Part 2/11:
George Friedman sets the stage by contextualizing current events within historical precedents of American leadership during crises. He draws parallels to previous leaders like Andrew Jackson and Franklin Roosevelt, who disrupted norms in response to unsustainable situations. Friedman suggests that modern American presidents often face moments of stark reality that compel them to take unconventional actions; the current geopolitical climate fits this mold. He then highlights how recent events reveal a critical juncture for America and its foreign policy.