Ben Shapiro on Modi, Putin, Xi, and the Shifting Global Geopolitical Landscape

The Modi-Putin-Xi Dynamic

• 🤝 The recent meeting between Putin and Modi, where they were seen holding hands, has been interpreted by some as a sign that Putin is not deterred by Western sanctions regarding the war in Ukraine.
• 💡 However, Ben Shapiro points out that the close relationship between Putin and Modi is not new, dating back many years, and reflects a long-standing strategic alignment.
• 🌍 The speaker notes that India has historically had closer ties with the Soviet Union and that the US only began significantly warming relations in the mid-2000s.

India's Strategic Alignment and US Policy

• 🎯 A key concern highlighted is India's potential realignment towards China, rather than its alignment with Putin, which is seen as a more significant geopolitical shift.
• 📉 The US strategy of creating an anti-China coalition (the Quad) is discussed, with the idea of using India, Japan, and Australia to counter China's influence.
• ⚠️ Tariffs imposed by the US on allies like Japan and India are suggested as a potential unintended consequence that could push these nations closer to China.
• 💰 The economic impact of India saving billions on oil costs by importing from Russia is noted, suggesting that sanctions alone are unlikely to deter this relationship.

Geopolitical Coalitions and US Foreign Policy

• 🗺️ A growing "anti-American coalition" stretching from China to Turkey is identified as a serious geopolitical issue.
• 🇺🇸 The speaker criticizes the US approach, suggesting a lack of sufficient "carrots" and an over-reliance on "sticks" in dealing with countries like India.
• 📈 The declining role of the dollar as the global reserve currency and the rising price of gold are presented as downstream effects of current geopolitical and economic decisions.

Defining Leaders: Lions vs. Scavengers

• 🦁 Shapiro defines "lions" as those who build and "scavengers" as those who tear down, referencing his book "Lions and Scavengers."
• 🤔 He suggests that while Xi (communism) and Putin are clearly "scavengers," Modi may be more of a "lion" for forging an independent path for India.
• 🇷🇺 Putin is described as a "scavenger" attempting to "savage" countries and institutions, with Russia characterized as a "gas station with nuclear weapons."