Ep 5. Allies: Friends Without Benefits

The Problem With Jon Stewart is a political commentary and news satire show that seeks to take a humorous yet informative approach to discussing current events in the United States. In season 2 episode 5, titled "Allies: Friends Without Benefits," Stewart focuses on the complex relationships between the U.S. and its allies, particularly the tension that often exists between the U.S. and other Western countries.

Stewart opens the episode by discussing the recent G7 summit, where leaders from the world's largest economies gathered to discuss various issues, including the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and economic policy. While the summit was ultimately seen as a success, Stewart notes that there were underlying tensions among the leaders, particularly related to the U.S.'s history of unilateral action and its withdrawal from key international agreements like the Paris climate accord.

From there, Stewart takes a deeper dive into America's relationships with key allies like Canada, the UK, and France, highlighting the ways in which these relationships have been strained by the Trump administration and its "America First" policies. He notes that while these countries are technically allies, there are significant disagreements over issues like trade, defense spending, and immigration that have caused rifts.

To better understand these complex relationships, Stewart sits down with experts in foreign policy and diplomacy, including former U.S. ambassador to Canada, Bruce Heyman, and former U.S. ambassador to NATO, Ivo Daalder. They discuss the challenges inherent in balancing national interests with collective action, and how the U.S. can work to repair damaged relationships with its allies.

Throughout the episode, Stewart blends his trademark humor with incisive analysis, using current events as a lens through which to examine broader issues related to diplomacy, globalization, and the shifting role of the United States in the world. Ultimately, "Allies: Friends Without Benefits" is both an entertaining and informative look at the complexities of modern international relations, and a call to action for Americans to engage with the wider world in a more thoughtful and collaborative way.