This is Intelligence Matters, with former acting director of the CIA, Michael Morel.

The mere fact that this program exists is sort of a sign of weakness rather than strength, right?

This program is meant to address long-term structural economic weaknesses.

They live in fear of laying off tens of thousands of steel workers and cement workers because they know that that would be a threat to regime stability.

Rather than reforming inefficient, stable enterprises or privatizing them, they're basically subsidizing them by just creating a larger customer base.

Brad Parks is the executive director of AID Data, a research institute at the College of William & Mary.

Before joining AID Data, Brad helped establish the U.S. government's Millennium Challenge Corporation, a U.S. Foreign Aid Agency.

Brad joins us today to talk about his new book, Banking on Beijing, the Ames and Impacts of China's Overseas Development Program.

We'll be right back with that discussion after our word from our sponsor. I'm Michael Morel, and this is Intelligence Matters.

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This is The Takeout.

With Major Garrett, Roy Cooper is the Democratic governor of North Carolina.

President Biden should he run for reelection. Well, I expect him to. I had a conversation with him just a couple of days ago. I support him. He's been a fantastic president.

He needs to make that decision, but if he makes the decision, yes, I'm for him 100%.

For more from this week's conversation, follow The Takeout with Major Garrett on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

Brad, welcome to Intelligence Matters. It's great to have you with us.

It's a pleasure to be on. Thank you, Michael.

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