Show Notes
All is not well in the world of AI. While China has done a remarkable job at keeping up with AI in general, there is a gap at the very frontier of AI models, especially in mathematics. And the US is exploiting this with great skill. Tsinghua mathematician Babak Haghighat joins Pascal to discuss how artificial intelligence is changing mathematical research and the global balance of scientific power. He warns that private control of advanced models could restrict researchers, deepen international inequalities, and accelerate an AI arms race. Their conversation examines China’s research ecosystem, American chip restrictions, energy demands, and the promise of open collaboration. Haghighat argues for public access, stronger university partnerships, and keeping AI a tool for humanity rather than its scientific master.Babak's Links:Tsinghua University faculty profile: https://ymsc.tsinghua.edu.cn/en/info/...Neutrality Studies Links:Neutrality Studies Substack: https://pascallottaz.substack.comSupport Neutrality Studies: https://neutralitystudies.com/donateNeutrality Studies shop: https://neutralitystudies.com/shopTime Stamps00:00 AI transforms mathematical research05:06 The frontier gap and control of science10:48 Researchers face an access dilemma16:36 An accelerating race and security risks23:11 Chips, sanctions and open collaboration35:42 Energy and the cost of intelligence40:31 Human creativity and AI as a tool45:40 Avoiding an arms race; science as a public good
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The USA sold Australia a Submarine that will never be delivered. In return, they got a Deep See submarine port that they can use in perpetuity. Well played, Washington! Or was it maybe not?Jeff Rich joins Pascal to examine Australia’s political upheaval and its place within American power. They discuss One Nation’s rise, migration, neoliberal reforms, and growing doubts about national autonomy. Rich argues that AUKUS strengthens foreign military access while constraining Australia’s choices, and proposes understanding US allies as privileged dominions within an imperial hierarchy. The conversation also explores media influence, elite networks, relations with Asia, hostility toward Russia, and the changing meaning of national identity in an increasingly interconnected world.Jeff's Links:The Burning Archive on Substack: https://jeffrich.substack.comThe Burning Archive on YouTube: / @theburningarchive Neutrality Studies Links:Neutrality Studies Substack: https://pascallottaz.substack.comSupport Neutrality Studies: https://neutralitystudies.com/donateNeutrality Studies shop: https://neutralitystudies.com/shopTime Stamps00:00 Australia’s political crisis05:20 Migration and settler colonialism10:11 Voting systems and One Nation’s rise20:28 Neoliberalism and the limits of market reform26:27 AUKUS and Australia’s autonomy37:41 US dominions, elites and media power47:26 Australia’s relationships with Asia and Russia52:47 National identity and the Burning Archive
Dr. Leila Hudson assesses the very real risk of more escalation in West Asia as Israeli elections and American midterms approach. She discusses Iranian strategic discipline, decentralized military organization, Yemen’s asymmetric warfare and the changing security calculations of Gulf states. Hudson explores funeral diplomacy, Syria’s cautious regional positioning and the danger of sectarian polarization. The conversation also considers Israeli and Emirati influence across East Africa, contested regional alliances and the prospects for diplomacy as American power and security guarantees face growing pressure.Leila's Links:University of Arizona profile: https://profiles.arizona.edu/person/l...Lines of Flight, Assemblages of Home: Syrian Women Displaced: https://press.syr.edu/supressbooks/86...Neutrality Studies Links:Neutrality Studies Substack: https://pascallottaz.substack.comSupport Neutrality Studies: https://neutralitystudies.com/donateNeutrality Studies shop: https://neutralitystudies.com/shopTime Stamps00:00 West Asia and the risk of renewed escalation05:02 Elections and an October surprise16:16 Iran’s decentralized military resilience22:59 Yemen and the limits of expensive warfare27:58 Iran, the Gulf and changing alliances31:31 Funeral diplomacy and regional relationships36:06 Syria’s restraint and Iraq’s uncertainty42:39 East Africa, alliance maps and divide-and-rule
