Power corrupts, sure, but is there any way to avoid its temptations? As Shadi wraps up writing his book, the guys discuss democracy, Succession, how to be happy, having kids during climate change, and Putin’s essay on Ukraine.

Part 2 of our conversation, is available here for subscribers. In this bonus episode, we debate what the right move is for the United States in Ukraine. Eventually the conversation turns to an examination of what role doing the right thing should play in foreign policy in the first place. Damir outlines a zero-sum perspective that requires one to pick a side, while Shadi pushes for trying to improve the world... through power.

Required Reading:

• "Am I Still a Progressive?" by Shadi Hamid (Wisdom of Crowds)
• "The Coming Storm" by Damir Marusic (Wisdom of Crowds)
• "On the Historical Unity of Russians and Ukrainians" (ostensibly) by - Vladimir Putin
• "In tiny Bhutan, known for Its pursuit of happiness, democracy brings discontent" by Joanna Slater (The Washington Post)
• Succession by HBO

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