Alternate Shots.
Drift, fatigue and David Young's son.
(‘Alternate Shots’ with Richard Haass and yours truly. Episode #26. Recorded 4 May 2026. Produced by Dale Eisinger.)
Liner notes:
‘Alternate Shots’ returns with a discussion of a geopolitical and domestic political landscape defined by drift. The crisis surrounding Iran and the Strait of Hormuz underscores a broader reality: deterrence is fraying, diplomacy is episodic, and the risk of miscalculation is rising. The United States faces narrowing options, caught between rising economic pressure, a lack of promising military options, and the absence of a coherent endgame.
Beyond the Middle East, transatlantic relations continue to erode, as Europe questions both American reliability and judgment. At home, political fragmentation reflects what might be called “institutional fatigue”, raising doubts about the capacity of either party to address structural challenges, from technological disruption to economic insecurity.
We end with an appreciation of Cam Young’s emergence as one of the best golfers in the world. At the Sleepy Hollow Country Club, where Cam’s father was the head professional for many years, there’s a rule that for every birdie Cam makes, members get a free drink. The Club is expected to go bankrupt shortly.
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