In Part 2 of their conversation, Shadi and Damir try to unpack why U.S. foreign policy has been so lousy since the end of the Cold War. They both think "half-measures" are a culprit, but for different reasons. How is it that otherwise smart and even brilliant foreign policy hands have failed to meet basic standards of effectiveness? Incompetence has spread to domestic policy as well, making itself more—not less—apparent under Joe Biden. This wasn't supposed to happen.

Also: Shadi and Damir strike a secret pact to save America, even though Damir is not so sure it will work.