Episode Summary:

In the third part of our 2025 Year in Review, Nick shifts the focus to Asia, exploring the dramatic realignment of US-India relations under Donald Trump’s second term.

For decades, Washington viewed India as a “natural strategic partner”—a democratic counterweight to China, showered with military aid and technology transfers. But in 2025, that special relationship has collapsed. Drawing on a fascinating analysis by Chinese foreign policy expert Mao Keji, we delve into why Trump has relegated India from “favorite child” to “strategic discard.”

Is this just Trumpian transactionalism, or a symptom of deeper American anxiety over its own decline? From the impact of tariffs to India’s refusal to abandon Russian energy, we examine how the US search for loyal “blood bags” to prop up its hegemony is alienating the very allies it needs most.

Plus: Stay tuned for updates on our upcoming live masterclasses for history students launching in January!

Key Topics:

• The Shift: From “Strategic Altruism” to transactional coercion.
• The Tariff War: How Trump’s protectionismProtectionism Full Description:Protectionism involves the erection of trade barriers ostensibly to “protect” domestic industries from foreign competition. As the global economy contracted, nations panicked and raised tariffs to historically high levels in a desperate attempt to save local jobs. Critical Perspective:This created a “beggar-thy-neighbor” cycle of retaliation. When one dominant economy raised tariffs, others followed suit, causing international trade to grind to a halt. Instead of saving industries, it choked off markets for exports, deepening the crisis. It illustrates how the lack of international cooperation and the pursuit of narrow national interests can exacerbate a systemic global failure. hit India harder than almost anyone else.
• Russian Energy: Why India’s refusal to sanction Moscow broke the partnership.
• The Anxiety of Decline: How American weakness is driving a more aggres