Incogni: Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code IMPACT at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/impact ATT Business: Switch to AT&T Business at https://business.att.com Pique: 20% off at https://piquelife.com/impact What's up, guys? Today I am bringing you one of the most thought-provoking and eye-opening episodes we've ever done. My guest is Andrew Bustamante—a former CIA covert intelligence officer, spycraft expert, and someone with a front row seat to global power struggles. Andrew has lived at the intersection of national security, geopolitics, and the secret world of intelligence, and his insights will completely change the way you see the world stage. We get into everything: the real audit of American power taking place in conflicts with Iran, how China is learning from our every move, why the world order is shifting beneath our feet, and how AI could tip the balance in this new era of global rivalry. Andrew breaks down what’s really at stake for the US, what China wants, and what every other country is watching for right now. We talk about the rise of strongman governments, the integrity of democracy, and why your own personal decisions—where you invest, what tech you use—are more tied to world events than you realize. If you want to understand global strategy, prepare for a rapidly changing future, and become someone who is not just a passive bystander but a player on the field—this episode is a must-listen. Strap in, take notes, and as always, if you get value out of this episode, please leave us a review. That's how we grow the show and keep bringing you the experts who help you unlock your full potential. I’m Tom Bilyeu, and welcome to Impact Theory. 00:00 - Welcome and intro: Why meeting with Andrew Bustamante was urgent with global tensions 00:20 - What China Learned While US Fights Iran 05:24 - The global scramble: How 157 countries are hedging against US dollar and US tech; why the “portfolio split” just got real 09:06 - The “Suez Canal moment” for the US: Why losing grip in the Strait of Hormuz is historic 19:15 - How global perception shifts when threats (“economic D-Day”, anyone?) become empty—China’s new confidence in resisting American pressure 31:08 - From American Dream to “Red Dream”: How Xi Jinping’s CCP is remaking global aspirations, and the chilling influence on wavering democracies 40:45 - Why China WANTS conflict close to its home turf (South China Sea)—and what happens if the US ever takes the bait 53:21 - Does China see itself in decline? The real calculus behind demographics, technology, and whether they’re just waiting for the world to come back to them 01:16:00 China's strategy in Hong Kong Sign up for my AI Masterclass: https://tombilyeu.com/ai-masterclass?utm_campaign=TBS-Livestream&utm_source=you tube&utm_medium=social Check us out wherever you get your podcasts: Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/1nARKz2vTIOb7gC9dusE4b?si=a8daffd2bf1f48fd Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tom-bilyeus-impact-theory/id1191775648 Do you need my help STARTING a business? Join me here inside ZERO TO FOUNDER: (https://tombilyeu.com/zero-to-founder) Get the exact systems, mindset shifts, and principles that built a $1B brand delivered straight to your inbox every week. Subscribe for free (https://tombilyeu.com) Check out our Video game - Project Kyzen: (https://projectkyzen.io/) Catch Me Streaming on Twitch - (https://twitch.tv/tombilyeu) Link to IT discord: https://discord.gg/TZKJ2etPbT Tom's Favorite Things List: https://amzn.to/41Ftt7e For Business inquiries: connect@impacttheory.com FOLLOW TOM: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tombilyeu/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/tombilyeu YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TomBilyeu Order Andrew's new book 'Outsmart Everyone' TODAY and get IMMEDIATE ACCESS to your ‘Operators Guide to Outsmart Everyone’ before Andrew's book hits the shelf: - Step 1: Visit the official site for Andrew's book by clicking here https://outsmarteveryonespy.com/ - Step 2: Purchase the hardcover, audiobook, or eBook. - Step 3: Send the receipt for your purchase to Andrew's team at: info@everydayspy.com - Step 4: A real-life human being will respond to your email with a personal link to download your ‘Operators Guide to Outsmart Everyone!’ - BONUS STEP: For those who want to celebrate with Andrew personally, if you BUY 5 COPIES of the book, you’ll get a PRIVATE INVITE to JOIN ANDREW on LAUNCH DAY for an EXCLUSIVE LIVE VIDEO CALL! Just send your receipt and highlight that you bought 5 copies (or more!) of the book. Want to learn more from Andrew? - Find your Spy Superpower: https://yt.everydayspy.com/ImpactTheory082026 - Follow Andrew on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@Andrew-Bustamante - Explore Spy School: https://everydayspy.com/ - Support Andrew's sponsor: https://axoltbrain.com/andy