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Hello and welcome back to the Americano Show.

My name is Freddie Gray. I am the deputy editor of the spectator and the US editor. And I'm pleased to tell you that this is the 10th year of the

Americano podcast. And I think it's fair to say it's been a fairly fascinating time in American

politics, life and culture. And that's what we talk about every

episode on this podcast. So please keep listening and provide as much feedback as you like.

I am delighted to be joined today by Shadi Hamid, who is the author of a brilliant new book

called The Case for American Power.

And Chadi, I'm going to start by congratulating you on the book because it's brilliantly

written and very well structured. I've also commend you because it's very honest about

your own doubts about your thesis.

And I wondered, I couldn't help wondering, this is probably a very obvious way to start this,

but I couldn't help wondering, those doubts must have increased dramatically in the last few weeks, I think.

Because your book is about how important it is for America to be the preeminent power in the world,

to use its power militarily, economically, socially and so on.

And the Iran War has been a real test of that thesis, I think.

Has it not?

That's exactly right.

...