Dr. Ivana Nikolić Hughes examines what nuclear weapons mean for human survival, drawing on research into radioactive contamination in the Marshall Islands. She explains explosive yields, persistent fallout, unequal radiation risks, and the potential for nuclear winter to devastate food production worldwide. In discussion, she addresses nuclear energy, North Korea, deterrence, disarmament, Western double standards, and artificial intelligence in nuclear command systems. Her central argument is that understanding the physical consequences must precede meaningful debate about security and political choices.Ivana's Links:Nuclear Age Peace Foundation: https://www.wagingpeace.org/Columbia University profile: https://www.chem.columbia.edu/content...Neutrality Studies Links:Neutrality Studies Substack: https://pascallottaz.substack.comSupport Neutrality Studies: https://neutralitystudies.com/donateNeutrality Studies shop: https://neutralitystudies.com/shopTime Stamps00:00 What is at stake03:41 The destructive scale of nuclear weapons10:33 Nuclear testing and the Marshall Islands16:56 Radiation, contaminated food and unequal risks30:36 Nuclear winter and global starvation36:37 Q&A: nuclear energy and deterrence44:22 Disarmament and double standards59:18 Public opinion, AI and nuclear escalation
The capitalist class will never give up if we don't force them into peace and an equitable future. And this is not a antiquated social paradigm but the only framework that can help you understand the insane levels of political violence around us.Kyoto University Symposium 2026: "Geopolitics in the Time of Monsters"Keynote 3 (Presentation 11): Prof. Radhika DesaiProfessor Radhika Desai examines the crisis of world capitalism through her geopolitical economy approach. She argues that Western decline and China’s rise reflect a deeper struggle over production, imperialism and socialism. Drawing on Marx, Smith, Keynes and Gramsci, she challenges prevailing accounts of world war, fascism and neo-feudalism. The discussion explores artificial intelligence, Russia’s economic system, Trump’s tariffs and neoclassical economics, concluding with an exchange with Bill Mitchell on the left’s retreat from macroeconomic policy and the role of planning.Radhika's Links:Website: https://radhikadesai.com/Books: https://radhikadesai.com/books/Neutrality Studies Links:Neutrality Studies Substack: https://pascallottaz.substack.comSupport Neutrality Studies: https://neutralitystudies.com/donateNeutrality Studies shop: https://neutralitystudies.com/shopTime Stamps00:00 Geopolitical economy and capitalism’s crisis06:06 The changing world order17:26 Imperialism, nations and development27:45 Marx, monopoly and planned production39:00 Neoliberalism and capitalism’s decline50:37 Q&A: Keynes, AI and multipolarity59:33 Russia, China and imperialism1:19:17 Bill Mitchell: where the left lost its way
How can scholars, journalists and citizens help prevent another world war? Well, just work on it.Kyoto University Symposium 2026: "Geopolitics in the Time of Monsters"Roundtable (Session 15): Plenary DiscussionIn the closing Kyoto Symposium, we bring together seventeen participants to discuss practical paths toward peace. They explore public education, nuclear disarmament, economic inequality, political organization and dialogue across ideological divides. The discussion moves from individual proposals to candid disagreements about democracy, capitalism, nationalism and the psychology of conflict. Despite differing perspectives, participants consider how cooperation, honest debate and stronger networks can turn anxiety into collective action.Participants:Pascal Lottaz (moderator), Sheng Zhang, Dennis Riches, Warwick Powell, Alexander Mercouris, Nel Bonilla, Radhika Desai, Ulrike Guérot, Evarist Bartolo, Arta Moeini, David Gibbs, Mattias Desmet, Christopher Mott, Ivana N. Hughes, Hillary Briffa, Eric Golson and Aghogho Akpome.Neutrality Studies Links:Neutrality Studies Substack: https://pascallottaz.substack.comSupport Neutrality Studies: https://neutralitystudies.com/donateNeutrality Studies shop: https://neutralitystudies.com/shopTime Stamps00:00 From analysis to action: Pascal’s opening02:17 The panel’s proposals for peace17:05 Sincere dialogue and ethical principles19:04 Disarmament, public engagement and cooperation26:36 Open discussion: fear, power and dialogue33:39 Domestic inequality and the roots of conflict44:02 Nuclear risks, identity and political narratives56:11 Building coalitions across ideological divides