaissance Men Today 44:30 When Countries Split 47:15 Milei Zionism Concerns 57:46 Roundtable Stock Followups 01:01:49 Holiday Signoff