Topic: National Interest

Alice Weidel, leader of Germany's AFD party, has called for an end to the financing of the war in Ukraine, labeling it a "lost war." Weidel argues that the prolongation of the conflict is not in Germany's national interest and poses a significant security risk to Europe. She advocates for a peace deal that acknowledges Russia's security concerns and prioritizes German fiscal stability.

The United States federal debt has reached a record $40 trillion, increasing by $1 trillion in the last five months alone. Rising costs for Social Security and Medicare, combined with tax cuts and pandemic relief bills like the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025, are cited as primary drivers. The Treasury has reportedly begun purchasing back bonds, a move the hosts discuss as a form of debt monetization or quantitative easing to lower long-term interest rates.