All-In E134: Ukraine counteroffensive, China tensions, COVID Patient Zero, RFK Jr reaction & more
Episode 134 • 6/24/2023
Ukraine Counteroffensive & Russian Defense
- David Sacks detailed Ukraine's struggling counteroffensive, noting minimal gains after ~18 days with significant losses (est. 25% of tanks/vehicles and ~10,000 casualties)
- Russians have created three fortified defense lines that Ukrainian forces haven't penetrated, using extensive minefields, artillery, and air support
- Discussion of a potential peace deal that was allegedly available earlier but rejected when Boris Johnson visited Kyiv, encouraging continued conflict
- Debate over whether the West's strategy of depleting Russian military capabilities is working or backfiring
US-China Relations
- Secretary Blinken's visit to China marked first high-level diplomatic engagement since 2018
- Progress was undermined by Biden calling Xi a "dictator" at a fundraiser
- Discussion of the emerging alliance between China, Russia, and Iran as potentially the most formidable adversary the US has faced
- Debate over industrial policy after Ford received $9.2B government loan for EV battery factories
COVID Origins & Media
- New reporting suggests Patient Zero was a Wuhan lab researcher doing gain-of-function research
- Discussion of how media and pharmaceutical advertising relationships (46% of TV ad revenue) may have influenced COVID coverage
- Criticism of mainstream media acting as "bodyguard for the elite" rather than performing investigative journalism
RFK Jr Campaign Discussion
- Response to criticism that podcast hosts are supporting RFK Jr as a "bank shot" against Biden
- Chamath and Sacks hosted a fundraiser but clarified they support him based on alignment on key issues like free speech, civil liberties, and foreign policy
- Discussion of how media attempts to discredit candidates through labeling rather than addressing policy positions
Notable Quotes
On Ukraine strategy: "Our purpose was to weaken Russia... but it has not weakened Putin, it has weakened the United States and our allies" - David Sacks
On media criticism: "They are stenographers for the people in power" - David Sacks
On industrial policy: "It's us using our balance sheet to make sure that we get to energy independence" - Chamath Palihapitiya