In this episode, we discuss the recent Supreme Court ruling on tariffs and its implications for US foreign policy, particularly under the Trump administration. We also explore the geopolitical ramifications of these tariffs, the ongoing violence in Mexico related to cartel activities, and the potential for increased US military involvement. The conversation also delves into the current state of US-Iran relations, highlighting the complexities of negotiations and military posturing in the region.

Read our related reports on both the implications of U.S. tariffs and U.S. - Iran Scenarios.

https://www.insightforward.co.uk/reports/

In this episode, Ross Hill and Dr. Treston Wheat discuss the recent Munich Security Conference, focusing on the speech by Marco Rubio and its implications for US foreign policy and NATO. They analyze the shift in tone from previous speeches, the divergence of shared values between the US and Europe, and the rise of cultural nationalism. The conversation also covers Europe's increasing defense spending, the risk of conflict with Russia, and the potential for gray zone activities that could lead to miscalculations and escalations in tensions.

In this episode, Ross Hill and Dr. Treston Wheat discuss various geopolitical developments, including the the formation of the Critical Minerals Coalition by the US, and its implications for foreign policy and industrial strategy. They explore the bipartisan support for critical minerals, the evolving US-China relations, and the significant shifts in Japan's defense policy following its recent election. The conversation also touches on the 2026 US National Defense Strategy and how corporations must adapt to the changing geopolitical landscape.

In this episode of Boardroom Statecraft, Ross Hill and Dr. Treston Wheat discuss the evolving landscape of global politics, focusing on the implications of US foreign policy and China's strategic responses. They explore the importance of stability in international relations, the role of multilateral institutions, and the emergence of a multipolar world. The conversation highlights the challenges and opportunities for businesses navigating this transitionary period, emphasizing the need for adaptive strategies in a rapidly changing geopolitical environment.

In this episode of Boardroom Statecraft, Ross Hill and Dr Treston Wheat unpack a framing that helps explain why US foreign policy currently feels so disruptive to allies and markets: the United States behaving as a revisionist power. They explore how the post 1945 US role as a stabilising architect of the liberal order is giving way to a more explicitly transactional posture, where Washington engages internationally only on its own terms. The discussion connects this shift to growing pressure on Europe to rebuild defence capacity, to the declining authority of multilateral institutions, and to the way businesses should think about market access, supply chains, and long term strategic planning as the global order fragments.

In this episode of Boardroom Statecraft, hosts Ross Hill and Dr. Treston Wheat delve into the importance of bold inferences in analysis, particularly within the context of geopolitical and business intelligence. They discuss the historical trend of neutrality in analysis, which often leads to vague conclusions, and argue for a more assertive approach that clearly communicates insights and forecasts. Dr. Wheat emphasizes the necessity of having a defined analytical framework, such as realism, to make informed predictions about global events and their implications for businesses. The conversation highlights the evolving role of corporations as geopolitical actors and the need for analysts to articulate their reasoning to enhance decision-making processes.

Find out more How We Think: Realism in Geopolitical Risk Analysis

In this episode of Boardroom Statecraft, Ross Hill and Dr. Treston Wheat discuss the evolving landscape of US foreign policy, focusing on Greenland, Cuba, and Iran. They explore the implications of military interventions, the shift from multilateralism, and the potential consequences for international relations and business strategies. The conversation highlights the need for businesses to adapt to these geopolitical changes and the importance of thorough analysis in navigating this complex environment.

In this episode, Ross Hill and Dr Treston Wheat examine the US operation against Nicolás Maduro and what it reveals about contemporary American strategy in the Western Hemisphere. The discussion focuses on how long-running strategic signals, including shifts in US national security doctrine, hemispheric security priorities, and the designation of narco-terrorism, shaped an intervention that stopped short of full regime change.

The episode explores why this operation aligns with the Trump administration’s preference for rapid, decisive action without occupation, drawing comparisons to historical precedents such as Panama in 1989. Ross and Treston assess the geopolitical drivers behind the move, particularly the desire to constrain Chinese and Russian influence and deny access to critical resources, rather than humanitarian or democratisation objectives.

Finally, the conversation turns to implications for business and markets. The episode unpacks the realities of Venezuelan oil production, infrastructure decay, and long-term investment risk, alongside the likelihood of continued US pressure through counter-narcotics operations. The key takeaway is strategic rather than tactical: corporate risk increasingly sits downstream of geopolitical bargaining, not domestic reform.

Music for this episode is by @barleysentient on Suno