On The Gist, the bad news from Freedom House.

U.S. Air Force officer Edward Lansdale promoted a “hearts and minds” approach to diplomacy in the Philippines and Vietnam, only to be steamrolled by America’s elite class of policymakers. Max Boot tells us about Lansdale and his own newfound recognition of white privilege and other ideas from the left. Boot’s new book is The Road Not Taken: Edward Lansdale and the American Tragedy in Vietnam.     

In the Spiel, why the continuing resolution is sucking all the fun out of politics. 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices