Saudi Arabia

Freedom, PTSD, war, and life through an evolutionary lens | Sebastian Junger & Peter Attia (Ep. 195)

Peter Attia MD

Mentioned as a US ally with 'ghastly policies' similar to Sharia law, implying hypocrisy.

E86: Macro outlook: jobs, housing, inflation + Dutch farmers protests & EU climate missteps

All-In Podcast

Its oil production capacity and potential increase to 11 million barrels a day are discussed, along with Biden's diplomatic approach.

E171: DOJ sues Apple, AI arms race, Reddit IPO, Realtor settlement & more

All-In Podcast

The country planning to launch a significant $40 billion AI fund.

Sam Bankman-Fried & Effective Altruism: A Conversation with Will MacAskill (Episode #361)

Sam Harris

Mentioned as a potential source of funding that Sam Bankman-Fried was courting, which Will MacAskill found concerning.

E141: State of Series A's, VC dry powder, IPO window opens + more with Bill Gurley & Brad Gerstner

All-In Podcast

Mentioned as experiencing extreme temperatures, highlighting parts of the Earth becoming unlivable without amenities.

A Falling World: A Conversation with Peter Zeihan (Episode #355)

Sam Harris

Discussed in the context of its historical rivalry with Iran, its energy exports, and potential future alliances with Israel.

Skye Fitzgerald: Hunger, War, and Human Suffering | Lex Fridman Podcast #278

Lex Fridman

Accused of instituting and maintaining the blockade over Yemen, leading to widespread starvation, and playing a major role in the conflict.

E160: 2024 Predictions! Markets, tech, politics, and more

All-In Podcast

Used its balance sheet to attempt to jump-start its professional soccer business by signing players like Ronaldo.

The Coming Cold War II — Niall Ferguson

Tim Ferriss

A country where Ayaan Hirsi Ali lived, part of her early life story described in her book 'Infidel'.

E161: US strikes Houthis, market instability, Q1 rate cuts in doubt, Carta's major mishap, DEI

All-In Podcast

A country in the Middle East that allowed the US to use its territory for strikes but called for restraint, showing nervousness about regional escalation.

E159: The Bestie Awards! Recapping the best and worst of 2023

All-In Podcast

Awarded as the biggest political winner of 2023 due to its strategic position and productive relations with major global powers like the US, China, Iran, Israel, and Russia. The country is seen as having significant leverage and a positive vision for reinvesting and modernizing.

E158: Global trade disrupted, Adobe/Figma canceled, realtors sued, Trump blocked

All-In Podcast

A country that fought a near-decade long war against the Houthis and is now reluctant to get involved in restarting hostilities. Possesses significant oil fields threatened by the Houthis.

Jared Kushner: Israel-Hamas War, paths forward, macro picture, AI

All-In Podcast

Visited by Donald Trump in 2017 to address Middle East instability and where significant counter-terrorism and counter-extremism initiatives were launched.

Nicole Perlroth: Cybersecurity and the Weapons of Cyberwar | Lex Fridman Podcast #266

Lex Fridman

A country that planted spies inside Twitter to monitor critics of the regime, highlighting the threat of social engineering and insider threats.

E151: WW3 risk, War with Iran?, 4.9% GDP, startup failures growing, new Speaker & more

All-In Podcast

The host (JCal) observed radical changes in personal and economic freedoms, and noted its growing entrepreneurial excitement.

E150: Israel/Gaza escalating or not? EU censorship regime, Penn donors revolt, GLP-1 hype cycle

All-In Podcast

Country whose normalization deal with Israel was put on ice due to the Gaza conflict, discussed in the context of Middle East peace efforts.

E149: Hamas terror attacks in Israel: fallout, reaction, next steps

All-In Podcast

A Gulf monarchy whose potential normalization of relations with Israel was reportedly put on hold due to the Hamas attacks.

Game Theory #12: The Law of Eschatological Convergence

Predictive History

Predicted to enter the war and suffer immensely.

Game Theory #11: The Law of Escalation

Predictive History

One of the four major players in the Middle East conflict, whose motivations include controlling the Strait of Hormuz and potentially destroying the US and Israel.

Gaza & Global Order: A Conversation with Yuval Noah Harari (Episode #341)

Sam Harris

Engaged in advanced negotiations for a normalization treaty with Israel, which was derailed by Hamas's attack.

Ed Miliband: UK may send ships and mine-hunting drones to open strait | Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg

BBC Politics

The Foreign Secretary visited to talk to Gulf countries regarding the Strait of Hormuz situation.

Robert Crews: Afghanistan, Taliban, Bin Laden, and War in the Middle East | Lex Fridman Podcast #244

Lex Fridman

The country from which most of the 9/11 attackers hailed, and which played a complex role in regional politics, including using Afghanistan as a 'safety valve' for dissidents.

All-In Podcast

E134: Ukraine counteroffensive, China tensions, COVID Patient Zero, RFK Jr reaction & more

All-In Podcast

Mentioned as a country showing progress in engagement (e.g., bringing movies back), serving as an example of successful diplomatic efforts.