Michael T. Lester, a U.S. Naval Academy graduate and former Marine Corps combat pilot who served in Asia and the Middle East, initially believed deeply in American ideals. Over time, he experienced growing disillusionment as U.S. actions abroad often contradicted official narratives and failed to align with stated goals of promoting democracy and freedom. His book provides a non-partisan analysis, arguing that repeated harmful outcomes across administrations are systemic features driven by incentives, not mere mistakes. It outlines an imperial playbook involving regime change, sanctions, proxy wars, and economic control, while linking foreign policy to domestic narrative management that manufactures consent. Lester applies this framework to current events like Ukraine, Gaza, and Venezuela, noting increasing global skepticism toward U.S. explanations. The provocative title refers to outcomes; from a global viewpoint, the U.S. often appears as the antagonist, emphasizing that denial hinders self-correction. Motivated by the view that silence enables complicity, Lester wrote this book to encourage honest reckoning in a multipolar world. Try Mindful Sparkling Water - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FPT6YPXX?maas=maas_adg_1C797BA219D5E6EE94343185A49EE100_afap_abs&ref_=aa_maas&tag=maas Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkoujZQZatbqy4KGcgjpVxQ/join Shawn Ryan Show Links SUBSCRIBE: http://www.youtube.com/@ShawnRyanShow Sign up: https://shawnryanshow.com/pages/newsletter Support the Show: https://www.patreon.com/VigilanceElite Download Free Content: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1lF-8_5jwRc5eAhzDkqqCOp-6yvd05vAw?usp=sharing Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shawn-ryan-show/id1492492083 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5eodRZd3qR9VT1ip1wI7xQ?si=59f9d106e56a4509 Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shawnryanshow Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shawnryanshow/ Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shawnryanshow/ Follow on Snapchat: https://www.snapchat.com/@shawnryanshow Follow on X: https://twitter.com/ShawnRyanShow SRS Podcast Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4pqo9Uoh0WuUKxw0BmaK1yrg9Kd7E4lk #vigilanceelite #shawnryanshow #history #news #currentaffairs #war #economy Michael Lester Links: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mtlester Books - https://michaeltlester.com Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors: Try Rho Nutrition today and experience the difference of Liposomal Technology. Use code SRS for 20% OFF everything at https://www.rhonutrition.com/discount/SRS Sign up at https://BetterHelp.com/srs to get 10% off. #ad Our listeners get the Harry’s Plus Trial Set for only $10 at https://www.Harrys.com/SRS #Harryspod Go to https://DRINKAG1.com/SRS for a free AG1 Flavor Sampler, AGZ Sampler, free Vitamin D3+K2, and AG1 Welcome Kit with your first subscription order, plus a 90-day money-back guarantee (limited time, while supplies last). 00:00 Intro to The Hot Question 07:12 U.S. Division & Political Polarization 11:28 Media Bubbles & Info Wars 23:32 Alliances & Global Power 47:27 Population Trends & Future 53:39 What Is a Nation For? 01:00:39 American Exceptionalism Challenged 01:03:50 Columbus, Hawaii, and Statehood 01:17:51 Writing the Book & Veteran Views 01:27:26 Power Grid Risks 01:42:33 Panama Canal & Foreign Policy 01:47:00 Military Spending & U.S. Empire 01:53:17 Corruption, Influence & APAC 02:24:02 Israeli Influence & Foreign Agents 02:48:14 Campaign Reform & Education 03:02:29 Regime Change & Info Power 03:38:22 Viruses, Biowarfare & COVID 03:46:22 Military Waste & Empire Consequences 04:02:35 Economic Hitmen & Global Debt